By the Billabong

Daughters of the Darling #3

by Annie Seaton

Erin O'Byrne returns to Ceann Mara, her family's remote property on the Darling River, seeking peace after a potential marital breakup. Camping by the tranquil billabong, she hopes the solitude of the Australian bush will help her heal. While exploring the land, Erin discovers a long-lost memorial to Gilbert O'Byrne, her great-uncle lost in World War I. Her sister, Cat, and father, Tom, who have been researching the family's history, are thrilled by the find and eager to uncover its secrets. But Erin's journey takes an unexpected turn when reclusive Miles McKenzie sets up camp beside her.
Though initially guarded, she and Miles gradually develop a friendship that sparks an attraction. Her family, however, worries that she's vulnerable, questioning whether she can truly trust Miles. As Tom and Cat unearth the poignant love story of Gilbert and Matilda—forced apart by war and bound by secrets that echoed through generations—Erin finds herself walking a path that mirrors her great-aunt’s. Both women faced impossible choices about trust, truth, and the courage to fight for love.
While Matilda guarded her heart's deepest secret beside the same billabong a century ago, Erin must decide whether to follow her heart—or listen to the doubts that surround her.
But unlike Matilda, who faced her struggles alone, Erin will discover that some family bonds can transcend even time itself..

378 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 18, 2025

About the author

Annie Seaton lives near the beach on the mid-north coast of New South Wales. She is fulfilling her lifelong dream of writing and has been delighted to discover that readers love reading her stories as much as she loves writing them. Her career and studies spanned the education sector for most of her working life until she took up a full-time writing career. Each winter, Annie and her husband leave the beach to roam the remote areas of Australia for story ideas and research.

Readers can contact Annie through her website annieseaton.net or find her on Facebook and Instagram.

Reviews

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Erin O'Byrne and her husband Jack were thrilled when his photography saw him invited to Africa, where the company would support him for the three months he was there, his photos to become memorable across the world. But Erin was lonely, and because of poor internet connection, Jack was unable to contact her. With her sister, Cat and fiance Logan, getting married at Ceann Mara in a few weeks, Erin hoped Jack would be home. He'd promised her he'd be there. Camping in their motorhome by the billabong, not far from Ceann Mara, Erin was surprised when another camper arrived. Miles McKenzie was one who hadn't been contacted when Erin's mum cancelled all other bookings. But he was quiet and friendly, so Erin saw no harm.

Erin's dad Tom, was a history buff and had been searching their family's history for years. When in 1919, young Gilbert O'Byrne had headed for the war, fighting for his country, he left his beloved Matilda to wait for him. They would marry when he returned. When Erin discovered a memorial stone at the billabong of a WWI soldier, Tom and Cat were excited to be further advanced in their search.

Would Jack make it home in time for the wedding? Was their marriage over? And who was Miles McKenzie?

By the Billabong is the 3rd in the Daughters of the Darling series by Aussie author Annie Seaton and I enjoyed it very much. It was great to catch up with Tom & Laura, and Erin & her sisters again. There was danger, manipulation, frustration and more in this book and I loved it. Can't wait for #4 which is releasing later this year (2025). Highly recommended.

[Karren Sandercock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Erin O'Byrne returns home to Ceann Mara Station, when her husband Jack Hayes a photographer takes a job in Africa, his big break and he underestimates the damage this will do to their relationship.

Erin camps by the billabong, because she feels like a visitor staying in the house, and she likes the peace and quiet of the Australian bush. Miles McKenzie sets up beside her, all the sites are supposed to be empty for the wedding guests arriving for Cat and Logan's big day and her mum couldn’t track him down to cancel his booking. Despite letting him stay, her family think she should be careful, Miles is friendly and she can’t see how them sharing a fire and having a chat at night is a problem?

While exploring by an old gum tree, Erin discovers a long-lost memorial to Gilbert O'Byrne, her great-uncle fought in The Great War and she knows Cat and her dad Tom have been researching the family's history, they’re thrilled by the find and wonder what happened to him.

The story has a dual timeline set in present time and in the 1900’s and just before and during World War One.

Gilbert O’Byrne and Matilda Ellis grew up together, Ceann Mara and Wambool are next to each other, he signs up, and Gilbert proposes and leaves Matilda promising to return. Gilbert arrives in France it’s a shock, the noise and everyone assures him it’s better than silence and his battalion are due to see action at a place called Fromelles.

Erin and Matilda both faced adversity and struggles, communication issues and couldn’t find out what was happening to the men they loved, and the branch of the river binds them together a century apart.

I really enjoyed By the Billabong (Daughters of the Darling #3) by Annie Seaton, this is by far my favourite book in the series, five stars from me and I have already pre-ordered my copy of Beneath Still Water, and I can’t wait for the next instalment released in November 2025.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am loving this series and catching up is so good, visiting Ceann Mara a property that has been in the O’Byrne family for over one hundred years is so good and this time Erin has arrived home alone without her husband Jack, will they overcome their separation and what of the story from the past that Tom O’Byrne is researching Gilbert and Matilda, two stories one from the past and this one had me turning the pages.

Erin arrives home broken hearted and worried about Jack, he left on a photographic assignment to Africa and for nearly three months there has been no contact with him, he promised to be home for Cat and Logan’s wedding but it appears that he is not coming, she is camping in the motorhome by the billabong when another camper Miles McKenzie arrives his booking was supposed to have been cancelled but he appears quiet and easy company for the lonely Erin.

Erin’s father Tom is a real history buff and has been researching the family history for many years with Cat’s help and they have hit a road block with Gilbert O’Byrne they know he went to war in 1916 but after that there is nothing about him, not even a notice from the government about him missing in action, there must be something and when Erin on a walk around the billabong discovers a stone deep in the ground this appears to me something that has been put there by their neighbour Matilda Ellis all those years ago and this may just give them a new lead to follow up and find the answers they have wanted?

Erin is not sure if her marriage is over still no news from Jack and with Logan and Tom both wary of the camper Miles it appears that they are correct when things turn on a visit to neighbour, Reg Erin finds herself in danger she has confidence that her family will be there for her and save her and Reg but will they get there in time and what of Jack.

This is a fabulous story both timelines are moving and pulled me in, wonderful characters I love the O’Byrne family the strength that they share and the love they give and after all that Jack has been through will their love be strong enough to last? Gilbert and Matilda’s story was so moving and beautiful.

I loved this one and highly recommend it, I am looking forward to Shea’s story next.

[Craig and Phil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Big thanks to Annie for gifting us a copy to read and review.
By The Billabong is book three in Annie’s satisfying series Daughters of the Darling.
The sisters are back in a destination country fiction title with Erin O’Bryne as the lead this time around.
Let’s journey back to the family property, Ceann Mara.
Erin arrives after her husband Jack travels overseas for a work assignment.
Camping by the billabong she misses Jack unable to get in contact with him and while contemplating life she meets fellow camper, the mysterious Miles.
A friendship develops as well as an attraction.
With her sister’s wedding looming, the family history heightens with more information found and her husband uncontactable, Erin questions many life decisions…… until danger creeps in.
Beloved Aussie author Annie Seaton maintains her success with another delightful book.
I enjoyed this story and the added bonus of the past history sub plot elevated the experience.
Community atmosphere, rural setting, complicated relationships, but at the heart of this tale is family.
A entertaining and engaging read.
I’ve been a fan of Annie’s books for many years and will continue to do so.
I look forward to the next book.

[Natalie Pomeroy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️ I really enjoyed the WW1 components of this book.

[Julia Reynolds · Rating 5 out of 5]

by the billabong

Another chapter in the lives living on the Darling River. Another great story evolving around love past and present. History being solved, and a families understanding of how their past and present come together. Another wonderful story.

[Anne Blyth · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read book & series.

[Kayleanne · Rating 1 out of 5]

The style of writing has changed and found it boring