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The Callahans of Stringybark Creek #3
Return to Stringybark Creek
When top-flight journalists Hadley Callahan and Mitch Samuals married two years ago, theirs had been declared the celebrity wedding of the year. But, now, Hadley unexpectedly returns to Stringybark Creek alone to tell her parents one major piece of news while determinedly hiding another even more explosive secret.
Hadley's big society wedding had killed any hopes that Oliver Dawson, the Callahans' neighbour and Griff Callahan's best friend, had nurtured since his teenage years when Hadley was his best friend's little sister and thus out-of-bounds.
While Hadley's in town, the shocking suicide of one of their old school friends brings them together as they mourn their loss. Hadley and Ollie begin a campaign to raise awareness of rural mental health, both wanting to make a difference.
With Mitch putting pressure on Hadley to keep quiet, and the secret she's keeping causing her great anguish, Hadley's feelings for Ollie take her by surprise. But her life is so messed up at the moment - what future could they possibly have together?
Return to Stringybark Creek concludes the Callahan family trilogy with a delightfully irresistible story of loyalty, hope and the importance of staying true to yourself.
Hadley's big society wedding had killed any hopes that Oliver Dawson, the Callahans' neighbour and Griff Callahan's best friend, had nurtured since his teenage years when Hadley was his best friend's little sister and thus out-of-bounds.
While Hadley's in town, the shocking suicide of one of their old school friends brings them together as they mourn their loss. Hadley and Ollie begin a campaign to raise awareness of rural mental health, both wanting to make a difference.
With Mitch putting pressure on Hadley to keep quiet, and the secret she's keeping causing her great anguish, Hadley's feelings for Ollie take her by surprise. But her life is so messed up at the moment - what future could they possibly have together?
Return to Stringybark Creek concludes the Callahan family trilogy with a delightfully irresistible story of loyalty, hope and the importance of staying true to yourself.
340 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 1, 2019
28 people are currently reading
199 people want to read
About the author
Karly Lane
32 books368 followersKarly Lane lives on the beautiful Mid North Coast of NSW in Australia. A certified small town girl, she is most happy in a little town where everyone knows who your grand parents were. She writes women’s fiction – everything from romantic suspense to family sagas and life in rural Australia. She has romantic suspense titles published under Karlene Blakemore-Mowle and her latest release, Third Time Lucky is available now.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
January 6, 2020
Return to Stringybark Creek by Aussie author Karly Lane is the third and final book in The Callahans of Stringybark Creek series. I have enjoyed all three novels and this one was no exception only I was a little sad when I read the last page knowing there wouldn’t be another book to read in this series. But it’s been great following the Callahan family and their friends as they fall in and out of love and deal with real life important day to day matters. In this book we see how friends, families and the community come together when it’s really needed and how this makes a difference to so many.
Karly Lane has been a favorite author of mine for some time now and once you read her books you’ll understand why. She doesn't only grab the reader's attention she also gives us a more serious understanding of what country life is really like and what small communities are faced with everyday and how they stick together and get through it no matter what it is.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I can’t wait to see what Karly writes next. A truly wonderfully written book that sends out a strong message which I hope will help those you may require it. Love, loss and friendships all make for a wonderful read. Highly recommended.
Karly Lane has been a favorite author of mine for some time now and once you read her books you’ll understand why. She doesn't only grab the reader's attention she also gives us a more serious understanding of what country life is really like and what small communities are faced with everyday and how they stick together and get through it no matter what it is.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I can’t wait to see what Karly writes next. A truly wonderfully written book that sends out a strong message which I hope will help those you may require it. Love, loss and friendships all make for a wonderful read. Highly recommended.
July 14, 2020
Return to Stringybark Creek is book three in The Callahans of Stringybark Creek. Hadley Callahan decided to come home to see her family. While Hadley was at home, she and Oliver Dawson school friend committed suicide. During this time, Hadley started to have feelings for Oliver. However, she is still married. The readers of Return to Stringybark Creek will continue to follow Hadley and Oliver to find out what happens.
Return to Stringybark Creek is another fantastic book by Karly Lane. Return to Stringybark engaged me from the first page, and I was unable to put the book down. I love Karly Lane's portrayal of her characters and the way they intertwine with each other throughout this book. I like the way Karly Lane describes the setting of this book that allows me to imagine myself as part of the background. Return to Stringybark Creek is well written and researched by Karly Lane.
The readers of Return to Stringybark Creek will understand the importance of love, respect and loyalty. Also, the readers Return to Stringybark Creek will realise the devastating effect of depression has on rural communities.
I recommend this book.
Return to Stringybark Creek is another fantastic book by Karly Lane. Return to Stringybark engaged me from the first page, and I was unable to put the book down. I love Karly Lane's portrayal of her characters and the way they intertwine with each other throughout this book. I like the way Karly Lane describes the setting of this book that allows me to imagine myself as part of the background. Return to Stringybark Creek is well written and researched by Karly Lane.
The readers of Return to Stringybark Creek will understand the importance of love, respect and loyalty. Also, the readers Return to Stringybark Creek will realise the devastating effect of depression has on rural communities.
I recommend this book.
April 7, 2020
The third book in The Callahans of Stringybark Creek trilogy by Karly Lane, is aptly named Return to Stringybark Creek and features the youngest Callahan sibling, foreign correspondent, Hadley Callahan.
When Hadley’s short marriage to on-air celebrity anchor Mitch Samuals implodes, she retreats to the family farm in Stringybark Creek to avoid the scrutiny of the media. She is glad to be home, even if she’s nervous about telling her parents the real reason for her impending divorce, but the last thing she expects is to fall in love with the boy next door.
Return to Stringybark Creek is, at its heart, a rural romance novel so it’s the relationship between Hadley and neighbour, Ollie Dawson, that takes centre stage. Ollie has been in love with Hadley since they were teenagers, while Hadley, whose focus has always been on her career, has never considered Ollie in a romantic light. I enjoyed their developing romance, with the friends to lovers trope being my favourite.
As always, the author’s personal experience of rural life lends an authenticity to her characters and setting. She touches on circumstances that challenge farmers such as injury, farm management, and the increasing need for diversification.
Arguably however, the most significant facet of the novel is the attention Lane brings to the issues of rural mental health, particularly among farmers. When a contemporary of Ollie’s suicides, he grows determined to raise awareness of the issue and create change within a culture that has difficulty admitting to struggles with mental health. The entire fictional community becomes involved in the effort, with Lane drawing inspiration from the real-life Naked Farmer campaign.
It’s not necessary to have read The Wrong Callahan (featuring Lincoln Callahan and Cash Sullivan) , or Mr. Right Now (featuring Griffin Callahan and Olivia Dawson) to enjoy this novel as the story stands well on its own. Told with humour and heart, Return to Stringybark Creek is an engaging read.
When Hadley’s short marriage to on-air celebrity anchor Mitch Samuals implodes, she retreats to the family farm in Stringybark Creek to avoid the scrutiny of the media. She is glad to be home, even if she’s nervous about telling her parents the real reason for her impending divorce, but the last thing she expects is to fall in love with the boy next door.
Return to Stringybark Creek is, at its heart, a rural romance novel so it’s the relationship between Hadley and neighbour, Ollie Dawson, that takes centre stage. Ollie has been in love with Hadley since they were teenagers, while Hadley, whose focus has always been on her career, has never considered Ollie in a romantic light. I enjoyed their developing romance, with the friends to lovers trope being my favourite.
As always, the author’s personal experience of rural life lends an authenticity to her characters and setting. She touches on circumstances that challenge farmers such as injury, farm management, and the increasing need for diversification.
Arguably however, the most significant facet of the novel is the attention Lane brings to the issues of rural mental health, particularly among farmers. When a contemporary of Ollie’s suicides, he grows determined to raise awareness of the issue and create change within a culture that has difficulty admitting to struggles with mental health. The entire fictional community becomes involved in the effort, with Lane drawing inspiration from the real-life Naked Farmer campaign.
It’s not necessary to have read The Wrong Callahan (featuring Lincoln Callahan and Cash Sullivan) , or Mr. Right Now (featuring Griffin Callahan and Olivia Dawson) to enjoy this novel as the story stands well on its own. Told with humour and heart, Return to Stringybark Creek is an engaging read.
November 25, 2019
Thank you Allen and Unwin Australia for my advanced copy.
Now, I am not a huge Ru-Ro reader (I live in the country, I don't need to read about it) however the books that I have read of Ms Lane’s I have enjoyed.
I have not read the first two books in the Callahan series, however this did not affect my reading or enjoyment of book 3 at all.
I was completely drawn into this story from the first page. We have all, at sometime in our lives, gone home with our head hung low. And there is no shame in it. I have been in that position, and I bet you have too.
And besides, who says you can’t go home?
I was mad – so, so mad at what people had done to her. Seriously, what is wrong with people. I may have yelled at the book as I was reading, telling Hadley to say “screw it” to everyone else, and speak out. I understand why she didn’t but gees I had such a visceral reaction to things lol. Especially Mitch the douche… and a douchess.
I love that this story doesn’t just touch on love. It deals with an issue that touches each and every one of us at some time – suicide. It has touched my small town in just the past week. It is getting more and more prevalent in the country, where the drought is the worst ever.
I love the way the community in the book don’t just ignore it. Thanks you Ms Lane for writing about it.
It was wonderful to see Ollie and Hadley get through the hard days, and going from friends to more.
I still hated some people by the end of the book – more than when it started hahah . Some people are just not redeemable.
Most importantly though – remember that you are not alone. Help is always a phone call, a Facebook chat, a friend away
In Australia, contact
Lifeline 13 11 14
Beyond Blue 1300 224 636
Suicide Call back 1300 659 467
Police/Ambulance 0 0 0
Now, I am not a huge Ru-Ro reader (I live in the country, I don't need to read about it) however the books that I have read of Ms Lane’s I have enjoyed.
I have not read the first two books in the Callahan series, however this did not affect my reading or enjoyment of book 3 at all.
I was completely drawn into this story from the first page. We have all, at sometime in our lives, gone home with our head hung low. And there is no shame in it. I have been in that position, and I bet you have too.
And besides, who says you can’t go home?
I was mad – so, so mad at what people had done to her. Seriously, what is wrong with people. I may have yelled at the book as I was reading, telling Hadley to say “screw it” to everyone else, and speak out. I understand why she didn’t but gees I had such a visceral reaction to things lol. Especially Mitch the douche… and a douchess.
I love that this story doesn’t just touch on love. It deals with an issue that touches each and every one of us at some time – suicide. It has touched my small town in just the past week. It is getting more and more prevalent in the country, where the drought is the worst ever.
I love the way the community in the book don’t just ignore it. Thanks you Ms Lane for writing about it.
It was wonderful to see Ollie and Hadley get through the hard days, and going from friends to more.
I still hated some people by the end of the book – more than when it started hahah . Some people are just not redeemable.
Most importantly though – remember that you are not alone. Help is always a phone call, a Facebook chat, a friend away
In Australia, contact
Lifeline 13 11 14
Beyond Blue 1300 224 636
Suicide Call back 1300 659 467
Police/Ambulance 0 0 0
April 2, 2020
Return To Stringybark Creek is the final in the Stringybark Creek trilogy from Australian author, Karly Lane. It is best to read the first two books in the series, The Wrong Callahan and Mr Right Now, as there is a lot of references newcomers will not be familiar with. In saying that all three books are fast paced, topical reads that will engage readers of rural fiction. Using the Callahan family as the driving vehicle across all three books, Lane shines the spotlight on farming, family, love, careers, suicide, marriage, divorce, trust and secrets.
Told in the third person, Lane uses the characters of Hadley Callahan and Ollie Dawson to provide a dual perspective. Growing up in Stringybark Creek, Hadley was eager to leave her hometown and, with her ambitious nature, reach for the stars. As a war correspondent who travels the world, Hadley achieved her dream. Hadley’s personal life appears to be just as successful as her professional career. Married to media celebrity, Mitch, the world believes they have it all. On the inside, doubts that plagued Hadley from her wedding day continue to haunt her, as do the recent actions of her husband. Making a joint decision with Mitch, Hadley returns home solo, preparing herself for the news that she is to share with her family. Neighbour and childhood friend, Ollie Dawson, throws an unexpected spanner in Hadley’s plans.
Like the Callahan’s, the Dawson’s are a generation of farmers. Honest and hardworking, Ollie has had to be flexible with the changes on the family farm. An accident has put Ollie’s father out of commission, forcing Ollie to willingly take up much of the work. When another tragedy hits the small community, Ollie wants to make a difference. With the return of Hadley, Ollie may get his chance on a joint venture. As neighbours of the Callahan’s, it has long been known that Ollie has had an unrequited crush on the girl next door. Even so, Ollie himself is surprised by his own reaction to Hadley returning home after being away for many years. Ollie’s need to protect Hadley hasn’t diminished over time but only time will tell if Hadley is ready to reciprocate his feelings.
Return To Stringybark Creek is a satisfying conclusion to the Stringybark series.
Told in the third person, Lane uses the characters of Hadley Callahan and Ollie Dawson to provide a dual perspective. Growing up in Stringybark Creek, Hadley was eager to leave her hometown and, with her ambitious nature, reach for the stars. As a war correspondent who travels the world, Hadley achieved her dream. Hadley’s personal life appears to be just as successful as her professional career. Married to media celebrity, Mitch, the world believes they have it all. On the inside, doubts that plagued Hadley from her wedding day continue to haunt her, as do the recent actions of her husband. Making a joint decision with Mitch, Hadley returns home solo, preparing herself for the news that she is to share with her family. Neighbour and childhood friend, Ollie Dawson, throws an unexpected spanner in Hadley’s plans.
Like the Callahan’s, the Dawson’s are a generation of farmers. Honest and hardworking, Ollie has had to be flexible with the changes on the family farm. An accident has put Ollie’s father out of commission, forcing Ollie to willingly take up much of the work. When another tragedy hits the small community, Ollie wants to make a difference. With the return of Hadley, Ollie may get his chance on a joint venture. As neighbours of the Callahan’s, it has long been known that Ollie has had an unrequited crush on the girl next door. Even so, Ollie himself is surprised by his own reaction to Hadley returning home after being away for many years. Ollie’s need to protect Hadley hasn’t diminished over time but only time will tell if Hadley is ready to reciprocate his feelings.
Return To Stringybark Creek is a satisfying conclusion to the Stringybark series.
October 17, 2022
Australian farming community suicide issues are covered in this second time round for love story x
December 24, 2024
This one didn't grab me as much as the others.
January 20, 2020
Read in a day and enjoyed it very much. A great ending for this series.
May 23, 2021
𝐑𝐞𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐲𝐛𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐤 is the conclusion of 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐡𝐚𝐧'𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐲𝐛𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐤 trilogy by Karly Lane.
In this final installment, the youngest sibling Hadley returns home amid the fallout of her seperation of her husband, Mitchell. It's an even more worrying time for Hadley- her soon to be ex husband is now in a relationship with her sister Harmony.
Whilst on her break, Hadley starts seeing her brothers best friend and neighbour Ollie in a new light. The two begin a relationship and eventually fall in love. However, with the problems surrounding Hadley's marriage and her work as a foreign correspondent, the love birds do face some bumps in the road to happiness.
Tragically, during her time home, an old school friend commits suicide. Men's mental health is a very common issue, and it's dealt with a lot of empthany in this book.
Harmony is the one Callahan sibling I didn't warm to in previous instalments. She comes across as snooty and self involved. In this particular book, she takes her ego to the next level- putting her parents in a very conflicting situation and totally alienating her family as she avoids them. Sorry, Harmony, cheating with your sister's husband is a REALLY stupid thing to do. I have absolutely no sympathy for her or Mitch at ALL.
This is a well written conclusion with plenty of laughs (the cups. THE CUPS!). Everything wraps up perfectly for the entire cast of characters in this outstanding and charming rural series.
🌟🌟🌟🌟✨/5
In this final installment, the youngest sibling Hadley returns home amid the fallout of her seperation of her husband, Mitchell. It's an even more worrying time for Hadley- her soon to be ex husband is now in a relationship with her sister Harmony.
Whilst on her break, Hadley starts seeing her brothers best friend and neighbour Ollie in a new light. The two begin a relationship and eventually fall in love. However, with the problems surrounding Hadley's marriage and her work as a foreign correspondent, the love birds do face some bumps in the road to happiness.
Tragically, during her time home, an old school friend commits suicide. Men's mental health is a very common issue, and it's dealt with a lot of empthany in this book.
Harmony is the one Callahan sibling I didn't warm to in previous instalments. She comes across as snooty and self involved. In this particular book, she takes her ego to the next level- putting her parents in a very conflicting situation and totally alienating her family as she avoids them. Sorry, Harmony, cheating with your sister's husband is a REALLY stupid thing to do. I have absolutely no sympathy for her or Mitch at ALL.
This is a well written conclusion with plenty of laughs (the cups. THE CUPS!). Everything wraps up perfectly for the entire cast of characters in this outstanding and charming rural series.
🌟🌟🌟🌟✨/5
November 12, 2022
When top-flight journalists Hadley Callahan and Mitch Samuals married two years ago, theirs had been declared the celebrity wedding of the year. But, now, Hadley unexpectedly returns to Stringybark Creek alone to tell her parents one major piece of news while determinedly hiding another even more explosive secret.
Hadley's big society wedding had killed any hopes that Oliver Dawson, the Callahans' neighbour and Griff Callahan's best friend, had nurtured since his teenage years when Hadley was his best friend's little sister and thus out-of-bounds.
While Hadley's in town, the shocking suicide of one of their old school friends brings them together as they mourn their loss. Hadley and Ollie begin a campaign to raise awareness of rural mental health, both wanting to make a difference.
With Mitch putting pressure on Hadley to keep quiet, and the secret she's keeping causing her great anguish, Hadley's feelings for Ollie take her by surprise. But her life is so messed up at the moment - what future could they possibly have together?
Return to Stringybark Creek concludes the Callahan family trilogy with a delightfully irresistible story of loyalty, hope and the importance of staying true to yourself.
Hadley's big society wedding had killed any hopes that Oliver Dawson, the Callahans' neighbour and Griff Callahan's best friend, had nurtured since his teenage years when Hadley was his best friend's little sister and thus out-of-bounds.
While Hadley's in town, the shocking suicide of one of their old school friends brings them together as they mourn their loss. Hadley and Ollie begin a campaign to raise awareness of rural mental health, both wanting to make a difference.
With Mitch putting pressure on Hadley to keep quiet, and the secret she's keeping causing her great anguish, Hadley's feelings for Ollie take her by surprise. But her life is so messed up at the moment - what future could they possibly have together?
Return to Stringybark Creek concludes the Callahan family trilogy with a delightfully irresistible story of loyalty, hope and the importance of staying true to yourself.
July 8, 2024
Book 3 and also the final in The Callahan Series and what a great way to wrap it all up.
It was so nice to see Hadley find happiness after both her miscarriage and the breakup.
With all the events that surround the breakup - the family and Hadley both showed grace, understanding and forgiveness that I’m not sure I would have in such a situation - but I enjoy how real it all came across and how it left me feeling and thinking a little differently around such things.
This was the more heavier book of the series, being that it had a suicide storyline, which hit close to home - but even though it is such a tough subject to talk about, just like Karly was trying to do, we can’t keep having it be a taboo subject and we need to be more open to discussing the difficult topics, helping to spread awareness and hopefully these things can help people who may be struggling.
At the end of the book we got a wrap up of all the siblings and where their lives were at and it made me happy to know that all of the heartache and struggles that they all individually faced, they all found love, their homes and were all where they were meant to be in life - I’m a firm believer that things happen for a reason and this series definitely encompasses that.
It was so nice to see Hadley find happiness after both her miscarriage and the breakup.
With all the events that surround the breakup - the family and Hadley both showed grace, understanding and forgiveness that I’m not sure I would have in such a situation - but I enjoy how real it all came across and how it left me feeling and thinking a little differently around such things.
This was the more heavier book of the series, being that it had a suicide storyline, which hit close to home - but even though it is such a tough subject to talk about, just like Karly was trying to do, we can’t keep having it be a taboo subject and we need to be more open to discussing the difficult topics, helping to spread awareness and hopefully these things can help people who may be struggling.
At the end of the book we got a wrap up of all the siblings and where their lives were at and it made me happy to know that all of the heartache and struggles that they all individually faced, they all found love, their homes and were all where they were meant to be in life - I’m a firm believer that things happen for a reason and this series definitely encompasses that.
March 15, 2020
This book is a great final installment in the Callahan Family from Stringybark Creek.
Hadley Callahan, the youngest daughter in the family, returns home from her job as a journalist with the news that her marriage is over. However, there is an explosive secret she is keeping from her family in regards to the breakup.
Whilst home she picks up her old life on the family farm and starts up a project with her neighbourhood friend, to help those around who are reeling from the suicide of a young male friend in the region.
Things change for Hadley while home which alters her whole outlook about her beloved job and her life in general.
A fabulous ending to a series that has been an absolute pleasure to read.
Hadley Callahan, the youngest daughter in the family, returns home from her job as a journalist with the news that her marriage is over. However, there is an explosive secret she is keeping from her family in regards to the breakup.
Whilst home she picks up her old life on the family farm and starts up a project with her neighbourhood friend, to help those around who are reeling from the suicide of a young male friend in the region.
Things change for Hadley while home which alters her whole outlook about her beloved job and her life in general.
A fabulous ending to a series that has been an absolute pleasure to read.
May 22, 2022
Well Karly Lane you have done it again. What an amazing trilogy of Stringybark Creek. Thoroughly enjoyed this series and the last book. Love the journey of Ollie and Hadley. Ended the way it was supposed to. All very happy. Love reading all of your books and really enjoyed this series. Well done. 😍🥰
February 22, 2021
I found all the characters in this book boring. I fell asleep twice while reading it. Everyone else was upset that Hadley's husband left her for her sister, but she did not seem upset at all. It was definately not a page turner.
June 12, 2021
Super cute book, glad Hadley got her happy ending, quite liking Australian Outback romances at the moment. Quite enjoyed how this series has touched on quite serious topics, such as [spoilers] suicude, cheating, family abuse, etc.
February 16, 2022
This book definitely dealt with some more serious albeit important issues that aren’t always spoken about as much as they should be.
It was refreshing and felt honest and real because of that. Also just loved that this focused on Hadley and Ollie.
It was refreshing and felt honest and real because of that. Also just loved that this focused on Hadley and Ollie.
February 17, 2025
The whole time I was reading all I could think about was surely the inspiration came from Ben Brooksby’s The Naked Farmer. So glad when I got to the end of the book and found out the inspiration was in fact sparked by an article on The Naked Farmer.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 8, 2020
Another great read from Karly Lane, love this series! There can never be too much talk about depression and suicide and I thought this was done very sensitively.
May 29, 2020
Enjoyed the end of the Stringybark Creek series.
June 28, 2020
Loved this as much as the others, a trilogy worth listening too
July 1, 2020
Loved the highlighting of issues faced by rural men in particular.
November 4, 2020
I miss the Callahans already
November 11, 2020
I am sad that this series is finished...I loved this whole setting and it made we want a huge family like it...once again a great book...
February 27, 2023
Nice easy read, a bit of drama thrown in.
May 30, 2023
Nice conclusion to the trilogy.
June 10, 2023
A very good story about family dynamics and the art of forgiveness. Boy that family was like a train wreck.
August 4, 2024
Predictable, sweet story with characters you come to know in the series. Good, light summer beach read.
December 1, 2024
Great series
February 18, 2020
Absolutely brillant book and loved it. Perfect way to end the series
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews