I loved this fabulous debut story, set in the outback of Australia, it made me feel like I was on the huge cattle station, Karilga in Queensland and I loved getting to know Ryan and Hallie and the fabulous people who live and work there, come along for a fabulous journey to a beautiful HEA.

Hallie Harris, musician and teacher decides it is time to get as far away from the city as she can when she discovers what her boyfriend Clarke has been hiding, she finds an advertisement for a teacher at a remote cattle station and applies and is soon flying to the outback, even though flying is not her favourite past time. She is not looking for love but when she arrives and meets helicopter pilot and cowboy Ryan Walker well her heart does speed up, but Hallie is determined to enjoy her teacher position and get to know the kids and put the past behind her.

Ryan Walker is quiet and he loves his job mustering cattle in his helicopter he has worked at Karilga and is very popular member of the team, he is best friends with Jackson son of the owner, but when the new teacher arrives Ryan feels a pull like never before, but so does Jackson and Jackson is determined to win Hallie will Ryan sit back and allow Jackson to win or will he push for what he really wants.

It doesn’t take long before Ryan and Hallie give into their feelings but they must keep it on the quiet for the time being, there are things happening at the station that will put a spanner in the works between them, will they be able to overcome them and find the love and happiness that they truly deserve?

This is a wonderful story, so well written, MS Black has described living on an outback cattle station so well and the characters are strong and so easy to make friends with, both Ryan and Hallie had a vulnerability about them but they were strong and open about their pasts and their future even if it took a bit for them to realise it, I do highly recommend this one and am looking forward to MS Black’ next book.

My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for my copy to read and review.

This is an easy read with an interesting outback setting.

I really enjoyed the outback station storyline but a couple of things didn’t quite ring true to me.
The crocodile seemed out of place to me and made me question where the property was - given they travelled to the Birdsville races.
The main character Hallie being able to fix all the machinery, cook, sing and play guitar like a star… yet she couldn’t talk to Ryan and ask a fairly simple question IMO.
The thing I didn’t like the most was Ryan using violence when he got angry.

That being said, it was an OK story, and I’d be keen to see a follow up with Paige, or even Jackson… just don’t go back down the miscommunication line.

I really enjoyed ‘On The Down Low’, a wonderful easy read with an amazing setting!
The landscape of the Australian Outback gives off an emotional feel and a longing to live amongst it! The storyline and characters are warm and believable, there is a sense of family and community.
Hallie immerses herself into life on an outback station, leaving behind a bad experience, she’s happy to be a part of the family of workers! I love the team spirit, the characters all have their role to play.
Ryan, the helicopter pilot and Jackson the owner’s son both welcome Hallie and help her settle into living on the land!
I’m sure there’s a series waiting to be written!

Thanks to Escape Publishing, NetGalley and Renae Black for the opportunity to read this book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

As someone who dreams of traveling to Australia one day, I was very excited to be transported to the outback while reading this book. Renae Black's descriptions helped me feel as though I was really there and a part of the story. One thing I didn't feel was the characters being Australian. I had hoped for more authentic sounding Australian talk than I saw.

I also really enjoyed the roles of the main characters - teacher and helicopter pilot. While I can't say that either of these characters really stood out to me too much, I felt they worked well in the story and I liked the romance between them.

Overall, this story felt like an average read. There were aspects I really enjoyed, but mostly, I felt this was a pretty predictable story like most other romance novels, with the addition of a few certain elements. I felt the author's writing was really nice, though, and I look forward to see what she writes next!

On The Down Low by Renae Black

This book reminded me of Mils and Boon stories that I read decades ago – the ones that took place in the Australian Outback made a huge impression and this book took me back to some of those wonderful stories. Ms. Black has a way with words that paints a picture of the landscape and people that have chosen this barren but beautiful place to live and someday, I hope to visit.

The story was well written, the plot well planned, the characters well fleshed out, and the story believable – and predictable but in being predictable it was also comfortable. Hallie was likable, a good teacher, invested in her job, friendly, had a backstory that impacted her choices, and finally seemed to come into her own. Ryan was quiet, observant, a skilled helicopter pilot, lost his parents early, hard worker, and a good friend. The trouble that Hallie and Ryan had getting together were primarily based on assumptions made and the reaction of not talking rather than openly communicating to clear the air. And, though frustrating for them, and for me, many times communication is not as easy as we might want it to be.

The people on the station were supportive, open, giving, worked as a team, and there for one another. The heir apparent, Jackson, seemed entitled and selfish at times but might have been immature and under pressure from his father – he would be a good person for another book if the author decided to make this into a series. Another person that would do well in a book of her own – or with Jackson – is Ryan’s friend, Paige.

The story was filled with challenges that Hallie had to face were both personal and professional. I liked her. I was glad that Ryan came through for Hallie and himself by the end of the story.

I think that what I liked most about this book was feeling as if I were on the cattle station with Hallie and learning right along with her as she settled in. I see that this author has potential and believe her story telling will only improve over time.

Thank you to NetGalley and Escape Publishing for the ARC – this is my honest review.

3-4 Stars

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.

The book follows Hallie who leaves the city when she discovers that her boyfriend that she is madly in love with is married (and not to her or for some odd reason ) to take a job in the Australian outback. While on the ranch , she meets Ryan and his son Jackson who quickly become a part of her ecosystem. The book's plot was okay but the miscommunication was quite a lot and I felt the character could be more likeable and the romance a little more angsty. But overall it was quite an okay read.

Actual rating: 2.75

GAH…I hate this. I want to give On Down Low a higher rating, but I just can’t justify it. And the reason why is starting with the general synopsis (which is the general storyline for hundreds of other books).

When Hallie discovers her boyfriend of a year and a half is already married AND expecting a baby, she flees the big city for a teaching job in a remote part of Australia. Once on the ranch, she meets helicopter pilot Ryan, along with owner’s son Jackson, and quickly finds the life she never knew she needed as part of the found family who lives on the ranch.

There were some good things about this book. The dialogue is great and sprinkled with enough humor to keep things fun. The author also did a great job with descriptions about the land and the ranch. I love when I’m able to see a book location in my head when I’m reading about someplace I’ve never been.

But all those descriptions came at a cost. This is not a story that moves along at a quick pace, nor does it grab you and pull you in.

However, my greatest issue was the constant one step forward, two steps back with the hero and heroine’s relationship. I’m all for a shy, reluctant hero, but when push comes to shove you have to talk. Hallie and Ryan would flirt, then have a miscommunication and one of them would get mad.. Kiss, have another miscommunication, and the other one would get hurt. Spend the night together, miscommunicate…or not talk at all…and make incorrect assumptions. And we ALL know what happens when you assume things.

This could have been a sweet story but I ended up being too frustrated with characters who wouldn’t talk, constantly assumed the worst, and created way more drama for themselves than was necessary. At this point in my reading journey I don’t have the patience for characters who are adults but behave like teenagers.

That being said, I think this was a solid debut book and I’d definitely be interested in reading more from this author - especially if she takes us back to Karilga Station.

* thank you to NetGalley and Escape Publishing for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review

I couldn't really get into this book. While the descriptions of the outback and the working farm were interesting, I didn't feel the attraction between Hallie and Ryan. Their relationship seemed tepid. I felt there was more emotion between Hallie and the twin boys she was tutoring.

I really enjoyed this debut novel by Renae Black. The descriptions of the outback and workings of a cattle station were interesting and really brought the story to life for me.

The characters are relatable even if their lack of communication was frustrating. Hallie has had a lot of rejection in her life, so is wary to trust. Ryan has always avoided conflict and makes sure to put everyone else's needs before his own. They eventually muddle through and open the communication channels between them but not without drama first.

The storyline has been done before, but it is done well here so if you enjoy rural romance stories, then you should enjoy this too.

I'd really enjoy another book set on the same station to see Jackson's future - and then possibly one for Paige.

I just did not love this book. I couldn't get into it at all. Such a bummer because I was really really excited. I couldn't finish it and DNF'd at 25%.

Hallie runs from a City because of a broken heart to a remote cattle station. The story is interesting with all of the findings about how the station works. Both Hallie and Ryan are interesting, it is just a bit frustrating to see how Hallie reacts to Ryan's friends, and that they at first don't communicate or talk things out.
I volunteered to review an ARC of this book for NetGalley

3/5 ⭐

I decided to read this book on NetGalley.

Tropes:
- Secret relationship
- Hero
- If you touch her, I'll kill you
- MMC has golden retriever energy
- Miscommunication

TW (it's mention): parent loss, alcoholism, infidelity.

This book explores the relationship between Ryan, a proper cowboy, and Hallie, a city girl.

I really liked the bonding between them. Hallie has some trust issues because her ex boyfriend "cheated" on her and Ryan is so quiet that the start of their relationship is a little bit complicated.

The side characters are great. I'd love to hear anything else from Jackson (I think he would be a perfect main character).

I didn't like the conflict. There's three problems through the book: Clarke, Hallie's ex boyfriend, Paige, Ryan's best friend, and Ryan's insecurities. All of these can be grouped into miscommunication and insecurities. And they are solved so quickly.

The book is so short but it's a relaxing and fun read!