A Great Act of Love by Heather Rose

 This historical novel begins with an event that on the surface is easy to judge, but once the story goes deeper with characters, revealing their past, it brings a deeper theme of taking time to get to know someone without rushing to judge.

The story begins in 1836 London where Caroline’s father makes their name infamous by committing a crime. She blames herself for not seeing that he had become dangerous to himself and other people. She feels that the stain will never leave her. Thus, she embarks on a journey with her new identity. At twenty-three, as a lady of means, she travels to Van Diemen’s Land before it becomes Tasmania.

Jacques-Louis’s story, Caroline’s father, begins when he is a boy and his father introduces him to a new movement called enlightenment – claiming that man’s thought should turn inward. The father sees his son loving the industry of agriculture but he wants him to balance it with the cultivation of the mind. Thus, the father teaches the son how to make a good wine and influences his mind. They come from noble family, but the French Revolution stripes them of their title and money. Jacques-Louis and his sister make their way to England where they begin a new life, and where the story of Caroline begins.

Cornelius’s story links the story of the past owner of the vineyard with the new owner. He is a black slave who makes his way to Van Diemen’s Land before it becomes an island designated for British convicts. He observes the changes shaping the island and the treatment of enslaved white men which doesn’t bring him any consolation. His path crosses with Bartholomew Broughton who makes his name on the island when he makes champagne which becomes superior to anything that arrives by the sea.

Broughton’s life is cut short and the next owner disregards the vines already gone wild as he sees this business as fool’s errand. But things change when a woman appears with a boy at her side, asking about the cottage and the vineyard.

The story beautifully comes to a full circle with the story of daughter and father. It has some unexpected turns. The very end is not the ending I was expecting.

The backstories of different characters are woven in separate chapters, with alternating characters and timelines making it a fascinating read.

The novel is uniquely narrated, with short chapters and short descriptions yet profound, giving the story a fast-pace. A lot of characters display resilience which is an excellent trait in life. It is a fascinating story with mesmerizing writing.

Released in January 2026

Source: Simon and Schuster