This story is inspired by the author's parents and is about 17 year-old Mirabel who lives in Melbourne with her family, and enjoys drawing and dress-making. Set in the 1940s when the world is at war, Mirabel meets and falls in love with a Chinese soldier, J.J. Only after J.J. returns to China to help fight against the Communist take-over, does Mirabel discover she is pregnant. Despite all opposition and the hardships she will face, Mirabel decides to follow J.J. even though she doesn't know where he is based. Unfortunately, upon her arrival Mirabel discovers that China is a large and strange place.

This book is full of history but it dragged in places and I found myself skipping over large sections of it. Knowing that it was based on a true story made it slightly more interesting, but I was still glad to reach the last page. ( )

4* Raised in Melbourne in a traditional Chinese family, Mirabel meets and falls in love with a Chinese soldier on assignment in Melbourne. After his return to China, Mirabel, discovering she is pregnant, decides to disobey her parents and follow him to China to search for him. Although this is a classic love story at heart, one develops a very realistic feel of life in both Melbourne and Shanghai during World War II. Cultural differences are also highlighted particularly those between Mirabel and her close Jewish friend Rosa whose extended family has escaped Europe to live in Shanghai and support Mirabel during her first years in Shanghai. ( )

This moving and sweeping love story is set in Melbourne, Australia and Shanghai, China during World War II. Mirabel, a seventeen-year-old Australian-born Chinese teenager falls in love with a handsome young Chinese soldier who is stationed in Melbourne during World War II. They have a secret affair only Mirabal’s old Aunt and best friend Rosa, knows of the relationship.

Then out of the blue JJ is re-posted to China and Mirabel discovers that she is pregnant. She is unsure of what action to take and unable to contact JJ. After telling her parents and refusing to give her baby up for adoption, Mirabel and little Bao Bao flee by boat to the city of Shanghai. But China is in midst of civil war and the Communist army is advancing...Will Mirabel find her beloved JJ before it's too late?

This is a first teen novel for this author and although this story is a work of fiction it was inspired by the life of the author’s mother. The story is beautifully written and the history in story is seemly correct. The book will appeal to teen who want a well written love story with depth and historical themes. Teens over 15 years. ( )

A beautiful story that was moving and thrilling to read. I was gripped to the very end. ( )