Misty

Lyrebird Lake #2

by Fiona McArthur

Misty saved the life of Dr Ben Moore but that brief wonderful connection was just a memory. Misty the midwife shuts out her daydreams and sets off for a new life in Lyrebird Lake, where she meets the new locum...and looks into Ben's sea blue eyes!

Ben moved to Lyrebird Lake for a chance to start again. But he wasn't doing well in the single parent role. Can Misty and Ben find the connection that saved his life once? Is Misty the perfect person to make Ben's family complete?

And then there's the magical myth of the lyrebirds...

Genres: Romance, Audiobook

208 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 30, 2020

About the author

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

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

Reviews

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

As Misty Buchanan made her way to Lyrebird Lake to join her brother Andy and best friend Montana at their hospital, she stopped off to view the lighthouse near Coffs Harbour. Her saving of Ben Moore from the ocean that almost took his life was traumatic and emotional. After some hours, Misty made sure he was alright, then continued her journey. One month later, as Misty was working in the maternity section of the hospital, the man she’d rescued arrived. She was shocked to see him; her brother had hired him as the new locum and Ben, along with his pregnant daughter Tammy, were there to stay.

Ben’s past had made him bitter and withdrawn. Misty could see that Tammy needed him; her confusion about her family situation was obvious to Misty. Would Ben be able to get through Tammy’s defences? Would Misty be able to help with Tammy – or make things worse? Would the beautiful and elusive lyrebird that was legendary in the area, show itself?

Misty is the 2nd in the Lyrebird Lake series by Aussie author Fiona McArthur, following on from Montana. I enjoyed this one, as I passed through areas I know around Coffs Harbour in New South Wales. It was nice to catch up with Montana and Andy again, as well as other characters I'd met in Montana. I’m looking forward to the next, about Mia’s introduction into Lyrebird Lake, then #4 which is Emma’s story. Misty is a great character; calm, serene in circumstances others wouldn’t be. Recommended.

With thanks to the author for my digital ARC to read in exchange for my honest review.

[Veronica ⭐️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

As much as I loved Montana's story in Lyrebird Lake #1 I found Misty's story even more heart-warming.

Misty had always had premonitions and it was one of her premonitions that led her to save the life of Ben Moore. There was an instant and unexplainable connection between them but  Misty had no time for romance, she was moving the next day to Lyrebird Lake to work with best friend Montana.
Montana (from book1) is now married to Misty's brother Andy and they have set up the new birthing centre at Lyrebird Lake. 

Misty is another wonderful, realistic romance read from Fiona McArthur. The main themes of natural birth, postnatal depression, postnatal  psychosis and related suicide are sensitively explored giving reference to the mental and lasting strain on the attending doctor.
McArthur explores these themes within a close-knit small-town environment where everyone pitches in and helps out when needed. Minor characters from book 1 also feature in book 2 and we get snippets of information on these characters' lives that I can see making a return in future books.

As much as I loved Misty's cautiousness when it came to a new relationship I also loved how Ben never gave up when Misty tried to push him away.

Misty is a feel-good romance with the expected happy ending. I'm looking forward to the next book in the Lyrebird Lake Series.
*I received my copy from the author

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I did very much enjoy my trip to Lyrebird Lake, this time we are meeting Misty Buchanan who has come to help her brother and sister-in-law at the hospital, more so the birthing centre, Misty is a midwife and loves helping mothers birth their babies their way. Along the way she rescues a handsome man Ben Moore from the ocean, this will change her life forever.

Misty arrives in Lyrebird Lake and puts Ben out of her mind as much as she can that is and gets on with the work she is there to do, when the new locum arrives and there he is, Ben and the spark between them is flaring up again. Misty feels that Ben has a lot going on in his life and working together may not be that easy.

Ben could never forget the mermaid who saved his life and when he needs help he knows where to go, it is his chance to do the right thing and find the woman who remains in his heart he has never felt like this about anyone before and the need to be with her is pushing him, but will he be able to get over his past.

A beautifully written story of true love and compassion, Ben has had a lot happen to him in the past and has shut himself away but Misty is pulling him out of the life he has made, bringing him back to the world and Misty what a beautiful, loving and caring heroine and strong she is just what Ben needs and her love for Ben is over the moon. This is a gorgeous romantic story filled with emotion and lots of happy smiles. This is one that I highly recommend and am looking forward to my trip to Lyrebird Lake and getting to know Mia.

Thank you Fiona McArthur for my copy to read and review.

[Claire Louisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book #2 in the new Lyrebird Lake series, focuses on Misty, a midwife who has the ability to 'see things', this is ultimately what brings her into contact with Ben, a single dad who nearly loses his life to an accident, and in which Misty is able to save him.

The connection between these two was instant and something more than just chemistry, the kind of connection you definitely don't find every day, and one which has a touch of magic about it.

If you read book one, Montana you'll be familiar with the women's centred care birth centre that Misty's brother Andy and Montana set up. It is this centre that draws Misty to move to Lyrebird Lake, it is also this centre, and Misty that draws Ben to also relocate to Lyrebird Lake.  I really enjoyed learning more about midwifery and women's centred birth, and I loved the birthing scenes that put Ben completely out of his comfort zone.

While Ben has his daughter, Tammy and her situation to deal with, he is struggling with his relationship with her and the introduction of Misty into their lives causes a few issues. Ben is slightly clueless at times, but he's been through a lot and has a good heart and I liked him a lot. Misty was very closed off, past relationships have made her build a wall around her, but she is a great character. There are a few misunderstandings, and some teenage drama but I was certainly hopeful that both Misty and Ben and Ben and Tammy, could work everything out and get their happy ever after.

A really enjoyable read and I look forward to returning to Lyrebird Lake soon.

Thanks to Fiona McArthur for a digital copy of this book in return for an honest review.

[Anne Blyth · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a lovely story. Misty saves stranger Ben's life when she gets a vision of him falling into the sea and where his unconscious body will surely drown. Misty is a midwife heading to Lyrebird Lake to her brothers medical practice. Ben is a disenchanted Obstetrician who has walked away after losing a patient and her twins. When Ben's 16yr old step daughter turns up pregnant he has to decide where to go, big city or........Lyrebird Lake. It's a touching journey.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heart-warming story with lovely characters. Predicable in the very best way! This was the happy story i needed right now. Finished it in one day because I didn't want to put it down. A romance without cheesy-ness and characters with depth. Loved it!!

[Siobhan Considine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fiona MacArthur - Lyrebird Lake Misty
The 2nd Lyrebird lake book follows on from the first focusing on the story of Misty's move to follow her brother and best friend to Lyrebird Lake. A story about how life seems to have plans that you just need to follow, despite your expectations.

[Flo Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

A chance that made all the difference

Another great novel of how ones life can change in the blink an eye. Lucky for Ben that Misty was able to save his life and then become the love of his life.

[Kristine Tracey · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are four books in this series and over the long weekend I read them all. Romance is not my favourite genre but these books passed the time. A bit like Call the Midwife without the messiness of Poplar.

[Kim W · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick easy listen

[Denise MF · Rating 3 out of 5]

Audiobook while driving. Light entertainment while in the middle of a descriptive WW1 book.

[Nicky · Rating 2 out of 5]

Audiobook. Much the same as the first book in the series but the characters were less well drawn and Misty was poorly characterized. Almost a little trite.

[Caroline Moorhouse]

Audiobook

[Alayne · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable romance set in Australia, with likeable characters. My cynical self doubts the childbirth scenes, because of my own experiences of it. However, as Fiona McArthur writes about midwives, and is one herself, I guess she has more experience than mine.