'Like the chocolate at its centre, this adroitly crafted story is both deliciously bitter and heart-achingly sweet. Set in post-WWI England and Tasmania, it explores the lengths people will go to in order to try to achieve a dream. Their gritty resilience, desperate greed, soul-breaking grief and, above all, tenacious hope are beautifully laid bare. The historical details are fascinating; the characters unforgettable. Intending to savour this book, I devoured it in one sitting. It's an absolute treat - totally enthralling and completely and utterly satisfying. It's another triumph for Mary-Lou Stephens.' - Bestselling Australian author Karen Brooks
PRAISE FOR THE LAST OF THE APPLE BLOSSOM:
'An outstanding historical novel about women and the secrets and burdens they carry' - The Australian
'What a cracker of a debut! A beautiful story of family and orchards, of secrets and love and forgiveness' - Victoria Purman, author of The Nurses' War
'The crisp prose sparkles and the characters stay with you long after the story ends' - Lauren Chater, author of Gulliver's Wife
'Australian historical fiction at its finest ... It will linger in your mind and heart long after the last page.' - Karen Brooks, author of The Good Wife of Bath