Reviewed by Wendy Lipke
Léonie Kelsall is becoming known for her rural romance novels all set around a small country town in South Australia known as Settlers Bridge. Although the books she has written so far in this setting are not a series, the author says that several of the characters do pop up in other stories.
In this latest book the story revolves around a married woman, Samantha, who owns (she believes) and works in the local café, Ploughs and Pies. For Samantha, this is a place where she can feel some sense of safety and achievement, away from her controlling husband. Finally, she decides to leave her husband with the help of one of the older CWA ladies.
While living in an area where she believes she will be safe from her husband, she meets Pierce who has worked most of his life in his parent’s Italian restaurant in Adelaide. Samantha and Pierce discover that they have a shared love of cooking.
Both characters are carrying around hurt and wish to take control of their own lives. Pierce could probably be called a new age man. He is sensitive to Samantha’s feelings and her lack of trust although for a long time he does not know what has caused her insecurities. He does not push although he makes it clear that he is very interested in her.
From the descriptions in the book, it is obvious that the author, herself, also has a love of cooking, is fascinated by the history of the area, and is inspired by the beautiful scenery around the Murray River as it flows through South Australia. As in most of her books, grandparents have a vital role to play in this story and usually there is something to undergo renovation.
It is interesting to follow the path with the characters as they grow in confidence while exploring their individual passions. The main female character grows from an introverted person who treads lightly around her husband’s moods to someone who can be spontaneous and laugh and enjoy every day without fear.
The book is filled with warmth and the quirkiness of a small country town where news travels fast, yet confidences can also be held safe and contained. There are many examples in this book about people reaching out to help others in need while at the same time the harmful effects of abuse and manipulation are also explored. There are others who have left the city to settle in a smaller more inclusive place to create their own dreams and they act as an example to those with similar aspirations. While the cast of characters is not large, they are quite diverse, and their actions are driven by their varied past experiences.
Family relationships and favouritism are explored through Pierce’s family. He has to learn to trust that other family members might be able to change.
This is a story about letting go and having the courage to take a chance.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story, with the uncertainty of how the plot would progress and the speculation surrounding the identification of the body in the burning building. I loved the descriptions and the obvious love of the land which Samantha displays. The people were interesting, frustrating at times, yet there for support when required.
The Willow Tree Wharf
(2023)
by Léonie Kelsall
Allen & Unwin
ISBN: 978-1-67106- 609-2
$29.99; 432pp