Osprey Reef was another interesting read by author Annie Seaton.
Review copy received via Netgalley

An entertaining Australian romance. Loved the setting. Four out of five stars.

Osprey Reef by Australian author Annie Seaton is the first book I’ve read by this author and it won’t be my last. This truly is a beautifully written book and captivating story with a dual timeline that will capture the hearts of her readers. With detailed descriptions of the landscape combined with romantic suspense, strong characters and family drama this book was a sure winner for me. And of course, I must also make mention of the gorgeous cover which is very eye-catching. I look forward to reading more by this author and from what I’ve seen it looks like I have quite a few to catch up on.

With thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for my digital copy to read and review. Highly recommended.

Osprey Reef is a dual timeline which is definitely not a favourite trope of mine, but despite this, the author Annie Seaton managed to keep me wanting to know what happens to both of the MCs.

Our present day heroine is Bethany who is the skipper of boat that can be chartered for fishing or sea trips. Bethany and her brothers bought the business off their father so he could retire - the brothers are basically silent partners while Bethany is the face of the business. As the story opens business has been slow and there is an opposition business that is constantly opposing her, bad mouthing her business and generally trying to undermine her at every opportunity. She suspects he has been responsible for some minor sabotage. Bethany meets an environmental scientist called Peter who wants to charter a boat so he can conduct scientific research out at Osprey Reef. She takes the job as it will really help them financially.

Our heroine from the past is Bethany’s great-grandmother, Stella. Stella leaves home in 1934 and moves to Mackay for work. There events lead her to meeting, and falling in love with, Captain Jens Kristensen. The two marry and life is wonderful until Jens doesn’t return from a sea trip leaving Stella grieving and pregnant. Many people say Jens has done a runner but Stella doesn’t believe this for one minute.

Peter and Bethany set out to the reef and gradually the two time lines come together as secrets are revealed. Osprey Reef has much going for it - there is conservation of natural resources, how climate issues are effecting nature. Then there is mystery, romance and danger. Overall, I really enjoyed the story and the two strong heroines who lived life their way. I am looking forwards to her next release

Osprey Reef by Annie Seaton.

I love the easy learning that comes with reading a historical fiction novel. And love it even more when it's based in Australia.

This book takes you from 2019 where Bethany is struggling to keep her family's boat charter business afloat, back to the 1930s where we learn about her great-grandparents and the mystery behind a boat lost at sea.

I really enjoyed both timelines. Both featuring a brilliant strong female, ahead of their time. The mystery had me guessing, and it broke my heart along the way.

A great insight into the effects of climate change, without being too 'preachy'.

I would have liked a little more steam in the romance department, but other than that an incredibly enjoyable read that I recommend you get your hands on ❤

Thank you to netgalley and HarlequinAus for the chance to read and review this book.

Annie's previous books have all been fabulous five stars for me - I just love her tales incorporating environmental issues, a mystery with romance in two timelines - what a winning combination. Once again in her latest offering, Osprey Reef, Annie ticks all those boxes with an inter-generational tale of a family and their relationship with the sea - none other than the magnificent Great Barrier Reef off Australia’s coastline.

‘…out on the reef …. you’re well aware of coral bleaching on our reefs? Greenhouse gas emissions have seen unprecedented bleaching events on the Great Barrier Reef and it’s been worse than ever in the past three years.’

Osprey Reef is a clever dual timeline story filled with suspense, regarding the mystery surrounding a supposed disappearance at sea in 193os to the current time of 2019. It was everything I have come to expect from Annie’s books as she certainly knows how to deliver a captivating tale. She draws in the reader who becomes fully engaged and invested in the characters of both timelines and the events unfolding in their lives.

Beautifully written, well researched with Annie’s knowledge of the environment shining through. It truly adds to the layering of this story with depth and understanding. Both timelines contain intriguing drama filled plots and an engaging cast of characters. All of this is tied together with family secrets and fall outs. This book truly has a little bit for everybody whether it be history, conservation, exotic locations, romance and worthy drama with an unexpected twist at the end.

‘ I’m looking forward to Osprey … I’ve taken a few trips out there and it's the most awesome diving. The coral is still untouched by the issues that impact it closer to the coast.’

Set time aside to curl up with this book and be transported to the stunning Australian coastline. I loved both timelines, so two stories for the price of one really as you wait for answers to unfold and hope for connections to be made. Osprey Reef is one book I certainly have no hesitation in recommending.










This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.

Set in the gorgeous Whitsunday Passage off the north Queensland coast, Osprey Reef is a dual timeline maritime romance that unravels an eighty year old mystery. It’s clear that author Annie Seaton knows that area well. Her descriptions are spot on. This story is well developed with nicely rounded characters. I particularly liked strong female lead Bethany Kristensen, a skilled mariner and charter boat captain, whose common sense approach to one situation after another set her apart. I respected her work ethic although it was nice to see some romance develop. Bethany’s great grandparents Stella Maree and Jens were also characters that I quickly grew to likened respect. This story was intriguing and kept me guessing until the last few pages.

I'm a great fan of Annie Seaton's "eco adventure romances," combining page-turning action and an emotional sagas in Australian iconic natural settings, and Osprey Reef "ticks all the boxes." It's an inter-generational story of two women separated by time, united by family ties and a relationship with the sea, in particular the coast off Australia's Great Barrier Reef.
Bethany Kristensen's charter boat business is under threat of closure until offered a lifeline; providing services to a new scientific research program headed out to the farthest edge of the reef.
Romance,, vandalism and sabotage all play a role in an action-packed story beefed up with fascinating environment detail that never impedes the storytelling but adds rich information on marine ecology in a threatened region..
Osprey Reef is a heart-warming dual time line family saga with lots of action and an engaging romance sub plot, Ideal escapist reading for the beach or fireside.

Annie talks about the inspiration behind Osprey Reef on The Joys of Binge Reading podcast.

Osprey Reef is the first of Annie Seaton’s books that I’ve read – but it certainly won’t be the last.
It’s got all the goods that I look for in a can’t-put-down-read. Osprey Reef is a multi-generational tale, each story has strong and lovable characters, a beautiful love story intertwined with the lives, challenges and successes of the Kristensen family.
The story commences in 2019, introducing us to Bethany Kristensen, skipper of Lady Stella 2, working out of Mackay, Queensland as a tour guide, fishing charter. On returning to Mackay Bethany learns of the passing of her much loved Gramps, and is heartbroken.
Peter Brooks is a research marine scientist, looking to conduct research on the outer Great Barrier Reef, and arrives in Mackay looking to find a boat and skipper to collaborate with.
In 1934, young Stella Booth leaves her family home to work and live as a housemaid for the Mayor of Mackay – but before she embarks on the final leg of her journey from Rockhampton to Mackay, Stella is in an accident, saved by Captain Jens Kristensen, master of cargo vessel Delphinus and so begins a beautiful love story. Jens and Stella settle in Mackay, and Jens returns to a life on the ocean, whilst Stella embarks on her own career. Tragedy strikes however, and life doesn’t go as planned for Stella.
Intertwined with the tale of Stella and her challenges, the story develops around the work of Peter and Bethany and the love that blossoms between them. As the pilot trip for the research project gets underway, Bethany is faced with many challenges, but the capable and resourceful skipper, with the support of her crew and family overcome these.
A surprise find when clearing out Gramps’ home adds an element of mystery and intrigue to this wonderful story, set on the backdrop of the Great Barrier Reef.
I really loved this book, loved the characters and the strong storylines and am grateful to Harlequin Australia and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I fell into this fabulous story in the most beautiful of settings The Great Barrier Reef, it is a story of two strong woman one from 1934 Stella and one from 2019 Bethany, this is a must read story as we unravel a past mystery and see love bloom on the high seas and fortunes change, I do hope you come along for the journey it is well worth the trip.

1934 and Stella Booth is determined to get away from her small town and make a life for herself in Mackay but fate has other ideas when an accident in the harbour at Rockhampton puts her in the path of handsome sea captain Jens Kristensen and he is smitten instantly with this beautiful young woman. It is not long before together they are making a future and running a successful shipping company with their boat The Lady Stella, they do have many ups and downs but their love is so strong and beautiful.

2019 and Bethany Kristensen is now running the family chartering company and skippering The Lady Stella 2, there are problems with a rival company and they are not doing as well as Bethany thinks they should be but nothing is going to stop her from going forward. When she wins the tender for a group of scientists to take them out to the reefs to research the coral Bethany has no idea that this will change her life forever.

Bethany is devastated when her Gramps passes away, they were so close he taught her so much about the sea and boats but with the tender for Dr Peter Brooks and his team coming she knows Gramps would want her to keep moving and the trip is successful even if there were a few problems that had Bethany very worried, but her and Peter seem to have an attraction to each other and things are moving very nicely.

On their second trip with Peter and his team things take a couple of turns it looks like they may have found the answer to the Kristensen family mystery but sabotage turns to danger, can they get out of this and will the Kristensen family finally get closure on the past concerning Stella and Jens?
This really is an awesome read it takes in some issues that are really important to the environment at the moment, the location is totally awesome and the characters are just the best so true to life they were fabulous to get to know. It is a fast paced story that has everything a reader needs to keep then enthralled another keeper from a fabulous author, Annie Seaton, this is one that I would highly recommend.

My thanks to Harlequin AUS for my copy to read and review.

What a magnificent journey this story took me on. I haven't been up the coast to these places since the mid 80s and I'm sure a lot has changed. I feel like I've just had not only a geography lesson but a history one too.
The characters were wonderful both past and present as the story intertwined between modern day and her great grandparents' lives around 80 years before. A mystery to solve brought us back to today and a wonderful discovery.
Beth is a competent, experienced skipper, the sea runs through her veins from generations past. Greed, crime and sabotage had me reading faster and faster to work out who was causing this.
I was teary a few times and anxious towards the end, who will survive?
If you love a great mystery, suspense and not to mention love then I highly recommend this tale of intrigue.

It was 1934 and Stella Booth reveled in her newfound independence as she left her home in Mount Perry, for the first time, heading to Mackay in Queensland for a new job and new life. But the accident on the way north saw her life change its direction and surprisingly, her future happiness was secured. Arriving in Mackay with Jens Kristensen, a complete stranger who was making sure she arrived safely, Stella found work at the local post office while her accommodation was at a nearby boarding house where she befriended Valerie along with her landlady. Would her life change any time soon?

When Bethany Kristensen, skipper of Lady Stella 2, arrived at the dock in Mackay, her thoughts were on the slight financial crisis which she knew was heading her way. It was 2019 and she and her brothers owned Lady Stella 2, while Beth had been on or in the sea since she could walk. She knew all there was to know about boats, repairing them, financials, contracts and charters, but when she saw her mother walking along the pier toward her, her heart stumbled. And when she learned her beloved Gramps had passed away, Beth was in shock. Her devastation was complete – how would she cope without the most important man in her life anymore?

After the funeral Beth was successful in a tender with Dr Peter Brooks, a scientist researching the reef out at Osprey. She was excited as it would be a boost financially, and the three day charter for Peter to check out Lady Stella 2 and ascertain if she would be what he needed was a time for Beth to get on top of the problems she’d been having. But would she? Could she? But it was after the charter when she was helping with the clearing out of Gramps’ house, that her discovery had Beth believing a long ago mystery might be solved…

Osprey Reef by Aussie author Annie Seaton is a breathtaking read set in two timeframes and covering portions of two strong, independent women’s lives. Tense and exciting, the lead up to the conclusion was excellent. I thoroughly enjoyed both Stella and Beth’s characters, their families and what brought them all together. Ms Seaton has included the bleaching of the coral reefs around Australia and the issues of climate change are lightly touched on. Osprey Reef is one I highly recommend for those who love suspense and mystery, mixed with light romance and intriguing history.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

This is the seventh book I have read by this author and the first where I cannot hit the four star button and say it was great. For some reason I could not become invested in either the characters or the story. Maybe I was having a bad day.

The setting of course is beautiful. Annie Seaton knows her Australia really well and picks the prettiest bits for her novels. The cover picture and the story made me long to be able to visit Queensland again soon! There was a mystery, a surprise ending, quite a lot of romance and two stories, one past and one present.

In fact everything was there but apparently it was not what I needed today. This does not affect in any way my keenness to read more of the author's books!

A beautiful book by Annie Seaton and set in one of my most favourite places in the world in Queenland, Australia.

The story revolves around the Kristensen family in the present time and goes back and forth to the past and the first Lady Stella.

We are introduced to the wonderful Kristensen family and especially Bethany who now skippers Lady Stella 2, her determination to run the Charter boat and the problems she has keeping it running without the help from her family.

There are some twists and turns, troubles, surprises and loving friendships that kept me interested throughout the book. I enjoyed the characters, the loving family environment that Annie Seaton creates, and the fierce determination that Bethany shows in not letting anything drag her or her business down.

A 5* read for me and one I will definitely be recommending and buying for my bestie who has now come to love the beautiful stories that Annie Seaton gives to us.

Thanks to Netgalley, Harlequin Australia, HQ (Fiction, Non Fiction, YA) & MIRA, Mira and Annie Seaton for the opportunity to read and give an honest review of this book. A definite 5* for me.

Great read, enjoyed the history lesson and ecology ones as well. Great mix of history present day, greed, family and being true to the environment. I like the mix of romance intrigue as well as family strengths held through the generations. A great read enjoyed every chapter.s

Really enjoyed this week, it had everything I like in a romantic novel. Annie brings the wonderful sea world alive in her writings.