Her Outback Playboy

Second Chance Bay #1

by Annie Seaton

Jenni McDougal’s family have worked hard to build their fishing and charter business in the remote coastal outback town of Second Chance Bay. Jake Jones, her childhood sweetheart, was once the poor boy from the wrong side of town. When he blows into town after making his fortune and expects to pick up where they left off, Jenni fights every move he makes. Jake knows that Jenni will always see him as a playboy, and can’t trust him, and his self confidence disappears when the town judges him on his past. Every time he tries to help her family business, she sees an ulterior motive. If Jenni can't trust him, what is there to keep Jake in Second Chance Bay? But can he leave the woman he loves a second time?

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance

224 pages, Paperback

Published June 9, 2018

About the author

Annie Seaton lives near the beach on the mid-north coast of New South Wales. She is fulfilling her lifelong dream of writing and has been delighted to discover that readers love reading her stories as much as she loves writing them. Her career and studies spanned the education sector for most of her working life until she took up a full-time writing career. Each winter, Annie and her husband leave the beach to roam the remote areas of Australia for story ideas and research.

Readers can contact Annie through her website annieseaton.net or find her on Facebook and Instagram.

Reviews

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Told from dual points of view, Her Outback Playboy follows the story of Jake and Jenni. Jenni’s family worked hard to build a good life. Jenni continues to work hard between teaching and her hostess job. When Jake returns to town, he turns her entire world upside down. You see, Jake and Jenni were childhood sweethearts, but Jake was from the wrong side of town and a misunderstanding ended up tearing them apart. So, when he returns home a new and successful man, Jenni doesn’t know how to handle it. She can’t forget the wrongs of the past and fights Jake at every turn. Will Jenni and Jake have second chance at romance? There’s only one way to find out….

I’m just going to keep this review short and sweet. This is my first book by this author and I’m excited to see what she will write next. I thought Her Outback Playboy was a really cute second chance romance and that it had a ton of potential. I thought the characters were likable and easy to connect with. I loved the push and pull between Jake and Jenni. I was excited to see how their story was going to play out.

Her Outback Playboy was a quick and easy read for me. There were a few moments in the story that were a little bumpy towards the beginning and the pacing might have been off a time or two. However, I think the story had a lot of good potential and I enjoyed the overall story despite the issues I had in the beginning. Her Outback Playboy has a good mix of drama, romance and very light steam. I enjoyed watching Jake and Jenni’ s story play out and look forward to reading more from this author in the future.

*I was provided an ARC copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review*

[Misty (Reds Romance Reviews) · Rating 5 out of 5]

As soon as Jenni McDougal learns that her ex-boyfriend is back in Second Chance Bay, the wall she built around her heart years ago starts to stand a little stronger, and her guard immediately goes up. He broke her heart years ago, and she is determined not to travel down that road again, but he has other plans, he wants her back and he will go to great lengths to win back her trust and her heart.

Jake Jones knows that he screwed up with Jenni way back when, but he plans to use this return home to make amends, and possibly win back her trust, and maybe even work himself into her good graces. But first he has to get her to talk to him again...

Her Outback Playboy is a delightful second chance romance story riddled with humor and heart, it was so good for my heart! You really can't go wrong with this one, the story line was well crafted, the picturesque local drew me in, and of course the fireworks brewing between the hero and heroine kept me on the edge of my seat, the will they/won't they game darn near killed me! Definitely a can't miss read I think readers will not only love, but also have them just curious enough about these wonderful characters to come back for more!

I requested an advanced copy of this title, and I am voluntarily leaving my honest opinion.

[Angie Flanagan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh wow!! The story of Jake and Jenni is so great!! I didn't want the story to end. I wanted it to keep going!!!
Jenni and Jake date each other when they're younger, but then her nosy, not so nice dad gets involved, and drives Jake away from her. Not only from her, but from the town. POOF, he disappears. Just like that. Jenni is heartbroken.
Years later, Jenni returns home and to her surprise so does Jake, all in the same week. Her brothers and mother, well 2 brothers, welcome Jake with open arms, but I don't blame Jenni for the way she treated him. She keeps her distance.
They end up going out on a charter together, and Jenni wants to get to the bottom of why Jake is back in town, and why is he trying to help her family with their business.
Jenni finds out the truth from her Mum after her Mum leaves town with Rick.
Can Jenni find it in herself to get past what her Dad did to give Jake another chance?
Will Jenni understand it, and move past it?

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was intrigued by the blurb, but when I first started reading I wasn't sure if this book was going to be for me. I set it aside for a day then came back to it. I'm so glad I did because I ended up gobbling this one right up. I really got into the story. I ended up really loving the characters when I felt uncertain at first. I love a good second chance love story. Jake and Jenni's was a good one. I really liked Jake. Jenni has a few issues and hurdles to work through if she wants forever with Jake.

[Brenda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jenni
Jake

Jenni and Jake were in love as teenagers but Jenni’s father didn’t think Jake was good enough and ran him out of town. Now years later Jake has returned to Second Chance Bay as a wealthy luxury cruise owner. Jake is determined to show the people of the town he’s not the person they think he is. I liked both Jake and Jenni. They had both changed over the years but still had their feelings for each other. I liked Jake’s loyalty to Jenni’s family despite his treatment by their father. I liked this book and would consider reading others by this author.

[Kirstie Ibrahim · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun read. As an Aussie this had me giggling along the way with it's Aussie words/sayings like "piss off", Grey Nomies, getting some salt and the best one.......Dunrootin Lane, this made me snort out loud as my dad says he lives at Dunrootin Village!!! A great location and a bit of game fishing included made me want to be aboard the charter for a week. A sweet second chance romance. I'd like to hear more about the mum's story.

[Anne Blyth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the fact that Annie Seaton’s Romances flow seamlessly through a strong storyline. The characters are strong and believable which adds value to the overall story. It’s a bonus that these stories are set in a country that I love and areas I’ve visited or plan to visit. Her Outback Playboy was a delight to read and I look forward to reading Her Outback Protector. I met my husband in the gulf country and we fish in crocodile waters so this book was especially close to my heart.

[Dragonladymoi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Annie Seaton’s writing flows in a way that I am entirely immersed in the scene and the characters are in my head within a few pages of wonderful writing.

This book had such potential with thwarted lovers getting a second chance, a mystery of sorts, a new business venture, an awesome location - everything was there for a really great read however what should have been a great read became a pleasant story.
I gave it ⭐️⭐️⭐️.

[Suzette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Annie Seaton’s outback stories are marvelous. Jake and Jenni are a teenage couple reminiscent of Romeo and Juliet except they get the happy ending. Jenni is hot tempered while Jake is introspective and makes the relationship a little harder to get off the ground. Jenni’s mom is a delight and of course I have learned some new Aussie words and idioms which is always fun.

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

HER OUTBACK PLAYBOY is a great story! It is filled with intense emotional tension and compassion. I was pulled into the close knit McDougal family. Jake Jones was a poor boy that was friends with Jenni McDougal’s brothers. When her Father couldn’t buy him to leave town, he makes false accusations and Jake leaves broken hearted. Ten years later he is back, rich and determined to win Jenni back. I really loved this book. The characters were amazing. My Favorite Author always writes stories I love to read. Highly recommend!

[Claire Louisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Annie Seaton's books are always enjoyable, but I think this is one of my favourite ones. I was rooting for Jake and Jenni for their second chance in Second Chance Bay from the beginning to the end. I love the setting of North Queensland and I'd love to visit the area one day.

[Laurel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a clean second chance type romance. "Young" man leaves at age 19 escorted by the local law. He comes back ten years later as a successful businessman. Can he gain the trust of the girl he left behind?

[Jocelyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good read by Annie Seaton:)

[waz1234W · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good

The story is good and you just want to read more looking forward to book number 2 hope it’s as good

[Louise Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this quick and easy read - and learned a lot about boat chartering and the Gulf of Carpentaria. The references to salt and Dunrootin Lane made me smile.

[Kathleen Downey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic read

This was the first time I read anything by this offer. I have to day it certainly will not be the last. A wonderful clean read. Great job.

[sharon sobzak · Rating 4 out of 5]

Outback Playboy

An easy quick read bringing two characters back together after ten years. It can be tricky to find trust but honesty helps.

[Heather Robb]

Kindle

[Isla Currie · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5

[Mehsi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book from the author in exchange of an honest review.

So I was definitely in love when I got the message on Twitter about this book. And then I checked the blurb and fell further in love. And after reading I can tell you that this was a very lovely book, though I didn't like Jenni (well, not until near the end).

The book is written in dual POV, at the beginning it got a bit confusing as the POVs switched in the chapters (instead of every chapter being another character), but I quickly got into the flow and after that I had no trouble with reading.

I fell in love with Jake, he was just the best character and I loved how he worked so hard, but still wanted to make up with the demons from his past (thankfully one of the demons was dead). I loved that he wanted to try to make things better for his friends from the past, 3 brothers. He could have competed against them, he could have totally run them over with his way better company, but instead he is offering them some assistance and tactics and even offers to share stuff.
As the book continues we find out what happened 10-ish years ago, why did Jake leave, what happened to him afterwards, and what is the reason that he went back at this point (Jenni, of course, he still loves her).
He was also a fabulous captain, kind but still strict. Making sure that his crew and guests are happy and satisfied.
I felt so sad for him for what has happened in the past, why he had to leave, how he couldn't be there for his mother, how he had to leave the girl of his dreams. At times I just wanted to hug him.

Jenni. Sorry, I never liked the girl. Or I should say, I liked her near the ending when she finally pulled her head out of her ass (even if it took someone else to let her know). She was just so mean and rude and I was incredibly surprised at that she would just believe her father. Come on, she wasn't 12, she was 19 when he lied to her, and even before that he was a terrible father. Yet she believes him over the love of her life? What the actual hell girl? You know the things your dad did and is still doing. But oh yes, he is doing all that shit but lying? No he would never lie. *rolls her eyes* Throughout the book she is being the absolute worst towards Jake, a jerk, an ass. She can't seem to get that maybe just maybe he had no choice but to leave the town, that he is innocent. But oh no, this girl she keeps finding faults in him at every point. Like how he has all these expensive ships she immediately assumes that he has done something bad instead of thinking that maybe he worked hard for it, or that he may have struck gold somewhere. At times I see another Jenni, one that would like to trust Jake, and is even friendly and kind towards him, but there was still an underlying distrust and dislike that I just didn't like. It wasn't until the end, the last pages, when she realises the truth (thanks to a certain someone). My Gosh, girl, please.
I do have to give her credit, she is hardworking and tries her best to make things work. With her teacher job, but also the hostess thing that she is looking to pursue.

And sure, a lot of this stuff could have been prevented if only Jake had told her the truth, but I can understand why he didn't. He doesn't want to taint her already weird rose-coloured image of her dad. Plus he is still very much hurt by what happened and what was said that day (and the days before that).

Matt was my favourite brother out of the 3. The other 2 were quite nice, but it seems, like Jenni, they quite believed what Dad has told them 10 years ago. Thankfully they later start to open up more, and also see the truth.

Jenni/Matt/the other two brothers Mom was just so awesome. I loved how she cared about Jake as if he was her own, how she tried to help him out. Awww, best mom award goes to this amazing lady!

I loved reading about the charters and what kind of stuff they did while on board. Fishing, going on trips, showing the wildlife, eating good food (I wouldn't mind eating some stuff made by Tony). OK, I would never be able to, hell 20k (guessing this is Australian dollers, so it would be around 12k for me in euros) that is something I would love to have though I wouldn't spend it on a charter then, but rather something for the future.

I had to get used to the Australian slang and also that this took place in Australia. I have read other books taking place in Australia, but none were so Australian as this one is. :P Hope I have written that correctly. At times I had to look up words to figure out what they meant.

Then there was the ending and I was definitely sniffling and feeling oh so happy.

All in all, this was a very wonderful, sweet book and I would highly recommend it to everyone.

Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/

[Ash P Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jake Jones and Jennie McDougal were childhood sweethearts torn apart by a crime supposedly committed by Jake. Now years later Jake is back home with proof that he was not the kind of person he had been accused of being. Expecting a cold reception from everyone but Jennie, he is taken aback when she opposes his presence with the most suspicion.

Jake’s intention has always been honourable toward her family who were an important part of his younger years. The man responsible for the misunderstanding is no longer around but Jake is not about to reveal something that would taint the memory of her father. Even if it continues to portray him as the bad guy.

An opportunity to be the hostess for his first charter boat give Jennie the opportunity to justify her suspicions. But what neither of them can deny are the old feelings stirring up between them.

Advanced Review Copy provided by the author for voluntary review consideration.

[Diana de L'Amour · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prawns I still have a craving for prawns. And I have to go looking for my 1980 Womens Weekly carrot cake recipe.
Annie Seaton weaves a heart rending romance and of course a “happily ever after” ... around gorgeous sunsets and family dinners that made me miss my mother.
I’ve been to Karumba and it’s alive once more within me. Annie you’ve captured the beating heart of “The Gulf”
Well done Annie.
Diana de Lamour