Liam Castle knows the secrets of everyone in Bunyip Bay. As the owner of the pub, he’s heard it all – from marriage proposals and farming disasters to family rifts and everything in between. The locals love to confide in him, but no one knows he’s hiding a tragic past.
And he wants to keep it that way.
Agricultural pilot Henrietta Forward lives for her job, choosing work over romance. But when an incident in the air brings Henri home to Bunyip Bay earlier than planned, she finds herself questioning everything she believes about herself.
But Henri’s secret isn’t her only problem.
Her mother will stop at nothing to have her settled down back in the Bay, and while Henri had always known domesticity wasn’t the life for her, now she wonders what her future holds. So when Liam – always the first to lend a hand to those in need – agrees to play along with Henri’s scheme to ward off her mother, she has mixed feelings. What happens when a pretend romance starts to feel like the real thing?
Will Henri’s demons and Liam’s traumatic past prove too great a barrier to love?
It’s been over five years since we visited Bunyip Bay, and like our protagonist Henrietta says, it’s good to be back. Outback Secrets is the 5th book in the bestselling series, and John’s doesn’t disappoint. She has set the standard for Aussie rural romance with her fabulous settings, entertaining characters, and her ability to give everyone in the town their own distinct voice.
Bunyip Bay is one of those towns that we’ve all been to. It’s familiar and welcoming, and everyone has a story. We visit some characters from previous novels, and it was great to see some familiar faces. This can be read as a standalone too, so if you haven’t read any of the other books, there’s no better time to jump in!
If there’s one thing you can expect from Johns, it’s how she always keeps things fresh and exciting. If you’re a fan of the fake relationship trope, then this is right up your alley. Henri’s relationship with Liam was such a joy to watch blossom over the course of the novel as they slowly come to realise that there’s more to each other than they initially thought. Both go through some soul searching as they confront some darker parts of their lives, and it’s heart-warming to see them lift each other up. Johns knows exactly how to write a great love story and Outback Secrets is no exception.
Going back to Bunyip Bay stirred up the same feelings as coming home after a long trip away. Johns is a master at romance and there’s no better place to fall in love than Bunyip Bay. With exceptional characters and a blossoming love story at its heart, this is some of Johns best work yet.
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