Outback Ghost (Bunyip Bay, #3) in Aussie Readers

Sep 04, 2014 Brenda rated it really liked it

Shelves: own-read, romance, aussie-authors, sent-by-publisher, rural, 2014-release

As Adam Burton stood alongside his mum and dad on the twentieth anniversary of the disappearance of his little sister, he wondered once again where they would all go from there. The grief which had overwhelmed his mother hadn’t lifted in the twenty years. It was the “not knowing” that was so hard – was she still alive; out there somewhere, yet to return home? Or had she died all those years ago? His mum was a shadow of the woman he remembered from his childhood…

Stella Reynolds and her seven year As Adam Burton stood alongside his mum and dad on the twentieth anniversary of the disappearance of his little sister, he wondered once again where they would all go from there. The grief which had overwhelmed his mother hadn’t lifted in the twenty years. It was the “not knowing” that was so hard – was she still alive; out there somewhere, yet to return home? Or had she died all those years ago? His mum was a shadow of the woman he remembered from his childhood…

Stella Reynolds and her seven year old daughter Heidi were happily driving to their farm stay at Bunyip Bay from Perth, singing along together to the music in the car. She had scrimped and saved for a long time so they could have the whole summer together, just the two of them. The excitement they both felt showed in their happy moods. A farm girl from way back, Stella knew how much Heidi would enjoy doing the things she had done as a child; from the nearby beach to searching for bunyips – she was looking forward to the days of closeness with her beautiful daughter.

As Stella settled in with Heidi and started to get to know the area of Bunyip Bay, she met up with the delightful Frankie at the local café. The friendliness of the locals was a balm to her soul – but she was also wary as well. Heidi was a Down Syndrome child, full of love and exuberant joy; some people couldn’t handle Heidi’s enthusiasm for life. But it seemed the residents of the little town weren’t like those “some” people. And her handsome landlord Adam plus his mother Esther were wonderful with Heidi too. Esther exuded a quiet grief which puzzled Stella, but she obviously felt an affinity to Heidi – and the little girl loved Esther.

But when things began to happen; strange and disturbing things – with Heidi seemingly at the centre of it all - Stella felt the need to leave Bunyip Bay immediately. She wanted to get Heidi away from there before it all went wrong. Could she whisk her daughter away from a place they were both beginning to fall in love with? From the people who were so caring and were starting to mean a lot to them both?

Outback Ghost is another delightful romance by renown Aussie author Rachael Johns. A mixture of mystery and heartache, the plot line is great. The romance is a little over the top in places but the story of Heidi and her gorgeous, loving heart is beautiful. My two favourite characters are Heidi and Esther – Heidi’s great love of animals, of life, of her mum and just about everything around her, was really well done. I have no hesitation in recommending Outback Ghost to romance lovers everywhere.

With thanks to TRR and the publisher for my copy to read and review.
...more

13 likes · Like · see review

Jul 10, 2014 Shelleyrae at Book'd Out rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: arc-are, netgalley-reviews, provided-by-publisher, aussie-author

Outback Ghost is the third book in Rachael Johns' loosely linked Bunyip Bay series, following on from Outback Dreams and Outback Blaze.

Readers familiar with the previous books will recall being introduced to Adam Burton, a former underwear model and third generation farmer, and the whispers about the unresolved disappearance of his seven year old sister when Adam was ten years old. Twenty years later, Adam's mother is still mired in her grief, and his father suddenly announces he has had enough,

Outback Ghost is the third book in Rachael Johns' loosely linked Bunyip Bay series, following on from Outback Dreams and Outback Blaze.

Readers familiar with the previous books will recall being introduced to Adam Burton, a former underwear model and third generation farmer, and the whispers about the unresolved disappearance of his seven year old sister when Adam was ten years old. Twenty years later, Adam's mother is still mired in her grief, and his father suddenly announces he has had enough, leaving Adam to take care of their sheep and wheat property, and to welcome their new farm-stay guests.
Stella Reynolds, a waitress, author and single mother is looking forward to spending two months on the Burton farm with her seven year old daughter, eager for Heidi to experience the joys of country living that characterised her own idyllic childhood, before the estrangement with her parents caused by her teenage pregnancy. Within hours of their arrival, Heidi has charmed their landlords, the gorgeous Adam, and his wan mother, adopted a pregnant cat, and even made a new imaginary friend, whom she calls Lily-Blue. Stella should be delighted that her daughter has settled in so well but instead she feels slightly apprehensive about the weeks ahead. At first she attributes her anxiety to her undeniable attraction to Adam, Stella hasn't had so much as a date since Heidi was born, but she is also spooked by the unexplained noises she sometimes hears in the cottage and her discovery that her daughter's imaginary friend shares the same name as Adam's missing sister.

While at its core Outback ghost is a contemporary rural romance featuring the development of the relationship between Adam and Stella, the plot includes an interesting element of mystery and a hint of the supernatural. It is a heartwarming story about love, family and belonging but with a bittersweet twist when it reveals the fate of Lily-Blue.

It's a delight to revisit the community of Bunyip Bay, and glimpse familiar characters from previous stories. Johns protagonists are always well developed and I enjoyed getting to know Adam and Stella. Adam doesn't flinch from the responsibility of the farm, and caring for his mother. He carries around a fair bit of guilt over his sister's disappearance, and for the aftermath, yet he hasn't let it consume him entirely. Stella is a likeable, capable and admirable heroine who deals with challenging circumstances with determination and grace. She is a little guarded, understandably so, so I really liked watching her open up to Adam and form tentative friendships with Frankie and Ruby. Heidi is a definite scene stealer, affectionate, sweet natured and lively, she is an adorable character. Few authors manage to portray child characters realistically but I think Johns does so perfectly here.

Outback Ghost is my favourite novel of the Bunyip Bay series, and was supposed to be last, however I believe Johns has decided to revisit the town eventually and give Frankie an opportunity to find love... I can't wait. ...more

5 likes · Like · see review

Sep 12, 2014 Helen rated it it was amazing

WOW this is such an awesome story it will have you grabbing for the tissues and smiling, when Stella Reynolds and her daughter Heidi book the farm stay cottage on Adam Buton's farm for the Christmas holidays she is determined to have a great time with Heidi there is no intention of any love or drama in her life at the moment but when Adam and Stella first meet the sparks fly and when Heidi welcomes a new imaginary friend into her life and strange things are happening around the cottage and Stell ...more

3 likes · Like · see review

Jun 17, 2014 Tien rated it liked it

Shelves: australian-author, romance, australia, net-galley

My first ever Rachael Johns and yes, I realised it’s the third instalment but as is the norm with rural romance, it really doesn’t signify too much if I don’t read the earlier books noting different characters. The series rather refer to the rural area in terms of setting. The reason that I picked this one up is because I can’t resist ghostly romances –so yes, totally judging the book by its title ;)

Stella is a very strong female character. She’s a single working mum to a Down Syndrome child who ...more

2 likes · Like · see review

Sep 19, 2014 Bree T rated it it was amazing

Shelves: romance, arc, series, australian, contemporary, rural-lit, aww2014

For the last 20 years, Adam’s family has been broken. His younger sister disappeared one day from the family farm while playing with Adam – he only took his eyes off her for a few minutes. He was just ten and even though he knows it wasn’t his fault, he’s carried the guilt with him. His mother has never gotten over the tragedy and the fact that they’ve never found out what happened has left her nothing but a shell. After so long trying to get through to his wife, Adam’s father has given up.

Singl For the last 20 years, Adam’s family has been broken. His younger sister disappeared one day from the family farm while playing with Adam – he only took his eyes off her for a few minutes. He was just ten and even though he knows it wasn’t his fault, he’s carried the guilt with him. His mother has never gotten over the tragedy and the fact that they’ve never found out what happened has left her nothing but a shell. After so long trying to get through to his wife, Adam’s father has given up.

Single mother Stella has scrimped and saved to give her young daughter Heidi a proper holiday for Christmas. They are renting a farmstay cabin on Adam’s property for two weeks and Stella is looking forward to spending a lot of quality time with her daughter. Even though Stella hasn’t had a relationship in a long time and the last one left her let down completely, she can’t help being attracted to Adam who is not only gorgeous but treats her special needs daughter with touching tenderness and warmth. Perhaps it is time she did something just for herself…after all, they’re only staying two weeks.

But then Heidi becomes somewhat tangled up in the 20 year mystery that surrounds Adam’s family and Stella knows that it isn’t going to be easy explaining it. As they get closer and closer to finding the answer of what happened to his younger sister all those years ago can both Stella and Adam lay their respective ghosts to rest?

Outback Ghost is the third and final novel in the Bunyip Bay series that kicked off with Outback Dreams and then Outback Blaze. Running through both of those books was a story about the disappearance of Adam Burton’s sister. Finally Adam gets his story and we get to learn more about that day twenty years ago when his sister vanished and also, discover what happened to her. Having really enjoyed both the previous books in this series, I was very keen to find out how it was all going to end and get to the bottom of the mystery! We get all that….but also lots more.

I take my hat off to Stella. She found out she was pregnant at a young age and although her boyfriend was willing to support her and marry her, that all changed when it became known that the baby might potentially have a birth defect. When that was all but confirmed, he ended things. Stella has brought up her 7 year old daughter Heidi completely on her own with no family support. She has worked various jobs and done her best to be not only mother but father as well. She and Heidi are having a proper holiday staying in a cottage on a farm and Stella is looking forward to two weeks with her daughter. Heidi is a charming child, curious and engaging, sweet and with a gentle empathy. She loves animals and seeks to befriend everyone. Initially worried at how some may react to Heidi and her utter openness with everyone, Stella relaxes when she sees just how welcoming the people of Bunyip Bay are and how they seek to involve Heidi in everything. She spends a lot of time with Adam’s mother who is still suffering and grieving the disappearance of her daughter. No one has known how to help her but the simplest of things, the joyful company of a little girl, begins working wonders and Adam watches the life and spark slowly begin to come back into his mother.

I absolutely loved watching everyone interact with Heidi. I haven’t read many (if any? none really come to mind) books that feature a character who has a special needs child. Heidi has a natural keenness to explore and learn and she’s also incredibly affectionate and sweet. She develops a rather special relationship with Adam’s mother, providing the sort of therapy that perhaps no one else could. I could not help but feel for Adam’s mother Esther. To lost a child is horrific – to not get any answers about what happened to that child for two decades, to not know if they were gone really so you could lay them to rest, I can’t even imagine it. I have two amazing kids and the thought of what happened to Esther and the Burton family….I can’t even contemplate it. The lack of answers would be like a poison. It hasn’t just affected Esther and her husband Dave but also Adam. He was just 10 when his sister disappeared and she was with him at the time. His whole childhood, adolescence and adulthood has basically been shaped and revolved around that one incident. Because of it he doesn’t really believe that he deserves a loving relationship and the possibility of children so like Stella, he isn’t looking.

Two people who aren’t looking definitely find each other and it’s an instant attraction but both of them try at different times to either ignore it or pretend that it’s only going to be a temporary, casual thing, neither wanting to see the long term possibilities and perhaps face disappointment. Stella has been let down and she knows that it’s going to take someone really special to accept her daughter and not just the willing man but a family and community as well who won’t point and stare or exclude. Heidi’s bond with Esther gives both of them something they need – Heidi gets a surrogate grandmother in a way and Esther begins the process of healing.

Outback Ghost is a fitting end to the trilogy and although I’m a little sad to say goodbye to Bunyip Bay, I can do it feeling satisfied. ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Sep 07, 2014 Sheree rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: own, contemporary-fiction, reviews, romance, aussie-author, read-in-2014

4.5 stars

Wow Rachael Johns saves the best 'til last, Outback Ghost is my favourite of the Bunyip Bay series. I love a good romance but there's so much more to love in Outback Ghost ... depth, layers, grief, loss, community; it's a really touching read.

I've felt for the Burton family since the disappearance of Adam Burton's young sister was first mentioned in Outback Dreams. When single mum Stella books the holiday cottage on Adam's farm to enjoy a much needed break and special time with her 7 y ...more

Like · see review

Oct 06, 2014 Tanya rated it it was amazing

Wow. What an awesome book! I couldn't wait for it to finish, but at the same time wanted it to last forever.

Adam, Stella and Heidi, what great characters to take us along for a ride! And let's face it, after teasing us with Adam for so long, it was time for him to get his happily ever after...

Sorry, this review kinda sucks because my thoughts are all over the place, but just trust me it's an awesome book. Read it, you won't regret it. ...more

Like · see review

Jan 16, 2014 Ceri rated it it was amazing

It is no secret that I love Rachael Johns' Bunyip Bay series and this one is no exception. The dynamics between the characters and the rural setting are wonderfully delivered as always. An emotional and slightly eerie mystery that fans of the series have been curious about since the first book, Outback Dreams, is the icing on the cake. Loved this book, highly recommended for any rural romance fan. ...more

Like · see review

Nov 20, 2024 Janine rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Absolutely loved this story! A bit of everything in this novel, romance, mystery, missing persons and a ghost. Loved the story of Heidi, so well done.
Perfect for readers of women’s fiction.

Like · see review