Aussie Book Review: Summer Harvest by Georgina Penney

Book reviews

14 Mar

Summer Harvest by Georgina PenneyPaperbackReview copy provided by publisherPenguin Random House, February 2016Synopsis- English dog trainer Beth Poole is having trouble getting her life back together after beating a life-threatening illness and divorcing her husband. When her Aussie-soap-obsessed grandma sends her to Australia to recover, it seems a great opportunity for some rest and relaxation while she figures out what's next.But when Beth arrives in Australia things get off to a rocky start. To begin with, she's on the wrong coast and there are deadly creatures everywhere. And if that weren't enough, her neighbours are driving her crazy. She's staying in the beautiful Margaret River wine region, right next door to a family-owned vineyard. It should be perfect, but the boisterous Hardy clan just don't seem able to leave her alone. The usually reserved Beth is soon reluctantly embroiled in their family disputes and romantic entanglements. And eldest son Clayton Hardy is proving surprisingly persistent.The more Beth gets to know Clayton and the Hardys, the more she sees what she wants for her future. But as the end of summer approaches, her past comes back to haunt her and will test her newfound relationships to the limit.Review- Set in the beautiful Margaret River in Western Australia, Summer Harvest is an enjoyable read by Australian author Georgina Penney. The heroine, Beth Poole is an English dog trainer who arrives in WA on a two month holiday, a trip gifted to her by her grandma who wants to treat her. Beth has had a hard time with a serious illness and a divorce in recent times and taking off to the other side of the world on a whim isn't usually her style. But it's not long before she ditches her shapeless modest clothing and her solitary habits for a new appearance and new friends. She's particularly taken by Clayton Hardy who lives on the adjacent winery; there's an instant attraction and the relationship that develops is packed with chemistry and plenty of obstacles. It was an easy and enjoyable read, a book I could pick up and take off where I left off in between running around after my 5 month old daughter. My only criticism for this one is the resolution of the relationship at the end. It's a pet hate of mine when the hero/ heroine take months to get their act together. It annoys me, but that's just a personal thing. Good read!