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New Zealand Ever After #3
Kiwi Strong
People who say “love is trust” probably didn’t grow up in a cult.
My name is Daisy. I chose that name myself. As an RN in the Emergency department in one of New Zealand’s largest hospitals, there wasn’t much left in me of the sixteen-year-old girl, covered from neck to ankle and not allowed to make eye contact with a boy, who’d run away with five dollars in her pocket and terror in her heart.
Or maybe there was too much left of that girl, because I was still slow to trust. Slow to share. And a whole lot slow to get intimate. Which doesn’t put men off much, right?
Unless the man’s a tough Samoan ex-rugby player with sweetness and strength to spare. One who keeps fronting up to help even when you tell him you don’t need it. And what’s even harder to resist—one who wants to help your sisters, too.
I was going to end up sharing. I wasn’t going to be able to help it. But when my walls came down, would he want the person behind them?
Also—who WAS the person behind them?
My name is Daisy. I chose that name myself. As an RN in the Emergency department in one of New Zealand’s largest hospitals, there wasn’t much left in me of the sixteen-year-old girl, covered from neck to ankle and not allowed to make eye contact with a boy, who’d run away with five dollars in her pocket and terror in her heart.
Or maybe there was too much left of that girl, because I was still slow to trust. Slow to share. And a whole lot slow to get intimate. Which doesn’t put men off much, right?
Unless the man’s a tough Samoan ex-rugby player with sweetness and strength to spare. One who keeps fronting up to help even when you tell him you don’t need it. And what’s even harder to resist—one who wants to help your sisters, too.
I was going to end up sharing. I wasn’t going to be able to help it. But when my walls came down, would he want the person behind them?
Also—who WAS the person behind them?
Audiobook
First published June 19, 2020
332 people are currently reading
231 people want to read
About the author
Rosalind James
55 books1,219 followersRosalind James writes contemporary romance and romantic suspense published both by Montlake Romance and independently. Her stories are set in New Zealand, Idaho, California, New York . . . really, anyplace that seems cool. (Research trips, especially those involving lots of rugby, are a bonus.) Her books are available in ebook, paperback, and audio formats. Rosalind is a former marketing executive who spent several years in Australia and New Zealand, where she fell in love with the people, the landscape, and the culture of both countries. She attributes her rapid success to the fact that "Lots of people would like to escape to New Zealand! I know I did!"
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 145 reviews
August 16, 2025
A lovely romance, although it was kinda slow-burn. I wouldn't have minded a little more romance and a bit less focus on the cult side of the story. That dominated a little too much for me, especially in some sections of the book. Still, I enjoyed the read overall. Daisy and Gray were great together, especially in the later part of the book.
I love the settings of these books. I've been to New Zealand on holiday, and yes, it is truly as beautiful as they say. I also enjoy Ms James' descriptions of food, meals, menus, and the houses, yurts, (yes! LOL) and interiors. It helps me to picture it all, and adds to my enjoyment of the books. This one isn't my fav of Ms James' books, but still a worthwhile read/reread.
I love the settings of these books. I've been to New Zealand on holiday, and yes, it is truly as beautiful as they say. I also enjoy Ms James' descriptions of food, meals, menus, and the houses, yurts, (yes! LOL) and interiors. It helps me to picture it all, and adds to my enjoyment of the books. This one isn't my fav of Ms James' books, but still a worthwhile read/reread.
January 19, 2026
I’ve been a long-term fan of Rosalind James books. Can’t say there were any I disliked, but some have been mediocre, usually due to personal preferences. I found Kiwi Strong middling because the side cult story delt with heavy domestic violence that overshadowed the romance.
However, the story had positive aspects that made it worth my time spent. Characterization is typically a standout in James’ books. This one no less. The MCs were not only likable but were the kind you root for, and the romance was slow-burn – the best type. The side characters were plentiful (but not overwhelming) and helped to give the book depth.
Now that I have Kindle Unlimited (and have access to R. James’ books), I will look forward to reading all the ones she has published in recent years. My bonus will be a pseudo tour of New Zealand by way of the vivid location descriptions.
However, the story had positive aspects that made it worth my time spent. Characterization is typically a standout in James’ books. This one no less. The MCs were not only likable but were the kind you root for, and the romance was slow-burn – the best type. The side characters were plentiful (but not overwhelming) and helped to give the book depth.
Now that I have Kindle Unlimited (and have access to R. James’ books), I will look forward to reading all the ones she has published in recent years. My bonus will be a pseudo tour of New Zealand by way of the vivid location descriptions.
June 4, 2020
Every time I read a book by Rosalind James (and I have read all but two), I declare it to be the best she has written. I think, though, that this really might be the best so far. This is a love story between Daisy, a young women who has escaped from life in a cult, and Gray, an ex All Black who fears he is destined to a debilitating disease. The story takes the reader on a journey that begins with Daisy trapped in her car rapidly sinking in the river, and then travels through a rescue, abduction, and another rescue all immersed in the beautiful, and sometimes harsh, New Zealand landscape. “Too many emotions” as Daisy notes. But this is not only a realistic love story filled with action and suspense; it is a literary work of art. As a person with a degree in English Literature, this is the first of James’s books that I have read that I really paid attention to the literary devises the author uses. Her use of metaphor and simile enhances her vivid descriptions, “The fog had started . . . like a fluffy throw. Now, it was more like a smothering wool blanket…” In addition to vivid description, James approaches the themes of racism, feminism, oppression, loyalty, and family with such finesse that as a reader, you don’t realize that you have been challenged to think about these issues. There is also symbolism, specifically in the artful use of the Wanaka Tree (note how the tree changes from the image in Chapter 12 to the one in the final chapter). Her characters are well rounded and realistic. You get to know them and become invested in their journey. Even if you’re not a literature fanatic like I am, you will find this a wonderful, heartwarming story. If you’re a fan of the Escape to New Zealand series and New Zealand Ever After series, you’ll be happy to reunite with Poppy & Matiu, Luke and Hayden, and Drew Callahan. While this book stands on its own, I highly recommend the others in the series as well. If you’ve never read a Rosalind James book before, Kiwi Strong is a great place to start!
June 21, 2020
5 Star Review of Kiwi Strong (New Zealand Ever After #3) by Rosalind James by Rosalind James
From the first to the last chapter I was drawn in hook, line and sinker. Ms. James writes with such expression that I often find myself transported to New Zealand and can easily see it in my mind’s eye.
Daisy Nabhitha Kittredge is such a great character and I really admired her strength and determination to rise above her past after escaping the cult she was raised in with her twin brother. She endured so much when forced into a brutal marriage as soon as she turned sixteen.
Learning that her sister Fruitful has been married to Daisy’s ex and what brutality awaits her, Daisy is determined to rescue her and another sister Obedience. Of course fate intervenes and after a car accident with the intriguing Gray Tamatoa , a former All Black rugby player Daisy finds herself leaning on him. When Gray learns where she was going and what she had planned, he is determined to help her rescue her sisters.
The characters were strong and realistic and this was such an unusual story line that I had a hard time putting down. It was an emotional and at times heart wrenching story which is extremely well written and is a story of learning to trust and of finding love in the most unexpected places.
From the first to the last chapter I was drawn in hook, line and sinker. Ms. James writes with such expression that I often find myself transported to New Zealand and can easily see it in my mind’s eye.
Daisy Nabhitha Kittredge is such a great character and I really admired her strength and determination to rise above her past after escaping the cult she was raised in with her twin brother. She endured so much when forced into a brutal marriage as soon as she turned sixteen.
Learning that her sister Fruitful has been married to Daisy’s ex and what brutality awaits her, Daisy is determined to rescue her and another sister Obedience. Of course fate intervenes and after a car accident with the intriguing Gray Tamatoa , a former All Black rugby player Daisy finds herself leaning on him. When Gray learns where she was going and what she had planned, he is determined to help her rescue her sisters.
The characters were strong and realistic and this was such an unusual story line that I had a hard time putting down. It was an emotional and at times heart wrenching story which is extremely well written and is a story of learning to trust and of finding love in the most unexpected places.
May 31, 2020
A long book, but I read it in a day, I didn’t want to put it down! It is a tense story, yet very sweet and emotional in places, although some parts are really quite sad. Daisy is a brave and determined twenty-eight year old. When she was sixteen she and her twin brother escaped from the cult they had been born into. It was a massive thing to do because they were ‘cast out’, not to be spoken of again or allowed back if their bid for freedom failed. Daisy had, as was the cult’s custom, been married as soon as she turned sixteen, to a man chosen for her, and he was mean and cruel, and would beat her for the slightest infringement of his ‘rules’.
She and her brother had to go to school to get qualifications so that they could go to university so they could get jobs they chose for themselves, and Daisy worked as a cleaner to help support them. Daisy wanted to be a nurse, and now she is a very good one, but her younger sister Fruitful has reached sixteen, and has been married to the same man as she had been, and Daisy needs to rescue her, and another sister Obedience, because one won’t leave without the other. On the way there she has a traffic accident and her car plunges into the river, she loses all her belongings that were in the car with her. She is brave and resourceful and manages to escape from the car, and is rescued from the fast-flowing, freezing river by a stray dog and the man who had hit her car when she swerved to miss something in the road.
Gray had a massive migraine and shouldn’t have been driving, so he feels very badly about the accident. Once he knows the story he insists on helping her rescue her sisters. He had been a famous All Black rugby player, but had to retire at thirty, after too many injuries, he is now a builder. Of course Daisy has never heard of him. The rescue is very tense and exciting, but has repercussions as the story progresses. Gray and Daisy are both attracted to each other, but looking after the sisters means there is little opportunity for them to be alone to explore that attraction, plus having been married to such a cruel man Daisy is very wary of men in general, which doesn’t help.
This is a powerful story by a master story-teller, Rosalind is so good at providing characters and story-lines that you can really believe in. There is a happy ending, plus you get to meet characters from earlier books, always a pleasure! Well worth reading.
She and her brother had to go to school to get qualifications so that they could go to university so they could get jobs they chose for themselves, and Daisy worked as a cleaner to help support them. Daisy wanted to be a nurse, and now she is a very good one, but her younger sister Fruitful has reached sixteen, and has been married to the same man as she had been, and Daisy needs to rescue her, and another sister Obedience, because one won’t leave without the other. On the way there she has a traffic accident and her car plunges into the river, she loses all her belongings that were in the car with her. She is brave and resourceful and manages to escape from the car, and is rescued from the fast-flowing, freezing river by a stray dog and the man who had hit her car when she swerved to miss something in the road.
Gray had a massive migraine and shouldn’t have been driving, so he feels very badly about the accident. Once he knows the story he insists on helping her rescue her sisters. He had been a famous All Black rugby player, but had to retire at thirty, after too many injuries, he is now a builder. Of course Daisy has never heard of him. The rescue is very tense and exciting, but has repercussions as the story progresses. Gray and Daisy are both attracted to each other, but looking after the sisters means there is little opportunity for them to be alone to explore that attraction, plus having been married to such a cruel man Daisy is very wary of men in general, which doesn’t help.
This is a powerful story by a master story-teller, Rosalind is so good at providing characters and story-lines that you can really believe in. There is a happy ending, plus you get to meet characters from earlier books, always a pleasure! Well worth reading.
July 4, 2020
This was another great addition to the series! I love reading the tales RJ spins from NZ;)
December 3, 2020
Rosalind James’s stories always fill me with wanderlust, especially her books set in New Zealand.
November 12, 2025
Daisy Kittredge is a nurse, she is also a woman who escaped a cult with her twin brother and she is en route to rescue two of her sisters when a series of circumstances lead to her being pushed off the road into a river by former rugby player Grayson Tamatoa.
Gray is horrified that he nearly killed Daisy and is determined to help her, even if the woman is so strong and resourceful that she rescued herself from a freezing cold river. At first it's just offering Daisy a lift to rescue her sisters but soon its a place to stay and safety after her sister's husband starts stalking them.
This book is just choc full of the feels for me, gruff former rugby player turned builder, plucky nurse, family, romance, determination, strength, love. Just from start to finish it plucks at your heart-strings and you feel yourself urging Daisy on, willing her to succeed and wanting Gray to support her always, a fabulous read that I devoured.
Gray is horrified that he nearly killed Daisy and is determined to help her, even if the woman is so strong and resourceful that she rescued herself from a freezing cold river. At first it's just offering Daisy a lift to rescue her sisters but soon its a place to stay and safety after her sister's husband starts stalking them.
This book is just choc full of the feels for me, gruff former rugby player turned builder, plucky nurse, family, romance, determination, strength, love. Just from start to finish it plucks at your heart-strings and you feel yourself urging Daisy on, willing her to succeed and wanting Gray to support her always, a fabulous read that I devoured.
February 23, 2023
4.5 stars. I really loved this book. Idk what it is about a cult-escapee story that seems to always work for me... but I think I've found a new romance trope to look for .... 🤣🤣🤣 I also want throw out a PSA for anyone considering this series: Rosalind James gets very long-winded in this series and could have easily cut about 10% or more of each book and not lost anything vital. It gets annoying at times, but I ultimately enjoyed the stories too much to care too much.
Even though Rosalind James claims that this book is purely a "work of fiction" ... I think that this story and book 5 of this series are based on the Gloriavale Christian Community in New Zealand. It's interesting just how many details do line up between the book's community and the one in real life. It's definitely fiction that's based on reality, which I think makes the story much more interesting.
This story is about Daisy, a girl born into a NZ "religious community" who escapes and creates a life for herself on the outside. Ten years later, she's going back to rescue her two younger sisters. Daisy is driving when she is forced to swerve for a dog, but another car going in the opposite direction then forces her to swerve again - off the road and into a river. Daisy is now a RN and remains extremely cool under pressure so she is able to escape her car and is then rescued by the hero, Gray. Even after the accident and nearly freezing from the cold water, Daisy is still determined to rescue her sisters, and Gray offers to help her do it. The remainder of the book is spent with Gray and Daisy getting to know each other while also helping her sisters adjust to life on the outside. There's a sweet HEA ending.
Daisy is such an extremely strong heroine - I absolutely adored her in this book. She really took all the💩💩 that life gave her and turned it into chocolate ice cream. 😬 The hero, Gray, was also pretty amazing. I loved how quickly he fell for Daisy, how he supported her, and how he was willing to wait for her to be ready for intimacy. They are a great book couple, and I really appreciated that while their relationship progressed quickly, it somehow didn't feel like the pacing was off (unlike the first two books of this series).
My only complaint when it came to this book was actually not about this book at all. It's about how Daisy is portrayed in book 5. She was a lot less likable in that book - the heroine is one of her sisters and Daisy comes off as extremely hypocritical and unbending. The hero remained amazing though.
I ended up skipping book four and read book 5 - which I also really enjoyed.
Safe; no virgins, my memory of hero's past isn't perfect, but he was def a manwhore or manwhore-adjacent in the past, but it wasn't described in too great of detail. Heroine not a virgin, but she had been SA'd in the past and had only a couple terrible partners after leaving the cult. She tried, but would freeze up whenever she tried to be with other men. No OM/OW drama or scenes. Heroine's ex husband from the cult is in this story but I wouldn't count him as traditional OM drama. Heroine's ex husband went on to marry her sister (one of the sisters who the heroine breaks out of the cult). No cheating.
TW: Cults, child sexual and physical abuse, child brides, indentured servitude, sexual assault/rape, misogyny and sexism (within cult)
Even though Rosalind James claims that this book is purely a "work of fiction" ... I think that this story and book 5 of this series are based on the Gloriavale Christian Community in New Zealand. It's interesting just how many details do line up between the book's community and the one in real life. It's definitely fiction that's based on reality, which I think makes the story much more interesting.
This story is about Daisy, a girl born into a NZ "religious community" who escapes and creates a life for herself on the outside. Ten years later, she's going back to rescue her two younger sisters. Daisy is driving when she is forced to swerve for a dog, but another car going in the opposite direction then forces her to swerve again - off the road and into a river. Daisy is now a RN and remains extremely cool under pressure so she is able to escape her car and is then rescued by the hero, Gray. Even after the accident and nearly freezing from the cold water, Daisy is still determined to rescue her sisters, and Gray offers to help her do it. The remainder of the book is spent with Gray and Daisy getting to know each other while also helping her sisters adjust to life on the outside. There's a sweet HEA ending.
Daisy is such an extremely strong heroine - I absolutely adored her in this book. She really took all the💩💩 that life gave her and turned it into chocolate ice cream. 😬 The hero, Gray, was also pretty amazing. I loved how quickly he fell for Daisy, how he supported her, and how he was willing to wait for her to be ready for intimacy. They are a great book couple, and I really appreciated that while their relationship progressed quickly, it somehow didn't feel like the pacing was off (unlike the first two books of this series).
My only complaint when it came to this book was actually not about this book at all. It's about how Daisy is portrayed in book 5. She was a lot less likable in that book - the heroine is one of her sisters and Daisy comes off as extremely hypocritical and unbending. The hero remained amazing though.
I ended up skipping book four and read book 5 - which I also really enjoyed.
Safe; no virgins, my memory of hero's past isn't perfect, but he was def a manwhore or manwhore-adjacent in the past, but it wasn't described in too great of detail. Heroine not a virgin, but she had been SA'd in the past and had only a couple terrible partners after leaving the cult. She tried, but would freeze up whenever she tried to be with other men. No OM/OW drama or scenes. Heroine's ex husband from the cult is in this story but I wouldn't count him as traditional OM drama. Heroine's ex husband went on to marry her sister (one of the sisters who the heroine breaks out of the cult). No cheating.
TW: Cults, child sexual and physical abuse, child brides, indentured servitude, sexual assault/rape, misogyny and sexism (within cult)
May 31, 2020
Rosalind James certainly knows how to start a novel off with a bang. With this one, we have the heroine, Daisy, driving late at night on a mysterious errand when her car is rammed by a car behind her and ends up in a river. She has to rescue herself and when she comes to the surface she finds herself being helped by a very big and muscular guy. She doesn’t recognize him, but he’s Gray, a former All Blacks rugby star, who is mortified that he almost killed this attractive, petite woman who seems to have no idea who he is.
After that exciting opening, there are several plot threads that James keeps balancing as she alternates first-person narration for the story that unfolds. It turns out that Daisy is on the way to rescue her two younger sisters who are being mistreated in a creepy cult from which Daisy and her brother had escaped when she was a teenager. So there is one plot line of how the two sisters are going to acclimate to living in the Outside after having lived all their lives in that community which regards women as breeding and working stock in a very patriarchal society. Daisy still has some personal problems dealing with her own life and abuse in that community.
Gray is trying to keep his construction business on track while dealing with crippling migraine and the fear that he will suffer from CTE after years of enduring concussions as a professional rugby player.
And then there is the deep attraction between Daisy and Gray that they are dealing with. Daisy is a very independent and strong woman who doesn’t want to depend on anyone, especially a man, after her experiences in the cult. And Gray is a kind man with a strong protective streak which comes in to play as threats emerge against Daisy and her sisters.
There is a lot going on, but it’s all so very interesting and plays out against the backdrop of the beautiful New Zealand countryside. As always, James includes enough information that I’m looking up the places that appear in the book so that I can see the area she’s describing. I couldn’t put the book down, but I wanted it to keep going as I became so interested in these characters. I hope she’ll return to these characters in future books.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book that I received from the author; however, the opinions are my own and I did not receive any compensation for my review.
After that exciting opening, there are several plot threads that James keeps balancing as she alternates first-person narration for the story that unfolds. It turns out that Daisy is on the way to rescue her two younger sisters who are being mistreated in a creepy cult from which Daisy and her brother had escaped when she was a teenager. So there is one plot line of how the two sisters are going to acclimate to living in the Outside after having lived all their lives in that community which regards women as breeding and working stock in a very patriarchal society. Daisy still has some personal problems dealing with her own life and abuse in that community.
Gray is trying to keep his construction business on track while dealing with crippling migraine and the fear that he will suffer from CTE after years of enduring concussions as a professional rugby player.
And then there is the deep attraction between Daisy and Gray that they are dealing with. Daisy is a very independent and strong woman who doesn’t want to depend on anyone, especially a man, after her experiences in the cult. And Gray is a kind man with a strong protective streak which comes in to play as threats emerge against Daisy and her sisters.
There is a lot going on, but it’s all so very interesting and plays out against the backdrop of the beautiful New Zealand countryside. As always, James includes enough information that I’m looking up the places that appear in the book so that I can see the area she’s describing. I couldn’t put the book down, but I wanted it to keep going as I became so interested in these characters. I hope she’ll return to these characters in future books.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book that I received from the author; however, the opinions are my own and I did not receive any compensation for my review.
June 19, 2020
Sometimes it’s good to be rescued, even when you can save yourself.
Daisy and Gray first encounter each other in the opposite of a meet-cute, but from that first moment they are never apart again. And although Daisy doesn’t NEED a rescuer, when she opens up and allows Gray to be her safe place to land, they both find exactly what neither of them was looking for.
This book is an epic story about love, trust, walking through hellfire and coming out the other side in a better place than where you started, not just for the “main couple” but for everyone in their circle. Daisy and Gray are surrounded by loving family and friends, and everybody is making new starts in relationships, jobs and in the case of Daisy’s sisters, just seeing the world Outside. We get to see Drew and Hannah again, where this author’s journey started, and the connection of all the characters make this world someplace we all want to live, where friends support each other without question.
Every book gets better, yet every book makes me want to go back to the beginning and live again with all these Kiwis. When I finally get to visit New Zealand, I will be disappointed that they aren’t really there….that’s how real this world is that Rosalind has created, the world where love is all we need.
Daisy and Gray first encounter each other in the opposite of a meet-cute, but from that first moment they are never apart again. And although Daisy doesn’t NEED a rescuer, when she opens up and allows Gray to be her safe place to land, they both find exactly what neither of them was looking for.
This book is an epic story about love, trust, walking through hellfire and coming out the other side in a better place than where you started, not just for the “main couple” but for everyone in their circle. Daisy and Gray are surrounded by loving family and friends, and everybody is making new starts in relationships, jobs and in the case of Daisy’s sisters, just seeing the world Outside. We get to see Drew and Hannah again, where this author’s journey started, and the connection of all the characters make this world someplace we all want to live, where friends support each other without question.
Every book gets better, yet every book makes me want to go back to the beginning and live again with all these Kiwis. When I finally get to visit New Zealand, I will be disappointed that they aren’t really there….that’s how real this world is that Rosalind has created, the world where love is all we need.
June 20, 2020
Daisy Nabhitha Kittredge, has a history of freeing herself, so even a submerged car, is something that she can overcome. She's a RN in the Emergency department driving at night to pick up her sisters from the extreme cult that they all grew up in. Grayson Loto Tamatoa, was raised by his mother when his father died fighting fires. He's a successful business man, struggling with the migraines that are a result of the multiple concussions he suffered as a All Black. While there relationship started with a car crash, they are draw to the strength they see in each other.
Why I started this book: James writes great loves stories about New Zealand... and while I can't travel there right now, I love reading about it.
Why I finished it: Stayed past my bed time to finish this book. Crazy situation and circumstances in this book that you just have to accept to enjoy the book. And while it's not not my favorite, even a bad James book is a good romance.
Why I started this book: James writes great loves stories about New Zealand... and while I can't travel there right now, I love reading about it.
Why I finished it: Stayed past my bed time to finish this book. Crazy situation and circumstances in this book that you just have to accept to enjoy the book. And while it's not not my favorite, even a bad James book is a good romance.
June 3, 2020
I just finished Kiwi Strong another fantastic book by Rosalind James. I have very much enjoyed all of the books I’ve read by her, (and I think I’ve read them all). This is the third book in the New Zealand Ever After series. It’s not necessary to read the other two first but don’t deny yourself the pleasure of those two books! Plus characters from her other books do appear and it’s adds to the story to have met them previously.
Daisy Kittredge escaped from a very strict cult 12 years before the book starts. She is headed back to help two of her sisters escape when, while trying to avoid hitting a dog, she goes into the river. She was hit from behind by a vehicle driven by Gray Tamatoa which was unavoidable. She manages to get herself out of the car and Gray helps her out of the river where the dog is towing her to shore. He takes her and the dog to his mum’s home and once they’ve dried out a bit they go on to rescue her sisters.
Daisy’s sisters are 16 and 17 and have no idea what life is really like on the “outside’. Rosalind does a good job showing their confusion and thoughts. There are lots of complications, lots of lovely characters and some nasty ones. There is humor, romance, some steamy moments, everything I love in a book. I recommend this book, (and all the others Rosalind has written), highly!
Daisy Kittredge escaped from a very strict cult 12 years before the book starts. She is headed back to help two of her sisters escape when, while trying to avoid hitting a dog, she goes into the river. She was hit from behind by a vehicle driven by Gray Tamatoa which was unavoidable. She manages to get herself out of the car and Gray helps her out of the river where the dog is towing her to shore. He takes her and the dog to his mum’s home and once they’ve dried out a bit they go on to rescue her sisters.
Daisy’s sisters are 16 and 17 and have no idea what life is really like on the “outside’. Rosalind does a good job showing their confusion and thoughts. There are lots of complications, lots of lovely characters and some nasty ones. There is humor, romance, some steamy moments, everything I love in a book. I recommend this book, (and all the others Rosalind has written), highly!
November 7, 2021
I loved this book. Very romantic, with the hero and heroine both being honest with each other. They both did nice things for each other and went on romantic dates (he bought her a picnic tablecloth so they could have a picnic).
I took off 1 star because of the past sexual and physical abuse the heroine suffered. The heroine's sister also suffered sexual and physical abuse which was discussed and also had to be dealt with.
I took off 1 star because of the past sexual and physical abuse the heroine suffered. The heroine's sister also suffered sexual and physical abuse which was discussed and also had to be dealt with.
July 24, 2024
3.5 ⭐
Daisy's backstory as well as her sisters were treated so candidily and with a lot of sensitivity which I really appreciated.
That being said, this book was advertised to me as a super spicy read which it definitely is not (and maybe also *should* not be due to the FMC's past?) which made it kind of fall flat for me in terms of a spicy summer read. I could not really grasp the chemistry between Gray and Daisy and by the time they got together I just was not really shipping them as much as I hoped I would?
Daisy's backstory as well as her sisters were treated so candidily and with a lot of sensitivity which I really appreciated.
That being said, this book was advertised to me as a super spicy read which it definitely is not (and maybe also *should* not be due to the FMC's past?) which made it kind of fall flat for me in terms of a spicy summer read. I could not really grasp the chemistry between Gray and Daisy and by the time they got together I just was not really shipping them as much as I hoped I would?
June 20, 2020
If I could give .5 I’d do 3.5. Parts of this book I loved, daisy’s love for her sisters, her learning to open up and trust grey. Other parts I got annoyed with, like continuing to drive and/or work at a construction site with a migraine. Grey could have not only hurt himself but also other people-which he already did running Daisy off the road. Long drawn out storyline wondering if he would develop CTE only to be solved in a short paragraph in the middle of a dream house tour at the end of a lackluster finish to the book. Some fun, steamy, and interesting scenes but not my favorite from Rosalind James’ book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 25, 2020
Review written: June 25, 2020
Star Rating: ★★★★½
Heat Rating: ☀☀☀☼☼
Kiwi Strong is a whole lotta "Wow!" in every good way possible. I swear James just gets better and better every book. This is Daisy's book - Daisy who worked with Matiu.
And I do mean, this is Daisy's book. It is her character arc and her personality that dominate the narrative. From her terrified and abused 16 year old self, she has fashioned herself into a strong, competent, educated woman. She's also wary and fearful of intimacy or leaning on anyone. I love the mix of strong and weak that she is. Over the course of the book she discovers both how strong she is and the ability to lean on others. It is a profound journey of self-discovery.
All this is precipitated by her sisters, still stuck in the cult they grew up in, and now in trouble just as she was. Daisy is determined to save them. And despite life threatening events on her way, she does with a little help.
Gray is determined to do the right things. A former All Black, he is struggling with post concussion symptoms and enough fears and guilt to match Daisy. He's a stand up guy always determined to do it all the right way. And he does, no matter what he thinks it might cost him. He's the white knight but Daisy's no damsel in distress. No matter, Gray will be there no matter what, even if she can save everyone single-handedly.
As the emotional intensity between them heats up, both are uneasy for different reasons. But they both want it too much to fight forever. Through the ups and the downs, Daisy and Gray have to fight for themselves and each other.
Kiwi Strong has a fabulous group of secondary characters, many family and some other familiar faces. Because family is the underpinning of every James book, we see a lot of family time and interaction.
Emotionally, this book will put you through the wringer. It's got high highs and low lows and will blow your mind. I think this sort of concludes this series, or at least, it feels like a natural stopping place for now. Certainly, I loved it as much as I have been loving all of James' recent books.
This review is ©June 2020 by Monique N. and is crossposted to Amazon.
Star Rating: ★★★★½
Heat Rating: ☀☀☀☼☼
Kiwi Strong is a whole lotta "Wow!" in every good way possible. I swear James just gets better and better every book. This is Daisy's book - Daisy who worked with Matiu.
And I do mean, this is Daisy's book. It is her character arc and her personality that dominate the narrative. From her terrified and abused 16 year old self, she has fashioned herself into a strong, competent, educated woman. She's also wary and fearful of intimacy or leaning on anyone. I love the mix of strong and weak that she is. Over the course of the book she discovers both how strong she is and the ability to lean on others. It is a profound journey of self-discovery.
All this is precipitated by her sisters, still stuck in the cult they grew up in, and now in trouble just as she was. Daisy is determined to save them. And despite life threatening events on her way, she does with a little help.
Gray is determined to do the right things. A former All Black, he is struggling with post concussion symptoms and enough fears and guilt to match Daisy. He's a stand up guy always determined to do it all the right way. And he does, no matter what he thinks it might cost him. He's the white knight but Daisy's no damsel in distress. No matter, Gray will be there no matter what, even if she can save everyone single-handedly.
As the emotional intensity between them heats up, both are uneasy for different reasons. But they both want it too much to fight forever. Through the ups and the downs, Daisy and Gray have to fight for themselves and each other.
Kiwi Strong has a fabulous group of secondary characters, many family and some other familiar faces. Because family is the underpinning of every James book, we see a lot of family time and interaction.
Emotionally, this book will put you through the wringer. It's got high highs and low lows and will blow your mind. I think this sort of concludes this series, or at least, it feels like a natural stopping place for now. Certainly, I loved it as much as I have been loving all of James' recent books.
This review is ©June 2020 by Monique N. and is crossposted to Amazon.
June 23, 2020
Super disappointing
I am normally a fan of Rosalind James but this is far off the mark. First of all,the "cult" is actually Gloriavale ( there is an actual documentary on Amazon that is very interesting) which is a group of conservative Christians. I am pretty offended that this author equates conservative Christians with a cult. Sorry we aren't politically correct like the Muslims. Also the hero is samoan, which the author reiterated over and over and over again. She clearly thought she was being politically correct and multicultural but I just kept thinking " isn't he more than just a skin color and a race? " people should be more than just a skin color and a race. Ultimately the story fails because it is supposed to be a strong woman, a survivor of a cult, who rescued her sisters and learns to trust again it is instead a petite woman who is rescued by a big strong samoan man and he replaced the protection of a cult with his protection,giving her room and board and transportation in exchange for sex. What is the difference? Either stand on your own or don't. She don't.
I am normally a fan of Rosalind James but this is far off the mark. First of all,the "cult" is actually Gloriavale ( there is an actual documentary on Amazon that is very interesting) which is a group of conservative Christians. I am pretty offended that this author equates conservative Christians with a cult. Sorry we aren't politically correct like the Muslims. Also the hero is samoan, which the author reiterated over and over and over again. She clearly thought she was being politically correct and multicultural but I just kept thinking " isn't he more than just a skin color and a race? " people should be more than just a skin color and a race. Ultimately the story fails because it is supposed to be a strong woman, a survivor of a cult, who rescued her sisters and learns to trust again it is instead a petite woman who is rescued by a big strong samoan man and he replaced the protection of a cult with his protection,giving her room and board and transportation in exchange for sex. What is the difference? Either stand on your own or don't. She don't.
December 18, 2023
This felt like a heavier book than previous ones I've read by Rosalind James. The romance was sweet, and I enjoyed reading about Gray and Daisy, but I think this book focused on the growth and strength of Daisy and her sisters. It was hard to read at times (especially towards the end), but Rosalind James always delivers on compelling characters and stories, so this still gets a full 4 stars from me.
July 2, 2020
Absolutely amazing book! This is one with multiple heroes and is my all-time favorite book of Ms.James now. I didn't think it was possible - I was not expecting the depth of this story. The strong male lead is not the only one bad-ass enough to be the hero here! Daisy is smart, funny, a survivor of a cult upbringing and she needs help to rescue her younger sisters who were left behind ten years ago. Gray is kind, patient and wise - a gentle giant of a man who has been hurt and shut himself off from romantic relationships but will give the shirt off his back for a friend in need.
Daisy and Gray meet on a dark road one night when he accidentally runs her off the road into the river. Her car has completely been submerged and he attempts to rescue her but discovers she has already rescued herself. The next several hours set up the rest of the story in a magical way that takes you on a journey of discovery to learn about two amazing heroes and their family members, secondary characters and a villain or two.
Calm before the storm...
After helping Daisy rescue her sisters, she learns just how much love and care another human can have. Gray is a beautiful, sweet, caring soul who blows her away with his continual strength, kindness, and giving nature. He sees past all her walls and brings her out of her shell, one step at a time. He teaches her to trust and have faith in another person, and falls in love with her before she even recognizes that she has fallen for him too.
This is a remarkable story, one that spans the journey of Daisy's family declaration of independence (quite appropriate, I think, given the time of year this book is released in). It is also a story of Gray learning that he can open up, trust and lean on a woman like Daisy, who is an amazing healing force in his life. She truly is his yin to her yang.
You will meet some really funny, sweet secondary characters in the story, and you will quickly want to cheer them on too. I loved Daisy's sisters and Gray's mom. They are like super cool people you wish you could meet and you want to be friends with. I was sad when the story ended, and hope we get another glimpse at their lives down the road, as Rosalind often writes into her future books some of the past characters she had introduced in earlier ones. I would love to hear more about Daisy's sisters down the road.
The obstacles the pair face are realistic and the villain is scary. The story has a very satisfying conclusion (not giving anything away, but it's good. Get your tissues out and keep them handy!) Daisy is a force to be reckoned with
Rosalind James is a wonderful American writer and has spent a considerable amount of time in New Zealand and Aussie-land. She shares her amazing experiences with the New Zealand culture (and imaginative, creative story-telling) with us and we are lucky indeed to enjoy the results of her work. Another great one - and my new favorite. This one will check off all of your boxes for a great romantic story! A job well done!
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated for my review, and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.
All the best,
Esther
Daisy and Gray meet on a dark road one night when he accidentally runs her off the road into the river. Her car has completely been submerged and he attempts to rescue her but discovers she has already rescued herself. The next several hours set up the rest of the story in a magical way that takes you on a journey of discovery to learn about two amazing heroes and their family members, secondary characters and a villain or two.
Calm before the storm...
After helping Daisy rescue her sisters, she learns just how much love and care another human can have. Gray is a beautiful, sweet, caring soul who blows her away with his continual strength, kindness, and giving nature. He sees past all her walls and brings her out of her shell, one step at a time. He teaches her to trust and have faith in another person, and falls in love with her before she even recognizes that she has fallen for him too.
This is a remarkable story, one that spans the journey of Daisy's family declaration of independence (quite appropriate, I think, given the time of year this book is released in). It is also a story of Gray learning that he can open up, trust and lean on a woman like Daisy, who is an amazing healing force in his life. She truly is his yin to her yang.
You will meet some really funny, sweet secondary characters in the story, and you will quickly want to cheer them on too. I loved Daisy's sisters and Gray's mom. They are like super cool people you wish you could meet and you want to be friends with. I was sad when the story ended, and hope we get another glimpse at their lives down the road, as Rosalind often writes into her future books some of the past characters she had introduced in earlier ones. I would love to hear more about Daisy's sisters down the road.
The obstacles the pair face are realistic and the villain is scary. The story has a very satisfying conclusion (not giving anything away, but it's good. Get your tissues out and keep them handy!) Daisy is a force to be reckoned with
Rosalind James is a wonderful American writer and has spent a considerable amount of time in New Zealand and Aussie-land. She shares her amazing experiences with the New Zealand culture (and imaginative, creative story-telling) with us and we are lucky indeed to enjoy the results of her work. Another great one - and my new favorite. This one will check off all of your boxes for a great romantic story! A job well done!
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated for my review, and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.
All the best,
Esther
June 2, 2020
Just WOW! This books starts out with a bang, literally! Daisy meets Gray after he accidentally rams her car from behind on a foggy night sending her flying into a river. Fast forward a bit... Daisy has a stealth mission she needs to complete and she's behind time-wise; Gray, the retired All Black is up for the challenge. He helps her rescue two of her sisters from a cult, the one she and her twin brother escaped from 16 years before. We met Daisy in the previous series book, she is an ER nurse who works with Matiu. She is feisty, clever and strong-willed, but she has a problem with intimacy that was caused by her life in the cult. Gray now owns and runs a commercial building firm, his financial partners include some of our favorite ABs from many of Rosalind's previous books and their partners. Gray has a problem, he has severe migraines from all the concussions he received while playing rugby. With the help of Gray, Daisy, Gray's mom, Honor and his friend, Iris the 2 sisters, Frankie (originally Fruitful) and Oriana (originally Obedience) begin to adjust to life "outside" the cult. Daisy and Gray are just what the other needs, Gray is a nice, gentle, caring man who can introduce Daisy to the pleasures of intimacy with a special person; Daisy can help Gray with his migraines, finding a way to ease the pain and uncertainty. Did I mention that Gray's migraines are bad right now from needing more workers on his building projects and two deadlines he needs to meet? Did I mention that Daisy knows that her ex-husband from the cult, Gilead who is now married to 16 YO Frankie is psycho and out to destroy her and take Frankie back? So many problems to solve, isn't it just great that the two of them have so many friends and family to come to the rescue!
As always, Rosalind's descriptions and characters are so beautiful and complex. This is a wonderfully woven story. Just terrific!!
As always, Rosalind's descriptions and characters are so beautiful and complex. This is a wonderfully woven story. Just terrific!!
June 9, 2020
I truly enjoyed Kiwi Strong. I've read many of Rosalind James books, and I've always enjoyed them. I love reading stories set amid the culture and people of New Zealand. This book may look long, but the book flew by as I read the story - I hated to put it down.
Daisy and Gray are both fascinating characters, with interesting background stories. Daisy had escaped for a repressive cult, and had built a life for herself over the past 12 years, including taking a new name. She put herself through nursing school, and now works as an ER nurse. A major goal for her is to help each of her sisters escape the cult when they turn 16, before they have to get married. Before she escaped the cult, Daisy had been forced to marry at age 16. Her husband physically abused her. Daisy wants to give her siblings the opportunity to make their own life choices.
Grayson is a former Rugby player, raised by a hard-working single mother. He had to retire early due to repeated concussions. He has become a builder, with financial backing from a few other Rugby players. Gray suffers from acute migraines, which can be debilitating. He's afraid that the migraines are a sign he will develop CTE.
The story opens as Daisy is heading to the cult compound to help two of her sisters escape. Daisy's plan is threatened when Gray accidentally rear ends her in the fog, and forces her car into a swift moving river. The fast-moving story moves from their tenuous first meeting, through Gray deciding to help Daisy with her plan - initially because he feels responsible for the accident, but then because he supports her cause. As they work together toward their shared goal, they get to know each other, and a relationship develops
This is a very entertaining read. In addition to the strong lead characters, there is a cast of well-developed secondary characters, many of whom add richness to the story.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good romance!
Daisy and Gray are both fascinating characters, with interesting background stories. Daisy had escaped for a repressive cult, and had built a life for herself over the past 12 years, including taking a new name. She put herself through nursing school, and now works as an ER nurse. A major goal for her is to help each of her sisters escape the cult when they turn 16, before they have to get married. Before she escaped the cult, Daisy had been forced to marry at age 16. Her husband physically abused her. Daisy wants to give her siblings the opportunity to make their own life choices.
Grayson is a former Rugby player, raised by a hard-working single mother. He had to retire early due to repeated concussions. He has become a builder, with financial backing from a few other Rugby players. Gray suffers from acute migraines, which can be debilitating. He's afraid that the migraines are a sign he will develop CTE.
The story opens as Daisy is heading to the cult compound to help two of her sisters escape. Daisy's plan is threatened when Gray accidentally rear ends her in the fog, and forces her car into a swift moving river. The fast-moving story moves from their tenuous first meeting, through Gray deciding to help Daisy with her plan - initially because he feels responsible for the accident, but then because he supports her cause. As they work together toward their shared goal, they get to know each other, and a relationship develops
This is a very entertaining read. In addition to the strong lead characters, there is a cast of well-developed secondary characters, many of whom add richness to the story.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good romance!
June 23, 2020
Wow!!!! Hard to review a book that is that good.
Daisy Nabhitha Kittredge is on her way on a dark and rainy night to run a mysterious errand. She is on a dark stretch of road when something white darts out in front of her car causing her to land her car into a river.
Grayson Loto Tamatoa is a former All Black who is dealing with some medical issues from way too many concussions playing footie. Gray is a rather large Samoan who now makes a living as a builder and is on his way to his mum's house when he first meets Daisy after hitting her car and rescuing her from the river.
Gray takes Daisy home and than on to help her complete her errand which is to rescue her sisters from Mount Zion the cult she and her family had been born into and raised. Daisy and her twin brother had escaped when they were 16 and of age. Daisy was on her way to rescue her sisters when the accident happens. And this sets off the chain of events that leads to wonderful love story that has tons of twists and turns and many familiar characters from other books in the rugby romances of previous books. (But you don't need to have read them in order to read this book or any of the other books by Ms. James.)
Mount Zion is based loosely on the Gloriavale Christian Community in New Zealand. I had just watched a documentary on this community prior to reading this novel. If you are not familiar with how religious cults work, I would suggest either watching the documentary or doing some reading.
This novel like all of Ms. James' novels is well written and with wonderful characters. The scenery of New Zealand is also important character not only in this book but in all of her books. Having read probably 99% of what Ms. James has written, I have to say this is her best book to date. I can't wait to read what she writes next.
I did receive a copy of this novel in advance from the author in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.
Daisy Nabhitha Kittredge is on her way on a dark and rainy night to run a mysterious errand. She is on a dark stretch of road when something white darts out in front of her car causing her to land her car into a river.
Grayson Loto Tamatoa is a former All Black who is dealing with some medical issues from way too many concussions playing footie. Gray is a rather large Samoan who now makes a living as a builder and is on his way to his mum's house when he first meets Daisy after hitting her car and rescuing her from the river.
Gray takes Daisy home and than on to help her complete her errand which is to rescue her sisters from Mount Zion the cult she and her family had been born into and raised. Daisy and her twin brother had escaped when they were 16 and of age. Daisy was on her way to rescue her sisters when the accident happens. And this sets off the chain of events that leads to wonderful love story that has tons of twists and turns and many familiar characters from other books in the rugby romances of previous books. (But you don't need to have read them in order to read this book or any of the other books by Ms. James.)
Mount Zion is based loosely on the Gloriavale Christian Community in New Zealand. I had just watched a documentary on this community prior to reading this novel. If you are not familiar with how religious cults work, I would suggest either watching the documentary or doing some reading.
This novel like all of Ms. James' novels is well written and with wonderful characters. The scenery of New Zealand is also important character not only in this book but in all of her books. Having read probably 99% of what Ms. James has written, I have to say this is her best book to date. I can't wait to read what she writes next.
I did receive a copy of this novel in advance from the author in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.
June 20, 2020
I am a very big fan of Rosalind James’s books. I adore not only her writing style, but how she portrays her characters. You really get a sense of what it is like to walk in their shoes, how they make the decisions they do. Her storylines are also relatable, creative and clever.
To me, Kiwi Strong, was a bit different than her other novels. It has an unusual story line that is more than just a romance; it is also a coming-of-age and personal growth story.
There is Daisy, an extremely strong, brave and independent young woman who was born into, and subsequently escaped from, an ultra-orthodox cult. Though she has a lot of emotional baggage from her experiences, Daisy’s goal is to rescue some of her sisters from the same fate of being oppressed by the cult. Crashing into Daisy’s life (literally) is Gray, an ex-All Blacks rugby player who has limitations of his own, albeit physical. Daisy has a need to do things on her own; Gray has a need to help out, whether or not it is welcomed.
This is a story of how the lives of two people from very different worlds become entwined and how their feelings for each other flourish as they learn to appreciate and even need each other.
Kiwi Strong takes you on an emotional journey where you see two characters you really come to love, realize their own potential, strength and determination and learn that they are better and stronger together.
New Zealand’s countryside is also prominently portrayed in this book. There is no mistaking the metaphor of the strength and resilience of the unbreakable Wanaka tree.
I just love the way James portrays the people in her books! I felt so invested in all of them! I was so sad to finish this book. I really want to know more about these characters! I hope to see them again in another one of James’s books!
To me, Kiwi Strong, was a bit different than her other novels. It has an unusual story line that is more than just a romance; it is also a coming-of-age and personal growth story.
There is Daisy, an extremely strong, brave and independent young woman who was born into, and subsequently escaped from, an ultra-orthodox cult. Though she has a lot of emotional baggage from her experiences, Daisy’s goal is to rescue some of her sisters from the same fate of being oppressed by the cult. Crashing into Daisy’s life (literally) is Gray, an ex-All Blacks rugby player who has limitations of his own, albeit physical. Daisy has a need to do things on her own; Gray has a need to help out, whether or not it is welcomed.
This is a story of how the lives of two people from very different worlds become entwined and how their feelings for each other flourish as they learn to appreciate and even need each other.
Kiwi Strong takes you on an emotional journey where you see two characters you really come to love, realize their own potential, strength and determination and learn that they are better and stronger together.
New Zealand’s countryside is also prominently portrayed in this book. There is no mistaking the metaphor of the strength and resilience of the unbreakable Wanaka tree.
I just love the way James portrays the people in her books! I felt so invested in all of them! I was so sad to finish this book. I really want to know more about these characters! I hope to see them again in another one of James’s books!
June 21, 2020
Rosalind James' new book Kiwi Strong was an out-of-the-park home-run hit for me. A 5 star plus read that I could not put down.
It really pushed all of my buttons starting with a strong, feisty heroine (Daisy) who has overcome a difficult past, but is still struggling with the emotional scars left behind. A hero (Gray) who, to be honest, at times seems too good to be true, but who, in the end, is the perfect partner for Daisy both in her quest to save her sisters and just what she needs in her life. There is a slow build to the physical side of their relationship culminating in some really hot, sweet, sexy times. Oh, and there's a dog—every good story needs a dog!
This book grabs you from the very first sentence, jerking you immediately into the story. The first chapters are so action packed, by the time you finish chapter 7, you'll be hooked for sure. And that is just the beginning of the story.
I loved Daisy's sisters and seeing their reaction to a strange new world they didn't understand and never really knew existed outside of the closed off cult in which they were raised. And, I say this with nearly every review of one of a Rosalind's book, but I must point it out again, her wonderful secondary characters are one of the things that make her stories so special. They are engaging and interesting and such an addition to the story: Honor, Iris, Xena, Gray's business partners, and even Uncle Aaron.
If you are a fan of hot sexy romance, built into a really great story, I highly recommend Kiwi Strong.
It really pushed all of my buttons starting with a strong, feisty heroine (Daisy) who has overcome a difficult past, but is still struggling with the emotional scars left behind. A hero (Gray) who, to be honest, at times seems too good to be true, but who, in the end, is the perfect partner for Daisy both in her quest to save her sisters and just what she needs in her life. There is a slow build to the physical side of their relationship culminating in some really hot, sweet, sexy times. Oh, and there's a dog—every good story needs a dog!
This book grabs you from the very first sentence, jerking you immediately into the story. The first chapters are so action packed, by the time you finish chapter 7, you'll be hooked for sure. And that is just the beginning of the story.
I loved Daisy's sisters and seeing their reaction to a strange new world they didn't understand and never really knew existed outside of the closed off cult in which they were raised. And, I say this with nearly every review of one of a Rosalind's book, but I must point it out again, her wonderful secondary characters are one of the things that make her stories so special. They are engaging and interesting and such an addition to the story: Honor, Iris, Xena, Gray's business partners, and even Uncle Aaron.
If you are a fan of hot sexy romance, built into a really great story, I highly recommend Kiwi Strong.
November 5, 2024
4.5 creepy *'s Triggers: cults, abuse, rape.
Story of nurse Daisy, who works at the same hospital as Dr. Matiu (book 2) her sometimes running partner. A super strong woman that runs triathlons and has a horrific background -I would never have guessed this from book 1.
After being run off the road in the fog, nearly drowning she meets Grayson Tamatoa (who accidentally ran into her car and watched it go in the river). He help her pull herself out with the help of a canine that showed up out of nowhere.
This book is disturbing. It deals with cults which I find very scary. I have watched a lot of videos on cults in New Zealand and I think the author has excellent knowledge of this, maybe because she lives there? (check out the videos on Gloriavale Christian Community). There were many around when I was younger and the way they suck people in, turn them into robots and don't let them go is terrifying to me.
This is a thriller for sure I find the romance secondary (but very sweet and hot). I have woken up at night a few times at night troubled over the darkness that lives beneath the placid appearance of this 'happy god fearing" lifestyle where people are ruled by a 'alleged prophet" who in reality is a controlling monster. The actual thought of living with no free will is horrific.
Another well written book in the series, so descriptive you can visualize the scenery just like it's a movie in your mind. A bit wordy in parts but overall I will consider this my Halloween scary listen.
Story of nurse Daisy, who works at the same hospital as Dr. Matiu (book 2) her sometimes running partner. A super strong woman that runs triathlons and has a horrific background -I would never have guessed this from book 1.
After being run off the road in the fog, nearly drowning she meets Grayson Tamatoa (who accidentally ran into her car and watched it go in the river). He help her pull herself out with the help of a canine that showed up out of nowhere.
This book is disturbing. It deals with cults which I find very scary. I have watched a lot of videos on cults in New Zealand and I think the author has excellent knowledge of this, maybe because she lives there? (check out the videos on Gloriavale Christian Community). There were many around when I was younger and the way they suck people in, turn them into robots and don't let them go is terrifying to me.
This is a thriller for sure I find the romance secondary (but very sweet and hot). I have woken up at night a few times at night troubled over the darkness that lives beneath the placid appearance of this 'happy god fearing" lifestyle where people are ruled by a 'alleged prophet" who in reality is a controlling monster. The actual thought of living with no free will is horrific.
Another well written book in the series, so descriptive you can visualize the scenery just like it's a movie in your mind. A bit wordy in parts but overall I will consider this my Halloween scary listen.
June 17, 2020
Kiwi Strong
Brilliant! I absolutely loved this book. The intriguing storyline, the intimacy that we have with the characters, the delicate subject matter and, of course, the wonderful narration of the relationships, the clothes, the food, the homes and the scenery shows just how much Rosalind James has grown as a writer.
Daisy, who we met in Stone Cold Kiwi Book 2, is an emergency room nurse who is on her way to rescue her younger sisters from a cult that they were born into when she swerves to miss a dog. Gray Tamatoa, a retired rugby player, hits her from behind sending her into a lake. Daisy, a trained runner and triathlete, gets herself out of the submerged car and with the help of the scrawny Labrador and gets to the safety of Gray’s ute.
The story unfolds from here with amazing insight into cult life, the archaic beliefs and customs, the difficulties of trying to acclimate in the Outside world, all with the loom of sexual abuse. We also worry about CTE from Gray’s numerous concussions and foreboding economic hardship because of the lack of the workers at his construction company. Daisy, Gray and a whole cast of characters, some new and some sparklers from previous books, come together Kiwi Strong for a dramatic rescue at the end.
James always writes interesting sub characters. My favorites in this book were Gray’s wise mother, Honor and snarky Iris, who tends to Gray’s grounds and animals. Oh! and a wonderful story about the Wanaka Tree.
A definite must read!!
Brilliant! I absolutely loved this book. The intriguing storyline, the intimacy that we have with the characters, the delicate subject matter and, of course, the wonderful narration of the relationships, the clothes, the food, the homes and the scenery shows just how much Rosalind James has grown as a writer.
Daisy, who we met in Stone Cold Kiwi Book 2, is an emergency room nurse who is on her way to rescue her younger sisters from a cult that they were born into when she swerves to miss a dog. Gray Tamatoa, a retired rugby player, hits her from behind sending her into a lake. Daisy, a trained runner and triathlete, gets herself out of the submerged car and with the help of the scrawny Labrador and gets to the safety of Gray’s ute.
The story unfolds from here with amazing insight into cult life, the archaic beliefs and customs, the difficulties of trying to acclimate in the Outside world, all with the loom of sexual abuse. We also worry about CTE from Gray’s numerous concussions and foreboding economic hardship because of the lack of the workers at his construction company. Daisy, Gray and a whole cast of characters, some new and some sparklers from previous books, come together Kiwi Strong for a dramatic rescue at the end.
James always writes interesting sub characters. My favorites in this book were Gray’s wise mother, Honor and snarky Iris, who tends to Gray’s grounds and animals. Oh! and a wonderful story about the Wanaka Tree.
A definite must read!!
June 21, 2020
Rosalind James's last release, Kiwi Strong, is a story of many strong characters. We met Daisy very briefly in Book 2 (Stone Cold Kiwi) as Matiu's running buddy. She's an ER nurse with a crazy back story of escaping from a cult and starting a new life, putting herself through school and becoming a nurse. In the opening, she's on her way back to the cult to rescue two of her younger sisters when she ends up in a river when she's rear-ended by the Hero Grayson when she slams on the brakes to avoid hitting a dog in the road. Grayson is a former All Black rugby player who had to retire before his time due to too many concussions. He suffers from severe migraines and a lingering worry that he will end up with other debilitating long term effects. It shows Daisy's strength of character that she's going back to the hell hole she escaped from to get her sisters, and it shows Gray's when he jumps right in to help her since her car and everything else (phone, money, ID) is floating down the river. This storyline is a bit different than what we're used to from Rosalind, but she does a great job and shows her strength as a talented writer as she tells the love story between these two. We also meet Gray's mother, a strong single mom who raised her son right and Daisy's two sisters who adjust to living "Outside". There are also a few cameos from past All Blacks that are always a treat. Five stars Ros!
June 22, 2020
This is another great read from Rosalind James. In some ways it was maybe a little different as it delved into topics undiscussed in her other works but it packs the same emotional punch and all the love. This book is about so much more than the love between a man and a woman, it's about the love between sisters, the love of family and building community. One of the things I picked out was the contrast between the community Gray had around him and what passed for community (but was actually manipulation and control) in Mount Zion where Daisy was raised. I love all the interconnectedness in this book (though it is standalone if you have read any other books by Rosalind James you will likely see some familiar faces). At its core though this is a love story and Gray and Daisy are wonderful together. These are two actions speak louder than words lovers, they can't always tell you how they feel but they can show you. I loved watching them fall in love and learn to work together and make allowances for each other's baggage all while helping unpack it. Neither wants to lean on the other but they both end up learning to. This is a great story about falling in love, learning how to trust and doing the next right thing. If you are looking to read something that will warm your heart and keep the pages turning look no further. Also I'm really hoping we get to see Daisy's sisters in future books...I so want to see who can manage to keep up with Frankie!
June 19, 2020
I really LOVED this book. Kiwi Strong shoots way up there in my favorite Rosalind James books and I think I have read them all. I loved Daisy and the overall story of the book. James's books always have interesting family dynamics and this book is no exception. With the global pandemic, it felt especially timely to have a nurse as the protagonist of the book (even though nurses and doctors are always heros!). I also loved the interactions between Gray and his mother. It also has the return of one of my favorite secondary characters in all of her books-Hayden. Was the romance in this book good and the story is strong enough if there are readers out there that skip steamy parts. I also enjoy how the romance does not override every conversation the main characters have with all the secondary characters and that they show how people can care about multiple people and things going on at the same time.
Something that is generally great about reading Rosalind James books, that I am especially enjoying right now, is how inclusive her books and her characters are and it is done very naturally. The world her books show is one I feel good about stepping into time and time again, while still being entertaining and first and foremost a good book that would appeal to most readers (no book appeals to everyone).
Something that is generally great about reading Rosalind James books, that I am especially enjoying right now, is how inclusive her books and her characters are and it is done very naturally. The world her books show is one I feel good about stepping into time and time again, while still being entertaining and first and foremost a good book that would appeal to most readers (no book appeals to everyone).
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