Author: Jessica Kate
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Release Date: January 28, 2020
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewer: Jessica Higgins
This is the novel I have been waiting for from Jessica Kate! Her fun sassy attitude comes through on every page. The way she takes readers across the world to Australia makes me want to pack my bags and head to the outback!
After his business failed and his father died, Samuel Payton decided it was time to leave Australia and try his hand at something new. He makes his way to Virginia and sets out to help others by becoming a youth pastor. He works with Kimberly Foster, a start-up expert that is working through her own personal issue of rejection from her mother who never really wanted her. Sam and Kimberly don’t always get along as their personalities clash, but they can’t help the attraction they feel towards each other. When Sam gets news from home that his family needs help, he decides that even though he loves being a youth pastor the recent troubles they have had and the conflict with Kimberly needs to take a back seat to helping his family. As Sam leaves, Kimberly finds herself in a bind to find his replacement and board members start to lose confidence in her. Kimberley’s at a loss and knows it is hopeless to try and convince Sam to come back, when he calls her for help with their family business troubles. They make a deal that if she comes to help then maybe Sam will reconsider returning to the states with her. The longer Kimberly is in Australia, the more Sam realizes he made a mistake leaving the job he loved and the woman he thought he could never get along with becomes someone he can’t see not being in his life.
With fun, sassy characters and a setting that will transport you to the great outback, readers will enjoy this new book by Jessica Kate. Her first novel was good, but I knew she could do better. I was waiting for this one right here. She is from Australia and brought a totally new feel to this contemporary romance. The Aussie slang along with the setting was a perfect blend to keep me engaged and entertained. Kim had never been to Australia and her main knowledge with the country was based on her interactions with Sam, which transplanted me as the reader to her character. I have always wanted to go to Australia and see the land, so as Kimberly made her way there and spent time with Sam and his family I felt as if I was traveling with her. And when Sam’s sister went to the Gold Coast I felt as if I was sitting on the beach watching the sun set with her. These little moments brought the book alive for me while making it all feel authentic. This story hit so much deeper for me than a lot of the contemporary romance I read. If Jessica Kate can keep this up as she continues to write, she has a bright future ahead of her. This is a light and fun read, not suspenseful, but still a quick read. I recommend this to readers that enjoy a romance with a little bit of sass at just the right places.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.
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