The Wonderful Thing About Phoenix Rose
Josephine Moon
Reviewed by Helen
I loved this story so very much, it is beautiful, there are not enough words to describe the happy feelings that I found while reading this one, the joy it gave me seeing Phoenix take on a task that was hard for her but her caring and loving heart gave her strength and determination, this is a must read book.
Phoenix is thirty five and is a high school teacher and she loves her job, she has a loving partner Zack, but after a recent medical episode is now on sick leave, Phoenix is an Autist and is coming to terms with the way she is, finally seeing who she is, she belongs to this wonderful online group, Downunder Auties and one of the members gives a cry out for help and Phoenix puts her hand up to help with Zack cheering her on, and is on her way to Tasmania from Brisbane.
Within a day Phoenix is now in charge of Rita, the Shetland pony, Humphrey the dog, two cats Audrey and Marilyn and four chickens, Phoenix makes the decision to give them homes herself and take them back to Brisbane this is going to be one huge road trip and she knows she needs help and the Downunder Auties step in and soon Lily, who is also Autistic meets up with Phoenix and joins up as travelling companion and the road trip starts.
Two neurodivergent woman with a menagerie of eccentric animals in a borrowed van a hired horse float and this trip is sure to meet a few problems on the way not to mention the ferry crossing at the start of the trip, add to that the rescue of more animals along the way, the pressure Phoenix is getting from her principal about her return to work and the fact that Lily is also being pushed by her family. But Lily and Phoenix are fast becoming close friends and the Downunder Auties are stepping in to help as they go.
This story taught me a lot about neurodivergent people and who they are, that they are all individuals and it showed me the love, caring and empathy that they show, it shows that asking for help is a good thing, this is a beautifully told story there is heartbreak, joy, determination along the way as I got to know Phoenix, Lilly, Zack and the many other Downunder Auties who stepped in and helped along the way, they are awesome characters and I loved them all.
This is a book that I highly recommend, make sure you have nothing else planned because you won’t want to put it down once you pick it up and Phoenix Rose and her menagerie and friends are going to stay with me for a long time to come, don’t miss this one.
My thanks to Penguin AU for my copy to read and review.
Phoenix is thirty five and is a high school teacher and she loves her job, she has a loving partner Zack, but after a recent medical episode is now on sick leave, Phoenix is an Autist and is coming to terms with the way she is, finally seeing who she is, she belongs to this wonderful online group, Downunder Auties and one of the members gives a cry out for help and Phoenix puts her hand up to help with Zack cheering her on, and is on her way to Tasmania from Brisbane.
Within a day Phoenix is now in charge of Rita, the Shetland pony, Humphrey the dog, two cats Audrey and Marilyn and four chickens, Phoenix makes the decision to give them homes herself and take them back to Brisbane this is going to be one huge road trip and she knows she needs help and the Downunder Auties step in and soon Lily, who is also Autistic meets up with Phoenix and joins up as travelling companion and the road trip starts.
Two neurodivergent woman with a menagerie of eccentric animals in a borrowed van a hired horse float and this trip is sure to meet a few problems on the way not to mention the ferry crossing at the start of the trip, add to that the rescue of more animals along the way, the pressure Phoenix is getting from her principal about her return to work and the fact that Lily is also being pushed by her family. But Lily and Phoenix are fast becoming close friends and the Downunder Auties are stepping in to help as they go.
This story taught me a lot about neurodivergent people and who they are, that they are all individuals and it showed me the love, caring and empathy that they show, it shows that asking for help is a good thing, this is a beautifully told story there is heartbreak, joy, determination along the way as I got to know Phoenix, Lilly, Zack and the many other Downunder Auties who stepped in and helped along the way, they are awesome characters and I loved them all.
This is a book that I highly recommend, make sure you have nothing else planned because you won’t want to put it down once you pick it up and Phoenix Rose and her menagerie and friends are going to stay with me for a long time to come, don’t miss this one.
My thanks to Penguin AU for my copy to read and review.
5 stars
April 18, 2023 by Penguin Random House Australia
