The Distance Between Dreams
Publisher: Fremantle Press
Published: April 2025
Genre: Fiction, Historical Fiction
When Sarah Willis and Winston Keller cross paths at a party in February 1939, it sparks the beginning of a love story that spans many miles and over half a decade. Winston’s chance encounter with ‘The Girl in the Yellow Dress’ changes both of their lives, reigniting hostility between each family that had remained buried since their parents were young.
The familiarity of the setting felt almost nostalgic and allowed me to settle easily into the story. Paull masterfully intertwines descriptions of Fremantle and its rich history into the plot, using the setting as a device to depict class differences between characters.
We see the juxtaposition of Sarah’s wealth with Winston’s lower-class upbringing, not only through the glamorous parties hosted by Sarah’s best friend Marly but also in more nuanced moments. At one point, Sarah is speaking with Winston’s mother and notes Elsie’s instinctive maternal nature – in comparison with her mother’s own coldness. We also see it during the period where the war has broken out and Marly complains that her wedding will be postponed until after the war – a brief yet telling moment.
I appreciated the way in which this novel was broken into parts. Each important character was given ample room to depict their story, for the reader to understand them and their motivations. In particular, the section in which we see George (Winston’s father) become the catalyst of the tension between the Keller and Willis family. Conversely, I found myself wanting to rush through Sarah’s part – despite the timeline advancing at a satisfying pace I just wasn’t as connected to her as a character. I found myself resonating more with Winston, a fellow creative and an outsider. I also found myself wanting to learn more about Winston during the war and his experiences.
Furthermore, the romance is a slow burn – if you’re after a story that dives straight into the action, this is not for you. It’s chaste at first, full of yearning and had me hooked waiting for Winston and Sarah to fall fully for one another. The innocence of their relationship compliments the intensity of the wartime themes, which are introduced about halfway through the book.
Emily Paull strikes the perfect balance between tropes typically found in historical fiction and an endearing, enduring romance story.