Holly’s Heart by Fiona McArthur
Series: Outback Brides #4
Subgenre: contemporary romance
Release date: 12 Jul 2018
Publisher: Tule Publishing
Format: ebook
Length: 147 pages
RRP: A$4.99
She is almost broken and burned out, but her focus is the twin boys she has become responsible for.
Dr Holly Peterson has had a rough time. Holly had built her life around being a doctor. She worked in the emergency department until the day she doubted her skill, and decided the coffee shop was a better option especially as she is the parent for her nephews after her sister’s death. She moved back to her home town to ensure that the boys would have time to grieve and also be in a familiar setting. That familiar setting is also a balm for her soul. However, she still remembers the day old Mrs Brierly told her she wasn’t good enough for her nephew, Ben. Holly took that advice and threw everything into becoming a doctor.
Dr Ben Brierly, formerly of Brierly Park has returned to Wirralong to open a general practice. He is very upbeat about this opportunity and is all set, and then he sees Holly. Holly was his childhood crush. He thought they were going to be forever but then Holly decided to focus on her future and he could never get near her again. He tries to get close to her, but he finds that she keeps him at arm’s length. He finds that the way to her heart is through her nephews.
As Ben uses the twins to reach Holly, she finds herself relying on Ben and she both doesn’t like this but also appreciates his caring. An incident on the way back from a camping trip, frees Holly of some of her burdens, as it is then that she realises that she and Ben should be together.
I quite liked this story; while there is a deep sexual chemistry between Ben and Holly, there is also a sweetness about their relationship. It is quite soothing. Ben and Holly are most suited to each other and despite the fact that some harsh words were said to Holly, they did have their HEA.
I have liked all four stories in this series. Although this is part of a series it can be read as a standalone.
Reviewed by Heather

My first book by this author and I thoroughly enjoyed it. She brought the Australian landscape to life and I wanted to dive into my book. This is a second chance for these characters after a teen romance some 10 or so years ago. Both doctors but circumstances tore one of them away from her dreams. I need to go back and see what happened in this series to the other characters. Small town, likeable characters, great story.

Holly's Heart the fourth book and so far the final one of the Outback Brides series tugged at the heart strings and made you feel warm and fuzzy inside. Fiona McAuthur combines a very relatable world and how unique a family unit can be. Whether its a single parent, a couple. She shows that you can over come your fear if you have the will and time to and how love can help heal wounds you thought couldn't be healed.

Dr. Ben Brierly has just returned to his hometown to open a general practice when he sees coming down the street the woman he's loved since high school but who didn't return his feelings. Holly has returned to Wirralong with her twin orphaned nephews to raise them for now and run her recently deceased sister's coffee shop. She's upset when she runs into Ben the first time and flees. He has to know what upset her so he googles her. He sends a big container of daisies which lifts her spirits. He comes o the park to see her and meet the twins and they make plans to get together as friends. He starts coming into the coffee shop during her slow period and they are able to get reacquainted. Ben realizes early on that he's still and always has been in love with Holly but so as not to scare her off goes slowly. Holly is also a doctor but after a very bad shortly after her sister's death she figured out she couldn't give both her job and the twins the attention both needed and picked the twins. As Ben and Holly get closer she thinks she doesn't have the headspace for a relationship as well right now. When at her friend's wedding a pregnant woman collapses and it brings that last day at work back in full force. Ben has been trying to get her to tell him why she doesn't practice anymore and when he takes her home the story comes out. They spend the night together but then they slow things down. Holly wants to take her nephews camping for their birthday so they go to a garage sale and buy equipment with Ben's help. Holly thinks she's going to have to cancel the camping trip because of an emergency but Ben steps up to fill in and Holly joins them later. They are able to reconnect. Holly is the happiest she's ever been. When one of the twins get stung by an insect she panics only to have Ben reassure her that everything is alright and she needs to look at the positive side instead of the negative side of a situation. As they're leaving the camp site they come across an accident and both Holly and Ben need to work together and save the couple. Holly realizes that she's not panicked anymore. Ben comes back after the boys are in bed and Holly has realizes she loves him. They declare their love for each other and a proposal is made and accepted with a wedding to follow. Holly goes back to being a doctor and they move out to the station that his grandmother owns to live.

More of this series PLEASE!! I have really enjoyed the Outback Brides series but was disappointed that there wasn't a book about Serenity who works with Elsa and also Isabelle's sister in law who was moving to the area.. I'd really like to see more books in the series as Wirralong grows and more people move to town and the wedding business continues to flourish. Also I'd love to hear about what might happen between the Brierly housekeeper and Al. I hope this series will continue in the future.

Holly´s Heart by Fiona McArthur is book 4 in the "Outback Brides" series. It´s a little bit different that the other 3 books in this series. It´s about two doctors and the setting is in the town and that give this story a different feel to it that the other ones. The characters are nice, and sweet and very in tune with each other. But you don´t get the same Australian heat that you got from the other books. Still a nice addition to the series.

This was a wonderful second chance story in the Outback Brides series. This story is full of emotion, fears, and love. Holly and Ben were together before and neither Ben have really gotten over the other. When they both return to Wirralong it seems, to Ben at least, that it is meant to be. Holly however is afraid if she gets too involved with Ben she won't be giving the attention to her nephews that they need. Ben is determined to show her not only could they be good together but they could also make a great family for the boys. This is a very well done book and one I definitely recommend.

Holly’s Heart is the fourth book in new multi-author Outback Brides series.

In this book we have story of Holly Peterson. Holly Peterson has moved back to Wirralong and has given up her career as a doctor, after the loss of her sister. Holly is now Mum/Aunt to her six-year-old twin nephews. She has re-opened her sister’s coffee shop. She wants the boys to go back to a school and be with their friends, to help them through the loss.

Ben Brierly has come home to Wirralong help his grandmother with the family farm Brierly Park. It is starting to be run down and he want to get it back to what it was. He hires a new farm manager and housekeeper to help. Ben is also opening Wirralong Family Doctors Surgery. He was finally going to be a general practitioner in his home town.

Holly has known Ben from growing up in Wirralong and going to school together, she has never forgot him. But she was warned off him by his grandmother back then. She left and studied Medicine and worked in Sydney as an ER Doctor. But she has now lost all faith in medicine.

Ben is surprised to see Holly back in town as the last he heard she was working in Sydney. Ben is determined to find out what happened and also to try to win her heart, she is the one that he has always wanted.

This story is so full of emotions and you will feel them on every page. You will not be able to put this book down. It is one that is going to be pulling at your heartstrings, even once you have closed the book. The chemistry between Holly and Ben is so well written. Fiona has achieved a great story with such wonderful characters.

This book and the others in this series could be read as standalone.

I would highly recommend this book.

The Outback town of Wirralong is the setting for the Tule Outback Brides series. Holly’s Heart is the last in the four book series and is just as great as the other three. In Holly’s Heart, a second chance for what could have been finds Dr. Holly Peterson and Dr. Ben Briery together in the same town after ages away. She’s a no longer practicing doctor working now to raise her deceased sister’s young boys. He’s the new GP in Wirralong, long ago smitten with his friend Holly but nothing ever came of it even though she felt the same.
Maybe, just maybe, the timing will be right for Holly and Ben.

I’ve loved the Outback Brides series andHolly’s Heart, the last of the four stories, is a fitting end. This story is a gentle one filled with kindness and hope. Both Ben and Holly started their lives in Wirralong, Ben in a well-heeled grazing family and Holly in a single parent home. Ben has loved Holly since she was a teenager, and Holly has loved him back though she’s realistic enough to understand that if she’s to make anything of herself she needs to study and do well at school and university.
Having pushed Ben away as a teenager she is pretty mortified to see him back in town and doing the job she always dreamed she’d do herself. Ben is the town’s new doctor, while Holly, also trained as a doctor, is running the Outback Brides Coffee Shop. These two are gentle and caring people. Holly has come home with her dead sister’s twin sons, whom she has adopted, and her life revolves around helping them to overcome the loss of their mother. Ben is kind and doesn’t pressure Holly despite his ongoing love for her.
This story is almost ethereal at times. I felt as though I were floating through it. The plot is gripping but with such nice people in this story the peaks and hollows are gentle. I loved the idea of such caring people having a second chance at love themselves.

I've read the whole Outback Brides Series and I loved them. The four parts are written by different authors, but the stories interact and use the same characters. All the stories take place in Wirralong, so the town and the inhabitants will grow on you!

After both her sister and brother-in-law have passed away, Holly has moved back to her childhood town Wirralong. Together with Tom and Pat, her six-year-old nephews, she tries to build a new life. An incident just prior to the death of her sister had her abandoning medicine all together. As the shopowner of Outback Brides Coffee Shop, she now makes a living. Her friends, Elsa, Maggie and Isabella help her to stay on her feet after all the devastating losses she has had.

Ben Briely also returns home, to become the general practitioner in his childhood town. This enables him to be closer to hist grandmother, who lives alone on Briely Park. So, when he comes across the love of his life: Holly, he is astonished to find she is still single. Years ago, she turned him down, and ever since, he has not been able to find another woman to match up with her.

So, here's for second chances: Ben tries to woo her and to become her knight in shining armour. Who can resist? A sugary sweet story, with a tragic lining. Wonderful written and moves you to tears. Four out of five stars from me and a special thank you to Netgalley.

The story continues the portrayal of nice characters in a narrative set amongst the backdrop of Wirralong. Holly and Ben’s story is a sweet read full of heartache memories that add layers to what is an unmissable read within the series. Holly’s Heart by author Fiona McArthur is amongst the best reads in the Outback Brides series for this reader, and one that was a nice HEA story.
Review copy received from Tule Publishing via Netgalley

What a wonderful book! I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This is the fourth book in the Outback Brides series, each written by a different author. We have not met either Holly or Ben in a previous book. Both are doctors, but Holly isn’t currently practicing. Both are from Wirralong but both had gone to university and lived elsewhere. Holly returned with her two nephews after her sister is killed in a car accident. She is running her sister’s coffee shop as she doesn’t feel she can give her nephews full attention as a doctor plus she lost a patient. Ben has returned to set up his medical practice. Ben and Holly had a friendship until Bens grandmother made her feel inferior and she avoided him without Ben ever knowing why. Ben and Holly become reacquainted and the nephews adore Ben. The story is so wonderful to read. I am hopeful more books will be added to this series. I am sad it is finished.

I will admit that I had been hoping that Serenity would get her story after reading the third book. However, the fourth book of the Outback Brides by Fiona McArthur is Holly' Heart. Not long after starting the book, I was so enchanted by Ben that I was thrilled for this to be Holly’s story. I don’t remember her being part of the women’s group in any of the other books but no matter, the story is wonderful. I also now want to go back in time and have the author give us Holly’s best friend, Jasmine’s story. I do hope each author continues the series since there is at least one supporting character in each of the four books that caught my interest.

As for Holly’s Heart, Holly and Ben both have had tragic events in their lives. While these are defining factors in their lives, they have managed to live with grace and purpose. I liked that about them. Also I like the focus that was on the twins, as well as how the Ben and Holly found such a positive balance for the four of them. The big surprise was Ben’s grandmother. Even she helped to keep this story heartwarming. I wish we could have know her husband, Ben’s grandfather. Perhaps we did a little since he must have been a lot like Ben.

An ARC of the book was given to me by the publisher through Net Galley which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Tule authors have done it again! They’ve created a community - Wirralong - populated it with great characters and have written entertaining romances based there, each by a different author and involving different main characters but sharing many of the secondary ones and events. Each story can be read as a standalone but this is a superb series and I highly recommend reading them all, I’ve loved escaping into this Australian Outback town, getting to know the characters, places and events whilst reading all four books.

Holly’s Heart by Fiona McArthur is the fourth book in the Outback Brides series and concerns to people who grew up in Wirralong, went to school together and were close until someone intervened and then left to study to become doctors. Now they’ve both returned to the small town but for very different reasons. Holly Peterson has returned with her twin nephews who are six years old and are living with her after the tragic deaths of their parents. She’s no longer working as a doctor but is running the Outback Brides Coffee Shop. Ben Briely is also returning but he’s opening a new GP surgery in the town. He’s always loved Holly but she totally rejected him as a teen. Will things be different now? Do they stand any chance of achieving their HEA together? This is an emotive second chance romance with a very patient hero gently cracking open the barriers to let him win his love - so moving! It is a delightful read and a great addition to his series.

I requested and was given a copy of this book, via NetGalley. This is my honest review of the book after choosing to read it.

I loved this book!!! Ben and Holly are just adorable. I love second chance romances. The character of Holly was really relatable. I love when the author uses real life scenarios and make them seem well real. This is my second book by this author as well as this series . I really enjoyed it! I can't wait to read more!

3.5☆
I enjoyed the series.
This is my first book by Fiona McArthur.

What I liked:
The writing style
The characters
Part of a series: Outback Brides
Standalone
HEA
Epilogue

I look forward to reading more from this author.

I loved Holly’s Heart by Fiona McArthur, book four in the Outback Brides series, a wonderful second chance story. Holly and Ben were sweethearts in high school until Holly was told she would never land Ben and she started avoiding him. Holly and Ben both became doctors and when Ben returns to Wirralong to open a practice, he is surprised to find Holly running the local coffee shop. After the death of her sister and gaining guardianship of her twin nephews Holly is overwhelmed. After a pregnant patient dies in her emergency room, Holly decides to take a leave of absence from medicine and return to Wirralong to raise the boys.

Ms. McArthur wrote a wonderful story of a love that never ended. Holly is stronger than she gives herself credit. I appreciated that her priority was the well being of her nephews. Ben never gave up, finding ways to help Holly with the boys and make life a little easier for her. The attraction and chemistry between these two did not end when they left for different universities.

This was a wonderful story where love overrules life. Ms. McArthur did a fantastic job creating realistic characters, keeping the story line interesting, making me forget the world around me and not letting me go until I turned the last page, wanting more. I highly recommend this book to other readers.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

This book is a must read, it can be read as part of the “Outback Brides “ series or as a stand-alone book. As the book unfolds it is two little boys who give their encouragement for Holly and Ben’s relationship to progress.
Love conquers self doubt.

Ben and Holly had been childhood friends until Holly broke his heart. Holly has lost her sister, her pregnant patient and her confidence in practicing medicine, and is now taking care of her twin 6 year old nephews back in her hometown. Ben has just returned to town to open a new general practice and finds he still has feelings for Holly. I received a free copy of this book through the publisher through Netgallery. This is my honest and voluntarily given review. I really liked his book, which had so many likable characters. Ben is so sweet, caring, and patient with Holly. The twins, Tom and Pat, are a pure delight, especially with everything to do with camping. Holly has been through so much, but she is strong and loving. I really enjoy reading this lighthearted romance.

I have really loved this series and certainly hope there is more to come. Holly's Heart was a great read, I love knowing there's going to be a HEA in these stories whilst dealing with the conflicts that surround the couple's getting there. Holly and Ben are new characters to Wirralong and I loved their love story and the addition of them into the town.

Thanks to NetGalley and Tule Publishing for a copy in return for an honest review.

Firstly can I say how awesome this series is, I am loving these stories and this one is so very moving and heart-warming beautifully written, a heart that needs some mending and love and the perfect hero to do that and of course we are back in the town of Wirralong with all of the friends that we have made, this is another story that I just inhaled and it left me feeling so very good.

Holly Peterson grew up in Wirralong and always wanted to be a doctor she worked hard and got there then moved away to Sydney but has just lost her sister and is now mother to her six year old twin nephews and is not coping with working in the busy ER department of a hospital, the time has come for her to move back home and re-open her sister’s coffee shop in the now busy town and who should also have moved back to Wirralong none other than Dr Ben Brieley the boy she never forgot from school.

Ben has decided that it is time to move back home and open up a doctor’s office, the town has grown a lot since Wirra Station became a top wedding venue, and his grandmother is not getting any younger and the family farm Brieley Park needs some work to get it back to what it was. Ben is overjoyed that the girl that had meant so much to him in school has also moved back to town but given up being a doctor and he is determined to help her in any way he can and win her love.

This one is so very romantic and moving Holly is beautiful and so very caring but is also suffering after what she has been through, she loves her nephews Tom and Pat and is concentrating on making their world a better place, in walks Ben who goes out of his way to make her life happy and fill it with love and that spark that has been there since they were in school even though they spent years apart is still there now, more so. You are not going to want to miss this fabulous story so many beautiful emotions, such a beautiful romance in a fabulous setting thank you MS McArthur for sigh worthy story to melt my heart. I do hope there will be more books in this series because Serenity needs her story too 