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The Callahans of Stringybark Creek #2
Mr Right Now
Romantic and exciting, the story of the Callahans of Stringybark Creek continues. Readers of Fiona Palmer and Rachael Johns will love this.
THE CALLAHANS OF STRINGYBARK CREEK - Book 2
Griffin Callahan and Olivia Dawson were inseparable. Everyone in town knew it. But when Griff went off to Ag College, Liv told him it was over and fled her family's farm to study law. Griff had never understood her reasons but eventually accepted that first loves don't last. Until now.
Currently back on the farm to help her twin brother with the harvest, Liv is the same gorgeous, laughing, hazel-eyed girl he'd always loved. Yet Griff can sense a difference, an uncertainty playing beneath the surface that wasn't there before.
Amidst crossed wires, drunken declarations, and families on a mission, will Griff and Liv finally have a second chance? Or will the old saying - If you love someone set them free - become their reality?
THE CALLAHANS OF STRINGYBARK CREEK - Book 2
Griffin Callahan and Olivia Dawson were inseparable. Everyone in town knew it. But when Griff went off to Ag College, Liv told him it was over and fled her family's farm to study law. Griff had never understood her reasons but eventually accepted that first loves don't last. Until now.
Currently back on the farm to help her twin brother with the harvest, Liv is the same gorgeous, laughing, hazel-eyed girl he'd always loved. Yet Griff can sense a difference, an uncertainty playing beneath the surface that wasn't there before.
Amidst crossed wires, drunken declarations, and families on a mission, will Griff and Liv finally have a second chance? Or will the old saying - If you love someone set them free - become their reality?
312 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2019
36 people are currently reading
213 people want to read
About the author
Karly Lane
34 books371 followersKarly Lane lives on the beautiful Mid North Coast of NSW in Australia. A certified small town girl, she is most happy in a little town where everyone knows who your grand parents were. She writes women’s fiction – everything from romantic suspense to family sagas and life in rural Australia. She has romantic suspense titles published under Karlene Blakemore-Mowle and her latest release, Third Time Lucky is available now.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
July 7, 2019
Mr Right Now by Aussie author Karly Lane is the second book in The Callahans of Stringybark Creek series. And what a fantastic series it is turning out to be. Karly Lane is one of my favourite authors and once you’ve read her books you’ll understand why. So far there hasn’t been a book of hers that I haven’t loved and I can’t imagine there will be.
In this book we continue on the journey with the story of Griffin Callahan and Olivia Dawson the pair that were destined to be together, but it was never the right time. After her father has an accident Olivia returns home to help her twin brother out on the farm. She knows there will be no avoiding seeing Griffin especially in a place like Stringybark Creek. When their paths cross again will they act on their feelings or is it too late?
Yes, you guessed it, I LOVED this book and I can’t wait till the next book in this series comes out. Rural romance at its best. Highly recommended.
In this book we continue on the journey with the story of Griffin Callahan and Olivia Dawson the pair that were destined to be together, but it was never the right time. After her father has an accident Olivia returns home to help her twin brother out on the farm. She knows there will be no avoiding seeing Griffin especially in a place like Stringybark Creek. When their paths cross again will they act on their feelings or is it too late?
Yes, you guessed it, I LOVED this book and I can’t wait till the next book in this series comes out. Rural romance at its best. Highly recommended.
June 21, 2019
*https://theburgeoningbookshelf.blogsp...
Mr Right Now is another delightful, easy read from one of my favourite authors, Karly Lane. When I say easy I don’t mean superficial. Lane’s stories have depth and explore many themes that are relevant to relationships in all forms, siblings, parent/adult child, friends and lovers.
Olivia Dawson, city girl and high flying lawyer, returns home to her family’s property to help out after her father has a near fatal accident. She sees this as a temporary thing; the country life isn’t for her. But when she sees ex-boyfriend and neighbour Griffin Callahan the old spark is still there and they soon slip back into a relationship. A relationship fraught with anxiety, misunderstandings and heartbreak.
I love the Callahans! On the surface they are the perfect family. There is mum and dad, community stalwarts, plus two sons and two daughters, all seemingly supporting each other, but under the surface they have problems, some major drama, just like all ordinary families.
Lane explores father/son relationships and the old-ways versus the new-ways, farming accidents, diversity on the land, droughts, storms, community support, family and friendships.
The banter between the characters was fun and authentic, whether it was between friends or siblings it came across as realistic.
A shocking secret will be revealed and the Callahan family’s foundations will take a substantial knock.
I simply can’t wait for book 3. I don’t think Lavinia Callahan can sweep this under the mat as easily as the Linc – Griffin incident “accident”.
*This review appeared first on Beauty and Lace book club
Mr Right Now is another delightful, easy read from one of my favourite authors, Karly Lane. When I say easy I don’t mean superficial. Lane’s stories have depth and explore many themes that are relevant to relationships in all forms, siblings, parent/adult child, friends and lovers.
Olivia Dawson, city girl and high flying lawyer, returns home to her family’s property to help out after her father has a near fatal accident. She sees this as a temporary thing; the country life isn’t for her. But when she sees ex-boyfriend and neighbour Griffin Callahan the old spark is still there and they soon slip back into a relationship. A relationship fraught with anxiety, misunderstandings and heartbreak.
I love the Callahans! On the surface they are the perfect family. There is mum and dad, community stalwarts, plus two sons and two daughters, all seemingly supporting each other, but under the surface they have problems, some major drama, just like all ordinary families.
Lane explores father/son relationships and the old-ways versus the new-ways, farming accidents, diversity on the land, droughts, storms, community support, family and friendships.
The banter between the characters was fun and authentic, whether it was between friends or siblings it came across as realistic.
A shocking secret will be revealed and the Callahan family’s foundations will take a substantial knock.
I simply can’t wait for book 3. I don’t think Lavinia Callahan can sweep this under the mat as easily as the Linc – Griffin incident “accident”.
*This review appeared first on Beauty and Lace book club
May 24, 2019
Another wonderful book from Karly Lane. I loved it!! Looking forward to the next one.
November 1, 2019
Olivia Dawson has a high stress job in a Sydney firm, she is a bit of a workaholic and very successful at her job. Her romantic life is less exciting though and she has a yearn for adventure or just 'something more' that is absent from her life.
Griffin Callahan is living his dream; working on the farm he grew up on was all he every wanted and the only time he has been away from it was to go to agricultural college before heading right back to the family farm at Rankins Springs.
Back in high school Liv and Griff were a couple and though they broke up and seemingly moved on, neither has ever quite of over the other. Then fate takes a hand and Liv's father is badly enough injured that she heads home to help her twin brother with the harvest. As Griff and Liv start to tentatively get back together again, a host of things from overbearing families, past misunderstandings and unfulfilled dreams create barriers that their relationship must overcome.
This was a pleasant, undemanding little romance. There was a bit less of the background of farm and rural area than I might have liked and a bit more of Liv and Griff being repetitious than I might have preferred. Still, it was a perfectly good romantic fiction. High points include the fact that the characters all behave rationally rather than idiotically - even the most contrived of the misunderstandings is not too far fetched. A couple of the low points include characters that are not always as distinct from each other as you could prefer; as in one point where Griff says he has to go into town and get some parts '...for Griff" it is genuinely confusing because the characters are a little interchangeable. I was not keen on the way a completely uncommunicative Aussie male (Ollie) all of a sudden becomes garrulous to the extreme to draw out his sister, a mere few pages after telling her that you don't have to talk about everything. Still, on the whole, small quibbles for a fairly fun Australian rural romance.
Griffin Callahan is living his dream; working on the farm he grew up on was all he every wanted and the only time he has been away from it was to go to agricultural college before heading right back to the family farm at Rankins Springs.
Back in high school Liv and Griff were a couple and though they broke up and seemingly moved on, neither has ever quite of over the other. Then fate takes a hand and Liv's father is badly enough injured that she heads home to help her twin brother with the harvest. As Griff and Liv start to tentatively get back together again, a host of things from overbearing families, past misunderstandings and unfulfilled dreams create barriers that their relationship must overcome.
This was a pleasant, undemanding little romance. There was a bit less of the background of farm and rural area than I might have liked and a bit more of Liv and Griff being repetitious than I might have preferred. Still, it was a perfectly good romantic fiction. High points include the fact that the characters all behave rationally rather than idiotically - even the most contrived of the misunderstandings is not too far fetched. A couple of the low points include characters that are not always as distinct from each other as you could prefer; as in one point where Griff says he has to go into town and get some parts '...for Griff" it is genuinely confusing because the characters are a little interchangeable. I was not keen on the way a completely uncommunicative Aussie male (Ollie) all of a sudden becomes garrulous to the extreme to draw out his sister, a mere few pages after telling her that you don't have to talk about everything. Still, on the whole, small quibbles for a fairly fun Australian rural romance.
June 29, 2019
Karly Lane's second book in the Stringbark Creek series was an absolute joy to read. I love this series and can't wait for the next one.
June 29, 2019
I really enjoyed this second book in the series about the Callahan family. Love the characters and it was great to revisit characters from the first book. Can't wait for the next book.
June 25, 2019
A great sequel to The Wrong Callahan. I really enjoyed this story. I felt for Griff and his frustrations of trying to make someone see the plain obvious that you see. At times I found Olivia to be repeating the same inner dialogue and it started to grate on my nerves. I enjoyed the ending of the story and am really looking forward to reading the next instalment!
June 21, 2019
I have enjoyed catching up with the Callaghan and Dawson families again. I just love how easy it is to read and get lost in these stories. Can't wait to see what is in store in Stringybark Creek #3.
June 4, 2019
Stringybark Creek Book 2 focuses on Griffin Callahan who never really fell out of love with neighbour and little sister of his best friend, Olivia Dawson.
It's like you are right there in the moment, suffering the stressors of farming, reaping in the harvest and dealing with the complexity of relationships.
Cannot wait for Hadley and Ollie's story in Book 3.
It's like you are right there in the moment, suffering the stressors of farming, reaping in the harvest and dealing with the complexity of relationships.
Cannot wait for Hadley and Ollie's story in Book 3.
May 16, 2019
There is a lot in this book by Karly Lane, the second book in the series. Loved this one and looking forward to reading Book 3.
June 10, 2019
We head back to Stringyback Creek and the Callahan family in Karly Lane's latest offering.
Griffin and Olivia were high school sweethearts before life took them in different directions. After her father is invovled in an accident, Olivia is back home to help her brother on the farm which brings her back face to face with Griffin and their unresolved feelings.
We initially met both characters in the previous installment, but we get to know them a lot better this time around. Who they are, what makes them tick. The Callahan family are once again as busy and chaotic as before, although we don't see as much of them as previously.
I love that with this being a series, whilst the focus is on one particular couple, we also see the others around and that their lives continue to "exist". Yes, this may be Griffin and Olivia's story, but we also get to see Linc and Cash again, and Hadley is back as well, and the pieces are beginning to fall into place for the next book. (I'm really looking forward to learning more about Oliver).
Once again, a lovely story set against the beautiful backdrop of rural Australia.
Griffin and Olivia were high school sweethearts before life took them in different directions. After her father is invovled in an accident, Olivia is back home to help her brother on the farm which brings her back face to face with Griffin and their unresolved feelings.
We initially met both characters in the previous installment, but we get to know them a lot better this time around. Who they are, what makes them tick. The Callahan family are once again as busy and chaotic as before, although we don't see as much of them as previously.
I love that with this being a series, whilst the focus is on one particular couple, we also see the others around and that their lives continue to "exist". Yes, this may be Griffin and Olivia's story, but we also get to see Linc and Cash again, and Hadley is back as well, and the pieces are beginning to fall into place for the next book. (I'm really looking forward to learning more about Oliver).
Once again, a lovely story set against the beautiful backdrop of rural Australia.
April 13, 2021
𝐌𝐫 𝐑𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐍𝐨𝐰 is the second novel in the 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐲𝐛𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐤 by Karly Lane.
In this particular instalment, we focus on Olivia Dawson and her family. The Dawson's have been neighbours and close friends to the Callahan's for a very long time. In fact, Olivia and the younger Callahan son, Griff were teenage loves.
Until Olivia let him go so he could follow his dreams. When Olivia returns home to help out after her father has a farming accident, Griff and Olivia pick up where they left off.
Olivia is contemplating her future during most of the story: she's dreaming of a change of scenery and creating a life with Griff. However, when she's offered a job of a lifetime, she's really conflicted.
Should Olivia stay and put her family and lover's needs first, or grab this chance with both hands? At any rate, she'll be left wondering 'what if?' in both situations. It's a very hard decision for our heroine.
𝐌𝐫 𝐑𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐍𝐨𝐰 is quite an enjoyable follow up to 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐡𝐚𝐧. It's a quick and easy read, and can be read as a standalone. However, it didn't quite have the same spark as it's predecessor.
4.5/5
In this particular instalment, we focus on Olivia Dawson and her family. The Dawson's have been neighbours and close friends to the Callahan's for a very long time. In fact, Olivia and the younger Callahan son, Griff were teenage loves.
Until Olivia let him go so he could follow his dreams. When Olivia returns home to help out after her father has a farming accident, Griff and Olivia pick up where they left off.
Olivia is contemplating her future during most of the story: she's dreaming of a change of scenery and creating a life with Griff. However, when she's offered a job of a lifetime, she's really conflicted.
Should Olivia stay and put her family and lover's needs first, or grab this chance with both hands? At any rate, she'll be left wondering 'what if?' in both situations. It's a very hard decision for our heroine.
𝐌𝐫 𝐑𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐍𝐨𝐰 is quite an enjoyable follow up to 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐡𝐚𝐧. It's a quick and easy read, and can be read as a standalone. However, it didn't quite have the same spark as it's predecessor.
4.5/5
August 14, 2021
No spoilers - honest review. Karly Lane, one of my favourite romance novel writers has written yet another cosy, easy to read delight. Her character development and persona writing skills make the characters come to life. Incredible sense of the environment and knowledge of the setting. The story focuses on Olivia, back to her home farm, seeing former lover Griffin, once teenager sweethearts, they now see each other again as adults. Dealing with adult dramas and remembering what they once had, dealing with change and wondering if they will ever be right for one another. Or if you have to let the other go in order to find true happiness. Much like Lane's other novel Take Me Home the ending was nice, but sudden, with a rushed character follow up. Would have been nice to have some more depth in this area. All in all, a nice weekend lockdown read. Easily polished off over 2 days during free time.
September 26, 2022
Romantic and exciting, the story of the Callahans of Stringybark Creek continues. Readers of Fiona Palmer and Rachael Johns will love this.
THE CALLAHANS OF STRINGYBARK CREEK - Book 2
Griffin Callahan and Olivia Dawson were inseparable. Everyone in town knew it. But when Griff went off to Ag College, Liv told him it was over and fled her family's farm to study law. Griff had never understood her reasons but eventually accepted that first loves don't last. Until now.
Currently back on the farm to help her twin brother with the harvest, Liv is the same gorgeous, laughing, hazel-eyed girl he'd always loved. Yet Griff can sense a difference, an uncertainty playing beneath the surface that wasn't there before.
Amidst crossed wires, drunken declarations, and families on a mission, will Griff and Liv finally have a second chance? Or will the old saying - If you love someone set them free - become their reality?
THE CALLAHANS OF STRINGYBARK CREEK - Book 2
Griffin Callahan and Olivia Dawson were inseparable. Everyone in town knew it. But when Griff went off to Ag College, Liv told him it was over and fled her family's farm to study law. Griff had never understood her reasons but eventually accepted that first loves don't last. Until now.
Currently back on the farm to help her twin brother with the harvest, Liv is the same gorgeous, laughing, hazel-eyed girl he'd always loved. Yet Griff can sense a difference, an uncertainty playing beneath the surface that wasn't there before.
Amidst crossed wires, drunken declarations, and families on a mission, will Griff and Liv finally have a second chance? Or will the old saying - If you love someone set them free - become their reality?
June 24, 2024
Book 2 in the Callahans of Stringybark Creek series and I finally got to see if Griff found his happy ever after and my heart was left happy with all that took place.
This one was of second chances, helping family and friends, looking for alternative ways to do business and bring in more income on a farm, when times and things are changing and it was also about moving out of your comfort zone, trying new things and if in the end, it isn’t what you thought you wanted - then that is ok.
I especially loved how the characters came together in times of need, whether that be for a friend going through a tough time or an unwell family member - it was just perfect.
My heart hurt for Hadley and I felt the pain she was going through, I just wanted to squeeze her and tell her that everything would be ok. Her story is up next in Book 3 - Return to Stringbark Creek.
This one was of second chances, helping family and friends, looking for alternative ways to do business and bring in more income on a farm, when times and things are changing and it was also about moving out of your comfort zone, trying new things and if in the end, it isn’t what you thought you wanted - then that is ok.
I especially loved how the characters came together in times of need, whether that be for a friend going through a tough time or an unwell family member - it was just perfect.
My heart hurt for Hadley and I felt the pain she was going through, I just wanted to squeeze her and tell her that everything would be ok. Her story is up next in Book 3 - Return to Stringbark Creek.
May 27, 2019
Book 2 of the Stringybark Series complete. Can't wait for the next instalment in the series later this year.
Back in the school days Griffin Callahan and Olivia Dawson were high school sweethearts until Olivia broke it off. Years later Olivia comes back to town to help on the farm as her Dad has been injured in a tractor accident.
Her and Griffin slowly reconnect only for Olivia to decide that she needs more in her life like travel. A job falls into her hands in England so she leaves again. Will the couple ever get their timing right?
A great enjoyable, easy read which is a must read for anyone into Country Romance!
Back in the school days Griffin Callahan and Olivia Dawson were high school sweethearts until Olivia broke it off. Years later Olivia comes back to town to help on the farm as her Dad has been injured in a tractor accident.
Her and Griffin slowly reconnect only for Olivia to decide that she needs more in her life like travel. A job falls into her hands in England so she leaves again. Will the couple ever get their timing right?
A great enjoyable, easy read which is a must read for anyone into Country Romance!
July 28, 2020
A wonderful rural romance. A second chance, reunion for high school sweethearts Olivia and Griff.
After an accident leaves her father on the mend, Olivia returns to the family farm to help her brother with the harvest, where she rekindles the love she'd never forgotten with her neighbour Griff. Yet she still has goals and dreams to achieve and can't let love stand in her way. And Griff wouldn't want her to. But in the end, Olivia realises that life with Griff is all she's ever wanted.
No one loses in this story. It's a wonderful sequel to The Wrong Callahan and will lead beautifully into Return to Stringybark Creek
After an accident leaves her father on the mend, Olivia returns to the family farm to help her brother with the harvest, where she rekindles the love she'd never forgotten with her neighbour Griff. Yet she still has goals and dreams to achieve and can't let love stand in her way. And Griff wouldn't want her to. But in the end, Olivia realises that life with Griff is all she's ever wanted.
No one loses in this story. It's a wonderful sequel to The Wrong Callahan and will lead beautifully into Return to Stringybark Creek
July 1, 2019
Mr Right Now by Karly Lane is the second book from the Callahan Of Stringybark Creek.
This book was as Interesting and wonderful as the first book.
I always thoroughly enjoy reading Karly Lanes books. How she come up with so many stories that are all so different and all so fantastic.
I was so sucked into this novel I couldn’t move from
The couch.
Thank you Beauty and Lace Club, Allen & Unwin Books & Karly Lane for giving me the opportunity to read this novel and reviewing it.
This book was as Interesting and wonderful as the first book.
I always thoroughly enjoy reading Karly Lanes books. How she come up with so many stories that are all so different and all so fantastic.
I was so sucked into this novel I couldn’t move from
The couch.
Thank you Beauty and Lace Club, Allen & Unwin Books & Karly Lane for giving me the opportunity to read this novel and reviewing it.
February 19, 2024
3.5 ⭐️
A sweet second-chance country romance ✅
Based in Australia ✅
Beautiful landscape ✅
This was a cute and adorable book. While I did enjoy it, is it something I will go to pick up and read again …. probably not.
But it won’t stop me from reading more by this author as it had a lot of potential. I just felt it lacking in fleshing out the relationship between our two main characters and not feeling like it was rushed (though I do take ownership it could be because this is book 2 out of a series and the first I have read).
A sweet second-chance country romance ✅
Based in Australia ✅
Beautiful landscape ✅
This was a cute and adorable book. While I did enjoy it, is it something I will go to pick up and read again …. probably not.
But it won’t stop me from reading more by this author as it had a lot of potential. I just felt it lacking in fleshing out the relationship between our two main characters and not feeling like it was rushed (though I do take ownership it could be because this is book 2 out of a series and the first I have read).
July 20, 2019
Griff Callahan and Olivia's story. Farming takes a special kind of people to stay and choose wisely their decisions against the elements. (Thank you for growing my food) Finding your place in the world takes a journey. Good to catch up with the Callahan and Dawson families even when relationships are fractured. (wanting to give a fiction character a slap) Wait now for book 3.
Read
September 30, 2019Enjoyed the book except for the storyline errors. Griff says to Olivia, “I have to pick up a part for Grif”. Then later they talk about the baby being the first grandchild when there are already two grandchildren to Harmony. Disappointing. Why aren’t the editors doing their job? I hate paying good money for books with typos and story errors.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 14, 2022
I know second chance romances aren’t for everyone (and honestly they’re not always my favourite) but ones like this where they were together as teens and then split and come back together as adults are probably my favourite execution of this trope.
I thought this was fun and cute while also having some more emotional parts and I enjoyed it.
I thought this was fun and cute while also having some more emotional parts and I enjoyed it.
December 16, 2019
I only started reading this genre this year and thoroughly enjoy the escapism in a rural romance . I think Karly Lane does it the best . Really enjoyed the second instalment in this series . Love the characters and Karly’s writing .
April 25, 2022
Omg fantastic book 2 of 3 series. The story of the Callahans and the Dawsons constantly has you guessing. Love this book can't wait to read book 3 Return to Stringybark Creek. I am sure it will not disappoint Karly.
October 8, 2025
Sort of loved the story. Very true to the Aussie way of life and farming in general tho I was a little frustrated with the main characters indecision over what she wanted in her life. Most in love make sacrifices. So I don’t think I liked Olivia all that much
July 7, 2019
So disappointing.
I will not be finishing the series.
I will not be finishing the series.
September 18, 2019
Griff and Olivia’s story. The wonderful thing about this series is the nuts and bolts of country life on a farm. For this city slicker it’s a whole new world.
September 19, 2019
Karly Lane
I have now read two of her books. Both about the Callaghan and Dawson families and i cannot wait for more. I have travelled through.Rankin Springz. Very pretty country
I have now read two of her books. Both about the Callaghan and Dawson families and i cannot wait for more. I have travelled through.Rankin Springz. Very pretty country
October 5, 2019
Loved catching up with the Stringybark crew. Great read. Liking this series & looking forward to no. 3. 💜
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews