Time Together

Phil's mother has died recently and his father is away, so he is looking after the family home near the beach in New South Wales. He decides to invite a group of friends from his past for a beach holiday. The friends are now in their mid 40s and have not seen each other for many years. Bella and Timothy bring their two children aged seven and twelve, Jo and Lucas bring their young daughter while Annie arrives alone.

Time Together by Luke Horton is a story of relationships, past and present, complicated by twelve year old Millie's mood swings and strained relationship with her mother. Phil is mourning his mother's death and is obviously not well. The dynamics between the members of the group invited to the house become strained at times as the individuals bring out the best and worst in each other. The characters find it hard to let go past frustrations, rivalries, tensions and disappointments during their supposedly relaxing holiday.

The novel reveals the story through the thoughts of the main characters but the location of the house set near the beach, lagoon and the bush adds a special dimension to the book.