Retreat into Paradise
Louisa Valentine
Reviewed by Helen
This is Louisa Valentines first book and it is such a great story, a lovely rural romance not only are there fabulous characters I also learnt a lot about raising cattle, set on a farm just outside of Melbourne, I loved getting to know Hannah and Philip and I am sure any reader will as well.
Hannah Stockton is a writer of history and loves the research that goes with it, but after a rough time with her ex it is time for Hannah to find a place to chill, write and escape the city. When she finds an advertisement for a live-in caretaker on a small farm this sounds like just the thing, there are light duties which Hannah is sure she can handle.
Philip Boulton is a banker in the city during the week but on weekends he escapes to his farm and his small herd of cattle and he loves it, he has a very friendly neighbour, Pat who has taught him a lot about his cattle but he needs a caretaker here during the week and when he is off on work trips, he has had a couple of applications but they didn’t seem right that is until the lovely Hannah arrived and he knew she was the one for the job.
There is a spark from their first meeting but both are determined to ignore it, Hannah is sure that there is something going on between him and over friendly neighbour Pat and Philip is wary because of the research Hannah does into families but spending time together with Philip teaching Hannah about the cows they soon realise that they can no longer ignore that spark, but they must first open up about their pasts and any secrets.
This is a lovely story, well written and I loved seeing Philip and Hannah break down the walls and open their hearts to each other, there are a few ups and downs along the way first but lots of happy smiles from this reader. I do highly recommend this one to any lover of rural romance.
Hannah Stockton is a writer of history and loves the research that goes with it, but after a rough time with her ex it is time for Hannah to find a place to chill, write and escape the city. When she finds an advertisement for a live-in caretaker on a small farm this sounds like just the thing, there are light duties which Hannah is sure she can handle.
Philip Boulton is a banker in the city during the week but on weekends he escapes to his farm and his small herd of cattle and he loves it, he has a very friendly neighbour, Pat who has taught him a lot about his cattle but he needs a caretaker here during the week and when he is off on work trips, he has had a couple of applications but they didn’t seem right that is until the lovely Hannah arrived and he knew she was the one for the job.
There is a spark from their first meeting but both are determined to ignore it, Hannah is sure that there is something going on between him and over friendly neighbour Pat and Philip is wary because of the research Hannah does into families but spending time together with Philip teaching Hannah about the cows they soon realise that they can no longer ignore that spark, but they must first open up about their pasts and any secrets.
This is a lovely story, well written and I loved seeing Philip and Hannah break down the walls and open their hearts to each other, there are a few ups and downs along the way first but lots of happy smiles from this reader. I do highly recommend this one to any lover of rural romance.
4 stars
Published February 1, 2021
