A beautiful book that wove between timelines effortlessly and shone a new light on a rather dark time in our history.

4.5 stars

“….it marks a fundamental truth in that the power of love is stronger than any of us could imagine.”

At the Foot of the Cherry Tree is set in the aftermath of World War II. Gordon arrives in Japan to work in the medic area of the army base. There he meets Cherry who works as a cleaner and is terrified of the soldiers and so does her best to kept out of sight.

Gordon can’t help but think of Cherry and as time passes a love blossoms between them.
Gordon and Cherry marry and he intends on bringing her back home to Australia, that’s when he learns of the white only policy that prevents Cherry coming home with him as his war bride. Gordon has no choice to go home without Cherry. In Australia he does everything he can to bring her home, he learns that Cherry is pregnant and vows to fight to bring his family home.
The fight will last for years and will eventually change the course in history for Japanese war brides.

The author Alli Parker is Gordon and Cherrys granddaughter. She has written a beautiful and moving story of her grandparents history, of their strength, love and struggles. A heart wrenching and heart warming story 🌸

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this beautiful story. This is a poignant and heartbreaking story of a journey during war time. It is essentially a love story that stretches through the hard consequences of being torn apart and enduring life’s challenges,
Definitely recommend if you enjoy historical fiction.

This was such a beautifully written book; from the prologue with Noboku (aka Cherry) and the intense imagery of what she went through, to the overcoming all the obstacles of understanding each other and realising they were not each others enemy; to then making others realise the Japanese and Australians were not each others enemy. It is a story of overcoming generational xenophobia, racial bias, preconceived notions, discovering who you are when you're away from your family and everything you previously knew. The fact that this book is based in the true story of Alli's grandparents, Cherry truly being the first Japanese war bride that came to Australia makes this story even more incredible. I would not be surprised at all if one day this book becomes part of many schools curriculum one day, it has such a weighty impact, I highly recommend it.

Nobuko (Cherry) Parker (nee Sakuramoto) was the first Japanese war bride to arrive in Australia in 1952. Cherry’s family home in Hiroshima was destroyed by the atomic bomb in August 1945. In 1946, with food still desperately scarce, she took a job as a housemaid at the Australian army camp in nearby Kure. It was here that she met Gordon Holroyd Parker(20th July 1927-May 21st 2010), a medical orderly from Victoria.Cherry and Gordon married in 1948.When Gordon was forced to return to Australia after his army discharge, many of Cherry’s friends believed he would not come back for her. But he did as Gordon was an honourable man who truly loved his wife and wanted to bring her home to raise their family together. With the influential support of his mother Mabel, a respected social worker, and father Harry, a former mayor, Gordon campaigned for 4 years until the Australian government granted permission for his family to migrate to Australia.The Parker family departed Yokohama on Taiping in June 1952. Cherry carried a few mementos of Japan, including her daughter Margaret’s kimono and traditional Kokeshi dolls. The family disembarked in Sydney in July and flew to Melbourne, where their arrival attracted media attention.Cherry and Gordon Parker settled in Ringwood and were married for 62 years until Gordon's death, raising eight children together. War brides often faced hostility, distrust, and racism.They came from foreign lands. They had to learn not just the language but the customs, culture, and expectations. These were women in war zones who married foreign soldiers stationed in their countries during the war or in occupation when the fighting ended.They were permitted to enter Australia, initially with five-year visas, but only if they met a number of conditions: that their husband could prove he could provide for his bride, that the bride supply x-rays and medical certificates and pass character and security checks, and that the marriage took place legally and according to Christian rites.In total, about 650 Japanese women arrived in Australia between 1952-1957 as war brides, 20 years before the White Australia Policy ended in 1973.

At The Foot Of The Cherry Tree
Alli Parker
5 Stars

Thank you NetGalley for my copy of At The Foot Of The Cherry Tree by Alli Parker. I have not received any compensation for this review. My original copy given to me by NetGalley became archived before downloading the book, resulting in the purchase of this book. Despite the purchase of this book, all thoughts and opinions contained in this review are my own and mine alone. 5 stars is a legitimate evaluation.

In summary: At The Foot Of The Cherry Tree is a fictionalised account of the real Gordon and Cherry Nobuko Sakuramoto Parker. Set against the backdrop of the war between Japan and Australia in the mid 1940’s. Alli Parker is a descendent of Gordon and Cherry Parker which adds authenticity to the story.

This story, At The Foot Of The Cherry Tree by Alli Parker is essentially a romance. Gordon is sent to Japan just as the war between Japan and Australia is waning. Gordon meets Nobuko “Cherry” by chance and falls in love with her despite strict orders not to fraternise with Japanese women. The pull of Gordon and Cherry’s hearts is a strong one and as such Gordon is willing to walk through the worst of hell to bring Cherry and his little family to Melbourne, Australia.
Heartbreaking to realise that many Japanese women were used and abused whilst men from other countries were stationed in Japan. These women were given grandiose promises that only a small number of men delivered. I was genuinely sad when Tony left Yonnie. It was then I realised that their story wasn’t unique.
I feel Alli Parker did an excellent job on bringing the story of her grand parents to life. The language and style of writing made it easy to imagine what it was like to live in that snapshot of the main character’s lives.
I enjoyed the pacing, the characters were well built and believable. I did not get the feeling there was a level of fantasy or too much of a poetic licence taken with the story, the characters actually lived and could be visualised living at that point in time.
I found myself cheering for Cherry and Gordon and happy they got their happily ever after.
Well done Alli Parker! Excellent job!

This is such a stunning book.
Beautifully written, heartbreaking yet hopeful.
This is one of those stories that everyone needs to read, not only to look back on history, but so it's not repeated in the future.
Knowing it's based on a true story makes it all the more heartfelt.
Five stars all the way.

Thanks go to NetGalley for the ARC of this wonderful story.

I'm honestly struggling to find words to describe this book. It is beautifully written, the descriptions of the scenes make you feel like you are there. It is emotionally powerful, even in the small gestures of Gordon and Cherry early on in the book. I couldn't help becoming attached to the main characters, rooting for them to get the happy ending that they deserved.

I can not recommend this book highly enough. Please read it.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this beautiful story.

This is one of those stories I think will stay with you. It’s both heartbreaking and heartwarming, thought provoking and inspiring. Cherry’s harrowing journey from Hiroshima to Kure after the atomic bomb, the fact they had to keep their relationship secret, and then being separated for so long while fighting to be together - this story will pull at your heart strings.

It's well written with lots of attention to detail.

A fabulous book I think everyone should read.

"In the span of three months, my entire outlook shifted as her presence enveloped my world."

"At The Foot Of The Cherry Tree" unfolds as a seemingly familiar romance, uniting two characters beneath the tree's branches. Through serendipity, they embark on an extraordinary journey that defies expectations. While the narrative carries hints of predictability, the joy of their metamorphosis eclipses any such concerns. For readers seeking a tale seamlessly weaving romance and destiny, this book is a must-read.

Yet, the book's true brilliance lies in its intricate layers. Alli Parker skillfully delves into the complexity of adult relationships, laden with experiences and grief's weight. As these characters navigate their connection, echoes of past loves shape their emotions. Alli Parker adeptly navigates this terrain, allowing the characters to evolve alongside their histories.

"At The Foot Of The Cherry Tree" embodies the idea that personal growth surpasses shared fragility. It's a testament to the strength of individual journeys culminating in a resilient bond. Through trials, the protagonists learn that unity rooted in strength outshines fragile infatuation. The narrative echoes with the essence of endurance intertwined with love.

Review based on ARC provided by NetGalley

Gordon Parker is only eighteen years old when his father gives his permission for him to join the Australian army and he leaves the family farm in Ringwood, Victoria. After basic training he’s sent to Japan as a member of the British Commonwealth Occupation Forces, he stationed in Kure and he helps in the medical clinic.

Nobuko Sakuramoto survived the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, she moves to Kure and works as a maid at the army base. Nobuko is sixteen, she’s scared of the enemy soldiers and they provide her with two much needed meals a day.

Gordon and Cherry fall in love, the Australian army doesn't want soldiers having relationships with Japanese women, many do so in secret and they won't give permission for couples to get married. Gordon returns to Australia, he promises Cherry they will be together again, he has no idea the reception he’s going to get receive when he arrives home. His parents are concerned for his and their other children’s well-being, the Australian public don’t like Japanese people and I can understand why.

Cherry is in Japan, where the attitude towards women having relationships with Australian soldiers is taboo, despite being married to Gordon she’s considered a fallen woman, she subjected to verbal abuse and she's terrified. Gordon fights for he and Cherry to be together again, she’s pregnant with their first child, it takes four years of writing letters, making phone calls, lobbying, frustration and tears to achieve his goal.

I received a digital copy of At The Foot Of The Cherry Tree by Alli Parker from HarperCollins Publishers Australia and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. A remarkable story about love and overcoming prejudice, and one man’s perseverance to bring his Japanese wife to Australia, he challenged the governments 'White Australia Policy' and managed to obtain a visa. Gordon Parker was an extraordinary man, he never gave up, he had determination, faith and conviction.

Based on a true story, Alli Parker's debut novel about her grandparents is outstanding, it's emotional, moving and it made me cry in a good way. Five stars from me, a must read about Australia's first Japanese war bride and the couples lasting family legacy.

This is an amazing story!! It certainly has the WOW factor.

At The Foot Of The Cherry Tree by Alli Parker is a beautiful, heartfelt but also heartbreaking story which is based on the lives of her grandparents Gordon and Cherry. Even without this real life connection it is a marvellous story of courage against all odds and the fortitude to endure the condemnation of many. A story of love, faith and trust.

The publisher’s blurb is an excellent prelude to reading the novel:

A stirring story of love and hope, based on the incredible true story of Australia's first Japanese war bride and a love that changed a nation forever.

Gordon Parker is an eager eighteen-year-old Australian boy desperate to fight for his country, and Nobuko 'Cherry' Sakuramoto is a sixteen-year-old girl struggling to survive in Japan in the aftermath of World War II. But when they fall in love, they change the course of history.
When Gordon arrives in Japan, he expects ruthless samurai, angry Japanese men ready to kill Australians at every corner. Instead, he finds Cherry, terrified of ex-enemy soldiers, a survivor of the atomic bomb. Against all the rules and all the odds, they fall in love. But when Gordon discovers the White Australia Policy prevents Cherry coming home with him as his war bride, he does what any 20-year-old soldier would do. He vows to fight. Leaving Cherry alone and pregnant in post-war Japan, Gordon has to convince his family to accept his marriage and wage a desperate campaign against a xenophobic and war-scarred government to allow his wife and children to come home.
While it is an extraordinary love story there are many issues here about Australia’s White Australia policy that was only removed in 1975 and about attitudes, perceptions and prejudices that still permeate throughout our society.

Highly recommended read.


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

#AtTheFootOfTheCherryTree #NetGalley #HarperCollinsAu

I absolutely loved this book. Alli did such an amazing job and I'm so happy she shared her family's story with us.

I did not expect this book to make me cry as much as I did. It felt so raw and real. It really showed the importance of fighting for who and what you love. It made me so happy to have people truly fight for it too. I just loved everything about it.

Alli really didn't shy away from Australia's history, especially the 'White Australia' laws that were in place, which I really appreciate. It's a major part of our history that many people overlook or refuse to talk bout. Cherry Tree also had me looking back on everything I learned in school about WWII and just how much was missed out.

The brutality of post-war Japan is something I've only learned about in more recent years, but the aftermath in Hiroshima was something I never looked into too deeply. This was handeled and covered so well and was so heartbreaking, yet interesting to see.

Alli's depiction of the world and how people act is eye-opening, painful, and heartbreaking. This made me love the world and the people in it and hate them at the same time. Cherry and Gordon's story is so important and I think everyone should read this book. It's so beautiful and heartbreaking and strong.

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review. I truly cannot wait for this book to enter the world and for everyone to read it.

Eager to join the war Gordon Parker enlists in the Australian Army, but the war ends before his basic training is over. Determined to still serve in the war effort he signs up for a position in the BCOF as a chance to prove himself in serving as a soldier. Noboku 'Cherry' Sakuramoto is a sixteen year old Hiroshima survivor struggling to survive in Japan in the aftermath of World War II.

Alli Parker's writing is phenomenal and she delivers a poignant and heartwarming fictionalised story about her grandparents story in real life. She captures the beauty of romance against all odds and how they were able to overcome the stipulations against the White Australian Policy which forbade people of colour being able to enter the country for more than 20 years.

Alli is able to weave a heartwarming story of forbidden love despite how mixed race couples were looked down upon in the time. Setting the precedent for Japanese War Brides to enter Australia and fight against the racism that the country had (and still has) after the War.

It is an emotional story that is brought to life and has a heartwarming ending despite the racism and discrimination faced by Cherry and other war brides at the time.

Thankyou to Netgalley for an ARC in return for an honest review.

Its a 5/5 for me and I'll be recommending to other people. :)

I wasn't expecting this book to make me cry so much!!

Gordon and Cherry's story is such an important part of Australia's history and highlights how racist we we're (still are) towards non white people. The White Australia Policy is arguably still in place and anyone reading this book will draw parallels to how Australia treats asylum seekers.

This book doesn't shy away from the horrors of war and what it does to a country. I felt honoured to be able to read about Cherry's experience in Hiroshima and how that effected her post war.

Beautifully written in a way that I wasn't able to out it down.

Anyone looking for a powerful historical/romance should check this one out.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins AU for a eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.


Content Warnings (including but not limited to)
Graphic: Xenophobia, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Racism, Racial slurs, Injury/Injury detail, War, and Death
Moderate: Death of parent, Body horror, and Violence
Minor: Sexual violence, Police brutality, Suicide, and Medical content

At The Foot Of The Cherry Tree

A fascinating story based on the true events of the author's grandparents lives in post WWII Japan and Australia.

This is a time in our history that I didn't know much about. I found it heartbreaking and frustrating as Gordon and Cherry fight to get home to Australia during the time of the White Australia Policy, and incredibly heart-warming as their family is finally able to settle.

Such an important story to tell, and Alli Parker has told it beautifully. From Hiroshima to Kure to Ringwood, an epic true story that their family can treasure forever.

I'm so impressed, a big fat five stars from me. I'll be recommending this to everyone.

Wow! What a wonderful book, a book for today and beyond, a book to learn from and a book that will stay with you. This is a story that although written as a book of fiction is in actual fact for the most part true and correct! Based on the true story of the authors grandparents this is a story that will stir your soul.

This is Gordon and Cherry's story and what a story it is. You cannot read this book without loving these two heartfelt characters and feel for the challenges they faced in the name of love and of being together and being a family.

Gordon is Australian and Cherry is Japanese and in a time when these types of mixed relationships were frowned upon, they fell in love. War, government policies and distance kept them apart but love and determination kept them together.

I can only say one negative about this book and that is that at stages I felt it got a bit long-winded and dragged on but then it didn't last long and I was back into loving it. So for that reason only I give it 4 1/2 stars and highly recommend it.

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins Publishers Australia for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

The most intense belly cry I've had in a while. The book conveys emotion like no other I've read this year. A beautiful story like no other that deserves accolades on accolades. Alli Parker, your grandparents story is one I know I will cherish forever like all others who have the privilege to read the book. Thank you for trusting me to read it and review it for you. ☆☆☆☆☆

'[it's] a fundamental truth in that the power of love is stronger than any of us could have imagined'.

Undeterred when WW2 ended before Gordon Parker finished training camp, he enlisted in the Occupational Forces effort based in Japan. After reading the army-issued, 'Know Japan' brochure en route, the anti-fraternisation rules for soldiers were made very clear, 'You don't want to mix yellow and white. It's not pretty'. The Japanese are just as vehement, steering clear of the 'ex-enemy' soldiers. The reality though, proved to be shaded in greys, and when Parker met Hiroshima survivor, Sakura, the lines completely blurred. The story of love and survival that should never have begun quickly became a personal battle to survive, 'No Australian is permitted to outrage the feelings of widows and mothers by flaunting Japanese women before their eyes'.

Alli Parker taps into her own family's history to bring us this story of love in the midst of hate; blossoming where it never should have even grown: the tension and ill feelings that existed after the war between the victors and vanquished, the utter destruction and poverty in parts of Japan, and the discriminatory policies in place to keep Australia 'safe'. True love truly moved mountains here. Of course, any historical fiction lover - especially one that would enjoy reading about a different aspect of WW2 and its aftermath - will appreciate this book.

This book was phenomenal. Absolutely a five star read.
You can feel the love radiating from each word and each page.
Alli has done an absolutely beautiful job and I can not wait to see what comes next.
This book was so wholesome and also a very important read