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Coorah Creek #2
The Wild One
Can four wounded souls find love?
Iraq war veteran Dan Mitchell once disobeyed an order – and it nearly destroyed him. Now a national park ranger in the Australian outback, he’s faced with another order he is unwilling to obey ...
Photographer Rachel Quinn seeks out beauty in unlikely places. Her work comforted Dan in his darkest days. But Quinn knows darkness too – and Dan soon realises she needs his help as much as he needs hers.
Carrie Bryant was a talented jockey until a racing accident broke her nerve. Now Dan and Quinn need her expertise, but can she face her fear? And could horse breeder, Justin Fraser, a man fighting to save his own heritage, be the man to help put that fear to rest?
The wounds you can’t see are the hardest to heal...
Iraq war veteran Dan Mitchell once disobeyed an order – and it nearly destroyed him. Now a national park ranger in the Australian outback, he’s faced with another order he is unwilling to obey ...
Photographer Rachel Quinn seeks out beauty in unlikely places. Her work comforted Dan in his darkest days. But Quinn knows darkness too – and Dan soon realises she needs his help as much as he needs hers.
Carrie Bryant was a talented jockey until a racing accident broke her nerve. Now Dan and Quinn need her expertise, but can she face her fear? And could horse breeder, Justin Fraser, a man fighting to save his own heritage, be the man to help put that fear to rest?
The wounds you can’t see are the hardest to heal...
210 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 3, 2015
20 people are currently reading
93 people want to read
About the author
Janet Gover
24 books112 followersJanet Gover was born in Melbourne, Australia. When she was very small, her family moved to a small country town in Queensland. She studied Journalism and Politics at Queensland University. She went on to forge a path in television journalism, she worked as a reporter and producer of news and other factual TV programmes in Australia, Hong Kong and the UK. Today matched with a Englishman, she lives in West London and works as a consultant, implementing high end digital systems in TV stations and production facilities in Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
Janet Gover published her first short story, called The Last Dragon, in 2002, and since then she published some short stories. In 2007 she won the Romantic Novelists' Association's Elizabeth Goudge Trophy, and now she is part of the RNA's Committee.. She published her first romance novel in 2009.
Janet Gover published her first short story, called The Last Dragon, in 2002, and since then she published some short stories. In 2007 she won the Romantic Novelists' Association's Elizabeth Goudge Trophy, and now she is part of the RNA's Committee.. She published her first romance novel in 2009.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
July 26, 2023
Photographer Rachel Quinn's Humvee was kitted out to be her home, with everything she needed when camping out, enabling her to get the photos she put so much into. Her love of the outdoors and the bush saw her arrive at Coorah Creek where she booked into the pub for a few nights. Heading out to the National Park one morning she came across a man with a rifle up to his eye. When Quinn saw what he was about to do, she raced toward him, then down to the billabong, making as much noise as she could.
Ex-Iraqi war veteran, now Park Ranger, Dan Mitchell had left the army under a medical discharge, but the memories of what had happened out there wouldn't leave him. His continual nightmares made him glad he was alone in the wilderness that was the National Park, so it was a shock when the young woman appeared before him. At first he was angry with her, but soon it seemed they might be able to work together. And when horse breeder Justin Fraser and Carrie Bryant - ex jockey - joined Dan and Quinn in the plan, they wondered, was it possible there could be a good result?
The Wild One is the 2nd in the Coorah Creek series by Aussie author Janet Gover and once again I thoroughly enjoyed the story. Set in outback Australia where the countryside is vast and distances between neighbours, hours apart. Catching up with Adam and Jess from book #1 was great, but it was the friendliness of the townsfolk at the pub, and their willingness to help whenever needed, that felt so good. A heartwarming story, The Wild One is one I recommend.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
Ex-Iraqi war veteran, now Park Ranger, Dan Mitchell had left the army under a medical discharge, but the memories of what had happened out there wouldn't leave him. His continual nightmares made him glad he was alone in the wilderness that was the National Park, so it was a shock when the young woman appeared before him. At first he was angry with her, but soon it seemed they might be able to work together. And when horse breeder Justin Fraser and Carrie Bryant - ex jockey - joined Dan and Quinn in the plan, they wondered, was it possible there could be a good result?
The Wild One is the 2nd in the Coorah Creek series by Aussie author Janet Gover and once again I thoroughly enjoyed the story. Set in outback Australia where the countryside is vast and distances between neighbours, hours apart. Catching up with Adam and Jess from book #1 was great, but it was the friendliness of the townsfolk at the pub, and their willingness to help whenever needed, that felt so good. A heartwarming story, The Wild One is one I recommend.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
December 27, 2015
Perfect! Simply perfect!
This is rural romance just how it should be.
The story occurs in the outback town of Coorah Creek where everyone is just like family.
Dan has moved to the nearby Tyangi Park, as park ranger, to escape the nightmares that started after his tour of duty in Iraq. He prefers to live his life alone, cut off from everyone. That is until photographer Rachel Quinn arrives in town.
Gover focuses on PTSD in veterans and civilians, it is encouraging to know that this is being explored and made more open, also the culling of wild animals in our national parks. This is a very emotive topic and it is dealt with knowledgeably.
The story centres around four main characters of Dan, Quinn, Justin and Carrie each have their own separate stories but come together in a common cause of saving the wild brumbies. As they work together to save the brumbies they also help to heal each other.
The characters were easy going and immediately likeable. I was pulled into the story from the beginning. The writing and the dialogue was all so natural it flowed beautifully.
I loved the men in this story. They were sensitive but this didn’t detract from their masculinity.
I was delighted that Quinn was a knitter (something that is usually portrayed as a bit geeky) and used it as therapy to ease her heartache.
I’m not a country girl at heart but the vivid descriptions made me want to grab my swag and go out there and sleep under the stars.
You don’t have to be a horse lover to be swept up in this heart-warming outback romance.
Even though this is book two in the Coorah Creek series the story stood well on its own with book one The Flight to Coorah Creek focusing on a different set of characters.
With thanks to the publisher via Netgalley for my copy to read and review.
This is rural romance just how it should be.
The story occurs in the outback town of Coorah Creek where everyone is just like family.
Dan has moved to the nearby Tyangi Park, as park ranger, to escape the nightmares that started after his tour of duty in Iraq. He prefers to live his life alone, cut off from everyone. That is until photographer Rachel Quinn arrives in town.
Gover focuses on PTSD in veterans and civilians, it is encouraging to know that this is being explored and made more open, also the culling of wild animals in our national parks. This is a very emotive topic and it is dealt with knowledgeably.
The story centres around four main characters of Dan, Quinn, Justin and Carrie each have their own separate stories but come together in a common cause of saving the wild brumbies. As they work together to save the brumbies they also help to heal each other.
The characters were easy going and immediately likeable. I was pulled into the story from the beginning. The writing and the dialogue was all so natural it flowed beautifully.
I loved the men in this story. They were sensitive but this didn’t detract from their masculinity.
I was delighted that Quinn was a knitter (something that is usually portrayed as a bit geeky) and used it as therapy to ease her heartache.
I’m not a country girl at heart but the vivid descriptions made me want to grab my swag and go out there and sleep under the stars.
You don’t have to be a horse lover to be swept up in this heart-warming outback romance.
Even though this is book two in the Coorah Creek series the story stood well on its own with book one The Flight to Coorah Creek focusing on a different set of characters.
With thanks to the publisher via Netgalley for my copy to read and review.
October 31, 2015
This is a heart-warming romantic tale set in the Australian Outback, about four people and a small town who come together to save the lives of a herd of wild horses, earmarked to be culled due to the damage they cause to the National Park. The main characters are all hiding, running, and living in fear from something dreadful in their past and this is not just a book about finding a companion and falling in love, but about finding inner strength, and learning to move on from the things that hold us back. I felt it also had something to say about the healing properties of teamwork, overcoming obstacles and of learning to work with the natural world, even when it throws hurdles in the way.
Despite the serious events that have made our main characters the people they are, this is a light, engaging romance and I never felt too emotional or worried that they would fail, so it perhaps lacked a little bit of true conflict. The background of the Australian Outback, and the small town of Coorah Creek, who all work together to solve this problem was a vivid setting that really tied the story together for me. A very enjoyable read - 4.5 stars.
My thanks go to Choc Lit who provided me with a copy of this title via NetGalley.
Despite the serious events that have made our main characters the people they are, this is a light, engaging romance and I never felt too emotional or worried that they would fail, so it perhaps lacked a little bit of true conflict. The background of the Australian Outback, and the small town of Coorah Creek, who all work together to solve this problem was a vivid setting that really tied the story together for me. A very enjoyable read - 4.5 stars.
My thanks go to Choc Lit who provided me with a copy of this title via NetGalley.
April 6, 2015
With sweeping descriptions that have you tasting the red earth of an Australian national park, and complex characters that bring the story to life, this is definitely a love story with substance.
Four lost individuals - a soldier with PTSD, a photographer running away from her memories, a jockey that hasn't recovered from a terrible fall, and a struggling horse breeder trying to live up to his father's legacy - come together to save some wild horses.
While two love stories at its heart, there is plenty of meat and substance to keep the reader entertained and turning the pages to find out what happens next. One for those that love their romance with some bite. Or their horses. Or both.
*I received a free, advance copy of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for my unbiased review.
Four lost individuals - a soldier with PTSD, a photographer running away from her memories, a jockey that hasn't recovered from a terrible fall, and a struggling horse breeder trying to live up to his father's legacy - come together to save some wild horses.
While two love stories at its heart, there is plenty of meat and substance to keep the reader entertained and turning the pages to find out what happens next. One for those that love their romance with some bite. Or their horses. Or both.
*I received a free, advance copy of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for my unbiased review.
April 3, 2015
I really want to visit Coorah Creek! The people there are wonderful and the characters in this book are prime examples. I love the way Janet always features two love stories which move at different speeds. Dan and Quinn have unresolved histories which threaten their happiness and Carrie has a real fear of the beautiful horses that she once loved so dearly. How these are resolved is the basis of the book and some of the history is explained early on, other tales are left until almost the end.
But the real stars of this novel are the brumbies. "What's a brumbie?" I hear you ask. No spoilers here - you'll have to read the book to find out
But the real stars of this novel are the brumbies. "What's a brumbie?" I hear you ask. No spoilers here - you'll have to read the book to find out
May 21, 2015
★★★★ from Ketto on 11 May 2015
Involving
I love the authenticity of the outback setting. I really felt as if I were one of the Coorag Creek characters mustering the brumbies.
Involving
I love the authenticity of the outback setting. I really felt as if I were one of the Coorag Creek characters mustering the brumbies.
August 7, 2023
This was the third Janet Gover book I read and so far my least favorite. It was fine. The story was sweet, but a little too much horse-centric for me and the characters didn’t quite manage to grab me either.
I did enjoy how the author wove the characters from the first book of this series into this second one. They got a bigger role than just a mere mention, even though this story was about 4 new characters. It made Coorah Creek feel like a real town with all these well fleshed out side characters.
I’ll eventually continue this series and I look forward to seeing these 4 people pop up again.
I did enjoy how the author wove the characters from the first book of this series into this second one. They got a bigger role than just a mere mention, even though this story was about 4 new characters. It made Coorah Creek feel like a real town with all these well fleshed out side characters.
I’ll eventually continue this series and I look forward to seeing these 4 people pop up again.
July 22, 2023
Dan Mitchell is living in Ouback, Australia, as a ranger. He has been given a task to remove the brumbys in the worst way.
Quinn is a great photographer on a job to get the best photos for her workplace.
Carrie is an ex jockey recovering after a serious injury.
Their lives are all intertwined, trying to save the brumbys from being shot and removed at the request of a politician and his compain.
Loved listening to this story ❤️
Quinn is a great photographer on a job to get the best photos for her workplace.
Carrie is an ex jockey recovering after a serious injury.
Their lives are all intertwined, trying to save the brumbys from being shot and removed at the request of a politician and his compain.
Loved listening to this story ❤️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 9, 2018
An enjoyable read, with no bad language, violence or smut - nicely done, Janet Gover! :)
March 30, 2015
First reviewed at Keeper Bookshelf
The Wild One was such an amazing, emotional and satisfying read. It isn’t a “typical” romance novel, there is definitely romance involved – but it is so much more.
Brumbies. Feral horses. These are the true focus of The Wild One. The entire story, people in the story and even, in a way, the fate of the folks from the story all focus around the Brumby herd and their efforts to save these amazing animals.
Dan Mitchell is former military. He spent time in Iraq, and the effects of the war are still with him daily. Now he spends his life in relative solitude as a park ranger. He has been given another duty, one that he cannot bring himself to do – and it is tearing him apart. The herd of Brumbies, feral horses, and their leader, the son of a thoroughbred that perished in a fire are destroying the National Park. He has been told to “take care” of the problem.
Rachel Quinn is a photographer. She also seeks solitude, but for another reason. She is holding on to a memory. One that she cannot escape, ever. And that is also tearing her apart. Quinn takes the most amazing nature photographs. Ones that are so amazing they touched Dan at a moment when he needed to find peace.
Carrie Bryant loved horses, was an up and coming jockey with wins under her belt. Until one race changed everything. Now she stays away from any horse, convinced that she will never know that joy ever again. She is wounded, afraid and so pulled into her own world of pain.
Justin Fraser is determined to bring his horse farm back to the greatness it once had. He needs an amazing horse as stud. And it just might be that he has found the solution for his problem.
Four people will become two couples who will share in an amazing few days of pulling off a miracle.
The feral horses and their stallion need to be saved – and it’s up to these four people – and the town of Coorah Creek – to come up with a plan, put it in motion and change so many lives in the process.
I loved this story, and I’ve already given away too much — but, in this case it’s okay. The love stories are intense, charming and believable. But, to me, the main story is of the combined efforts of so many people to save the Brumbies. Please, please go pick this one up – you will love it. Go for the romance aspect, but enjoy the rescue of some amazing creatures as well.
This one is a story I highly recommend. No, it’s not quite a typical romance, but it is that and so much more. I honestly think anyone who loves a good love story will find this one delivers.
*I received an e-ARC of The Wild One from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. That does not change what I think of this novel.*
The Wild One was such an amazing, emotional and satisfying read. It isn’t a “typical” romance novel, there is definitely romance involved – but it is so much more.
Brumbies. Feral horses. These are the true focus of The Wild One. The entire story, people in the story and even, in a way, the fate of the folks from the story all focus around the Brumby herd and their efforts to save these amazing animals.
Dan Mitchell is former military. He spent time in Iraq, and the effects of the war are still with him daily. Now he spends his life in relative solitude as a park ranger. He has been given another duty, one that he cannot bring himself to do – and it is tearing him apart. The herd of Brumbies, feral horses, and their leader, the son of a thoroughbred that perished in a fire are destroying the National Park. He has been told to “take care” of the problem.
Rachel Quinn is a photographer. She also seeks solitude, but for another reason. She is holding on to a memory. One that she cannot escape, ever. And that is also tearing her apart. Quinn takes the most amazing nature photographs. Ones that are so amazing they touched Dan at a moment when he needed to find peace.
Carrie Bryant loved horses, was an up and coming jockey with wins under her belt. Until one race changed everything. Now she stays away from any horse, convinced that she will never know that joy ever again. She is wounded, afraid and so pulled into her own world of pain.
Justin Fraser is determined to bring his horse farm back to the greatness it once had. He needs an amazing horse as stud. And it just might be that he has found the solution for his problem.
Four people will become two couples who will share in an amazing few days of pulling off a miracle.
The feral horses and their stallion need to be saved – and it’s up to these four people – and the town of Coorah Creek – to come up with a plan, put it in motion and change so many lives in the process.
I loved this story, and I’ve already given away too much — but, in this case it’s okay. The love stories are intense, charming and believable. But, to me, the main story is of the combined efforts of so many people to save the Brumbies. Please, please go pick this one up – you will love it. Go for the romance aspect, but enjoy the rescue of some amazing creatures as well.
This one is a story I highly recommend. No, it’s not quite a typical romance, but it is that and so much more. I honestly think anyone who loves a good love story will find this one delivers.
*I received an e-ARC of The Wild One from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. That does not change what I think of this novel.*
April 2, 2015
Horses, photography and the great outdoors – this book certainly ticks all my boxes. Throw in a couple of cute romances and it was always going to be a winner for me. Dan is a troubled man, discharged from the army for PTSD he’s escaped to the outback to work in a national park and has since found solace in the lonely quiet. However, when an order comes through to rid his little paradise of the destructive wild horses, all kinds of bad memories are stirred up.
Torn between obeying an order from his superior and doing what he feels to be right, Dan struggles over whether or not to shoot the horses – until Quinn arrives in a flurry of righteous indignation determined to find another way. From then on it’s a race not only to save the brumbies but to heal a few hearts along the way.
I really enjoyed this book. The scenery is spectacular and beautiful, helping to transport me half a world away, and the characters are alive and vibrant. Poor Dan is definitely suffering at the start of the story, but he’s a good man, one who’s taken better care of the park than anyone before and he’s all too happy to find another way. He’s hard working too and really quite sweet. Quinn is more of a go-getter, out to conquer the world, if only to hide from what she sees as the failures in her past. She’s every bit as torn up inside as Dan, she just hides it better.
Then we have Carrie, the ex-jockey, who’s struggling to adjust to a life without racing now that she can no longer stand to be around horses. Though probably the quietest of the four main characters, I really felt for her and admired her courage as she tries to deal with her fears. Lastly there’s Justin the horse breeder, who unlike everyone else doesn’t have a dark past or any painful secrets. He’s sweet and unshadowed and adorably understanding when it comes to Carrie’s fear.
Building at a steady pace, this is a lovely, enjoyable read that definitely swept me up in the landscape and the drama of saving the horses. It also introduced me to Coorah Creek, which is filled with characters and has a supportive small town community that I couldn’t help but love. I really enjoyed my first trip to this place, and one thing’s for certain, it won’t be my last.
(I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.)
Torn between obeying an order from his superior and doing what he feels to be right, Dan struggles over whether or not to shoot the horses – until Quinn arrives in a flurry of righteous indignation determined to find another way. From then on it’s a race not only to save the brumbies but to heal a few hearts along the way.
I really enjoyed this book. The scenery is spectacular and beautiful, helping to transport me half a world away, and the characters are alive and vibrant. Poor Dan is definitely suffering at the start of the story, but he’s a good man, one who’s taken better care of the park than anyone before and he’s all too happy to find another way. He’s hard working too and really quite sweet. Quinn is more of a go-getter, out to conquer the world, if only to hide from what she sees as the failures in her past. She’s every bit as torn up inside as Dan, she just hides it better.
Then we have Carrie, the ex-jockey, who’s struggling to adjust to a life without racing now that she can no longer stand to be around horses. Though probably the quietest of the four main characters, I really felt for her and admired her courage as she tries to deal with her fears. Lastly there’s Justin the horse breeder, who unlike everyone else doesn’t have a dark past or any painful secrets. He’s sweet and unshadowed and adorably understanding when it comes to Carrie’s fear.
Building at a steady pace, this is a lovely, enjoyable read that definitely swept me up in the landscape and the drama of saving the horses. It also introduced me to Coorah Creek, which is filled with characters and has a supportive small town community that I couldn’t help but love. I really enjoyed my first trip to this place, and one thing’s for certain, it won’t be my last.
(I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.)
July 27, 2016
I knew after reading Christmas at Coorah Creek that it was a location that I would be destined to return to, being such a remote town in the Australian Outback, and so in an unusual move from me I have gone back to read book 2 of the series, after already reading book 3. I rarely go backwards in a series, but this was definitely worth it.
And what a return to Coorah Creek it was, there are some recurring characters in this series, but the focal point does change around. This time there were four people that the story centred around, as well as the rest of the town putting in appearances.
Dan Mitchell is the park ranger at a National Park, he is a war veteran but once disobeyed an order, and now he is on the verge of disobeying again. However in both cases he knows the orders don't fit with his own moral code.
Quinn is a photographer who has made it to Coorah Creek, and is instrumental in helping Dan come to some decisions, especially about the wild brumbies (horses) in the national park.
Carrie Bryant was a talented jockey, until a bad accident has left its mark on her, and she along with horse trainer Justin, need to help Dan with the horses.
A large amount of the book is set in the outback, in this national park, and the close up descriptions of the Brumbies made me feel as though I was alongside them at the billabong. And as you may expect when four people get together and spend large amounts of time sharing an intense experience there are flickerings of romance.
There is an intensity to Janet Gover's writing that draws you directly into the drama unfolding, and made it so that I was thinking about the Brumbies throughout the day at work, after reading some more of the book during my lunch break.
As a lover of horses, and of different locations in books from the norm, The Wild One hits all the right spots with me, along with a fantastic storyline, some great characters and a need to keep turning the pages in the hope that it all works itself out.
And what a return to Coorah Creek it was, there are some recurring characters in this series, but the focal point does change around. This time there were four people that the story centred around, as well as the rest of the town putting in appearances.
Dan Mitchell is the park ranger at a National Park, he is a war veteran but once disobeyed an order, and now he is on the verge of disobeying again. However in both cases he knows the orders don't fit with his own moral code.
Quinn is a photographer who has made it to Coorah Creek, and is instrumental in helping Dan come to some decisions, especially about the wild brumbies (horses) in the national park.
Carrie Bryant was a talented jockey, until a bad accident has left its mark on her, and she along with horse trainer Justin, need to help Dan with the horses.
A large amount of the book is set in the outback, in this national park, and the close up descriptions of the Brumbies made me feel as though I was alongside them at the billabong. And as you may expect when four people get together and spend large amounts of time sharing an intense experience there are flickerings of romance.
There is an intensity to Janet Gover's writing that draws you directly into the drama unfolding, and made it so that I was thinking about the Brumbies throughout the day at work, after reading some more of the book during my lunch break.
As a lover of horses, and of different locations in books from the norm, The Wild One hits all the right spots with me, along with a fantastic storyline, some great characters and a need to keep turning the pages in the hope that it all works itself out.
July 22, 2017
Book Review ~ ‘The Wild One’ by Janet Gover.
If you are looking for a wonderful feel-good book which will capture your heart, then this is definitely the book for you. Janet Gover has created a wonderful set of characters, both primary and secondary and a beautiful community in ‘Coorah Creek’ which made the story feel real and relatable.
There are two things that I find difficult to read about, and they are anything to do with the holocaust, and animals dying or being killed, so straight away I felt a really strong connection to the trials that our main characters faced, and I fell in love with Quinn. She was feisty, confident and such a likeable heroine. The pain of her past was something that haunted her, and I really enjoyed seeing how she began to move on from her demons, and accept love into her life again. To see how she and Dan healed each other in their fight to save the Brumbies was so beautiful, and as the animal lover I am, I really liked seeing how the animals brought all the characters together.
Carrie and Justin’s story was no less beautiful, and I really enjoyed how the story split between the four characters, yet still gave us the same depth of emotion and story development for each of them. I have to say I laughed quite a lot at Justin, particularly at his thoughts about the horses in his care seemed to focus on their breeding, and it just showed how well Janet Gover created such multi-dimensional characters who were all so different, but brought together to fight for the same cause.
Beautifully written, this is a strong, character driven novel which brings us back to Coorah Creek and its inhabitants. Although this is the second book in the Coorah Creek series, it can still be read as a standalone, as it focuses on separate characters to those in the previous book.
5 Stars!
* Review copy was kindly provided by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
If you are looking for a wonderful feel-good book which will capture your heart, then this is definitely the book for you. Janet Gover has created a wonderful set of characters, both primary and secondary and a beautiful community in ‘Coorah Creek’ which made the story feel real and relatable.
There are two things that I find difficult to read about, and they are anything to do with the holocaust, and animals dying or being killed, so straight away I felt a really strong connection to the trials that our main characters faced, and I fell in love with Quinn. She was feisty, confident and such a likeable heroine. The pain of her past was something that haunted her, and I really enjoyed seeing how she began to move on from her demons, and accept love into her life again. To see how she and Dan healed each other in their fight to save the Brumbies was so beautiful, and as the animal lover I am, I really liked seeing how the animals brought all the characters together.
Carrie and Justin’s story was no less beautiful, and I really enjoyed how the story split between the four characters, yet still gave us the same depth of emotion and story development for each of them. I have to say I laughed quite a lot at Justin, particularly at his thoughts about the horses in his care seemed to focus on their breeding, and it just showed how well Janet Gover created such multi-dimensional characters who were all so different, but brought together to fight for the same cause.
Beautifully written, this is a strong, character driven novel which brings us back to Coorah Creek and its inhabitants. Although this is the second book in the Coorah Creek series, it can still be read as a standalone, as it focuses on separate characters to those in the previous book.
5 Stars!
* Review copy was kindly provided by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
December 6, 2015
Audio books are not my favourite form of 'reading'(if that's what you call it). It's something to listen to while I walk the dog.
But this one would have to be my favourite. The story was great but it's the narrator I found so relaxing and memorizing to listen too. I carved out extra listening time for this one.
But this one would have to be my favourite. The story was great but it's the narrator I found so relaxing and memorizing to listen too. I carved out extra listening time for this one.
February 14, 2016
This is an extremely well written, sweet, inspiring tale of tragedy and redemption, where love blooms and strangers become life-long friends.
Read full review in the 2016 February issue of InD'tale Magazine.
Read full review in the 2016 February issue of InD'tale Magazine.
May 21, 2018
(I received a free copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.)
Iraq war veteran Dan Mitchell once disobeyed an order – and it nearly destroyed him. Now a national park ranger in the Australian outback, he’s faced with another order he is unwilling to obey…
Photographer Rachel Quinn seeks out beauty in unlikely places. Her work comforted Dan in his darkest days. But Quinn knows darkness too – and Dan soon realises she needs his help as much as he needs hers.
Carrie Bryant was a talented jockey until a racing accident broke her nerve. Now Dan and Quinn need her expertise, but can she face her fear? And could horse breeder, Justin Fraser, a man fighting to save his own heritage, be the one to help put that fear to rest?
Sometimes, the wounds you can’t see are the hardest to heal...
*3.5 stars*
I enjoyed this book. Nothing overly impressive about it, nothing really stood out, but it was a decent Australian rural romance novel.
The positives: the Australian setting. I am always a sucker for a well-described setting, and one in my home country always brings out the softie in me! The story of the feral horses and the race to save them was excellent. Some would disagree - the damage that Brumbies can do to the National Park can be terrible. And some would believe that culling them would be the best solution. So this plot was a great choice.
The negatives: well, sadly, the characters. Not that they were badly written - I liked all of them except for Rachel (who was a little distant and unapproachable). What I didn't really like was that there seemed to be a pre-destined understanding that all four would end up us couples. So there was never any fear that they wouldn't work out everything else. And that really took the gloss of what could have been a really interesting book.
Paul
ARH
Iraq war veteran Dan Mitchell once disobeyed an order – and it nearly destroyed him. Now a national park ranger in the Australian outback, he’s faced with another order he is unwilling to obey…
Photographer Rachel Quinn seeks out beauty in unlikely places. Her work comforted Dan in his darkest days. But Quinn knows darkness too – and Dan soon realises she needs his help as much as he needs hers.
Carrie Bryant was a talented jockey until a racing accident broke her nerve. Now Dan and Quinn need her expertise, but can she face her fear? And could horse breeder, Justin Fraser, a man fighting to save his own heritage, be the one to help put that fear to rest?
Sometimes, the wounds you can’t see are the hardest to heal...
*3.5 stars*
I enjoyed this book. Nothing overly impressive about it, nothing really stood out, but it was a decent Australian rural romance novel.
The positives: the Australian setting. I am always a sucker for a well-described setting, and one in my home country always brings out the softie in me! The story of the feral horses and the race to save them was excellent. Some would disagree - the damage that Brumbies can do to the National Park can be terrible. And some would believe that culling them would be the best solution. So this plot was a great choice.
The negatives: well, sadly, the characters. Not that they were badly written - I liked all of them except for Rachel (who was a little distant and unapproachable). What I didn't really like was that there seemed to be a pre-destined understanding that all four would end up us couples. So there was never any fear that they wouldn't work out everything else. And that really took the gloss of what could have been a really interesting book.
Paul
ARH
June 28, 2023
This book will have you feeling like you are out in the middle of the Australian outback, the author had such an excellent way of making us feel her words. The characters were just so realistic but you didn't just get one romance you got two.
We meet Quinn the Photographer as she first drives into Coorah Creek, she quickly finds a subject to photograph that will lead the national park where she meets Dan Mitchell the ranger. Dan is facing one of his worse days in the park, which will make him relive his day in the military. Can he do what he has been ordered to do or will the appearance of Quinn make him think twice again?
Carrie Bryant has lived in Coorah Creek since her riding accident, Carrie was a jockey but since the accident, only her physical trauma has healed she is completely afraid of her one loved job.
Justin Fraser has the job of keeping his family farm going after generations it's his turn to bring the house farm back to its hay day.
All four will have to find a way through their past and overcome what needs to be accomplished together to save the Brumby and save themselves.
This is book 2 of the series but the very first one I have read and loved, It stands on its own and is a very easy read that will give you enjoyment to read.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
We meet Quinn the Photographer as she first drives into Coorah Creek, she quickly finds a subject to photograph that will lead the national park where she meets Dan Mitchell the ranger. Dan is facing one of his worse days in the park, which will make him relive his day in the military. Can he do what he has been ordered to do or will the appearance of Quinn make him think twice again?
Carrie Bryant has lived in Coorah Creek since her riding accident, Carrie was a jockey but since the accident, only her physical trauma has healed she is completely afraid of her one loved job.
Justin Fraser has the job of keeping his family farm going after generations it's his turn to bring the house farm back to its hay day.
All four will have to find a way through their past and overcome what needs to be accomplished together to save the Brumby and save themselves.
This is book 2 of the series but the very first one I have read and loved, It stands on its own and is a very easy read that will give you enjoyment to read.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
August 16, 2023
Janet Gover has a way of inserting her reader into the landscape setting of her books early on and this was certainly the case with The Wild One. The book opens with park ranger and former army sniper Dan Mitchell setting up to shoot a wild brumby stallion on the orders of his boss. Despite his training to take the shot, Dan can’t follow through and in that short set-up we get an excellent impression of just what sort of a man Dan is. Meanwhile photographer Rachel Quinn, just Quinn except to her mother, is arriving in Coorah Creek and once again we get an excellent impression of the baked earth environment in far outback Queensland in which the town is set. A brief description of Quinn’s Humveegives us a good impression of her and the way she chooses to live. Immediately I felt I knew these two well-drawn characters and what drove them. With the pressure to remove the brumbies from the park before Dan is forced to shoot them we are involved in a race against time. The supporting cast, ormer jockey Carrie and stud breeder Justin as well as the residents of Coorah Creek, are equally well drawn so that the book gives the impression of a movie playing out before your eyes. Of course the natural beauty of the park and the magnificence of the brumbies add to the story, which was a joy to read.
October 21, 2022
Set in the parched red dirt of the Australian outback, The Wild One is a story about a stallion who doesn’t even realise he is lost. He certainly doesn’t care about the humans he crosses paths with, although he will inadvertently help each one of them to find themselves again... and to find their way home.
Dan, the park ranger (and ex-serviceman suffering PTSD) has been instructed to shoot the wild brumby herd and is rapidly running out of excuses when Rachel Quinn (wildlife photographer) appears on scene and disturbs him. Together with the help of Justin – a local horseman struggling to live up to his father’s heritage, and Carrie – a jockey unable to put a horrendous fall behind her, they forge an uneasy alliance and plan to rescue rather than execute the horses.
The second in Janet Gover’s Coorah Creek series, this is an extremely well-crafted tale and the descriptions of the outback are vivid, I could almost taste the dirt and smell the coffee. An easy and very pleasurable read, all about love, hope and coming home.
Dan, the park ranger (and ex-serviceman suffering PTSD) has been instructed to shoot the wild brumby herd and is rapidly running out of excuses when Rachel Quinn (wildlife photographer) appears on scene and disturbs him. Together with the help of Justin – a local horseman struggling to live up to his father’s heritage, and Carrie – a jockey unable to put a horrendous fall behind her, they forge an uneasy alliance and plan to rescue rather than execute the horses.
The second in Janet Gover’s Coorah Creek series, this is an extremely well-crafted tale and the descriptions of the outback are vivid, I could almost taste the dirt and smell the coffee. An easy and very pleasurable read, all about love, hope and coming home.
August 4, 2017
I love the Coorah Creek books and think I've read most of them and enjoyed them. Ms Gover manages to pull immense beauty and emotion out of the dry outback. In The Wild One the main question is how to save the wild brumbies (wild horses) from the nature park whose bosses want the horses shot. Dan, the park ranger, is assigned the job and deemed the best man to do so, after all, he was an ex-marine in Iraq. Except he suffers badly from PTSD and has trouble pulling the trigger. What wonderful horses those brumbies are and I really enjoyed reading about them and wondering what their fate would be. Populated by well-rounded, likeable characters, this book rates high on my best reads for 2017.
August 3, 2018
I absolutely adored this one and even cried in a couple of parts. The Wild One is stallion who leads a group of wild horses in an Australian National Park. The park ranger Dan has been ordered to cull the group, an order he is reluctant to carry out. Together with wild life photographer Quinn, horse breeder Justin and former jockey Carrie, they succeed against all odds in rounding them up and shipping them out. Both Dan and Quinn have been damaged by events in their path and find healing in loving each other while Carrie, with the support of Justin, is able to overcome her fear of horses by befriending the wild one. A lovely tale.
August 19, 2023
Thanks to NetGalley and Escape Publishing for the chance to read this book.
This book centres around a group of 4 adults who are emotionally wounded trying to save a group of wild brumbies from being culled in a national park.
The descriptions of the natural beauty in the outback are enticing and evocative. The people in the fictional town of Coorah Creek are, for the most part, warm and welcoming. The main characters are flawed human beings, but a mutual desire brings them together and helps them begin to heal.
I really enjoyed this story and will continue to read the rest of the Coorah Creek series.
This book centres around a group of 4 adults who are emotionally wounded trying to save a group of wild brumbies from being culled in a national park.
The descriptions of the natural beauty in the outback are enticing and evocative. The people in the fictional town of Coorah Creek are, for the most part, warm and welcoming. The main characters are flawed human beings, but a mutual desire brings them together and helps them begin to heal.
I really enjoyed this story and will continue to read the rest of the Coorah Creek series.
May 3, 2017
Loved this story about rural Australia and the rescue of wild brumbys from the national park. Dan & Quinn's story was wonderful. Nice to hear about other characters from the previous novel in the series as well, although you really wouldn't have to read the first book as this one stands alone quite well.
June 10, 2020
I enjoyed the first book so much I just had to read the next one. I like the way this is written, you are made to feel like part of the community there. The characters from the first book are mentioned making it feel more of a story about a community rahter than individuals. I am now looking forward to the next book
January 26, 2026
Entertaining but repetitive
The storyline is great. Characters and setting brings the story alive. However the internal dialogue of the characters was repetitive. That was disappointing.
The storyline is great. Characters and setting brings the story alive. However the internal dialogue of the characters was repetitive. That was disappointing.
August 12, 2017
was a good book still enjoyed the first one more. like that she references familiar characters too
September 29, 2021
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, especially as it centres around wild brumbies and the need to care for the environment. The characters are very appealing and there is romance for two couples.
October 11, 2021
Lovely easy to read, warm very likable characters.
September 12, 2024
A great read for a long flight.
June 25, 2015
This is the second in the Coorah Creek series but can be read as a standalone as I found out. The book centres around four main characters that each has problems of their own but are trying to work together to save a group of brumbies (wild horses) from being shot in the effort eradicate them of the national park of Tyangi.
Dan Mitchell is the ranger of the park and is ordered to shoot the horses. He does not want to obey the order and the act of shooting and orders brings back unwanted memories from his time in the army. He is struggling with PTSD and bad flash backs of an act he was asked to carry out whilst in service. He likes the freedom of the national park and knows that if he does not obey the orders to shoot the brumbies he could lose his job.
Rachel Quinn is a photographer who is spending some time in the local village of Coorah Creek and becomes interested in the plight of the brumbies and sets out to save them from being shot. She has her own secrets and works hard and being independent. She also hates to be tied down and often lives in her Humvee which is set up for camping. She is a famous photographer and tracks the story of the capture of the brumbies through photography in the hope of producing an article.
Carrie Bryant is a jockey that has a bad accident and is no longer able to bring herself to go near a horse. She is approached to help with the rescue mission and agrees but with a lot of trepidation and not intending to handle a horse in the process. She lacks a lot of confidence in herself and feels like people are laughing at her.
Carrie approaches Justin Fraser with important information that will help to save his Stock Horse stables after a big fire caused the loss of many great horses when his father was running it. Justin is a big admirer of Carrie’s and is there to help her through her fear of horses.
There are love stories that arise between the characters but they each have to come to terms with things that have happened and to accept them. I feel that through the effort to save the brumbies they each learn a lot about themselves and become a lot wiser from the action.
The town of Coorah Creek contains the type of people that everyone would want to call friends. They are there to help each other through the tough times and there to celebrate the good. This is what Dan, Carrie and Quinn need and you can see by the end of the book how important the town becomes to them.
I don’t know which character I liked the best and think that as a foursome with edge characters and a great plot you cannot go wrong with this book. In fact I am off to get the first Coorah Creek book and have already downloaded more books by Janet Gover. This is why I love these weeks by Suzanne as it introduces you to new authors.
Dan Mitchell is the ranger of the park and is ordered to shoot the horses. He does not want to obey the order and the act of shooting and orders brings back unwanted memories from his time in the army. He is struggling with PTSD and bad flash backs of an act he was asked to carry out whilst in service. He likes the freedom of the national park and knows that if he does not obey the orders to shoot the brumbies he could lose his job.
Rachel Quinn is a photographer who is spending some time in the local village of Coorah Creek and becomes interested in the plight of the brumbies and sets out to save them from being shot. She has her own secrets and works hard and being independent. She also hates to be tied down and often lives in her Humvee which is set up for camping. She is a famous photographer and tracks the story of the capture of the brumbies through photography in the hope of producing an article.
Carrie Bryant is a jockey that has a bad accident and is no longer able to bring herself to go near a horse. She is approached to help with the rescue mission and agrees but with a lot of trepidation and not intending to handle a horse in the process. She lacks a lot of confidence in herself and feels like people are laughing at her.
Carrie approaches Justin Fraser with important information that will help to save his Stock Horse stables after a big fire caused the loss of many great horses when his father was running it. Justin is a big admirer of Carrie’s and is there to help her through her fear of horses.
There are love stories that arise between the characters but they each have to come to terms with things that have happened and to accept them. I feel that through the effort to save the brumbies they each learn a lot about themselves and become a lot wiser from the action.
The town of Coorah Creek contains the type of people that everyone would want to call friends. They are there to help each other through the tough times and there to celebrate the good. This is what Dan, Carrie and Quinn need and you can see by the end of the book how important the town becomes to them.
I don’t know which character I liked the best and think that as a foursome with edge characters and a great plot you cannot go wrong with this book. In fact I am off to get the first Coorah Creek book and have already downloaded more books by Janet Gover. This is why I love these weeks by Suzanne as it introduces you to new authors.
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