It is my pleasure to share my review of Australian historical romance, Carry Me Home by Dorothy Adamek, book 1 of the Blue Wren Shallows series! Be sure to check out Dotti’s previous visit which includes a quick q&a!
about the book
Carry Me Home by Dorothy Adamek (Blue Wren Shallows book 1)
An Australian historical romance set in the pioneering era of the 1870s, on Victoria’s majestic Phillip Island.
Finella Mayfield hates two things: liars and thieves. And she’s determined to marry a man who’s neither. Chasing her dead father’s dreams, the twenty-year-old English bride arrives in Australia in 1875 for an arranged marriage. Anticipating her future as village preacher’s wife, she records her thoughts in her Everlasting journal.
But instead of her fiancé, Finella is met by Shadrach Jones, a poor farmer sent to collect her from the busy Melbourne pier. This is not what her father planned. And it’s only the beginning of the unraveling of Finella Mayfield ~ the bride with no groom. All Shadrach Jones longs for is rows of mustard and chicory. He’s busy growing a farm near the Phillip Island fishing village of Cowes, and caring for Molly, his simple sister. Far from the brutal life they remember with their ex-convict father, Shadrach’s building something new.
But he’s also made a promise to a dying friend. To collect and marry the English girl destined to never be a preacher’s wife. Can Shadrach convince Finella she has a future with a farmer? Can he convince himself, knowing his family secrets will haunt their future?
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my thoughts
Dorothy Adamek’s masterful storytelling twisted my emotions in a literary fist! Carry Me Home effectively turns the reader’s attention to the Lord of all circumstances, the Hope of the helpless, and the Great Healer with an engaging plot and multi-dimensional characters.
After a nearly idyllic childhood, tragedy and loss seem to follow Finella like an ominous storm cloud. One heartbreak after another left my heart entwined with her story and invested in the outcome from the earliest pages of the book.
Shadrach struggles to carve a bit of sanctuary out of the bush while attempting to outrun the shadows of the past. There’s no denying his physical prowess and the abundance of Shadrach’s compassion and loyalty fuels his relentless work ethic.
With the added advantages and challenges of coastal living, my first peek of the pioneering Aussies of Phillip Island reminded me of the soddy-dwelling homesteaders of the Great Plains. These folks endure repeated hardships and failures yet return to the solid foundation of faith.
I highly recommend this story. Its themes of grief, forgiveness, and faith shine thanks to the author’s skillful care in creating a vivid setting, authentic characters, and unpredictable plot.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and was under no obligation to post a review. The opinions expressed are my own.
about the author
Blue Wren Shallows series
Let me know if you’ll be adding Carry Me Home by Dorothy Adamek to your tbr!
I’ll also be sharing my review of book 2 soon!
Faithfully Bookish 
Thank you for the beautiful review, Beth Erin. I’m most humbled by your words and delighted you enjoyed the story. xo
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