Wildflower Hill

Wildflower Hill by Kimberley Freeman – 544 pages

Emma, a prima ballerina in London, is at a crossroads after an injured knee ruins her career. Forced to rest and take stock of her life, she finds that she’s mistaken fame and achievement for love and fulfillment. Returning home to Australia, she learns of her grandmother Beattie’s death and a strange inheritance: a sheep station in isolated rural Australia. Certain she has been saddled with an irritating burden, Emma prepares to leave for Wildflower Hill to sell the estate.
Beattie also found herself at a crossroads as a young woman, but she was pregnant and unwed. She eventually found success—but only after following an unconventional path that was often dangerous and heartbreaking. Beattie knew the lessons she learned in life would be important to Emma one day, and she wanted to make sure Emma’s heart remained open to love, no matter what life brought. She knew the magic of the Australian wilderness would show Emma the way.

A speedy saga through generations of family and one main, “root for her all the way” type of protagonist. The writing was solid and the story was typical with no great surprises or twists. However, this type of book is always pleasurable to read. It’s easy, comforting and brings you right into Australia. Not a bad place to fall into on a cold afternoon here in Chicago!

– “ So what’s a friendless girl to do? I headed to the library.”