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

Rachel Raymond has always loved her job - she's a strong, independent foreign correspondent and has built up an illustrious career chasing stories across the world. But her life suddenly changes for ever when at the end of a tour based in war-torn Afghanistan, the vehicle she and her team are travelling in hits a roadside bomb.
Liliana Howell is over the moon when her long lost best friend returns unexpectedly the week before Lily's wedding in the South Australia Riverland. But it doesn't take her long to realise that something is different about Rachel, even though her old friend refuses to talk about why she's finally come home.
Fireman Tate Cassidy has also made the trip to the Riverlands for the wedding and finds himself instantly drawn to the mysterious journalist. Tate has his own demons to fight, but when he finds himself falling for this woman who's seen too much, can he use their common ground to help her through her darkest time? And will Rachel let him close enough to show her that love can heal all wounds?

*4.5 stars*

Australian romance fiction is usually categorised as light and fluffy, usually in a small town in the Outback, and have two perfect protagonists - rich and beautiful and all those things that make Mills & Boon books popular. This book is different.

While, essentially, it is still a romance novel, this story digs deeper into the characters - and their lives - to give the reader a wholly different approach to characterisation. These two characters are damaged, flawed - and you can't help but feeling drawn to their stories. Rachel's physical and mental scars are huge - yet Tate is drawn to her, despite his own traumas. How they find "common ground" makes for very good reading.

A seriously good story that not only brings to life these two characters but also the Murray River region in South Australia. Lots of real life places get a mention, adding authenticity to the settings.

If you are looking for something more than fluff and filler, then this extraordinary novel is just the thing for you.


Paul
ARH