Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.54 AVERAGE
3.54 AVERAGE
lighthearted
fast-paced
3 1/2 stars
It took me awhile to get into this book but once I got into the book, I enjoyed the character development and the journey of these two couples. The story is told from three different perspectives. Since I was listening to the audiobook format of this book, I sometimes didn't figure out what perspective I was listening to right away as each chapter changed. It would've been a bit easier to follow if each chapter was labelled with one of the three narrator's names so I knew whose perspective that chapter was from right away. I enjoyed the setting of the story, the great Australian accent of the narrator, the dyslexia representation in the story and the way these two romances worked out by the conclusion of the story.
Content: learning disability, special education background, abandonment, loss of livelihood, following God's plan even when you have no clue what is next
It took me awhile to get into this book but once I got into the book, I enjoyed the character development and the journey of these two couples. The story is told from three different perspectives. Since I was listening to the audiobook format of this book, I sometimes didn't figure out what perspective I was listening to right away as each chapter changed. It would've been a bit easier to follow if each chapter was labelled with one of the three narrator's names so I knew whose perspective that chapter was from right away. I enjoyed the setting of the story, the great Australian accent of the narrator, the dyslexia representation in the story and the way these two romances worked out by the conclusion of the story.
Content: learning disability, special education background, abandonment, loss of livelihood, following God's plan even when you have no clue what is next
My fault I really didn't enjoy it. I picked it off the shelf at the library without giving it more than a quick glance, but figured it would fill the 'need something light' niche. Which to some extent it did. What I had realised was that this was a Christian Romance which really is not me at all. Religion in a book is absolutely fine, whatever the religion, and if it's a part of the whole thing. But this is really the whole thing and becomes more so as you get further into the book, so I ended up skimming a lot towards the end. It's classic, can't stand him end up falling in love with him stuff, evident from the first page. There's a second love story as well, presented as equally fated to fail but equally coming to fruition.
Reviewed on my blog, Becky on Books, on 1/31/20.
A Girl's Guide to the Outback is a cute, sweet, and funny read. Somehow I missed the fact that it was a Christian romance (I know, I know--clearly I didn't read the blurb very carefully, or maybe at all?) but for the most part the story just gives gentle nudges toward listening to God and following His will rather than trying to suffocate readers with a specific set of views or beliefs, which for me was a relief. Even though Sam's a pastor, most of the book takes place on his family farm where one's faith rather than religion is the focus; I honestly often forgot it was an inspirational romance half of the time ;)
I liked both Sam and Kimberly, though it's good that we get both of their POVs here, because they really do have a problem with communication for a lot of the book. We barely get to see the two of them sharing an office, since that part of the story's over practically before it begins, but it's hard to imagine how they could have worked so closely together yet still not have a clue what was motivating the other or what their true intentions were--it takes them ages to finally sort all of that out, which was frustrating at times. Ms Kate does do a good job of showing how paralyzing their fears are, though, and allows them to work through them, giving us a very sweet HEA in the end.
The secondary romance between Sam's sister Julia and her ex, Mick, was a lot of fun as well--I almost wish they'd had their own book, because things inside Mick's head could have been a lot of fun to see as well.
Plus, puppies. Who doesn't want to read more puppies? :)
Rating: 4 stars / B
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
A Girl's Guide to the Outback is a cute, sweet, and funny read. Somehow I missed the fact that it was a Christian romance (I know, I know--clearly I didn't read the blurb very carefully, or maybe at all?) but for the most part the story just gives gentle nudges toward listening to God and following His will rather than trying to suffocate readers with a specific set of views or beliefs, which for me was a relief. Even though Sam's a pastor, most of the book takes place on his family farm where one's faith rather than religion is the focus; I honestly often forgot it was an inspirational romance half of the time ;)
I liked both Sam and Kimberly, though it's good that we get both of their POVs here, because they really do have a problem with communication for a lot of the book. We barely get to see the two of them sharing an office, since that part of the story's over practically before it begins, but it's hard to imagine how they could have worked so closely together yet still not have a clue what was motivating the other or what their true intentions were--it takes them ages to finally sort all of that out, which was frustrating at times. Ms Kate does do a good job of showing how paralyzing their fears are, though, and allows them to work through them, giving us a very sweet HEA in the end.
The secondary romance between Sam's sister Julia and her ex, Mick, was a lot of fun as well--I almost wish they'd had their own book, because things inside Mick's head could have been a lot of fun to see as well.
Plus, puppies. Who doesn't want to read more puppies? :)
Rating: 4 stars / B
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
An easy read, with a cheesy premise and predictable end. I enjoyed it but was glad I was done when I finished it.
Not a bad read, but the book tries to do too much in a short time. It barely sets up the conflict between Sam and Kimberley before we’re swept away into failure, new beginnings, and all the Australian cliches a reader could think of. It also flips between viewpoints to shove as many events as possible into the pages…all to be tied up by a few convenient details that made it clear the author was just after the happiest of endings.
I’m so happy that we get to find out what happens to Sam, the youth minister who was introduced in Love and Other Mistakes.
This book mostly takes place on a farm in the Australian outback and is a Christian friends to lovers (and by lovers I mean there is smooching) romance with a second chances romance as a secondary plot line. Kimberly is a straight talking business woman who is passionate about ministry but has a hard time communicating. Sam is the founder of a youth ministry who quits out of fear and retreats to his home in Australia, where his sister Jules has taken over the family farm and is near financial ruin.
When Kimberly comes to the outback to help with the farm’s finances in exchange for the opportunity to woo Sam back to the ministry, she has to come face to face with a growing attraction to the Aussie and deal with her own feelings of loneliness and fear.
Sam too has to come to terms with the failures of his past and they all must find their identity in God or risk more regret.
I really appreciate how the author weaves in truths about the faith without cheesiness and has a genuine love story (also without cheesiness) and with some PG heat.
This book mostly takes place on a farm in the Australian outback and is a Christian friends to lovers (and by lovers I mean there is smooching) romance with a second chances romance as a secondary plot line. Kimberly is a straight talking business woman who is passionate about ministry but has a hard time communicating. Sam is the founder of a youth ministry who quits out of fear and retreats to his home in Australia, where his sister Jules has taken over the family farm and is near financial ruin.
When Kimberly comes to the outback to help with the farm’s finances in exchange for the opportunity to woo Sam back to the ministry, she has to come face to face with a growing attraction to the Aussie and deal with her own feelings of loneliness and fear.
Sam too has to come to terms with the failures of his past and they all must find their identity in God or risk more regret.
I really appreciate how the author weaves in truths about the faith without cheesiness and has a genuine love story (also without cheesiness) and with some PG heat.
Girl's guide to the outback was a blast to read!
Full of witty banter and heartwarming discovery, grab this book if you want a trip to the outback without the plane fare (or spiders)!
I enjoyed the dual story lines and thought that the author incorporated multiple messages of life in a fun down to earth way. I really liked how Kim and Sam, even though they didn't get along in the beginning! I loved seeing them grow and learn how to work as a team.
So fun!
I received a complementary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgally. My opinion is completely my own!
Full of witty banter and heartwarming discovery, grab this book if you want a trip to the outback without the plane fare (or spiders)!
I enjoyed the dual story lines and thought that the author incorporated multiple messages of life in a fun down to earth way. I really liked how Kim and Sam, even though they didn't get along in the beginning! I loved seeing them grow and learn how to work as a team.
So fun!
I received a complementary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgally. My opinion is completely my own!