The Last Reunion is a rich and absorbing story about art, war and friendship from bestselling Australian author, Kayte Nunn.

Art dealer intern Olivia Goddard is excited when she’s given the opportunity to evaluate the authenticity of a unique collection of netsuke (small three dimensional carvings traditionally used by Japanese men to secure their kimono sash) including the elusive figure known as the ‘fox-girl’. Arriving at the Wiltshire estate of its owner, Beatrix Pelham, Olivia is focused on assessing the pieces and returning to London but illness and a snow storm results in an enforced stay. Keen to learn more about the netsuke, Olivia is intrigued as Beatrix reveals how the ‘ fox-girl’ first came into her possession as a gift from her first love when they were both serving in Burma during WWII.

Employing a dual timeline, Nunn seamlessly combines historical fact and fiction that centres on the unique role women played in the ‘forgotten war’, in The Last Reunion. Around two hundred and fifty Women’s Auxiliary Service members were posted to Burma during WWII where the ‘Wasbies’, as they were known, ran canteens that catered to the troops engaged in fighting the Japanese.

In 1944, Beatrix, Plum, Bubbles, Lucy and Joy are assigned to a mobile canteen unit where they find themselves working long days, and nights, to supply soldiers with food, drink, sundries and a dance partner. I enjoyed getting to know these authentically portrayed, interesting female characters, admiring the strength and courage they displayed in such physically, and emotionally, challenging circumstances. Nunn’s vivid descriptions of the environment and the ‘Wasbies’ role in Burma is fascinating, and I appreciated the opportunity to learn more about this relatively obscure facet of wartime history.

Events related in the wartime timeline play into the later time period, as in 1999, to sell her precious collection of netsuke, Beatrix needs to prove provenance, and to do so must confront a shocking incident that occurred during her time in Burma. Fortuitously an invitation to a reunion of the women Bea once served with arrives while Olivia is at Bea’s house, and sets the scene for a long overdue reckoning.

Offering intrigue, action, and a touch of romance, the well paced plot of The Last Reunion is enough to hold any reader’s attention, though it’s the Wasbies and their role in WWII that I found most compelling. This is interesting, well crafted historical fiction that I’m happy to recommend.

Kayte Nunn is a new author for me and I will certainly be reading more of her books.
This is a story that weaves a contemporary story, set in 1999, with a historical one, set in 1944 during WW2.
Olivia doing an internship with an art dealer and is sent to a country location in England from London to visit an elderly lady who may have a rare Japanese netsuke to sell. Olivia is sent off a couple of days out from Christmas and due to being unwell finds herself an unexpected guest of Beatrix Pelhem for the duration.
Interwoven with this is the story of young 20 year old Bea (Beatrix) who volunteers for the 'Wasbies' - a group of women who served in Burma offering support services to soldiers in the form of a mobile canteen/shop. This was a new and interesting perspective of the war and quite an eye opener.
A lovely story of friendship, trust and loyalty. I can highly recommend this book.
Thank you Netgalley and Hachette Australia for the opportunity to review this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

New Year's Eve's 1999, after not seeing each other for over fifty years, five friends meet in Ireland and reflect on their time serving in the Women’s Auxiliary Service in Burma during WW II.

Burma, 1945. Not willing to spend the war years rolling bandages, Bea, Plum, Bubbles, Joy and Lucy join the Women’s Auxiliary Service in Burma and are assigned to the British Fourteenth army and who are constantly on the move and fighting the Japanese. The Wasbies operate mobile canteens, selling necessities to all ranks, boosting morale and working in very primitive and dangerous conditions.

Oxford, 1976. A middle aged woman visits the Ashmolean museum and steals five rare Japanese artifacts called netsuke and including the precious fox-girl. Made of ivory, the ancient toggles used to attach items to men’s obi’s or the wide sash that wrapped around their kimonos. Despite the offer of a large reward, the small and distinct treasures have never been found.

London and Galway, 1999. Aussie Olivia Goddard is working as an intern for art dealer Elaine, to gain experience and she’s hopeful it may lead to a permanent position. Given very little notice Olivia is sent to Wiltshire to meet with Beatrix Pelham, a long term client who wants to sell her deceased husband's Japanese art collection and use the money to fix her crumbling house. Olivia unexpectedly stays with Mrs. Pelham over Christmas holidays; she’s been invited to a New Year’s Eve party in Ireland and she asks Olivia to take her. Olivia has no idea she will be caught up in the drama of fifty year old war time secrets and complicated friendships.

The Last Reunion has a dual timeline it seamlessly flows between the jungles of Burma during WW II and England/Ireland in the late 1990’s. Inspired by the true stories of the brave members of the Women’s Auxiliary Service in Burma and they were the only women involved in the front-line action during the war. The Wasbies endured the same hardships as the soldiers, tough terrain, tropical weather, leeches, mud and Japanese armies harassment.

I absolutely loved The Last Reunion, I was completely engrossed in the book after reading a couple of pages and I didn’t want it to end. It’s a really unique WW II story; it’s emotional, fascinating and brimming with so many interesting details and facts about a little know military campaign. With a plot full of secrets and mystery and it’s one of the best dual timeline WW II historical fiction books I have read. I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, thanks so much to Hachette Australia and Kayte Nunn for mine and five big stars from me.

All of Kayte's books have been winners for me, so I could not wait to delve into her latest offering. On this occasion, Kayte provides a selection of timelines and themes that she melds beautifully together for an all up fascinating read. Whether it be the mysterious opening with the theft of a rare Japanese artifact, to the jungles of Burma during WWII with the women serving on the frontline, to their reunification fifty years on - this book is loaded with stories of courage and female friendships that are inspiring and make for a most satisfying story.

‘What about the men? They’ll want their jobs back,’ said Plum. ‘Then what will we do?’ Bea asked. ‘One thing I know for certain,’ said Joy, her mouth firmly set. ‘I’m not going to go back to being a wife.’

I was unaware that women were so close to the frontline in Burma during WWII as they served the fighting forces as best they could. The stories these women would live to tell were truly inspiring. To go from afternoon tea parties to fearlessly facing the terrifying scenes of frontline fighting is really quite incredible.

‘... as recently as her mother’s generation, in order to survive the punishing jungles of the East, white women hadn’t been expected to lift a finger, instead they were cosseted by servants who saw to their every need. Now, look at them all.’

The modern day timeline - some fifty years on - see these women meet up again in Ireland and face some underlying issues from the past. This ‘reunion’ will certainly test loyalties that were forged all those many years ago. I also really enjoyed the character of Olivia as a side story - an Aussie trying to live and work in London - her story is more than just a support to Bea.

‘Are you excited about the reunion?’ she asked when they’d settled themselves in the bar, a tumbler of Irish whiskey in front of each of them. ‘I’m not sure excited is exactly the word I’d use ...’

Kayte is a superb writer both in the research she undertakes and the story she then weaves from that, inclusive of characters that you really come to care for. The fact that so much of this story is based on and/or inspired by real life events certainly adds a richness of appreciation to events. This is historical fiction at its best.

All up this a wonderful read that truly opened my eyes to the role women played in Burma during the war. To daily confront such challenging circumstances, one would need to form bonds of support to be able to face it day after day. To find love and friendship amongst such danger and death is what makes this story so incredibly moving.

‘The country had been changed forever; its peaceful people caught in the middle of a war started such a long way from here, in the name of avarice and power. It all seemed so senseless.’






This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.

This was yet another wonderful read from Kayte Nunn - she never disappoints! Her level of research and character development in this book is just so incredible and I loved the used of dual timelines and how seamlessly it all fit together. With strong themes of friendship, courage, secrets and resilience, this book is a must read for those who love historical fiction!

It was 1945 in Burma when five young women in their early twenties joined the Wasbies – Women’s Auxiliary Service (Burma) – where they were sent to the front lines of the fighting in their mobile canteen trucks, bringing good cheer, smiling faces, gallons of tea plus sandwiches and cakes to the Allies. The soldiers were grateful for the food, but also to the women who did it tough, never complained, always happy to share a smile and a laugh with those men. It took the friends awhile to settle in but with Lucy from Australia and Joy from the United States, the three others from London, they became as close as sisters.

As 1999 wound to a close, Australian born Olivia was doing an internship with an art dealer in London when she was asked to visit Beatrix, owner of some pieces of Japanese art which had belonged to her late husband. Beatrix hadn’t wanted to sell, but needs must, and with her old home needing more repairs than she could afford, Beatrix knew her precious fox-girl could be what saved her house. When Beatrix asked Olivia to accompany her to Ireland for a reunion, Olivia was happy to go. She wanted to see Ireland and the castle in Galway would be worth visiting. But deep, dark secrets from a long ago past would surface before the visit was over. What would be said? And how would it affect Olivia?

The Last Reunion by Aussie author Kayte Nunn is inspired by the women of the Wasbies – the women who were pretty well forgotten, except by those who served. The harsh conditions in the Burma countryside with the cruel and heartless Japanese soldiers always too close for comfort; the dreadful stories of the Burma Railway and the POW camps that housed the skeletal prisoners – this was the life of those women as well as the Allied soldiers for the years of the war. The women were courageous, always had one another’s backs, and friends for life. The Last Reunion is an exceptional read from the pen of Ms Nunn, who is fast becoming a favourite ‘go to’ author. Highly recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley and Hachette AU for my copy to read in exchange for an honest review.

Kayte Nunn’s novels are always highly anticipated for me and each one is a delight to read. The Last Reunion is inspired by the women who served in Burma during WWII, running canteens near the frontlines. I have read quite widely on WWII, both fiction and non-fiction, yet I hadn’t heard of these service women at all prior to reading this novel. I honestly didn’t even know there were canteens in operation during the war either, much less that they travelled from battle to battle, entirely run by women who had volunteered for the service. I really love what Kayte says in her author note about writing fiction that is inspired by real events:

‘Fiction is about what is possible, not what is actual; my imagining of the events is exactly that – an imagining and not based on an actual event.’ – Author note.

In keeping with this, I think she does a splendid job of paying homage to these service women. Kayte recreates the type of work the servicewomen would have been undertaking, all of it playing out against a backdrop of the war in Burma, an overlooked war that has been dubbed “the forgotten war”. Not for those who served, I’d wager. As always, Kayte’s research into the world she has chosen to immerse us in was second to none. I valued the way in which Kayte used visual journals created by Bea within the narrative as a means of conveying to Olivia (and the reader) what life was like during the Burma campaign.

Along with providing a new fictional perspective on WWII, The Last Reunion is also a novel about friendship, as well as art, specifically, Japanese Netsuke. A quick google brings up some glorious images of these miniature carvings, they are so detailed and incredibly clever. It was surprising to read about the sale value of this type of art – and this was in 1999, as well, so no doubt it would be more nowadays. Normally with dual timelines I gravitate towards the historical timeline more but in this case, I really enjoyed the 1999 (contemporary) timeline immensely. The spark between Olivia and a much older Bea was really enjoyable to read and I liked revisiting that moment in history where we all thought the world was going to go haywire because of Y2K. It’s funny how books can bring little things like that back for you.

I do really love stories about female friendship that also celebrate strength of character and the ties that bind. I also love stories that are structurally interesting and The Last Reunion reveals its story in a captivating back and forth unfolding that built the tension nicely as well as ensuring that both timelines were knitted together cohesively. Kayte has woven important themes into this story about violence against women that raise questions about how much has changed across the decades, or not changed, in terms of speaking out and seeking justice. I really appreciated the way in which she used both timelines – WWII and 1999 – to demonstrate this. There is a third timeline at the opening of the novel, but I’m not going to say too much on that except that it was a cracking good way to start the story off and it hooked me immediately.

The Last Reunion is everything readers have come to love about Kayte Nunn’s novels: a unique story with memorable characters and deeply moving moments. It was thoroughly enjoyable and beautifully written.

A story of friendship and resilience

Burma, 1945. Five young women joined the Women’s Auxiliary Service. They are attached to the Fourteenth Army, assigned to run a mobile canteen in support of the Burma Campaign of the Second World War. Bea, Plum, Bubbles, Joy and Lucy were in search of adventure, keen to do their bit to support those involved in what has often been referred to as ‘The Forgotten War’.

Oxford, 1976. A woman steals several rare Japanese netsuke from a collection in a museum. Although a considerable reward is offered, the tiny exquisitely carved netsuke are not seen again.

London and Galway, 1999. Olivia, an assistant to an art dealer, meets Beatrix. Beatrix wishes to sell her late husband’s collection of Japanese art. Olivia falls ill while visiting Beatrix and ends up accompanying her to a New Year’s Eve party, a reunion between the women who worked together in Burma.

But over fifty years have elapsed since the women worked together, and there are secrets that threaten their friendship.

Until I read this book, I knew nothing about the Women’s Auxiliary Service (Burma) and the role played by the women who served the war effort by running canteens to serve the Allied troops during the Burma campaign. Ms Nunn’s book took me into that world, with the hardships of service in the jungle not far from enemy lines and the power of friendship. And weaving between the friendships and the events of 1945 and 1999, is the story of a particular netsuke. The netsuke itself is important both as a hand carved Japanese artefact and because of its story, its journey.

I enjoyed this wonderful story of friendship and resilience. This is the fourth of Ms Nunn’s novels I have read, and I have enjoyed (and learned from) each one.

Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Hachette Australia for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.

Jennifer Cameron-Smith

This is a lovely and fascinating historical novel.

The story is set in two timelines, 1944 from Beatrix’s point of view and 1999 from Olivia’s point of view.

At times it’s sad, frustrating and uplifting. It’s full of strong brave women - I enjoyed reading about the friendships they formed. I liked the ending, it wrapped up nicely.

I found the Wasbies stories particularly fascinating.

I would read another book by Kayte Nunn.

Thank you NetGalley, Hachette Australia and Kayte Nunn for this ARC.

This fascinating historical novel moves from Burma in 1945, with Beatrix and a group of WASBies running a mobile canteen for soldiers in incredibly challenging conditions, to the present day, where Olivia, an intern for an art dealer, is trying to convince Beatrix to sell her precious netsuke, intricately carved Japanese miniature sculptures. This was such a fascinating story, both an eye-opening story about the role of women in WWII, and a moving story about how the bond formed between the women in Burma still remains when challenged so many years later.

This author knows how to develop a good piece of fiction out of historical fact and she seems to try something different in each of her books.

In The Last Reunion she introduces something totally new to me. It is 1945 in Burma and we find women working near the front bringing food and other necessities to the forces fighting there. Apparently these brave women from Australia, New Zealand and the U.K., operating under the acronym WASBIES, really existed and must have really aided the war effort there.

The book moves to 1999 and a group of these brave women are meeting up again for a reunion in Galway in Ireland. Of course it is not that simple. There are many issues for them to address before real friendships can be regained.

I always enjoy the way Kayte Nunn writes. She obviously does her research but then she develops wonderful characters who we can care for and want to see succeed. The story in this book is real and very enjoyable. This is the way historical fiction should be written.

The Last Reunion by Kayte Nunn is a book about friendship, about mysteries we hide, and histories we carry. It is about two women from different era forming a bond and their dual story. This novel gives us a compelling breadcrumb trail to follow and the story is good, but for some reason I didn't get into it. I really liked the character of Bea, but I'm always very divided about war stories. Olivia didn't interest me as much, despite the Japanese art fascination and since she carries half of the book I wasn't as keen to keep reading. Really it had all the ingredients I thought I would like, but I found the pace a little slow, especially at the beginning and even the culmination couldn't get me to forget how much I worked to get there.
I would recommend that book to people who enjoy WWI and WWII women involvement stories, such as the series ANZAC Girls.

The Last Reunion is a story spanning half a century. The world is in the grips of WW2 when Beatrix and many other young women join the war effort as members of the Women’s Auxiliary Service (Burma) - running canteens to serve the Allied troops during the Burma Campaign. Colloquially known as the Wasbies, they worked near the frontline enduring the harsh climate of the jungle coupled with the constant threat of enemy fire, in order to bring a little comfort to the weary troops involved in the jungle combat.

The dual timeline follows Beatrix, who we meet both during her war service as a young woman and half a century later as she prepares to reconnect with her fellow Wasbies at their 1999 reunion.

We are also introduced to Olivia, a young Australian art history graduate embarking on her own coming of age in modern London. Olivia and Beatrix become involved over their shared connection to the mystery of the missing Netsuke, a tiny and valuable hand carved Japanese sculpture. They quickly become allies and embark on a quest to set things right. In the process, they become firm friends.

The Last Reunion is an atmospheric and fascinating insight into the wartime efforts of the Women’s Auxiliary Service. It is also a study of the deep bond and connection that women forge, especially in the face of adversity.

Kayte Nunn has crafted a story that honours the efforts of these brave women and the contribution that they made to the war effort and to the morale of the troops.

I became engrossed in the daily struggles that they faced and also in the outcome of the mystery around the Netsuke.

The Last Reunion is a compelling story of resilience and friendship. I really enjoyed learning more about this time in our history, Kayte Nunn has captured it beautifully.

Thanks to NetGalley, Hachette Australia and Kayte Nunn for the opportunity to read this advanced reader copy.

The Last Reunion by Kayte Nunn is set in multiple timelines that are both intriguing as each other. It’s a beautiful book filled with spirt, friendship, courage, secrets, art and revenge. A book you won’t want to put down!

1944 - The Last Reunion is inspired by The Wasbies, a group of women during World War II where little information exists about them. The Wasbies were the women Auxiliary Service (Burma) a group of around two hundred and fifty formidable women from Australia, England and Candada. They ran mobile and static canteens in the dense Burmese jungle, battling the monsoon rain, mosquitoes, treacherous roads and deadly enemy fire. They did more than hand out cups of hot tea and slices of home made cake, they boosted the morale of the troops and provided vital work supplying sundries like toothpaste, razor blades, lemonade and gum etc.

Beatrix, and her friends Plum, Bubbles, Joy and Lucy are five young women in search of adventure who become Wasbies and find themselves alongside the Fourteenth Army, fighting a forgotten war in the jungle against the Japs.

1999- Olivia, is a young Australian and assistant to an art dealer, she meets Beatrix an elderly widow who wishes to sell her late husband's collection of Japanese art, in particular a valuable small intricately carved Japanese netsuke named the fox-girl.

Elaine who is Olivia’s boss has instructed her to visit Beatrix and not to return without proof of provenance for the valuable netsuke! Olivia is fully aware that procuring the fox-girl, the one that had gone missing in 1976 would give her career the step up she needed and if she failed she probably wouldn’t have a job any longer.

The five ex-Wasbies, now elderly women are brought together again decades later through the unique history of the fox-girl netsuke.

A unique, compelling and brilliantly written story. Highly recommended.

I may be biased because I have loved Kayte Nunn's books since first discovering them. However, this book is so beautifully written and the story of Bea and her WAS (B) friends so enjoyable, that it is hard to not love them and it.

Told over 2 timelines (1944-5 and 1999/2000) it is the story of Olivia, a young Australian art-dealer sent to meet with Beatrix, a woman of some reputation for being difficult. Bea's story mainly revolves around the Burma region during the end of the Second World War. I had no idea there were women situated so close to the front lines, setting up canteens for soldiers. Bea's story is heartbreaking in its simplicity and her friends (Joy, Plum and Lucy) are delightfully present in both timelines.

I would wholeheartedly recommend this book. Thanks to Netgalley and Hachette Australia for an advanced copy of this book for an honest review.