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Their Patchwork Family
What does it take to make a patchwork family?
Leo Farrell has been picking up after his cousin Tinker all his life, even to the point of providing financially for his dead cousin’s secret daughter. When the young girl loses her grandmother and her stable home, Leo knows he has no options but to bring her to Kurrajong Crossing and raise her as his own.
Single mother Tamara’s one night with wayward musician, Tinker, gave her a cherished son, and while the fling was a mistake, and she’s weathered Tinker’s cousin Leo’s silent disapproval for years, she’s grateful to have her child. Then Leo brings home a daughter no one knew existed, sending the gossips into a frenzy.
The children become fast friends, and Tamara and Leo’s long-held dislike of each other quickly turns into fierce attraction. But with secrets set to unravel, how far are they prepared to go to give their children the life they deserve? And will they finally find the kind of love they’ve both been yearning for?
Leo Farrell has been picking up after his cousin Tinker all his life, even to the point of providing financially for his dead cousin’s secret daughter. When the young girl loses her grandmother and her stable home, Leo knows he has no options but to bring her to Kurrajong Crossing and raise her as his own.
Single mother Tamara’s one night with wayward musician, Tinker, gave her a cherished son, and while the fling was a mistake, and she’s weathered Tinker’s cousin Leo’s silent disapproval for years, she’s grateful to have her child. Then Leo brings home a daughter no one knew existed, sending the gossips into a frenzy.
The children become fast friends, and Tamara and Leo’s long-held dislike of each other quickly turns into fierce attraction. But with secrets set to unravel, how far are they prepared to go to give their children the life they deserve? And will they finally find the kind of love they’ve both been yearning for?
268 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 17, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
April 18, 2025
Book eleven in this absolutely fabulous series and I loved it, I think it might be my favourite one so far, we met Leo and Tamara way back in book three and I am so glad they have finally gotten their own story and it is a beauty, one not to be missed.
Leo grew up in Kurrajong Crossing but since the band he is in with his close friends and some family have made it big he has done a lot of travelling, he has also spent a lot of time picking up after his cousin, Tinker pretty much since they were kids and the biggest is taking care of his dead cousin’s daughter, Queenie, he loves her and is now her official father, but when Queenie’s grandmother dies Leo is taking her back to Kurrajong Crossing to raise her as his own, this will of course raise a few eyebrows but he will not let that interfere.
Tamara spent a lot of her younger days watching the close friends rehearse their songs in the garage of the Holiday Inn in town, a place that she did a bit of work, but her heart had always belonged to Leo and when she had just turned sixteen she decided it was time to let Leo know how she felt but when that went horribly wrong she ended up with Leo’s cousin Tinker and then alone and pregnant, she has kept to herself these last year’s her son Colin is now seven and she has steered clear of Leo but now he is back in town with a daughter, who no one new existed.
Before long Queenie and Colin are becoming fast friends and this brings Leo and Tamara together and the spark that was there years ago reignites for both of them but there are secrets that are starting to unravel and Leo must think about the future and Tamara offers to help with that but will they survive a marriage of convenience without the chemistry pushing them together or is that what should really happen, two people who have loved each other for many years will they get that second chance?
This is one that I highly recommend, it is a page turner for any lover of a fabulous romance, filled with awesome characters and I love Kurrajong Crossing, I know there is at least one more to come and I am looking forward to that one.
My thanks to Tule Publishing for my digital copy to read and review.
Leo grew up in Kurrajong Crossing but since the band he is in with his close friends and some family have made it big he has done a lot of travelling, he has also spent a lot of time picking up after his cousin, Tinker pretty much since they were kids and the biggest is taking care of his dead cousin’s daughter, Queenie, he loves her and is now her official father, but when Queenie’s grandmother dies Leo is taking her back to Kurrajong Crossing to raise her as his own, this will of course raise a few eyebrows but he will not let that interfere.
Tamara spent a lot of her younger days watching the close friends rehearse their songs in the garage of the Holiday Inn in town, a place that she did a bit of work, but her heart had always belonged to Leo and when she had just turned sixteen she decided it was time to let Leo know how she felt but when that went horribly wrong she ended up with Leo’s cousin Tinker and then alone and pregnant, she has kept to herself these last year’s her son Colin is now seven and she has steered clear of Leo but now he is back in town with a daughter, who no one new existed.
Before long Queenie and Colin are becoming fast friends and this brings Leo and Tamara together and the spark that was there years ago reignites for both of them but there are secrets that are starting to unravel and Leo must think about the future and Tamara offers to help with that but will they survive a marriage of convenience without the chemistry pushing them together or is that what should really happen, two people who have loved each other for many years will they get that second chance?
This is one that I highly recommend, it is a page turner for any lover of a fabulous romance, filled with awesome characters and I love Kurrajong Crossing, I know there is at least one more to come and I am looking forward to that one.
My thanks to Tule Publishing for my digital copy to read and review.
April 18, 2025
Their Patchwork Family by Fiona Marsden is a wonderful addition to the With Love, From Kurrajong Crossing series. This series is comprised of multiple books by Fiona and Dakota Harrison. All of the books are set in Kurrajong Crossing in Australia with many of the same characters being included and part of the story. This book features Leo Farrell and Tamara Phillips, who have been in many of the previous books. As the story begins, Leo has returned to his hometown with his 12 year old daughter Queenie that his family and others in town have not yet met. Her mom had died in childbirth and her grandmother was raising her until her recent death. Queenie is actually the daughter of Leo’s cousin and former bandmate, Tinker. He had an addiction problem and didn’t take responsibility for the children he fathered. Leo has adopted Queenie and has tried to keep it quiet as to who is her actual father.
Tamara is several years younger than Leo and has had a crush on him since she was a young teen. She had a baby when she 16 and she tried to keep the father a secret. Eventually, it was discovered that Tinker was the father. She then developed a relationship with his parents so her son could know his grandparents as his dad was dead. She is shocked to learn later that her son and Leo’s daughter are actually half siblings and not cousins. There was a bad scene the night she had sex with Tinker and got pregnant. Leo has been blaming himself for not being able to stop it. He has always been in love with Tamara but had been waiting for her to become of legal age. Her becoming pregnant ruined their chances.
Tinker’s mom realized that Queenie is actually her late son’s daughter and not Leo’s. So she starts a campaign for Queenie to live with her and her husband and not a single man like Leo. She threatens to get a lawyer to win custody. He figures out that the only way to stop her is to get married. He and Tamara make plans for a fake relationship in order to protect Queenie and him. Her son and his daughter hit it off really well in spite of their age difference, making it an easy decision to get married and create a family. Tamara and Leo have to put aside their past anger towards each other and develop trust. Both are in love with the other but aren’t willing to admit to it. The question is what will happen to their relationship once they get married.
This was such a heartwarming story with lots of angst. The romance between Leo and Tamara is beautiful. It is tragic what happened to Tamara during sex before trying again. It is sweet seeing the siblings interact and have so much fun together. I liked seeing the families interact as well as Leo’s bandmate friend and his wife. It is interesting to read books set in Australia. There are so many different terms and customs mentioned. Some of the food is different as well. The description of the homes indicates many differences from what I’m used to in the US. The book is well written and I really enjoy the tropes Fiona includes in her books. I was happy to return to the lovely people in Kurrajong Crossing. This is another 5 star book I’m happy to recommend.
I was fortunate to receive this ARC from Tule Publishing in exchange for my honest review.
Tamara is several years younger than Leo and has had a crush on him since she was a young teen. She had a baby when she 16 and she tried to keep the father a secret. Eventually, it was discovered that Tinker was the father. She then developed a relationship with his parents so her son could know his grandparents as his dad was dead. She is shocked to learn later that her son and Leo’s daughter are actually half siblings and not cousins. There was a bad scene the night she had sex with Tinker and got pregnant. Leo has been blaming himself for not being able to stop it. He has always been in love with Tamara but had been waiting for her to become of legal age. Her becoming pregnant ruined their chances.
Tinker’s mom realized that Queenie is actually her late son’s daughter and not Leo’s. So she starts a campaign for Queenie to live with her and her husband and not a single man like Leo. She threatens to get a lawyer to win custody. He figures out that the only way to stop her is to get married. He and Tamara make plans for a fake relationship in order to protect Queenie and him. Her son and his daughter hit it off really well in spite of their age difference, making it an easy decision to get married and create a family. Tamara and Leo have to put aside their past anger towards each other and develop trust. Both are in love with the other but aren’t willing to admit to it. The question is what will happen to their relationship once they get married.
This was such a heartwarming story with lots of angst. The romance between Leo and Tamara is beautiful. It is tragic what happened to Tamara during sex before trying again. It is sweet seeing the siblings interact and have so much fun together. I liked seeing the families interact as well as Leo’s bandmate friend and his wife. It is interesting to read books set in Australia. There are so many different terms and customs mentioned. Some of the food is different as well. The description of the homes indicates many differences from what I’m used to in the US. The book is well written and I really enjoy the tropes Fiona includes in her books. I was happy to return to the lovely people in Kurrajong Crossing. This is another 5 star book I’m happy to recommend.
I was fortunate to receive this ARC from Tule Publishing in exchange for my honest review.
April 22, 2025
I loved Their Patchwork Family, Fiona Marsden’s latest contribution to the Kurrajong Crossing series. In this story, we meet singer-songwriter Leo Farrell, who has spent much of his life cleaning up messes for his now-deceased drug addict cousin Tinker. Two of those messes are Queenie, the daughter of a brief relationship between Tinker and Lindy, who died when Queenie was born, and Colin, who is the result of a one night stand beteen Tinker and Tamara Phillips. With Lindy dying while giving birth to Queenie, Leostepped in to adopt Queenie, who is now twelve and has never known any other father but him. Tamara has raised Colin, now nine, with the help of family and friends.
This story opens with Leo helping Queenie to move from her great grandmother’s home in Sydney to his home in Kurrajong Crossing. She has no idea that Colin is her half brother and neither do Tamara or Colin. Leo and Tamara have had strong feelings for each other since they were adolescents, though he’s never acted on his and she thinks he hates her for having slept with Tinker. As their story unfolds, we discover two strong and committed adults, both determined to do what’s right by their children and both still caring deeply for each other. Leo and Tamara are so easy to cheer for. Their road is not an easy one, but with the support of family and friends, many of them familiar characters from earlier books, they get their happy ever after.
I thought Fiona Marsden handled tricky issues such as grief, loss and possible rape very tactfully in this story. It’s been an emotional read but also heartwarming and uplifting.
This story opens with Leo helping Queenie to move from her great grandmother’s home in Sydney to his home in Kurrajong Crossing. She has no idea that Colin is her half brother and neither do Tamara or Colin. Leo and Tamara have had strong feelings for each other since they were adolescents, though he’s never acted on his and she thinks he hates her for having slept with Tinker. As their story unfolds, we discover two strong and committed adults, both determined to do what’s right by their children and both still caring deeply for each other. Leo and Tamara are so easy to cheer for. Their road is not an easy one, but with the support of family and friends, many of them familiar characters from earlier books, they get their happy ever after.
I thought Fiona Marsden handled tricky issues such as grief, loss and possible rape very tactfully in this story. It’s been an emotional read but also heartwarming and uplifting.
April 19, 2025
This is another story taking place in the mythical Outback town of Kurrajong Crossing. This town really shows that it takes a village to raise a family.
Leo Farrell has always been in the shadow of his cousin Tinker all of his life including picking up the broken pieces of other lives wrecked by him and trying to right the wrongs done by Tinker. This includes taking responsibility and custody of a child who is not his. But Queenie is worth it all to Leo. Leo has left the band that propelled him, Tinker and their mates into international stardom. Now days, Leo is working as a composer for films and trying to live a quiet life. Queenie grandmother has passed away which has resulted in Leo taking on full care of a pre-teen girl. He has decided to move back home to the Crossing since he knows he will have help from his family and the town raising his daughter. Although it will come with challenges from his aunt, Tinker's mum.
Tamara grew up always idolizing Leo until something bad happened to her involving Tinker. She was left pregnant as a result. She has been a single parent to her son, Colin every since without any help from his sperm donor. Tamara has been skittish of getting any male after the incident with Tinker.
Can these two manage to blend their families while working through the havoc that Tinker welded into their lives?
I did receive a copy of this novel in advance from the publisher in advance in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.
Leo Farrell has always been in the shadow of his cousin Tinker all of his life including picking up the broken pieces of other lives wrecked by him and trying to right the wrongs done by Tinker. This includes taking responsibility and custody of a child who is not his. But Queenie is worth it all to Leo. Leo has left the band that propelled him, Tinker and their mates into international stardom. Now days, Leo is working as a composer for films and trying to live a quiet life. Queenie grandmother has passed away which has resulted in Leo taking on full care of a pre-teen girl. He has decided to move back home to the Crossing since he knows he will have help from his family and the town raising his daughter. Although it will come with challenges from his aunt, Tinker's mum.
Tamara grew up always idolizing Leo until something bad happened to her involving Tinker. She was left pregnant as a result. She has been a single parent to her son, Colin every since without any help from his sperm donor. Tamara has been skittish of getting any male after the incident with Tinker.
Can these two manage to blend their families while working through the havoc that Tinker welded into their lives?
I did receive a copy of this novel in advance from the publisher in advance in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.
April 9, 2025
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book, given to me by Tule Publishing via BookFunnel. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
“Their Patchwork Family”, by Fiona Marsden, is a wonderful, emotional story, full of longing, hurt and long-held secrets, with characters who move you with their innate authenticity and warmth.
The slow revealing of past actions with deep impact in the characters’ lives, dormant feelings that seem to have grown stronger over time, and the solid, unspoken assurance of both leads’ sentiments are compelling dimensions of the story.
Leo and Tamara are wonderful characters: warm-hearted, protective, humble, and with a secret passion they finally allow themselves to acknowledge.
They're both likeable and relatable, make mistakes and have regrets and feel very human.
Being a celebrity Leo is satisfyingly grounded and even a bit shy sometimes, as Tamara.
Their past story is sad, convoluted, or didn’t really fulfill itself.
I also loved the interactions and relationship between Lee and Queenie, and Tamara and Colin, the easy affection, fondness, teasing and playfulness and how it translates organically into both children’s relationship.
I really enjoyed how they gather to create a home for their children while also learning to deal with their unspoken attraction/love.
The supporting characters and the setting are compelling, too.
A great, very enoyable read.
“Their Patchwork Family”, by Fiona Marsden, is a wonderful, emotional story, full of longing, hurt and long-held secrets, with characters who move you with their innate authenticity and warmth.
The slow revealing of past actions with deep impact in the characters’ lives, dormant feelings that seem to have grown stronger over time, and the solid, unspoken assurance of both leads’ sentiments are compelling dimensions of the story.
Leo and Tamara are wonderful characters: warm-hearted, protective, humble, and with a secret passion they finally allow themselves to acknowledge.
They're both likeable and relatable, make mistakes and have regrets and feel very human.
Being a celebrity Leo is satisfyingly grounded and even a bit shy sometimes, as Tamara.
Their past story is sad, convoluted, or didn’t really fulfill itself.
I also loved the interactions and relationship between Lee and Queenie, and Tamara and Colin, the easy affection, fondness, teasing and playfulness and how it translates organically into both children’s relationship.
I really enjoyed how they gather to create a home for their children while also learning to deal with their unspoken attraction/love.
The supporting characters and the setting are compelling, too.
A great, very enoyable read.
April 18, 2025
Their Patchwork Family by Fiona Marsden is part of an ongoing series titled, With Love, From Kurrajong Crossing. This story has secrets, sweet children and two characters who must work through their feelings of disfavor, grief, and learning to give grace. Leo has many secrets which could help the reader understand his silent judgement of single mother Tamara, but she is doing the best she can do. It took me a while to warm up to Leo but as his attitude changed and grew, I began to see his side of the story.
A story of family found, and family made, it has surprising emotional growth. Their Patchwork Family by Fiona Marsden is another realistic look at life in complicated relationships in our contemporary world.
A story of family found, and family made, it has surprising emotional growth. Their Patchwork Family by Fiona Marsden is another realistic look at life in complicated relationships in our contemporary world.
April 18, 2025
Their Patchwork Family.~ With Love, From Kurrajong Crossing #11 by Fiona Marsden
Blurb:
What does it take to make a patchwork family?
This is a wonderful story that brings two people together after a troubled past. I found this book to be written extremely well. The characters worked well together and felt real. The storyline has a good flow and is easy to read. I was kept engaged from the start.
I have not read all of the previous books, but if this Their Patchwork Family is anything to go by, I will purchase the others in this series.
I do recommend this book to all.
Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Easy-to-read, Happily Ever After, Informative, Original, Page-turner, Romantic, Realistic, and Wonderful characters
Blurb:
What does it take to make a patchwork family?
This is a wonderful story that brings two people together after a troubled past. I found this book to be written extremely well. The characters worked well together and felt real. The storyline has a good flow and is easy to read. I was kept engaged from the start.
I have not read all of the previous books, but if this Their Patchwork Family is anything to go by, I will purchase the others in this series.
I do recommend this book to all.
Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Easy-to-read, Happily Ever After, Informative, Original, Page-turner, Romantic, Realistic, and Wonderful characters
April 17, 2025
Tamara and Leo agree to a marriage in name only for the sake of their children who were both fathered by his deceased cousin, who was spoiled and selfish. Tamara is shy about kissing and she doesn’t remember what happened that night which makes me think she was given something. But despite being a teenage parent she doesn’t regret Colin, just the loss of hope of real relationship with Leo. But there’s attraction and their kids are happy they are together. If only he can help her gain confidence and overcome her fears.
April 27, 2025
Their Patchwork Family by Fiona Marsden, book ten in the With Love, From Kurrajong Crossing series, is a wonderful, emotional story, full of longing, hurt and long-held secrets, as two single parents unite. Leo and Tamara were once very good friends, crushing on each other, despite their age difference. When a past mistake is revealed, they are pushed together into a fake marriage.
All his life, Leo Farrell has been picking up the broken pieces of lives ruined by his cousin Tinker; trying to right the wrongs he had done. Leo even took on the responsibility and custody of a child who was not his; but Queenie was worth it. Tamara grew up idolizing Leo until he rejected her advances because of how young she was. Hurt, she turned to Tinker who didn’t care about her age or her innocence. As a result she was left pregnant, becoming a single parent to her son Colin. As a result of that incident with Tinker she has been very nervous and hesitant of dating and becoming involved with any man.
After Queenie’s grandmother and guardian passed away, Leo stepped in to take care of this pre-teen girl; becoming her real father. No longer in a band but working and traveling to compose music for films, Leo decided that moving back home to the Crossing; as he knows he will have help from his family and the town raising his daughter. It ends up coming with challenges from his aunt, Tinker's mother, who challenges his right to parent Queenie. An off-handed comment about how he was not married, led Leo and Tamara to a fake marriage in order to stop his aunt from taking away his child. Though their feelings for each other never really went away, it will take work and compromise for Leo and Tamara to overcome the obstacles, to blend their families, and deal with the chaos that Tinker left behind.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
All his life, Leo Farrell has been picking up the broken pieces of lives ruined by his cousin Tinker; trying to right the wrongs he had done. Leo even took on the responsibility and custody of a child who was not his; but Queenie was worth it. Tamara grew up idolizing Leo until he rejected her advances because of how young she was. Hurt, she turned to Tinker who didn’t care about her age or her innocence. As a result she was left pregnant, becoming a single parent to her son Colin. As a result of that incident with Tinker she has been very nervous and hesitant of dating and becoming involved with any man.
After Queenie’s grandmother and guardian passed away, Leo stepped in to take care of this pre-teen girl; becoming her real father. No longer in a band but working and traveling to compose music for films, Leo decided that moving back home to the Crossing; as he knows he will have help from his family and the town raising his daughter. It ends up coming with challenges from his aunt, Tinker's mother, who challenges his right to parent Queenie. An off-handed comment about how he was not married, led Leo and Tamara to a fake marriage in order to stop his aunt from taking away his child. Though their feelings for each other never really went away, it will take work and compromise for Leo and Tamara to overcome the obstacles, to blend their families, and deal with the chaos that Tinker left behind.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
April 13, 2025
A very delightful and lovely novel that deftly tells of two single parents, longtime friends but distanced by an ugly event that ruined their friendship and eliminated any chance for love. Their current situation brought them into each others’ orbit. A fake marriage to stop an aunt from taking away a child brings about definite changes and problems.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
April 17, 2025
Tamara made a mistake when she was young and if it weren't for her son, Colin, she would regret that mistake forever. When her true love Leo needs a temporary wife, she offers herself. This second chance romance was interesting because their friends and family saw it coming before Leo and Tamara were willing to admit it.
April 19, 2025
I enjoyed the storyline and really liked the main two characters and actually even like the title and the cover, the one thing I had some trouble with was all the names , it was hard for me to keep track of who was a sister or grandparent or a cousin or friend or a work associate etc. It was nicely wrapped up at the end.
April 21, 2025
Leo and Tamara have a history that is not good but now they each have a child to consider. This story was a bit slow to start but once it got going I enjoyed it. The characters are believable and the children were great as well. It was great to see them work out their difference by the end.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 2, 2025
A good romantic read that tugs at your heart.
Single mother Tamara has built her life at Crossing, keeping her heads down and trying to do the best for her son while also trying to honor and care for her kids grandparents.
Leo who has come back with a surprise teen daughter has a long way to go to connect back with Tamara.
A good read capturing reality of life and the challenges.
Single mother Tamara has built her life at Crossing, keeping her heads down and trying to do the best for her son while also trying to honor and care for her kids grandparents.
Leo who has come back with a surprise teen daughter has a long way to go to connect back with Tamara.
A good read capturing reality of life and the challenges.
April 17, 2025
Good and enjoyable romance book but it did take me a few chapters to start to really find myself getting hooked with Leo and Tamara's story. I guess I thought the book was going to be better than what it is. The storyline is good just not a book I can see myself reading again.
April 9, 2025
Tamara has a five year old son, Colin she's cross because Leo has an eight year old daughter, Queenie. She thinks he was hypocritical not to say that he wasn't married to her mother, when she got a lot of negativity when she had Colin. She doesn't know the full story behind Queenie's birth. Leo is hiding things from everyone except his parents, he doesn't feel that the truth would help anyone, until he realises that his feelings for Tamara haven't changed and he needs to tell her what happened. He can't believe what she tells him about the way she ended up with Colin, his cousin wasn't the nicest person.
Tamara has always had feelings for Leo but after he rejected her when she was a lot younger, she's always thought he didn't like her, not knowing that was the furthest thing from the truth.
Colin's grandmother doesn't think that Leo should be bringing up a young girl and is determined to bring her up herself, but Leo and Tamara stop that in an interesting way.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
An emotional read from Fiona.
Tamara has always had feelings for Leo but after he rejected her when she was a lot younger, she's always thought he didn't like her, not knowing that was the furthest thing from the truth.
Colin's grandmother doesn't think that Leo should be bringing up a young girl and is determined to bring her up herself, but Leo and Tamara stop that in an interesting way.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
An emotional read from Fiona.
April 20, 2025
First book I have read by this author and I really enjoy the book. The moment I picked it up I was drawn into Leo and Tamara’s story. There was a definite chemistry between these two. Their story for me was a page turner. I look forward to reading more by this author. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews