Emma McKinnon’s dream job as a cadet reporter in the small country town of Bellethorpe is not going to plan. Unless she can turn the paper around fast, she’ll be out of a job, prove her mother right, and if she’s not careful, fall for the charming advances of Angus, a local country and western singer.
Doctor in training Cole Willoughby hasn’t forgotten Emma after their holiday romance two years ago. Their frequent letters and messages are proof that things aren’t over between them, except his sister’s ill-health has kept him in Canada.
But when family tensions drive Cole away, the pull to be with Emma and the opportunity to work in outback Australia is too hard to resist… only it’s not the happily ever after he imagined.
Emma’s dedication to saving the paper, Cole’s sister’s worsening condition, and the attentions of Angus keep coming between them. Is it possible to fight for their love? Or are they destined to always be apart?
Readers will delight in returning to small-town Bellethorpe where they’ll meet new characters and run into old friends.
Leanne is a lawyer, wife, mother and a lover of romance and all things literary. She has a healthy addiction to coffee and red wine and runs badly but tries hard.
I loved following Emma’s life as a newcomer and woman of strength in the country town of Bellethorpe. Her passion overflows into providing the community with events and news they need through her resolve as a journalist for the local paper. She unites the community with a few surprise stories! And also unites with a love interest, or two. Can she mend lost connections or will she forge new ones? I’ll just say, she chose well!
Written In Between by Leanne Lovegrove is set in the fictional town of Bellethorpe.
The novel starts off with the main character, Emma who is a cadet reporter for a country newspaper but all is not going to plan as she needs to turn the newspaper around fast or succumb to her mother's advice of pursuing her career elsewhere if she's not careful or falling for the charms of Angus, a local country and western singer.
Then, along comes Cole, doctor-in-training who never forgot Emma after their Christmas holiday romance where they met in Scotland. Their 'long-distance romance' is kept alive with frequent messages. It's his sister's ill health which has kept him in Canada.
Can long-distance romances work?
Suddenly out of the blue, Cole gets offered the too hard to resist opportunity to live and work in outback Australia.
Emma strives to continue and save the local paper in the country town of Bellethorpe amidst all her trials and tribulations as this is her main goal and priority.
Who and what will Emma choose to do and with whom?
Read all about it and see in the latest edition of the Bellethorpe Series No. 4 in the series.
It's beautifully presented and printed with an illustration of a typewriter at each section and easy to read and see and I loved reading the long distance letters from Cole in Canada at the start of some sections in the book.
I really enjoyed Written In Between by Leanne Lovegrove as I always had a 'secret ambition' to work at my local newspaper and this story is about stories, the newspaper industry; everything it was and is today as it exists with a lot being online or printed less but it's keeping the story 'real and alive' that matters the most.
Thank you, Leanne for another fabulous story of the new novel, Written in Between.
Note: Available on or soon after the 14th August, 2026.
I had the privilege of receiving a copy of Leanne Lovegrove's upcoming August 14th release Written in Between and it was a delight to read. Bianca and I then Buddy Read it so we could catch as we read and we both really enjoyed the storyline.
I love a story based in a small town and Leanne writes so well in this genre - this one is a Bellethorpe novel. Emma McKinnon arrives in town to take up her dream job as a cadet reporter for the local newspaper in Bellethorpe. Her Mother, a well known Morning show host wants her to follow her into television but Emma is determined to make a career in print. Upon her arrival she is advised that the paper needs to be revamped or risk closing down. She meets Geoff the Editor and Angus who has been tasked with turning the paper around from his Father. Angus is the handsome and very tempting Country and Western Singer who has to prove to his Father that the paper can make some money.
Then from the other side of the world is Cole Willoughby, a Doctor in the final stages of his training who lives in Canada but met and had a wonderful romantic holiday with Emma over two years ago but they have both stayed in touch. Throughout the book we see their messages and letters which I loved and made the book such a wonderful read. Cole feels obligated to stay in Canada due to sisters ill health but his heart belongs to Emma.
After a story is published in the local paper about the issues the hospitals were facing with medical staff, Cole amidst rising tension with his family makes his way to Bellethorpe after Emma shares the article with him. Do Cole and Emma have a chance of making it as a couple? Will Cole have to return to Canada? Will the Newspaper survive? Will Angus get the girl not Cole? All these questions made for an entertaining and delightful read. I loved the town and the people who call this town home. I loved being immersed in the story and did not want to put it down - I found it a 5 star read. The book itself has a beautiful cover and the gorgeous background art at the start of each chapter make it a special read. Thank you Leanne for asking me to read and review this wonderful and thoroughly delightful book.
Written in Between is a beautifully written rural romance fiction set in the small country town of Bellethorpe. I was captivated and engaged from the first page right till the end.
Emma was excited that she had been accepted as a junior cadet at The Bellethorpe Times. It was a job she had wanted for a long time. She hadn’t been told, however, that the paper needed to make a profit for it to stay published. This made Emma even more determined to be a great writer. “Being a journalist was personal. And it was her favourite part of the job. Hearing people’s stories, putting words to their version, and then sharing it for everyone to become part of it.”
Everyone welcomed Emma into the town. She fell for Angus, not only was he her boss but a country music musician. She also had feelings for Cole, a doctor, who she had meet two years ago in Scottland while on holiday. He kept in contact with her by sending letters, which had been cleverly placed at the end of the chapters. Eventually Cole moved to Australia to work at the hospital in the same country town as Emma, to be close to her. Who would she choose in the end, Angus or Cole?
The town was full of strong women, including Emma who’s character I liked. Emma had the best role model, her grandmother, she was also a strong and capable woman.
The story includes many themes including friendships formed, romance, second chances of love, drama, relationships between mothers and daughters and dedication to job.
I highly recommend reading this wonderful latest instalment to the Bellethorpe series. Thank you to Leanne for kindly sending me this ARC copy to read. I thoroughly enjoyed it and give it five stars. I look forward to your next book.
Written in Between by Leanne Lovegrove A Bellethorpe Novel
Written in Between is small town community at its best and Bellethorpe is somewhere readers will feel a part of. A community-centred story.
When Emma moves to Bellethorpe for her dream job as a reporter, she is shocked to find out that she could be out of the job, if the newspaper doesn't increase sales and move with the times. Emma works alongside Geoff, experienced and kind reporter who encourages her along the way. While Emma tries to establish herself in the small town of Bellethorpe and in her job, she writes to Cole, who remains in Canada after the pair met whilst Emma was on holiday. Two worlds apart, yet Leanne connects them on many levels. From overbearing parental figures to people with wealth, there are characters who bring tension. There are also a number of characters who bring love and light to Emma's world. Friendships grow and love remains.
Written in Bellethorpe is a page-turner with purpose. An environmental issue that comes to light and characters to love.
Leanne writes an irresistible romance with Erin Brockovich vibes. Written in Between is a celebration of powerful women who make a difference. Bellethorpe is filled with women who impact those around them. Leanne champions women through her words and this series is fascinating.
Congratulations Leanne ❤️ I can't wait for the next book in this series!! A 5 star read. Teachers who are on holidays - do yourself a favour and read this one.
Big thanks to Leanne for gifting us a copy to read and review. A rapidly changing world impacts country towns, the loss of younger generations, newspapers and medical staff all impact the sustainability and prosperity. Emma has arrived in Bellethorpe and is keen to make a difference as a reporter for the local paper. Discovering the waning readership, the reluctance to read electronic and some truths behind the paper she embarks on a mission to save it. Good journalism, hard hitting stories and mustering support is the goal. An old flame from Canada has kept in touch from afar and the regular emails build momentum for him and Emma. After reading one of her stories on the shortage of Doctors he decides to apply at a local hospital and see if the flame can be rekindled. His arrival sparked a few surprises as he realised he may need to fight for Emma. Exposure of untoward activities, emotional obstacles and the desire to save the paper create a buzz in the town. A country town setting, passionate causes and of course romance make the rural fiction genre a popular and well loved one among readers. I love that these books take me to a different part of the country and give a glimpse into both the natural and social landscape.
It's been wonderful being back in the small-town of Bellethorpe, where the community embraces all new visitors with open arms.
Emma was my favourite character with her strength and fighting spirit to move and learn on the job as a cadet reporter to save the paper.
She must follow the idea of new love interest in charming Angus, the local country boy. But in the back of her mind, there is always a chance that Cole, a doctor in training, a friend, and a perfect Christmas two years ago, could be her second chance for love.
Another warm-hearted and engaging rural town story of new adventures, new friendships, and second chances at love.
Welcome back to Bellethorpe! Another fantastic read written by Leanne.
With the arrival of Emma McKinnon arriving to the small rural town, to start her new position as a journalist at the local newspaper. Emma finds new friendships, gossip, drama, heartbreak and love. Everything you expect from a small country town. This book had all the feels.