A heartfelt story about finding where you belong. A new Woodlea rural romance by bestselling Australian author Alissa Callen. For only child Neve Fitzpatrick, family is everything. When she loses her mother, she heads to the bush to rent a farmhouse near her grandmother's family home. To keep herself busy and her grief at bay, she offers to look after two little redheaded cowgirls and adopts a sassy pony and shaggy donkey in need of a refuge.
Drover and horse trainer Tanner Callahan may have just found his mother, but he's resolved never to let anyone too close. Abandonment has cursed him all his life, and he won't let it happen again. Only two things unnerve him: children and small-town matchmaking. Then he meets occupational therapist Neve. Warm-hearted and unforgettable, she represents all that Tanner feels will forever remain out of reach.
But when an old iron key unlocks family secrets from the Second World War, Neve needs help only Tanner can give. As the threads of the past unravel, and locusts threaten to suffocate the land, Neve and Tanner must make a choice. Will fear keep them running or is the home each yearns for already within grasp?
PRAISE
'Warm-hearted and unforgettable' - Queensland Times
When USA Today bestselling author Alissa Callen isn’t writing she plays traffic controller to four children, three dogs, two horses and one renegade cow who really does believe the grass is greener on the other side of the fence. After a childhood spent chasing sheep on the family farm, Alissa has always been drawn to remote areas and small towns, even when residing overseas. Once a teacher and a counsellor, she remains interested in the life journeys that people take. She also is partial to historic homesteads and country gardens and has been known to drive hours to see an open-garden. She currently lives on a small slice of rural Australia in central western New South Wales.
Neve Fitzpatrick was happy Graham had chosen her to care for his two daughters, Maya and Kait, while he was working. The girls were five and three and had lost their mother some months earlier. Their confusion and loss would be eased by Neve; alternately, they would help with the grief and loneliness Neve felt on a daily basis after losing her mother so recently. Neve had rented a property not far from her grandmother’s original home, and she’d also taken in a pony and donkey to care for. The girls loved the two animals, but their mischievousness needed halting, and that was where local horse trainer, Tanner Callahan came in.
When Tanner discovered his birth mother, Meredith, after the death of his adoptive mother, he was welcomed with open arms. The small town of Woodlea was now where Tanner called home, and although he was as skittish as some of the horses he trained when he was around children and young single women, his kind and caring nature with horses shone through. But helping Neve with the pony and donkey kept his tensions on high alert.
It was when an old metal box was discovered, and mystery surrounded the grandmother Neve had thought she’d known so well, that Neve and Tanner’s friendship cemented. But could they remain just friends? Both of them were aware they didn’t want a relationship…
The Round Yard by Aussie author Alissa Callen is an excellent rural romance, with intrigue and mystery shadowing the lives of the two main characters. The children’s excitement around the animals; the summer heat of inland NSW; the wild animals (echidna, snakes, wild pigs) blending with the cows and horses; Patch the dog and Arrow the mustang – a pure Aussie country story. Highly recommended.
With thanks to Harlequin Mira for my ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
I love coming home to Woodlea and the people who live there, I feel so comfortable here and sharing the problems and love lives of the friends I have gotten to know, MS Callen brings to life rural towns and their ups and downs and this story is a beauty, one not to be missed as we get to know Tanner Callahan better and the woman who will be his forever love Neve Fitzpatrick.
Tanner is settling in at Woodlea now that he has found his mother, but he is still feels that there will not be someone that he will settle down with forever, he is sorting problems out with his adoptive father and still feels the need to take off for the long paddock, but when he is asked to help new girl in town Neve with her pony and donkey and gets to know the two children that Neve cares for, well Tanner is finding it harder and harder to keep out of the town’s biggest matchmaker Edna’s sights, but his heart is losing the battle to stay single.
Neve has moved to Woodlea after the death of her mother, Woodlea is the town that her mother grew up in and is enjoying feeling at home and at peace, she is caring for two little girls and also has the care of a very naughty pony and donkey, she asks Tanner to help and it is an isn’t attraction and when she discovers secrets about her grandmother, Tanner is there to help and the friendship and love grow.
This was a story that I fell into, I savoured every word, felt joy as Neve and Tanner coped with their feelings and gave into a love so strong the stars shone for them, this one is beautifully written and made me feel such a part of the community of Woodlea, I do highly recommend this story and series and I do hope that there will be more books, thank you MS Callen I loved this one it left me feeling very happy.
Rural romance is one of my favourite genres and when it’s well written and entertains then it’s a delight to read and easy to keep ones nose in the book. However, I was slightly veering away from this genre as I felt it no longer kept my interest, the storylines felt a little tired, they were less intriguing and the entertainment factor was absent. But I’m delighted to declare The Round Yard has stirred my love of rural romance once again, actually the feels began with book #2 of Alissa Callen’s Woodlea series and each one thereafter just got better and better and I can say with all happiness I’m back in full swing reading this fabulous genre with its small town communities and bush settings.
Alissa Callen is a wonderful teller of tales and it wasn’t hard hanging on every word that was written in this warm-hearted novel. This story is adorable and moving and I finished The Round Yard with a happy sigh and a contented heart.
The Round Yard book #4 in the Woodlea series follows the lives of Tanner and new arrival Neve, both have some issues to deal with and overcoming their fears might take a little work, but throw in two cutie animals with attitude that Neve adopts, two small redheads, picnic races, a rodeo, secret knitters yarn bombing the town, a wedding and a meddler who I found to be a crack up an amusing and engaging story ensues. The storyline had a beautiful flow to it and the author did a beautiful job of creating likeable and relatable characters. I have to add the mystery surrounding Neve’s grandmother was a great addition to the story. Well done, Alissa Callen!
I have absolutely adored spending time with the cast of characters from all 4 books and I’m hoping this book doesn’t conclude the Woodlea series as I’m not ready to say goodbye to the awesome folk that reside in and around Woodlea.
Hands down the best and sweetest characters to come out of a series I’ve ever read.
Many thanks to Harlequin Australia for providing me with a free copy of The Round Yard for an honest review.
The Round Yard is book four in the Woodlea series by Alissa Callen. When Neve Fitzpatrick's mother died, Neve needed a change of scene. Neve decided to move to the country and live in the community that her mother grew up in and rent a house. On the way, Neve adopted a pony and a donkey that no one wanted. However, the pony and donkey keep escaping from their yard and eating her vegetables. Neve asked Tanner Callahan for help. The readers of The Round Yard will continue to follow Neve and Tanner to see if they fall in love.
The Round Yard is enjoyable attention to this wonderful series. I love the way, Alissa Callen portrayed her characters and the way they interact with each other throughout this book. I like Alissa Callen description of the settings of The Round Yard that allow me to picture myself part of the background. The Round Yard is well written and researched by Alissa Callen.
The readers of The Round Yard will learn how to train horses and look after donkeys. Also, the readers of The Round Yard will start to understand the consequences of grief and abandonment on people.
Back in January I listened to the audiobook of ‘The Round Yard’ and it was a perfect light hearted read that reminded me of some of the positives of country living and being in a rural community. I came to adore quite a few of the human and animal characters from the book - I’m not going to lie, I absolutely love it when this happens in a good book 🥰 As well as mainly discussing multiple characters and their relationships in present times, the book also delved back into the main character Neve’s family history from the Second World War. I highly recommend this book to rural fiction & rural romance fans If you’re looking for a fun and easy to follow read 😁.
Alissa Callen has delivered another delightful rural romance with 𝕋𝕙𝕖 ℝ𝕠𝕦𝕟𝕕 𝕐𝕒𝕣𝕕. As part of the Woodlea series, you're guaranteed to catch up with the residents of the friendly country town. This time, it's Tanner and Neve's (love) story.
To enlighten/ remind you, Tanner is the biological son of Meredith and the cousin of Denham (who's story has been already told). Despite choosing to be single, the handsome cowboy is gaining a lot of attention from the ladies, and has a lipstick shaped target on his back by local gossip and matchmaker Edna!
Both Neve's grandmother and mother had connections to Woodlea, so after a traumatic times Neve has moved to the area. The one time occupational therapist is now in charge of two very cute little girls, and a very troublesome pony and donkey! Tanner and Neve initially meet when the cowboy helps her out to train Bassie and Dell.
A war time mystery brings Tanner and Neve closer. Both of them really find it hard to fight their attraction for one another!! Similarly, they also have personal issues to sort out before they make a commitment.
There's also wedding bells in this outing with Cressy and Denham's nuptials! I've been following this couple from the first book and it was lovely to be invited!
As always, the true stars of Alissa's are the animal friends! I love how each and every one has their own individual personality! My favourites this time around has to be Bassie, Dell and Patch!
This book showcases everything that is good about rural Australia. It’s heartwarming and as comfortable as an old pair of shoes. I sank right in and soaked it all up. At the heart of the story is the romance between Neve and Tanner, but there is another thread which enables Neve to learn about her grandmother’s first husband. I liked every single character in this story though Neve and Tanner stood out. It was fabulous seeing how two little girls, a donkey and some ponies helped them to find each other and heal their own old wounds. Set in the fictitious NSW country town of Woodley, the story flows along gently as country life continues around the main characters. There is a group of secret knitters yarn bombing the town, a rodeo, picnic races and more. Out of town wheat fields are being sown, and there’s the threat of locusts. It’s very clear that author Alissa Callen knows this part of the world and immerses herself in country life. She has mastered the art of linking her story to its surrounds as epitomised in sentences like this one: “His temples hammered and his mouth was as dry as a billabong in a summer drought.” The story has plenty in it to keep readers interested until the end. I found myself reading into the wee hours and only putting the book away when I couldn’t keep my eyes open. I think this is one of Alissa Callen’s best books to date. Loved it!
'sigh' that is the contented sigh after finishing a wonderful Aussie rural romance The Round Yard was just a fantastic story full of emotion, intrigue, mystery, and love, it truly was a wonderful story with great characters.
4.5***** The Round Yard was a totally enjoyable read set once again in the town of Woodlea. We meet newcomer Neve who with her quiet and gentle way starts a reaction in loner Tanner that challenges everything he thought he wanted or needed. Tanner is gorgeous but broken and Alissa has you wishing desperately for him to allow Neve to help him heal. Neve is also in a bad space due to losses she has suffered and you just know that Tanner would help her overcome her issues too. I loved the characters of Bassie and Dell, Neve's rescued donkey and pony, they caused me to laugh several times and Bassie especially had such attitude. I also loved revisiting the characters from book 1 & 2 and seeing what they were doing and how their relationships were going. I really appreciated the mystery that causes Tanner and Neve to work together, being a big fan of historical fiction, this small element of the story was one I found really interesting. A great read and I hope there is more to come in this series.
Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Australia for a copy in return for an honest review.
A heartfelt story about finding where you belong. A new Woodlea rural romance by bestselling Australian author Alissa Callen. For only child Neve Fitzpatrick, family is everything. When she loses her mother, she heads to the bush to rent a farmhouse near her grandmother's family home. To keep herself busy and her grief at bay, she offers to look after two little redheaded cowgirls and adopts a sassy pony and shaggy donkey in need of a refuge.
Drover and horse trainer Tanner Callahan may have just found his mother, but he's resolved never to let anyone too close. Abandonment has cursed him all his life, and he won't let it happen again. Only two things unnerve him: children and small-town matchmaking. Then he meets occupational therapist Neve. Warm-hearted and unforgettable, she represents all that Tanner feels will forever remain out of reach.
But when an old iron key unlocks family secrets from the Second World War, Neve needs help only Tanner can give. As the threads of the past unravel, and locusts threaten to suffocate the land, Neve and Tanner must make a choice. Will fear keep them running or is the home each yearns for already within grasp?
I loved reading The Round Yard. Apparently it is part of a series but I read it by itself and don’t feel that anything was missed This is one of my favourite genres being raised in the country. Reading this book was like having a strong cup of tea with old friends. I looked forward to my time out escaping in the pages This story centres around Neve a woman trying to find herself after losing her mum who she cared for for many years Her love interest Tanner is a quiet, self contained strong man. It is delightful to watch their friendship grow. Throw in a mix of animals, a couple of adorable children and the characters of a small town and you have a page turner While healing themselves, Neve gets caught up in a family mystery that makes her question all that she grew up with I will certainly check out other works by Alissa Callen as I really enjoyed this book. Thanks to Beauty and Lace and Harlequin Books for the opportunity to read and review this book
Thoroughly enjoyed the continuation of this series with Tanner's story! He's certainly the most talked about, sexiest single guy in town, one that Edna again DOESN'T get to tie down for her own daughter because Tanner only has eyes for one woman - Neve.
She's just lost her mum and moves to a small town where her grandmother lived and discovers a family secret. Tanner is still dealing with his abandonment issues over being adopted and used by an ex girlfriend. Together, Tanner and Neve uncover her family's secrets and find their way to their happily ever after while Cressey and Denham from book one finally get married!
Oh, and Tanner passing the Reggie test was done so well!
My first book by this author, I've already hunted down more on Amazon and my library. A beautiful tale set in the countryside of Australia. I practically dived into this story like a comfy pair of boots. Reading on the train I came close to missing my stop, that's my sign of a great story. I enjoyed the mystery that was woven into the threads of this tale. Two broken souls coming together in this story will make you sigh. Can't forget the comedy brought to this story by the animals. Wonderfully written, I highly recommend it.
A troublesome donkey and pony that appear hell bent on making their escape no matter who tries to fence them in. Two cute children that have recently lost their mother, a new to town caregiver who is grieving for her own mother form a strong bond. Enter handsome drover and horse trainer Tanner, reluctant hero whose trying to build a connection with his mother and is extremely nervous around small children. The girls all win a place in his heart, secrets are shared and new paths forged.
At this point, many of Callen's books and characters have blended together for me. Neve and Tanner were all right. The book struggled to keep my interest at the beginning. Moreover, I didn't find myself interested in the story of Neve's grandmother. I wish that Tanner's father had repaired his relationship with Tanner sooner in the book. I also wish that the father's apology had been sweeter. He seemed so gruff.
Another in the Woodlea series. This is the story of Neve and Tanner. Never is trying to get over the loss of her mum & has some questions re her grandfather. Tanner has found his mum. He becomes involved in finding information re Neve’s grandfather. Both are carrying a lot of baggage, hurt & uncertainty.
Another entertaining rural story set in Australia. This time it’s Tanner’s story. He finds in Neve the woman he comes to love in spite of the fact he is wary of a relationship. As well Neve is fascinated by a story unearthed about her grandmother. Tanner and his Dad help to solve a mystery and begin a deepening relationship after some tension. I enjoyed the narration.
The Round Yard by author Alissa Callen is a nice read with so many likeable characters that is set against a backdrop of a striking countryside setting. Neve and Tanner were perfectly matched in intensity and the secondary characters add layers to the read that continues the quippiness in the story. An all-round feel-good read. Review copy received from Harlequin MIRAvia Netgalley
I enjoyed the country romance, although it was fairly predictable. It did have a bit of mystery and a few curve balls for good measure, and it was great to have the same characters of Woodlea included to expand on their personalities. A fantastic read!
Always enjoy Alissa Callen's writing and style, and this is the second of the Woodlea series I have read/listened to. Will definitely listen to the others in the series. All the usual interesting and compelling characters and plot.
Another great story based in Woodlea and by Alissa Callen. Heartfelt story with a bit of history/mystery weaved into it. A pleasure to read and I can wait to read the rest based in this fictional town.