Book Review: Her Australian Summer, by Jean McConnell
Thank you to Ian at BookBlogger Central and Corazon Books for my copy of this novella.
Description:
A lovely feel good holiday romance novella, perfect for reading in one or two delicious sittings. A nice, easy read with likeable characters, to get you into the holiday mood for this summer.
When Laura inherits her Uncle Jim’s seaside shop in Queensland, which sells coral and shells, she decides to spend her summer visiting Australia to see it for herself.
Arriving in the small town of Port Duncan she meets handsome farmer Nate, and charming property agent Kyle. As Laura gets to know the two men, she realises her stay in Australia might not be so simple as she’d first imagined.
Will Laura’s Australian holiday bring real romance? And what secrets might the seemingly friendly people she gets to know be hiding from her? Only one thing is for certain, Laura’s trip to the other side of the world is one she’ll never forget.
A summer holiday novella of 17,000 words.
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Publisher: Corazon Books (Contemporary romance) (12 May 2016)
My Thoughts:
When Ian at BookBlogger Central asked me if I wanted to read and review this book, he described it as a ‘perfect summer read’, and he was exactly spot on. This is a great short read for a lovely summers day, or in the case of us in the U.K, maybe imagining the sun on our summers days! The reader gets transported to a wonderfully sunny location, which made me want to really be there!
“Laura went swimming in the sparkling sea, then had her breakfast on the verandah, looking across the bay”
Set in Port Duncan in Australia, Laura goes to see the shop she has inherited, while doing a little exploring of the area and meeting some people along the way. She meets 2 men, which make her trip a little more interesting. There is an obvious difference in the two men, and the way the book reads, it allows the reader to decide who is really looking out for Laura. So, aside from the wonderful scenery and idyllic location of Laura’s trip, there is intrigue to the short story.
As it is Laura’s Uncle that she inherited the shop from, we only hear a little about him. He seems like a wise and caring man, as Laura remembers what he once told her:
“Remember Laura, it’s up to you. Life is always up to you. It strews your path a wealth of opportunities. Take as many of them as you can.”
There is a nice little twist at the end of the story which left me very impressed with the Author’s style of writing. This novella has given me a taste of Jean McConnell’s writing with a simple tale, which is enjoyable and left me with the feeling that there are more full sized fabulous books to come from this Author.
Links:
Tags: book review by chocolatepages, bookblogger central, chocolatepages, corazon books, her australian summer, jean mcconnell, novella review, summer reads
ChocolatePages 
Sam
June 5, 2016 at 11:10 am
I’m always on the look out for a new book so was happy to see this review on #KCACOLS, sounds like a perfect summer read! S xx
chocolatepages
June 5, 2016 at 11:48 am
Thank you, I would describe it exactly as that. A great summer read.
fairyqueen
June 5, 2016 at 8:20 pm
It sounds like a great summer read, I’d like to get to know more about australia so it would be good for me. Also a little romance makes the world go round so thats a good side aswell. I’ll check it out, thanks
mainy
#kcacols
chocolatepages
June 6, 2016 at 4:51 pm
Thank you, I hope you like it. It did make Australian sound awesome, I would love to go someday.
camellia's cottage
June 6, 2016 at 7:25 pm
Thanks! Always looking for good reads! Love your blog!
chocolatepages
June 7, 2016 at 9:48 pm
Thank you very much. That is lovely to hear.
bridiebythesea
June 10, 2016 at 9:14 am
I love hearing recommendations for books and this is right up my street! Sounds like a lovely book to switch off x #KCACOLS
chocolatepages
June 10, 2016 at 8:55 pm
Thank you. I find books are great for switching off and escapism.
islandliving365
June 10, 2016 at 9:50 am
That looks like the perfect summer read. I’ve always wanted to visit Australia too so I think I would really enjoy this romance! :- ) Thanks for linking up with us at #KCACOLS and we hope that you can join us again next week x
chocolatepages
June 10, 2016 at 8:56 pm
Thank you, I always try to link up with kcacols. Its a great linky. I would love to visit Australia too.
azarialynch
June 10, 2016 at 11:33 am
I love a good and a perfect summer read always makes me happy will definitely be checking it out.
Thanks so much for linking up at #KCACOLS. Hope you come back again next Sunday.
Azaria- Being Mrs Lynch
chocolatepages
June 10, 2016 at 8:58 pm
Thank you. Reading good books in the summer is very relaxing, especially these type of easy reading books. I will try to link up again, as I love this linky.
Educating Roversi
June 10, 2016 at 7:55 pm
Port Duncan? I’m going to Port Douglas, Australia, in July….but with my husband and toddler so no romance for me! Ha ha! #KCACOLS
chocolatepages
June 10, 2016 at 8:59 pm
Sounds lovely. I hope you have an amazing time. No new romance, but perhaps some romance with Hubby? 😉
Educating Roversi
June 10, 2016 at 9:01 pm
Lol, not when we’re staying with friends and have a toddler plus their two kids! TBH, I’m not the romance kind, makes me squirm! X
chocolatepages
June 10, 2016 at 9:03 pm
Oh well, lots of family fun time then. It will be amazing I’m sure.