Too Close to Home

by Karly Lane

Karly Lane's sparkling friends-to-lovers, small-town romance from this bestselling author with over 700,000 books sold.

When Gary Graves moved to Gidgerie in the New England Highlands, he planned to slip off the radar and live a quiet, uneventful life-something he desperately needed. But Gidgerie is planning to put itself back on the map, and any last hopes of a quiet life disappear after meeting his neighbour, Kinsley, with her striking blue eyes and farm of misfit animals.

Kinsley Pope had once lived in the fast lane. She'd enjoyed a blossoming career, a famous boyfriend and weekends making the most of all Sydney offered. But life had changed drastically. Now she juggles freelance work with caring for her saucy gran and the accompanying assortment of rescued livestock, and she volunteers on a committee to boot. Who has time for love?

In this delightful friends-to-lovers romance, neither Kinsley nor Gary are looking beyond their firmly-established boundaries, but sometimes goats, friends and a close-knit small town have other plans.

Kindle Edition

Expected publication December 1, 2026

About the author

Karly 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.

Reviews

[Karren Sandercock · Rating 5 out of 5]

New England Highlands, New South Wales. Gary Graves moves to Gidgerie a small country town, to live a quiet life and get away from his past. The locals notice someone is living in the old Ferguson's place, something in short supply and a single man.

Kinsley Pope moved back to Gidgerie from Sydney to live with her Nan Elsie, who had a fall and to get away from her druggie ex. Kinsley is a freelance graphic designer, she can juggle working from home, keep an eye on her grandmother and take care of her menagerie of rescue animals. While she likes the horses, Kinsley finds the goats to be a handful and escape artists and this is how she meets her handsome new neighbour. It doesn’t take long for her best friend, cousin and Elsie to start scheming to set Kinsley and Gary up.

Kinsley is nervous after her last relationship ended badly and Gary seems to be hiding something from her, he never talks about his past and she’s not sure if she can trust him?

I received a copy of Too Close to Home from NetGalley and Allen & Unwin in exchange for an honest review. Karly Lane is known for writing award winning small town romance, and her latest novel is yet another five star read.

A narrative about the importance of community, family, overcoming obstacles, making new connections, mystery and danger, righting the wrongs of the past, finding trust and love when you least expect it.

[Kylie Johnston · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well written novel. My first Karly Lane story and it did not disappoint.
Follows Kinsley a single graphic designer who has moved home to help her Gran on her farm, and her neighbour's, retired uncover cop Gary, who wants a simple quiet life.
Small town vibes with in a small town community.
From pitching in to help build a new fence to the locals not engaging with "rough looking stranger"
This story touches on corruption, a little crime and a big community rallying together to right wrongs.

[Penny O'shea · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️ I really enjoyed this rural romance. Set in a small country town in the New England region of New South Wales, this book was a delight. With a range of enjoyable characters and a series of sub plots that keep the story moving along, what’s not to love?

Karly Lane has a fabulous writing style that is essentially authentic and satisfying. I often found myself smiling at the dialogue, a sure sign I could imagine this very scene occurring in real life. Come for the ‘meet the new mysterious neighbour vibe’ and stay for the chaos of escaped goats! Settle in with a cuppa - you won’t be disappointed.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC.

#TooCloseToHome #NetGalley

[Karney · Rating 3.75 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to be given a cope of this book from Allen & Unwin.
This is my first book from Karly Lane, and i enjoyed it..
It was cute, funny and easy to read.
I feel like it would tick alot of boxes for the romance readers out there.