Bree Johnston has spent years doing what her parents wanted and that’s studying and working as a lawyer and she’s had enough. Bree dreams of setting up an alpaca farm and wool shop, and she finds a property at Wagtail Ridge and she hands in her resignation and leaves Sydney as soon as possible. Her grandmother Rose taught her to knit as a child and she’s her biggest supporter and encourages Bree to follow her dreams.

Matt Ambrose is the real estate agent in Wagtail Ridge, his business struggling and he has a young daughter Vicki to support. He wants Vicki to grow up in the country and how he and his deceased partner Kim had planned. But her parents and especially her mother Sally, ignores the boundaries Matt has in place, she visits Vicki out of the blue and buys her presents that aren’t suitable for a child her age, Matt's tried to be understanding and tolerant and it’s getting out of hand and he’s not sure what to do about it.

Bree starts the Wagtail Ridge Knitting Club, it’s a mixture of knitters and all levels, and they sit around, have a chat and a cuppa and soon Rose find herself spending more time in the country town than in Sydney. The ladies in the group think Bree and Matt would be prefect for each other and Rose meets Mike Stowe whose a shearer and he makes her heart flutter and it proves you’re never too old to fall in love.

I received a copy of The Knitting Club at Wagtail Ridge from NetGalley and Harlequin Australia in exchange for an honest review. This is the second novel set in Wagtail Ridge by Janet Gover, it’s fun catching up with familiar characters, and meeting new ones like Bree, Matt, Rose and Vicki. A thought provoking, sensitive and well written narrative about changing careers, learning new skills and taking risks, small towns and living in one, fresh starts and the possibility of romance, grief and getting help for someone who's not coping.

Most of all it’s about alpacas, I learnt about the different breeds, caring for them, pregnancy and what the babies are called, their fleece and how it can be used and people will pay to interact with them and take one for a walk. The next time I drive past alpaca's in a paddock where I live and I will smile, and think of Bree and her flock in Wagtail Ridge and they seemed real to me. The perfect story from lovers of Australian rural romantic fiction and animals and five stars from me. I hope the next book in the series is about vet Anna Prentiss and please write another novel Janet Gover.

I had the pleasure of reading The Knitting Club at Wagyail Ridge as an ARC, and as someone who adores romances set in the Australian countryside, this story truly resonated with me. Janet Gover has a way of capturing the essence of rural Australia, weaving together a narrative that feels both authentic and heartwarming.

The setting of Wagyail Ridge is beautifully portrayed, evoking the rugged yet inviting landscapes that make the Aussie countryside so enchanting. The knitting club itself adds a unique and comforting touch to the story. It serves as a lovely backdrop for exploring friendship, community, and, of course, romance. Watching the characters bond over shared interests while confronting personal challenges made for a truly engaging read.

The romance is sweet and slow-building, fitting perfectly within the novel’s cozy, small-town atmosphere. Gover’s storytelling brings the charm of country life to life and highlights the warmth of close-knit communities, making it easy to get swept away in the lives of the characters.

For anyone who loves Australian romance with a dose of warmth and authenticity, The Knitting Club at Wagyail Ridge is a delightful escape. It’s a perfect blend of love, friendship, and community spirit set against a backdrop that feels like home.