3.5 stars

This story has a lovely story line, vulnerable hero and bright and bubbly heroine who is always there for everyone not matter her own heartbreak, country vet and lovely country setting, a very good debut.

Ross Harrington is a country vet who feels he is not good enough for anyone, but he loves the animals he treats and throwing himself into his work after a tragic event when he was a young child is the life he sets himself, that is until he meets Flick and her dog Ted.

Flick Parker is an artist and teacher but her love is helping children who are going through really hard times and are in Koala Cottage at the local hospital, Flick volunteers here daily keeping the spirits of the kids up no matter her own heartbreak that one of those patients is her own sister.

When Flick takes her dog Ted for his vaccinations she meets handsome vet Ross and there is a spark but getting Ross to open up is very hard but Flick never gives up and when Ross is hurt at a polocrosse meeting and it seems on purpose Ross and Flick work together to put an end to the trouble.

The book was a bit slow in the start and I think Ross showed a lot of guilt throughout the story, maybe a little too much, but Flick was the heroine he needed to get him to open up and find happiness and the ending was lovely, this as I said has a lovely story line and I do look forward to more stories from this author.

My thanks to Escape and Netgalley for my copy to read and review.

This was a great story. I read this book in one sitting. I really loved the story line as it has a vet and horse in which is a big plus for me. Also that it was set in Australia. I loved the characters and they developed well throughout the story. I especially loved Flick as she was fun and enthusiastic. I was a little slower to warm to Ross and the past coming back to haunt him was a bit full on. This book was both heartbreaking and heartwarming in equal measures. I thought the book was fairly well wrote as some parts were a little overdue. But that didn't impact my reading experience that much it just lost a star. This was a slow building romance book as you got to know the characters back story. Then it moved into a medium pace and reminded there for the duration. I also need to mention just how much I loved the title and cover it really drew me into choosing this book to read. I recommend reading this book if you love slow burning stories that like to play with your emotions. 

So much praise goes out to the author and publishers for creating this lovely page turning novel. 

The above review has already been placed on goodreads, waterstones, Google books, Barnes&noble, kobo and amazon UK where found and my blog https://ladyreading365.wixsite.com/website/post/the-lonely-paddock-by-laurelle-cousins-escape-publishing-4-stars either under my name or ladyreading365

The Lonely Paddock is a delightful Australian rural romance set in and around the Victorian town of Ballarat.
I liked the two main characters in this story. Ross Harrington is a focused young vet, who likes structure and order in all aspects of his life. He carries a massive burden of guilt towards his parents and this seems to influence many of his actions. Personally I felt the guilt was a bit overdone in this story. I didn’t think I, as a reader, needed reminding about it quite as much as was the case but, that aside, I did like Ross. He’s a thoroughly decent bloke and a vet I’d be happy to have treat any of my animals.
Felicity Parker is an artist. She’s a bit ditsy, owns a completely out-of-control dog named Ted, talks a lot, smiles a lot, and has made it her mission in life to get other people to smile. She has a heart of gold and I particularly loved the way she interacted with the children in Koala Cottage.
This story was entertaining and enjoyable though I found the start a bit slow courtesy of long and convoluted sentences. These largely disappeared as I read on, and the pace picked up.

The Lonely Paddock by Laurelle Cousins is a romance but is crowded with so much else, it's hard to recognize sometimes. Ross Harrington was a very successful veterinarian who was riddled with guilt for the death of his brother Tim, when he was three years old and Tim was two. He believed in his heart that he had caused his brother's death and hence didn't deserve anyone's love. He was, in a word, morose. He was, however, very good-looking. One day this amazing woman, Flick (Felicity), who had the brightest hair and smile ever, brought her dog in and began to change him and consequently, his life. Flick is an artist, could be a teacher . . . she had the credentials, but instead worked in a coffee shop. She didn't know what she wanted to do. She was kind of a free spirit and so was her dog: totally untrained and unrestrained. A friendship began to develop and took them all kinds of places, with all kinds of people involved.

My heart went out to Ross and the burden he carried. It was nonsense, but that didn't make it any less painful. He was three years old for heaven's sake. When he finally got up the courage to tell his parents (at Flick's urging) they told him the same thing. If anything, it was their fault for not watching. It was like the sun coming out, for Ross and for the reader. He was a complicated, well-written character with all kinds of depth aside from this one. Flick was not quite what she appeared. She was not brainless but she was irredeemably optimistic. She works with dying children, eventually deciding she wanted to make it a career. It was a lovingly told story. Plenty of subplots and other characters to make it interesting. It is well worth the read.

I was invited to read a free e-ARC of The Lonely Paddock by Escape Publishing, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #netgalley #escapepublishing #laurellecousins #thelonelypaddock

This is a sweet, tender and poignant romance. Ross lives his life in the shadow of a tragedy that occurred when he was a toddler. His guilt, shame and feelings of unworthiness lead him to shun love even from his family. He has told himself that his veterinarian work is a way to give back and honour the past, and that it is enough to fill his days. At least until the day Felicity (Flick) lands almost at his feet after her unruly and rambunctious dog all but drags her into his veterinary office. Beyond her attractive facade and glorious red hair, Flick is just one giant, compassionate heart walking on legs. Her kindness, compassion and cheerful attitude draw people to her, even Ross with his tortured soul and broken heart. Flick is not without her own troubles and losses, as a big part of her life revolves around caring for seriously or terminally ill children. She chooses to face life head on, bringing joy, cheer and comfort with her wherever she goes. .The handsome, competent and rather quiet veterinarian with the sad eyes simply calls to her heart. Ross gives her the number of an obedience trainer for her dog, then asks her to come watch a polycrosse game in which he and his horse will be participating. He doesn’t know why he asked her to come or why she stirs something within him that feels like hope. When an malicious foe causes trouble, they both try to help and protect the other. From then on, their interactions become part a push pull pattern. Some days he is trying to pull her close and others he is pushing her away, unable to feel worthy of her love, respect and presence in his life. Flick does her very best to help him let go of the pain that has haunted him for years, to open his heart to love and joy, but are her efforts working? Do they have a future together or will there be only more heartbreak?

I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

This is a Romance. I found this book to be so slow moving which drove me so crazy. I just wanted the book to pick up the pace and get to the point. I also found that the same stuff keeps being talked about. The characters were ok. I ended up DNFing this book because the pace and the repetition of information was driving me crazy which stopped me getting pulled into the book. I received an ARC of this book. This review is my own honest opinion about the book like all my reviews are.

I loved this sweet romance about second chances and forgiveness. I finished this one in a day. I think this will be a reread.

I received an arc from NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.
This was a very heart wrenching story. Both characters are dealing with major heart breaking issues and Flick tries to break through to Ross and help him open his heart again.
Flick had a really beautiful spirit and was so caring to those around her. Ross was subdued and tried to keep people at arms length.
Sometimes it was a little difficult to follow but it did bring me to tears a few times
3.5 stars.