I came to Australia for a fresh start. That wasn’t supposed to include getting chased around a bull’s paddock. Or being rescued by a furious, devastatingly hot farmer.
Six months ago, my fiancé left, taking my honeymoon plans, my future and my ability to believe in a happy ever after. So the only sensible thing was to book a ticket to Australia from the US to go and work on a farm. New country. New life. No men. Then I hit a wombat. Trying to help lands me in a bull’s paddock, the beast about to charge, when Troy Drysdale vaults the fence, scoops me up, and carries me to safety like I don’t weigh a thing. He’s grumpy, inflexible, and very clear he doesn’t want an American complication on his farm.
Fine by me. I’m not here for love. Even with a man who is fiercely loyal, dangerously protective, and looks at me like I’m already his. Men who don’t do feelings? They’re in my past, not my future. Then Troy kisses me.
He says he’s not the kind of man who gets happy endings. And he might be right. The last time I asked a man to choose me left me at the altar. There’s no way I’m letting another man break my heart, not even a hot Aussie farmer. But that grumpy façade is hiding a man who’s determined to go after what he thinks is his. And I might just let him catch me.
The Wombat Wingman is a MF romance between an optimistic American FMC and a grumpy Aussie male lead and is a standalone that ends in a HEA in this book. If you like a possessive male lead, cute furry animals and cute, fluffy, spicy romance, this might be the book for you
Slight departure from the usual as it’s an MF romance, I’m so used to reading this authors RH books that I had a few moments of she gets all the brothers right? That said, Troy and Mackenzie are a great couple. They have instant chemistry, even though he’s a grump. He’s more a grumpy golden retriever, very lovable. The cast of characters are good and I’d be down for reading all the siblings getting their HEA’s. Troy really needed to open up to his siblings and Macca inadvertently forced him into. He’s always there for everybody and it was nice to see them step up to help him and themselves out. Mackenzie is a solid FMC, she’s mostly a positive person who’s been through it and working to get herself back.
Overall, fun and quick romance from an auto purchase author for me.
The Wombat Wingman by Sam Hall is a fantastic blend of laugh-out-loud humor, high-stakes drama, and "fish out of water" romance. If you’re looking for a story that combines the rugged Australian Outback with a literal animal matchmaker, this is a must-read.
The Setup: Mackenzie James is looking for a fresh start after a breakup, so she heads to an Australian farm for work. Due to a name mix-up, the grumpy and overworked Troy is expecting "James Mackenzie." When a woman shows up instead—and immediately gets tackled out of a bull pen—Troy assumes she’s just another clueless tourist. He couldn't be more wrong.
Why I loved this book: A Capable Heroine: I loved that Mackenzie actually knows her way around a farm! While the local environment is brand new to her, she’s an experienced farmhand who can hold her own. Watching her earn Troy’s respect while navigating the unique challenges of the Outback was so satisfying.
Nugget the Wombat: Nugget is the undisputed star of the show. From the roadside "meet-cute" to his talent as a local escape artist, he is the chaotic force that keeps Mackenzie and Troy in each other’s orbits.
The Full "Aussie" Experience: This book is such an immersive trip to Australia. You get the beauty of the landscape alongside the "terrors" of wildfires, kangaroos, and a giant spider named Bruce who definitely steals a scene or two!
Grumpy vs. Sunshine: Troy is laser-focused on keeping his family farm afloat and has zero patience for distractions. The chemistry between him and Mackenzie is electric, especially during a certain memorable "skinny-dipping" scene in the local mudholes.
The Heart: Beyond the humor and the heat, this is a story about family loyalty and finding where you truly belong. When a family emergency calls Mackenzie back home, the emotional stakes really hit high gear.
The Verdict: This is a perfect mix of sweet, steamy, and adventurous. If you want a romance with a lot of heart and a very cheeky animal sidekick, grab this one!
The start of this book does admit to being a light, fluffy read and not always accurate, and you do have to go with that. At the start the American MC used Aussie vernacular, which was odd as she’s supposed to arrive and be floored by it all. It seemed more like the author just got in the flow of how the rural Australia dialogue was supposed to sound in here and applied it liberally. It’s very much a stereotype and exaggerated (I am Australian, so I do feel qualified to say that) but it’s also not going that far beyond real. It’s almost a parody, and I feel I would enjoy this more if I wasn’t Australian. I found it wild that this book mentions the emu war but leaves out the best bit. Like, this is legitimately a hilarious tale. It’s just kinda thrown out and ignored and there were a lot of similar moments where it felt like it needed to be truly explored instead of just pushed in without context. So many random facts just told to you and it all makes it feel very surface level. It tells you there’s a heatwave, but you don’t feel it. There’s no mention of sweat, of the baking sun, of your energy being drained the longer you’re outside. How your eyes feel dry as the air sucks any moisture it can find. Again, cute and fluffy, insta lust, but not much development elsewhere. There’s a scene near the end that is meant to be the whole full-circle moment, but it just made no sense for either character to suddenly act opposite to how they’d been for the rest of the book. I did enjoy the first half more than the second, and it’s fine for a switch off read if you’re not after anything deep.
This book completely pulled me in from the first chapters. The story follows a heroine who travels to Australia heartbroken, angry, and in desperate need of a fresh start. What begins as an escape turns into something much bigger when she finds herself working on a farm, surrounded by animals, hard work, and the kind of life that slowly helps her piece herself back together. One of my favorite parts of the story is the setting. The farm life, caring for animals, and learning the rhythm of a completely different lifestyle adds so much warmth and authenticity to the book. It really feels like starting over with a blank page. Of course, things get a lot more interesting once she meets Brody and the intense Hemsworth twins. The tension, personalities, and chemistry between the characters make the story incredibly entertaining. The mix of emotional healing, humor, drama, and romance kept me turning the pages. Sam Hall does a great job creating characters that feel alive and relationships that evolve naturally throughout the story. If you enjoy romance with strong personalities, a rural setting, animals, and the idea of starting over somewhere completely new, this book is definitely worth picking up. I received a free copy of this book via the author and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Sam Hall is one of my go-to authors, so when she announced her first-ever MF romance, I knew I had to read it, even if contemporary is my preferred genre. Especially with a title like The Wombat Wingman, it certainly is unique, haha!
I adored this book. It was so heartwarming. Now, this isn't really a grumpy/sunshine trope. MMC Troy (Aussie) is very much a grump, but Mackenzie (American) is trying to rediscover herself after a bad breakup, and she does this by going to Australia on a work visa. She has a job at a farm where she meets the Drysdale siblings. I loved how close-knit Troy and his siblings are. Yes, he is gruff with them, but it's only because he cares so much.
Sam sort of did a little shake-up of a typical plot. Everything was going pretty great for Mackenzie. Found family, new adventures, cute animals—there's even a bit of danger. Both MCs had a troublesome backstory that caused current issues. However, it was Troy who really had some things to work through. Nothing too bad, though, just enough to make things interesting. The romance between Mackenzie and Troy was easy. Of course, they faced their challenges, but everything worked out. They're soulmates. The Wombat Wingman was a delightful, cozy read.
Ways to get over your ex....a hot Aussie farmer This was an adorable MF romance by author Sam Hall. Our FMC has been in a funk after her high school sweetheart and long time best friend left her just weeks before the wedding. After months of depression, she finally gets back out there and heads to Australia to work on a farm. It's chaos as soon as she arrives and has an up close meet and greet with the resident bull, which requires a hero worthy save from Troy, the Aussie. Troy knows as soon as he lays eyes on Mackenzie, she's got to go. He's already attracted more to her than anyone he's been with in years. Them both being adults, decide to have a bit of summer fun. While Mackenzie works at the animal rescue run by Troy's sister, instead of working for Troy at the farm, they spend their nights together. Troy is drowning in stress from the farm and his crappy dad leeching money from the farm. As their relationship becomes even deeper, Mackenzie has to go. Troy has to decide, will he let it be, or will he go after her.
The Wombat Wingman is a contemporary romance written by Sam Hall.
💜 heartbreak 💜 ornery wombat 💜 found family 💜 farm work 💜 🌶🌶🌶 spice
Mackenzie needed to do this. She needed to get away and try something different for away. After Alex decided to break it off so close to their wedding, she fell into a deep depression that she barely clawed her way out of. Now, she was doing something that would clear the last of that depression and allow her what she needed to be able to move on with her life. So, six months in Australia working on a farm seemed like the perfect opportunity to do that and see a country she always wanted to see. Will it work out? Will the trip be successful? Is working on a farm in Australia similar to what she’s done in the US?
This was a wonderful book that I had a hard time putting down once I started reading. It definitely had some funny moments where I caught myself laughing out loud. There were also a couple of moments where I teared up as well. I really liked everything about this book. Sam Hall hit it out of the park with this one.
Set mainly in Australia, with glimpses of California, this story hit me right in the heart. As an Aussie I loved Macca hearing our little turn of phrases that she had no idea what they meant but still going with the flow of it all, and that’s what makes her so lovable. I adored each of these characters; they are so alive, so full of colour and spirit.
Reading about our Aussie farms and the struggles we face, especially during bushfire season, brought a tear to my eye. Sam showed us the true strength of community—how we band together when it matters most, to defend our homes, our land, and our native wildlife. I devoured this book, inhaled it like fresh air, and I might have sacrificed some sleep just to see it through to the end. Whatever Sam writes, it’s always worth the wait, and I’m already counting down to her next story. P.S. We all know and love little Brucey—he was just hiding a bit smarter this time, that's all 😉
I loved this book as it took a slightly alternative approach to Sam's usual writing and books. She didn't navigate from her Australian background but took on a character who is from the USA. I loved the highlighting of Australian wildlife and the climate. It also showed the trials of life especially farming, but put a lovely spin of finding love. Mackenzie is a lovely character who needs a change of scenery from her life in the US, and Troy is an Australian farmer who has the weight of the farm and his family on his shoulders. So when a working visa makes them cross paths, neither of them were expecting what happened next. If you want a majorly light read with a little angst then this is for you. Sam as always provides characters that you don't dislike and a plot that can make you swoon.
This book was really well-rounded in terms of plot and spice. Mackenzie’s story was relatable and she was endearing as a character. I loved how she found her voice and most importantly, how she was finally heard by those that mattered the most.
Troy’s broodiness was everything! You felt the weight of the world on his shoulders and how he finally gave into his feelings for Mackenzie.
The animals… oh, the animals. Nugget the wombat was such a character as were all of the rescue joeys, koalas, possums and magpies. Their role in the story really brought to the forefront the danger of Australian bushfires. At this point in the narration, you really felt the infernal heat and imminent danger it posed to animals and humans alike. Tense... it was tense, but pertinent.
I really hope this isn’t the last time we hear from the Drysdales. They all deserve their time in the sun!
We have Mackenzie, who you instantly fall in love with. She has gone through a rough period and decided to go to her dream sport of Australia. Pretty much as soon as she lands she surrounds herself with a bit of chaos. Then we meet the grumpy Troy who just wants the chaos gone. These two have chemistry that is off the charts and has you pulled into the story very deeply. I love Mackenzie and her sassy personality. The story has a lot of humor that will have you laughing out loud. The story kept me glued to it unable to put it down. As with all of Sam Hall’s stories it is extremely well written and developed. She developed a story world that you absolutely want to join. We follow these two on a fantastic journey and feel like we meet two new friends. This is absolutely a great read and doesn’t disappoint.
What do you get when you cross an FMC American tourist with a wombat, a bull, a huntsman and a delicious Australian cowboy - the perfect outback romance! Although a true depiction, I could have done without the huntsman!! Sam Hall has written a quintessential Australian outback romance with larrikins, summer heat and native animals with family and community values at the heart of it all. The characters are everything you need for a whirlwind, farm-stay romance, the long looks, chemistry and heart-melting emotion and feelings. I loved when 'Macca' would have her internal thoughts of deciphering the language and I loved Troy's complete oblivion to his own feelings. A wonderful story that was beautifully written and really captured the scene with detail and the perfect Australian nuance. Nugget was the perfect wingman!!
Sam Hall’s wonderful story makes me want to book a flight straight to Australia! The main characters are Mackenzie and Troy. Mackenzie is reeling from a bad breakup and travels to Australia to work on the Drysdale farm. There she finds some cuddly animals and some not so cuddly creatures as well. Troy is the eldest Drysdale and isn’t too keen on having an American farm worker at first. He’s big and growling and protective. The characters feel real and the story is engaging. I loved the adventure and the humor and the spice. The vulnerability and the emotions of the characters hit me right in the feels. I bawled through the last chapter…in a very good way. Sam Hall doesn’t typically write M/F, but I’m very glad that she did and she does it very well. I’ll definitely be here for the next one.
The main characters have flaws, genuine real personalities, and I absolutely adore all the animals in this book.
There is trials, tribulations, true authentic human emotions and experiences.
This is different from Sam Hall’s normal book genre that I’ve read. There is no talking shifters, no harem, and some authors plop when they shift from their “norm”. BUT Sam Hall didn’t plop. She made a beautiful, contemporary novel that gets you in the feels.
Takes me back to the times of Sandra Brown and Nora Roberts. The premise of beautifully complicated but simple love stories between a betrayed yet strong willed woman and the man that just needed to find her to not feel like a failure.
Well done Sam Hall! I love all your writing and cannot wait to see what world you let us dive in to next.
The Wombat Wingman is a new Contemporary MF romance from author Sam Hall, that introduces us to Mackenzie, and American woman trying to get over a broken heart after getting left near the altar by her lifelong friend/boyfriend/fiance. Determined to move on with her life, she signs up for her dream trip to Australia to work on the Drysdale family farm for 6 months, to give her time to heal. Her arrival is nothing short of calamitous thanks in part to a runaway wombat, a too close for comfort run in with a bull, and sparks flying with the head of the Drysdale family farm Troy. Wombat Wingman leads us thru heartbreak, family bonds, wildfire led emergencies, and a second chance at love that spans the globe. So so happy to see another pair get their happy ever after!
Get over your ex by leaving town? Nah, leave the COUNTRY! Mackenzie hops a plane to Australia from LA to finally do something for herself by taking a work via on a farm. Troy is against anyone being added to the farm, especially a tourist from the States.
Cute chaos ensues! Too many animals to count, but the books namesake, Nugget the wombat, has decided to make it his mission to make sure there’s never a dull moment.
All around this book is a combination of meet cute, animal adorableness, culture shock, spice, and finding where you fit.
Troy falls first and hard, but Mackenzie isn’t far behind! You get to see some of the realities of living in both Australia and the States, although the bulk of the book is based in Australia.
Mackenzie may be a bit of a force of chaos, but she didn’t expect that running into a wombat would wind up changing her life!
Troy is a grumpy Australian farmer who is stretched thin, between his responsibilities, his family, and tight finances. The last thing he needs is an American girl stumbling into his life as a farm stay worker, and working her way into his heart.
The wildlife in the book definitely adds a ton of charm, between Nugget the wombat, various kangaroo joeys, gliding possums, and more. The author is Australian, so it’s fun to see the countryside through the eyes of a newcomer, but written by someone for whom it is home.
This book was such a good read, it had love & laughs aplenty. Mackenzie is trying to find herself after her break up and decides that Australia is the place to do that. Troy has the weight of the world on his shoulders and doesn’t have time for any distractions, so when Mackenzie arrives causing chaos in his life he realises that love happens when you least expect it. Their relationship grows stronger as they deal with disasters that occur and I love how Mackenzie brings out Troy’s softer side. I also loved how Troy teaches her to lean and depend on him and he will always be there to catch it. This book is a great example of a rom-com book with laughs and love aplenty.
A delightful romp through the Australian countryside. Mackenzie is taking the trip of a lifetime, after her life somewhat fell apart. A working holiday visa, a chunky wombat and an angry bull work together to put her on a new life path. This low-angst, cozy countryside read is exactly what the doctor ordered to get me through a slump. Troy is a big-ol grump with a with a soft spot for the American girl. While he struggles to hold himself back, some things were just meant to be. If you are looking for an Australian outback experience, filled with fuzzy feelings and some spice, this is the book for you.
I’m here for anything Sam writes! I love her tone, cadence, and writing style. Once again, this book did not disappoint. A story of learning what real love is, what you’re worth, overcoming challenges, and learning to ask for help and not take all of the responsibility on yourself. I love that Mackenzie travels half way across the world to find herself through hard work. I love that Troy has to check himself and finally trust enough to go for what he wants! So many funny run ins wildlife. Annnnnd, if Nugget isn’t your favorite support character, you’re wrong!
If I didn’t already love anything and everything by Sam Hall, this book would have sold me as a forever reader. OMG if you haven’t seen the artwork on social media, go hunt it down, it’s adorable! I love anything with a grumpy as all get out hot farmer and my goodness the authors doesn’t skimp on that here. Also, who doesn’t love a chaotic and messy FMC, girl been there done that- we all have a little hot mess inside. I love the fight and the tension between the MCs and it just warms my little black heart to watch their relationship grow. As always, Sam knows her way around spice and it was ***Chef’s kiss*** Absolutely adored it! When can I devour the next book?!?
Sometimes a girl just needs to get out of dodge and head to Australia!
Mackenzie was dumped just before her wedding (because the ex was TRASH). Finally coming out of her depressive state, she accepts a 6 month work visa helping out at an Australian farm.
On her way to the farm, she hits a wombat and ends up in a bull pen while trying to help it.
She's saved by an Aussie hottie who's actually her grumpy boss.
Join Mackenzie and Troy on their road to HEA. This book is a big warm fuzzy that is a perfect read when you want something cozy to help you take a break from reality!
I had a great time reading this story! I enjoyed seeing Mackenzie experience Australia for the first time. The writing really made me feel like a visit is necessary (even if there are giant spiders😬). After dismal treatment from her ex-boyfriend, Mackenzie is looking for a new adventure and not a new love interest. However, Troy shows Mackenzie what it’s like to be with a man that actually cares for her. His care is overbearing at times, but Mackenzie knows how to say the hard truths that Troy needs to hear. If you’re looking for an easy read about accidentally finding love “Down Under”, give this one a try!
Mackenzie is a woman who needs an escape from heartache and a working trip to Australia is just the thing to help. She doesn’t end up with exactly the job that she was picturing, but I think working with all of the amazing animals fit her so much better. I love the instant attraction that the MMC Troy has for Mackenzie. He definitely has his own set of problems, but he’s written so well that you can’t help rooting for him. My favorite character has to be Nugget the wombat. This is a MF romance which isn’t the “typical” book from Sam Hall. It is an absolutely fantastic read though and a definite read for both old and new fans.
So stinking adorable!!!! I loved this book with every bit of my fiber. This story is based in mostly Australia but also in California. Loved these characters to pieces each one so very vibrant. Story has a HEA ending. It was so neat to to read about an Australian farm and the troubles that they face also what their wild animal rescue faced when they have those horrid heat waves. I really like how Sam makes her characters face real world problems so very relatable to most readers. Can’t wait to see what Sam comes up with next!
I have always wanted to meet a wombat!! I love the way Sam Hall writes and I was excited to read a contemporary MF written with her flair and you know it is going to be something special.
We have Mackenzie from America who just needs a break from a mess of a break-up and believes working at a rescue will be just what she needs. Then there is Troy who owns the rescue with his family. He is just a bit grumpy and just trying to get by. Let me tell you there are laughs and tears and a wonderful happy ending. You have to read this!!!
This was such a sweet romance. Mackenzie was recently left just before the altar, and after being depressed for a few months decides a change of scenery is what she needs. She decides to do a work study 6 month trip to a farm in Australia. Troy is the eldest brother on the farm and first sets sights on Mackenzie when he saves her from a bull while she was trying to save a wombat. This story was sweet, fun and very enjoyable. I loved all the characters, the wildlife rescue and the romance. Such a sweet read!
This was a cute and pretty low angst (other than the grumpy MMC, but he came around!) story set in Down Under. The animals (wild life rescue) stole the show for me. I enjoyed the setting and the interaction of the MMC and FMC, and how she won him over, by just being herself. Its fun to read a story about how things just fell into place (after a bit of a rotation here or there... bumps on the road...) If you're looking for a feel good read with cute and furry side kick animals, pick this one up!
Wow. This book was terrific. It wasn’t just the down to earth characters and the wonderful love story with just enough spice. No, in this story I feel like we got to experience Australia which most Americans will never get to do in person. I loved all the critters in this story from the possums to the joeys and koalas to Nugget the wombat! This book had me running from emotion to emotion, sad, happy, funny, it had it all. Definitely a must read!
What a cute story! I really liked the dynamic between Troy and Mackenzie. Troy falls for her first and he falls so hard - I was swooning over his moody obsession with her! The emotional and mental healing is great for both of them and I really loved that journey and especially the destination! The personification of Nugget was such a fun time! The entire storyline with Bruce had me cracking up - and made it highly unlikely that I’ll ever visit Australia! It’s an adorable and steamy adventure Down Under!