The Vet From Snowy River

By Stella Quinn ISBN: 978-1-8672-2559-1 Mira (2021) “The Vet From Snowy River” is one of the most enjoyable rural romances that I’ve read in some time. There’s real meat to this story beyond the romance, and there’s a sassy charm that feels very modern. Vera De Rossi has just moved to Hanrahan in the Snowy … Continue reading The Vet From Snowy River →

Amber

Author: Heather Burnside ISBN: 9781800246072 Aria Fiction (2021) This is an earnest and well meant novel that, unfortunately, feels more like a lecture than a novel. Burnside never really engages the reader with the characters’ thoughts and feelings. It’s a readable novel, but not one that drew me in. Amber is a young prostitute working the streets … Continue reading Amber →

The City of Zirdai

By: Maria V Snyder ISBN: 978-1-4892-5282-1 Young Adult HQ Fiction (2021) The City of Zirdai is the second in the “Archives of the Invisible Sword” series, and it isn’t going to disappoint the readers who’ve been waiting for it eagerly. Empathetic characterisation, vivid world building and a strong plot will engage pretty much every reader. … Continue reading The City of Zirdai →

The Night We Met

By Zoe Folbigg ISBN: 9781838930691 Aria Fiction (2021) “The Night We Met” is a surprisingly affecting novel that looks at one couple’s love story. There are no surprises in this – Folbigg hews to genre tropes and telegraphs every plot point – and yet it is ultimately quite moving. The story opens as Olivia lies … Continue reading The Night We Met →

Savannah’s Secret

By: Mandy Magro ISBN: 978-1-4892-9882-9 Mira (2021) “Savannah’s Secret” is a rural romance with a touch of the thriller about it. It’s a novel with absolutely no surprises in it, but there’s a charm and warmth that makes it an enjoyable read. It’s the sort of book you curl up with when you want an … Continue reading Savannah’s Secret →

All We Have is Now

By: Kaneana May ISBN: 978-1-8672-0836-5 HQ Fiction (2021) “All We Have is Now” is an entertaining and moving story of three women facing the kinds of challenges and complications that many people will come across in their lives. It is generally realistic and grounded, while taking an optimistic view of life, despite the vivid portrayal … Continue reading All We Have is Now →

Those Hamilton Sisters

By Averil Kenny ISBN: 978-1-76068-692-5 Echo Publishing Those Hamilton Sisters is an interesting novel, one in which it takes quite a while for the purpose of the narrative to become clear. For a while it just wanders around as though it’s idly telling you about some things that happened to some sisters. There isn’t a … Continue reading Those Hamilton Sisters →