levenham love story | Lost in a Good Book

Summer and the Groomsman (#2) by Cathryn Hein

Published: 10 November 2015 (print)/1 December 2024 (audio)
Publisher: Cathryn Hein/Bolinda Audio
Pages: 106/3 hrs and 20 mins
Narrator: Ayesha Tansey
Format: Audiobook
Genre: Rural Romance
★ ★ ★ – 3.5 Stars

It’s Levenham’s wedding of the year but unlucky-in-love Harry Argyle has more on his mind than being groomsman.

After yet again nearly colliding with an escaped horse while driving home to the family farm, Harry Argyle comes face-to-face with its pretty owner, and doesn’t hold back his disapproval.

Confronted by a bad-tempered giant on a dark country road, beautician and new arrival in town Summer Taylor doesn’t know who to be more afraid for: herself or her darling horse Binky. It’s not her fault Binky keeps escaping. The alcoholic owner of the paddock she rents won’t fix the fence and Binky can be sneaky when it comes to filling his stomach. But no matter how big and muscled the bully, she refuses to be intimidated.

When Harry’s wedding party book a session at the day spa where Summer works, both she and Harry are horrified to be paired together. Grudgingly, they agree to make the most of it – only for the session to spiral into disaster. Realising he’s made a dill of himself in front of sweet Summer yet again, Harry vows to set things right.

Summer isn’t about to easily forgive the man who called her horse stupid, no matter how brave and kind, but with everyone on Harry’s side, even fate, resistance is hard. Can these two find love or will Summer’s wayward horse put his hoof in it again?

Being a novella this is a quick and easy read but manages to fulfill all the requirements of a cute love story. The depth of character is there and with a few words Hein can bring this town to life and expand on the story we’ve already built upon.

I enjoyed the grumpy nature of Harry and how he and Summer both have justifiable causes for their apprehension for one another. The stakes and issues are real, the dangers of car accidents, loose horses, and fences only the start of the troubles.

Hein brings real cause for conflict with her characters and also the need to have characters prove they’ve changed, or show they are not who they first appear. Harry is a sexist guy but there is hope for some redemption by the end of the book otherwise there’s no reason to root for Summer and he to mend their relationship.

The small town country feel we gain from book one is there to welcome newcomer Summer, but Hein also makes sure we can start right here and not miss a step as we get to know this town and these characters.

There is heart, community, and faith in doing the right thing. It’s a great continuation of the series but also a great story in its own right.

You can purchase Summer and the Groomsman via the following

Booktopia

Blackwell’s | Angus & Robertson

Fishpond | Amazon | Amazon Aust | Audible

Rocking Horse Hill (#1) by Cathryn Hein

Published: 26 March 2014 (print)/1st Aug 2024 (audio)
Publisher: Cathryn Hein/Bolinda Audio
Pages: 292/9 hrs and 36 mins
Narrator: Jessica Stanley
Format: Audiobook
Genre: Rural Romance
★ ★ ★ – 3 Stars

An emotional story of family turmoil and second-chance love played out against the dramatic landscape of rural South Australia, from bestselling author Cathryn Hein.

Who do you trust when a stranger threatens to tear your family apart?

When Emily Wallace-Jones’s brother Digby arrives home with a secretive new fiancée, no one knows how to react. The Wallace-Jones are old-money rural aristocracy and Felicity Townsend is from a very different side of the tracks.

But Em is determined not to treat Felicity with the same teenage snobbery that tore apart her relationship with her first love, Josh Sinclair. A man who has now sauntered sexily back into Em’s life and given her a chance for redemption.

As Felicity settles in, suspicions are raised about her intentions toward Em’s beloved Rocking Horse Hill, the historic family property that Digby owns but has promised will be Em’s home for as long as she wishes. Though worried for her future, Em sides with her brother and Felicity, until a near tragedy sets in motion a chain of events that will change the family forever.

This has been sitting on my shelf for so long it’s a small miracle I’ve finally picked it up. But with the desire to read the connected novellas I had to go back to the start and see where it all began.

Unfortunately, while I enjoyed the overall story, I wasn’t convinced of the romance aspect. Josh jumped all over the place with his feelings, he never seemed to trust Emily, but his own issues around that probably manifested in every way. He seemed to flip back and forward a lot on his opinion of her and it was weird. And I know we need some conflict, but it has to be said Josh is being a baby a lot of the time. He is petulant and sulky but I will admit most of the time he is a pretty ok bloke or else we couldn’t accept Emily would like him.

Once again Hein makes the rural landscape its own character. The descriptions and feelings from characters, especially our narrator Emily, highlights their connection to the land and brings you into the story as they describe paddocks, the affinity for Rocking Horse Hill, and the community spirit it’s easy to feel like you’re surrounded by these hills and animals yourself.

With newcomer Felicity into the close knit family she is the centre point of everyone’s attention. The judgement based on family, the reputation and the desire for a fresh start churn away in this story as the hope for love conquering all comes true. The spurn of others and the desire to break free is strong and Hein keeps you guessing about motives, second chances, and true intentions.

To her credit, Emily constantly tries to see the best in Felicity, despite those around her who have other opinions, be it against her, for her, or uncertain. Emily tries to get all the facts before passing judgement and it was refreshing to see this approach from a main character and not a side character who tries to convince our narrator, instead she tries to tell others to keep an open mind.

In terms of twists it’s interesting that what you expect to happen does indeed happen, but it isn’t disappointing having guessed it and the exact details are never clear. Hein brings in a different angle and a lot of heart that through Emily brings compassion mixed with the dramatics. Rather effectively too given the tension and drama towards the end.

The ending is bittersweet, but at the same time there’s a weird satisfaction as well. Everyone is affected by the events in the book, no one is left unscarred by it which is also interesting. This is a Levenham Love Story, and while it is the first one, it doesn’t mean the whole series needs to be read. It is easily a standalone, but with strong and endearing characters it will be good to see what other antics and adventures happen in this small rural town.

You can purchase Rocking Horse Hill via the following

QBD | Booktopia

Blackwell’s | Angus & Robertson

Fishpond | Amazon | Amazon Aust | Audible