A good read but, in my opinion, not up to Lowe's usual high standard. I found this to be a bit slow at times.

The Accident is the twentieth stand-alone novel by award-winning Australian author, Fiona Lowe. As Hannah Simmons and her best friend Freya Quayle attend to the final details for Hannah’s wedding to Jamie McMaster, they have no idea that the gum tree that falls onto the marquee will be the least of their problems. In true country fashion, the WA town of Garringarup pulls together to overcome this hiccough, and Freya is relieved the wedding will go ahead, if not for the same reasons as everyone else.

Then sirens split the air and Freya’s partner, paramedic Ryan Gillet is off to attend the scene of a car accident. Hauling his best friend’s body from a crumpled red Porsche is the hardest thing he’s ever had to do. Amidst overwhelming grief, a cancelled wedding becomes preparation for a funeral, but not before a rush to implement a radical idea Jamie’s mother comes up with.

Hannah tries to escape the reality of her loss by spending time with her brother in Singapore, away from Garringarup and everything that reminds her of Jamie. When Freya goes to the scene to lay flowers, she is puzzled that Jamie was driving a brand new red Porsche, and wonders why he was even on that road if he was returning from Perth.

Hannah returns and is, too, perplexed by both the location and the car; later, a few more details about his death add to her confusion, and the tight control that Jamie’s parents are exerting over his estate is also a concern. Helping out in Freya’s gift and homewares business is both a distraction and a source of income, and appreciated when Freya suddenly has her own tragedy to handle.

But things are about to be revealed that will cleave strong friendships and couples who thought nothing could split them…

In this emotional and intriguing tale, Lowe touches on several topics not often discussed: silent miscarriage, assisted posthumous reproduction, sex-positive communities, the expectation placed on women to reproduce, and a fiancee’s legal position regards her late partner’s estate. Some more commonly encountered themes also feature: alcoholism, grief in its many iterations, infidelity, lies, secrets and betrayals. Another winner from Fiona Lowe.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Harlequin Australia HQ Fiction.

The Accident by Fiona Lowe explores the profound ripple effects of a road accident on a small country town, revealing long-hidden secrets, lies, and scandals. The story focuses on two couples: longtime best friends Jamie and Ryan, Ryan’s wife Freya, and Jamie’s fiancée Hannah. On the day of Jamie and Hannah’s wedding, a devastating accident occurs, sparking questions about their lives and relationships.

While the accident is the catalyst for the story, the book delves deeper into the themes of motherhood, childlessness, and societal expectations placed on women. As a woman in her 40s without children, these themes resonated strongly with me. The authenticity of the comments made by family and strangers toward the women in the story mirrored my own experiences, adding a layer of relatability.

However, I found the main female characters, Freya and Hannah, somewhat lacking in realism. Despite their grief and trauma, their interactions and friendship felt forced and unconvincing at times, particularly Hannah's character, which affected my overall engagement with the story.

Although The Accident did not deliver as a mystery or thriller, it succeeded as a small-town drama that provoked thought about how one might react in similar circumstances. While it was just an okay read for me, I love Fiona Lowe’s ability to tackle complex themes and societal issues with her earlier books, A Home Like Ours and A Family Of Strangers, being among my favourites.

This is a lovely meaty character based novel from an excellent writer. I found it entirely absorbing and a novel I wanted to read in a sitting.

In Garringarup, Hannah Simmons is preparing for her wedding the next day, with the help of her friend Freya. The wedding preparations are disrupted by an accident. The fall out has both women examining their lives, including their past choices and the choices they must make now which will affect the course of their lives.

And I know that’s the most obscure plot summary ever, but I truly don’t want to give you any spoilers, including for things that happen extremely early in the novel. Suffice to say that this is a relatively straight forward plot, but it kept me involved every single page of the novel.

As with all of Lowe’s novels (that I’ve read) this focuses on the lives and choices of women. The male characters aren’t ignored by any means, but their concerns are not foregrounded. Lowe considers them mostly in the way their choices affect and influence the women in their lives.

A particular concern for many of the women here is child bearing. There’s a raft of issues in this concern alone: choosing parenthood consciously, accidentally, or just being swept along. Other people’s expectations and desires. The impact of the decision to have children – or not – on the rest of your life, including your relationships.

I found the characters well drawn and realistic. Most female readers will empathise with the women very strongly, and see some part of themselves or their friends in one or more characters. Lowe tends to use personal stories to explore social issues, and a significant one examined in this novel is the mental, emotional, and physical burden placed on women who have children. This is extremely topical and Lowe manages to touch on a lot of relevant concerns.

Mind, the novel never turns into a lecture or a dry academic consideration. This is first and foremost the story of several women, primarily Hannah and Freya. It’s thought provoking, sure, but it’s also entertaining and compelling.

This is a fabulous novel. It provides entertainment and enjoyment, but also some important things to think about. I enjoyed it completely, appreciated the substance of the subject matter, and found myself ruminating on some of the issues raised for quite a while after finishing it. I can’t recommend this one highly enough, particularly to readers who prefer contemporary novels.
I will add review links once I've published this elsewhere.

I adored this read, with such well developed characters, the author explores the very depth of human relationships and raw emotion at its best and worse. The story is set around Hannah and her fiancé Jamie, and their best friends Ryan and Freya. Jamie is killed in a car accident, and we are left with the fallout as a tangled web of lies and a secret second life come into play. The story tackles many complex themes such as ethical issues surrounding sperm retrieval after one dies, grief and loss, miscarriage, family relationships, inheritance/financial issues, marriage breakdown, alcoholism and mental health, balancing work/life, foster care, community attitudes toward women, looking after aging parents. Overall, this was a 5 star read.

This a story of the friendship of two women, Freya and Hannah who live is a small country town in Western Australia. Freya and her partner Ryan have lived together for years. Hannah is from Perth and she and Ryan’s best friend Jamie have had a whirlwind romance and, as the story opens, are about to marry.

Freya is helping Hannah get ready for the garden wedding at Jamie’s parents property when disaster strikes - Jamie is killed in a car accident and Hannah’s world comes to an end. Her grief overwhelms her and Jamie’s mum and dad step in to guide her through it, they have a plan to keep Jamie alive by having Hannah carry his child by IVF. To this end there are all sorts of legal hoops to jump through and Hannah, with the financial help of his parents, fixates on getting the permissions in order. There is a fly in the ointment though. Freya refuses to sign a statutory declaration agreeing that Jamie had told her he wanted a baby - because she said he didn’t ever say to her that he wanted children, and she wasn’t going to lie.

Traumatised by what she sees as a betrayal, Hannah shuns Freya, and being a small community some of the towns people stop shopping at Freya’s small shop in support. Opinions are divided over the IVF, and Hannah feels no guilt for how her friend is effected, as she is totally consumed by her grief and obsession on getting pregnant. But gradually Hannah realises that maybe she didn’t know Jamie as well as she thought as slowly secrets, lies and family cover ups about him are revealed. At first she refuses to believe what she is told but eventually starts to follow up on the accusations and finds out that just maybe he wasn’t the great person she thought he was and that he had been appallingly deceitful. And now she needs friends to get out of the mess she is in.

The characters of Freya and Hannah are well described. I certainly liked Freya much better, Hannah I just wanted to shake and tell her to take a grip. Author, Fiona Lowe’s superpower is writing about flawed characters and explaining what makes them tick. The story was page turning and I was hooked from page one, reading it from beginning to end in one sitting. There are a few issues covered as the story unfolds and is certainly thought provoking. A huge 5 stars from me, I really recommend this book.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Australia for the chance to read this book.

This story is full of secrets and heartache. It highlights how easily little white lies or lies of omission can harm and makes you question how well we can really know any person. It's a gripping story that is hard to put down.

Australian writing at it's best! The story is compelling and intriguing. The characters are well written and down to earth relatable.

Was lucky to get an ARC of this so thanks NetGalley for that.
I thought it would be an Australia thriller however it was more a domestic drama. It centres around a group of friends, babies, marriage and small town secrets.
I read somewhere it was for fans of Liane Moriarty and Sally Hepworth, which if you were fans of those two wonderful Australian authors, you would like this book also..

Hannah was a city girl and she moved to rural Western Australia town following her relationship with Jamie. The unexpected accident hit Jamie on their wedding day.
The accident will open up the secret Jamie kept from Hannah and his family.
The accident left Hannah's friendship with Freya who is supposedly to be her support system, fractured.
It's an easy read and i definitely was invested enough to find out more however it's dragged too long in my opinion.
It covers life with addiction, miscarriage, IVF, and society judgement about child-free choice.

'The Accident' is a contemporary rural drama. Fiona explores the fallout of a car accident and how it affects various members of a small, country town especially when everything starts to unravel from what you thought it was. The accident occurs at the very beginning and then ensues a mystery to discover who is involved and just how much of a fallout there will be.

It’s quite a long book filled with contemporary drama that many readers will relish. Drama surrounding issues such as relationships, pregnancy, posthumous IVF, motherhood, women’s choices, addictions and much more. It is thought provoking with many current and topical moral dilemmas. A country community rocked by secrets and lies that will test the best families and friendships.

Fiona Lowe knows how to write a great book, this story is a wonderful read about family dynamics and friendships, with plenty to think about!
The storyline covers grief, loneliness, hope and mystery, you won’t want to put it down!
I feel the emotions that the main characters are working through, Freya lives with her partner in Western Australia, her friend Hannah is about to marry Ryan’s friend Jamie.
The happiness within the friendship group and the community changes when there is an accident, life will never be the same. As the story unfolds, questions arise, doubts change perceptions and relationships are tested as the truth and reality becomes blurred.
I enjoyed the mystery of how we think about each other, what do we really know? The warmth of the community in country towns is tested by secrets and scandal, especially when trust is broken.
A thought provoking read with heartwarming moments.

Thanks so much to Harlequin Australia, NetGalley and the fabulous Fiona Lowe for the opportunity to read this book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This is another great story by Australian author Fiona Lowe. This story is set in regional Western Australia and follows the life of Hannah, who meets the love of her life in Perth through a dating app. She then moves to his home town to begin a new life as his partner in life and work. She feels she is living the dream and cannot believe how lucky she is. She has a new best friend Freya and supportive in-laws to be. As the wedding draws closer a freak accident occurs that wreaks havoc, not only on Hannah but on those around her too.
The book explores quite heavily the topic of a woman's choice and right to have or not have children. The judgements that can be made in this space and the pain experienced at both ends of the spectrum. It also covers grief, friendship and trust. I really enjoyed the story and the twists and turns that brought new insights to everyone's experiences.
Thank you Netgalley and Harlequin Australia for the opportunity to read this digital ARC.

Absolutely taken in by this book, I had so many thought provoking moments.
I’m not even going to give my take on the synopsis as I think it’s best if you have no idea where this book is going….I certainly didn’t.
But if you like small town settings where everyone knows each other and their business (or thinks they do), this may be right up your alley.
Great entertainment on a hot long weekend for me.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy to read.

Fiona Lowe has been a firm favourite author of mine for many many years, I was so excited to receive and early reading copy of The Accident. This booked is packed with so much drama when a deadly accident in a small town brings out the secrets, lies and scandals of almost everyone. This is one I could not put down and was so invested in the characters and their plights. With some tough subject matter, Fiona is never scared to tackle the big issues which makes The Accident feel so lifelike.

I devoured this one so quickly, it was compelling and real which is what I loved the most. I also did enjoy the Western Australian setting, giving insight into the wheat belt, Fiona is a master storyteller and I look forward to her books each and every year.

Thank you to NetGalley and HQ Fiction for this ARC it is one I will be recommending to everyone. Five of the biggest stars for this one.

✨ M I N I R E V I E W ✨
The Accident by Fiona Lowe (@fionaloweaustralianauthor)

⭐️⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

A terrible crash... but the facts don't add up.

Worlds converge and two women's lives are torn apart when a devastating accident uncovers a shocking web of lies & deceit. A gripping and thought-provoking new mystery from bestselling Australian author Fiona Lowe.

This is the first Fiona Lowe book I have read but is certainly not the last. I really enjoyed her writing style and depiction of the characters and devoured the book in two days. Highly recommend this author.

✨OUT MARCH 6th 2024✨

What you’ll find in The Accident:
🩵 Mystery
🩵 Family dynamics
🩵 Romance

If you enjoy reading Liana Moriarty and Sally Hepworth you’re sure to enjoy this.

Thank you NetGalley for this gifted copy.

The Accident by @fionaloweaustralianauthor centres around the reverberating impacts of a car slamming into a tree on a remote country road, killing a groom-to-be. A woman loses her husband to be, another loses an old friend, a woman loses her son, and another woman loses what she had all along. Lives are derailed because of this accident as much as what the aftermath of this accident brings with it. This story questions commitment, honesty, ethical and moral decisions about becoming a mother, and choosing not to have children. The right to have children, the urge to have a child, the old fashioned views of parenting, and the choice not to are played out across the book in a lot of detail, and I think this was done with a good balance of gentleness and research into the laws of Western Australia.

This book explored the facades that many of the characters hide behind, and as these facades slowly broke down and flaked away, so too were the other human emotions that crumbled under them. It brought to life the experiences living in small towns and how reputations can be protected by those who are blinded by love of all kinds. It also captured the element of secrecy well and how hidden a partner’s life can truly be. Being blindsided by small-town truths added to the drama

Have you ever sat down and read a book every minute you could make free? Well The Accident by Fiona Lowe was such a one for me.

At its heart we have Hannah, in love and anticipating her marriage to Jamie. She has begun to make a new life in Garringarup on the west coast of Australia. Then everything turns to custard. An accident changes lives and in this case in a very significant way.

Freya has become friends with Hannah and it's a really good relationship. Also Freya has a lovely relationship with her partner Ryan, but a worrying one with her mother and sister.

But relationships can implode and some of them are about to do so. I loved Hannah and Freya and Ryan and some others as well. And then there were a few to really dislike. I am not going to explore the issues involved, I think that's part of the beauty of this book, happening upon them along with the characters.

Does everything come out hunky dory? There are so many issues explored in this book, ones to think about and see the various sides. Sometimes both sides can be right, but not for everyone to take on as a life desire. So not everyone can come out satisfied but perhaps in the right place for them.

As a reader I came out very satisfied with the point in life most of the characters were in, feeling both sad and hopeful for them.  Secrets and lies did not win out.

WOW what a compelling story this one is, I could barely put it down once I picked it up, Fiona Lowe, you have given your readers a story that is, thought- provoking, filled with secrets and fabulous characters, two woman, best friends Freya and Hannah have their lives turned upside down when there is a deadly accident in the small country town of Garringarup, come along and share their story.

Freya and Ryan have been living happily together for ten years, and loving life, Ryan is a paramedic and Freya owns the gift store, Just Because in town and it is doing really well.

Hannah and Jamie are busy planning their wedding and thinking about their honeymoon in Tahiti, Hannah dearly wants to start a family soon as they have been very happy together for over a year now, life is looking good.

The day before the wedding and they are busy decorating the marquee and keeping little flower girls happy, when close by the police, ambulance and fire brigade sirens wail, and Jamie and Ryan are not answering their phones.

When the local police officer arrives, the news is not good there has been a car accident, and Jamie is gone, this starts a chain of devastating consequences and a push by Jamie’s family to acquire Jamie’s sperm so as Hannah can have the child she dearly wants and that there is a grandchild for his family.

Jamie’s death pulls Freya and Hannah apart as well as puts pressure on Freya and Ryan’s relationship, and when Hannah starts to uncover devastating secrets about Jamie her world just about shatters.

Freya is under so much pressure with her decision about having a baby and with what is going on with her family her life is also shattering.

Fiona Lowe has taken on some tough issues that have added tension throughout the story, there is lots of friction add to that it is in a small town and the locals add their opinions to what is going on, some twists and lots of different emotions run through the words in this story. This is one that I highly recommend I never miss a Fiona Lowe story they always pull me in and keep me turning the pages, don’t miss this one.

My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for my copy to read and review.

The Accident makes for compelling reading from the very first page. Set in the Western Australian wheat belt, this story is at times harrowing. It is also a cracking good read that kept me turning the pages late into the night. The two main characters, Hannah and Freya, each face massively conflicting emotions and relationship challenges as they negotiate their own personal feelings about having a baby. Hannah, having lost her fiancé Jamie on the eve of their wedding, is desperate to harvest his sperm and have his child by IVF, something that is actively promoted by his grieving parents. Freya, on the other hand, has never wanted a child but is conflicted because her partner, Ryan, does want his own child, a desire that is brought to a head with the death of Jamie, who was his best friend. With dark secrets being slowly revealed as the story unfolds and the emotional toil that Hannah’s wishes have on her friendship with Freya, there is more than enough to keep readers guessing. I always love Fiona Lowe’s books and this one is certainly one that I’ll happily read again.