The Homestead in the Eucalypts is a dual timeline story set centuries apart in the location of Settlers Bridge, South Australia. It is a story of how the first settlers legacy ties into the current generation living on the land.

The beauty of the area with the flora, fauna, homesteads and the local community - both the past and present - are brought to life. An equally heartwarming and heartbreaking story where Léonie uses her own family history and the ideas she and her daughter had talked about. A story for the heart.

Homestead in the Eucalypts, set in Australia tells the tale of two women and two men that they come to love.

I very much liked  the 1877 story of Anna, her family and Luke. It is a very hard life and there is much sadness in it, and much love.

And then in contemporary time we have Taylor, a medical student who seems to be at sixes and sevens, her parents are divorcing and she is unsure about her medical endeavours and she has been sucked in my a boyfriend who is vile. When she ends up in South Australia with her mother and grandparents gradually she finds what she is meant to be about.

The setting in South Australia is beautiful in its flora especially and its dry tough life. It is an aspect of this book that I appreciated.

What I didn't really like was the link between Anna and Taylor. It seemed just too much of a stretch for me and it's why I couldn't really buy into the whole story. Possibly others will have no trouble but this dream like connection didn't work for me.

EXCERPT: 'I really only came here to support Mum.'
'No great calling of your own?'
'Well, uni's on break.' She wasn't about to admit to the hours she spent playing on her phone. Or riding the fences on the off-chance she might run into him.
This married man. With a family. Who was busy with his home renos. And had just purchased jelly cakes for his wife. Although, he could have at least bought her uncrushed ones.
'Uni?' He tipped his head to one side and she imagined he cocked the brow hidden behind sunglasses.
'Mmm. Going into third year post-grad med.' Although that sounded more impressive than sharing that she had levelled up on Farm Barn, it didn't escape her that it was the second time in the past week she'd felt the urge to use the defence. Was that simply because people seemed impressed? At least, unlike Anna, she had options, could study and be whatever she chose. Except - what if that was no longer the case? What if Adelaide Uni didn't accept her transfer application? For the first time, the thought that her future might not be her choice chilled through her.

ABOUT 'THE HOMESTEAD IN THE EUCALYPTS': Focused on pursuing her dream of becoming a doctor in suburban Sydney, Taylor doesn't have time for love—yet it seems life has other plans when she catches the eye of charismatic Zac. However, betrayal and the financial implications of her parents' impending divorce could destroy both her plans and her passion. Escorting her distraught mother to the far side of the country, she is forced to embrace a new life in the stark South Australian countryside. Stressed and disheartened, Taylor starts to experience disturbing dreams.

In 1877, Anna rises before the sun to milk the cow, fetch water from the almost-dry creek, and stoke the oven. If her parents had remained in Europe, instead of settling in the drought-ridden wilderness of South Australia, her life would be different—civilised, perhaps, as Mother loves to say. In Europe, she would have avoided the raging bushfire that leaves her reputation as blackened as the burnt-out scrub. But then, she would not have met handsome fellow settler, Luke Hartmann.

In her dreams, Taylor shadows Anna, finding joy in the simplicity of the other girl's life. But as she escapes her stress by venturing deeper into Anna's world, the borders between reality and dreams become increasingly blurred. When tragedy tears Anna's family apart, Taylor must discover whether her dreams are pure fantasy—or if they recount a story more familiar than she could ever imagine.

Either way, it seems she'll end up with a broken mind or a broken heart.

MY THOUGHTS: Two stories are intertwined. I enjoyed the historical aspect of Anna's story, although even that seemed overly dramatised in parts. It is mainly Taylor's story I had problems with. I didn't relate to it at all. I was disappointed in Taylor's character - she is NEVER going to make it as a doctor. She falls in love with a figment of her imagination from a series of dreams she has, then transfers those feelings to a man with the same name? Nah. Just wrong. I'm sorry, but if Leonie Kelsall was wanting to capture Outlander or magical realism vibes with this novel, it didn't work for me.

By the time I was at 60%, I had begun skim reading and I was glad to finally close the cover at the end of this one.

I have enjoyed other books by this author, and I sincerely hope that she doesn't continue in this vein. Other readers have enjoyed this book far more than I did, so please make sure you check out some of their more positive reviews.

⭐⭐

#TheHomesteadintheEucalypts #NetGalley

MEET THE AUTHOR: Though fortunate to grow up in the South Australian country – initially on the beautiful Fleurieu Peninsula in a tiny town where the school had a total enrolment of only eleven students, and later on a sheep and wheat farm in the Murraylands, between the Mt Lofty Ranges and the stunning Murray River – in typical teen fashion I couldn't wait to hit the bright lights of the big city when I graduated. However, a couple of years working in various government departments, including the State History Trust and the Education Department, saw me longing to make my way back to the country. Through a circuitous route (isn't that life?) I now find myself splitting my time between my home and professional counselling practice in the beautiful Adelaide Hills and the farm where I grew up. I definitely have the best of both worlds!

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Allen & Unwin via NetGalley for providing a digital ARC of The Homestead in the Eucalypts by Leonie Kelsall for review. All opinions expressed in this review are my own personal opinions.

I absolutely adored The Homestead In The Eucalypts. It’s clear from the first time the story moves to South Australia that author Léonie Kelsall knows the location well. The imagery is superb, both in the 2008 setting and in the 1877 setting. You can almost smell the eucalypts and see the sheep in their paddocks. The characters are beautifully crafted and realistic and the dialigue from the earlier timeline pairs well with what you’d expect German imigrants to sound like. I loved the early church services and the quaint morning teas that followed, the quaint way in which people of the opposite sex were introduced to each other and chaperoned during their courtship. Anna’s story had me in tears more than once. I was in awe of her bravery and her strength of character in the face of tragedy. Taylor’s dreams were an excellent way of tying the two stories together. It was fascinating watching her become a part of the Settler’s Creek community. I loved that in both timelines, the hero was Luke and the way that the 21st century story completed the love story that began with Anna and Luke. It was wonderful reading the author’s notes after I’d finished the book and discovering just what a personal story this one was for her. This book is just superb on so many levels and it’s definitely oneI’ll be reading again.

This dual timeline story tells of life in 1877 and in 2012. History explained that connects with, and shapes the present.

The story is told via the viewpoints of the two main characters Anna and Taylor. Both belonging to great families and surrounded by most likable characters.

There is heartbreak and divorce and requited love that is 'til death do we part'. This story melts the heart with love and at times twists it with loss. A realistic interpretation of real life's ups and downs.

The setting is in a small country town in Adelaide, South Australia. I enjoyed the scenes of the beautiful rural area among the flora, fauna, homesteads and tight knitted communities of the then and now.

This story was beautiful and so nice to read.
Thankyou to #Netgalley and the publisher for the free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

When you drive around the Adelaide Hills and the Barossa Valley and it’s full of remnants of the past, a lone chimney in a paddock, a crumbling stone wall and shed, a gnarly old fruit tree or a rose bush that somehow has survived and you know someone once lived here. I wonder who they were, I know their lives would have been full of ups and downs, days of endless chores and toil, battling the elements and harsh Australian climate. Sunday was the only day they didn’t work and went to church, the men would’ve talked about crops and stock and the women had a cup of tea with their peers and a much needed break.

Léonie Kelsall explores this concept in her latest dual timeline story, it’s told from the two main characters points of view Taylor and Anna and set near Kanmantoo in South Australia.

2008. Taylor is studying to be a doctor in Sydney, when she travels with her mum Michelle to South Australia as she wants to check on her parents who live in the Adelaide Hills, and in a small town called Settlers Bridge. Taylor has no idea her life is about to change, her parents are getting a divorce, they plan on selling the family home, the musician she has a crush on is a player and Taylor unsure where she will live and continue studying.

Taylor can’t believe she’s stuck in Settlers Bridge, her grandparents are just as quirky as her mum, she starts having dreams, about German family living in the area over a hundred and thirty years ago, a teenage girl called Anna, and wonders if she’s going crazy or suffering from some sort of mental disorder?

1877. Anna’s family have a small farm near Siedlerbrucke or Settlers Bridge, she milks the cow for her mother in the morning, fetches water from the creek that's just a trickle and makes lots of noise to scare off the snakes, and starts the wood stove. Her father Johann migrated to South Australia from Germany, he sent word home when he's ready to marry and her mother Johanna was his bride. She brought with her trousseau and it was stored in her dowry cabinet and Anna knows if her parents still lived in their homeland her life would be much easier.

Instead it’s full of hard work, flies and droughts, and her father constantly worries about the weather, and having a good crop. When a bushfire breaks out Anna is brave, she fights for own and her sister’s life and afterwards she's concerned her reputation is ruined, she dreads going to church and facing everyone and at a time when a ladies must behave impeccably. Anna doesn’t understand the local men admired her quick thinking and bravery and Luke Hartmann doesn’t see Anna as a fallen woman, and he thinks she’s formidable and beautiful and would make the perfect wife.

I received a copy of The Homestead in the Eucalypts by Léonie Kelsall from Allen & Unwin and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. What an amazing story from Ms. Kelsall, using her own family’s history and idea she and her daughter Taylor discussed and explored, she's written an outstanding and unique novel, I was completely hooked and captivated by the end of the first chapter, it’s full of unforgettable characters and coincidences.

Remember everyone searches for love, it comes in different forms, I can’t imagine life without it and love is what we exist for and dream about. Five stars from me, I cried my heart out reading The Homestead in the Eucalypts, I made me feel really emotional, a narrative I could relate to and I highly recommend.

Taylor and her mum, Michelle, were travelling from Sydney to Settlers Bridge near Adelaide in South Australia - a long drive - to stay with Taylor's grandparents for awhile. Taylor was studying to be a doctor, had her best friend Cassie close by, and Zac, her exciting boyfriend. Although on the uni break, Taylor didn't want to be away from all she knew in Sydney for too long. Her grandparents were old, but fit and healthy, running their farm with the occasional help from nearby neighbours. But shattering news that her parents were divorcing saw Taylor's world shift significantly.

Taylor accompanied Michelle back to Settlers Bridge after sorting her life in Sydney. She would transfer her studies to the Adelaide University and work out the rest later. While staying in the homestead with her grandparents, Taylor's dreams saw her watching Anna in 1877, her family and siblings as they worked their farm in Settlers Bridge, went to church on Sundays, lived a simple but joyful life; she wasn't sure what was going on. The dreams were so real, she knew Anna and Luke, the man who rescued her from the bushfire. Anna's brother Deiter was so clear - Taylor was frightened for her own mind. What was happening to her?

The Homestead in the Eucalypts is another exceptional book by Aussie author Leonie Kelsall. Different in many ways from her usual work - dual time frames, both set in Settlers Bridge - the time in 1877 with Anna, Emilie (Anna's younger sister), older brother Deiter, the five year old twins and their parents; plus 2008 with Taylor, Michelle and the homestead where Michelle's parents lived. The timeframe with Anna in 1877 was my favourite part of the book, and the way it was done was unusual, but worked well. The author's note at the end explained how the story came about, with a dedication to Taylor, the author's daughter. Highly recommended.

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

MS Kelsall has out done herself with this awesome story, a duel time line set at Settlers Bridge the town I do love to visit, this is a story of enduring love, between Anna and Luke in 1877, then in 2008 when Taylor moves to Settlers Bridge and she finds herself reliving Anna’s story through her dreams.

Anna lives on a farm in an area where many German families have settled in The Adelaide Hills, life is not always easy but there is always love, Anna hopes to one day fall in love and marry herself and that might not be too far away when Luke Hartmann rescues her after a bush fire rages their small farm. Soon they are courting and looking forward to the day they will marry but life throws some heartbreaking hurdles their way first.

Taylor was happy living in Sydney with her parents, studying to be a doctor and with her boyfriend Zac, but when everything turns upside down and Taylor finds herself single her parents divorcing and moving across the country to her grandparent’s farm in Settlers Bridge, not sure how her life is going to end, Taylor finds herself dreaming about a young woman from the past, Anna, these dreams are so real she feels the pain and heartache so strongly, how is this happening research is not giving her any answers, but she must find out the truth.

Life on the farm is starting to feel very comfortable for Taylor and when she meets neighbour Luke Hartmann her mind is running in overdrive, some questions are answered and soon she is drawn to the home Luke is renovating opening up to each other opens their hearts, will she ever get the answers she wants as to what happened?

I loved this one from start to finish, it is so beautifully told, emotional, heartbreaking and heartwarming as we learn the story of Anna and the love of her life Luke, Taylor and Luke will move forward and start a life together in Settlers Bridge as we have gotten to know them, this one is filled with fabulous characters and is a must read, I highly recommend it to any reader who loves a brilliant tale that was so hard to put down.

My thanks MS Kelsall for another keeper, there were many tears from me as I got to know Anna and saw the strength she carried within.

My thanks to Allen & Unwin for my copy to read and review.

Have you ever read a book that you instantly felt a connection and fell in love with? Well words can't describe the connection I felt with The Homestead In The Eucalyptus by Leonie Kelsall.

Leonie has seamlessly blended both past and present day characters together and each chapter urges you on to the next. It's extremely hard to put the book down as you just need to know about Anna and her family during the past of Settlers Bridge and how Taylor seeks solitude from her glimpses of Anna's life against the reality of her own current life. Is she just dreaming of times gone by or is there something more familiar than she could ever imagine? Could there really be a connection between Taylor and Luke, one that has travelled through the passing of time, maybe even the same one that Anna and Luke had in times gone by? Can love survive beyond one lifetime?

Grab yourself a copy of The Homestead In The Eucalyptus and see for yourself.

Set in dual time lines of 2008 and 1877 the story slips seamlessly through the two time periods and weaves the story together keeping the reader invested in the story and entertained.

Another wonderful book by Leonie Kelsall and linking in with her Settlers Bridge series. But it’s fabulous that all these books can be read as stand alones.
In this book we’re taken back to 2008 where Taylor is visiting her Grandparents in Settlers Bridge with her Mum. Her parents have just dropped a bombshell that they are separating and although she is with her Mum to support her, Taylor really wishes she was back in Sydney with her new boyfriend Zac.
On return to Sydney, things don’t as planned with Zac, the family home is being sold, her best friend is going overseas, so Taylor decides to accompany her Mum back to Settlers Bridge and have time out before picking up her Medical Degree in Adelaide.
Before she knows it Taylor starts experiencing some very realistic dreams involving a young woman called Anna who lived in the area over 100 years ago.
Set in two time lines of the 2008 and 1877 the story slips seamlessly through the two time periods. I loved both stories which is unusual for me as I usually become more invested in one side.
Anna’s story is told simply but with much depth and conveys hardship of that era.
Repeat appearances of previous characters appear in the present day story…although my mind was in overdrive trying to work out which book they were in and then remembering that it was still 10 years before the settling of the first novel anyway! But that was my problem alone and I had to let that go.
An entertaining story with heart that I loved.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy to read.

Thanks to NetGalley, Allen and Unwin, and the author for the chance to read this book.

Release date upcoming on July 2nd.

There was so much about this book that I loved. The dual timeline, the completely pure love between Anna and Luke, the whacky family members, and of course the happy ending. I felt like I rode a roller-coaster of emotions while reading, starting with exasperation at Taylor's attitude to her parents' separation, although as I got to know her, I forgave her attitude.
I completely fell into Anna's story, and for a portion of the book, I was desperate to get through Taylor's chapters to get back to Anna and Luke. But once their stories intertwined more, I found even more enjoyment in the book. My heart absolutely broke for Anna in the end, but it was sweet the way Taylor's story wrapped it up with a happy ending.

The storytelling of two very different time periods has been done beautifully in the book. A solid 5⭐️

The Homestead in the Eucalypts is a heartbreaking and captivating read that will stay with you long after you’ve turned the last page 💗

Uni student Taylor Lawrence has it all…Rockstar boyfriend, a fabulous best friend, supportive parents who she still lives with and she’s close to becoming a general practitioner. But her city life gets turned upside down and her heart is broken from multiple sides. She is forced to accompany her mum to seek sanctuary on her grandparents’ farm in the South Australian countryside.

Unsure about life on the land and finishing her degree, she fills lonely nights dreaming of a time long-gone; of a girl called Anna, who, rising at dawn to milk the cow and fetch water from the well, is caught in a bushfire that threatens to leave her reputation in tatters. But she meets the dashing Luke Hartmann as a result and a courtship ensues.

This is where the story starts to move between current day and the past each chapter and it is so very well done! We are swept up in the loneliness and harshness settlers in Australia faced.

Reality begins to blur as Taylor repeatedly escapes into Anna’s world to escape her own. But she realises she must discover whether her dreams are pure fantasy—or if they recount a story more familiar than she could ever imagine.

This is a story of love that spans generations. Of the hardship that settlers faced at the mercy of the harsh Australian landscape. Of moving forward against all odds and of coping with the pressure of expectations in today’s fast paced world.

Leonie Kelsall has outdone herself with this novel. It’s her best work yet in my opinion and I cannot recommend it enough.

It has been a long time since I have read a book that can emotionally move me like this book did. I finished this book 15 minutes ago and emotionally I want to cry, I want to feel relief but I desperately want to go back into the story and keep reading!!! I don't want to leave Taylor or Anna. Normally, I am not a fan of dual timeline books. I feel it is harder for me to invest emotionally with the characters, however, this author has written this story so magically that I didn't want to leave Taylor's timeline, but I desperately needed to know what was happening with Anna. Thank you for this incredible read.

Just when Taylor had found her dream man, her mum decides to go and visit her parents. Taylor doesn’t feel comfortable letting her mum drive all the way from Sydney to Settler’s Bridge. So Taylor decides she’ll go with her and camp.

However, when they get there, Taylor hadn’t envisioned this camping gig to be so hard. And the dreams she’s having are keeping her awake for a long time afterwards.

When they return to Sydney, an upheaval not just in her home life, but romance wise allows her to return to Settler’s Bridge again and try to start afresh in her studies. But those dreams return, as well as the landlord to her grandparents homestead. Now Taylor needs to be able to sort out the fact to fiction of what’s occurring in her life.

A fabulous story of how the first settlers are leaving the legacy of how they survived and bought the future to the now residents of the land.

Loved this story, an intrigueing love story spanning from the 1800's to modern day. Modern day a young lady is, gifted a piece of jewellery, by her grandparents. From this she starts to dream of a family, and their heartaches from the 1800's. She becomes confused, why is she dreaming about this family, whom she knows nothing about, all the while trying to come to terms with her parents, separating. As well trying to figure out why she is having the dreams, she is studying medicine, comes to a conclusion it has to be some form of dejavu. A brilliant story of incorporating past and present, to construct a love story. Enjoyed the descriptions of the area, where the story is based. Outback SA. One could almost smell the wattle with the descriptions. Another beautifully written story. I love the way you gained the background to write the love story. All in all a great book. Keep them coming.