Wattle Brook

by R.J. Groves

Return to Ash Gully in this heartwarming rural romance about a country nurse and the ex she can't seem to ignore.


Four years ago, Benjamin Engel broke Sarina Cooper's heart and left town with no explanation. It's been three years since he moved back to Ash Gully, and Sarina has done an excellent job of avoiding him. There may be an annoyingly magnetic pull between them, but Sarina knows better than to offer him her heart a second time. Ben is in her past, and that's where he should stay. So why is she suddenly finding it so hard to keep him out of her head?

Ben has only ever been in love once. And by the time he'd realised it, it had been far too late. When fate offers him a second chance with Sarina, he's determined not to waste it. Will they both be able to leave the past behind to forge a future together, or is history about to repeat itself?

187 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 1, 2025

About the author

Australian author R.J. Groves has been passionate about writing since she could put pen to paper and can usually be found jotting plots and stories down on anything she can get her hands on. Describing herself as a mum, wife, author, and coffee lover, her other passions include music, cooking, books, adventures, and searching for plot bunnies in even the most mundane activities.

Reviews

[Ann-Maree · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wattle Brook
by R.J. Groves

I had truly hoped to enjoy this book as I began reading it, but I found the lengthy descriptive monologues interspersed between the dialogue to be excessively drawn out, detracting from a pleasant reading experience. This overly detailed narration made it difficult for me to fully engage with the characters, preventing me from immersing myself completely in the story.

Four years ago, Benjamin Engel shattered Sarina Cooper's heart, abruptly leaving their small town without any explanation. He had experienced love only once, and by the time he recognised its significance, it was far too late to reconcile his feelings. Now, fate presents him with a second chance to reconnect with Sarina, and he is resolute in his determination not to squander it. However, the question lingers: Will Sarina be willing to open her heart again and allow him the opportunity to mend what he so carelessly broke?

[Shelagh · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I enjoyed reading Wattle Brook, I thought the beginning was convoluted as there were a great many characers thrown into the mix. It was hard to work out who was doing what with whom and who were the main protagonists. Once I got over that, the story flowed smoothly. Second chance romance is in heir air between Benjamin Engel and Sarina Cooper, whom he broke up with years earlier and regretted ever since. I liked them both and felt for Ben as he wistfullty watched his friends’ relationships as Sarina danced with other people. The other thing that distracted me was the regular tense jumping between past and present. Other than that, this is a nice story that will fill your afternoon and not require too much effort to read.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley, Escape Publishing, and the author for the chance to read this book.

I found this story a bit slow, and it didn't keep me enthralled. There is a lot of baggage for both characters to sort through, and at times, that felt like it was dragged out.
I didn't have strong feelings either way on their relationship and didn't find myself feeling invested in it like other books.

[Eris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good book. The two main characters are Sarina and Ben. Sarina is a nurse. Ben is a teacher. They used to date but they broke up several years ago. There is still an attraction. They start being in the same place. Ben apologizes to Sarina. They decide to start dating. They each have issues but together they work them out and fall in love

[Denise Schenk · Rating 3 out of 5]

Benjamin Engel broke Sarina Cooper's heart four years ago. Since has been back in town he hopes to reconnect with Sarina. Sarina has no use for Ben now and steers clear of him at every opportunity. As Ben has worked on being a better man he just needs Sarina to give him a second chance.

[Helen Erwood · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hard work lumbering through this clunky story

Long winded and repetitive
Did not enjoy this one
Felt like hard work going through this one
Will not be reading more from this author