Love at the End of the Road

by Rae Roadley

Soon after returning to her hometown in Northland, New Zealand to work as a journalist, Rae meets farmer Rex Roadley through a rural dating service.
Rex’s beef and sheep farm at Batley, on the Kaipara Harbour, has been in his family for almost a century, however these days the only evidence of the spot’s fascinating historic past is a magnificent two-storeyed villa standing alone on the point.
Neither Rae nor Rex are youngsters and their love affair, developing relationship and life together go through many twists and turns before they eventually marry.
Meanwhile Rae, a lifelong city dweller, learns to cope with mud, managing a large house and garden, the intricacies of farming, and the frustrations of life in New Zealand’s backblocks, all the while getting to know the locals and an assortment of animals - from wild kittens to wild bulls.
Rae’s charming story is beautifully written from the heart and, not only does she find love with Rex, but she finds out more about herself than she ever knew. Woven through her account is the story of the great house itself at Batley and the history of the surrounding countryside.

Genres: Nonfiction

256 pages, Paperback

First published October 3, 2011

About the author

New Zealand’s coastline is Rae Roadley’s home and playground. ‘Love at the End of the Road’ was inspired by her newspaper columns about life on a remote coastal farm, while ‘Have a Heart’ is set on the east coast with its golden beaches and scattered islands. A creative writer and writing tutor, Rae is a qualified journalist and columnist and has worked in publishing and as a freelance writer. She blogs about her rural life and her writing has won recognition in contests and media awards.

Reviews

[Sweetp-1 · Rating 4 out of 5]

We lived for a number of years in the same community as Rae Roadley so this book was of special interest. I remember when the book was published but we had not long arrived in the tiny settlement of Maungaturoto and perhaps it would not have been as enjoyable if I had it read it then. Reading it now, a number of years later having moved back to the South Island, it was especially poignant. I feel a little bit homesick for the Kaipara now.
Loved reading some of the history of Batley, and of course, seeing familiar names and places pop up in the book made the reading ever so special! The author captures the spirit of the area well and weaves together history and modern life in an easy to read style.

My only complaint is that as an ebook the photos, recipes etc don't translate as well as perhaps they do in print.

[Jill Shortt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed it as am familiar with the area and the family.

[Connie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't usually read memoirs but this book interested me. It is a lovely story of the author's account of meeting her husband interwoven with the life and history of the people and places that inhabited the old New Zealand homestead in which she now lives (and renovated) with her husband. The story of their blossoming romance is reason enough to read this book. It is filled with the warm affection that grows between two people who were meant to come together and share their lives and so touches the reader's heart. The depth of research accomplished by the author is inspiring. The historical details of the house and environs, and the people who played on its stage, took me into their world and connected me with their past. And that is truly enchanting. Read this book and take a very fine journey.

[Philippa · Rating 3 out of 5]

A well written account of a house on the Kaipara Harbour, Batley, and the families that live, or lived in and around it's environs. Includes the love story of the author and her now husband.Would be particularly interesting to people from the Kaipara, Maungaturoto area.

[Aileen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this although I found it a bit rambling in parts.
Didn't like the fact that the author obsessed over getting married!

[Shell Beagle · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was ok...lots of local content and historical facts and names that I found hard to keep up with sometimes.

[Ronelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

The house on the cover is where we got married. Rae (the author) and Rex kindly hosted our wedding.