This started out promising, but never really got off the ground. The pacing was off-- it took too long for Sam and Kimberly's relationship to develop. I did not feel any sparks between them. I also found it beyond the bounds of belief that a ministry would send Kimberly all the way to Australia to get Sam back because they couldn't find a suitable replacement, or that Sam and his sister couldn't find anyone else other than Kimberly to help them with financials on their farm. The obstacles and disagreements between Sam and Kimberly were overall contrived. The writing itself was good, but not good enough to uphold the flaws in characterization and plot.

Thank you to Netgalley and Thomas Nelson for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I wasn’t crazy about Jessica Kate’s first book, Love and Other Mistakes, but I’m glad that didn’t keep me from reading this one! We met Kimberly and Sam in the first book, but this one can definitely be read as a standalone. The seamless way Australian culture and vocabulary were included added interest and uniqueness to the story, and I thought the characters were more compelling in this book. Kim and Sam look like opposites on the surface, but as their friendship grows, they find that the past hurts they're both dealing with help them understand each other better. I also really enjoyed the secondary storyline that focused on Sam's sister Jules and her former fiance, Mick. Overall, a solid story about family, purpose, and overcoming obstacles, with a little humor!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

(4.5 stars) Diametrically opposed... or Providentially complementary? 

Kimberly & Sam have been at odds with each other virtually from the beginning of their working relationship. He's a warm, laid back, people person, and she's a cool, hyper-efficient, numbers person. It's a match made in... well, it ain't heaven. At least not the way they're living it. 

The story's central focus is on Sam & Kimberly, but it also shares the problems & perspectives of their nearby family members because of how they are all intertwined & affect each other. The problems of Sam's sister Jules & their neighbor Mick, in particular, play a significant role in Sam & Kimberly's relationship.

The 2 couples have painful years of emotional baggage that have to be dealt with before they can move forward. And it truly is tough. And touching. Which means there's a generous amount of angst that's pretty much unavoidable. 

It does still manage to keep things fairly lighthearted despite the clashes & conflicts. Like real people, they say things in anger & then make up. And in the midst of all that, they begin to realize that their perspectives have been too limited in scope, & therefore often inaccurate. 

The ending, on one hand, felt a little too facile in places - esp the part with Bruce felt a bit awkwardly contrived, & the part with Kimberly's mother seemed the least credible - and on the other hand, after all they've been through at the end, we're ready for a generous dose of happily-ever-after to wrap everything up with a joyful bow, so it feels really good.  

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

*Clean romance level: passionate kisses
**Religion: overtly Christian, not preachy - spiritual topics are totally organic to the story

Kimberley is in charge of a ministry Wildfire helping children and teenagers. Sam is a young pastor from Australie working with her. After a disagreement with Kimberley about the direction she wants to give the ministry and a call from his sister regarding their farm in Australia, Sam leaves the USA and go back in his hometown to help sister save the firm because they are facing some financial issues.
Kimberley can't find the right Pastor to replace Sam.
Jules, Sam Sister ask Kimberley if she can come and help them.
Though the plot seems interesting, It was not easy for me to read the book especially the part in australia with all the descriptions about their life in the farm, sorry.

I have never been one to dream about traveling internationally. If I'm going to be traveling, I'd prefer to stay in an area where I don't need a passport. However, I love reading about stories in other countries. I love being able to "travel" without leaving the comfort of home. So, when I saw that I could travel to Australia, I was really excited to read A Girl's Guide to the Outback by Jessica Kate. I enjoyed the descriptions of life on an Australian dairy farm, the romances that occurred between two different couples, and seeing how the impossible situation the characters found themselves in would be straightened out. What did I not like? Well, the snakes. I absolutely despise snakes in real life as well as in books. But the other parts of the book I did enjoy made up for the fact there were snakes in the book. I would recommend this book for anyone who enjoys contemporary Christian fiction, romance, and traveling to other countries by way of a good book.  Just beware of the snakes.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

A Girl’s Guide to the Outback by Jessica Kate

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

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Story Notes

Jessica Kate offers up a fun story of learning to trust and take a chance based in the outback region of Australia that will leave readers wanting to knock the main characters upside their heads for their hardheadedness.

I loved the idea of this story from the first time it popped up on my for review page. It presented a story of real angst and depth that takes place in the much idealized “Land Down Under” and had a great cover drawing. And while I did enjoy the story for the most part, I got so very frustrated at the overly drawn out unresolved issues of the main characters that I almost skipped to the end of the story. I didn’t but could have without much missed in those pages. The story begins in Charlottesville with Kimberly Foster, the business manager for Wildfire Ministries, who is in a fury over the fact that her co-worker and friend Samuel Payton didn’t back her on her latest idea. She wants to open another outreach center in Baltimore Maryland to bring a place of refuge to a crime-ridden city but Sam told the board he wouldn’t support the idea. How can he not want to reach more kids? Before she can puzzle out his motives, Sam quits his job and moves back to his childhood home in Australia to help his sister get the family dairy farm out of debt. Hurt by the abruptness, Kimberly moves forward with her plans and looks for a replacement for Sam. Problem is, no one is willing to give their all for the kids like Same did. When the Wildfire board gives her an ultimatum to get Sam back to work things out or face closure of her outreach centers, Kimberly has no choice but to try to find him. Fortunately, Sam and his sister Jules are willing to work out a deal: if Kimberly will come look over the farm and the books to help them find ways to cut costs and increase yield for the farm, Sam will come back to Wildfire and help sort out the problems. Traveling across the world before they can say no, Kimberly jumps right into the life at the Payton family farm. But the thoroughly city girl will have to learn quick if she is going to help out while also reviewing the books. Sam is not completely sure that Kimberly can help fix what’s going wrong at the farm and he’s afraid she will create more problems for Jules if she jumps in head first like always. So he determines to be the go-between for them to ensure Jules doesn’t get hurt and Kimberly doesn’t take over. As they work together to asses how to best help Jules, both Sam and Kimberly will have to move past the mistakes and hurts of the past if they are to really help each other out. The secondary story of Jules and Mick alongside provides lots of laughs and excellent sarcastic wit. The two hard heads need to understand that just because someone didn’t do what you expected it doesn’t mean they don’t still love you. I really wanted to like this story a lot. The characters were good, the writing was well done and the sharp wit was laugh out loud funny. But the dragging out of the solutions to the issues of the main characters made the story not as good to read. I really think it would have been better if it had focused a little more on Jules and Mick to bring balance to the rest of the story. I liked the final resolution for all the main characters and think that it was a logical solution to the main problems. I would have liked to have seen Sam be a little more confident in himself than he was by the end of the story but leaving it as it was I’m sure was meant to show that it would take time for him to gain assertion. I will still be recommending this story as it was very good other than the issues I listed above. I’ll be looking for other works from this author to see if her other stories are as entertaining as this one.

I received this temporary and complimentary E-book from Thomas Nelson Publishers via NetGalley in order to provide an honest review. I will receive no fiscal compensation for this review and the opinions expressed herein are entirely my own.

A wonderful, emotional trip Down Under:
This book grabbed my attention from the very beginning and entertained and delighted to the very end. There was beautifully descriptive, poetic writing and a perfect mix of drama, brevity and inspiration. I liked how it incorporated Aussie terminology and slang without it being over-the-top or confusing and it was fun experiencing farm life in the Australian outback.
Kimberly is feisty and determined but also desperate to belong. Meanwhile Sam is affable and laid-back yet cautious and dealing with his own past regrets. I loved watching these two spar and then eventually come together to overcome the obstacles before them. Furthermore the side characters were great and they added depth and humour to the story.
Overall a fabulous read and I can't wait to read more by this talented author!
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.

I really really enjoyed this book.

This was a super cute, wholesome romance and exactly what I needed at the time that I picked it up. What first drew me to A Girl's Guide to the Outback was the cover. I can't help it. I'm a sucker for an adorable cartoon cover. Also, the word Outback is kind of a buzz word lol. I love books set in Australia and do not read enough of them. If you're reading this review and have any Australian rec's drop them in the comments please.

This book is a Christian Fiction which did not turn me off at all. I enjoy the genre and it had been far too long since I've picked it up. I am so glad I did. Sprinkled throughout there were little reminders that God loves me and He will not leave no matter what the situation. I needed to hear that and I thank the author for including it in the book.

For those of you hesitant to pick this up because of the fact that it is labeled Christian- do not be discouraged. This book is in no way "preachy", in your face or forcing religion on non believers. The characters like all people on this earth are not perfect. They are flawed and they are fantastic. I loved them all. I appreciated all the perspectives.

My favorite character if I had to choose would be Jules. I love her and I love Mick. I was shipping them so hard and I really hope (fingers crossed) that they get their own book.

Also- I am from Maryland. I appreciated the author trying to plant an outreach in Baltimore lol. That Crime Rate is like woah. Every Monday on the morning news as I'm getting ready for work they report fatalities - often in the double digits. Baltimore needs Jesus yall. Like, I live on the other side of the state- in the cornfields and I'm happy here. Even I don't want to go there. Well, the aquarium is top notch and the inner harbor is nice but I digress.

A quick thank you to NetGalley, The Author and The Publisher for my advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. I cannot wait to read more from Jessica Kate.

“A Girl’s Guide to the Outback” centers around Sam Payton who is a youth pastor for Wildfire Ministries and Kimberly Foster who is the Business Manager for Wildfire Ministries and is known for her strategic/financial planning. Sam abruptly quits his job at the ministry and moves back home to Australia to help his sister Jules with the family farm that has come under financial strain. Upon Sam’s abrupt leaving of Wildfire Ministries, the Board has left Kimberly in charge and struggling to find a replacement for Sam.
Jules, Sam’s sister calls Kimberly one day and asks her to fly to Australia for a month to look over the financials of the farm and make suggestions on improvements. In return, Sam will fly back to Virginia for 6 weeks to help Kimberly interview and hire his replacement.
From there, the novel ensues.
While this novel was a slow burn romance between Kimberly and Sam you also explored Jules relationship with her ex Mick.
I thought this novel did a great job at showing honesty in relationships and really explored what it means to face your own fears.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

When I saw this was based in Australia and on a farm I knew I had to read it. When I turned to the page stating it was a dairy farm, my heart was immediately so happy. So many romance books are based on horse farms or ranches it is truly amazing finding one set on a dairy. Not only was it set on a dairy, life on the farm was so accurately portrayed. This is a christian romance which will deter some people, I absolutely loved it. Kimberly has a love hate relationship with her business partner Sam and when he abandons their youth ministry to go home to help his struggling family farm she follows him. The cast of characters is rounded out by Sam's sister Jules, her ex boyfriend Mick and Butch the farm employee.

While Jules was not the main character arc she is the one I connected to the most. Being a female farmer in an industry that is normally dominated by men is hard. Add on the constant struggle of day to day farm life and the state of the dairy industry (felt both in Australia and USA) life is just hard. Her struggles are ones I deal with daily.

I am truly so glad I picked up this book and will be recommending it to everyone I know! Thank you Netgalley and Thomas Nelson for providing me with an eARC in exchange for a honest review.

I have a book hangover. A Girl's Guide to the Outback by @jessicakatewrites was just the book I needed after having abandoned the last two books I tried to read. I laughed, I cried and I couldn't put it down. The main characters Sam and Kimberly run a youth ministry. Kimberly has to travel to Australia to go to try to woo her co-leader back. The problem is they don't even like each other. I loved the characters and the story. I cheered for them and yelled at them. I kinda of guessed how it would end but couldn't figure out how they would get there. I received a complimentary copy of this book from @netgalley and @thomasnelson. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Jessica Kate’s second novel delivers the love/hate romance, snappy banter, and deeply-crafted characters readers expect from her, plus a bonus. This one’s largely set in Australia. Since it’s new territory for the American heroine, Kimberley, readers enjoy a virtual tour with her.

This is a novel where the setting is key to the story. Kimberley’s time on the remote ranch belonging to her nemesis, Samuel Payton, and other settings like the Gold Coast, aren’t just backdrops.

A Girl’s Guide to the Outback follows after Love and Other Mistakes, so readers who remember the first book will recognize some familiar people. Readers starting with this book will have no trouble, because the love interests in this book were secondary characters in the first one.

As well as romance, A Girl’s Guide to the Outback is a story of misunderstood motives and the way past pain can keep even Christians back from their full potential.

Favourite lines:

She’d just blasted the good-looking HR manager of a company looking to recruit her. While wearing a potato costume. [Kindle location 53]

Jules’s brow cinched together like an invisible hand had pulled a loose thread. [Kindle location 2333]

“Sweetheart, when God closes a door, He closes it. Best not to hold on too long and get your fingers jammed in the process.” [Kindle location 3104]

For more about Jessica Kate and her books (and her StoryNerds podcast) visit jessicakatewriting.com.

[I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.]

Kimberly Foster longs to belong—in a family, at church, even at work. That’s why she passionately advocates for Wildfire, a drop-in youth ministry run by her nemesis, Samuel Payton. Sam seems to belong wherever he goes. Teens love him, donors make decisions based on his advice, and he dispenses hugs and a listening ear to anyone who needs them—except Kim.

When Sam decides to return to Australia to help out his sister on their family farm, Kim breathes a sigh of relief. Until the Wildfire board starts to question her business plan and projections. Without just the right leader, Wildfire will die out. And Kimberly can’t seem to find the right replacement. No one has what Sam had.

The board sends Kim to Australia to win back Sam, which seems like a poor plan on their part. Don’t they realize that opposites attack? If she can’t convince Sam to return, she may lose her dream job—and the tenuous sense of family that comes along with it.

Jessica Kate’s quirky characters find themselves in situations that make the reader both squirm and cheer. How can a city girl survive in the Outback, and will she ever discover the key to saving Wildfire?

Readers who have known the pain of rejection will relate to Kim and the ways she copes. Those who struggled in school and feel less-than will relate to Sam. Only God can help them see the strengths in the other. And only God can bring about the changes needed to help Wildfire succeed.

Girl's guide to the outback was a blast to read!
Full of witty banter and heartwarming discovery, grab this book if you want a trip to the outback without the plane fare (or spiders)!
I enjoyed the dual story lines and thought that the author incorporated multiple messages of life in a fun down to earth way. I really liked how Kim and Sam, even though they didn't get along in the beginning! I loved seeing them grow and learn how to work as a team.
So fun!

This book was so completely hilarious and absolutely swoon-worthy at the same time, it is one of the tales that genuinely deserves the title of rom-com. Of course, how can it be anything but with the four most stubborn young, single people in any kind of proximity together?

We have the lead couple, practical Kim the business woman come to get back the charismic youth pastor, Samuel- even though they can't stand each other (despite the fact that they are both attracted to the other). Then there is Samuel's sister Jules, who takes the stubborn prize, as she tries to stay in control, and Mitch, her neighbor who once loved her... and still does, actually.

Throw all of them together onto a farm in the Australian outback where literally everything is trying to kill them and bankrupt the farm, and it was bound to get interesting. Especially as each of the characters were dealing with their own secret heart-aches: rejection, failure, surrender, and patience respectively.

It all ended just right, too. But if it hadn't ended, and just kept going- I wouldn't have minded that either. I need more rom-coms like this one in my reading list.

This was such a fun rom com to read. It was witty and well written. The characters were adorable, and the ending was great.
Many thanks to Thomas Nelson Fiction and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

LOVED!
What a fun book! Once again, Jessica Kate has shown to be an unforgettable author entering the rom-com world.
Full of her usual "sass", "A Girl's Guide to the Outback" also brings back the thoughtfulness of this author to write characters with such depth and growth.

Kimberly Foster and Samuel Payton have each given each other some really hard time over the past three years.
But, my favorite thing about this book were the characters seeing each other through new eyes by doing what they should always have done -- communicating. It was refreshing to see how deceptiveness was unnecessary to create tension; just human ability to hurt each other was enough. Most beautifully was how they'd also create space for vulnerability, for a chance at something new, despite never have been given much reason before. But it is this small silver lining that especially Kim holds on to.

I am so excited to see what Jessica Kate has in stores next!

I thoroughly expected this book (from just looking at the cover) to be a light rom-com but boy was I wrong!
This was definitely a story with depth and a good deal of humor too. Both main characters did a great deal of self-examination and learned a lot about themselves and each other in the process. They went through near tragedies, messy working conditions and family upheaval but that is what made the story richer. And there was also another romance as a bonus. I very much enjoyed this book and highly recommend it!
I was given a copy to read by NetGalley (thank you) but the opinions are entirely my own.

A Girl’s Guide to the Outback
by Jessica Kate
Release date: January 28, 2020
Rating: 5/5

Another winner from Jessica Kate! Having recently finished her previous novel, Love and Other Mistakes, I was eager to read more from this talented author! Her storytelling is so good and her characters are authentic and rootable. The reader can’t help but keep reading to find out what will happen next. (I also might be a bit biased since the main character is named after me!)

Kimberly is a financial genius and has felt so good about using her talents for good by working at Wildfire Ministries for the past three years. She truly believes in all they are doing to help the youth with their outreaches and youth drop-in center. She is convinced that expansion is the next step to help more teenagers. Unfortunately, youth paster, Sam, is not so easily convinced that expansion is the right idea. When a family emergency sends him home to Australia, his departure creates a headache for Kim. Not able to keep or rely on Sam’s replacements, the board may dissolve Wildfire if they can’t get Sam back or at least someone like him. Meanwhile, Sam reluctantly calls Kim to see if she’ll help look at his family dairy farm’s finances to figure out what they can do to be more productive. Kim flies to Australia to spend her holiday in Australia determined to get Sam to help her out if she helps his family out. Will these two learn to see each other in a new light?

Jessica Kate has a way of weaving a beautiful, heartwarming story of two broken people and finding God’s best for them. She finds a way to make this story hilarious and heartbreaking. I can’t say enough about how much I enjoyed this story. I felt like I was in Australia on a dairy farm. Her use of Aussie slang is fun but can be a bit confusing. I sort of wish she had a glossary at the end but for the most part, she explains the meanings of the slang. I would love the audiobook of this story just to hear that Australian accent! She made me laugh and cry and I am forever a fan!

I highly recommend this book for those that love clean, inspirational rom-coms.

My thanks to the publisher, NetGalley, and CelebrateLit for an ARC of the book. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own. No positive review was expected and no compensation received.

I enjoyed this book. It was a lot milder than what I normally read. It kept my attention. Though some parts dragged ion I felt. You get two stories in one. With the other being the side characters.

A fun read for any romance lover.

*I was provided a free advanced copy of this book through Net Galley in exchange for my honest and voluntary review.*