Review: Home to Turtle Bay

Title:  Home to Turtle Bay

Author: Marion Lennox

Publisher: 19th November 2018 by Harlequin Australia, HQ & MIRA

Pages: 416 pages
How I Read It: ARC book
Genre: contemporary romance, womens fiction

My Rating: 5 cups

Synopsis:

A warm and witty multi-generational romantic comedy, set in a coastal Australian farming community, from international bestselling romance author Marion Lennox. Dr Jennifer Kelly has reached the pinnacle of her career as a successful Manhattan obstetrician, complete with ambitious, blue-blooded fiance. After a desolate childhood with a distant grandmother, life seems everything she's ever wanted.

When a grandfather she's never heard of leaves her a dairy farm on an isolated Australian island - plus one depressed dog, thirty geriatric cows and a bunch of ancient surfboards - she plans a quick trip to put the farm up for sale. Her aloof, socialite grandmother Muriel is appalled, yet insists on accompanying her.

Once there, Jenny finds herself caught, by cows, by turtles - and by Jack McLachlan, the overworked island doctor who desperately needs her help. Muriel's caught too, with ghosts of her wartime past threatening to crack the shell she's built with such dedication and care.

But isn't Manhattan their home? How can two women give up the perfect world they've worked so hard for by taking a chance on...life?

My Thoughts

‘Joy was a strange concept—something I’d barely considered. Life until now had been about survival and ambition. Joy came somewhere far down the list.’

I cannot begin to tell you how much I loved this book - such a great read. Everything just came together - the writing, the characters, the plot - every opportunity I could, I sat down to escape to Turtle Bay.

Firstly, the characters were fabulous and such a range of stories to tell. Jenny and Jack were, of course, front and centre. However, there were other, just as pertinent stories to be regaled - from Muriel, to Bridget, right down to Drifter the dog. Then there is the island, almost a character in itself, from the aptly named cows to the glorious surf and undulating hills.

Interwoven throughout is a range of engaging tales from both past and present. You will second guess Muriel’s frostiness, your heart will break for Bridget and Jack, with Jenny you will be cheering her right along to be brave and true to herself. There will be everything from babies born, to cows queuing, to yachts cruising to medical dramas that will have you on the edge of your seat.

All of this comes together so seamlessly because of the captivating writing Marion delivers. You too will be wishing for a sea change to Nautilus island, to be part of an amazing community and experience a different kind of life.

‘For part of me was being abandoned right there. It was my disciplined self. It was the part of me that had held me in control for all these years, and it was dissolving into the night air as if it had never existed.’

This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher and provided through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The quoted material may have changed in the final release