Under the Flame Tree

by Karen Wood

When Kirra leaves school to begin her first job on the station where she grew up, she is unimpressed to find herself partnered with a new employee who will barely speak to her. Daniel is undeniably cute, but he has a serious attitude problem and a mysterious past - there are whispers that he's fresh out of juvenile detention, but no one will tell her why. Daniel gradually thaws and reveals his secrets and Kirra starts to see beyond the moodiness to a boy she can believe in. But others remain wary of him, and her best friend warns her to stay clear. Kirra has some decisions to make. Is Daniel worth fighting for? Or should she walk away?

304 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 1, 2015

About the author

Karen Wood is the author of the five Diamond Spirit books. She has an Arts degree majoring in communications and a diploma in horticulture. She has syndicated a gardening column in several newspapers throughout Australia, has published feature articles in various magazines and has published photographs in bushwalking guides. She is married with two children, a few horses, some dogs, chooks and a very cute rabbit. She lives on a small acreage on the Central Coast, New South Wales, where she spends as much time as possible with kids and horses or at her laptop, dreaming up a new book.

Reviews

[Niamh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love this book so much!

[Lara · Rating 4 out of 5]

The mystery of Daniel was very intriguing.
I really enjoyed this book and I recommend it to anyone searching for a great YA novel.

[Chrissi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

I have read three of the authors books and each delighted me. This one was a perfect blend of horses and romance without too much. I am totally enjoying the Australian jargon as my family is from there. Makes me feel a bit closer than the other side of the World.

[jodiel86 · Rating 2 out of 5]

Review also posted to Words Read & Written

Why I picked it up:

This book was sent to me from Allen & Unwin in exchange for an honest review.



My Thoughts:

I’ve never really read a “cowboy” romance before, but I went into this one intrigued because the blurb sounded like something straight out of trashy fanfiction!

Unfortunately, it didn't live up to my expectations. I didn’t love the writing… I found the breaks between dialogue to be a little abrupt.

For example: “What, for good?” Judy put the pie on the counter.

I’ve never been a fan of “to do list” type breaks. It has also been a while since I’ve read third person, alternating point of views. I found myself strangely detached from the style.

Outside of the writing, I also didn't like Kirra. Her instant obsession with Daniel felt a bit over the top. I would have liked to know a little more about her as a character before her every thought was consumed with the mystery of Daniel. Alongside that she was stubborn and dramatic. I just didn’t get why she was so caught up and angry about Daniel. I mean, wow, calm down.

Despite all that, I got 50 pages in and was still relatively intrigued to see where the story was going, so I kept reading. But at the end of the day, wow, Kirra was just so irritating! I don’t get what Daniel saw in her or what she saw in him. I wasn’t rooting for their relationship in the slightest. She was so over the top about everything, carrying on like she had some sort of crazy claim over him. This story wasn't for me.

My Verdict – 2 stars

[Catherine J Page · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love in a water trough

Another great read from this author, clearly well researched and full of interesting details and words from outback life (do you know what a martingdale is?). The romance was perhaps a little more formulaic than Woods' usual offering, and sometimes the heroine Kirra is a little darker (imagining someone she didn't like being slaughtered). Still, if you like Woods' other books, you can't help but like this one too. Kirra is a very interesting girl.

[Bonnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 ⭐️ // An Australian outback country novel with the perfect blend of country fun and romance. I recommend this enjoyable, quick and easy read to the country girlies.

READ IF YOU LIKE:
- Young Adult
- Rural Country Setting

[Claudia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book and couldn't put it down, I can't wait for Karens next book :)

[Debbie Tink · Rating 5 out of 5]

I so love this book, it's well written, got a good lot off horses for the horse nut, a boy to follow for the boy crazy girls, and a lovely lot of farm fun and mayhem to keep the pages turning.

[Isabella]

Fine But Boring

[Josie]

I wasn't engaged by the writing style or the MC. This was a DNF for me.