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The American Governess
Chase Miller, a recent New York University graduate, is backpacking around Australia.
He quickly finds work on a remote outback cattle station owned by a reclusive American, Rebecca Golding, but he’s more interested in uncovering why she left Brooklyn in 1967 as a young woman to work as an outback governess, and how she came to own Glen Eira Station.
Through Nellie, Rebecca’s long-time friend and housekeeper, he begins to understand the joy and heartache of life in rural Australia.
He quickly finds work on a remote outback cattle station owned by a reclusive American, Rebecca Golding, but he’s more interested in uncovering why she left Brooklyn in 1967 as a young woman to work as an outback governess, and how she came to own Glen Eira Station.
Through Nellie, Rebecca’s long-time friend and housekeeper, he begins to understand the joy and heartache of life in rural Australia.
300 pages, Paperback
First published May 23, 2019
2 people are currently reading
1598 people want to read
About the author
Kay Bell
4 books420 followersI am a Melbourne-based fiction writer. A graduate of the University of Melbourne in Arts (French and German) and Law, I’m passionate about languages and literature. Together with my thriller-writer husband, T.W. Lawless, I studied scriptwriting and video production at the Queensland School of Film and Television.
My first novel, The Lornesleigh Legacy, was published by Boolarong Press in 2011. Since then, I’ve written two more novels: Ella’s Secret Family Recipes and The American Governess
My first novel, The Lornesleigh Legacy, was published by Boolarong Press in 2011. Since then, I’ve written two more novels: Ella’s Secret Family Recipes and The American Governess
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
July 14, 2019
Exceptionally written novel of life, love, and heartbreak in rural Australia. I could almost taste the dust and feel the heat. Wonderful and unexpected twist at the end. I'm so glad to have won this beautiful book, signed by the talented author, in a Goodreads' give-a-way.
...The best of days and the worst of days had a lot in common. For one, they both began with a sunrise...
...The best of days and the worst of days had a lot in common. For one, they both began with a sunrise...
May 3, 2020
A wonderful novel of families, relationships and life on a cattle station in the Australian Outback. The characters are well drawn, with fears and triumphs that made me feel I knew them intimately. The MacGregor family runs the gamut from kind and loyal to greedy and conniving.
Becky’s story unfolds slowly at first, then runs away with the reader to its tragic conclusion. It’s not until the final pages of the novel that we understand Chase’s story of what brought him to from New York to this particular corner of the outback. Nellie,the housekeeper, is the only character who knows the full tale. Her lifetime loyalty to Becky is pure and unblemished by selfishness.
The author does an amazing job of bringing the story to life. Details of the rough life on cattle stations kept me riveted. This novel is definitely worth reading, more than once.
Becky’s story unfolds slowly at first, then runs away with the reader to its tragic conclusion. It’s not until the final pages of the novel that we understand Chase’s story of what brought him to from New York to this particular corner of the outback. Nellie,the housekeeper, is the only character who knows the full tale. Her lifetime loyalty to Becky is pure and unblemished by selfishness.
The author does an amazing job of bringing the story to life. Details of the rough life on cattle stations kept me riveted. This novel is definitely worth reading, more than once.
June 6, 2019
Another great novel by Kay Bell. Loved the setting in outback Queensland highlighting the treatment of Indigenous Australians, the plight of farmers and graziers with flood and drought. The prejudices of the time and judging the outsider. Great use of description and a love of the landscape. Wish there was to be a sequel. Some characters you almost know.....
Highly recommend it.
Was lucky to get my hands on an advanced copy.
Highly recommend it.
Was lucky to get my hands on an advanced copy.
May 28, 2021
I loved this book so much I purchased a copy for my mum. She also loved it.
At first glance I was a bit sceptical about The American Governess. The title sat a little like a B grade romance movie. The type where you the American governess travels to an unknown country and falls in love with a handsome man. In a nutshell the story is that B grade movie but it is much more. Kay Bell does a great job at taking a simple plot and developing characters that are not only relatable but grab at the core of your emotions. The American Governess is a journey into the harshness yet beauty of the Australian outback and the turmoils and idiosyncrasies of family and life. A raw Australian romance well worth a read.
At first glance I was a bit sceptical about The American Governess. The title sat a little like a B grade romance movie. The type where you the American governess travels to an unknown country and falls in love with a handsome man. In a nutshell the story is that B grade movie but it is much more. Kay Bell does a great job at taking a simple plot and developing characters that are not only relatable but grab at the core of your emotions. The American Governess is a journey into the harshness yet beauty of the Australian outback and the turmoils and idiosyncrasies of family and life. A raw Australian romance well worth a read.
July 24, 2019
I was a lucky Goodreads Giveaway winner - that's how this book fell into my hands. And I'm so happy it did because I absolutely loved it. Not only was the story interesting, but I also liked the characters, the two different timelines, the description of life in rural Queensland... I didn't want the book to end :-)
June 23, 2019
I travelled through outback Australia in my youth and have always been fascinated with this region. I thoroughly enjoyed American Governess especially the characters.
July 4, 2019
I could not put this book down. I loved the characters. Hoping that a sequel will be in the works. I highly recommend it. I was very happy that won this in the giveaways.
August 3, 2019
I liked it. I liked the setting and the storyline. However, not very believable. Hard to think a young girl would go off on such a adventure.
March 26, 2021
Lovely book that kept me on my toes for what would happen next. I love how the story unfolded, but I am not happy about the ending. I had unanswered questions.
April 16, 2020
😍Bittersweet romance in the Outback🌏
🤗 I love stories set in Australia and New Zealand that capitalize on the unique landscapes and way of life. This story did that in spades, with a multi-generational tale built around an intrepid young American woman who, in the 1960's, took off for Australia and a whole new lifestyle in the cattle stations of Queensland. There's grueling farm work, family drama, fickle nature and the tentative attention of her employer's nephew Jim as she fits into the rural lifestyle. The romance brings both happiness and tears; this is a beautiful though bittersweet story.😪
As to the writing, it's really good. In fact, it flowed so well that I was surprised (and saddened by) how quickly I made it to the end! The characters were fleshed out, real people. And the descriptions of the landscapes, the dust and oppressive heat and humidity, the wildlife and skies: I felt nature as an important sometimes benevolent but mostly unfriendly secondary character.
This would be a definite recommend from me. 👍👍
🤗 I love stories set in Australia and New Zealand that capitalize on the unique landscapes and way of life. This story did that in spades, with a multi-generational tale built around an intrepid young American woman who, in the 1960's, took off for Australia and a whole new lifestyle in the cattle stations of Queensland. There's grueling farm work, family drama, fickle nature and the tentative attention of her employer's nephew Jim as she fits into the rural lifestyle. The romance brings both happiness and tears; this is a beautiful though bittersweet story.😪
As to the writing, it's really good. In fact, it flowed so well that I was surprised (and saddened by) how quickly I made it to the end! The characters were fleshed out, real people. And the descriptions of the landscapes, the dust and oppressive heat and humidity, the wildlife and skies: I felt nature as an important sometimes benevolent but mostly unfriendly secondary character.
This would be a definite recommend from me. 👍👍
June 25, 2019
A beautifully crafted book that captures the romance, tragedy, spirit and characters of the outback.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews