Review - Talk of The Town by Rachael Johns

Talk Of The Town by Rachael Johns
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Kindle Edition, 416 pages

Published May 1st 2017 by MIRA

Source: Netgalley

Synopsis:
'Lawson Cooper-Jones has two priorities in life – his son, Ned, and the survival of the dairy farm that has been in his family for generations. Despite the best efforts of the town matchmakers and the determined pursuit of local girl Adeline Walsh, Lawson’s heart belongs still, and only, to his late wife.

But when a flat tyre strands Lawson and Ned in nearby Rose Hill, he’s surprised to find a woman living alone in the old general store of the deserted town. Ned immediately forms a bond with the beautiful stranger called Meg, and Lawson is surprised to find himself captivated by her too.

Although shy at first, Meg starts to open up to him about the haunting secrets of her new home and, with Lawson unable to get her out of his head, they agree to investigate the history of the old building together. Soon they find their friendship has bloomed into something more.

But when meddling Adeline makes it her mission to uncover the truth about the newcomer and her real identity is revealed, Lawson and Meg’s budding romance comes crashing down. Can they both learn to forgive in order to claim a future for their damaged hearts?

A moving story of secrets, love and new beginnings from bestselling author Rachael Johns.'

My Thoughts:
Talk of The Town is an Aussie romance that contains just the right amount of drama, twists & turns, sadness and of course happiness in the end.

It also contains a slight paranormal aspect that I found intriguing and I would have loved this part to have been explored a little bit more within the story.

Overall I liked the main character Meg, but every now and then I did get slightly annoyed with how she took so long to say certain things about what she was thinking or feeling. I know this was to build suspense and give the story more to stand on but I felt that with this character her secrecy became a bit much after a while and every so often I'd find myself wanting to just shake her with frustration.

The plot itself was a believable enough story and it definitely kept me engaged until the end. I really like how Rachael Johns has the ability to write a romance novel without it being too ultra-sappy with enough interesting back story in addition to the romance angle going on. In my opinion this makes her stories a lot more relatable.

Review - The Art of Keeping Secrets by Rachael Johns

The Art of Keeping Secrets by Rachael Johns
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Ebook, 464 pages

Published September 19th 2016 by Harlequin MIRA

Source: Netgalley

Synopsis:
'Little secrets grow up to be big lies…

They’ve been best friends since their sons started high school together, and Felicity, Emma and Neve share everything … or so they thought.

But Flick’s seemingly perfect marriage hides a shocking secret which, with one word, threatens to destroy her and her family’s happiness. Emma is in denial about a potential custody battle, her financial constraints, the exhaustion she can’t seem to shake off and the inappropriate feelings she has for her boss. And single mum Neve is harbouring a secret of her own; a secret that might forever damage her close-knit relationship with her son.

When the tight hold they have each kept on their secrets for years begins to slip, they must face the truth. Even if that truth has the power to hurt the ones they love, and each other.

Perhaps some secrets weren’t made to be kept.'

My Thoughts:
Rachael Johns is fast becoming one of my favourite Aussie female authors.

The Art of Keeping Secrets had me totally engaged from the start and I really enjoyed how each chapter was broken up to focus on one character at a time while still managing to meld all of the story together as one.

I loved all three of the main characters, Felicity, Emma and Neve and thought they were all portrayed in such a realistic manner. I felt like I could relate to them all in some way or another.

I also really liked that although there were snippets of romance in this book here and there, it wasn't the main focus and there were so many other meaningful and engaging parts to the story line. This book literally had me going through a variety of emotions ranging from sadness one minute, to anger the next and then seriously happy.

Rachael Johns is definitely one author I get excited about reading now and I would highly recommend this book as her best one yet in my opinion.

Review - Outback Ghost by Rachael Johns

Outback Ghost by Rachael Johns
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Paperback, 343 pages

Published October 1st 2014 by Harlequin MIRA 

Source: Publisher for Review

Synopsis:

'Stella only wanted a holiday… the last thing she expected was a love interest and a possible ghost.

Third-generation farmer Adam Burton has always tried to keep his family together, but twenty years after his little sister went missing from the family farm he’s losing hope. His dad has walked out, his mum is as reclusive as ever and he still blames himself for his sister’s disappearance.

When Stella Reynolds and her young daughter arrive from the big smoke to stay at the holiday cottage on their farm for the summer, Adam is immediately attracted to the beautiful single mum. Although he’s always steered clear of children and doesn’t believe he deserves love or a family of his own, he finds himself spending time with Stella and her young daughter, Heidi, and enjoying it.

As the twenty-year old mystery begins to unravel, Stella wonders if she should take her daughter and run. But doing so is easier said than done, because Stella just might be falling in love with Bunyip Bay and a gorgeous, but hurting, farmer.

From one of Australia’s best loved rural romance authors comes a story of mystery, heartache and hope. '

My Thoughts:
Outback Ghost is listed as the final instalment in the Bunyip Bay series after Outback Dreams and Outback Blaze.

For those who have read the first two books you'll already be familiar with the majority of characters from the friendly little Bunyip Bay community and I have to admit that it will be a little sad not to feel a part of this town anymore (unless the rumours are true and Rachael Johns releases a fourth instalment in the series)!

Adam Burton is a young farmer and was kind of my favourite out of all the male characters carried along throughout the books. He seems to be such a nice, likeable and down to earth Aussie guy who wants nothing more out of life except to keep his family farm running while trying to take care of his grieving mother. Adam's younger sister disappeared without a trace when he was only a young boy and the lack of closure to her disappearance has been a huge burden on his whole family for twenty years.

Stella Reynolds decides to come to Bunyip Bay for a month long holiday with her little girl, choosing to stay in the Burton farm-stay accommodation. I found Stella to also be a very likeable character who was easy to relate to. She's obviously had a lot to deal with on her own as a single mother to a daughter with special needs but has developed into a strong and independent person because of it.

I really enjoyed watching the relationship develop between these two characters along with the touch of mystery and the supernatural that pulls the plot forward. This story covers every emotion but still manages to leave the reader content with how it all wraps up in the end.

Rachael Johns writes in a way that seems to flow quite effortlessly, making her books really easy and enjoyable to read. I will definitely be looking forward to reading more from her in the future.

Review - Ouback Blaze by Rachael Johns

Outback Blaze by Rachael Johns
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Paperback
Published May 1st 2014 by Harlequin MIRA
Source: Publisher for Review

Synopsis:
'Ruby wasn't looking for love, Drew wasn't looking to stay...until they found each other. Can their fling survive the darkness of Ruby's past and Drew's desire to move on?

Ruby Jones was always an optimist, but the trauma of her past had made her wary. So when she flees to the small rural community of Bunyip Bay to start afresh, she has her sights firmly set on establishing her horse-riding business and rebuilding her life. The last thing Ruby wants is a romance. In fact, after all she has been through, she can't imagine she will ever believe in love again.

Police officer Drew Noble has no intention of staying in Bunyip Bay — he is just an outsider seeking temporary refuge. But as the charm of the town sways him, Drew finds himself increasingly drawn to the community and its inhabitants, as well as another newcomer, the lovely Ruby Jones.

When Drew investigates a suspicious fire at Ruby's parents' business, he finds himself feeling strangely protective of the girl with the flowers in her hair. As the details of Ruby's past emerge and she comes once more under threat, Drew realises he will do all in his power to save her.

Soon these outsiders discover they have both lost their hearts — not only to the town but to each other.' 

My Thoughts:
Outback Blaze is the second installment in the Bunyip Bay series and I thoroughly enjoyed revisiting this small rural Australian town after reading Outback Dreams a little while ago.

I found the main female character, Ruby Jones, very likeable and I've come to realise that Rachael Johns develops her female leads quite well. Ruby has a very painful past and was doing her best to rebuild her life back in Bunyip Bay and live a normal life. The way her and Drew come together and develop their romance is nice and believable without seeming too forced and I prefer this type of romance to the sappy, 'fall head over heels in a heartbeat' kind.

I really enjoyed the interesting back story as to why Drew came to join this little town and I also found his character developed in a realistic way. You really wanted these two people to be together and find happiness within each other.

As for the other characters in the book, there were some interesting developments that those who have read Outback Dreams and are familiar with the history of some of the original characters will certainly appreciate. This doesn't mean you have to have read Outback Dreams to enjoy Outback Blaze at all as it could quite easily be read as a standalone story in itself.

The addition of the suspense element broke this book up nicely and I always find that reading books like these really make me long to experience living life in a small rural town one day just to see what it is really like.

I definitely look forward to reading the third installment in the series, Outback Ghost, in the near future.

Review - Outback Dreams by Rachael Johns

Outback Dreams by Rachael Johns
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Paperback, 352 pages

Published October 1st 2013 by Harlequin Enterprises Australia 

Source: Publisher Review Copy

Synopsis:

'Faith and Monty are both looking for love...but they’re looking in the wrong direction.

Faith Forrester is at a crossroads. Single, thirty and living on a farm in a small Western Australian town, she’s sick of being treated like a kitchen slave by her brother and father. Ten years ago, her mother died of breast cancer, and Faith has been treading water ever since. She wants to get her hands dirty on the family farm. She wants to prove to herself that she’s done something worthwhile with her life. And she wants to find a man...

For as long as he can remember, Daniel ‘Monty’ Montgomery has been Faith’s best friend. When he was ten, his parents sold the family property and moved to Perth, and ever since, Monty’s dreamed of having his own farm. So for the last ten years, he’s been back on the land, working odd jobs and saving every dollar to put toward his dream. Now he finally has the deposit. But there’s still something missing...

So when Faith embarks on a mission to raise money for a charity close to her heart, and Monty’s dream property comes on the market, things seem like they are falling into place for them both. Until a drunken night out ends with them sleeping together. Suddenly, the best friends are faced with a new load of challenges...

Monty and Faith are both ready to find a life partner and settle down, but have they both been looking in all the wrong places?' 

My Thoughts:
When I first started reading Outback Dreams my initial thoughts were "Great, another 'friends since forever and only just realising they love each other' kind of story". I have read so many other books like this that I was praying this one would have something a little more.

Luckily, it did. Yes, the above theme was definitely a strong part of the plot, but the book did actually contain other elements as well that kept my interest and made it more of an enjoyable read, such as the individual personal journeys that Faith and Monty underwent, the issue of dealing with someone who has autism, and also with losing a loved one just to name a few.

Monty was definitely my favourite character because he was easy to relate to and seemed like your typical Aussie bloke. He is a very determined person, knows exactly what he wants to achieve in life and is willing to work to get it.

Faith on the other hand annoyed me a little. She seemed to just drift along as an extra on her family farm doing nothing more than being the cook and cleaner to a totally oblivious father and brother. When she finally realises that her life has been a bit of a waste and decides to do something about it, she seems to get so defensive about her position which bothered me to no end because it was her decision to live that life in the first place.

I really enjoyed reading an Australian novel for a change (being Aussie myself) as it was so much easier to relate to the language and slang used throughout as well as picture the scenery described.

This is the first time I have ever read a story by Rachael Johns and I liked how realistic her characters were and how easy her style of writing was to read. I'll definitely read another novel by her in the future if the opportunity comes up.

Links:
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