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North Star

by Karly Lane (Goodreads Author)

4.26 of 5 stars 4.26 · rating details · 87 ratings · 21 reviews

When Kate escapes to the vast but rundown property of North Star after a bitter divorce, it doesn't take long for her realize that she's going to need every ounce of determination to restore the homestead to its former glory

Since her divorce a year ago, Kate Thurston feels like she's lurched from one disaster to another. Her teenage daughter, Georgia, seems to have morphed...more

Paperback, C format, 304 pages

Published April 1st 2011 by Allen & Unwin

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Feb 07, 2012 Kerri Williams rated it 5 of 5 stars

Karly Lane is a incredible author who you can empathize and get lost within her words.
I haven't finished North Star yet but I'm nervous about the upcoming teenage years, lol and can't wait to see what happens with John.
Kerri.

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Nov 19, 2011 Paula Phillips rated it 5 of 5 stars

Have you ever been stuck in a town and then once you are old enough , you can't wait to get rid of it ? For Kate Thurston, growing up life was difficult and she didn't have the most easiest childhood ever , spending most of her time with her grandparents . When her grandfather dies , Henry Campbell leaves Kate his estate - North Star. Kate wanting to escape her life in the city as she has just gotten out of a divorce and a marriage that is no longer perfect due to his gambling problems decides t...more

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Mar 31, 2012 Lauren Murphy rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: aww2012, aussie-author, romance, romantic-suspense, rural-lit

Kate is the divorced mother of two, teenager Georgia and young Liam and relocates her family to the country after inheriting her grandfather’s property, North Star. Kate hopes the change of scenery will help provide a stable, safe place for her children to grow and prosper away from the influences of the demanding city.

But for Kate to return to North Star, she must face her early experiences of abuse and turbulence that still haunt her today. Kate’s method of avoidance becomes counterproductive...more Kate is the divorced mother of two, teenager Georgia and young Liam and relocates her family to the country after inheriting her grandfather’s property, North Star. Kate hopes the change of scenery will help provide a stable, safe place for her children to grow and prosper away from the influences of the demanding city.

But for Kate to return to North Star, she must face her early experiences of abuse and turbulence that still haunt her today. Kate’s method of avoidance becomes counterproductive as she is constantly reminded of her childhood in a town which possess her fondest and darkest memories.

Reunited with childhood friend Jenny along with her husband and their children, Kate is supported in the town to clean up the farm and make it a home again. Georgia is an unruly teenager who finds fault in all of Kate’s plans and longs to return to the city. Liam is a shy kid, who quite likes the farm and seemingly goes along with whatever happens.

The local cop in town, John Cafferty takes a special interest in Kate, firstly to return her daughter from an attempt to buy alcohol at the bottle shop, and then for more personal reasons. There’s an instant attraction between the two of them but Kate has built up a wall of defences over the years and their foundations are quite solid.

Just as Kate begins to unwind and the gentle-natured and patient John breaks through some of her insecurities- Kate’s husband Andy returns to town and threatens to uncover a deep, dark secret that Kate had locked away and vowed never to think about again.

I was quite blown away with this debut novel, by Aussie Karly Lane who has a refined writing style and a great understanding of how early experiences influence adult relationships and functioning. I feel she really captured Kate’s internal conflicts and I understood every decision she made along the way- even though I didn’t agree with them at times. She was also stubborn but not annoyingly so and even though I was disappointed by her persistent avoidance right until the end I think it is quite fitting to her personality and the circumstances. John is a loveable character, perhaps a little too perfect at times, but he is exactly what Kate needed to experience unconditional love for the first time in her life.

From childhood abuse, to drug addiction to gambling and the intricacies of friendships, relationships and family- North Star covers very real issues with complex characters in a rural Australian setting.
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Mar 31, 2012 Shelleyrae at Book'd Out rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: arc-are, aussie-author

North Star is an entertaining contemporary novel from author Karly Lane that combines elements of suspense and romance in the Australian bush. Kate Thurston has left a disastrous marriage and returned to her home town to raise her children on the inherited property on which she grew up. North Star holds few good memories for Kate but with little choice other than to make a go of it, she sets out to restore the house and land and create a stable home for her rebellious teenage daughter and reserv...more North Star is an entertaining contemporary novel from author Karly Lane that combines elements of suspense and romance in the Australian bush. Kate Thurston has left a disastrous marriage and returned to her home town to raise her children on the inherited property on which she grew up. North Star holds few good memories for Kate but with little choice other than to make a go of it, she sets out to restore the house and land and create a stable home for her rebellious teenage daughter and reserved young son. With hard work and determination Kate begins to rebuild her life, reconnecting with old friends and developing new attachments, until her ex husband shows up forcing Kate to confront her tragic past and endangering her dreams for the future.

Lane packs a lot into this relatively modest length novel. The plot includes romance, mystery and includes social issues such as drug and gambling addiction, domestic violence, rape, abandonment, suicide and murder. It's an ambitious combination, yet Lane pulls it off quite well.
Kate is a complex character, she has worked hard to escape the family 'curse' however, living back at North Star brings her tortured memories to the surface. I think Lane captures Kate's internal conflicts well, particularly demonstrating how her past affects her present attitude and decisions. The reasons for Kate's marriage breakdown are understandable, as is her reluctance to become involved in a new relationship with Officer John Cafferty. As a mother to a headstrong teenage girl, I could relate well to Kate's concerns and struggles in regards to her parenting decisions. Everything for Kate though is complicated by the secrets she hides.
I really liked the suspense element to North Star, the secrets surrounding not only Kate and the circumstances of her mother's death but also the mystery with regards to Henry's twin's fate, which adds another layer of depth to Kate's family history. The pacing is good though the mystery of Kate's mothers death and her grandfather's brother isn't revealed until around a third of the way in, I would have liked it to been foreshadowed a little earlier though both elements are linked to the abuse hinted at quite early on.
The rural Australian setting of North Star is appealing and Lane captures the details that typify a small country town, such as the difficulty of being anonymous as well as the importance of grazing land, water and even Race Day.

I enjoyed North Star, it offered more than I expected and was an engaging read from start to finish. Another fine example of the growing genre of 'rural fiction', North Star should appeal to a wide cross section of readers. Lane's next book, Morgan's Law, is due for release in May 2012 and I am looking forward to it.
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Jan 09, 2013 Bree T rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: kindle-version, rural-lit, australian, aww2012

Since her divorce, Kate has felt like she can’t get back on even ground. She’s been working two jobs to keep a roof over her head and the head of her two children after having to sell the lovely family home in order to pay her husband’s gambling debts. He has continued to gamble, continued to make excuses and Kate has had to take action to keep her children out of the situation. As a result, her moody teenage daughter Georgia isn’t feeling very kindly towards her at the moment and it gets even w...more Since her divorce, Kate has felt like she can’t get back on even ground. She’s been working two jobs to keep a roof over her head and the head of her two children after having to sell the lovely family home in order to pay her husband’s gambling debts. He has continued to gamble, continued to make excuses and Kate has had to take action to keep her children out of the situation. As a result, her moody teenage daughter Georgia isn’t feeling very kindly towards her at the moment and it gets even worse when Kate is informed that her grandfather, a mean alcoholic that she’s had no contact with in over fifteen years, has died and left her North Star, a large property.

At first Kate’s plans were to fix up the house, which has been neglected and get it back on the market. But being back there, being in the house where she spent time with her beloved gran and felt real love, plants a seed of hope within her. Kate owns the property outright so it doesn’t come with the trappings of a mortgage. If she can find a way to make a little income, just enough to cover what they need, she thinks that they can make North Star their future. Georgia is less than enthusiastic, not willing to leave behind her friends and her social life for a dump in the middle of no where. Kate’s younger child Liam is more open to the idea and Kate hopes that living in a small town where he’ll have the chance to make friends will give her son the confidence he so desperately needs.

Kate, along with her childhood friend Jenny, Jenny’s husband and two children, begins the hard work of making the homestead liveable again. Just as she feels she’s beginning to make progress, in all aspects of her life by setting the house to rights, finding her feet in the new town, even making a friend that could possibly turn into something more, Kate faces opposition from a neighbouring grazier who seems determined to bully her off her land. And then her ex-husband turns up, seeing opportunity in Kate’s new found inheritance. He isn’t above playing games using their children and threatening Kate with a secret she has held close for many long years.

I’ve had a copy of North Star on my kindle for some time – ever since I read Karly’s second book, Morgan’s Law. She’s since released a 3rd, Bridie’s Choice which I’ve been hearing excellent things about and before I read that, I wanted to catch up by reading this one as well. I always like having a few books on the kindle that I think I’ll really enjoy in case I go away and am looking for something like a ‘sure bet’ to read and North Star was definitely one of these.

Kate was such a tough, admirable character. She’d had a horrible childhood, the only bright spot the times she went with her gran on North Star. She married young after being forced off North Star in tragedy and her and her husband worked hard to pay off their house only to then lose it to her husband’s gambling debts. You get the feeling that Kate craves stability, both emotional and financial after her upbringing and for her to lose the house was a huge blow. She had to work two jobs just to pay for the rent in a small flat, somewhere really unsuitable for herself and her two children. Her children have also been affected terribly by the marriage breakdown. Her teenage daughter Georgia is pushing the boundaries – sneaking out, experimenting with drugs and alcohol. Kate thinks that hopefully, being removed from those influences might have a positive effect on her daughter, even if she’s brought her attitude all the way out to North Star. Kate’s son Liam is younger and painfully shy. He needs some stability and structure desperately and Kate hopes to provide all that and more with the idea she’s had for starting a business on the property.

What I enjoyed about this novel was Kate’s attitude to her ‘fresh start’. She works so hard at fixing up the house to make it habitable again, she tries so hard with her children. She doesn’t lose her temper with Georgia when she’s rude and pushing the boundaries when it would be tempting to come down on her more severely. She also takes things very cautiously with John, the local police officer who makes it quite clear that he’s very interested in Kate for the long term. Kate hasn’t been involved with many men at all and she has some trauma in her past that makes it hard for her and she also has herself and her children to think of. They’ve all been hurt recently and you can tell that she wants to make sure that this is absolutely right before she proceeds. Unfortunately just as she makes that decision and takes that step, her ex-husband rolls into town, determined to make trouble, especially when he spots that Kate is slowly forging a life for herself without him and with someone else.

North Star is such an enjoyable book, it’s one of those wonderful reads that you just sink into and emerge from hours later, not quite sure where the time went. There’s an undercurrent of suspense running through the latter half as a story from long ago is unfolded. I can’t wait to get to Bridie’s Choice when I get home!(less)

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May 29, 2012 Kel rated it 3 of 5 stars

3.5 stars. I really enjoyed this story but for whatever reason, I just didn't fall in love with the characters. I can't really put my finger on why exactly but I felt that the story could have been brilliant with just a little more depth to the characters. Having said that, it was an enjoyable read and I may even read it again!

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Dec 03, 2011 Kerri Fitzmaurice rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: australian-set-novels

Karly Lane has provided all the essential ingredients for a captivating narrative. The characters are extremely believable. In fact, it feels as though you almost know them! The plot and setting combined have some of my favourite elements - murder and romance in the Australian bush.

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Feb 05, 2012 Ann Harrison rated it 4 of 5 stars

I really loved this story. It has all the things that make me fall in love with the story, australian theme, strong heroine up against the odds and s strong man who manages to make the grade against the odds. A real feel good book.

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Nov 20, 2011 Gailene rated it 5 of 5 stars

I loved this book, it only took me a few days to read and I remember on the last night I stayed up till 1.30 just so I could finish the book. Great story and looking forward to reading more from Karly Lane

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Apr 01, 2012 Bec rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Another great Aussie Rural book by Karly - Strong Famale main character. Part love story, part family saga, part mystery and a whole lot of great reading! looking forward to her next book

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Oct 23, 2011 Julie rated it 5 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this book, which has lots of different likable characters. Its an easy read, and can't wait to read her next book when it comes out!

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Feb 23, 2012 Sharon rated it 5 of 5 stars

Excellent read by a Macksville author. Look out for Karly Lane as her writing continues to get better and better!!

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Jun 20, 2011 Tania rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: library-books

Randomly chosen from my pile of library books and it is book 66 of 2011 - aim 133 books in 2011.

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Mar 29, 2011 Jessica rated it 4 of 5 stars

Here is my review:
http://peaseexchange.com/2011/03/nort...

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Mar 17, 2012 Bj rated it 5 of 5 stars

I really loved this book. At times Kate drove me up the wall but you have to read and finish the book to fully understand the heroine :) She has so many different layers and is one tough cookie! Thanks Karly for writing a fabulous book. I loved it!!

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May 06, 2011 Caitlyn Nicholas rated it 5 of 5 stars

Loved this book, wonderful story, made me laugh and cry. Can't wait for Karly's next book.

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Oct 29, 2012 Angelita rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: romance

Good book

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May 21, 2012 Jaye rated it 5 of 5 stars

loved it

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Apr 09, 2011 Helene Young rated it 5 of 5 stars

Loved the edge of suspense running through the story and the wonderful Australian setting.

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Aug 05, 2011 Karly James rated it 5 of 5 stars

Excellent. Easy to read and entertaining.

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Apr 23, 2013 Patty rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: australia, rural-lit

I love this novel! It has all the right ingredients for me to make a great story. The rural setting, a little suspense and mystery, a heroin strong enough to face all the obstacles put in her way, with her friends standing by her and a man fighting for and with her.North Star was an easy read and I got so wrapped up in the story, that I stayed up latest night to finish. Looking forward to another great book from Karly Lane!

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May 23, 2013 Paul marked it as to-read

May 24, 2013 Meagan is currently reading it

May 03, 2013 Carly rated it 3 of 5 stars

Apr 28, 2013 Cathy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Apr 25, 2013 scarlett marked it as to-read · review of another edition

Apr 28, 2013 Deb Bodinnar rated it 4 of 5 stars

Apr 24, 2013 Deborah Burrows rated it 4 of 5 stars

Apr 15, 2013 Darlene rated it 3 of 5 stars

Apr 15, 2013 Vanessa Jayne rated it 5 of 5 stars

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