Lake Hill

by Margareta Osborn

All her life Julia Gunn has been weighed down - first by a controlling father, then by a staid older husband, and always by a long-buried secret from her teenage years.

Now she's going to do something for herself.

Except en route to a new life on the coast at Lakes Entrance she finds herself - courtesy of a rockslide - stuck in the remote mountain town of Lake Grace.

Yet maybe fate is on her side. Because Lake Grace is home to Rick Halloran - ex-rodeo king, sculptor and grazier - and the man with whom she enjoyed a brief, unforgettable romance twenty years ago.

Not only that, but Julia has dreamed of running her own cafe, and she's just spotted a For Sale sign outside the prettiest little tea-room by the lake . . .

Julia is finally on the verge of the life she's always wanted.

Then her long-buried secret knocks at the door . . .

Genres: Romance

282 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 1, 2017

Reviews

[Amanda - Mrs B's Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

*https://mrsbbookreviews.wordpress.com
*4.5 stars
Margareta Osborn, a firm figure in the rural romance genre and fan favourite is back with a brand new dazzler, Lake Hill. A story drawn from deep in the high country region of Gippsland, Lake Hill is a consuming story of family secrets, loss, betrayal, second chance love and self fulfilment.

Osborn’s fifth full length novel brings us the devastating story of Julia Gunn. Julia is thirty-six years old and has recently left her life in the city after she was left widowed. Sadly, Julia’s husband betrayed her prior to his death and it seems like a wise move to start afresh in the country. Julia sets her sights on a town called Lakes Entrance, where she plans to buy and run her own cafe, which has long been a dream of hers. Fate intervenes with these plans when Julia is involved in a car accident, after a freak rockslide and she is towed back to safety to the small town of Lake Grace. Whilst Julia knows Lake Grace is a picturesque little town, it does hold painful memories of the past for her. The pit-stop in Lake Grace may be a difficult experience for Julia but when she spots a vacant cottage nestled in the outskirts of town, the establishment of her very own tea room seems to call her name. When the tea rooms begin to take shape, Julia’s life is dealt with two blows. First she must contend with the unresolved feelings she has towards Rick Halloran, a lover from her past days as Lake Grace. Then, the secret she vowed would stay buried in the past, comes to the surface in the form of a mysterious newcomer to the town of Lake Grace. Can Julia reclaim the life she has always aspired to, despite these obstacles?

I was really happy to see Lake Hill in bookstores upon its release. It seems awhile since the last Margareta Osborn book but she explains all at the close of Lake Hill. Osborn makes her presence felt strongly in the rural fiction genre with this brand new release. I thoroughly enjoyed my reading experience of Lake Hill.

Osborn’s storyline focus for Lake Hill is a strong one and it draws you in from the very beginning. There was a fairly tough emotional scene in the early moments of the book that served to successfully hook me and develop an attachment to the lead of the book, Julia. This powerful and emotionally fraught scene tugged at heartstrings immediately and I knew from that point on I was 100% committed to this book.

Julia was a great character and being the same age helped twofold in developing my connection to this main protagonist. Julia’s past and family background is a heartbreaking and sad one. It seemed a real shame that unhappiness and unfortunate situations seemed to follow Julia. I did admire Julia’s decision making and willingness to step out of her comfort zone on more than one occasion. I had nothing but admiration for the choice she made to leave a successful career in the city behind, for a new start in the country. More than anything else, I wanted Julia to succeed in her venture in establishing her own tea rooms. Julia is backed by a steady cast of supporting side characters. The quirky but loveable fellow residents of Lake Hill worked their way into my heart, especially Ernie. Likewise, there are a few suspect characters or villains in some respects, who add colour and intrigue to the novel.

Romance plays a significant part in Lake Hill. The insertion of the key character of Rick Halloran is crucial to the romance aspect of the novel. I loved moving back and forth between the present day relationship with Julia and Rick, to the past teen romance between this couple. The past romance in particular struck a chord with me, I loved the teen angst, high emotions and family complications that were present in this past relationship. In the present, the opportunity to rekindle lost love made for an involving read. The added complication of the huge secret Julia is concealing from Rick adds substance to this mature relationship. Once the leads finally get their acts together after many will they/won’t they moments, I was happy with the end result.

Margaret Osborn is fondly called the ‘voice of the bush’ and I can easily see why she has been given this label. Osborn’s passion for rural or remote area storytelling is absolutely palpable. Lake Hill is a novel the offers us a very good example of a novel rooted in the authenticity of our country areas of Australia. It shows us through the residents and general way of life depicted in the unfolding story of Lake Hill, how these people face pitfalls but positive prospects. Osborn definitely has a firm grip on her portrayal small town community life. These aspects of Lake Hill were very authentic, touched with a good dose of realism and just the right amount of humour versus sentimentality.

With a stunning mountain region backdrop, Lake Hill is a novel that has much to offer any reader who selects this book to read. If features an engaging second chance style romance, coupled with a connecting entrenched secret that will be sure to mess with your emotions. The strength of Lake Hill comes from the storyline itself that meshes together a memorable character journey, together with themes on a serious level such as family abuse, adoption, infidelity, drug use, robbery and employment in remote areas. Bravo to Margareta Osborn, who comes out on top after the release of this solid contribution to the Australian rural fiction genre.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Julia Gunn was on her way to Lakes Entrance – Esplanade Resort a decadent four and a half star hotel with a day spa, restaurant, bar and café, but her trip comes to a standstill after getting caught in a rockslide. She was lucky to be alive when a boulder-sized rock was coming straight for her smashing the front grille of her car.

Julia was now stuck in the remote mountain town of Lake Grace, but sometimes things happen for a reason. Could this be where Julia gets the chance to make her dreams finally come true of opening up her café?

Aussie author Margareta Osborn has written many wonderful books which I have enjoyed including this one. If you enjoy reading rural romances with an intriguing storyline then this book is for you. Recommended.

[Dale Harcombe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three and a half stars,
Despite the brutal pastor father who I thought was a stereotype, I still enjoyed this book. It maintained my interest, although at times some of the behaviour of certain characters seemed inconsistent. But overall an entertaining read with interesting main characters.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lake Hill about how two people Rick Halloran and Julia Gunn who were childhood friends had a second chance of love. Julie after the death of her husband Rupert wanted a seaside change to open a small cafe. However, this was not the case. On the way, Julie had a car accident and ended up in Lake Grace and collided with her childhood friend Rick Halloran. The readers of Lake Hill will follow the twist and turns in Rick's and Julia relationship and see if Julia achieved her dream of opening a cafe.

I enjoy reading Margareta Osborn books, and Lake Hills did not disappoint. I love the way, Margareta Osborn portrays her characters especially Julie and Rick. Margareta Osbourn describes living in a small community in a way that makes her readers feeling like they are also present in Lake Grace community.

The readers of Lake Hill will learn about running a cafe in a small rural community. Also, the readers of Lake Hill will learn about the problems children have when their parents are famous entertainers. Lake Hill highlights what people see not always what happens behind closed doors. The Reading Lake Hill you learn about training working dogs.

I recommend this book.

[Bree T · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Margareta Osborn’s 5th full length novel we head to the beautiful Gippsland area in eastern Victoria where Julia Gunn is on her way to a new life. Having been widowed young, only in her thirties, she’s resigned from her job and has decided to move to Lakes Entrance and buy a cafe/tearoom. Only fate intervenes and she finds herself stranded in the mountain town of Lake Grace – not quite where she wanted to be, but lovely nonetheless. Especially when she spots something for sale that will work perfectly with her dream.

Lake Grace is also the home of Rick Holloran, Julia’s first….well, everything. Many years ago they shared a brief romance as teenagers before Julia’s strict pastor father whisked the family away to another town. Julia has never forgotten Rick, nor what eventuated from that romance. When they cross paths again, a lot of the chemistry they experienced as teenagers is still there.

I’ve always wanted to go visit that part of Victoria – I’ve never been. The coastline is stunningly beautiful and there’s some lovely high country too. Julia has left Melbourne behind after the death of her much older husband and is determined to finally be able to live her own life. Having been dominated by first her controlling and abusive father and then to a much lesser extent, her husband, who always had certain expectations, she no longer feels that pressure and can finally just be herself. Live her own life.

Julia has definitely been through some difficult times and now, even some twenty years later, they still weigh quite heavily on her. A fresh start won’t banish those thoughts but I think that for Julia it’s the first step in perhaps moving forward. Fate lands her in Lake Grace and she is regarded with suspicion for being a journalist at first – Lake Grace is highly protective of some of its residents for reasons that are probably very genuine and admirable but at the same time, Rick Halloran in particular is well, a bit of a jerk to her. He doesn’t recognise her immediately, although he’s aware that she’s familiar and he’s too caught up in assuming that she’s a journalist come to harass him.

Those with the Halloran seal of approval are welcomed with open arms though and the community rallies behind Julia after that first awkwardness to help her once she buys the tearoom with the intent to reopen it. Julia makes a friend in Rick’s much younger sister as well as the locals who run the pub and work for Rick in various capacities. As well as this, there’s the budding friendship with Rick himself, which definitely has potential. Julia has something that she knows she needs to confide in him, but she fears his reaction.

There are a couple of good twists in this book and a little bit of mystery running through the story too which was good. It creates good conflict for Julia and Rick as they are attempting to establish their relationship. Certain things in his past have made Rick….well, a bit of a control freak to be honest. He’s quite bossy and he likes basically having what he says goes. Both his sister and Julia are grown ups and don’t need to be told what to do and I thought it was good that they called him out on it. Rick definitely needed to learn to ‘let go’ and step back a bit!

I really enjoyed this story, particularly the way that all of the characters came to life and played an important role. I do have to admit that in the scene where they were all introduced in the local pub, I found it a tad overwhelming – but as Julia got to know them all properly, I did too. I really liked the character of Ernie, the town’s retired doctor who offers to help Julia out in the kitchen, hiding a talent for some baking. Many of the characters had sadness or secrets or something that just added to the whole picture of the town that Osborn had created here. I also liked the way that Julia really found something of herself in Lake Grace, a place to settle and call home and an occupation that made her happy. There was romance but it was never really the strongest feature of the novel – it was about Julia and her journey, coming to terms with what had happened in her past, trying to make her peace with it and move on to a stronger future. There were people she’d met along the way that were clearly going to be a part of that future but her individual journey was for me, the strongest part of the book and this was well represented.

[Pam Tickner · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2 stars. I really enjoyed meeting Margareta at her book launch and listening her talk about the research for this book. More serious social issues facing regional towns, particularly the ICE epidemic are covered and this book moves away from being just a rural romance. Not my favorite writing genre, but Margareta shows she is continuing to hone her writing skills and story telling abilities. I love that her books showcase the beauty of Gippsland and this will be a fan favorite.

[Lizzy Chandler · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like rural romance with a reunion theme and lots of salt-of-the-earth secondary characters, you'll enjoy this light read. The story is a little slow and predictable in parts, but I gave it four stars because the ending brought a tear to my eye. The Victorian lake-mountain country setting is sketched in a way that makes me want to travel there for a visit. Maybe one day!

[Sam Still Reading · Rating 4 out of 5]

Margareta Osborn’s books are always brimming with love for the mountain country of Australia. Add to that a plot that takes you off the beaten track and you get Lake Hill. It is a fascinating story dealing with love, loss, family and secrets. What I particularly enjoyed about this story was that it didn’t have the romance as the main plotline and interwove stories from the other characters, making it all the richer.

Julia Gunn is finally free (although not by choice). She’s decided to quit her job and move away from Melbourne to open a café on the coast. Unfortunately a poorly timed rockslide has her car rendered useless and she’s stranded in the small mountain town of Lake Grace. The town also happens to be primarily owned by Rick Halloran, who was also Julia’s first love. Julia recognises him instantly, but Rick is slower to remember and then suspicious as to her reasons for being there. Is she a journalist only there to capitalise on his family’s fame? Julia’s definitely not in Lake Grace for a long stay – she wants to get going! But a gorgeous building by the lake has her changing her site for a café. As her relationship with Rick grows, Julia knows that there’s a secret she needs to reveal – until that secret appears in the flesh…

The community feeling of the small town of Lake Grace is palpable in this story, particularly in the beginning as most of the townspeople descend on the local pub to the bewilderment of Julia. She’s amazed at their familiarity, knowledge of each other and gentle teasing. The town is also willing to accept and support Julia once she makes the decision to open the café – all and sundry stop for a coffee and some even get behind the counter! It’s just what she needs as Julia is revealed to be a damaged character, suffering from bullying, humiliation and rejection throughout her life. She can’t even bear to show Rick the pain of her past, even when it’s in front of him! Even though she lacks self-confidence, Julia is stronger than she knows. As the community helps to build her business, she comes up against some odd scenarios that will draw on quick thinking and trusting in others.

Rick plays his cards much closer to his chest but it’s more obvious that he’s hiding something than Julia. He’s been hurt by his parents and fiercely overprotects his now adult sister. He wants to protect Julia in the same way, but she’s not keen as his protection can be overbearing. He’s more broody a hero, but it’s the townspeople’s trust in him that leads the reader to trust him too.

There are also some wonderful supporting characters in Lake Hill. Ernie, a retired doctor with a knack for scones, hides a secret too. There’s the lonely figure of Miss Finch, lost in another time and Montana, Rick’s sister, who is like a puppy, eager to try everything at least once. They are a disparate group, but they all work wonderfully when crisis arrives. The latter part of the story has so many twists and turns that they will need to draw on each other for strength. It’s overall an interesting story that’s both fun and eye opening.

http://samstillreading.wordpress.com

[Stacey Houllis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lake Hill By Margareta Osborn is a beautiful rural romance about Julia Gunn and Rick Halloran. Julia met Rick as a teenager when she was sixteen she was the daughter of Harry Gunn a preacher and was very controlling of her. Julia snuck out to go to party it was here she meets Rick and the fell in love and spent week together, her family was run out of town by one of Rick friends parents due to the fact he had to them of Julia's going out and her outspoken about teenagers in the community going out to freely. Julia then finds out her pregnant to Rick her parents want her to adopt the baby out but she leaves gets a job. When her daughter is born she leaves her to work colleague to raise her. Julia then marries an older man he dies.
After his death, Julia moves to Lake Grace to open a cafe it here she feels her home is and she meets Rick hear, again 20 years later she now 36 years old is keeping the secret of her past from Rick. She and Rick fall in love again. There is Rick sister Montana who married to Owen and is a real estate agent as well has her interests in sheep and her dogs. Ernie a retired doctor, Charlie was helps Rick on the properties his family owns. Lottie an elderly woman, Bluey and Jean owners of the pub and Harry the police officer of Lake Grace who all look up Rick.
Rick feels he needs to keep an eye on his younger sister but he doesn't realize she know the truth about their father not been hers ad her desire to find him.
Julia has to face revealing her secret when she hires a cook to help with cafe turns out to ber her and Rick daughter Chloe and is afraid of what his reaction will be when he learns he has a daughter.
Lake Hill is a love rekindled, acceptance of descisions of the past to move on farward to happy future.

[Janine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Margareta Osborn writes very good contemporary & rural fiction for women. Her latest book Lake Hill tells the story of a young widow - Julia - who wants to open a small coffee shop in a seaside town after the death of her husband. Unfortunately she breaks down en-route to her destination and ends up at Lake Grace. Seeing it is going to take some time to get her car repairs done she is forced to stay here for the time being. While there she meets all the locals and discovers that a long lost love of hers lives in the district. Julia has a past that she has kept secret and discovering that her past crush Rick Halloran lives there throws her life into turmoil. She discovers that there is a pretty cottage that would be ideal for her little cafe and decides to buy it and establish her life there. Little does she know that her secrets are coming to find her - and the consequences of this throw everyone's lives into turmoil.

I listened to the audio book of this story and thoroughly enjoyed every moment. The narrator was perfect and the story very engaging. Highly recommended.

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

'Lake Hill' by Margareta Osborn started off nicely with interesting characters, a promising plot and lovely Australian scenery: Julia, a widow with a brutal past winds up in her childhood town, meets her teenage sweetheart who she hasn't seen for 20 years, and, to start a new life, opens a tearooms in a restored cottage with a sweet garden overlooking the lake. So far, the makings of an escapist chick-lit. But Julia also has a secret (which readers learn about from the start). Halfway through the book I got sick of her indecision, as she repeatedly ranted 'I can't live this lie any longer. Tomorrow I will tell him. It is time to reveal the truth.' for page after page. Enter the obnoxious and vile Chloe character and I lost interest. It would have been much more intriguing - and subtle - if the author had made her charming and vulnerable. I stuck it out to finally witness Julia 'tell the truth' a chapter or so in from the end. Oh, and why did the author go over the top with her hero? We know we like our heroes to be accomplished but Rick is a successful farmer, he is rich and owns the local pub as well as many of the town's businesses, he also owns an island, is an expert mechanic, a well-respected sculptor ... and a bronco rider.

[Jessy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the print copy of this book. Julia Gunn's life has always been controlled by others but now as a widow at the age of 36 , she decides to start afresh by moving to a place where she spent her childhood. For a change Julia wants to do something for herself. On her way to Lake Entrance she is held up in a remote mountain town of Lake Hill. Here she runs into her old and unforgettable romance. She decides to buy and open up a café in Lake hill.

A story of romance, secrets, small knit community life and life in the Outback . Thoroughly enjoy reading this book and looking forward to more books from this Author.

[Susan Abbey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fabulous romance - growth of the characters and great plot lines..drama loved most of the story got bogged down when Julia had a meltdown - which was expected given her previous grief - I picked the vibes early that the 'daughter' was an imposter - good ending - but...if the real daughter had been found (in a rehab centre) this could have been the first of a series... I would like to have read another story about how Julia and Rick's life unfolded..baby on the way...Julia has fitted into the community - she has a sense of belonging.I could see the daughter getting out of rehab and running the coffee shop...

[Vicki Robe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was not your average country romance plot. There were many side plots that were set up twenty or so years ago which had an impact on the story line today.

The story starts with Julia Gunn heading to Lakes Entrance to purchase a cafe as her life change since being made an unexpected widow. Unfortunately on the way she has a car breakdown and is rescued and taken to Lake Grace.

This is where she is taken back to her younger days twenty years ago running into an ex-flame.

The plot was very different and made for a very interesting read. Do yourself a favour and get your hands a copy of the book. You won't be disappointed if you like country romance!

[Suzanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Old flames are reignited when Julia crashes back into the world of Rick Halloran. With vast property investment owning the whole town and the clout that goes with it he makes Julia's fresh start difficult. Hidden secrets and lies are bound to be uncovered as the story unfolds.
Well written with visual depiction of the settings, you can almost taste the food in the cafe and drown in the smell of coffee.

[flajol · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't usually read romances, but we get quite a few of these Australian rural romances in the library and this one caught my eye a few weeks ago. I placed a hold and it finally made its way to me on Friday.

I expected it to be very predictable and follow the usual course, and while Lake Hill does this to some extent, there were some nice twists that I didn't see coming, and some serious issues addressed. A satisfying read.

[Yvette · Rating 1 out of 5]

Very sorry I had to rate this book so low. Margareta is actually a favourite author of mine and I get so hooked on her books that I devour them in one sitting (Bella’s Run is one of my all time favourites). 
Unfortunately this story just wasn’t the same, I found the storyline too far fetched and the characters of Rick and Montana just too annoying.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it Margareta, just as I have loved all your books!

[Kay Graves · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. i could relate to the characters and life in a country town. It sensitively tackled losing a child

[Itchy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Cheesy

[Kathleen Hunter · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved this book, love reading all Margateta Osborn books and have read them all

[Robyn Coyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved it - great story and definitely kept me interested (though I did pick the outcome of the so-called daughter.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I felt it was slow going in the first half but it picked up pace and I really enjoyed the last 1/3 where things got interesting. Good twist at end.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book, I was hooked from the beginning. The ending though is devastatingly sad, tragic even, although there is a bit of a high note in the final pages.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely read, with an unexpected twist. Very sad in some parts. But with a melancholy ending.

[Joanna · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a pretty good read, a nice plot that was easy to get into but with some real heart and tragedy to raise the stakes.

I liked the characters and the atmosphere and the way the main relationship progressed.

The truth about Chloe was super surprising and definitely an interesting choice. Though I really wish they had been able to be reunited with her.

[Fiona Russell · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing book from start to finish. it is so good - makes you actually feel like you are there - in the storyline itself.