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bianca89279's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 Outback Stars
I have received this book from Random House Australia, through Netgalley, for a honest review.
I think this was the first "Australian outback" book I've ever read. To be honest, I didn't think I'd like it, but I was pleasantly surprised. This is a feel-good, heartwarming story, set in the central New South Whales, Australia. The male protagonist, Ewan Mackenzie, is a hard-working man, who's trying to save his farm and help his brother's widow, Trish, and her two twin boys.
He thinks he's undeserving of love because he feels guilt over his brother's untimely death. But a beautiful American girl, Kree, shows up in their part of their world, as Ewan and other locals are looking for her brother who got lost in the bush. They're both attracted to each other, but for different reasons, they try to deny it. But life comes full circle.
Alissa Callen writes well and the novel had a good flow and it's an easy read. The characters are interesting and believable. In saying all that, the plot and the ending were predictable or shall I say a bit too in the end, everything fits together perfectly , but I guess that goes with with the genre.
Recommended: For those who enjoy a feel-good rural story that is un-challenging and has a HEA ending.
Cover: 3+ stars
I have received this book from Random House Australia, through Netgalley, for a honest review.
I think this was the first "Australian outback" book I've ever read. To be honest, I didn't think I'd like it, but I was pleasantly surprised. This is a feel-good, heartwarming story, set in the central New South Whales, Australia. The male protagonist, Ewan Mackenzie, is a hard-working man, who's trying to save his farm and help his brother's widow, Trish, and her two twin boys.
He thinks he's undeserving of love because he feels guilt over his brother's untimely death. But a beautiful American girl, Kree, shows up in their part of their world, as Ewan and other locals are looking for her brother who got lost in the bush. They're both attracted to each other, but for different reasons, they try to deny it. But life comes full circle.
Alissa Callen writes well and the novel had a good flow and it's an easy read. The characters are interesting and believable. In saying all that, the plot and the ending were predictable or shall I say a bit too in the end, everything fits together perfectly , but I guess that goes with with the genre.
Recommended: For those who enjoy a feel-good rural story that is un-challenging and has a HEA ending.
Cover: 3+ stars
jadeshea's review against another edition
3.0
Received ARC from NetGalley.
Down Outback Roads begins with Kree's brother missing so she's in Australia to help find him. Now she's decided to stay and help out some new friends she made by house sitting. But the problem is in her control freak world she's losing control when it comes to the local farmer Ewan. And Ewan who has a sister-in-law, and two nephews to hep take care of can't add falling in love on his plate.. Especially with his guilt eating at him from his brothers death. But sometimes fate has other plans, and he can't seem to keep his emotions in check when it comes to Kree.
The book was over all okay. I liked the characters, and the plot was interesting for the most part. But I felt bored through a whole lot of it. Some of it just didn't seem to fit really well with the other part of the story, or certain things were overshadowed by other things. So it was a interesting read for the most part, but at times it did seem to drag because I was slightly bored with it.
Down Outback Roads begins with Kree's brother missing so she's in Australia to help find him. Now she's decided to stay and help out some new friends she made by house sitting. But the problem is in her control freak world she's losing control when it comes to the local farmer Ewan. And Ewan who has a sister-in-law, and two nephews to hep take care of can't add falling in love on his plate.. Especially with his guilt eating at him from his brothers death. But sometimes fate has other plans, and he can't seem to keep his emotions in check when it comes to Kree.
The book was over all okay. I liked the characters, and the plot was interesting for the most part. But I felt bored through a whole lot of it. Some of it just didn't seem to fit really well with the other part of the story, or certain things were overshadowed by other things. So it was a interesting read for the most part, but at times it did seem to drag because I was slightly bored with it.
merlesstorys's review against another edition
4.0
Such a cute little love story, that is quite captivating.
The story is basic and the end is pretty clear, but between the first and last page happens actually a lot and it’s very interesting.
Callen‘s writing style is very nice and easy to read, still it was pretty easy for me to stop.
Absolutely a recommendation.
The story is basic and the end is pretty clear, but between the first and last page happens actually a lot and it’s very interesting.
Callen‘s writing style is very nice and easy to read, still it was pretty easy for me to stop.
Absolutely a recommendation.
lauredhel's review against another edition
4.0
Kree, an artist from USA, is distraught when her younger brother Seth goes missing in the Aussie bush. The community of Glenalla rallies around her and works tirelessly to rescue Seth alive and well. She is determined to find a way to thank this town who put it all on the line to help strangers; but how?
Ewan Mackenzie, who threw himself into the rescue effort day and night, lives with grief - and a double helping of guilt. Thrown together with Kree, he struggles with their growing attraction, knowing that he doesn't deserve happiness and that she will be returning to the USA soon.
This is a lovely little rural romance, with more than a touch of family-secrets mystery. You might not be a huge fan if "Just TALK to each other!" romances are your anti-crack, but it's done convincingly here, in my opinion. The book really emphasises the importance of extended family and neighbourliness in struggling rural towns. I loved the way the minor characters and children were drawn, all real people in themselves, with storylines and character arcs. Alissa Callen remains, as always, a terrific writer and a reliable contributor to the genre.
Ewan Mackenzie, who threw himself into the rescue effort day and night, lives with grief - and a double helping of guilt. Thrown together with Kree, he struggles with their growing attraction, knowing that he doesn't deserve happiness and that she will be returning to the USA soon.
This is a lovely little rural romance, with more than a touch of family-secrets mystery. You might not be a huge fan if "Just TALK to each other!" romances are your anti-crack, but it's done convincingly here, in my opinion. The book really emphasises the importance of extended family and neighbourliness in struggling rural towns. I loved the way the minor characters and children were drawn, all real people in themselves, with storylines and character arcs. Alissa Callen remains, as always, a terrific writer and a reliable contributor to the genre.
bianca89279's review
4.0
3.5 Outback Stars
I have received this book from Random House Australia, through Netgalley, for a honest review.
I think this was the first "Australian outback" book I've ever read. To be honest, I didn't think I'd like it, but I was pleasantly surprised. This is a feel-good, heartwarming story, set in the central New South Whales, Australia. The male protagonist, Ewan Mackenzie, is a hard-working man, who's trying to save his farm and help his brother's widow, Trish, and her two twin boys.
He thinks he's undeserving of love because he feels guilt over his brother's untimely death. But a beautiful American girl, Kree, shows up in their part of their world, as Ewan and other locals are looking for her brother who got lost in the bush. They're both attracted to each other, but for different reasons, they try to deny it. But life comes full circle.
Alissa Callen writes well and the novel had a good flow and it's an easy read. The characters are interesting and believable. In saying all that, the plot and the ending were predictable or shall I say a bit too in the end, everything fits together perfectly , but I guess that goes with with the genre.
Recommended: For those who enjoy a feel-good rural story that is un-challenging and has a HEA ending.
Cover: 3+ stars
I have received this book from Random House Australia, through Netgalley, for a honest review.
I think this was the first "Australian outback" book I've ever read. To be honest, I didn't think I'd like it, but I was pleasantly surprised. This is a feel-good, heartwarming story, set in the central New South Whales, Australia. The male protagonist, Ewan Mackenzie, is a hard-working man, who's trying to save his farm and help his brother's widow, Trish, and her two twin boys.
He thinks he's undeserving of love because he feels guilt over his brother's untimely death. But a beautiful American girl, Kree, shows up in their part of their world, as Ewan and other locals are looking for her brother who got lost in the bush. They're both attracted to each other, but for different reasons, they try to deny it. But life comes full circle.
Alissa Callen writes well and the novel had a good flow and it's an easy read. The characters are interesting and believable. In saying all that, the plot and the ending were predictable or shall I say a bit too in the end, everything fits together perfectly , but I guess that goes with with the genre.
Recommended: For those who enjoy a feel-good rural story that is un-challenging and has a HEA ending.
Cover: 3+ stars