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Until You
Already there was something about this place. There was a stirring within her, her fingertips itching even now to rest upon the keys of her laptop.Here, she could be someone else. Here, she felt an energy she had long since forgotten. Here, she could see past the exhaustion of being dour dependable Gale in a loveless marriage, pretending everything was good and that she was happy. She could see past the grief that bound her irrevocably to her husband. There - up ahead over the loch - was light, shining past the grey monotony of her life.Here, she could be herself again. Here she was Abby.*In Australia, she was Gale Carson – in a settled but unhappy life, keenly aware of how she was losing not just her creativity, but her very self.Shedding her life in Sydney, Gale rekindles her long-neglected desire for writing on the small Scottish Island of Davaar.There, surrounded by new friends and a new life, she rediscovers herself as Abby Buchanan. As Abby, she can write and live as she’s always dreamed. Feeling free for the first time, Abby finds herself drawn to the reclusive Murdo Williams.However unbeknownst to Abby, another has been drawn to her …In Book One of Davaar, Abby’s past life threatens to destroy her new-found happiness – and time is running out as her admirer’s fascination with the new Australian turns deadly.
569 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 6, 2018
5 people are currently reading
35 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
April 22, 2023
An interesting one. A romance novel, with a side order of murder and stalking, and a lot of sex! As a Scot, I enjoyed reading how we are viewed by the Australian author, and recognising the familiar places, characters and traits and dialogue. It's long, but worth your while sticking with. A good read, and you can see the effort and care put in by the author.
August 10, 2019
One of those 'can't put it down' books. As midnight passed, I tried, knowing I had a busy day the next day. Nope. 3am, 200 pages to go and my tablet ran out of my battery. I cursed the God's of Sleep and reluctantly slept till 6am, when I picked the book back up and sank back into the story of Abby and Murdo.
Romance with a touch of mystery. Relatable characters. Sex. Smooth flow of story. I'm absolutely hanging out for book 2.
Romance with a touch of mystery. Relatable characters. Sex. Smooth flow of story. I'm absolutely hanging out for book 2.
July 11, 2018
A fantastic read, I couldn’t put it down! I want to know what happens next!
May 8, 2019
"Woman, ye will be the death of me,"
Whispers the elusive, damaging, intriguing and Mysterious man called Murdo, into the ears of Abby who is not your regular romantic and coy heroine but someone who is unabashedly real. The chemistry they create could well be the recipe for a sizzling inferno. It's tough not getting engrossed.
When I first began reading this book a week ago, I couldn't help noticing that the writer had a keen eye for detail. I could visualise the Davar Islands in scotland, the caves and even the weather. The story is about Abby, who is in Scotland to write a book, apparently, but it has more to do with trying to find her life story. The moments, till she finally meets the love of her life are pretty tense and keep you at the edge, guessing, what happens next. There's a silent killer in the backdrop, the Paisley pervert that holds the story together like a bind . You do not find the plot rushing you at any moment. The Scottish accent brings the characters to life and Murdo, may, as well be the man of every woman's dreams.
To sum it up, read the book for an insight into the torn and debilitating human relationships of our times and for the love that we still find in strange nooks and corners. I'm glad for the beautiful ending , though. Waiting for the second part in the series.
Whispers the elusive, damaging, intriguing and Mysterious man called Murdo, into the ears of Abby who is not your regular romantic and coy heroine but someone who is unabashedly real. The chemistry they create could well be the recipe for a sizzling inferno. It's tough not getting engrossed.
When I first began reading this book a week ago, I couldn't help noticing that the writer had a keen eye for detail. I could visualise the Davar Islands in scotland, the caves and even the weather. The story is about Abby, who is in Scotland to write a book, apparently, but it has more to do with trying to find her life story. The moments, till she finally meets the love of her life are pretty tense and keep you at the edge, guessing, what happens next. There's a silent killer in the backdrop, the Paisley pervert that holds the story together like a bind . You do not find the plot rushing you at any moment. The Scottish accent brings the characters to life and Murdo, may, as well be the man of every woman's dreams.
To sum it up, read the book for an insight into the torn and debilitating human relationships of our times and for the love that we still find in strange nooks and corners. I'm glad for the beautiful ending , though. Waiting for the second part in the series.
April 22, 2019
A good read with great characters!
This is not typically the type of book I’d read, but I couldn’t help but keep the pages turning. Abby is an Australian writer who takes a trip to Ireland for inspiration, and ends up finding love amongst a village full of memorable characters.
There’s a lot to like here. The dialogue and interaction between the characters is rich and fantastic. The atmosphere is well detailed with the writer’s impressive descriptions. There’s humor and some intense moments, along with some steamy sex scenes.
I recommend it to any fans of reading and books in general.
This is not typically the type of book I’d read, but I couldn’t help but keep the pages turning. Abby is an Australian writer who takes a trip to Ireland for inspiration, and ends up finding love amongst a village full of memorable characters.
There’s a lot to like here. The dialogue and interaction between the characters is rich and fantastic. The atmosphere is well detailed with the writer’s impressive descriptions. There’s humor and some intense moments, along with some steamy sex scenes.
I recommend it to any fans of reading and books in general.
July 15, 2019
This was a great read with rich characters! Abby is so relatable... a woman trying to find her voice in writing, but really trying to rediscover who she is after being married to a man who doesn’t seem to love the real her. She doesn’t even pretend to have it all figured out, but she allows herself to be vulnerable and truly experience the Scottish town she’s staying in... flaws and all. I found myself anticipating Abby’s next move. I loved her bravery in exploring and wanting to know more about the locals (Murdo specifically). The written Scottish dialogue made me feel as though I was truly there (that is, after I got used to reading it). I definitely recommend this book!
September 8, 2019
Such an enticing read! This is one of those novels you read until 3am because you are captivated... Just one more chapter you think to yourself.... Again and again.
August 29, 2021
Slow dance to romance!
A slow building romantic novel with lyrical prose and an underlying theme of redemption. Initially, the book draws the reader in with a sexual predator who lurks throughout the novel, a subplot that grows through the narrative into a murdering monster, a “loose end” that is not resolved in this well-crafted book 1. The mystery and intrigue captured my interest, and the wonderfully complex character of Abbey herself held my attention as she struggled with her past, her uncertainties, and her growing affection for the dark and brooding Murdo, a Scottish romance trope incarnate. The setting is a dream—the allure of a writing holiday, off on the Scottish coastline with a lighthouse on a picturesque isle as a backdrop and the quaint Cambeltown personalities to flesh out the story. The drawn-out romantic dance between the main characters culminates in erotic consummation, but the author transmits the power of the emotions and the physical cravings without stooping to lurid prurience.
With a definite ear for accents and wonderful descriptive language, TJ has written a lyrical romance with a deliciously flawed and searchingly human protagonist, challenged by her own indecisions, her humorous clumsiness, and the basically poor choices from her past and present that complicate her current situation. If you like romance with a dash of mystery and intrigue, start the Davaar Series today.
A slow building romantic novel with lyrical prose and an underlying theme of redemption. Initially, the book draws the reader in with a sexual predator who lurks throughout the novel, a subplot that grows through the narrative into a murdering monster, a “loose end” that is not resolved in this well-crafted book 1. The mystery and intrigue captured my interest, and the wonderfully complex character of Abbey herself held my attention as she struggled with her past, her uncertainties, and her growing affection for the dark and brooding Murdo, a Scottish romance trope incarnate. The setting is a dream—the allure of a writing holiday, off on the Scottish coastline with a lighthouse on a picturesque isle as a backdrop and the quaint Cambeltown personalities to flesh out the story. The drawn-out romantic dance between the main characters culminates in erotic consummation, but the author transmits the power of the emotions and the physical cravings without stooping to lurid prurience.
With a definite ear for accents and wonderful descriptive language, TJ has written a lyrical romance with a deliciously flawed and searchingly human protagonist, challenged by her own indecisions, her humorous clumsiness, and the basically poor choices from her past and present that complicate her current situation. If you like romance with a dash of mystery and intrigue, start the Davaar Series today.
July 13, 2018
Compelling, addictive reading. finallycommercial fiction with a relatable lead character who is funny and makes mistakes. Her everyday experiences had me in stitches and made me realise, Abby is me ten years ago! The landscape descriptions have breadth and the sensory experience of the author’s descriptions of food and smells made me honestly believe I was there in the Green Man pub!
The author has done a great job with the suspense and the love story which is so wonderfully rich and nuanced. The end of the book had me both laughing, blushing and crying.
If you found other commercial fiction pitched to a predominantly female audience to be a bit trite, then this is the story for you. The s*& scenes in this book are ridiculously good, some of the best I have ever read. The treatment of the women’s opinions of sex as a whole in the book is liberating and so very… satisfying.
I found myself unable to put down this book and smashed through it in less than 24 hours. The interweaving of the Australian and Scottish characters was sublime.
I am planning a trip to Davaar Island as I type.
Book Two please!?!
The author has done a great job with the suspense and the love story which is so wonderfully rich and nuanced. The end of the book had me both laughing, blushing and crying.
If you found other commercial fiction pitched to a predominantly female audience to be a bit trite, then this is the story for you. The s*& scenes in this book are ridiculously good, some of the best I have ever read. The treatment of the women’s opinions of sex as a whole in the book is liberating and so very… satisfying.
I found myself unable to put down this book and smashed through it in less than 24 hours. The interweaving of the Australian and Scottish characters was sublime.
I am planning a trip to Davaar Island as I type.
Book Two please!?!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 4, 2020
Synopsis: This is Book One in the Davaar Island series. Abby Carson is an aspiring author who has been working on her novel for about 10 years, at home in Australia. Struggling with writers block, she decides to leave her home, husband, and civil service job to pursue her dream of writing in a new setting; Scotland. More specifically, Davaar Island. Not only does Abby find her inspiration, she rediscovers herself with the help of a colorful cast of new friends.
I discovered this series through bookstagramming and I am hooked. I was about halfway through this book when I ordered book two so I could continue reading as soon as I finished. The characters are wonderfully relatable. The story is artfully descriptive with a really interesting cast of characters. There's an element of suspense and a few racy love scenes thrown in to keep it moving along. This would be an excellent beach read. I can't wait to continue the series.
I discovered this series through bookstagramming and I am hooked. I was about halfway through this book when I ordered book two so I could continue reading as soon as I finished. The characters are wonderfully relatable. The story is artfully descriptive with a really interesting cast of characters. There's an element of suspense and a few racy love scenes thrown in to keep it moving along. This would be an excellent beach read. I can't wait to continue the series.
February 22, 2020
Until You” is a romance/mystery centered around Abby, an aspiring novelist. Abby takes a large break from her life-home-job-marriage in Australia and travels to Scotland to finally finish the novel she’s been neglecting for years. A likable main character, Abby is full of self-doubt and recriminations. She finds some of her lost self, fresh inspiration, and new friends in Scotland including Murdo, a mysterious young man with a tragic past. The setting for Until You was well-researched and Johnson does a fine job of infusing the Scottish accent into the dialogue while keeping it easy to read. Anyone (like me) who struggled with reading the Yorkshire dialect in Hardy’s “Far from the Madding Crowd” will appreciate it. The reader hears the highland pronunciations on every page and feels the cold wind and damp weather that one would expect near the sea in the far-northern U.K. A few explicit scenes so not recommended for young adult readers. Surprises toward to end will propel the reader to the second and third novels in Johnson’s Davaar series. If you’d like to visit Scotland but haven’t made the trip, check out this series.
March 2, 2020
What a great book! A long, brooding, and steamy romance. You'll be willing Abby and Murdo to get together, but I feel like I'd be doing the author a disservice by telling you whether they do or not. There's more than just love on the cards, as a stalker lurks in the background, keeping us on our toes. Such a well written and well paced novel, I found myself yearning to read more whilst waiting for my break at work. There's a perfect balance between narrative and setting, and you can really picture the Scottish isle in your head, as it is just as much a character as anyone else in the book. You'll fall in love with all the side characters as well, who, although they don't have as much of a spotlight shone on them as Abby and Murdo, are just as well fleshed out. Not all the loose ends are tied up in a neat little bow, but stress not: there's a sequel!
May 7, 2019
Once I got into the story, I enjoyed this read. Abby and Murdo were an interesting couple. The storyline had some twists, surprises, and mystery. Really enjoyed the dialogue and writer handled the Scottish brogue of her main character quite well. There was a lot of description that gave you a real feel of the area and country. The story drew me in and I wanted to finish to get a lot of questions answered, only to discover it is a series. But the writing is artfully done, no question the writer knows her subject well and the story is interesting.
February 11, 2020
Wistful, longing and rich in character
This book is the beginning of the beautiful love story of Abby and Murdo, encompassed by troubled pasts, the scars of a dysfunctional relationship and the journey of rediscovering peace. A good balance of witty banter, longing, romance and intense sexuality is also in store for those who read this book. Sinister workings knock in readiness for the second book in this series, which will quickly follow on my reading list, so I can find out what happens next!
This book is the beginning of the beautiful love story of Abby and Murdo, encompassed by troubled pasts, the scars of a dysfunctional relationship and the journey of rediscovering peace. A good balance of witty banter, longing, romance and intense sexuality is also in store for those who read this book. Sinister workings knock in readiness for the second book in this series, which will quickly follow on my reading list, so I can find out what happens next!
November 12, 2018
So frustrated by this book. Nearly 500 pages and no real resolution at the end. The murderer isn’t revealed, nor is the main mystery about Murdo’s parents dying and his sister leaving resolved. I shouldn’t have to buy the sequel to get the answer and it looks like the sequel doesn’t even give all the answers.
Felt the writing was a bit simple, lots of time wasting scenes, and a few examples of poor grammar that I itched to correct. Not my next big series.
Felt the writing was a bit simple, lots of time wasting scenes, and a few examples of poor grammar that I itched to correct. Not my next big series.
May 30, 2019
Charming, Romantic, Mysterious...
Following a woman trying to rediscover herself after years in a nearly loveless marriage, this story is full of realistic and endearing characters as well as cute and sexy romantic moments. The author also throws in a hint of mystery that will have you thinking you have it figured out time and again, but in the end realize you haven't a clue and now must read the next book!
Following a woman trying to rediscover herself after years in a nearly loveless marriage, this story is full of realistic and endearing characters as well as cute and sexy romantic moments. The author also throws in a hint of mystery that will have you thinking you have it figured out time and again, but in the end realize you haven't a clue and now must read the next book!
July 24, 2019
Slow burn. Honest review.
Abby, a wife in a loveless marriage leaves her home in Australia and travels to Scotland Davaar. She's a writer but has trouble setting the words on paper. There's a lot going on in Davvar, interesting people, new friendships and rediscovery. The author throws in a mysterious twist that intrigues you from the get go. I loved and disliked the Scottish writing all at the some time. But it was truly a new experience for me. I do recommend this read.
Abby, a wife in a loveless marriage leaves her home in Australia and travels to Scotland Davaar. She's a writer but has trouble setting the words on paper. There's a lot going on in Davvar, interesting people, new friendships and rediscovery. The author throws in a mysterious twist that intrigues you from the get go. I loved and disliked the Scottish writing all at the some time. But it was truly a new experience for me. I do recommend this read.
September 5, 2019
A delicious slow burner! The story of Aussie gal Abby rediscovering herself in Scotland on Davaar Island, and falling in love with the hunky Murdo. There’s a serial killer on the loose who becomes obsessed with Abby. I really loved this book and spent way too many nights reading instead of sleeping. 😁 TJ has has developed some fantastic characters and a level of suspense that makes you suspect everyone! Can’t wait for the next books in the series!
December 3, 2022
Very slay, Abby was a super real and interesting character, Murdo and Abby were so sweet and i love them together, almost scared to read the sequel. The first half of the book is very good, a little bit slow for me at the start but the last half of the book was incredible, couldn't put it down
October 7, 2018
Loved, loved, loved this book. Romance, suspense and so descriptive I wanted to divorce my husband and move to Scotland immediately! Can’t wait for the next one...
February 11, 2020
Beautiful prose, so well written!
September 26, 2020
Wow
This book was an amazing ride. Loved it from start to finish. Can’t not wait to read the next one!!
This book was an amazing ride. Loved it from start to finish. Can’t not wait to read the next one!!
August 5, 2019
Slow Burn Romance
December 28, 2018
This author is a breath of fresh air! It has been a long time since I have been this captivated by the characters in a novel. I feel like they are real people that I can easily relate to, and there is also an intriguing amount of suspense and mystery. I have even bought the paperback version to have on my bookshelf. Do yourself a favour!
May 12, 2021
Until You isn’t the type of book I’d usually choose. But I was drawn in by the humor and the setting of the sample on Amazon. I am pleased to report that the book didn’t disappoint.
It’s a slow burn, with characters that feel alive and real. That’s what draws me into any story - the characters. And all of them are rich and fleshed out enough to have been based on real people. The descriptions of Scotland were vivid and inviting, and I could feel that part of my own family’s heritage connecting with the town and it’s people.
The slow pacing may not sit with a more impatient reader, but I loved it. It allowed me to sink into the richness of the setting and to regard the characters as friends. It does feel like this book is setting up future events, so I’m looking forward to the rest of the series.
It’s a slow burn, with characters that feel alive and real. That’s what draws me into any story - the characters. And all of them are rich and fleshed out enough to have been based on real people. The descriptions of Scotland were vivid and inviting, and I could feel that part of my own family’s heritage connecting with the town and it’s people.
The slow pacing may not sit with a more impatient reader, but I loved it. It allowed me to sink into the richness of the setting and to regard the characters as friends. It does feel like this book is setting up future events, so I’m looking forward to the rest of the series.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews