I was intrigued to receive this audiobook that takes place in Australia during WWII. Although other readers clearly loved this book, I found it a bit slow and dragging on at times. I did enjoy the narrator however. Overall, a three-star book for me.

The first half was very slow, and I struggled to concentrate. The second half did pick up. I usually love historical fiction, however this one fell short of action occurring in the story. The characters were well developed. I enjoyed most of the relationships between the characters. The story line was there but could have been more. I do think that others who love romance might like this story. It just wasn’t for me.

Under the Golden Sun was the first book that I have listened to by Jenny Ashcroft. I was impressed with her beautiful writing and meticulous research. Jenny Ashcroft was able to transport me in her detailed descriptions to both World War II London and to the cattle station in Queensland Australia. It was easy to picture the old houses and tea rooms of London and the kangaroos and koalas roaming freely in the fields of the northern Queensland. Her character development was outstanding and were both convincing and complex. I enjoyed listening to the audiobook of Under the Golden Sun that was narrated very well by Olivia Dowd. I was so invested in the plot and characters that I did not want it to end even though it was 14 hours and 59 minutes long.

Rose Hamilton found herself back in London after suffering a miscarriage and being dismissed from her duties in the war effort. She was on a train headed to meet her uncle, brother and possibly her fiancé for tea. It was Rose’s birthday and they were going to help her celebrate. Absentmindedly, Rose picked up a discarded newspaper on the train to pass the time. An advertisement caught her eye. The ad was seeking a companion for a five year old child to escort him to Australia. There was an address printed in the advertisement and for some reason Rose felt compelled to apply for the position. She abandoned her birthday plans against her uncle’s and brother’s dismay and set out for Belgravia to apply for the position. Rose was granted the impromptu interview where she met fragile, old and dying Vivien. The two women had an instant liking for one another. Vivien was young Walter’s great aunt. Walter, all of five years old, was an orphan. His mother had been struck by a bus and had died. He never knew his father. Rose knew that there were a million reasons why she should not accept this responsibility but young Walter found a way and crept into her heart. Rose agreed to move into Vivien’s home and take charge of Walter and get to know him before they would sail together to Australia. Vivien’s family, and therefore Walter’s, lived on a cattle station in Queensland. Little did Rose realize how her life was about to change.

The voyage to Australia was anything but smooth sailing. From the minute Rose boarded the ship, seasickness consumed her. It was a very long voyage. Thankfully Rose recovered from her bout with seasickness. She and Walter met Kate and her daughter Verity onboard the ship. Verity became Walter’s first real friend. Rose and Kate also developed a friendship and since Kate and her daughter lived in Brisbane they would remain friends and see each other while Rose was in Australia. When the boat finally docked, their arrival was not what Rose had expected. According to Vivien, they were to be met by family members and brought to the cattle station. Instead, Rose and Walter were greeted by a random driver. After Rose and Walter were left in front of the house on the cattle station Rose was greeted with another unexpected surprise. Although it was evident that there was someone in the house, Rose realized that the door was not going to open and welcome her and Walter. It had begun to pour so Rose and Walter were forced to spend their first night in Queensland in the barn. Could Vivien had been wrong? Were these people unhappy that Walter was here?

As time progressed, Rose came to love and adore Walter. She was prepared to stay with him until he felt comfortable and loved. Slowly, Rose came to know, admire and love the family that Walter was meant to live with. Her relationships with Esme and Max were complicated at first but soon blossomed. Even Lauren, Esme’s and Max’s mother came around. Max had been a fighter pilot in the war until he suffered severe burns on his face and body during the war. There was something special that both Max and Rose felt for each other but neither was able to admit to the other how they felt. While in Queensland, Rose received devastating news about her brother Joe. His plane was attacked by Germans and there was no evidence that anyone got out safely. Joe was presumed dead. This devastating news consumed Rose. She also worried about her parents in Shanghai. There was talk that the Japanese would invade shortly. Although, Rose grew to acknowledge that her relationship with her fiancé was over, she worried about his safety and how she would convince him that they were no longer the people they had been. Could her future be in Australia? Would she ever be able to leave Walter? Could she tell Max her feelings?

Under the Golden Sun by Jenny Ashcroft was both heartwarming and heartbreaking. All of my emotions were touched while listening to this book. It was a poignant love story but so much more. The historical facts were well researched and accurate. Australia’s part in World War II was portrayed as well as other pertinent aspects about the war. I loved the characters in Under the Golden Sun especially Rose, Max and Walter. I wanted their story to go on and on. I really enjoyed Under the Golden Sun by Jenny Ashcroft and highly recommend it.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio for allowing me to listen to this advanced copy of Under the Golden Sun by Jenny Ashcroft through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Under the Golden Sun is expected to be published on March 15, 2022.

On her birthday, Rose sees an ad in the newspaper. A companion is needed to escort a four year old child to Australia. Rose is unhappy- she hates her job, she hates where she lives, she feels disconnected from her fiancé, and she is grieving. She answers the ad and her whole life changes quickly. She falls in love with four-year old Walter and a few weeks later, finds herself on a ship to Australia. Once arriving in Australia, nothing goes as planned, but she is happier. Content. Even when tragedy strikes again. Until the time comes for her to leave.

While historical fiction is my absolute favorite genre, I tend to avoid WWII stories. There are so many of them and not all of them good. But, since this book is largely set in Australia, I decided to give it a try. I am so glad that I did. I could not put this down. I couldn't wait to find out what happened to Rose and Walter. I wished that they could both overcome all of their adversity and find happiness.

I listened to the audiobook and the narrator does a good job. I listened at 1.25 speed and it was perfect- not distorted or too fast.

I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.

Under the Golden Sun by Jenny Ashcroft is a wonderful story! I loved the characters of Rosie and Walter the most. The sacrifices made in the story were heartwarming and heart wrenching at the same time. The imagery was so well done too! I will never think of windmills in the same way. Thank you #NetGalley and #Macmillan Audio for allowing me to listen to this prerelease audiobook. I loved it! Olivia Dowd performed the book absolutely wonderful. She brought the characters to life and had the right emotions inflected in her voice.

Thank you so much to St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for an advanced audiobook copy of this book. I truly appreciate it. I have to say that I wanted to love this book, but possibly due to having the audiobook and not the written copy may have had something to do with the 3.5 star review as well. I like to read and listen at the same time or be able to switch.

Under the Golden Sun started in England, but the setting was mainly in Australia. This was an historical fiction, but I thought that more historical detail could have been added. I really couldn't gather as much of the hardships of the current time in this novel as other historical fictions do. This was a sweet story, but took about 60% of the book in order to really get into the storyline. The relationship between Rose, Max, and Walter was more developed towards the end of the book, but seems like bulk of the story was the last 40%. The story could have been condensed some. 3.5 stars,

Rose Hamilton is risking everything when she agrees to accompany an orphaned boy from England to Australia to his relatives during the height of World War II. Unfairly let go from her position in the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force, Rose feels the need to contribute more than secretarial skills to the war effort. A dangerous sea voyage through the Pacific Ocean ends in confusion and heartbreak as Rose learns the truth about the land Walter is inheriting. Absorbing and rich with historical detail