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A Heart This Big
A captivating opposites-attract lesbian romance about a city woman discovering her country heart.
Australian country girl Nina Pellegrini runs a program for city kids to experience a taste of rural life at Banksia Farm. But when a child is hurt and a lawsuit threatens, Nina is determined to find the best legal assistance to help her save the farm.
Enter high-flying lawyer Leigh Willoughby, whose city world is far from the farm’s chaotic mix of kids and animals. She certainly doesn’t have time for small cases that don’t pay or farm visits that wreck her cool—and her clothes.
Still, the warm-hearted Nina and her challenging, twelve-year-old daughter, Phoebe, are awfully hard to say no to. What on earth has she gotten herself into?
Australian country girl Nina Pellegrini runs a program for city kids to experience a taste of rural life at Banksia Farm. But when a child is hurt and a lawsuit threatens, Nina is determined to find the best legal assistance to help her save the farm.
Enter high-flying lawyer Leigh Willoughby, whose city world is far from the farm’s chaotic mix of kids and animals. She certainly doesn’t have time for small cases that don’t pay or farm visits that wreck her cool—and her clothes.
Still, the warm-hearted Nina and her challenging, twelve-year-old daughter, Phoebe, are awfully hard to say no to. What on earth has she gotten herself into?
258 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 15, 2019
About the author
Cheyenne Blue
96 books495 followersCheyenne Blue is a sapphic author from southeast Queensland. Her short stories appeared in over 90 anthologies before her stories got longer and more romantic, so she went with the flow and switched to writing romance novels.
She now has a bunch of big-hearted sapphic romance novels mainly set in Australia, and has won both IPPY and Golden Crown Literary Society awards.
She lives in southeast Queensland, Australia in a small house with a big view—perfect for morning coffee, evening wine, and anytime writing. Find her at www.cheyenneblue.com on Facebook, or Instagram.
She now has a bunch of big-hearted sapphic romance novels mainly set in Australia, and has won both IPPY and Golden Crown Literary Society awards.
She lives in southeast Queensland, Australia in a small house with a big view—perfect for morning coffee, evening wine, and anytime writing. Find her at www.cheyenneblue.com on Facebook, or Instagram.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 131 reviews
June 7, 2019
3.5 Stars. I enjoyed this read. I thought it was another good story by Blue, but I do have to admit it wasn’t one of my favorites. I’m sitting here trying to wrack my brain on how I can explain why this didn’t completely work for me. The best way I can say is that it was a good story overall but there were a few parts that just didn’t click for me. I almost felt like I was waiting for something to happen, but it just never did.
I always enjoy the settings of Blue’s books and this one was no exception. A farm about an hour outside of Sydney Australia was a great place for a sweet romance. Besides the great setting, this book had a good cast of character to both love and hate. The main premise is about the farm’s owner Nina who runs programs at the farm for kids. When a kid falls off one of her ponies, Nina finds herself with a lawsuit that could force her to lose the farm. Enter high powered attorney Leigh, who must decide if she’s willing to help Nina who doesn’t have the money to hire her.
While the scenes at the farm were my favorite, I did like the lawyerly parts about the lawsuit. However, it is very easy to see what is going on and a little hard not to yell at the characters to figure it out. There were a few times I thought Leigh didn’t seem like what a high powered attorney would act like. And while I was fine with how the lawsuit storyline ended, I was hoping to see more of a shining moment for Leigh.
I thought the romance was perfectly nice. It is not a hot and heavy one filled with chemistry but it was still fine. The sex scenes didn’t wow me either but I would put them in the okay category. There is conflict about if the characters will get together or not, but for the most part this is a low angst, sweet romance.
This last part I’m going to try to be vague here because I don’t want to spoiler anything. There is a series of events that happens to Nina and her farm and I have to admit I was disappointed in that resolution. I understand choosing the easy way, but it just felt like that part petered out in my opinion. As I mentioned in the beginning, I kept waiting for certain things to happen in this book and either they wouldn’t or Blue would go in a totally different direction and I could not help but feel a little disappointed at times.
Could my expectations have been a little too high because of how much I enjoy Blue’s books? I’m not sure but overall I can put this book in the good but not great category. If you are looking for a lower angst romance with a great setting, this book is for you. Not one of my favorites by Blue but it was still a good read.
An ARC was given to me for a honest review.
I always enjoy the settings of Blue’s books and this one was no exception. A farm about an hour outside of Sydney Australia was a great place for a sweet romance. Besides the great setting, this book had a good cast of character to both love and hate. The main premise is about the farm’s owner Nina who runs programs at the farm for kids. When a kid falls off one of her ponies, Nina finds herself with a lawsuit that could force her to lose the farm. Enter high powered attorney Leigh, who must decide if she’s willing to help Nina who doesn’t have the money to hire her.
While the scenes at the farm were my favorite, I did like the lawyerly parts about the lawsuit. However, it is very easy to see what is going on and a little hard not to yell at the characters to figure it out. There were a few times I thought Leigh didn’t seem like what a high powered attorney would act like. And while I was fine with how the lawsuit storyline ended, I was hoping to see more of a shining moment for Leigh.
I thought the romance was perfectly nice. It is not a hot and heavy one filled with chemistry but it was still fine. The sex scenes didn’t wow me either but I would put them in the okay category. There is conflict about if the characters will get together or not, but for the most part this is a low angst, sweet romance.
This last part I’m going to try to be vague here because I don’t want to spoiler anything. There is a series of events that happens to Nina and her farm and I have to admit I was disappointed in that resolution. I understand choosing the easy way, but it just felt like that part petered out in my opinion. As I mentioned in the beginning, I kept waiting for certain things to happen in this book and either they wouldn’t or Blue would go in a totally different direction and I could not help but feel a little disappointed at times.
Could my expectations have been a little too high because of how much I enjoy Blue’s books? I’m not sure but overall I can put this book in the good but not great category. If you are looking for a lower angst romance with a great setting, this book is for you. Not one of my favorites by Blue but it was still a good read.
An ARC was given to me for a honest review.
May 31, 2019
So this was a very smooth read. Storyline was interesting with some compilations and a very nasty character that you hate from the moment you read about!
The 2 MCs had decent chemistry between them but don’t expect a lot of fireworks! I liked the daughter a lot she was actually for me the most interesting character :)
The romance was slow but I liked how they managed it given the circumstances of client/lawyer situation they had going on..
I would recommend this book if you’re in the mood for a fluffy read that ends nicely :)
My rating would be 3.4 stars ..
“I received this ARC for an honest review, thank you YLVA”.
The 2 MCs had decent chemistry between them but don’t expect a lot of fireworks! I liked the daughter a lot she was actually for me the most interesting character :)
The romance was slow but I liked how they managed it given the circumstances of client/lawyer situation they had going on..
I would recommend this book if you’re in the mood for a fluffy read that ends nicely :)
My rating would be 3.4 stars ..
“I received this ARC for an honest review, thank you YLVA”.
June 16, 2019
I’m a little bit behind with my books, but I was in France at the women’s world cup. I watched the games the USA vs Thailand and Germany vs Spain. What a wonderful experience :-)
A Heart this Big is another enjoyable read set in Australia. I very much like this author, especially her Girl meets Girl series.
The main setting was at the Banksia Farm about one hour outside of Sydney, where Nina Pellegrini runs a Barn Kids program for city kids and kids with special needs. She’s a single mother of Phoebe, her thirteen-year-old daughter. After an accident with one of the barn kids, a lawsuit is threatening the existence of the Banksia Farm. After some persuasion, Leigh Willoughby, a high profile lawyer, is willing to have a look at her case.
I always like how Blue describes lovingly the whole setting, you can easily visualize everything. The plot was interesting and kept me going. It wasn’t a big surprise, who was behind the lawsuit, but that was OK. Phoebe, the sometimes sulking, sometimes challenging and arrogant teenager was very well described and involved in the story. The main characters Nina and Leigh, who are living completely different lives, are caring and strong women. The romance is slow burning and nice to witness. There is some chemistry, but no rushing for the relationship. The sex isn’t steamy and hot but intimate and heartfelt.
I loved how they communicated with each other and I wish I could be this direct like Nina was. Beside Phoebe, there are another few secondary characters, which brought some depth to the story, like Billy and Grizz. The only thing I would have liked to read more about was Leigh at work.
Recommended romance.
My rating 4 stars
Many thanks to Ylva Publishing for receiving an ARC for an honest review.
A Heart this Big is another enjoyable read set in Australia. I very much like this author, especially her Girl meets Girl series.
The main setting was at the Banksia Farm about one hour outside of Sydney, where Nina Pellegrini runs a Barn Kids program for city kids and kids with special needs. She’s a single mother of Phoebe, her thirteen-year-old daughter. After an accident with one of the barn kids, a lawsuit is threatening the existence of the Banksia Farm. After some persuasion, Leigh Willoughby, a high profile lawyer, is willing to have a look at her case.
I always like how Blue describes lovingly the whole setting, you can easily visualize everything. The plot was interesting and kept me going. It wasn’t a big surprise, who was behind the lawsuit, but that was OK. Phoebe, the sometimes sulking, sometimes challenging and arrogant teenager was very well described and involved in the story. The main characters Nina and Leigh, who are living completely different lives, are caring and strong women. The romance is slow burning and nice to witness. There is some chemistry, but no rushing for the relationship. The sex isn’t steamy and hot but intimate and heartfelt.
I loved how they communicated with each other and I wish I could be this direct like Nina was. Beside Phoebe, there are another few secondary characters, which brought some depth to the story, like Billy and Grizz. The only thing I would have liked to read more about was Leigh at work.
Recommended romance.
My rating 4 stars
Many thanks to Ylva Publishing for receiving an ARC for an honest review.
June 1, 2019
Set in Australia, this is a slow-burn romance between a high-powered city lawyer and a farmer who is desperate to keep her farm on the outskirts of Sydney. Nina Pellegrini owns and runs a farm where she introduces city kids to rural life and has a handful of volunteers assisting her. An accident leads to a claim being filed against her but the only way to tackle it is by getting a lawyer involved. Leigh Willoughby is the lawyer she approaches but Leigh doesn’t think there is much merit to the case and leaves Nina reeling when she quotes her price.
There is a nice gentleness and realism to the pace especially around how long it actually takes to deal with a lawsuit. This gives the main characters loads of time to get to know one another and as well as the reader to get a good understanding of who they are. Their romance is not one of instant attraction and I liked the time it took for their relationship to develop but I felt that their voices seemed a lot older than the late twenties that they are supposed to be.
Phoebe, Nina’s 12-year-old daughter, is accurately depicted with mood swings, willfulness and arrogance counteracted by a really sweet protectiveness, if my own pre-teen is anything to go by. The secondary characters like Leigh’s assistant and some of the barn kids provide more depth to the story. The unrelenting developer gives the story good tension.
I loved Nina’s directness and the way both main characters communicated. One thing I really like about Blue’s writing is that her intimate scenes always have a lovely sensuality to them. For a slower, character-based story, this is a good one to read.
Book received from Ylva Publishing for an honest review.
There is a nice gentleness and realism to the pace especially around how long it actually takes to deal with a lawsuit. This gives the main characters loads of time to get to know one another and as well as the reader to get a good understanding of who they are. Their romance is not one of instant attraction and I liked the time it took for their relationship to develop but I felt that their voices seemed a lot older than the late twenties that they are supposed to be.
Phoebe, Nina’s 12-year-old daughter, is accurately depicted with mood swings, willfulness and arrogance counteracted by a really sweet protectiveness, if my own pre-teen is anything to go by. The secondary characters like Leigh’s assistant and some of the barn kids provide more depth to the story. The unrelenting developer gives the story good tension.
I loved Nina’s directness and the way both main characters communicated. One thing I really like about Blue’s writing is that her intimate scenes always have a lovely sensuality to them. For a slower, character-based story, this is a good one to read.
Book received from Ylva Publishing for an honest review.
June 1, 2019
Cheyenne Blue delivers a lengthy and enduring story of fighting for what is right even when it conflicts with the things you want.
Nina is a single mother who is raising her daughter, Phoebe, on a farm that provides a place for local children to come and learn about rural life. An accident on the farm threatens their livelihood and requires Nina to seek law services for protection.
Leigh is a sophisticated big city lawyer who is the right person for the job, but Nina does not have the funds to secure her help.
I enjoyed the story over all. It was a solid plot with an interesting way things were handled in the end that I wasn't suspecting. I was intrigued by the conflict of interest between Lawyer/Client and the decisions that were made because of it.
I did not like Leigh in the beginning. She was way too uptight and condescending. I never quite got behind her 180 degree personality change that wasn't really believable. But I was able to accept it and move on and enjoy the rest of the book.
This is also very Australian. There were so many things that I didn't understand. Gumboots, bickies, and singlets to just name a few.
Overall, this was a good story, written very well, with an OK romance.
I recommend to those who like to read about romance, farms, animals, law, will they/wont they relationships, rags vs. riches relationships, and fantastic views of the Sydney harbor.
I received an ARC from the publisher for an honest review.
Nina is a single mother who is raising her daughter, Phoebe, on a farm that provides a place for local children to come and learn about rural life. An accident on the farm threatens their livelihood and requires Nina to seek law services for protection.
Leigh is a sophisticated big city lawyer who is the right person for the job, but Nina does not have the funds to secure her help.
I enjoyed the story over all. It was a solid plot with an interesting way things were handled in the end that I wasn't suspecting. I was intrigued by the conflict of interest between Lawyer/Client and the decisions that were made because of it.
I did not like Leigh in the beginning. She was way too uptight and condescending. I never quite got behind her 180 degree personality change that wasn't really believable. But I was able to accept it and move on and enjoy the rest of the book.
This is also very Australian. There were so many things that I didn't understand. Gumboots, bickies, and singlets to just name a few.
Overall, this was a good story, written very well, with an OK romance.
I recommend to those who like to read about romance, farms, animals, law, will they/wont they relationships, rags vs. riches relationships, and fantastic views of the Sydney harbor.
I received an ARC from the publisher for an honest review.
November 23, 2024
EXCERPT: Nina set down the wheelbarrow, rotated her tight shoulders, and indulged in a moment of pleasure watching her daughter.
Phoebe walked alongside Mr Petey, holding the grey pony’s lead rain close to the bit as she’d been taught. Mr Petey plodded docilely around the paddock, ears flicking back and forth as he listened to Phoebe’s voice. Mr Petey’s rider, Billy, clutched the saddle with both hands. His red t-shirt was a little too small and showed a strip of chunky tummy between it and his pants.
‘Try and sit a little straighter, Billy,’ Phoebe’s clear voice floated back to Nina. ‘Mr Petey will be more comfortable if you do.’
Billy jerked to attention like a soldier, making Nina smile.
‘Phoebe’s good with the little kids. You wouldn’t think she’s only twelve herself. ‘ Stella stood next to Nina. Straw stuck out of her wispy hair, but her hands were as clean as ever, her nails manicured.
‘Yes, she is.’ Nina allowed herself a moment of pride before turning back to the wheelbarrow.
Stella, however, continued to watch her son, her work apparently forgotten.
Nina sighed. If only Stella would show the same commitment Phoebe did.
ABOUT 'A HEART THIS BIG': A captivating opposites-attract lesbian romance about a city woman discovering her country heart.
Australian country girl Nina Pellegrini runs a program for city kids to experience a taste of rural life at Banksia Farm. But when a child is hurt and a lawsuit threatens, Nina is determined to find the best legal assistance to help her save the farm.
Enter high-flying lawyer Leigh Willoughby, whose city world is far from the farm’s chaotic mix of kids and animals. She certainly doesn’t have time for small cases that don’t pay or farm visits that wreck her cool—and her clothes. Still, the warm-hearted Nina and her challenging, twelve-year-old daughter, Phoebe, are awfully hard to say no to.
What on earth has she gotten herself into?
MY THOUGHTS: A Heart This Big by Cheyenne Blue is a lovely, warm romance between a soft-hearted woman who gives her all to charity and a big city lawyer. It is Nina's kindness and warmth that attracts hot-shot lawyer Leigh to her, despite all the obstacles in their way.
This is a story that's not in a hurry to get anywhere. We spend a lot of time on Banksia Farm, where Nina runs classes for city kids and free events for disadvantaged children. She's the sort of person who never turns anyone away.
There are some amusing moments when Leigh first volunteers at Banksia, hoping to learn more about Nina and why she is being sued. I enjoyed the legal angle of this book as much as I enjoyed the rural aspects.
Cheyenne Blue's writing is very descriptive, so everything is easily visualised.
The budding romance between Leigh and Nina hits a few speed bumps and I liked their maturity in handling these, realising that they had something worth waiting for and that the legal issues needed sorting before their relationship could commence.
There are some open-door sex scenes in the latter part of the book, probably 🌶️🌶️
And there's an 'uh-oh, not again' moment near the end to keep interest high.
I enjoyed this book and will read more by this author.
⭐⭐⭐.6
#AHeartthisBig #NetGalley
MEET THE AUTHOR: G’day and welcome. I’m Cheyenne Blue. I write big-hearted sapphic romance with strong women, mainly set in Australia.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Ylva Publishing via NetGalley for providing a digital copy of A Heart This Big by Cheyenne Blue for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
I combined reading with listening to A Heart This Big my Cheyenne Blue. The audio was beautifully narrated by Claire Alain, and I slightly preferred it to the digital edition.
https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
Phoebe walked alongside Mr Petey, holding the grey pony’s lead rain close to the bit as she’d been taught. Mr Petey plodded docilely around the paddock, ears flicking back and forth as he listened to Phoebe’s voice. Mr Petey’s rider, Billy, clutched the saddle with both hands. His red t-shirt was a little too small and showed a strip of chunky tummy between it and his pants.
‘Try and sit a little straighter, Billy,’ Phoebe’s clear voice floated back to Nina. ‘Mr Petey will be more comfortable if you do.’
Billy jerked to attention like a soldier, making Nina smile.
‘Phoebe’s good with the little kids. You wouldn’t think she’s only twelve herself. ‘ Stella stood next to Nina. Straw stuck out of her wispy hair, but her hands were as clean as ever, her nails manicured.
‘Yes, she is.’ Nina allowed herself a moment of pride before turning back to the wheelbarrow.
Stella, however, continued to watch her son, her work apparently forgotten.
Nina sighed. If only Stella would show the same commitment Phoebe did.
ABOUT 'A HEART THIS BIG': A captivating opposites-attract lesbian romance about a city woman discovering her country heart.
Australian country girl Nina Pellegrini runs a program for city kids to experience a taste of rural life at Banksia Farm. But when a child is hurt and a lawsuit threatens, Nina is determined to find the best legal assistance to help her save the farm.
Enter high-flying lawyer Leigh Willoughby, whose city world is far from the farm’s chaotic mix of kids and animals. She certainly doesn’t have time for small cases that don’t pay or farm visits that wreck her cool—and her clothes. Still, the warm-hearted Nina and her challenging, twelve-year-old daughter, Phoebe, are awfully hard to say no to.
What on earth has she gotten herself into?
MY THOUGHTS: A Heart This Big by Cheyenne Blue is a lovely, warm romance between a soft-hearted woman who gives her all to charity and a big city lawyer. It is Nina's kindness and warmth that attracts hot-shot lawyer Leigh to her, despite all the obstacles in their way.
This is a story that's not in a hurry to get anywhere. We spend a lot of time on Banksia Farm, where Nina runs classes for city kids and free events for disadvantaged children. She's the sort of person who never turns anyone away.
There are some amusing moments when Leigh first volunteers at Banksia, hoping to learn more about Nina and why she is being sued. I enjoyed the legal angle of this book as much as I enjoyed the rural aspects.
Cheyenne Blue's writing is very descriptive, so everything is easily visualised.
The budding romance between Leigh and Nina hits a few speed bumps and I liked their maturity in handling these, realising that they had something worth waiting for and that the legal issues needed sorting before their relationship could commence.
There are some open-door sex scenes in the latter part of the book, probably 🌶️🌶️
And there's an 'uh-oh, not again' moment near the end to keep interest high.
I enjoyed this book and will read more by this author.
⭐⭐⭐.6
#AHeartthisBig #NetGalley
MEET THE AUTHOR: G’day and welcome. I’m Cheyenne Blue. I write big-hearted sapphic romance with strong women, mainly set in Australia.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Ylva Publishing via NetGalley for providing a digital copy of A Heart This Big by Cheyenne Blue for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
I combined reading with listening to A Heart This Big my Cheyenne Blue. The audio was beautifully narrated by Claire Alain, and I slightly preferred it to the digital edition.
https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
December 2, 2019
A captivating opposites-attract lesbian romance about a city woman discovering her country heart.
The audio version of Cheyenne Blue’s A Heart This Big was the perfect way to experience this sweet single mom romance. The title was extremely apt because main character Nina Pellegrini is the sweetest, kindest women you will meet. She (with the help of daughter Phoebe) is the beating heart of Banksia Farm, a place where underprivileged city kids can get a slice of country life and learn to love and care for the animals and the land. Life is good until a law-suit threatens to ruin it all.
Hot shot city lawyer Leigh Willoughby could be Nina’s knight in shining armor. If only she can be convinced to take the case and do it… for free. Her first visit to the farm nearly turns out to be a disaster.
Narrator Claire Alain did an absolute perfect job. Her Aussie accent is super cute and she really contributed a lot to the story. Cheyenne Blue has managed to write a charming romance. The growing attraction between the two opposites develops organically. No insta-love here. Normally I don’t care much about kids having a role in a romance, but surly pre-teen Phoebe, little Billy the Kid, Edwina (and the rest of the barn kids) were integral to the story. I figured out the mystery part of the plot before Nina did, but that’s okay. I also felt that lawyer Leigh could have shown more teeth when she handled the case. I guess Aussies are just like Canadians, too damn sweet ;-)
I really recommend this feel good romance. Choose for the audio version if you want to be charmed out of your socks.
f/f explicit slow burn
Themes: Australia, Sydney suburbs, country girl, single professional, single mom, Banksia Farm, volunteers, Barn Kids, Mister Petey, Jellybean, lawsuit, pro bono, evil developer, Billy the Kid, some acts of sabotage, heartwarming experience.
4.7 Stars
The audio version of Cheyenne Blue’s A Heart This Big was the perfect way to experience this sweet single mom romance. The title was extremely apt because main character Nina Pellegrini is the sweetest, kindest women you will meet. She (with the help of daughter Phoebe) is the beating heart of Banksia Farm, a place where underprivileged city kids can get a slice of country life and learn to love and care for the animals and the land. Life is good until a law-suit threatens to ruin it all.
Hot shot city lawyer Leigh Willoughby could be Nina’s knight in shining armor. If only she can be convinced to take the case and do it… for free. Her first visit to the farm nearly turns out to be a disaster.
Narrator Claire Alain did an absolute perfect job. Her Aussie accent is super cute and she really contributed a lot to the story. Cheyenne Blue has managed to write a charming romance. The growing attraction between the two opposites develops organically. No insta-love here. Normally I don’t care much about kids having a role in a romance, but surly pre-teen Phoebe, little Billy the Kid, Edwina (and the rest of the barn kids) were integral to the story. I figured out the mystery part of the plot before Nina did, but that’s okay. I also felt that lawyer Leigh could have shown more teeth when she handled the case. I guess Aussies are just like Canadians, too damn sweet ;-)
I really recommend this feel good romance. Choose for the audio version if you want to be charmed out of your socks.
f/f explicit slow burn
Themes: Australia, Sydney suburbs, country girl, single professional, single mom, Banksia Farm, volunteers, Barn Kids, Mister Petey, Jellybean, lawsuit, pro bono, evil developer, Billy the Kid, some acts of sabotage, heartwarming experience.
4.7 Stars
June 5, 2019
I had been waiting for Cheyenne Blue's next novel in anticipation since "Code of Conduct." The wait was over when I had a chance to read her newest, "A Heart This Big!" Yup, I was already curious about it ever since reading its blurb and reading its excerpt reminded me of why I always enjoyed Blue's writing. So naturally, when the entire story became available to me, I read it in one sitting. What a delightful, sweet romance, indeed! A rich girl/poor girl, city girl/rural girl, single mum country romance, Blue's writing style allowed the story to flow ever-so smoothly and the romance between the two MCs, Nina and Leigh, to develop organically all throughout the story that I was immediately invested. I thoroughly enjoyed the ride from start to finish!
Blue opened the story with a slice of farm life with Nina, the owner of her inherited farm, and her 12-year-old daughter, Phoebe. Then I was immediately introduced to two characters, Stella and Billy, who'd play a pivotal role in not just turning Nina's life upside down but would also inadvertently play cupid to Leigh and Nina! Fate really works in mysterious ways, doesn't it? Anyway...
Full commentary here... In Bugs' Own Words
**I was given, with much thanks and appreciation, an ARC of this book, by Ylva in return for an honest review.
Blue opened the story with a slice of farm life with Nina, the owner of her inherited farm, and her 12-year-old daughter, Phoebe. Then I was immediately introduced to two characters, Stella and Billy, who'd play a pivotal role in not just turning Nina's life upside down but would also inadvertently play cupid to Leigh and Nina! Fate really works in mysterious ways, doesn't it? Anyway...
Full commentary here... In Bugs' Own Words
**I was given, with much thanks and appreciation, an ARC of this book, by Ylva in return for an honest review.
October 21, 2019
I loved it!
Nina; single mother, selfless, compassionate, kind-hearted. Leigh; in-control personality, a bit of an ice queen, successful career. A truly inspirational read about love, hope, dedication, forgiveness, courage, strenght and with fascinating characters. It will make you cry and laugh. I highly recommend this beautiful written story.
Nina; single mother, selfless, compassionate, kind-hearted. Leigh; in-control personality, a bit of an ice queen, successful career. A truly inspirational read about love, hope, dedication, forgiveness, courage, strenght and with fascinating characters. It will make you cry and laugh. I highly recommend this beautiful written story.
May 29, 2019
Four and a half stars. I haven’t always been a big fan of Cheyenne Blue’s past books so I approached this one with a bit of trepidation. Thankfully, I needn’t have worried. This is a lovely story with sympathetic characters who are easy to relate to.
It’s a very sweet story, with realistic barriers to Nina and Leigh’s relationship. In spite of the storyline it’s light on angst – at least as it concerns their feelings. No vengeful exes trying to sabotage the relationship, no disapproving family members, no worries about coming out or being in the closet.
This is a character-led story so it’s important that they are well fleshed out and that the reader cares about them, otherwise the story won’t work. It’s not only the leads who are interesting, though – the daughter Phoebe is an interesting person, too. Not an unrealistic sweet little angel, but not a spoiled brat either. The secondary characters – Grizz and the farm volunteers – also add to the creation of a well-rounded story.
From a personal point of view, I always enjoy stories set in Sydney because it’s where I live, and it adds something to the story when I recognise the locations. (Although Cherryhill is not a real place the western suburbs around Penrith are clearly described enough to be recognisable.)
I also liked the acknowledgment of how difficult life is for single parents, especially those who have to rely on welfare. Although it’s a good escape to read about people who lead a glamorous and wealthy lifestyle, it’s easier to relate to people who are more like people I might actually know.
So, if you’re after a sweet, feel-good romance with a good storyline then you could do a lot worse than A Heart This Big. Recommended.
Note: I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
It’s a very sweet story, with realistic barriers to Nina and Leigh’s relationship. In spite of the storyline it’s light on angst – at least as it concerns their feelings. No vengeful exes trying to sabotage the relationship, no disapproving family members, no worries about coming out or being in the closet.
This is a character-led story so it’s important that they are well fleshed out and that the reader cares about them, otherwise the story won’t work. It’s not only the leads who are interesting, though – the daughter Phoebe is an interesting person, too. Not an unrealistic sweet little angel, but not a spoiled brat either. The secondary characters – Grizz and the farm volunteers – also add to the creation of a well-rounded story.
From a personal point of view, I always enjoy stories set in Sydney because it’s where I live, and it adds something to the story when I recognise the locations. (Although Cherryhill is not a real place the western suburbs around Penrith are clearly described enough to be recognisable.)
I also liked the acknowledgment of how difficult life is for single parents, especially those who have to rely on welfare. Although it’s a good escape to read about people who lead a glamorous and wealthy lifestyle, it’s easier to relate to people who are more like people I might actually know.
So, if you’re after a sweet, feel-good romance with a good storyline then you could do a lot worse than A Heart This Big. Recommended.
Note: I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
June 29, 2019
This book is my new favourite Cheyenne Blue novel to date.
Nina runs a small children’s farm in a populated area of Sydney. She has an incident with one of the children that attends her ‘Barn Kids’ program and it brings forth a lawsuit. That’s when hot shot city lawyer, Leigh comes in. But Nina can’t pay her exorbitant fees, so they come to a pro bono deal, but the more time they spend together, the more their chemistry builds. But they can’t risk the lawsuit because of attraction, or can they?
Fantastic story. I was hooked on this story from the very beginning. The pace was perfect, and even though it was a slow burn romance, the character’s story was worth every second of their story that unravelled. I also want to give a shout out on the cover. It was on point and absolutely perfect for the story.
Cheyenne’s books that are based in Australia always hold a close place in my heart as I live in Melbourne. But this one was really great, and I fell in love with Banksia Farm, and I definably finished the book having a crush on Nina. The connection between Nina and Leigh is evident from the beginning, and I especially enjoyed the moments when Leigh was at the farm and clearly out of her comfort zone.
The secondary characters were also really excellent additions to the storyline. Grizz, in particular, was a favourite and more than a few times I found myself giggling at her and her husband’s adventures.
A fantastic book. I am looking forward to what comes next from Cheyenne Blue
5 stars
Nina runs a small children’s farm in a populated area of Sydney. She has an incident with one of the children that attends her ‘Barn Kids’ program and it brings forth a lawsuit. That’s when hot shot city lawyer, Leigh comes in. But Nina can’t pay her exorbitant fees, so they come to a pro bono deal, but the more time they spend together, the more their chemistry builds. But they can’t risk the lawsuit because of attraction, or can they?
Fantastic story. I was hooked on this story from the very beginning. The pace was perfect, and even though it was a slow burn romance, the character’s story was worth every second of their story that unravelled. I also want to give a shout out on the cover. It was on point and absolutely perfect for the story.
Cheyenne’s books that are based in Australia always hold a close place in my heart as I live in Melbourne. But this one was really great, and I fell in love with Banksia Farm, and I definably finished the book having a crush on Nina. The connection between Nina and Leigh is evident from the beginning, and I especially enjoyed the moments when Leigh was at the farm and clearly out of her comfort zone.
The secondary characters were also really excellent additions to the storyline. Grizz, in particular, was a favourite and more than a few times I found myself giggling at her and her husband’s adventures.
A fantastic book. I am looking forward to what comes next from Cheyenne Blue
5 stars
June 19, 2019
🏳️🌈👩❤️👩📚👩❤️💋👩👩🎓👩👧🐎👩👩👧⚢📖👭🏳️🌈
That’s in exchange of an honest review that I received an ARC of « A Heart This Big » …
So, here it is !!
1st of all : Thank you so much Ylva Publishing for providing me this book.
I’m familiar with Cheyenne Blue’s work since I’ve read the entire « Girl Meet Girl » series and « Code of Conduct ». I loved all of them so I didn’t hesitate to pick this book. & I’m glad I did, I deeply enjoyed it !!! 😍
My rating : 4.5 ⭐️
The story is (mainly) located in a suburb near Sydney ( New South Wales - Australia) and focuses on :
° Nina Pellegrini, a country girl & single-mother who owns « Banksia Farm » and runs a program for city kids to experience a taste of rural life. All this while rising Phoebe, her twelve-year-old daughter.
&
° Leigh Willoughby, a twenty-nine-year old top-notch lawyer, whose city world is far from the farm’s chaotic mix of kids and animals.
Leigh is the best in what she does so when a child is hurt and a lawsuit threatens, Nina is determined to find the best legal assistance to help her save the farm and contacts Leigh. A small case that doesn’t pay & farm visits that wreck her cool—and her clothes are not really Leigh’s cup of tea but once she starts to discover her country heart by spending time volunteering at « Banksia Farm », she realises that, while being her total opposites, warm-hearted Nina and her offspring are awfully hard to say no to …
The Pros :
° the settings : I really appreciated my trip in Australia … I could become an Aussie addict very quickly.
° the fact that the romance is not in the « insta-love » category is highly appreciated and, unlike what we could think when the MCs meet the 1st couple times, there’s a great chemistery between them
° the realism of the pace both for how long it actually takes to deal with a lawsuit & for the MCs to get to know one another & develop their « opposites-attract » relationship.
° the realism of the rhythm of the farm life 🤠 (something I know well since I grew up in a farm)
° Nina’s goodhearted nature, her huge human side and her kindness & the way Leigh is transformed at heart by her meeting with Nina.
° the good secondary characters like Grizz, the farm volunteers, the Barn Kids and even the animals … They all add a depth to the story.
° the good style and wording & the emotional and realistic side of the dialogues
The Cons :
° Nina is very smart most of the time but, sometimes, about important stuff the acts like a dumb (for example : when there’s a break-in in the farm shop one night … Seriously, who on earth will omit to call the police and clean up the place right away ?),
° Quite often I had the feeling that the MC’s were a lot older than the late twenties that they are supposed to be…
If I had to make a very short and quite different version of my review, it’d be something like this :
Did I enjoy this book? => Yes …
Did I find the characters believable? => Yes …
Is this book now included in my « must be re-read »-list? => Yes
Will I purchase the paperback? => Yes, ASAP
Would I read another book by this author? => Definitely yes
Would I recommend this book => Yes … to everyone but espcecially to those who like romance, ranchers/ farms/ animals themed stories ; lawyers stories, « opposites-attract » relationship stories.
Guys and gals, now it’s your turn to travel in Australia… So … Grab your own copy and make your own opinion about the trip to the roos and koalas’ country…
Enjoy (or not) your reading …
🏳️🌈👩❤️👩📚👩❤️💋👩👩🎓👩👧🐎👩👩👧⚢📖👭🏳️🌈
That’s in exchange of an honest review that I received an ARC of « A Heart This Big » …
So, here it is !!
1st of all : Thank you so much Ylva Publishing for providing me this book.
I’m familiar with Cheyenne Blue’s work since I’ve read the entire « Girl Meet Girl » series and « Code of Conduct ». I loved all of them so I didn’t hesitate to pick this book. & I’m glad I did, I deeply enjoyed it !!! 😍
My rating : 4.5 ⭐️
The story is (mainly) located in a suburb near Sydney ( New South Wales - Australia) and focuses on :
° Nina Pellegrini, a country girl & single-mother who owns « Banksia Farm » and runs a program for city kids to experience a taste of rural life. All this while rising Phoebe, her twelve-year-old daughter.
&
° Leigh Willoughby, a twenty-nine-year old top-notch lawyer, whose city world is far from the farm’s chaotic mix of kids and animals.
Leigh is the best in what she does so when a child is hurt and a lawsuit threatens, Nina is determined to find the best legal assistance to help her save the farm and contacts Leigh. A small case that doesn’t pay & farm visits that wreck her cool—and her clothes are not really Leigh’s cup of tea but once she starts to discover her country heart by spending time volunteering at « Banksia Farm », she realises that, while being her total opposites, warm-hearted Nina and her offspring are awfully hard to say no to …
The Pros :
° the settings : I really appreciated my trip in Australia … I could become an Aussie addict very quickly.
° the fact that the romance is not in the « insta-love » category is highly appreciated and, unlike what we could think when the MCs meet the 1st couple times, there’s a great chemistery between them
° the realism of the pace both for how long it actually takes to deal with a lawsuit & for the MCs to get to know one another & develop their « opposites-attract » relationship.
° the realism of the rhythm of the farm life 🤠 (something I know well since I grew up in a farm)
° Nina’s goodhearted nature, her huge human side and her kindness & the way Leigh is transformed at heart by her meeting with Nina.
° the good secondary characters like Grizz, the farm volunteers, the Barn Kids and even the animals … They all add a depth to the story.
° the good style and wording & the emotional and realistic side of the dialogues
The Cons :
° Nina is very smart most of the time but, sometimes, about important stuff the acts like a dumb (for example : when there’s a break-in in the farm shop one night … Seriously, who on earth will omit to call the police and clean up the place right away ?),
° Quite often I had the feeling that the MC’s were a lot older than the late twenties that they are supposed to be…
If I had to make a very short and quite different version of my review, it’d be something like this :
Did I enjoy this book? => Yes …
Did I find the characters believable? => Yes …
Is this book now included in my « must be re-read »-list? => Yes
Will I purchase the paperback? => Yes, ASAP
Would I read another book by this author? => Definitely yes
Would I recommend this book => Yes … to everyone but espcecially to those who like romance, ranchers/ farms/ animals themed stories ; lawyers stories, « opposites-attract » relationship stories.
Guys and gals, now it’s your turn to travel in Australia… So … Grab your own copy and make your own opinion about the trip to the roos and koalas’ country…
Enjoy (or not) your reading …
🏳️🌈👩❤️👩📚👩❤️💋👩👩🎓👩👧🐎👩👩👧⚢📖👭🏳️🌈
June 7, 2019
Nina Pellegrini and her twelve year old daughter Phoebe own Banksia Farm on the outskirts of Sydney, Australia. They run a program for city kids who would never have the opportunity to experience farm life in a hands on way. An unfortunate accident brings the threat of a lawsuit against the farm and Nina seeks out the best lawyer in Sydney to take her case. Leigh Willoughby is a partner at her firm which specializes in high dollar lawsuits against insurance companies. Nina is determined to only have the best representative even though her case does not tempt Leigh in the least.
A Heart This Big is a beautiful slow burn romance surrounded by gentle philosophical commentary on what really matters in one’s life. The contrast between the high powered life Leigh leads in Sydney and the community Nina has established at the farm could not be more different in outlook or monetary profitability. Yet there is something to learn from each.
I am a big fan of Cheyenne Blue’s novels. A Heart This Big has a depth to the story and the characters you will appreciate. The story flows so easily.
A must read for sure.
4.5 Stars
A Heart This Big is a beautiful slow burn romance surrounded by gentle philosophical commentary on what really matters in one’s life. The contrast between the high powered life Leigh leads in Sydney and the community Nina has established at the farm could not be more different in outlook or monetary profitability. Yet there is something to learn from each.
I am a big fan of Cheyenne Blue’s novels. A Heart This Big has a depth to the story and the characters you will appreciate. The story flows so easily.
A must read for sure.
4.5 Stars
November 28, 2019
Moody teen, snooty lawyer.. and Nina.
I'm not overly familiar with books by Ms. Blue but I do remember liking what I had read more than this particular story. We'll get to why in a second but first here are a few things that I did really like.
The setting is what I immediately fell for. A small farm catering to special needs kids on the outskirts of Sydney. I liked the contrast of the quiet farm vs. the hustle and bustle of the city. Close runner up oddly enough are Leigh and Phoebe. I say oddly because a 'you're not worth my time' high priced lawyer and a moody teenager are not my favorite characters to read about. Their character development however was really well written and I really came to like them in the end.
Sadly Nina, despite the way her character was written, only managed to bug me. I absolutely believe in showing kindness to someone whenever possible but Nina came off as naive at times and was a little to easy to forgive. The other and more important reason why I didn't like this more was because of how utterly predictable it was. It skimmed a lot of the book because of this because I wanted to get to the more (for me) interesting parts and reading about kids riding horses was not one of them.
So there you have it. Not Ms. Blue's finest work but still a good way to kill some time. Overall rating for this one is 3,25*
I'm not overly familiar with books by Ms. Blue but I do remember liking what I had read more than this particular story. We'll get to why in a second but first here are a few things that I did really like.
The setting is what I immediately fell for. A small farm catering to special needs kids on the outskirts of Sydney. I liked the contrast of the quiet farm vs. the hustle and bustle of the city. Close runner up oddly enough are Leigh and Phoebe. I say oddly because a 'you're not worth my time' high priced lawyer and a moody teenager are not my favorite characters to read about. Their character development however was really well written and I really came to like them in the end.
Sadly Nina, despite the way her character was written, only managed to bug me. I absolutely believe in showing kindness to someone whenever possible but Nina came off as naive at times and was a little to easy to forgive. The other and more important reason why I didn't like this more was because of how utterly predictable it was. It skimmed a lot of the book because of this because I wanted to get to the more (for me) interesting parts and reading about kids riding horses was not one of them.
So there you have it. Not Ms. Blue's finest work but still a good way to kill some time. Overall rating for this one is 3,25*
April 25, 2021
I enjoyed this story more than I thought I would.
I saw reviews that mention that the book is on the slower side or more of a gentle ride than a sizzling romance. I was a little reticent because of that but I did end up liking the read because it took its time.
Nina runs a farm that offers both a farm-to-table education and animal therapy to low income, city, and special needs kids. When she's sued for an injury on her farm that puts her entire enterprise in jeopardy she pleads for help from the best lawyer from the closest big city.
Cheyenne Blue set up some believable chemistry and certain prejudices and distaste between country girl Nina Pellegrini and sophisticated urban lawyer Leigh Willoughby.
I appreciated that this book felt more mature than most love stories, with the characters getting to know each other and communicating their needs and fears up front. Nina is a single mom devoted to her country life while Leigh is solely career ambitious and tied to the city. Not to mention there's a conflict of interest for a lawyer to get involved with her client. It set up some interesting dynamics and I was curious to see how Nina and Leigh would overcome their obstacles.
There was some sinister villain stuff that threaded through the story that seemed rather obvious and it was strange to me Cheyenne Blue didn't give some of it the urgency it deserved. And I thought Leigh should've communicated with a woman she was dating that she was off the table when she started things up with Nina. But, I can't exactly complain about the story either.
Refreshingly, just when I thought the story would be predictable the author surprised me by taking the story in a different direction. Notably, I kept expecting the break-up trope that tends to happen at the 90% mark but thankfully didn't come.
The one weird thing that really stood out to me, and Blue isn't the only one who's done this and I don't understand why writers keep making their characters so young, but she made the characters Nina and Leigh be in their late twenties. They really should've been in their 30s, at the very least. Leigh was already a hotshot lawyer and partner at her law firm. In the United States, I don't even think people get out of law school until mid to late 20s. The ages didn't seem right.
And, for as slow cooker as the romance was, the author wrote some sensual and steamy love scenes that I wasn't quite expecting so that was a pleasant surprise.
I did listen to the audiobook version of this story and really enjoyed the narrator, Claire Alain, too. I panned this same narrator for the book "Changing the Script" by Lee Winter but I think she did a great job here, with a somewhat faster speaking pacing and she just seemed to fit the story overall.
If you want a slower ride with a young but mature couple this is a good story.
I saw reviews that mention that the book is on the slower side or more of a gentle ride than a sizzling romance. I was a little reticent because of that but I did end up liking the read because it took its time.
Nina runs a farm that offers both a farm-to-table education and animal therapy to low income, city, and special needs kids. When she's sued for an injury on her farm that puts her entire enterprise in jeopardy she pleads for help from the best lawyer from the closest big city.
Cheyenne Blue set up some believable chemistry and certain prejudices and distaste between country girl Nina Pellegrini and sophisticated urban lawyer Leigh Willoughby.
I appreciated that this book felt more mature than most love stories, with the characters getting to know each other and communicating their needs and fears up front. Nina is a single mom devoted to her country life while Leigh is solely career ambitious and tied to the city. Not to mention there's a conflict of interest for a lawyer to get involved with her client. It set up some interesting dynamics and I was curious to see how Nina and Leigh would overcome their obstacles.
There was some sinister villain stuff that threaded through the story that seemed rather obvious and it was strange to me Cheyenne Blue didn't give some of it the urgency it deserved. And I thought Leigh should've communicated with a woman she was dating that she was off the table when she started things up with Nina. But, I can't exactly complain about the story either.
Refreshingly, just when I thought the story would be predictable the author surprised me by taking the story in a different direction. Notably, I kept expecting the break-up trope that tends to happen at the 90% mark but thankfully didn't come.
The one weird thing that really stood out to me, and Blue isn't the only one who's done this and I don't understand why writers keep making their characters so young, but she made the characters Nina and Leigh be in their late twenties. They really should've been in their 30s, at the very least. Leigh was already a hotshot lawyer and partner at her law firm. In the United States, I don't even think people get out of law school until mid to late 20s. The ages didn't seem right.
And, for as slow cooker as the romance was, the author wrote some sensual and steamy love scenes that I wasn't quite expecting so that was a pleasant surprise.
I did listen to the audiobook version of this story and really enjoyed the narrator, Claire Alain, too. I panned this same narrator for the book "Changing the Script" by Lee Winter but I think she did a great job here, with a somewhat faster speaking pacing and she just seemed to fit the story overall.
If you want a slower ride with a young but mature couple this is a good story.
June 20, 2019
Cheyenne Blue has a permanent place in my list of favorite authors. Her books are always enjoyable with strong characters, intriguing plots and stunning settings, usually in Australia. When I heard that her newest novel, A Heart This Big was about to be published, I made sure to get a copy as soon as I could, and I am very glad I did.
This is the story of Nina Pellegrini, a farmer with a small farm on the outskirts of Sydney, which she uses as a place for young city children to learn about animals and farm life. Though Banksia Farms is technically run as a business, she never turns away a family who can’t pay for their child to be part of the program. She also has a young daughter named Phoebe who helps on the farm and with the children’s program. When a young boy is hurt on the farm and his mother sues for damages, Nina tries to find the best lawyer she can to help her keep the farm she loves so much. This is when she meets Leigh Willoughby, a very successful lawyer who is definitely a city girl and knows nothing about life on a farm. She does know her way around this type of litigation though. Nina can’t afford to hire Leigh, but Leigh finds out fairly quickly that it is very hard to say no to Nina and Phoebe, and she eventually agrees to take on the case pro bono. There is chemistry between Nina and Leigh, but complications surrounding the case and their very different lives keep them from acknowledging as well as acting on their feelings, at least for a while.
This is definitely a slow-burn romance with the push-pull you expect through most of the book. It is a beautiful story and I really enjoyed the parts with the children on the farm. The characters, both main and secondary, are well developed and likable. The settings, both city and farm are realistically drawn. While this is not my favorite Cheyenne Blue novel (It’s hard to beat the books in the Girl Meets Girl series), A Heart this Big is a solid slow-burn romance that I think you will enjoy.
I received an ARC from Ylva Publishing for an honest review.
Rainbow Reflections:
https://rainbowreflections.home.blog/
This is the story of Nina Pellegrini, a farmer with a small farm on the outskirts of Sydney, which she uses as a place for young city children to learn about animals and farm life. Though Banksia Farms is technically run as a business, she never turns away a family who can’t pay for their child to be part of the program. She also has a young daughter named Phoebe who helps on the farm and with the children’s program. When a young boy is hurt on the farm and his mother sues for damages, Nina tries to find the best lawyer she can to help her keep the farm she loves so much. This is when she meets Leigh Willoughby, a very successful lawyer who is definitely a city girl and knows nothing about life on a farm. She does know her way around this type of litigation though. Nina can’t afford to hire Leigh, but Leigh finds out fairly quickly that it is very hard to say no to Nina and Phoebe, and she eventually agrees to take on the case pro bono. There is chemistry between Nina and Leigh, but complications surrounding the case and their very different lives keep them from acknowledging as well as acting on their feelings, at least for a while.
This is definitely a slow-burn romance with the push-pull you expect through most of the book. It is a beautiful story and I really enjoyed the parts with the children on the farm. The characters, both main and secondary, are well developed and likable. The settings, both city and farm are realistically drawn. While this is not my favorite Cheyenne Blue novel (It’s hard to beat the books in the Girl Meets Girl series), A Heart this Big is a solid slow-burn romance that I think you will enjoy.
I received an ARC from Ylva Publishing for an honest review.
Rainbow Reflections:
https://rainbowreflections.home.blog/
June 3, 2019
4.25 stars.
Wow, the title is so fitting. Nina has the biggest heart ever. Although I'm not exactly a fan of horses or the country lifestyle, I was routing for Banksia farm, Nina, and Phoebe from the get-go.
I loved the setting, the Aussie dialogue, and the slow burn. Given the lawyer/client relationship, it totally fitted the story. I loved Nina and Leigh, but I did struggle a little with Phoebe's about face when it came to Leigh.
I had a fair idea who the villain was all along, but couldn't be 100% sure so that by no means detracted from my enjoyment.
This is one I'll certainly recommend to others. Then again, I recommend all readers give Cheyenne's books a shot. I lover her Girl meets Girl series.
Thank you to Ylva Publishing for providing a copy of this book upon my request.
Wow, the title is so fitting. Nina has the biggest heart ever. Although I'm not exactly a fan of horses or the country lifestyle, I was routing for Banksia farm, Nina, and Phoebe from the get-go.
I loved the setting, the Aussie dialogue, and the slow burn. Given the lawyer/client relationship, it totally fitted the story. I loved Nina and Leigh, but I did struggle a little with Phoebe's about face when it came to Leigh.
I had a fair idea who the villain was all along, but couldn't be 100% sure so that by no means detracted from my enjoyment.
This is one I'll certainly recommend to others. Then again, I recommend all readers give Cheyenne's books a shot. I lover her Girl meets Girl series.
Thank you to Ylva Publishing for providing a copy of this book upon my request.
May 24, 2024
3.5⭐️ Good story with a bit of mystery. Last quarter of the book was best. I listened to the audio and enjoyed the narrator.
June 15, 2019
Australian farm owner Nina Pellegrini runs a programme for city kids to experience rural life. When a lawsuit threatens to ruin her small business, Nina seeks help from Leigh Willoughby, a big city high-powered lawyer with no interest in country life. But somehow, big-hearted Nina and her challenging daughter manage to convince Leigh to help them. As the lawyer gets the defense prepared, she discovers that farms can be fun and that Nina is as beautiful as kind-hearted.
This is an opposites-attract, slow-burn romance with a setting in the rural outskirts of Sidney. The story is set in both countryside and city areas and the author manages well to describe the contrasts of both places as well as the women who work and live there. Nina, the country girl, is kind-hearted (hence the book title), nature-loving and always tries to see the good side in people. Leigh, the city girl, is a bit of a workaholic, lives in a high rise building and, as a good lawyer, is more realistic. Do opposites attract? Oh, yes...
As in 'Code of Conduct', here again, Ms. Blue mixes romance with law and regulations. Even though I liked her previous book better, 'A heart this big' presents a good legal story that balances well with the beautiful countryside. She also presents a brief criminal subplot, though its resolution, while it's functional to the romantic plot, didn't convince me. It shows a naive side of Leigh that doesn't seem to fit with the rest of her personality.
The mains chemistry is well-written. Even though it's not sizzling hot, it's coherent with both women's personalities. The secondary characters are also well portrayed, especially Nina's teenage daughter Phoebe, and Leigh's best friend Grizz whose love for extreme adventures and tendency to get injured helps to break the tension.
If you are looking for a slow-burn romance with a light side of legal issues, then you'll probably like this book. It's well-written, entertaining and it gives a glimpse of the beauty of the Australian countryside. 4 stars.
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
See all my reviews at www.lezreviewbooks.com
This is an opposites-attract, slow-burn romance with a setting in the rural outskirts of Sidney. The story is set in both countryside and city areas and the author manages well to describe the contrasts of both places as well as the women who work and live there. Nina, the country girl, is kind-hearted (hence the book title), nature-loving and always tries to see the good side in people. Leigh, the city girl, is a bit of a workaholic, lives in a high rise building and, as a good lawyer, is more realistic. Do opposites attract? Oh, yes...
As in 'Code of Conduct', here again, Ms. Blue mixes romance with law and regulations. Even though I liked her previous book better, 'A heart this big' presents a good legal story that balances well with the beautiful countryside. She also presents a brief criminal subplot, though its resolution, while it's functional to the romantic plot, didn't convince me. It shows a naive side of Leigh that doesn't seem to fit with the rest of her personality.
The mains chemistry is well-written. Even though it's not sizzling hot, it's coherent with both women's personalities. The secondary characters are also well portrayed, especially Nina's teenage daughter Phoebe, and Leigh's best friend Grizz whose love for extreme adventures and tendency to get injured helps to break the tension.
If you are looking for a slow-burn romance with a light side of legal issues, then you'll probably like this book. It's well-written, entertaining and it gives a glimpse of the beauty of the Australian countryside. 4 stars.
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
See all my reviews at www.lezreviewbooks.com
Did Not Finish
October 26, 2020I really struggled with this. I was so excited to read an Australian book, especially on a farm - but the suspension of disbelief was far too great for me.
The idea that Nina is able to operate her farm business/charity AT ALL up to this point without the proper legal paperwork in place to protect herself and her daughter and their patrons is utterly ridiculous. Even the most ignorant person couldn't and wouldn't get away with that. Do you know how stringent Australian laws and councils are with enforcing it? Even in rural areas?
I've had friends that have literally had the most basic charity stalls and shindigs shut down because of council codes and incorrect paperwork and questions of public liability - so how an entire property with kids coming and going wouldn't have been under the microscope long before a kid fell and broke his arm, is beyond me.
I kinda found myself siding with the lawyers about her liability TBH.. I did always want to get into law. lol. But I also grew up in a farm town in country NSW, where farming, horses, cows and agriculture was ingrained into us and especially in our schooling curriculum. But so was SAFETY! We all knew properties were dangerous places, it wasn't unusual to hear about little kids drowning in water holes, or adult men getting their arms or legs mashed in machinery, and the odd sprained or broken ankle from rough terrain. Don't even get me started on horse and cattle related injuries. Or snake and spider bites.
I'm 34 and thoroughly remember a heck of a lot of safety talks and assemblies and various OH&S meetings and certifications needing to be done before we could do certain things, and I also remember my parents having to sign stuff for the school about liability and consent when we went to the farms or ag-shows etc offsite (proper forms too, not just self made BS, which again is dubiously illegal and non binding)... this would have been 20+ years ago - so you're telling me that in 2019 when this book takes place, she could get away with that? Sorry Nah. Not buying it.
Maybe it's a case of me being too close to similar scenarios and knowing too much about the subjects. Unfortunately when I was 15 a girl from our class got kicked from a horse and became brain damaged at a show. She had been riding since she could walk, and it was a terrible freak accident. There was an investigation but no liability or culpability was found, and TBH there was never any question, especially from her parents, and the community rallied around them. Because - farm life is fucking tough. But so are farmers. The respect these people have for the land is paramount. As is the community spirit. So the belief that Nina is as dumb as a box of hair to the point of complacency stuns me. She doesn't come off 'caring' and sweet like the author wants to make out.
Plus there was no real joy or connection with any of these characters. It became tedious and I simply skimmed a heck of a lot. It was obvious the big bad developer guy was behind it all. I kept waiting for that penny to drop, and found the stupidity again to be just maddening and not endearing.
Leigh's own interest and turn about from her previous stuck up demeanor is ridiculous, as was her interest in Nina.
Phoebe the 12 year old daughter was about the only one I thought had any gumption and sense! I loved her telling Leigh off when she first met her and sending herself to bed early without supper... totally something I myself did as a kid. lmfao!
Sorry this one just annoyed me.
The idea that Nina is able to operate her farm business/charity AT ALL up to this point without the proper legal paperwork in place to protect herself and her daughter and their patrons is utterly ridiculous. Even the most ignorant person couldn't and wouldn't get away with that. Do you know how stringent Australian laws and councils are with enforcing it? Even in rural areas?
I've had friends that have literally had the most basic charity stalls and shindigs shut down because of council codes and incorrect paperwork and questions of public liability - so how an entire property with kids coming and going wouldn't have been under the microscope long before a kid fell and broke his arm, is beyond me.
I kinda found myself siding with the lawyers about her liability TBH.. I did always want to get into law. lol. But I also grew up in a farm town in country NSW, where farming, horses, cows and agriculture was ingrained into us and especially in our schooling curriculum. But so was SAFETY! We all knew properties were dangerous places, it wasn't unusual to hear about little kids drowning in water holes, or adult men getting their arms or legs mashed in machinery, and the odd sprained or broken ankle from rough terrain. Don't even get me started on horse and cattle related injuries. Or snake and spider bites.
I'm 34 and thoroughly remember a heck of a lot of safety talks and assemblies and various OH&S meetings and certifications needing to be done before we could do certain things, and I also remember my parents having to sign stuff for the school about liability and consent when we went to the farms or ag-shows etc offsite (proper forms too, not just self made BS, which again is dubiously illegal and non binding)... this would have been 20+ years ago - so you're telling me that in 2019 when this book takes place, she could get away with that? Sorry Nah. Not buying it.
Maybe it's a case of me being too close to similar scenarios and knowing too much about the subjects. Unfortunately when I was 15 a girl from our class got kicked from a horse and became brain damaged at a show. She had been riding since she could walk, and it was a terrible freak accident. There was an investigation but no liability or culpability was found, and TBH there was never any question, especially from her parents, and the community rallied around them. Because - farm life is fucking tough. But so are farmers. The respect these people have for the land is paramount. As is the community spirit. So the belief that Nina is as dumb as a box of hair to the point of complacency stuns me. She doesn't come off 'caring' and sweet like the author wants to make out.
Plus there was no real joy or connection with any of these characters. It became tedious and I simply skimmed a heck of a lot. It was obvious the big bad developer guy was behind it all. I kept waiting for that penny to drop, and found the stupidity again to be just maddening and not endearing.
Leigh's own interest and turn about from her previous stuck up demeanor is ridiculous, as was her interest in Nina.
Phoebe the 12 year old daughter was about the only one I thought had any gumption and sense! I loved her telling Leigh off when she first met her and sending herself to bed early without supper... totally something I myself did as a kid. lmfao!
Sorry this one just annoyed me.
July 2, 2019
3.5 Stars
Wow, this review is only a little bit late. Sorry Cheyenne :(
As always,with any Blue novel, I truly enjoy her very realistic characters and settings. They are always people that you can legitimately relate to in one way or another. I also always love it when she uses the outback as a setting. It really is a character all on its own and I find I tend to become extremely vested in the descriptions of it as a setting where people are trying to carve a life out in a place that isn't exactly people friendly.
As far as the romance, I can't say that it was my favorite, but I still really enjoyed it. Blue does a lot with characters that live in two different worlds and I enjoy watching two completely different people trying to navigate each others' worlds where they feel entirely out of place.
Anyway, I would recommend it to anyone that enjoys Blue's stories in general, and for those romance readers that enjoy a little more realism in the settings and characters that they are reading about.
Copy received from author in exchange for review. All opinions here are expressly my own.
Wow, this review is only a little bit late. Sorry Cheyenne :(
As always,with any Blue novel, I truly enjoy her very realistic characters and settings. They are always people that you can legitimately relate to in one way or another. I also always love it when she uses the outback as a setting. It really is a character all on its own and I find I tend to become extremely vested in the descriptions of it as a setting where people are trying to carve a life out in a place that isn't exactly people friendly.
As far as the romance, I can't say that it was my favorite, but I still really enjoyed it. Blue does a lot with characters that live in two different worlds and I enjoy watching two completely different people trying to navigate each others' worlds where they feel entirely out of place.
Anyway, I would recommend it to anyone that enjoys Blue's stories in general, and for those romance readers that enjoy a little more realism in the settings and characters that they are reading about.
Copy received from author in exchange for review. All opinions here are expressly my own.
May 15, 2020
One of those opposites attract novels - Cheyenne Blue writes well but there is no real emotion in this one, in line with the 2 MCs Characters. They get on with it with little angst, whatever the situation.
November 17, 2019
Nina and Leigh might as well live on different planets.
Nina spends her dusty days working at her farm on the edge of Sydney and caring for her twelve year old daughter Phoebe. Bequeathed to her by the grandparents who raised her, Banksia Farm is both a beloved haven and a heavy responsibility. Nina has opened the farm to local kids and adults, who come to visit, volunteer, meet the animals and enjoy an experience increasingly rare in their urbanized existence. She welcomes everyone, but especially those special children who most need patience, support and connection to the natural world.
Leigh is the youngest partner in a prestigious downtown Sydney law firm. A dedicated workaholic who chose the law so she could help people solve their problems, Leigh wears designer clothing, drives a BMW and lives in a pricey condo overlooking the harbor. Her social life is as meticulously ordered as her professional one; her dates with women in her own class usually involve fancy dinner and wine at an upscale restaurant, occasionally followed by empty sexual pleasure. Many nights, though, Leigh spends alone.
Nina’s and Leigh’s lives collide when a child has accident while riding at Banksia and his family sues Nina for damages. Nina barges into Leigh’s well-ordered existence, insisting that, as the best insurance litigator in the business, Leigh should take on her case pro bono. Against her better judgment, Leigh agrees, at least partly because she finds Nina both attractive and admirable.
Leigh’s first visit to Banksia is a bit of a disaster, but she soon becomes comfortable in the low-key, low-budget community that Nina has nurtured. Nina turns out to be equally drawn to her fashionable, intelligent legal counsel. However, the rules are quite clear; lawyers may not get emotionally or sexually involved with their clients.
Romance, ultimately, is about feeling good. I have to say that A Heart This Big left me with a warm glow. The story is, like many romances, fairly predictable (though Ms. Blue does throw in a twist or two), but the characters and the setting are what’s important in this novel. Both Nina and Leigh feel solid and real – Nina perhaps a bit more than Leigh, but that may be partly because Leigh’s world is so foreign to me. I believed in both their love and their pain. The minor characters are equally well-drawn – especially the sometimes surly and angst-ridden pre-teen Phoebe and Grizz, Leigh’s wise and idiosyncratic paralegal.
Meanwhile, Banksia Farm is portrayed in such loving detail that I think Ms. Blue must have a real life model. The contrast between Leigh’s rather sterile world and the fertile, messy farm environment comes through strongly. To Leigh’s credit, she doesn’t run away from the dirt, the physical labor, or the sometimes peculiar folk who frequent the farm. With gentle Nina’s guidance, she learns to love them.
One other aspect of this novel made me want to celebrate: the quiet, unspectacular acceptance of same-sex relationships by every one of the characters (even the villain). There are barriers to Nina’s and Leigh’s relationship, but sexual identity is not one of them. Nobody bats an eyelash when Leigh moves in with Nina. Totally comfortable, Phoebe gleefully introduces them as her “mums”. The story includes many straight people, including some warm-hearted male characters, which I appreciate. This is not a lesbians-only world, as is the case in some lesbian romance. But it’s a world where people are free to love whomever they choose – a world we’re hopefully getting closer to all the time.
Overall, I very much enjoyed A Heart This Big. It left me feeling as though I wanted to go out and hug someone.
Nina spends her dusty days working at her farm on the edge of Sydney and caring for her twelve year old daughter Phoebe. Bequeathed to her by the grandparents who raised her, Banksia Farm is both a beloved haven and a heavy responsibility. Nina has opened the farm to local kids and adults, who come to visit, volunteer, meet the animals and enjoy an experience increasingly rare in their urbanized existence. She welcomes everyone, but especially those special children who most need patience, support and connection to the natural world.
Leigh is the youngest partner in a prestigious downtown Sydney law firm. A dedicated workaholic who chose the law so she could help people solve their problems, Leigh wears designer clothing, drives a BMW and lives in a pricey condo overlooking the harbor. Her social life is as meticulously ordered as her professional one; her dates with women in her own class usually involve fancy dinner and wine at an upscale restaurant, occasionally followed by empty sexual pleasure. Many nights, though, Leigh spends alone.
Nina’s and Leigh’s lives collide when a child has accident while riding at Banksia and his family sues Nina for damages. Nina barges into Leigh’s well-ordered existence, insisting that, as the best insurance litigator in the business, Leigh should take on her case pro bono. Against her better judgment, Leigh agrees, at least partly because she finds Nina both attractive and admirable.
Leigh’s first visit to Banksia is a bit of a disaster, but she soon becomes comfortable in the low-key, low-budget community that Nina has nurtured. Nina turns out to be equally drawn to her fashionable, intelligent legal counsel. However, the rules are quite clear; lawyers may not get emotionally or sexually involved with their clients.
Romance, ultimately, is about feeling good. I have to say that A Heart This Big left me with a warm glow. The story is, like many romances, fairly predictable (though Ms. Blue does throw in a twist or two), but the characters and the setting are what’s important in this novel. Both Nina and Leigh feel solid and real – Nina perhaps a bit more than Leigh, but that may be partly because Leigh’s world is so foreign to me. I believed in both their love and their pain. The minor characters are equally well-drawn – especially the sometimes surly and angst-ridden pre-teen Phoebe and Grizz, Leigh’s wise and idiosyncratic paralegal.
Meanwhile, Banksia Farm is portrayed in such loving detail that I think Ms. Blue must have a real life model. The contrast between Leigh’s rather sterile world and the fertile, messy farm environment comes through strongly. To Leigh’s credit, she doesn’t run away from the dirt, the physical labor, or the sometimes peculiar folk who frequent the farm. With gentle Nina’s guidance, she learns to love them.
One other aspect of this novel made me want to celebrate: the quiet, unspectacular acceptance of same-sex relationships by every one of the characters (even the villain). There are barriers to Nina’s and Leigh’s relationship, but sexual identity is not one of them. Nobody bats an eyelash when Leigh moves in with Nina. Totally comfortable, Phoebe gleefully introduces them as her “mums”. The story includes many straight people, including some warm-hearted male characters, which I appreciate. This is not a lesbians-only world, as is the case in some lesbian romance. But it’s a world where people are free to love whomever they choose – a world we’re hopefully getting closer to all the time.
Overall, I very much enjoyed A Heart This Big. It left me feeling as though I wanted to go out and hug someone.
July 8, 2020
Note: 2-star means it was an okay read, not a dislike.
Maybe I had too high hopes. Sadly, this story did not work for me.
A Heart This Big is an overall decent book with good writing, where farm owner Nina Pellegrini and lawyer Leigh Willoughby fall in love. When a child gets injured under the supervision of Nina's twelve-year-old daughter Phoebe, the child's mother files a lawsuit against Nina. Dreading that she might have to sell the farm and risk losing the wonderful haven for underprivileged kids, Nina does everything to convince Leigh to her case pro bono. As they start working together, their mutual attraction builds. But the pair are as different as can be, and Leigh cannot date a client. Should she walk away from their growing intimacy for good, or hope that Nina's big heart will still have her after the case closes?
The premise seems good, and it was my first try on anything Blue. It was slightly disappointing that I did not enjoy A Heart This Big as I thought I would. The main issue was that I sensed Blue trying to convince me why Nina and Leigh make a good pair and what they have for each other is not merely infatuation. This opposites-attract romance ends up feeling very far-fetched because I cannot bring myself to see them together. For me, they only share physical attraction and fascination of the other being oh-so-very-different-and-out-of-comfort-zone.
Throughout the story, the characters sometimes acted inconsistently for little reason. I tend to wonder if they were still the same people. Plus, the whole lawsuit and its aftermath did not make much sense either. I cannot connect with the characters. And since I enjoy character-driven more than plot-driven books, it is highly unlikely for me to enjoy a story if the characters failed to capture my interest. I regret to say A Heart This Big is one of those books.
Another thing that kind of irks me was how the characters treat the idea of helping others. From the title, we learn that Nina has a "big heart" because her farm is dedicated to helping the local community. I love that most characters acknowledge their own privilege to a degree and spend their resources on making the lives of people around them better. Still, everything feels a lot like "charity" from the delivery and response, and though I am sure it was not meant to read like so, I cringe inwardly whenever I see an inkling of superiority oozing.
I don't know if I'm making sense, but I struggle with conveying this idea every time. Like when my family claims buying produce at a local market is "helping" the more "unfortunate" people instead of seeing it as supporting the locals while acquiring fresher food. I am touchy about subjects like this when people see the surface and do not understand the full cause behind things.
That being said, I would still love to read other books by Blue. I have no regrets for trying this one. And if you enjoyed this farm story, Veterinary Partner by Nancy Wheelton has a similar plotline that you might like, too.
I received an e-ARC from Ylva Publishing in exchange for an honest review.
Maybe I had too high hopes. Sadly, this story did not work for me.
A Heart This Big is an overall decent book with good writing, where farm owner Nina Pellegrini and lawyer Leigh Willoughby fall in love. When a child gets injured under the supervision of Nina's twelve-year-old daughter Phoebe, the child's mother files a lawsuit against Nina. Dreading that she might have to sell the farm and risk losing the wonderful haven for underprivileged kids, Nina does everything to convince Leigh to her case pro bono. As they start working together, their mutual attraction builds. But the pair are as different as can be, and Leigh cannot date a client. Should she walk away from their growing intimacy for good, or hope that Nina's big heart will still have her after the case closes?
The premise seems good, and it was my first try on anything Blue. It was slightly disappointing that I did not enjoy A Heart This Big as I thought I would. The main issue was that I sensed Blue trying to convince me why Nina and Leigh make a good pair and what they have for each other is not merely infatuation. This opposites-attract romance ends up feeling very far-fetched because I cannot bring myself to see them together. For me, they only share physical attraction and fascination of the other being oh-so-very-different-and-out-of-comfort-zone.
Throughout the story, the characters sometimes acted inconsistently for little reason. I tend to wonder if they were still the same people. Plus, the whole lawsuit and its aftermath did not make much sense either. I cannot connect with the characters. And since I enjoy character-driven more than plot-driven books, it is highly unlikely for me to enjoy a story if the characters failed to capture my interest. I regret to say A Heart This Big is one of those books.
Another thing that kind of irks me was how the characters treat the idea of helping others. From the title, we learn that Nina has a "big heart" because her farm is dedicated to helping the local community. I love that most characters acknowledge their own privilege to a degree and spend their resources on making the lives of people around them better. Still, everything feels a lot like "charity" from the delivery and response, and though I am sure it was not meant to read like so, I cringe inwardly whenever I see an inkling of superiority oozing.
I don't know if I'm making sense, but I struggle with conveying this idea every time. Like when my family claims buying produce at a local market is "helping" the more "unfortunate" people instead of seeing it as supporting the locals while acquiring fresher food. I am touchy about subjects like this when people see the surface and do not understand the full cause behind things.
That being said, I would still love to read other books by Blue. I have no regrets for trying this one. And if you enjoyed this farm story, Veterinary Partner by Nancy Wheelton has a similar plotline that you might like, too.
I received an e-ARC from Ylva Publishing in exchange for an honest review.
July 30, 2024
A Heart This Big by Cheyenne Blue is an enjoyable read with a charming setting on a farm near Sydney, Australia. The story revolves around Nina, a farm owner facing a lawsuit, and Leigh, a high-powered attorney who steps in to help. While I appreciated the vivid descriptions of farm life and the compelling characters, some parts felt slow and left me wanting more.
The romance between Nina and Leigh was sweet, albeit not very intense, and the resolution of the lawsuit storyline was somewhat predictable. Although I enjoyed the interactions and dynamics, I felt that certain aspects of the plot could have been developed further to create more impact.
Overall, A Heart This Big is a good, low-angst romance with a beautiful setting and an interesting cast of characters. It may not be my favourite by Cheyenne Blue, but it's still a worthwhile read for those seeking a slower paced, heartwarming story.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Ylva Publishing for a copy of this novel. ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
The romance between Nina and Leigh was sweet, albeit not very intense, and the resolution of the lawsuit storyline was somewhat predictable. Although I enjoyed the interactions and dynamics, I felt that certain aspects of the plot could have been developed further to create more impact.
Overall, A Heart This Big is a good, low-angst romance with a beautiful setting and an interesting cast of characters. It may not be my favourite by Cheyenne Blue, but it's still a worthwhile read for those seeking a slower paced, heartwarming story.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Ylva Publishing for a copy of this novel. ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
June 19, 2019
Oh dear me, this story turned me into a puddle of goo because I couldn't keep a lid on my emotions when I was confronted with Nina's huge, all-encompassing heart of pure gold. She is the epitome of all that is good in the human race and my respect for her grew with each page I read. Leigh is also a sweetheart who hides her soft heart under layers of what is expected of her from her prestigious job, wealthy family and even from the people she usually associates with. This author has done it again! She has given me fun-loving and endearing characters to fall in love with and beautiful descriptions of the Australian city and farm landscape. I'll definitely be on the lookout for more heartwarming stories from this amazing author.
July 1, 2019
Oh how sweet the love story between Nina and Leigh.
Quoting the book:
"Leigh and Nina were so different. The lawyer and the farmer girl. The city slicker and the country bumpkin. The single professional and the single parent. But those differences seemed superficial; they were just how they ran their lives. In the things that mattered, Leigh and Nina seemed so compatible."
Quoting the book:
"Leigh and Nina were so different. The lawyer and the farmer girl. The city slicker and the country bumpkin. The single professional and the single parent. But those differences seemed superficial; they were just how they ran their lives. In the things that mattered, Leigh and Nina seemed so compatible."
April 3, 2021
What a lovely story where a bad thing leads to amazing ending. Where things go bad and you are at end of your rope, a good person comes to your rescure. I liked this story and the way both MCs crossed challenges as a one unity.
November 16, 2023
Nina kissed her again. She poured everything she had into the kiss, a slow, soft, deep kiss. She set aside the urgency of the moment, and kissed as if it would be her last kiss on earth, as if there would be no more perfection than this.
3.5 stars. Opposites attract on a farm! I love to see it. It has that classic country girl/city girl charm, with a single parent who desperately seeks the help of a successful city lawyer to defend her after an accident with a child brings her close to losing her farm. Nina is a single parent, used to a very simple life, loves working with kids and her animals. Leigh is a high-powered lawyer, very much unused to country life, but she reluctantly (at first) ends up helping Nina and her daughter.
I find myself with not a lot to say about this one, except that I quite liked it for the most part? I did have a lot of issues at first, which sorta just came down to tone, and how the characters would speak about certain things. It made them come across as really unlikeable. Unlikeable characters are fine, but I don't think the author intended the reader to think of them that way. Like, when either Nina or Leigh would refer to the lawsuit as "Billy's claim", as if the sweet 7-year-old with the broken arm was the one actually doing the suit. Haha very minor thing, but it just sorta bugged me, I don't know. That eventually passed, and I ended up really loving Nina as a character, for certain decisions that she made. She's such a big hearted person. I really loved the kids in this, and the interactions with the animals were so so sweet. I thought the romance was cute, and I always love opposites attract, especially ones that take their time like this did. But for a book of decent length (10+ hours on audio) I feel like we didn't get enough time with them just interacting and growing their relationship. A good amount of time passed, but I didn't get a sense of that organic growth. The obstacles to them being together were very realistic, rooted in real-world considerations, but it still felt a bit frustrating. The fact the the attorney/client relationship was all that stood between them dating kinda made this feel like it had no tension. But it was nevertheless really sweet, and I did enjoy all the scenes on the farm, as Leigh learned to do mundane chores, and got to know Nina and Phoebe better. It was pretty obvious what was happening in the larger plot, but I didn't mind that it was obvious. It's not like this was supposed to be a mystery.
Listened to the audiobook as read by Claire Alain, and I think that's why I'm coming out of this with really positive feelings, even though I wasn't blown away. I just really really loved her voice. This was my first time listening to her, and I was really captivated by her narration. Aussie accents are lovely in general, and her voice in particular was just made for audiobooks, imo. So that was great. This felt like a bit of escapism, since it didn't have the usual setting and plot as a lot of typical contemporary romances. It was my first full-length book from Blue, and definitely not my last.
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