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On The Right Track
A warm-hearted rural romance about getting your life back on course … for fans of Tricia Stringer A traumatic past, a charismatic stranger and a family legacy … Golden's quiet country life is about to get messy …When the diminutive but fiery Golden Saunders falls from her horse and smashes her leg irreparably, and her racing family is disgraced by a corruption scandal, she thinks she's hit rock bottom.Then the enigmatic Tor Amundsen, United Nations diplomat (read: spy), arrives on the scene and proves her wrong. His investigation into her family pulls her back into a world she had escaped, and the branch of the family she has tried to avoid at all costs. Tor is infuriated and frustrated by the impossible mixture of fragility and fierceness that is Golden, true, but he is also strangely protective of her.Golden wants no part of it. Men have pushed her around her whole life. The last thing she needs is an arrogant, irritatingly handsome man telling her what to do. But it turns out Tor has a way with animals, children and, well, Golden…Before too long, she finds their overwhelming attraction is overriding her good sense, and as they are both pulled deeper into the murky world of dirty money, things are about to get messy, and Golden's small, quietly ordered life will change beyond recognition…Can Golden overcome her fears and the shadows of the past and reach for a new kind of future? Will she ever be able to get her life back on the right track?
384 pages, Paperback
First published June 18, 2018
45 people are currently reading
165 people want to read
About the author
Penelope Janu
18 books130 followersPenelope Janu writes contemporary fiction about clever and adventurous women who don’t mean to fall in love, but do. Penelope’s novels, whether coastal or rural, celebrate Australian communities.
Penelope is a lawyer with an interest in social justice issues and the environment. She has six children, a big dog, a distracting husband and never enough time to write. Now that she lives on a small farm, she also has an impossibly large garden, a vegetable patch and a herd of cattle that never get taken to market.
Penelope hopes readers will fall as passionately in love with her heroines and heroes as she invariably does. She has travelled to many places in the world but has lived most of her life in Sydney, Australia. When not reading or writing Penelope can be found walking the coastline, or in the bush (though she's not much of a walking companion as she plots as she walks).
Penelope loves to hear from readers so please contact her via Goodreads, or on her website http://www.penelopejanu.com, or email her on penelopejanu@penelopejanu.com.
Penelope is a lawyer with an interest in social justice issues and the environment. She has six children, a big dog, a distracting husband and never enough time to write. Now that she lives on a small farm, she also has an impossibly large garden, a vegetable patch and a herd of cattle that never get taken to market.
Penelope hopes readers will fall as passionately in love with her heroines and heroes as she invariably does. She has travelled to many places in the world but has lived most of her life in Sydney, Australia. When not reading or writing Penelope can be found walking the coastline, or in the bush (though she's not much of a walking companion as she plots as she walks).
Penelope loves to hear from readers so please contact her via Goodreads, or on her website http://www.penelopejanu.com, or email her on penelopejanu@penelopejanu.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
February 18, 2023
On The Right Track by Aussie author Penelope Janu is the first book I’ve read by this author and I can’t wait to read her backlist.
An intriguing plot with secrets and emotion all the things that make for great reading. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and have no hesitation in highly recommending it to anyone looking for their next book to read.
An intriguing plot with secrets and emotion all the things that make for great reading. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and have no hesitation in highly recommending it to anyone looking for their next book to read.
October 26, 2020
Golden Saunders lived on the land that was her grandpa’s – and the only real home she’d ever known. Since the accident which crushed her leg and stopped her dreams of being a jockey, Golden had her two horses, Pepper and Fudge, at her stables while she worked with the children who needed her help, some of whom were recommended by the Children’s Hospital. Golden’s past had been a messy one, but her love for her younger sister, Angelina, was the most important part of her life. She would do anything to protect her.
When UN diplomat Tor Amundsen and his partner Nate entered Golden’s life, she had no idea the turmoil and heartache that would follow. Every aspect of her past was brought back to her, by Tor and the investigation into her family. Her father, whom she hadn’t known, as well as her beloved grandpa – the trauma of it all was about to be flung in her face once again. What would Golden do? She was strong, determined - and although diminutive in size, her heart and loyalty were huge.
On the Right Track is my first by Aussie author Penelope Janu and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Horse racing and all that goes on behind the scenes, a broken main character, a distant mother and stepfather, beautiful horses, delightful children – and corruption. Plus, the enigmatic Tor with his constant anger and need to protect Golden. A most intriguing read that I highly recommend.
When UN diplomat Tor Amundsen and his partner Nate entered Golden’s life, she had no idea the turmoil and heartache that would follow. Every aspect of her past was brought back to her, by Tor and the investigation into her family. Her father, whom she hadn’t known, as well as her beloved grandpa – the trauma of it all was about to be flung in her face once again. What would Golden do? She was strong, determined - and although diminutive in size, her heart and loyalty were huge.
On the Right Track is my first by Aussie author Penelope Janu and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Horse racing and all that goes on behind the scenes, a broken main character, a distant mother and stepfather, beautiful horses, delightful children – and corruption. Plus, the enigmatic Tor with his constant anger and need to protect Golden. A most intriguing read that I highly recommend.
July 17, 2018
This is a story that I just about inhaled, I savoured every word it packs an emotional punch with beautiful and damaged heroine Golden Saunders, what she has been through and that she can still smile and love is amazing and then we have our hero Tor Amundsen, who also has issues from his past that make him strong, a bit arrogant but so very caring, this is a journey with many obstacles, but with so much love to offer for both Golden and Tor it is a journey that I highly recommend you join in with because with the horses and the settings, it is one that will leave you smiling.
Golden is small and feisty she was bought up by her loving grandfather around horses, her father was a top jockey but dies when she was young, and although she has a mother and step-father she is not close to them but is very close to her half –sister Angelina, they share a very special bond. Golden falls from a horse at the age of fifteen and is seriously injured but never gives up, she has a true love of her horses, her home with the trees that are special to her and the children she helps in her position as speech therapist, but her step-father is putting the pressure on her with an investigation into race fixing, this brings her in contact with “a spy” Norwegian Tor Amundsen and this arrogant man thinks he is going to start telling her what to do well think again.
Tor works for the United Nations and has been bought into the country to work on a horse racing scandal that could cast a worse black mark on the reputations of Golden’s father and grandfather, with this investigation he gets closer to Golden and can feel a sensual pull like never before, but there is also danger uncovering truths that have been hidden for many years and does he really want to hurt Golden?
There was a lot of emotions throughout this book, I loved Golden from the start I felt her pain and her love for her horses it also took me back to days that I spent at Rosehill and Randwick racecourses and hearing the pounding of the horses hooves in a race and the excitement of the turf, but I felt her love for Tor even though she tried hard to deny it for so long she is one stubborn heroine, and Tor what can I say I could have smacked him at times when he joined in with everyone else trying tell Golden what to do, what was best for her, but in the end he could not refute the love that her felt for her. Woohoo MS Janu a fabulous story with fabulous characters rich and alive and left this reader very happy, this is one not to be missed thank you
Golden is small and feisty she was bought up by her loving grandfather around horses, her father was a top jockey but dies when she was young, and although she has a mother and step-father she is not close to them but is very close to her half –sister Angelina, they share a very special bond. Golden falls from a horse at the age of fifteen and is seriously injured but never gives up, she has a true love of her horses, her home with the trees that are special to her and the children she helps in her position as speech therapist, but her step-father is putting the pressure on her with an investigation into race fixing, this brings her in contact with “a spy” Norwegian Tor Amundsen and this arrogant man thinks he is going to start telling her what to do well think again.
Tor works for the United Nations and has been bought into the country to work on a horse racing scandal that could cast a worse black mark on the reputations of Golden’s father and grandfather, with this investigation he gets closer to Golden and can feel a sensual pull like never before, but there is also danger uncovering truths that have been hidden for many years and does he really want to hurt Golden?
There was a lot of emotions throughout this book, I loved Golden from the start I felt her pain and her love for her horses it also took me back to days that I spent at Rosehill and Randwick racecourses and hearing the pounding of the horses hooves in a race and the excitement of the turf, but I felt her love for Tor even though she tried hard to deny it for so long she is one stubborn heroine, and Tor what can I say I could have smacked him at times when he joined in with everyone else trying tell Golden what to do, what was best for her, but in the end he could not refute the love that her felt for her. Woohoo MS Janu a fabulous story with fabulous characters rich and alive and left this reader very happy, this is one not to be missed thank you
July 21, 2018
Last year one of my favourite books was In At The Deep End by Penelope Janu. The hero of that book Per, a Norwegian Navy Commander has an identical twin brother named Tor, who works for the United Nations. When I discovered that Tor would be featured in Janu’s next book, it went straight to the top of my wishlist.
In On The Right Track we meet Golden, a speech therapist who works with children and uses her horses as part of their therapy. She lives alone in her grandfather’s old house, studiously attempting to avoid most of her family and the fancy dinners her politician stepfather is insistent she attend. When Tor Armundsen arrives to investigate race fixing rings with links back to Golden’s (deceased) jockey father and her grandfather, her quiet life is turned upside down and she finds herself drawn back into a world she had stepped well out of.
Golden is such a contradictory character. She’s incredibly strong in some ways – as a teen she suffered a terrible injury and still bears the ramifications of that today. It’s affected her quality of life to the point where she can’t do the things she loves at the level she wishes she could and she’s also quite self conscious of the way that it looks and the way that she can rely on supports to get around when her injury is playing up. She has a mental strength too, in that she’s spent a lot of time carving out a life for herself, a life that she wants, that makes her as happy as she can currently be and resisting the attempts of her family to draw her back into a more fancy, affluent society lifestyle. But Golden is also incredibly fragile, haunted by the allegations surrounding her father and the toll it took on her beloved grandfather, the man who basically raised her.
So much in this book just…..broke my heart about Golden. She’s been through so much and her family (mostly her stepfather at the behest of her mother) put so much pressure on her, almost to…..change herself. Not be what makes her, her. They want her to fit in, to tow the line and for Golden not to remind her mother so much of the circumstances of her very existence. I felt a lot for Golden throughout this entire book, the way she was emotionally manipulated and financially bullied, the way that people tended to believe the worst of her, either due to her ‘flakiness’ living all alone on a property with just her horses or because of her connection to her father, a man who is not alive to defend the allegations levelled at him. Likewise her grandfather is no longer alive also and Golden still has a lot of feelings about what happened when he died. What people do to her in this book is unbearably awful at times and I had to stop and almost like, take deep breaths at times because I found myself getting so annoyed about how she was being treated.
Which probably brings me to Tor. I wonder if it’s hard to write identical twins in different books and make them noticeably different. Per and Tor do have some similarities but they are also full of differences, although they both find and fall in love with women who really challenge them and their perceptions. Tor is quite suspicious in the beginning – he believes that Golden’s family are crooked and that she’s most likely hiding plenty of information from him. I really liked their interactions, it gave Golden an opportunity to showcase her strength – despite doing what Tor wants so she can clear her family’s name, she tends to do what she wants when she wants and Tor has to fall in around some of that. They have a lot of arguments and Golden tends to keep a lot of things from him as I don’t think she trusts him. They have both have trouble looking at things objectively – Tor has probably seen a lot to make him assume people are always innocent or taken advantage of and Golden is passionate about believing her family to be good. Honestly, the relationship Golden had with her grandfather was amazing and it’s highlighted so brilliantly despite the fact that he has passed away long before this novel even begins. It’s a very special bond that the two of them had and he was clearly a lovely, lovely man. The more Tor spends time with Golden the more he appreciates the true goodness of her, the small pleasures she takes from her work and her horses. It took Tor a little time to grow on me, but he so did. Especially when he was one of the few people in her life who didn’t want to change her and by the end of the book I felt he really understood so much about her and what would make her truly happiest.
Also there’s a cute little scene in here with Per and Harriet which is super perfect because it’s just enough to show you what they’re up to and it makes my heart happy. It’s the perfect length because it doesn’t take the focus off Tor and Golden either. I do kind of have a question though…..who is the third girl in the waiting room? Let’s hope that in 2019, we find out!
This book was a perfect follow up for me and it gave me all of the same heady feels as In At The Deep End.
***A copy of this novel was provided by the publisher via NetGalley for the purpose of an honest review***
In On The Right Track we meet Golden, a speech therapist who works with children and uses her horses as part of their therapy. She lives alone in her grandfather’s old house, studiously attempting to avoid most of her family and the fancy dinners her politician stepfather is insistent she attend. When Tor Armundsen arrives to investigate race fixing rings with links back to Golden’s (deceased) jockey father and her grandfather, her quiet life is turned upside down and she finds herself drawn back into a world she had stepped well out of.
Golden is such a contradictory character. She’s incredibly strong in some ways – as a teen she suffered a terrible injury and still bears the ramifications of that today. It’s affected her quality of life to the point where she can’t do the things she loves at the level she wishes she could and she’s also quite self conscious of the way that it looks and the way that she can rely on supports to get around when her injury is playing up. She has a mental strength too, in that she’s spent a lot of time carving out a life for herself, a life that she wants, that makes her as happy as she can currently be and resisting the attempts of her family to draw her back into a more fancy, affluent society lifestyle. But Golden is also incredibly fragile, haunted by the allegations surrounding her father and the toll it took on her beloved grandfather, the man who basically raised her.
So much in this book just…..broke my heart about Golden. She’s been through so much and her family (mostly her stepfather at the behest of her mother) put so much pressure on her, almost to…..change herself. Not be what makes her, her. They want her to fit in, to tow the line and for Golden not to remind her mother so much of the circumstances of her very existence. I felt a lot for Golden throughout this entire book, the way she was emotionally manipulated and financially bullied, the way that people tended to believe the worst of her, either due to her ‘flakiness’ living all alone on a property with just her horses or because of her connection to her father, a man who is not alive to defend the allegations levelled at him. Likewise her grandfather is no longer alive also and Golden still has a lot of feelings about what happened when he died. What people do to her in this book is unbearably awful at times and I had to stop and almost like, take deep breaths at times because I found myself getting so annoyed about how she was being treated.
Which probably brings me to Tor. I wonder if it’s hard to write identical twins in different books and make them noticeably different. Per and Tor do have some similarities but they are also full of differences, although they both find and fall in love with women who really challenge them and their perceptions. Tor is quite suspicious in the beginning – he believes that Golden’s family are crooked and that she’s most likely hiding plenty of information from him. I really liked their interactions, it gave Golden an opportunity to showcase her strength – despite doing what Tor wants so she can clear her family’s name, she tends to do what she wants when she wants and Tor has to fall in around some of that. They have a lot of arguments and Golden tends to keep a lot of things from him as I don’t think she trusts him. They have both have trouble looking at things objectively – Tor has probably seen a lot to make him assume people are always innocent or taken advantage of and Golden is passionate about believing her family to be good. Honestly, the relationship Golden had with her grandfather was amazing and it’s highlighted so brilliantly despite the fact that he has passed away long before this novel even begins. It’s a very special bond that the two of them had and he was clearly a lovely, lovely man. The more Tor spends time with Golden the more he appreciates the true goodness of her, the small pleasures she takes from her work and her horses. It took Tor a little time to grow on me, but he so did. Especially when he was one of the few people in her life who didn’t want to change her and by the end of the book I felt he really understood so much about her and what would make her truly happiest.
Also there’s a cute little scene in here with Per and Harriet which is super perfect because it’s just enough to show you what they’re up to and it makes my heart happy. It’s the perfect length because it doesn’t take the focus off Tor and Golden either. I do kind of have a question though…..who is the third girl in the waiting room? Let’s hope that in 2019, we find out!
This book was a perfect follow up for me and it gave me all of the same heady feels as In At The Deep End.
***A copy of this novel was provided by the publisher via NetGalley for the purpose of an honest review***
June 14, 2018
This was a very different story to what I was expecting, but it was definitely a good surprise. Plenty of intrigue, mistrust, secrets and some romance. Golden is a stubborn woman who has been hurt physically and emotionally in the past and doesn't plan on letting that happen again, especially with an arrogant diplomat called Tor. I enjoyed the way the relationship between these two characters played out, but my favourite character was Nate who had humour and was protective of Golden even when he went against Tor. An enjoyable read, I'd like to read Ms Janu's first book now.
Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Australia for a copy in return for an honest review.
Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Australia for a copy in return for an honest review.
August 6, 2018
On The Right Track came at the perfect time when all I wanted was to lose myself in a beautifully written story that would leave me with a big grin on my face. And that's precisely what I'm doing right now. Perfect roller-coaster read.
July 9, 2018
If you are a horse lover you will love this book. But if you are not, don’t worry there is still enough going on in the story that you are going to totally enjoy it. This was an entertaining plot with some great characters. Golden, Tor and Nate bring this story to life. The family secrets and the mysteries behind the secrets, will have you hooked. The chemistry between the Golden and Tor is electrifying. Golden is a stubborn and won’t let anything stop her from doing what she wants. Tor is a United Nations diplomat who is an arrogant, but he eventually rubs off on you. Nate is the one you will like right from the beginning I titled him ‘Mr Good Guy’, he was who you would want beside you at all times.
Can Golden Saunders get her life back on the right track? The only way you are going to find out is to read her story for yourself.
Penelope has written an enjoyable read that will have you intrigued and laughing throughout the book. I am looking forward to reading more from this Author. She hit the right track with me!!!
I would recommend this book.
Thank you to Harlequin Australia & MIRA and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an open and honest review.
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Can Golden Saunders get her life back on the right track? The only way you are going to find out is to read her story for yourself.
Penelope has written an enjoyable read that will have you intrigued and laughing throughout the book. I am looking forward to reading more from this Author. She hit the right track with me!!!
I would recommend this book.
Thank you to Harlequin Australia & MIRA and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an open and honest review.
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July 25, 2018
I throughly enjoyed On The Right Track! With complex characters, this is a mystery, with drama and romance all rolled into one. This beautiful story keep me turning the pages.
Golden is a emotionally and physically damaging character, but also strong and fiery, she faces corruption within her family and her life is turned upside down by the events that have come to challenge her. She thinks if she keeps her past in the past, it won’t come back to bite her and she can avoid further hurt.
Im looking forward to reading Penelope Janu’s previous book!!
Thanks to Beauty and Lace and Harlequin Australia for giving the opportunity to read On The Right Track.
Golden is a emotionally and physically damaging character, but also strong and fiery, she faces corruption within her family and her life is turned upside down by the events that have come to challenge her. She thinks if she keeps her past in the past, it won’t come back to bite her and she can avoid further hurt.
Im looking forward to reading Penelope Janu’s previous book!!
Thanks to Beauty and Lace and Harlequin Australia for giving the opportunity to read On The Right Track.
June 20, 2018
I was enthralled with this book! I adored the first novel featuring Per and Harriet's characters, and Tor and Golden are equally heart-melting. On The Right Track by author Penelope Janu is on my unputdownable, fave reads category. There was humour, tension, chemistry amongst a backdrop of family drama that just keeps the pages turning. A first-rate read that I could go back to again and again.
Review copy received from Harlequin MIRA via Netgalley
Review copy received from Harlequin MIRA via Netgalley
July 29, 2021
Another masterpiece by Penelope Janu! 'On The Right Track' is a brilliant read and a definite must read. Janu has a way with words that transports the reader to that time and place - you feel connected to the story, the character and her emotions.
In this story we meet Golden, and her love for horses and knowing the botanical names for every tree, thanks to her grandfather. An unfortunate accident as a young girl leaves her battered and scarred. We meet the handsome Tor as he searches for answers. How close will he get to the truth?
All Golden desires is to live her own life. Quiet, peaceful. She has her horses, her home, her sister, the children that she cares for and the memories of her life with her grandfather. Until the man with his thoroughbred demeanour, Tor, walks into Golden's life and her heart, and throws her quiet, peaceful life in turmoil!
Tor works for the UN and is there to investigate money laundering, which somehow involves Golden's deceased grandfather and her father. Golden is convinced that her grandfather is innocent and uninvolved, but how can she prove that? She has to find the truth for herself and amidst the investigation, her attraction to Tor becomes an obstacle, and she has to fight it. He will never be interested in her. He tells Golden she lives off dirty money. He dates lawyers, actresses and human rights activists....
In this story we meet Golden, and her love for horses and knowing the botanical names for every tree, thanks to her grandfather. An unfortunate accident as a young girl leaves her battered and scarred. We meet the handsome Tor as he searches for answers. How close will he get to the truth?
All Golden desires is to live her own life. Quiet, peaceful. She has her horses, her home, her sister, the children that she cares for and the memories of her life with her grandfather. Until the man with his thoroughbred demeanour, Tor, walks into Golden's life and her heart, and throws her quiet, peaceful life in turmoil!
Tor works for the UN and is there to investigate money laundering, which somehow involves Golden's deceased grandfather and her father. Golden is convinced that her grandfather is innocent and uninvolved, but how can she prove that? She has to find the truth for herself and amidst the investigation, her attraction to Tor becomes an obstacle, and she has to fight it. He will never be interested in her. He tells Golden she lives off dirty money. He dates lawyers, actresses and human rights activists....
December 19, 2021
On the Right Track a clear winner.
An easy read in the sense the author has done incredible work behind-the-scenes to make it read so effortlessly. Characterisation, plot, romance and backstory balance beautifully. If you enjoy opposites-attract romances, smartly argumentative banter, and plot-conflicts with high (but real-world) stakes, I'd recommend any of Janu's titles in a heart-flutter.
The setting and plot -- from rural race-tracks to highfalutin society to-dos -- deals with sometimes uncomfortable aspects such as dysfunctional family dynamics, power-plays involving land-rights and potentially life-shattering financial investigations.
The characters are both highly intelligent in their own ways: while the romantic lead, Tor, is diplomat-trained and consequently highly intelligent in a classical academic sense; the main character, Golden, can hold her own with down-to-earth consideration and ability to call Tor on his social engineering and tactics. At times this leads her to act paranoid and argumentative regarding his motives, but I think she also just enjoys needling him for a rise.
On the surface Golden seems flighty and flaky and a little emotionally mercurial. Tor seems aloof and downright uncaring (even manipulative) sometimes -- at first glance, mind you. Because Janu shows such fabulous restraint in allowing her characters to speak for themselves. So while her story gallops along effortlessly, readers have to do their due-diligence in the comprehension work. Ngl: I enjoyed that.
Every time I re-read "On the Right Track" I get more from the main characters, especially Golden. Due to a racing accident she is fragile and damaged, although I'd argue she's far more resilient at overcoming her physical traumas than the deep sense of loss over her father and grandfather, as well as the emotional scars of family rejection that causes her to push them away even now (sometimes justifiably so: Eric's highhandedness and financial coercion is hecking triggering and he can fuck off sideways). We loves us a good underdog story and readers certainly empathise with Golden's struggles without pitying her.
But this reviewer will contritely admit: at first read I scoffed at what I perceived was Golden's simplicity and ignorance -- her head-in-the-sand reaction to Tor's accusations against her family; her refusal to reclaim her lost social-standing; her unco-operativeness and combativeness when given the chance to clear her name. Then I realised this was actually her quietly asserting boundaries and dealing with Tor's investigation on her own terms (in hindsight I feel like she ran him in circles, so go-go-girl-power). As Golden says herself, she has a small life, but it's the one she wants. As for Tor's aloofness; well, there has to be plot conflict and romantic obstacles to overcome somewhere, so may as well be here. I also enjoy the irony of Tor implying Golden - or at least some of her family's connections - are untrustworthy, while Golden is the poster-child of trust-issues and trusts Tor far less than he trusts her.
Penelope Janu writes stories that read easily and characters that resonate deeply. Any works by this author is on my to-buy list in perpetuity.
Mate, at this stage I would buy a shopping list if it was written by her.
An easy read in the sense the author has done incredible work behind-the-scenes to make it read so effortlessly. Characterisation, plot, romance and backstory balance beautifully. If you enjoy opposites-attract romances, smartly argumentative banter, and plot-conflicts with high (but real-world) stakes, I'd recommend any of Janu's titles in a heart-flutter.
The setting and plot -- from rural race-tracks to highfalutin society to-dos -- deals with sometimes uncomfortable aspects such as dysfunctional family dynamics, power-plays involving land-rights and potentially life-shattering financial investigations.
The characters are both highly intelligent in their own ways: while the romantic lead, Tor, is diplomat-trained and consequently highly intelligent in a classical academic sense; the main character, Golden, can hold her own with down-to-earth consideration and ability to call Tor on his social engineering and tactics. At times this leads her to act paranoid and argumentative regarding his motives, but I think she also just enjoys needling him for a rise.
On the surface Golden seems flighty and flaky and a little emotionally mercurial. Tor seems aloof and downright uncaring (even manipulative) sometimes -- at first glance, mind you. Because Janu shows such fabulous restraint in allowing her characters to speak for themselves. So while her story gallops along effortlessly, readers have to do their due-diligence in the comprehension work. Ngl: I enjoyed that.
Every time I re-read "On the Right Track" I get more from the main characters, especially Golden. Due to a racing accident she is fragile and damaged, although I'd argue she's far more resilient at overcoming her physical traumas than the deep sense of loss over her father and grandfather, as well as the emotional scars of family rejection that causes her to push them away even now (sometimes justifiably so: Eric's highhandedness and financial coercion is hecking triggering and he can fuck off sideways). We loves us a good underdog story and readers certainly empathise with Golden's struggles without pitying her.
But this reviewer will contritely admit: at first read I scoffed at what I perceived was Golden's simplicity and ignorance -- her head-in-the-sand reaction to Tor's accusations against her family; her refusal to reclaim her lost social-standing; her unco-operativeness and combativeness when given the chance to clear her name. Then I realised this was actually her quietly asserting boundaries and dealing with Tor's investigation on her own terms (in hindsight I feel like she ran him in circles, so go-go-girl-power). As Golden says herself, she has a small life, but it's the one she wants. As for Tor's aloofness; well, there has to be plot conflict and romantic obstacles to overcome somewhere, so may as well be here. I also enjoy the irony of Tor implying Golden - or at least some of her family's connections - are untrustworthy, while Golden is the poster-child of trust-issues and trusts Tor far less than he trusts her.
Penelope Janu writes stories that read easily and characters that resonate deeply. Any works by this author is on my to-buy list in perpetuity.
Mate, at this stage I would buy a shopping list if it was written by her.
July 25, 2018
Oh My!
I loved this book, it consumed my whole day.
I have never read a novel from Penelope Janu, I do look forward to reading more from this truly amazing author.
This book reminds me of an Australian version of 50 shades of grey.
Tor is secretive, powerful , doesn’t understand commitment and love, sexy and charming and he’s possessive.
Golden wants to be loved but is scared of commitment, she is in pain and lacks trust.
A beautiful novel with love, passion and my favourite Horses and racing.
On the right track is a fantastic novel!
If there were more than 5 stars I'd give it a 10
I loved this book, it consumed my whole day.
I have never read a novel from Penelope Janu, I do look forward to reading more from this truly amazing author.
This book reminds me of an Australian version of 50 shades of grey.
Tor is secretive, powerful , doesn’t understand commitment and love, sexy and charming and he’s possessive.
Golden wants to be loved but is scared of commitment, she is in pain and lacks trust.
A beautiful novel with love, passion and my favourite Horses and racing.
On the right track is a fantastic novel!
If there were more than 5 stars I'd give it a 10
February 15, 2021
On the Right Track is about two people who never thought they would find love. Golden's was happy with her life living on her grandfather's farm. Tor Amundsen was investigating her father and grandfather for corruption, and at first, Golden would not corporate with Tor investigation. However, that changed when Golden's stepfather made her do it. The readers will continue to follow Golden and Tor to find out what happens on The Right Track.
On the Right Track was the first book I have read of Penelope Janu, and I will differently read another book by her. I engaged with this book's plot from the first page, and I had trouble putting the book down. I loved Penelope Janu's portrayal of her characters and how they intertwine with each other throughout this book. On the Right Track was well written and researched by Penelope Janu. I like Penelope Janu's description of the Right Track settings and how they complimented this book's plot.
The reader's of On the Right Track will learn the role of children's speech therapists. Also, the reader's of On the Right track will learn about United Nations Investigators' role.
I recommend this book.
On the Right Track was the first book I have read of Penelope Janu, and I will differently read another book by her. I engaged with this book's plot from the first page, and I had trouble putting the book down. I loved Penelope Janu's portrayal of her characters and how they intertwine with each other throughout this book. On the Right Track was well written and researched by Penelope Janu. I like Penelope Janu's description of the Right Track settings and how they complimented this book's plot.
The reader's of On the Right Track will learn the role of children's speech therapists. Also, the reader's of On the Right track will learn about United Nations Investigators' role.
I recommend this book.
July 15, 2018
Last year I really enjoyed Penelope Janu’s debut novel, In At The Deep End. It was quirky and fun. What I had completely forgotten though was that the hero had a twin brother! So it was lovely to see ‘his’ story told in On the Right Track, a romance set not in the depths of water but on the land. While heroine Golden’s job and passion are a little more standard (speech pathologist and horses respectively), the story is just as fun and memorable.
Heroine Golden is broken in body, but definitely not in spirit. After an illicit jockey ride crushed her dreams and her leg, she’s settled down on the land she and her grandfather lived on. There, Golden works with her animals to help children work on their speech and communication. Since her father and grandfather died, she has been alone – except for half-sister Angelina. Golden is the wild black sheep of the family. Being involved in horse racing has never sat well with her gambling-averse parliamentarian stepfather and Golden has never gotten along with her mother. So when a ‘diplomat’ from the U.N. wants to talk to Golden about her family’s involvement with payments made, she ignores them. She isn’t talking to a spy, but Tor Amundsen isn’t taking no for an answer. He and colleague Nate will get to the bottom of this international gambling ring. Reluctantly, Golden gives in to introduce Tor to some racing world contacts, but she can’t ignore that he is very, very hot. Her animals and students love him and Golden can see why – should she let her heart or head rule?
Golden is one feisty character who isn’t afraid to say what she thinks. Refreshingly, it’s not always the right thing to say and sometimes she ends up in an even bigger mess. This was one of the things I liked about her character – she stuffs up but keeps going. Golden’s loyalty to her family is never in doubt and never wavers, despite the situations she finds herself in. As for Tor, I think I liked him even more than Per (who does pop up in this novel). Tor is a multi-linguist, incredibly clever and analytical person yet he has one fault. He’s got a swearing problem and is prone to drop that f-bomb at very random times. I didn’t find this offensive in the slightest (after all, I catch public transport frequently) but it made me laugh. This man could probably insult anyone utterly and completely in a number of languages, but when words fail him, he goes for the most offensive one!
I also found the plot really engaging, even if you aren’t a horse fan. I tend to get a bit worried when I see a horse on the cover that it will dominate, but it didn’t. The racing world is the backdrop for Tor and colleague Nate’s investigation but it doesn’t focus on that. Nor do need to have ridden a horse for twenty five gazillion years to understand what’s going on. Golden explains what you need to know and moves on. The plot is more of an adventure/suspense one as Tor and Golden work together (and alone, in Golden’s case) to find out the truth about her family. Contrasted with the dramas in Golden’s personal life, it makes for a page turning read. I’m looking forward to Penelope Janu’s next book, in particular the characters and the setting!
Thank you to Harlequin for the copy of this book. My review is honest.
http://samstillreading.wordpress.com
Heroine Golden is broken in body, but definitely not in spirit. After an illicit jockey ride crushed her dreams and her leg, she’s settled down on the land she and her grandfather lived on. There, Golden works with her animals to help children work on their speech and communication. Since her father and grandfather died, she has been alone – except for half-sister Angelina. Golden is the wild black sheep of the family. Being involved in horse racing has never sat well with her gambling-averse parliamentarian stepfather and Golden has never gotten along with her mother. So when a ‘diplomat’ from the U.N. wants to talk to Golden about her family’s involvement with payments made, she ignores them. She isn’t talking to a spy, but Tor Amundsen isn’t taking no for an answer. He and colleague Nate will get to the bottom of this international gambling ring. Reluctantly, Golden gives in to introduce Tor to some racing world contacts, but she can’t ignore that he is very, very hot. Her animals and students love him and Golden can see why – should she let her heart or head rule?
Golden is one feisty character who isn’t afraid to say what she thinks. Refreshingly, it’s not always the right thing to say and sometimes she ends up in an even bigger mess. This was one of the things I liked about her character – she stuffs up but keeps going. Golden’s loyalty to her family is never in doubt and never wavers, despite the situations she finds herself in. As for Tor, I think I liked him even more than Per (who does pop up in this novel). Tor is a multi-linguist, incredibly clever and analytical person yet he has one fault. He’s got a swearing problem and is prone to drop that f-bomb at very random times. I didn’t find this offensive in the slightest (after all, I catch public transport frequently) but it made me laugh. This man could probably insult anyone utterly and completely in a number of languages, but when words fail him, he goes for the most offensive one!
I also found the plot really engaging, even if you aren’t a horse fan. I tend to get a bit worried when I see a horse on the cover that it will dominate, but it didn’t. The racing world is the backdrop for Tor and colleague Nate’s investigation but it doesn’t focus on that. Nor do need to have ridden a horse for twenty five gazillion years to understand what’s going on. Golden explains what you need to know and moves on. The plot is more of an adventure/suspense one as Tor and Golden work together (and alone, in Golden’s case) to find out the truth about her family. Contrasted with the dramas in Golden’s personal life, it makes for a page turning read. I’m looking forward to Penelope Janu’s next book, in particular the characters and the setting!
Thank you to Harlequin for the copy of this book. My review is honest.
http://samstillreading.wordpress.com
July 30, 2018
On The Right Track is an entertaining cocktail of chemistry, mystery, humour, compassion and romance with a shot of children and animals to top it off. There is more than a dash of spice but it wasn’t graphically detailed or gratuitous. Golden has been hurt before and the injuries to her leg make many activities difficult and painful for her, it was relevant to the story for some scenes to be included that could have just faded to black and happened off the page.
I loved everything about this book. The interactions between Tor and Golden were fabulous, they ran the entire range of emotions and you saw the inner turmoil they faced as the characteristics that frustrated them should have been enough to turn them off but weren’t. You saw the scars they carried that meant they didn’t form attachments and you wondered how it would all turn out.
I would unreservedly recommend this one. Thank you to Harlequin for supplying my copy for review, and copies for the book club members.
My complete review can be read at: http://bookgirl.beautyandlace.net/boo...
I loved everything about this book. The interactions between Tor and Golden were fabulous, they ran the entire range of emotions and you saw the inner turmoil they faced as the characteristics that frustrated them should have been enough to turn them off but weren’t. You saw the scars they carried that meant they didn’t form attachments and you wondered how it would all turn out.
I would unreservedly recommend this one. Thank you to Harlequin for supplying my copy for review, and copies for the book club members.
My complete review can be read at: http://bookgirl.beautyandlace.net/boo...
July 28, 2018
Thank you B&L and Harlequin Mirra for the opportunity to read On the Right Track by Penelope Janu.
I absolutely loved this book. From the moment I picked it up I couldn’t put it down. The way it was written I feel like I was transported inside the story. I felt all the emotions throughout the book.
This book of romance and mystery had me hanging on right til the very end. A mixture of childhood dreams shattered and family secrets revealed throughout the book.
Some steamy parts thrown into the mix of this book very well written and not to over the top I was quite surprised by them but it added to the romance and parts of the story.
I will be reading more of Penelope in the future loved being introduced to a new author for me.
December 20, 2018
Not as fantastic as the previous book.
Still a good tale and a nice follow on from the Harry/Per line.
Still a good tale and a nice follow on from the Harry/Per line.
September 8, 2018
A new author for me however the complexity of the narrative was brilliant.
Intrigue with a foreign diplomat trying to secretly investigate corruption within the racing world of shattered rider Golden Saunders.
Life changing events and hidden secrets unravel...
Intrigue with a foreign diplomat trying to secretly investigate corruption within the racing world of shattered rider Golden Saunders.
Life changing events and hidden secrets unravel...
August 11, 2018
Loved it!! I couldn't put it down.
October 4, 2020
This book drew me in straight away, with its combination of powerful emotion, sensuality and intrigue. Golden, the heroine is such an intriguing woman, strong yet vulnerable and stubborn as all hell; her chemistry with the enigmatic, but sexy Tor jumps off the page. (Don't you just love a Nordic hero!). I also loved the setting, the world of international horse racing, and politics, which made a fascinating backdrop to the developing romance. With On The Right Track, Penelope Janu has established herself as one of my must-read authors.
January 13, 2019
Wow wonderful and just the loveliest of reads!!!!! I simply could NOT put this read down! Beautiful settings, gorgeous story, truly lovely characters!!! I really adored this book 😘#mwah Penelope 💋
December 4, 2022
You can always rely on Penelope Janu for a few things: good looking, tall Nordic love interests, grumpy female main characters and hot sexy times. Just a few of the reasons I love her books!
On the Right Track is about the uniquely-named Golden, a girl who wanted to be a jockey but had her dreams dashed when a terrible fall shattered her leg and her jaw. Now she lives in constant pain but loves her job as a speech therapist in a country town, helping kids learn to talk with the help of her horses and cat.
Into the mix comes Tor - a guy who “works for the UN” but everybody thinks is a spy - who is investigating dodgy bets and money laundering in the horse racing industry, and he’s very interested in Golden’s late father, a disgraced jockey who died in a fall years ago. She wants nothing to do with him, of course, but the temptation to find out whether her father and grandfather were really dirty is hard to deny.
I loved the tension and angst of Tor and Golden’s relationship, their undeniable attraction and mutual stubbornness make for some great scenes. If you’re looking for rural romance with plenty of steam, this is it. I found out too that Janu’s other book In at the Deep End is about Tor’s brother Per, so that’s next on my list to read!
On the Right Track is about the uniquely-named Golden, a girl who wanted to be a jockey but had her dreams dashed when a terrible fall shattered her leg and her jaw. Now she lives in constant pain but loves her job as a speech therapist in a country town, helping kids learn to talk with the help of her horses and cat.
Into the mix comes Tor - a guy who “works for the UN” but everybody thinks is a spy - who is investigating dodgy bets and money laundering in the horse racing industry, and he’s very interested in Golden’s late father, a disgraced jockey who died in a fall years ago. She wants nothing to do with him, of course, but the temptation to find out whether her father and grandfather were really dirty is hard to deny.
I loved the tension and angst of Tor and Golden’s relationship, their undeniable attraction and mutual stubbornness make for some great scenes. If you’re looking for rural romance with plenty of steam, this is it. I found out too that Janu’s other book In at the Deep End is about Tor’s brother Per, so that’s next on my list to read!
October 21, 2018
This book was sent to me by the publisher for my honest review.
Based on the cover I was expecting this to be more rural fiction rather than contemporary, but I was wrong. The majority of the book is based in Sydney, despite Golden living on acreage and it really has a very strong mystery element to it.
Golden is a very likeable character, if only the same could be said about her family (her sister aside). Honestly her mother in particular I wanted to throw something at. She was so superficial punished Golden for her own mistake. What a horrible woman.
Then enters Tor and the heat turns up about 1000 degrees. Holy hell batman there are some steamy sex scenes in the book! Enough to make me blush. Tor and Golden clearly have chemistry and it is the kind of chemistry that is more likely to lead to spontaneously generating fire. Don’t get me wrong there were aspects of his character that I didn’t like. He was too controlling at times but overall he was a fantastic inclusion.
Based on the cover I was expecting this to be more rural fiction rather than contemporary, but I was wrong. The majority of the book is based in Sydney, despite Golden living on acreage and it really has a very strong mystery element to it.
Golden is a very likeable character, if only the same could be said about her family (her sister aside). Honestly her mother in particular I wanted to throw something at. She was so superficial punished Golden for her own mistake. What a horrible woman.
Then enters Tor and the heat turns up about 1000 degrees. Holy hell batman there are some steamy sex scenes in the book! Enough to make me blush. Tor and Golden clearly have chemistry and it is the kind of chemistry that is more likely to lead to spontaneously generating fire. Don’t get me wrong there were aspects of his character that I didn’t like. He was too controlling at times but overall he was a fantastic inclusion.
September 24, 2018
I always love a heroine that has been hurt in the past and has resolved to be so strong that she almost gets in her own way - and that’s Golden Saunders. She is so protective of her heart that she often acts quite abruptly with the people she doesn’t trust: but her gentleness with those that she does trust proves she’s soft and sweet under all that.
This was such a lovely book - unexpected in so many ways; it’s not often you read a romance that also has elements of international spies and horse racing! I also loved the portrayal of rural Australia in scenes that were so vivid, as well as the description of the speech therapy sessions the main character does. The plot kept moving so quickly - I couldn’t put the book down and finished it in one sitting!
This was such a lovely book - unexpected in so many ways; it’s not often you read a romance that also has elements of international spies and horse racing! I also loved the portrayal of rural Australia in scenes that were so vivid, as well as the description of the speech therapy sessions the main character does. The plot kept moving so quickly - I couldn’t put the book down and finished it in one sitting!
December 14, 2019
I enjoyed this book. It isn't as rural as the book cover lets on. I liked the movement between the Southern Highlands and the Eastern suburbs of Sydney.
I do like my story telling a bit tighter than most standard novels, and though it was well done, I found that the storyline on the 25 year old crime that may have been committed that the international-man-of-mystery-spy hero was investigating through the whole book dragged on just a tad. And there was just such overriding sadness in this book especially with the complex (and thankfully unresolved and unapologetic) mother who had rejected the heroine Golden at birth with her grandfather raising her. I also liked Golden's lovely relationship with her sister.
A good read.
I do like my story telling a bit tighter than most standard novels, and though it was well done, I found that the storyline on the 25 year old crime that may have been committed that the international-man-of-mystery-spy hero was investigating through the whole book dragged on just a tad. And there was just such overriding sadness in this book especially with the complex (and thankfully unresolved and unapologetic) mother who had rejected the heroine Golden at birth with her grandfather raising her. I also liked Golden's lovely relationship with her sister.
A good read.
September 30, 2021
Read the second time. This time, I laughed at sections I'd forgotten since reading in 2018. The punch up at the social evening had me in stitches.
This is the second book I've read by Penelope Janu and they've both been 5 star reads. I've become a big fan!
I love the first person, present tense POV of Janu's writing. It feels so very fresh amongst what I've been reading lately and she does it so very well. Although the writing is always from the single POV of the story's heroine, I don't ever feel that I lack any understanding of what her male characters and secondary characters are going through.
I felt a great affinity for Golden in this story, and I loved Tor as much as I loved his brother Per in 'In At The Deep End'.
I can't wait to see what Penelope Janu comes up with next.
This is the second book I've read by Penelope Janu and they've both been 5 star reads. I've become a big fan!
I love the first person, present tense POV of Janu's writing. It feels so very fresh amongst what I've been reading lately and she does it so very well. Although the writing is always from the single POV of the story's heroine, I don't ever feel that I lack any understanding of what her male characters and secondary characters are going through.
I felt a great affinity for Golden in this story, and I loved Tor as much as I loved his brother Per in 'In At The Deep End'.
I can't wait to see what Penelope Janu comes up with next.
April 1, 2020
Read this book very quickly over a few days. I was hesitant because the cover art makes it look like it's going to be a bad read and I purchased it for very cheap HOWEVER I was pleasantly surprised.
A fantastic light read that draws you in to the characters. The romance between the two main characters is really well done, you can feel the tension. Some parts are a little spicy but well written so it's actually alluring rather than gross or graphic.
Recommend if you're someone who enjoys an easy read of romance and some mystery.
A fantastic light read that draws you in to the characters. The romance between the two main characters is really well done, you can feel the tension. Some parts are a little spicy but well written so it's actually alluring rather than gross or graphic.
Recommend if you're someone who enjoys an easy read of romance and some mystery.
September 13, 2018
A breath of fresh air and the perfect holiday read. Penne Janu manages to right a beautifully balanced, light-hearted romance, without losing her wonderfully engaging writing style. While On The Right Track is an easy read, it has a well-structured style and maintains tension (sexual and storyline) throughout.
January 8, 2019
Golden Saunders is a damaged heroine born to a mother who didn't want her and under a cloud of suspicion due to her jockey father.
All she wants is to have her own small country place and to be left alone but the past comes back to haunt her in the shape of Tor Amundsen, who appears, at first, like the hero from hell, until his gentler side comes in to play.
An unputdownable novel.
All she wants is to have her own small country place and to be left alone but the past comes back to haunt her in the shape of Tor Amundsen, who appears, at first, like the hero from hell, until his gentler side comes in to play.
An unputdownable novel.
August 22, 2018
Disclaimer: I'm the Renee in the acknowledgements of this book.
I loved this story, and the richness of the writing. The first person narrative didn't quite work for me (it's something I always struggle with), but otherwise would totally recommend to anyone.
I loved this story, and the richness of the writing. The first person narrative didn't quite work for me (it's something I always struggle with), but otherwise would totally recommend to anyone.
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