Back on Track is very much a story about working out relationships which is the seed that inspired Ketty, a caring owner of a successful couture dressmaking business, to take her team on the famous Ghan. She has weathered the pandemic fairly well but there are rumblings among her staff members and it appears they are at odds with each other. She sees the surprise trip as an opportunity to thank them for their help and to spend quality time with each one. And to try and smooth out the wrinkles or sew up the tears that have risen. The old saying ‘Familiarity breeds contempt’ has become a reality as negative thoughts have somehow infiltrated the once harmonious group. Her solution: they all need a good break.
But there’s more to the story and plenty of conflicts to overcome and issues to sort through. Her team initially worry that she is retiring or selling her business and there’s negative talk that she may have lost her touch when she loses a couple customers. But she reassures them she is not leaving or selling out. When her dear friend Carlos, a Spaniard visiting Australia for a year, voices his desire to take a special train trip, she sees it as a great opportunity. Not only for him and herself but also for her staff. Can she experience refreshment and help her troubled team? Maybe they can all gain a new perspective on their lives in different settings? And what better way to do it than to travel aboard the iconic Ghan! But, of course, as well-meaning as her intentions are, things do not go as planned.
There’s a wonderful flow to this story and I understand many characters are from her Table of Eight novel (which I have not read). Regardless, I enjoyed the story and various personalities. Plus, the effectiveness of the descriptions allowed me to be transported to these inspiring locations. I have never been on the Ghan but now have a taste of what it must be like!
Learning about each of the characters and their issues was interesting. Suspicious Judy, fearful Tien, relationship-troubled Birgit, uptight Lacey and family pressured Ning make quite a troubled work group. Their conversations and battles are enlightening. And I loved Ketty’s clever comparison of her employees’ personalities to the drinks they enjoyed.
I found the interaction between Ketty and Carlos lovely (and the ending was brilliant). Even though Judy is overprotective of her boss and plants suspicions in her mind about Carlos, it was nice to see how Ketty decides for herself about him in the end. And the surprise she offers him to help with his visa problem, sets his plans a little off balance for a while. Eventually though, everything stabilises. Cryptic comments, yes, but I don’t want to give anything away!
This novel covers financial woes, relationship problems, family pressures, forced retirement, fear of the unknown—just to name a few things. But what it also offers are solutions, healing and happiness. It is an intriguing cast and a fascinating journey. I look forward to reading more of Tricia’s books! 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
