Brutally honest and touching the story of Agnes Mulberry is Australian storytelling at it's best. It is a hard one to put down.

In Jackie French's exceptional book, Becoming Mrs Mulberry, medical student Agnes Glock's life takes an unexpected turn when her best friend Puddin' introduces her to her shell-shocked brother Douglas Mulberry. As Agnes and Douglas marry and embark on a new life in Australia's Blue Mountains, their journey is filled with hope and challenges. When Agnes encounters a sick child at the circus and decides to rescue her, their lives are forever changed. With a mix of heartwarming moments, heartbreaking revelations, and a deep connection to the Australian landscape, this historical romance captivates readers. Agnes's courage and compassion, Douglas's transformation, and the beautifully portrayed characters make this a highly recommended book worth revisiting. Becoming Mrs Mulberry is an extraordinary tale that goes beyond romance, celebrating bravery, kindness, and the indomitable spirit of its characters.

What an extraordinary book! Becoming Mrs Mulberry is historical romance at its core but there is so very much more to to this story. I loved Agnes, a woman far ahead of her time in both her actions and her attitudes. She is one of the bravest and kindest heroines I have ever come across in a novel. I loved her care for Douglas initially and for all those other victims of war that she gathered together in her eclectic household. Each of them were beautifully structured characters that carried their disabilities well and yet their strengths shone through. Douglas was a perfect match for Agnes, growing more confident and stronger mentally as their story progressed. I could write far more about the ways in which this story entertained and engaged me but suffice to say this is a book for the keeper shelf and one I’ll be reading again and again.

Jackie French is a master of unique Australian stories. Her passion and experience with native animals mean these delightful creatures will often burrow their way into her original plots. Also, her abundant knowledge of Australia’s fascinating history and her obvious understanding of human and animal behaviour are aptly applied in her story’s content and character constructions. She writes to help us not forget ‘the hardship and unhappiness of those around us’ and to learn from ‘past experience’. In this case: Becoming Mrs Mulberry portrays the destruction caused by war (external and internal). Of course, she acknowledges there are times we must defend ourselves (as seen in this story with the Mulberry couple) and our planet. There is no doubt of the love and respect she has for a world that provides so graciously for us and draws our attention to its need of our active care.

Becoming Mrs Mulberry is an unforgettable brilliant novel that captured my attention from the first page to the last with its fascinating plot and diverse cast of characters. Jackie’s accomplished writing skills shine in this novel. Becoming Mrs Mulberry is full of intrigue, mystery, on-the-edge-of-your seat suspense, interesting facts about Dingoes and other Australian oddities. She explores thoroughly the effects the Great War had on the men who fought. The trauma, shell shock and lasting effects are well demonstrated, particularly through Mr Mulberry. But her story does not end there. It also offers hope. As the complex plot progresses, restoration unfolds through love (in its many forms) and through the positive effects of nature and how it can heal the mind and body. The sense of oneness with the natural world comes through triumphantly. Mr and Mrs Mulberry demonstrate exceptional kindness and care upon others less fortunate, and this act of giving spills on through the many lives they touch and help.

A quick recap of the bones of the story: Agnes Glock (Mulberry) is a woman of low financial means who wants to become a doctor. It was particularly difficult in those early days in Australia for a woman to be accepted so she studies in Scotland as a medical student. But there are other obstacles she ultimately faces. The Great War plays havoc with her life, professional and personal and she is unable to graduate. On top of this, her beloved fiancé who has enlisted, later is presumed dead.

Agnus must believe the report is true from the war authorities. Heartbroken, she focuses on what she can do with the remains of her life. Her need to help others leads her into unusual situations and she ends up saving a wealthy man who has also fought in the war and been mentally scarred. Douglas Mulberry’s fortune and well-being are under threat from a greedy uncle. Agnes decides to marry this written-off man, to save him from an asylum and to nurse him back to health.

While rearranging her staff and gathering many unlikely workers in the running of Mulberry’s home, Agnes chances upon a unique child at a circus who presents unusual physical and behavioural symptoms. Agnes’s heart reaches out to the one they call the ‘dingo girl’. She becomes determined to save her as she believes her condition can be cured. This is where her medical background comes in handy and her life begins to dramatically change. For the finding of this girl, and taking her in, not only helps her husband in unexpected ways, but it also leads to a discovery about her fiancé.

There are many twists and turns on this journey and it is a fascinating ride filled with haunting facts and both memorable heart-touching and heart-wrenching moments. And unexpected love. Faced now with two men she cares about, what will she decide? Will her love for her husband grow or diminish? Will her arrangement with Mr Mulberry change or develop into something deep and lasting? And what about her past love, her previous fiancé? She is married now, to another man, who truly needs her.

And then there is the mystery of the ‘dingo girl’. How did she end up at the circus? Was she actually raised by Dingoes? Who are her parents? If alive, where are they and why did they abandon their daughter? So many questions to answer and Jackie keeps us in suspense until the end when many events come together and the mystery is solved.

Becoming Mrs Mulberry is about identity, not only who the dingo girl is but who Agnes is initially, how she changes or grows into becoming a women who is free to make choices—whether that be in a profession, a group of friends or even a husband. This amazing story also delves into the less than attractive elements of society. And abuse in its various hideous forms. Jackie provides a well-rounded picture of the 1920’s and its ups and downs. I highly recommend this astounding novel that will make you think, touch your soul and explore the lesser-known/discussed facts on Australian animals and tumultuous regions of human history. 5 Definite Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Many thanks to the publisher Harlequin Australia, HQ Fiction and Netgalley for my review copy.

Becoming Mrs Mulberry by Australian author, Jackie French was an absolutely delightful story!! This certainly has the WOW factor for being an enchanting but also gripping.

The main locations are in fictitious rural towns in NSW Australia with an occasional visit to Sydney after World War 1. The atmosphere of the post war period is well depicted including the attitudes of people towards injured returned soldiers and to woman trying to maintain their status which they had gained during the war.

The publisher’s blurb is an excellent introduction:

“The once impoverished medical student Agnes Glock is now the fabulously wealthy Mrs Mulberry. Her estate in the mountains is magnificent, a haven for those too ravaged by the Great War to cope with the society that first condemned them to battle and which now shuns them.
The War has, however, stolen Agnes's chance to graduate as a doctor, as well as the fiancé she adored. Her husband, Douglas Mulberry, remains shellshocked and unable to speak. Their scandalous marriage is a farce, an act of kindness to keep Douglas's fortune from his uncle's grasp.
A chance visit to a circus brings about a mystery in the form of a fairylike child whose guardians claim was brought up by dingoes. The child cannot speak and seems deformed. But Agnes is inexplicably drawn to her and believes she can be cured.
The decision to save the child will bring Agnes's lost fiancé into her life again, as well as awaken the love of her husband who finds his voice as the three try to solve the mystery of the 'dingo girl'.
Agnes has put aside her own life and the dreams she once had. But now she has choices, with the main question the hardest: Who is Mrs Agnes Mulberry?”


This introduces the main two characters, Agnes and Douglas, but there are many more characters who are superbly presented and while at times eccentric (such as Private Private who is an ex professor and nudist) they blend in with this extraordinary story of compassion and heartache as well as being heartwarming!

Highly recommended read.

This review is based on a complimentary copy from Harlequin Australia via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

#BecomingMrsMulberry #NetGalley

When medical student Agnes Glock was approached by her best friend Puddin' with a request she couldn't have foreseen, Agnes had no idea how much her life would change, how much it would be enriched. Puddin's brother Douglas Mulberry had returned from the war, shell-shocked, unable to speak, with the threat of being institutionalised hanging over his head. When Pudding' took Agnes to see Douglas, the women were shocked at the state he'd been left in. In time, Agnes and Douglas were married and heading to Australia and the Mulberry home in the Blue Mountains of NSW.

Four years after their marriage and Agnes - Mrs Mulberry - was happy as Douglas was slowly improving, but it was a visit to the circus, where Agnes saw a child who was obviously ill, deciding there and then to rescue her, that life changed once again. Agnes believed her condition could be cured, and didn't believe she'd been raised by dingoes. But some of the child's mannerisms were eerie - would Agnes and Douglas be able to find where the child had originated from?

Oh my goodness! What an exceptional book! Becoming Mrs Mulberry by Aussie author Jackie French is heartwarming and heartbreaking, amusing in places while being deadly serious in others. The beauty of Wombat Hills (fictional) with the native animals - dingoes, wombats, possums and more - in among the wild Australian bush is close to my heart, and with the excellently portrayed characters from the most important to the least, I have no hesitation whatsoever in recommending Becoming Mrs Mulberry very highly - it's a keeper!

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

This book is a page turner, superbly written and gripping from the outset! The character’s emotions and experiences are engaging and delightful to read!
The main character is Agnes who becomes Mrs Mulberry, her husband Douglas is wealthy and this allows Agnes to realise her dreams.
Agnes is a strong woman aiming to help others, the challenges faced throughout her life only serve to reveal a truly inspirational person.
The storyline is a heartfelt journey of discovery, family and friendships! Issues faced are thought provoking and sadly also apply to many relationships in today’s world!
I enjoyed the sense of understanding and togetherness amongst the characters, a fabulous read.

Much thanks and appreciation to Harlequin Australia publisher, NetGalley and the amazing Jackie French for the opportunity to read and review this book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

WOW, WOW, and WOW what a brilliant story this one is, I could barely put it down I was engrossed in story, the characters and the events that bring medical student Agnes Glock to the wealthy life as Mrs Mulberry, this is a must read book truly do not miss it.

Agnes has always wanted to be a doctor and with the support of her parents is studying in Edinburgh she is engaged to Huw Nightingale who is also studying to be a doctor, they both intend to go back home to Australia to work together, but life changes when WW1 arrives, Huw is missing inaction and Agnes is volunteering as a nurse, where she meets Hortense, Puddin Mulberry and they become instant best friends.

When the war ends. Puddin asks Agnes to help save the family by marrying her shell shocked brother Douglas, after meeting Douglas in such terrible circumstances Agnes agrees, this of course causes a huge scandal that they may never live down. Douglas and Agnes sail back home to Australia and the Mulberry estate at Wombat Hills in the Blue Mountains with Douglas still shell shocked and not talking this means Agnes is doing most of the looking after of the estate and with the help of a doctor Agnes builds cottages for men and woman injured in the war and also hires many of them to work in the home, this is frowned upon by the neighbouring town and they keep to themselves but there are many rumours.

Agnes chances upon a circus and discovers a child being used in a sideshow dressed as a dingo and called the dingo child brought up by dingoes but Agnes can tell that she is very ill and insists on taking the child home but first to a doctors to get a diagnosis and here she discovers that her lost fiancé Huw is practicing. The dingo girl also seems to bring her husband back from his shell shocked world, but will they get answers about the girl?

Agnes has made a huge change to her life, she is caring and loving and so very strong the help and empathy she shows the people around her is amazing I love Agnes so much but again life is going to change for Agnes where will her life lead now with her husband Douglas so much better, her ex-fiancé back on the scene and a little girl that needs lots of care and love. This is a heart-warming, compelling and captivating story filled with emotion and so much information on mental health and did the little girl really get bought up by dingoes? You must read this story, I do highly recommend it.

My thanks to Harlequin AU for my copy to read and review.

Jackie French has done it again.

Before the war, Agnes was training to be a doctor and engaged to the man of her dreams. Now, she is not a doctor, married to a totally different man, and in rural Australia while her new husband recovers from the traumas of war. The book takes a while to explain why Agnes is in the situation she is in, so I won’t spoil it for any prospective readers. The book follows Agnes as she takes into her care a sick ‘dingo girl’ from a touring circus. Whether or not the girl was truly raised by dingoes, Agnes instantly spots the cause of the girl’s illness. The girl’s story and her recovery, as well as the recovery of others main characters, is a key focus of this book.

French’s storytelling is inclusive of, and features main characters who are inclusive of, a wide range of marginalised groups - including LGBTQ+ people, disabled people and people suffering from PTSD, as well as the working class. While at times it was though a modern-day sense of values and sensibilities had been inserted into Agnes’ 1920s character, Agnes still had some areas to grow - particularly around her awareness of Aborignal people. While some historical fiction readers won’t like that modern-day values comes through strongly in this book, I think it makes the text very accessible and enjoyable to readers.

While there is past and ongoing trauma in the story (trigger warning - sexual assault), the story is ultimately a feel good one and has a happy ending.

I enjoyed reading this novel and will await with pleasure whatever Jackie French comes up with next.

I was given this as an E-ARC for free and this is my honest review.

Agnes Glock is a medical student in Edinburgh, Scotland, and once The Great War ends she plans to marry her fiancé Huw and return to Australia and practice medicine together. A couple of years later, her friend Hortense or Puddin Mulberry asks Agnes to help her save the family fortune and rescue her brother Douglas who’s suffering from shell shock. When they find Douglas, he's been mistreated, the only solution is for Agnes to care for him, and they marry and travel back to Australia. Agnes has been portrayed as a gold digger by the press and it's not true, she wanted to help Douglas and Puddin and move on from the loss of her fiancé during the war.

Four years later in the Blue Mountains at Wombat Hills, Douglas is still suffering from shell shock and is mute. Ange’s has employed ex-soldiers to work in the house and around the property, she has built ten cottages for families of men suffering from physiological and physical issues to live in and created a circle of support.

Agnes is a compassionate person, she discovers a young girl being used as an exhibit in a circus, and she rescues her. Agnes thinks the girl is suffering from a rare endocrine problem, the circus owners claim she was living with dingoes, Agnes takes the newly named Diane to see a doctor in Sydney and discovers her ex-fiancé Huw is very much alive. Diane brings the Mulberries closer, Douglas starts to speak and together they try to solve the mystery of where Diane came from, was she stolen from her real parents and are they looking for her or did they give her because of her disability and do they know she's been badly abused and neglected?

I received a copy of Becoming Mrs Mulberry from NetGalley and Harlequin Australia in exchange for an honest review. Jackie French has written a narrative that really grabs your attention from the first page, it covers a wide range of topics and has a fascinating cast of unforgettable characters. A historical fiction story about the lasting impact of WWI, the physical and metal injuries both men and women suffered from, especially shell shock, the lack of treatment and how many struggled to cope with civilian life. Agnes provides a peaceful and much needed retreat at Wombat Hills, and she hasn't finished.

Agnes is my favourite character, she’s the best wife, friend, carer, crusader and selfless person. Five stars from me, I laughed, cried, cheered and I have never read a book like, Becoming Mrs Mulberry, Ms. French has written a literary treasure and a real gem!

Wooooo. I started this a few weeks ago and found it a very long book! But I did enjoy it and found it to be a book and story that took me on the journey of Agnes' life. She is such a wonderful character and i loved the rollercoaster ride of her journey.

This is a wartime historical fiction and it is so well written and so compelling it just drew me along for the ride. There is so much going on in this book but it didn't feel cluttered or confusing. It is one of those books that you remember long after you have read it.

I highly recommend this wonderful book by a fantastic author.

‘The wombat’s attack on her knickers was having serious repercussions.’

We meet Mrs Agnes Mulberry at Wombat Hills, NSW in 1924. As a child, Agnes Glock dreamed of becoming a doctor like her father. She had travelled to Edinburgh to study medicine, became engaged to Huw Nightingale and dreamed of them working in general practice together once the Great War was finished. But her world was turned upside down when Huw was reported dead.

Agnes’s friend, Hortense Louise Victoria Mulberry (known to her friends as Puddin’) seeks Agnes’s help. The Mulberry family are wealthy landowners in NSW, but her brother Douglas has been badly affected by his war service. Their uncle wants Douglas declared incompetent so that he can take control of the estate. Puddin’ asks Agnes to consider marrying Douglas to prevent this. After seeing the dreadful conditions Douglas has been kept in by a so-called carer, Agnes agrees. Douglas and Agnes return to Australia and establish a refuge for others injured during the war.

By the time the wombat wreaks havoc on Agnes Mulberry’s underwear, Douglas is physically stronger but still suffering from the mental and emotional effects of war. Theirs is a marriage in name only, but Agnes (who has been deemed a gold digger by many) still hopes to return him to health.

Returning from a shopping trip to Sydney (Agnes’s underwear must be replaced, and she needs new clothes) has Agnes stopping at a circus. Here she is distressed to find a small girl being exhibited as a girl who was brought up by dingoes. Agnes believes that the child has cretinism caused by hypothyroidism. Money changes hands, Agnes rescues the girl and takes her to Wombat Hills.

Ms French then takes us on a wonderfully heart-warming journey with Agnes, Douglas, and the child they rename Diane. We learn more about Diane’s story, while Agnes and Douglas find their own places and peace. Ms French introduces several issues for the reader to consider, including the impacts of what we now call post-traumatic stress disorder (then called ‘shell-shock’), of physical injury and of child abuse.

This novel is filled with a mix of characters both good and bad, a terrific sense of time and place, and a real sense of community: I really enjoyed it.

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

Jennifer Cameron-Smith

I love Jackie French’s books and this new title is an engaging read.
Agnes Glock has always wanted to be a Dr just like her father but it is the early 1900s and women should become wives and mothers not undertaking a university degree to become a Dr. Agnes beats all the odds and undertakes her degree in Edinburgh, Scotland.
In her final year of studies her friend Puddin asks for help in saving her family’s fortune by agreeing to marry her brother Douglas Mulberry, who has returned from the Great War with severe shell shock. Their uncle is trying to have Douglas committed so he can take control of the family fortune. The marriage is to be a union of convenience not a love match as Agnes is still recovering from the loss of her fiancé Huw, who has been missing in action and presumed dead for over 4 years.
Agnes agrees to the marriage and returns to Australia to Wombat Hills in the Blue Mountains. She has foregone finishing her medical studies and takes on the care of Douglas while setting up a community for returned soldiers who are physically and/or mentally wounded. The peace and tranquility of the mountains provides a refuge for those that live and work in the hills. When Agnes rescues a young girl, called ‘The Dingo Girl’, from a travelling circus she reignites gossip about her marriage as a gold digger and the tales of her community of damaged souls and mad men but lives are transformed when the little girl becomes part of the community.
Agnes is still keen to finish her medical degree but her life in the mountains is healing not just her but all those around her. Does she need to leave Douglas to achieve her dreams or does she finally become Mrs Mulberry?
Wonderful characters, a loving community that care for each other, small town gossip, loyalty, bravery, compassion and love make this book a wonderful read.

Thank you NetGalley for this eARC! All opinions are my own and completely honest.

This book was everything I have come to expect from a Jackie French novel. Brutal, raw, genuine, powerful and filled with imperfectly perfect characters and relationships that are so relatable. Jackie’s love for the Australian landscape shines, and yet again her storytelling leads the reader on an epic journey of love, heartbreak, mental illness, PTSD, post war life and the untameable, passionate innocence of childhood. I loved everything about this book, even the parts that were hard to read. I highly recommend it, as I do almost everything else by Jackie French.