Back To Birdsville

by Fiona McArthur

Birdsville, outback the most remote town in the world, population 110. What the people lack in numbers they make up for in community spirit.

When midwife and emergency nurse Phoebe McFadden fled her family dramas at age sixteen, she thought she’d left Birdsville for good. But when her cousin Scarlet asks her to be bridesmaid in her wedding party, Phoebe knows it’s time to make her way home … and face the past.

As Phoebe settles back into town, she keeps crossing paths with Atticus Bow, the latest Birdsville cop – no longer the skinny kid she remembers but an irresistible man she does not want to be attracted to. The last thing she needs is to become attached to this place again, but as she starts to let Birdsville – and its people – back into her heart, she discovers secrets that have remained locked away for far too long. Can she right the wrongs of the past before Scarlet’s special day?

Capturing all the colour and heart of the famous Birdsville races, this uniquely Australian romance celebrates women who are always there for each other, the caring side of men, and the challenges and optimism of remote families. Ideal for fans of Karly Lane and Mandy Magro.

Genres: Romance, Audiobook, Contemporary

309 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 30, 2024

About the author

Fiona McArthur has worked as a midwife for thirty years. She is the clinical midwifery educator inner rural maternity unit and teaches emergency obstetric strategies while working with midwives and doctors from remote and isolated areas.

Fiona has written more than thirty romances, which have sold over two million copies in twelve languages. She has been a midwifery expert for Mother and Baby magazine and is the author of Aussie Midwives. She has also written the novels Red Sand Sunrise, The Homestead Girls and Heart of the Sky. She lives on a farm in northern New South Wales.

Reviews

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Midwife and emergency nurse, Phoebe McFadden was driving along the Birdsville Track from Adelaide, on her way to the town she'd called home for the first sixteen years of her life. She'd been gone for eighteen years after she and her father became estranged, but now, her cousin Scarlet was getting married and Phoebe was to be her bridesmaid. In the week before the wedding, the Birdsville Cup races was to be held, when the small town of little more than one hundred people, swelled to around six thousand. It was a huge few days, when the town was filled with tourists - mostly grey nomads - and the locals loved it. Phoebe was looking forward to that aspect of her holiday as well.

As Phoebe was catching up with people she'd known long ago, she knew she'd have to see her father soon. She was also a little shocked to see the boy she'd known when he was ten, now a man and the local Senior Constable of Birdsville Police. She'd always had a soft spot of Atticus Bow, and would enjoy catching up with him again. As the beauty of the desert settled deep into Phoebe's heart, she wondered why she hadn't returned sooner...

Back To Birdsville is another outstanding read by Aussie author Fiona McArthur which I devoured! The descriptions of the desert and the beauty surrounding Birdsville; the isolation, the heat and of course, the flies; made me wish I was younger and able to visit the most remote town in Central Australia's vast desert, which is in the Shire of Diamantina, Queensland, on the Queensland border with both the Northern Territory and South Australia. What an experience - and the author brought the town to life for me with her magic fingers. Highly recommended.

With thanks to Penguin Random House AU & the author for my ARC to read.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh there were many happy tears reading this awesome story, Fiona McArthur has done it again with a beautiful, caring and emotional story as always, this time we get to meet Phoebe McFadden as she returns to her hometown of Birdsville after leaving there when she was sixteen, now thirty five she is returning for her cousin, Scarlett’s wedding, is it time to put the past behind her and sort things out with her father.

Phoebe is a midwife and emergency nurse and when there is an accident on the way into Birdsville Phoebe stops to help, when she rings through to the police station Senior Constable Atticus Bow picks up the phone, Phoebe is shocked to learn that her friend from many years ago is now the police officer in town, meeting up with him he is now a very good looking man not the young kid she remembers and there are sparks but Phoebe is wary Atticus is younger than her and she is not looking for love.

It is not long before Phoebe is feeling very at home, catching up with friends and the best sorting things out with her father, what she learns shocks her but she is happy as well and spending time with Atticus is also opening up her heart a little to love, add to that getting ready for Scarlett’s wedding helping Gloria the town nurse and seeing the love between Gloria and her father, Rusty thrills her, and the young woman who arrived in town and is now working for Scarlett does young Charli fit into this town, something pulled her here.

I loved this one so much it really is a beautiful story, MS. McArthur tells the story of three woman Phoebe, Gloria and Charli and the descriptions of Birdsville are gorgeous I felt if I was there, she brings out the emotions and the love, will Phoebe find love will she return permanently to her hometown and leave Adelaide behind and what of Charli will she find what she is looking for?

I highly recommend this story, I smiled throughout this one and I cried lots of tears it really is an emotional story, so many emotions, fabulous characters and a must read, I want to go to Birdsville now, thank you Fiona McArthur for another brilliant story.

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

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

What I enjoyed about this book was the tropes. Two of my favourite tropes are second chance romance and found family. I loved how Fiona highlighted the lack of medical facilities in rural towns. This book is told by 3 POV's that being Phoebe, Charli and Gloria all who play a major role in the storyline. Its a book about secrets and revelations. If you like your rural romances like I do , you might like this one too.

[EmG ReadsDaily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the realistic depiction of remote life. This fabulously feel-good story is set in the memorable, outback Queensland town of Birdsville.

Love the dedication - 'For Birdsville, an amazing small town with the biggest heart'

[Leanne Lovegrove · Rating 5 out of 5]

I fell in love with Birdsville and the characters in this book. It’s a multi-layered story with a lovely and engaging subplot and celebrates strong women, the importance of family and the delight to be found in small towns. Loved it and highly recommend

[Janene · Rating 5 out of 5]

From one of my favourite authors comes Back to Birdsville—a heartwarming contemporary romance set in the great Aussie outback. This was such a fabulous read that I enjoyed from start to finish.

The story itself is moving and engaging, but what really stood out for me was how beautifully Fiona McArthur captured the country and the spirit of Birdsville. The town and its people are such a highlight, woven seamlessly into the narrative, that I found myself wanting to pack up and visit. The Birdsville Races and Big Red Bash are now firmly on my must-do list one day!

I loved everything about this book—the characters, the romance, the sense of place, and the celebration of community. Fiona McArthur has once again written a story full of heart, and Back to Birdsville is one I’ll happily recommend to anyone who loves an authentic outback romance.

[Gloria (Ms. G's Bookshelf) · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️4.5 Stars⭐️
Fiona McArthur has delivered yet another outstanding novel! Back To Birdsville is a beautiful, warm and emotional story with fabulous characters. The setting of remote outback Birdsville and its exquisite scenery is fascinating and I loved the medical themes throughout the story.

Phoebe McFadden is a highly qualified nurse/midwife and she’s returning to her hometown Birdsville for her beloved cousins wedding where she’ll be the bridesmaid. She fled home eighteen years earlier following a falling out with her father, she’s now thirty five.

Back in Birdsville Phoebe meets up with local town cop and childhood friend Atticus Bow. Atticus was the young ten year old boy she befriended and had a soft spot for, he was six years younger than her.

The way the story came alive with it’s scenery and its community spirit made me love this town and I’d love to visit one day.

Themes of romance, emotional healing, the famous Birdsville Races and finding family.

A brilliant read once again from this Australian author, such a caring story filled with secrets and love.

Publication Date 30 July 2024
Publisher Imprint Michael Joseph

Thanks so much to the wonderful team at Penguin Books Australia for a copy of the book

[Joanne McKinnon · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Back to Birdsville” shows you how isolated the town is in outback Queensland, highlighted in this story are two of Birdsville’s famous events, the Races and Big Red Bash.
It is a love story, where several characters who find their special one, Phoebe McFadden spent her early life in Birdsville but fled when she was a teenager. Now as a midwife and emergency nurse in South Australia, she returns to be bridesmaid for her cousin, Scarlet. Although Phoebe only plans to stay a short time to help her cousin with preparations for the races as well as her wedding, maybe it is time to try to reconcile with her father.

Charli a young woman who has always lived in foster care and now pregnant wants somewhere to settle down and raise her child. She believes that she might have links to Birdsville so travels here in search of relatives.

I also enjoyed Gloria’s story, as a woman who is older and facing different choices;
there is a chance of romance and a lifelong partnership for Gloria.

Many relationships change during this brief period of time, characters realising that they have been procrastinating and life may be passing them by, I loved the message of honesty, vulnerability and forgiveness; the reminder to act rather than wait, because life is short!

A real insight into how fragile life is and how it is not easy to get medical assistance, in the our great outback.
I would highly recommend this book!!

[Margi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very enjoyable, engaging and heart warming rural read. I loved all the characters, setting and storyline. And if you love a happy ever after I can recommend this.

[Bree T · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of my most anticipated releases of 2024 – firstly because Fiona McArthur is one of my most favourite authors but also because I got to hear a lot about the research of this book at my book club retreat back in June. Birdsville is a speck on the Australian map buried right in the bottom of south west Queensland where its border meets that of South Australia and relatively close to the border with the Northern Territory. It’s a bit of an Australian icon, particularly because of the Birdsville Cup, a horse race that now attracts a crowd from far and wide (and which features in this book).

The narrative is split between four characters. Phoebe is returning to Birdsville after 18 years away from it. She grew up there and at 17, left it behind after a terrible falling out with her father. Although they have spoken and exchanged birthday cards, they haven’t seen each other since. Phoebe has been drawn back by her cousin’s wedding and she intends to get in and get out. Charli is a young teenager who grew up in foster care and has come to Birdsville because it’s the only clue she has about the identity of her birth mother. She’s also heavily pregnant, but quickly finds two jobs to support herself as she tries to gather any information. And then there’s Gloria, the Birdsville nurse, who is coming to the end of her career, working a punishing schedule and getting a bit tired, needing some help. But how can she even think about cutting back without a replacement? Gloria knows how needed she is. And we also get a few chapters from the point of view of Atticus Row, the local police officer who remembers Phoebe from when he was a young boy living in Birdsville, before they both left. Now they’re both back….

I’ve never been to Birdsville! I’ve never been further west than Dubbo. Birdsville is basically 24hrs drive from anywhere but you can fly there via a hop flight from Brisbane which stops at a bunch of other towns along the way. It’s popular as well as a stop for those who are “grey nomading” their way around the country (retirees in caravans). But mostly, Birdsville is a tiny town with a small population that comes alive briefly, when it’s the focus of much of the country’s attention.

I loved the setting – the town shone in the story, not just the lead up to the Cup and the social and touristy side of it, but the everyday side of it as well. The local pub, the bakery, the police station, what it’s like when you get a call out to an accident at any one of the remote locations out of town. They could be geographically relatively close but a journey out there can take hours due to the road conditions. Medical care mostly relies on choppers to evacuate people in emergencies as well as the Royal Flying Doctors Service, which services remote Australia with planes that are basically fully equipped flying ambulances with doctors and nurses on board. As someone who has lived in a city for pretty much my entire life, reading about this as an everyday normality in some places, is incredible. The logistics involved in rescue sometimes, including roping in locals who happen to own helicopters when necessary. And that isn’t as unusual as it sounds, as this area is often populated by incredibly large cattle stations who use helicopters for both mustering and travel.

The three stories of Phoebe, Charli and Gloria are all so engaging. My heart broke for Phoebe as we learned why she’d left Birdsville, the hurt and betrayal she experienced too much for her to bear. Phoebe now lives and works in Adelaide as a nurse and she intends her return to Birdsville to be very brief. My heart also broke for her father and what he had experienced in his attempts to take the fall, so to speak. I also loved Charli and her courage, her determination and her vulnerability. I would’ve read a whole book about Charli and her journey, both in her attempts to find out information about her mother and her desire to find a home for herself and her coming baby. I also enjoyed Gloria’s story, as a woman who is older and facing different choices (and also, some that are similar to Phoebe and Charli’s, as there’s a chance of romance and a lifelong partnership for Gloria as well).

What’s better than one romance? A book with three! Phoebe runs into Atticus Row, whom she knew when she was a teenager and he was slightly younger. Now Atticus is almost 30 to Phoebe’s 35 and that age gap isn’t relevant anymore – at least not to Atticus, who knows what he wants, even after just briefly seeing Phoebe again. Atticus is a sweet cinnamon roll with an unwavering goal and I really enjoyed their dates. They sounded so beautiful – sunsets and sunrises over dunes and deserts and going swimming in the local swimming hole. Sign me up!

A beautiful story showcasing an iconic location.

***A copy of this book was provided by the publisher/author for the purpose of an honest review***

[Ally Ward · Rating 3 out of 5]

Back to Birdsville by Fiona McArthur is a heartwarming tale that captures the spirit of the Australian Outback. Phoebe McFadden is returning home to the outback Queensland town of Birdsville for the first time in eighteen years to attend her cousin’s wedding and to face a past she never thought she’d revisit.

Told through the perspectives of three women, Phoebe (an Adelaide midwife and emergency nurse), Gloria (Birdsville’s hard-working nurse), and Charli (a young, pregnant woman searching for a sense of belonging), the book weaves together themes of second chances, complicated webs of love and family, healing and found family.

Fiona McArthur creates a narrative which is a blend of rural charm and medical drama which evolves into a warm and engaging read. However, this story was a little too predictable for my liking. I had the major character storylines and relationship outcomes figured out before I was halfway through the book. That said, what the book lacks in plot twists, it makes up for in atmosphere. McArthur’s descriptions of the outback are vivid and immersive. I found myself googling the Birdsville Track, the Big Red Sand Dune, and even mapping out how one might get to Birdsville from Adelaide. The vastness, the heat, the dust, the flies, it all came alive through her writing. Despite never having been to the outback, I have always been intrigued and inspired to experience it one day.

Back to Birdsville is more than just a romance, it’s a celebration of resilience, community, and the beauty of the places and people we sometimes leave behind, only to discover we never really stopped belonging. While it may not surprise you with its twists, it will win you over with its heart.

A feel-good predictable rural read with a strong sense of place.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Back To Birdsville is a lovely rural romance by Fiona McArthur about a family who learns to forgive and forget the wrongs of the past. Eighteen years ago, Phoebe McFadden left Birdsville and promised herself never to return. However, when her cousin, Scarlet McFadden, called asking her to be part of her wedding, Phoebe could not say no and decided it was time to come home and face her past. On arrival, Phoebe became involved again with the Birdsville community and rekindled childhood friend Atticus Bow, the Birdsville law enforcement officer. Will Phoebe stay in Birdsville or go back to Adelaide? The readers of Back To Birdsville will continue to follow Phoebe McFadden to discover what happens.

Fiona McArthur did a fantastic job intertwining the three main stories throughout this book and then combining them all at the end. I generally do not enjoy reading books with a Multiply POV, but I enjoy reading Back to Birdsville. I also learnt about The Big Red Sand Dune and the dangers of driving over the dunes. I engaged with this book from the first page and continued to engage with the story and the characters until the end. I love Fiona McArthur's portrayal of her characters and their interaction with each other. Back To Birdsville is well-written and researched by Fiona McArthur. I like Fiona McArthur's description of Back To Birdsville settings, which allowed me to imagine being part of the book's plot.

Thank you to the Author for my ARC in exchange for an honest review. I recommend this book.

[Craig and Phil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Penguin for sending us a copy to read and review.
A rural fiction read with a dash of medical set in the heat of the outback.
Throw in some romance, drama, a secret or two and you have a delightful tale from trusted Aussie author Fiona McArthur.
Nurse Phoebe escaped the town of Birdsville many years before and has now returned for her cousin Scarlet’s wedding.
Gloria has always been a workaholic and in love with Rusty, but has never done a thing about it.
Charli is pregnant and arrives hiding a secret wanting to find out the truth.
Can Birdsville give them answers, help them heal and play cupid…..
Highlighting the struggles and challenges in a community minded town where people come together.
When you pick up a Fiona book you know what you are getting yourself into.
An enjoyable, engaging, warm, friendly and fun read.
Likeable characters, palatable plot, sultry setting and scatter of emotions.
Known for her country reads with medical flair, Fiona continues to grab the reader and whisk them away to a rustic part of the continent and take them on an adventure.
Another heartwarming, inspiring and pleasing book.

[Melissa Woods · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story begins with Phoebe and her love of Birdsville and the surrounding area. However Phoebe feels betrayed by her Dad and leaves and begins her love of nursing.

When her cousin announces she is getting married, it means Phoebe needs to return to Birdsville. But she never expected to see the man who was once a young boy she spent time with.

But Phoebe isn’t the only one who is looking for something in Birdsville. Charli is searching for her mother. As she’s pregnant she wants to know and protect her unborn child and find what she feels like she lost.

The book portrays emotion from the characters, but also the surrounding environment comes alive within the written words.

[Julia Reynolds · Rating 5 out of 5]

back to Birdsville

A great story worked around Birdsville, a famous town in Qld. A daughter who lost 18 years of time with her father. A father who kept secrets, prolonging his daughters return. A stepsister no one knew existed. A story written so the reader feels like they are in the town, descriptions of life and scenery, along with residents of Birdsville and how they meld together. An insight on how fragile life is, and not so easy to get medical assistance, in the great outback.

[Susie Hollams · Rating 5 out of 5]

wonderful

Ah Fiona, how I have missed your books. I have been holding out for this new book. And it is wonderful. All your trademarks, colourful characters , exquisite scenery and all set in our beautiful Australia. Thank you once again you always make me fall in love with my home all over again ♥️Susie

[Cathy Krause · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is like a big warm hug. I have never thought about Birdsville before, now I would love to visit this friendly, earthy town out the back of nowhere. Another brilliant read from Fiona McArthur.

[Sarah Hourigan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this! Such a nice easy read, now I might move to Birdsville and find me a Snr Sargent 😂

[ANNE BARNES · Rating 5 out of 5]

This arrived today and I read it today and loved it Fiona’s magic as usual

[Shelagh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Back To Birdsville is a story of healing and hope as much as it is a romance. I loved the setting in and around Birdsville in remote south western Queensland. Author Fiona McArthur has brought the place to life with her detailed descriptions of not only the location but also the daily lives of the locals and the challenges they face because of where they live. I loved the balance between the beauty of the place and drawbacks like the dust and the flies. Phoebe McFadden is the main protagonist. A highly qualified nurse, midwife and hospital administrator, she is returning to Birdsville for her cousin’s wedding after leaving eighteen years earlier following a fight with her father. Birdsville Police Senior Sergeant Atticus Bow, five years her junior, has loved Phoebe since they were children and he’s determined to convince her to stay. While the relationship between these two is the central romance, in the background another romance is playing out between Phoebe’s father Rusty and local health service nurse Gloria. Added to the mix is heavily pregnant teenager Charli, who has come to Birdsville to look for a family link. All these characters are realistically crafted and so, so easy to cheer for. I also loved the various sub-plots that pepper this story; the organisation involved in carrying out a remote rescue and recovery, the build-up to the Birdsville Races and the excitement of the day.
This book has been a joy to read and has left me with a warm, fuzzy feeling inside and a desire to see Birdsville for myself.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a wonderful and captivating story Back to Birdsville is.

The story follows Phoebe McFadden who is driving from Adelaide back to her childhood home town of Birdsville. McArthur cleverly draws in you straight into the story during this road trip via a beautiful landscape setting.

Phoebe has been estranged from her father for 18 years and is nervous about seeing him after all this time. But an unexpected bonus from her past comes in the form of Atticus Bow, an irresistible man that she can’t stop thinking about. I really loved the chemistry between these two, it was quite the slow burn.

The story is told, not just from Phoebe’s point of view but also that of Atticus the local police officer, Gloria the bush nurse and Charli who is new to town and looking for work. This worked really well for me, giving great depth and perspective to the story.

There is also a family mystery, which I loved and the outcome was so fabulous that I had a huge grin on my face!

Back to Birdsville perfectly captures the essence of small remote towns and the big hearts of the community that resides there. I enjoyed the story centering around the time of year the Birdsville Big Red Bash occurs.

Overall it was a fab read that I definitely recommend.

[Marit · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️⭐️ Phoebe McFadden, a midwife, returns to Birdsville, a tiny town in outback Queensland, having left eighteen years earlier, at the age of seventeen, blaming her father for taking her hard-saved money for his gambling addiction. She vowed never to return, but relented when asked to be her cousin Scarlet’s bridesmaid. The story is told in alternating POVs, by Phoebe, Gloria, Birdsville‘s resident older nurse and 18 year old Charli (Charlene) who’s hoping to find information about her long dead mother. Despite her initial misgivings Phoebe soon becomes attracted to Atticus Bow, resident Senior Constable, and six years her junior. This warm-hearted rural romance highlights the importance of community support, country hospitality, the RFDS and hardy townspeople in a somewhat unforgiving desert landscape. Secrets and revelations abound. Enjoyable.

[Vicki Robe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was another fantastic installment from Fiona McArthur with her easy reading writing style. There were lots of layers to the story with really likable characters and plenty of family dramas included.

Phoebe McFadden fled home when she was seventeen vowing never to return after a disagreement with her father. Now she has returned for her cousins wedding and to face-up to the fallout of her previous decisions.

She also catches up with a younger friend from school, Atticus Bow, from her past whom is now the local police officer. As they spend time together they discover they have an attraction which Phoebe tries to ignore due to the age difference. Will she let her walls down or will she return home after the wedding?

To find out do yourself a favor and grab a copy!

[Shirley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gorgeous rural romance set in Birdsville. While the main part of the story is about Phoebe returning after leaving 18 years ago, there’s the side plots of Charli who arrives young and pregnant trying to find the family she’s never known, Gloria the aging nurse and Atticus the police officer who knew Phoebe when they were younger. The chapters are written from the point of view of these main four characters and flow so beautifully. Reading it makes you feel like you’re sitting in Birdsville right alongside the characters.

[Nicole West · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gives you all the feels of visiting Outback Birdsville.

The small-town family dynamics take you on a journey, getting to know how secrets can cause not speaking to each other for years.

Phoebe returns to Birdsville for her cousins wedding. She also comes across an old school acquaintance who sparks her interest.

Apart from the wedding, we are smack bang in the middle of the Birdsville Races.

It's an amazing story and makes you feel like you're right there in the middle of all the festivities.

[Alex Coulsell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I ❤️ a good Aussie book, especially one set in the outback. I really loved the extra information that was put into this book about nursing and life in the desert (as a girl who’s experienced both) so I loved it.
But… the ending was a bit meh, like it was such a good idea and had these big interconnecting stories but I feel like the ending was a bit rushed and it was like the lead up was 80%, then the twist happened and bam happy ending.

[Isabeau Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Back to Birdsville is not just a book; it's a heartfelt journey into the resilient souls of the Australian Outback! This novel masterfully blends romance, community spirit, and a juicy family mystery that had me absolutely hooked from the first page right up to the satisfying conclusion!

Back to Birdsville is an inspiring must read that captures the heart of the outback. I loved the message of honesty, vulnerability, and the reminder to act rather than wait, because life is short!

[Cathryn Wellner · Rating 3 out of 5]

My response to McArthur's book says more about my general distaste for romance novels than it does about the book itself. I found the story far too predictable, the characters too shallow. But I picked the book up in Birdsville and read it with an ear newly attuned to the places and people of outback Australia. For that, I enjoyed a book I would otherwise probably not have finished.

[Rachael Brain · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven’t read a good old fashioned romance for a while and I loved every minute of this one! The fact the main character is a midwife is a bonus and very relatable. The build up between the love couple, the missing mum storyline and the sheer joy at the ending being happy for everyone was fantastic!
Love old small Aussie outback towns 🩷

[Heather Reyburn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having visited Birdsville, I was delighted to dive into this believable, romantic and realistic book. The characters were so well developed I felt as though I knew them personally and I loved the medical and policing inclusion - so important in a small town. A fabulous story and one I highly recommend.