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Rumour Has It
Karly Lane's new page-turning, thrilling rural romance from this bestselling author with over 650,000 books sold.
After an enforced end to her tumultuous teenage love story, Aubree's life was so simple—she married Fletcher, had two children, worked in the successful family business and lived in the small town she grew up in.
But thirty years later she's divorced, her kid's lives are imploding and her ex-husband and his father have placed the family into the centre of major scandal and the ruthless gossip mill.
As if that wasn't enough, her old love now rides back into town with a score to settle, igniting even more rumours. The whole town seems to know everything about her before she does.
But as past and present collide, will the truth win out—and maybe even rekindled love, too?
Praise for Karly
'Perfect to read on a plane, train or beach-side holiday.' – Reading Writing and Reisling on The One That Got Away
'I absolutely couldn't put The One That Got Away down ...' – Ms G's Bookshelf
'... a compelling, fast-paced and engaging read with heart and substance.' – Better Reading
'If you are looking for a good holiday read, then definitely choose For Once In My Life.' – Blue Wolf Reviews
'A seriously wonderful book ... perfect if you are looking for something to make you smile and touch your heart.' – Beauty and Lace
'A country reading delight, Wish You Were Here is the perfect book to enjoy this summer season. You can't go wrong with a Karly Lane novel and this latest one was no exception.' – Mrs B's Book Reviews
'Heart-warming ... an enjoyable read that will be warmly welcomed by fans of Australian romance writing.' – Canberra Weekly
After an enforced end to her tumultuous teenage love story, Aubree's life was so simple—she married Fletcher, had two children, worked in the successful family business and lived in the small town she grew up in.
But thirty years later she's divorced, her kid's lives are imploding and her ex-husband and his father have placed the family into the centre of major scandal and the ruthless gossip mill.
As if that wasn't enough, her old love now rides back into town with a score to settle, igniting even more rumours. The whole town seems to know everything about her before she does.
But as past and present collide, will the truth win out—and maybe even rekindled love, too?
Praise for Karly
'Perfect to read on a plane, train or beach-side holiday.' – Reading Writing and Reisling on The One That Got Away
'I absolutely couldn't put The One That Got Away down ...' – Ms G's Bookshelf
'... a compelling, fast-paced and engaging read with heart and substance.' – Better Reading
'If you are looking for a good holiday read, then definitely choose For Once In My Life.' – Blue Wolf Reviews
'A seriously wonderful book ... perfect if you are looking for something to make you smile and touch your heart.' – Beauty and Lace
'A country reading delight, Wish You Were Here is the perfect book to enjoy this summer season. You can't go wrong with a Karly Lane novel and this latest one was no exception.' – Mrs B's Book Reviews
'Heart-warming ... an enjoyable read that will be warmly welcomed by fans of Australian romance writing.' – Canberra Weekly
- GenresRomance
350 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 2, 2025
26 people are currently reading
106 people want to read
About the author
Karly Lane
34 books380 followersKarly Lane lives on the beautiful Mid North Coast of NSW in Australia. A certified small town girl, she is most happy in a little town where everyone knows who your grand parents were. She writes women’s fiction – everything from romantic suspense to family sagas and life in rural Australia. She has romantic suspense titles published under Karlene Blakemore-Mowle and her latest release, Third Time Lucky is available now.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
October 18, 2025
Dalhousie, New South Wales. As a teenager Aubree Summerville fell head over heels in love with Beau Huxley, when he up and left she eventually married Fletcher Randell, had two children and are now divorced. Aubree runs her own candle making business, her parents, extended family and best friend Ronnie all live in the country town, she’s happy and content being single.
Beau’s father Mick was convicted of murder, after serving thirty years he was acquitted, his dad had an insurance payout he invested and it's vanished, he want’s answers and that's why he returns to Dalhousie.
The local grapevine is already going crazy, the pharmacist has gone missing, his church attending wife was having an affair with Aubree’s ex-father-in-law Bruce and when Beau arrives it adds fuel to the fire. Many can’t see is the point of looking into an old cold case involving his father, and is it just causing more drama and tension?
Seeing Beau again and Aubree’s heart still flutters, the teenage bad boy is older, ruggedly handsome and a magnetic man and her parents still think he’s bad news and she should stay away from him and she can’t.
I really enjoyed the dynamic of the dual timeline, set both in 1992 and present time. With the flash backs of how Aubree and Beau met, her teenage rebellion and family's reaction and decades later the couple still hold a candle for each other and how this pans out.
I received a copy of Rumour Has It by Karly Lane from NetGalley and Allen & Unwin in exchange for an honest review. This is a well written Aussie spin on the classic good girl falling for a boy from the wrong side of the tracks. I liked the suspense and mystery in the narrative, how the past and present collide and cold cases are always fascinating and the truth is uncovered.
Soon as Beau rode back into Dalhousie on his motor bike, I can just imagine all the heads turning and what the gossips were saying about him and Aubree. I highly recommend and five stars from me and Beau is officially my new book boyfriend.
Beau’s father Mick was convicted of murder, after serving thirty years he was acquitted, his dad had an insurance payout he invested and it's vanished, he want’s answers and that's why he returns to Dalhousie.
The local grapevine is already going crazy, the pharmacist has gone missing, his church attending wife was having an affair with Aubree’s ex-father-in-law Bruce and when Beau arrives it adds fuel to the fire. Many can’t see is the point of looking into an old cold case involving his father, and is it just causing more drama and tension?
Seeing Beau again and Aubree’s heart still flutters, the teenage bad boy is older, ruggedly handsome and a magnetic man and her parents still think he’s bad news and she should stay away from him and she can’t.
I really enjoyed the dynamic of the dual timeline, set both in 1992 and present time. With the flash backs of how Aubree and Beau met, her teenage rebellion and family's reaction and decades later the couple still hold a candle for each other and how this pans out.
I received a copy of Rumour Has It by Karly Lane from NetGalley and Allen & Unwin in exchange for an honest review. This is a well written Aussie spin on the classic good girl falling for a boy from the wrong side of the tracks. I liked the suspense and mystery in the narrative, how the past and present collide and cold cases are always fascinating and the truth is uncovered.
Soon as Beau rode back into Dalhousie on his motor bike, I can just imagine all the heads turning and what the gossips were saying about him and Aubree. I highly recommend and five stars from me and Beau is officially my new book boyfriend.
December 15, 2025
This is a book about a middle-aged woman Aubree who still lives in the small town she grew up in. She got married had 2 kids. 30 years later she's now divorced, the kids are adults and the ex's family are the centre of towns gossip due to a big scandal.
Well Aubree has never forgotten her first love. He's in town to clear his father's name. Will Aubree ever be able to live her own life and not worry about everyone else and what they think?
Another 5 star! This is actually one of my favourite books of Karly's so far. It had everything I want in a book. Second chance romance, DNA, Podcasts, small town and a cold case.
The ending left me hoping there is going to be a sequel to this. I would love a sequel. Here's hoping.
This book is all about rumours, just like the title says. Highly recommend.
Well Aubree has never forgotten her first love. He's in town to clear his father's name. Will Aubree ever be able to live her own life and not worry about everyone else and what they think?
Another 5 star! This is actually one of my favourite books of Karly's so far. It had everything I want in a book. Second chance romance, DNA, Podcasts, small town and a cold case.
The ending left me hoping there is going to be a sequel to this. I would love a sequel. Here's hoping.
This book is all about rumours, just like the title says. Highly recommend.
December 3, 2025
Dalhousie had had its fair share of trouble over the years, the main one being the death of a young woman, and the incorrect incarceration of a man for thirty years, before he was acquitted. Now, Aubree remembered her teenage love story fondly; she'd since married and had two children; was now divorced and her children, Mason & Callie, were adults. But bumping into (literally) the man who was often in her thoughts, Beau Huxley, shook her to her core. What was he doing back in Dalhousie?
Beau had returned to settle scores. His father had suffered immensely and the Randalls were at fault. The senior Randall was avoiding him, knowing what Beau wanted and Beau was angry. He'd spent time in Afghanistan and was now in private security. He was prepared to deal whatever was necessary to Bruce Randall. But suddenly the police were involved, the thirty year old case was reopened, and a man was missing. And Beau discovered his old feelings for Aubree were still there; and she felt the same. What was happening in the small town of Dalhousie?
Rumour Has It is another exceptional read by Aussie author Karly Lane and I devoured it. A rural romantic suspense, just what I love! The mystery and suspense blended beautifully with the rural outlook, along with a gentle romance; definitely up there with one of Karly's best IMO. Highly recommended.
With thanks to Allen & Unwin AU for my ARC to read and review.
Beau had returned to settle scores. His father had suffered immensely and the Randalls were at fault. The senior Randall was avoiding him, knowing what Beau wanted and Beau was angry. He'd spent time in Afghanistan and was now in private security. He was prepared to deal whatever was necessary to Bruce Randall. But suddenly the police were involved, the thirty year old case was reopened, and a man was missing. And Beau discovered his old feelings for Aubree were still there; and she felt the same. What was happening in the small town of Dalhousie?
Rumour Has It is another exceptional read by Aussie author Karly Lane and I devoured it. A rural romantic suspense, just what I love! The mystery and suspense blended beautifully with the rural outlook, along with a gentle romance; definitely up there with one of Karly's best IMO. Highly recommended.
With thanks to Allen & Unwin AU for my ARC to read and review.
February 5, 2026
EXCERPT: Aubree stepped out of the post office into the glare of the bright sunlight. Squinting, she slid her sunglasses from the top of her head. As she rounded the corner, she had no time to avoid a wall of black. She gasped as they collided, bouncing backward and starting to overbalance when two large hands latched firmly onto her arm, steadying her.
'I'm sorry,' she stammered, tilting her head back to find a black-goateed, dark-haired man still holding her, his hands warm where they touched her bare skin.
'Are you okay?'
The tone of his voice triggered something deep within her, like a jolt or a spark. But whatever it was passed as quickly as it had come as he slowly released her. She took a small step back, sliding her sunglasses back onto her head so she could get a better look at him. Now she was looking closer, she could see silver streaks scattered through his beard and short, shaved hair.
The man lifted his own sunglasses and she saw a set of green eyes with flecks of brown studying her intensely.
That same jolt hit her again. 'Beau?' she said softly.
ABOUT 'RUMOUR HAS IT': In a small town, rumors can make or break a reputation. But after thirty years can the truth heal a broken heart?
After an enforced end to her tumultuous teenage love story, Aubree's life was so simple-she married Fletcher, had two children, worked in the successful family business and lived in the small town she grew up in.
But thirty years later she's divorced, her kid's lives are imploding and her ex-husband and his father have placed the family into the center of major scandal and the ruthless gossip mill.
As if that wasn't enough, her old love now rides back into town with a score to settle, igniting even more rumors. The whole town seems to know everything about her before she does.
But as past and present collide, will the truth win out-and maybe even rekindled love, too?
MY THOUGHTS: Karly Lane, where have I been all your writing life? Yes, Rumour Has It is my first book by this amazingly fresh Australian author, and it won't be my last. I love this author's relaxed and engaging writing style and her entertainingly realistic characters.
This second chance romance is enhanced by the addition of a mystery involving the MFCs ex-father-in-law, a scandal also involving the same ex-f-i-l, and a missing person.
Aubree's manipulative ex-husband is busy trying to score points with their semi-adult children and, at the same time, cast Aubree in a bad light. I just love this line in this book: Whoever reckoned the terrible twos were the hardest stage to get kids through had clearly not yet become a parent to a teenager or young adult.
With both Callie's and Mason's lives falling apart, her business expanding and the fallout from the scandal involving her ex-f-i-law to cope with, Aubree is already struggling. And then along comes Beau. Tall, dark and brooding bad boy Beau, her first love, the man she has never forgotten, the man her family forbade her from seeing, to complicate her life even further.
I inhaled this read. Once I picked it up, I found it almost impossible to put down. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough and at the same time I wanted it to never end. I was rooting for Aubree and Beau from the very start. But unlike with some romances, I was never entirely sure that these two were going to get their HEA. Do they? 🤐 And do the ex-husband and ex-f-i-l get their just desserts? 🤐
An exciting, entertaining and compelling read.
⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
#RumourHasIt #NetGalley
MEET THE AUTHOR: KARLY LANE lives on the beautiful mid-North Coast of New South Wales, and she is the proud mum of four children and an assortment of four-legged animals.
Before becoming an author, Karly worked as a pathology collector. After surviving three teenagers and now navigating the return-to-nesters, her résumé has expanded to include her expertise as a referee, hostage negotiator, law enforcer, peacekeeper, driving instructor, counsellor and early childhood educator.
When she isn't at her keyboard, Karly can be found hanging out with her beloved horses and dogs, happily ignoring the housework.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Allen & Unwin via NetGalley for providing a DRC of Rumour Has It by Karly Lane for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
'I'm sorry,' she stammered, tilting her head back to find a black-goateed, dark-haired man still holding her, his hands warm where they touched her bare skin.
'Are you okay?'
The tone of his voice triggered something deep within her, like a jolt or a spark. But whatever it was passed as quickly as it had come as he slowly released her. She took a small step back, sliding her sunglasses back onto her head so she could get a better look at him. Now she was looking closer, she could see silver streaks scattered through his beard and short, shaved hair.
The man lifted his own sunglasses and she saw a set of green eyes with flecks of brown studying her intensely.
That same jolt hit her again. 'Beau?' she said softly.
ABOUT 'RUMOUR HAS IT': In a small town, rumors can make or break a reputation. But after thirty years can the truth heal a broken heart?
After an enforced end to her tumultuous teenage love story, Aubree's life was so simple-she married Fletcher, had two children, worked in the successful family business and lived in the small town she grew up in.
But thirty years later she's divorced, her kid's lives are imploding and her ex-husband and his father have placed the family into the center of major scandal and the ruthless gossip mill.
As if that wasn't enough, her old love now rides back into town with a score to settle, igniting even more rumors. The whole town seems to know everything about her before she does.
But as past and present collide, will the truth win out-and maybe even rekindled love, too?
MY THOUGHTS: Karly Lane, where have I been all your writing life? Yes, Rumour Has It is my first book by this amazingly fresh Australian author, and it won't be my last. I love this author's relaxed and engaging writing style and her entertainingly realistic characters.
This second chance romance is enhanced by the addition of a mystery involving the MFCs ex-father-in-law, a scandal also involving the same ex-f-i-l, and a missing person.
Aubree's manipulative ex-husband is busy trying to score points with their semi-adult children and, at the same time, cast Aubree in a bad light. I just love this line in this book: Whoever reckoned the terrible twos were the hardest stage to get kids through had clearly not yet become a parent to a teenager or young adult.
With both Callie's and Mason's lives falling apart, her business expanding and the fallout from the scandal involving her ex-f-i-law to cope with, Aubree is already struggling. And then along comes Beau. Tall, dark and brooding bad boy Beau, her first love, the man she has never forgotten, the man her family forbade her from seeing, to complicate her life even further.
I inhaled this read. Once I picked it up, I found it almost impossible to put down. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough and at the same time I wanted it to never end. I was rooting for Aubree and Beau from the very start. But unlike with some romances, I was never entirely sure that these two were going to get their HEA. Do they? 🤐 And do the ex-husband and ex-f-i-l get their just desserts? 🤐
An exciting, entertaining and compelling read.
⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
#RumourHasIt #NetGalley
MEET THE AUTHOR: KARLY LANE lives on the beautiful mid-North Coast of New South Wales, and she is the proud mum of four children and an assortment of four-legged animals.
Before becoming an author, Karly worked as a pathology collector. After surviving three teenagers and now navigating the return-to-nesters, her résumé has expanded to include her expertise as a referee, hostage negotiator, law enforcer, peacekeeper, driving instructor, counsellor and early childhood educator.
When she isn't at her keyboard, Karly can be found hanging out with her beloved horses and dogs, happily ignoring the housework.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Allen & Unwin via NetGalley for providing a DRC of Rumour Has It by Karly Lane for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
December 5, 2025
Another fabulous story from a wonderful story teller Karly Lane and this one had me turning the pages very quickly as we go to the small town of Dalhousie where rumours run full time and never seem to stop but how will they go when a local goes missing someone returns after leaving thirty years ago and a long time business man in the community is wanted and a thirty year old case is re-opened, there will be changes.
Aubree fell in love with Beau a boy from the wrong side of town thirty years ago, teenage love but Aubree never forgot Beau even though he left town after his father was convicted of murder thirty years ago Aubree married Fletcher Randall had two children who are now adults she is divorced now and runs a candle business in town but life changes when Beau rides back into town on his bike, it appears that he has always held a piece of her heart.
Beau is determined to settle a score, his father had been through so much and he was not around anymore but Beau wanted this so much but when he arrives the man he is after, Bruce Randall is not available the local chemist is missing the rumours are running rife with what has happened and then there is Aubree still beautiful and still there what would life had been if things had been different thirty years ago?
Things start moving pretty fast when the police are looking for not only the missing chemist where a crime scene has been set up around his campsite but Bruce Randall is in their sites and a young podcaster is determined to get the case where Beau’s father was convicted of murder re-opened and Aubree and Beau are realising that they have a lot to catch up on but will the rumours that run in this town cause more trouble or will Aubree and Beau finally find their HEA after all of these years?
This is a fabulous rural romance suspense, fabulous characters a gorgeous romance. I loved it, Karly Lane never disappoints and I highly recommend this one, make yourself comfortable when you pick it up because you will not want to put it down.
My thanks to Allen & Unwin for my copy to read and review.
Aubree fell in love with Beau a boy from the wrong side of town thirty years ago, teenage love but Aubree never forgot Beau even though he left town after his father was convicted of murder thirty years ago Aubree married Fletcher Randall had two children who are now adults she is divorced now and runs a candle business in town but life changes when Beau rides back into town on his bike, it appears that he has always held a piece of her heart.
Beau is determined to settle a score, his father had been through so much and he was not around anymore but Beau wanted this so much but when he arrives the man he is after, Bruce Randall is not available the local chemist is missing the rumours are running rife with what has happened and then there is Aubree still beautiful and still there what would life had been if things had been different thirty years ago?
Things start moving pretty fast when the police are looking for not only the missing chemist where a crime scene has been set up around his campsite but Bruce Randall is in their sites and a young podcaster is determined to get the case where Beau’s father was convicted of murder re-opened and Aubree and Beau are realising that they have a lot to catch up on but will the rumours that run in this town cause more trouble or will Aubree and Beau finally find their HEA after all of these years?
This is a fabulous rural romance suspense, fabulous characters a gorgeous romance. I loved it, Karly Lane never disappoints and I highly recommend this one, make yourself comfortable when you pick it up because you will not want to put it down.
My thanks to Allen & Unwin for my copy to read and review.
January 2, 2026
Karly Lane is a must-read author for me. I've never read a mediocre Karly Lane book and Rumour Has It, Karly's twenty-sixth novel, is no exception.
This truly engaging second chance romance mystery read had me invested right from the opening pages.
As with previous books, Rumour Has It combines small-town romance with a compelling mystery, a cold case murder investigation and a missing person puzzle. The twists honestly shocked me and Karly Lane shows she is a truly versatile writer to combine these two genres and pull it off, once again.
If you haven't read a Karly Lane book before, this is a great book to start with. Like me, you'll be hooked.
This truly engaging second chance romance mystery read had me invested right from the opening pages.
As with previous books, Rumour Has It combines small-town romance with a compelling mystery, a cold case murder investigation and a missing person puzzle. The twists honestly shocked me and Karly Lane shows she is a truly versatile writer to combine these two genres and pull it off, once again.
If you haven't read a Karly Lane book before, this is a great book to start with. Like me, you'll be hooked.
January 14, 2026
⭐️4.5 Stars⭐️
Rumour Has It
Karly Lane writes page turning small town romance stories and this one doesn’t disappoint, it’s about second chance romance, family, relationships, town gossip and a murder mystery and it had me hooked!
After a heartbreaking teenage romance Aubree marries Fletcher and has two children. Three decades years later and they’ve been divorced two years and he’s remarried. When her ex-husband’s family cause a scandal in town Aubree is concerned for her children. Aubree forty nine, runs her candle business in the small rural town of Dalhousie.
The man Beau, a boy she once loved as a teenager literally ‘rides’ into town thirty two years after she last saw him and Aubree is not prepared to still have feelings for him…..
I just loved everything about this book, its cosy warmth and authentic characters are a stand out.
Highly recommend you add this one to your reading list! Sit down somewhere comfy with a nice cup of tea and find time to read… bliss! 📘🫖☕️
Publication Date 02 December 2025
Publisher Allen & Unwin
Thank you so much Allen & Unwin for a copy of the book.
Rumour Has It
Karly Lane writes page turning small town romance stories and this one doesn’t disappoint, it’s about second chance romance, family, relationships, town gossip and a murder mystery and it had me hooked!
After a heartbreaking teenage romance Aubree marries Fletcher and has two children. Three decades years later and they’ve been divorced two years and he’s remarried. When her ex-husband’s family cause a scandal in town Aubree is concerned for her children. Aubree forty nine, runs her candle business in the small rural town of Dalhousie.
The man Beau, a boy she once loved as a teenager literally ‘rides’ into town thirty two years after she last saw him and Aubree is not prepared to still have feelings for him…..
I just loved everything about this book, its cosy warmth and authentic characters are a stand out.
Highly recommend you add this one to your reading list! Sit down somewhere comfy with a nice cup of tea and find time to read… bliss! 📘🫖☕️
Publication Date 02 December 2025
Publisher Allen & Unwin
Thank you so much Allen & Unwin for a copy of the book.
December 14, 2025
*https://www.instagram.com/mrsb_book_r...
👄2025 Karly Lane showcase title Rumour Has It is a tale of our land, the people, connections lost as well as found and the soul of a country town. Filled with love, loss, emotion and obstacles to overcome this is another touching yarn from Karly Lane.
👄Rumour Has It takes us to a small-town where innuendo and gossip is rife. Aubree leads the charge and we follow her as she deals with the impact of old scandals and fresh suggestions when her first love returns home after a thirty-year absence. As the past resurfaces, Aubree must consider if she needs to air a complicated truth so that she has a second shot at love again.
👄Karly Lane knows our part of the world like the back of her hand. Once again, this gifted storyteller takes you to a country locale that feels like home the minute you arrive. Rumour Has It features Dalhousie, a small town where gossip travels fast and every member of the community has a strong opinion. As always with Lane’s book, the setting was the star feature of the book, occupying an essential place on the cast list.
👄Lane’s prime protagonist is a woman that we can both relate to and admire. She is also a woman who is not perfect and hasn’t lived a charmed life by any means. As the story unfurls, we learn that Lane’s lead has worked hard to recoup many areas of her life after the demise of her marriage. Aubree takes solace in the upkeep of her own candle business, while also remaining present in the lives of her grown up children. I loved getting to know Aubree, her loved ones and her business venture as the narrative progressed.
I also liked the introduced romance and plot complication of a teenage sweetheart popping up again after decades away. The added intrigue of a truth that needs to be exposed following a long-buried tragedy adds further texture to the story. For me, the old feelings, kept secrets, mystery, tension, politics and the new surge of gossip following the events of the book really pulled me in.
Thanks to Karly Lane’s generous prose, I was immersed in an array of involving themes from town chatter, personal reputation, revisiting romance again, long held secrets, truth telling, the rumour mill, loyalty, scandal, family stresses, rediscovery, healing, old hurts, resilience, recovery, community tensions, life events acceptance and learning to embrace love in your mid-life years.
Rumour Has It is a rural fiction story that delivers plenty of mystery, heart, personal history, landscape features and quiet mystery. Do add it to your summer reading list! 4 stars🌟 🌟🌟🌟
I wish to extend a big thank you to @karly_lane_author & @allenandunwin for the chance to take part in the tour. Thank you everyone for joining me!
👄2025 Karly Lane showcase title Rumour Has It is a tale of our land, the people, connections lost as well as found and the soul of a country town. Filled with love, loss, emotion and obstacles to overcome this is another touching yarn from Karly Lane.
👄Rumour Has It takes us to a small-town where innuendo and gossip is rife. Aubree leads the charge and we follow her as she deals with the impact of old scandals and fresh suggestions when her first love returns home after a thirty-year absence. As the past resurfaces, Aubree must consider if she needs to air a complicated truth so that she has a second shot at love again.
👄Karly Lane knows our part of the world like the back of her hand. Once again, this gifted storyteller takes you to a country locale that feels like home the minute you arrive. Rumour Has It features Dalhousie, a small town where gossip travels fast and every member of the community has a strong opinion. As always with Lane’s book, the setting was the star feature of the book, occupying an essential place on the cast list.
👄Lane’s prime protagonist is a woman that we can both relate to and admire. She is also a woman who is not perfect and hasn’t lived a charmed life by any means. As the story unfurls, we learn that Lane’s lead has worked hard to recoup many areas of her life after the demise of her marriage. Aubree takes solace in the upkeep of her own candle business, while also remaining present in the lives of her grown up children. I loved getting to know Aubree, her loved ones and her business venture as the narrative progressed.
I also liked the introduced romance and plot complication of a teenage sweetheart popping up again after decades away. The added intrigue of a truth that needs to be exposed following a long-buried tragedy adds further texture to the story. For me, the old feelings, kept secrets, mystery, tension, politics and the new surge of gossip following the events of the book really pulled me in.
Thanks to Karly Lane’s generous prose, I was immersed in an array of involving themes from town chatter, personal reputation, revisiting romance again, long held secrets, truth telling, the rumour mill, loyalty, scandal, family stresses, rediscovery, healing, old hurts, resilience, recovery, community tensions, life events acceptance and learning to embrace love in your mid-life years.
Rumour Has It is a rural fiction story that delivers plenty of mystery, heart, personal history, landscape features and quiet mystery. Do add it to your summer reading list! 4 stars🌟 🌟🌟🌟
I wish to extend a big thank you to @karly_lane_author & @allenandunwin for the chance to take part in the tour. Thank you everyone for joining me!
December 2, 2025
4.5★
Review to follow.
Review to follow.
January 5, 2026
One of the things I enjoyed most about Rumour Has It was the lead character, Aubree. Nearing fifty, she’s thoughtful, resilient, and refreshingly relatable - especially for older readers who don’t always see themselves represented in contemporary fiction. Her journey proves that life, love, and new beginnings don’t stop at a certain age.
Set in a close-knit country town, the story explores how rumours spread fast and can quietly (or loudly) damage lives and relationships. Karly Lane captures small-town dynamics beautifully, showing both the comfort and the pressure of living where everyone knows your business.
Alongside the emotional fallout of gossip, there’s a gentle but meaningful romance centred on second chances, reminding us that love can find you when you least expect it. Add in a subtle murder mystery subplot, and the story keeps you turning pages while staying deeply character-driven.
Set in a close-knit country town, the story explores how rumours spread fast and can quietly (or loudly) damage lives and relationships. Karly Lane captures small-town dynamics beautifully, showing both the comfort and the pressure of living where everyone knows your business.
Alongside the emotional fallout of gossip, there’s a gentle but meaningful romance centred on second chances, reminding us that love can find you when you least expect it. Add in a subtle murder mystery subplot, and the story keeps you turning pages while staying deeply character-driven.
December 11, 2025
Karly Lane’s latest heartwarming release Rumour Has It was a compelling read that I thoroughly enjoyed.
In the small town of Dalhousie, Aubree is content running her candle business, hanging out with her best friend and looking out for her kids even though they have all but flown the nest. But when an old flame rides into town thirty years after their teenage love story ended, Aubree isn’t prepared to still feel such a strong attraction. With the town rumour mill in full force, her ex-husband and his father have also placed the family in the middle of a scandal. With so much going on, will the truth be revealed and can love be rekindled?
Rumour Has It was one of my favourite books by the prolific Karly Lane. I flew through it in a couple of sittings and was completely invested in Aubree and Beau’s second chance love story. I loved that the MCs were a similar age to myself and so there was none of the drama and miscommunication of romances featuring younger characters. The issues and roadblocks they faced were all realistic and understandable and it was refreshing to see open and honest communication.
There was also a cold case murder mystery underlying the story which added some intrigue and tension. I enjoyed seeing how this played out and the way the town’s gossip and rumour-mongers reacted and fed the misinformation.
Rumour Has It was a sweet and relatable rural romance with an intriguing mystery element that kept me engrossed in the story. If you enjoy romance and have yet to pick up a Karly Lane book then I recommend grabbing yourself a copy of this one.
In the small town of Dalhousie, Aubree is content running her candle business, hanging out with her best friend and looking out for her kids even though they have all but flown the nest. But when an old flame rides into town thirty years after their teenage love story ended, Aubree isn’t prepared to still feel such a strong attraction. With the town rumour mill in full force, her ex-husband and his father have also placed the family in the middle of a scandal. With so much going on, will the truth be revealed and can love be rekindled?
Rumour Has It was one of my favourite books by the prolific Karly Lane. I flew through it in a couple of sittings and was completely invested in Aubree and Beau’s second chance love story. I loved that the MCs were a similar age to myself and so there was none of the drama and miscommunication of romances featuring younger characters. The issues and roadblocks they faced were all realistic and understandable and it was refreshing to see open and honest communication.
There was also a cold case murder mystery underlying the story which added some intrigue and tension. I enjoyed seeing how this played out and the way the town’s gossip and rumour-mongers reacted and fed the misinformation.
Rumour Has It was a sweet and relatable rural romance with an intriguing mystery element that kept me engrossed in the story. If you enjoy romance and have yet to pick up a Karly Lane book then I recommend grabbing yourself a copy of this one.
December 11, 2025
Big thanks to Allen & Unwin for sending us a copy to read and review.
Rural fiction extraordinaire Karly Lane has just released her latest gem that’s big on romance and country with a drizzle of a mystery thread.
Welcome to Dalhousie where small town gossip is running rampant.
Aubree had to end her stormy marriage.
Her husband was from an influential family, she worked in their successful business and had two wonderful kids.
Now many decades later she is divorced, the children are adults with messy lives, her ex husband is in trouble, there’s scandal in his family and the rumours are in abundance.
While navigating it all Aubree’s teen sweetheart arrives with an agenda of his own.
Beau is here to get the truth from a past tragedy setting off even more rumours.
Soon the truth will come out and maybe there’ll be a little flirtation along the way……
I’ve been a fan of Karly’s storytelling since the very first novel.
Cheering her fictional characters on, being comforted with her inviting plots and falling in love with the community towns.
As a bonus this one had a stimulating mystery thread.
A well crafted and interesting tale.
I really enjoyed this new Karly Lane book.
Rural fiction extraordinaire Karly Lane has just released her latest gem that’s big on romance and country with a drizzle of a mystery thread.
Welcome to Dalhousie where small town gossip is running rampant.
Aubree had to end her stormy marriage.
Her husband was from an influential family, she worked in their successful business and had two wonderful kids.
Now many decades later she is divorced, the children are adults with messy lives, her ex husband is in trouble, there’s scandal in his family and the rumours are in abundance.
While navigating it all Aubree’s teen sweetheart arrives with an agenda of his own.
Beau is here to get the truth from a past tragedy setting off even more rumours.
Soon the truth will come out and maybe there’ll be a little flirtation along the way……
I’ve been a fan of Karly’s storytelling since the very first novel.
Cheering her fictional characters on, being comforted with her inviting plots and falling in love with the community towns.
As a bonus this one had a stimulating mystery thread.
A well crafted and interesting tale.
I really enjoyed this new Karly Lane book.
December 18, 2025
The characters were real, and raw at times. Great story with a couple of twisty bits that made me keep reading. Five stars.
December 11, 2025
Small towns thrive on gossip. Dalhousie, New South Wales, is such a town. More recently, there's been developments that have kept tongues wagging. For Aubree Randall, these rumours directly involve herself and her two children.
Aubree once had the chance to leave the rumour mill behind. Thirty years ago, she and boyfriend, Beau Huxley, had big plans. Instead, Aubree was left heartbroken, choosing to marry Fletcher and working in the family business.
Now divorced, an empty nester (sometimes) and a small business owner, Aubree is content in Dalhousie. Why should she leave her safety net, when she's surrounded by her parents, extended family and best friend, Ronnie?
Then, one day, Aubree's world shakes when her old flame rides back into town. Beau has a score to settle, the town is up in arms over an affair, there're two people missing and then there's a podcaster wishing to reopen a murder mystery.
And why does Aubree's heart still skip a beat when she is in the vicinity of Beau once more? Can she think of herself for once and finally chase those long lost dreams with her man by her side?
Karly Lane has done it again with her latest release, Rumour Has It. Full disclosure. Karly is one of my favourite local authors and her ability to bring rural towns to life astonishes me. So, I'm not biased at all.
At the forefront of this charming novel is family and second chances. Aubree's family is large, loud and over protective, especially her parents. There's no secrets here- unless you're a fifteen year old hiding a boyfriend from the other side of the tracks. The flashbacks to the early 90's and the trials and tribulations this young couple faced broke my heart.
Then there was the mystery- a missing pharmacist that may have met foul play, Aubree's ex father in law also incognito, facing possible fraud charges, and the unsolved murder of a young woman from thirty years ago.
A real page turner, perfect to whittle away an Aussie summers day.
Thanks to Allen & Unwin for a copy. I'm participating in the Book Tour on Insta, so keep an eye out for my review there on Christmas Day!
4.75 🌟
Aubree once had the chance to leave the rumour mill behind. Thirty years ago, she and boyfriend, Beau Huxley, had big plans. Instead, Aubree was left heartbroken, choosing to marry Fletcher and working in the family business.
Now divorced, an empty nester (sometimes) and a small business owner, Aubree is content in Dalhousie. Why should she leave her safety net, when she's surrounded by her parents, extended family and best friend, Ronnie?
Then, one day, Aubree's world shakes when her old flame rides back into town. Beau has a score to settle, the town is up in arms over an affair, there're two people missing and then there's a podcaster wishing to reopen a murder mystery.
And why does Aubree's heart still skip a beat when she is in the vicinity of Beau once more? Can she think of herself for once and finally chase those long lost dreams with her man by her side?
Karly Lane has done it again with her latest release, Rumour Has It. Full disclosure. Karly is one of my favourite local authors and her ability to bring rural towns to life astonishes me. So, I'm not biased at all.
At the forefront of this charming novel is family and second chances. Aubree's family is large, loud and over protective, especially her parents. There's no secrets here- unless you're a fifteen year old hiding a boyfriend from the other side of the tracks. The flashbacks to the early 90's and the trials and tribulations this young couple faced broke my heart.
Then there was the mystery- a missing pharmacist that may have met foul play, Aubree's ex father in law also incognito, facing possible fraud charges, and the unsolved murder of a young woman from thirty years ago.
A real page turner, perfect to whittle away an Aussie summers day.
Thanks to Allen & Unwin for a copy. I'm participating in the Book Tour on Insta, so keep an eye out for my review there on Christmas Day!
4.75 🌟
December 17, 2025
Set in the country town of Dalhousie this book revovles around Aubree who is still living in the town she grew up in as a nearly 50 year old and Beau who left at the age of 18 but has returned. Beau also happens to be Aubree’s first love who grew up on the wrong side of tow. The story goes between the current timeline which has a missing local and some mystery around that as well as Aubree’s family with her adult children and drama with her ex-husband and ex-father-in-law and the past timeline which builds the relationship that she had with Beau. I really enjoyed this book, I loved the characters and how it showed that rumours can go crazy in a small town without people really caring for the truth.
December 30, 2025
Thirty years after her first heartbreak, Aubree’s "simple" life in her small town has shattered. Now divorced and facing a major public scandal caused by her ex-husband’s family, she must navigate her children’s imploding lives and the relentless local gossip mill. The stakes rise when her first love returns seeking revenge, forcing a collision between past secrets and present chaos that challenges Aubree to find the truth—and potentially a second chance at love.
Small towns have active rumour mills due to:
Boredom and Lack of Entertainment: Small towns often have fewer events, job opportunities, and activities compared to large cities. As a result, people may turn their attention to the personal lives of others to stave off boredom and create excitement or drama where little exists otherwise.
Close Proximity and Interconnectedness: In a small town, everyone often knows everyone else or at least someone who knows them. This high level of social interconnectedness means information (or speculation) can travel extremely quickly through established social networks.
Community and Social Bonding: Sharing information, even gossip, can serve as a way for people to connect, build solidarity, and reinforce group norms. Being "in the know" can provide a sense of belonging and status within the community.
No Privacy: It is hard to be anonymous in a small town; personal lives are often lived in public view. This environment breeds for speculation to start and harder for individuals to keep their private lives separate.
Uncertainty and Anxiety and Lack of Formal Information Channels: Rumours can spread as a way for people to process anxieties or uncertainties about their community, such as changes in the local economy, emergency, or new developments. Spreading information, even unverified, can provide a temporary sense of control over the unknown.
However, the lack of verification can breed misinformation and have serious consequences.
Insecurity and Superiority: Some individuals who are insecure may use gossip to feel superior or more in control. By focusing on others' misfortunes, they may feel better about themselves.
Small towns have active rumour mills due to:
Boredom and Lack of Entertainment: Small towns often have fewer events, job opportunities, and activities compared to large cities. As a result, people may turn their attention to the personal lives of others to stave off boredom and create excitement or drama where little exists otherwise.
Close Proximity and Interconnectedness: In a small town, everyone often knows everyone else or at least someone who knows them. This high level of social interconnectedness means information (or speculation) can travel extremely quickly through established social networks.
Community and Social Bonding: Sharing information, even gossip, can serve as a way for people to connect, build solidarity, and reinforce group norms. Being "in the know" can provide a sense of belonging and status within the community.
No Privacy: It is hard to be anonymous in a small town; personal lives are often lived in public view. This environment breeds for speculation to start and harder for individuals to keep their private lives separate.
Uncertainty and Anxiety and Lack of Formal Information Channels: Rumours can spread as a way for people to process anxieties or uncertainties about their community, such as changes in the local economy, emergency, or new developments. Spreading information, even unverified, can provide a temporary sense of control over the unknown.
However, the lack of verification can breed misinformation and have serious consequences.
Insecurity and Superiority: Some individuals who are insecure may use gossip to feel superior or more in control. By focusing on others' misfortunes, they may feel better about themselves.
December 19, 2025
Australian Rural Fiction made its way into my heart back in 2005 when I picked up Jillaroo written by Rachael Treasure and from that day on I was hooked. I constantly was looking for more books to read in this genre and that is when I found Author Karly Lane. I remember reading North Star in 2011 and have been a massive fan ever since. She is one of my must read authors when a new release comes out and "Rumour Has It" was a fabulous five star read. I always fantasize about packing up and moving to a small country town when I read one of Karly's books - her stories are always full of heart. This one had it all - the small town country vibe but also the damage gossip and rumours can do to people in small towns. I loved that this one was a rekindled mature love story between Aubree and Beau, first loves that meet again later in life when he returns to their home town of Dalhousie - NSW. Beau is back to clear his Father's name but he has never forgotten the way the town treated the Huxley's or the girl he left behind. Aubree never left the town but always remembered her first love Beau. She married and had children but is now divorced. When all of a sudden her ex Husband and Father in Law are the talk of the town and it starts to impact her children's life. I loved that the story was told both through Aubree's and Beau's point of views as well as the dual timeline of the past (1991 when they first met and secretly dated) and the present. I feel the story had it all - romance, suspense, mystery and drama. I am such a big fan of Karly's books and I often recommend them to friends and family. You will find many of Karly's books adorning my bookshelf. So as Molly Meldrum would say "Do yourself a favour" and read Karly's latest - "Rumour Has It" (book number 26) plus I promise you by the end will have a new book boyfriend called Beau.
January 1, 2026
Rumour Has It by Karly Lane
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (4.5)
Brimming with warmth, small-town charm and authentic, relatable characters, Rumour Has It was an absolute delight to read and a book you can easily lose yourself in for an afternoon of not-so-guilty pleasure.
📕 The Story
After an enforced end to her tumultuous teenage love story, Aubree's life was simple-she married Fletcher, had two children, worked in the successful family business and lived in the small town she grew up in.
But thirty years later she's divorced, her kid's lives are imploding and her ex-husband and his father have placed the family into the centre of major scandal.
As if that wasn't enough, her old love now rides back into town with a score to settle, igniting even more rumours...
✒️ My Thoughts
Karly Lane has gone and done it again!
Rumour Has It is a true gem that left me with all the fuzzy warm and cosy feels.
Lane has a knack for creating characters that feel real—like they could be your best friend or your neighbour. And with Aubree and Beau there's also a sizzling chemistry that builds from the first page and adds a delicious spark to the realities of parenting and everyday life that are perfectly depicted here.
A rekindled love story never fails to set my heart aflutter and this one really hit the mark.
Lane's clever storytelling captured Beau and Aubree's romance from its heady early days with the addition of flashbacks to 1992. These snippets added depth and made their reconnection all the sweeter to savour.
The setting beautifully captured the essence of rural Australia, where community spirit is the beating heart of daily life. Add in murder and a missing person mystery and this one had all the elements to keep me on the edge of my seat.
Grab yourself a cuppa and cosy up for a rural romance to warm your heart!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (4.5)
Brimming with warmth, small-town charm and authentic, relatable characters, Rumour Has It was an absolute delight to read and a book you can easily lose yourself in for an afternoon of not-so-guilty pleasure.
📕 The Story
After an enforced end to her tumultuous teenage love story, Aubree's life was simple-she married Fletcher, had two children, worked in the successful family business and lived in the small town she grew up in.
But thirty years later she's divorced, her kid's lives are imploding and her ex-husband and his father have placed the family into the centre of major scandal.
As if that wasn't enough, her old love now rides back into town with a score to settle, igniting even more rumours...
✒️ My Thoughts
Karly Lane has gone and done it again!
Rumour Has It is a true gem that left me with all the fuzzy warm and cosy feels.
Lane has a knack for creating characters that feel real—like they could be your best friend or your neighbour. And with Aubree and Beau there's also a sizzling chemistry that builds from the first page and adds a delicious spark to the realities of parenting and everyday life that are perfectly depicted here.
A rekindled love story never fails to set my heart aflutter and this one really hit the mark.
Lane's clever storytelling captured Beau and Aubree's romance from its heady early days with the addition of flashbacks to 1992. These snippets added depth and made their reconnection all the sweeter to savour.
The setting beautifully captured the essence of rural Australia, where community spirit is the beating heart of daily life. Add in murder and a missing person mystery and this one had all the elements to keep me on the edge of my seat.
Grab yourself a cuppa and cosy up for a rural romance to warm your heart!
November 4, 2025
💬 “You’re their home. They’ll find you wherever you are if they need you. They need to start their own lives now, and you need to go out and live yours.”
💬 “I never knew how much was missing in my life until I came back here and found you again.”
I was so happy to be back with Karly, with that feeling of home that her stories bring for me and this time it was with Aubree and Beau, as their past and present collide, in more ways than one.
There is so much packed into this book, with all the storyline’s and characters being realistic and not that I know Karly personally, but I just got this strong sense, that there is a lot of her self between these pages and in the character of Aubree. (Please correct me, if I’m wrong Karly) 😅
It’s a rekindled love story, both a murder and missing persons mystery, one of parenthood, close family, new chapters and most importantly to not judge a book by its cover and the damage that gossip, rumours and grudges can cause.
I loved just how supportive Aubree is as a mother to her grown adult children and the message around living life for yourself after they have moved on from home and that it’s ok to enjoy life too and it’s not all about work and of course I just love the relationship between Aubree and Beau 🔥
I’ll easily be adding a copy of this to Karly Lane collection and if you’re a fan - you won’t want to miss out on this one.
Thank-you @netgalley @allenandunwin and Karly for a Digital Advanced Readers Copy, in exchange for an honest review.
Release Date - December 2nd 2025
💬 “I never knew how much was missing in my life until I came back here and found you again.”
I was so happy to be back with Karly, with that feeling of home that her stories bring for me and this time it was with Aubree and Beau, as their past and present collide, in more ways than one.
There is so much packed into this book, with all the storyline’s and characters being realistic and not that I know Karly personally, but I just got this strong sense, that there is a lot of her self between these pages and in the character of Aubree. (Please correct me, if I’m wrong Karly) 😅
It’s a rekindled love story, both a murder and missing persons mystery, one of parenthood, close family, new chapters and most importantly to not judge a book by its cover and the damage that gossip, rumours and grudges can cause.
I loved just how supportive Aubree is as a mother to her grown adult children and the message around living life for yourself after they have moved on from home and that it’s ok to enjoy life too and it’s not all about work and of course I just love the relationship between Aubree and Beau 🔥
I’ll easily be adding a copy of this to Karly Lane collection and if you’re a fan - you won’t want to miss out on this one.
Thank-you @netgalley @allenandunwin and Karly for a Digital Advanced Readers Copy, in exchange for an honest review.
Release Date - December 2nd 2025
December 20, 2025
There’s a real comfort in picking up a Karly Lane novel—you just know you’re in safe hands—and Rumour Has It absolutely delivers.
Aubree is such a compelling main character from the very first page. Her life hasn’t turned out the way she expected, and I found her incredibly relatable, real, and easy to connect with. She’s navigating divorce, family upheaval, small-town gossip, and the fallout from choices made decades earlier—all while trying to hold herself together. I genuinely enjoyed following her journey and felt invested in her from start to finish.
One of my favourite aspects of the story was Aubree’s life as a candlemaker. It added a lovely layer to her character and gave the story warmth and texture. Those quieter moments balanced beautifully against the tension created by old secrets, resurfacing relationships, and a town that thrives on rumours.
Karly Lane is an expert storyteller, and she weaves past and present together effortlessly. I particularly loved the backstory between Aubree and her first love—it added emotional depth and helped explain so much about who she is now. As truths emerge and old wounds are reopened, the story explores forgiveness, resilience, and the possibility of second chances.
This is rural romance at its best—engaging, emotionally grounded, and full of heart. A thoroughly enjoyable read that kept me turning the pages.
Aubree is such a compelling main character from the very first page. Her life hasn’t turned out the way she expected, and I found her incredibly relatable, real, and easy to connect with. She’s navigating divorce, family upheaval, small-town gossip, and the fallout from choices made decades earlier—all while trying to hold herself together. I genuinely enjoyed following her journey and felt invested in her from start to finish.
One of my favourite aspects of the story was Aubree’s life as a candlemaker. It added a lovely layer to her character and gave the story warmth and texture. Those quieter moments balanced beautifully against the tension created by old secrets, resurfacing relationships, and a town that thrives on rumours.
Karly Lane is an expert storyteller, and she weaves past and present together effortlessly. I particularly loved the backstory between Aubree and her first love—it added emotional depth and helped explain so much about who she is now. As truths emerge and old wounds are reopened, the story explores forgiveness, resilience, and the possibility of second chances.
This is rural romance at its best—engaging, emotionally grounded, and full of heart. A thoroughly enjoyable read that kept me turning the pages.
January 24, 2026
After an enforced end to her tumultuous teenage love story, Aubree's life was so simple—she married Fletcher, had two children, worked in the successful family business and lived in the small town she grew up in. But thirty years later she's divorced, her kid's lives are imploding and her ex-husband and his father have placed the family into the centre of major scandal and the ruthless gossip mill. As if that wasn't enough, her old love now rides back into town with a score to settle.
This might have been my favourite Karly Lane book so far! I loved the fact that it featured an older main character and a second chance romance. Aubree was a wonderful, likeable protagonist who warmed my heart in no time. Her chemistry with Beau was sizzling, I was wondering the entire time how she could’ve married the awful Fletcher!
The plot in this was less predictable - an extra brownie point for me. I loved the dual timeline of the ‘past’ murder and the ‘current’ case Beau was entangled in. And I didn’t even guess the whodunnit! The suspense was building up nicely. I was fully hooked and finished this in a day and a bit!
(Thanks to Allen & Unwin for a gifted review copy)
See my bookstagram review.
This might have been my favourite Karly Lane book so far! I loved the fact that it featured an older main character and a second chance romance. Aubree was a wonderful, likeable protagonist who warmed my heart in no time. Her chemistry with Beau was sizzling, I was wondering the entire time how she could’ve married the awful Fletcher!
The plot in this was less predictable - an extra brownie point for me. I loved the dual timeline of the ‘past’ murder and the ‘current’ case Beau was entangled in. And I didn’t even guess the whodunnit! The suspense was building up nicely. I was fully hooked and finished this in a day and a bit!
(Thanks to Allen & Unwin for a gifted review copy)
See my bookstagram review.
November 2, 2025
I’m not sure if you have read any of Karly Lane’s novels before, but whether you have or haven’t you are in for a treat with this one. Karly’s heartfelt outback novels are always filled with lifelike characters that feel like old friends by the end of the book. Her characters are all so relatable with all the personality and flaws that you expect from a well written story. Aubree, the main character in ‘Rumour has it’, is no exception. Her hometown is determined that she knows all the gossip about her ex-husband and is determined to find out what it is. Aubree herself has no interest in knowing until it involves herself and her two grown children. Adding to all the fun is an old flame that has ridden back into town. Is he the reason for all the problems that are cropping up or was it simply a case of bad timing. Should she get to know him again? What would her children and family think if she does and is it even any of their business? Of course, being her small country town, everyone knows everyone else’s business, although in some cases this turns out to be a good thing, doesn’t it?
December 19, 2025
Karly Lane is one of my go to authors and I love her books but unfortunately I might be in the minority with this one as it just didn’t grab me.
Aubree has lived in Dalhousie all her life, a small Australian town. When she was younger she had a relationship with Beau, a young man with a motorcycle and reputation…one her parents didn’t like. Beau moved away when his father was accused of murder and Aubree moved on to marry into a wealthy, well known family.
Now Aubree is single again with a successful candle making business, her kids are young adults finding their feet…not easily, and her ex husband’ father is embroiled in some unsavoury business. And suddenly Beau turns up in town to clear his father’s name and all feelings come rushing back.
I’m not really sure why this book didn’t excite me as much as her others. I just don’t think I connected with Aubree or Beau, so couldn’t be invested in their relationship.
Don’t get me wrong, still a great book for a holiday read where you don’t have think much and go along for the ride. It’s an easy read, just not one of my favourites.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy to read.
Aubree has lived in Dalhousie all her life, a small Australian town. When she was younger she had a relationship with Beau, a young man with a motorcycle and reputation…one her parents didn’t like. Beau moved away when his father was accused of murder and Aubree moved on to marry into a wealthy, well known family.
Now Aubree is single again with a successful candle making business, her kids are young adults finding their feet…not easily, and her ex husband’ father is embroiled in some unsavoury business. And suddenly Beau turns up in town to clear his father’s name and all feelings come rushing back.
I’m not really sure why this book didn’t excite me as much as her others. I just don’t think I connected with Aubree or Beau, so couldn’t be invested in their relationship.
Don’t get me wrong, still a great book for a holiday read where you don’t have think much and go along for the ride. It’s an easy read, just not one of my favourites.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy to read.
October 10, 2025
This is only my second Karly Lane book and I can't stop thinking, how have I never discovered her books before?
I'm so glad that I have and will certainly be looking out for her previous books, and already have a few on my tbr pile.
Karly creates such wonderfully real, down to earth characters who I find I can relate to on multiple levels. The young Aubree reminds me a bit of myself when I was 17, rebelling against parental control. What happened to Beau's father was heartbreaking.
The relationship Aubree has with her kids sounds so loving and supportive, with the kids being typical kids and not considering anyone but themselves at times.
I don't want to give anything away so I will just say that this was a wonderful, heartwarming read and I'm looking forward to reading more from Karly.
Thank you to NetGalley and Allen & Unwin for the digital ARC. All opinions are my own.
I'm so glad that I have and will certainly be looking out for her previous books, and already have a few on my tbr pile.
Karly creates such wonderfully real, down to earth characters who I find I can relate to on multiple levels. The young Aubree reminds me a bit of myself when I was 17, rebelling against parental control. What happened to Beau's father was heartbreaking.
The relationship Aubree has with her kids sounds so loving and supportive, with the kids being typical kids and not considering anyone but themselves at times.
I don't want to give anything away so I will just say that this was a wonderful, heartwarming read and I'm looking forward to reading more from Karly.
Thank you to NetGalley and Allen & Unwin for the digital ARC. All opinions are my own.
December 12, 2025
Another FABULOUS read by one of my go to authors ❤️ this was the perfect pick me up after struggling through my previous read.
Aubree has lived in small town Dalhousie forever. She married Fletcher, had two kids, and opened her own store. Now, she’s divorced, her kids are all grown up and she’s facing a scandal involving her ex-father-in-law. When her teenage flame Beau returns to town, it’s clear there’s still a spark between them, but her life is in Dalhousie and his is elsewhere.
While Karly’s books are always books I’d classify as easy reads, they’re still such great stories that keep you addicted. I adored the flashback scenes in this to when Aubree and Beau first met - I loved seeing how their relationship developed and how it broke apart. Seeing them reconnect 30 years later was so sweet. There was a mystery undercurrent to this which had me gripped, both with what happened to Beau’s father all those years ago and with what is happening to Aubree’s in-laws. Fletcher was a massive twat though, and I can certainly see why Aubree divorced him haha. Aubree’s BFF Ronnie was awesome too. Aubree makes candles, and some of the names of them had me cracking up 😂 This was just an overall great read and another one I’d recommend - Karly is such a fantastic author!
Aubree has lived in small town Dalhousie forever. She married Fletcher, had two kids, and opened her own store. Now, she’s divorced, her kids are all grown up and she’s facing a scandal involving her ex-father-in-law. When her teenage flame Beau returns to town, it’s clear there’s still a spark between them, but her life is in Dalhousie and his is elsewhere.
While Karly’s books are always books I’d classify as easy reads, they’re still such great stories that keep you addicted. I adored the flashback scenes in this to when Aubree and Beau first met - I loved seeing how their relationship developed and how it broke apart. Seeing them reconnect 30 years later was so sweet. There was a mystery undercurrent to this which had me gripped, both with what happened to Beau’s father all those years ago and with what is happening to Aubree’s in-laws. Fletcher was a massive twat though, and I can certainly see why Aubree divorced him haha. Aubree’s BFF Ronnie was awesome too. Aubree makes candles, and some of the names of them had me cracking up 😂 This was just an overall great read and another one I’d recommend - Karly is such a fantastic author!
December 8, 2025
I’ve always felt that to read a Karly Lane book is to read about the heart and community of rural Australia. Lane has a way of capturing the essence of small towns and Rumour Has It is no exception.
✨ I really enjoyed the dual narratives. There was mystery and intrigue along with the rekindling of romance between Beau and Aubree. The flashbacks to 1992 when their relationship first started provided great depth to both their characters. It all blended beautifully and had me devouring the story.
Rumour Has It is a beautiful exploration of judgment based on rumour, second chances, wrongs to be righted and a mother’s love. I highly recommend adding this book to your summer reading list.
Thank you to Allen & Unwin for a copy to read and honestly review.
✨ I really enjoyed the dual narratives. There was mystery and intrigue along with the rekindling of romance between Beau and Aubree. The flashbacks to 1992 when their relationship first started provided great depth to both their characters. It all blended beautifully and had me devouring the story.
Rumour Has It is a beautiful exploration of judgment based on rumour, second chances, wrongs to be righted and a mother’s love. I highly recommend adding this book to your summer reading list.
Thank you to Allen & Unwin for a copy to read and honestly review.
December 15, 2025
Wow- what a sweet, heart warming and engaging novel about family, second chances and reigniting a past love that continues to burn even after three decades..
Karly Lane has done it again- the story had me intrigued from the very start and the plot gripped me and didn't let go. In terms of the characters I loved their dynamics and even though Bruce Randell was a bad egg, the real shock was Paul Simmons- a great twist I never saw coming.
It also cemented the gravity of true love between Aubrey and Beau and how even time and distance cannot snuff out a bright flame.
I cannot wait to read the next book by Karly.
Thankyou to Netgalley, the publisher and the lovely Karly Lane for an arc of this mesmerising and wonderful book.
Karly Lane has done it again- the story had me intrigued from the very start and the plot gripped me and didn't let go. In terms of the characters I loved their dynamics and even though Bruce Randell was a bad egg, the real shock was Paul Simmons- a great twist I never saw coming.
It also cemented the gravity of true love between Aubrey and Beau and how even time and distance cannot snuff out a bright flame.
I cannot wait to read the next book by Karly.
Thankyou to Netgalley, the publisher and the lovely Karly Lane for an arc of this mesmerising and wonderful book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 11, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Tropes:
*Small Town
*Second Chance
*Mystery
*Australian Setting
Wow What an absolute page turner this book was from start to finish. The story takes us on a journey that is full of twists, gossip and a small town where everyone knows everyone's business. I enjoyed when the story took us back in time to when Beau and Aubree were young adults it really made the story flow. I loved how relatable Aubree was she was always putting her needs on the back burner for the people she cared about and not wanting to engage in the gossip. Beau in the past was painted as troubled because of where his father came from aswell as where they had lived at the time. As I got further in to the book you got to see beau a bit different espically when it came to Aubree and her kids. I loved that these two were able to reconnect and that Beau was able to get some closure from the past.
If you are after a book that has minimal spice but a great plot this book is definetly worth the read.
Tropes:
*Small Town
*Second Chance
*Mystery
*Australian Setting
Wow What an absolute page turner this book was from start to finish. The story takes us on a journey that is full of twists, gossip and a small town where everyone knows everyone's business. I enjoyed when the story took us back in time to when Beau and Aubree were young adults it really made the story flow. I loved how relatable Aubree was she was always putting her needs on the back burner for the people she cared about and not wanting to engage in the gossip. Beau in the past was painted as troubled because of where his father came from aswell as where they had lived at the time. As I got further in to the book you got to see beau a bit different espically when it came to Aubree and her kids. I loved that these two were able to reconnect and that Beau was able to get some closure from the past.
If you are after a book that has minimal spice but a great plot this book is definetly worth the read.
December 18, 2025
A warm, relatable rural romance with a mystery to keep things interesting. "Rumour has it" is a great book to start if you're looking to read emotionally mature love stories with a small-town setting. The book is fast paced and I found it bingeable.
Aubree lives in a town named Dalhousie running her candle business, after being divorced from a ruined marriage. Her kids are all grown up, livng their lives. Everything seems fine until her first love from teenage comes back to the town and she realizes she could still feel the same for him.
Gossip is common in this small town & this also triggers to reopen a "murder mystery" that happened years ago. Love springs along with this tension and this gives Aubree and Beau a second chance.
Aubree lives in a town named Dalhousie running her candle business, after being divorced from a ruined marriage. Her kids are all grown up, livng their lives. Everything seems fine until her first love from teenage comes back to the town and she realizes she could still feel the same for him.
Gossip is common in this small town & this also triggers to reopen a "murder mystery" that happened years ago. Love springs along with this tension and this gives Aubree and Beau a second chance.
November 6, 2025
Rumour Has It is a warm, heartfelt story about small-town gossip, family, and second chances. When Aubree’s seemingly settled life unravels after her ex-husband’s scandal hits the headlines, she’s forced to confront not only her past but also the man she once loved and lost.
Lane captures the closeness (and claustrophobia) of rural Australian life with honesty and compassion. The constant gossip and Aubree’s struggle to reclaim her identity (after years of living by others’ expectations) is both relatable and inspiring.
The scandal involves the incarceration of Mick Huxley, an innocent man, and it is heart-gripping. His son Beau fought for almost 30 years for his father's acquittal. The wrongful conviction is central to the story — it fuels Beau’s anger, shapes how the town treats both him and his family, and becomes the emotional catalyst for the tension between Beau and Aubree when the truth about the past begins to resurface.
Thank you to Netgalley and publisher Allen and Unwin for the free copy of Rumour Has It in exchange for an honest review.
Lane captures the closeness (and claustrophobia) of rural Australian life with honesty and compassion. The constant gossip and Aubree’s struggle to reclaim her identity (after years of living by others’ expectations) is both relatable and inspiring.
The scandal involves the incarceration of Mick Huxley, an innocent man, and it is heart-gripping. His son Beau fought for almost 30 years for his father's acquittal. The wrongful conviction is central to the story — it fuels Beau’s anger, shapes how the town treats both him and his family, and becomes the emotional catalyst for the tension between Beau and Aubree when the truth about the past begins to resurface.
Thank you to Netgalley and publisher Allen and Unwin for the free copy of Rumour Has It in exchange for an honest review.
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