Having read Mandy’s previous book, I was looking forward to another escape to the country. All the right ingredients are there for an enjoyable escape as Mandy portrays real characters facing real issues, thus ensuring that the reader is always engaged. There is a bit of background mystery to our two main leads in this tale which helps to build the tension. Add to the mix a sincere and swoon worthy male lead, a female looking to break free and some wonderful secondary characters, even including the stray dog Huckleberry, and what you have here is some great escapism.

‘They were both too broken to be anything other than friends.’

On a serious note, this is a heartbreaking look at the trauma of domestic violence to all of those involved. Nothing is left unturned here as an authentic portrayal of perpetrator, victim and victim’s family are all given credence in this tale. I also appreciated the inclusion of a look at anxiety and how it can inhibit individuals to a staggering degree. I believe Mandy uses this medium to take the opportunity to present serious issues in today’s society and, especially concerning the anxiety attacks some useful strategies, and I applaud her for that.

‘It was a terrible illness and people often shunned those who experienced it because they didn’t understand it. But given the right tools, panic attacks were something to never fear again.’

Unfortunately this one did not quite hit the mark for me, despite the commendable stance taken on some relevant issues. Even though you know what you are getting in for in picking up these lovely rural romances, I found this one to be somewhat cliched. The ‘insta-love’ in the first few hours of meeting was sadly unbelievable for me, as were a few coincidental outcomes.

‘She couldn’t help but admire Ryan’s depth—she’d never met a man quite like him.’
I would still read Mandy again as her detailed Aussie outback locations are always inviting. Combine that with her efforts to always bring a different slant to the usual formulaic approaches on this genre, and one is always assured of some fruitful time spent reading.

‘You read much?’ ‘Whenever I can. It’s my way of shutting off from the world for a while.’



This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher and provided through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The quoted material may have changed in the final release

Another great page turner by Ms Magro! From the first page Matilda grabs your attention and Ryan was just as entertaining. Another top read from author Mandy Magro.
Review copy received from Harlequin Australia via Netgalley

Matilda Denver was on the run. Escaping her abusive partner a matter of hours before, she was still shaking; shattered and terrified at the same time. Troy had always said he would never let her leave him – she was his and he’d kill her if she tried to leave. The fact that she’d left him unconscious when she rushed out the door, unable to check if he was alive or dead, had the tremors she tried to keep at bay shuddering through her body.

When the old four wheel drive came to a shuddering halt in the middle of the deserted bush, Tilly was determined to keep going. Although walking through the bush on her own wasn’t ideal, she had no choice. And when she found a malnourished, filthy dog which had obviously been abandoned, she adopted him in a heartbeat. Naming him Huckleberry, the two of them continued to trudge in the direction Tilly was heading – towards Moonstone Valley where her beloved mother had always wanted to go…

Ryan Hunter was a long distance truck driver, and when he spotted the hitchhiker and her dog by the side of the road in the darkness, he wasn’t sure what to make of the situation. But he was also a caring person and didn’t want to leave someone who was obviously vulnerable. Ryan’s meeting of Tilly was one that immediately changed both of their lives.

What would happen between Tilly and Ryan - two people with pasts fraught with trauma – one person whose past could well catch up with her. Moonstone Valley was indeed the beautiful place her mother had said, and Ryan’s home at Heartsong Hills and his parent’s farm made her soul happy. But was it enough? Or was Tilly going to have to keep running?

Along Country Roads by Aussie author Mandy Magro is a heartbreaking look at the horrors of domestic violence and the affect it has on everyone around the victims. A rural romance which was unfortunately quite predictable and clichéd; I was also horrified at what Tilly did continually – I wanted to shake her! With all she had been through, she still didn’t seem to think before she acted! But the author's descriptions of the vast Australian outback was vivid - the depth of beauty in our country shone through with her words; she definitely succeeds in taking us there! Recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital copy to read and review.

in a round about way I give this a 3.5-4 stars.
this was my first Mandy book and I don't think it will be my last, she another great Australian author.

This story has a little bit of everything, mystery, romance, drama...

What a wonderful story this was. There was a bit of mystery around the characters past that all slowly came out. A story all about things happening for a reason and I liked how it all fell into place. This story shows you there can be light at the end of the tunnel, happiness after bad times. I was so drawn into this book from the very first chapter, a great story all up.