After working as a lawyer in the family firm, Bree quits to follow her dream: Alpaca Farming. After finding an ideal property in Wagtail Ridge, she quickly finds a new way of life with her Alpacas and the people of the Ridge, including Matt and Vicki who are struggling after the loss of their wife and mother. Will Bree's new life be everything she wanted or will she have to return to the law? A great story.

This rural romance, set in the Australian Outback, is such a delight to read. The characters are great and I know so much more about alpacas now than I knew before.
I’m looking forward to the next book set in Wagtail Ridge.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

EXCERPT: When Bree reached The Gums, the gate was locked. Leaving her engine idling, she got out of the car and pulled the key ring Matt had given her from her bag. Looking down at the keys, she felt a moment of panic. This had been her dream for as long as she could remember.
These past few years of hard, hated work had been all about getting to this moment. She was proud and eager, and suddenly a little frightened. Could she do this? When Matt had handed her those keys, she had gone from being a successful Sydney lawyer to being a farmer. The first she knew she could do, but the second? She wasn't at all sure she could be that.

ABOUT 'THE KNITTING CLUB AT WAGTAIL RIDGE': These ladies know a perfect match when they see one...

Bree Johnston has given up trying to be the perfect lawyer. It's time to focus on her own dreams, so she decides to leave the city and set up an alpaca farm and wool shop. Her grandmother Rose might be her only supporter, but that's fine. Bree's done trying to win her parents' approval.

She finds the perfect property in the charming small town of Wagtail Ridge but gets more than she bargained for when sparks start flying with the handsome real estate agent.

Being a dad is the most important thing in Matt Ambrose's life. His small agency is struggling, but he's committed to raising his young daughter, Vicki, in the country, the way he and her late mother had planned. But Vicki's grandmother wants to take control, and her interference is only getting worse, putting his little family at risk.

Although these two have a lot on their plates, the ladies of the newly formed Wagtail Ridge Knitting Club know a perfect match when they see one. Or rather two perfect matches, when shearing boss Mike walks onto Bree's farm and into her grandmother's life. With needles, yarn and cups of tea to hand, the matchmaking begins...

MY THOUGHTS: The Knitting Club at Wagtail Ridge is a wonderfully heartwarming Australian rural romance with just a touch of suspense and drama. I fell in love with both the characters in this charming read and the setting.

This is the first novel I have read set in Wagtail Ridge but not the first I have read by this author. I'll certainly be seeking out the first.

There are all the characters to be expected in a small-town setting - local business owners, the local pub, and the local gossip who manages to cause more than a little trouble! I love the sense of community that Gover conveys.

Bree and her Nan, Rose, are wonderful characters. Bree has walked out on her old city life and taken the chance, and the risk, of following her dreams. Nan Rose has followed her, just to keep an eye on her granddaughter but soon finds that Wagtail Ridge has much to offer her, too.

Matt is a widower, still mourning the loss of his wife Kim to cancer and doing his best to bring up their daughter on his own. Vicki is his young daughter and bonds instantly with Bree over the Alpacas she is farming. But Vicki's grandmother sees Bree as a threat to what remains of her family and will stop at nothing to keep Matt and Bree apart and Vicki away from Bree.

The climax is tense and suspenseful on more than one front, and I read it with my heart in my mouth.

Janet Gover is now a firm favorite author of mine and I can't wait to for her next book.

⭐⭐⭐⭐.5

#TheKnittingClubatWagtailRidge #NetGalley

MEET THE AUTHOR: I grew up surrounded by books. Both my parents loved to read and they shared that love with me. In the tiny Australian bush town where we lived, there wasn’t a lot to do except read and ride my ponies.

As it’s pretty hard to make a living out of riding ponies, I guess I was always going to be a writer.

I travel a lot – and many years ago in Hong Kong, I met an Englishman with green eyes – which explains why I now live in London. My travels inspire me – but it seems that when I write, I often come back to the place I grew up.

Some things you never leave behind. (Source: janetgover.com)

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Harlequin Australia, HQ & MIRA, via NetGalley for providing a digital ARC of The Knitting Club at Wagtail Ridge by Janet Gover for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.

This is such a beautiful story, so many emotions flying from the pages and set in such a beautiful small town, one that we have visited before and I loved being back there, will Wagtail Ridge be the perfect place for Sydney lawyer Bree Johnston to set up her Alpaca farm and Wool Shop this is something she has dreamed of for many years and now the time has come and when the very handsome real estate agent in Wagtail Ridge Matt Ambrose finds her the best place, The Gums Bree makes the biggest change in her life.

Arriving in her new home, Bree is thrilled to start this new life, being a lawyer was always to please her parents not her and she has a lot of support from her grandmother Rose, The Gums needs a little work but soon her Alpacas are arriving, meeting the residents of Wagtail Ridge is so good they are all so supportive of her and Matt well he and his beautiful daughter Vicki are soon making their way into her heart, even though it is not what she was looking for and neither was Matt.

Matt lost his wife two years ago and is doing all he can to bring Vicki up the way the both wanted too, making ends meet is not always easy and then there is his mother in law who is doing her best to take over and interfering in their lives way too much, Matt knows that she is grieving and has not come to terms with the loss of her daughter and as caring as he is it might be time to make some changes with her visits. He is feeling a pull to Bree one that he thought he might never feel again, is it time to put the past behind and look to the future?

Matt and Bree’s feelings are growing everyday as Vicki is so in love with the Alpacas and is keen to spend time with them and Bree, and the ladies of Wagtail Ridge and the new knitting club that Bree has started are keen matchmakers and they are doing their best to push them together, will they find the love and happiness that they so deserve? Adding to that Rose decides that she should move to the small town as well especially after meeting the shearer Mike, two romances in one book, yay.

I loved this story so very much truly Bree and Matt are just the best couple, caring, loving and beautiful inside and out, I loved Vicki she is such a great character and you cannot help but love the Alpacas and their Ciria (babies), this is a story that takes in grieving and how it effects people and yes I cried here and there and shed many happy tears at the end, I do highly recommend this one and I truly hope that there are more visits to Wagtail Ridge.

My thanks to Harlequin AU and Netgalley for my digital copy to read and review.

The Knitting Club at Wagtail Ridge is a heartwarming read from Australian author Janet Gover. The story contains many well written characters plus a well detailed farm and its alpacas. Highly recommended for those looking for a cosy summer read.

Bree Johnston had promised her parents she'd practice law at their family firm for five years, which she had more than done. But she was through. Her parents, especially her mother, weren't happy Bree was leaving, but Bree's dream of owning a farm and running alpacas on it was coming closer to fruition every day. Finding the perfect farm - The Gums - at Wagtail Ridge in the Hunter Valley of NSW, and getting it prepared for her animals took a lot of Bree's time. And forming the Wagtail Ridge Knitting Club saw Bree making new friends; even her Nan from Sydney - her biggest supporter - joined her every week for the knitting class.

Matt Ambrose had struggled to bring up his young six year old daughter, Vicki, in the past two years since his beloved wife, and Vicki's mother, had passed away. He was Wagtail Ridge's real estate agent, and while managing on a shoe string, he always had time for Vicki, putting her first in everything. But when Sally, Vicki's grandmother, began interfering, Matt wasn't sure which way to turn. Until Bree, in her guise as a lawyer, gave Matt some advice. And Vicki also fell in love with the alpacas at Bree's farm. Her delight was a joy to watch...

The Knitting Club at Wagtail Ridge is another wonderfully heartwarming read by Aussie author Janet Gover which I totally loved! So many excellent, well formed characters plus the farm and its alpacas, and of course Vicki - a delightful child - filled the covers of this book. I've read almost all of this author's work, and loved them all. Highly recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley & HQ Fiction for my digital ARC to read and review.

I love the Wagtail Ridge community created by author Janet Gover and was excited to see The Knitting. Club At Wagtail Ridge added to the collection of stories set there. This book is a warm and heartfelt story of second chances and family and it was lovely to see a collection of alpacas included in the storyline. I loved the central characters. Bree Johnston has worked for five years as a lawyer in her family firm and is on the fast track to financial success, but Bree has never dreamed of following a career in law and as the story opens, she is preparing to set up her own alpaca breeding operation. Bree is clearly a farmer at heart and it was easy to see that she fell in love with both her new property, The Gums, and the town of Wagtail Ridge. I admired her work ethic and her can-do attitude as she took on her new enterprise and tackled tasks she’d never experienced before. I also loved her community spirit and her close relationship with Rose, her grandmother. It’s clear that Bree has a strained relationship with her corporate lawyer parents and I hoped as the story progressed that this would change. Meanwhile, Matt, the Wagtail Ridge real estate agent who sold Bree her property, makes an excellent love interest. Widowed two years earlier and raising his six year-old daughter Vicki, Matt is still struggling with the loss of Kim, his first love, whom he still loves very much. He’s a wonderful man, whom I wanted to succeed in both love and work. A secondary thread to this story is the budding romance between Rose and Mike, the shearer who takes care of Bree’s herd. There is lots to love about this story which is at times emotional and yet still delivers the warm fuzzy feelings in spades. My only slight criticism is that as an alpaca breeder myself, I could not believe that Bree’s herd was being hand fed morning and night. Mine are lucky to get a hand feed once a week and certainly are not starving. I’d like to have known the reason behind such frequent feeds because from the description of The Gums, it sounded as though there was more than enough to eat. Still, this is acute story that brought a smile to my face and is sure to bring one to yours.

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.