This week, Jeff Popple reviews three romantic tales for St Valentine’s Day. More of Jeff’s reviews can be found on his blog: murdermayhemandlongdogs.com
Snowy Mountains Dawn by Alissa Callen
Harper Collins, $29.99
Fans of rural romance will enjoy Snowy Mountains Dawn, the latest country tale by bestselling author Alissa Callen. Set in a charming small town, it is a feel-good story about a diehard country girl and a big city financier with no time for love.
When Wyatt Killian hires horsewoman Brenna Lancaster to lead his horse-riding corporate retreat, he is not expecting for his attention to be distracted from work, or for him to become involved in Brenna’s quest to unearth the truth about a historic family feud and old bushranger mystery. An enjoyable story about community ties and love.
Peppercorn House by Nicole Hurley-Moore
Allen & Unwin, $32.99
Also full of country friendships and secrets is Peppercorn House by Nicole Hurley-Moore. Winnifred Knightly is a fixture in Kangaroo Ridge and the owner of the faded family mansion known as Peppercorn House. When she discovers that she only has months to live, Winnifred sets out to test her match making skills by bringing together her ‘adopted grandson’, Felix, and her favourite aged-care worker, Jasmine.
Nicole is a skilled practitioner of small town romance, and her latest novel is another engaging tale about family secrets, second chance love and rural living. A wonderful read for a late summer weekend.
It’s Probably You by Jayne Denker
Simon & Schuster, $32.99
Offering a bit more sparkle and humour is Jayne Denker’s It’s Probably You.
Plus-sized Gillian is happily divorced and tired of dating apps and the lacklustre dates, and fat shamers, that come with it. She is happy to work in her garden and produce beautiful displays, until a gardening competition pits her against new neighbour, Noah. What starts out as mutual dislike and fiery banter, gradually merges into something else as the pair realise that they may be the perfect match. Full of down-to-earth characters and nicely realised locations, It’s Probably You is an enjoyable piece of escapism.
