Another Time explores love, sacrifice, and the tangled web of family secrets. The novel follows Frank, a man whose life is shaped by wartime choices, shifting relationships, and the unspoken truths that bind people together. We meet Amy, Jeanie, and Imogen, women who each, in different ways, leave their mark on Frank’s life. As the years unfold, so do the hidden ties between characters, and the consequences of past actions emerge with gripping intensity. Set against the backdrop of Australia’s changing landscape from the 1940s onward, this historical fiction novel is a story of love that endures, truths that come too late, and relationships that are as complicated as they are real.

One thing that really struck me about this book was how natural the dialogue felt. Ostenfeld’s writing mirrors how people actually talk, which made me feel like I was sitting at the kitchen table listening to family stories. Take the scene where Bonnie bursts into the room, rattling off about sheep blocking the road, swearing as her mother scolds her​. It’s chaotic, funny, and so authentic. It’s exactly how a lively, unfiltered family member would talk. The dialogue drives the story forward and keeps the pace moving without feeling forced. I enjoy a slow-burn novel, and I appreciate the depth Ostenfeld brings to her characters, but there were moments, especially in the middle, where I felt conversations or descriptions stretched on longer than they needed to.

Another aspect that I liked was how deeply the book dives into family dynamics, especially the weight of secrets. One particularly emotional moment is when Frank and Fred discuss the lie they’ve been telling Bonnie and Verna about their real relationship​. There’s a sadness in Frank’s acceptance that “life isn’t fair to very many people,” a quiet acknowledgment of the burdens people carry to protect others. The way the novel explores the lengths people go to in order to keep things from falling apart, whether it’s out of love, shame, or duty, made me think about how many real families function in the same way.

The love stories in Another Time are anything but straightforward. There’s young, passionate love between Frank and Amy, and then there’s the quieter, more complex love that comes later. But the most surprising (and, honestly, slightly shocking) relationship is between Frank Jr. and Bonnie. Technically, they’re not related, but their connection is tangled in such a way that even they aren’t sure how to feel about it​. The way the book handles this emotional mess is thought-provoking. Ostenfeld doesn’t give us easy answers, just like life doesn’t. It left me sitting there, thinking.

If you love family sagas that unfold over decades, where characters are flawed but deeply human, Another Time is for you. It’s perfect for readers who enjoy a mix of historical fiction and emotional drama, with a side of scandal thrown in for good measure.

Pages: 334 | ASIN : B0CTWKH8B9