Ella has moved to the small town of Chalk Hill in south-west Western Australia for a fresh start. She’s working as a real estate agent and has one listing – an overpriced house that has seen better days. She’s doing her best to spruce it up but the owner is reluctant to sell and Ella suspects that her rival real estate agent might be attempting to sabotage her by giving her false advice.

Ella is a single mother of a 10yo and my oldest son is almost 12. When I read some of this, it was like reading about my own child. My firstborn is at times, a challenge to parent. He has an attitude that started to develop at about 9 or so where he resented anything asked of him, even the tiniest of things and in Sam’s sullen reluctance, I saw a lot of my own child. And in Ella’s frustration to connect with Sam, to make him understand about why she’s asking him to do this or that, I saw myself. I’m not a single parent, I have someone else to ‘back me up’ if required, share the discipline and reasoning. But I’ve had the phone calls from school about incidents in the playground, backchatting the teacher. I know the weariness of it, the feelings that it evokes. And so I sympathised with Ella. In her case though, it’s obvious why Sam is resentful and acting out (not that that makes dealing with it any easier).

Jake Honeychurch is the executor of his grandmother’s will and therefore he has final say over the sale of the house. He’s not actually interested in selling it, but he’s using the fact that it is for sale as leverage against someone, to get information that he wants. Things get complicated when he and Ella start to connect and all of a sudden Ella isn’t just the new, anonymous real estate agent but someone that he gets to know. He starts to see the desperation of her situation, her determination to change her life to do something, to succeed. And that brings conflict and awkwardness, as Jake doesn’t intend to sell the house. Ella is doing the best she can, bringing him good, reasonable offers and Jake has to keep rejecting them each time. I thought that Jake should’ve explained his situation to Ella a bit earlier than he did, this was her livelihood. She had a small retainer from her boss but real estate agents need to sell houses to make money. The effort Ella was expending was never going to be rewarded and I felt that was quite cruel of Jake, especially after they become friends (with obvious potential for more).

I really enjoyed Ella’s background in this – she was an Olympic level swimmer, who had done all the hard work and had big things ahead. One moment ripped it all away but it also gave her something precious. Her relationship with Erik was interesting and added a depth to the backstory. I understood why Ella had kept her secret all these years, even from Sam – how does someone confess something like that positively, talk about it? After what she had been through, it was easier to protect herself, to keep both of them safe from prying eyes, a hungry media, and who knows what else. Ella was very young and probably not the most mature emotionally, given the insular life of a swimmer attempting to make an Olympics.

I also really liked the small town of Chalk Hill and the residents we got to know through Ella. The three books in this series will be based around the Honeychurch brothers, and we met the brother who will take centre stage in the second book, in this one. His story was very interesting (not something you’d expect actually) and so I’m quite looking forward to reading the second book very soon!

8/10

I read this book in one day and related to the realistic people, the setting (rural Western Australia) and the issues they faced. Once again, Lily Malone has delivered.

Lily Malone’s new offering is the first in a trilogy of books which will feature characters from the Western Australian town of Chalk Hill. Chalk Hill, although fictional, is pretty much the typical small Aussie town. The one thing that they all have and it’s missing, however, is a public swimming pool, which is the exact reason our heroine, Ella Davenport, moves there from Perth.

Ella is an ex-champion swimmer. She won national titles and only missed out on going to the Olympics because she was pregnant. Her son, Sam, is now 10 and she’s decided it’s time to pull on her big girl’s panties and become a strong independent woman -- as long as she can do this without a pool or swimming, that is.

Her move to the country also includes a change of career (to real estate) and separating from her husband, Erik, who is also her former coach and remains a father/older brother figure. In Chalk Hill she meets Jake, a local farmer and hardware store owner and the man who will, of course, try and win her heart.

As leading couples go, Ella and Jake were okay although they seemed to have very little conflict. They talk business (Ella is attempting to sell Jake’s grandmother’s house), the town (everyone who is everyone hangs out at the bowls club), and Sam. Other than that they just think lustful thoughts. (I must stress this isn’t in the league of 50 Shades but it does feel like Jack and Ella spend more time thinking about secky times with each other than thinking about the stimulating conversation they share.)

Ella is traumatised by her memories of swimming. To her, she relates the water with her pushy parents, school bullies, jealous teammates, and missed medal opportunities. I did like that there was a point of her conflict but I think Malone should have had Ella face those real reasons instead of simply having Ella sort things out by (literally) jumping back in at the deep end. Some scenes with her parents reaching closure would have been good though.

I didn’t like the way Malone included Ella’s swimming hang-up into Sam’s problems, however. Even if I could imagine a small Aussie town without a swimming pool, I could never imagine any 10 year old Aussie kid having such limited time in a swimming pool. Every school has compulsory swim lessons, for starters, and did he never get invited to a party at a pool or beach? I’m sorry, I just don’t think it would be that easy to avoid swimming in one of the hotter states of Australia.

Sam’s characterisation when it came to his age annoyed me too. I have an almost 12 year old and in the beginning of the book Sam was doing things I could never imagine my son doing even today, let alone two years ago. Then, later in the book, Sam was acting like a kid half his age. It unnerved me a little.

I also found Ella’s relationship with Erik a little unnerving. For a time I was confused as to whether or not they’d ever consummated their marriage. One assumes they must have or else Ella would have been much more ignorant during the intimate scenes she shares with Jake. This just seemed to highlight the only interest Ella has in Jake is lust because she claims Erik is her best friend and yet wants to divorce him.

Actually Erik was my favourite character of the book. I want to know more about his background in Germany, how he lost his arm and I especially want to know if he finally finds a woman who will love him like he should be loved. Please, please, please write this one Lily!

Alas, I assume the two other books in the series will instead be about Jake’s brothers, Abe and Brix, and I’ll be destined to write Erik’s story in my own head.

Look, I know I complained a little about this book but I must stress that my patience really runs thin with contemporary rural romance. I keep giving the genre another go and thinking I’ll eventually be won over. Maybe one day… Lots of people adore chook lit, however, and if you’re one of them I would recommend this book. There’s nothing wrong with Malone’s writing and I’m sure most readers would give Water Under the Bridge a higher rating.

For me, though it wasn’t exactly the right book at the right time and I’ll go for a 3 out of 5

I love all of Lily's books, but I think this is my favourite so far. She has written a really enjoyable story set in a small town of Chalk Hill in WA that I could totally envision. The story of single mum Ella who has moved to the town to make a new start for herself and her son, who is not happy about the move. Ella has secrets that she has spent her life keeping, but it may be time those secrets come out whether by choice or not. All the characters were well formed and I enjoyed getting to know them and seeing how their relationships developed and changed, I definitely recommend this novel.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin MIRA for a copy in return for an honest review

I don’t know how this happened but this is the first book I have read of Ms Malone’s but it won’t be the last, this one was such a great story I loved the setting what a town and the characters come to life on the pages, I felt very comfortable in Chalk Hill and look forward to more in this series.

Ella Davenport has decided that it is time for her she was so close to becoming an Olympian swimmer years before but gave all of that up for her son Sam, she stays away from the water altogether and now she has moved to the small town of Chalk Hill with a new career in real estate. She has secrets that she has kept for years and even her ex-husband doesn’t know the full truth, but with her first house to sell Ella meets gorgeous Jake Honeychurch and her emotions are running amuck.

Jake Honeychurch has two brothers and has grown up in this town he runs the family farm and hardware store and he is left in charge of selling his Nanna’s house, a house that means a lot to him and he is not overly keen on selling but he needs to put it on the market this brings him to Ella new to her job at the local real estate and Jake chooses her to sell the house maybe this was fate. Jake learns that Ella is one determined Lady and he is drawn to her and her son in a way he never thought to happen again.

This is a story that has a lot going on besides the glorious journey to a beautiful HEA there are secrets that need to be talked about from both Ella and Jake and I loved getting to know them they are such a fabulous couple, of course there are ups and downs along the way true love never runs smoothly and making up is such fun. This story is moving and emotional and a thoroughly good read I loved Jake what a hero and Ella so very vulnerable but also so strong thank you MS Malone I loved it and look forward to Abe’s story.

Lily Malone’s website states she is the author whose stories will make you smile. Having read several I can vouch for that.

Water Under the Bridge shows Lily is one of the best Aussie authors (I have read) when it comes to really nailing characterisation. I LOVE the sound of Chalk Hill as a community and, oh, the joy in that name Honeychurch! Inspired!

Water Under the Bridge is a contemporary story that’s been carefully plotted and populated with authentic and relatable characters (and not a cliche in sight). But what I really enjoy is the attention to detail Lily gives to each scene. You are never left wondering about what the character is doing, thinking, feeling (actions, expressions, and those character thoughts that make me giggle). Lily makes every word count (not a scrap of padding in this story) and each scene is cleverly choreographed so that as a reader I am a witness to every moment. (And there are some adorable scenes containing Lily’s deftness with dialogue and introspection.)

Aspiring writers need to read this book. It is a lesson in craft (conflict, POV, dialogue, and scene setting). And readers who enjoy small town romances will love getting to know the many Chalk Hill residents.

Water Under the Bridge is the first in a three-book series (I believe) and my prediction is Chalk Hill will see Lily Malone, author, leave others writing in her genre in her dust!

Ella wants a new start for herself and her 10 year old son Sam. Hopefully Chalk Hill is the place to do it. Looking for a new direction before moving, she had completed a real estate certificate. Irma Honeychurch’s house is her first listing but it’s not going too well.....that’s maybe because her grandson Jake Honeychurch doesn’t really want it sold.

I found this to be an enjoyable, gentle book about moving on and finding your place in life and a community. I liked Ella and her unconventional relationship with Erik and his absolute support of her choices and Sam. And of course Jake...well, he was just a honey! There was a little bit of tension in the story but I didn’t find there was a huge angst moment, which I was appreciative of.
At the end of the book, there was a hint that the town of Chalk Hill would be revisited in some further books and as there were a few characters of the town introduced in this one, I look forward to reading more.

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for a copy to read.

Ella Davenport's first listing in the small town of Chalk Hill was a big old home she was keen to sell. The owner wouldn't return her calls, so she prepared the best she could, cleaning out the house - even enlisting her ten year old son Sam to help - much to his disgust.

Jake Honeychurch, owner of his Nanna's home therefore Ella's hope for her new career, didn't want to sell, but circumstances were against him. So when Ella had an offer well below the listed price, she wasn't surprised by the owner's response.

When Ella was recognised as an elite swimmer who'd been away from the circuit for ten years, then approached about the town's swimming pool being re-opened with it in mind for Ella to teach the town's children to swim, she was hesitant at first. But never a quitter, she decided to give it a go. Her number one priority was Sam of course; with her past threatening to get in the way of happiness, her determination to do the right thing rose to the surface.

What would happen to Ella and Sam's future? Would they be happy in Chalk Hill, or would they have to start again somewhere else?

Water Under the Bridge by Aussie author Lily Malone is a powerful story of love and loyalty. I especially enjoyed Erik's character and his unwavering support of Ella and Sam; Jake comes through as a kind and gentle man and Ella, her strength of character and determination shines (although occasionally she lacks belief in herself) A wonderfully complex novel, Water Under the Bridge was an excellent read which I highly recommend.

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

I heart this book! I cannot rave enough about the story, its characters and their triumphs, and tribulations.
I completely got swept up in Ella, Erik and Jake’s portrayed emotions in the story and the shenanigans amongst them. The friendships formed were powerful as the story progressed. I loved Erik’s unwavering loyalty to Ella and Sam, and the hulkiness in his depiction. Yet, his portrayed physicality contrasted the inner gentleness of his character’s actions, warming this reader’s heart with his narrated protectiveness which emanated through the pages. Jake from the start is a head-turning character. You can almost feel the genuine niceness in his character that wraps itself around you, having the reader wanting to read more. His interest in Ella is heartfelt but challenging in the obstacles they face. Ella has her own secrets that are revealed. Her strength of character is constantly tested throughout the story by various challenges. Honeychurch family members are introduced in the story, paving the way for more instalments in the Chalk Hill series, that I cannot wait to read. Water Under The Bridge by author Lily Malone brings and leaves the warm and fuzzy feelings, long after the last page is turned, and it is a read I could gladly go back to in the years to come.
Review copy received from Harlequin MIRA Australia