The book beautifully captures the essence of rural life, with a rich setting in the small Australian town of Ashe Ridge. I loved the different tropes woven into the story, particularly the theme of mending hearts. Whether it’s Mila’s emotional journey to save her family farm or the second chance romance between her grandparents, this story is full of heartwarming moments. 💖

The story: Mila Hayes will do anything to save her family’s farm, even if it means marrying the wrong man. But when her groom backs out at the last minute, and her childhood crush, Sawyer, witness her humiliation, her world falls apart. Sawyer, now a successful land broker, has his own painful past, but he’s determined to help Mila, even if she’s too proud to accept it.

Meanwhile, Mila’s grandmother, Adelaide, returns after 14 years, ready to confront her own past with her estranged husband, Jack.

The two interconnected love stories—Mila and Sawyer’s second chance romance, alongside Adelaide and Jack’s bittersweet reunion—had me turning pages faster than I expected! 📖

This is a perfect read for fans of second chances, small-town romance, and stories that beautifully balance light-hearted moments with emotional depth. I adored how Nicola Marsh brings complex issues like depression, learning disabilities, and financial hardship to the forefront, giving the characters a genuine sense of growth and resilience.

If you love heartwarming romance with a touch of drama and humour, Where the Heart Is is an absolute must-read. 💫

Thanks to NetGalley, Harlequin Australia, and the author for the chance to read this book.

This is a story about second chances. I was so drawn into the story and the way the land was depicted. It made it easy to understand why Mila was willing to go to such lengths to protect her land.

I enjoyed the story of Adelaide and Jack and the way we got to know them.

The story was quick to read, and I didn't want to put it down.

Where the Heart Is by Nicola Marsh is an excellent book - a page turner and was hard to put down.

Set in the small outback town of Ashe Ridge, the story opens with Mila about to marry her neighbour, it is not a love match but a marriage of convenience - he gets to use her land, and she gets money to pay of her overdraft and develop her farm stay cottages. Within a few pages this agreement is shattered as the groom-to-be calls off the wedding as he has fallen in love via a dating app. Mila hits rock bottom with despair and it is made worse when her childhood crush, Sawyer, witnesses her breakdown. Mila is proud and won’t admit to anyone how close she is to losing everything. She loves her farm, and is fiercely independent; she feel that every one she loved has abandoned her, parents, grandmother, brother and Sawyer. So when Sawyer says he can help her keep her farm by legally arranging things for her to sell off a parcel of land no strings attached she grabs the offer. But the path to love does not run smoothly. Sawyer has his own issues which was why he left Ashe Ridge as soon as he finished High School and Mila’s issues are what kept her there. These issues need to be overcome and, of course, they are. And speaking of issues, there is also a wonderful back story about whether love can be rekindled between Mila's grandparents When after running away fourteen years previously, Mila’s grandmother returns for the wedding that’s not going to happen.

Nicola Marsh is a brilliantly evocative writer and has brought the small Australian country town alive through the pages. She draws us into a community where everyone knows everyone else, and stories spreads quickly whether they are true or not, and memories of events often differ. I love her work and recommend this book, as well as her others.

Mila Hayes spent most of her childhood on her grandparent’s farm in Ashe Ridge and there is not much that she will not do to keep it now that it is hers, her brother Will left town as soon as his last exams were over and after she finished hers her grandmother left as well, Mila and her grandfather kept everything going until he sold the farm to her, but things are not easy being a lentil farmer and Mila is making it into a farm stay as well, but she needs a money injection and if that means marrying her older neighbour then so be it but when Sawyer Mann best friend of her brother and the guy she has always had a crush on arrives for the wedding just after her humiliation, Mila is wondering what to do, trust doesn’t come easy to Mila.

Sawyer is determined to help Mila in anyway he can but she is so independent, helping her is not going to be easy being a land broker he sets out to help, but will it all be thrown back in his face as they both can no longer resist the spark and electricity the arcs between them, if and probably when his secrets comes out will he be able to convince her how much he loves her?

Adelaide Hayes returns home to Ashe Ridge for her granddaughter’s wedding after leaving her husband, Jack fourteen years ago, it is time to sort out their past but when she knocks on Jack’s door so many emotions fly through her and Jack himself is stunned to see Addy on his doorstep after all of these years, could there be any chance that talking about the past could bring them back together, because it certainly feels like the spark is still there.

Two lovely romances both with characters that were very easy to get to know and love Mila and Sawyer are a perfect match in my eyes but there are a few ups and downs before they get there and Addy and Jack a lot to get out in the open for them, this is one that I do highly recommend to any lover of a good rural romance, and I am very much hoping that we will be back in Ashe Ridge to see Will get his.

My thanks to Harlequin AU for my ARC to read and review.

**Where the Heart Is**
by Nicola Marsh

The intertwining love stories are beautifully portrayed, capturing the essence of second chances and the transformative power of love. Mila and Sawyer's journey is a poignant exploration of overcoming past pain and finding hope in new beginnings. Meanwhile, Adelaide and Jack's story is a touching testament to the enduring nature of true love, even after years of separation.

Mila Hayes is fiercely dedicated to preserving her family’s cherished farm, Hills Homestead, even if it means marrying a man who isn’t right for her. When her fiancé backs out at the last minute, Sawyer Mann, her teenage crush and her brother's best friend, witnesses her humiliation.

Now a high-powered land broker with a charismatic presence, Sawyer returns to Ashe Ridge after years of fleeing from painful memories. Unexpectedly drawn to Mila’s authenticity and resilience, he finds himself captivated by the woman he once knew.

Meanwhile, Adelaide Hayes, who left her cantankerous husband, Jack Hayes, fourteen years ago to chase her dreams beyond their rural life, is back in Ashe Ridge for a significant family event—her granddaughter's wedding. The town echoes with memories as she encounters Jack once more. Both have changed, yet the unresolved tension and unfinished business between them remain palpable. How will they confront their past and what choices will they make when faced with each other again after all these years?

Where the Heart Is is a heartwarming read that showcases Nicola Marsh's talent for weaving intricate love stories set against the backdrop of a quaint Australian town. It's a must-read for fans of romance and anyone who believes in the power of love and second chances.

Gorgeous cover and a gorgeous story. You actually get two for the price of one!

I do love a brothers best friend romance, and this one is no exception, especially with a headstrong country girl to contend with.
As for the bonus romance, I dont always love a second chance romance, but this one was sweet.

There were no tears from me, which I do like in a rural romance, but it's a solid and satisfying read.

Mila Hayes is a lentil framer, she will do anything to keep the family property Hills Homestead, including a marriage of convenience and her groom changes his mind. Mila can’t believe she’s been jilted on her wedding day, her brother Will’s best friend and her teenage crush Sawyer Mann arrives at the worse moment and while she's throwing a massive tantrum.

Sawyer departed Ashe Ridge on the day he finished high school and is now a successful land broker in Melbourne and promises to help her. Sawyer has a soft spot for Hills Homestead and Mila and is she too stubborn and proud to accept his assistance?

Adelaide Hayes left her husband Jack and Ashe Ridge fourteen years ago and she returns for granddaughter Mila’s wedding. To say Adelaide feels flustered when she sees Jack for the first time is an understatement, and he's a different person, not the distant, work alcoholic she remembers and who took all she did for granted and made her feel unloved and undesirable.

I received a copy of Where the Heart Is by Nicola Marsh from Harlequin Australia and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This is Ms. Marsh’s fifth Australian rural romance, the stunning cover, with the purple flowers and good looking bloke and the quote “ what makes a place a home” on the front cover grabs the reader’s attention and the narrative doesn’t let it go and this will happen to everyone who picks up a copy.

The story is just as memorable as the cover, it explains what it’s like to live in a small Australian country town, for some they like the close-knit community, knowing everyone and others it’s smothering and they leave as soon as their old enough. I really liked the subjects and topics included in the narrative, such as the way farmers feel about their land, it’s not just dirt, and the ties that bind them to it. The sentiments and emotions the characters felt and for example, wanting to be independent, teenage crushes and when a marriage is over and can you find the spark again, learning difficulties and depression, and what makes a place a home and that’s history, memories and love.

Five stars from me, Where the Heart Is made me laugh out loud and I have massive crush on Sawyer and some of the quotes will stay with me, and the main one has to do with a nun and a bum and Nicola Marsh has a way with words and can she please write a sequel about Mila’s brother Will.