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Levenham Love Story
Summer and the Groomsman
It's Levenham's wedding of the year but unlucky-in-love Harry Argyle has more on his mind than being groomsman.
After yet again nearly colliding with an escaped horse while driving home to the family farm, Harry Argyle comes face-to-face with its pretty owner, and doesn't hold back his disapproval.
Confronted by a bad-tempered giant on a dark country road, beautician and new arrival in town Summer Taylor doesn't know who to be more afraid for: herself or her darling horse Binky. It's not her fault Binky keeps escaping. The alcoholic owner of the paddock she rents won't fix the fence and Binky can be sneaky when it comes to filling his stomach. But no matter how big and muscled the bully, she refuses to be intimidated.
When Harry's wedding party book a session at the day spa where Summer works, both she and Harry are horrified to be paired together. Grudgingly, they agree to make the most of it - only for the session to spiral into disaster. Realising he's made a dill of himself in front of sweet Summer yet again, Harry vows to set things right.
Summer isn't about to easily forgive the man who called her horse stupid, no matter how brave and kind, but with everyone on Harry's side, even fate, resistance is hard. Can these two find love or will Summer's wayward horse put his hoof in it again?
A sweet rural romance novella from Cathryn Hein, best-selling author of The Falls, Rocking Horse Hill, Heartland, Heart of the Valley, and Promises.
After yet again nearly colliding with an escaped horse while driving home to the family farm, Harry Argyle comes face-to-face with its pretty owner, and doesn't hold back his disapproval.
Confronted by a bad-tempered giant on a dark country road, beautician and new arrival in town Summer Taylor doesn't know who to be more afraid for: herself or her darling horse Binky. It's not her fault Binky keeps escaping. The alcoholic owner of the paddock she rents won't fix the fence and Binky can be sneaky when it comes to filling his stomach. But no matter how big and muscled the bully, she refuses to be intimidated.
When Harry's wedding party book a session at the day spa where Summer works, both she and Harry are horrified to be paired together. Grudgingly, they agree to make the most of it - only for the session to spiral into disaster. Realising he's made a dill of himself in front of sweet Summer yet again, Harry vows to set things right.
Summer isn't about to easily forgive the man who called her horse stupid, no matter how brave and kind, but with everyone on Harry's side, even fate, resistance is hard. Can these two find love or will Summer's wayward horse put his hoof in it again?
A sweet rural romance novella from Cathryn Hein, best-selling author of The Falls, Rocking Horse Hill, Heartland, Heart of the Valley, and Promises.
106 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 10, 2015
75 people are currently reading
150 people want to read
About the author
Cathryn Hein
34 books176 followersCathryn Hein is a best-selling author of rural romance and romantic adventure novels, a Romance Writers of Australia Romantic Book of the Year finalist with Santa and the Saddler, and a regular Australian Romance Reader Awards finalist.
A South Australian country girl by birth, Cathryn loves nothing more than a rugged rural hero who’s as good with his heart as he is with his hands, which is probably why she writes them! Her romances are warm and emotional, and feature themes that don’t flinch from the tougher side of life but are often happily tempered by the antics of naughty animals. Her aim is to make you smile, sigh, and perhaps sniffle a little, but most of all feel wonderful.
Cathryn lives in Newcastle, Australia with her partner of many years, Jim. When she’s not writing, she plays golf (ineptly), cooks (well), and in football season barracks (rowdily) for her beloved Sydney Swans AFL team.
Do you love free stories? Join my newsletter team for new release news, teasers, book sales and more, along with access to my collection of smile-inducing romantic short stories.
A South Australian country girl by birth, Cathryn loves nothing more than a rugged rural hero who’s as good with his heart as he is with his hands, which is probably why she writes them! Her romances are warm and emotional, and feature themes that don’t flinch from the tougher side of life but are often happily tempered by the antics of naughty animals. Her aim is to make you smile, sigh, and perhaps sniffle a little, but most of all feel wonderful.
Cathryn lives in Newcastle, Australia with her partner of many years, Jim. When she’s not writing, she plays golf (ineptly), cooks (well), and in football season barracks (rowdily) for her beloved Sydney Swans AFL team.
Do you love free stories? Join my newsletter team for new release news, teasers, book sales and more, along with access to my collection of smile-inducing romantic short stories.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
June 28, 2016
Now if you’re after a good Aussie feeling country cute romance, this is where you need to stop right now! This story made me smile. I love a good Aussie author, Aussie setting and just all round Aussie feel. I was reminded of my childhood with the sayings here, self-deprecating comments and phrases. Who remembers what it’s like ‘bogging in’ at meal time, and who hasn’t thought they’ve been a ‘complete dick’ before?!
Cathryn Hein is an Aussie lass, who has experienced the land, and her love of horses shines through. This little gem was a treat for me today, a sweet novella that was done in a day. I was honestly taken with the writing and love a down to earth style.
Harry a big spunk that was a bit lost on ‘getting it right’ and Summer, sweet and capable. We watch as these two cross paths, beginning with Blinky the horse getting caught up with Gaz’s substandard fencing. There are serious issues here as well, so it’s not all make believe. It did tie up neatly and had lots of convenient happenings, but it was short, sweet and clever.
I will be looking for more this author's stories, and look forward to them. This is a sunny little read at the start of the Australian summer. Perfect!
Cathryn Hein is an Aussie lass, who has experienced the land, and her love of horses shines through. This little gem was a treat for me today, a sweet novella that was done in a day. I was honestly taken with the writing and love a down to earth style.
Harry a big spunk that was a bit lost on ‘getting it right’ and Summer, sweet and capable. We watch as these two cross paths, beginning with Blinky the horse getting caught up with Gaz’s substandard fencing. There are serious issues here as well, so it’s not all make believe. It did tie up neatly and had lots of convenient happenings, but it was short, sweet and clever.
I will be looking for more this author's stories, and look forward to them. This is a sunny little read at the start of the Australian summer. Perfect!
April 8, 2016
Summer and the Groomsman is a delightful novella about small town people uniting to help out their own.
I loved how the little group of friends immediately accepted Summer and banded together to help Harry get his girl.
I loved that harry was a goof ball, always saying the wrong thing. It was good to show not all guys are calm, cool and in control.
I loved the town’s cigar smoking, alcohol drinking matriarch, Granny B. So politically incorrect!!
I loved how the community came together to help Gav. This is what Levenham is all about. Helping each other!
I loved how the little group of friends immediately accepted Summer and banded together to help Harry get his girl.
I loved that harry was a goof ball, always saying the wrong thing. It was good to show not all guys are calm, cool and in control.
I loved the town’s cigar smoking, alcohol drinking matriarch, Granny B. So politically incorrect!!
I loved how the community came together to help Gav. This is what Levenham is all about. Helping each other!
June 22, 2017
Summer and the Groomsman is a sweet romance novella from Cathryn Hein. One day Henry Argyle was going into town when he nearly runs into a horse who was eating on the side of the road and had to swerve to miss the horse. Also, he almost hit the owner of the horse Summer, and this incident changed Henry's and Summer's life. Readers of Summer and the Groomsman will laugh and cry while following the blossom romance between Henry and Summer.
I love reading the Summer and the Groomsman, and I fell in love with the gentle giant Henry Argyle. I also enjoy the way Cathryn Hein intertwine Binky the horse and the busy body Grandmother, into the grown romance between Henry and Summer. Also, I please that Cathryn Hein allowed her readers to know that the three great friends Digby, Henry and Joshua all found love and happiness. I like the way Cathryn Hein portray the way rural communities help each other without judgement.
Readers of Summer and the Groomsman will learn that loneliness and grief can cause people to use alcohol as a way to ease their pain. Also, Summer and the Groomsman highlights the consequences of alcoholism on the suffer and the people around them.
I recommend this book.
I love reading the Summer and the Groomsman, and I fell in love with the gentle giant Henry Argyle. I also enjoy the way Cathryn Hein intertwine Binky the horse and the busy body Grandmother, into the grown romance between Henry and Summer. Also, I please that Cathryn Hein allowed her readers to know that the three great friends Digby, Henry and Joshua all found love and happiness. I like the way Cathryn Hein portray the way rural communities help each other without judgement.
Readers of Summer and the Groomsman will learn that loneliness and grief can cause people to use alcohol as a way to ease their pain. Also, Summer and the Groomsman highlights the consequences of alcoholism on the suffer and the people around them.
I recommend this book.
February 20, 2017
I got this e-book via instafreebie.com as I was attracted to the book cover. For me this is an introduction to Cathryn Hein's writing as I hadn't read any of her stories before. This is a sweet & short novella (106 pages) about Summer and Harry, the Groomsman.
In a few short pages Harry and Summer are nicely developed and their "meet & greet" is cute with the help of a horse that keeps escaping. Nothing complex, just a nice sweet read. The supporting cast is nicely done and the characters feel real versus cliche. There is a little Aussie touch to the the story which is nice.
Great for a quick little read.
In a few short pages Harry and Summer are nicely developed and their "meet & greet" is cute with the help of a horse that keeps escaping. Nothing complex, just a nice sweet read. The supporting cast is nicely done and the characters feel real versus cliche. There is a little Aussie touch to the the story which is nice.
Great for a quick little read.
March 7, 2016
A lovely light read set in rural South Australia.
November 11, 2015
Aussie rural romance author Cathryn Hein steps into the self-publishing arena with this sweet little romantic novella set in a world with some familiar faces for regular readers of her books.
The characters in this novel are so fun and it was awesome watching them evolve, even though the story is quite brief. Harry Argyle is less than impressed when he finds a horse on the road late at night and he doesn’t waste much time letting the horse’s pretty owner have it. Despite this early introduction into Harry’s temper, he’s really quite a softie and almost immediately regrets his outburst and wants to make it up to Summer, the horse’s owner. Before he can however, he finds himself at Summer’s mercy when the men of the wedding party Harry is participating in are booked in at the local spa and Summer is one of the beauticians.
Even though I kind of suspected what might happen to poor Harry in this scene but it was still so hilarious to read and it played out really well. The scene is kept light and funny with just a touch of the humiliation for poor Harry but it also helps them find new ground and begin to move forward from their previous encounter on the road at night. What follows is a very sweet, awkward and realistic courtship in a way. That’s quite an old-fashioned word to use for a contemporary romance but it fits. Harry is lovely, definitely a typical Hein hero, very much a country boy with a very gentle nature who gets embarrassed quite easily!
Summer Taylor is new in town and just wants a safe option for her beloved horse when she’s at work. I thought the story of the man who owned the property Summer agisted her horse on was very well woven into the story and he became a character you really came to care for the more you read about him. Summer had her reasons for wanting to look after him, perhaps going that extra mile when a lot of the other locals had dropped off, however some come to rally around to help when he really needs it and it became an integral part of the story that helped bring Summer and Harry closer together as well as showcase more of the small community.
I really enjoyed this cute and fun little romance with a very professional polish. Summer and Harry are amazingly sweet and very easy to relate to and it was nice to see those few familiar faces and get to be a part of something special with characters from a previous story.
The characters in this novel are so fun and it was awesome watching them evolve, even though the story is quite brief. Harry Argyle is less than impressed when he finds a horse on the road late at night and he doesn’t waste much time letting the horse’s pretty owner have it. Despite this early introduction into Harry’s temper, he’s really quite a softie and almost immediately regrets his outburst and wants to make it up to Summer, the horse’s owner. Before he can however, he finds himself at Summer’s mercy when the men of the wedding party Harry is participating in are booked in at the local spa and Summer is one of the beauticians.
Even though I kind of suspected what might happen to poor Harry in this scene but it was still so hilarious to read and it played out really well. The scene is kept light and funny with just a touch of the humiliation for poor Harry but it also helps them find new ground and begin to move forward from their previous encounter on the road at night. What follows is a very sweet, awkward and realistic courtship in a way. That’s quite an old-fashioned word to use for a contemporary romance but it fits. Harry is lovely, definitely a typical Hein hero, very much a country boy with a very gentle nature who gets embarrassed quite easily!
Summer Taylor is new in town and just wants a safe option for her beloved horse when she’s at work. I thought the story of the man who owned the property Summer agisted her horse on was very well woven into the story and he became a character you really came to care for the more you read about him. Summer had her reasons for wanting to look after him, perhaps going that extra mile when a lot of the other locals had dropped off, however some come to rally around to help when he really needs it and it became an integral part of the story that helped bring Summer and Harry closer together as well as showcase more of the small community.
I really enjoyed this cute and fun little romance with a very professional polish. Summer and Harry are amazingly sweet and very easy to relate to and it was nice to see those few familiar faces and get to be a part of something special with characters from a previous story.
November 21, 2015
I've been a huge Cathryn Hein fan since her debut rural, Promises. Summer and the Groomsman has made me even more so. Fun, light-hearted and a not-so-perfect hero kept me reading, and when I reached the end I wished there was more. I'd love to see Harry and Summer's story in a full-length novel.
Ms Hein's beautiful, natural voice flows throughout this novella that fits in nicely as an in-betweener for Rocking Horse Hill and The Falls. A great, uplifting read that had me smiling all the way through. Next one please, Ms Hein!
Ms Hein's beautiful, natural voice flows throughout this novella that fits in nicely as an in-betweener for Rocking Horse Hill and The Falls. A great, uplifting read that had me smiling all the way through. Next one please, Ms Hein!
January 29, 2016
A short, sweet read - with a funny, goofy hero - albeit with a rushed introduction to all the characters in the previous books. But it's gotten me interested in the rest of the series, so that can only be a good thing right?
November 13, 2015
Such a delightful read!
July 2, 2017
Is this the one? Harry just can't believe that some idiot let their horse get out, he could have killed it so he needs to get the owner to fix the fence before someone gets seriously hurt. Summer knows that she should find somewhere else for Binky her horse to stay but she can't afford to pay anymore and she is able to visit him everyday but that is all about to change as she is told in no uncertain terms to move her horse. Harry knows now that he shouldn't have shouted at Summer as he did and now things are awkward. How can he make things up to her without acting like an idiot? Will Summer even give him a chance? Summer knows that she wants to be happy and she knows that he makes her very happy even when he makes a mess of this. A really cute read
January 22, 2019
4 stars
I purchased a copy of the novella A Levenham Love Story Book 1: Summer and the Groomsman by the Australian Author Cathryn Hein and this review was given freely.
A fast pace short clean romance featuring shy farmer Harry and the interfering loving family who help him to correct the unfavorable impression he made on town newcomer and day spa worker Summer. Undercurrents of sadness from multiple lost loves, drama from an escaping horse, caring personalities, and living with alcoholism are merged with Josh and Emily's wedding preparations, her brother Digby's loss, and the couples developing feelings.
I purchased a copy of the novella A Levenham Love Story Book 1: Summer and the Groomsman by the Australian Author Cathryn Hein and this review was given freely.
A fast pace short clean romance featuring shy farmer Harry and the interfering loving family who help him to correct the unfavorable impression he made on town newcomer and day spa worker Summer. Undercurrents of sadness from multiple lost loves, drama from an escaping horse, caring personalities, and living with alcoholism are merged with Josh and Emily's wedding preparations, her brother Digby's loss, and the couples developing feelings.
September 12, 2017
Summer and the Groomsman is a lovely short read from an author who never lets you down. Harry is a big honest country guy who can't string two words together around a pretty girl, including Summer, the new beautician in town. They're brought together at first by Summer's loveable horse Binky, who is a very entertaining character with his cheeky attitude and Houdini tendencies.
This is a compelling read with a sweet love story and enjoyable characters. Brilliant for anyone who loves horses. And if you don't, Cathryn will make you fall in love with them.
This is a compelling read with a sweet love story and enjoyable characters. Brilliant for anyone who loves horses. And if you don't, Cathryn will make you fall in love with them.
June 22, 2017
Terrific
This is a wonderful story about a couple that got to be because of a wedding, an persistent grandma, and a horse that didn't like to stray in his paddock.
This is a wonderful story about a couple that got to be because of a wedding, an persistent grandma, and a horse that didn't like to stray in his paddock.
June 9, 2020
Full of the kind of uncensored Australianisms that make me love this country & this love story in particular 😍 love me a big burly galoot!
November 10, 2020
DNF. Too much description and not enough dialog.
February 11, 2021
A very well written, short, but sweet romance story!!
March 10, 2025
Audiobook. This is a sweet, predictable, short story.
May 20, 2025
predictable light fluff
March 5, 2017
Really good love story.
November 16, 2015
This is such a great story from start to finish we are back in Levenham for Josh and Em's wedding from The Falls and we meet Harry Argyle who is groomsman for Josh and new to town beautician Summer Taylor thus starts rollicking good story that will have you smiling and pushing very shy and tongue tied Harry towards the beautiful Summer.
Summer has moved to town so she can work and brings her horse Binky with her and Binky is one smart horse as it is through him they first meet and the sparks fly for a couple of reasons and when Summer is the beautician that is working on Harry before the wedding you will be laughing as embarrassment takes over the session and Harry tries so hard to overcome his shyness and with other members of the wedding party pushing them together there are smiles all around.
This is really a fabulous story one that will make you laugh out loud and have you cheering them both on the characters are so well written that you will feel like your are in Levenham for the wedding and of course I loved catching up with characters from The Falls you gotta love Granny B and her interfering and I so fell for Harry what a wonderful hero don't miss this fab story I do highly recommend it is a must read I loved it.
Summer has moved to town so she can work and brings her horse Binky with her and Binky is one smart horse as it is through him they first meet and the sparks fly for a couple of reasons and when Summer is the beautician that is working on Harry before the wedding you will be laughing as embarrassment takes over the session and Harry tries so hard to overcome his shyness and with other members of the wedding party pushing them together there are smiles all around.
This is really a fabulous story one that will make you laugh out loud and have you cheering them both on the characters are so well written that you will feel like your are in Levenham for the wedding and of course I loved catching up with characters from The Falls you gotta love Granny B and her interfering and I so fell for Harry what a wonderful hero don't miss this fab story I do highly recommend it is a must read I loved it.
February 2, 2017
This a short Novella by Cathryn Hein. It is Harry and Summer story it is part of the Rocking Horse Hill books and is set in Levenham. Harry is Groosman at Emily and Josh wedding. He meets Summer when the wedding party books a spa afternoon Summer is the beautician that is assigned to give him a message and he is horrified by his reaction to Summer during the session. Summer is asked to attend the Wedding to help with the make up during the photos and reception. Harry and Summer end up talking and he asks her out. Summer has a horse called Binky that she keeps at Gavin an elderly farmer who is an alcoholic after the death of his wife. Summer pays to have him there and she keeps an eye on Gavin as well unitl she finds him past out not responding she calls for help when Harry turns up to help after Binky escapes. Harry takes her flowers and her out. On the night of their date every thing seems to go wrong Summer client runs late for appointment , Binky escapes again and has search for him. On way in to the date Harry has avoid hitting with his ute Binky and is nearly hurt when he gets out and find Summer he comforts her. It was a nice short story I hope one day Cathryn extends their story.
November 5, 2015
Harry was hilarious! Arrogant, naive, sweet, loveable and just outright adorable :) Summer was heartfelt, sincere and a strong character who made for a perfect combination with Harry :D
I enjoyed reading the characters and the story. I loved each of the characters honesty and directness throughout the read that more often than not was hilarious and entertaining. Binky was a troublesome but beautiful horse and poor Harry seemed to be a magnet to his antics that often were more than a challenge for him ;) and hilarious for us readers lol It was awesome revisiting past characters who us readers are familiar with in Cathryn's previous novels Rocking Horse Hill and The Falls.
The story also touches on some serious topics that were outlined and reconciled brilliantly but Harry, Summer and various secondary characters add a lot of merriment to the read so it didn't get bogged down in massive drama. A story that you can just immerse in and relish from start to finish with many animated, some notable and familiar characters who charmed this reader from start to finish.
Review copy received from the Author
I enjoyed reading the characters and the story. I loved each of the characters honesty and directness throughout the read that more often than not was hilarious and entertaining. Binky was a troublesome but beautiful horse and poor Harry seemed to be a magnet to his antics that often were more than a challenge for him ;) and hilarious for us readers lol It was awesome revisiting past characters who us readers are familiar with in Cathryn's previous novels Rocking Horse Hill and The Falls.
The story also touches on some serious topics that were outlined and reconciled brilliantly but Harry, Summer and various secondary characters add a lot of merriment to the read so it didn't get bogged down in massive drama. A story that you can just immerse in and relish from start to finish with many animated, some notable and familiar characters who charmed this reader from start to finish.
Review copy received from the Author
November 18, 2015
This was such a sweet book! It tells the story of beautician Summer and her encounter with the gorgeous Harry. They meet firstly courtesy of her runaway horse and the first attraction is far from friendly, but in time again courtesy of her horse, the sparks fly. I didn't realise that this was sort of a follow up to Rocking Horse Hill and I'm glad Cathryn put the first bit of Rocking Horse Hill at the end of this book as its been a while since I'd read that book and it refreshed the story for me. It was a very easy read, but left me wanting to know more! I hope to read more about this community in the future. Well done Cathryn.
November 15, 2015
A really lovely read! Harry is a sweetheart - the type of guy who you just wish happily ever afters for. I loved how he and Summer come to know each other, and how their romance develops. I adored Binky, the lucerne-loving Houdini horse, and the glimpses into the lives of past (and hopefully future) Levenham couples.
Can't wait for the next visit to town!
Can't wait for the next visit to town!
April 26, 2016
Fun dialogue - probably some of the most enjoyable I've read in rural romance. Loved the secondary characters. Harry wasn't a typical hero, and I loved him for that. (He's not a smooth talker and tends to get a bit loopy around his crush.) I think this story just lacked a bit more conflict that would have made more emotionally invested.
November 11, 2015
This book was kind of cute. You had to love Harry in his adorable, sweet and geeky kind of way. It was also nice to see some of Cathryn Hein's characters from previous books make an appearance.
This book made me laugh! :)
This book made me laugh! :)
November 20, 2015
Short and sweet
Congrats Cathryn Hein on another great story. It was great to meet up with some of e other characters from your other books too. My only complaint was it was too short!
Congrats Cathryn Hein on another great story. It was great to meet up with some of e other characters from your other books too. My only complaint was it was too short!
January 4, 2021
DW
This is a light thoroughly entertaining story which elicited lots of laughs
I will look forward to reading more byCathryn Hein.
This is a light thoroughly entertaining story which elicited lots of laughs
I will look forward to reading more byCathryn Hein.
July 12, 2016
Sweet story. I enjoyed revisiting Rocking Horse Hill.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews