Scan barcode
megallenbooks's review against another edition
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Ok, I should start by saying the Rural Australian Chick Lit is not my favourite genre. But it is a popular genre for other members of my family and I am not one to pass up free books when they are done. So would I have read this had I not been given this book for free? No. Will I read it again? Also no. Would I recommend this book to someone who likes the genre? Um, Maybe.
This is the story of Amanda who goes back to run her family farm and save it from debt after graduating from ag college. That you can get from the blurb. What you won't get is there is a story told in flashbacks; the story of Amanda's Grandparents (?) and how they set up the farm as immigrants from England.
What I Liked About it
- It wasn't a difficult read. It's a good one for people who aren't regular readers.
-I liked the flashbacks. I felt like the historical characters had more depth, more drive and just were more well rounded than the current day ones.
What I didn't like
- The present day characters did things that just didn't make sense. Constantly. All of them.
- The weird detour to talk about mental health and PTSD.I would have been all for it if the weird happenings on the farm were actually symptoms of depression and PTSD after an admittedly shitty start to Amanda's career. In fact, given the state of mental health in our rural communities I would have welcomed it. However, instead of just leaving it as mental health being the villian, there was an actual villain and the symptoms were actual acts of sabotage making it unclear if Amanda was depressed or not. Also the whole antidepressants thing just kind of was never spoken of again.
- This is not a romance. There is no romance plot. There is a romantic interest, but he appears very very briefly and doesn't appear to know the heroine exist until likethree pages from the end of the novel and then they are kissing. Weird.
-The ending felt rushed. I think this was one of Fleur Macdonald's earlier books and she fumbled the ending. It felt like a rookie author move.
Overall I don't regret reading it, maybe because I didn't commit too much time to it (see easy read) and also it was a free book. Had I paid the $36 my cousin had (books are expensive in Australia y'all) I may have been. Although, she wasn't so maybe it's a genre thing for me?
This is the story of Amanda who goes back to run her family farm and save it from debt after graduating from ag college. That you can get from the blurb. What you won't get is there is a story told in flashbacks; the story of Amanda's Grandparents (?) and how they set up the farm as immigrants from England.
What I Liked About it
- It wasn't a difficult read. It's a good one for people who aren't regular readers.
-I liked the flashbacks. I felt like the historical characters had more depth, more drive and just were more well rounded than the current day ones.
What I didn't like
- The present day characters did things that just didn't make sense. Constantly. All of them.
- The weird detour to talk about mental health and PTSD.
- This is not a romance. There is no romance plot. There is a romantic interest, but he appears very very briefly and doesn't appear to know the heroine exist until like
-The ending felt rushed. I think this was one of Fleur Macdonald's earlier books and she fumbled the ending. It felt like a rookie author move.
Overall I don't regret reading it, maybe because I didn't commit too much time to it (see easy read) and also it was a free book. Had I paid the $36 my cousin had (books are expensive in Australia y'all) I may have been. Although, she wasn't so maybe it's a genre thing for me?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Car accident, Suicide, Pregnancy, Mental illness, and Death of parent
Moderate: Rape
Minor: Child death
busyreading's review against another edition
3.0
After the tragic death of her mother, Amanda Greenfield returns to the family farm, The farm is starting to become run down and financially things are not looking too good either. Amanda is determined to bring the farm back to where it once was, but it seems her father has other ideas.
As far as Amanda's father is concerned the farm needs to be sold and that way everyone can move along with their lives. Amanda is a strong willed woman, but will she talk her father around or will the farm be sold?
Blue Skies was an enjoyable and easy read. Recommended.
As far as Amanda's father is concerned the farm needs to be sold and that way everyone can move along with their lives. Amanda is a strong willed woman, but will she talk her father around or will the farm be sold?
Blue Skies was an enjoyable and easy read. Recommended.
christine_fullam's review against another edition
4.0
Really enjoyed the book and the fact that it's based in WA! Now to find out if she has any other books....
More...