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3.54 AVERAGE
3.54 AVERAGE
I loved the easiness of this read & the overarching theme of God’s faithfulness throughout. I felt like the characters were well evolving characters, showing the reality of change over time & growth over different situations & I felt like the storyline was so cute! Kinda like a hallmark movie. Overall i’d definitely recommend for anyone looking for a cute, easy, clean romance!
I really loved this one. It was the light and fun read I needed. I laughed in so many different parts and fell in love with the characters. I loved to duel storyline and the setting only added to the story. Kimberly was no doubt my favorite. She was funny and clumsy and I enjoyed her character so much.
A high-strung business woman goes to the Australian outback in an attempt to bring home the Aussie youth pastor who was the only thing holding together the Christian youth organization she works for. One is all about building things and seeing things to their full potential while the other is very cautious because of past bad business decisions. When Kimberley arrives at Simon's sister's Australian cattle ranch in hopes of helping save it, their polar opposite look at business causes some friction, but mostly this book is learning how to believe in yourself and trusting god to lead you down the right path.
As an atheist, it took a bit to get used to the religious aspect of this book, but I really like stories about outsiders and Australia, so I stuck with it. Even outside the religiousness, it's a middle of the road romance. It's a vaguely enemies-to-lovers story, but the enemies part happens almost all pre-book. There aren't a lot of swoon worthy moments because it is so focused on the two main characters' inner selves. It does have a HEA, of course, but I found it leaning on things I've seen done better elsewhere while making this story itself be more about these two characters accepting themselves rather than falling in love.
As an atheist, it took a bit to get used to the religious aspect of this book, but I really like stories about outsiders and Australia, so I stuck with it. Even outside the religiousness, it's a middle of the road romance. It's a vaguely enemies-to-lovers story, but the enemies part happens almost all pre-book. There aren't a lot of swoon worthy moments because it is so focused on the two main characters' inner selves. It does have a HEA, of course, but I found it leaning on things I've seen done better elsewhere while making this story itself be more about these two characters accepting themselves rather than falling in love.
I was excited to read this fun romance between a youth minister and his co-worker. I didn't expect it to have so much of an agricultural story to it. As a farmer and a woman of faith, this resonated so closely to me. Sam and Kimberly's story of struggle and personal challenges along with their own growth through fears and rejection are so heartfelt and personal. The Christian thread is definitely present, but its not overbearing or cheesy (which I really appreciate).
I didn't realize this was Christian fiction until I started reading it. I decided to give it a shot because why not. Turns out these books really are not for me. The religious aspect isn't prominent at the beginning, which I appreciated. It does play a part more so towards the end. As much as I didn't care for that, it's not the reason why I'm only giving this novel two stars. I can't "punish" a genre for not being what I like to read.
My rating is based in the fact that I just don't care for these characters and the plot. Jules goes from being mean to Kim is my best friend in the span of two pages - and then back again. I never quite got why Sam felt so guilty for his business not working out and losing money. That is always a possibility. What's the deal with everyone hating on Kim because she's trying to save the farm? Makes no sense! Both mothers appear cold to me and so unlikeable. Wow. That doesn't happen often. One tiny detail that made me roll my eyes was Sam fleeing the scene when Jules said she has PMS. Are you kidding me? This is a grown man. Same with when he sees bras. That is so ridiculous. He isn't five years old. Menstruation and bras are not silly or anything to find scary or whatever.
My rating is based in the fact that I just don't care for these characters and the plot. Jules goes from being mean to Kim is my best friend in the span of two pages - and then back again. I never quite got why Sam felt so guilty for his business not working out and losing money. That is always a possibility. What's the deal with everyone hating on Kim because she's trying to save the farm? Makes no sense! Both mothers appear cold to me and so unlikeable. Wow. That doesn't happen often. One tiny detail that made me roll my eyes was Sam fleeing the scene when Jules said she has PMS. Are you kidding me? This is a grown man. Same with when he sees bras. That is so ridiculous. He isn't five years old. Menstruation and bras are not silly or anything to find scary or whatever.
If I could give this book a 6 out of 5 stars, I would.
So funny! So cute! So lovely! This author got my attention.
Last summer, I read Jessica Kate's debut novel, Love and Other Mistakes. While I enjoyed it, I also had mixed feelings about it and didn't think it lived up to the hype. (Some of the fault definitely lies with the publisher, who marketed the book as a romantic comedy when it was definitely much more of a drama.) But I appreciated the author's writing style, so I knew I would give her next book a chance.
I am so, so glad I did!!!
A Girl's Guide to the Outback is everything I wanted Love and Other Mistakes to be. It's so funny (and it takes a lot for a book to get me to laugh out loud), it's romantic, and it's just a joy to read!
Kimberly and Sam (two minor characters from Love and Other Mistakes) work together at a ministry in the United States but can't stand each other ... at least so it seems. But as they actually get to know each other while trying to save Sam's sister's Australian farm, sparks fly. I loved the whole back-and-forth of their romance, especially following their first kiss, which came about in a really fun sequence!
This is a two-for-the-price-of-one romance, as Sam's sister Jules gets her own second chance romance, and it's just as swoonworthy as Kimberly and Sam's romance. Plus, there are some really fun Australian references (I had to Google "chicken salt," and now I'm thinking of splurging on some from Amazon), as well as some not so fun ones that had me thanking the Lord I live nowhere near those ridiculous snakes and spiders!
The novel does deal with some serious topics like money issues, absentee parents, and learning when to let go, but it doesn't go nearly as dark and heavy as its predecessor did. This is a fabulous rom-com, and I can't recommend it highly enough!
Disclosure of material connection: I received this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review, and the opinions expressed are my own.
I am so, so glad I did!!!
A Girl's Guide to the Outback is everything I wanted Love and Other Mistakes to be. It's so funny (and it takes a lot for a book to get me to laugh out loud), it's romantic, and it's just a joy to read!
Kimberly and Sam (two minor characters from Love and Other Mistakes) work together at a ministry in the United States but can't stand each other ... at least so it seems. But as they actually get to know each other while trying to save Sam's sister's Australian farm, sparks fly. I loved the whole back-and-forth of their romance, especially following their first kiss, which came about in a really fun sequence!
This is a two-for-the-price-of-one romance, as Sam's sister Jules gets her own second chance romance, and it's just as swoonworthy as Kimberly and Sam's romance. Plus, there are some really fun Australian references (I had to Google "chicken salt," and now I'm thinking of splurging on some from Amazon), as well as some not so fun ones that had me thanking the Lord I live nowhere near those ridiculous snakes and spiders!
The novel does deal with some serious topics like money issues, absentee parents, and learning when to let go, but it doesn't go nearly as dark and heavy as its predecessor did. This is a fabulous rom-com, and I can't recommend it highly enough!
Disclosure of material connection: I received this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review, and the opinions expressed are my own.
I really enjoyed this book! It’s Christian fiction set in Australia and the author is Australian so the book felt really authentic. I loved the details about farm life (feel like I learned a lot!) and also Sam. I plan to read more books from this author.
Please do not listen to the audio version of this book. It's horribly terrible. The audio loops on errors, the pronunciation of words is wrong (key name pages) and the narrators Australian accent is abysmal.
That said, the story is delightful. A little more summer romance over the deeper topics covered in the author's first book, but lovely all the same.
That said, the story is delightful. A little more summer romance over the deeper topics covered in the author's first book, but lovely all the same.