The Milliner of Bendigo

By: Darry Fraser ISBN: 9781867 237617 HQ Fiction (2023) Fraser is a prolific writer of Australian historical fiction with a romantic bent. This novel is another excellent piece of writing which will please her fans, and probably win her some new ones. In 1898 in Bendigo Evie Emerson has worked hard to build a reputation … Continue reading The Milliner of Bendigo →

Red Dirt Home

By: Renae Black ISBN: 9781038 900852 HQ Fiction (2024) This is just the sort of romantic fiction I enjoy most – a genuine story with some real substance to it beyond the romance. It’s believable and moving, while still respecting the tropes of the genre. Paige Bennett has found her dream job as a station … Continue reading Red Dirt Home →

The Sea Captain’s Wife

By: Jackie French ISBN: 9781867243489 HQ Fiction (2024) I’ve long enjoyed Jackie French’s novels, and I was delighted to find that “The Sea Captain’s Wife” is another excellent historical fiction. I thoroughly enjoyed being drawn into another world, and the characters I met there. Mair has lived all her life on a remote island dominated … Continue reading The Sea Captain’s Wife →

Gum Tree Gully

By: Mandy Magro ISBN: 9781867 2646 13 HQ Fiction (2023) Mandy Magro is a prolific writer of Australian rural romance. Fans of her previous work will enjoy this novel, as it displays all her strengths. Newer readers will find this stand alone romance highly enjoyable, with a bit of substance to underpin a classic romance … Continue reading Gum Tree Gully →

Snowy Mountains Dawn

By: Alissa Callen ISBN: 978-1-8672-1587-5 HQ Fiction (2024) The “Snowy Mountains…” series continues to present charming romances set in the small town of Bundilla. Although there are no real surprises in the romance, the other inhabitants of Bundilla provide a lively background that will entertain many. “Snowy Mountains Dawn” very much follows the template set … Continue reading Snowy Mountains Dawn →

It’s Probably You

By: Jayne Denker ISBN: 9781761423260 Simon & Schuster (2024) This is a warm novel with few surprises but a nice tone. It delivers a good, if slightly predictable, entertaining read. Gillian Pritchard is the pharmacist for the small town of Willow Cove. It’s one of the more stable jobs in a town heavily dependent on … Continue reading It’s Probably You →

Love and Other Scores

By: Abra Pressler ISBN:978-1-76126-782-6 Macmillan (2023) By some assessments, I should be completely the wrong audience for this novel, yet I really enjoyed it. It’s warm and engaging, with believable characters. Gabriel is a highly successful, internationally known tennis player. However, he’s sacrificed a lot for his tennis success, and now, in his mid-twenties, he’s … Continue reading Love and Other Scores →

The Paris Cooking School

By: Sophie Beaumont ISBN: 978 1 76115 141 5 Ultimo Press (2023) This is a delightful and enjoyable romantic read. As well as the human romances, the novel highlights the beauty and romance of Paris, and for foodie readers is sumptuous in its’ descriptions of food. The Paris Cooking School is run by Sylvie, who … Continue reading The Paris Cooking School →

Not Here to Make Friends

By: Jodi McAlister ISBN: 978 1761109348 Simon & Schuster (2023) I loved this rom com, just as I loved the two novels which preceded it in this loose series. It’s full of heart and humor, with just the right dash of cynicism to keep it grounded. All three novels are set within the one season … Continue reading Not Here to Make Friends →

A Country Vet Christmas

By: Alissa Callen/ Pamela Cook/ Penelope Janu/ Lily Malone/ Stella Quinn ISBN: 9 781867 281566 HQ Fiction (2023) The Christmas season can be emotionally fraught for many people, and this is just the kind of comfort read that they may gravitate to. Five established Australian romance writers present novellas set at Christmas time. Several return … Continue reading A Country Vet Christmas →