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The Wild Australia Stories #1
Brumby's Run
How do you choose between a long-lost sister and the man who’s stolen your heart?
Set among the hauntingly beautiful ghost gums and wild horses of the high country, Brumby’s Run is a heartfelt, romantic novel about families and secrets, love and envy, and most especially the bonds of sisterhood.
Samantha Carmichael’s world is turned on its head when she learns that she’s adopted – and that she has a twin sister, Charlie, who is critically ill.
While Charlie recovers in hospital, Sam offers to look after Brumby’s Run, her sister’s home high in the Victorian Alps. Within days, city girl Sam finds herself breaking brumbies and running cattle with the help of handsome neighbour Drew Chandler, her sister’s erstwhile boyfriend.
A daunting challenge soon becomes a wholehearted tree change as Sam begins to fall in love with Brumby’s Run – and with Drew. But what will happen when Charlie returns to claim what is rightfully hers?
294 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2008
199 people are currently reading
474 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer Scoullar
24 books133 followersJennifer Scoullar Bio
Jennifer has always harboured a deep appreciation and respect for the natural world. Her house is on a hill-top, overlooking valleys of messmate and mountain ash. A pair of old eagles live there too. Black-shouldered wallabies graze by the creek. Eastern Spinebills hover among the callistemon. Jennifer lives with her family on a beautiful property in the mountains, that was left to her by her father. Horses have always been her passion. She grew up on the books of Elyne Mitchell, and all her life she’s ridden and bred horses, in particular Australian Stock Horses. She has nine published novels. Brumby’s Run (Penguin 2012), Currawong Creek (Penguin 2013), Billabong Bend (Penguin 2014), Turtle Reef (Penguin 2015), Journey's End (Penguin 2016), Fortune's Son (Penguin 2017), The Lost Valley (Pilyara Press 2018), The Memory Tree (Pilyara Press 2019) and Wasp Season (Pilyara Press 2020)
Jennifer has always harboured a deep appreciation and respect for the natural world. Her house is on a hill-top, overlooking valleys of messmate and mountain ash. A pair of old eagles live there too. Black-shouldered wallabies graze by the creek. Eastern Spinebills hover among the callistemon. Jennifer lives with her family on a beautiful property in the mountains, that was left to her by her father. Horses have always been her passion. She grew up on the books of Elyne Mitchell, and all her life she’s ridden and bred horses, in particular Australian Stock Horses. She has nine published novels. Brumby’s Run (Penguin 2012), Currawong Creek (Penguin 2013), Billabong Bend (Penguin 2014), Turtle Reef (Penguin 2015), Journey's End (Penguin 2016), Fortune's Son (Penguin 2017), The Lost Valley (Pilyara Press 2018), The Memory Tree (Pilyara Press 2019) and Wasp Season (Pilyara Press 2020)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
December 3, 2014
With Summer only a week away Samantha Carmichael was pleased to have her eighteenth birthday and her year twelve exams behind her. Sam's dad has been overseas for the last few years, which gave Sam and her mum, Faith plenty of time alone together although there were times when they didn't always get on with one another.
Sam had just returned back home after taking her big and beautiful chestnut horse, Pharaoh for a ride when she heard her mum, Faith calling out to her. Faith wanted Sam to get cleaned up and take her out for lunch as there was something she needed to talk to her about. Sam could tell straight away that her mother had been crying and found this to be most unusual. Over lunch Faith told Sam that she was adopted and Sam couldn't believe what she was hearing. At the beginning she thought it must be a misunderstanding, but if that news hadn't come as a big enough shock, Sam then discovered that she was a twin.
Having so much to process in a short amount of time leaves, Sam with so many questions, but it doesn't stop there as she learns her twin, Charlie is very sick in hospital. With no time to waste, Sam heads to the hospital and there she is met by not only her twin sister, but her birth mother, Mary as well.
After spending a few weeks at the hospital, Sam decides the one thing she could do to help out Mary and Charlie was to spend time at their property at Brumby's Run. Knowing they had been away for a while, Sam knew there would be things that would need attending to. It is here that Sam meets neighbor Drew Chandler. Sam finds Drew to be a great help whilst she is finding her feet around the property. Sam loves her time at Brumby's Run and being amongst the horses she feels right at home. But of course, this wasn't her home as such and depending on how well she gets along with Charlie it may or may not be a place she calls home.
I LOVED everything about this book. Aussie author Jennifer Scoullar is a fabulous and very talented writer. Her descriptions throughout this book is what makes this story actually come alive, especially the description of the horses and the landscape. Brumby's Run is a really enjoyable read which I have no hesitation in recommending highly to anyone who loves a good read.
Sam had just returned back home after taking her big and beautiful chestnut horse, Pharaoh for a ride when she heard her mum, Faith calling out to her. Faith wanted Sam to get cleaned up and take her out for lunch as there was something she needed to talk to her about. Sam could tell straight away that her mother had been crying and found this to be most unusual. Over lunch Faith told Sam that she was adopted and Sam couldn't believe what she was hearing. At the beginning she thought it must be a misunderstanding, but if that news hadn't come as a big enough shock, Sam then discovered that she was a twin.
Having so much to process in a short amount of time leaves, Sam with so many questions, but it doesn't stop there as she learns her twin, Charlie is very sick in hospital. With no time to waste, Sam heads to the hospital and there she is met by not only her twin sister, but her birth mother, Mary as well.
After spending a few weeks at the hospital, Sam decides the one thing she could do to help out Mary and Charlie was to spend time at their property at Brumby's Run. Knowing they had been away for a while, Sam knew there would be things that would need attending to. It is here that Sam meets neighbor Drew Chandler. Sam finds Drew to be a great help whilst she is finding her feet around the property. Sam loves her time at Brumby's Run and being amongst the horses she feels right at home. But of course, this wasn't her home as such and depending on how well she gets along with Charlie it may or may not be a place she calls home.
I LOVED everything about this book. Aussie author Jennifer Scoullar is a fabulous and very talented writer. Her descriptions throughout this book is what makes this story actually come alive, especially the description of the horses and the landscape. Brumby's Run is a really enjoyable read which I have no hesitation in recommending highly to anyone who loves a good read.
May 16, 2016
2.5★s
Samantha (Sam) Carmichael and Charlene (Charlie) Kelly are identical twins separated at birth. As is so frequently observed in identical twins raised separately, the girls develop similar interests, independently. Both are passionate about horses and become highly skilled horsewomen at an early age.
Mary Kelly, the twins’ birth mother, who keeps Charlie, is an eccentric, superannuated hippie, a loose cannon, owner of Brumby’s Run, a decrepit farm located in Victoria's High Country, which features tumbledown buildings and starving cattle.
The twins are reunited at age 18, just after Sam finishes Year 12, when Charlie needs stem cell therapy to fight leukaemia. Unlike Charlie, Sam had no idea she was adopted, nor that she had an identical twin sister.
The stem cell transfusion saves Charlie’s life and she stays on in Melbourne for some months, with her mother, to undergo chemotherapy. With her adoptive parents travelling overseas, Sam goes to Brumby's Run to look after things until her university course starts in the new year. She meets dashing Drew, the helpful neighbour, a talented horseman, and they are deeply attracted to each other. However there are lingering issues as to whether Drew is really Charlie’s boyfriend. Being so strongly identical, Sam pretends to be Charlie with almost everyone, creating some confusion and deepening a pattern of deliberate deception.
A love triangle develops: Drew and Sam are attracted to each other, but she believes he is still committed to Charlie. Sam gets work with horseman Bushy at the local racetrack, helping to break in brumbies and work the other horses he manages and markets. She receives attention from the loathsome but talented rider Spike Morgan. Drew convinces her to enter into a business arrangement with him to operate horse trail rides through the spectacular countryside they occupy.
There is an elaborate sub-plot throughout the book which relates to the issue of feral animals, in particular cattle and brumbies, ranging in the Alpine National Park and causing environmental damage. The practice of culling brumbies is portrayed as cruel but necessary. This allows Scoullar to introduce the theme of the virtues of brumbies as an Australian Heritage Breed, with registered brumbies being sought-after as stock horses and equestrian competitors, instead of being killed for pet food. By bringing in the character of Karl the park ranger, she is also able to canvass issues about the environmental problems with introduced species in a sensitive ecology, and to cover both the high country horse- and cattlemen’s views and those of environmentalists. This is a real issue for Victoria, as various interest groups continue to engage in debate and lobby the State Parliament over the appropriate management of the Alpine National Park. I liked the idea developed by the author that high end tourism could bring income to, and reduce pressure on that sensitive area.
Brumby's Run is a totally conventional story, competently written but lacking flair. The writing style is pitched at a fairly low common denominator, which makes it accessible to most, and thus easy to read, but sadly devoid of sparkle. The plot did not offer much to engage me, except when the environmental stuff and the heritage breed issues were canvassed. It beggars belief that the key protagonists, taking on so much work and financial responsibility, as well as major decisions, are all only 18 years old. I wondered if the book was actually a Young Adult novel...? Furthermore there were some loose ends that were not tied up satisfactorily, and some plot developments that did not quite gel, such as the revelation about the identity of the twins' biological father?
In conclusion I'm saying, not bad, but not great reading, so 2.5★s is a reasonable score.
Samantha (Sam) Carmichael and Charlene (Charlie) Kelly are identical twins separated at birth. As is so frequently observed in identical twins raised separately, the girls develop similar interests, independently. Both are passionate about horses and become highly skilled horsewomen at an early age.
Mary Kelly, the twins’ birth mother, who keeps Charlie, is an eccentric, superannuated hippie, a loose cannon, owner of Brumby’s Run, a decrepit farm located in Victoria's High Country, which features tumbledown buildings and starving cattle.
The twins are reunited at age 18, just after Sam finishes Year 12, when Charlie needs stem cell therapy to fight leukaemia. Unlike Charlie, Sam had no idea she was adopted, nor that she had an identical twin sister.
The stem cell transfusion saves Charlie’s life and she stays on in Melbourne for some months, with her mother, to undergo chemotherapy. With her adoptive parents travelling overseas, Sam goes to Brumby's Run to look after things until her university course starts in the new year. She meets dashing Drew, the helpful neighbour, a talented horseman, and they are deeply attracted to each other. However there are lingering issues as to whether Drew is really Charlie’s boyfriend. Being so strongly identical, Sam pretends to be Charlie with almost everyone, creating some confusion and deepening a pattern of deliberate deception.
A love triangle develops: Drew and Sam are attracted to each other, but she believes he is still committed to Charlie. Sam gets work with horseman Bushy at the local racetrack, helping to break in brumbies and work the other horses he manages and markets. She receives attention from the loathsome but talented rider Spike Morgan. Drew convinces her to enter into a business arrangement with him to operate horse trail rides through the spectacular countryside they occupy.
There is an elaborate sub-plot throughout the book which relates to the issue of feral animals, in particular cattle and brumbies, ranging in the Alpine National Park and causing environmental damage. The practice of culling brumbies is portrayed as cruel but necessary. This allows Scoullar to introduce the theme of the virtues of brumbies as an Australian Heritage Breed, with registered brumbies being sought-after as stock horses and equestrian competitors, instead of being killed for pet food. By bringing in the character of Karl the park ranger, she is also able to canvass issues about the environmental problems with introduced species in a sensitive ecology, and to cover both the high country horse- and cattlemen’s views and those of environmentalists. This is a real issue for Victoria, as various interest groups continue to engage in debate and lobby the State Parliament over the appropriate management of the Alpine National Park. I liked the idea developed by the author that high end tourism could bring income to, and reduce pressure on that sensitive area.
Brumby's Run is a totally conventional story, competently written but lacking flair. The writing style is pitched at a fairly low common denominator, which makes it accessible to most, and thus easy to read, but sadly devoid of sparkle. The plot did not offer much to engage me, except when the environmental stuff and the heritage breed issues were canvassed. It beggars belief that the key protagonists, taking on so much work and financial responsibility, as well as major decisions, are all only 18 years old. I wondered if the book was actually a Young Adult novel...? Furthermore there were some loose ends that were not tied up satisfactorily, and some plot developments that did not quite gel, such as the revelation about the identity of the twins' biological father?
In conclusion I'm saying, not bad, but not great reading, so 2.5★s is a reasonable score.
September 7, 2013
When eighteen-year-old Samantha Carmichael’s mother, Faith, uncharacteristically took Sam to lunch as she had “something to talk about”, she was concerned. Her mother was a very self-centred, stiff and proper woman, a person who found it difficult to show love to her daughter; Sam’s life growing up had been a lonely one - as an only child her father was hardly ever there and her mother was extremely strict. So the total shock and incomprehension which hit Sam like a punch to the stomach when her mother told her she was adopted, then added that she was also a twin, had her reeling. Learning that her twin sister, Charlie, was lying gravely ill in hospital and wanted to see her, Sam had no idea what to do next.
Meeting Charlie and her birth mother, Mary, and learning all about their lives made Sam realize how very different the sisters were – but also, how very alike they were as well. The likeness was astounding, after all, they were identical… During the weeks at the hospital it was decided that Sam would go to Brumby’s Run up in the Victorian Alps, and look after the property until both Charlie and Mary could return. The time they had been away meant Brumby’s Run was probably in need of some tender loving care; but Sam was shocked when she arrived and saw the dilapidated state of the house and yards.
Meeting up with Drew Chandler, neighbour to Brumby’s Run, made Sam realize her life was about to change once again. As they headed up to the highlands on horseback, searching for brumbies, the exhilaration and excitement left her gasping. The magnificent views, the wildlife, the stunning weather; all of it designed to make her realize there was nowhere else she’d rather be. And of course, the company of Drew added to the pleasure she felt.
But troubles seemed to be around every corner, and Sam was unsure how to handle them. Her worry about Charlie was paramount, plus her attraction to Drew was accelerating. What was going to happen to her? She had fallen in love with Brumby’s Run but it was Charlie’s…
I absolutely loved this book by Aussie author Jennifer Scoullar. The richness of the scenery, the diverse nature of the characters plus the fantastic story of the brumbies and the attempts to save them from death, woven with the uniqueness of family, and in particular, sisters, made it a book I have no hesitation in highly recommending.
Meeting Charlie and her birth mother, Mary, and learning all about their lives made Sam realize how very different the sisters were – but also, how very alike they were as well. The likeness was astounding, after all, they were identical… During the weeks at the hospital it was decided that Sam would go to Brumby’s Run up in the Victorian Alps, and look after the property until both Charlie and Mary could return. The time they had been away meant Brumby’s Run was probably in need of some tender loving care; but Sam was shocked when she arrived and saw the dilapidated state of the house and yards.
Meeting up with Drew Chandler, neighbour to Brumby’s Run, made Sam realize her life was about to change once again. As they headed up to the highlands on horseback, searching for brumbies, the exhilaration and excitement left her gasping. The magnificent views, the wildlife, the stunning weather; all of it designed to make her realize there was nowhere else she’d rather be. And of course, the company of Drew added to the pleasure she felt.
But troubles seemed to be around every corner, and Sam was unsure how to handle them. Her worry about Charlie was paramount, plus her attraction to Drew was accelerating. What was going to happen to her? She had fallen in love with Brumby’s Run but it was Charlie’s…
I absolutely loved this book by Aussie author Jennifer Scoullar. The richness of the scenery, the diverse nature of the characters plus the fantastic story of the brumbies and the attempts to save them from death, woven with the uniqueness of family, and in particular, sisters, made it a book I have no hesitation in highly recommending.
August 15, 2024
3.5 stars
Listened to the audiobook via BorrowBox
Published by Bolinda audio
Read by Eleanor Stankiewicz
Duration: 9 hrs, 46 min. 1.25x Speed
Listened to the audiobook via BorrowBox
Published by Bolinda audio
Read by Eleanor Stankiewicz
Duration: 9 hrs, 46 min. 1.25x Speed
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Blurb:
How do you choose between a long-lost sister and the man who’s stolen your heart?
Set among the hauntingly beautiful ghost gums and wild horses of the high country, Brumby’s Run is a heartfelt, romantic novel about families and secrets, love and envy, and most especially the bonds of sisterhood.
Samantha Carmichael’s world is turned on its head when she learns that she’s adopted – and that she has a twin sister, Charlie, who is critically ill.
While Charlie recovers in hospital, Sam offers to look after Brumby’s Run, her sister’s home high in the Victorian Alps. Within days, city girl Sam finds herself breaking brumbies and running cattle with the help of handsome neighbour Drew Chandler, her sister’s erstwhile boyfriend.
A daunting challenge soon becomes a wholehearted tree change as Sam begins to fall in love with Brumby’s Run – and with Drew. But what will happen when Charlie returns to claim what is rightfully hers?
Blurb:
How do you choose between a long-lost sister and the man who’s stolen your heart?
Set among the hauntingly beautiful ghost gums and wild horses of the high country, Brumby’s Run is a heartfelt, romantic novel about families and secrets, love and envy, and most especially the bonds of sisterhood.
Samantha Carmichael’s world is turned on its head when she learns that she’s adopted – and that she has a twin sister, Charlie, who is critically ill.
While Charlie recovers in hospital, Sam offers to look after Brumby’s Run, her sister’s home high in the Victorian Alps. Within days, city girl Sam finds herself breaking brumbies and running cattle with the help of handsome neighbour Drew Chandler, her sister’s erstwhile boyfriend.
A daunting challenge soon becomes a wholehearted tree change as Sam begins to fall in love with Brumby’s Run – and with Drew. But what will happen when Charlie returns to claim what is rightfully hers?
June 30, 2012
Samantha Carmichael is 18 when her world is rocked – her parents are not actually her biological parents, she is adopted. And on top of that, Sam has a twin sister named Charlie who was not adopted out by their biological mother. Before Sam can really process why only one of them was offered up for adoption, she is also told that Charlie is sick, a form of leukemia. That is the only reason Sam is now being told, because Charlie’s best chance of a full recovery is a bone marrow donation from a close genetic match. As Sam and Charlie are identical twins, the match doesn’t come closer than that.
Sam wastes no time meeting Charlie and offering to help her. Having trouble relating to her adoptive mother now after the secrecy, Sam chooses to spend some time helping out Charlie some more by taking care of Charlie and their mother’s property, Brumby’s Run while Charlie fully recovers from her operation and gets healthy again. When she arrives, the property is not as she pictured – Brumby’s Run is struggling, tired and worn down and in need of some TLC. Sam soon finds herself immersed in the lifestyle, taking the job Charlie had lined up breaking brumbies. The two girls may look identical and be very, very different in their manner but it seems they have one thing in common: a deep love and passion for horses.
Soon Sam is falling in love with this beautiful countryside, Brumby’s Run, the wild brumbies and also Drew Chandler, the son of a neighbouring farmer. Drew has been around most days, helping Sam fit in, giving advice and generally just being there. The two of them are enjoying a steadily burgeoning friendship and Sam sees herself becoming part of this scenery. Back in Melbourne Charlie is feeling left out and restless, ready to pick up the reins and take her life back.
Everything Sam has done has been to help Charlie but the two of them have yet to spend much time together. They’ll have to negotiate a truce, learn to be sisters and see if they can’t both find a way to make a living out of Brumby’s Run.
Like the author Jennifer Scoullar, I grew up on a steady diet of Elyne Mitchell novels. I had the entire Silver Brumby series as a pre-teen and read and re-read them probably dozens, if not hundreds, of times. Thowra and Co instilled a love of horses in me that persists until this day, even though I don’t own a horse, nor have I ever been lucky enough to own one. They’re a past time that I unfortunately cannot afford, but I’ve managed to find other ways in which to be around them. When I can’t do that, books like this one hit the spot.
Sam and Charlie are so different, but Sam feels the loneliness of having been an only child keenly so she is more than willing to help out Charlie and their biological mother Mary any way she can. She’s also a bit at odds with her adoptive mother, both for the secrecy and something that her adoptive mother does while Sam is spending time with Charlie at the hospital, so it’s no hardship for her to agree to go to Brumby’s Run and try and keep it going while Charlie is recuperating. I really liked Sam, she was mature beyond her years – going to a remote property at 18 and attempting to run it wouldn’t be easy and I think she made an excellent go of it especially as her adoptive parents were quite wealthy and she was used to luxury. Brumby’s Run is quite primitive, with the sort of conditions that would’ve had a lot of city girls heading straight back for the bright lights. But Sam doesn’t do that – she knuckles down and starts getting the place cleaned up.
Helping Sam find her feet is Drew Chandler, son of the property-owner next door. Mistaking her for Charlie at first, Drew is the only person who knows that Sam isn’t actually Charlie – Sam finds it easier not to have to explain her complicated family history to the locals, most of whom don’t have much time for Mary and Charlie anyway. Sam falls in love with the beautiful wild Australian brumbies and becomes personally invested in their fate. Often considered to be pests to the natural habitat, they are rounded up in order to attempt to tame them. Other methods have in the past, involved culling them from the air. Sam wants to save all of them, horrified when she learns that the ones the Brumby Rescue organisation don’t buy may end up as bronc horses for local rodeos.
Although at times I queried the decision to make Sam so young and undertake so much in what is essentially her first summer of freedom after high school, I think in the end it managed to work because of her youthful enthusiasm for everything. Everything was a new experience for her and she threw herself into it wholeheartedly, which was refreshing and charming in its honesty. It also did work better to highlight the differences between Sam and Charlie – Charlie had not had anywhere near the privileged life that Sam had and her resentment and at times, childish behaviour about it wouldn’t have sat well on an older character.
Brumby’s Run is a lovely story of family and self-discovery, of love of the land and the wildlife that live on it. I’d recommend it to any fans of the rural literature genre or anyone that has a love of horses and a sweet love story.
April 20, 2013
My first comment… Brumby’s Run is so much more than the cover and back cover blurb. I can understand the publisher’s desire to take advantage to the increasingly popular farm-lit/ru-ro (rural romance) genre, but it’s a shame that by categorising Brumby’s Run it may limit readership with many missing out on a damn good Aussie tale of family, friendship and country life.
I am a fussy-pot when it comes to reading. I don’t like wasting time on bad books. The first chapter has to hook me and keep me hooked. I admit to almost putting Brumby’s Run down. Not because the writing wasn’t good, or because it didn’t hook me. It did. This book managed to do both brilliantly. My problem was that the main characters were so young, while I… I am so not!
Could I relate? Did I want to read about young love and typical teenage angst? (Did I mention I dislike predictable characters too! Told you I was a fussy-pot.)
Then I met Mary! (Everyone’s allowed a favourite, aren’t they?) And while I loved the way the author handled all the characters, the mothers were my favourite — and not a stereotype in sight.
So to my absolute delight, I not only found I couldn’t stop reading Brumby’s Run, I actually felt 18 again. What a bonus!
This is a terrific read as well as thought-provoking. I can see why they might want to promote it as ru-ro, but it would sit just as comfortably on both Young Adult and Australian Fiction shelves (in fact, I am recommending this to every mother I know who has teenager girls.)
In the end, I loved all the characters, the clever plotting (although the author apparently doesn’t plot out her stories – amazing), and the subtle environmental messages (some less subtle than others, but it did not detract from the reading. This is clearly the author’s platform and if you are going to push a barrow, the environment is the best one I know.)
Jennifer Scoullar’s love of the bush, books, brumbies, Blyton and Banjo (who she does give credit to for inspiring her), as well as the environment really makes this book stand out from the mob. But the best thing about Brumby’s Run is ANYONE – 16 or 60 – will enjoy the ride.
July 5, 2019
Samantha Carmichael and Charlene Kelly are identical twins that were separated at birth when their birth mother made the difficult decision to keep one girl and give the other up for adoption.
Sam and Charlie meet in a hospital when Charlie needs a stem cell transplant to save her life; she has cancer. Brumby's Run is an emotion filled story based on Sam going to Charlie and Mary's home ranch while Charlie recovers and gains her strength back.
Tangled love affair, being mistaken for Charlie and setting the farm to rights keep Sam busy and confused as to her place in the world. Both young women love horses, the rugged mountains and environment and each other. I loved the final revelation and how it impacts the girls as they stick together to face new challenges.
Sam and Charlie meet in a hospital when Charlie needs a stem cell transplant to save her life; she has cancer. Brumby's Run is an emotion filled story based on Sam going to Charlie and Mary's home ranch while Charlie recovers and gains her strength back.
Tangled love affair, being mistaken for Charlie and setting the farm to rights keep Sam busy and confused as to her place in the world. Both young women love horses, the rugged mountains and environment and each other. I loved the final revelation and how it impacts the girls as they stick together to face new challenges.
May 21, 2014
*** I won this copy of Brumby's Run via Jennifer Scoullar's blog ***
SPOILER ALERT - I have quoted a favourite part of Brumby's Run at the end of my review.
What a wonderful read!
Jennifer Scoullar has done a superb job capturing the essence of the Australian outback, and it's varied characters. A love story, mixed with family secrets and environmental issues, Brumby's Run is a roller coaster of emotions.
The characters, both human and equine, are truly amazing. I found myself deeply engrossed in their lives, and enjoyed every second of if.
"He felt them before he heard them. A certain low vibration, travelling through Clancy's body into his own, alerting them both. In the distance, the faint cries of men and the drumming of hoofs." (Ch 17, pg 123)
"An avalanche of horses in full flight, flanked either side by riders, was headed straight for the trap. There was Chiquita, in the lead. And Jarrang, bringing up the rear, galloping dangerously close to the lower hessian fence. Dust plumed in their wake, and their hammering hoofs dislodged rocks that rattled and rolled down the mountainside." (Ch 17, pg 123)
Jennifer's descriptive writing puts you right into the action. I could smell the earth, hear the horses hoofs and the rocks flying. It brought to mind scenes of "The Man From Snowy River."
I want to pack my bags and head for the bush, put on some comfy clothes and hit the trails for a fabulous horse trek.
Thank you Jennifer!
SPOILER ALERT - I have quoted a favourite part of Brumby's Run at the end of my review.
What a wonderful read!
Jennifer Scoullar has done a superb job capturing the essence of the Australian outback, and it's varied characters. A love story, mixed with family secrets and environmental issues, Brumby's Run is a roller coaster of emotions.
The characters, both human and equine, are truly amazing. I found myself deeply engrossed in their lives, and enjoyed every second of if.
"He felt them before he heard them. A certain low vibration, travelling through Clancy's body into his own, alerting them both. In the distance, the faint cries of men and the drumming of hoofs." (Ch 17, pg 123)
"An avalanche of horses in full flight, flanked either side by riders, was headed straight for the trap. There was Chiquita, in the lead. And Jarrang, bringing up the rear, galloping dangerously close to the lower hessian fence. Dust plumed in their wake, and their hammering hoofs dislodged rocks that rattled and rolled down the mountainside." (Ch 17, pg 123)
Jennifer's descriptive writing puts you right into the action. I could smell the earth, hear the horses hoofs and the rocks flying. It brought to mind scenes of "The Man From Snowy River."
I want to pack my bags and head for the bush, put on some comfy clothes and hit the trails for a fabulous horse trek.
Thank you Jennifer!
September 8, 2014
Totally loved this book, the fact it had the wild brumby as its centre point just added to its appeal, being a horse lover from way back, nothing beats a brumby in the wild. As testament to my great love of them is all our cars have brumby pin striping so this really was a book made for me.
I love the twins Sam and Charlie separated at birth and then finding their way back to each other in a time of great need.
I appreciated the accuracy of the small town country atmosphere which if you grew up or lived in a country town is spot on (usually)
I loved all the characters especially Drew and Spike who where good old country boys and the others who were well rounded and easy to relate to, I loved the visual pictures the books presented in my minds eye of the environment and I especially liked the way it was aware of conservation issues not only for the wild brumby but the greater environment.
It is a book I would highly recommend to anyone interested in horses, country life or just a great easy read. I loved it which is why I bought the other 2 in the set while I was out shopping :)
I love the twins Sam and Charlie separated at birth and then finding their way back to each other in a time of great need.
I appreciated the accuracy of the small town country atmosphere which if you grew up or lived in a country town is spot on (usually)
I loved all the characters especially Drew and Spike who where good old country boys and the others who were well rounded and easy to relate to, I loved the visual pictures the books presented in my minds eye of the environment and I especially liked the way it was aware of conservation issues not only for the wild brumby but the greater environment.
It is a book I would highly recommend to anyone interested in horses, country life or just a great easy read. I loved it which is why I bought the other 2 in the set while I was out shopping :)
April 28, 2013
i found this book very enjoyable...i loved how it was set in the high country and reminded me so much of a place called corryong and the of the man from snowy river bush festival... also if you like the diamond spirit series you will i think you will enjoy this book it reminded me so much of Brumby mountain #5 in the diamond spirit series. Can't wait for Jennifer Scoullar's new book to come out. :)
June 30, 2012
An interesting insight into life as a separated twin, glorious countryside and gorgeous animals. An interesting read for which I best go write a review....
I'll be back with it in a while.
http://bookgirl.beautyandlace.net/bru...
I'll be back with it in a while.
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November 6, 2016
Another great Aussie story.... I find myself getting lost in these books and not putting them down. Fun, entertaining and informative reading. Learnt about frogs....
August 11, 2019
The Wild Australia Stories Series:
Brumby’s Run #1 – This is my first read by this author and I love it. I felt like I was there in those areas of AU. The vivid descriptions, the variety of everyday characters, the horses and all the background information just kept me glued to the pages. I could not put the book down and I had another book to review: this book came from my library. I took my time savoring every word and the storylines and was happy the author stayed home, instead of writing about the US or some other place, sharing the lifestyles and traditions in her neck of AU. The extra material not usually found in many books was extremely interesting and enjoyable to read about: the depth of the training; horse breeds; and even the proper handling of the environment. All the background information added substance to the tapestry of the story. I will read every book I can find from Ms. Scoullar. 5*
Currawong Creek #2 – This book is just as great to read as Brumby’s Run. Clare is a difficult person to like. She flip-flops between sensible and plain stupid too much and to extremes. She does running away well but not working out problems. Good storylines full with plenty of love, sacrifice and the power of healing with the use of therapy animals. The other main characters were good and interesting, along with most of the secondary characters. There are good expectations and a couple of surprises concerning friendship. Again, I felt as if I was there through Ms. S’s vivid descriptions. This is a feel good story complete with romance and shared loves. 4*
Turtle Reef #4 – This story is wonderful and heartbreaking. I found Ms. S’s vivid descriptions about the sea and her creatures, and the reefs, their functions and survival against man interesting and intriguing. The dugongs are very interesting and I learned quite a bit about them. Through Einstein the octopus, I gained a respect for the species, especially after learning about the sacrifices the females make for their young. This is y favorite of the three books that I’ve read so far. As interesting as the creatures were, the human characters held up their end – interesting, talented and varying from wonderful to damaged but always believable. Einstein and Aisha were my favorites with Zoe pulling in third. 5*
Journey’s End #5 – Wonderful and heartbreaking, this heartwarming story has a touch of romance making Journey’s End another top favorite of mine. All four stories were great, but Turtle and Journey grabbed my heart and made tears flow. I enjoyed Ms. S’s wild AU stories with her well-written characters and her vivid descriptions placing the reader deep into the tapestry of intriguing storylines and interesting background on AU and her wildlife. Dusty was my favorite character and Taj lent a mysterious element to a well-written story. 5*
The Wild Australia Stories Series end.
The Tasmanian Tales:
Fortune’s Son #1 – So sad and so heartbreaking, the heartwarming multiple storylines about Tasmania, her culture and her creatures was so interesting and intriguing; it was another hard to put down story. The well-written characters, the author’s vivid descriptions, and talented storytelling abilities place the reader deep into the weave of a beautiful tapestry of love, sacrifice and the culture and wildlife of Tasmania, with glimpses of AU. Bear is my favorite character next to Tasmania. 5*
The Lost Valley #2 – This story begins in 1929 with most of the family involved from Fortune’s Son. This book is so sad and so heartbreaking, as well as so heartwarming, intriguing, interesting and uplifting. The vivid descriptions woven with the old and new storylines make a substantial tapestry of love and sacrifice amongst the history of Tasmania, her people and her creatures and her culture. The 600 plus pages just flew by and I could not put this book down until I read the last page. I chain read all the books I had by this author and never once was bored or tired of reading about AU and Tasmania. the excitement over finding such a talented and creative storyteller/author never stopped. Rereading these books in the future, which is something I seldom do anymore, is a certain possibility. 5*
The Tasmanian Tales end.
Brumby’s Run #1 – This is my first read by this author and I love it. I felt like I was there in those areas of AU. The vivid descriptions, the variety of everyday characters, the horses and all the background information just kept me glued to the pages. I could not put the book down and I had another book to review: this book came from my library. I took my time savoring every word and the storylines and was happy the author stayed home, instead of writing about the US or some other place, sharing the lifestyles and traditions in her neck of AU. The extra material not usually found in many books was extremely interesting and enjoyable to read about: the depth of the training; horse breeds; and even the proper handling of the environment. All the background information added substance to the tapestry of the story. I will read every book I can find from Ms. Scoullar. 5*
Currawong Creek #2 – This book is just as great to read as Brumby’s Run. Clare is a difficult person to like. She flip-flops between sensible and plain stupid too much and to extremes. She does running away well but not working out problems. Good storylines full with plenty of love, sacrifice and the power of healing with the use of therapy animals. The other main characters were good and interesting, along with most of the secondary characters. There are good expectations and a couple of surprises concerning friendship. Again, I felt as if I was there through Ms. S’s vivid descriptions. This is a feel good story complete with romance and shared loves. 4*
Turtle Reef #4 – This story is wonderful and heartbreaking. I found Ms. S’s vivid descriptions about the sea and her creatures, and the reefs, their functions and survival against man interesting and intriguing. The dugongs are very interesting and I learned quite a bit about them. Through Einstein the octopus, I gained a respect for the species, especially after learning about the sacrifices the females make for their young. This is y favorite of the three books that I’ve read so far. As interesting as the creatures were, the human characters held up their end – interesting, talented and varying from wonderful to damaged but always believable. Einstein and Aisha were my favorites with Zoe pulling in third. 5*
Journey’s End #5 – Wonderful and heartbreaking, this heartwarming story has a touch of romance making Journey’s End another top favorite of mine. All four stories were great, but Turtle and Journey grabbed my heart and made tears flow. I enjoyed Ms. S’s wild AU stories with her well-written characters and her vivid descriptions placing the reader deep into the tapestry of intriguing storylines and interesting background on AU and her wildlife. Dusty was my favorite character and Taj lent a mysterious element to a well-written story. 5*
The Wild Australia Stories Series end.
The Tasmanian Tales:
Fortune’s Son #1 – So sad and so heartbreaking, the heartwarming multiple storylines about Tasmania, her culture and her creatures was so interesting and intriguing; it was another hard to put down story. The well-written characters, the author’s vivid descriptions, and talented storytelling abilities place the reader deep into the weave of a beautiful tapestry of love, sacrifice and the culture and wildlife of Tasmania, with glimpses of AU. Bear is my favorite character next to Tasmania. 5*
The Lost Valley #2 – This story begins in 1929 with most of the family involved from Fortune’s Son. This book is so sad and so heartbreaking, as well as so heartwarming, intriguing, interesting and uplifting. The vivid descriptions woven with the old and new storylines make a substantial tapestry of love and sacrifice amongst the history of Tasmania, her people and her creatures and her culture. The 600 plus pages just flew by and I could not put this book down until I read the last page. I chain read all the books I had by this author and never once was bored or tired of reading about AU and Tasmania. the excitement over finding such a talented and creative storyteller/author never stopped. Rereading these books in the future, which is something I seldom do anymore, is a certain possibility. 5*
The Tasmanian Tales end.
October 26, 2018
Sisterhood 👭can help pull you through some hard times! And horses help, too🐎☺
October 24, 2018
Format: Kindle Edition
4.5 🌟 stars
Loved the rural Australian bush setting and the storyline for the two sisters at the heart of the action. You can tell that the author has a great love of Australian wildlife and the great outdoors. It's well-written, with mostly suggested intimacy for the ❤romance. But it's basically a story of two young women struggling to find their way to adulthood and happiness, and taking advantage of the support of a sister newly found. Of the two sisters, Sam was my favorite. She was hard working, down to earth despite her privileged upbringing, up for any challenge, and had a solid moral compass. Charlie was a bit of a whiner and did not seem too bothered about understanding things from her sister's perspective.
For someone who's only ever been on a horse once in her life, the descriptions of horse training and competitions were a bit down in the weeds, but it did not detract from my enjoyment of Sam and Charlie's story. If you are a horse enthusiast, and especially interested in the plight of wild horses, this novel should really suit! And the ending provides some real twists, too!
I read a complimentary copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
October 24, 2018
Format: Kindle Edition
4.5 🌟 stars
Loved the rural Australian bush setting and the storyline for the two sisters at the heart of the action. You can tell that the author has a great love of Australian wildlife and the great outdoors. It's well-written, with mostly suggested intimacy for the ❤romance. But it's basically a story of two young women struggling to find their way to adulthood and happiness, and taking advantage of the support of a sister newly found. Of the two sisters, Sam was my favorite. She was hard working, down to earth despite her privileged upbringing, up for any challenge, and had a solid moral compass. Charlie was a bit of a whiner and did not seem too bothered about understanding things from her sister's perspective.
For someone who's only ever been on a horse once in her life, the descriptions of horse training and competitions were a bit down in the weeds, but it did not detract from my enjoyment of Sam and Charlie's story. If you are a horse enthusiast, and especially interested in the plight of wild horses, this novel should really suit! And the ending provides some real twists, too!
I read a complimentary copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
December 9, 2018
The book opens where a woman is deciding on what baby to give up to another family. The father is not in the picture and she can't afford one kid let alone 2. When Sam (Samantha) is 18 she finds out that she is a twin and her mom tells her that her twin Charlie (Charlene) is extremely ill and wants to meet her. They both have some things the same even though they were brought up completely differently. Sam is able to save Charlie because they are twins. The whole book is pretty much all about Sam. The book was ok, just a lot of whining from everyone that was in the book. Both mom's were pretty absent through the whole book even though they are only 18 and one is extremely ill. There is some angst with a boy and miscommunication. I loved the parts with the horses and the land as you could feel it.
Received this book as an ARC for my honest review.
Received this book as an ARC for my honest review.
September 25, 2018
Surprisingly well written
I wasn't expecting to like this book, mostly picked it from being such a horsenerd myself and seriously totally in love with Australia (even though I've never been, and likely never will due to illness)
The author is very well researched and obviously knows horses. She mentioned *The Man from Snowy River, * the Silver Brumby, the walers, and smoothly mixed in the opposite sides of love for brumbies and the vile treatment of them with the old country tradition that brumbies are pests.
I do however wished it to be longer, or made to be trilogy, just to expand more into the relationship between people, especially in a tiny community like that. So some bits felt a little rushed.
I wasn't expecting to like this book, mostly picked it from being such a horsenerd myself and seriously totally in love with Australia (even though I've never been, and likely never will due to illness)
The author is very well researched and obviously knows horses. She mentioned *The Man from Snowy River, * the Silver Brumby, the walers, and smoothly mixed in the opposite sides of love for brumbies and the vile treatment of them with the old country tradition that brumbies are pests.
I do however wished it to be longer, or made to be trilogy, just to expand more into the relationship between people, especially in a tiny community like that. So some bits felt a little rushed.
July 29, 2020
Brumby's Run -A Big Hit
Twin daughters were separated soon after birth. One lived with the birth mother. The other lived with the father. The one living with the birth mother lived in a little house on a farm that raised cattle and horses. Money was always in short supply. The twin living with the birth father had everything she could possibly want.
The girls found out about each other when the one living on the farm became ill and needed a home marrow transplant. They met at the hospital where the transplant took place.
The girls met each other, decided to live on the farm together and spent time together. This book tells the story of the joys and problems that they experienced. Read this book to get the whole story. I am glad I did.
Twin daughters were separated soon after birth. One lived with the birth mother. The other lived with the father. The one living with the birth mother lived in a little house on a farm that raised cattle and horses. Money was always in short supply. The twin living with the birth father had everything she could possibly want.
The girls found out about each other when the one living on the farm became ill and needed a home marrow transplant. They met at the hospital where the transplant took place.
The girls met each other, decided to live on the farm together and spent time together. This book tells the story of the joys and problems that they experienced. Read this book to get the whole story. I am glad I did.
October 12, 2022
Charlie and Sam
Mary has to choose. She is giving one of her girls up for adoption. They look so much alike Mary is afraid she will give the wrong one away. Mary was 17. She thought she couldn't afford to raise both babies. The adoptive family was wealthy so Sam's needs would be taken cafe of. 18 years later Sam's mother tells her she is adopted. Mary was contacting now because Charlie was sick. Sam would be able to give her bone marrow. Later Charlie suggested she go and check out their ranch. She meets her very handsome neighbor Drew. She didn't fool him for long.
A wonderful story of greed !I've and corruption. I was drawn into the story. The beautiful horses. The starving cattle. The missing frogs. Definitely a book I would recommend.
Mary has to choose. She is giving one of her girls up for adoption. They look so much alike Mary is afraid she will give the wrong one away. Mary was 17. She thought she couldn't afford to raise both babies. The adoptive family was wealthy so Sam's needs would be taken cafe of. 18 years later Sam's mother tells her she is adopted. Mary was contacting now because Charlie was sick. Sam would be able to give her bone marrow. Later Charlie suggested she go and check out their ranch. She meets her very handsome neighbor Drew. She didn't fool him for long.
A wonderful story of greed !I've and corruption. I was drawn into the story. The beautiful horses. The starving cattle. The missing frogs. Definitely a book I would recommend.
November 25, 2018
I wanted to like this story a lot more than I did, but sadly that wasn’t the case. For me, it wasn’t so much a romance story, it also wasn’t so much a story about having to pick between her sister and a guy either.
I think there were far too many things going on that resulted in them not being properly written about – I felt it to be rather jumbled. I think, again for me personally, there was too much in depth horse talk, I found myself googling a lot to find meanings to a lot of the terms used. And, there are too many loose ends – unless the story continues in book two?
This story had so much potential…
I think there were far too many things going on that resulted in them not being properly written about – I felt it to be rather jumbled. I think, again for me personally, there was too much in depth horse talk, I found myself googling a lot to find meanings to a lot of the terms used. And, there are too many loose ends – unless the story continues in book two?
This story had so much potential…
November 4, 2020
An amazing good clean read.
Being a U.S. Citizen I thoroughly enjoyed reading this Australia setting. The story has many twist and turns as Samantha and Charlene, identical twins separated at birth, (one raised fending for herself and the other a life of luxury) are united at age 18. Both love horses, one is deathly sick, and the other can save her life. Their backgrounds clash, but they have so much in common. A fun, clean book of love, hurt, and healing. If course there are guys involved.
Being a U.S. Citizen I thoroughly enjoyed reading this Australia setting. The story has many twist and turns as Samantha and Charlene, identical twins separated at birth, (one raised fending for herself and the other a life of luxury) are united at age 18. Both love horses, one is deathly sick, and the other can save her life. Their backgrounds clash, but they have so much in common. A fun, clean book of love, hurt, and healing. If course there are guys involved.
January 12, 2021
Samantha Carmichael lives in the city with her mother whilst her father works overseas. In a big shock she learns that she is adopted and has a critically sick idenical twin sister who needs her help. Sam meets her twin sister and birth mother and goes to Brumby's Run, their property, helping to keep it running whilst her mother and sister are in Melbourne.
She meets Drew the neighbour who helps her with the property. As the story evolves things get interesting and it is well worth the read to see what happens in more ways than one!
She meets Drew the neighbour who helps her with the property. As the story evolves things get interesting and it is well worth the read to see what happens in more ways than one!
July 17, 2019
I had read another in this series and really enjoyed it. This I didn't enjoy quite so much, mostly because I didn't care for reading about the casual hooking up of the teenage main characters. Otherwise, I liked the Australian setting and details about wild horses there. There was a minor mystery in the book (as there was in the other in the series that I read) and I have to admit I hadn't guessed it.
June 21, 2020
fun read
enjoyed the book with all the ups and downs ... I felt I missed something at beginning of chapter 40. it just jumped from Sam & Charlie in the kitchen talking about their father on one page to Drew & Bill talking about the horses on the next. no explanation of the relationship between Drew & Bill between the two times Bill is mentioned in the story. other then that I enjoyed the story and the location!
enjoyed the book with all the ups and downs ... I felt I missed something at beginning of chapter 40. it just jumped from Sam & Charlie in the kitchen talking about their father on one page to Drew & Bill talking about the horses on the next. no explanation of the relationship between Drew & Bill between the two times Bill is mentioned in the story. other then that I enjoyed the story and the location!
February 22, 2023
Horse crazy teenagers will absolutely devour this book. It is the first of Jennifer Scoullar's I have read but I will read others. I enjoyed the writing, the explanations of the brumbies I found very enlightening and overall I enjoyed the book but I did find some of the reactions a little fanciful. I loved the references to Elyne Mitchell's The Silver Brumby wonderful.
This was originally published in 2008.
This was originally published in 2008.
July 27, 2025
I enjoyed listening to this rural story set again in Currawong. The story of twin girls separated at birth but finding one another when Charlie needed Sam. Sam was adopted out and has lived a completely different life to Charlie. However they both have a great love of horses and especially the Brumby population. Loved both the girls. Nicely wrapped up at the end, maybe a bit too much, but I didn't mind. Very well narrated.
March 15, 2019
Awesome
I loved this tale of Brombies and sisters reunited and romance! It is a perfect tri fecta and really fun to read! I loved happy endings and I was not disappointed.! I recommend this book for anyone who loves, has a sister, or any family you weren't around growing up.. and anyone who loves horses and conservation efforts and romance.. Yes I really enjoyed this book!
I loved this tale of Brombies and sisters reunited and romance! It is a perfect tri fecta and really fun to read! I loved happy endings and I was not disappointed.! I recommend this book for anyone who loves, has a sister, or any family you weren't around growing up.. and anyone who loves horses and conservation efforts and romance.. Yes I really enjoyed this book!
June 17, 2019
Young love in country Australia
This is very much a ‘young love’ romance as the principals are aged 18-20 and that, plus the ending is what has driven my 3 star rating.
Jennifer Scoullar paints a vivid and tough picture of outback life and challenges. I don’t know how realistic it is, but I found it enthralling, particularly the environmental descriptions and challenges which compensated for the young leads and the overplayed characters of the parents.
This is very much a ‘young love’ romance as the principals are aged 18-20 and that, plus the ending is what has driven my 3 star rating.
Jennifer Scoullar paints a vivid and tough picture of outback life and challenges. I don’t know how realistic it is, but I found it enthralling, particularly the environmental descriptions and challenges which compensated for the young leads and the overplayed characters of the parents.
April 24, 2020
Exceptional
A beautiful story of life and how we are all connected to this world and each other. When two girls are separated at birth and brought up in two separate worlds only a mother's love can bring them together. But their love will keep them so. I loved the nature and landscapes of this story. A new favorite author.
A beautiful story of life and how we are all connected to this world and each other. When two girls are separated at birth and brought up in two separate worlds only a mother's love can bring them together. But their love will keep them so. I loved the nature and landscapes of this story. A new favorite author.
January 26, 2021
A faairly well written book about girls separated by birth. One raised in the by by her biolodical disfunctional mother and the other by a well to do couple and raised with every advantage. United at age 18 when Sam learns her twin exists and is seriously ill with a blood disease. A bone marrow transplant was made to permit Charlie a chance at a normal life.
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