Mystic Ridge

by Lucy Lever

Sparkling rural romance meets quirky rom-com in this delightful debut story of love, magic and fighting for home. Perfect for readers who love Rachael Johns and Alissa Callen.


Is love on the cards?

Reading the tarot is in Claire's blood. It's a gift she inherited from her late mother. But her genius in helping others discover their path fails her when it comes to finding her own, especially once she learns of plans to bulldoze her carefully regenerated rainforest home and build a high-end wellness centre. She vows to rally her small community and save Mystic Ridge, although she has no idea where to start...

Perhaps her first port of call should be the local newspaper, but after a fake-dating misadventure with the new editor, Leo, rising tensions - and chemistry - get in the way. Meanwhile, her old love, soapie actor Jake, promises to help protect her home. Yet Claire suspects his loyalties lie elsewhere, and she doesn't know who to trust anymore.

Will Claire find the courage to fight for the rainforest, her family and her chance at love?

With a colourful ensemble of small-town characters, and a dash of ghostly intervention, Mystic Ridge offers surprises at every turn.

Genres: Romance

Paperback

About the author

Lucy Lever is a former social worker who lives in the bush on Sydney's coastal fringe with her husband.

Always an avid reader who would never think of going anywhere without a book, she decided to give creative writing a go late in life. Luckily it wasn’t too late.

Lucy makes frequent visits to family on the NSW north coast, where she found the inspiration for her debut novel, Mystic Ridge.

She’s a proud member of Romance Writers of Australia.

Reviews

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wonderful debut novel for Lucy Lever, she certainly pulled me into the story from the start, I felt many emotions reading this one, from frustration to joy and everything in between which for me makes a great author. There are many characters in this one, Claire the tarot card reader, single mum to Zoe, Leo, new to town and a journalist then there is Jake someone from Claire’s past who is back in town dad to Charlotte, needless to say they are all worth meeting.

Claire lives in Northern New South Wales on the on the edge of Mystic Ridge a rainforest, she and her daughter and lot of people in town live an alternative lifestyle and they love it Claire is working hard to regenerate the rainforest and save the endangered trees growing there, she loves her tarot cards and has a big heart, but when she gets wind of someone, someone she knows wanting to bulldoze the rainforest Claire pulls out all stops to stop it.

Leo meets Claire at the local markets and gets his tarot cards read this is something very new for Leo and he has no idea why he did it only that he does now know how attracted to Claire he is, he has moved to Lillypilly to start afresh, can he put his past behind him or has she come with him, as the journalist at the local paper, soon he and Claire are both fighting the chemistry between them and doing all they can to save Mystic Ridge.

Will Claire and Leo find their way to happiness with Jake making waves, will they save Mystic Ridge? This story has lots going on and lots of wonderful characters, including Zoe, Charlotte and Liam you must meet them they are fresh and open and I loved them, add to that a music star Indigo, Claire’s best friend and this story was fun and exciting, it is a lovely romance and one that I do highly recommend and I am looking forward to more from Lucy Lever.

My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my copy to read and review.

[Amanda - Mrs B's Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

*https://mrsbbookreviews.wordpress.com

Love, destiny, whimsy and spirituality all combine in Mystic Ridge, a debut offering from Sydney writer Lucy Lever. This former social worker has penned a new rural romance title that puts a slight twist on genre, adding an extra sparkle of life and tarot magic to the tale at hand.

Leading the direction of Lucy Lever’s first novel is Claire, a single parent to a daughter named Zoe. Claire is a woman who is gifted in the art of tarot card reading, which is a skill handed down to her by her mother. Claire loves to help others in their life and love choices, but she has trouble forging her own direction in life. This is made abundantly clear when Claire is faced with a conflict close to home. The intended destruction of a beautiful rainforest near her home to make way for a wellness centre raises concern for this caring single mum. But Claire is overwhelmed and doesn’t know how she should approach this upsetting situation. Claire has no choice but to throw herself into the chaos of saving her community. Along the way she encounters her ex and a new editor for the newspaper who might just hold the key to saving Mystic Ridge. Does Claire have the strength and trust to rescue her beloved Mystic Ridge from development? Will love find a way to win this cause?

It always makes me happy to see a new face pop up on the domestic rural romance scene, it’s one of my favourite categories of fiction. Lucy Lever comes to the popular Australian genre with a background in social work. This past experience combined with trips to the New South Wales Coast with her family inspired her first novel. Mystic Ridge is a lovely debut.

Lucy Lever introduces some interesting and original themes in this rural romance with a curl novel. With issues pervading this tale around land development, environmental destruction, protection of native trees, rainforest degradation and small-town community conflicts, Mystic Ridge is a tug-of-war style novel. Lever is well versed in the issues she presents, showing both the factual and human side of these topics. I appreciated the way in which these themes were presented on the pages of Mystic Ridge. Alongside the environmental topics are side issues involving community, ownership, love, trust, honesty, parenting and support. The underlying thread of mysticism linked to Claire’s ability to read tarot cards adds a quirky quality to the story. I’m sure many rural romance fans will appreciate this different spin on the genre. I know I was able to glean something new from this narrative element.

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Lever’s characters are a colourful bunch and it was genuinely nice to get to know most of them. I didn’t take to Claire’s ex Jake, but for the most part these were likeable protagonists. Claire was an interesting lead and I found Leo frustrating at times but also upstanding. Claire’s daughter Zoe and the teen cast in this book definitely have page presence. It was great to see a wide section of characters included in Lever’s debut.

Divine will, destiny, love of the land, romance, family and community all gel together in Mystic Ridge. Lucy Lever’s first novel is a sweet and enjoyable read.

*I wish to thank Harlequin Australia for providing me with a free copy of this book for review purposes.

[Craig and Phil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Harlequin for sending us a copy to read and review.
The tranquility of the rainforest with it’s rare and endemic flora and fauna reflects the physical setting while it’s protection creates social and political tension.
Love, passionate causes and the struggles of single parenting are integral elements shaping the narrative.
Claire lives in northern NSW, an area renowned for alternate living and well being practices.
It is an area of natural beauty.
Her home and regenerated rainforest is under threat as the development of Well Being Centre threatens to bulldoze it.
Raising a daughter, dealing with people from her past and fighting an environmental battle might distract her from finding love of her own.
Her expertise in reading tarot cards adds a mystical thread to the story and might just show what the future holds.
This was an enjoyable read that had a strong rural romance flavour with few extra issues thrown in to shape the plot beautifully.
The tarot card theme added interest and I was immersed in the environmental sections.
A strong debut for this author.
A trio of teenagers subtly stole the show for me and I yearned for them to appear. They epitomised a new generation’s acceptance and were a real joy.

[Jessica (bibliobliss.au) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Is love on the cards? Rural romance with a mystical twist!

Rural romance is an absolute comfort read for me & it was so great to read this debut which gives small town vibes with some surprising magical and ghostly elements!

If you’re familiar with the NSW North Coast hinterland then you’ll absolutely recognise the setting of MYSTIC RIDGE as the sense of place is particularly strong throughout.

I enjoyed the small town community & really liked the complicated relationships that added good depth to the story. I would have loved to know more about music star, Indigo - I thought she was a great little addition to the cast! The three teen characters were also brilliant.

As for the romance, I thought MMC newspaper editor Leo was adorable! And the twist in his tale came as a shock to me, but I loved it! (Leo was far calmer than I would have been! IYKYK 😱)

The miscommunications between Leo & Claire (Claire the Clairvoyant) were a little frustrating at times as I really wanted the two of them to get their act together. I was invested in how well suited they were! But then star-crossed lovers such as this pair always have their fair share of hurdles in the way, don’t they? The spiritual mischief amidst their story did lead to a great little pay-off & ending.

Fans of Aussie rural romance who want a cosy read that packs some surprises will especially enjoy MYSTIC RIDGE. A strong debut.

I received a gifted copy of this book from the publisher.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

You know you are enjoying a book when your feelings towards the other characters mimic the protagonists! This fabulous debut is a slightly different take to a regular rural romance, set in a small town with an off the grid air to its memorable characters.

I adored Claire and Leo, shook my fist at Ruby, wanted to protect Zoe, Liam and Charlotte and was frustrated and flabbergasted at Poppy Moon and her brood’s antics! Such a fabulous cast of quirky characters drove me through the book and had me thinking about and looking forward to picking the book up between sittings.

Recommended by one of my fave contemporary romance authors Penelope Janu, how could I not read it and agree with her?

Five star read from me.

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Harlequin Australia for sending me a copy of this book to review.

Just like the title of this book, this was a mystical small town romance. Set in Northern NSW , Australia we have 3 main characters.

Jake - ex boyfriend, flirt , attention seeker.

Leo - Love interest, sensible, reliable and a quiet achiever.

Claire - Wholesome, dependable and the one they both want.

Its a tangled web as Claire and Jakes daughters are best friends. Its told by Leo and Claires POV. Who will Claire choose?

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mystic Ridge is about family, friendship and trust. When Claire received a letter from her landlord that he was sick and needed to sell her home, at first, Claire did not know what to do. When she realises that the person looking to buy her land wants to destroy all her work to save the forest, she starts to fight back. Mystic Ridge readers will continue following Claire to find out what happens.

Mystic Ridge is the debut book by Lucy Lever and a fantastic book to read. If Mystic Ridge highlights Lucy Lever's writing style and her plots, she will have an excellent future in the Australian literary scene. I love Lucy Lever's portrayal of her characters and their interaction with each other throughout this book. Mystic Ridge is well-written and researched by Lucy Lever. I like Lucy Lever's description of the settings of Mystic Ridge, which allowed me to imagine being part of the book's plot.

The readers of Mystic Ridge will understand the importance of having a celebrity promote an environmental campaign. Also, the readers of Mystic Ridge will learn the issues in protecting native forests and rare native food called the golden Quandongs.

Thanks to the publisher for my free ARC copy in exchange for an honest review. I recommend this book.

[Jean Burke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story with its curious characters and interesting names, like Poppy Moon, Indigo and Ruby. The town of Lillypilly and its surrounds were beautifully described, making it an inviting backdrop to the complex interactions of Claire, her daughter, Zoe, newcomer Leo, her ex Jake and the looming threat of losing her home, and the endangered rainforest plants. I read the novel in 2 days, finding it hard to put down, as I wanted to know what would happen next. A comforting read, with just enough challenge to learn more about conservation of Australian wildlife. I highly recommend it.

[Kylie Hitchman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lucy Lever's debut novel is a real page turner.
The quirky characters of the Northern Rivers town are so real that I feel I have met them before, or want to meet them (especially the love interest Leo :)
This book deals with the down to earth issues of life- finding love and connection after grief, single parenting teenagers and toddlers, navigating friendships and alliances and love triangles and recognises that sometimes we need to give it our all when we haven't got much left to give to save what is precious and meaningful- a beautiful environment to live in and take care of, deep true love and care of family and friends.
I laughed out-loud many times at Lucy's descriptions of people and life situations. There are many fleshed out characters from a chaos-causing toddler called Harmony, and 3 young teenagers who are way more mature than their parents, and a diverse chorus of strong support characters who inhabit the community and give depth to the sense of place, which is "Lillypilly"
The main adult characters are struggling with what direction to take in life and learn to follow their hearts.
And then there's the magic...Although Claire is a tarot reader the main magic evolves in the pulsing attract-repell-attraction between Claire and the new man in town Leo, the serious journalist. The reading of the archetypal Tarot Cards give cryptic hints of what is to come, but the need to self protect from getting heart broken leads to a cascade of misunderstandings and erroneous assumptions that keep our lovers apart. In the end all the characters grow a deeper spirituality and self understanding. There is also a beautifully written magic in the connection Claire has with her environment. To sustain and heal, she allows herself to be absorbed by the surrounding rainforest, beaches and forest streams which revitalise her to stand strong against all odds.

Beautifully and cleverly written. I can't wait to meet the characters and life challenges of Lucy Lever's next book.
(I thought the front cover of this first edition did not accurately represent the age and fashion sense of our protagonist Claire. She is a colourful, mysterious and strong contemporary woman in her 30's in an artistic bohemian village)

[Elaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book, set in Australia, is fun and quirky, with some magic and fortune-telling thrown in. The hippy lifestyle reminded me of the 1970s in California. The heroine was a bit weak and wishy-washy; having difficulty making up her mind and letting other people take advantage of her. The romance developed slowly but was satisfying in the end. For me the magic and psychic themes were fun and unusual but may not be for all readers.

[D.M. Cameron]

A fun-filled romance set in my favourite part of the world. The place wasn't mentioned but I knew exactly where I was. My favourite character was Poppy Moon and her entourage of chaotic children - this character and her children could only be written by an experienced mother! If you want to fall into a world of love and magical folk festivals and yoga and tarot cards and rainforests and groovy cafes and naked river swims then this is the romance for you! Check it out, hippy lovers! The check shirt on the cover is slightly misleading - there wasn't a cowboy in sight. (Please note - I don't participate in the star rating system).

[Donna Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved reading this book look forward to the next one of Lucy Lever

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Australia for the ARC.

This was a really fun and easy read. Full of love, friendship, and a lot of belief in the forces beyond the seeing eye.
Claire is a tarot reader who believes in what she does but doesn't have the best luck in her personal readings.
Leo is a scientifically minded man.
They are brought together by forces stronger than their own egos and pride. There are a few false starts, but they get there in the end.

A highly recommended debut novel by Lucy Lever set for release on July 5th.

[Tanya Nellestein · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fabulous debut. I loved the characters and the quirky community in which the book is set. The love story is an exquisite slow burn set amongst intriguing back stories and a potential environmental disaster. Well written and utterly enthralling

[Victoria Kennedy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 STARS
This book was kindly sent to me by HQ Fiction in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Sometimes, you’ve just got to follow the signs that the universe sends you…

Already struggling to make ends meet, single mum and tarot reader Claire is shocked to learn that her home on Mystic Ridge, and the rainforest she’s worked hard to regenerate, is under the threat of being turned into a concrete yoga retreat. She’s determined to rally the small community of Lillypilly to get behind the cause, but it’s easier said than done when half the community are under the thumb of yoga teacher Ruby. And just to make things even more complicated, Claire’s non-existent love life is suddenly existent again with the arrival of newspaper editor Leo and the return of her teenage flame Jake. Between a brief stint as a fake girlfriend for Leo, Jake trying to get back with Claire, her daughter Zoe having issues at school, and the looming threat of homelessness, Claire can either choose to admit defeat or fight for what she wants.

As much as I ADORE rural romance, I have to admit that I struggled with this one a little. While it’s a rural romance, it’s definitely different from most rural romances, with a bit of a mystical element that made for a nice twist but didn’t quiet hit the mark like I wanted it to at times. I also struggled with Lucy’s pacing of the story and the way characters were introduced and characterised. All together, these issues made the book difficult to fall into at times, although the overall story itself was an enjoyable one and definitely had potential.

Claire and Zoe had a really interesting story as a mother and daughter, and I would have loved to see more of their relationship as they did tarot at markets and lived in their house in the rainforest. This dynamic was thrown out of whack very early on when their neighbour Poppy Moon and her children had to seek refuge at their house - while these characters definitely grew on me, I would have loved to have seen the solo dynamic more before everything was upended.

While the romance could be considered a love triangle since two guys are vying for Claire’s heart, it’s a love triangle where it’s impossible to form a connection with one of the love interests - Jake gave me the absolute ick (which is obviously the point), but I feel like the entire storyline would have had much more of an impact if we as the reader were able to form a connection with him before everything went to hell. On the other hand, I thought Leo was an interesting character and Lucy explored his backstory really well in terms of how it impacted the current story. I just wish we had more of a chance to see Leo and Claire as a couple before the epilogue as they definitely had good chemistry, but miscommunication kept getting in the way.

As I said, the overall story was fairly enjoyable as we follow Claire fight to save her home, the rainforest, and the endangered trees she’s nurtured over the years. Lucy also really taps into the Byron Bay alternative culture stereotype which was super fun, although maybe could have been executed a bit better at times with some of the characters.

Overall, the book was enjoyable, even if it didn’t quiet hit the mark and live up to my expectations. If you’re looking for a mystical twist on the classic Australian rural romance, this is certainly a book you’ll want on your TBR.

[Kims.reading.nook · Rating 3 out of 5]

Claire is a struggling single Mum living in rural Australian town Mystic Ridge with her teenage daughter Zoe. The name of the town is apt, as it appears that many of the inhabitants have a mystical element to them, with increasingly unusual events occurring that can't be explained away.

In a stroke of fate (or is it) sceptic Leo visits Claire's tent for a Tarot reading and is left reeling. They're drawn to each other, but miscommunication and their own pasts cause them to miss chance after chance.

When Claire discovers that the rainforest and endangered plants she has lovingly regenerated on her property are likely to be bulldozed when the property is sold, she encourages the quirky characters in town to band together and fight back. Will Claire find a way to save her home? Or by pushing away her mystical assistance, will she lose it all?

Thank you to Author @lucy.lever.writer & @harlequinaus for my ARC of this great Aussie book! I loved the magical elements in this book, and the way these tied together in the end was perfect.

I will admit that I struggled with Claire and Leo's constant miscommunication and immature decision making. I didn't feel that they read as mature adults, and I couldn't enjoy them in the same way that I did teenage trio Zoe, Liam and Charlotte. Now there are some characters I was absolutely rooting for! What a diverse group that unconditionally loved each other.

I found the quirky names of the characters (Poppy Moon, Misty Blue, Indigo, Artemis etc) entertaining and it tied into the towns unusual element. It would have been fun to have spread around the mysticism a little more to play on this element of the story as the conclusion was great.

The book is available now 🥳

[Joanne Keevers · Rating 2 out of 5]

With themes of tarot, ghostly interventions, conservation, and set in an area of far northern New South Wales that I am familiar with, I expected to enjoy reading Mystic Ridge. I found the dual first-person point of view narrative of Claire and Leo, alternating between chapters, added depth and substance to the story.

What I did not enjoy was the constant reference throughout the novel to the standardised "hippie" mindset of all the characters, the alternative names of nearly every resident of Lilly Pilly, and the constant cliches. I felt the novel was overloaded on all three aspects. My impression while reading was that the author overthought the narrative in many parts of the story, as if trying to mention every minority group of Australia to appear inclusive. For me, this impeded the natural flow of the story.

The style of writing changed, however, at the point where the protagonist, Claire, appeared to be on the verge of losing everything - including her daughter. Suddenly, the flimsy narrative became true to life, believable and intense. The narrative, for a while, flowed extremely well. However, just as suddenly, when the crisis ended and all was well, the people-pleasing-lack-of-substance narrative returned.

The basic storyline I enjoyed, but it could have been written in a more believable context. Perhaps the book will appeal to people with a fascination for the hippie lifestyle.

[Marit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Claire Fury, tarot reader and bakery worker, is the single mum of teenage Zoe living in a rented house in the rainforest. She has lovingly regenerated a segment of endangered golden quandong forest so Is devastated to learn she must leave her home to make way for a high end wellness retreat. Claire enlists the aid of her friends, including Henrietta and her son Liam and Zoe’s friend Charlotte whose father is Jake, soapie actor and a former flame of Claire’s who decides to make a play for her again. Also in the mix is Leo de Rosso, widower and the new editor of the local paper, The Lillipilly Chronicle. Henrietta and Poppy Moon who has moved in with her children into Claire’s house add delightful flashes of humour. There are elements of mystical happenings and descriptions of tarot cards and readings. Also touched upon are bullying at school, single parenting, arson, ecological concerns, small town life, friendships and romance. Lovely setting.

[S.J. Milton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Claire is instantly recognisable - struggling to be the perfect mum, struggling to save the world, or at least the fragile wilderness that surrounds Lillipilli - a fictional north NSW alty community, that you won't want to leave, with its cast of eccentric, but wholly believable characters. As Claire is very much on the bottom of her own list, she's rather blind-sided when love comes to call in the guise of visiting journo, Leo.
I am new to reading romance, but absolutely lost myself in this quirky, off-beat rom-com. It dishes up heart, humour and humanity in ladle-fulls just as Claire provides for her neighbours and all those that look to her as a surrogate mum. We see Claire's beauty, both inside and out, but she is unaware of it, and this is part of Mystic Ridge's authentic and abiding charm. 5 stars, Lucy Lever, on a heart-warming debut. I'm very much looking forward to what you'll dish up next!

[Leanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adored everything about this book from the stunning cover to the magnificent title to the magical story written within. It's a debut novel and I already love this author's writing style. The story of single mum Claire who is a tarot reader but can't read her own. Leo is new in town and has a fake relationship with Claire but before things can truly get started old flame Jake comes back to town. I was definitely team Leo he is a man of my own heart and I truly despised Jake. The quirky characters and the small town community are what makes this book all the more special. I particularly liked the tarot as it really makes you believe that there are forces out there beyond our control. We all have a destiny and I don't know if I want to know what mine is. I actually really love the name Mystic Ridge and instantly connected with it. A heartwarming book.

[Jo Riccioni · Rating 5 out of 5]

This delightfully fresh romance is a step above the usual Australian rural romance offerings. It has a genuinely quirky and entertaining cast of characters, a setting that shows the writer has a firm grasp of alternative lifestyle communities and more than a cursory understanding of environmental issues. Nevertheless, it is told with a lightness of touch, and has characterisation and comic moments that lift the romance tropes to the next level. You'll get all the romance feels for sure, but Mystic Ridge itself comes alive on the page as if it's a real community with many more stories to tell. Loved it.

[Leanne ~ Tales From The Heart · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was really torn with this story to finish it or not. I got lost with the characters and the changes in POV.
Claire is a tarot card reader and works in a bakery. He ex Jake can't get the hint to get lost until he finds someone shinier. Leo her love interest needed to man up, I wanted to slap him.
Then her houseguests omg, strangle all of them.
The story with its colourful characters was a fight for the environment. I'm not sure how council could approve something on land with endangered species, but that's typical greed in politics.
It was an unusual story for me and a little slow going but in the end I liked how it came together.

[Shelagh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed Mystic Ridge. Set on the hinterland of the northern NSW coast, this whimsical romance offers readers plenty to smile about. I loved Claire, a woman working her hardest to make ends meet for herself and her teenage daughter Zoe. Zoe made for an excellent secondary character too, while Leo de Rosso, local newspaper editor and Claire’s love interest was a perfect foil for her. This is a light and quick read, with plenty to entertain readers along the way. The setting is gorgeous and I felt at home there. A lovely twist at the end of the story brought a smile to my face.

[Helen.Styan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, what a story. Love the characters. Love the story. I don’t usually read romance books but this one was really good. Lovely Leo and shallow Jack made me think of particular people in my own life. Love the interplay with all the strong female characters, and even the names. Thanks for the happy ending, Lucy!
The environmental message woven through the guts of the book was fascinating, will have to research some of it myself. Never really knew much about tarot cards either.
The front cover picture doesn’t really match the picture I had of her or her place in my head though.

[Lyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an easy read, and great if you’re into romance. I liked the bigger picture issues of the environment, precarious housing, bullying and friendships in general. I got annoyed by Leo and Claire always being at cross purposes and Leo always finding Claire with Jake and appearing attached….it happened way too many times. The appearance of Amy at the end also didn’t work for me. However, I did enjoy some of the other characters and the way the story turned out in the end.

[Bookishbabe · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was really torn about whether to give it two or three stars. I loved the hippie characters. There were some great references in there to the new age stuff, which tickled my funny bone, but I kept feeling like something was off with tense or the narrator's voice feeling too passive, and this stopped getting to immersed in it unfortunately. I'm still curious to see what this author does next.

[Tara Hyatt · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid read. Claire is a single mum trying her best to stay afloat by working two jobs and relying on her tarot cards to tell her how life will go. But even they do not predict the return of her ex and her ex best friend and a newcomer to town. Will their desire to protest a new "environmentally friendly" yoga retreat bring them together or tear them apart?

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rural romance with a mystical twist. I really enjoyed the big-hearted character of Claire and all the wonderful and wonderfully named characters in this quirky Australian novel. I also liked the storyline of a single mum taking on corporate development in this beautiful rainforest area. It's set in Mullumbimby and captures that eclectic town perfectly.

[Clare Miles · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book ... its top notch opening, the quirky and compelling characters, the feeling of community, the never ending challenges thrown at Claire and the way she deals with them, and the obstacles that Claire and Leo have to navigate to get their well deserved happy ever after ... it's a massive yes from me. A fabulous debut and I'm looking forward to reading more from this author.

[Bookmarked ByLisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mystic Ridge by Lucy Lever

I don't think I will ever tire of small town rom coms and this one is no exception. Rural characters who are relatable and quirky, personal strengths challenged with a love story entwined.