The Wonderful Thing about Phoenix Rose

The heartwarming new 'uplit' novel by the bestselling author of The Jam Queens.

Phoenix Rose is a 35-year-old neurodivergent teacher who is at a crossroads in her career and in her relationship with her boyfriend, Zack. With her sick leave finished, her principal demands she return to school, whether Phoenix feels ready or not. But when she receives an urgent plea from a friend in Tasmania who needs to rehome her beloved animals, Phoenix, who has always led with her heart, spontaneously decides to help.

When she suddenly finds herself the custodian of an eccentric dog, two cats, a clutch of chickens and a geriatric pony, she makes another snap decision - to provide a new home for them all herself. The trouble is, she will have to drive the menagerie all the way back to Brisbane in time to return to Zack and her job - and she cannot do it alone.

She enlists the help of Lily - a colourful younger woman who, like Phoenix, is autistic - as well as resourceful members of their online community. Together the new friends must navigate unexpected twists, setbacks and moments of heartbreak and triumph as they both move towards a new identity and understanding of themselves.

As well, they seem to be collecting ever-more stray animals along the journey . . .

The Wonderful Thing about Phoenix Rose is a joyful and moving tale of a woman's commitment to fulfilling a friend's dying wish, while finding her own inner strength and power and sharing it with others along the way.

About the Author

Josephine Moon was born and raised in Brisbane, and had a false start in Environmental Science before completing a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and then a postgraduate degree in education. Twelve years and ten manuscripts later, her first novel The Tea Chest was picked up for publication and then shortlisted for an ABIA award. Her bestselling contemporary fiction is published internationally. Her books include The Tea Chest, The Chocolate Promise, The Beekeeper's Secret, Three Gold Coins, The Gift of Life, The Cake Maker's Wish and The Jam Queens. She now lives on acreage in the beautiful Noosa hinterland with her husband and son, and a tribe of animals that seems to increase in size each year. She wouldn't have it any other way.