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The Country Practice
A month as a GP in rural South Australia can't be that hard – or can it? Meghan Kimble is finally following her dream of working as a country GP. Her first stop is remote Magpie Creek, and as the new girl in town she's attracting more than her fair share of attention. The whole community has been waiting for someone like Meghan, but no one is more interested than forthright farmer Sean Ashby, who's not shy about making his intentions known. Meghan is determined to keep her mind on the job, but in such a tiny town it proves impossible to separate business from pleasure . . . and from pain.
400 pages, Paperback
First published February 25, 2015
18 people are currently reading
140 people want to read
About the author
Meredith Appleyard
10 books121 followersMeredith Appleyard lives in the Clare Valley wine-growing region of South Australia, two hours north of Adelaide. As a registered nurse and midwife, she has worked in a wide range of country health practice settings, including the Royal Flying Doctor Service. She has done agency nursing in London and volunteer work in Vietnam. After her first manuscript was rejected, she joined a writers' group, attended workshops and successfully completed an Advanced Diploma of Arts in Professional Writing with the Adelaide College of the Arts. And she kept working. When she isn't writing, Meredith is reading, helping organise the annual Clare Writers' Festival, or at home with her husband and her border collie, Daisy. The Country Practice is her first novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
February 28, 2017
The Country Practice is about small country town medical practice in South Australia who needed a Locum due to their permanent doctor retirement. Long came Meghan Kimble who recently returned to Australian from England to follow her dream of working in a rural medical practice. The Country Practice opens up with how Meghan Kimble on her first day meets Sean Ashby after he brought his friend to the hospital after he suffered a heartache and continued to explore the romance between Meghan and Sean. The readers of The Country Practice will learn about the problems and issues of rural medicine. I love the way Meredith Appleyard broaching the medical needs of men and the health needs of farmers. The portrayal of the characters of The Country Practice by Meredith Appleyard was well done and for me believable. Also, the readers of The Country Practice would learn about living in a small community. I recommend this book.
July 20, 2019
After calling things off up with her fiancé with whom she had invested ten years, Meghan Kimble returns from London to Australia determined to pursue her dream of working as a country doctor. Thinking she will investigate the situation before settling in one place, she takes on a twelve month stint as a locum in various towns. What she doesn’t expect is to meet handsome man she feels an instant attraction to in the first town she stops at, Magpie Creek. Neither does she expect to feel so immediately welcomed as part of the community. Yes, it involves long hours being on call 24/7 and for a small town she is certainly kept busy, starting with a man having a heart attack but followed by a whole range of patients and ailments.
Having lived in a town that was only the same size as Magpie Creek, I found it interesting to compare them as Magpie Creek not only had a small hospital but a doctor 24/7. But since the author has worked as a registered nurse and midwife, I’m prepared to accept that things are obviously different in South Australia than where I lived in NSW. The medical knowledge and experience came across in the story. I also wondered that a wire fence round a farm house would keep roos out. Apparently roos in South Australia are more polite than ours here who would simply ignore a fence. However that quibble aside, I did like the way the Australian setting was portrayed and also the people of the town and their problems felt real.
The romance between Meghan and Sean was obvious from the beginning and it was a slow progression that needed a lot of baggage worked out before it could happen. But Meghan and Sean struck me as believable fully fleshed characters and I enjoyed this story. I’ll look forward to the author’s next book. If you like an Aussie setting, believable characters with lots happening in their lives and a slow burning romance then this would be a good choice.
Having lived in a town that was only the same size as Magpie Creek, I found it interesting to compare them as Magpie Creek not only had a small hospital but a doctor 24/7. But since the author has worked as a registered nurse and midwife, I’m prepared to accept that things are obviously different in South Australia than where I lived in NSW. The medical knowledge and experience came across in the story. I also wondered that a wire fence round a farm house would keep roos out. Apparently roos in South Australia are more polite than ours here who would simply ignore a fence. However that quibble aside, I did like the way the Australian setting was portrayed and also the people of the town and their problems felt real.
The romance between Meghan and Sean was obvious from the beginning and it was a slow progression that needed a lot of baggage worked out before it could happen. But Meghan and Sean struck me as believable fully fleshed characters and I enjoyed this story. I’ll look forward to the author’s next book. If you like an Aussie setting, believable characters with lots happening in their lives and a slow burning romance then this would be a good choice.
February 19, 2015
Tired and jet-lagged, Meghan Kimble found herself in her new home of Magpie Creek after a five hour bus trip from Adelaide. Not expecting to be thrust into her locum role immediately on her return from London, she barely had time to greet her parents before she was on her way. Now, resting in the staff room of the hospital with a cup of coffee while she waited to be taken to the Matron’s residence, Meghan heard a sudden yell for help from the A & E. A farmer was having a heart attack – her introduction to her new position was immediate and tension filled…
As Meghan settled into the role of the town’s only GP, for the next four weeks anyway, she found her patients were mostly there because they were curious. Though having been without a doctor for some time plus previously having had to travel, there were some serious cases. And when farmer Sean Ashby arrived at the surgery, Meghan’s receptionist, Julia was astounded to see him. But it seemed that Meghan’s red curls had taken Sean’s eye…
Busy day and night - with middle of the night call-outs to the hospital - Meghan felt a level of exhaustion that would only be eased by sleep. But as well, she found she was enjoying the friendliness of the locals of Magpie Creek – their welcoming attitudes made her feel a part of the community. Meghan’s confusion was building – she was determined to continue with her plans; but suddenly something happened. What would she do? What would her future become?
I thoroughly enjoyed The Country Practice by Aussie author Meredith Appleyard. Her debut novel, it was filled with a delightful mix of tension, suspense and romance. I found it difficult to put down, and though slightly predictable (the romance) the plot was a wonderful blend which pulled me right in. The rural setting was well laid out (easy to visualise as I’ve lived in similar areas), with word pictures putting me right there in the bakery of Magpie Creek or in the pub having a counter meal. The locals felt like people I know; people I grew up with. I’ll definitely be reading more of this author, and have no hesitation in recommending The Country Practice highly.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy to read and review.
As Meghan settled into the role of the town’s only GP, for the next four weeks anyway, she found her patients were mostly there because they were curious. Though having been without a doctor for some time plus previously having had to travel, there were some serious cases. And when farmer Sean Ashby arrived at the surgery, Meghan’s receptionist, Julia was astounded to see him. But it seemed that Meghan’s red curls had taken Sean’s eye…
Busy day and night - with middle of the night call-outs to the hospital - Meghan felt a level of exhaustion that would only be eased by sleep. But as well, she found she was enjoying the friendliness of the locals of Magpie Creek – their welcoming attitudes made her feel a part of the community. Meghan’s confusion was building – she was determined to continue with her plans; but suddenly something happened. What would she do? What would her future become?
I thoroughly enjoyed The Country Practice by Aussie author Meredith Appleyard. Her debut novel, it was filled with a delightful mix of tension, suspense and romance. I found it difficult to put down, and though slightly predictable (the romance) the plot was a wonderful blend which pulled me right in. The rural setting was well laid out (easy to visualise as I’ve lived in similar areas), with word pictures putting me right there in the bakery of Magpie Creek or in the pub having a counter meal. The locals felt like people I know; people I grew up with. I’ll definitely be reading more of this author, and have no hesitation in recommending The Country Practice highly.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy to read and review.
March 24, 2015
After breaking up with her fiancé Meghan returns from London to Australia. ER trained she takes up an offer to work as a locum in a rural South Australian community, to give herself time to work out what she wants to do with the rest of her life. It has long been her dream to become a GP so now she will see if she is cut out for the role. Magpie Creek welcomes Meghan with open arms as it has been a long time since they have had their own local doctor and the residents try to do everything they can to encourage her to stay. For example, when they find out she’s a vegetarian the local bakery makes vegetables pasties and the pub adds vegetarian dishes to their menu. She is thrown into her new life in her very first few in Magpie Creek when she helps a heart attack victim and meets farmer Sean Ashby who has brought the patient in. The romance is nice, slow to build, and so realistic and believable. Sean and Meghan both have past issues to work through before there is any chance for them – and Meghan is as determined to work her month out and leave for her next assignment as Sean is determined that he doesn’t deserve a relationship. I did want to smack him a couple of times with his poor bugger me attitude – and to be fair I wanted to smack her too for insisting on throwing it all away. Which I guess demonstrates how invested I was in this story. A quick read, the story kept me engrossed and I cared very much for both Sean and Meghan.
THE COUNTRY PRACTICE is a debut novel for Meredith Appleyard, and her medical background gives the various back stories an authentic edge to them – and added to the believability of the book. Country hospitals have to do the best that they can with limited resources, and modern technology can assist by having an expert on the phone giving advice to prepare a patient to be flown out. Meghan and the nursing staff are just as much front line as a busy city hospital – only they have less things that go beep to plug their patients in to.
The story didn’t just relate the story of Meghan and Sean, the reader got to see a small rural community where everyone knows just about everything that’s going on, and keeping secrets is hard; and how the medical and emergency services are more than likely to know accident victims; and a whole community pulls together to help out someone in need.
I can’t wait for her next one.
With thanks to Penguin Books Australia and the author via Netgalley for my copy to read and review
March 8, 2015
Is it possible to give a book 6 stars? If so, this one by debut author Meredith Appleyard gets them from me. I don't recall ever finishing a book in one sitting and starting it all over again. I LOVED it. Medical. Rural. Romance. My three great loves and you get them all in this brilliant book. Fabulous medical drama, gorgeous characters, lots of romance and love. Heartbreaking stories. Quite simply, it's the best book I've read all year. Can't wait to see what's next for this author.
March 11, 2017
This was a nice easy read which did make me think about how hard life can be in rural communities.
March 6, 2015
As a disclaimer, I am friends with the author, but this hasn’t coloured my enjoyment of the book or my review – I would have loved it just the same if I’d never heard of Meredith Appleyard.
Although not usually part of a review, the cover of The Country Practice merits a mention – it puts a smile on your face and crooks a finger at you to come closer and pick it up – the publisher’s art department did a fabulous job recreating the feel of the backdrop and the appearance of Meghan Kimble, a newly single GP who returns to Australia after working in London and decides to take on the peripatetic life of a locum doctor in rural South Australia.
This is Meredith’s first book but it doesn’t show. The reader is easily drawn into the life of Magpie Creek, Dr Kimble’s first posting, where we get to know not just Meghan but those working with her and the community she works in.
A drought-ridden farming area where residents are, for the most part, doing it tough waiting for rain which never eventuates. The book isn’t shy about addressing current issues facing small rural communities where local services are shrinking and people on the land face crucial decisions.
Meghan’s arrival in the town causes a stir because they have been without a GP for a while, and as the community falls in love with her so does farmer Sean Ashby. Love isn’t part of Meghan’s plans and while she comes to terms with her feelings she also has to decide whether she can settle in one place. Sean has commitment issues of his own and it seems the two will never get their ‘happily ever after’.
The Country Practice gives us a window into the life of a GP in a small rural community, where everyone knows just about everything that’s going on, where medical and emergency services personnel are more likely to know accident victims than not and how they cope with situations that involve their friends and neighbours.
A well-crafted book, where you can see, hear, smell and almost touch your surroundings once you are immersed in its pages – it took me to Magpie Creek and I didn’t want to leave. Loved the sub-plots and couldn’t put it down.
Although not usually part of a review, the cover of The Country Practice merits a mention – it puts a smile on your face and crooks a finger at you to come closer and pick it up – the publisher’s art department did a fabulous job recreating the feel of the backdrop and the appearance of Meghan Kimble, a newly single GP who returns to Australia after working in London and decides to take on the peripatetic life of a locum doctor in rural South Australia.
This is Meredith’s first book but it doesn’t show. The reader is easily drawn into the life of Magpie Creek, Dr Kimble’s first posting, where we get to know not just Meghan but those working with her and the community she works in.
A drought-ridden farming area where residents are, for the most part, doing it tough waiting for rain which never eventuates. The book isn’t shy about addressing current issues facing small rural communities where local services are shrinking and people on the land face crucial decisions.
Meghan’s arrival in the town causes a stir because they have been without a GP for a while, and as the community falls in love with her so does farmer Sean Ashby. Love isn’t part of Meghan’s plans and while she comes to terms with her feelings she also has to decide whether she can settle in one place. Sean has commitment issues of his own and it seems the two will never get their ‘happily ever after’.
The Country Practice gives us a window into the life of a GP in a small rural community, where everyone knows just about everything that’s going on, where medical and emergency services personnel are more likely to know accident victims than not and how they cope with situations that involve their friends and neighbours.
A well-crafted book, where you can see, hear, smell and almost touch your surroundings once you are immersed in its pages – it took me to Magpie Creek and I didn’t want to leave. Loved the sub-plots and couldn’t put it down.
January 31, 2015
The Country Practice
After a breakup with her fiance, an Australian ER physician returns home from London to take short term assignments as a country doctor.
She is soon immersed in the community and is attracted to a local rather aloof farmer. The people in the town want a full time physician and they are doing everything to keep her there, even trying to find her a husband. Even though the farmer is very attracted to her and really wants her, he’s not sure if he can convince her to stay. She is determined to fulfill her contract with the Agency who places her in different country practices throughout Australia.
Pros: Well written. The description of medical practice and procedures is very authentic as is the setting and the problems of surviving a drought. The description of characters was vivid and the reader got an idea of how they looked .
Cons: While the description of the main characters is good, there was not a lot of interaction between the H/h so it suffered from a lack of character development and sexual tension..If they had spent more time alone together getting to know each others ideas and views on life and developing a relationship, falling in love would have been more believable. I also found the reactions of the hero contradictory to the grumpy personality he presented to the town folk, i.e. winking and smiling at a dinner to which they’d both been invited when he hardly knew the heroine.
Would I recommend? Absolutely. It was well written without grammatical and spelling errors. A big plus, I couldn’t stop reading until I finished.
After a breakup with her fiance, an Australian ER physician returns home from London to take short term assignments as a country doctor.
She is soon immersed in the community and is attracted to a local rather aloof farmer. The people in the town want a full time physician and they are doing everything to keep her there, even trying to find her a husband. Even though the farmer is very attracted to her and really wants her, he’s not sure if he can convince her to stay. She is determined to fulfill her contract with the Agency who places her in different country practices throughout Australia.
Pros: Well written. The description of medical practice and procedures is very authentic as is the setting and the problems of surviving a drought. The description of characters was vivid and the reader got an idea of how they looked .
Cons: While the description of the main characters is good, there was not a lot of interaction between the H/h so it suffered from a lack of character development and sexual tension..If they had spent more time alone together getting to know each others ideas and views on life and developing a relationship, falling in love would have been more believable. I also found the reactions of the hero contradictory to the grumpy personality he presented to the town folk, i.e. winking and smiling at a dinner to which they’d both been invited when he hardly knew the heroine.
Would I recommend? Absolutely. It was well written without grammatical and spelling errors. A big plus, I couldn’t stop reading until I finished.
October 15, 2017
(I received a free copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.)
Meghan Kimble is taking control of her life. Newly single, she's returned to Australia to follow her dream of working as a GP. And her first stop is a month-long locum in the colourful community of Magpie Creek.
It's been months since the town has had a doctor and Meghan is generating more than her fair share of attention, especially from forthright farmer Sean Ashby. A handsome man with a difficult past, Sean isn't shy about making his intentions known to the redheaded medico.
Against her better judgement, Meghan finds herself charmed by the enigmatic Sean. But time is against her and when love threatens to derail her career plans, she is forced to reassess her priorities in ways she never imagined. Is Meghan ready to fall for all that life in Magpie Creek has to offer?
The debut novel from Meredith Appleyard sets the tone for her future novels: rural romance mixed with great characters and settings. The romance doesn't overtake the story as a fine balance between the two is maintained throughout.
The relationships Meghan develops when she moves to Magpie Creek are at the heart of this wonderful story. Sure, Sean is the most obvious but even that storyline has a bunch of issues to sort out before they can begin that romance. The community itself welcomes Meghan with open arms and it is this community that is the backbone of the story. I really enjoyed meeting the people in this book - their personalities, their secrets, their lives and their loves...
I think I will always rate Meredith highly as an author. She has a knack of conveying the whole Australian life, as well as the minutae of small communities. Loved this book!
Paul
ARH
Meghan Kimble is taking control of her life. Newly single, she's returned to Australia to follow her dream of working as a GP. And her first stop is a month-long locum in the colourful community of Magpie Creek.
It's been months since the town has had a doctor and Meghan is generating more than her fair share of attention, especially from forthright farmer Sean Ashby. A handsome man with a difficult past, Sean isn't shy about making his intentions known to the redheaded medico.
Against her better judgement, Meghan finds herself charmed by the enigmatic Sean. But time is against her and when love threatens to derail her career plans, she is forced to reassess her priorities in ways she never imagined. Is Meghan ready to fall for all that life in Magpie Creek has to offer?
The debut novel from Meredith Appleyard sets the tone for her future novels: rural romance mixed with great characters and settings. The romance doesn't overtake the story as a fine balance between the two is maintained throughout.
The relationships Meghan develops when she moves to Magpie Creek are at the heart of this wonderful story. Sure, Sean is the most obvious but even that storyline has a bunch of issues to sort out before they can begin that romance. The community itself welcomes Meghan with open arms and it is this community that is the backbone of the story. I really enjoyed meeting the people in this book - their personalities, their secrets, their lives and their loves...
I think I will always rate Meredith highly as an author. She has a knack of conveying the whole Australian life, as well as the minutae of small communities. Loved this book!
Paul
ARH
May 31, 2017
What an incredible story.
Loved every minute of this captivating novel.
Ain't is worth grabbing a copy of this book and curling up on the lounge to devour this book.
Loved every minute of this captivating novel.
Ain't is worth grabbing a copy of this book and curling up on the lounge to devour this book.
November 3, 2015
Following her long term partner overseas, Meghan Kimble has been working as a Dr in a busy emergency department in a London hospital. But after realising she wants different things from the relationship and knowing there isn't going to be an agreement, she decides to pursue her dream to work as a rural GP. Her plan is to do rural locum work for one year in her home state of South Australia, before she makes up her mind if it's the lifestyle she wants.
On her very first secondment her plans become unravelled. She is embraced by the community in Magpie Creek, especially as they haven't had a Dr for months. She also meets farmer Sean Ashby who, despite having 'baggage' of his own in the way of a traumatic event he is is not keen to disclose, Meghan is drawn to him.
I loved this book, there was something about it that just transported me into Magpie Creek.
Maybe it helped that I work in a similar field and we travel through the small towns like Magpie Creek, when we go from Adelaide to the Flinders Ranges. The description of the small country town and country hospital with all it's downsizing and down skilling of hospital staff was so vivid, as were the characters in the book. I empathised with the town as they struggled to maintain a viable community.
Loved all the characters from Dr Meghan Kimble, who from the word go is pulled into action, to Sean Ashby who is described as a 'grumpy sod' but stands by his community and the people in it. To me it was more than just a 'romance novel'. It was about a town and the people who live in it , their continual struggle with the elements of nature and isolation and most of all their resilience and acceptance of each other.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy to read and review.
On her very first secondment her plans become unravelled. She is embraced by the community in Magpie Creek, especially as they haven't had a Dr for months. She also meets farmer Sean Ashby who, despite having 'baggage' of his own in the way of a traumatic event he is is not keen to disclose, Meghan is drawn to him.
I loved this book, there was something about it that just transported me into Magpie Creek.
Maybe it helped that I work in a similar field and we travel through the small towns like Magpie Creek, when we go from Adelaide to the Flinders Ranges. The description of the small country town and country hospital with all it's downsizing and down skilling of hospital staff was so vivid, as were the characters in the book. I empathised with the town as they struggled to maintain a viable community.
Loved all the characters from Dr Meghan Kimble, who from the word go is pulled into action, to Sean Ashby who is described as a 'grumpy sod' but stands by his community and the people in it. To me it was more than just a 'romance novel'. It was about a town and the people who live in it , their continual struggle with the elements of nature and isolation and most of all their resilience and acceptance of each other.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy to read and review.
March 15, 2015
I really enjoyed this debut novel and will definitely look out for future books by this author. Covering a wide range of topics, including Alzheimers,(which has made its way into my own family in the last 12 months) I found it enlightening to read of other experiences. I would recommend this books to all Rural Romance readers.
January 8, 2015
4.5
I'll give a full review close to release day, but I have to say how much I enjoyed this. Fab debut!
I'll give a full review close to release day, but I have to say how much I enjoyed this. Fab debut!
November 30, 2016
Took a bit to get into and was pretty clichéd and predictable but still not a bad if you want a quick, easy read.
April 25, 2022
Having read & enjoyed All About Ella recently, I had to look up Appleyard's back catalogue. This is her debut novel & it is partly a sweet, predictable romance, but it has enough bite & local flavour to have kept me interested. So interested that I read it all in only two sittings - I had to break for dinner :0)
Meghan Kimble has come to a small country town as a locum. She is working solo as the medical practice GP & in the hospital, as well as being on-call 24/7. Meghan is tired but thriving on the work, & fits in well with all the locals, particularly Sean Ashby. The path of true love never runs smooth, of course, & medical emergencies happen.
The characters were interesting & the difficulties surrounding health-care in small country towns rang very true, along with the effects of drought on farming communities. I look forward to reading more of this author's work.
Meghan Kimble has come to a small country town as a locum. She is working solo as the medical practice GP & in the hospital, as well as being on-call 24/7. Meghan is tired but thriving on the work, & fits in well with all the locals, particularly Sean Ashby. The path of true love never runs smooth, of course, & medical emergencies happen.
The characters were interesting & the difficulties surrounding health-care in small country towns rang very true, along with the effects of drought on farming communities. I look forward to reading more of this author's work.
August 1, 2020
I started reading this book at around 2pm. By the 3rd page I knew I was in trouble...totally hooked! Having just finished one by Charlotte Nash which I couldn't put down either, this was a bit like liquorice allsorts...I needed more, a kind of addiction, I just had to read this one next, and it was the first time reading one of Meredith's books.
I absolutely loved it, and found the characters and the town to be so believable that I felt them become my neighbours. I finished it at 4.00am this morning. Totally loved it. I really hope there is another book following what happens next to Meghan and Sean and the other towns folk.
Thanks for a terrific read that evoked a myriad of emotions and gave me a little peek at 'the goings on, with the health sector of a small country town!'
I absolutely loved it, and found the characters and the town to be so believable that I felt them become my neighbours. I finished it at 4.00am this morning. Totally loved it. I really hope there is another book following what happens next to Meghan and Sean and the other towns folk.
Thanks for a terrific read that evoked a myriad of emotions and gave me a little peek at 'the goings on, with the health sector of a small country town!'
June 30, 2020
Megan Kimble is newly single after leaving her ex in London. Upon returning back to Australia she decides to charge of her life and do relief work as a GP.
She receives her first assignment at Magpie Creek where they are in desperate need of her services as they haven't had a permanent GP in quite a while. She is kept very busy and fits well into the way of life in Magpie Creek. Whilst there she runs into Sean Ashby, a handsome farmer, who has a difficult and tragic past.
Knowing she is falling for Sean, she leaves town for her next assignment, but has to return for her dog which she inherited during her stay. What will happen when she returns to Magpie Creek?
She receives her first assignment at Magpie Creek where they are in desperate need of her services as they haven't had a permanent GP in quite a while. She is kept very busy and fits well into the way of life in Magpie Creek. Whilst there she runs into Sean Ashby, a handsome farmer, who has a difficult and tragic past.
Knowing she is falling for Sean, she leaves town for her next assignment, but has to return for her dog which she inherited during her stay. What will happen when she returns to Magpie Creek?
March 21, 2018
Book 25 of 2018 was The Country Practice by Meredith Appleyard ✨ Meghan Kimble leaves her life in London where she worked in a hospital emergency department to follow her dream of working as a GP in rural South Australia. She is assigned to work as a locum for a month in Magpie Creek. In that time she falls in love with the people but by the end of her contract is she ready to just turn away from everyone including a handsome farmer?! ✨ I loved this book. This is the second book I’ve read by Meredith and I’m looking forward to reading more of her books. 10/10.
October 17, 2018
This one by debut author Meredith Appleyard gets them from me. I don't recall ever finishing a book in one sitting and starting it all over again. I LOVED it. Medical, Rural, Romance and a hunky farm man wow. My great loves of the country Australia and you get them all in this brilliant book. Fabulous medical drama, gorgeous characters, lots of romance and love. Heartbreaking stories. Quite simply, it's the best book I've read all year. Can't wait to see what's next for this author.
Absolutely loved this book from start to finish.
Absolutely loved this book from start to finish.
February 24, 2023
Holy cow, I absolutely loved this!
I must admit romance isn’t usually my cup of tea (too dramatic, predictable and corny), but the way this novel was written I couldn’t stop reading. The setting was fantastic and it’s nice to read an Australian novel with some recognisable environments and slang. I loved that it gave some insight into the reality of drought and how tough going it is in rural Australia medical practices (among other things).
Honestly loved this book! Maybe I’ll look into some more Australian romance.
I must admit romance isn’t usually my cup of tea (too dramatic, predictable and corny), but the way this novel was written I couldn’t stop reading. The setting was fantastic and it’s nice to read an Australian novel with some recognisable environments and slang. I loved that it gave some insight into the reality of drought and how tough going it is in rural Australia medical practices (among other things).
Honestly loved this book! Maybe I’ll look into some more Australian romance.
July 6, 2023
This is an Aussie tale for the romantics. An easy read, and not a bad storyline, about a doctor who decides to try locum work in rural Australia after many years in London and a break up with her doctor de-facto. Of course she finds herself attracted to a ruggedly handsome farmer with a dark past. Predictable, uplifting ending.
April 22, 2023
Great book, I couldn’t put it down!
The characters and the setting was very relatable. Whilst the ending might be a bit predictable, I really enjoyed the journey to get there. The side stories give a great insight to the challenges facing those living in rural Australia.
The characters and the setting was very relatable. Whilst the ending might be a bit predictable, I really enjoyed the journey to get there. The side stories give a great insight to the challenges facing those living in rural Australia.
June 19, 2017
A lovely light read. Young red haired Meghan becomes the locum in the community of Magpie Creek. Love comes along in the shape of a farmer - she is only in town for a month, can love make her stay?
October 23, 2018
I really wanted to like this, but got bored.
The heroine seemed quite childish as well - right at the start, she apparently breaks up with her partner of more than a decade by writing him an email, flying home, and refusing to answer his calls or emails… ah, seriously? This wasn't a case of infidelity or abuse so I think she owes him at least one actual conversation/ explanation!!
The heroine seemed quite childish as well - right at the start, she apparently breaks up with her partner of more than a decade by writing him an email, flying home, and refusing to answer his calls or emails… ah, seriously? This wasn't a case of infidelity or abuse so I think she owes him at least one actual conversation/ explanation!!
July 16, 2019
Loved the book.
March 10, 2021
This is the first book I’ve read by Meredith Appleyard & I thoroughly enjoyed it. I’ll definitely be reading more
July 26, 2025
A fabulous read !!!!:)
December 28, 2025
A lovely country town story
Loved the small hospital and the staff.
Sean was and still is broken. The ending was a bit quick bring it all together we’re at 350 pages already …. A bit wham bam thank you ma’ma ish, the story flowed, with all its town drama, up and down smoothly, and the end, The last few pages were just a rushed, get the two together finally.
Megan dumping the ex in London was bold and well done! But picking up Sean, certainly the complete opposite to the other guy. Glad she’s staying in Magpie Creek, but I think her final decision could have been a bit less of a roller coaster and did she really get the best outcome? I think Magpie Creek is the winner here and all the towns folk.
Loved the small hospital and the staff.
Sean was and still is broken. The ending was a bit quick bring it all together we’re at 350 pages already …. A bit wham bam thank you ma’ma ish, the story flowed, with all its town drama, up and down smoothly, and the end, The last few pages were just a rushed, get the two together finally.
Megan dumping the ex in London was bold and well done! But picking up Sean, certainly the complete opposite to the other guy. Glad she’s staying in Magpie Creek, but I think her final decision could have been a bit less of a roller coaster and did she really get the best outcome? I think Magpie Creek is the winner here and all the towns folk.
September 28, 2015
*4.5 stars
The Country Practice is a gem of a book in my eyes. I loved the combination of my favourite genre - rural romance, with a medical spin. The Country Practice takes the reader into the heart of the South Australian countryside and although I am not familiar with this part of Australia, I felt like I was a part of the community and I did not want to leave the place nor the characters. It does not take long to settle comfortably into the small rural community of Magpie Creek, which is exactly how the main character Meghan feels. The young doctor, who is on a short term locum assignment in Magpie Creek, has recently returned to Australia after working in London as an emergency room doctor. She has always dreamed of working as a GP in her own practice and this is her opportunity to see if this is the direction she wants to take. The town warms to Meghan immediately, especially as there has not been a fixed doctor in the town for some time. It does not take long before Meghan befriends Sean, a local farmer but having recently split from her fiancé back in London, Meghan is hesitant about taking things further with Sean. Although Sean is forthcoming with his feelings for Meghan, he has a tragic past which may get in way from making any kind of permanent future with Meghan. As Meghan’s contract at Magpie Creek draws to a close, she must assess whether she should embrace love with Sean or follow her career aspirations and go afield, away from the people and place that has captured her heart.
The Country Practice is a very good debut novel from South Australian writer Meredith Appleyard. The strength in this novel lies in the issues that Appleyard brings to the forefront that are very real and are affecting our rural communities. Drought is well known, but also the lack in services such as medical services and the heartbreaking decisions those who struggle to keep their farms afloat must make. Appleyard also ties in themes of marital issues, Alzheimer’s disease and an abundance of medical situations. The medical scenes were extremely authentic, which is clearly aided by Appleyard’s expertise in the medical field, having worked as a registered nurse and midwife. Appleyard excels in bringing to life the feeling of small town community , a place where not secret is safe. I really enjoy reading about these small rural communities, living in the city it is a feeling I have not experienced and Appleyard brings this to life vividly for the reader. The romance side of this book compliments to medical and rural themes nicely, the romance had plenty of will they/won’t they moments, I did predict the ending but I’m happy with that!
The Country Practice is a lovely rural romance with a great medical setting. I am more than keen to see what Appleyard has in the works.
The Country Practice is a gem of a book in my eyes. I loved the combination of my favourite genre - rural romance, with a medical spin. The Country Practice takes the reader into the heart of the South Australian countryside and although I am not familiar with this part of Australia, I felt like I was a part of the community and I did not want to leave the place nor the characters. It does not take long to settle comfortably into the small rural community of Magpie Creek, which is exactly how the main character Meghan feels. The young doctor, who is on a short term locum assignment in Magpie Creek, has recently returned to Australia after working in London as an emergency room doctor. She has always dreamed of working as a GP in her own practice and this is her opportunity to see if this is the direction she wants to take. The town warms to Meghan immediately, especially as there has not been a fixed doctor in the town for some time. It does not take long before Meghan befriends Sean, a local farmer but having recently split from her fiancé back in London, Meghan is hesitant about taking things further with Sean. Although Sean is forthcoming with his feelings for Meghan, he has a tragic past which may get in way from making any kind of permanent future with Meghan. As Meghan’s contract at Magpie Creek draws to a close, she must assess whether she should embrace love with Sean or follow her career aspirations and go afield, away from the people and place that has captured her heart.
The Country Practice is a very good debut novel from South Australian writer Meredith Appleyard. The strength in this novel lies in the issues that Appleyard brings to the forefront that are very real and are affecting our rural communities. Drought is well known, but also the lack in services such as medical services and the heartbreaking decisions those who struggle to keep their farms afloat must make. Appleyard also ties in themes of marital issues, Alzheimer’s disease and an abundance of medical situations. The medical scenes were extremely authentic, which is clearly aided by Appleyard’s expertise in the medical field, having worked as a registered nurse and midwife. Appleyard excels in bringing to life the feeling of small town community , a place where not secret is safe. I really enjoy reading about these small rural communities, living in the city it is a feeling I have not experienced and Appleyard brings this to life vividly for the reader. The romance side of this book compliments to medical and rural themes nicely, the romance had plenty of will they/won’t they moments, I did predict the ending but I’m happy with that!
The Country Practice is a lovely rural romance with a great medical setting. I am more than keen to see what Appleyard has in the works.
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