Tuesday, October 01, 2013

Outback Dreams by Rachael Johns

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Series: Bunyip Bay #1
Publication Date: 1st October 2013
Pages: 352
Book Source: Harlequin Australia

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: 
After enjoying Man Drought earlier this year I was excited to get an ARC of Outback Dreams; Rachael Johns is fast becoming a voice to be reckoned with on the contemporary romance scene.  

Faith and Monty have been the best of mates since forever; they're down to earth, with dreams, fears, jealousies and insecurities, facing real issues, dealing with real emotions in this wonderful, friends to lovers story. I loved that there was a slow awakening for these two, but once awake, wow did the chemistry spark! 

There was so much else to like:  
Rachael's vivid writing makes you feel part of the small farming community, I enjoyed the meatier issues surrounding family dynamics and autism and I like how Faith and Ruby's friendship developed. I love that Faith bakes, I love the whole love on a plate thing, I'm going to hunt down a recipe for her famous custard and white choc-chip cookies (don't worry, I'll share lol) and last of all I'm a big fan of the never-give-up-on-your-dream attitude.

Outback Dreams is sweet and funny and real and I love that Rachael is setting a series in the small rural town of Bunyip Bay. Can't wait to revisit and see what's in store for Ruby and Drew? in Outback Blaze.  

Rachael Johns may soon be my "Kristan Higgins Crush" ... Australian style. 

Recommend: A delightful friends to lovers romance. 

Connect with Rachael Johns

Purchase Outback Dreams








15 comments:

  1. I adore a friends to lovers storyline and will certainly check out Outback Dreams...how can I not after the comparison to Kristan!

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    1. Rachael Johns doesn't have quite the backlist of Kristan Higgins but give her time lol. I had to return the favour :)

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  2. This sounds good!! Will have to check this out!!!!

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  3. This one sounds amazing, I love romances set in Australia. Great review!
    -Kimberly @ Turning the Pages

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    1. Thanks Kimberly, hope you can pick this one up soon :)

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  4. I don't read enough romance! I need more sexy cowboys in my life :)

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    1. ahhh yes I'm with you there stacy lol

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    2. Sound promising, and if a Kristin Higgins feel to it extra good. I am going to give her a try.

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  5. OUTBACK DREAMS does sound fabulous. I'm glad it's part of a series.

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  6. Can't wait to read this one! Great review.

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  7. Outback dreams sounds really good. I haven't read any of Rachel Johns yet but I really want to, and this one sounds like a good one to start of with. Thanks for sharing :)

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  8. I haven't read the book yet but since it's not available in the US I'm going to have to sit tight for a while. I saw that you mentioned "love on a plate."

    My remaining grandmother also shares that same philosophy. She's always after us to come over and see her. Her biggest concern is feeding us. My siblings and I decided because she can't do much else, that's how she shows her love for us. It's the same way with her 9 other grandchildren and anyone who steps into her home.

    Anyhow, I loved the review and having read Rachael's other books I know I'm going to love Outback Dreams too.

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