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Gemma's Bluff
Smart and reliable, Gemma Northcote has always done what's expected of her. So it's not surprising that after uni she defers to her father's wish that she join the family business.
Gemma's best friend, Jasmine, is a different personality altogether. She thrives on spontaneity, is unpredictable and has generally pursued her own path.
When Gemma and Jasmine decide to spend a working holiday on a large rural property, their friends and family are surprised. Neither has any experience of country life (unless you count Jasmine's love of McLeod's Daughters) and they're not exactly farming types.
Away from her family, Gemma feels liberated. The longer she's away the more she questions what she really wants to do with her future. Ultimately, she realises she needs to choose between duty and what's right for her in life - and love.
From the bestselling author of Bridie's Choice and Poppy's Dilemma, this inspirational novel is sure to appeal to anyone who's questioned the direction they should take for true happiness.
Gemma's best friend, Jasmine, is a different personality altogether. She thrives on spontaneity, is unpredictable and has generally pursued her own path.
When Gemma and Jasmine decide to spend a working holiday on a large rural property, their friends and family are surprised. Neither has any experience of country life (unless you count Jasmine's love of McLeod's Daughters) and they're not exactly farming types.
Away from her family, Gemma feels liberated. The longer she's away the more she questions what she really wants to do with her future. Ultimately, she realises she needs to choose between duty and what's right for her in life - and love.
From the bestselling author of Bridie's Choice and Poppy's Dilemma, this inspirational novel is sure to appeal to anyone who's questioned the direction they should take for true happiness.
360 pages, Paperback
First published November 19, 2014
17 people are currently reading
205 people want to read
About the author
Karly Lane
34 books377 followersKarly Lane lives on the beautiful Mid North Coast of NSW in Australia. A certified small town girl, she is most happy in a little town where everyone knows who your grand parents were. She writes women’s fiction – everything from romantic suspense to family sagas and life in rural Australia. She has romantic suspense titles published under Karlene Blakemore-Mowle and her latest release, Third Time Lucky is available now.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
February 12, 2015
Gemma Northcote and Jasmine Beadman (Jazz) had been best friends since the first day of school, but they were nothing alike, in fact they were the complete opposite of one another. Gemma was the sensible one who didn't like to do anything out of the ordinary, but Jazz was adventurous and liked to try new things and go out and have a good time. So when Gemma hears that they are heading off on an unpaid working holiday as jillaroos to a station northwest of New South Wales she can't believe it.
Eventually Gemma and Jazz arrive on the farming property of Dunoon which is owned by Nash Whittaker. The property not only has sheep and cattle, but it also has canola, wheat, chickpea and lucerne. Gemma can't see how she or Jazz will be any help seeing as they know nothing about farming, but Jazz is not concerned as she can always Google anything she requires to know. Gemma can tell straight away exactly how hard Nash works on the property and with his sister Brittany away, he can do with all the help he can find. But with no knowledge of farming, Gemma knows they won't be much help if anything they will be more of a hindrance.
Of course it doesn't take Jazz long to grow bored with helping around the property and she wastes no time in heading into town to find out what mischief she can get up to. Gemma stays back and does all she can to help out Nash including cooking meals and tending to any jobs that he needs help with. It doesn't take long for Gemma and Nash to get to know one another, but Gemma knows she must return home before long even though she would rather make her own way in the world instead of working in the family business. Will Gemma find the courage and make a new life for herself or will she proceed to do what is expected of her?
Aussie author Karly Lane has once again written a fabulous novel. Gemma's Bluff was truly an enjoyable read and I have no hesitation in HIGHLY recommending it to anyone who loves to read contemporary, rural or romance.
Eventually Gemma and Jazz arrive on the farming property of Dunoon which is owned by Nash Whittaker. The property not only has sheep and cattle, but it also has canola, wheat, chickpea and lucerne. Gemma can't see how she or Jazz will be any help seeing as they know nothing about farming, but Jazz is not concerned as she can always Google anything she requires to know. Gemma can tell straight away exactly how hard Nash works on the property and with his sister Brittany away, he can do with all the help he can find. But with no knowledge of farming, Gemma knows they won't be much help if anything they will be more of a hindrance.
Of course it doesn't take Jazz long to grow bored with helping around the property and she wastes no time in heading into town to find out what mischief she can get up to. Gemma stays back and does all she can to help out Nash including cooking meals and tending to any jobs that he needs help with. It doesn't take long for Gemma and Nash to get to know one another, but Gemma knows she must return home before long even though she would rather make her own way in the world instead of working in the family business. Will Gemma find the courage and make a new life for herself or will she proceed to do what is expected of her?
Aussie author Karly Lane has once again written a fabulous novel. Gemma's Bluff was truly an enjoyable read and I have no hesitation in HIGHLY recommending it to anyone who loves to read contemporary, rural or romance.
November 20, 2014
4.5★s
An unpaid working holiday as a jillaroo on a large rural property was not Gemma Northcote’s idea of fun, but when best friend Jazz got an idea into her head, nothing was going to shift it. One of Jazz’s friends, Brittany, had been moaning about having to cancel a holiday to the Gold Coast to stay and work on her brother’s farm, so Jazz had volunteered both her and Gemma’s (highly inexperienced) hands. The long drive from Sydney to the little town of Bingorra in the Australian bush where they would spend their next few weeks gave Gemma a lot of time to think – the gut-churning certainty that she didn’t want to work in her father’s business for the rest of her life the one constant in her mind.
When they finally arrived at Dunoon, the property they would be working on, Gemma’s heart sank – a quaint little farmhouse and dry, desolate and flat land everywhere her eye could see. What on earth was she doing? And when they were confronted by a young man who indeed did turn out to be Nash Whittaker, owner of the property and brother to Brittany, they certainly didn’t expect him to be furious when he saw them. The fact that he hadn’t known they were coming – expected his sister, not a couple of city girls; nothing was getting off to a good start.
As the days passed, Jazz became bored and needed a night life away from the farm. But Gemma was determined to help Nash around the property – as she saw him struggling with the drought, the decreasing stock prices and high prices of feed, she felt her eyes being opened for the first time. She started to enjoy herself – the freedom she felt being away from her mother and father was amazing – she could actually feel her confidence building; she knew she didn’t want to return to Sydney and work in the family business, she wanted a life of her own, doing something she wanted to do, not something she was expected to do. But going against her father was something she had never done before – every time she thought of THAT outcome, she was overtaken by nerves. What could Gemma do? Would her newly found confidence fail her?
Another exceptional read from the talented storyteller, Aussie author Karly Lane. I thoroughly enjoyed this one; the author’s description of the harshness of the Australian bush is so authentic she takes you there. I loved Gemma’s character but wanted to smack Jazz on occasion! I did find the storyline a little predictable at times but it certainly didn’t reduce my enjoyment of the book. I have no hesitation in recommending Gemma’s Bluff highly, and can’t wait for Karly’s next one!
With thanks to Allen & Unwin for my copy to read and review.
An unpaid working holiday as a jillaroo on a large rural property was not Gemma Northcote’s idea of fun, but when best friend Jazz got an idea into her head, nothing was going to shift it. One of Jazz’s friends, Brittany, had been moaning about having to cancel a holiday to the Gold Coast to stay and work on her brother’s farm, so Jazz had volunteered both her and Gemma’s (highly inexperienced) hands. The long drive from Sydney to the little town of Bingorra in the Australian bush where they would spend their next few weeks gave Gemma a lot of time to think – the gut-churning certainty that she didn’t want to work in her father’s business for the rest of her life the one constant in her mind.
When they finally arrived at Dunoon, the property they would be working on, Gemma’s heart sank – a quaint little farmhouse and dry, desolate and flat land everywhere her eye could see. What on earth was she doing? And when they were confronted by a young man who indeed did turn out to be Nash Whittaker, owner of the property and brother to Brittany, they certainly didn’t expect him to be furious when he saw them. The fact that he hadn’t known they were coming – expected his sister, not a couple of city girls; nothing was getting off to a good start.
As the days passed, Jazz became bored and needed a night life away from the farm. But Gemma was determined to help Nash around the property – as she saw him struggling with the drought, the decreasing stock prices and high prices of feed, she felt her eyes being opened for the first time. She started to enjoy herself – the freedom she felt being away from her mother and father was amazing – she could actually feel her confidence building; she knew she didn’t want to return to Sydney and work in the family business, she wanted a life of her own, doing something she wanted to do, not something she was expected to do. But going against her father was something she had never done before – every time she thought of THAT outcome, she was overtaken by nerves. What could Gemma do? Would her newly found confidence fail her?
Another exceptional read from the talented storyteller, Aussie author Karly Lane. I thoroughly enjoyed this one; the author’s description of the harshness of the Australian bush is so authentic she takes you there. I loved Gemma’s character but wanted to smack Jazz on occasion! I did find the storyline a little predictable at times but it certainly didn’t reduce my enjoyment of the book. I have no hesitation in recommending Gemma’s Bluff highly, and can’t wait for Karly’s next one!
With thanks to Allen & Unwin for my copy to read and review.
November 16, 2024
Gemma's Bluff is sweet romance between two people Nash Whittaker and Gemma Northcote who never though they will ever find love. Gemma Northcote and Jasmine (Jazz) Beadman decided after finishing university and before finding employment to have a rural working holiday on Nash Whittaker property Dunoon. However, Gemma and Jazz did not take in consideration that Nash Whittaker did not know anything about then working on his property. Readers of Gemma's Bluff will continue to laugh their way to the conclusion of this book with the antics of Nash, Gemma and Jazz.
I enjoy reading Gemma's Bluff. I love the way Karly Lane portrays her characters. However, I did have a tear at the conclusion of this book. I like the way Karly Lane had her characters find out how to be a jillaroo on Dunoon by using Google. Gemma's Bluff is written in a way by Karly Lane that ensures that the readers became part of the story.
Readers of Gemma's Bluff will learn about the role and benefits of the rural hierarchy in small rural communities. Gemma's Bluff highlights the importance of having mix crops, cattle and sheep to ensure income all year round.
I recommend this book.
I enjoy reading Gemma's Bluff. I love the way Karly Lane portrays her characters. However, I did have a tear at the conclusion of this book. I like the way Karly Lane had her characters find out how to be a jillaroo on Dunoon by using Google. Gemma's Bluff is written in a way by Karly Lane that ensures that the readers became part of the story.
Readers of Gemma's Bluff will learn about the role and benefits of the rural hierarchy in small rural communities. Gemma's Bluff highlights the importance of having mix crops, cattle and sheep to ensure income all year round.
I recommend this book.
November 21, 2014
Gemma's Bluff, Karly Lane's sixth novel, is a contemporary story of friendship, love and self discovery set against the backdrop of rural Australia.
Having just graduated from university and in need of a break before being press ganged into the family business, Gemma Northcote reluctantly agrees to join her best friend, Jasmine, on a six week working holiday on a farming property in rural New South Wales. While carefree Jazz isn't the least bit concerned about their lack of experience - 'google' will have whatever answers they need - sensible Gemma is worried they are making a huge mistake, especially when it becomes clear that their host had no idea they were coming. Nash Whittaker doesn't have the time nor energy to indulge the 'McLeod's Daughters' fantasies of two city girls, yet he is desperate for some help and reluctantly agrees Gemma and Jasmine can stay, as long as they make themselves useful. Surprising herself, Gemma finds the challenges of the farm invigorating, and the gruff charm of its owner increasingly irresistible. She begins to imagine making a life for herself at Dunoon with Nash, but can Gemma find the courage to defy her parent's expectations and forge her own path to happiness?
Gemma's Bluff has a strong and fairly traditional romantic plot. Gemma and Nash are instantly attracted to one another but their romance develops only as they get to know one another. I enjoyed the build up to the consummation of the relationship but they have only a few short days together before it all goes wrong, and it is more than a year until they are reunited.
I liked Gemma for the most part, she is sensible, capable and kind, and I enjoyed the way she grew in confidence and self awareness during her time at Dunoon. However Gemma does make a decision three quarters of the way through the story that I have to admit soured me on her character somewhat. Though reasons are given which work for the plot and characterisation, the justification doesn't work for me personally.
A secondary plot involves Nash and local boy Ben whose long standing enmity boils over when Ben interferes in Nash and Gemma's relationship. The tragic reason for their hostility plays into the separation of the couple, and adds drama to the novel.
As always, Lane evokes Australia's farming district with vivid description and recognition of its realities, with Nash struggling with drought and the effects of recent government bans on live export. The dialogue is natural and the writing is solid.
Though not my favourite story from Karly Lane, Gemma's Bluff is still an engaging contemporary rural romance that should satisfy fans, and new readers, alike.
January 4, 2025
4 ⭐️
I love Karly Lane books and this one is no different. I enjoyed the growth of the main characters, even the initially unlikeable ones!
I found myself imagining sitting at tue kitchen table, Hank g out on the back porch and walking through the paddocks. Karly has an incredible talent in all her novels for achieving this.
I would have liked more story around the main characters move to the rural town, opening a restaurant and her developing friendship with the town “bad boy”… I feel like that would have bumped this book into the 4.5/5 ⭐️ category.
I love Karly Lane books and this one is no different. I enjoyed the growth of the main characters, even the initially unlikeable ones!
I found myself imagining sitting at tue kitchen table, Hank g out on the back porch and walking through the paddocks. Karly has an incredible talent in all her novels for achieving this.
I would have liked more story around the main characters move to the rural town, opening a restaurant and her developing friendship with the town “bad boy”… I feel like that would have bumped this book into the 4.5/5 ⭐️ category.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 8, 2019
I love a good sweet country romance, but many of them contain city slicker women. Being from the country myself I can find this annoying, but I was instantly endeared to Gemma. Though she's a city slicker, she's willing to have a go, doesn't fold, and sticks by her word. She's a relatable character, and I perhaps too closely related to the struggles of Gemma and Nash against their own desires and family responsibility, so realistic was it. Likewise I enjoyed the town and property drawn by Lane, as well as Nash's life. I get the feeling the author has spent some time in rural Australia.
This was the perfect light, romantic read to counter some underwhelming and darker books I've had lately, and the fact that it was Australian was the Icing on the cake. Nash had me drooling and half in love, as all good romance characters should, and there was an interesting side relationship that developed in an unexpected but great way. The second part of the book employed a classic/cliche romance trope but I think it was kind of nessasary for the happy resolution. Great for romance fans, also a good dabbler if romance isn't usually your thing (we all need some happy endings in our life). A great Australian country read. This is however completely LGBTQ devoid I'm afraid. I would recommend for a summer holiday light read.
This was the perfect light, romantic read to counter some underwhelming and darker books I've had lately, and the fact that it was Australian was the Icing on the cake. Nash had me drooling and half in love, as all good romance characters should, and there was an interesting side relationship that developed in an unexpected but great way. The second part of the book employed a classic/cliche romance trope but I think it was kind of nessasary for the happy resolution. Great for romance fans, also a good dabbler if romance isn't usually your thing (we all need some happy endings in our life). A great Australian country read. This is however completely LGBTQ devoid I'm afraid. I would recommend for a summer holiday light read.
July 23, 2020
The book was a total bluff. I've enjoyed several other books from Karly Lane but this was a complete letdown. First, a couple of girls arrive at a rural town to work as jillaroos, and one of them falls in love with the property owner. Obviously they have to break up, else how would the book proceed?
The girl discovers she is expecting, and has the baby on her own. And surprise surprise, she decides to go back to the same town and start a restaurant. There is another guy who was always interested in her, and they strike up a renewed friendship which makes the hero jealous and angry.
The second man drowns, the hero is overcome with remorse and immediately marries the girl. The End.
That's the gist of the tale in 30 seconds. Believe me, it isn't worth more than that time. The ending felt like the author was fed up of her characters, had more pressing matters to attend to and just killed one off and married off the others. Very convenient.
The girl discovers she is expecting, and has the baby on her own. And surprise surprise, she decides to go back to the same town and start a restaurant. There is another guy who was always interested in her, and they strike up a renewed friendship which makes the hero jealous and angry.
The second man drowns, the hero is overcome with remorse and immediately marries the girl. The End.
That's the gist of the tale in 30 seconds. Believe me, it isn't worth more than that time. The ending felt like the author was fed up of her characters, had more pressing matters to attend to and just killed one off and married off the others. Very convenient.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 26, 2020
Loved the story the whole way through, except the ending - it was what it was, but I totally disliked Nash at the end of the story. Why did 2 people have to die just so Nash could forgive himself for what happened. If he was man enough he could of trusted that the friendship Gemma had with his old rival and the trust she had with him watching her son, must of meant that she could see he was a changed man. To me he was just a selfish, self-centred man and Gemma would of been best to stay clear of him. He should of been able to forgive and forget. Just my opinion as I though the ending just spoilt the whole story for me. I know there isn't always happy endings, but it would of made more sense to me if this time there was.
September 15, 2023
Gemma's life has always been a foregone conclusion: school, uni, then into the family business. Her best friend, Jasmine, is a whole other story. She thrives on spontaneity, her room is always a mess and she rarely sits down and plans anything in her life.
When Gemma and Jasmine decide to go on a working holiday together on a property in central New South Wales, their friends and family are surprised, since neither woman has any experience of farm life (unless you count Jasmine's obsession with McLeod's Daughters).
Away from family commitments and expectations, it's not long before Gemma is thinking about following a new life's path in the country. It's a choice between safety or going out on a limb for love ...
When Gemma and Jasmine decide to go on a working holiday together on a property in central New South Wales, their friends and family are surprised, since neither woman has any experience of farm life (unless you count Jasmine's obsession with McLeod's Daughters).
Away from family commitments and expectations, it's not long before Gemma is thinking about following a new life's path in the country. It's a choice between safety or going out on a limb for love ...
June 5, 2017
I enjoyed this book. (when I read the first paragraph I thought I had read this scenario before but It wasn't this book). I am glad to read books from our local library. This was a book that I wanted to read for sometime, now I have. Karly would have some newer titles out which I look forward in reading. ( it touches on women who wait at home waiting for their menfolk to come home from the paddock n the emotional mess it brings. Real Life.)
July 3, 2018
Really just a romance novel with very little substance . It started out OK but got rather boring and predictable. The last few chapters of the "I love him but" stuff was really boring and felt like it was just filling up space.
July 10, 2020
My first Karly book, I fell in love and I think I related to Gemma myself being someone who has to finish a job or a task all the way through, I fell in love with the way Nash fell for her my heart just went in a mush.
June 13, 2021
Gemma and her friend Jazz decide to have a years working holiday on a mixed farm in a small outback town although not knowing anything about what it means the only thing they know is Jazz's love of a television series they also can google what could be easier and what can go wrong
March 20, 2022
Absolutely loved this book. I have enjoyed all of karly's book that I have read. The story of a women chasing her dream i loved. The characters Nash and Gemma sometimes left you wondering what their end would be. A very sad ending but very unacpected. Loved it. ❤💜
September 3, 2019
Very good book. Enjoyable from start to finish.
February 15, 2020
I loved this book by Karly Lane. I was given it as a Birthday gift and would have to say it is the best gift ever. I was sad when the book ended but also happy because it an awesome story
April 9, 2021
Absolutely adored this book! Beautifully written with characters that came alive from the first page. Thank you Karly
December 13, 2021
4.5 stars
January 6, 2023
I really enjoyed this story. Easy to read with everything I need. 👌
June 5, 2023
Another great Karly Lane book, really enjoyed it
July 6, 2024
Audiobook version was done so well.
If a book makes my black soul cry real tears and sob, it gets 5 stars.
If a book makes my black soul cry real tears and sob, it gets 5 stars.
October 16, 2024
Always a feel good read
January 27, 2015
Karly Lane has nailed it yet again. I thoroughly enjoyed Gemma’s Bluff, which is the latest offering from contemporary Australian rural fiction author Karly Lane. Gemma Northcoate is the heroine of Lane’s novel. Gemma and her best mate Jasmine accept a working holiday on a rural farming property called Dunoon, in a small rural town called Bingorra, central New South Wales. Performing the daily routines at Dunoon gives Gemma a new lease on life. She also finds herself falling in love with Dunoon’s owner Nash Whitaker. When the working holiday comes to an abrupt close, Gemma faces a tough decision. She must choose between following the path that has already been decided for her, working for her Father’s business in the city or to follow her heart and stay in Bingorra.
Gemma’s Bluff was the perfect summer read that suited my mood while reading the book to a tea. It is no means light in plotline, with some great twists I didn’t see coming. I appreciated Lane’s authentic and informative descriptions of life on rural farming proprieties. She brings to light issues faced by farmers in the current challenging climate. The book certainly gave me a sense of respect for the hard work that is put into running a successful rural property. In terms of characters, Gemma and Nash were both likeable characters and although their romance was slightly predictable, a few bumps in their road to happiness made for page turning reading. Supporting characters in Ben, Jazz and Wendy made for engaging additional storylines. I completely enjoyed this story about self discovery and love. I look forward to more great Australian stories from Karly Lane.
Gemma’s Bluff was the perfect summer read that suited my mood while reading the book to a tea. It is no means light in plotline, with some great twists I didn’t see coming. I appreciated Lane’s authentic and informative descriptions of life on rural farming proprieties. She brings to light issues faced by farmers in the current challenging climate. The book certainly gave me a sense of respect for the hard work that is put into running a successful rural property. In terms of characters, Gemma and Nash were both likeable characters and although their romance was slightly predictable, a few bumps in their road to happiness made for page turning reading. Supporting characters in Ben, Jazz and Wendy made for engaging additional storylines. I completely enjoyed this story about self discovery and love. I look forward to more great Australian stories from Karly Lane.
February 13, 2017
I loved this story so much. Very hard to put the book down.
December 6, 2014
Have waited for the next book by Karly Lane for a while so purchased it on Friday and completed it on Saturday. This is what you can do when you have reports go home and the end of the school year is nigh.
Back to the book... an easy read that starts out with the McLeod's Daughters type scenario (Gosh that was a great series until they started killing characters off) and progresses at a steady pace. Gemma was an easy to relate to character and Jazz the flippant friend that had her own life challenges. Nash, all these Aussie outback men have appropriate names, is the rough around the edges but steam demon farmer that could pick any chick.
Of course, true love never runs smoothly. Not sure if the ending went the way that I had expected. I am sure I've read another Aussie outback piece where the female character heads back to the city pregnant and then returns for the male to find out he is a father eventually.
Back to the book... an easy read that starts out with the McLeod's Daughters type scenario (Gosh that was a great series until they started killing characters off) and progresses at a steady pace. Gemma was an easy to relate to character and Jazz the flippant friend that had her own life challenges. Nash, all these Aussie outback men have appropriate names, is the rough around the edges but steam demon farmer that could pick any chick.
Of course, true love never runs smoothly. Not sure if the ending went the way that I had expected. I am sure I've read another Aussie outback piece where the female character heads back to the city pregnant and then returns for the male to find out he is a father eventually.
May 8, 2015
I love contemporary Australian fiction and this is a great one in a rural setting. It is a story of city girls in the country, friendship, romance and self discovery. I really liked Gemma and could imagine being friends with her in real life.
There were lots of moments where I laughed out loud. I particularly liked the scene where the girls used the 2-way radio for the first time. The plot threw a few twists at me that I wasn't expecting and kept me engaged the whole way through.
This is the first book I have read by this author and I plan to read more.
There were lots of moments where I laughed out loud. I particularly liked the scene where the girls used the 2-way radio for the first time. The plot threw a few twists at me that I wasn't expecting and kept me engaged the whole way through.
This is the first book I have read by this author and I plan to read more.
December 6, 2014
what a beautiful story I have just finished it now at 11.30pm and with tears running down my cheeks after 2 nights resting picked it up again at 6pm and could not put it down, you are a wonderful writer Karly Lane another out standing book
March 30, 2015
What an extremely enjoyable read!! Loved it!! But didn't like Jasmine much!! Known a few Jasime in my life and yes I just wanted to shake some sense into them too!! My apologies to the sensible Jasimes out there!!
January 20, 2015
Once again another great read by Karly Lane....not one book I haven't enjoyed.....can't wait to read your next book
January 1, 2015
very good
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews