Breaking Free

by Renae Black, Kathryn Wilder (narrator), W.F. Howes Ltd. (publisher)

Will the dangerous consequences of her past allow her to risk her heart again?

Georgia Williams knows firsthand how love can turn violent. Running from her past, stalked by daily phone calls she refuses to answer, she arrives in the small country town of Gleneagle looking for a place to hide. And even though the local men—admittedly one rather attractive guy in particular—try to catch her attention, the last thing she needs is another man making her life a living hell.

Country boy Trent Turner works his family's cattle stud. After a childhood marked by tragedy, he's working hard to earn his father's approval. He dreams of one day running the farm and being a husband and a father himself. But, unlucky in love, he's losing hope of finding someone to share that dream with. When Trent meets Georgia, he can't help but bank his happily ever after on their sizzling attraction. With Georgia dodging his attention and his father having secret meetings with a city accountant, is it all for nothing?

Georgia can't avoid Trent entirely in their small town, and amid blossoming trust and deepening desire, she lowers her walls enough to let him in. As they grow closer, Trent notices the calls Georgia refuses to answer. Who's so desperate to speak with her? And what trouble will answering them lead to?

Genres: Romance

Audible Audio

Published April 1, 2025

Reviews

[Karren Sandercock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Georgia Williams needs a fresh start and a new job, her last relationship ended very badly and she moves to Gleneagle, in Queensland. Georgia's determined to stay single, it doesn't take long for the local country blokes notice a new lady in town and one farmer catches her eye.

Trent Turner works on his family's cattle stud and alongside his father who’s not keen to hand over control of Turnhope, and he feels like nothing he does is right or good enough. He dreams of running the farm independently, getting married and having a children. Trent meets Georgia, she has all the qualities he’s looking for in a partner and he really wants to ask her out. Georgia can't avoid Trent in Gleneagle, they keep bumping into each other, and everyone assures her he’s a nice guy. Georgia visits the farm, she loves how peaceful it is and Trent notices Georgia gets a lot of phone calls and she refuses to answer them.

I received a copy of Breaking Free by Renae Black from Escape Publishing and NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review. I liked Georgia and Trent's characters, and the others they met at the pub, football club and school, and it’s an accurate portrayal of what it’s like living in a small country town and community.

For me the narrative highlighted two important issues, violence against women in Australia and the cycle, how difficult it is to break free from the culprits and the damage it does to the victims both physically, mentally and how they find it hard to trust again.

The other topic is farms and ones that have been in a family for generations, it’s not easy working alongside a parent, they can be very reluctant to hand over control and hard to please and it causes tension and resentment.

I thoroughly enjoyed the sizzling chemistry and spark between Georgia and Trent, and their journey to finding love and five stars from me. Another great Australian rural romance from Renae Black, I highly recommend reading Breaking Free and the author's previous book, Red Dirt Home.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another moving story from Renae Black the heroine in this one, Georgia Williams grew up with domestic violence before moving in with her loving grandparents she is a teacher now and has just fled a relationship that ended with domestic violence, Georgia is determined to put it all behind her and has taken a new teaching job in the small rural town of Gleneagle, she is not looking for love of any kind even if one handsome local has caught her eye a new man in her life is not going to happen.

Trent Turner has lived in Gleneagle all of his life fourth generation on the family cattle property, Turnhope he has a difficult relationship with his father after a tragedy during his childhood, what he wants is to finally run Turnhope with a loving wife beside him and children but he has not been lucky with girlfriends in the past, then he meets the new teacher Georgia and there is an instant spark, could this be the start of a wonderful future for them?

Georgia finds it hard to trust and with constant phone calls from a private number that she knows is her ex who should be in jail she is feeling a little jaded but Trent seems so lovely and kind and with her grandmother encouraging her to take a chance she agrees on a date and soon finds herself starting to trust but can she open up about her past and hope that he will stay with her, they are taking things slowly at the moment and then Trent notices the phone calls and asking questions puts a spanner in their relationship.

Will Georgia be able to finally trust Trent enough to see a future together, or will her ex cause even more problems when he arrives in town, this really is such a great story MS Black has taken the issue of domestic violence and written a story with caring and empathy and shows how hard it is to get out of the cycle that sadly is growing and how far the perpetrator will go to get their way.

I do highly recommend this one I loved Trent so much and Georgia has come such a long way, these two deserve to find happiness and love and with each other. Thank you MS Black for another fabulous story.

My thanks to Netgalley and Escape publishing for my copy to read and review.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Renae Black has delivered a heart-warming story tackling the important topic of violence against women and the bravery it takes to trust, break cycles and start anew.

The story centres around city girl Georgia and country boy Trent. Georgia has left her past behind, but she is stalked by daily phone calls she refuses to answer, so when she arrives in the small country town of Gleneagle to start her new teaching position she is ready for a new beginning.

Trent works his family's cattle stud, but after a childhood marked by tragedy, he's working hard to earn his father's approval…becoming a pro at deciphering grunts. He dreams of one day running the farm and being a husband and a father himself. So when Trent meets Georgia, and sparks fly, he can't help but bank his happily ever after on their sizzling attraction.

The chemistry between the two is amazing. Trent’s patience while Georgia tries to find herself and be able to trust again was beautiful. The wider community of characters were so perfect to this story and I wanted to get to know them all also!

Breaking Free is a fabulous Australian rural romance set in a stunning small town location and I absolutely loved it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Escape Publishing for a copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Melissa Woods · Rating 5 out of 5]

Georgia has moved to a new town to escape what happened in the city. She’s not sure if she will fit in. But the community wraps themselves around her and welcomes her.

Trent has been hurt by a city girl before. But he sees Georgia and thinks she is so beautiful.

Georgia likes Trent too, but she is holding back in some ways. Until Georgia’s past comes back to haunt her and Trent feels like he needs to protect her. But things are never simple for them.

Family, ex’s, insecurity and the unknown of the future are a few things that need working out.

A fabulous story of how life is never as easy as one thinks.

I received a free copy of this story by #netgalley for an honest review.

[Shelagh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in Queensland’s Mary Valley, Breaking Free has a strong domestic violence thread running through it that might upset some readers. Georgia Williams grew up in a household where her mother was being abused regularly and her actions as an adult reflect that background. Added to this, it becomes clear early in the book that Georgia’s ex has also used violence in their relationship. To say she’s skittish around me is a bit of an understatement. Farmer Trent Turner is the complete opposite of the men she’s had in her past. He’s hard-working, dedicated to improving his family farm, a keen footballer and a good mate. He’s also smitten with Georgia when he first meets her and despite the frosty reception she greets him with. I loved that he was willing to try again with her and that she was convinced to give him a go. These two work well together and have a lovely, believable relationship. Less believable are the actions of Georgia’s ex. I wondered how he got hold of her phone number despite it having been changed since they parted ways. Overall, I loved the setting and the way that author Renee Black made me feel as though I was there. I loved the group of friends who made up the bulk of the supporting cast and I loved watching Georgia and Trent falling for each other. This has been an entertaining and enjoyable story.

[Sharon Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Morning Everyone .....I just finished another fabulous book Breaking Free by Renae Black ....the story is about Georgia Williams who has left the city and taken up a teaching position in Gleneagle Queensland ........Georgia is trying to move on and start a new life as being single however she meets Trent Turner who lives and works on the family cattle property ........Renae has touched on so many life issues with family secrets , trust issues ....domestic violence ,tragedies how will Georgia be able to build a future in this gorgeous town ...........loved this book it was heart-warming and very powerful ...........so I can't say anything more you know what to do do yourselves a favour and ......enjoy .😀.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

Trigger warning - this book features domestic violence.

The characters in this story have many reasons to hold back their true feelings and not trust too easily. That being said, sometimes there are connections that can't be helped. The small town community is written in a way that really makes you want to be a part of it.

The author does a good job writing such a heartbreaking and difficult storyline. I felt the DV issue was handled as sensitively as possible and illustrated the less visible effects well.

[Victoria Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a heart-warming, powerful story of learning; to trust, to give of oneself and maybe to love again. For Georgia, her past has been the catalyst for locking her heart and for Trent, it's his future concerns that clamp his self confidence.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading the journey these two take. I was deeply immersed in Georgia and Trent's emotional battles and growth through their connection over time and while facing unpredictable circumstances. Well done Renae Black.

[steve pepper · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved this so much. raced through the story that was well writen and structured, characters were well defined. the romance moved in quickly and so did the villain, this page turner moved at a fast pace. the romance was good, the educational aspect was teaching me facts that i hadn't known, and the action scenes were full on. it's the best australian country romance books i have read in a long long time. i must read more from this author.

[Kim Davidson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Renae, I loved this very thought-provoking story. You had me hooked & along for the ride from the very first chapter.
Highly recommend 👌

[Kate Beattie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous story, gorgeous characters, gorgeous setting. How refreshing to read two good humans falling in love.
Highly recommend for rural romance lovers!