(I received a free copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.)

Nurse Lauren Simpson is known in Hope Junction for the wrong reasons – and she’s over it. Watching the man she’s always loved marry someone else is the last straw – she decides to get out of Hope. But her resolve is tested when the hot new locum doctor arrives in town.
Doctor Tom Lewis also has skeletons in his closet – including a painful breakup and devastating family news. He’s hit the road with his vintage ute and surfboard, to travel the outback and live in the moment.
When Tom and Lauren meet the attraction is instant, but for Lauren Tom threatens to be just another fling and Tom has his own reasons for hesitating. Everyone else – their friends and patients – can see how perfect they are together, but just what will it take for them to admit this to themselves?

*3.5 stars*

As far as a rural romance novel goes, this was okay. Follows a pretty predictable path - woman wants to meet Mr. Right; he arrives with baggage and secrets of his own; a heavy dose of "will they, won't they?"; and the inevitable hook-up. Nothing new but done reasonably well.

What was the highlight of this book - and something I would have liked more of - was the residents of the nursing home where Lauren and Tom work. They were an incredibly lovely and heartbreaking group of people. From Barbara checking out the bum of Tom at every opportunity, to the heartbreaking story of Nancy and Alf, this aspect of the book certainly elevated it past "just a rural romance" novel.


Paul
ARH