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Bunyip Bay #3
Outback Ghost
Stella only wanted a holiday… the last thing she expected was a love interest and a possible ghost.
Third-generation farmer Adam Burton has always tried to keep his family together, but twenty years after his little sister went missing from the family farm he’s losing hope. His dad has walked out, his mum is as reclusive as ever and he still blames himself for his sister’s disappearance.
When Stella Reynolds and her young daughter arrive from the big smoke to stay at the holiday cottage on their farm for the summer, Adam is immediately attracted to the beautiful single mum. Although he’s always steered clear of children and doesn’t believe he deserves love or a family of his own, he finds himself spending time with Stella and her young daughter, Heidi, and enjoying it.
As the twenty-year old mystery begins to unravel, Stella wonders if she should take her daughter and run. But doing so is easier said than done, because Stella just might be falling in love with Bunyip Bay and a gorgeous, but hurting, farmer.
From one of Australia’s best loved rural romance authors comes a story of mystery, heartache and hope.
Third-generation farmer Adam Burton has always tried to keep his family together, but twenty years after his little sister went missing from the family farm he’s losing hope. His dad has walked out, his mum is as reclusive as ever and he still blames himself for his sister’s disappearance.
When Stella Reynolds and her young daughter arrive from the big smoke to stay at the holiday cottage on their farm for the summer, Adam is immediately attracted to the beautiful single mum. Although he’s always steered clear of children and doesn’t believe he deserves love or a family of his own, he finds himself spending time with Stella and her young daughter, Heidi, and enjoying it.
As the twenty-year old mystery begins to unravel, Stella wonders if she should take her daughter and run. But doing so is easier said than done, because Stella just might be falling in love with Bunyip Bay and a gorgeous, but hurting, farmer.
From one of Australia’s best loved rural romance authors comes a story of mystery, heartache and hope.
343 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2014
36 people are currently reading
774 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 141 reviews
May 21, 2019
4.5★
Outback Ghost by Aussie author Rachael Johns is the third book in the Bunyip Bay series. I have thoroughly enjoyed this series and I’m so looking forward to the next book.
This is a rural romance with an intriguing twist which I did see coming, but only in part. Rachael Johns is a very talented author in my opinion and really knows how to keep her readers glued to the pages. I have no doubt those who enjoy reading romance will love reading this book, but be warned the romance in this book does get rather raunchy in some parts. Another enjoyable read which I have no hesitation in recommending.
Outback Ghost by Aussie author Rachael Johns is the third book in the Bunyip Bay series. I have thoroughly enjoyed this series and I’m so looking forward to the next book.
This is a rural romance with an intriguing twist which I did see coming, but only in part. Rachael Johns is a very talented author in my opinion and really knows how to keep her readers glued to the pages. I have no doubt those who enjoy reading romance will love reading this book, but be warned the romance in this book does get rather raunchy in some parts. Another enjoyable read which I have no hesitation in recommending.
October 25, 2015
This is an enjoyable novel. I hadn’t read the first two books in the Bunyip Bay series but it didn’t matter a bit. I was quickly drawn into the story, which starts with Adam remembering events from years earlier. Then he had been a ten year old looking after his seven year old sister. A few minutes of distraction was all it took for her to disappear. Twenty years on neither he nor his parents know exactly what happened to her and the grief of not knowing is tearing them apart.
The novel then introduces the reader to single mum Stella Reynolds who has scrimped and saved to take her seven year old daughter Heidi on an extended farm stay holiday. That holiday cottage is on the propriety Adam and his parents own that Adam runs. Stella is a strong chapter and I really liked her. Heidi, a child with Down’s syndrome comes across as a real charmer. Hard not to fall in love with her. Heidi has a succession of imaginary friends, and I loved the way Stella accommodated her with this. After a time Stella come to understand there may be more behind Heidi’s newest imaginary friend, Lily-Blue. What should she do about it?
Adam, a previous winner of Cleo bachelor of the year contest, comes across as grounded but wracked with guilt for his part in his sister’s disappearance. Funnily enough the book mentions his sun-bleached hair and golden hair at another point, but the cover shows a brooding man with brown hair. A minor point but strange nonetheless. Even without the cover picture, the point is made early on that Adam is hot. I didn’t need to be reminded of this so many times. But those minor quibbles aside, this is an entertaining read with an array of interesting characters, including Frankie and Esther, Adam’s mum. This is a rural romance but with a mystery that needs to be resolved at its heart. It is one that also uncovers a lot about people and the way they treat others, it is a story that should evoke a range of emotions in readers as it did with me. My first Rachael Johns novel will not be my last.
The novel then introduces the reader to single mum Stella Reynolds who has scrimped and saved to take her seven year old daughter Heidi on an extended farm stay holiday. That holiday cottage is on the propriety Adam and his parents own that Adam runs. Stella is a strong chapter and I really liked her. Heidi, a child with Down’s syndrome comes across as a real charmer. Hard not to fall in love with her. Heidi has a succession of imaginary friends, and I loved the way Stella accommodated her with this. After a time Stella come to understand there may be more behind Heidi’s newest imaginary friend, Lily-Blue. What should she do about it?
Adam, a previous winner of Cleo bachelor of the year contest, comes across as grounded but wracked with guilt for his part in his sister’s disappearance. Funnily enough the book mentions his sun-bleached hair and golden hair at another point, but the cover shows a brooding man with brown hair. A minor point but strange nonetheless. Even without the cover picture, the point is made early on that Adam is hot. I didn’t need to be reminded of this so many times. But those minor quibbles aside, this is an entertaining read with an array of interesting characters, including Frankie and Esther, Adam’s mum. This is a rural romance but with a mystery that needs to be resolved at its heart. It is one that also uncovers a lot about people and the way they treat others, it is a story that should evoke a range of emotions in readers as it did with me. My first Rachael Johns novel will not be my last.
February 4, 2015
As Adam Burton stood alongside his mum and dad on the twentieth anniversary of the disappearance of his little sister, he wondered once again where they would all go from there. The grief which had overwhelmed his mother hadn’t lifted in the twenty years. It was the “not knowing” that was so hard – was she still alive; out there somewhere, yet to return home? Or had she died all those years ago? His mum was a shadow of the woman he remembered from his childhood…
Stella Reynolds and her seven year old daughter Heidi were happily driving to their farm stay at Bunyip Bay from Perth, singing along together to the music in the car. She had scrimped and saved for a long time so they could have the whole summer together, just the two of them. The excitement they both felt showed in their happy moods. A farm girl from way back, Stella knew how much Heidi would enjoy doing the things she had done as a child; from the nearby beach to searching for bunyips – she was looking forward to the days of closeness with her beautiful daughter.
As Stella settled in with Heidi and started to get to know the area of Bunyip Bay, she met up with the delightful Frankie at the local café. The friendliness of the locals was a balm to her soul – but she was also wary as well. Heidi was a Down Syndrome child, full of love and exuberant joy; some people couldn’t handle Heidi’s enthusiasm for life. But it seemed the residents of the little town weren’t like those “some” people. And her handsome landlord Adam plus his mother Esther were wonderful with Heidi too. Esther exuded a quiet grief which puzzled Stella, but she obviously felt an affinity to Heidi – and the little girl loved Esther.
But when things began to happen; strange and disturbing things – with Heidi seemingly at the centre of it all - Stella felt the need to leave Bunyip Bay immediately. She wanted to get Heidi away from there before it all went wrong. Could she whisk her daughter away from a place they were both beginning to fall in love with? From the people who were so caring and were starting to mean a lot to them both?
Outback Ghost is another delightful romance by renown Aussie author Rachael Johns. A mixture of mystery and heartache, the plot line is great. The romance is a little over the top in places but the story of Heidi and her gorgeous, loving heart is beautiful. My two favourite characters are Heidi and Esther – Heidi’s great love of animals, of life, of her mum and just about everything around her, was really well done. I have no hesitation in recommending Outback Ghost to romance lovers everywhere.
With thanks to TRR and the publisher for my copy to read and review.
Stella Reynolds and her seven year old daughter Heidi were happily driving to their farm stay at Bunyip Bay from Perth, singing along together to the music in the car. She had scrimped and saved for a long time so they could have the whole summer together, just the two of them. The excitement they both felt showed in their happy moods. A farm girl from way back, Stella knew how much Heidi would enjoy doing the things she had done as a child; from the nearby beach to searching for bunyips – she was looking forward to the days of closeness with her beautiful daughter.
As Stella settled in with Heidi and started to get to know the area of Bunyip Bay, she met up with the delightful Frankie at the local café. The friendliness of the locals was a balm to her soul – but she was also wary as well. Heidi was a Down Syndrome child, full of love and exuberant joy; some people couldn’t handle Heidi’s enthusiasm for life. But it seemed the residents of the little town weren’t like those “some” people. And her handsome landlord Adam plus his mother Esther were wonderful with Heidi too. Esther exuded a quiet grief which puzzled Stella, but she obviously felt an affinity to Heidi – and the little girl loved Esther.
But when things began to happen; strange and disturbing things – with Heidi seemingly at the centre of it all - Stella felt the need to leave Bunyip Bay immediately. She wanted to get Heidi away from there before it all went wrong. Could she whisk her daughter away from a place they were both beginning to fall in love with? From the people who were so caring and were starting to mean a lot to them both?
Outback Ghost is another delightful romance by renown Aussie author Rachael Johns. A mixture of mystery and heartache, the plot line is great. The romance is a little over the top in places but the story of Heidi and her gorgeous, loving heart is beautiful. My two favourite characters are Heidi and Esther – Heidi’s great love of animals, of life, of her mum and just about everything around her, was really well done. I have no hesitation in recommending Outback Ghost to romance lovers everywhere.
With thanks to TRR and the publisher for my copy to read and review.
April 4, 2019
Outback Ghost is book three of the Bunyip Bay series by Rachael Johns. Stella Reynolds wanted a holiday with her young daughter decided to rent for the summer a lovely cottage on a rural property. On arrival, the owner of the property had forgotten that Stella was arriving today. Stella and her daughter tried after a long trip. How, so Stella knocks on Adam Burton's front door. Unbeknown to Stella this event will change her, and her daughter's life. The readers of Outback Ghost will continue to follow Stella to see what happens.
Outback Ghost is another fantastic book by Rachael Johns. I always like the way, Rachael Johns describes her settings allowing me to engage with the plot and characters. I love Rachael Johns portrayal of her characters and the way they intertwine with each other. While reading Outback Ghost, I had to join in with the characters and have a cry.
Readers of Outback Ghost will find out that children can be hurt not only by strangers but by family members. Also, the readers of Outback Ghost will understand the importance of love and respect to help someone who is hurting to heal.
I recommend this book.
Outback Ghost is another fantastic book by Rachael Johns. I always like the way, Rachael Johns describes her settings allowing me to engage with the plot and characters. I love Rachael Johns portrayal of her characters and the way they intertwine with each other. While reading Outback Ghost, I had to join in with the characters and have a cry.
Readers of Outback Ghost will find out that children can be hurt not only by strangers but by family members. Also, the readers of Outback Ghost will understand the importance of love and respect to help someone who is hurting to heal.
I recommend this book.
February 1, 2015
Sometimes there is no rhyme or reason as to what prompts me to buy and or read a book. It could be a sentence in a review; it could be that it’s free – though I don’t download all free books. And sometimes it’s just because I’m shallow and love good eye candy. I was looking through my email and there was an email about the Australian RWA conference and they had a list of some of the authors with some of their books and Outback Ghost by Rachael Johns.
“Hello!” I said when I saw the cover, perking up with interest. I found him very attractive. See? Shallow. I looked the book up on Amazon, read the reviews both good and bad and then still waited almost a week before hitting that buy button. I refused to let myself be completely led by a good looking male cover model and the book sounded interesting, the reviews were all positive, not one 1 star in the bunch.
The book started off with an emotional bang. Ten year old Adam had been tasked with looking after his 7 year old sister, Lily Blue. He took her eyes off her for only a couple of minutes and she had disappeared. A frantic search ensued but she was never found.
The book then skips to the present time. Single mom Stella Reynolds has worked hard and saved to be able to take her special needs daughter Heidi on an extended vacation. She is spending it in a cottage owned by Adam Burton, the boy whose sister disappeared only now he’s all grown up. He owns and works a large farm and rents out a cottage on the property. It’s now 20 years later and his family has been devastated by the loss of Lily Blue. His mother is only a shadow of who she used to be, his father is ready to leave and Adam is still wracked by guilt that he lost his sister. There is an immediate attraction between Stella and Adam but there are a number of roadblocks; her status as a single mother with a young child with Downs Syndrome, the fact she has a life to get back to, his guilt that’s kept him from developing a real relationship. And throughout it all is the mystery of what happened to Lilly Blue.
As often as I’ve bought books based on the more shallow end of the spectrum, I’ve been remarkably successful and I am ever so pleased to say I was again. I really enjoyed this book. Really. A lot. Adam is a very, very yummy hero and my very favourite kind. He’s a farmer and I love that. Give me a blue collar hero any time over a rich white collar type hero. He won a “Bachelor” contest and did some underwear modeling but that wasn’t really his thing. These little kinds of tidbits just add to a book for me. And even though he’s drop dead gorgeous according to the heroine, his ego doesn’t reflect it. He’s just a regular guy with demons that haunt him.
I also loved Stella. Tempted beyond belief by Adam, still she puts her daughter first in all things. She was abandoned by both her daughters father and her own family because she chose the harder road, she’s quite a remarkable person.
And I can’t do a review without mentioning Heidi. I’ve read that children with Down’s Syndrome are especially friendly and the author manages to show this. Heidi was just a special joy to read about with some very unique abilities.
Another thing that just made the book for me was number of Australian colloquialisms. I was delighted every time I read a unique turn of phrase. Australia is the country I want to go to the very most so it ever so much fun getting these brief glimpses. It’s like extra raisins in rice pudding, one of my favourite desserts.
“Hello!” I said when I saw the cover, perking up with interest. I found him very attractive. See? Shallow. I looked the book up on Amazon, read the reviews both good and bad and then still waited almost a week before hitting that buy button. I refused to let myself be completely led by a good looking male cover model and the book sounded interesting, the reviews were all positive, not one 1 star in the bunch.
The book started off with an emotional bang. Ten year old Adam had been tasked with looking after his 7 year old sister, Lily Blue. He took her eyes off her for only a couple of minutes and she had disappeared. A frantic search ensued but she was never found.
The book then skips to the present time. Single mom Stella Reynolds has worked hard and saved to be able to take her special needs daughter Heidi on an extended vacation. She is spending it in a cottage owned by Adam Burton, the boy whose sister disappeared only now he’s all grown up. He owns and works a large farm and rents out a cottage on the property. It’s now 20 years later and his family has been devastated by the loss of Lily Blue. His mother is only a shadow of who she used to be, his father is ready to leave and Adam is still wracked by guilt that he lost his sister. There is an immediate attraction between Stella and Adam but there are a number of roadblocks; her status as a single mother with a young child with Downs Syndrome, the fact she has a life to get back to, his guilt that’s kept him from developing a real relationship. And throughout it all is the mystery of what happened to Lilly Blue.
As often as I’ve bought books based on the more shallow end of the spectrum, I’ve been remarkably successful and I am ever so pleased to say I was again. I really enjoyed this book. Really. A lot. Adam is a very, very yummy hero and my very favourite kind. He’s a farmer and I love that. Give me a blue collar hero any time over a rich white collar type hero. He won a “Bachelor” contest and did some underwear modeling but that wasn’t really his thing. These little kinds of tidbits just add to a book for me. And even though he’s drop dead gorgeous according to the heroine, his ego doesn’t reflect it. He’s just a regular guy with demons that haunt him.
I also loved Stella. Tempted beyond belief by Adam, still she puts her daughter first in all things. She was abandoned by both her daughters father and her own family because she chose the harder road, she’s quite a remarkable person.
And I can’t do a review without mentioning Heidi. I’ve read that children with Down’s Syndrome are especially friendly and the author manages to show this. Heidi was just a special joy to read about with some very unique abilities.
Another thing that just made the book for me was number of Australian colloquialisms. I was delighted every time I read a unique turn of phrase. Australia is the country I want to go to the very most so it ever so much fun getting these brief glimpses. It’s like extra raisins in rice pudding, one of my favourite desserts.
October 7, 2014
Outback Ghost is the third book in Rachael Johns' loosely linked Bunyip Bay series, following on from Outback Dreams and Outback Blaze.
Readers familiar with the previous books will recall being introduced to Adam Burton, a former underwear model and third generation farmer, and the whispers about the unresolved disappearance of his seven year old sister when Adam was ten years old. Twenty years later, Adam's mother is still mired in her grief, and his father suddenly announces he has had enough, leaving Adam to take care of their sheep and wheat property, and to welcome their new farm-stay guests.
Stella Reynolds, a waitress, author and single mother is looking forward to spending two months on the Burton farm with her seven year old daughter, eager for Heidi to experience the joys of country living that characterised her own idyllic childhood, before the estrangement with her parents caused by her teenage pregnancy. Within hours of their arrival, Heidi has charmed their landlords, the gorgeous Adam, and his wan mother, adopted a pregnant cat, and even made a new imaginary friend, whom she calls Lily-Blue. Stella should be delighted that her daughter has settled in so well but instead she feels slightly apprehensive about the weeks ahead. At first she attributes her anxiety to her undeniable attraction to Adam, Stella hasn't had so much as a date since Heidi was born, but she is also spooked by the unexplained noises she sometimes hears in the cottage and her discovery that her daughter's imaginary friend shares the same name as Adam's missing sister.
While at its core Outback ghost is a contemporary rural romance featuring the development of the relationship between Adam and Stella, the plot includes an interesting element of mystery and a hint of the supernatural. It is a heartwarming story about love, family and belonging but with a bittersweet twist when it reveals the fate of Lily-Blue.
It's a delight to revisit the community of Bunyip Bay, and glimpse familiar characters from previous stories. Johns protagonists are always well developed and I enjoyed getting to know Adam and Stella. Adam doesn't flinch from the responsibility of the farm, and caring for his mother. He carries around a fair bit of guilt over his sister's disappearance, and for the aftermath, yet he hasn't let it consume him entirely. Stella is a likeable, capable and admirable heroine who deals with challenging circumstances with determination and grace. She is a little guarded, understandably so, so I really liked watching her open up to Adam and form tentative friendships with Frankie and Ruby. Heidi is a definite scene stealer, affectionate, sweet natured and lively, she is an adorable character. Few authors manage to portray child characters realistically but I think Johns does so perfectly here.
Outback Ghost is my favourite novel of the Bunyip Bay series, and was supposed to be last, however I believe Johns has decided to revisit the town eventually and give Frankie an opportunity to find love... I can't wait.
January 1, 2015
I literally burnt the midnight oil to finish OUTBACK GHOST, I just could not close the pages until I know what had happened. I have met the character Adam Burton before; he appeared as a support person last year in Outback Dreams and earlier this year in Outback Blaze. The first two in in the Bunyip Bay series of connected, but standalone novels. Along with Adam’s presence in the stories there was also foreshadowing of the role that his holiday cottage was going to play in OUTBACK GHOST with a few peculiar events occurring while people were in and around the cottage as it was being renovated and then opened for guests. Doors closing, floorboards creaking, porch chair swaying when there is no wind – all perfectly explainable in an old cottage – maybe? But since it has been in operation it has not been the success Adam hoped as customers have not been staying for the full length of time.
When Adam was ten he was playing near a damn with his younger sister Lily when she disappeared. Despite a huge search that even impacted on harvest time no sign of her was found – either dead or alive.
“…There weren’t many things that could drag a farmer from his harvest but the disappearance of your seven-year-old daughter was one of them…”
It is now twenty years to the day and Stella and her seven-year-old daughter Heidi arrive at the holiday cottage for the summer break. Stella is a single mum to Heidi; she fell pregnant in her teens but was deserted by Heidi’s father when he found out she was going to be born with Down syndrome. Stella’s parents also rejected Heidi and so Stella left her home and headed for Perth to raise her child alone. Heidi is a wonderful little girl, she is happy, friendly, trusting, loves animals and has empathy when people are hurting. She also has had a string of imaginary friends that Stella has had to avoid sitting on, closing the door on and forgetting to pack a picnic lunch for. As soon as they arrive at the cottage Heidi finds a new friend – Lily Blue. This imaginary friend is a bit different to the previous ones, a little more real, a little bit scary even, and Stella soon starts to think there may be a link between Heidi’s imaginary friend and Adam’s missing sister. There is an immediate attraction between Adam and Stella and it was funny to see how dating with a young child in the house makes a difference, it was very well portrayed as Stella balances her emotions between responsibly mum and a woman in love. When Stella first arrives she is also worried how people would react to her little girl – mamma bear ready to bite – but everyone in Bunyip Bay is very welcoming to the little girl and Stella finally starts to relax and dream about staying there forever. Even Adam’s mother who is now never leaves her home starts to come alive again with a little girl in her life once more. However it is not all smooth sailing and there are a few major hurdles to overcome before Adam and Stella can have their happy ever after.
OUTBACK GHOST will have you smiling; it will have you laughing and my goodness it will have you reaching for tissues at the same time that it gets you get angry at one part of the scenario; such an emotional journey but one that I am so glad Rachael Johns shared with me. I was sad to finish the last book – but luckily Rachael Johns has announced that Bunyip Bay hasn’t finished with her and there will be at least one more book to come at some stage.
When Adam was ten he was playing near a damn with his younger sister Lily when she disappeared. Despite a huge search that even impacted on harvest time no sign of her was found – either dead or alive.
“…There weren’t many things that could drag a farmer from his harvest but the disappearance of your seven-year-old daughter was one of them…”
It is now twenty years to the day and Stella and her seven-year-old daughter Heidi arrive at the holiday cottage for the summer break. Stella is a single mum to Heidi; she fell pregnant in her teens but was deserted by Heidi’s father when he found out she was going to be born with Down syndrome. Stella’s parents also rejected Heidi and so Stella left her home and headed for Perth to raise her child alone. Heidi is a wonderful little girl, she is happy, friendly, trusting, loves animals and has empathy when people are hurting. She also has had a string of imaginary friends that Stella has had to avoid sitting on, closing the door on and forgetting to pack a picnic lunch for. As soon as they arrive at the cottage Heidi finds a new friend – Lily Blue. This imaginary friend is a bit different to the previous ones, a little more real, a little bit scary even, and Stella soon starts to think there may be a link between Heidi’s imaginary friend and Adam’s missing sister. There is an immediate attraction between Adam and Stella and it was funny to see how dating with a young child in the house makes a difference, it was very well portrayed as Stella balances her emotions between responsibly mum and a woman in love. When Stella first arrives she is also worried how people would react to her little girl – mamma bear ready to bite – but everyone in Bunyip Bay is very welcoming to the little girl and Stella finally starts to relax and dream about staying there forever. Even Adam’s mother who is now never leaves her home starts to come alive again with a little girl in her life once more. However it is not all smooth sailing and there are a few major hurdles to overcome before Adam and Stella can have their happy ever after.
OUTBACK GHOST will have you smiling; it will have you laughing and my goodness it will have you reaching for tissues at the same time that it gets you get angry at one part of the scenario; such an emotional journey but one that I am so glad Rachael Johns shared with me. I was sad to finish the last book – but luckily Rachael Johns has announced that Bunyip Bay hasn’t finished with her and there will be at least one more book to come at some stage.
March 9, 2016
A great rural romance - the 3rd set in Bunyip Bay. I haven't read all of the Bunyip Bay series yet, but that didn't matter. The characters were engaging - I particularly loved Heidi, and was cheering Esther on with every step she made forward. Once again with Rachel's books, the hero is hot yet down-to-earth, and the romance between Stella and Adam satisfying. The setting is described so well you feel like you live there.
Definitely recommend to other lovers of rural romance, and if you're already a fan of Rachel Johns, this one won't disappoint.
Definitely recommend to other lovers of rural romance, and if you're already a fan of Rachel Johns, this one won't disappoint.
September 20, 2014
WOW this is such an awesome story it will have you grabbing for the tissues and smiling, when Stella Reynolds and her daughter Heidi book the farm stay cottage on Adam Buton's farm for the Christmas holidays she is determined to have a great time with Heidi there is no intention of any love or drama in her life at the moment but when Adam and Stella first meet the sparks fly and when Heidi welcomes a new imaginary friend into her life and strange things are happening around the cottage and Stella learns about Adam's missing sister and starts putting two and two together Stella is really starting to belive in ghosts. This story is so emotional heartwarming and very sensual I have been looking forward to Adam's story and was not disappointed I loved this one truly do not miss it as Adam and Stella have a very sensual journey to a HEA both are caring loving people but Adam has some issues that he needs to overcome and Stella is just the person he needs :)and along with Heidi and the wonderful characters from the previous stories all come together it will have you turning the pages and not wanting to put this one down.
March 23, 2023
Adam Burton's life as well as his family's has never been the same since the disappearance of his sister twenty years ago. His mother Esther has been devastated and grief-stricken ever since. Single mother Stella Reynolds is excited to start her holiday in Bunyip bay with her seven year old daughter Heidi, who has down syndrome. She finally has the chance to spend lots of quality time with her daughter. Stella is renting a cottage for the holiday, which happens to be owned by Adam. Stella and Adam meet and there's an instant attraction between them. But the last Stella is to be involved with a man, even if it's just a fling. However she can't deny her attraction to Adam and her feelings for him grow as she learns more and more things about him that she likes. Adam meanwhile is just as attracted to Stella but she has a daughter, and Adam never wants to be involved with children after the disappearance of his sister. Stella is settling in her cottage and in Bunyip bay but she becomes concerned about Heidi's new imaginary friend. She becomes even more concerned when she learns that it's name Lily-Blue is the name of Adam's missing sister. And then weird things start happening in the cottage and Stella realises that it could be haunted... with the ghost of Lily-Blue. Stella and Adam start a fling but it means more to both of them than they thought it would. I really enjoyed this book. I liked Stella and Adam's romance and I loved Adam's strong bond with Heidi as well as Stella and Heidi's mother-daughter relationship. I definitely recommend this one if you want to read a good rural romance, especially one with a bit of the paranormal in it.
May 5, 2015
My first Aussie rural romance, haha. I actually see Johns' books all the time at the shops which inspired me to download an ecopy from my library to try out. This is not my usual genre but it was mellow and breezy (perfect for reading in between academic research) with character back-story's that provide emotional depth and lingering tragedys (just look at that male model's pensive face! Tortured soul, lol).
It reminded me a little of Kristan Higgins (but without all the over-the-top corny stuff). This was more quiet romance/drama rather than romantic comedy (okay, I actually have no idea how the romance sub-genre is classified, I'm just making stuff up, haha, but if it was a movie it would be a romantic drama). Anyway, it's the third in a series (of which I have not read the others, but it was fine stand alone) and it had a great mystery with a little sister who mysteriously disappeared years ago.
Plus great chemistry and slow-burn romance with a heap of sexy thrown in. I'm not sure I am going to follow up with this genre? But I did like this, surprisingly more than I had expected to :)
It reminded me a little of Kristan Higgins (but without all the over-the-top corny stuff). This was more quiet romance/drama rather than romantic comedy (okay, I actually have no idea how the romance sub-genre is classified, I'm just making stuff up, haha, but if it was a movie it would be a romantic drama). Anyway, it's the third in a series (of which I have not read the others, but it was fine stand alone) and it had a great mystery with a little sister who mysteriously disappeared years ago.
Plus great chemistry and slow-burn romance with a heap of sexy thrown in. I'm not sure I am going to follow up with this genre? But I did like this, surprisingly more than I had expected to :)
September 25, 2014
For the last 20 years, Adam’s family has been broken. His younger sister disappeared one day from the family farm while playing with Adam – he only took his eyes off her for a few minutes. He was just ten and even though he knows it wasn’t his fault, he’s carried the guilt with him. His mother has never gotten over the tragedy and the fact that they’ve never found out what happened has left her nothing but a shell. After so long trying to get through to his wife, Adam’s father has given up.
Single mother Stella has scrimped and saved to give her young daughter Heidi a proper holiday for Christmas. They are renting a farmstay cabin on Adam’s property for two weeks and Stella is looking forward to spending a lot of quality time with her daughter. Even though Stella hasn’t had a relationship in a long time and the last one left her let down completely, she can’t help being attracted to Adam who is not only gorgeous but treats her special needs daughter with touching tenderness and warmth. Perhaps it is time she did something just for herself…after all, they’re only staying two weeks.
But then Heidi becomes somewhat tangled up in the 20 year mystery that surrounds Adam’s family and Stella knows that it isn’t going to be easy explaining it. As they get closer and closer to finding the answer of what happened to his younger sister all those years ago can both Stella and Adam lay their respective ghosts to rest?
Outback Ghost is the third and final novel in the Bunyip Bay series that kicked off with Outback Dreams and then Outback Blaze. Running through both of those books was a story about the disappearance of Adam Burton’s sister. Finally Adam gets his story and we get to learn more about that day twenty years ago when his sister vanished and also, discover what happened to her. Having really enjoyed both the previous books in this series, I was very keen to find out how it was all going to end and get to the bottom of the mystery! We get all that….but also lots more.
I take my hat off to Stella. She found out she was pregnant at a young age and although her boyfriend was willing to support her and marry her, that all changed when it became known that the baby might potentially have a birth defect. When that was all but confirmed, he ended things. Stella has brought up her 7 year old daughter Heidi completely on her own with no family support. She has worked various jobs and done her best to be not only mother but father as well. She and Heidi are having a proper holiday staying in a cottage on a farm and Stella is looking forward to two weeks with her daughter. Heidi is a charming child, curious and engaging, sweet and with a gentle empathy. She loves animals and seeks to befriend everyone. Initially worried at how some may react to Heidi and her utter openness with everyone, Stella relaxes when she sees just how welcoming the people of Bunyip Bay are and how they seek to involve Heidi in everything. She spends a lot of time with Adam’s mother who is still suffering and grieving the disappearance of her daughter. No one has known how to help her but the simplest of things, the joyful company of a little girl, begins working wonders and Adam watches the life and spark slowly begin to come back into his mother.
I absolutely loved watching everyone interact with Heidi. I haven’t read many (if any? none really come to mind) books that feature a character who has a special needs child. Heidi has a natural keenness to explore and learn and she’s also incredibly affectionate and sweet. She develops a rather special relationship with Adam’s mother, providing the sort of therapy that perhaps no one else could. I could not help but feel for Adam’s mother Esther. To lost a child is horrific – to not get any answers about what happened to that child for two decades, to not know if they were gone really so you could lay them to rest, I can’t even imagine it. I have two amazing kids and the thought of what happened to Esther and the Burton family….I can’t even contemplate it. The lack of answers would be like a poison. It hasn’t just affected Esther and her husband Dave but also Adam. He was just 10 when his sister disappeared and she was with him at the time. His whole childhood, adolescence and adulthood has basically been shaped and revolved around that one incident. Because of it he doesn’t really believe that he deserves a loving relationship and the possibility of children so like Stella, he isn’t looking.
Two people who aren’t looking definitely find each other and it’s an instant attraction but both of them try at different times to either ignore it or pretend that it’s only going to be a temporary, casual thing, neither wanting to see the long term possibilities and perhaps face disappointment. Stella has been let down and she knows that it’s going to take someone really special to accept her daughter and not just the willing man but a family and community as well who won’t point and stare or exclude. Heidi’s bond with Esther gives both of them something they need – Heidi gets a surrogate grandmother in a way and Esther begins the process of healing.
Outback Ghost is a fitting end to the trilogy and although I’m a little sad to say goodbye to Bunyip Bay, I can do it feeling satisfied.
Single mother Stella has scrimped and saved to give her young daughter Heidi a proper holiday for Christmas. They are renting a farmstay cabin on Adam’s property for two weeks and Stella is looking forward to spending a lot of quality time with her daughter. Even though Stella hasn’t had a relationship in a long time and the last one left her let down completely, she can’t help being attracted to Adam who is not only gorgeous but treats her special needs daughter with touching tenderness and warmth. Perhaps it is time she did something just for herself…after all, they’re only staying two weeks.
But then Heidi becomes somewhat tangled up in the 20 year mystery that surrounds Adam’s family and Stella knows that it isn’t going to be easy explaining it. As they get closer and closer to finding the answer of what happened to his younger sister all those years ago can both Stella and Adam lay their respective ghosts to rest?
Outback Ghost is the third and final novel in the Bunyip Bay series that kicked off with Outback Dreams and then Outback Blaze. Running through both of those books was a story about the disappearance of Adam Burton’s sister. Finally Adam gets his story and we get to learn more about that day twenty years ago when his sister vanished and also, discover what happened to her. Having really enjoyed both the previous books in this series, I was very keen to find out how it was all going to end and get to the bottom of the mystery! We get all that….but also lots more.
I take my hat off to Stella. She found out she was pregnant at a young age and although her boyfriend was willing to support her and marry her, that all changed when it became known that the baby might potentially have a birth defect. When that was all but confirmed, he ended things. Stella has brought up her 7 year old daughter Heidi completely on her own with no family support. She has worked various jobs and done her best to be not only mother but father as well. She and Heidi are having a proper holiday staying in a cottage on a farm and Stella is looking forward to two weeks with her daughter. Heidi is a charming child, curious and engaging, sweet and with a gentle empathy. She loves animals and seeks to befriend everyone. Initially worried at how some may react to Heidi and her utter openness with everyone, Stella relaxes when she sees just how welcoming the people of Bunyip Bay are and how they seek to involve Heidi in everything. She spends a lot of time with Adam’s mother who is still suffering and grieving the disappearance of her daughter. No one has known how to help her but the simplest of things, the joyful company of a little girl, begins working wonders and Adam watches the life and spark slowly begin to come back into his mother.
I absolutely loved watching everyone interact with Heidi. I haven’t read many (if any? none really come to mind) books that feature a character who has a special needs child. Heidi has a natural keenness to explore and learn and she’s also incredibly affectionate and sweet. She develops a rather special relationship with Adam’s mother, providing the sort of therapy that perhaps no one else could. I could not help but feel for Adam’s mother Esther. To lost a child is horrific – to not get any answers about what happened to that child for two decades, to not know if they were gone really so you could lay them to rest, I can’t even imagine it. I have two amazing kids and the thought of what happened to Esther and the Burton family….I can’t even contemplate it. The lack of answers would be like a poison. It hasn’t just affected Esther and her husband Dave but also Adam. He was just 10 when his sister disappeared and she was with him at the time. His whole childhood, adolescence and adulthood has basically been shaped and revolved around that one incident. Because of it he doesn’t really believe that he deserves a loving relationship and the possibility of children so like Stella, he isn’t looking.
Two people who aren’t looking definitely find each other and it’s an instant attraction but both of them try at different times to either ignore it or pretend that it’s only going to be a temporary, casual thing, neither wanting to see the long term possibilities and perhaps face disappointment. Stella has been let down and she knows that it’s going to take someone really special to accept her daughter and not just the willing man but a family and community as well who won’t point and stare or exclude. Heidi’s bond with Esther gives both of them something they need – Heidi gets a surrogate grandmother in a way and Esther begins the process of healing.
Outback Ghost is a fitting end to the trilogy and although I’m a little sad to say goodbye to Bunyip Bay, I can do it feeling satisfied.
September 20, 2021
My first ever Rachael Johns and yes, I realised it’s the third instalment but as is the norm with rural romance, it really doesn’t signify too much if I don’t read the earlier books noting different characters. The series rather refer to the rural area in terms of setting. The reason that I picked this one up is because I can’t resist ghostly romances –so yes, totally judging the book by its title ;)
Stella is a very strong female character. She’s a single working mum to a Down Syndrome child who is continually feeling blessed with her beautiful little girl, Heidi. She’s looking forward to spoiling all her attention to Heidi this holiday but what she didn’t know was that none of the previous guests of the cottage had stayed for a full length of time. Each of them complained of inexplicable strange noises in the night. Stella grew up in rural setting herself and is made of sterner stuff until she heard the name of her daughter’s newest invisible friend…
Adam’s little sister went missing 20 years ago and he has never forgiven himself. This unsolved mystery has driven his family to the breaking point and there doesn’t seem to be a way back. It appears, however, that she insisted on being heard…
The romance was very very sweet and I love that. The one thing that I wasn’t keen on was what actually happened to Adam’s sister. It really wasn’t a great mystery if you’re a crime buff like me but I took objection to coming across this type of sad thing in a romance novel where I look for a light read. Despite this, I have enjoyed my first Rachael Johns’ and look forward to another!
Thanks, Harlequin Books Australia for copy of eARC via NetGalley
Stella is a very strong female character. She’s a single working mum to a Down Syndrome child who is continually feeling blessed with her beautiful little girl, Heidi. She’s looking forward to spoiling all her attention to Heidi this holiday but what she didn’t know was that none of the previous guests of the cottage had stayed for a full length of time. Each of them complained of inexplicable strange noises in the night. Stella grew up in rural setting herself and is made of sterner stuff until she heard the name of her daughter’s newest invisible friend…
Adam’s little sister went missing 20 years ago and he has never forgiven himself. This unsolved mystery has driven his family to the breaking point and there doesn’t seem to be a way back. It appears, however, that she insisted on being heard…
The romance was very very sweet and I love that. The one thing that I wasn’t keen on was what actually happened to Adam’s sister. It really wasn’t a great mystery if you’re a crime buff like me but I took objection to coming across this type of sad thing in a romance novel where I look for a light read. Despite this, I have enjoyed my first Rachael Johns’ and look forward to another!
Thanks, Harlequin Books Australia for copy of eARC via NetGalley
February 1, 2015
This is the second Rachael Johns book I have read this weekend, and I could keep reading her work.
The mystery of Adam's sister was hinted at throughout the first two books and I was super keen to see how Rachael would have this matter resolved. Things come about in a way I hadn't expected, and it was both unexpected and a little heartbreaking.
I really love the connection between Adam and Stella, and how their relationship grows and develops is so lovely. Both are guided by their pasts, and considering what each has been through, it was great to see that they didn't allow it all to get in the way and damage their future.
Heidi is a sweet, believable child and how Rachael's portrayed her issues bears a real air to it.
This was a wonderful conclusion to the Outback trilogy, but hopefully not the last we hear from the people of Bunyip Bay.
The mystery of Adam's sister was hinted at throughout the first two books and I was super keen to see how Rachael would have this matter resolved. Things come about in a way I hadn't expected, and it was both unexpected and a little heartbreaking.
I really love the connection between Adam and Stella, and how their relationship grows and develops is so lovely. Both are guided by their pasts, and considering what each has been through, it was great to see that they didn't allow it all to get in the way and damage their future.
Heidi is a sweet, believable child and how Rachael's portrayed her issues bears a real air to it.
This was a wonderful conclusion to the Outback trilogy, but hopefully not the last we hear from the people of Bunyip Bay.
October 6, 2014
I recently got this book when I caught up with Rach (also a good friend) in Perth at one of her book talks! Well its safe to say that as its the middle of the school holidays my kids where running feral around our family farm and my house resembled ground zero for WWIII but I couldn't put this book down! Stella was the perfect herione for our beloved Adam, I laughed! I cried! and I grieved for young Lily-Blue. This third book in the Bunyip Bay series was I think the best so far! well done Rachael Johns you never sease to amaze me.
October 14, 2014
As always Rachael Johns has left me up until all hours of the night reading outback ghost, it was a great conclusion to her outback series and I wish it wasn't ending so that I could read more about the characters in bunyip bay. Definitely one of the best books i have read in a while...keep up the good work Racheal
October 9, 2014
Oh gosh.. i would say this has to be my Fav in the series ... Loved it .. Heidi was just perfect i really got drawn into this book ..
July 2, 2019
Really enjoyed this book
December 4, 2021
This was a nice easy read but not her best.
October 12, 2014
Oh Rachael Johns, you certainly know how to pull my heartstrings! Outback Ghost is not only a bloody brilliant book; it’s also an emotional journey of loss and overcoming fear. I think it’s her most powerful work to date.
Outback Ghost is the final book in the Bunyip Bay series and it’s a place that I’m very sad to leave. Why? I love the community feel of the small farming town, situated on the West Australian coast and I love the stories that have provided us with different aspects of living in such a small community. (I would love to see a book with Frankie from the café as a central character – I’m sure she has a secret hiding under her spiky dialogue). In this book, it’s Adam Burton’s turn. The Burton family is infamous in the local area for the mysterious disappearance of their daughter twenty years ago. The case was never solved and while Adam and his father have tried to move on, his mother has not left the family farm since. We meet the family on the anniversary of the disappearance (right in the middle of harvesting, which is an exceptionally busy time for farmers). Adam’s guilt always comes to the fore on this day, as he was the last person to see his sister alive and feels that he should have been more watchful. Then his father drops a bombshell – he’s leaving his mother. What can Adam do but get back on the harvester?
Meanwhile, Stella and her daughter Heidi are driving up the Brand Highway to their long-awaited holiday, a farm stay at the Burton’s cottage. Stella’s a single mum and Heidi is a girl with special needs, as she has Downs syndrome. Things between Stella and Adam don’t start off well, as Adam’s forgotten about his guests and is quite abrupt at discovering there’s a child on the property. There’s also a bit of tension of the sexual type between the two… Because Adam is a truly nice guy (just look at him on the cover – not only is he a dead ringer for Hugh Jackman, he has a heart of gold), he apologises and becomes friends with Stella and Heidi. Heidi is a wonderful character who injects sparkle into the narrative and those around her, even tempting Adam’s mum Esther into a tinge of happiness.
As the friendship between Adam and Stella grows, an eerie element is introduced. Heidi has always had imaginary friends, but this one just might be Adam’s missing sister. What should Stella do? Listen to Heidi’s fantasies, which are beginning to sound very real and risk damaging her relationship with Adam? Or is this the one chance they have to solve the mystery for good?
Outback Ghost is a wonderful story that balances romance with family and a touch of ghostly intervention. The characters are all unique and fully fleshed out – you won’t forget them in a hurry. Heidi is a girl you can’t help but fall in love with – she combines astute observations with the wonder of childhood. She’s just the girl to make Adam change his mind about children. Although both Stella and Adam have a past, it’s sensitively dealt with. Stella has a wisdom that belies her years and well, you can tell I’m head over heels for Adam (no wonder he was a Cleo bachelor of the year, I would have voted for him many times).
Rachael Johns just keeps getting better and better. I thought the suspense elements in Outback Blaze were brilliantly done, but the ghostly elements and the resulting heartbreaking find in Outback Ghost are flawless. She executes the scenes so well, balancing the raw emotion of the characters with the unfolding of the plot. She is a cracker of an author, and I can’t wait until her next book. I’m just going to have to reread all her books again in the meantime.
Thank you to Harlequin Books for the eARC, I loved it so much I had to buy my own paper copy.
http://samstillreading.wordpress.com
Outback Ghost is the final book in the Bunyip Bay series and it’s a place that I’m very sad to leave. Why? I love the community feel of the small farming town, situated on the West Australian coast and I love the stories that have provided us with different aspects of living in such a small community. (I would love to see a book with Frankie from the café as a central character – I’m sure she has a secret hiding under her spiky dialogue). In this book, it’s Adam Burton’s turn. The Burton family is infamous in the local area for the mysterious disappearance of their daughter twenty years ago. The case was never solved and while Adam and his father have tried to move on, his mother has not left the family farm since. We meet the family on the anniversary of the disappearance (right in the middle of harvesting, which is an exceptionally busy time for farmers). Adam’s guilt always comes to the fore on this day, as he was the last person to see his sister alive and feels that he should have been more watchful. Then his father drops a bombshell – he’s leaving his mother. What can Adam do but get back on the harvester?
Meanwhile, Stella and her daughter Heidi are driving up the Brand Highway to their long-awaited holiday, a farm stay at the Burton’s cottage. Stella’s a single mum and Heidi is a girl with special needs, as she has Downs syndrome. Things between Stella and Adam don’t start off well, as Adam’s forgotten about his guests and is quite abrupt at discovering there’s a child on the property. There’s also a bit of tension of the sexual type between the two… Because Adam is a truly nice guy (just look at him on the cover – not only is he a dead ringer for Hugh Jackman, he has a heart of gold), he apologises and becomes friends with Stella and Heidi. Heidi is a wonderful character who injects sparkle into the narrative and those around her, even tempting Adam’s mum Esther into a tinge of happiness.
As the friendship between Adam and Stella grows, an eerie element is introduced. Heidi has always had imaginary friends, but this one just might be Adam’s missing sister. What should Stella do? Listen to Heidi’s fantasies, which are beginning to sound very real and risk damaging her relationship with Adam? Or is this the one chance they have to solve the mystery for good?
Outback Ghost is a wonderful story that balances romance with family and a touch of ghostly intervention. The characters are all unique and fully fleshed out – you won’t forget them in a hurry. Heidi is a girl you can’t help but fall in love with – she combines astute observations with the wonder of childhood. She’s just the girl to make Adam change his mind about children. Although both Stella and Adam have a past, it’s sensitively dealt with. Stella has a wisdom that belies her years and well, you can tell I’m head over heels for Adam (no wonder he was a Cleo bachelor of the year, I would have voted for him many times).
Rachael Johns just keeps getting better and better. I thought the suspense elements in Outback Blaze were brilliantly done, but the ghostly elements and the resulting heartbreaking find in Outback Ghost are flawless. She executes the scenes so well, balancing the raw emotion of the characters with the unfolding of the plot. She is a cracker of an author, and I can’t wait until her next book. I’m just going to have to reread all her books again in the meantime.
Thank you to Harlequin Books for the eARC, I loved it so much I had to buy my own paper copy.
http://samstillreading.wordpress.com
December 9, 2014
AUTHOR INTERVIEW
BY KATE DZIENIS
(Examiner Newspapers, Perth, Western Australia, December 4 2014)
Rural romance novel Outback Ghost is Rachael Johns’ third book loosely linked to her Bunyip Bay series after Outback Dreams and Outback Blaze.
Third-generation farmer Adam Burton, who also appeared in the two earlier books, is only now starting to lose hope 20 years after his little sister went missing from the family farm.
His dad has walked out, his mum has become a recluse and he still blames himself for his sibling’s disappearance.
When Stella Reynolds and her young special needs daughter Heidi arrive in town Adam is immediately attracted to the single mother and as the 20-year mystery begins to unravel, Stella must make a difficult choice – stay with Adam or cut her losses and run.
Rachael reveals the inspiration for her novels come from living in a small community where she owns a supermarket.
“I’m constantly hearing snippets of gossip that are going on so many of my ideas come from that, and I just love living in a small town,” she says.
“I’m a converted country girl because I’ve only lived in the country for 10 years and to be a local, you have to have lived in the town for 37 years.
“I love the dynamics of country town living, everyone knows everything about everyone and people are really supportive of one another – all of that goes into my books, particularly with Outback Ghost.”
Rachael has created characters who are well defined and likeable; it’s easy to relate to one or all of them in one way or another and she says she loves seeing them grow as she writes.
“I’m not the sort of person to plan everything out chapter by chapter,” she says.
“I wish I plotted because it seems like the easier way to do things but I usually just get to know my two main characters as best I can before I start writing.
“I enjoy the characters taking me to places I couldn’t image.”
“The emotions I deal with, particularly in Outback Ghost, are ones that I know readers can at some stage relate to.”
Rachael says she has received quite a few people telling her they’ve appreciated her putting special needs characters in her stories, even though the subject of it doesn’t take the main focus.
‘Outback Ghost’s Heidi has down syndrome and I feel it brings real life issues to the forefront of my stories,” she explains.
The novel is full of moments to make readers smile, cry, laugh and feel angry and is a must read rural romance.
BY KATE DZIENIS
(Examiner Newspapers, Perth, Western Australia, December 4 2014)
Rural romance novel Outback Ghost is Rachael Johns’ third book loosely linked to her Bunyip Bay series after Outback Dreams and Outback Blaze.
Third-generation farmer Adam Burton, who also appeared in the two earlier books, is only now starting to lose hope 20 years after his little sister went missing from the family farm.
His dad has walked out, his mum has become a recluse and he still blames himself for his sibling’s disappearance.
When Stella Reynolds and her young special needs daughter Heidi arrive in town Adam is immediately attracted to the single mother and as the 20-year mystery begins to unravel, Stella must make a difficult choice – stay with Adam or cut her losses and run.
Rachael reveals the inspiration for her novels come from living in a small community where she owns a supermarket.
“I’m constantly hearing snippets of gossip that are going on so many of my ideas come from that, and I just love living in a small town,” she says.
“I’m a converted country girl because I’ve only lived in the country for 10 years and to be a local, you have to have lived in the town for 37 years.
“I love the dynamics of country town living, everyone knows everything about everyone and people are really supportive of one another – all of that goes into my books, particularly with Outback Ghost.”
Rachael has created characters who are well defined and likeable; it’s easy to relate to one or all of them in one way or another and she says she loves seeing them grow as she writes.
“I’m not the sort of person to plan everything out chapter by chapter,” she says.
“I wish I plotted because it seems like the easier way to do things but I usually just get to know my two main characters as best I can before I start writing.
“I enjoy the characters taking me to places I couldn’t image.”
“The emotions I deal with, particularly in Outback Ghost, are ones that I know readers can at some stage relate to.”
Rachael says she has received quite a few people telling her they’ve appreciated her putting special needs characters in her stories, even though the subject of it doesn’t take the main focus.
‘Outback Ghost’s Heidi has down syndrome and I feel it brings real life issues to the forefront of my stories,” she explains.
The novel is full of moments to make readers smile, cry, laugh and feel angry and is a must read rural romance.
October 5, 2014
First up I won this book in a competition and this in no way reflects my rating of it.
I have read the two previous books in the Bunyip Bay Series and have loved both of them, this is certainly no exception, I can even go so far as to say this is my favourite to date.
I love Adam (who wouldn't) "smexy" as my girls would say, and lovely ex country girl Stella, living in the city with her little girl Heide who has Downs Syndrome and wanting a short holiday break heads to Adams farm stay for a country experience for her daughter and to reconnect to the land.
Downs Syndrome is dealt with beautifully in the books and shows the great joy a child with special needs can bring to everyone around them, I think Rachael did a beautiful job of writing Heide, I certainly loved her character and everything about her.
Rachael please do your follow up book on Frankie, I really love this character she is so much fun but she really needs a man - just saying and her sister could use some help too.
These books can be read as a stand alone as I started at the second and then read the first, they are enjoyable either way, but I fully recommend the entire series.
The chemistry between Adam and Stella was sizzle from the get go and I loved how Heide bought people together and out of their comfort zones.
The Ghost was even more satisfying, after hearing bits of the story in the first two books and hints and teasers coming out in each we finally get to find out The Ghost's whole story. (no spoilers here sorry)
I enjoyed this book from the minute I picked it up until the last page and now knowing the whole ghost story now is very satisfying.
If you want a really great book to sit down and while away the hours this one is for you, its definitely one of my favourites this year.
I have read the two previous books in the Bunyip Bay Series and have loved both of them, this is certainly no exception, I can even go so far as to say this is my favourite to date.
I love Adam (who wouldn't) "smexy" as my girls would say, and lovely ex country girl Stella, living in the city with her little girl Heide who has Downs Syndrome and wanting a short holiday break heads to Adams farm stay for a country experience for her daughter and to reconnect to the land.
Downs Syndrome is dealt with beautifully in the books and shows the great joy a child with special needs can bring to everyone around them, I think Rachael did a beautiful job of writing Heide, I certainly loved her character and everything about her.
Rachael please do your follow up book on Frankie, I really love this character she is so much fun but she really needs a man - just saying and her sister could use some help too.
These books can be read as a stand alone as I started at the second and then read the first, they are enjoyable either way, but I fully recommend the entire series.
The chemistry between Adam and Stella was sizzle from the get go and I loved how Heide bought people together and out of their comfort zones.
The Ghost was even more satisfying, after hearing bits of the story in the first two books and hints and teasers coming out in each we finally get to find out The Ghost's whole story. (no spoilers here sorry)
I enjoyed this book from the minute I picked it up until the last page and now knowing the whole ghost story now is very satisfying.
If you want a really great book to sit down and while away the hours this one is for you, its definitely one of my favourites this year.
January 10, 2015
Outback Ghost is the final instalment in the Bunyip Bay series after Outback Dreams and Outback Blaze.
For those who have read the first two books you'll already be familiar with the majority of characters from the friendly little Bunyip Bay community and I have to admit that it will be a little sad not to feel a part of this town anymore (unless the rumours are true and Rachael Johns releases a fourth instalment in the series)!
Adam Burton is a young farmer and was kind of my favourite out of all the male characters carried along throughout the books. He seems to be such a nice, likeable and down to earth Aussie guy who wants nothing more out of life except to keep his family farm running while trying to take care of his grieving mother. Adam's younger sister disappeared without a trace when he was only a young boy and the lack of closure to her disappearance has been a huge burden on his whole family for twenty years.
Stella Reynolds decides to come to Bunyip Bay for a month long holiday with her little girl, choosing to stay in the Burton farm-stay accommodation. I found Stella to also be a very likeable character who was easy to relate to. She's obviously had a lot to deal with on her own as a single mother to a daughter with special needs but has developed into a strong and independent person because of it.
I really enjoyed watching the relationship develop between these two characters along with the touch of mystery and the supernatural that pulls the plot forward. This story covers every emotion but still manages to leave the reader content with how it all wraps up in the end.
Rachael Johns writes in a way that seems to flow quite effortlessly, making her books really easy and enjoyable to read. I will definitely be looking forward to reading more from her in the future.
For those who have read the first two books you'll already be familiar with the majority of characters from the friendly little Bunyip Bay community and I have to admit that it will be a little sad not to feel a part of this town anymore (unless the rumours are true and Rachael Johns releases a fourth instalment in the series)!
Adam Burton is a young farmer and was kind of my favourite out of all the male characters carried along throughout the books. He seems to be such a nice, likeable and down to earth Aussie guy who wants nothing more out of life except to keep his family farm running while trying to take care of his grieving mother. Adam's younger sister disappeared without a trace when he was only a young boy and the lack of closure to her disappearance has been a huge burden on his whole family for twenty years.
Stella Reynolds decides to come to Bunyip Bay for a month long holiday with her little girl, choosing to stay in the Burton farm-stay accommodation. I found Stella to also be a very likeable character who was easy to relate to. She's obviously had a lot to deal with on her own as a single mother to a daughter with special needs but has developed into a strong and independent person because of it.
I really enjoyed watching the relationship develop between these two characters along with the touch of mystery and the supernatural that pulls the plot forward. This story covers every emotion but still manages to leave the reader content with how it all wraps up in the end.
Rachael Johns writes in a way that seems to flow quite effortlessly, making her books really easy and enjoyable to read. I will definitely be looking forward to reading more from her in the future.
October 8, 2014
4.5 stars
Wow Rachael Johns saves the best 'til last, Outback Ghost is my favourite of the Bunyip Bay series. I love a good romance but there's so much more to love in Outback Ghost ... depth, layers, grief, loss, community; it's a really touching read.
I've felt for the Burton family since the disappearance of Adam Burton's young sister was first mentioned in Outback Dreams. When single mum Stella books the holiday cottage on Adam's farm to enjoy a much needed break and special time with her 7 year old daughter Heidi, the mystery slowly unravels.
Adam and Stella, *sigh* I loved their interactions, their chemistry and I really loved that there were no miscommunication issues providing conflict and drama. I loved that Adam saw Stella as a package, the way he related to Heidi was just adorable. And last but not least, I loved the joy that Heidi brought to Adam's mother's life, what a special relationship between Heidi and Esther.
'I've had sex' she told the cat proudly. 'Hot, messy, crazy, fabulous sex. With a man.' Not just any man but undoubtedly the hottest, sexiest man on the planet. Whiskers merely looked up and then turned her head and walked off in disgust.
'Might not be such a big thing for you,' Stella called out as the cat wandered back into the hallway, 'but this is monumental for me.'
The community really came together with love, support and acceptance in this final installment, a healing time ... and not just for the Burton family.
Outback Ghost will have you teary, sighing and smiling ... I loved it and I'm sad to say goodbye to Bunyip Bay.
Wow Rachael Johns saves the best 'til last, Outback Ghost is my favourite of the Bunyip Bay series. I love a good romance but there's so much more to love in Outback Ghost ... depth, layers, grief, loss, community; it's a really touching read.
I've felt for the Burton family since the disappearance of Adam Burton's young sister was first mentioned in Outback Dreams. When single mum Stella books the holiday cottage on Adam's farm to enjoy a much needed break and special time with her 7 year old daughter Heidi, the mystery slowly unravels.
Adam and Stella, *sigh* I loved their interactions, their chemistry and I really loved that there were no miscommunication issues providing conflict and drama. I loved that Adam saw Stella as a package, the way he related to Heidi was just adorable. And last but not least, I loved the joy that Heidi brought to Adam's mother's life, what a special relationship between Heidi and Esther.
'I've had sex' she told the cat proudly. 'Hot, messy, crazy, fabulous sex. With a man.' Not just any man but undoubtedly the hottest, sexiest man on the planet. Whiskers merely looked up and then turned her head and walked off in disgust.
'Might not be such a big thing for you,' Stella called out as the cat wandered back into the hallway, 'but this is monumental for me.'
The community really came together with love, support and acceptance in this final installment, a healing time ... and not just for the Burton family.
Outback Ghost will have you teary, sighing and smiling ... I loved it and I'm sad to say goodbye to Bunyip Bay.
October 10, 2014
Firstly, I must say I absolutely love this author and true to her form, I couldn’t put this book down until I finished it. This is Rachael’s third book in the Bunyip Bay series. The first two books are called Outback Dreams (featuring Faith and Monty) and Outback Blaze (featuring Ruby and Drew). The three books can be read stand-alone, but I would recommend reading them in order, as you will get a better feel for the characters and the town’s atmosphere.
Outback Ghost is about Stella (single mum), who wants to give her daughter (Hedi) a holiday she will remember and to spend much needed time together during the Christmas break. As Stella comes from a farming background, she decides to book a cabin in the country. This is where she meets Adam Burton and the rest of the Bunyip Bay residents. Adam is a third generation farmer and owner of the cottage. Twenty years prior the Adam’s little sister went missing on the family farm. He has been since trying to keep the family together and deal with emotional issues, as he also blames himself for her disappearance.
At first sight there is an instant connection between Stella and Adam. Although he’s trying to stay away from Stella and Hedi, he finds himself wanting to spend time with them both and enjoying it. Over the course of the story, the twenty year mystery will to unravel, leaving emotions high. Will Stella and Hedi stay or leave Bunyip Bay and Adam behind? Is Adam’s sister still alive?
The story will have you smiling, laughing, crying and angry through the journey. Please read this book, as I know you will love it as much as I did.
Outback Ghost is about Stella (single mum), who wants to give her daughter (Hedi) a holiday she will remember and to spend much needed time together during the Christmas break. As Stella comes from a farming background, she decides to book a cabin in the country. This is where she meets Adam Burton and the rest of the Bunyip Bay residents. Adam is a third generation farmer and owner of the cottage. Twenty years prior the Adam’s little sister went missing on the family farm. He has been since trying to keep the family together and deal with emotional issues, as he also blames himself for her disappearance.
At first sight there is an instant connection between Stella and Adam. Although he’s trying to stay away from Stella and Hedi, he finds himself wanting to spend time with them both and enjoying it. Over the course of the story, the twenty year mystery will to unravel, leaving emotions high. Will Stella and Hedi stay or leave Bunyip Bay and Adam behind? Is Adam’s sister still alive?
The story will have you smiling, laughing, crying and angry through the journey. Please read this book, as I know you will love it as much as I did.
November 10, 2025
Of the three Bunyip Bay books I’ve read so far, this one is hands down my favourite. And I’m not entirely sure if that’s because of the farmer (okay, it’s definitely the farmer), the Christmas season, the friendships, the family dynamics, or the single mum and daughter who arrive in town and completely steal the show. Honestly, it’s probably all of the above.
Outback Ghost has such a warm, festive, small-town feel to it that I couldn’t help but get swept up in the charm. This one is about families, the ones you are born into and the ones you make along the way. The Christmas setting adds an extra sprinkle, even though it’s very much Aussie-style with dust, heat, and country town traditions.
And let’s not forget the romance—the chemistry in this book felt natural and heartfelt, and the spice has definitely turned up a notch as the series has gone on. Tender, swoony, and just enough heat to make me grin.
This story adds so much to the already incredible world of Bunyip Bay, and I’m officially invested.
4/5 stars—my favourite so far!
Outback Ghost has such a warm, festive, small-town feel to it that I couldn’t help but get swept up in the charm. This one is about families, the ones you are born into and the ones you make along the way. The Christmas setting adds an extra sprinkle, even though it’s very much Aussie-style with dust, heat, and country town traditions.
And let’s not forget the romance—the chemistry in this book felt natural and heartfelt, and the spice has definitely turned up a notch as the series has gone on. Tender, swoony, and just enough heat to make me grin.
This story adds so much to the already incredible world of Bunyip Bay, and I’m officially invested.
4/5 stars—my favourite so far!
December 9, 2014
Outback Ghost was an incredible finish to the Bunyip Bay trilogy. Author Rachael Johns has given us one of the most perfectly romantic tales I have read in a long, long time.
“Heidi is more than perfect, Stella.”
His words choked her up and she lost the battle not to touch him. She reached out and took his hand as tears came into her eyes. “Thank you. I think so. I fell in love with her the moment I saw her.”
It’s difficult to put into words all the reasons why I fell in love with this story, but I’ll give it a whirl. It mostly centers around the main characters Stella, Adam, and Heidi, of course. The way Ms. Johns was able to communicate the absolute devotion between Stella and her daughter Heidi was simply astounding.
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“Heidi is more than perfect, Stella.”
His words choked her up and she lost the battle not to touch him. She reached out and took his hand as tears came into her eyes. “Thank you. I think so. I fell in love with her the moment I saw her.”
It’s difficult to put into words all the reasons why I fell in love with this story, but I’ll give it a whirl. It mostly centers around the main characters Stella, Adam, and Heidi, of course. The way Ms. Johns was able to communicate the absolute devotion between Stella and her daughter Heidi was simply astounding.
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August 21, 2014
Outback Ghost is a touching story dealing with issues I haven't come across in a novel before, though they are certainly issues that many of us deal with every day. Stella is a single mother with a Downs Syndrome child, Heidi, who successfully captures the hearts of everyone she meets. Adam is a farmer whose seven year old sister disappeared when he was only ten. Adam blames himself for her disappearance and the strain of her loss has badly affected his parents, particularly his mother, who suffers agoraphobia. The story is well developed and throughout the book I was eager to find out what happened next and how the story would end. I felt some of the dialogue was a bit stilted but apart from that loved thus book. Well worth reading!
October 2, 2014
Oh my! This story will have you smiling and making sure a box of tissues are close by. Outback Ghost is such an emotional journey with many issues interwoven through the story including, being a single mother to a special needs child, but the journey was well worth it with the reward of a fantastic and charming visit back to Bunyip Bay. I love the small town vibe and the supporting characters in this series and i was really eager to find out what happened to the Burton girl after reading the first two books and could not put this one down until it was revealed. I loved this story and hope that we can visit Bunyip Bay again soon!
October 21, 2014
I really loved this book and found it very difficult to put down. Rachael Johns has done it again in her third Bunyip Bay book. I feel her writing gets better with each book. I love the way the 'invisible friend' helped solve the mystery of the disappearance of Adam's sister. I almost felt an affinity with Heidi as I had an in invisible friend as a child.
I felt such compassion for Esther and was thrilled with the outcome for her. As well it was a beautiful romance story. I completely understood how Stella helped Adam with the harvest. Once you can drive a truck laden with wheat you never forget how to do it.
Thanks for a beautiful story.
I felt such compassion for Esther and was thrilled with the outcome for her. As well it was a beautiful romance story. I completely understood how Stella helped Adam with the harvest. Once you can drive a truck laden with wheat you never forget how to do it.
Thanks for a beautiful story.
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