An American woman, named Holly, has everything she could possibly want living in the city of Melbourne. Her Australian husband, Tom, works hard chasing his hierarchical corporate dreams, so much so that he forgoes Holly’s happiness. Fighting to make their marriage work, Holly uncovers secrets about Tom, causing her to question all she ever believed in.Distractions abound as Holly starts a new … starts a new job, where she meets a charming stranger in the unlikeliest of circumstances. Her imagination is opened to a possible new way of life, lust and love as she is given a chance to see how she can break free from the shackled boundaries set by a stifling city lifestyle.
Will she ever be able to go back to living the only way she ever knew or will she embrace the life offered to her? This love story is one of fear versus freedom and scheduled time versus endless time as city and country life collide.
ABOUT THE DUSTY RIDER SERIES BY STELLA KNIGHTS
Imagine breaking free of city life and losing yourself in the Australian Outback. This contemporary romance will show you there’s more than just kangaroos out in the country.
The Dusty Rider Series will take you across Australia as Holly meets a stockman “cowboy” that shows her what real love is. This romantic story is about a possible second chance at life and love as Holly tries to follow her heart. Will she take a chance at this new life full of action and passionate, erotic adventure?
This series is for mature audiences.
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Taken Outback is an Australian love story that spans two continents. The story starts with Holly meeting a young woman at a coffee shop to share her story of romance, following one’s heart and taking chances. Holly recounts whom she met her husband, the struggles that her marriage begins to go through and how she clings to trying to make things work. She recounts the way that things gradually crumble around her and how she believes that her husband is being unfaithful to her. She has no proof, but it’s a hard feeling to shake. She also reflects on meeting Aiden at her new job and how she finds herself crushing on the man and how things progress from there between them.
Taken Outback by Stella Knights is the first book that I have read by this author. From the beginning, I find myself drawn into this book as Holly initially begins to narrate her story to another woman. I’m engaged and then the story fully pulls me in as it seems that the narration is now being lived out. Holly chases love from America all the way to Australia. She’s defiant to her parents who want her to choose someone else to be involved with but Holly believes she loves Tom. I believe that their love is genuine for a while, but once Tom gets sucked into chasing the money and promotions, I think it fades. His eye and his focus seemed to shift to his boss, Beth. I watch Holly be broken down a little at a time as she struggles to try and cling to her marriage. While I applauded Holly for not throwing in the towel on her marriage so quickly, I’m disappointed that she takes so much of Tom’s mess and Beth’s disrespect. The minute Tom started making excuses and defending Beth she should have checked it him or dumped him.
I love the flow of this story. It is as smooth as silk. Holly is engaging throughout and the author does a fantastic job not getting distracted by throwing a lot of characters at us. The story stays focused on Holly and Tom’s marriage and we watch it crumble piece by piece. The reader honestly can’t help but develop a large sense of disdain and distaste for Tom as he ignores Holly and makes no real attempt to help keep them together as a couple. As I read, I could almost see this whole situation playing out in real life. Of course, things change with Holly meets Aiden at her new job. This is where Holly begins to change. The chemistry between them is tantalizing and the author does a fantastic job of keeping the reader wondering what will happen…will Holly take that step or not?
I honestly truly enjoyed this book but I have a major issue with it. When Holly is abducted from her job following a serious incident at work I find myself shocked at her behavior. I keep waiting on common sense to ring in her head, but it never does. This causes me to be disappointed. How does Holly go from being sensible, smart and having plenty of common sense to suddenly seeming to only be ruled by her carnal desires for this man? I expected more of her. She seems to go off to La-La Land and thinks that nobody is really going to care that she’s gone missing, that there is no need for her to call someone to let them know she’s okay or anything. She has this false expectation that people should know she’s happy where she is. How can they know when she just simply disappeared? I can’t help but be disappointed in Holly and Aiden but mostly Holly.
While I say this about Holly and her choices I truly enjoyed this book. I didn’t think I’d enjoy it THIS much, but this was one of those books that I was hard-pressed to put down. This is a truly engaging story about another chance at romance, attempting to find happiness and the differences between two men in her life. I am rating this book 5 out of 5 stars.
Intriguing and haunting Australian romantic fiction. Enjoyed learning things about the country and the well written story. Liked the real life issues including, non-communication, secrets & abuse. Tom & Holly were both weak, making them more real to me. Lisa & Beth seem the strongest characters. Didn’t expect the story to just end so suddenly; lowered the rating for me.
Voluntarily read ARC, through Netgalley & publisher, for honest review
Holly has been married for years to Tom. However, she is not having the attention she deserves by his husband. He is too worried about climbing up the ladder at work. She starts a new job where she meets Aiden an ex-con. He is sweet and treats her well, but…
Well, in fact, I don’t know what to say about this book. I have opposed feelings. I don’t understand why Holly puts up with Tom and his issues. I don’t understand why, out of the blue, Aiden does what he does. I have no idea about where the author wants to go. Maybe there is a clue in the second book.
I voluntarily reviewed a gifted copy given to me by NetGalley.