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The Peppercorn Project
One heartbroken woman. One bitter cop. One community to save them.
After the tragic death of her husband, single mum Isabelle Cassidy is bereft and broke. When she hears about The Peppercorn Project - a scheme that offers affordable rent in the tiny but vibrant town of Stony Creek - Issie sees it as her family's best chance at a fresh start.
Newly single police officer Matt Robertson moved to Stony Creek to lick his wounds after a bitter divorce. Wanting only peace and quiet, Matt is against the Project, seeing it as a threat to the peace he's found in the country town - until he meets Issie. Despite himself, Matt is drawn to the widow and feels inexplicably protective of her fragile family.
Just when Issie begins to imagine a future with Matt, an accident proves how far she has to go before she can move beyond her grief. But the citizens of Stony Creek won't rest until they see these two broken souls find a new beginning, together.
Can Issie move beyond the pain of her past and entrust Matt with her family, and her heart?
A gorgeous rural romance for fans of Fiona McArthur, Rachael Johns and Fiona McCallum.
After the tragic death of her husband, single mum Isabelle Cassidy is bereft and broke. When she hears about The Peppercorn Project - a scheme that offers affordable rent in the tiny but vibrant town of Stony Creek - Issie sees it as her family's best chance at a fresh start.
Newly single police officer Matt Robertson moved to Stony Creek to lick his wounds after a bitter divorce. Wanting only peace and quiet, Matt is against the Project, seeing it as a threat to the peace he's found in the country town - until he meets Issie. Despite himself, Matt is drawn to the widow and feels inexplicably protective of her fragile family.
Just when Issie begins to imagine a future with Matt, an accident proves how far she has to go before she can move beyond her grief. But the citizens of Stony Creek won't rest until they see these two broken souls find a new beginning, together.
Can Issie move beyond the pain of her past and entrust Matt with her family, and her heart?
A gorgeous rural romance for fans of Fiona McArthur, Rachael Johns and Fiona McCallum.
303 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 31, 2016
14 people are currently reading
124 people want to read
About the author
Nicki Edwards
19 books111 followersNicki Edwards is a city girl with a country heart. Growing up on a small family acreage on the outskirts of Geelong, she spent her formative years riding horses and pretending the neighbour’s farm was her own.
After spending three years in a regional city in New South Wales, her love of small country towns was further developed. One day she plans to escape to the country with her husband Tim and live on land, surrounded by horses, dogs, cows and sheep. Until then she lives vicariously through the lives of the characters in the rural romance novels she loves to read.
In 2006, when Nicki’s youngest child started school, she returned to university, juggling full time study, part time work and raising four small children, to achieve her dream of becoming a nurse. Always a voracious reader, Nicki’s other dream was to be an author.
Nicki writes medical rural romance for Momentum and when she isn’t reading, writing or dreaming about rural life and medical emergencies, she can be found working as a Critical Care Nurse in a busy Intensive Care Unit, where many of her stories and characters are imagined.
Nicki and Tim reside in Geelong, Victoria with their four teenage/young adult children. Life is busy, fun and at times exhausting, but Nicki wouldn’t change it for anything.
Her debut novel, “Intensive Care” was released in January 2015 with Momentum, the digital imprint of Pan Macmillan Australia. Her second novel, “Emergency Response” comes out in October 2015. The third and fourth books in the ‘Escape to the Country’ series, “Life Support” and “Critical Condition” will be released in 2016.
After spending three years in a regional city in New South Wales, her love of small country towns was further developed. One day she plans to escape to the country with her husband Tim and live on land, surrounded by horses, dogs, cows and sheep. Until then she lives vicariously through the lives of the characters in the rural romance novels she loves to read.
In 2006, when Nicki’s youngest child started school, she returned to university, juggling full time study, part time work and raising four small children, to achieve her dream of becoming a nurse. Always a voracious reader, Nicki’s other dream was to be an author.
Nicki writes medical rural romance for Momentum and when she isn’t reading, writing or dreaming about rural life and medical emergencies, she can be found working as a Critical Care Nurse in a busy Intensive Care Unit, where many of her stories and characters are imagined.
Nicki and Tim reside in Geelong, Victoria with their four teenage/young adult children. Life is busy, fun and at times exhausting, but Nicki wouldn’t change it for anything.
Her debut novel, “Intensive Care” was released in January 2015 with Momentum, the digital imprint of Pan Macmillan Australia. Her second novel, “Emergency Response” comes out in October 2015. The third and fourth books in the ‘Escape to the Country’ series, “Life Support” and “Critical Condition” will be released in 2016.
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March 30, 2024
Isabelle Cassidy and her two children, twelve year old Fletcher and six year old Mietta felt their grief at losing their husband and father deep in their hearts. Dan’s unexpected and tragic death left the three shattered and Isabelle struggled on a daily basis to cope with the simple task of living. When she saw the advertisement about The Peppercorn Project she decided on a whim to enter. After all, what did they have to lose?
Stony Creek was north of Adelaide in South Australia, at the foot of the Flinders Ranges; and a long way from their home in Torquay, Victoria. The weekend Isabelle and her children made the long drive to Stony Creek, after being accepted as one of twenty families to be interviewed, she was assailed with doubt. Fletcher was surly and unresponsive and Mietta clingy – they still missed their father dreadfully. Was she making the right decision in contemplating a move away from everything they had ever known?
Matthew Robertson was one of the local cops in Stony Creek – he’d only been in the quiet country town for eighteen months, but he loved it. He didn’t want things to change so was against the idea of the Peppercorn Project – but he was overruled by the majority of the townsfolk. When he met Isabelle and her two children on the Saturday morning, he couldn’t get over her fragility and the sadness deep in her eyes. Matt’s kind heart stirred - he wanted to remove the sadness from Isabelle’s face…
Was it possible for the Cassidy family to move on past their grief in this gentle and caring rural town? And what was happening to make Isabel suspicious and doubtful? Could there be trouble in Stony Creek?
The Peppercorn Project by Aussie author Nicki Edwards is a beautiful story - a family broken by grief; a town filled with compassion and empathy plus a damaged cop. They all come together in The Peppercorn Project which in my opinion is this author’s best yet. Highly recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy to read in exchange for my honest review.
Stony Creek was north of Adelaide in South Australia, at the foot of the Flinders Ranges; and a long way from their home in Torquay, Victoria. The weekend Isabelle and her children made the long drive to Stony Creek, after being accepted as one of twenty families to be interviewed, she was assailed with doubt. Fletcher was surly and unresponsive and Mietta clingy – they still missed their father dreadfully. Was she making the right decision in contemplating a move away from everything they had ever known?
Matthew Robertson was one of the local cops in Stony Creek – he’d only been in the quiet country town for eighteen months, but he loved it. He didn’t want things to change so was against the idea of the Peppercorn Project – but he was overruled by the majority of the townsfolk. When he met Isabelle and her two children on the Saturday morning, he couldn’t get over her fragility and the sadness deep in her eyes. Matt’s kind heart stirred - he wanted to remove the sadness from Isabelle’s face…
Was it possible for the Cassidy family to move on past their grief in this gentle and caring rural town? And what was happening to make Isabel suspicious and doubtful? Could there be trouble in Stony Creek?
The Peppercorn Project by Aussie author Nicki Edwards is a beautiful story - a family broken by grief; a town filled with compassion and empathy plus a damaged cop. They all come together in The Peppercorn Project which in my opinion is this author’s best yet. Highly recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy to read in exchange for my honest review.
June 21, 2016
This book was JUST WHAT I NEEDED today! I had a few child-free hours to kill (an extremely rare occurrence), so I curled up on the couch with a blanket and The Peppercorn Project and I DEVOURED it in one sitting! It left me in a fabulous mood!
Isabelle and her two kids travel to Stony Creek in an attempt to win one of four houses in the peppercorn project, an initiative to offer struggling families cheap rent for a year in an effort to bring some new people to the town. Following a rocky start, Isabelle and her children begin to settle into life in Stony Creek, albeit with some teething problems. But grief is a difficult process, and when she starts to develop feelings for the local police officer Matt, it brings some difficult things to the surface.
I just thought this book was fabulous. I love a good romance, and this one hit the spot for me. It was written extremely well and had enough drama and enough going on to keep it interesting throughout. It didn’t slow down.
Sure, it was a little corny in parts, but I haven’t read a romance that isn’t! It’s the point! I loved the characters and the people in Stony Creek. The premise was great and it actually had me shedding a few tears at times.
Author Nicki Edwards is a critical care nurse like myself so I can’t believe I haven’t read any of her books before this one! It helped me connect with the main character, and was able to avoid my number one pet peeve – Medical inaccuracies! Woohoo! I must read her other books, especially in the “escape to the country” series.
Would I recommend The Peppercorn Project?
Absolutely! For any Aussie rural romance/drama fan. It was a fabulous read!
Many thanks to Pan Macmillan for a copy of The Peppercorn Project in exchange for my honest review, and for having me on this blog tour!
For more reviews check out my blog
www.booksbabiesbeing.com
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www.twitter.com/BBB_Mel
Isabelle and her two kids travel to Stony Creek in an attempt to win one of four houses in the peppercorn project, an initiative to offer struggling families cheap rent for a year in an effort to bring some new people to the town. Following a rocky start, Isabelle and her children begin to settle into life in Stony Creek, albeit with some teething problems. But grief is a difficult process, and when she starts to develop feelings for the local police officer Matt, it brings some difficult things to the surface.
I just thought this book was fabulous. I love a good romance, and this one hit the spot for me. It was written extremely well and had enough drama and enough going on to keep it interesting throughout. It didn’t slow down.
Sure, it was a little corny in parts, but I haven’t read a romance that isn’t! It’s the point! I loved the characters and the people in Stony Creek. The premise was great and it actually had me shedding a few tears at times.
Author Nicki Edwards is a critical care nurse like myself so I can’t believe I haven’t read any of her books before this one! It helped me connect with the main character, and was able to avoid my number one pet peeve – Medical inaccuracies! Woohoo! I must read her other books, especially in the “escape to the country” series.
Would I recommend The Peppercorn Project?
Absolutely! For any Aussie rural romance/drama fan. It was a fabulous read!
Many thanks to Pan Macmillan for a copy of The Peppercorn Project in exchange for my honest review, and for having me on this blog tour!
For more reviews check out my blog
www.booksbabiesbeing.com
www.facebook.com/booksbabiesbeing
www.twitter.com/BBB_Mel
September 7, 2017
The Peppercorn Project is a story about how you find love again after a loss. After the death of her husband, Isabelle Cassidy, realise that her family was living above their financial means and things need to change. One day Isabelle saw an ad in the paper about Stony Creek asking for families to move to their small South Australian Town. Only criteria for the families who apply is that they need help. When Isabelle Cassidy application was accepted, she thought that things are going to change for her and her two children Fletcher and Miette. However, Isabelle Cassidy did not figure into her plans the glorious Sergeant Matthew Robertson and the community of Stony Creek. Readers of The Peppercorn Project will follow the blossoming romance between Matthew and Isabelle and see what happens with the Peppercorn Project.
The Peppercorn Project is the first book I have read of Nicki Edwards, and it will not be my last. I love Nicki Edwards writing style and the way Nicki portrays her characters, especially Matthew and Isabelle. I love the way Nicki Edwards describes living in a small rural community. I like the way Nicki Edwards highlights in The Peppercorn Project that you need to became friends with your step children to be a good Step Father. Peppercorn Project will highlight for the readers the importance to live within your financial means.
Readers of The Peppercorn Project will learn about the purpose and meaning of Peppercorn Project. Also, readers of The Peppercorn Project will learn about the problems with ICE in rural communities and how it can come from unlikely quarters. Reading The Peppercorn Project, you learn about the importance of community services that rural law enforcement undertake that not often mentions.
I recommend this book.
The Peppercorn Project is the first book I have read of Nicki Edwards, and it will not be my last. I love Nicki Edwards writing style and the way Nicki portrays her characters, especially Matthew and Isabelle. I love the way Nicki Edwards describes living in a small rural community. I like the way Nicki Edwards highlights in The Peppercorn Project that you need to became friends with your step children to be a good Step Father. Peppercorn Project will highlight for the readers the importance to live within your financial means.
Readers of The Peppercorn Project will learn about the purpose and meaning of Peppercorn Project. Also, readers of The Peppercorn Project will learn about the problems with ICE in rural communities and how it can come from unlikely quarters. Reading The Peppercorn Project, you learn about the importance of community services that rural law enforcement undertake that not often mentions.
I recommend this book.
October 6, 2016
As much as I enjoyed the storyline, characters and the setting of The Peppercorn Project, I simply loved the concept behind this book. It was a refreshing take on the usual sea change style, city to country style books that are from the same genre as this novel. The Peppercorn Project is a community based incentive scheme, which encourages struggling families to make a fresh start in a country town location, by providing with them with a house with low-cost rent. In Australian author Nicki Edwards’ novel, we meet the Cassidy family, who at the opening of The Peppercorn Project suffer a terrible loss. Six months later, they find themselves in the tiny South Australian town of Stony Creek, making a submission with twenty other families, to be a part of the Peppercorn Project.
After a not so successful first interview, Isabelle Cassidy and her two children feel they have blown their chances of making a fresh start in Stony Creek. However, they are thrown a lifeline and are selected as one of four successful families to make the move to Stony Creek, obtaining a lucrative Peppercorn Project deal. Isabelle and her family initially find the transition to small town country life hard but time and the help of locals, sees the family soon find their feet. The Cassidy’s move is coincidentally timed with a peak in drug use in the tiny town of Stony Creek. This leads locals to point their suspicions at the newcomers, including the Cassidy family. With the help of local police officer Matt, the Cassidy’s prove their worth in their new home.
The Peppercorn Project signals my introduction to writing of Nicki Edwards. As a fan of Australian rural fiction, I will be sure to turn to Edwards’ backlist, as soon as possible after reading this fantastic novel. I really enjoyed this novel from cover to cover. The opening was overwhelmingly emotional, it definitely had me turning to the tissues. Although the prologue of the novel was upsetting, it was a necessary part of the story. The story that follows provides insight into the process of grief, experienced by both a spouse and child. Edwards looks at the inability to move on from a tragic loss, the financial burden and lifestyle changes that result from loss. She handles these issues with sensitivity and a clear sense of understanding of this difficult subject. There are other subplots that play out during The Peppercorn Project. Edwards examines a very topical and hard-hitting issue that in this current age, I feel is essential ground to cover. The town of Stony Creek, like many thousands of towns across Australia, is directly affected by the ice epidemic. Again, Edwards treats this topic with a deft hand, by focussing on the impact this drug has on small country town environments. Connected to this story thread is a line of mystery/suspense. This gives Matt, the main male protagonist and local police officer, an opportunity to put his detective skills to work, as he tries to discover the culprit of the drug distribution in the town. My only niggle with the book was at this point, as I felt that the culprit of this book has some unexplained issues as to why they were engaging in such an act, I really wanted to know more about side interesting side story!
In terms of characterisation, I did connect to Isabelle, the main protagonist. I genuinely felt her journey deeply, as well as her children’s, which was explored well by Edwards. The romance side of the novel is more of a simmering style. It felt more one-sided for half of the book but once both the characters were able to put their issues aside, it blossomed into a sweet romance. My final word on The Peppercorn Project has to end with the setting, I really enjoyed being a part of the South Australian community of Stony Creek. The setting is described superbly by Nicki Edwards, it just made me want to visit this unfamiliar–to- me part of country South Australia.
Nicki Edwards has definitely gained a new fan. The Peppercorn Project a fantastic example of Australian small town fiction. It was an immensely enjoyable read that I am happy to recommend.
4.5 stars
*This review also appears on my blog: https://mrsbbookreviews.wordpress.com...
After a not so successful first interview, Isabelle Cassidy and her two children feel they have blown their chances of making a fresh start in Stony Creek. However, they are thrown a lifeline and are selected as one of four successful families to make the move to Stony Creek, obtaining a lucrative Peppercorn Project deal. Isabelle and her family initially find the transition to small town country life hard but time and the help of locals, sees the family soon find their feet. The Cassidy’s move is coincidentally timed with a peak in drug use in the tiny town of Stony Creek. This leads locals to point their suspicions at the newcomers, including the Cassidy family. With the help of local police officer Matt, the Cassidy’s prove their worth in their new home.
The Peppercorn Project signals my introduction to writing of Nicki Edwards. As a fan of Australian rural fiction, I will be sure to turn to Edwards’ backlist, as soon as possible after reading this fantastic novel. I really enjoyed this novel from cover to cover. The opening was overwhelmingly emotional, it definitely had me turning to the tissues. Although the prologue of the novel was upsetting, it was a necessary part of the story. The story that follows provides insight into the process of grief, experienced by both a spouse and child. Edwards looks at the inability to move on from a tragic loss, the financial burden and lifestyle changes that result from loss. She handles these issues with sensitivity and a clear sense of understanding of this difficult subject. There are other subplots that play out during The Peppercorn Project. Edwards examines a very topical and hard-hitting issue that in this current age, I feel is essential ground to cover. The town of Stony Creek, like many thousands of towns across Australia, is directly affected by the ice epidemic. Again, Edwards treats this topic with a deft hand, by focussing on the impact this drug has on small country town environments. Connected to this story thread is a line of mystery/suspense. This gives Matt, the main male protagonist and local police officer, an opportunity to put his detective skills to work, as he tries to discover the culprit of the drug distribution in the town. My only niggle with the book was at this point, as I felt that the culprit of this book has some unexplained issues as to why they were engaging in such an act, I really wanted to know more about side interesting side story!
In terms of characterisation, I did connect to Isabelle, the main protagonist. I genuinely felt her journey deeply, as well as her children’s, which was explored well by Edwards. The romance side of the novel is more of a simmering style. It felt more one-sided for half of the book but once both the characters were able to put their issues aside, it blossomed into a sweet romance. My final word on The Peppercorn Project has to end with the setting, I really enjoyed being a part of the South Australian community of Stony Creek. The setting is described superbly by Nicki Edwards, it just made me want to visit this unfamiliar–to- me part of country South Australia.
Nicki Edwards has definitely gained a new fan. The Peppercorn Project a fantastic example of Australian small town fiction. It was an immensely enjoyable read that I am happy to recommend.
4.5 stars
*This review also appears on my blog: https://mrsbbookreviews.wordpress.com...
August 14, 2016
I loved The Peppercorn Project and I read it in one sitting. The characters are well developed and the emotional depth drew me into Issie and Matt’s story world. I will confess I’m not usually a big fan of the grieving widow romance trope. One reason being the heroine is distracted by her amazing late husband and it can detract from the developing romance with the hero in the story. How can the hero compete with the amazing dead husband?
What drew me into this story was the way the author handled the emotional fallout from losing a loving life partner in tragic circumstances. The story opens with the prologue and we experience in real time Issie’s very painful loss, the roller coaster of emotions, and the consequences for her young family. Issie’s need to stand on her own two feet and establish a new life for her children leads her to the small town of Stony Creek.
Issie and her children are interviewed by a committee of townsfolk for a coveted peppercorn lease. The idea is to provide people with an affordable home for a year to help them get back on their feet financially in a supportive small town community. Issie is desperate for a financial break and willing to move from coastal Torquay near Melbourne to a small town in the South Australian Flinders Ranges to put a roof over their heads.
Matt is a city cop who moved to Stony Creek when his marriage fell apart. Burned by his experiences with his ex-wife, he’s a confirmed bachelor and resisting the efforts by well-meaning town matchmakers to find him a new wife. He’s intrigued by Issie and drawn to her despite his reservations concerning the wisdom of the peppercorn project concept.
The minor characters add flavour and colour to the story, and an authenticity to the idyllic rural romance setting. Matt is a cynical city cop who knows it’s only a matter of time until the Stony Creek community will have to face the challenges of the illegal drug trade. A subplot relating to the ice (methamphetamine) epidemic that’s facing many Australian small towns was realistic and well handled. Issie is a nurse and we journey with her as she faces many professional challenges in a medical context.
The romance between Issie and Matt was centre stage and their emotional journey to love was full of obstacles and baggage from the past. A loving intimate scene between Issie and Matt toward the end of the book was beautifully written and contained emotional rather than physical descriptions that will pull at the reader’s heartstrings. The perfect happy ending for two people who had grown to love each other, and Issie’s adorable children, during the story.
I highly recommend The Peppercorn Project to romance readers who enjoy sweet medical romances set in small town rural Australia.
Many thanks to Pan Macmillan Australia for providing a complimentary advanced reader copy of the book.
What drew me into this story was the way the author handled the emotional fallout from losing a loving life partner in tragic circumstances. The story opens with the prologue and we experience in real time Issie’s very painful loss, the roller coaster of emotions, and the consequences for her young family. Issie’s need to stand on her own two feet and establish a new life for her children leads her to the small town of Stony Creek.
Issie and her children are interviewed by a committee of townsfolk for a coveted peppercorn lease. The idea is to provide people with an affordable home for a year to help them get back on their feet financially in a supportive small town community. Issie is desperate for a financial break and willing to move from coastal Torquay near Melbourne to a small town in the South Australian Flinders Ranges to put a roof over their heads.
Matt is a city cop who moved to Stony Creek when his marriage fell apart. Burned by his experiences with his ex-wife, he’s a confirmed bachelor and resisting the efforts by well-meaning town matchmakers to find him a new wife. He’s intrigued by Issie and drawn to her despite his reservations concerning the wisdom of the peppercorn project concept.
The minor characters add flavour and colour to the story, and an authenticity to the idyllic rural romance setting. Matt is a cynical city cop who knows it’s only a matter of time until the Stony Creek community will have to face the challenges of the illegal drug trade. A subplot relating to the ice (methamphetamine) epidemic that’s facing many Australian small towns was realistic and well handled. Issie is a nurse and we journey with her as she faces many professional challenges in a medical context.
The romance between Issie and Matt was centre stage and their emotional journey to love was full of obstacles and baggage from the past. A loving intimate scene between Issie and Matt toward the end of the book was beautifully written and contained emotional rather than physical descriptions that will pull at the reader’s heartstrings. The perfect happy ending for two people who had grown to love each other, and Issie’s adorable children, during the story.
I highly recommend The Peppercorn Project to romance readers who enjoy sweet medical romances set in small town rural Australia.
Many thanks to Pan Macmillan Australia for providing a complimentary advanced reader copy of the book.
June 25, 2016
A prefect read for a wintery night:)
My View:
Sited in a rural Australian town, I loved the attitude of “paying it forward” with an opportunity for four families to get a second chance to improve their current lifestyle and circumstances and at the same time instil some lifesaving “new blood” into a rural community, there is plenty of scope for action and personal drama here. This the perfect “pick me up” read; when you need something optimistic, positive, charming and with an obligatory happy ending (and one of the most delicious male love interests around), you will not be disappointed in this read.
Take note- this is not a book of purely froth and bubble. Nicki Edwards tackles many contemporary social issues within these pages: diminishing populations of small towns and the repercussions for the community – in particular the depletion of services, the process of grief and healing, drug dealing (and in particular the infiltration of “Ice” into communities big and small)…and the importance of “second chances.”
An enjoyable contemporary Australian rural read!
My View:
Sited in a rural Australian town, I loved the attitude of “paying it forward” with an opportunity for four families to get a second chance to improve their current lifestyle and circumstances and at the same time instil some lifesaving “new blood” into a rural community, there is plenty of scope for action and personal drama here. This the perfect “pick me up” read; when you need something optimistic, positive, charming and with an obligatory happy ending (and one of the most delicious male love interests around), you will not be disappointed in this read.
Take note- this is not a book of purely froth and bubble. Nicki Edwards tackles many contemporary social issues within these pages: diminishing populations of small towns and the repercussions for the community – in particular the depletion of services, the process of grief and healing, drug dealing (and in particular the infiltration of “Ice” into communities big and small)…and the importance of “second chances.”
An enjoyable contemporary Australian rural read!
August 11, 2016
When Isabelle Cassidy's husband dies suddenly and tragically she is left with two children and practically bankrupt. she applies for the ' Peppercorn Project', a scheme that offers affordable rent to deserving families in the tiny town of Stony Creek. Matt Robertson, policeman, newly divorced and bitter, is against the project, feeling it will bring problems to the peaceful town.
Between Matt's attraction to the fragile Isabelle and the town's vested interest in matchmaking, and a lot of small town shenanigans in between, this is a very gentle love story that should please any romantic. I really enjoyed this tale. A very realistic story and believable characters.
Between Matt's attraction to the fragile Isabelle and the town's vested interest in matchmaking, and a lot of small town shenanigans in between, this is a very gentle love story that should please any romantic. I really enjoyed this tale. A very realistic story and believable characters.
August 25, 2016
After a personal tragedy devastates her life, Isabelle Cassidy applies to move herself and her two children from their home in Torquay on Victoria’s south west coast to Stony Creek in country South Australia as part of the ‘Peppercorn Project’ of the town. Stony Creek will be granting several families a home for a year for a nominal fee. It’s something that Isabelle desperately needs as her situation has left her with almost nothing. Her older son is at first, resentful of the move and an incident during the interview almost jeopardises their chances. Despite that, they are given the opportunity to join the community.
I think that books featuring a widow or widower are very difficult to get right. There’s a difficulty in balancing a believable amount of grief with a realistic situation of moving on. I think for me, it’s difficult to imagine the death of my partner – I don’t want to even try. Add in the thought of what it might be like to move on to someone else…. it makes it harder to place yourself in the main character’s shoes, unless of course you have that situation in common.
Issie’s widowhood is relatively fresh when she meets Matt, the police officer in Stony Creek. She chooses to keep her history a secret as much as possible, preferring instead to tell people individually what happened to her husband, rather than having everyone know before she arrives, so for a while Matt isn’t aware that she’s a widow. His interest in her is almost immediate and although they do kind of get off to a bumpy start, once Issie and her family move to Stony Creek, Matt proves himself to be helpful and seems to fit effortlessly into their lives, first as a good friend and then potentially, as more. At times it appears almost too easy – her children adore him pretty much right away with her 12yo son even going so far as to tell her that if she wanted to remarry, someone like Matt would be cool. This, less than a year after the boy lost his father, did seem a trifle swift for a child of his age.
The romance is a very slow burn – presumably because of Issie’s grieving and healing process. A large part of the book is devoted to showcasing the small community as well as Matt and Issie’s developing friendship, which proceeds along in a gentle manner. Woven in (sort of) there’s a thread of story that almost becomes a line of suspense, suggesting that drugs have penetrated the small town, which is a great idea. However, it kind of amounts to little more than a few sentences between characters, Issie witnessing one or two things and the townspeople using the drugs thing as a way to suspect the newcomers through the Peppercorn project. It also ends in a very lucklustre and quick way, wrapping up and basically vanishing from the plot but the book keeps going for a little bit longer which makes the pacing seem slightly off. I think it would’ve been really awesome if that drugs plot was expanded upon a little more, used as a way to really examine the idea of the Peppercorn project, the potential fallout as well as the “them vs us” sort of divide that seemed to spring up almost right away. Newcomers to small towns can be often viewed as outsiders, not ‘locals’ until they’ve been there generations. It’s something that could’ve definitely gone a bit further, become a meatier part of the novel. Overall the tone is light and it still could’ve stayed that way by focusing on the issues and social aspects, rather than the crime itself.
The Peppercorn Project is a sweet story of a woman who learns to find her feet again after a terrible tragedy. Issie is a very likable character, just trying to do everything she can to give her children a better life, even if they perhaps don’t really understand why they need to move. I like my romances with a little more heat but there are plenty that will appreciate the slow and gentle courtship here, especially given Issie’s circumstances. The community is well constructed and portrayed, giving that genuine small town feel. Even with the small drug issue that arises, it still feels like the sort of place you would like to live, raise a family….or heal. I think Nicki Edwards is carving out a niche for herself in the rural genre with stories that leave you feeling good.
I think that books featuring a widow or widower are very difficult to get right. There’s a difficulty in balancing a believable amount of grief with a realistic situation of moving on. I think for me, it’s difficult to imagine the death of my partner – I don’t want to even try. Add in the thought of what it might be like to move on to someone else…. it makes it harder to place yourself in the main character’s shoes, unless of course you have that situation in common.
Issie’s widowhood is relatively fresh when she meets Matt, the police officer in Stony Creek. She chooses to keep her history a secret as much as possible, preferring instead to tell people individually what happened to her husband, rather than having everyone know before she arrives, so for a while Matt isn’t aware that she’s a widow. His interest in her is almost immediate and although they do kind of get off to a bumpy start, once Issie and her family move to Stony Creek, Matt proves himself to be helpful and seems to fit effortlessly into their lives, first as a good friend and then potentially, as more. At times it appears almost too easy – her children adore him pretty much right away with her 12yo son even going so far as to tell her that if she wanted to remarry, someone like Matt would be cool. This, less than a year after the boy lost his father, did seem a trifle swift for a child of his age.
The romance is a very slow burn – presumably because of Issie’s grieving and healing process. A large part of the book is devoted to showcasing the small community as well as Matt and Issie’s developing friendship, which proceeds along in a gentle manner. Woven in (sort of) there’s a thread of story that almost becomes a line of suspense, suggesting that drugs have penetrated the small town, which is a great idea. However, it kind of amounts to little more than a few sentences between characters, Issie witnessing one or two things and the townspeople using the drugs thing as a way to suspect the newcomers through the Peppercorn project. It also ends in a very lucklustre and quick way, wrapping up and basically vanishing from the plot but the book keeps going for a little bit longer which makes the pacing seem slightly off. I think it would’ve been really awesome if that drugs plot was expanded upon a little more, used as a way to really examine the idea of the Peppercorn project, the potential fallout as well as the “them vs us” sort of divide that seemed to spring up almost right away. Newcomers to small towns can be often viewed as outsiders, not ‘locals’ until they’ve been there generations. It’s something that could’ve definitely gone a bit further, become a meatier part of the novel. Overall the tone is light and it still could’ve stayed that way by focusing on the issues and social aspects, rather than the crime itself.
The Peppercorn Project is a sweet story of a woman who learns to find her feet again after a terrible tragedy. Issie is a very likable character, just trying to do everything she can to give her children a better life, even if they perhaps don’t really understand why they need to move. I like my romances with a little more heat but there are plenty that will appreciate the slow and gentle courtship here, especially given Issie’s circumstances. The community is well constructed and portrayed, giving that genuine small town feel. Even with the small drug issue that arises, it still feels like the sort of place you would like to live, raise a family….or heal. I think Nicki Edwards is carving out a niche for herself in the rural genre with stories that leave you feeling good.
June 18, 2016
When Isabelle Cassidy’s husband dies, he leaves her not just their two children but also all the debts from their overextended city lifestyle. Isabelle applies for a reduced rent property in the tiny South Australian town of Stony Creek as a way of getting back on her feet financially, and providing her small family with a new start. While she does have some trouble adjusting to life in the small town, her major issues are her son—who keeps getting into trouble at school—and her own inability to move on from life with Dan.
The Peppercorn Project is the first book in a new rural romance series from Australian author Nicki Edwards. I didn’t enjoy this as much as I enjoyed the books in her first series (and I think there is still one more to come in her Escape to the Country series, because there is one recurring character she has yet to marry off).
I think there are a couple of reasons I didn’t enjoy this as much. One is that the first book in a series often has a lot of setting in terms of time and place and introducing new characters, and it naturally feels a little unfamiliar.
Another is that The Peppercorn Project is about a widow who is still in love with her husband for much of the book—which meant she wasn’t a character I found it easy to related to (but let’s be honest. Who wants to be able to relate to a widow who lost the love of her life in a freak accident?). This meant the romance took a long time to get going, and felt a little rushed towards the end.
I’ll also provide a brief content warning: while Nicki Edwards is a Christian, The Peppercorn Project is a general market romance novel. It’s clean, but there are still a few scenes that many Christian romance readers won’t feel comfortable with.
But those slight niggles aside, The Peppercorn Project is an enjoyable light romance with shades of darker issues, like the drug problems affecting rural Australian communities. The cover is lovely, the writing is good, and the characters are excellent.
Matt Robertson is a worthy hero, a policeman intent on protecting his adopted community of Stony Creek . . . and the beautiful wounded widow who has just moved into town. Issie is fragile and distant, daughter Mietta is a darling, and Fletcher is achingly familiar. The townsfolk range from goodheartedly interfering to downright irritating, which is exactly as it should be (after all, we have to get to know some characters so we have an idea of what to expect in the next novel in the series).
Overall, this is an enjoyable light read with a location and characters I’ll want to come back to. Only no more distraught widows, please!
Thanks to Momentum Books and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.
The Peppercorn Project is the first book in a new rural romance series from Australian author Nicki Edwards. I didn’t enjoy this as much as I enjoyed the books in her first series (and I think there is still one more to come in her Escape to the Country series, because there is one recurring character she has yet to marry off).
I think there are a couple of reasons I didn’t enjoy this as much. One is that the first book in a series often has a lot of setting in terms of time and place and introducing new characters, and it naturally feels a little unfamiliar.
Another is that The Peppercorn Project is about a widow who is still in love with her husband for much of the book—which meant she wasn’t a character I found it easy to related to (but let’s be honest. Who wants to be able to relate to a widow who lost the love of her life in a freak accident?). This meant the romance took a long time to get going, and felt a little rushed towards the end.
I’ll also provide a brief content warning: while Nicki Edwards is a Christian, The Peppercorn Project is a general market romance novel. It’s clean, but there are still a few scenes that many Christian romance readers won’t feel comfortable with.
But those slight niggles aside, The Peppercorn Project is an enjoyable light romance with shades of darker issues, like the drug problems affecting rural Australian communities. The cover is lovely, the writing is good, and the characters are excellent.
Matt Robertson is a worthy hero, a policeman intent on protecting his adopted community of Stony Creek . . . and the beautiful wounded widow who has just moved into town. Issie is fragile and distant, daughter Mietta is a darling, and Fletcher is achingly familiar. The townsfolk range from goodheartedly interfering to downright irritating, which is exactly as it should be (after all, we have to get to know some characters so we have an idea of what to expect in the next novel in the series).
Overall, this is an enjoyable light read with a location and characters I’ll want to come back to. Only no more distraught widows, please!
Thanks to Momentum Books and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.
September 10, 2016
This the first Nicki Edwards book I have read and I loved it. It is the story of Isabelle Cassidy mother of two children Fletcher who 12 years old and Mietta who 6 years old after the death of her husband Dan on a family outing at the beach. Isabelle comes across an ad advertising The Peppercorn Project that is a scheme where it offers families a house to live in at a cheaper rent in the tiny town of Stony Creek. Isabelle drives to Stoney Creek for the interview in hope to win one of the properties.
Max Roberston a police officer who moved to Stony Creek 18 months before after a messy divorce. He does not want the Peppercorn project to happen as he is worried about newcomers but forgets he was once new to Stony Creek.
Max and Isabelle get off on the wrong foot when he arrests Fletcher for stealing. Isabelle is trying to deal with the grief of not losing her husband Dan but she is dealing with been able to save her husband after a having a heart attack on that family outing. Issie and two children get a fresh start over again with four other families but she hesitates to give too much information of her husband's death. Issie makes friends quickly with Leah and Matt end up been friends with her as well.
This story shows us how we can all support each other through grief as see Isabelle and Matt find a second chance at love. Also show us a way of paying it forward. I hope there is follow up to this. I am diffidently reading more Nicki Edwards books.
Max Roberston a police officer who moved to Stony Creek 18 months before after a messy divorce. He does not want the Peppercorn project to happen as he is worried about newcomers but forgets he was once new to Stony Creek.
Max and Isabelle get off on the wrong foot when he arrests Fletcher for stealing. Isabelle is trying to deal with the grief of not losing her husband Dan but she is dealing with been able to save her husband after a having a heart attack on that family outing. Issie and two children get a fresh start over again with four other families but she hesitates to give too much information of her husband's death. Issie makes friends quickly with Leah and Matt end up been friends with her as well.
This story shows us how we can all support each other through grief as see Isabelle and Matt find a second chance at love. Also show us a way of paying it forward. I hope there is follow up to this. I am diffidently reading more Nicki Edwards books.
March 4, 2016
This story is set in the farming community of the southern Flinders Ranges, a place I know very well as my home region. I enjoyed visiting the area in my imagination, and Nicki Edwards characters brought a romance alive that I could well imagine in this setting. Isabelle Cassidy is a young woman grieving the loss of her husband. She and her children move all the way from Torquay - the southern surf coast of Victoria, 12 hours west and inland to the tiny farming community of Stony Creek (a fictional town, but based on a real town). Nicki Edwards dealt well with the subject of grief, and sensitively examined just how hard it is for those in this situation.
Then the author introduces larger than life, tall, handsome and rugged Matt Robertson, a country cop. This is a romance, so of course we, the reader, is gunning for Isabelle to work her way through her pain and loss to a place where she might find love again.
For me, there were a couple of subplots that weren't worked through to their fullest potential - for example the plot of someone dealing drugs in the town. However, this plot was not the main focus of the story, so I can live with it. You will enjoy Nicki Edwards romance. Intense and intimate without being unnecessarily tacky. They call it sweet romance.
Then the author introduces larger than life, tall, handsome and rugged Matt Robertson, a country cop. This is a romance, so of course we, the reader, is gunning for Isabelle to work her way through her pain and loss to a place where she might find love again.
For me, there were a couple of subplots that weren't worked through to their fullest potential - for example the plot of someone dealing drugs in the town. However, this plot was not the main focus of the story, so I can live with it. You will enjoy Nicki Edwards romance. Intense and intimate without being unnecessarily tacky. They call it sweet romance.
June 20, 2016
This is the first book I’ve read by Australian author Nicki Edwards and the first in a new rural romance series. I loved The Peppercorn Project. When Isabelle Cassidy’s husband dies and leaves her with two children and some debts Isabelle rents a property in Stoney Creek that becomes available at a cheap rent through The Peppercorn Project in a small South Australian town as a way to save money and get out of debt. She does have trouble adjusting to country life and still mourns the loss of her husband Dan.
Of course Dan was the love of her life and she has found it hard to move on which is understandable. I won’t write any spoilers but I felt the book was an excellent portrayal of grief and worry about the future and how you can turn your life around under difficult circumstances. Hope of a better future for Issie and her children makes Issie move to the country and I feel hope is the underlying motif for this lovely, well-written story.
A Five Star Book.
Elise McCune-Writer
Of course Dan was the love of her life and she has found it hard to move on which is understandable. I won’t write any spoilers but I felt the book was an excellent portrayal of grief and worry about the future and how you can turn your life around under difficult circumstances. Hope of a better future for Issie and her children makes Issie move to the country and I feel hope is the underlying motif for this lovely, well-written story.
A Five Star Book.
Elise McCune-Writer
December 3, 2022
My previous book to this one was also by Nikki Edwards, so I was a little hesitant to read this one as I wouldn’t normally read two books in a row by the same author. But I’m pleased to say this book was so good it was brilliant and her best so far in my opinion. Highly recommended. With thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for my digital copy to read and review.
September 12, 2018
Nothing beats a wonderful, emotional and well written book that you can't wait to get back to! I was totally absorbed in the story and enjoyed it very much. If you're after a good heartwarming story, I recommend the Peppercorn Project.
It was just what I needed!
It was just what I needed!
June 9, 2018
I loved this story. It kept me reading late into the night and was a delightful take on country town warmth and community, nurturing those in need and offering so many positives, while tackling the issue of drugs so prevalent in many places.
I highly recommend this story of second chances and the beauty of small town living. Just have a box of tissues handy!
I highly recommend this story of second chances and the beauty of small town living. Just have a box of tissues handy!
May 7, 2016
'The Peppercorn Project' is the inspiration of the Stony Creek residents to bring new blood into the community, not that the town is dying or in need of rescue....in fact it's the opposite, they want to give some families a chance to get back on their feet.
To Matt the local policeman it felt a bad idea, he was forgetting that he too was new to the town 18 months ago after a messy divorce.
For Issie and her two children, it was the new start that was needed after the unexpected death of her husband on a beach in Torquay Victoria, especially as she was still racked with guilt that she couldn't save him from his heart attack.
Stony Creek is a beautiful little town, set at the base of Mount Remarkable in the Lower Flinders Ranges (I'm sure I know exactly the town taken for this inspiration and it truly is beautiful with great mountain bike riding tracks as in the novel). Although there is trouble afoot in this close knit community
Reading these type of novels is just like comfort food. You know what your going to get and it makes you warm and settled inside.
I loved meeting the residents of this small town, yes, everyone knows everyone's business but they do care. I did have a little bit of trouble warming to Issie, especially her first few meetings with Matt. In the story Issie's response to Matt openly looking her up and down is was portrayed as 'flirting' but I found her reaction a bit aggressive. But really that's just a minor quibble, I'm really enjoying Nicki Edwards novels and I think her stories get better with each one.
I certainly enjoyed this one.
Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for a copy to read and review.
To Matt the local policeman it felt a bad idea, he was forgetting that he too was new to the town 18 months ago after a messy divorce.
For Issie and her two children, it was the new start that was needed after the unexpected death of her husband on a beach in Torquay Victoria, especially as she was still racked with guilt that she couldn't save him from his heart attack.
Stony Creek is a beautiful little town, set at the base of Mount Remarkable in the Lower Flinders Ranges (I'm sure I know exactly the town taken for this inspiration and it truly is beautiful with great mountain bike riding tracks as in the novel). Although there is trouble afoot in this close knit community
Reading these type of novels is just like comfort food. You know what your going to get and it makes you warm and settled inside.
I loved meeting the residents of this small town, yes, everyone knows everyone's business but they do care. I did have a little bit of trouble warming to Issie, especially her first few meetings with Matt. In the story Issie's response to Matt openly looking her up and down is was portrayed as 'flirting' but I found her reaction a bit aggressive. But really that's just a minor quibble, I'm really enjoying Nicki Edwards novels and I think her stories get better with each one.
I certainly enjoyed this one.
Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for a copy to read and review.
June 11, 2016
Another enjoyable read from Nicki Edwards.
Isabelle Cassidy and her family move to Stony Creek after winning a place as part of the Peppercorn Project following the death of her husband. There she is embraced by the community and especially Matt, one of the local police officers.
I enjoyed following Isabelle's journey of healing from her grief. I felt that her son's sudden acceptance of Matt was a bit fast, but the rest of the story meant I didn't dwell on this aspect.
It was another great book and I hope there are more stories coming from Stony Creek.
Isabelle Cassidy and her family move to Stony Creek after winning a place as part of the Peppercorn Project following the death of her husband. There she is embraced by the community and especially Matt, one of the local police officers.
I enjoyed following Isabelle's journey of healing from her grief. I felt that her son's sudden acceptance of Matt was a bit fast, but the rest of the story meant I didn't dwell on this aspect.
It was another great book and I hope there are more stories coming from Stony Creek.
May 31, 2016
Review to be posted on May 31st
August 17, 2016
Totally enjoyed this book, wish she had some more titles, could not put it down
October 1, 2017
Hello dear Nicki,
I just wanted to let you know that I finished reading The Peppercorn Project at 5am this morning.
I was going to send you this message as soon as I put this amazing book down but I didn't want to break my mood or frame of mind so I shut my eyes & tried to sleep for a few hours instead.
Awwww Nicki, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE
consider writing a sequel to this beautiful story!!!!! 😍
PLEASE!
The entire time I was reading this book I never once saw black words on a white page, not once!
It was so magical that it was as though I had a projector playing through my eyes & I was actually watching a movie.
I pictured everything from the scenery of the book, the town of Stony Creek, the characters.
I even smelt what poor Isabelle smelt when she entered dear old George & Edith Patterson's home!
Nicki, I laughed, I cried, I swore, I got angry, frustrated, despised one charcter, bloody Hugo 😠 & I fell in love with everybody else, especially Isabelle, Fletcher, Mietta (what a gorgeous name by the way) & of course Matt! 😍
I almost don't want to start reading another book as I don't want to let go of everybody in The Peppercorn Project & Stony Creek!
Imagine a sequel 😀
Isabelle & Matt, 3 years have passed, they're happily married, expecting their 2nd child together (they've already had another little girl who they named Danielle, after Dan of course).
Fletcher & Mietta are doing great & love their lives.
There's maybe a new Peppercorn Project in the making, maybe another two new families to take up residence in Stony Creek, with a lovely young girl for Fletcher to fall in love with & possibly a lovely single father for Leah to fall in love with.
I just don't want to let go of Stony Creek & it's beautiful people Nicki! Ever!!!
You wrote this book so incredibly beautifully!
The characters had so much warmth & depth.
The town had so much charm.
Awwwwww, I could go on forever!
To say I loved this book is a huge understatement!!
I absolutely adored it with such a passion that I actually shed a tear when I finished reading it & felt disappointed there wasn't more to keep reading.
Like I said before, I'm not ready to let go of the Peppercorn Project, Stony Creek or the beautiful characters, I don't know if I'll ever be able to! 😢💔
As I'm sitting here about to begin reading Intensive Care, I still have The Peppercorn Project sitting in my lap as well.
I just can't bring myself to put it on my bookshelf.
Is that silly?
I almost feel like I'm betraying Isabelle & everybody from Stony Creek by starting a new book 😕😩
I honestly don't think I've ever had a book has such an intense & profound impact on me!
WoW!
Thank you so much Nicki for writing quite possibly the most exquisite book I've ever read!
I don't know what else to say to you Nicki!
Thank you & God bless you xoxox 💜
I just wanted to let you know that I finished reading The Peppercorn Project at 5am this morning.
I was going to send you this message as soon as I put this amazing book down but I didn't want to break my mood or frame of mind so I shut my eyes & tried to sleep for a few hours instead.
Awwww Nicki, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE
consider writing a sequel to this beautiful story!!!!! 😍
PLEASE!
The entire time I was reading this book I never once saw black words on a white page, not once!
It was so magical that it was as though I had a projector playing through my eyes & I was actually watching a movie.
I pictured everything from the scenery of the book, the town of Stony Creek, the characters.
I even smelt what poor Isabelle smelt when she entered dear old George & Edith Patterson's home!
Nicki, I laughed, I cried, I swore, I got angry, frustrated, despised one charcter, bloody Hugo 😠 & I fell in love with everybody else, especially Isabelle, Fletcher, Mietta (what a gorgeous name by the way) & of course Matt! 😍
I almost don't want to start reading another book as I don't want to let go of everybody in The Peppercorn Project & Stony Creek!
Imagine a sequel 😀
Isabelle & Matt, 3 years have passed, they're happily married, expecting their 2nd child together (they've already had another little girl who they named Danielle, after Dan of course).
Fletcher & Mietta are doing great & love their lives.
There's maybe a new Peppercorn Project in the making, maybe another two new families to take up residence in Stony Creek, with a lovely young girl for Fletcher to fall in love with & possibly a lovely single father for Leah to fall in love with.
I just don't want to let go of Stony Creek & it's beautiful people Nicki! Ever!!!
You wrote this book so incredibly beautifully!
The characters had so much warmth & depth.
The town had so much charm.
Awwwwww, I could go on forever!
To say I loved this book is a huge understatement!!
I absolutely adored it with such a passion that I actually shed a tear when I finished reading it & felt disappointed there wasn't more to keep reading.
Like I said before, I'm not ready to let go of the Peppercorn Project, Stony Creek or the beautiful characters, I don't know if I'll ever be able to! 😢💔
As I'm sitting here about to begin reading Intensive Care, I still have The Peppercorn Project sitting in my lap as well.
I just can't bring myself to put it on my bookshelf.
Is that silly?
I almost feel like I'm betraying Isabelle & everybody from Stony Creek by starting a new book 😕😩
I honestly don't think I've ever had a book has such an intense & profound impact on me!
WoW!
Thank you so much Nicki for writing quite possibly the most exquisite book I've ever read!
I don't know what else to say to you Nicki!
Thank you & God bless you xoxox 💜
May 30, 2016
The Peppercorn Project, written by Nicki Edwards, is one of those books that just takes you completely by surprise. This is the second book that I have read by this author, and I have to admit, it definitely exceeded my expectations. I absolutely loved it!!
Isabelle "Issie" Cassidy has just lost the love of her life, and since his unexpected death, she is left trying to figure out how to support herself and her kids, Fletcher and Mietta. She hears about the Peppercorn Project, a program designed to help families that are truly in need to find affordable housing in the town of Stony Creek. There are only four houses available, and luckily for Issie, she gets one of them. Still grieving, she looks at this as being a wonderful opportunity to start over.
Matt Robertson is a police officer in Stony Creek. He has recently moved there after going through a difficult divorce, and is looking forward to the quiet of this small town. He is not a supporter of the Peppercorn Project, and believes that bringing new people to town will disrupt the nice and quiet atmosphere that he loves about Stony Creek. All of that changes when he meets Issie and her children. He definitely is not looking for a relationship, but for some reason, he is drawn to her and the kids in ways he never expected to be.
This is truly a heartbreaking and heartwarming story at the same time! Issie's grief is genuine, and will break your heart. The scene in which her husband dies is truly heartbreaking, and I will admit I reached for a Kleenex. I literally was hooked from the beginning until the very end of the story. I fell in love with the characters, and felt they had great character development. The supporting characters were also interesting, and added to the overall story. The writing style is very descriptive, which makes you feel as if you are a part of the story, and also made me want to visit Australia! I loved Matt...thought he was a total sweetheart, and loved how he was instantly protective of Issie and her kids. I think what I loved most about this story is the fact that even though the chemistry was there, they didn't immediately jump into bed with each other. Their relationship developed over time, and they always thought about the kids before doing anything. It was refreshing to read a book in which sex wasn't the only priority. Overall, this is a beautifully written story about two broken people that need to find the strength to love and trust again. I would definitely recommend this book, and I look forward to reading more written by Nicki Edwards.
I was given an advance digital copy of this book from Momentum Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Isabelle "Issie" Cassidy has just lost the love of her life, and since his unexpected death, she is left trying to figure out how to support herself and her kids, Fletcher and Mietta. She hears about the Peppercorn Project, a program designed to help families that are truly in need to find affordable housing in the town of Stony Creek. There are only four houses available, and luckily for Issie, she gets one of them. Still grieving, she looks at this as being a wonderful opportunity to start over.
Matt Robertson is a police officer in Stony Creek. He has recently moved there after going through a difficult divorce, and is looking forward to the quiet of this small town. He is not a supporter of the Peppercorn Project, and believes that bringing new people to town will disrupt the nice and quiet atmosphere that he loves about Stony Creek. All of that changes when he meets Issie and her children. He definitely is not looking for a relationship, but for some reason, he is drawn to her and the kids in ways he never expected to be.
This is truly a heartbreaking and heartwarming story at the same time! Issie's grief is genuine, and will break your heart. The scene in which her husband dies is truly heartbreaking, and I will admit I reached for a Kleenex. I literally was hooked from the beginning until the very end of the story. I fell in love with the characters, and felt they had great character development. The supporting characters were also interesting, and added to the overall story. The writing style is very descriptive, which makes you feel as if you are a part of the story, and also made me want to visit Australia! I loved Matt...thought he was a total sweetheart, and loved how he was instantly protective of Issie and her kids. I think what I loved most about this story is the fact that even though the chemistry was there, they didn't immediately jump into bed with each other. Their relationship developed over time, and they always thought about the kids before doing anything. It was refreshing to read a book in which sex wasn't the only priority. Overall, this is a beautifully written story about two broken people that need to find the strength to love and trust again. I would definitely recommend this book, and I look forward to reading more written by Nicki Edwards.
I was given an advance digital copy of this book from Momentum Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
September 26, 2017
Beautiful, beautiful!!! Such a feel good book. Loved every word of it. Shed tears at the end & even though I was sure how it would turn out, it didn't disappoint!
August 1, 2017
4 “Peppercorn” Stars.
Unexpected but true I really enjoyed this book. After reading a series that has a faster pace and needing a break I decided to go for something slower and this really worked for me.
This takes place in Australia which I love, change of scenery when it comes to only reading books based in America. I liked the different use of the language and the areas that there are and how different it is.
Now I know this trope is unpopular with the dead spouse so it won’t be for everyone and at times I had some difficulty with it.
Isabelle Cassidy needs a fresh start after the death of her husband. She is broke, grieving and her parents aren’t really helpful. She became pregnant after school with her eldest son Fletcher and then with her six year old daughter Mietta.
The Peppercorn Project is to help families in need. There are four houses in Stony Creek but twenty applicants so the competition is stiff. I felt for Isabelle and I liked her. At times it was painful to see her work through her grief. But there were also times were I found it hard.
The Cassidy family gets one of the houses. They have their ups and downs but they get there in the end.
Matt Robertson is a cynic and after a messy divorce he just wants to lick his wounds that is until he sees a tired Isabelle with her two children and something comes to life in him.
I enjoyed how their relationship progressed and Matt is a real sweetheart, a cuddly bear. They only took their relationship to the intimate level really at the end of the book but I have to be honest I don’t care.
I also love it when there are kids in the book and old people.
If you’re looking for something sweet and warm then this is a read for you.
See spoilers right at the bottom.
Book received by Momentum Books via Netgalley in exchange for a honest review.
Review can also be found at http://jerisbookattic-reviewblog.blog...
Unexpected but true I really enjoyed this book. After reading a series that has a faster pace and needing a break I decided to go for something slower and this really worked for me.
This takes place in Australia which I love, change of scenery when it comes to only reading books based in America. I liked the different use of the language and the areas that there are and how different it is.
Now I know this trope is unpopular with the dead spouse so it won’t be for everyone and at times I had some difficulty with it.
Isabelle Cassidy needs a fresh start after the death of her husband. She is broke, grieving and her parents aren’t really helpful. She became pregnant after school with her eldest son Fletcher and then with her six year old daughter Mietta.
The Peppercorn Project is to help families in need. There are four houses in Stony Creek but twenty applicants so the competition is stiff. I felt for Isabelle and I liked her. At times it was painful to see her work through her grief. But there were also times were I found it hard.
The Cassidy family gets one of the houses. They have their ups and downs but they get there in the end.
Matt Robertson is a cynic and after a messy divorce he just wants to lick his wounds that is until he sees a tired Isabelle with her two children and something comes to life in him.
I enjoyed how their relationship progressed and Matt is a real sweetheart, a cuddly bear. They only took their relationship to the intimate level really at the end of the book but I have to be honest I don’t care.
I also love it when there are kids in the book and old people.
If you’re looking for something sweet and warm then this is a read for you.
See spoilers right at the bottom.
Book received by Momentum Books via Netgalley in exchange for a honest review.
Review can also be found at http://jerisbookattic-reviewblog.blog...
April 5, 2016
What a wonderfully emotional story of love lost, and new love found. Isabelle is living every woman’s dream, married to the love of her life, and two spectacular children. They are living in a beautiful house on the beach in Torquay, Victoria, Australia, where her husband Dan can surf. Until that tragic day at the beach when Isabelle hears her son calling for help. Her Fletcher has just pulled his dad out of the water and onto the beach. Isabelle does everything in her power to save him, unfortunately… Nine months later, further misfortune has happened to Isabelle and her children, they are going to lose their home. At a loss at what to do, Isabelle applies to compete in The Peppercorn Project. It is a competition where 20 families in difficulties become contestants to compete for four homes in the community of Stony Creek. Isabelle and her children are chosen to become a contestant. After a difficult interview, Isabelle is chosen to be one of the four families receiving a lease to one of the homes. She meets Matt, a police sergeant of the Stony Creek police department. Matt moved to Stony Creek several years ago after a very nasty divorce from his ex-wife. The people of Stony Creek, especially Matt, fall in love with Isabelle, Fletcher and Mietta and rally around them. Then, the town folk start to play matchmaker, not that Matt and Isabelle need them to.
I absolutely love this sweet, loving story. I love the way the author Nicki Edwards defines her characters, and describes the locations throughout the book. She makes you see the areas that the story takes place, and love or hate all of the characters in the book. I think, no, I know my favorite part of the book is the letter that Hillary wrote to Isabelle telling her that…. Stop, no spoilers. You really need to read this spectacular book. I know you will fall for the residence of Stony Creek as much as I have. I would love to move to Stony Creek myself.
Thank you for reading my review.
Lastly, I need to thank NetGalley for listing this wonderful book on their site, and Momentum Books – Moonlight for approving my request to receive an ARC of this book for my honest opinion.
I absolutely love this sweet, loving story. I love the way the author Nicki Edwards defines her characters, and describes the locations throughout the book. She makes you see the areas that the story takes place, and love or hate all of the characters in the book. I think, no, I know my favorite part of the book is the letter that Hillary wrote to Isabelle telling her that…. Stop, no spoilers. You really need to read this spectacular book. I know you will fall for the residence of Stony Creek as much as I have. I would love to move to Stony Creek myself.
Thank you for reading my review.
Lastly, I need to thank NetGalley for listing this wonderful book on their site, and Momentum Books – Moonlight for approving my request to receive an ARC of this book for my honest opinion.
May 9, 2016
"Issie" Isabelle Cassidy has lost her husband and has lost everything. She has no idea what she's going to do, all she has is her kids and a hope for a future. When she sees an ad for a the Peppercorn project she decides that the plan. Her son is not happy her daughter is ready for any adventure. But will she be able to heal from the lost of her husband or will she loose everything including this opportunity before it all gets started?
Matt has been living in Stoney Creek for 18 months he has his secrets and he also is fighting the drug war in Australia they all say its the city cop in him but he knows theres something up and he is not to keen to have all these people taking over his new city. When he has a run in with Issie and her kids he knows he needs to know everything about her and he wants her in his life. But when an accident happens he wonders if he will loose the chance to get to know her forever or if he will be able to make things right with her and show her and her kids how much they are valued in the community.
Nicki has done it again, this book is amazing. I had a hard time putting it down and before you know it its over and you just are left wanting to reading so much more of these fun characters. I loved how its about family and creating family. I loved how you feel like you are catching up with a friend instead of reading a book. I loved everything about this book, I loved how everything seemed natural between the characters instead of in some books where it seems forced or not very natural. It really makes you want to read it again just to catch up with everyone again. This book will not let you down and will have you want more. I hope in the feature to read a story about Leah and Rachael.
Disclosure: I received this book free of charge from the publisher, but this review consists of my honest opinions, not influenced in any way by the author or publisher
Matt has been living in Stoney Creek for 18 months he has his secrets and he also is fighting the drug war in Australia they all say its the city cop in him but he knows theres something up and he is not to keen to have all these people taking over his new city. When he has a run in with Issie and her kids he knows he needs to know everything about her and he wants her in his life. But when an accident happens he wonders if he will loose the chance to get to know her forever or if he will be able to make things right with her and show her and her kids how much they are valued in the community.
Nicki has done it again, this book is amazing. I had a hard time putting it down and before you know it its over and you just are left wanting to reading so much more of these fun characters. I loved how its about family and creating family. I loved how you feel like you are catching up with a friend instead of reading a book. I loved everything about this book, I loved how everything seemed natural between the characters instead of in some books where it seems forced or not very natural. It really makes you want to read it again just to catch up with everyone again. This book will not let you down and will have you want more. I hope in the feature to read a story about Leah and Rachael.
Disclosure: I received this book free of charge from the publisher, but this review consists of my honest opinions, not influenced in any way by the author or publisher
June 3, 2016
As a bookseller, I am given a number of books to read in the hopes that I will like them and promote them with our store. Rural romance is not really my thing, however, if I am invited to sell something on a personal level for an author, I make sure that I know what I am selling. With Nicki's book, I decided to read it for two reasons - 1. She is a local author and has popped in to our store. 2. We are selling books at her book launch.
I am SO glad that I was asked to help with Nicki's launch, otherwise I may have put off reading this book for quite a while. The Peppercorn Project is so much more than a romance. It is about a family re-building and a town who opens it's doors and arms to people to help them heal. The Peppercorn Project is a wonderful community event that offers 4 homes to families in need at a heavily reduced rental rate to help them get back on their feet and learn what it means to become part of a community.
When Issie is forced to leave her home after the death of her husband, she makes a BIG decision to move her kids interstate to a tiny town as that is what they can afford. They did not expect to find a life in this town...to find a family...but this is what happens.
A touching story with a little romance thrown in. I am glad that Issie and Matt didn't just jump right in at the start like most books in this genre. They took the time to get to know one another and to wait for the right time. I believe this made the relationship more real and beautiful, not born out of lust but out of real feelings.
I highly recommend Nicki Edward's The Peppercorn Project to anyone who wants a heart-warming story that is a little addictive to read. Be warned...you may need tissues. Settle down with a nice warm cuppa and lose yourself in the township of Stony Creek and feel that everything is right with the world. Maybe, just maybe, you are lucky enough to be a part of a community like Stony Creek...
I am SO glad that I was asked to help with Nicki's launch, otherwise I may have put off reading this book for quite a while. The Peppercorn Project is so much more than a romance. It is about a family re-building and a town who opens it's doors and arms to people to help them heal. The Peppercorn Project is a wonderful community event that offers 4 homes to families in need at a heavily reduced rental rate to help them get back on their feet and learn what it means to become part of a community.
When Issie is forced to leave her home after the death of her husband, she makes a BIG decision to move her kids interstate to a tiny town as that is what they can afford. They did not expect to find a life in this town...to find a family...but this is what happens.
A touching story with a little romance thrown in. I am glad that Issie and Matt didn't just jump right in at the start like most books in this genre. They took the time to get to know one another and to wait for the right time. I believe this made the relationship more real and beautiful, not born out of lust but out of real feelings.
I highly recommend Nicki Edward's The Peppercorn Project to anyone who wants a heart-warming story that is a little addictive to read. Be warned...you may need tissues. Settle down with a nice warm cuppa and lose yourself in the township of Stony Creek and feel that everything is right with the world. Maybe, just maybe, you are lucky enough to be a part of a community like Stony Creek...
May 31, 2016
I've always wanted to go to Australia. It's interesting to me how I could tell that this author was actually from Australia verses someone from America trying to write about Australia. :) I loved the way the words sometimes threw me for a loop but because of context clues I knew what they meant. I once had a friend living next door to me from Australia and this book just reminded me of her. I could almost hear the accents.
Issie is broken. No doubt about it. She is managing and surviving but not really living. When she shows up in the small town of Stony Creek, the people there are determined to save her and her children. I really loved the small town, community feel to this book where people know how to take care of each other. Issie is the underdog and it is easy to root for the underdog. It was satisfying to see her emerge from darkness and find her footing again.
This book was really slow moving for me. I had a hard time staying with it at some points because I just wanted things to move along more quickly. I was a little let down by the "suspense" moments. I thought with the build up there would have been more to it.
The last third of the book was the best bit for me. Things pick up a bit- there is more movement and dialogue. Relationships grow. Everything goes crazy and then comes back together. I love where and how the book ended.
A solid 3 stars for this one!
Content: Fade to black, behind closed doors sex. Some innuendo. Mild swearing and profanity.
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
December 19, 2016
Totally loved this book as I do with all of Nicki's books. Being a nurse myself, I love small town rural nursing books.
This book demonstrates how close knit small town communities can be. This was just what Isabelle and her family needed to heal from their pain. If only there could be more men like Matt around.
I enjoyed reading about the Flinders Rangers too. It sounds like a beautiful place.
I can't wait to read more of Nicki's books in the future.
This book demonstrates how close knit small town communities can be. This was just what Isabelle and her family needed to heal from their pain. If only there could be more men like Matt around.
I enjoyed reading about the Flinders Rangers too. It sounds like a beautiful place.
I can't wait to read more of Nicki's books in the future.
March 9, 2016
Another Awesome book by Nicki Edwards. From the very first page of the book she reeled you into her story. The way she describes the story and the places she writes about you feel like you are there and are actually living in the story.
I made new friends, and felt all the emotions that Isabelle felt when she lost her husband in a tragic accident. Her self doubts about her ability to work and maintain the house. She realizes with the amount of debt they have they can not keep their house and she is at a loss of what to do.
Then she hears of the Peppercorn Project and we are taken on a trip to try and secure a spot in this new community and start a life for her and the children. As you travel through this journey with Isabelle and the children she meets the police officer Matt Robertson. You will feel all the emotions that Isabelle goes through.
Matt has had his own problems that he has or is working through. I loved this book and as I read each book by Nicki Edwards I say this is the best one. Then I read another and say this is the best one. Her books just keep getting better and better as she writes them. A must read for anyone
I made new friends, and felt all the emotions that Isabelle felt when she lost her husband in a tragic accident. Her self doubts about her ability to work and maintain the house. She realizes with the amount of debt they have they can not keep their house and she is at a loss of what to do.
Then she hears of the Peppercorn Project and we are taken on a trip to try and secure a spot in this new community and start a life for her and the children. As you travel through this journey with Isabelle and the children she meets the police officer Matt Robertson. You will feel all the emotions that Isabelle goes through.
Matt has had his own problems that he has or is working through. I loved this book and as I read each book by Nicki Edwards I say this is the best one. Then I read another and say this is the best one. Her books just keep getting better and better as she writes them. A must read for anyone
June 2, 2016
I started this book by a new author for me with no real expectations except that it takes place in Australia. However, The Peppercorn Project by Nicki Edwards became an emotional dramatic read. It brought both tears and smiles before it was finished.
Isabelle Cassidy, is a character that is likable and one that you come to hope that she will be able to learn to enjoy life again after losing her husband. I loved her children and like them learned to like the cynical Matt Robertson. While it was difficult to see the progress of her overcoming her grief, it was a rewarding read as her small family began anew with the Peppercorn Project home.
Beautifully written giving this American a taste of the Land Down Under, it is worth the tears, making the smiles even sweeter.
Copy provided by the publisher through Net Galley for an honest review.
Isabelle Cassidy, is a character that is likable and one that you come to hope that she will be able to learn to enjoy life again after losing her husband. I loved her children and like them learned to like the cynical Matt Robertson. While it was difficult to see the progress of her overcoming her grief, it was a rewarding read as her small family began anew with the Peppercorn Project home.
Beautifully written giving this American a taste of the Land Down Under, it is worth the tears, making the smiles even sweeter.
Copy provided by the publisher through Net Galley for an honest review.
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