She thought they’d missed their chance. But he never forgot her.When Tom Carmody buys a run-down cattle station in outback Queensland he is shocked to discover that the woman living next door is none other than Harriet McGuire, his high school crush – the woman who mysteriously never returned to boarding school after the summer break.In a time when women did as their fathers bid, Harriet agreed … did as their fathers bid, Harriet agreed to marry the charming Daniel McGuire and move to Brigadier Station. But she soon paid the price for her naivety. Forced to protect her children from her abusive husband, she never forgot Tom’s kindness.
More than thirty years after their innocent school flirtation, Harriet and Tom begin to rekindle their friendship only to find the flames of their attraction are stronger than ever.
As Christmas approaches, rain storms finally break the decade long outback drought. But can the floods wash away the ghosts of the past? Or will they cause yet another disaster?
Set in the drought stricken plains of Julia Creek, North Queensland and the coastal city of Townsville this is a rural romance that will leave you asking: Will she marry the right man, for the right reasons?
Christmas at Brigadier Station is the fifth in the Brigadier Station series and can easily be read as a standalone. Each of Sarah’s stories are linked so you can find out what happens to the other brothers and your favourite characters in future books.
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You can find love even in the Australian Outback
Christmas at Brigadier Station is the fifth book in the Brigadier Station series. This is a Christmas themed story-line set in Brigadier Station located in the Australian Outback. This is a charming and sweet story about Harriet and Tom, who years before knew each other in high school. Now they are in their 50’s and about to find that love is not just for the young, but for those that are young at heart also.
I absolutely loved this book and was honored to have been able to read and review. It was such a phenomenal read and had amazing characters as well as an amazing story line. I just could not get enough of it and once I started reading it I could not put it down. I recommend that you read it.
Sweet second chance at love in the Australian Outback
I really liked the mature main characters and the Australian Outback setting. Having never read the earlier books in this Brigadier Station series, I had no trouble getting the jist of their extended family situation as a backdrop to the couple’s chance at romance later in life. There’s a bit of heat, not too extensive; the changeable Outback weather plays a bigger part in their story of neighbors finding each other after years of separate lives. There’s not a lot of deep introspection, so their story develops quickly and culminates in a happy, upbeat Christmas. Brief, upbeat, with next to no angst, a good glimpse into the Outback farming lifestyle. I enjoyed it!
I read a complimentary advance copy of the story; this is my voluntary and honest review.
Another Excellent Installment
I have read a few books in this series and have enjoyed them. While this book was shorter than the previous ones I read, I felt like I was stepping back into the lives of people I already knew and liked. That’s the joy of a well-done series. A new book is like coming home again. I particularly adored that the McGuire matriarch was the heroine of this book. Not nearly enough contemporary romances focus on a mature couple, and I think that authors miss out by not at least considering creating a story with such characters as a focal point of a romance. While the flush of first love is interesting, the deep backstories of older characters only enrich plots and storylines.
Such is the case here. The couple at the heart of the story had known each other as teenagers and had an attraction back then that was never fulfilled. So when they meet again as new neighbors some thirty years later, they find those old feelings stirred to life again, and those intensify as they get to know each other again. Yes, at times it did feel a little like instalove, as is often seen in contemporary romance, but this had been a long time in the making! The heroine’s previous marriage had not been a good one, and that does cause her some problems. The hero has some issues with his son in the present day. While all these personal conflicts go on, there is also a greater story of a drought-busting storm that threatens everyone’s safety and livelihoods. As with other books in this series, this one gives a good sense of what it is like to live in such a remote and harsh landscape. There were some issues with grammar, punctuation, and usage; wrong words were sometimes used, like cursing versus coursing. But all in all, I thoroughly enjoyed this trip to the outback and the mature romance at the core of it.
I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.
I really enjoyed Harriet’s happy ever after. Tom was an old friend from school, with her history she needed a man she could trust. Lovely story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Harriet had a tough life with her alcoholic abusive husband, so I was happy to read about her reconnecting with Tom from her past. They both have grown families of their own, but he’s just bought the neighboring property and is living there alone. A heavy rain storm leaves them stranded at Brigadier Station and even more reason to reconnect and see where their relationship will go. It was great to catch up with Harriet’s sons and their families. This was a steamy romance with funny and some sad moments as she thinks about her past but with hope for the future.
This was a wonderful story of forgiveness and overcoming the past to move on to a new and better future.
The characters are nicely engaging and as diverse as the Australian wildlife.
Love scenes are there but are not graphic and there is no foul language or violence.
I did read the books out of order and it would be much a more enjoyable to read them in order but it doesn’t really matter.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Actually 3.5 stars.
Christmas at Brigadier Station #5 – The kids are all taken care of and now it’s Mom’s turn. Wonderful storylines that blend all the books together while mixing well with second chances. Harriet and Tom are well written and their love carries through the pages as another character. Their happiness leaves a big smile on the reader’s face as the last page is read.
While an enjoyable, feel good read, Harriet’s story is not as substantial as the previous books in this series. I received this book through Booksprout. 3.5*
This series is my first read by this author and I enjoyed all three books. I like the casual writing style blended with the good choice of characters and the interesting storylines. I always love when I can find a writer that transports me to their country as if I’m there in person. The fact this series is set in Australia grabbed my interest. The culture and customs and livestyles of this part of Oz was interesting.
The Brothers of Brigadier Station #1 – The story of Lachlan and Meghan and his brother Darcy, which also builds the history and foundation of Brigadier Station and the McGuire family. 4*
The Sky Over Brigadier Station #2 – With Meghan’s wedding approaching, brother Noah is unwilling returning to Brigadier Station after leaving ten years previously. This is his and Riley’s story, which shares more of the McGuire past. I find the work of Australia’s stations interesting, just as I do about American ranches, but was intrigued about another job that is not commonly written about in either country. 4*
The Legacies of Brigadier Station #3 – This story starts almost eleven months after Sky ends. It is Abbie’s turn to find a McGuire to love. This is my favorite of the series, where a lot of the past, the present and the future come together. Terrible things happen, but so do many wonderful things.
While all these books can be read on their own, start with the first story and see the McGuire history unfold. I found this author on Booksprout. 5*
This is a wonderful Xmas tale & one that would appeal to all esp an older reader. We’ve met Harriet’s children in previous tales & this time it’s her turn when an old acquaintance buys a neighbouring property. Tom has left his property in the hands of his son & sees this new one as a challenge. He also helps Harriet out in her time of need. There is a definite attraction & it’s lovely to see that more mature characters are not written off when it comes to love & more.
As an Aussie I appreciate the detail & circumstances surrounding the current drought which has affected this country immensely & the author presents a realistic picture of this & those living that life. An immensely enjoyable read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Harriet is a widow with grown children. A hard marriage put a fear in her that she has worked to get past. Now her first crush has moved back to the area – next door. Granted in Australia next door might be a ways, but he is now close enough to smell, touch and desire. This was a beautiful second chance, late bloom romance.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Harriet has suffered a lot in her marriage. Now that her husband has died, the station belongs to her son Lachie and she is staying there with his family.
Tom is trying to start again buying a cattle station in the outback. He has no idea how this is going to change his life.
Being a country girl myself, I felt identified with this story. I know what it is to live worried about the weather, always looking at the sky and at the weather forecast.
I did like how caring Tom was and how quickly they felt comfortable with each other.
Another thing I liked in this book is Tom and Harriet’s age. It is good to read something different from the rest of the stories. Their love is more tender and not so passional as the love in a younger couple.
The book is well-written, a bit slow in some parts but absolutely enjoyable.
A very sweet story about a couple in their late fifties that have been given a second chance in love. Romantic and adorable.
I absolutely loved this book and never wanted it to end!
This was a short novella, but packed all the emotional punch of a longer novel. Harriet has been a widow for quite a while, and has enjoyed the satisfaction of watching her sons find their perfect partners. When the neighboring station is bought by a man she remembers from her teens, it’s the perfect second chance for them.
Tom is everything you’d want in a partner; he’s kind and gentle, hard-working, and oh-so-deliciously charming. Since his divorce many years before, he’s focused on passing the family station on down to his son. Having accomplished that, he purchases a distressed station where he can settle in and enjoy the next chapter of his life. Luckily, it’s right next door to his beloved, never-forgotten Harriet.
There’s is a quick romance, yet it was decades in the making. The story is centered around the Christmas holiday and the focus on family goals and generational impact was very nicely done. I wish I could spend years with the McGuire family, instead of just a few short hours in a book. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.