Talk of the Town (Rose Hill, #1) in Aussie Readers

Apr 15, 2017 Brenda rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: own-read, arc, 2017-release, aussie-authors, net-galley, romantic-suspense, read-on-kindle

Meg had only been in Rose Hill in country Western Australia for a few days but already she could feel a sense of peace wash over her. Her departure from Melbourne had been the right one for her – the discovery of the deserted old town with the dilapidated general store - well past its prime - that was for sale gave Meg the feeling it was all meant to be. Her desire to be alone; to come in contact with no one, would be well suited to Rose Hill. But when Meg heard a car stop outside and voices qui ...more

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Apr 28, 2017 Helen rated it it was amazing

MS Johns has written another fabulous story that will stay with me for a long time to come, she has bought the characters to life on the pages made me fit into this country community and feel the emotions that they all go through. This story has a little bit of everything in it a mystery from years ago and tragedy and hurt as well as a very sensual romance between two people who have both been through so much.

A flat tyre and maybe fate has bought Lawson Cooper-Jones and his eight year old son Ne ...more

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Apr 26, 2023 Catsalive rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2023

There are some lovely moments in this rural romance, & some amusing ones, too, but The Big Secret is not the kind of thing that you keep from a person you're developing a relationship with. It was resolved very quickly thanks to Ned & Tab but it does make Meg look stupid.

I must note that I think Lawson Cooper-Jones is not a good name for the hero, it just makes me want to snort when I see it, I can't take him seriously. That said, the characters are pretty well-written & I enjoyed reading about ...more

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Apr 30, 2017 Bree T rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: romance, arc, australian, contemporary, rural-lit, aww2017

Rural romance is such a palate cleanser for me. I’ve had a few books I didn’t really click with lately but I know when I pick up one of Rachael Johns’ books that that particular problem won’t be an issue.

Meg is a woman with secrets – from the beginning it’s obvious that she’s fleeing Melbourne due to some negative attention from the press and as a result she’s picked a very secluded place, a town that pretty much isn’t one anymore and only has two real residents. Even the thought of doing things Rural romance is such a palate cleanser for me. I’ve had a few books I didn’t really click with lately but I know when I pick up one of Rachael Johns’ books that that particular problem won’t be an issue.

Meg is a woman with secrets – from the beginning it’s obvious that she’s fleeing Melbourne due to some negative attention from the press and as a result she’s picked a very secluded place, a town that pretty much isn’t one anymore and only has two real residents. Even the thought of doing things like groceries and seeing other people gives Meg anxiety and she fears being recognised.

When a flat tyre brings dairy farmer Lawson Cooper-Jones and his young son Ned to her door, Meg doesn’t want to interact however she’s kind of forced to. Ned immediately takes a liking to her and there’s a flicker between Lawson and Meg too. If Meg could put her past behind her, she might find a way to carve a new life for herself.

What I loved about this book was having a heroine who had made some real mistakes in her past. Meg has definitely been through some troubled times and made some bad choices as well. Her story unfolds in a way that I did not expect but I thought it gave her really believable motivation for wanting to be in such an isolated location and attempt to put her life back together.

Lawson is a single father who also runs a dairy farm and this book takes time to examine the issues facing farmers as well. It’s something that’s been quite front and centre in political and social headlines around the country. I also liked the glimpse into the workings of the farm as Lawson shows Meg around when their friendship develops. The two of them have a nice, easy chemistry and Lawson’s relaxed nature is perfect for putting Meg at ease and making her feel comfortable. Ned really takes to Meg and the two develop quite a rapport. Lawson’s widowed status is handled with gentle care as well, highlighting a believable kaleidoscope of emotions as he readies himself to move in and have feelings for a woman who is not his late wife.

What would a romance be without some conflict and the way in which this one develops is a real strength of the book. Meg has her secrets – she’s unprepared for the swiftness of her feelings for Lawson and misses several opportunities to confide in him about her past. These things have a way of coming out though and the parallel between Meg’s past and Lawson’s tragedy is a really clever piece of writing and I thought the way it played out worked very well. Meg has both reasons to tell Lawson and yet reasons not to and Lawson also inadvertently kept things from her too that made things all the more complicated when everything was laid bare. It’s not all about the romance though and some of the other relationships in this book are developed with care and sensitivity – in particular the friendship between Meg and her neighbour Archie who bond over shared experiences and regrets. Meg might’ve been seeking solitude when she originally arrived but she nurtures friendships in several directions, perhaps craving a return to a “normal” life, one where she doesn’t need to fear people knowing her past. Or knowing it and not judging her for it, understanding the circumstances that led her there and the fact that she’s changed now.

If she chooses, I get the feeling Rachael Johns could return to this setting she has created multiple times, the way she did with the Outback books. Already it seemed some small seeds were planted for a story involving Lawson’s sister. It’s definitely the sort of place that I believe a reader would be happy to return to – I know I definitely would! ...more

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Jul 29, 2020 Annie rated it it was amazing

Shelves: romance, aussie-authors

A heart-warning rural romance with a cast of loveable, deep characters who you’ll be cheering on as they forgive their pasts and find each other. Loved Lawson and Meg’s story and cannot wait to read about Tabitha 💕

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Jun 10, 2017 Tanya rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Another winner from Rachael Johns!

A woman keen to start her life anew. A single father running his dairy farm. A haunted house that brings the two together with an old mystery.

Seriously, there is nothing to fault in this book. Great characters. Captivating storyline. Easy to read.

She completely captures the spirit of an Australian country town, and it is comforting and familiar to read.

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