One of the most popular posts to date in the Dutch Australian community was this one on 20 January 2024 from Monique:

Hey hey everyone !!! Just thought I would post in here, I’ve actually just published my first ever novel amongst all the chaos of motherhood and uni , 4 years later I have done it haha

I’m really proud of it , it’s the love story of my beautiful grandparents and their migration from Amsterdam to Australia ! Something I feel like a lot of you might be able to relate to!!!

But I promise it’s so much more then a love story, it’s a book about resilience and appreciating life’s small wonders, especially in those early years speaking no English and heading straight to work to try and get out of the immigration camp!!

I really hope you will check out my website and grab a copy !!! It’s also free AUS shipping at the moment !!!

Thanks so much for your support Dutchie to Dutchie!!!!! Enjoy !!

Www.moniquemccallum.com

With a reach of 5k, and over 100 comments, a lot of you also ordered the book, which is based on her Oma and Opa’s story.

For Gerard and Hendrika, it is love at first sight in a dance hall in Amsterdam in nineteen fifty-three. The war years are thankfully behind them and joy is returning to the Earth.

But for Gerard, the eldest of fourteen siblings, his family still faces starvation, lack of money, opportunity, and post-war depression—like many families around them.

The Ten Pound Dutchmen Scheme is too good an opportunity to miss but migrating to Australia, thousands of miles away, will separate the young lovers forever … or will it? Henny must make a life-changing decision: move across the world and follow the love of her life, whom she only met a few months before, or stay with her parents and sisters.

This is a heartwarming narrative that will capture the hearts of many. Alongside a story of love and joie de vivre of the two main characters, there are extraordinary challenges to overcome as a family leaves behind everything that is familiar and travels to unchartered territory to overcome a language barrier and face bullying and prejudice. Can they find their happily ever after?

I’ve been in touch with Monique and my review copy was sent to my parents in Australia. Am very much looking forward to reading when I am there in July/August! There is not yet a digital copy available.

A huge congratulations Monique for capturing their story and sharing it. Have you read it yet? Order your own copy here: https://www.moniquemccallum.com/