Jimmy’s wedding day is literally the best day of his life. He hasn’t had many of those, so he’s able to differentiate. After the barbecue is lit, he holds Rosie’s hand and they watch it all in silence. And like always, Jimmy is amazed by the kindness of strangers.
The Place on Dalhousie (companion to Saving Francesca and The Piper's Son)
Melina Marchetta
Summary: 'You look the type to break your father’s heart.'
'Yeah, but he broke mine first.’
When Rosie Gennaro first meets Jimmy Hailler, she has walked away from life in Sydney, leaving behind the place on Dalhousie that her father, Seb, painstakingly rebuilt for his family but never saw completed. Two years later, Rosie returns to the house and living there is Martha, whom Seb Gennaro married less than a year after the death of Rosie’s mother. Martha is struggling to fulfil Seb’s dream, while Rosie is coming to terms with new responsibilities. And so begins a stand-off between two women who refuse to move out of the home they both lay claim to.
As the battle lines are drawn, Jimmy Hailler re-enters Rosie’s life. Having always watched other families from the perimeters, he’s now grappling, heartbreakingly, with forming one of his own . . .
An unforgettable story about losing love and finding love; about the interconnectedness of lives and the true nature of belonging, from one of our most acclaimed writers.
My Review: Sometimes books come to you at the exact moment you need them. I bought this book in 2019 and didn't read it until 2021 and when I tell you it came to me exactly when I needed it? Getting really personal: this came to me right after I had my son, and although it the circumstances were completely different, the family dynamics in this book really hit me right in the feels. I was so grateful for my family, but I also understood Rosie's pain. I cheered her on when she started to reach out to people. I wanted to hug her so hard when she was in the trenches. Jimmy has always been one of my favorite characters from the previous books, but we always saw him through the lens of his friends. Getting a peek into his life was a joy.
Recommended age: Adult (language, sexual situations)
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