Title: Outback Dreams by Rachael Johns
Bunyip Bay Series Book One
Publisher: Mira
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 344 pages
Book Rating: B+
Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley
Summary:
Faith and Monty are both looking for love…but are they looking in the wrong direction?
Faith Forrester is at a crossroads. Single, thirty and living on a farm in a small Western Australian town, she’s sick of being treated like a servant by her brother and father. Ten years ago, her mother died of breast cancer, and Faith has been treading water ever since. She wants to prove to herself that she’s done something worthwhile with her life. And she wants to find a man…
For as long as he can remember, Daniel ‘Monty’ Montgomery has been Faith’s best friend. When he was ten, his parents sold the family property and moved to Perth and ever since, Monty’s dreamed of having his own farm. So for the last ten years, he’s been back on the land, working odd jobs and saving every dollar to put toward his dream. Now he finally has the deposit. But there’s still something missing…
So when Faith embarks on a mission to raise money for a charity close to her heart, and Monty’s dream property comes on the market, things seem like they are falling into place for them both. Until a drunken night out ends with them sleeping together. Suddenly, the best friends are faced with a new load of challenges…
Monty and Faith are both ready to find a life partner and settle down, but they didn’t expect love to be so close by.
Review:
Outback Dreams by Rachael Johns is an absolutely charming friends to lovers’ romance set within a close-knit community.
After attending an alumna meeting from her boarding school, Faith Forrester decides it is time to make changes in her life. She makes up a fake boyfriend based on her childhood best mate Daniel “Monty” Montgomery. Faith also pledges to raise money for a charity of her choosing. She is shocked that naming Monty as her fake boyfriend starts a series of vivid dreams of him that are quite steamy. But one of the biggest changes she is ready to make begins at home. When her beloved mum passed away from cancer eight years earlier, Faith stepped in at their family farm and took on all of the household chores. She would much rather work in the fields with her brother Ryan and their father. Telling them she is fed up has a positive impact on Ryan but her already strained relationship with her dad rapidly deteriorates. Regardless, Faith continues with her plans to begin dating and throws herself into her planning her charity event. Will an unexpected trip with Monty alter their relationship beyond repair?
Monty’s lifelong dream to be a farmer on his family’s land came to an end when his family sold the farm to move to Perth during his childhood. His younger brother Will requires specialized care for autism that is only available in a larger city. Monty never lost sight of his goal and he put in long hours to save enough money for a farm. Now his goal is within reach, he turns his sights to his long-neglected love life while waiting for a property to come on the market. Will Monty’s dreams of a relationship and owning a farm come true?
Outback Dreams is a heartwarming romance with engaging characters. The various friendships are close but welcoming of newcomers. Faith is down to earth and rightfully frustrated by her dad’s refusal to allow her to work on the farm. She is low maintenance but now discovering the joys of female friendship and exploring her more feminine side. Monty is charming and helpful but he has a bit of tunnel vision when it comes to his childhood. Monty and Faith have realistic reservations about a romance between them but their hesitancy threatens to derail their longstanding friendship. Despite a few missteps and lack of communication, Rachael Johns brings this heartfelt romance to a delightful conclusion. This first novel in the Bunyip Bay series will leave readers eagerly awaiting the next installment of this brilliant series.
