3.5 stars--OUTBACK AFFAIR is the third instalment in Annie Seaton’s contemporary, adult AFFAIR clean, romance series. This is American writer Jessica Trent, and Australian Alex Richards (aka chef Alessandro Ricardo’s) story line. OUTBACK AFFAIR can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Jessica and Alex) OUTBACK AFFAIR follows the building relationship between American ‘food’ writer Jessica Trent, and former lawyer, fisherman and chef Alex Richards aka Alessandro Ricardo. Hoping to garner an exclusive interview with the notorious Australia chef Alessandro Ricardo in Cockatoo Springs Resort in Australia, American writer Jessica Trent heads Down Under, ill-prepared for everything the Outback has to offer. Without hardy transportation or the proper clothing, Jessica will accept a ride from a stranger who happens to be heading in the same direction as our story line heroine. Enter Alex Richards, lawyer, fisherman and professional chef, and the man with whom Jessica will fall in love. What ensues is a comedy of errors as Jessica gets her first taste of the Australian Outback, and the potential fall-out when Jessica learns that the man with whom she is falling in love has been lying to her about his identity all along.

OUTBACK AFFAIR is a sweet and sexy romance between two people who keep secret the truth about the who, what and why. Upon meeting Alex, Jessica will lie about her reasons for heading to Cockatoo Springs; and Alex will lie about his true identity. Their quick building romance will falter when the truth is revealed, and Jessica is unwilling to live through another heartbreak that is sure to destroy her soul. The premise is endearing; the romance is cute and fun; the characters are colorful and charismatic.

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Good book. Really liked the pace and the story to this. Would highly recommend

3.5☆
What I liked:
The writing style
The characters
Part of a series: Affair
Standalone
HEA

This was the best book in the Affair series. The unpreparedness of Jess during this outback adventure was so funny. Alex and the way he treated her during this adventure was so silly. He was guarding his heart because he knew he could fall for this unprepared American girl. The secret Alex kept about his identity had to be hard, but he never really opened up about his past or his life, it was his momma who did that. The resort sounds like heaven and a place that Jess would really enjoy, but I'm super happy she took a different path and got to meet Alex and really experience the true outback. It was a fun book and really interesting situations.

Jessica Trent is one determined journalist, but in order to get the job of her dreams, she needs to get an interview with the reclusive Alessandro Ricardo. Travelling to Crocodile Springs Resort in northern Australia shouldn't be too hard, but she discovers it's harder than she ever imagined. Luckily, a sexy fishermen offers his services to get her where she needs to be. However, when Jessica discovers the truth of what her fisherman has been hiding from her, will she be able to forgive him or will she walk away from her shot at happy ever after?

Having loved the first two books of this series, and reading how the previous book ended for Alex, I couldn't wait to read Alex's story because I knew it was going to be a tad emotional and after all that he's been through there's no one more deserving of happy ever after than this hero. Really, this book was a wonderful read full of emotion because of the hero's past and the fact that the heroine is determined to get what she came for -- an interview with the reclusive Alessandro. Will she discover Alex's secret? However, it was from the moment the hero and heroine came face-to-face for the first time that had me fully hooked because Alex sees Jessica as his enemy.

Both the main characters were enjoyable and I loved their back stories, as the heroine is determined to get the story she's come for and nothing will stand in her way, especially if it will get her career on the track she wants, so she can finally prove her father wrong. I also liked how she challenged the hero, because she pushes the hero to finally face the past in hopes of being able to move forward. While the hero, it's understandable why he's distanced himself from those that love him and is determined to honor his late fiancé for her family. I also liked how determined the hero was to protect himself, even if it meant misleading Jessica. If she discovers the truth, will he be able to make things right between them, especially when Jessica's the first person that's been able to make him begin to feel again after everything he learnt about his fiancé?

Overall, Ms. Seaton has delivered another really good read for this series where the chemistry between this pair was strong; the romance was on the sweet side; and the ending had me sympathizing with the heroine because of what happens that causes her relationship with Alex to go awry, but had me loving what the hero does to win back Jessica. However, it was the epilogue that wrapped this story up perfectly, because the heroine has finally found a place to call home and she finally has a career she excels at. I would recommend Outback Affair by Annie Seaton, if you enjoy second chance romances, the enemy to lovers trope, or books by authors Sarah Williams, Fleur McDonald, Nicki Edwards and Fiona McArthur.

Outback Affair is a very well written romance. I loved the plot, the well developed characters and the Australian setting. I look forward to reading more book by this new to me author. I recommend this book to readers who enjoy a good romance.

I've really enjoyed this series. New York city girls comes to the outback not expecting the next town to be a couple of days drive away. A local fisherman gives her a lift, but is there a secret about him and the resort they're headed to?
This was a humourous and sweet romance, loved the adventures around the water hole.
The chemistry and banter between these two kept me entertained throughout the book, I loved it.

Outback Affair is an entertaining contemporary romance, and the third book in the Affair series, by Annie Seaton.

Alex Richards is the brother of Nick and Tomas (who are featured in the first and second books of this series), and he's had a rough few years. About two years ago, the love of his life died in a tragic car accident. After the funeral, Alex discovered heartbreaking news about her, so he quit his job as a lawyer and moved to the far outback to become a fisherman. However, due to obligations, he also created an innovative bush tucker chef school at an exclusive resort, which quickly became a worldwide phenomenon, under the pseudonym of Alessandro Ricardo.

In hopes of landing an interview with the secretive and elusive Alessandro Ricardo, Jessica Trent traveled from the United States to Australia. She's trying to succeed on her own away from her wealthy and controlling father, by writing this interview and becoming an official food journalist. Unfortunately, Jessica isn't organized and prepared for this trip, and ends up in the Outback desperate for help. She encounters Alex, and he decides to help her reach the resort while hiding that he's also Alessandro Ricardo. Of course, there are plenty of misadventures during their short trip.

Outback Affair is a delightful and entertaining story for romance readers.


Note: I received this book from NetGalley, which is a program designed for bloggers to write book reviews in exchange for books, yet the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I received an ARC from Netgalley. If you need a light read for a weekend this is your book. The author has a way of wrapping the characters up so you feel that connection. You feel the hurt when they hurt and the happiness when love comes out on top. Jess and Alex were two people trying to hide from certain things in their past and present but even those fears and insecurities could not stop a love from growing. Great read.

So thanks to the other two in series this author got me to quickly dive into this one also. The characters have careers that are going or have gone somewhere but they have something missing I would say as the two in this one-Jessica and Alessandro. This one is in a place where my nephew lives with his wife so I found this to be extra interesting. I also found these two the most intriguing. Her goal not a easy one but then it will take her to a challenge with when they meet really get to know each other we are drawn into them and the story on a adventure too. As it springs up to build even more then ever before this one has the most depth. We are given a good romance in this one.

Ms. Seaton saved the best for last. Of the three novels in the Affair trio, The Outback Affair is my favorite. Alex and Jess foray into the uncharted waters of trust is full of secrets. She has to decide is furthering her career worth risking her own happiness. He has to decide if falling in love is worth the risk of heartache. The secrets may be more treacherous than the terrain at their feet and the predators that litter their surroundings, but the complications are what adds to the mysterious dynamic of the almost tragic love affair.

Second book by this talented author and I’m loving it. Grabbed my attention and didn’t let go till the very end of the book. Just fantastic! Can’t wait for more of her books. Dead excited to see what she writes next. Would wholeheartedly recommend

Outback Affair is a sweet, adventurous romance. Jessica Trent is a strong woman who is determined to secure an interview with the elusive Alessandro ‘Alex’ Ricardo. Alex is not known to give interviews or photos and that is where this great adventure begins. I enjoyed this story and would recommend this book and series to readers

Outback Affair by Annie Seaton is a light romance set in the Australian outback. This was a relatively quick read, but extremely enjoyable.

Annie Seaton did a very good job of describing remote Australia without having to rely upon Australian stereotypes, especially in regards to speech, that plagues many books set in rural or outback Australia. I found it refreshing that the author was able to distinguish between the Australian and the ‘Yank’ by more than speech patterns, and Jessica’s ‘fish out of water’ response to just about every circumstance she found herself in ably demonstrated that she was not a local!

Annie Seaton had a very easy going writing style, I enjoyed her characters, the plot was consistent and easy to follow, and interesting enough to keep you turning the pages.

My only criticism is the abruptness of the ending. Romance stories generally follow a broad pattern. Towards the end of the book will be the ‘big talk’ where the two main leads discuss why they’ve done what they’ve done and explain past experiences etc. This didn’t really happen. Yes, the reader knew the reasons for everything, there was enough internal dialogue from both characters to amply explain why they acted in such a way, but it was presented in the book as a fade to black type scenario. Even the epilogue seemed to jump ahead and it was quite superficial.

But having said that, it’s only a small criticism and I’ll admit I’m a sucker for the big emotional reveals so I missed more than some will. I still very much enjoyed this book and will certainly be checking out other titles by Annie Seaton.

Jessica Trent wants to write full time and she's not afraid to leap into action to make it happen. A little planning and thought would make things smoother when heading to the Australian Outback, but let's say planning isn't high on Jess' priority list. Thankfully she encounters Alex Richards, fisherman and so much more. He's tired of leading a double life and avoiding journalists. Can he figure out a way to keep Jess close without revealing all?
The vivid description of the the area really drew you into the story. Wish we'd had a less circumvent ending, felt wrapped up too quickly.

the third installment in the affair series really reminded me of a margaret way book. i swear annie seaton is channeling the authors of my grandmother's harlequin romances. in this one, the city slicker meets crocodile dundee plot was so familiar, and yet also it's so enjoyable.

in outback affair, alex richards is keeping a lot of secrets. and finding food journalist jessica trent blocking his path and learning that she's looking to interview is secret alter ego has him scrambling to gain control of the situation. at first he plans to teach her a lesson about lying, but eventually, he realizes that he's being a big, old hypocrite.

as they spend time together on the road to cockatoo springs, a resort in the midst of the australian outback, alex realizes that he's underestimated her. she's not the spoiled princess he judged her to be. and the fact that he's lying to her only makes it worse, because when she does find out it's totally going to blow up in his face.

the short format always makes the endings seem kind of rushed, but this is true of the series as a whole. all in all, these books fit very well with one another, and as quick, breezy reads, they are good for a couple hours entertainment.

**outback affair will publish on december 4, 2017. i received an advance reader copy courtesy of netgalley/entangled publishing (bliss) in exchange for my honest review.

ARC provided by NetGalley.

This was a sweet and loving romance. This is the first book I’ve read by this author. And I’ll definitely read more.

I've never read anything of Annie Seatons before. I absolutely enjoyed this and read it in one sitting.

As an Aussie I really enjoyed the outback story and the characters were great too. I also just realised this is #3 in a series but I had no trouble reading this as a standalone. I will be going in search of more books by Annie Seaton for sure!