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Outback Skye #3
The Crofter's Song
A mysterious letter. A broken heart. A journey that changes everything.
When Roslyn Bryant discovers items dating back to the 1960’s in her deceased mother’s belongings, she is shocked to find a letter from a stranger she’s never heard of. What she reads shakes her foundations and destroys the belief that her heritage belongs in rural Queensland. More questions than answers unfold, and as she considers what to do next, Roslyn feels the pull of mystery, and the need to find the truth.
With her family’s outback farm at the end of its dynasty, time weighs heavily on Roslyn. Life has already dealt her more than her share of sorrow, and she doesn’t want to waste another minute living in the dark. But will leaving the life she’s known provide her with the answers she desperately needs?
Thousands of miles away, Dan Bailey is nursing his own losses, hiding from heartbreak in a run-down croft inherited by his family.
When their shared love of music sparks an unexpected meeting, Roslyn and Dan find their lives curiously connected. As they unravel their pasts, the wild beauty of the Scottish winter becomes a backdrop for healing, revelation, and a second chance neither saw coming.
When Roslyn Bryant discovers items dating back to the 1960’s in her deceased mother’s belongings, she is shocked to find a letter from a stranger she’s never heard of. What she reads shakes her foundations and destroys the belief that her heritage belongs in rural Queensland. More questions than answers unfold, and as she considers what to do next, Roslyn feels the pull of mystery, and the need to find the truth.
With her family’s outback farm at the end of its dynasty, time weighs heavily on Roslyn. Life has already dealt her more than her share of sorrow, and she doesn’t want to waste another minute living in the dark. But will leaving the life she’s known provide her with the answers she desperately needs?
Thousands of miles away, Dan Bailey is nursing his own losses, hiding from heartbreak in a run-down croft inherited by his family.
When their shared love of music sparks an unexpected meeting, Roslyn and Dan find their lives curiously connected. As they unravel their pasts, the wild beauty of the Scottish winter becomes a backdrop for healing, revelation, and a second chance neither saw coming.
260 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 3, 2026
About the author
Heather Reyburn
33 books46 followersGrowing up in New Zealand’s North Island, Heather enjoyed an idyllic childhood on the family sheep and cattle farm, generating a respect for the land, and a love of both animals and reading.
Heather then wandered the world for three years before marrying and settling in rural Queensland, Australia where years of farming provided inspiration to fuel her dream to be a writer.
With eleven published books and the twelfth underway, Heather is now retired and is realising her dreams. When not writing, Heather spends her time in their large garden accompanied by two dogs and a varying number of chickens, hiking the vast expanses of Australia with her husband, or caring for grandchildren.
Heather then wandered the world for three years before marrying and settling in rural Queensland, Australia where years of farming provided inspiration to fuel her dream to be a writer.
With eleven published books and the twelfth underway, Heather is now retired and is realising her dreams. When not writing, Heather spends her time in their large garden accompanied by two dogs and a varying number of chickens, hiking the vast expanses of Australia with her husband, or caring for grandchildren.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
June 3, 2026
Roslyn Bryant and her four siblings were at the farm she'd spent her whole life living and working on. With both their parents gone, and needing to sell the property, the weekend was for cleaning and clearing out everything. When Roslyn discovered items from her mother's long ago past; items somehow connected to Roslyn and a young woman who had worked on the farm many years prior - Catherine, from Scotland - Roslyn knew she needed to discover answers. And it seemed those answers would only be found in Scotland.
Dan Bailey, a man who had once belonged to a band back in Australia, was going through a croft he and his siblings had inherited from someone they hadn't known about, getting it ready for sale. When he was singing - as he often did - while doing the chores, he was stunned to hear a voice harmonising with his. And that was how Dan met Roslyn. As the two connected over their love of music, they each told the other their stories, and vowed to help one another with their searches. Would the deep freeze of the Scottish winter help them in their quests?
The Crofter's Song is another exceptional addition to the Outback Skye series by Aussie author Heather Reyburn which I adored. The author's talent in painting word pictures, in giving her characters a special voice, saw me in Lewis & on the Isle of Skye, following both MCs in their journey. The side trips they took, being tourists, added more delight to the novel. I'm very much looking forward to #4 and recommend this, and the series, highly.
With thanks to the author for my digital ARC to read and review.
Dan Bailey, a man who had once belonged to a band back in Australia, was going through a croft he and his siblings had inherited from someone they hadn't known about, getting it ready for sale. When he was singing - as he often did - while doing the chores, he was stunned to hear a voice harmonising with his. And that was how Dan met Roslyn. As the two connected over their love of music, they each told the other their stories, and vowed to help one another with their searches. Would the deep freeze of the Scottish winter help them in their quests?
The Crofter's Song is another exceptional addition to the Outback Skye series by Aussie author Heather Reyburn which I adored. The author's talent in painting word pictures, in giving her characters a special voice, saw me in Lewis & on the Isle of Skye, following both MCs in their journey. The side trips they took, being tourists, added more delight to the novel. I'm very much looking forward to #4 and recommend this, and the series, highly.
With thanks to the author for my digital ARC to read and review.
June 5, 2026
Queensland, Australia. Rosalyn Bryant discovers an old letter in her deceased mother Mary’s belongings, and she’s shocked. Rosalyn a physiotherapist took care of her elderly dad Keith until he passed, she was getting over major surgery herself, and six years later the farm has been sold.
Roslyn and her siblings all come together to empty the house, she’s the youngest and waits until the others leave to ask her eldest sister if she remembers a Scottish teenager called Catherine working on the property?
Scotland, United Kingdom. Dan Bailey was a member of an Australian band, he’s nursing his own wounds, slowly fixing up the run-down croft he and his brothers inherited on the Isle of Lewis, and writing a book.
Roslyn visits her best friend Lucy on the Isle of Skye and hoping to try and solve the mystery of her being adopted and Scottish birth parents. She was a huge fan of the Bailey Brothers, while driving her wee rental she hears someone singing and she joins in and can’t believe its Dan the guitar player she had a big crush on as a teenager.
Both Dan and Rosalyn join forces, he had no idea his mother had a younger brother and Rosalyn is trying to find clues about her birth parents.
I received a copy of The Crofter’s Song (Outback Skye Series #3) from Heather Reyburn Author in exchange for an honest review. I enjoyed catching up with Lucy and Fergus again and at their farm and croft. Rosalyn exploring the stunning Isle of Skye, surrounding islands, historical records, visiting schools and people.
The narrative covers serious topics such as breast cancer and how women feel about their bodies after, adoption and secrets, overcoming an accident and starting again, helping others and how young people from Scotland and England immigrated to Australia during the 1960’s on a working visa, and fishermen being lost at sea.
I liked the connection between Rosalyn and Dan, their love of music and singing.
I highly recommend all three books in The Outback Skye Series, Letter’s from Skye, Dust on the Heather and The Crofter’s Song and five stars from me.
Roslyn and her siblings all come together to empty the house, she’s the youngest and waits until the others leave to ask her eldest sister if she remembers a Scottish teenager called Catherine working on the property?
Scotland, United Kingdom. Dan Bailey was a member of an Australian band, he’s nursing his own wounds, slowly fixing up the run-down croft he and his brothers inherited on the Isle of Lewis, and writing a book.
Roslyn visits her best friend Lucy on the Isle of Skye and hoping to try and solve the mystery of her being adopted and Scottish birth parents. She was a huge fan of the Bailey Brothers, while driving her wee rental she hears someone singing and she joins in and can’t believe its Dan the guitar player she had a big crush on as a teenager.
Both Dan and Rosalyn join forces, he had no idea his mother had a younger brother and Rosalyn is trying to find clues about her birth parents.
I received a copy of The Crofter’s Song (Outback Skye Series #3) from Heather Reyburn Author in exchange for an honest review. I enjoyed catching up with Lucy and Fergus again and at their farm and croft. Rosalyn exploring the stunning Isle of Skye, surrounding islands, historical records, visiting schools and people.
The narrative covers serious topics such as breast cancer and how women feel about their bodies after, adoption and secrets, overcoming an accident and starting again, helping others and how young people from Scotland and England immigrated to Australia during the 1960’s on a working visa, and fishermen being lost at sea.
I liked the connection between Rosalyn and Dan, their love of music and singing.
I highly recommend all three books in The Outback Skye Series, Letter’s from Skye, Dust on the Heather and The Crofter’s Song and five stars from me.
May 17, 2026
Loved this so much! Engaging characters and an interesting premise to track down ancestry mysteries. Roslyn and Dan deserved their HEA. The author's knowledge of the Isle of Skye and the Hebrides is authentic and provides lots of excellent tips for keen hikers in Scotland.
May 25, 2026
Absolutely loved this book. The Outback Skye series has been my favourite from Heather Reyburn so far, and The Crofters Song might just be my favourite yet.
I especially loved the Scottish element of the story. Heather writes Scotland so vividly and beautifully that you genuinely feel as though you’re there beside the characters, surrounded by the rugged landscape and winter atmosphere. The descriptions are rich without ever feeling overdone, and the setting becomes such an important part of the story.
The characters were warm, engaging, and easy to connect with, and I loved seeing familiar faces from the earlier books woven naturally through the story. Everything tied together so well, adding even more depth and emotion to Roslyn and Dan’s journey.
A heartfelt story of family secrets, healing, love, and finding where you truly belong. Highly recommended for readers who love emotional women’s fiction with stunning settings and beautifully connected characters.
I especially loved the Scottish element of the story. Heather writes Scotland so vividly and beautifully that you genuinely feel as though you’re there beside the characters, surrounded by the rugged landscape and winter atmosphere. The descriptions are rich without ever feeling overdone, and the setting becomes such an important part of the story.
The characters were warm, engaging, and easy to connect with, and I loved seeing familiar faces from the earlier books woven naturally through the story. Everything tied together so well, adding even more depth and emotion to Roslyn and Dan’s journey.
A heartfelt story of family secrets, healing, love, and finding where you truly belong. Highly recommended for readers who love emotional women’s fiction with stunning settings and beautifully connected characters.
June 12, 2026
Big thanks to Heather for gifting us a copy to read and review.
The arduous task of cleaning a deceased estate reveals documents and letters that indicate Roslyn has a more colourful backstory than she thought.
The youngest of five, she was the faithful daughter who stayed on the farm and did the grunt work as the parents ailed.
Often overlooked by siblings and their extended families as she was single and childless.
A trip to the remote islands of Scotland an antidote for grieving her father and searching for clues.
The wintry landscape, catch up with dear friends from Australia and a chance of meeting make the wind swept region feel like home.
Dan is an Aussie who is renovating a cottage in Scotland that was bequeathed to him and his family.
Singing and music the conduit that acted as cupid when he stumbled across Roslyn.
The opportunity to indulge in second chances when life has dealt a rough hand is always magical to read.
The ruggedness and beauty of Scotland always fulfil a rich imagery in this delightful and entertaining series.
Catching up with past cast members is a highlight of reading a series.
The arduous task of cleaning a deceased estate reveals documents and letters that indicate Roslyn has a more colourful backstory than she thought.
The youngest of five, she was the faithful daughter who stayed on the farm and did the grunt work as the parents ailed.
Often overlooked by siblings and their extended families as she was single and childless.
A trip to the remote islands of Scotland an antidote for grieving her father and searching for clues.
The wintry landscape, catch up with dear friends from Australia and a chance of meeting make the wind swept region feel like home.
Dan is an Aussie who is renovating a cottage in Scotland that was bequeathed to him and his family.
Singing and music the conduit that acted as cupid when he stumbled across Roslyn.
The opportunity to indulge in second chances when life has dealt a rough hand is always magical to read.
The ruggedness and beauty of Scotland always fulfil a rich imagery in this delightful and entertaining series.
Catching up with past cast members is a highlight of reading a series.
June 6, 2026
Excellent as usual Heather ❤️
Review of advance copy received from Author
Book three in this awesome series, this time we get to know Roslyn and it was a joy getting to know her and meeting Dan and of course catching up with Lucy and Fergus and another visit to Skye and it was fabulous, I really loved my trip and the story.
Roslyn Bryant is a physiotherapist, she is nearing sixty and has been divorced for many years she has been living on the family property with her aging father since the death of her mother and now that her father has passed she discovers some things while cleaning up and is stunned to find a letter that looks like it will change things for her she always felt a little different from her two brothers and two sisters although always loved but it appears now that she has a mystery to uncover and plans a trip to The Isle of Skye to visit her friend Lucy and uncover the mystery.
Dan Bailey was once a talented musician part of a band from the 1960’s with his brothers but that was years ago and now after an accident has left him unable to play his guitar running his farm in Tenterfield NSW is not easy but when a his family inherits a rundown croft in Scotland he goes to get it ready to sell, could this be the trip that will change his life for the better when he meets another Australian searching for answers.
When on a walk Roslyn hears someone singing that brings back so many memories she must find out who it is and soon her and Dan are fast friends with a love growing between them as they both search for answers and become tourists in one of the most beautiful places, will they get the answers they are both searching for and will they find a chance at finding the love that both of them deserve?
This is a heartwarming, moving and beautiful story, fabulous characters and an awesome trip the Hebrides in Scotland MS. Reyburn has pulled me in and made me feel part of the story and tip, I do highly recommend this one and the series, it is a beautiful story and I loved it.
My thanks to the author for my digital copy to read and review.
Roslyn Bryant is a physiotherapist, she is nearing sixty and has been divorced for many years she has been living on the family property with her aging father since the death of her mother and now that her father has passed she discovers some things while cleaning up and is stunned to find a letter that looks like it will change things for her she always felt a little different from her two brothers and two sisters although always loved but it appears now that she has a mystery to uncover and plans a trip to The Isle of Skye to visit her friend Lucy and uncover the mystery.
Dan Bailey was once a talented musician part of a band from the 1960’s with his brothers but that was years ago and now after an accident has left him unable to play his guitar running his farm in Tenterfield NSW is not easy but when a his family inherits a rundown croft in Scotland he goes to get it ready to sell, could this be the trip that will change his life for the better when he meets another Australian searching for answers.
When on a walk Roslyn hears someone singing that brings back so many memories she must find out who it is and soon her and Dan are fast friends with a love growing between them as they both search for answers and become tourists in one of the most beautiful places, will they get the answers they are both searching for and will they find a chance at finding the love that both of them deserve?
This is a heartwarming, moving and beautiful story, fabulous characters and an awesome trip the Hebrides in Scotland MS. Reyburn has pulled me in and made me feel part of the story and tip, I do highly recommend this one and the series, it is a beautiful story and I loved it.
My thanks to the author for my digital copy to read and review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I so enjoyed The Crofter's Song, third and final in Heather Reyburn's Outback Skye romances.
The settings are all vivid, with the first part set in rural Queensland as Roslyn prepares to sell up the family farm. During the clean out she finds papers that show that she was adopted and this knowledge sets Roslyn on a path to the Isle of Skye. Once there, she runs into Dan, who was in a band she followed as a young woman. These two have an immediate connection and work together to solve the mystery of Roslyn's birth. Of course it's not entirely smooth, and mid-life love can be tricky. Even so, they are gorgeous together and have lots of chemistry. They connect with each other – and the community – through their shared musical experience. Skye is vivid – plenty of weather and good Scots food and cups of tea help them along. Heather has obviously done her research and I'm sure I could follow the same path around Skye - delightful!
The Crofter's Song is a standalone, with some lovely cameos from the first two books.
As with the others in the series I loved this! I really liked Roslyn and I felt for her and her dilemma. There are some serious moments with themes around loss and identity and family and the mixture of light and shade is really effective. Dan is delicious and their happy-for-now is hard won, given their ages and stages and so for me, it’s a winning romance!
I also read an earlier version and thanks to Heather Reyburn for this ARC. Opinions are my own.
The settings are all vivid, with the first part set in rural Queensland as Roslyn prepares to sell up the family farm. During the clean out she finds papers that show that she was adopted and this knowledge sets Roslyn on a path to the Isle of Skye. Once there, she runs into Dan, who was in a band she followed as a young woman. These two have an immediate connection and work together to solve the mystery of Roslyn's birth. Of course it's not entirely smooth, and mid-life love can be tricky. Even so, they are gorgeous together and have lots of chemistry. They connect with each other – and the community – through their shared musical experience. Skye is vivid – plenty of weather and good Scots food and cups of tea help them along. Heather has obviously done her research and I'm sure I could follow the same path around Skye - delightful!
The Crofter's Song is a standalone, with some lovely cameos from the first two books.
As with the others in the series I loved this! I really liked Roslyn and I felt for her and her dilemma. There are some serious moments with themes around loss and identity and family and the mixture of light and shade is really effective. Dan is delicious and their happy-for-now is hard won, given their ages and stages and so for me, it’s a winning romance!
I also read an earlier version and thanks to Heather Reyburn for this ARC. Opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The Crofter's Song is the third and final book in the “Outback Skye” Trilogy and in this story the reader gets to hear Roslyn‘s story.
The book opens with Roslyn and her older siblings cleaning up the family farm prior to sale after the death of their father. A hidden old letter results in Roslyn finding out she was adopted; her birth mother had travelled alone to Australia from Skye and died shortly after she had Roslyn; the letter gives the barest details of her life, and Roslyn’s birth father.
Roslyn decides to fly to Skye to investigate her birth parents and see if she has any living relatives. Her friend Lucy lives on Skye now (her story is found in Book 1) and she invites Roslyn to stay with them while she follows up her family tree.
During her research Roslyn meets Dan, a fellow Australian who is fixing up a croft that he and his brothers have inherited from an unknown uncle. The two of them join forces as they search for their unknown relatives. As they follow the genealogical clues the two of them find their love grow but as both have had traumas in their past, they are reluctant to take the next step and commit.
As with the previous two books, this is where the magical beauty of Skye comes into its own so two damaged people can get their happily ever after.
I loved the story, I loved Roslyn and Dan, and I loved catching up with Lucy and Helen (from book 2) The Crofter’s Song is the perfect ending to a lovely series and I am sad I have finished my literary visits Skye.
Thank you to the author, Heather Reyburn, for providing an advanced copy of her book, at my request, for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
The book opens with Roslyn and her older siblings cleaning up the family farm prior to sale after the death of their father. A hidden old letter results in Roslyn finding out she was adopted; her birth mother had travelled alone to Australia from Skye and died shortly after she had Roslyn; the letter gives the barest details of her life, and Roslyn’s birth father.
Roslyn decides to fly to Skye to investigate her birth parents and see if she has any living relatives. Her friend Lucy lives on Skye now (her story is found in Book 1) and she invites Roslyn to stay with them while she follows up her family tree.
During her research Roslyn meets Dan, a fellow Australian who is fixing up a croft that he and his brothers have inherited from an unknown uncle. The two of them join forces as they search for their unknown relatives. As they follow the genealogical clues the two of them find their love grow but as both have had traumas in their past, they are reluctant to take the next step and commit.
As with the previous two books, this is where the magical beauty of Skye comes into its own so two damaged people can get their happily ever after.
I loved the story, I loved Roslyn and Dan, and I loved catching up with Lucy and Helen (from book 2) The Crofter’s Song is the perfect ending to a lovely series and I am sad I have finished my literary visits Skye.
Thank you to the author, Heather Reyburn, for providing an advanced copy of her book, at my request, for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
June 8, 2026
This series incorporates two of my favourite locations in novels: Australia and Scotland!
In “The Crofter’s Song” the term ‘It’s a small world’ can freely be applied as both Roslyn and Dan are Australians, from neighbouring districts, and who have both coincidentally discovered previously unsuspected Scottish roots. The term can also be applied to many of the people Roslyn meets in her journey around the Hebridean islands.
Heather Reyburn creates delightful characters who take full advantage of the surroundings she depicts so vividly in her writing. The story keeps the reader fully engaged as Roslyn searches for her roots while building a firm friendship with her teenage idol, Dan, and sharing their love of music. Encountering characters from previous books in the series, and reading about their present circumstances, is an added bonus.
I received a free advance copy of this thoroughly enjoyable book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
In “The Crofter’s Song” the term ‘It’s a small world’ can freely be applied as both Roslyn and Dan are Australians, from neighbouring districts, and who have both coincidentally discovered previously unsuspected Scottish roots. The term can also be applied to many of the people Roslyn meets in her journey around the Hebridean islands.
Heather Reyburn creates delightful characters who take full advantage of the surroundings she depicts so vividly in her writing. The story keeps the reader fully engaged as Roslyn searches for her roots while building a firm friendship with her teenage idol, Dan, and sharing their love of music. Encountering characters from previous books in the series, and reading about their present circumstances, is an added bonus.
I received a free advance copy of this thoroughly enjoyable book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is the third book in The Outback Skye Series. It takes you on a journey between Australia and the Isle of Skye to find lost relatives, meet old friends, and fall in love with a past teenage crush.
I was so loving the past connections from the first two books in this series. Journeying back to the Isle of Skye gave the feeling I'd come back to visit, being welcomed, and eating all the delicious foods served.
This is Roslyn's story of finding out that she was actually adopted and not the baby sister of her siblings. Travelling to her birth mother's home, she has to trace her family tree. Whilst visiting her friends, she bumps into Dan, a past musician recovering from an accident. They will get to know each other and help heal the past.
Love reading Heather's book and especially enjoy this series 😀. Thanks for the early ebook copy ♥️
I was so loving the past connections from the first two books in this series. Journeying back to the Isle of Skye gave the feeling I'd come back to visit, being welcomed, and eating all the delicious foods served.
This is Roslyn's story of finding out that she was actually adopted and not the baby sister of her siblings. Travelling to her birth mother's home, she has to trace her family tree. Whilst visiting her friends, she bumps into Dan, a past musician recovering from an accident. They will get to know each other and help heal the past.
Love reading Heather's book and especially enjoy this series 😀. Thanks for the early ebook copy ♥️
June 28, 2026
Loved this series! Having lived in Australia's Outback and visited Scotland a couple of times, I could visualize places mentioned in the books. I am a retired RN who worked as a "Sister" in the Alice Springs Hospital in the 1970s. One of my hobbies, genealogy research, has connected me to distant relatives living in Scotland whom I have visited.
The books were uplifting. It felt like I knew the three friends personally. I hope another book will be written to continue this series.
Thank you!
The books were uplifting. It felt like I knew the three friends personally. I hope another book will be written to continue this series.
Thank you!
June 3, 2026
Endings and new beginnings
Tracing your ancestry can be challenging, especially when you discover you're not who you thought you were. In her search to find her roots in Scotland, Roslyn meets Dan, and their journey together is both touching and a beautiful travelogue through the Hebrides. Closing the circle on who her parents were brings peace and puts lingering doubts to rest.
I received an advanced copy from the author
Tracing your ancestry can be challenging, especially when you discover you're not who you thought you were. In her search to find her roots in Scotland, Roslyn meets Dan, and their journey together is both touching and a beautiful travelogue through the Hebrides. Closing the circle on who her parents were brings peace and puts lingering doubts to rest.
I received an advanced copy from the author
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews