This was a book that I didn’t want to put down, but life got in the way so many times, but then it was easy to pick back up and fall into the lives of the people living at Turtle Bay on Nautilus Island, there were so many laugh out loud moments, but there were moments when emotions were making Dr Jennifer Kelly re-think her life, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I am sure anyone who picks it up will as well, come and join everyone at Turtle Bay.

Dr Jennifer Kelly is an obstetrician in Manhattan, she is engaged to Richard a neurosurgeon, and life is good, yes. She has been bought up by her grandmother Muriel since being orphaned in Nepal at the age of seven, but life with Muriel means no love and not really getting emotionally involved, she is heading to be top of her field and Richard has their life all planned. Then Jennifer is left a dairy farm on an island in Australia by a grandfather she has never heard of, she and Muriel make the trip with plans to sell up but things might change when she meets the local Doctor as well as the cows and dog she now owns and the surf school.

Jack McLachlan has been back on the island since tragedy took his brother and his wife away, he did grow up there and loved it then but being a top Doctor in Sydney had its bonus’s and he is struggling with all that is happening especially since his friend Henry Kelly passed away, then when his granddaughter Jennifer arrives and hr meets her, he sets out to convince the staid and serious Jenny that she is an Islander and that doctoring, running a dairy farm and a surf school is just what she should be doing.

This is a fabulous book MS Lennox has dug deep into Jack and Jenny’s emotions and bought them to the surface, made them both see things that needed to be seen, I loved Jack from the start, really what a fabulous hero and Jenny wow what she had been through with Muriel and seeing her come to life and learn to love just had me cheering and smiling and then there is Muriel what a lady and all of the other amazing characters that make up the Islanders, this is a story that I highly recommend, it has all the feels and so much laughter and love. Thank you MS Lennox.

‘Joy was a strange concept—something I’d barely considered. Life until now had been about survival and ambition. Joy came somewhere far down the list.’

I cannot begin to tell you how much I loved this book - such a great read. Everything just came together - the writing, the characters, the plot - every opportunity I could, I sat down to escape to Turtle Bay.

Firstly, the characters were fabulous and such a range of stories to tell. Jenny and Jack were, of course, front and centre. However, there were other, just as pertinent stories to be regaled - from Muriel, to Bridget, right down to Drifter the dog. Then there is the island, almost a character in itself, from the aptly named cows to the glorious surf and undulating hills.

Interwoven throughout is a range of engaging tales from both past and present. You will second guess Muriel’s frostiness, your heart will break for Bridget and Jack, with Jenny you will be cheering her right along to be brave and true to herself. There will be everything from babies born, to cows queuing, to yachts cruising to medical dramas that will have you on the edge of your seat.

All of this comes together so seamlessly because of the captivating writing Marion delivers. You too will be wishing for a sea change to Nautilus island, to be part of an amazing community and experience a different kind of life.

‘For part of me was being abandoned right there. It was my disciplined self. It was the part of me that had held me in control for all these years, and it was dissolving into the night air as if it had never existed.’



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

What a fabulous read, I couldn't put it down and unbelievably read this in the one day. I loved every minute of Jennifer's journey to Turtle Bay, discovering where she came from and who she really was. Jack was such a wonderful leading man, I was on his side the whole time, hoping Jennifer would see what truly mattered before it was too late. Muriel, Jennifer's grandma was definitely a one of a kind character who, as the past was slowly revealed became a much more likeable character. Bridget was such a gorgeous child with so much potential. I could go on, all the characters were wonderful, except for Richard, I didn't warm to him at all. And the island Nautilus, that was a character as well, I'd love to live on such a place, I wonder if such a place exists, if so I'd love to find it. An uplifting and feel good novel about finding out who you are and claiming it no matter what.

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

4.5 stars.
Firstly - this was a thoroughly good read. How do I know? Because every chance I had I returned to the story and the people of the island and Turtle Bay.

I loved the island setting, the farm and the cows, the sea and the surf (and surfing), the medical drama and the characters who populated the Australian island - with special mention to Drifter.

I liked how Dr Jennifer arrives on the island just to check out and sell up the legacy inherited from her grandfather. But her values and ideas are about to be turned upside down. With special thanks to Jack and Bridget and the rest of the gang.

Jennifer's grandmother is a rather crotchety remote kind of person, but the more we learn about Muriel the more we appreciate her.

A book I am very happy to highly recommend.