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Special Delivery
An entrancing, laugh-out-loud enemies-to-lovers romantic comedy. If you like Book Lovers by Emily Henry and No Hard Feelings by Genevieve Novak, you'll love Special Delivery!
'Special Delivery is a heartfelt, laugh-out-loud story of finding love through life's twists and turns. Leesa Ronald is an author to watch - fans of Emily Henry and Sally Thorne will love this book!' Kelly Rimmer
Moving back to her hometown in country NSW, single, jobless and pregnant was never Poppy's plan. With her best friend living hundreds of kilometres away and an ex who refuses to pick up the phone, she doesn't know who to turn to for help.
There's definitely no point asking her midwife, James, because he's the worst. Sure, he held her hand through the birth, but that's only because it was his job.
However, as Poppy and James keep crossing paths in the small country town, Poppy begins to realise she may have misjudged her midwife. And that complicates things.
As Poppy stumbles from crisis to crisis in a town that feels unrecognisable, she learns that to build a future, sometimes you need to let go of the past. And often, the strongest relationships are those you forge when you're at rock bottom.
'Leesa's writing is an exciting breath of fresh air. Her voice is witty, clever and captures even the most mundane aspects of motherhood with incredible heart and humility. Leesa's ability to convey the vulnerabilities and insecurities we feel as mothers in the first year of a child's life really reinforced the beauty of the journey, despite its nuanced challenges. Special Delivery had me swooning, sobbing and smiling, from start to finish. I enjoyed every step along the voyage, feeling like I'd found a kindred spirit in Poppy, and the colourful cast of characters who walk this year with her. Brava, Leesa!'Jenna Lo Bianco, author of The Italian Marriage
'Special Delivery is a hysterical and heartwarming romcom that delivers sizzling chemistry, unforgettable characters and irresistible charm in one precious package. Utterly adorable and laugh-out-loud funny, it explores the magic and mayhem of becoming a single mother, returning to a life you thought you had left behind, and finding love when (and where) you least expect it.'Natalie Murray, author of Love, Just In
'Special Delivery is a heartfelt, laugh-out-loud story of finding love through life's twists and turns. Leesa Ronald is an author to watch - fans of Emily Henry and Sally Thorne will love this book!' Kelly Rimmer
Moving back to her hometown in country NSW, single, jobless and pregnant was never Poppy's plan. With her best friend living hundreds of kilometres away and an ex who refuses to pick up the phone, she doesn't know who to turn to for help.
There's definitely no point asking her midwife, James, because he's the worst. Sure, he held her hand through the birth, but that's only because it was his job.
However, as Poppy and James keep crossing paths in the small country town, Poppy begins to realise she may have misjudged her midwife. And that complicates things.
As Poppy stumbles from crisis to crisis in a town that feels unrecognisable, she learns that to build a future, sometimes you need to let go of the past. And often, the strongest relationships are those you forge when you're at rock bottom.
'Leesa's writing is an exciting breath of fresh air. Her voice is witty, clever and captures even the most mundane aspects of motherhood with incredible heart and humility. Leesa's ability to convey the vulnerabilities and insecurities we feel as mothers in the first year of a child's life really reinforced the beauty of the journey, despite its nuanced challenges. Special Delivery had me swooning, sobbing and smiling, from start to finish. I enjoyed every step along the voyage, feeling like I'd found a kindred spirit in Poppy, and the colourful cast of characters who walk this year with her. Brava, Leesa!'Jenna Lo Bianco, author of The Italian Marriage
'Special Delivery is a hysterical and heartwarming romcom that delivers sizzling chemistry, unforgettable characters and irresistible charm in one precious package. Utterly adorable and laugh-out-loud funny, it explores the magic and mayhem of becoming a single mother, returning to a life you thought you had left behind, and finding love when (and where) you least expect it.'Natalie Murray, author of Love, Just In
428 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 3, 2024
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762 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 166 reviews
September 17, 2024
Poppy McKellar can’t believe her long term partners attitude when she falls pregnant, she’s thirty and Poppy decides to have her baby, and move back to Orange, in country New South Wales and be closer to her parents. Poppy rents a house, starts setting up the nursery and making plans for her bundle of joy's arrival in the hottest month of the Australian summer.
Poppy finds herself in labour and alone and except for the pesky midwife she met a few weeks ago and sometimes she feels like the whole universe is against her. Poppy has her baby, her parents take them from hospital, and let’s just say the first night of solo parenting is sleepless and stressful, Poppy can’t relax, she’s hears every newborn squeak and lays there doubting her capabilities as a mother and ticking off all the things in her head she's checked and double checked.
Poppy starts to go for a daily walk and because she’s going stir crazy, she meets her elderly next door neighbour who’s sweet and then she bumps into James the midwife who delivered her bubs and he still presses all of Poppy’s buttons and if she wasn’t a mother she would strangle the neat and tidy know it all.
I received a copy of Special Delivery from Allen & Unwin and NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased and honest review. This is the first book I have read by Leesa Ronald and it won’t be my last and it was hilarious and I haven’t laughed so much in ages. Full of realistic, wonderful, diverse and funny characters, a warts and all tale about being a single mum, covering the later stages of pregnancy and the first year of a baby’s life.
Poppy stumbles from crisis to crisis, suffers from baby brain and a bad case of saying the first thing that pops into her head, while dealing with a blast from her past, and then she starts to notice how good looking and tall James the midwife is, who she vowed to detest for the rest of her life and he makes an already flustered Poppy worse and she's in no position for romance and she's a new mother for crying out loud!!
Five stars from me, one of the best books I have read in 2024 and I highly recommend.
Poppy finds herself in labour and alone and except for the pesky midwife she met a few weeks ago and sometimes she feels like the whole universe is against her. Poppy has her baby, her parents take them from hospital, and let’s just say the first night of solo parenting is sleepless and stressful, Poppy can’t relax, she’s hears every newborn squeak and lays there doubting her capabilities as a mother and ticking off all the things in her head she's checked and double checked.
Poppy starts to go for a daily walk and because she’s going stir crazy, she meets her elderly next door neighbour who’s sweet and then she bumps into James the midwife who delivered her bubs and he still presses all of Poppy’s buttons and if she wasn’t a mother she would strangle the neat and tidy know it all.
I received a copy of Special Delivery from Allen & Unwin and NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased and honest review. This is the first book I have read by Leesa Ronald and it won’t be my last and it was hilarious and I haven’t laughed so much in ages. Full of realistic, wonderful, diverse and funny characters, a warts and all tale about being a single mum, covering the later stages of pregnancy and the first year of a baby’s life.
Poppy stumbles from crisis to crisis, suffers from baby brain and a bad case of saying the first thing that pops into her head, while dealing with a blast from her past, and then she starts to notice how good looking and tall James the midwife is, who she vowed to detest for the rest of her life and he makes an already flustered Poppy worse and she's in no position for romance and she's a new mother for crying out loud!!
Five stars from me, one of the best books I have read in 2024 and I highly recommend.
December 10, 2024
If you love a good Rom-Com then this awesome debut is a must read, filled with laugh-out-loud moments throughout the book I loved it from start to finish, getting to know Poppy McKellar was a joy and one that I highly recommend.
Life changes very quickly for Poppy when she finds herself pregnant and her partner of nine years attitude sees her now single leaving the job she loves and moving back to her hometown Orange a country town in the Central West, to be close to her parents but determination if nothing else pushes her along, missing her best friend Dani, she rents a house and starts getting ready for the birth of her baby.
When the time comes for her baby to arrive, Poppy is taken by surprise when she meets her midwife, James, could this be happening one meeting in the car park with the Ken look like and now she finds he is here to deliver her baby, what?? Holding her baby girl Maeve was worth all she went through now to be the best mother she can.
Being single and trying to cope with a new born is not easy and with her ex ghosting her Poppy does her best and takes walks everyday here she runs into James with his dog soon they are walking together and Poppy is maybe realising that James is not who she first thought he was, even if he still finds a way to annoy her in some ways but life is moving on and Maeve seems to be coping with her as a mother.
This is really a fun story and so very heart-warming as Poopy navigates her way through single motherhood, one thing after another seems to pop up and have Poppy worrying, There are so many awesome characters who add so much to the story, firstly of course James, he is the best, Poppy’s mother Chrissie is so good as is Poppy’s elderly neighbour Mary and her friend Dani and an old school friend Henry who adds a spanner in the works when he arrives back in town.
Poppy is not looking for love but somehow she finds herself thinking more and more about James, could there be something there?
I do highly recommend this one, I am looking forward to many more books from MS Ronald, and you will laugh, smile and cry happy tears as you cheer Poppy on throughout her journey as I did, this is one not to be missed.
My thanks to Allen & Unwin for my copy to read and review.
Life changes very quickly for Poppy when she finds herself pregnant and her partner of nine years attitude sees her now single leaving the job she loves and moving back to her hometown Orange a country town in the Central West, to be close to her parents but determination if nothing else pushes her along, missing her best friend Dani, she rents a house and starts getting ready for the birth of her baby.
When the time comes for her baby to arrive, Poppy is taken by surprise when she meets her midwife, James, could this be happening one meeting in the car park with the Ken look like and now she finds he is here to deliver her baby, what?? Holding her baby girl Maeve was worth all she went through now to be the best mother she can.
Being single and trying to cope with a new born is not easy and with her ex ghosting her Poppy does her best and takes walks everyday here she runs into James with his dog soon they are walking together and Poppy is maybe realising that James is not who she first thought he was, even if he still finds a way to annoy her in some ways but life is moving on and Maeve seems to be coping with her as a mother.
This is really a fun story and so very heart-warming as Poopy navigates her way through single motherhood, one thing after another seems to pop up and have Poppy worrying, There are so many awesome characters who add so much to the story, firstly of course James, he is the best, Poppy’s mother Chrissie is so good as is Poppy’s elderly neighbour Mary and her friend Dani and an old school friend Henry who adds a spanner in the works when he arrives back in town.
Poppy is not looking for love but somehow she finds herself thinking more and more about James, could there be something there?
I do highly recommend this one, I am looking forward to many more books from MS Ronald, and you will laugh, smile and cry happy tears as you cheer Poppy on throughout her journey as I did, this is one not to be missed.
My thanks to Allen & Unwin for my copy to read and review.
August 6, 2025
A fun, enemies-to-lovers rom-com story, set in a small-town in Australia.
Life circumstances force thirty-year-old Poppy to return to her hometown of Orange in country New South Wales - newly single, unemployed and pregnant. Her best friend now lives hundreds of kilometres away, and her ex-partner of nine years is refusing to answer her calls.
Poppy ends up alone in labour, supported by nobody other than James, her gorgeous-yet-annoying midwife. As she navigates early parenthood, particularly as a single mother, she has no idea where to turn for help...
I enjoyed the realistic and relatable depiction of late pregnancy and the first year of parenthood, the brilliant banter that had me laughing out loud, and the interesting cast of supporting characters.
I was able to access the audiobook, which is narrated beautifully by Melanie Gleeson.
This is a fantastic, feel-good story and a brilliant debut! I am excited to read what Leesa Ronald writes in future.
Format: Audiobook, thanks to Libby
Listen time: 12 hours, 51 minutes
Life circumstances force thirty-year-old Poppy to return to her hometown of Orange in country New South Wales - newly single, unemployed and pregnant. Her best friend now lives hundreds of kilometres away, and her ex-partner of nine years is refusing to answer her calls.
Poppy ends up alone in labour, supported by nobody other than James, her gorgeous-yet-annoying midwife. As she navigates early parenthood, particularly as a single mother, she has no idea where to turn for help...
I enjoyed the realistic and relatable depiction of late pregnancy and the first year of parenthood, the brilliant banter that had me laughing out loud, and the interesting cast of supporting characters.
I was able to access the audiobook, which is narrated beautifully by Melanie Gleeson.
This is a fantastic, feel-good story and a brilliant debut! I am excited to read what Leesa Ronald writes in future.
Format: Audiobook, thanks to Libby
Listen time: 12 hours, 51 minutes
December 3, 2024
Big thanks to Allen & Unwin for sending us a copy to read and review.
Leesa Ronald’s five star debut is a witty, laugh out loud, heartwarming tale with lots to adore inside the covers.
It’s the type of book you lose yourself in and forget the time.
Poppy is pregnant, single and has no job, so she moves back to her hometown of Orange.
Her best friend, Dani is miles away and the father of her baby, Patrick is nowhere to be seen.
Then in walks James, her midwife and the man she just had an awkward encounter with.
They continue to bump into each other and Poppy has a lot going on.
But as Poppy deals with mishaps, chaos and fiasco, she starts to think maybe there’s a change of being happy……
A well written, engaging, stimulating and fun read.
I loved the banter between Poppy and James, it was comical, relatable and very real.
In the first pages I was giggling and I knew I was in for a treat.
It will tickle the funny bone, caress your heart and massage the soul.
Looking for a book to get lost in and be entertained, look no further, here is the book for you.
Leesa has become an instant auto buy author and will look forward to what she writes next.
Leesa Ronald’s five star debut is a witty, laugh out loud, heartwarming tale with lots to adore inside the covers.
It’s the type of book you lose yourself in and forget the time.
Poppy is pregnant, single and has no job, so she moves back to her hometown of Orange.
Her best friend, Dani is miles away and the father of her baby, Patrick is nowhere to be seen.
Then in walks James, her midwife and the man she just had an awkward encounter with.
They continue to bump into each other and Poppy has a lot going on.
But as Poppy deals with mishaps, chaos and fiasco, she starts to think maybe there’s a change of being happy……
A well written, engaging, stimulating and fun read.
I loved the banter between Poppy and James, it was comical, relatable and very real.
In the first pages I was giggling and I knew I was in for a treat.
It will tickle the funny bone, caress your heart and massage the soul.
Looking for a book to get lost in and be entertained, look no further, here is the book for you.
Leesa has become an instant auto buy author and will look forward to what she writes next.
April 17, 2025
This was a big warm hug 🥰
January 5, 2025
⭐️4.5 Stars
Special Delivery by Leesa Ronald is definitely one of my favourite romcoms! It’s fun, heart-warming and well written, congratulations to the author on such an outstanding debut. You’ll fly through this one, the banter is hilarious and it’s the perfect summer read.
Pregnant, unemployed and newly single, Poppy moves back to her hometown of Orange in country NSW where she rents a house to be closer to her parents. The father of her baby and partner of nine years doesn’t want to settle down and now he won’t answer her calls. Poppy is also missing her best friend Dani who now lives hundreds of Kilometres away.
When Poppy attends her pregnancy checkup she has a heated run in with a Ken doll lookalike named James who works at the hospital and tells her it’s not acceptable to park in a pram parking space.
There are plenty of dramas as Poppy navigates new friendships, pregnancy and ex-boyfriends. This story is so relatable and I loved all the various characters. Don’t miss this one, so entertaining!
Publication Date 03 December 2024
Publisher Allen & Unwin
A huge thanks to the fabulous team Allen & Unwin for a copy of the book.
Special Delivery by Leesa Ronald is definitely one of my favourite romcoms! It’s fun, heart-warming and well written, congratulations to the author on such an outstanding debut. You’ll fly through this one, the banter is hilarious and it’s the perfect summer read.
Pregnant, unemployed and newly single, Poppy moves back to her hometown of Orange in country NSW where she rents a house to be closer to her parents. The father of her baby and partner of nine years doesn’t want to settle down and now he won’t answer her calls. Poppy is also missing her best friend Dani who now lives hundreds of Kilometres away.
When Poppy attends her pregnancy checkup she has a heated run in with a Ken doll lookalike named James who works at the hospital and tells her it’s not acceptable to park in a pram parking space.
There are plenty of dramas as Poppy navigates new friendships, pregnancy and ex-boyfriends. This story is so relatable and I loved all the various characters. Don’t miss this one, so entertaining!
Publication Date 03 December 2024
Publisher Allen & Unwin
A huge thanks to the fabulous team Allen & Unwin for a copy of the book.
January 4, 2025
“Special Delivery” was a disappointment. Neither Poppy nor James were likeable at the start, making it hard to engage with their story. The explanations later in the story regarding their first meetings did not change this fact, &
In fact seemed like lazy justifications into their actions.
The scattered cultural references only added to the confusion, making it difficult to determine when the book was set. At one point the author wrote that Poppy bought a Garth Brooks CD when she was 15 when earlier mentioning that she enjoyed taking control of music at parties & playing Taylor Swift with an aux cord - a clear mix of generations. I was surprised when I found that Poppy was supposed to be 30 after all this set up.
There were also many things that were blatantly incorrect. For example, when the ambulance arrived for Mary, the author said they put a ventilator on her face, which is absolutely not what would have happened. The editor needed to do a much better job & the author was let down by this.
Finally, the comparison to Emily Henry novels is completely off the mark—her books are amazing, while this one was not.
In fact seemed like lazy justifications into their actions.
The scattered cultural references only added to the confusion, making it difficult to determine when the book was set. At one point the author wrote that Poppy bought a Garth Brooks CD when she was 15 when earlier mentioning that she enjoyed taking control of music at parties & playing Taylor Swift with an aux cord - a clear mix of generations. I was surprised when I found that Poppy was supposed to be 30 after all this set up.
There were also many things that were blatantly incorrect. For example, when the ambulance arrived for Mary, the author said they put a ventilator on her face, which is absolutely not what would have happened. The editor needed to do a much better job & the author was let down by this.
Finally, the comparison to Emily Henry novels is completely off the mark—her books are amazing, while this one was not.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 19, 2025
Special Delivery by Leesa Ronald
🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟
What a beautiful book to start 2025 off with! I adored every page of this debut novel. Set in Orange, Australia, we follow Poppy while she navigates being pregnant, single, and moving back to her hometown in Orange to start her new life. Her struggles felt so very real, and some of them were extremely relatable - especially some of the thoughts and emotions of being a first-time mother in that first year. I felt like I truly knew Poppy, grew with her, and felt the emotions with her. And the men in her life. Wow. What a roller-coaster! It got messy there for a bit, but Poppy finding herself and becoming so strong in who she was and what she wanted was so beautiful to see unfold. I want more!
Thank you so much to Allen and Unwin for sending me a review copy, I absolutely adored this story
🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟
What a beautiful book to start 2025 off with! I adored every page of this debut novel. Set in Orange, Australia, we follow Poppy while she navigates being pregnant, single, and moving back to her hometown in Orange to start her new life. Her struggles felt so very real, and some of them were extremely relatable - especially some of the thoughts and emotions of being a first-time mother in that first year. I felt like I truly knew Poppy, grew with her, and felt the emotions with her. And the men in her life. Wow. What a roller-coaster! It got messy there for a bit, but Poppy finding herself and becoming so strong in who she was and what she wanted was so beautiful to see unfold. I want more!
Thank you so much to Allen and Unwin for sending me a review copy, I absolutely adored this story
February 12, 2025
Cute little rom com. This author is like an Australian Emily Henry, I enjoyed the setting in Orange with references to Sydney and Mudgee.
November 20, 2025
A true rom com! Such a brilliant, feel-good read!
I like my romances swoony and sassy and SPECIAL DELIVERY was exactly that. Leesa Ronald nails the enemies to lovers trope. The feuding, the tension, the feelings! *chef’s kiss*
This first time mum + single mum story was told so well. Poppy was fierce but I absolutely related to her vulnerable moments.
SPECIAL DELIVERY absolutely sparkles with zingy banter, a good dose of humour and a heap of heart. I couldn’t put this book down.
An outstanding debut that romance readers will adore!
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of Leesa’s next novel POWER MOVES (out December 2025) If I’ve convinced you to read SPECIAL DELIVERY, you should go ahead and pre-order POWER MOVES too because friends, you’re going to love it!
I like my romances swoony and sassy and SPECIAL DELIVERY was exactly that. Leesa Ronald nails the enemies to lovers trope. The feuding, the tension, the feelings! *chef’s kiss*
This first time mum + single mum story was told so well. Poppy was fierce but I absolutely related to her vulnerable moments.
SPECIAL DELIVERY absolutely sparkles with zingy banter, a good dose of humour and a heap of heart. I couldn’t put this book down.
An outstanding debut that romance readers will adore!
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of Leesa’s next novel POWER MOVES (out December 2025) If I’ve convinced you to read SPECIAL DELIVERY, you should go ahead and pre-order POWER MOVES too because friends, you’re going to love it!
April 27, 2025
Easy read, set in Orange too! Makes me wanna do a day trip next time I’m home
March 7, 2025
I actually really enjoyed this. I think I found it nostalgic having grown up in the central west and going to university in Orange.
I like the characters and the feel good plot.
It’s like Emily Henry meets the central west.
Highly recommend
I like the characters and the feel good plot.
It’s like Emily Henry meets the central west.
Highly recommend
December 24, 2024
My reading experience of Special Delivery kinda went like this:
Pain. Joy. Joooyyyy. PAINNNNNNNNNNN. JOYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY.
When Poppy finds herself suddenly single and pregnant, she leaves her cushy life and ex partner behind in Sydney, deciding to move back to her hometown of Orange, Central West NSW.
But.. Poppy is soon going to discover that fitting in will be much harder than first thought. Apart from her parents, she really doesn't have any support network to lift her up, and single parenting can be an actual b****. Whatsomore, her ex partner of nine years, Patrick, couldn't care less that he's about to be a dad. What an inconsiderate jerk.
Then, there's the problem of James, a midwife at the local hospital, whom is the bane of Poppy's life. He's just there... Popping up, sharing his infuriating presence with the world. Poppy just can't get rid of him! So, of course, James is the one to help deliver her baby girl!
Even after the birth, James is still hanging around. From sharing reluctant walks with one another and somehow turning up on a mini break, there's no way to get rid of him! Besides, baby Maeve seems to like him. All they need to do is to get to know one another. Before long, Poppy suddenly realises that she's in love with James. But... Is he on the same page?
Poppy certainly goes through some dilemmas throughout this charming and relatable tale. Even so, each hurdle jumped makes her much more resilient. By the book's end, Poppy is a superstar mum that CAN do anything.
I loved the cast of supporting characters - especially Poppy's flamboyant mum Chrissie, non filter bestie Dani, and scheming elderly neighbour Mary being my favourites.
I laughed out loud. I bit my nails in anticipation. I very nearly threw my Kindle aside in frustration. My heart is full after rushing through the pages. My only complaint is that WE NEED MORE.
5 🌟
Pain. Joy. Joooyyyy. PAINNNNNNNNNNN. JOYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY.
When Poppy finds herself suddenly single and pregnant, she leaves her cushy life and ex partner behind in Sydney, deciding to move back to her hometown of Orange, Central West NSW.
But.. Poppy is soon going to discover that fitting in will be much harder than first thought. Apart from her parents, she really doesn't have any support network to lift her up, and single parenting can be an actual b****. Whatsomore, her ex partner of nine years, Patrick, couldn't care less that he's about to be a dad. What an inconsiderate jerk.
Then, there's the problem of James, a midwife at the local hospital, whom is the bane of Poppy's life. He's just there... Popping up, sharing his infuriating presence with the world. Poppy just can't get rid of him! So, of course, James is the one to help deliver her baby girl!
Even after the birth, James is still hanging around. From sharing reluctant walks with one another and somehow turning up on a mini break, there's no way to get rid of him! Besides, baby Maeve seems to like him. All they need to do is to get to know one another. Before long, Poppy suddenly realises that she's in love with James. But... Is he on the same page?
Poppy certainly goes through some dilemmas throughout this charming and relatable tale. Even so, each hurdle jumped makes her much more resilient. By the book's end, Poppy is a superstar mum that CAN do anything.
I loved the cast of supporting characters - especially Poppy's flamboyant mum Chrissie, non filter bestie Dani, and scheming elderly neighbour Mary being my favourites.
I laughed out loud. I bit my nails in anticipation. I very nearly threw my Kindle aside in frustration. My heart is full after rushing through the pages. My only complaint is that WE NEED MORE.
5 🌟
December 2, 2024
I ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS BOOK 🤩♥️
Give this wonderful book all the stars and more! It the most beautiful romcom, I loved it 🙌
Poppy is about to welcome her first child, not in the situation she imagined. Unfortunately her partner of 9 years, Patrick was less than thrilled when Poppy announced her pregnancy, so she knew their time had come to an end and decided to move back to her country hometown
Now reality kicks in, she’s back home, with no job, pregnant, her supportive best friend living so far away and still hoping her ex will come around and be involved in their child’s life
Our fabulous meet cute comes when Poppy arrives at the hospital for a pregnancy check up and decides to park in a “parents with prams” park to avoid the long walk in the heat. Enter James, Mr Goodie-to-shoes who points out this is not acceptable as she does not in fact have a pram.. Poppy is not in the mood for this, she is tired, hot and very pregnant and perfectly puts him in his place, stands her ground and that is that.
Well, that is until she when goes into labour and discovers her widwife is on leave, and meets her new midwife.. James!
What follows is a perfectly paced story of the year that follows this key moment. It is so honest and real and Poppy is such a strong, determined and endearing character. And when you add in the wonderful side characters who bring so much to the story including the best banter!
I laughed out loud, I cried and I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face with every page I turned.
This is without a doubt one of my favourite romance reads of 2024 🤩
Featuring
🩷Enemies to lovers
🩷Aussie small town setting
🩷Fabulous family banter
🩷Wonderful best friend
🩷And James, the most delicious book boyfriend!
Thank you so much @allenandunwin @leesaronaldwrites for my gifted copy of this amazing debut as part of #freebiefriday , this in no way influenced my opinion of this book 🫶
Give this wonderful book all the stars and more! It the most beautiful romcom, I loved it 🙌
Poppy is about to welcome her first child, not in the situation she imagined. Unfortunately her partner of 9 years, Patrick was less than thrilled when Poppy announced her pregnancy, so she knew their time had come to an end and decided to move back to her country hometown
Now reality kicks in, she’s back home, with no job, pregnant, her supportive best friend living so far away and still hoping her ex will come around and be involved in their child’s life
Our fabulous meet cute comes when Poppy arrives at the hospital for a pregnancy check up and decides to park in a “parents with prams” park to avoid the long walk in the heat. Enter James, Mr Goodie-to-shoes who points out this is not acceptable as she does not in fact have a pram.. Poppy is not in the mood for this, she is tired, hot and very pregnant and perfectly puts him in his place, stands her ground and that is that.
Well, that is until she when goes into labour and discovers her widwife is on leave, and meets her new midwife.. James!
What follows is a perfectly paced story of the year that follows this key moment. It is so honest and real and Poppy is such a strong, determined and endearing character. And when you add in the wonderful side characters who bring so much to the story including the best banter!
I laughed out loud, I cried and I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face with every page I turned.
This is without a doubt one of my favourite romance reads of 2024 🤩
Featuring
🩷Enemies to lovers
🩷Aussie small town setting
🩷Fabulous family banter
🩷Wonderful best friend
🩷And James, the most delicious book boyfriend!
Thank you so much @allenandunwin @leesaronaldwrites for my gifted copy of this amazing debut as part of #freebiefriday , this in no way influenced my opinion of this book 🫶
February 7, 2025
A fun romance with heart, set in Orange, Australia (I absolutely love all the Aussie-ness!)
Poppy is pregnant, newly single, jobless, and has moved back to her home town. At her first prenatal appointment, she runs into a Ken doll lookalike in hospital scrubs who challenges her on her parking choices. This ken doll lookalike turns out to be her midwife and worse, she keeps running into him all over town!
🤰 Enemies to lovers vibes
🤰 Banter
🤰 Lovable side characters
🤰 Unique meet-cute
My verdict: A heart-warming story depicting perfectly the chaotic reality that is early motherhood and the roller-coaster that is life.
Poppy is pregnant, newly single, jobless, and has moved back to her home town. At her first prenatal appointment, she runs into a Ken doll lookalike in hospital scrubs who challenges her on her parking choices. This ken doll lookalike turns out to be her midwife and worse, she keeps running into him all over town!
🤰 Enemies to lovers vibes
🤰 Banter
🤰 Lovable side characters
🤰 Unique meet-cute
My verdict: A heart-warming story depicting perfectly the chaotic reality that is early motherhood and the roller-coaster that is life.
March 31, 2025
Poppy is rude and awful, incredibly self absorbed and unwilling to take responsibility for her life. She is impossible to like. The plot is predictable - despite many false starts (this book could have been at least 100 pages shorter) the ending is inevitable. In many ways the premise is identical to Steph Vizard’s Love Contract but nowhere near as charming.
November 3, 2024
Thank you to Allen & Unwin and NetGalley for giving me this book for an honest review.
Poppy McKellar moves back to her home town of Orange after falling pregnant and her partner not wanting to settle down and have a baby. The story goes from her moving back to Orange through to her baby Marvel almost turning one and all the dramas she goes through. From mothers’ group, to high school friendships, ex-boyfriends, being friends with her elderly neighbour and a grumpy male midwife who seems to annoy her at every step of the way.
The characters and events were relatable and it the book was a heartwarming read.
Poppy McKellar moves back to her home town of Orange after falling pregnant and her partner not wanting to settle down and have a baby. The story goes from her moving back to Orange through to her baby Marvel almost turning one and all the dramas she goes through. From mothers’ group, to high school friendships, ex-boyfriends, being friends with her elderly neighbour and a grumpy male midwife who seems to annoy her at every step of the way.
The characters and events were relatable and it the book was a heartwarming read.
January 10, 2025
Perfect romcom filled with delightful characters and fun storylines. Set in Orange, a regional town (oops city) in NSW, I enjoyed the premise of ‘local girl moves back from the city with her tail slightly between her legs as she navigates single motherhood, finding new friends, and dealing with her ‘helpful’ mother.’ I lived in Orange for a year in the 80s and I must say it seems to have changed for the better lol. It also seems to have got hotter (it’s true, I googled it!) as it never even approached 30 degrees the year I lived there. Ironically, I was a new mum the year we lived there so I can relate and I can also vouch for the snow ⛄️
January 27, 2025
Don’t let the bright romance cover fool you, this book represents a subtle act of activism! ✊♀️
Why?
Because not only is the protagonist, Poppy, a mother—she’s a new mother. The notion of someone being a mother as well as a woman with her own desires and needs is not something that society does well to acknowledge. The mother is divine. The mother doesn’t crave carnal pleasure. Oh, but she does and it in no way compromises her ability to be an excellent mother.
The love interest in this enemies-to-lovers romp is another gender-norm bender, Poppy’s midwife, James, and is proof of why my “type” is fictional men written by women! One of my pet peeves in romance books is when the author tells us there’s banter between the love interests but doesn’t show it. Leesa smashes the banter and, having had the pleasure of meeting her and following her on Instagram, it’s because she’s funny as shit!
The plot structure is tight and the writing witty and original. Leesa Ronald has dished up what I’d describe as high-quality romance that’s in the same league as Clare Fletcher and Karina May.
Why?
Because not only is the protagonist, Poppy, a mother—she’s a new mother. The notion of someone being a mother as well as a woman with her own desires and needs is not something that society does well to acknowledge. The mother is divine. The mother doesn’t crave carnal pleasure. Oh, but she does and it in no way compromises her ability to be an excellent mother.
The love interest in this enemies-to-lovers romp is another gender-norm bender, Poppy’s midwife, James, and is proof of why my “type” is fictional men written by women! One of my pet peeves in romance books is when the author tells us there’s banter between the love interests but doesn’t show it. Leesa smashes the banter and, having had the pleasure of meeting her and following her on Instagram, it’s because she’s funny as shit!
The plot structure is tight and the writing witty and original. Leesa Ronald has dished up what I’d describe as high-quality romance that’s in the same league as Clare Fletcher and Karina May.
March 24, 2025
Special Delivery is Leesa Ronald's first book and it's a corker!
Poppy moves back to her home town, pregnant, jobless and single, she's hit rock bottom and only had herself to depend on, she definitely doesn't need her pesky midwife James showing up all the time, she hates him after all. As their paths continue to cross they form a truce and a friendship starts to form, will it lead to something more?
An easy to read book that was engaging with lovable (and hatable) characters, it made me laugh and cry and had me cheering for Poppy and James!
I look forward to more of Leesas books!
Thanks Beauty and Lace and Allen & Unwin for the copy to read and review.
Poppy moves back to her home town, pregnant, jobless and single, she's hit rock bottom and only had herself to depend on, she definitely doesn't need her pesky midwife James showing up all the time, she hates him after all. As their paths continue to cross they form a truce and a friendship starts to form, will it lead to something more?
An easy to read book that was engaging with lovable (and hatable) characters, it made me laugh and cry and had me cheering for Poppy and James!
I look forward to more of Leesas books!
Thanks Beauty and Lace and Allen & Unwin for the copy to read and review.
January 1, 2025
I ADORED this read!
Poppy our protagonist moves back to Orange (rural NSW), shes newly single and pregnant and life has been flipped on its head. I felt a deep connection with Poppy and her journey into motherhood, I really felt for her navigating this new life on her own.
Enter James the (hot) male midwife, midman? . I adored the development of their friendship and their witty banter
I found our supporting characters well written and essential to the story…Henry the ex situationship from 10 years ago, he is ‘engaged’ but that doesn’t stop him from flirting up a storm woth Poppy. Dani the loveable BFF who was still living in Sydney and Mary the cutest neighbour 💜
Meanwhile, Patrick can EAD.
@leesaronaldwrites writing reminds me of Sally Thorn crossed with Emily Henry and i adore it!
Poppy our protagonist moves back to Orange (rural NSW), shes newly single and pregnant and life has been flipped on its head. I felt a deep connection with Poppy and her journey into motherhood, I really felt for her navigating this new life on her own.
Enter James the (hot) male midwife, midman? . I adored the development of their friendship and their witty banter
I found our supporting characters well written and essential to the story…Henry the ex situationship from 10 years ago, he is ‘engaged’ but that doesn’t stop him from flirting up a storm woth Poppy. Dani the loveable BFF who was still living in Sydney and Mary the cutest neighbour 💜
Meanwhile, Patrick can EAD.
@leesaronaldwrites writing reminds me of Sally Thorn crossed with Emily Henry and i adore it!
April 25, 2025
This book is the best thing I have ever read I am so sad that Mary dies though but I am happy that James and poppy get together in the end funny that it was at Bunnings though and i loved that maeve starts to walk and has a little talk in the end i am really sad about mary but it has a happy ending which is good i love a good happy ending with a bit of romance added into it
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 20, 2025
How refreshing to read a rom-com set in regional Australia! Although it took me a few chapters to get into the story, I struggled to put the book down once I was hooked. This is more than just a rom-com. It captures the trials and strength of single mothers, the importance of family, friendship and community, the outcomes of conflict avoidance and resolution. Thoroughly entertaining!
May 5, 2025
What a refreshing read from a new author for me.
I picked it up with no idea what it was about which is my favourite thing to do.
I was laughing at Poppys mum, she was hilarious. She was a typical Aussie mum with so much love and lots to chat about. Also made a quick 360 if she needed to 🤣
I loved them. Could have read a few hundred more pages of Poppy and James together.
I picked it up with no idea what it was about which is my favourite thing to do.
I was laughing at Poppys mum, she was hilarious. She was a typical Aussie mum with so much love and lots to chat about. Also made a quick 360 if she needed to 🤣
I loved them. Could have read a few hundred more pages of Poppy and James together.
June 24, 2025
Oh my god I bloody loved this. A debut from an Australian author with the most hilariously Australian characters and settings. I felt like I was in on an inside joke the entire time. 10/10 enjoyable, hilarious reading.
January 19, 2025
This had be giggling to myself like the absolute psychopath I am.
February 2, 2025
Incredible! Different and quirky! I loved it
February 21, 2025
This was great! I loved the language, the dialogue, the characters and the story. It was fun and relatable and set in the Central West! How refreshing.
February 28, 2025
I loved this.
Enemies to lovers will always be my jam, and Mary has my entire heart.
No notes.
Enemies to lovers will always be my jam, and Mary has my entire heart.
No notes.
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April 13, 2025Every supporting character was like a caricature of an Australian person. It felt like a Netflix movie set in Australia made by Americans.
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