Perfect read. Well written with the perfect amount of character development.

Rereviewed as reviews aren't showing

Sebastian never wanted to go,home. It was no longer his home. He was busy taking pictures all over the world. Helping out on the farm was something he definitely dragged his feet doing. While he is there he meets Isabella. Fate tosses them together every time they turn around. Will they find what they both missing together? Great story in Australian outback.

Sebastian Richards has traveled the world in his career as a freelance photographer. However, now he's returning home to Prickle Creek as promised to help out on the family farm. Luckily, he runs into Isabella Romano who needs his help to escape an uncomfortable situation. Yet, she's only in town for six weeks and Sebastian is planning to stay. Will Sebastian be able to convince Isabella that they're good together or will they let their chance at happy ever after slip away?

I have really enjoyed the other books of this series and have been looking forward to Sebastian's story and I've got to say that Ms. Seaton does not disappoint. Really, right from the beginning, I was hooked because I couldn't help but sympathize with the hero, as his career is important to him and going home is something he isn't looking forward to because he's never felt like he fits in at the farm, even though he has a really close relationship with his cousins. However, it was from the moment the hero and heroine meet that had me smiling, as the heroine desperately needs him. Why can't some men take a hint?

With the dialogue, it was riveting and had me loving the growing relationship between this couple, as they have so many obstacles to overcome to be together. Will the heroine give up her dreams to be with Sebastian? Will Sebastian go back on his promise to stay at Prickle Creek? Moreover, I really liked both the main characters, as the heroine has done everything she can to achieve her dreams, which is proven by what she's accomplished. I also liked her independence and how resilient she is when it comes to getting her dad to stop being so stubborn. Will she convince her dad to do the right thing when it comes to his relationship with her mom? Yet, what I liked most of all about the heroine was that she didn't allow anyone to influence her decisions, no matter how much the secondary characters pushed her to decide to stay. No way could she give up everything she's worked so hard for.

While the hero, he's accomplished so much and it made me feel sorry for him that he had to come back to Prickle Creek because of the promise he made to his family. However, in saying that, I liked that being in Prickle Creek opened up some brilliant possibilities when it came to his career as a photographer because there's no way he could give up on taking pictures. It's in his blood and he's so good at it. I also liked the hero's confidence, how determined he is to do what's right by his family and how determined he was to win the heroine over. Will he be able to do right by everyone, especially when he wants a future with Isabella?

Overall, Ms. Seaton has delivered a splendid read in this book where the chemistry between this couple was heady and intense from the moment they meet; the romance was on the sweet side, but had me loving this couple together; and the ending was heartwarming, as the hero can't let the heroine get away. She means too much to him to let her go. However, it was the epilogue that wrapped this story up nicely, as these two are living the dream and I was so glad that Sebastian's family approved. I would recommend His Outback Temptation by Annie Seaton, if you enjoy the friends to lovers trope or books by authors Margaret Way, Fiona McArthur, Fleur McDonald and Nicki Edwards.

Rating: 2.5 stars

This one was a really weird one for me. For a romance, it didn’t really hit the mark. But then I did appreciate some of the things it did do.

So what do I mean? Let me see if I can break it down.

Sebastian (Seb) is the last of four grandchildren to come home to the farm that his grandparents handed over to Seb and his cousins. As a photographer, he’s travelled the world, but now’s the time to come home, or so he thinks. On his plane is the Italian Isabella (Bella), who is visiting her dad in Prickle Creek before going off to Windsor, England to follow her culinary ambitions in a posh pub. In a somewhat problematic “meetcute”, the two find each other in the airport and decide to go back to Prickle Creek together.

From a modern life standpoint, I liked how this book addressed two things through its two main characters. The town everything takes place in does come across very traditional, almost dated. The men must have very traditional roles as leaders of the families, with very masculine jobs, while the women all want to become wives and mothers and take on jobs in the caring professions (e.g. housewives, nannies, schoolteachers). I also noticed this in His Outback Nanny , which I admittedly enjoyed because things did make sense in that one, and it wasn’t as apparent.

For Seb, the big issue was family expectations to do with his career. Despite his international renown as a photographer, this profession did not fit in with what the town and his family deemed worthwhile. He believed he had to stay and make the farm his life. He’d always felt like they didn’t respect what he’d done with his life, with photography being a fun, frivolous hobby that didn’t require all that much hard work. As someone who knows a lot of artists of various kinds – including authors – I know that this is a common perception that people with non-creative careers have of creatives. And it did come across like this a lot of the time, though in the end, he had to decide what was right for him.

Bella had the same sort of issues, but it was more. Not only did people question her career ambitions – with even Seb failing to acknowledge her dreams – but she also had the same problem a lot of us career women have: questions and expectations regarding her family plans, as if everyone has a say in your procreation. Her father, Seb, everyone seemed to want her to just give up the amazing opportunity she had waiting in England to stick around for a guy she’d only known for a few weeks. I, for one, appreciated seeing her struggles, especially in a town and around women who seemed wholly consumed with marriage and babies. (Everyone has babies, guys, everyone. No one is safe.) Yes, she wanted children one day, but why did she have to give up her career? As someone who has the same internal battles about whether/when to have children, I could empathise with Bella.

In the outback, it was nice to see two characters struggling with dated expectations and figuring out what worked for them. The ending, especially, was pretty awesome, but I can’t say why without spoiling anything.

You may have noticed my little comment about a problematic first interaction earlier. Seb and Bella meet at the airport when Bella launches herself at Seb, kissing him without warning. I don’t care how cute this is supposed to be just because they’re “meant to be” or whatever, this is sexual assault. He has no idea it’s going to happen, doesn’t know who she is at first, and is told to go along with it. Ok, yes, he could have pushed her off, but that doesn’t mean what she did wasn’t wrong. Are we just supposed to ignore this because it’s a girl doing it? Because she’s pretty and he’s handsome? Because it works out in the end?

Ultimately, though, what really made this book so-so for me was that the chemistry was never really there. As with His Outback Nanny, this was a very clean book, with a bit of fade-to-black, which meant it had to rely solely on dialogue and some more innocent interaction to build up a connection. But I didn’t feel anything while reading, didn’t see what all the fuss was about with them parting because it never seemed like anything special or meaningful. And that’s the kicker.

So while I liked seeing some of the modern relationship issues presented in this book from a literary standpoint, it fell short for a romance.

I really enjoyed my trip back to Prickle Creek Farm in the Pilliga Scrub in outback New South Wales, I am loving this series that MS Seaton has bought to life on the pages, and this is Sebastian’s story the fourth cousin to arrive back at the farm to do his duty, but Sebastian is a renowned photographer and is not at all sure of what he wants his other cousins have found their true loves here in the country but Sebastian longs for travel and capturing the perfect photo but will he find the perfect partner in Spring Downs?

Sebastian has arrived home in time for a couple of family weddings and to prove to his family that he has what it takes to be a farmer, and he is willing to give up travelling the world but when he runs into Isabella Romano at the airport and they travel together to Spring Downs there are seeds of doubt for Sebastian starting to unfurl in him, life as Sebastian has known it for years is about to change.

Isabella has arrived back in Spring Downs for a six week holiday to catch up with her father it is years since she left and returned to Italy with her mother, she is now a chef and will be off to London to start a new job very soon but she longs to see her parents back together, and after basically jumping on Sebastian at the airport they seem to be pushed together at every turn and Bella’s emotions are changing maybe a holiday fling will do them both some good.

I did love seeing these two get closer and fall in love, both had come back to town for very different reasons neither of them looking for love but when it strikes it strikes and they fell hard for each other, but for Sebastian it took him a bit to see that he was trying so hard to live up to everyone else’s expectations instead of his own where with Bella she knew what she wanted and went after it, but in the end they both wanted each other and with a little push from family they made it. Thank you MS Seaton for another fabulous story one that I highly recommend, I was left feeling very happy.

Loved His Outback Temptation. This book is well written with a fantastic outback setting. The author is new to me and I look forward to reading more of her books. Fans of romance will enjoy this selection.

This is a great book with a wonderful story and well developed characters. This book will keep you reading long into the night. If you are looking for a great book, then you need to read this book. I am looking forward to reading the next book by this great author. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader’s copy of this book. The free book held no determination on my personal review.

3.5 Stars
This is book 4 in the Prickle Creek series and it features Sebastian and Isabella. I love this entire series but this one is my least favorite. The lack of romance between these two seem to drag on until the last quarter of the book. The story line is good but I was not feeling the love. I also did not care for Isabella, who I thought was extremely selfish. Sebastian is a great guy. He was willing to give up his dreams to work the family farm and make his family happy.

I will miss this Prickle Creek family. I love seeing the other cousins happily married and watching their families grow. I always look forward to whatever this author comes out with next.

Finally, Seb's story!

Having read the second and third books in this series ( as Her Outback Cowboy waits patiently in my TBR) I was very interested to see what Sebastian's book was going to bring. We don't really learn all that much about him in previous books (making this one work perfectly fine as a standalone if you're new to the series) nor do we know Bella at all, which made everything going into this one a big question mark as far as expectations went.

At times, though, it felt as if the question mark stayed in place while I was reading...

I liked both Seb and Bella, but it was clear from the start that neither of them were going to be happy in the Outback and that they shouldn't be considering spending the rest of their lives there. The whole time they were looking elsewhere and thinking about the future--which is fine, but they were also doing it in a vacuum, for the most part. As attracted to Bella as Seb was, he gave no hints to her about his future hopes and plans until literally the last minute and when he did he didn't at all take into consideration what she'd been telling him about her own hopes and plans for weeks. As a result, most of the time the two of them spent at Prickle Creek felt like little more than a rest stop on the road of life that Seb at least was 100% pretending was something else--which made the main part of the book feel rather frustrating.

Seb does pull off one heck of a grand gesture, though, and clearly the decision that the two of them do make about their future ends up being the right one--only we barely get to really enjoy it since it all happens (or we're told about it) in the last few pages of the book. So though I'm glad we got to see Seb's story, I wish we'd seen what more of it away from Prickle Creek was like, because it definitely seems as if that's the more satisfying part of it.

Rating: 3 stars / C

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

This book is “sweet and clean” meaning there is no cussing and no sex, so if those things bother you, there's nothing to worry about here.

I really enjoyed the fact that this book focused on the relationship between Isabella and Sebastian – while they were attracted to each other and obviously meant to be, they didn't immediately fall into bed and magically fall in love because of it. They worked on their friendship and their romantic life fell into place. Although I felt like it was slow in a few spots, the story was interesting and I thought that the ending was incredible. I loved the way that they solved dealt with their issues like real adults.

I requested and was generously granted a copy of this story.

This is the fourth book in this series and I have to admit that I’ve enjoyed them all! In this story it is Sebastian Richards who is returning to Prickle Creek to join his cousins in helping run the family farm. All four of them had been brought up by their grandparents after their parents were tragically killed in a car accident. Since then they have followed their dreams and had jobs around the world. That is when their Gran called them home . . .

In this story Sebastian Richardson has flown back, landing safely in Australia once more. That’s when he hears someone calling his name - then grabbing him and asking him to play along as she kisses him! Talk about sparks! It turns out the young lady concerned is Isabella Romano, another ex-Pickle Creek resident who is also returning home to visit her father but currently needs rescuing from the man who had been sat next to her on the flight. This isn’t the only time fate keeps bringing the two of them together! As the attraction between them grows their totally different long term goals and immediate plans seem likely to thwart any opportunity for their romance to develop. Maybe they really need some advice from someone older and wiser, after all!

A lovely addition to this series, it is a standalone but I enjoyed catching up on what has happened to the couples in the earlier three books, too, as all also feature in this one. It is a delightful story of life in the Outback rural community. The descriptions of the countryside - and especially the sunsets - painted pictures in my imagination, bringing it vividly to life. It also shows that what you think are the expectations of others can sometimes be very wrong! There are lots of people trying to matchmake this couple but they really don’t need it. It is their coming to terms with what they really want, being prepared to alter their plans to make room for romance and each other that are crucial to this story. This is an enjoyable read, a lovely romance with plenty of family interests and twists and turns to keep you guessing.

I requested and was given a copy of this novel, via NetGalley, with no obligation. This is my honest review of the book after choosing to read it.

I love this book so much as once again I’ve been blown away with another breathtaking love story from one of my now favourite authors. Annie Seaton sure knows how to write beautifully and amazing stories that she is a gifted storyteller, who just hook you in right away time and time again. The characters are full of surprises and you can’t help but wanting to know more about them as their relationship grows and how they express themselves throughout their story. A really great book that I would highly recommend to all book lovers out there.

Wow, here I am a city girl reading about my beautiful country. Areas I've only seen on TV and photos. The author brought the Outback to life, I could almost taste the dust. I really wanted these characters to get together and I'm so happy the way it ended. I thought please don't be predictable. Sebastian has had his taste of the World in his photography career and comes home at his Grandparent's request. Bella comes for a short visit to see her Dad and knows she has a career waiting for her in England. Could love ruin someone's dreams or enrich it?
I highly recommend this book, I enjoyed it immensely.

Just had to finish this series with entering into this one. This author knows how to offer me the escape I need with characters that do the job. Sebastian and Isabella are the ones in this one with them both crossing paths on their way to Prickle Creek. They have their own reasons with after their connection you can follow them as their story unfolds. She picks your curiosity wondering if love will be the key that changes the minds of these two in what they want. This was a place I was also happy to visit. This was the perfect finish to this series with yet again a fabulous story.

This is a voluntary review of an advanced copy.

I am so sad that the last cousin has his book and the Prickle Creek saga has ended. Seb finally comes to the Outback and tries so hard to feel part of the land and damps down his love for photography.

Bella knows that she would never be happy in the Outback for life and is eagerly anticipating her new job in England as a sous chef. She will not let anyone guilt her into giving up her dream even when she realizes that she has fallen for Seb.

I read the previous book but not the other two but this is easy to rea as a standalon and you won't feel like you are missing anything. This series was great as we see each of the cousins come back to the family farm and each find love.

I do have to say that I liked how the HEA was worked out as it really would have been a crime to keep Bella and Seb trapped where they would not fulfill their dreams and end up unhappy.

3.75 stars--HIS OUTBACK TEMPTATION is the fourth and final instalment in Annie Seaton’s contemporary, adult PRICKLE CREEK clean, romance series focusing on a once tight knit family of cousins (Lucy Bellamy, Jemima Smythe, Sebastian Richards, and Liam Smythe) torn apart by the accident that caused the death of their three mothers. This is freelance photographer Sebastian Richards, and professional chef Isabella Romano’s story line. HIS OUTBACK TEMPTATION can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.


SOME BACKGROUND: When their aging grandparents called the cousins home to Prickle Creek, Australia, Lucy, Jemima, Sebastian and Liam wanted nothing to do with attending to the family farm; a deal was reached and each cousin would take a turn managing the farm, never intending to fall in love. The Prickle Creek series are their stories of family and falling in love.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Sebastian and Isabella) HIS OUTBACK TEMPTATION follows the building romance between freelance photographer Sebastian Richards, and professional chef Isabella Romano. Neither Isabella nor Sebastian had been home for a number of years when they would meet accidentally after deplaning together in Australia. Isabella returning from her new home in Italy, and Sebastian coming home after years on the road. Agreeing to see one another once everything was settled, Isabella would soon be pulled into the family bedlam at Prickle Farm as preparations got underway for a dual wedding. What ensues is the slow building relationship between Isabella and Sebastian, and the potential fall out as Isabella assigns an end date to her time in Australia, and her growing love for the man that has stolen her heart.

Once again, because the author lives in Australia, HER OUTBACK SURPRISE contains expressions of slang and language terminology that may not be familiar to North American readers but the author adds an index of definitions for ease of understanding.

HIS OUTBACK TEMPTATION is a story of family; of romance and love; of promises made; obligations vowed; and the bonds formed between two people whose lives were about to move in different directions. Annie Seaton pulls the reader into a sweet, enchanting and realistic story line. The character driven premise is heart warming; the romance is tender-the $ex scenes are implied and fade to black; the characters are energetic and flirty.

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received in exchange for a honest review.

Annie Seaton has continued the Prickle Creek series with a fun heartwarming book on Sebastian this time. He is a photographer who is passionate for his work. Only it is now his time to come home and meet the family obligations. He has something to prove to them as well. Sebastian is very easygoing and sweet. He is the opposite of Isabella who plans everything to a T right down to her career.

Isabella is going home to see her dad and try to convince him to move back to Italy and be with her mom. She doesn’t expect to have Sebastian come into her life through the meet cute they have at the airport. That moment shows just how go with the flow Sebastian is. Isabella is kind hearted and sweet as well but more serious than Sebastian. Her inner turmoil is having someone put her career and love for her above their desires. For Sebastian his inner turmoil is the family farm and how he will reconcile being there the rest of his life. He is lost between family obligation and loyalty and what he loves to do. This shows what a strong character he is and you just fall in love with him.

While home they can’t resist spending time together. We see them laugh and have fun alone and with family. Seb’s family is so fun loving and you can see the love there. The only time Seb gets tense is when he feels they see him as just lucky and that photography isn’t hard work. He also loses some of his good naturedness when he hears his grandparents are coming home. It isn’t until his grandmother talks to him that he sees how she really feels and feels like a weight is lifted off his shoulders.

The attraction between Isabella and Seb is seen and felt in that first kiss. Sebastian is more accepting of his feelings as his thoughts tell us. Isabella denies until it hurts Seb and again his grandma helps him understand and find his way to that swoony moment. Their romance though is so sweet, sexy and fun loving.

fun sexy book. I love how loyal and kind Sebastian is. He is so easygoing but you can tell he feels that he needs to prove himself to his family. Show them that he does work hard and isn't just lucky as Liam used to say. The romance was flirty and fun. Really just a feel good book. That ending wow did Seb do something swoony.

Sebastian Richards is a successful photographer who has spent the last couple of years in Florence Italy. He is now returning back home to the family farm after his grandmother asked him to. Traveling home Sebastian is surprised by a woman who is in distress who just happens to be Isabella, the daughter of the local milk bar back home. They end up connecting and the chemistry between them was instant. They bond as friends during this trip and only difference is Sebastian is heading home to stay while Bella is just visiting. This is sad because Seb likes her a lot and is saddened to know she doesn’t , at first glance, love their hometown like he does. Sebastian feels obligated to his family while Bella has seen the downside to obligation and doesn’t want to be tied to anyone who has those types of obligations. She is used to city life, not country life anymore. But when hearts and feelings are involved, things could change. Will these friends allow their feelings to deepen or will this be a ships passing in the night type situation?


My Rating: 4.3 stars *****
“I received an advanced copy of this book from the author at no cost to me."

Annie Seaton takes us back to Prickle Creek in the Australian Outback in this wonderful story filled with love. Love of a job, love of a family, love unexpected but genuine and real.

On a quick trip home before leaving for England and her dream job, Isabella Romano meets Sebastian Richards. There is a definite spark between them right from the beginning but they know nothing can ever happen between them. She's leaving and he has family obligations keeping him in Prickle Creek. So the most the can ever hope for is a fun fling. Or is it??

These are great characters in an equally great story of love and determination. This is definitely a book I recommend.

His Outback Temptation by Annie Seaton
Prickle Creek #4

Four phone calls are made to cousins requesting they return to Prickle Creek. Two men and two women who have found their way into the world and have successful jobs are called back to see their grandfather in hospital. The four are faced with a huge decision presented by their grandmother. They all have ties to their ancestral land BUT are those ties strong enough to draw them from their jobs and lives and then take on the responsibilities of country life on a large tract of land? Liam, Lucy and Jemima have gone home and settle in. In this book Sebastian has decided to leave his photography career in Europe to return, grudgingly, to the family nest. He arrives two years after that first call was made and believes he is ready to farm…but is he?

Isabella Romano is on her way home to visit her father hoping to get him and her mother to reunite rather than live apart in Australia and Italy. She has six weeks to make her pitch before heading off to a sous chef job in England. At the airport she sees Sebastian and asks him for assistance then ends up catching a ride to the outback with him. The two spend time together in and out of town and both seem to enjoy living abroad more than living in the outback BUT will the two, who grow to care for one another, find a way to be together or part at the end of her visit?

This was more of a narrative of what live in a small town in the outback is like. The couple may meet in the outback but at times they seem like fish out of water that really would rather be elsewhere. There is an opportunity to catch up with the rest of the cousins and how they are doing while Sebastian and Bella determine what their futures will hold. I had trouble relating to this couple but was happy they did finally figure out what would make them happy.

Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for the ARC – This is my honest review.

3-4 Stars