Author: Rachael Johns
Genre: Contemporary Rural Romance
Publication Date: 1st March 2015
Pages: 352
Book Source: Harlequin Mira AU & NetGalley
Synopsis: Rachael Johns takes you back to Hope Junction and the characters from
Jilted.
Nurse Lauren Simpson is known in Hope Junction for the wrong reasons –
and she’s over it. Watching the man she’s always loved marry someone else is
the last straw – she decides to get out of Hope. But her resolve is tested when
the hot new locum doctor arrives in town.
Doctor Tom Lewis also has skeletons in his closet – including a painful
breakup and devastating family news. He’s hit the road with his vintage ute and
surfboard, to travel the outback and live in the moment.
When Tom and Lauren meet the attraction is instant, but for Lauren Tom
threatens to be just another fling and Tom has his own reasons for hesitating.
Everyone else – their friends and patients – can see how perfect they are
together, but just what will it take for them to admit this to themselves?
My Thoughts:
Readers were first introduced to Lauren Simpson in Jilted, not in a particularly favourable light I must say, I don't have time for spoilt bitches but figured that somewhere underneath all the makeup was a decent person. She's a nurse, not that that's a given for decency but she's a deeply caring and highly skilled nurse so that's got to say something. Rachael Johns does a fabulous job of showing some of Lauren's more endearing qualities.
You probably don't have to read Jilted first but I really liked
seeing the growth in Lauren's character, growth that was handled
realistically, in a way that elicited empathy rather than eye-rolls ... not
that I'd expect anything less from Rachael Johns. Besides I loved Jilted (Ellie
and Flynn's story) so why miss out on a good thing.
The chemistry between Lauren and locum Dr Tom Lewis is evident
from the start but like any new relationship they have their challenges ...
emotion-charged issues and the highs and lows of living in a small community
where everyone knows your business or thinks they do.
The sweetest part of this story and my favourite was Lauren and
Tom's interactions with the elderly in the residential wing of the hospital ...
now that was heart-melting good. And funny, Barbara and May cracked me up with
their irreverent humour.
With trademark humour, passion and emotion I've come to
expect from Rachael Johns, The Road to Hope is a lovely way to spend a few
hours.
Gotta say Rachael Johns is a whizz kid writer of romance. She sure nails whatever she writes. This one grew on me as I read and like you I loved Lauren and Tom's interaction with the oldies.
ReplyDeletethat was such a nice touch in this one wasn't it Kathryn. My favourite of Rachael's is still Outback Ghost. I wonder if we'll be visiting Hope Junction again?
DeleteI need to check into this series!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteYay ... this one and her Bunyip Bay series! lol
DeleteThis is the kind of book I like to have in my arsenal when I need a fun, flirty, easy to read book.
ReplyDeleteRachael's books definitely fit the bill ... her humour reminds me of Kristan Higgins :)
DeleteI could see myself reading this one :)
ReplyDeleteI'm glad :)
DeleteI love when an author can take a character and allow them to grow and show their more favorable side.
ReplyDeletefor sure ... especially when they do it in a believable way. None of this bitch to angel miracle transformation lol
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PS “It is impossible that anyone should NOT receive all that they have believed and hoped to obtain; it gives Me great pleasure when they hope great things from Me and I will always give them more than they expect”
-Our Lord to Saint Gertrude