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Escape to the Country #4
Critical Condition
Liam O'Connor wants a wife. Problem is, the type of woman he's looking for doesn't exist.
After years working as a paramedic in Sydney and living the bachelor life, Liam has had enough. He's convinced himself, and everyone else, that he's moved home to Birrangulla for a slower pace of life, but what he's really looking for is the woman of his dreams.
From the outside, emergency nurse Poppy McDonald lives a charmed life. Unfortunately, when she moved to the other side of the world to escape her family, all she did was swap one controlling environment for another. After Poppy's father dies, she returns to Australia to face her past. And her mother. But she has no intention of staying, and definitely not in Birrangulla.
When Liam and Poppy meet, there's an instant spark. Liam knows Poppy is the one even though she's carrying more than her share of baggage. But can he gain her trust and get her to look beyond her past? Or will the man Poppy left in the US return and ruin everything?
A sweet medical rural-romance for fans of Fiona McArthur, Melanie Milburne, Candace Calvert.
After years working as a paramedic in Sydney and living the bachelor life, Liam has had enough. He's convinced himself, and everyone else, that he's moved home to Birrangulla for a slower pace of life, but what he's really looking for is the woman of his dreams.
From the outside, emergency nurse Poppy McDonald lives a charmed life. Unfortunately, when she moved to the other side of the world to escape her family, all she did was swap one controlling environment for another. After Poppy's father dies, she returns to Australia to face her past. And her mother. But she has no intention of staying, and definitely not in Birrangulla.
When Liam and Poppy meet, there's an instant spark. Liam knows Poppy is the one even though she's carrying more than her share of baggage. But can he gain her trust and get her to look beyond her past? Or will the man Poppy left in the US return and ruin everything?
A sweet medical rural-romance for fans of Fiona McArthur, Melanie Milburne, Candace Calvert.
414 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 27, 2016
13 people are currently reading
57 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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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
January 18, 2023
Critical Condition by Aussie author Nicki Edwards is the fourth book in the Escape to the Country series. This has been a very enjoyable series with beautiful settings, likeable characters and an easy storyline to follow all the things that make for great reading.
This was a light, easy read which I have no hesitation in recommending. With thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for my digital copy to read and review.
This was a light, easy read which I have no hesitation in recommending. With thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for my digital copy to read and review.
September 15, 2016
Poppy McDonald had lived in New York for the past five years – she had fled Australia from the clutches of her manic mother but drifted almost immediately into another situation she wasn’t sure she wanted to be in. So when Poppy received a phone call to say her father had died, she headed home to Birrangulla in New South Wales for the funeral. Her past was a bitter one and though she didn’t want to, she knew she would have to see her mother before she returned to New York.
Poppy’s arrival at the small airport in Birrangulla saw her meet Liam O’Connor, a handsome Irishman who was nothing but charming. But she was leaving in two days – she couldn’t even form a friendship in that time, could she? But she couldn’t deny there was a spark of attraction for Liam…
Liam worked as a paramedic in Birrangulla after living and working in Sydney. The fast pace and stress of the city wasn’t for him – moving back to Birrangulla where his family was felt like the right move. And so it proved to be – except everyone was trying to find him a wife. He’d been hurt in the past and was wary of commitment. But when Liam saw Poppy he knew he would try everything in his power to get her to stay.
Would their pasts stop Liam and Poppy having a future together?
Critical Condition is the 4th in the Escape to the Country series by Aussie author Nicki Edwards and a light, entertaining medical rural romance which I enjoyed (though I felt the need to shake Poppy on occasion!) It felt good to catch up with the cast from the previous books in the series – but I certainly advise them being read in order of publication. Recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy to read in exchange for my honest review.
Poppy’s arrival at the small airport in Birrangulla saw her meet Liam O’Connor, a handsome Irishman who was nothing but charming. But she was leaving in two days – she couldn’t even form a friendship in that time, could she? But she couldn’t deny there was a spark of attraction for Liam…
Liam worked as a paramedic in Birrangulla after living and working in Sydney. The fast pace and stress of the city wasn’t for him – moving back to Birrangulla where his family was felt like the right move. And so it proved to be – except everyone was trying to find him a wife. He’d been hurt in the past and was wary of commitment. But when Liam saw Poppy he knew he would try everything in his power to get her to stay.
Would their pasts stop Liam and Poppy having a future together?
Critical Condition is the 4th in the Escape to the Country series by Aussie author Nicki Edwards and a light, entertaining medical rural romance which I enjoyed (though I felt the need to shake Poppy on occasion!) It felt good to catch up with the cast from the previous books in the series – but I certainly advise them being read in order of publication. Recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy to read in exchange for my honest review.
September 17, 2016
An engaging, sweet medical rural romance.
I loved the latest installment of the Escape to the Country series. I enjoyed catching up with some of my friends from the earlier books and getting to know Poppy, the new girl in town.
It was refreshing to see a man on the cover and to have the hero looking for love. I've devoured everything Nicki's written and I'm looking forward to the next one.
I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for and honest review.
I loved the latest installment of the Escape to the Country series. I enjoyed catching up with some of my friends from the earlier books and getting to know Poppy, the new girl in town.
It was refreshing to see a man on the cover and to have the hero looking for love. I've devoured everything Nicki's written and I'm looking forward to the next one.
I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for and honest review.
May 2, 2017
At Last!
I’ve been waiting to read Liam’s story since the release of Life Support , and was more than disappointed when I discovered Nicki’s last release, The Peppercorn Project, was a new series. I was waiting to find out if Liam would meet his perfect match, thank you very much.
Well, Liam’s story was worth waiting for. It took a while for him and Poppy to get together, but it was definitely worth the wait. I was left with a soppy smile on my face, so the romance definitely hit the right spot.
There wasn’t so much medical stuff in Critical Condition as in Life Support, which is great for those of us who get a little queasy at the sight or mention of blood. For those who enjoy medical romances—don’t worry. There should still be enough medical content to keep you interested, drawing on Nicki’s own experiences as an ED nurse. Just not as much blood.
Liam will need no introduction for those who have read the earlier books in this series. If you haven’t, don’t worry, as this is a standalone novel (although we are reintroduced to the lead characters from the earlier novels).
But Poppy was the standout character for me. She’s likeable and intelligent and beautiful … but the outward perfection hides a woman who is paranoid she’ll develop bipolar disorder and turn into her basket case of a mother. Critical Condition did an excellent job of portraying the difficulties of growing up with someone with an unmanaged mental health condition—a sad state of affairs, and one too many children grow up in.
Recommended for those who enjoy a good general market medical romance. Thanks to Momentum Books and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.
I’ve been waiting to read Liam’s story since the release of Life Support , and was more than disappointed when I discovered Nicki’s last release, The Peppercorn Project, was a new series. I was waiting to find out if Liam would meet his perfect match, thank you very much.
Well, Liam’s story was worth waiting for. It took a while for him and Poppy to get together, but it was definitely worth the wait. I was left with a soppy smile on my face, so the romance definitely hit the right spot.
There wasn’t so much medical stuff in Critical Condition as in Life Support, which is great for those of us who get a little queasy at the sight or mention of blood. For those who enjoy medical romances—don’t worry. There should still be enough medical content to keep you interested, drawing on Nicki’s own experiences as an ED nurse. Just not as much blood.
Liam will need no introduction for those who have read the earlier books in this series. If you haven’t, don’t worry, as this is a standalone novel (although we are reintroduced to the lead characters from the earlier novels).
But Poppy was the standout character for me. She’s likeable and intelligent and beautiful … but the outward perfection hides a woman who is paranoid she’ll develop bipolar disorder and turn into her basket case of a mother. Critical Condition did an excellent job of portraying the difficulties of growing up with someone with an unmanaged mental health condition—a sad state of affairs, and one too many children grow up in.
Recommended for those who enjoy a good general market medical romance. Thanks to Momentum Books and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.
August 28, 2016
I loved Critical Condition! I like both romance and medical dramas so this was near perfection for me. It was clever that the book begins with a man looking for a relationship, rather than a woman. I really connected with the characters. I have to admit that I don't always understand the Australian terminology/slang, but I found a website that helps.
Well done, Ms. Edwards!
I received an ARC from the publisher through NetGalley.
Well done, Ms. Edwards!
I received an ARC from the publisher through NetGalley.
September 20, 2016
I love books set in the outback and, having lived in Sydney, I also love Australians - and their slang!
This is a lovely romance featuring really nice characters - Liam is hysterically funny. I always enjoy it when the romantic interests start off by sparring. It makes for a funny and lively book.
I always enjoy Nicki's books and this was no exception!
Thank you for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This is a lovely romance featuring really nice characters - Liam is hysterically funny. I always enjoy it when the romantic interests start off by sparring. It makes for a funny and lively book.
I always enjoy Nicki's books and this was no exception!
Thank you for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 22, 2016
3.5 stars.
I’ve been waiting for Liam’s story this whole series, and I’m pleased to say it’s probably my favourite. If you’re new, though, don’t worry you can still escape to the country without too much prior knowledge of what’s gone before.
I like Liam a lot. He may have spent most of his life avoiding commitment, but he has his reasons and he’s not a user. He may date a lot, but he’s not a man-whore and he cares deeply for those he’s close to. I loved seeing a bit more of his life and the way he is with Poppy is adorable.
Ah, Poppy. I can’t decide if she was plain clueless when it came to her life in New York, or willfully naive. Her obliviousness to the red flags of her relationship were almost as irritating as her ability to run and hide from her problems, but away from that she’s a decent character who is good at her job and struggles to cope with her mother. I don’t blame her in the least for falling for Liam, because he really is irresistible.
There were a few niggles, though. Firstly, everything to do with Liam’s work partner, while undeniably tragic, felt utterly out of place. It gets glossed over far too quickly and because of the big time leap afterwards doesn’t seem to affect Liam at all. This left a nasty gratuitous feeling about it all, when in truth it could have had so much more important things to say. Likewise, I would have liked to have had some follow up to the medical case Poppy flagged when she was in New York – and maybe more about her mother too. This series does have a habit of introducing interesting medical cases and never following up on them, and I was sad to see it continue in this book.
On the whole, though, this is an easy medical romance that bobbles along at a steady place, ventures into some emotional areas and is never afraid of confronting tricky issues, even if doesn’t always give them the follow up they might deserve. Throw in a lovely hero like Liam, add a sprinkling of interesting and fun characters (many returning from previous books) and it all adds up to an enjoyable read.
(I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.)
I’ve been waiting for Liam’s story this whole series, and I’m pleased to say it’s probably my favourite. If you’re new, though, don’t worry you can still escape to the country without too much prior knowledge of what’s gone before.
I like Liam a lot. He may have spent most of his life avoiding commitment, but he has his reasons and he’s not a user. He may date a lot, but he’s not a man-whore and he cares deeply for those he’s close to. I loved seeing a bit more of his life and the way he is with Poppy is adorable.
Ah, Poppy. I can’t decide if she was plain clueless when it came to her life in New York, or willfully naive. Her obliviousness to the red flags of her relationship were almost as irritating as her ability to run and hide from her problems, but away from that she’s a decent character who is good at her job and struggles to cope with her mother. I don’t blame her in the least for falling for Liam, because he really is irresistible.
There were a few niggles, though. Firstly, everything to do with Liam’s work partner, while undeniably tragic, felt utterly out of place. It gets glossed over far too quickly and because of the big time leap afterwards doesn’t seem to affect Liam at all. This left a nasty gratuitous feeling about it all, when in truth it could have had so much more important things to say. Likewise, I would have liked to have had some follow up to the medical case Poppy flagged when she was in New York – and maybe more about her mother too. This series does have a habit of introducing interesting medical cases and never following up on them, and I was sad to see it continue in this book.
On the whole, though, this is an easy medical romance that bobbles along at a steady place, ventures into some emotional areas and is never afraid of confronting tricky issues, even if doesn’t always give them the follow up they might deserve. Throw in a lovely hero like Liam, add a sprinkling of interesting and fun characters (many returning from previous books) and it all adds up to an enjoyable read.
(I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.)
September 17, 2016
Poppy seems to be living the life she always wanted, well maybe she's doing what she loves but something just doesn't seem right with her boyfriend she just can not put her finger on it. When she gets a call that she's need in Australia she wonders if this is the third sign she needs to just move home for good or if she should stay in New York. When she returns to home to face her past she never expected to meet someone like Liam, will she be able to keep him at arms length or will everything come to a head and now she needs to finds to make it all work? Liam is look for the love of his life, it just doesn't seem to be in the card for him. When he looses someone close to him he wonders if its time for a break. When he helps his dads best friends Daughter Poppy he starts to wonder if maybe he just found the love of his life and wonders if he can convince her before it to late. Will they both be able to put the past behind them or will it be to late?
I really love this series of books. This author writes this series of good clean romance and this book is the same way. In this book Poppy seemed to deal with some tough things in her life and the author doesn't hold back with each of those subjects. I loved how in this book and her others you really connect with the Characters and you truly feel like your catching up with friends. I felt like in this book it dragged a little but over all the book was amazing and I found it hard to put down once I was drawn in. You really can not go wrong with this book.
I really love this series of books. This author writes this series of good clean romance and this book is the same way. In this book Poppy seemed to deal with some tough things in her life and the author doesn't hold back with each of those subjects. I loved how in this book and her others you really connect with the Characters and you truly feel like your catching up with friends. I felt like in this book it dragged a little but over all the book was amazing and I found it hard to put down once I was drawn in. You really can not go wrong with this book.
September 27, 2016
Nicki Edwards's has delivered another spectacular story in her latest installment of Escape to the Country series. This is the fourth book in your fabulous series.
Critical Condition is the story of Liam and Poppy.
Liam, what can I say? Liam is a paramedic and has returned to his home town. He has been avoiding commitment for some time, but feels now is the time he wants to settle down. He might be known in town as the a bit of a ladies man, but he tries not to lead any of the women along.
Poppy is a nurse living in New York. She has been unhappy with her life and is looking for signs to help her make the decision to return to Australia. When she receives the news regarding her father, she immediately returns. On arrival she meets Liam. She is certainly not looking for love and wants to meet her new family, have a short holiday in Queensland before returning to New York.
Liam knows Poppy is the girl for him. He just needs to convince her not to leave.
I love how the roles are reversed, with the male looking for a committed relationship. Also, catching up with previous characters and founding out what has been happening in their lives. The writing is beautiful, I honestly felt I was feeling very emotion same as the character throughout the story. During the story, you will found yourself smiling, laughing, crying and angry through the journey.
If you are a fan of Rachel Johns, Amy Andrews or Meredith Appleyard or looking for a fabulous romance/medical series, this is the author/book for you.
Critical Condition is the story of Liam and Poppy.
Liam, what can I say? Liam is a paramedic and has returned to his home town. He has been avoiding commitment for some time, but feels now is the time he wants to settle down. He might be known in town as the a bit of a ladies man, but he tries not to lead any of the women along.
Poppy is a nurse living in New York. She has been unhappy with her life and is looking for signs to help her make the decision to return to Australia. When she receives the news regarding her father, she immediately returns. On arrival she meets Liam. She is certainly not looking for love and wants to meet her new family, have a short holiday in Queensland before returning to New York.
Liam knows Poppy is the girl for him. He just needs to convince her not to leave.
I love how the roles are reversed, with the male looking for a committed relationship. Also, catching up with previous characters and founding out what has been happening in their lives. The writing is beautiful, I honestly felt I was feeling very emotion same as the character throughout the story. During the story, you will found yourself smiling, laughing, crying and angry through the journey.
If you are a fan of Rachel Johns, Amy Andrews or Meredith Appleyard or looking for a fabulous romance/medical series, this is the author/book for you.
November 25, 2016
I have been waiting for Liam's story since reading Life Support, and it didn't disappoint.
Liam has decided he really does want a wife, the right woman hasn't come into his life just yet. Poppy McDonald has been living in New York for 5 years and an unexpected death in the family brings her to Birungulla.
I enjoyed getting to know Poppy and seeing the relationship with Liam develop. There are a lot of twists and turns in the story that will keep readers guessing, as well as some interesting stories of life in the ER and Liam's work as a paramedic. One of these scenes was based on my Rubik's Cube solving son, that had to be one of my favourite scenes (I'm trying not to be biased....).
Critical Condition can be read as a stand alone novel, though it was great to catch up with characters from the other Escape to the Country books.
Liam has decided he really does want a wife, the right woman hasn't come into his life just yet. Poppy McDonald has been living in New York for 5 years and an unexpected death in the family brings her to Birungulla.
I enjoyed getting to know Poppy and seeing the relationship with Liam develop. There are a lot of twists and turns in the story that will keep readers guessing, as well as some interesting stories of life in the ER and Liam's work as a paramedic. One of these scenes was based on my Rubik's Cube solving son, that had to be one of my favourite scenes (I'm trying not to be biased....).
Critical Condition can be read as a stand alone novel, though it was great to catch up with characters from the other Escape to the Country books.
October 19, 2016
Another great story by Nicki introducing us to a new character - Liam O'connor. Liam Leaves Sydney and moves back to his home town of Birrangulla.
Here he works as a paramedic and when his friend and work collegue tragically takes her life - Liam is devastated.
However, he meets new nurse Poppy McDonald and there follows the story of how these unlikely people come together. Woven through the story are characters from the previous Escape to the Country novels and Nicki writes with her usual wonderful style of life, living and loving.
Great book! Highly recommend.
Here he works as a paramedic and when his friend and work collegue tragically takes her life - Liam is devastated.
However, he meets new nurse Poppy McDonald and there follows the story of how these unlikely people come together. Woven through the story are characters from the previous Escape to the Country novels and Nicki writes with her usual wonderful style of life, living and loving.
Great book! Highly recommend.
October 5, 2016
Great book as always.
Five book for sure. Another hit book. Once you pick it up you won't want to put it down. Glad Liam got his happily ever after.
Five book for sure. Another hit book. Once you pick it up you won't want to put it down. Glad Liam got his happily ever after.
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August 6, 2016Review copy received from Pan Macmillan Australia/Momentum Books for an honest rating
February 15, 2021
Critical Condition is book four in the Escape to the Country series by Nicki Edwards. Emergency nurse Poppy McDonald had a perfect life living in New York until she found out that her boyfriend was married. At first, Poppy did not know what to do when she received a letter from Australia stating her father died. Poppy McDonald decided to leave New York and go home to Australia. However, the first person Poppy meets on arrival in Birrangulla is Liam O'Conner. The reader's of Critical Condition will continue to follow Liam and Poppy to find out what happens.
I enjoyed reading Critical Condition, and this book engaged me with the plot from the first page. I was impressed with the way Nicki Edwards incorporate mental illness and the issues that can arise to ensure the readers start to think about mental illness. I love the way Nicki Edwards portrays her characters and their interaction with each other throughout this book. Critical Condition is well written and researched by Nicki Edwards. I like Nicki Edwards description of the settings of Critical Condition that complimented the book's plot.
The reader's of Critical Condition will learn about the problems that bipolar disease has on the suffer and their families. Also, the reader's of Critical Condition will learn about being paramedic in a small rural community.
I recommend this book.
I enjoyed reading Critical Condition, and this book engaged me with the plot from the first page. I was impressed with the way Nicki Edwards incorporate mental illness and the issues that can arise to ensure the readers start to think about mental illness. I love the way Nicki Edwards portrays her characters and their interaction with each other throughout this book. Critical Condition is well written and researched by Nicki Edwards. I like Nicki Edwards description of the settings of Critical Condition that complimented the book's plot.
The reader's of Critical Condition will learn about the problems that bipolar disease has on the suffer and their families. Also, the reader's of Critical Condition will learn about being paramedic in a small rural community.
I recommend this book.
February 7, 2017
Absolutely loves this book and this series. Being a nurse myself, I love reading anything medical related.
I'm so thankful to the author for incorporating mental illness into the storyline. It's such a big part of our society and not many people like to talk about it.
And Liam finally got his happy ending. Enjoyed seeing past characters make a reappearance in this book too. Didn't want the story to end.
I'm so thankful to the author for incorporating mental illness into the storyline. It's such a big part of our society and not many people like to talk about it.
And Liam finally got his happy ending. Enjoyed seeing past characters make a reappearance in this book too. Didn't want the story to end.
July 25, 2021
I received this as advance reader's copy from Netgalley.com - Nicki's Escape to the Country Series, This is the series of books that I have got from Nicki that I have read within hours of starting, I love how easy her books are to read, I love how Nicki develops her characters and story lines, I hope there are more to this series or other series to come from Nicki.
October 10, 2016
I enjoyed this as my bedtime reading, but had a few interruptions so it took me a while to finish it!
The story was believable and the characters realistic. A good mix of medical and community aspects to this romance, with of course a happy ending.
The story was believable and the characters realistic. A good mix of medical and community aspects to this romance, with of course a happy ending.
July 16, 2020
Lovely story but often difficult to read
The difficulty reading Critical Condition has nothing to do with the writing and everything to do with printing mistakes and syntax.
There are countless times when the words of a sentence run together, making it difficult to try and work out what is actually being said. I don't know how this could happen but happen it did. And then there is the dialogue; so many cases of two different characters speaking in the same paragraph, making it necessary to reread several times to try and work out who is speaking. Im hoping this is not a new rule, making the one paragraph to each block of speech obsolete.
Poppy and Liam's love story is a case of immediate attraction that ensures that every subsequent meeting amps up the attraction. Liam's character is just swoonworthy and Poppy's character is more complex due to her history; she had a very difficult upbringing due to her father's defection when she was 13 YO, leaving Poppy to cope with a mentally unstable mother. She brought herself up and the fact that she is a well adjusted woman is a testament to her stubbornness, strength and common sense.
It is only on the romance front that Poppy's life is less than stellar, but meeting Liam is a life changing happenstance, one that she thinks is too good to be true and she fights (feebly) advancing the relationship. She also has baggage that needs to be dealt with and a big decision to make as to whether she can come home to Australia after 5 years away living and working as an ER nurse in New York City.
Birrangulla, a short flight from a Sydney on the interior side of the Blue Mountains, is a slice of paradise and Poppy not only falls in love with Liam O'Connor, but she falls in love with this gorgeous town and her escape to the country isn't that difficult in the long run.
Definitely worth the read but be prepared to work for you pleasure.
The difficulty reading Critical Condition has nothing to do with the writing and everything to do with printing mistakes and syntax.
There are countless times when the words of a sentence run together, making it difficult to try and work out what is actually being said. I don't know how this could happen but happen it did. And then there is the dialogue; so many cases of two different characters speaking in the same paragraph, making it necessary to reread several times to try and work out who is speaking. Im hoping this is not a new rule, making the one paragraph to each block of speech obsolete.
Poppy and Liam's love story is a case of immediate attraction that ensures that every subsequent meeting amps up the attraction. Liam's character is just swoonworthy and Poppy's character is more complex due to her history; she had a very difficult upbringing due to her father's defection when she was 13 YO, leaving Poppy to cope with a mentally unstable mother. She brought herself up and the fact that she is a well adjusted woman is a testament to her stubbornness, strength and common sense.
It is only on the romance front that Poppy's life is less than stellar, but meeting Liam is a life changing happenstance, one that she thinks is too good to be true and she fights (feebly) advancing the relationship. She also has baggage that needs to be dealt with and a big decision to make as to whether she can come home to Australia after 5 years away living and working as an ER nurse in New York City.
Birrangulla, a short flight from a Sydney on the interior side of the Blue Mountains, is a slice of paradise and Poppy not only falls in love with Liam O'Connor, but she falls in love with this gorgeous town and her escape to the country isn't that difficult in the long run.
Definitely worth the read but be prepared to work for you pleasure.
October 14, 2023
The final installment in this series of books written by Nicki Edwards is a page-turner like the rest of the series.
This book is about Poppy McDonald who has lived in United States for five years after her father left when she was thirteen and left her with her manic depressive mother. Poppy dealt with her mother as long as she could but left and met an actor who had an apartment where she lived rent free whilst he lived and worked in another city and came back to Poppy between jobs. Poppy finds out through some whispers she had heard that he is actually married and that she unbeknownst to her was the other woman.
In the meantime, Poppy receives a call from a policeman in Australia that her estranged father has been killed in a motor vehicle accident in the line of duty. She decides to go home and attend the funeral. She arrives at the airport where she is to be picked up by her father's work colleague, but he hasn't arrived yet. Enter the son, Liam O'Connor who has stepped in to pick Poppy up. From the time they lay eyes on each other there are sparks flying.
These two have baggage from their pasts and the question is can this pair rise above their issues to have a bright and happy future?
This book is about Poppy McDonald who has lived in United States for five years after her father left when she was thirteen and left her with her manic depressive mother. Poppy dealt with her mother as long as she could but left and met an actor who had an apartment where she lived rent free whilst he lived and worked in another city and came back to Poppy between jobs. Poppy finds out through some whispers she had heard that he is actually married and that she unbeknownst to her was the other woman.
In the meantime, Poppy receives a call from a policeman in Australia that her estranged father has been killed in a motor vehicle accident in the line of duty. She decides to go home and attend the funeral. She arrives at the airport where she is to be picked up by her father's work colleague, but he hasn't arrived yet. Enter the son, Liam O'Connor who has stepped in to pick Poppy up. From the time they lay eyes on each other there are sparks flying.
These two have baggage from their pasts and the question is can this pair rise above their issues to have a bright and happy future?
February 25, 2020
Loved how this one linked everyone from all the books in the series!!!! Great read! Loved the mental health references - we really need to discuss these as they are so prevalent these days!! Thanks NE
June 9, 2020
Great story ruined by the distraction of poor editing. Therearesentenceswherethewordshavenospaceswhichisreallyannoyingtoread. Other than that whicxh is fairly often through the book, its actually a really good read.
May 3, 2020
A book to read
I found the story wonderful and engaging, not wanting to put it down. You felt the emotions in the characters as though you were there with them.
I found the story wonderful and engaging, not wanting to put it down. You felt the emotions in the characters as though you were there with them.
April 20, 2021
Nice easy story to read, NO explicit sex details which I appreciated. Will read more of her books. Thank you for a very pleasant book to read.
August 28, 2022
A fantastic series.
June 23, 2023
Amazing
The story was practical in a sense that this could happen in someone's life. Enjoyable read and happy ending! Thanks
The story was practical in a sense that this could happen in someone's life. Enjoyable read and happy ending! Thanks
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November 5, 2023Kindle
October 29, 2016
Critical Condition is the 4th in the Escape to the Country series set in the small NSW town of Birrangulla.
Our handsome hero is Liam O’Connor, a passionate paramedic who moved back to his hometown earlier in the series. He professes to be a happy bachelor and has gained a ladies man reputation but really he’s just looking for the right woman to come along so he can settle down and have what his siblings have found.
The story begins about the same time Life Support ends, and I don’t want to say where that is because it would be quite the spoiler for the previous book.
Liam claims to be happily single but those who know him best can see that it’s not quite that simple. His previous relationship did not end well and it burnt him badly, he wants to find love but he’s not willing to settle. He is loving his job and enjoying being back in his home town surrounded by his family, which is quite close and has grown in recent years.
Poppy is in New York when the book begins and it takes a while to work out how this story is going to come together. Poppy is an ex-pat who has been living in New York for years. A phone call out of the blue pulls her back home, for reasons even she doesn’t really understand. Her estranged father whom she hasn’t seen since she was 13 has lost his life in the line of duty and his partner calls to request her presence at the funeral. Poppy has not been in contact with him since the day he left so she’s not even really sure how this man got her details but she had been considering a trip back to Australia and this is the last sign she needed that the time is right.
A holiday is just what Poppy needs and she organises a few days in Birrangulla for the funeral, a trip to Queensland to visit her mother and then a couple of weeks holidaying on her own. The relationship with her mother is quite strained also but she always checks in.
Yet again Edwards has written some very complex and troubled characters with interesting backstories. The cast for this series grows ever larger as we are still checking in with the couples from earlier in the series, and most of them are now related. I will be interested to follow and see if there will be more stories in the series because I think the O’Connor family are all well and truly accounted for now.
There are elements of this story that absolutely broke my heart. The idea of a passionate paramedic forced to face a life without her job because of a medical condition she has no control over, and the way she deals with the news, touched me on different levels.
A couple of days is all Poppy has in Birranbulla but it is enough time for her to start to connect with her father’s new family and fight an attachment to the town. Her Queensland trip is surprisingly eventful and shortlived, she arrives in time to help her mother finish packing and drive her to the new house she has rented…. in Birrangulla. So she heads back with her mum and decides to stay long enough to get her settled.
Poppy is an emergency department nurse, which means she fits in just beautifully in Birrangulla and it isn’t long before she is offered a casual position at the hospital; one that takes much deliberation before deciding to take on because her flights are still booked to take her home.
I loved this story, I loved Poppy having the chance to take a look at her father from a different perspective; even if it was too late to be able to make amends. I loved the strength she found within herself. The O’Connor family were just as tight and welcoming as they have throughout and all the women were just beautiful.
Birrangulla is a gorgeous small town that welcomes and embraces new residents, and helps people who have been looking for a sense of belonging to find it. I hope that this isn’t the last in the series because I will really miss my ventures into the small town with it’s surprisingly busy base hospital.
Critical Condition is book #50 for the Australian Women Writer’s Challenge 2016.
You can follow Nicki on Facebook, Twitter and her Website.
For your copy of Critical Condition head to Momentum, iBooks Store (iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac), Angus & Robertson Bookworld, Booktopia and Amazon.
Our handsome hero is Liam O’Connor, a passionate paramedic who moved back to his hometown earlier in the series. He professes to be a happy bachelor and has gained a ladies man reputation but really he’s just looking for the right woman to come along so he can settle down and have what his siblings have found.
The story begins about the same time Life Support ends, and I don’t want to say where that is because it would be quite the spoiler for the previous book.
Liam claims to be happily single but those who know him best can see that it’s not quite that simple. His previous relationship did not end well and it burnt him badly, he wants to find love but he’s not willing to settle. He is loving his job and enjoying being back in his home town surrounded by his family, which is quite close and has grown in recent years.
Poppy is in New York when the book begins and it takes a while to work out how this story is going to come together. Poppy is an ex-pat who has been living in New York for years. A phone call out of the blue pulls her back home, for reasons even she doesn’t really understand. Her estranged father whom she hasn’t seen since she was 13 has lost his life in the line of duty and his partner calls to request her presence at the funeral. Poppy has not been in contact with him since the day he left so she’s not even really sure how this man got her details but she had been considering a trip back to Australia and this is the last sign she needed that the time is right.
A holiday is just what Poppy needs and she organises a few days in Birrangulla for the funeral, a trip to Queensland to visit her mother and then a couple of weeks holidaying on her own. The relationship with her mother is quite strained also but she always checks in.
Yet again Edwards has written some very complex and troubled characters with interesting backstories. The cast for this series grows ever larger as we are still checking in with the couples from earlier in the series, and most of them are now related. I will be interested to follow and see if there will be more stories in the series because I think the O’Connor family are all well and truly accounted for now.
There are elements of this story that absolutely broke my heart. The idea of a passionate paramedic forced to face a life without her job because of a medical condition she has no control over, and the way she deals with the news, touched me on different levels.
A couple of days is all Poppy has in Birranbulla but it is enough time for her to start to connect with her father’s new family and fight an attachment to the town. Her Queensland trip is surprisingly eventful and shortlived, she arrives in time to help her mother finish packing and drive her to the new house she has rented…. in Birrangulla. So she heads back with her mum and decides to stay long enough to get her settled.
Poppy is an emergency department nurse, which means she fits in just beautifully in Birrangulla and it isn’t long before she is offered a casual position at the hospital; one that takes much deliberation before deciding to take on because her flights are still booked to take her home.
I loved this story, I loved Poppy having the chance to take a look at her father from a different perspective; even if it was too late to be able to make amends. I loved the strength she found within herself. The O’Connor family were just as tight and welcoming as they have throughout and all the women were just beautiful.
Birrangulla is a gorgeous small town that welcomes and embraces new residents, and helps people who have been looking for a sense of belonging to find it. I hope that this isn’t the last in the series because I will really miss my ventures into the small town with it’s surprisingly busy base hospital.
Critical Condition is book #50 for the Australian Women Writer’s Challenge 2016.
You can follow Nicki on Facebook, Twitter and her Website.
For your copy of Critical Condition head to Momentum, iBooks Store (iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac), Angus & Robertson Bookworld, Booktopia and Amazon.
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September 6, 2022This is the fourth book to Escape to the Country it is Liam OConnor and Poppy McDonald story. I found it to be the best story out of the four books. Liam a paramedic who was once working in Sydney returns home Birrangulla. He is single and hoping to meet his match, he known as the bachelor/ladies-man. He is Joel's twin brother.
Poppy is ED nurse who left Australia 5 years earlier to escape her mother who is manic depressive. She is working in New York her boyfriend Adam an actor who she barely sees as he works in LA. One night she over hears a phone conversation between Adam and his wife and she discovers he is married. Poppy then receives a call of her father's death and return's to Australia for the funeral in Birrangulla. But has not intention of stay her plan is attend the funeral, go see her mother and return to New York. Poppy learns that her father had remarried and she has two step brothers.
Liam meets Poppy when he picks her up from the airport and there is an instant spark between them. His one-liners seem to be over the top. Poppy tells him of her plans as he tries to get her interested in seen him more.
Poppy goes to Queensland to her moms and finds her packing to leave to move Birrangulla to live the town she just came from. They return to Birrangulla to the Cottage owned by Joel and Kate. Poppy begins to work casually a the hospital. Slowly her and Liam begin to learn about each others past her about her parents and his about deaths of his previous partner at work and ex-girlfriend.
Her mum has a manic episode while is out and she calls Liam and he is so supportive and helps her with the situation.
Poppy still decides to return to New York once her mum is settled in a nursing home but Liam takes a chance at fighting for her and brings her back to Birrangulla. But she still has concerns of whether she will pass on her mother's illness to her children or if she will get once she learns of her pregnancy to Liam and tries to leave again but Liam is there for her reassuring her no matter what happens they get through it together.
I LIKED THIS BOOK IT WAS NOT JUST ABOUT TWO PEOPLE FINDING LOVE BUT ALSO ABOUT FAMILY SUPPORTING EACH OTHER. I AM GLAD THAT Niki Edwards showed us that we all have our issues and mental issues seem to be not spoken about much. I read this overnight could not put it down.
Poppy is ED nurse who left Australia 5 years earlier to escape her mother who is manic depressive. She is working in New York her boyfriend Adam an actor who she barely sees as he works in LA. One night she over hears a phone conversation between Adam and his wife and she discovers he is married. Poppy then receives a call of her father's death and return's to Australia for the funeral in Birrangulla. But has not intention of stay her plan is attend the funeral, go see her mother and return to New York. Poppy learns that her father had remarried and she has two step brothers.
Liam meets Poppy when he picks her up from the airport and there is an instant spark between them. His one-liners seem to be over the top. Poppy tells him of her plans as he tries to get her interested in seen him more.
Poppy goes to Queensland to her moms and finds her packing to leave to move Birrangulla to live the town she just came from. They return to Birrangulla to the Cottage owned by Joel and Kate. Poppy begins to work casually a the hospital. Slowly her and Liam begin to learn about each others past her about her parents and his about deaths of his previous partner at work and ex-girlfriend.
Her mum has a manic episode while is out and she calls Liam and he is so supportive and helps her with the situation.
Poppy still decides to return to New York once her mum is settled in a nursing home but Liam takes a chance at fighting for her and brings her back to Birrangulla. But she still has concerns of whether she will pass on her mother's illness to her children or if she will get once she learns of her pregnancy to Liam and tries to leave again but Liam is there for her reassuring her no matter what happens they get through it together.
I LIKED THIS BOOK IT WAS NOT JUST ABOUT TWO PEOPLE FINDING LOVE BUT ALSO ABOUT FAMILY SUPPORTING EACH OTHER. I AM GLAD THAT Niki Edwards showed us that we all have our issues and mental issues seem to be not spoken about much. I read this overnight could not put it down.
October 2, 2016
i really enjoyed this book a great romance and well worth a read recommended
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