One Good Man

 One Good Man

Barrington Series #10

Susan Mackie

Reviewed by Helen

I have said it before and I will say it again, picking up a Barrington Series book is like walking back to a family reunion lots of hugs and smiles with caring loving people and this one is no exception, if you haven’t read this series then you are missing out, I love it.

When a young woman, Samantha and her and young daughter, Evie arrive by train into Barrington they have a couple of plastic bags and a piece of paper with an address on it Samantha is hoping that this will be her chance at starting a new life but first she must find this address and starts walking it is cold and dark but Samantha is determined to find her way there.

Jamie and his young son Warwick are driving home when he spots a woman and child walking on the side of the road he pulls over to help, she appears scared and timid but she shows him a piece of paper with Nicole’s address on it and he knows that she needs help he also realizes that it would be better to phone Nicole and get her here rather than offering her a lift. The look on her face will stay with him forever and Jamie is determined to make sure he can help them wherever he can.

Within weeks Sam and Evie are growing stronger and Sam is opening up to Nicole about her past she is also making friends and with Jamie as well her courage is growing and her hope that this is a new safe start gets stronger, is there a chance that Barrington could be the place they will call home and could she find happiness with Jamie, maybe with time, she has been through so much.

With the help of solicitor Douglas Sam is soon finding out things that make a big difference in her life and the future is looking good, and the lovely ladies from the book club are helping where they can and they are all putting everything into organizing the first book festival in Barrington, Barrington the place to heal never a truer word said.

This book has everything in it, so many emotions truly I cried so hard, I cheered and I smiled so much, it is a beautifully told story about a woman and the courage she shows to make a new life and what one good man can do to help make that happen. I loved this one so much and adored being back in Barrington, I do highly recommend this one and the series, a must read.

My thanks to the author for my ARC to read and review.

5 stars

July 28, 2025 by Small Town Publishing

A Whisper of Summer Magic

 A Whisper of Summer Magic

Southern Love Spells #3

Sinclair Jayne

Reviewed by Helen

Book three in the series and I am back in the South of America with the Maye girls and thoroughly enjoying my trip, this time Meghan Maye has decided to move back home to the town of Belmont she needs to change her life as in she needs a life of her own, not one where she is constantly travelling and working and now she needs her three sisters, a career switch is what she wants but she is not looking for love, although the love spell book might have other ideas as she starts cooking up a storm.

Jackson Roberts has come back home to house sit his grandparents house and it happens to be next door to the old Maye farm he knows that one of the daughters, Jessica has moved back here and is starting a nursery but he is shocked when wandering around he sees Meaghan fall from a tree, well he must help after all he is a first responder in town and he has always felt a bit of a pull towards Meghan and he will stay with her till he is sure she is OK.

The heirloom cook book with the supposed magic spells entwined with the recipes is a big talking point between the pair, Jackson is eager to try them out with Meaghan and she is not happy to, will he be able to break that wall down she has built around herself, and as for Meaghan so much has happened in her family secrets are uncovered, can she find love with Jackson?

This is a fun and lovely romance, one that I highly recommend, fabulous characters and setting and I am really looking forward to the next one in the series.

My thanks to Tule Publishing for my digital copy to read and review.

4 stars

July 8, 2025 by Tule Publishing

New York Fling With The Tycoon

 New York Fling With The Tycoon

Andrea Bolter

Reviewed by Helen

They spent one glorious night together ten years ago after meeting in a mentoring program in New York this mentoring program gave them opportunity to move on from their pasts and both chose positions in their hometowns rather than staying together but now ten years later they are back together in New York.

Annie has always remembered her time with Ash all those years ago but choosing to not take it anywhere was for the best or this is what she thought back them, after working for the company as an event planner in Denver she has now received a phone call from Ash to return to New York to help plan the CEO’s retirement events will she be able to work with Ash?

Ash never forgot Annie but with his childhood he decided to put everything into making something of himself and now he is just about to take over the CEO position when he needs help with the party planning he knows that Annie is the best and convinces her to come and organise the party, he is sure he can handle working with her, or can he.

With Annie staying at Ash’s penthouse and working closely the attraction is growing and when Ash announces that they are seeing each other and Annie agrees to a fake relationship this pushes them even closer and soon a real fling is happening but can they protect their hearts?

This is a beautiful story that sees two people with not the best childhoods make good in the world but opening up and finding love and trust is not easy but together they can make that happen, a moving story and one that I would highly recommend to any lover of a good romance.

My thanks to the author for my digital copy to read and review.

4 stars

July 1, 2025 by Mills & Boon Forever

Hearts in Harmony

 Hearts in Harmony

Bindarra Creek Christmas in July #4

Annie Seaton

Reviewed by Helen

I loved this one, when teacher Beth Curtis takes on the position of music teacher at Bindarra High School to put her past behind her and the man that who she broke up with, she plans on staying a short time then moving onto bigger and better but as us readers know Bindarra Creek can weave its way into hearts and start new beginnings come along and meet Beth.

Beth has lost the confidence she had teaching and performing her beloved music thanks to her last boyfriend and arriving in her knew town starts with lots of people wanting to meet the new music teacher, Beth isn’t used to this and is feeling a little vulnerable but soon she starts to feel that warm welcome from the townsfolk especially one sheep farmer Will Greaves when she is asked to help with the school choir and production and the Christmas in July festival.

Will is a quiet man who is willing to help at all times and meeting the new teacher gets him feeling something that he has never felt before, he feels her vulnerability and the more time they spend together the more he feels a closeness to Beth, maybe it is time for him to find the one person who he can spend the rest of his life together.

This is a lovely story, beautifully told and heart-warming, Beth and Will are made for each other, it is one that I highly recommend to any lover of a fabulous romance, of course being back in Bindarra Creek is always good, I am sure you will love this one.

5 stars

July 1, 2025 by ASA

It Might be You

 It Might be You

Bindarra Creek Christmas in July #5

Juanita Kees

Reviewed by Helen

Another trip to one of my favourite places, Bindarra Creek and another fabulous story in this new series, can a chance meeting outside a bridal story in the city of Sydney bring two people together from totally different backgrounds, is it love at first sight? Come along and meet Adam and Bonny.

Bonny Taylor has a seat as principal violinist on the Sydney Philharmonic Orchestra and she loves her music but life has been a bit quiet lately after the death of her dear mother, living alone in their apartment in the city, then one day a chance meeting with a total stranger outside the bridal shop she loves to window shop at, could this be her chance to try something new?

Adam McGuigan is a farmer on his property Yarraman Downs in Bindarra Creek and he loves it there is just him and his faithful dog Chase, the city is not a place he likes but his cousin Meg is getting married and the suit she wants him to wear comes from the city so here is for a fitting but there is a beautiful woman standing outside and he is instantly pulled towards her, and when Meg needs a musician for her wedding Adam convinces Bonny to come to Bindarra Creek for a month and to also enjoy the Christmas in July festival.

Bonny and Adam are soon becoming friends and then more than friends it is like fate has bought them together and Bonny is not only falling in love with Adam but also the lifestyle in Bindarra Creek, can she leave her music behind for love? Adam is doing everything he can to convince Bonny that life here will be good but he will never hold her back from her music. But city versus country how will it turn out?

I did love this one so much, it is a beautiful romance with fabulous characters that I made friends with very easily and it is one that I would highly recommend. It certainly left me smiling.

My thanks to the author for my digital copy to read and review.

5 stars

July 1, 2025

Hidden Dreams

 Hidden Dreams

Bindarra Creek Christmas in July #1

Suzanne Gilchrist

Reviewed by Helen

I do love being in Bindarra Creek, I have read a lot of the books set in this town and have become friends with the characters who live there and this new series will surely bring lots of romance, love, happiness and Christmas in July, come along for the fun.

Influencer Pixie Wellington has arrived in Bindarra Creek for her brother Kirk’s wedding to local Billie, Pixie is determined to prove herself to her family and friends and become rich and famous and arrives happy to help wherever she can especially with the Christmas in July festival the first one for Bindarra Creek.

Jordon Chase is a sheep farmer and loves his small town life where everyone knows each other and helps each other but when he meets Pixie and she has her phone filming everything he feels uncomfortable but also drawn to her like he has no other but farming is his life there could be no future for them, or could there be?

Soon Pixie and Jordon are working closely together not only on the wedding plans seeing as they are best woman for the groom and best man for the bride along with the festival they soon get to know each other well and the feelings grow, is this the start of another new relationship in Bindarra Creek?

I loved this one and highly recommend it, fabulous characters that are so easy to make friends with, Pixie and Jordon are fabulous, don’t miss this one.

My thanks to the author for my digital copy to read and review.

5 stars

July 1, 2025 by Mallee Star Enterprises

The Path Through the Coojong Trees

 The Path Through the Coojong Trees

Leonie Kelsall

Reviewed by Helen

I always get excited when a new Leonie Kelsall story coming out and that is because her stories bring me so much emotion, wonderful characters and of course the setting is fabulous as well and with this new one we are back in one of my favourite places, Settlers Bridge a small country town in South Australia, come along and meet Natasha.

At the young age of nineteen Natasha had her heart broken that just topped of the terrible life she has had, growing up in poverty, an alcoholic mother and a father who loved his beer, she showed such strength by working two jobs making sure the bills were paid and there was some food for her father, but life threw more her way when she found herself pregnant, but she never gave up, she moved to the city, worked hard to become a teacher and now ten years later she has moved back to a small country town with her daughter Zehra looking for a new life.

She is settling in well and making lots of friends even Hamish the local mechanic could there be a chance that she could find that love she had all those years ago? But it was way too hard to forget the man who stole her heart all those years ago, then the town is torn with a new restaurant opening up and the name of the restaurant stirs feelings in Natasha and the past is all of a sudden on her new doorstep, surely her heart could not be broken again is there a chance that it will finally heal?

This is a beautiful story, I loved it, my heart broke for Natasha so many times, MS Kelsall dug deep into family life, love and poverty and growing up and bought all of it to life on the pages, it is filled with so many emotions I cried and I cheered at the strength that Natasha showed through all that she had been through. This is one that I highly recommend, a truly wonderful story.

My thanks to Allen & Unwin for my ARC to read and review.

5 stars

July 1, 2025 by Allen & Unwin

The Rancher's Fake Fiancé

 The Rancher's Fake Fiancé

Destiny's River #2

Debra Holt

Reviewed by Helen

I am loving this series, the setting is gorgeous and this time we see another Parker sibling find the love and happiness that they deserve, but it is a rocky road to get there, come along and meet them all.

Cassie Parker is an uncover US Marshall and is used to changing names and personalities when needed, she has been after this criminal for three years now and when she is sent to Red Cliff to finally, hopefully get the mastermind she jumps at the chance but convincing rancher Cole Connors that she is now his fiancé isn’t easy, especially when the sparks fly between them and there is his beautiful young daughter Emmie to consider.

Cole is not happy when he learns that he now has a fake fiancé and that she will be staying at the ranch and the danger that maybe involved and even more unhappy to learn that his ex-wife Madeline is arriving with at least one of the men the Marshalls are interested in safety for his daughter is his main concern but he is so drawn to Cassie in so many ways.

The more they pretend the more their feelings grow but there is Emmie to think of and danger lurking, Emmie’s mother is not the nicest person and things are heating up in more ways than one, will Cassie catch the criminal she is after and will she keep her heart protected and Cole could he have a chance at love with Cassie?

This is a fabulous story that I loved, Cassie and Cole are both so good and Emmie is beautiful, I do highly recommend this one and looking forward to the next one in the series.

My thanks to Tule Publishing for my digital copy to read and review.

5 Stars

June 12, 2025 by Tule Publishing

The Cowboy Takes a Nanny

 The Cowboy Takes a Nanny

The Halligans of Montana #4

Kaz Delaney

Reviewed by Helen

The final installment in this absolutely awesome series and it ticked all of the boxes for a beautiful romance, being back on the Halligan’s Ranch was fun and fabulous, it is time for Leo to hire a Nanny for his daughter Mia, who will that be?

Leo needs someone he can trust with his daughter, he has interviewed a few but not found the right one, when widowed Ella Stauton-Hawes arrives on the ranch with her nearly two year old son, Benny and his family recommend Ella and he interviews her and the only problem is that there is a spark between them which shouldn’t be there, so some rules will have to be made.

Ella is loving looking after Mia and Benny things are going really well except for the fact that Leo is continually hovering, he seems to have trust issues but then Ella has secrets that she is holding close for good reasons but the spark between them is growing daily, how much longer will they be able to ignore that and keep their relationship professional or maybe more?

Leo feels that Ella is keeping something from him and when it starts to came out he is stunned to learn about her past can he keep her on as his Nanny there are so many questions that need answering, will they find a way?

This is a beautiful story it is emotional, moving and witty, the banter between them made me smile and chuckle throughout. Ella is witty, strong and so very caring and loving still after all she has been through and Leo and Ella make the perfect couple, he is there for her once he gets over his trust issues, I loved him, strong, fun, loving and caring. I loved this one so much, I didn’t want it to end, I do highly recommend this one and the series, awesome reads that will bring happy tears to any reader.

My thanks to Tule Publishing for my digital copy to read and review.

5 stars

June 24, 2025 by Tule Publishing

The Cowboy Comes Home

 The Cowboy Comes Home

Home at Last Stand Texas #3

Justine Davis

Reviewed by Helen

When Tucker Cauhane is invited to Last Stand Texas to visit his best friend’s new home this is just what Tucker needs at the moment, the retired rodeo champion and looks like soon to be out of work stunt man is looking forward to catching up with Jackson his fiancé Nic and Jackson’s son Jeremy this is sure to do him good.

Tucker is amazed at the welcome he has received when he arrives not only from his friends but the people of Last Stand it seems that many of them remember his rodeo days, especially one person police officer Emily Stratton maybe it is time to move back to Texas and the place that might open up his heart in more ways than one, you see he feels very attracted to Emily, could this be the start of a new life for Tucker?

Emily has lived in Last Stand all of her life and does not intend to leave and when Tucker arrives in town she is very happy, she followed his rodeo career and was there on that fateful day that changed his life and now he is here and after reading an article he did for the local paper she feels she knows him well but will her and her K9 Lobo be able to convince Tucker that the past is the past and that they should be together?

This is a lovely, moving and emotional romance one that I loved, the characters, the setting are fabulous and I do highly recommend this one to any lover of a good romance, it is sure to keep you turning the pages.

My thanks to Tule Publishing for my digital copy to read and review.

4 stars

June 10, 2025 by Tule Publishing