The Knitting Club at Wagtail Ridge is the second book in the Wagtail Ridge series. I haven't read the first book, but I have read all of Janet Gover’s Coorah Creek series and as they were all 5 star reads. This meant I had high expectations for this book; I can assure you that those expectations have been well and truly met!

The story opens with Bree Johnston walking a way from her high powered legal job. The legal company she worked for was owned by her parents and they fully expected her to become a junior partner; her mother was shocked when Bree said no. Bree follows her own dream - to set up an alpaca farm.

Supported by her grandmother, Rose, Bree finds the perfect property in the small town of Wagtail Ridge, in the Hunter Valley, and very quickly settles in with her small herd.

Max Ambrose is the real estate agent who sold the property to Bree. His agency is struggling but the most important thing in his life is to raise his young daughter Vickie in the country, just as he and the child’s mother had planned before her tragic death to cancer. Unfortunately Vickie’s grandmother wants to play a larger part in her granddaughter’s life and she is increasingly making life very uncomfortable for the little family.

Bree forms a knitting club and the ladies of Wagtail Ridge quickly join and they all quickly become friends. A couple of them deciding to play matchmaker for Bree and Matt. Grandmother Rose soon follows Bree and moves to Wagtail Ridge, she finds her own romance with a shearing boss when his team come to shear the alpaca’s. However, before any happy ever after can occur there is a big heart-rending climax to get through when grief crosses a line and becomes dangerously delusional.

I really enjoyed the story and so want to become part of this lovely little community. There were a lot of themes that were dealt with very sensitively by the author, single parenting, small town life, the dangers of gossip, family issues and grief management.

I loved the alpaca’s and didn’t realise there were different breeds and different fleeces. And I really loved the baby alpacas (crias) and was on the edge of my seat when Sky went into labour with her twins - a rare and dangerous time for the alpaca mum.

I will be keeping an eye out for the next book in the series, hoping that it is Anna’s turn next.

Thank you to Harlequin Australia for providing an advanced copy of this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I had an absolute delight reading *The Knitting Club at Wagtail Ridge* by Janet Gover over the past week. This novel offers a vivid portrayal of life in a quaint Australian country town, capturing the essence of rural living in a way that feels authentic and relatable. I was thoroughly enchanted by the rich character development, the picturesque setting, and the engaging, drama-filled plot. It is sure to entertain readers from all walks of life.

Though this is the second novel set in Wagtail Ridge, it was my first encounter with the series, and I can confidently say that it stands alone quite well. The story introduces us to a colourful cast of characters, each adding depth and relatability to the narrative. One particularly charming aspect is the inclusion of adorable alpacas, whose presence throughout the book adds a delightful layer of interest and cuteness.

However, the story goes beyond lighthearted themes. It delves into more profound subjects such as grief and mental health, which play significant roles in the characters' journeys. Readers should be aware that these themes could be triggering for some, but I believe they serve to illuminate critical issues and may resonate with those seeking understanding or solace in their own experiences.

The romance woven into the plot is gentle and unfolds at a satisfying pace, offering readers a tender exploration of love that complements the more serious elements of the story. This beautifully crafted book encompasses a range of emotions and themes, including love, friendship, understanding, grief, compassion, second chances, community spirit, and the pursuit of dreams. Overall, *The Knitting Club at Wagtail Ridge* is a heartfelt story that celebrates the strength of community and the healing power of connection, making it a truly memorable read.

Wow! I love alpacas which was one reason I was excited about this book; and it turned out I had good reason. With tense moments, several romances and a background of Alpacas - this was a most enjoyable story and i’m looking forward to going back and reading the previous book. Based on the last paragraph of this one, I think it’s safe to say a new book is coming soon as well . Loved the gentle romance and the community feel about Wagtail Ridge, and just the whole book. I’m usually more of a crime reader than romance, but this was great and ticked so many boxes as a reader including a compelling story and engaging characters who quickly made you feel like you knew them personally. While I loved the story of Bree and Matt, I also really enjoyed the character of Rose and her role in the story, that gives promise and hope to older readers.

With thanks to Netgalley and Harlequin Australia for providing an advanced reader copy in exchange for this review. Due out on New Year’s day 2025!

Janet Gover has a wonderful way with words that draws me in to her characters’ lives and their life changing events. From the first page, I was invested and wanted to know more about Bree Johnston, her family conflicts and expectations and her choice to give up her position as a lawyer to raise alpacas and set up a wool shop. She has the support of her grandmother, even if her parents (particularly her mother) are not happy about her decision. Bree is tired of trying to always gain her parents’ approval and decides to stop and pursue her own dreams: make herself happy. But her new found freedom comes with its own sacrifices.

But this story is not only about Bree and her new business. It is also about the community of people she gets to know. There is both friction and synergy as when times are tough— everyone works together to bring about change. We get to see the dynamics of relationships and how with all their differences each person affects the other either positively or negatively at times. Bree has a very positive effect on her community as she starts her new business with her alpacas, knitting classes and wool shop. Her influence also extends to a man and his young daughter who are grieving and stumbling along after the loss of their loved one. Bree’s compassion shines through as she begins to care about and try to help them through a rough time. She even gets to utilise her lawyer background to offer support when needed.

Matt is a real estate agent who finds Bree the perfect property and her grandmother a new flat and shop. He is a loving father to his daughter Vicki, a kind friend to his neighbours, a good knitter! and is drawn to Bree who compliments his characteristics well. Their journey towards each other is gentle and beautifully unfolds. But there are some bumps in the road from external sources plus he must learn to live again after the loss of his great love. Does he have a second chance at another wonderful relationship?

This is a very moving story about the effects of grief. Sally has lost her daughter to cancer two years ago and Matt lost the love of his life and his daughter lost her mother. How they navigate through this minefield of emotions is challenging. Sally begins to unravel and we cannot help but feel sorry for her, along with Matt who tries to be patient but when Sally loses the plot all together, he fears for his daughter’s safety. As the lines between sanity and derangement blur, he is forced into a difficult position.

Bree’s grandmother Rose is another lovely supportive character. I enjoyed the wisdom she offers her granddaughter but also her courage to move forward after the loss of her beloved husband. She has a second chance at love again with a kind gentleman that everyone agrees is a great match.

Growth is also seen in Bree’s parents, too. Little glimpses of change come through—particularly in her mother. Her father continues to hold a fair bit of pride for his daughter and knows she will be a big success in her new venture—even if it is not in the field of law.

I loved this novel and the many topics it covered—which were handled reverently and with great understanding. The pain of family conflicts, the unpredictable effects of grief after loss of a partner, daughter, mother on mental health are seen clearly and realistically on these pages. But there are also positive topics like self-fulfilment, having courage to follow your dreams, fresh beginnings, second chances in relationships and new work directions. Life can begin again after loss of a partner or husband as Matt and Rose learn. This novel just hums along gracefully and effortlessly with scenarios and solutions we can all relate to in one way or another. The importance of friendships, family support and community spirit are evident, too.

I was deeply impressed by the execution, topics, setting and plot of The Knitting Club at Wagtail Ridge. There’s even a bit of danger and mystery that put me on the edge of my seat! A win, win, on all accounts as everything comes together like a beautifully knitted afghan with the various colours, textures and designs of community life and its residents. It has a happy ending as after the labour pains of trauma, new birth springs forth (including adorable baby alpacas!). A novel I highly recommend. 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to HQ and Netgalley for a review copy.

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.