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The Swallow's Fall #1
The House on Burra Burra Lane
Just ten days after her fresh start in the isolated Snowy Mountains, Samantha Walker trips over a three hundred pound pig and lands in the arms of Dr. Ethan Granger — and the firing line for gossip. It was hardly a ‘date’ but sparks of the sensual kind are difficult to smother in a community of only 87 people. Now there’s a bet running on how long she’ll stay and what she’ll get up to while she’s in town.
Ethan has his own issues — Sammy’s presence in his childhood home brings with it painful recollections of family scandals and a bad‐boy youth. When the gossip around them heightens, his life is suddenly a deck of cards spread on the table for all to see. Then Sammy's past catches up with her... and it looks like all bets are off.
Ethan has his own issues — Sammy’s presence in his childhood home brings with it painful recollections of family scandals and a bad‐boy youth. When the gossip around them heightens, his life is suddenly a deck of cards spread on the table for all to see. Then Sammy's past catches up with her... and it looks like all bets are off.
304 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
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730 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
November 25, 2016
Leaving behind an abusive ex fiance and a demanding mother, Samantha (Sammy) Walker escapes Sydney and heads to the town of Swallow Falls in the Snowy Mountains of NSW. She's only been in the area for 10 days when she rushes into the vets room with her ginger cat, Duke where she finds herself stumbling over, Ruby the resident pig and falling straight into the arms of the vet Dr Ethan Granger.
Sammy quickly learns that Ethan is not only a veterinarian, but also a carpenter. Sammy has numerous repairs that need attending to around her household, so she knows Ethan will come in very handy. The attraction between Sammy and Ethan is obvious, but they both have painful pasts and neither one of them wants to take the chance of being hurt again or can time heal old wounds?
The House on Burra Burra Lane is the first book in the "Swallow Falls" series and it was a delightful read and one in which I really enjoyed. I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series. Highly recommended.
Sammy quickly learns that Ethan is not only a veterinarian, but also a carpenter. Sammy has numerous repairs that need attending to around her household, so she knows Ethan will come in very handy. The attraction between Sammy and Ethan is obvious, but they both have painful pasts and neither one of them wants to take the chance of being hurt again or can time heal old wounds?
The House on Burra Burra Lane is the first book in the "Swallow Falls" series and it was a delightful read and one in which I really enjoyed. I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series. Highly recommended.
May 29, 2013
Samantha Walker made a grand entrance into the township of Swallow’s Fall in the Snowy Mountains of NSW and its residents when she rushed into the vet’s rooms with her ginger cat Duke, tripped over Ruby, the resident pig, and went flying into the arms of the local vet, Dr Ethan Granger. Escaping from Sydney, an abusive ex-fiance and nasty, vindictive mother, Sammy had only been in Swallow’s Fall and her very own “old” home for ten days, and she wasn’t expecting to have her blood stirred by a handsome man, who also, it turned out, was a carpenter as well as a vet, and could help her with repairs to her home.
But Ethan, as well as Sammy, had issues with an extremely painful past, and even with the sparks that were between them, neither of them was prepared to take anything further than a tentative friendship. Both had been severely hurt in different ways, and issues with trust created a huge barrier between them.
Sammy gradually made friends with the locals, especially old Grandy, as she frequented his hardware store to buy tools to repair her house, the chicken coop, the shed, the vegetable garden…some of those tools she had NO idea what to do with, but she figured she could learn. She was also an artist, and her work with a Sydney firm kept her financial to pay for her repairs.
With the locals having bets to see how long Sammy would stay in town, suddenly the past was on her doorstep. With danger surfacing, Ethan acting strangely and her mind in turmoil, Sammy didn’t know where her future lay anymore. What would happen to Sammy? Could Ethan let go of his terrible memories to be able to build a future?
I really enjoyed this book and sped through it in only a couple of hours! Another debut Aussie author for me to follow, and one I would recommend to lovers of rural romance.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my copy to read and review.
But Ethan, as well as Sammy, had issues with an extremely painful past, and even with the sparks that were between them, neither of them was prepared to take anything further than a tentative friendship. Both had been severely hurt in different ways, and issues with trust created a huge barrier between them.
Sammy gradually made friends with the locals, especially old Grandy, as she frequented his hardware store to buy tools to repair her house, the chicken coop, the shed, the vegetable garden…some of those tools she had NO idea what to do with, but she figured she could learn. She was also an artist, and her work with a Sydney firm kept her financial to pay for her repairs.
With the locals having bets to see how long Sammy would stay in town, suddenly the past was on her doorstep. With danger surfacing, Ethan acting strangely and her mind in turmoil, Sammy didn’t know where her future lay anymore. What would happen to Sammy? Could Ethan let go of his terrible memories to be able to build a future?
I really enjoyed this book and sped through it in only a couple of hours! Another debut Aussie author for me to follow, and one I would recommend to lovers of rural romance.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my copy to read and review.
March 28, 2020
The House on Burra Burra Lane is book #1 in the Swallows Fall Series by Jennie Jones. This Rural Romance is set in the Snowy Mountains, NSW and follows the dramas and misadventures of city girl Samantha Walker as she sets up her new life in the country. Thanks to Romance.com.au for my digital copy of this book.
January 16, 2014
Samantha Walker made a grand entrance into the township of Swallow’s Fall in the Snowy Mountains of NSW and its residents when she rushed into the vet’s rooms with her ginger cat Duke, tripped over Ruby, the resident pig, and went flying into the arms of the local vet, Dr Ethan Granger. Escaping from Sydney, an abusive ex-fiance and nasty, vindictive mother, Sammy had only been in Swallow’s Fall and her very own “old” home for ten days, and she wasn’t expecting to have her blood stirred by a handsome man, who also, it turned out, was a carpenter as well as a vet, and could help her with repairs to her home.
But Ethan, as well as Sammy, had issues with an extremely painful past, and even with the sparks that were between them, neither of them was prepared to take anything further than a tentative friendship. Both had been severely hurt in different ways, and issues with trust created a huge barrier between them.
Sammy gradually made friends with the locals, especially old Grandy, as she frequented his hardware store to buy tools to repair her house, the chicken coop, the shed, the vegetable garden…some of those tools she had NO idea what to do with, but she figured she could learn. She was also an artist, and her work with a Sydney firm kept her financial to pay for her repairs.
With the locals having bets to see how long Sammy would stay in town, suddenly the past was on her doorstep. With danger surfacing, Ethan acting strangely and her mind in turmoil, Sammy didn’t know where her future lay anymore. What would happen to Sammy? Could Ethan let go of his terrible memories to be able to build a future?
I really enjoyed this book and sped through it in only a couple of hours! Another debut Aussie author for me to follow, and one I would recommend to lovers of rural romance.
I received this paperback copy as a Goodreads FirstReads winner:) Even though I read it on ebook last year (2013) when it was first released, Jennie's paperback copy was released on 1.1.14.
But Ethan, as well as Sammy, had issues with an extremely painful past, and even with the sparks that were between them, neither of them was prepared to take anything further than a tentative friendship. Both had been severely hurt in different ways, and issues with trust created a huge barrier between them.
Sammy gradually made friends with the locals, especially old Grandy, as she frequented his hardware store to buy tools to repair her house, the chicken coop, the shed, the vegetable garden…some of those tools she had NO idea what to do with, but she figured she could learn. She was also an artist, and her work with a Sydney firm kept her financial to pay for her repairs.
With the locals having bets to see how long Sammy would stay in town, suddenly the past was on her doorstep. With danger surfacing, Ethan acting strangely and her mind in turmoil, Sammy didn’t know where her future lay anymore. What would happen to Sammy? Could Ethan let go of his terrible memories to be able to build a future?
I really enjoyed this book and sped through it in only a couple of hours! Another debut Aussie author for me to follow, and one I would recommend to lovers of rural romance.
I received this paperback copy as a Goodreads FirstReads winner:) Even though I read it on ebook last year (2013) when it was first released, Jennie's paperback copy was released on 1.1.14.
June 11, 2013
I enjoyed this book from the first page to the last as I read well into the wee small hours to finish it in one sitting.
Jennie Jones does a great job of encapsulating the joys, the triumphs and the tribulations of small, rural town life, where everyone knows everyone else... she creates memorable characters from Ruby the pet pig, to Ethan, the hunky vet with a shadowed past who moonlights as a carpenter in his spare time, and Sammy, the new girl in town, and all the townsfolk who run a bet on how long this city girl will hack the slow pace of Swallow Falls. This book is so full of detail that by the end you feel you've vicariously lived these people's lives, quirky humour, pride, faults and all.
In my opinion this book would comfortably sit on the bookshelves alongside and compares very favourably with great authors like Debbie Macomber, Sharon Sala, Nora Roberts and Susan Mallery. Jennie Jones has a real gift, she brings rural town Australia, with all its quirks and foibles, into vivid life.
This is one book that I will go back and read again so I can savour the detail and colourful array of characters all over again...from Ruby, the pet pig, to the wise and far seeing Grandy, the patriarch of Swallow Falls.
My favourite quote... " though why they call him junior has me beat, he must be at least sixty years old." To me this sums up the flavour of this book, and I look forward to reading more books by this author.
Jennie Jones does a great job of encapsulating the joys, the triumphs and the tribulations of small, rural town life, where everyone knows everyone else... she creates memorable characters from Ruby the pet pig, to Ethan, the hunky vet with a shadowed past who moonlights as a carpenter in his spare time, and Sammy, the new girl in town, and all the townsfolk who run a bet on how long this city girl will hack the slow pace of Swallow Falls. This book is so full of detail that by the end you feel you've vicariously lived these people's lives, quirky humour, pride, faults and all.
In my opinion this book would comfortably sit on the bookshelves alongside and compares very favourably with great authors like Debbie Macomber, Sharon Sala, Nora Roberts and Susan Mallery. Jennie Jones has a real gift, she brings rural town Australia, with all its quirks and foibles, into vivid life.
This is one book that I will go back and read again so I can savour the detail and colourful array of characters all over again...from Ruby, the pet pig, to the wise and far seeing Grandy, the patriarch of Swallow Falls.
My favourite quote... " though why they call him junior has me beat, he must be at least sixty years old." To me this sums up the flavour of this book, and I look forward to reading more books by this author.
June 30, 2013
Australian author Jennie Jones (Born in the UK but now lives in WA- so we’ll claim her as our own) debut novel The House on Burra Burra Lane is the first country romance novel in the Swallow’s Fall Series set in the Snowy Mountains in NSW.
Samantha Walker has escaped her controlling mother and abusive ex-fiance in Sydney to start afresh in Swallow’s Fall. It’s her first attempt at breaking free from the reigns of her mother and making a life for herself to pursue whatever interests she desires. The local vet, Dr Ethan Granger soon becomes one of Sammie’s desires and it comes at quite a surprise when his feelings are reciprocated.
Sammie is a complex character, she’s low on self-esteem, inexperienced at being independent and to be honest she’s a little awkward and clumsy too. After an emergency situation with her cat, she meets the town vet and it’s not long before the town’s gossip about the pair travels along the grapevine.
Ethan is a troubled hero with a shady past who avoids (emotionally) intimate and long-term relationships because he fears he will become the abusive brute his father once was. The two spend much of their time fighting their attraction for one another while developing a unique friendship. At the house on Burra Burra Lane, Sammie is undertaking renovations and has enlisted the help of Ethan’s carpentry skills to help him. But it’s not just the presence of Sammie that’s making it tough for him to avoid the demons of his past, but also the house. The one that contains frightful memories of his childhood.
Ethan was a likeable hero even if he was quite stubborn about taking all the responsibility for his families faults. However, the letdown for me in this story was the heroine, Sammie. I just couldn’t connect with her for a number of reasons and it made it difficult for me to really care about her and her future. The first scene between Sammie and Ethan, I understand was supposed to set up the attraction and conflict, but it felt a bit messy for me as I didn’t have any kind of background or grasp on the characters. I experienced her as too flighty and awkward and at times the introspection and self-doubts were a little painful to read. To be fair, I did warm to her later in the story, but I felt it was much too late to make a connection with the leading woman.
The other issue I had with the story turns out to also be one of its strengths. The author skilfully sets the mood with tension in many vital scenes between Sammie and Ethan which allowed for the emotional conflict between these characters to come into full effect. However, there was also an overuse of mood setting and I found some of the short, choppy sentences a little wearisome when they were present in scene after scene.
I’ve seen some really positive reviews for this story which makes me feel that most people won’t share my thoughts on The House on Burra Burra Lane. I did enjoy the plot, the small-town setting and the emotional tension in (some of) the mood-setting scenes, but being unable to connect with Sammie made it difficult to fully enjoy this story. Fans of rural or small-town romance will likely enjoy this story.
Samantha Walker has escaped her controlling mother and abusive ex-fiance in Sydney to start afresh in Swallow’s Fall. It’s her first attempt at breaking free from the reigns of her mother and making a life for herself to pursue whatever interests she desires. The local vet, Dr Ethan Granger soon becomes one of Sammie’s desires and it comes at quite a surprise when his feelings are reciprocated.
Sammie is a complex character, she’s low on self-esteem, inexperienced at being independent and to be honest she’s a little awkward and clumsy too. After an emergency situation with her cat, she meets the town vet and it’s not long before the town’s gossip about the pair travels along the grapevine.
Ethan is a troubled hero with a shady past who avoids (emotionally) intimate and long-term relationships because he fears he will become the abusive brute his father once was. The two spend much of their time fighting their attraction for one another while developing a unique friendship. At the house on Burra Burra Lane, Sammie is undertaking renovations and has enlisted the help of Ethan’s carpentry skills to help him. But it’s not just the presence of Sammie that’s making it tough for him to avoid the demons of his past, but also the house. The one that contains frightful memories of his childhood.
Ethan was a likeable hero even if he was quite stubborn about taking all the responsibility for his families faults. However, the letdown for me in this story was the heroine, Sammie. I just couldn’t connect with her for a number of reasons and it made it difficult for me to really care about her and her future. The first scene between Sammie and Ethan, I understand was supposed to set up the attraction and conflict, but it felt a bit messy for me as I didn’t have any kind of background or grasp on the characters. I experienced her as too flighty and awkward and at times the introspection and self-doubts were a little painful to read. To be fair, I did warm to her later in the story, but I felt it was much too late to make a connection with the leading woman.
The other issue I had with the story turns out to also be one of its strengths. The author skilfully sets the mood with tension in many vital scenes between Sammie and Ethan which allowed for the emotional conflict between these characters to come into full effect. However, there was also an overuse of mood setting and I found some of the short, choppy sentences a little wearisome when they were present in scene after scene.
I’ve seen some really positive reviews for this story which makes me feel that most people won’t share my thoughts on The House on Burra Burra Lane. I did enjoy the plot, the small-town setting and the emotional tension in (some of) the mood-setting scenes, but being unable to connect with Sammie made it difficult to fully enjoy this story. Fans of rural or small-town romance will likely enjoy this story.
December 4, 2015
Sammy needs a fresh start and therefore she moves to Swallow's Fall. She's purchased a house there that needs a lot of work, but she's determined to love and cherish it and to make it a wonderful place to live. While she's only been there shortly she meets vet and carpenter Ethan. He's the one she needs for help with her home. They come to an agreement, something that will suit them both, but isn't as easy for Ethan as it may seem. Of course this means spending more time together. They instantly have a connection, but both Sammy and Ethan also have a past...
The House on Burra Burra Lane is such a wonderful romantic story. The whole town wonders if Sammy is going to stay or if she will leave. Sammy doesn't want to go back to the city, not at all. She has a creative profession and she can work from home. I loved that about her character and enjoyed reading about her designs. She's cheerful and determined, but she's also been through a lot and that makes her uncertain of what the future will bring. Her past might eventually catch up with her, so Sammy is never completely at ease. Ethan is a great guy, but he has so many insecurities because of childhood memories and because of a certain family history. Both of them deserve some happiness, but it isn't easy for them to open up to someone.
I loved the unusual chemistry between the main characters. Jennie Jones has written a great romantic story, one that has a nice twist. It's different in a good way. I liked the way Ethan and Sammy communicate and I kept being curious to see how things would develop. I also loved the setting. I'm a big fan of small town romance and I instantly fell in love with Swallow's Fall. The gossip and bets are fabulous and I immediately liked the inhabitants. I'm planning to read another Swallow's Fall book very soon. I'm intrigued and can't wait to learn more about this amazing town.
The House on Burra Burra Lane is such a wonderful romantic story. The whole town wonders if Sammy is going to stay or if she will leave. Sammy doesn't want to go back to the city, not at all. She has a creative profession and she can work from home. I loved that about her character and enjoyed reading about her designs. She's cheerful and determined, but she's also been through a lot and that makes her uncertain of what the future will bring. Her past might eventually catch up with her, so Sammy is never completely at ease. Ethan is a great guy, but he has so many insecurities because of childhood memories and because of a certain family history. Both of them deserve some happiness, but it isn't easy for them to open up to someone.
I loved the unusual chemistry between the main characters. Jennie Jones has written a great romantic story, one that has a nice twist. It's different in a good way. I liked the way Ethan and Sammy communicate and I kept being curious to see how things would develop. I also loved the setting. I'm a big fan of small town romance and I instantly fell in love with Swallow's Fall. The gossip and bets are fabulous and I immediately liked the inhabitants. I'm planning to read another Swallow's Fall book very soon. I'm intrigued and can't wait to learn more about this amazing town.
July 22, 2013
The last thing Samantha Walker is expecting when she rushes in to the local veterinary surgery with her cat is to trip rather ungraciously over a pig and straight into the arms of a gorgeous man who just turns out to be Ethan Granger, the local vet.
A design artist who has fled Sydney to gain much needed distance between a conniving, controlling and self-centred mother along with an ex-fiance who proved he has no moral high-ground, she’s only been in Swallow’s Fall for ten days, trying to gain a sense of independence by building a new life for herself – and renovating the run-down property she has bought – her intentions don’t include a new relationship.
This first encounter, while igniting an instant attraction, also reveals Ethan’s other ability and sparks are bound to fly as she finds herself employing his skills and looking forward to his visits to the property - until her past catches up with her in a mean-spirited attempt to defame the name she has begun to make for herself in her new town and we are left wondering whether the lights of the big city will lure her back.
Ethan Granger, while being the local vet, is also a carpenter. Having grown up in the town and then been banished and come back as an adult with a pregnant wife in tow, he has had his fair share of hard knocks in his lifetime! Growing up in an abusive home has him cowering from any form of commitment and he has all but withdrawn into himself. As he finds himself taking on the task of helping Sammy with her renovations, their friendship grows and the attraction which was so obvious from their first meeting, grows deeper. The only problem is the dark memories he has of the house Sammy is restoring, the one in which he grew up and his inner struggles and the memories which he thought he’d laid to rest, threaten to become a barrier between him and Sammy.
Swallow’s Fall, population 86, while fictional, is a close-knit community where everyone looks out for one another and newcomers can sometimes find themselves the object of gossip and interference - and then there are the secrets. Jennie Jones, by creating a backbone in the form of a wager amongst the townsfolk on how long it will take before the newcomer high-tails it out of there, along with the three hundred pound pig called Ruby, who started the chain of events, has cleverly utilised these small town dynamics and interspersed the palpable emotional conflict within and between Sammy and Ethan with some well thought out encounters which include the townsfolk, the scenery, the weather and the house, to create a living breathing world.
Sammy came to life with her complexity. She is stubborn, capable and smart, has a hands-on attitude and a willingness to help, but seriously lacks self-confidence owing to her manipulative mother and obnoxious ex-fiance and, while I will admit that there were times when she lost me and I found myself having to re-connect with her, on the whole, she brought a breath of fresh air into Ethan’s life – a life overshadowed by his father’s abusive actions.
Ethan is extremely likeable and very sexy but he carries a lot of unnecessary baggage - most of it self-inflicted, and I found myself empathising with him as his vulnerability became apparent through his thoughts and memories. An inner war wages within him and despite growing feelings for Sammy he continuously withdraws, fearing that he has inherited his father’s tendencies. That is, until a revelation, and a twist which I didn’t seem coming, causes him to reconsider and suddenly, there is light in his darkness.
In bringing together two bruised characters, one of which harbours some awful memories of familial abuse, debut author Jennie Jones has sprinkled the narrative with humour and wit, added some tender moments and sizzling sex scenes and presented them in a package which encapsulates the dynamics of small town living and the memories and secrets which can make or break us.
A design artist who has fled Sydney to gain much needed distance between a conniving, controlling and self-centred mother along with an ex-fiance who proved he has no moral high-ground, she’s only been in Swallow’s Fall for ten days, trying to gain a sense of independence by building a new life for herself – and renovating the run-down property she has bought – her intentions don’t include a new relationship.
This first encounter, while igniting an instant attraction, also reveals Ethan’s other ability and sparks are bound to fly as she finds herself employing his skills and looking forward to his visits to the property - until her past catches up with her in a mean-spirited attempt to defame the name she has begun to make for herself in her new town and we are left wondering whether the lights of the big city will lure her back.
Ethan Granger, while being the local vet, is also a carpenter. Having grown up in the town and then been banished and come back as an adult with a pregnant wife in tow, he has had his fair share of hard knocks in his lifetime! Growing up in an abusive home has him cowering from any form of commitment and he has all but withdrawn into himself. As he finds himself taking on the task of helping Sammy with her renovations, their friendship grows and the attraction which was so obvious from their first meeting, grows deeper. The only problem is the dark memories he has of the house Sammy is restoring, the one in which he grew up and his inner struggles and the memories which he thought he’d laid to rest, threaten to become a barrier between him and Sammy.
Swallow’s Fall, population 86, while fictional, is a close-knit community where everyone looks out for one another and newcomers can sometimes find themselves the object of gossip and interference - and then there are the secrets. Jennie Jones, by creating a backbone in the form of a wager amongst the townsfolk on how long it will take before the newcomer high-tails it out of there, along with the three hundred pound pig called Ruby, who started the chain of events, has cleverly utilised these small town dynamics and interspersed the palpable emotional conflict within and between Sammy and Ethan with some well thought out encounters which include the townsfolk, the scenery, the weather and the house, to create a living breathing world.
Sammy came to life with her complexity. She is stubborn, capable and smart, has a hands-on attitude and a willingness to help, but seriously lacks self-confidence owing to her manipulative mother and obnoxious ex-fiance and, while I will admit that there were times when she lost me and I found myself having to re-connect with her, on the whole, she brought a breath of fresh air into Ethan’s life – a life overshadowed by his father’s abusive actions.
Ethan is extremely likeable and very sexy but he carries a lot of unnecessary baggage - most of it self-inflicted, and I found myself empathising with him as his vulnerability became apparent through his thoughts and memories. An inner war wages within him and despite growing feelings for Sammy he continuously withdraws, fearing that he has inherited his father’s tendencies. That is, until a revelation, and a twist which I didn’t seem coming, causes him to reconsider and suddenly, there is light in his darkness.
In bringing together two bruised characters, one of which harbours some awful memories of familial abuse, debut author Jennie Jones has sprinkled the narrative with humour and wit, added some tender moments and sizzling sex scenes and presented them in a package which encapsulates the dynamics of small town living and the memories and secrets which can make or break us.
January 28, 2014
I really enjoyed the storyline and setting, although I did find it somewhat predictable. Plenty of emotional and sexual tension to be navigated throughout also.
The one thing that resonated with me was the underlying fear that some people find rule their lives. The fear that they will end up like their abusive father for instance - the thought that they could never have children for fear of the children going through what they went through themselves as children. For some it must be a huge mountain to conquer and for others, it's just too big :(
The one thing that resonated with me was the underlying fear that some people find rule their lives. The fear that they will end up like their abusive father for instance - the thought that they could never have children for fear of the children going through what they went through themselves as children. For some it must be a huge mountain to conquer and for others, it's just too big :(
June 3, 2013
I know I've read this book before. I was familiar with the story but I couldn't find that I'd marked it as read on goodreads and since joining two years ago, everything I read gets marked on here. I must have read it and forgotten about it. It was great reading it again. I look forward to more books set in Swallow's Fall.
January 6, 2015
I enjoyed reading this book set in familiar surroundings. I do not normally read novels of the romantic genre. For this reason I would like to have seen more depth of meaning in storyline. Sammy and Ethan were very likeable and found this book an entertaining and cheerful read.
August 3, 2013
Five stars for utterly fresh description and heart-twisting romance.
December 5, 2017
Rating: 3 stars
Review: I have actually read this series out of order (started with #5), and I have to say the author definitely improves with her books. I loved the third book, but unfortunately I was let down by this book.
Characters: Firstly, Ethan isn't exactly portrayed as someone that is swoon worthy. Certain things about his mannerisms and what he says turns me off about him, such as the hot-and-cold nature, being unwilling to open up and talk about his problems, and focussing heavily on Sammy's physical appearance and taking her to bed within seconds of meeting her. I loved Sammy's character though, she was written and displayed as a complex character who is dealing with a hectic past, and her thought patterns and actions were well described and felt very natural. I believe her relationship with her Mother was well written and played out too, I'm glad at how it started to change towards the end, although I would have loved one more scene to finalise that relationship bond. The town folk were involved in the story to a good extent, and the series continues to follow a new couple each book which I love.
Writing: Some of the writing and scenes were difficult to follow. People would suddenly appear in a different part of the room to what they were before, some paragraphs it was hard to tell who was speaking, and there were a few missing punctuation marks throughout the book. The writing flowed well between chapters, although sometimes it was confusing as to how much time had passed.
Story: The story itself was cute and romantic. Two characters try to overcome their pasts so that they can be together and happy. I loved the meet-cutes that would occur throughout the story, although some of them were very predictable. The story as a whole however did not overly draw me in, I would have loved a bigger climax and suspense in the book.
While I don't think this book was that great, it wasn't terrible either. However if you're looking for a country romance book with a cutesy relationship and lots of giggles and drama I would skip to the fifth book in this series which is in my opinion much better.
Review: I have actually read this series out of order (started with #5), and I have to say the author definitely improves with her books. I loved the third book, but unfortunately I was let down by this book.
Characters: Firstly, Ethan isn't exactly portrayed as someone that is swoon worthy. Certain things about his mannerisms and what he says turns me off about him, such as the hot-and-cold nature, being unwilling to open up and talk about his problems, and focussing heavily on Sammy's physical appearance and taking her to bed within seconds of meeting her. I loved Sammy's character though, she was written and displayed as a complex character who is dealing with a hectic past, and her thought patterns and actions were well described and felt very natural. I believe her relationship with her Mother was well written and played out too, I'm glad at how it started to change towards the end, although I would have loved one more scene to finalise that relationship bond. The town folk were involved in the story to a good extent, and the series continues to follow a new couple each book which I love.
Writing: Some of the writing and scenes were difficult to follow. People would suddenly appear in a different part of the room to what they were before, some paragraphs it was hard to tell who was speaking, and there were a few missing punctuation marks throughout the book. The writing flowed well between chapters, although sometimes it was confusing as to how much time had passed.
Story: The story itself was cute and romantic. Two characters try to overcome their pasts so that they can be together and happy. I loved the meet-cutes that would occur throughout the story, although some of them were very predictable. The story as a whole however did not overly draw me in, I would have loved a bigger climax and suspense in the book.
While I don't think this book was that great, it wasn't terrible either. However if you're looking for a country romance book with a cutesy relationship and lots of giggles and drama I would skip to the fifth book in this series which is in my opinion much better.
June 19, 2020
Sammy Walker has fled the city and her manipulative mother and abusive ex-fiance for the relative peace of Swallow’s Fall in the Snowy Mountains of NSW. She’s purchased a house, although it needs a little bit of work. A trip to the local vet for a check up for her cat Duke reveals that Ethan Granger, the vet also moonlights doing carpentry, and so Sammy asks if he might be able to help her with a few of the issues her house has. And that sets the little town abuzz with gossip.
There were things I liked about this – I loved the setting. A small town in the Snowy Mountains is a beautiful place to set a book and the house and land Samantha buys (about 2 acres I think) seems like a lovely place for a ‘tree change’. I also loved that hiring Ethan to fix her porch/veranda and various other issues with some of the outbuildings on the property gave the two main characters a chance to get to know each other in a relaxed but intimate sort of setting. However….a lot of their interactions were really awkward.
There’s a lot of back and forth in this, some of it inexplicably so. There’s a few really weird moments for two people that have just met each other, in the vet office. Both of them have some baggage going into this – the breakdown of Sammy’s previous relationship and also Ethan’s issues centred around his family and his identity and what he tried to do….and what he fears about himself. So it’s not going to be easy for them anyway, to actually converse like two mature adults. But this book hides a lot of information – Sammy doesn’t know for the longest time that the house she’s living in is actually the house that Ethan grew up in and that has incredibly bad memories for him and he can barely stand to set foot in it. But he keeps coming around to help her fix it and instead of telling her about his connection to it, he just pretends that it doesn’t exist, like this is just a house in town he’s really never seen before.
There’s also a benevolent elderly gentleman referred to as “Grandy” who seems to preside over the town and all of its residents like some sort of kindly overlord, but one that isn’t afraid to kick a struggling teenager out of town with just the money for the bus fare. Like, okay? That was weird. How were they just not like, you’re not the boss of me old man. But strange betting markets from the locals and all that aside, the thing that really just did make me struggle with this was the simple fact that Ethan and Sammy go back and forth so many times. It’s like being on a see-saw. They’re friends. They’re flirting. One of them takes it too far which makes the other retreat. They agree to be friends again. But they are finding each other super hot so there’s a remark. Or a look. Or a kiss. And then one backs off. Or says something that is taken as a slight by the other, in a moment of fragile self esteem (this is something that Sammy suffers with, due to her past relationship). And then after there’s finally a cohesive moment, a step forward in this relationship, we are back on the see-saw again and it was just….too much going around and around with no actual progress.
There’s also a subplot regarding Sammy and her ex-fiance and her mother and I found the resolution of that very unsatisfying. I wanted Sammy to own her independence, her emancipation from this toxic couple and embrace the new live she’d made without them. However it felt more like Ethan just sorted it all out for her and which, back up is appreciated, especially with men like her ex, who bully women but flee at the sight of a stronger man than they are but Sammy became a passive bystander in her own story.
A mixed bag for me.
There were things I liked about this – I loved the setting. A small town in the Snowy Mountains is a beautiful place to set a book and the house and land Samantha buys (about 2 acres I think) seems like a lovely place for a ‘tree change’. I also loved that hiring Ethan to fix her porch/veranda and various other issues with some of the outbuildings on the property gave the two main characters a chance to get to know each other in a relaxed but intimate sort of setting. However….a lot of their interactions were really awkward.
There’s a lot of back and forth in this, some of it inexplicably so. There’s a few really weird moments for two people that have just met each other, in the vet office. Both of them have some baggage going into this – the breakdown of Sammy’s previous relationship and also Ethan’s issues centred around his family and his identity and what he tried to do….and what he fears about himself. So it’s not going to be easy for them anyway, to actually converse like two mature adults. But this book hides a lot of information – Sammy doesn’t know for the longest time that the house she’s living in is actually the house that Ethan grew up in and that has incredibly bad memories for him and he can barely stand to set foot in it. But he keeps coming around to help her fix it and instead of telling her about his connection to it, he just pretends that it doesn’t exist, like this is just a house in town he’s really never seen before.
There’s also a benevolent elderly gentleman referred to as “Grandy” who seems to preside over the town and all of its residents like some sort of kindly overlord, but one that isn’t afraid to kick a struggling teenager out of town with just the money for the bus fare. Like, okay? That was weird. How were they just not like, you’re not the boss of me old man. But strange betting markets from the locals and all that aside, the thing that really just did make me struggle with this was the simple fact that Ethan and Sammy go back and forth so many times. It’s like being on a see-saw. They’re friends. They’re flirting. One of them takes it too far which makes the other retreat. They agree to be friends again. But they are finding each other super hot so there’s a remark. Or a look. Or a kiss. And then one backs off. Or says something that is taken as a slight by the other, in a moment of fragile self esteem (this is something that Sammy suffers with, due to her past relationship). And then after there’s finally a cohesive moment, a step forward in this relationship, we are back on the see-saw again and it was just….too much going around and around with no actual progress.
There’s also a subplot regarding Sammy and her ex-fiance and her mother and I found the resolution of that very unsatisfying. I wanted Sammy to own her independence, her emancipation from this toxic couple and embrace the new live she’d made without them. However it felt more like Ethan just sorted it all out for her and which, back up is appreciated, especially with men like her ex, who bully women but flee at the sight of a stronger man than they are but Sammy became a passive bystander in her own story.
A mixed bag for me.
July 24, 2018
4.5 stars
What a lovely read written rural romance about two people with lots of baggage. Sammy is trying to find herself in the rural town of Swallow's Fall, population 87. She literally crashes into Ethan, where there's instant attraction but they try to stick with friendship thanks to said buggage.
It's heartbreaking to see the obstacles holding them back - family tragedy, betrayal, mistreatment. Not to mention the focus of the town on them.
Ms Jones has a unique way of telling the story - there's lots of emotion but also humour in this story and I will be continuing with the rest of the series.
Disclaimer: While I know the author personally, this doesn't affect my star rating.
What a lovely read written rural romance about two people with lots of baggage. Sammy is trying to find herself in the rural town of Swallow's Fall, population 87. She literally crashes into Ethan, where there's instant attraction but they try to stick with friendship thanks to said buggage.
It's heartbreaking to see the obstacles holding them back - family tragedy, betrayal, mistreatment. Not to mention the focus of the town on them.
Ms Jones has a unique way of telling the story - there's lots of emotion but also humour in this story and I will be continuing with the rest of the series.
Disclaimer: While I know the author personally, this doesn't affect my star rating.
October 2, 2017
A Great Australian Rural Romance. I love the history that comes with a country town and how tongues can wag. Having moved to a small West Australian Country town myself nine years ago I've become inept at the small town syndrome, it can make or break a reputation. Ethan is a strong country vet who has had a past follow him. When Sammy Walker, ex city girl rolls into town and buys his old family homestead, this Vet has no chance. Love hits hard and usually with reluctance on both parties.
A great romance in a small town that portrays a country spirit.
A great romance in a small town that portrays a country spirit.
May 28, 2017
I think it was amazing that someone that hasn't lived in the Snowys as far as I know wrote about it. The town size was more like 1,000.
January 7, 2018
Above average romance with believable and likeable characters and a realistic storyline. I’d happily read more of the author’s work.
February 4, 2018
Another fabulous read by Jennie Jones. Had a few curve balls I didn't see coming in the storyline. But most of all was intriguing and page-turning magic!
November 27, 2018
Good book - enjoyed the storyline and the characters. Could just 'see' the townspeople and 'hear' the gossip going on. Good job, "JennieJones"
October 8, 2019
Really good would like a sequel
December 10, 2019
Just the right touch
Perfect light reading with a country setting and sweet love story. Recommended reading for when you aren’t up to getting bogged in a book.
Perfect light reading with a country setting and sweet love story. Recommended reading for when you aren’t up to getting bogged in a book.
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November 5, 2023Kindle
December 17, 2025
1.5 ⭐
I enjoyed the book in the first half, but then it went downhill. The push & pull from the male side was incredibly annoying. I disliked the male lead greatly with personality and how the romance was forming. The plot was dull, and it was resolved so fast that it was bad. I liked that there were horses because I am biased regarding my favourite animal. It seemed like the author just kept on pulling out so many different twists that weren't really connecting to anything throughout the book. There was barely any hint of relevance to most of the plot twists, and it was honestly not written the best in those terms.
Turns out this book wasn't for me, but I will continue the series to see how it goes.
3🌶️ [Open Door Romance]
I enjoyed the book in the first half, but then it went downhill. The push & pull from the male side was incredibly annoying. I disliked the male lead greatly with personality and how the romance was forming. The plot was dull, and it was resolved so fast that it was bad. I liked that there were horses because I am biased regarding my favourite animal. It seemed like the author just kept on pulling out so many different twists that weren't really connecting to anything throughout the book. There was barely any hint of relevance to most of the plot twists, and it was honestly not written the best in those terms.
Turns out this book wasn't for me, but I will continue the series to see how it goes.
3🌶️ [Open Door Romance]
November 8, 2022
This was a good story but it jumped quite a lot and I found myself skipping bits
January 1, 2014
The House on Burra Burra Lane first grabbed my attention with that gorgeous cover. Not only do you have the rustic cottage and the snow-capped mountains, you’ve also got a girl who looks like she’s having incredible fun. (Plus, in the interests of full disclosure, I really like her lip gloss colour!) However, the smile on the cover hides what is a romance with quite a few very suspenseful scenes.
From the very first chapter, I felt a kind of undercurrent running through the narrative that everything wasn’t going to be what it appeared to be. There was a shadow lurking around the corner as Sammy, recent big city Sydney transplant, joins the tiny community of Swallow’s Fall (population now 87). This isn’t even a country town, this is a tiny community where everyone is going to know everything, like it or not. Naturally, Sammy’s purchase of the run down farmhouse on Burra Burra Lane and arrival is A Big Event. So big that the locals are running a (betting) book on how long before she leaves town…now her meeting with hunky Ethan, vet slash carpenter has tongues wagging.
The narrative doesn’t waste any time in getting these two to meet – from the very first page Sammy is in Ethan’s surgery, getting a consult on her cat. The tension between the two simmers immediately and it’s only constant drawing back by the pair that stops the attraction from fully sparking. Why (despite many heated conversations), don’t they get it together sooner? Well, it’s because each of them have a Past. Kudos to Jones who draws out Sammy and Ethan’s secrets teasingly at just the right pace and for writing secret pasts that are not clichéd, but interesting in a shock-horror-can’t look away sense.
It’s these secrets that make the characters so fascinating. Sammy seemed to have it all in her Sydney life – beautiful clothes, classy job and glamorous boyfriend. Underneath that glamour hides a man determined to rule her and blackmail her mother so that Sammy runs to the Snowy Mountains. Out here, she’s determined to make a go of it herself - rebuilding the once beautiful house and standing alone. It’s a mindset that sees her somewhat at odds with the townsfolk, but with the approval of Grandy (town patriarch), she becomes increasingly accepted. Getting to know Ethan helps too…
Ethan’s a local boy, banished from town by Grandy years ago, yet welcomed back later with open arms. He’s a troubled man with a lot of problems, secrets and worries. He tries to hide it by being the local good guy, helping everyone out at his own time and expense. He feels he can’t get as close to Sammy as he’d like because he’d destroy her, but naturally he doesn’t tell her that! He broods silently while poor Sammy’s self-confidence takes another hit. Ethan can’t even tell her that he used to live in Sammy’s house – and yet nobody else in town does, which I found odd. (Surely this is something someone would LOVE to slip into a conversation…but then the folks of Swallow’s Fall are incredibly conscientious). Ethan’s baggage got a little too much for me at times, especially as I loved the independence and fragility in Sammy. His introduction to Sammy was also a little hot and heavy too fast for me…slightly creepy! I wish he had told her his issues earlier (but then of course, he couldn’t redeem himself in such a spectacular fashion).
I believe there is another Swallow’s Fall book in the works and I’ll be interested to read more about Sammy and Grandy, who is an absolute card. His scenes, a combination of common sense and dry wit, were fantastic.
Thank you to Harlequin Australia for the ecopy of this book.
http://samstillreading.wordpress.com
From the very first chapter, I felt a kind of undercurrent running through the narrative that everything wasn’t going to be what it appeared to be. There was a shadow lurking around the corner as Sammy, recent big city Sydney transplant, joins the tiny community of Swallow’s Fall (population now 87). This isn’t even a country town, this is a tiny community where everyone is going to know everything, like it or not. Naturally, Sammy’s purchase of the run down farmhouse on Burra Burra Lane and arrival is A Big Event. So big that the locals are running a (betting) book on how long before she leaves town…now her meeting with hunky Ethan, vet slash carpenter has tongues wagging.
The narrative doesn’t waste any time in getting these two to meet – from the very first page Sammy is in Ethan’s surgery, getting a consult on her cat. The tension between the two simmers immediately and it’s only constant drawing back by the pair that stops the attraction from fully sparking. Why (despite many heated conversations), don’t they get it together sooner? Well, it’s because each of them have a Past. Kudos to Jones who draws out Sammy and Ethan’s secrets teasingly at just the right pace and for writing secret pasts that are not clichéd, but interesting in a shock-horror-can’t look away sense.
It’s these secrets that make the characters so fascinating. Sammy seemed to have it all in her Sydney life – beautiful clothes, classy job and glamorous boyfriend. Underneath that glamour hides a man determined to rule her and blackmail her mother so that Sammy runs to the Snowy Mountains. Out here, she’s determined to make a go of it herself - rebuilding the once beautiful house and standing alone. It’s a mindset that sees her somewhat at odds with the townsfolk, but with the approval of Grandy (town patriarch), she becomes increasingly accepted. Getting to know Ethan helps too…
Ethan’s a local boy, banished from town by Grandy years ago, yet welcomed back later with open arms. He’s a troubled man with a lot of problems, secrets and worries. He tries to hide it by being the local good guy, helping everyone out at his own time and expense. He feels he can’t get as close to Sammy as he’d like because he’d destroy her, but naturally he doesn’t tell her that! He broods silently while poor Sammy’s self-confidence takes another hit. Ethan can’t even tell her that he used to live in Sammy’s house – and yet nobody else in town does, which I found odd. (Surely this is something someone would LOVE to slip into a conversation…but then the folks of Swallow’s Fall are incredibly conscientious). Ethan’s baggage got a little too much for me at times, especially as I loved the independence and fragility in Sammy. His introduction to Sammy was also a little hot and heavy too fast for me…slightly creepy! I wish he had told her his issues earlier (but then of course, he couldn’t redeem himself in such a spectacular fashion).
I believe there is another Swallow’s Fall book in the works and I’ll be interested to read more about Sammy and Grandy, who is an absolute card. His scenes, a combination of common sense and dry wit, were fantastic.
Thank you to Harlequin Australia for the ecopy of this book.
http://samstillreading.wordpress.com
January 24, 2014
Samantha (Sammy) Walker opens THE HOUSE ON BURRA BURRA LANE with a bang when she dramatically trips over a large pig in the waiting room of local vet Ethan Granger. It helps that he is there to catch her but unfortunately in a town only has 80 odd people living in it; the sight of a young pretty newcomer ending up in the arms of an eligible bachelor is food for gossip. There is also a tab running at the local pub as to how long the city girl will stay a resident!
Sammy has moved to the small community of Swallow’s Fall in the Snowy Mountains of NSW to escape from her abusive ex-fiance and her nasty manipulative mother. A fresh start is just what she needs, and part of that is to not talk about her past with anyone. She is an artist for a Sydney fashion business so can work from home wherever that home might be. Sammy gradually assimilates into the community as she repairs her house, chicken coop and starts a vegetable garden. She buys tools that she has no idea how to use but there is always someone who can help and advise her, and that someone seems increasingly to be Ethan.
Ethan has secrets of his own. One of those secrets is that he use live in Sammy’s house as a child and he has some very unhappy memories of his own. These memories are keeping him from committing to Sammy even though he can’t imagine life without her. The more Ethan does battle with his past the more strangely he acts, and Sammy has come to Swallow’s Fall to get away from strange, she starts to think that maybe she is better off without him.
Sammy is a strong character – she had the strength to uproot herself and start a new life and then the strength to face the past when it comes after her. She is intelligent, kind, great with kids and would make a wonderful friend. Ethan is a bit harder to get to know, there were times when I just wanted to slap him and tell him to build a bridge and get over it. When push comes to shove though, love conquers all and despite all that goes on a happy ever after is reached.
Sammy has moved to the small community of Swallow’s Fall in the Snowy Mountains of NSW to escape from her abusive ex-fiance and her nasty manipulative mother. A fresh start is just what she needs, and part of that is to not talk about her past with anyone. She is an artist for a Sydney fashion business so can work from home wherever that home might be. Sammy gradually assimilates into the community as she repairs her house, chicken coop and starts a vegetable garden. She buys tools that she has no idea how to use but there is always someone who can help and advise her, and that someone seems increasingly to be Ethan.
Ethan has secrets of his own. One of those secrets is that he use live in Sammy’s house as a child and he has some very unhappy memories of his own. These memories are keeping him from committing to Sammy even though he can’t imagine life without her. The more Ethan does battle with his past the more strangely he acts, and Sammy has come to Swallow’s Fall to get away from strange, she starts to think that maybe she is better off without him.
Sammy is a strong character – she had the strength to uproot herself and start a new life and then the strength to face the past when it comes after her. She is intelligent, kind, great with kids and would make a wonderful friend. Ethan is a bit harder to get to know, there were times when I just wanted to slap him and tell him to build a bridge and get over it. When push comes to shove though, love conquers all and despite all that goes on a happy ever after is reached.
July 26, 2016
This Months Australian Feature Author is a debut Author called Jennie Jones and I had the great privilege to read this wonderful Australian story.
I am quickly becoming a huge fan of Australian Rural Romance, I always considered them to be “old people” books, but now my eyes have been opened and The House on Burra Burra Lane has made it to one of my favourite reads.
Samantha walker leaves everything behind and buys a run down house in the middle of nowhere, aka The Snowy Mountains NSW. Samantha being not only the new girl in town but a city girl as well the locals start gossiping straight away, as well as taking bets to see how long she will stay.
Ethan is a reformed bad boy, having been kicked out of town in his youth for causing trouble he returns years later to buy a property and a vet practice.
Both Ethan and Sammy have troubled pasts and family dramas, Sammy has escaped her abusive ex fiancée and demanding mother and Ethan grew up in an abusive household and he avoids relationships because he is terrified that he will carry on his fathers abusive legacy, with the help of each other and Swallow Falls tight knit community they are able to overcome their emotional scarring and find peace and love in their lives.
The plot was full of sexual tension and conflict between characters which made this book addictive, The relationships between the main characters and the town was extremely realistic, since I moved to a small rural town, I was able to relate to Sammy’s character.
The House on Burra Burra Lane is a beautiful love story, with elements of drama, comedy and steamyness. Between the two emotionally damaged people, through friendship they discover that they are able to trust and love again.
I highly recommend The House on Burra Burra Lane for anyone that wants to depart from their busy lives for a while and relax with the Comunity of Shallow Falls.
I am quickly becoming a huge fan of Australian Rural Romance, I always considered them to be “old people” books, but now my eyes have been opened and The House on Burra Burra Lane has made it to one of my favourite reads.
Samantha walker leaves everything behind and buys a run down house in the middle of nowhere, aka The Snowy Mountains NSW. Samantha being not only the new girl in town but a city girl as well the locals start gossiping straight away, as well as taking bets to see how long she will stay.
Ethan is a reformed bad boy, having been kicked out of town in his youth for causing trouble he returns years later to buy a property and a vet practice.
Both Ethan and Sammy have troubled pasts and family dramas, Sammy has escaped her abusive ex fiancée and demanding mother and Ethan grew up in an abusive household and he avoids relationships because he is terrified that he will carry on his fathers abusive legacy, with the help of each other and Swallow Falls tight knit community they are able to overcome their emotional scarring and find peace and love in their lives.
The plot was full of sexual tension and conflict between characters which made this book addictive, The relationships between the main characters and the town was extremely realistic, since I moved to a small rural town, I was able to relate to Sammy’s character.
The House on Burra Burra Lane is a beautiful love story, with elements of drama, comedy and steamyness. Between the two emotionally damaged people, through friendship they discover that they are able to trust and love again.
I highly recommend The House on Burra Burra Lane for anyone that wants to depart from their busy lives for a while and relax with the Comunity of Shallow Falls.
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