Dr Joanne Tan is a divorced palaeontologist, she's labelled as a hopeless mother by her ex, her son lives at his dads and her work contract hasn’t been renewed, Jo wants to return to Yindi Creek in the Western Plains of Queensland and if she finds the right fossil it will save her career at the Natural History Museum. Jo hires a helicopter to fly them to Corley Station, going with her are sisters Dot and Ethel and they refer to themselves as “The Dirt Girls”, and fingers crossed something looks familiar and they can remember the location of where a suspected fossilized two-legged plant-eating ornithopod with a crocodylomorphs tooth embedded in it was?

Last time she was in town, Jo had a brief fling with a helicopter pilot, Gavin Huxtable, he gave her an apple and she could resist the sight of him in a singlet taking part in a shearing completion. Jo has no idea Hux is part owner of Yindi Creek Chopper Charters, and he’s a successful published graphic novelist, she broke his heart when she left and Jo understands science and not feelings. Trying to find a fossil in the Western Queensland isn’t easy, it’s hot, prone to droughts and floods and it isn’t just the weather and climate Jo has to deal with. A man chartered a flight the day before Jo arrived in town, he’s gone missing, and the police are looking for him and they think Charlie Hux’s business partner and brother-in-law has something to do with his disappearance and Charlie's innocent.

I received a copy of Down The Track by Stella Quinn from Harlequin Australia and NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased and honest review. This book is different to the author’s previous novel, A Home Among the Snow Gums, I devoured them both and I really liked the mystery element to this narrative, the diverse mixture of characters, the possible links to off shore crime in Queensland and well written plot.

My favourite characters were, Jo and Hux, Sal and her stressed out husband Charlie, Maggie the publican, Dot and Ethel, Jo’s son Luke, Possum the three legged dog and writer Gavin Gunn. A hilarious, fascinating and drama filled read. Hux is a hunk and good guy, and who would've thought ancient life, fossils and how sediment forms would be so interesting. With sizzling chemistry, past history, hunting for clues, the possibility of romance and it makes for a five star read.

Down the Track is the story of Jo and Hux as they are thrown back together and sparks will definitely fly! I loved exploring the outback in this true blue Aussie based novel. I am not usually a fan of archaeology but this is written in such a way to make it fun. The cover of the book instantly grabbed my attention because I love dogs and the colour of the sky is stunning. The plot is chock block full of intrigue, mystery and romance all woven together to make the perfect outback Australia book. I feel like this book is slightly different to the authors usual writing but it is just as good!

Stella Quinn perfectly portrays what outback Australia is all about in this feel good rural romance.

Yindi Creek is the perfect back drop to this second chance romance that has the locals playing match maker and showing Dr Joanne Tran that digging up the past isn't always going keep you from facing your truth. Her feelings for Gavin 'Hux' Huxtable and the reason she ran out on him many years ago are things she would rather keep buried.

Told from dual points of view, Down the Track highlights the beauty and harshness of the Australian outback, expertly capturing the essence of rural communities and the colourful characters that reside there.