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

After her teenage daughter Mia falls in with the wrong crowd, Dr Billie Green decides it's time to leave the city and return home to far western NSW. When an opportunity to pursue her childhood dream of joining the Flying Doctor Service comes along, she jumps at the chance. Flight nurse Daphne Prince – who is thrilled to have another woman join the otherwise male crew – and their handsome new boss, Morgan Blake, instantly make her feel welcome.
Just out of town, drought-stricken grazier Soretta Byrnes has been struggling to make ends meet and in desperation has opened her station house to boarders. Tempted by its faded splendour and beautiful outback setting, Billie, Mia and Daphne decide to move in and the four of them are soon joined by eccentric eighty-year-old Lorna Lamerton.
The unlikely housemates are cautious at first, but soon they are offering each other frank advice and staunch support as they tackle medical emergencies, romantic adventures and the challenges of growing up and getting older. But when one of their lives is threatened, the strong friendship they have forged will face the ultimate test...

*3.5 stars*

Hardship in the Australian Outback, the Royal Flying Doctor Service, friendships forged, romances chased, secrets from the past, and life in a small country town are the main ingredients in the very good Australian Rural Romance novel.

First, I need to congratulate Fiona McArthur on highlighting the tremendous work of the RFDS - an invaluable service in rural and remote Australia. She did a wonderful job bringing that service to the fore and giving them the recognition they so dearly deserve.

Moving on from there, the best thing about this story was the tale of friendship. Billie, Daphne, and Lorna come together perfectly in this story and, throwing Mia in to the mix, the women in this novel are splendid. Each have their own personalities and quirks, they have their own stories to tell, and aren't just there as a sidekick to a handsome man.

Which brings me to the "romance" in this story - Billie and Daphne do have this in their stories, it doesn't overtake the story at all, and it doesn't feel like it was shoe-horned in to fit the "rural romance" genre...

However, the "suspense" side of this story DID feel like that. Shoe-horned into the story to try and add another string to this story's bow...but it just wasn't necessary, in my opinion. The story involving Billie's ex-husband seemed like it just didn't fit and then, after taking time to try and build some form of suspense, the end of that plot fizzed and was overtaken by something far more important in the story...just don't know why it was needed. Really lost some zing...

Overall, however, this is another great addition to the Australian rural romance collection. If you enjoy small town romances and novels of friendships between women, this is definitely one to look at.


Paul
ARH