What do you think?
Rate this book
Bottlebrush Creek
A pitch-perfect rural romance of changing relationships and family ties from the bestselling author of Wildflower Ridge.
Between managing a bustling beauty salon, hectic volunteer commitments and the lion's share of parenting two-year-old Claudia, Angie McIntyre barely has time to turn around. And with each passing month, she feels her relationship with fly-in, fly-out boyfriend Rob Jones slipping through her fingers.
When Rob faces retrenchment, and the most fabulous fixer-upper comes onto the market, Angie knows this derelict weatherboard cottage will be the perfect project to draw their little family together.
There's just one catch: the 200-acre property is right next door to Rob's parents in south-west Victoria.
It doesn't take long for rising tensions to set a wedge between the hard-working couple. Angie and Rob have to find out the hard way whether their grand design will draw them closer together or be the very thing that tears them apart.
A sparkling rural romance of changing relationships and family ties from the bestselling author of Wildflower Ridge.
'A heart-warming, funny and poignant story about the joys and heartbreaks of country living. A winner.' Victoria Purman, bestselling author of The Land Girls
Between managing a bustling beauty salon, hectic volunteer commitments and the lion's share of parenting two-year-old Claudia, Angie McIntyre barely has time to turn around. And with each passing month, she feels her relationship with fly-in, fly-out boyfriend Rob Jones slipping through her fingers.
When Rob faces retrenchment, and the most fabulous fixer-upper comes onto the market, Angie knows this derelict weatherboard cottage will be the perfect project to draw their little family together.
There's just one catch: the 200-acre property is right next door to Rob's parents in south-west Victoria.
It doesn't take long for rising tensions to set a wedge between the hard-working couple. Angie and Rob have to find out the hard way whether their grand design will draw them closer together or be the very thing that tears them apart.
A sparkling rural romance of changing relationships and family ties from the bestselling author of Wildflower Ridge.
'A heart-warming, funny and poignant story about the joys and heartbreaks of country living. A winner.' Victoria Purman, bestselling author of The Land Girls
352 pages, Paperback
First published June 2, 2020
19 people are currently reading
227 people want to read
About the author
Maya Linnell
7 books171 followersFrom country show baking to raising orphaned lambs, bestselling author Maya Linnell writes about the life she lives and loves. A keen bookworm, former rural journalist and radio presenter, Maya has six rural fiction titles published with Allen & Unwin - Wallaby Lane, Kookaburra Cottage, Paperbark Hill, Magpie's Bend, Bottlebrush Creek and Wildflower Ridge.
She lives with her family in rural Queensland, writes to the soundtrack of kookaburras, and relies on copious amounts of tea and chocolate to fuel her days at the keyboard.
Maya was shortlisted in the 2021, 2020 and 2019 Aus Romance Reader Association awards for categories including Favourite Australian Romance Author, Favourite Debut Author and Favourite Australian-set novel and her novels have consistently made bestseller lists and the Better Reading Top 100.
Follow Maya on Instagram @maya.linnell.writes
She lives with her family in rural Queensland, writes to the soundtrack of kookaburras, and relies on copious amounts of tea and chocolate to fuel her days at the keyboard.
Maya was shortlisted in the 2021, 2020 and 2019 Aus Romance Reader Association awards for categories including Favourite Australian Romance Author, Favourite Debut Author and Favourite Australian-set novel and her novels have consistently made bestseller lists and the Better Reading Top 100.
Follow Maya on Instagram @maya.linnell.writes
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews
June 4, 2020
As Angie McIntyre and her boyfriend, Rob Jones packed up their rental after their decision to buy the old cottage that had seen far better days, they both hoped a change of pace would suit them. Rob had recently finished as a FIFO worker at a mine while Angie owned a successful beauty salon, had volunteering commitments, plus looked after their two-year-old daughter, Claudia. There was only one small fly in the ointment as far as Angie was concerned. Their new property in south west Victoria bordered Rob’s parents dairy farm.
The weatherboard cottage was unliveable as it was, so they camped in a caravan parked in the shed. It was cramped but had a small bathroom. The worst for Angie – the baker that she was – there was no oven. She just hoped the renovations didn’t take too long before they could move in. Before long, Rob and Angie were working on the cottage every daylight hour, doing everything but what the tradies had to do. And Rob’s mum Rosa popped in often. She hadn’t seen much of her granddaughter in the past because of the two hour trip between their homes. But now Rosa was bringing food and helping out almost every day.
But tensions were rising – past grievances were causing strain between Angie and Rob as well as other family members. Would this new lifestyle make or break Angie and Rob in their venture at Bottlebrush Creek?
Bottlebrush Creek by Aussie author Maya Linnell is the sequel to Wildflower Ridge where we read Penny’s story. Bottlebrush Creek is Angie’s story and it was every bit as good as the author’s first novel. Set in the rural outlook of Victoria’s beautiful coast at fictional Port Fairview (based on Port Fairy), with the sounds of the ocean and smell of the salt lingering, this contemporary rural romance is a well written family novel with strength and courage, tenacity and love at its core. Highly recommended.
With thanks to Allen & Unwin for my ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
The weatherboard cottage was unliveable as it was, so they camped in a caravan parked in the shed. It was cramped but had a small bathroom. The worst for Angie – the baker that she was – there was no oven. She just hoped the renovations didn’t take too long before they could move in. Before long, Rob and Angie were working on the cottage every daylight hour, doing everything but what the tradies had to do. And Rob’s mum Rosa popped in often. She hadn’t seen much of her granddaughter in the past because of the two hour trip between their homes. But now Rosa was bringing food and helping out almost every day.
But tensions were rising – past grievances were causing strain between Angie and Rob as well as other family members. Would this new lifestyle make or break Angie and Rob in their venture at Bottlebrush Creek?
Bottlebrush Creek by Aussie author Maya Linnell is the sequel to Wildflower Ridge where we read Penny’s story. Bottlebrush Creek is Angie’s story and it was every bit as good as the author’s first novel. Set in the rural outlook of Victoria’s beautiful coast at fictional Port Fairview (based on Port Fairy), with the sounds of the ocean and smell of the salt lingering, this contemporary rural romance is a well written family novel with strength and courage, tenacity and love at its core. Highly recommended.
With thanks to Allen & Unwin for my ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
May 15, 2021
⭐️4.5 Stars⭐️
A wonderful escape to the country, I loved this, it was an engrossing read!
Bottlebrush Creek is a vibrant rural romance that tells the story of Angie McIntyre, her partner Rob and their young daughter Claudia. When Rob faces retrenchment from his fly-in fly-out job they make a fresh start when they find a run-down property to buy that is too good to pass up.
A renovation project on the country cottage brings in plenty of dramas for the couple along with some mother-in-law issues and rising tensions.
A great family saga, I think the author has shown a wonderful example of how relationships can enrich our lives but also get complicated and breakdown.
A delightful and heartfelt book, I especially loved the rural settings and the cottage renovations parts of the story.
A wonderful escape to the country, I loved this, it was an engrossing read!
Bottlebrush Creek is a vibrant rural romance that tells the story of Angie McIntyre, her partner Rob and their young daughter Claudia. When Rob faces retrenchment from his fly-in fly-out job they make a fresh start when they find a run-down property to buy that is too good to pass up.
A renovation project on the country cottage brings in plenty of dramas for the couple along with some mother-in-law issues and rising tensions.
A great family saga, I think the author has shown a wonderful example of how relationships can enrich our lives but also get complicated and breakdown.
A delightful and heartfelt book, I especially loved the rural settings and the cottage renovations parts of the story.
January 27, 2021
*www.onewomansbbr.wordpress.com
*www.facebook.com/onewomansbbr
Bottlebrush Creek by Maya Linnell. (2020).
Between managing a bustling beauty salon, hectic volunteer commitments and the lion's share of parenting her 2 year old, Claudia, Angie barely has time to turn around. She also feels her relationship with fly-in, fly-out boyfriend Rob is slipping away. When Rob faces retrenchment, the couple find a fabulous fixer-upper and think it'll be perfect to draw their family together. The catch...it's right next to Rob's parents' property. It doesn't take long for rising tensions to set a wedge between the couple. They need to find out the hard way whether the renovation will draw them closer or tear them apart...
This was my last book of 2020, and I read the entire thing on New Year's Eve; it was really enjoyable. A lot of readers have tagged this as a rural romance but to be honest I think it is actually a family domestic drama. There is romance elements and a lot of the book is about the relationship changes and development for Angie and Rob, but I still think this is more in line with a domestic drama, especially with the addition of Rob's family next door. Which I think for most of us, it would absolutely have to be your dream property to consider living next door to family for the rest of your lives, no matter how close your relationship may be hahaha. I think the author did an excellent job of writing the dramas between Angie and her mother-in-law Rosa; it was clearly shown that both women had good intentions and both overstepped/overreacted at times which felt completely realistic.
Overall, this is a great heart-warming read that will make you laugh, frown, cringe and smile along the way.
*www.facebook.com/onewomansbbr
Bottlebrush Creek by Maya Linnell. (2020).
Between managing a bustling beauty salon, hectic volunteer commitments and the lion's share of parenting her 2 year old, Claudia, Angie barely has time to turn around. She also feels her relationship with fly-in, fly-out boyfriend Rob is slipping away. When Rob faces retrenchment, the couple find a fabulous fixer-upper and think it'll be perfect to draw their family together. The catch...it's right next to Rob's parents' property. It doesn't take long for rising tensions to set a wedge between the couple. They need to find out the hard way whether the renovation will draw them closer or tear them apart...
This was my last book of 2020, and I read the entire thing on New Year's Eve; it was really enjoyable. A lot of readers have tagged this as a rural romance but to be honest I think it is actually a family domestic drama. There is romance elements and a lot of the book is about the relationship changes and development for Angie and Rob, but I still think this is more in line with a domestic drama, especially with the addition of Rob's family next door. Which I think for most of us, it would absolutely have to be your dream property to consider living next door to family for the rest of your lives, no matter how close your relationship may be hahaha. I think the author did an excellent job of writing the dramas between Angie and her mother-in-law Rosa; it was clearly shown that both women had good intentions and both overstepped/overreacted at times which felt completely realistic.
Overall, this is a great heart-warming read that will make you laugh, frown, cringe and smile along the way.
July 9, 2020
*https://mrsbbookreviews.wordpress.com
If you want to glean a little more about living in our beautiful country, look no further than Bottlebrush Creek, by Maya Linnell. An engaging tale of the triumphs and tragedies of rural life is explored in Linnell’s second novel. This wholly enjoyable contemporary fiction title will earn a solid place in the hearts of fans of the rural genre.
The bestselling author of Wildflower Ridge returns with Bottlebrush Creek. In this new tale from Maya Linnell, we are acquainted with lead Angie McIntyre, a busy mother and business owner. As Angie grapples with her parental and financial commitments, her relationship with her partner Rob is floundering. A rundown cottage proves to be the saving grace in Angie and Rob’s rocky relationship. A renovation project to refurbish the old cottage will help draw this estranged couple back together. But tension comes not only from the renovation project, but from Rob’s meddling parents, who live next door to the cottage. Things reach boiling point at the cottage, forcing this couple to reassess their relationship and love for one another. They must come together to save their relationship, family unit and new home. Questions of family dynamics, relationship strains, dedication and commitment define Bottlebrush Creek.
Bottlebrush Creek is my second helping of Australian author Maya Linnell’s work. I really enjoyed Linnell’s debut Wildflower Ridge, so naturally I was excited to read Bottlebrush Creek. In a testament to my adoration for this novel, I sacrificed some sleep to continue reading Linnell’s engaging tale until I had closed the back over. What an engrossing read!
Linnell puts an interesting spin on the traditional rural romance genre. Adding in a renovation project, that brings about plenty of issues, tension and challenges provided another dimension to this rural fiction novel. In my pre marriage years my husband and I renovated a couple of properties, but none were anywhere near as rundown as the cottage the couple in this tale tackled! I admired their sheer determination, dedication and resilience, despite the clear setbacks! For those who enjoy property renovation shows, or readers who like to dabble in their own renovation projects will appreciate all Bottlebrush Creek has to offer.
Linnell’s characters are well drawn, personable and authentic. It was a pleasure to be acquainted with Angie, Rob, Claudia and the support cast. Linnell provides us with a colourful cast and many of them feel like someone who know. The leading couple and their romance is hampered by miscommunication, tensions, pressures and misunderstandings. Many of these situations felt completely natural and normal, which added greater appeal to this novel.
Family dynamics play a big role in Bottlebrush Creek. Linnell does an excellent job of teasing these out to their fullest degree. It was easy to sympathise with Angie and my heart went out to her many times over. As for Rob’s family, I could empathise with their problems very much. Linnell has managed to pen a connective novel that will unite all readers in this story of the pains of love and life.
A successful rural romance novel must always have a strong country based setting. In Bottlebrush Creek we are transported to a beautiful and picturesque rural locale. I looked forward to Linnell’s descriptions of country living, which I know is lovingly drawn from Linnell’s own first hand experiences of living in a rural setting. Readers will be impressed with the truly majestic bush based backdrop of Bottlebrush Creek.
Bottlebrush Creek is an inviting novel that will embrace rural fictions fans in an engaging tale of home improvements, family relations, the pressures of love and life stresses. I send my full recommendation to Maya Linnell’s splendid second novel.
*Thanks extended to Allen & Unwin for providing a free copy of this book for review purposes.
Bottlebrush Creek is book #78 of the 2020 Australian Women Writers Challenge
If you want to glean a little more about living in our beautiful country, look no further than Bottlebrush Creek, by Maya Linnell. An engaging tale of the triumphs and tragedies of rural life is explored in Linnell’s second novel. This wholly enjoyable contemporary fiction title will earn a solid place in the hearts of fans of the rural genre.
The bestselling author of Wildflower Ridge returns with Bottlebrush Creek. In this new tale from Maya Linnell, we are acquainted with lead Angie McIntyre, a busy mother and business owner. As Angie grapples with her parental and financial commitments, her relationship with her partner Rob is floundering. A rundown cottage proves to be the saving grace in Angie and Rob’s rocky relationship. A renovation project to refurbish the old cottage will help draw this estranged couple back together. But tension comes not only from the renovation project, but from Rob’s meddling parents, who live next door to the cottage. Things reach boiling point at the cottage, forcing this couple to reassess their relationship and love for one another. They must come together to save their relationship, family unit and new home. Questions of family dynamics, relationship strains, dedication and commitment define Bottlebrush Creek.
Bottlebrush Creek is my second helping of Australian author Maya Linnell’s work. I really enjoyed Linnell’s debut Wildflower Ridge, so naturally I was excited to read Bottlebrush Creek. In a testament to my adoration for this novel, I sacrificed some sleep to continue reading Linnell’s engaging tale until I had closed the back over. What an engrossing read!
Linnell puts an interesting spin on the traditional rural romance genre. Adding in a renovation project, that brings about plenty of issues, tension and challenges provided another dimension to this rural fiction novel. In my pre marriage years my husband and I renovated a couple of properties, but none were anywhere near as rundown as the cottage the couple in this tale tackled! I admired their sheer determination, dedication and resilience, despite the clear setbacks! For those who enjoy property renovation shows, or readers who like to dabble in their own renovation projects will appreciate all Bottlebrush Creek has to offer.
Linnell’s characters are well drawn, personable and authentic. It was a pleasure to be acquainted with Angie, Rob, Claudia and the support cast. Linnell provides us with a colourful cast and many of them feel like someone who know. The leading couple and their romance is hampered by miscommunication, tensions, pressures and misunderstandings. Many of these situations felt completely natural and normal, which added greater appeal to this novel.
Family dynamics play a big role in Bottlebrush Creek. Linnell does an excellent job of teasing these out to their fullest degree. It was easy to sympathise with Angie and my heart went out to her many times over. As for Rob’s family, I could empathise with their problems very much. Linnell has managed to pen a connective novel that will unite all readers in this story of the pains of love and life.
A successful rural romance novel must always have a strong country based setting. In Bottlebrush Creek we are transported to a beautiful and picturesque rural locale. I looked forward to Linnell’s descriptions of country living, which I know is lovingly drawn from Linnell’s own first hand experiences of living in a rural setting. Readers will be impressed with the truly majestic bush based backdrop of Bottlebrush Creek.
Bottlebrush Creek is an inviting novel that will embrace rural fictions fans in an engaging tale of home improvements, family relations, the pressures of love and life stresses. I send my full recommendation to Maya Linnell’s splendid second novel.
*Thanks extended to Allen & Unwin for providing a free copy of this book for review purposes.
Bottlebrush Creek is book #78 of the 2020 Australian Women Writers Challenge
February 2, 2021
How lovely is Bottlebrush Creek! It has a gorgeous cover and a story to match. Not my usual genre but I have been enjoying a bit of rural romance every now and then. Not a murder in sight, just a great story, a beautiful setting and realistic characters. I received this book from the lovely Kate ... thank you and finally got around to reading it.
This is more than a romance. It is a family drama, there are relationship struggles and adjustments to a new life in the bush.. next door to the in laws 😮 Angie and Rob are not perfect, they make mistakes and renovating at run down cottage is a strain on them. Their little girl Claudia is sweet and very cute. But will this move bring them closer together or tear them apart?
This is more than a romance. It is a family drama, there are relationship struggles and adjustments to a new life in the bush.. next door to the in laws 😮 Angie and Rob are not perfect, they make mistakes and renovating at run down cottage is a strain on them. Their little girl Claudia is sweet and very cute. But will this move bring them closer together or tear them apart?
May 21, 2020
After reading and loving MS Linnell’s debut Wildflower Ridge, I was really looking forward to book two about the McIntyre woman and wow what another beauty, she has nailed it again with a moving, heartfelt story of love, hard work and family and their relationships and how Angie McIntyre and Rob Jones with their daughter Claudia get their fantastic HEA after a few ups and downs.
Angie and Rob have been doing well living close to Angie’s family renting a run -down house while Angie runs her beauty salon in town and Rob does fly in fly out work, but with Rob being retrenched they look to buying their own place and they find the place that they both love a weatherboard fixer upper only drawback is that it is next door to Rob’s parent’s dairy farm in the beautiful town of Port Fairview, but the price is right and Angie and Rob are filled with excitement and the energy to get this job done and make a home for them all.
Being owner builders is not an easy task, Rob is starting off a building company and working hard there and with his mother Rosa doing what she can to help or is she meddling depends whose point of view you see it from, this causes a lot of problems Angie is starting to feel the pressure as is Rob trying to get everything balanced with the budget and his life with his family.
MS Linnell put Rob and Angie through some hoops in this story, their love for each other was always there, but stress, strain, family problems and insecurities that both Angie and Rob have from their past have formed to cause a meltdown, but a meltdown that love overcame, this is a beautifully written story that had me turning the pages, the emotions that fly from the pages had me feeling everyone one of them, I was so invested in this story and the renovations, Angie and Rob are made for each other, another gorgeous story that was heartwarming beautiful with the all the feels, I loved being in Port Fairview with them, thank you MS Linnell another story that is a keeper and a must read.
Angie and Rob have been doing well living close to Angie’s family renting a run -down house while Angie runs her beauty salon in town and Rob does fly in fly out work, but with Rob being retrenched they look to buying their own place and they find the place that they both love a weatherboard fixer upper only drawback is that it is next door to Rob’s parent’s dairy farm in the beautiful town of Port Fairview, but the price is right and Angie and Rob are filled with excitement and the energy to get this job done and make a home for them all.
Being owner builders is not an easy task, Rob is starting off a building company and working hard there and with his mother Rosa doing what she can to help or is she meddling depends whose point of view you see it from, this causes a lot of problems Angie is starting to feel the pressure as is Rob trying to get everything balanced with the budget and his life with his family.
MS Linnell put Rob and Angie through some hoops in this story, their love for each other was always there, but stress, strain, family problems and insecurities that both Angie and Rob have from their past have formed to cause a meltdown, but a meltdown that love overcame, this is a beautifully written story that had me turning the pages, the emotions that fly from the pages had me feeling everyone one of them, I was so invested in this story and the renovations, Angie and Rob are made for each other, another gorgeous story that was heartwarming beautiful with the all the feels, I loved being in Port Fairview with them, thank you MS Linnell another story that is a keeper and a must read.
May 4, 2021
Again, I'm a little biased with this review seeing I'm the author of Bottlebrush Creek, but I'm jumping in to tell you a little about the story behind the story. The novel focusses on Angie McIntyre - the youngest sister you may remember from Wildflower Ridge. As a recovering owner builder myself, and house renovation survivor, I can say there's plenty of scope for conflict in tackling a project like this with the man you love. And in Angie's case, the situation is a little more precarious as her relationship with Rob Jones is still relatively new. I've thrown in lots of snippets from my building experience, with a hefty dose of country living, so you can expect plenty of baking, farm animals and gardening as well as the central fixer-upper plot and rural romance at the heart of the story.
Here's the blurb from the back cover - I hope you have as much fun reading it, as I did writing it!
Between managing a bustling beauty salon, hectic volunteer commitments and the lion's share of parenting two-year-old Claudia, Angie McIntyre barely has time to turn around. And with each passing month, she feels her relationship with fly-in, fly-out boyfriend Rob Jones slipping through her fingers. When Rob faces retrenchment, and the most fabulous fixer-upper comes onto the market, Angie knows it will be the perfect project to draw their little family together.
The weatherboard cottage is as charming as it is derelict, with established fruit trees, enough room for Angie's dream garden and wide, open spaces for young Claudia. Having handled an unexpected pregnancy with relative ease, Angie and Rob think they're up for the challenge of renovating. There's just one catch; the 200-acre property is right next door to Rob's parents in south-west Victoria.
It doesn't take long for rising tensions to set a wedge between the hard-working couple. Instead of drawing them closer together, Angie and Rob have to find out the hard way whether their grand design will be the very thing that tears them apart.
Here's the blurb from the back cover - I hope you have as much fun reading it, as I did writing it!
Between managing a bustling beauty salon, hectic volunteer commitments and the lion's share of parenting two-year-old Claudia, Angie McIntyre barely has time to turn around. And with each passing month, she feels her relationship with fly-in, fly-out boyfriend Rob Jones slipping through her fingers. When Rob faces retrenchment, and the most fabulous fixer-upper comes onto the market, Angie knows it will be the perfect project to draw their little family together.
The weatherboard cottage is as charming as it is derelict, with established fruit trees, enough room for Angie's dream garden and wide, open spaces for young Claudia. Having handled an unexpected pregnancy with relative ease, Angie and Rob think they're up for the challenge of renovating. There's just one catch; the 200-acre property is right next door to Rob's parents in south-west Victoria.
It doesn't take long for rising tensions to set a wedge between the hard-working couple. Instead of drawing them closer together, Angie and Rob have to find out the hard way whether their grand design will be the very thing that tears them apart.
September 20, 2021
Bottlebrush Creek is a lovely rural romance. Angie McIntyre had a hectic life looking after her family and her business. However, Angie feels that she is losing her boyfriend. When Rob was facing retrenchment, Angie saw a fabulous fixer-upper, and she believes this derelict cottage will save her relationship with Rob. However, the only problem is that the house is next door to Rob's parents in southwest Victoria. The readers of Bottlebrush Creek will continue to follow Angie and Rob to find out what happens.
Bottlebrush Creek is another fantastic book by Maya Linnell. I had no problem engaging with the plot of this book. I enjoyed how Maya Linnell describes the difficulties families have when their partner is a fly-in-fly-out worker. I love Maya Linnell's portrayal of her characters and how they interact with each other throughout this book. Bottlebrush Creek is well written and researched by Maya Linnell. I like Maya Linnell's description of Bottlebrush Creek settings that allow me to imagine being part of the book's plot.
The readers of Bottlebrush Creek will learn about running a small rural business. Also, the readers of Bottlebrush Creek will understand the importance of love and family.
I recommend this book.
Bottlebrush Creek is another fantastic book by Maya Linnell. I had no problem engaging with the plot of this book. I enjoyed how Maya Linnell describes the difficulties families have when their partner is a fly-in-fly-out worker. I love Maya Linnell's portrayal of her characters and how they interact with each other throughout this book. Bottlebrush Creek is well written and researched by Maya Linnell. I like Maya Linnell's description of Bottlebrush Creek settings that allow me to imagine being part of the book's plot.
The readers of Bottlebrush Creek will learn about running a small rural business. Also, the readers of Bottlebrush Creek will understand the importance of love and family.
I recommend this book.
June 23, 2020
An engaging contemporary novel set in rural Australia, Bottlebrush Creek is Maya Linnell’s second novel following her bestselling debut, Wildflower Ridge.
Featuring the youngest of the McIntyre sisters, Angie, she and her partner, Rob Jones, are thrilled when they find a bargain-priced, if run down, 200-acre property in Port Fairview, South West Victoria. Recognising its potential to provide a wonderful life for their small family, they plan to live in a caravan on site while they renovate the derelict cottage but the relentless hard work and financial stress of the renovation soon begins to take its toll on their partnership, exacerbated by Angie’s tense relationship with their new next door neighbour - Rob’s mother, a toxic friendship, and the return of Rob’s estranged twin brother.
I really like that Linnell chooses to feature an established couple with a somewhat unconventional back story in Bottlebrush Creek. I thought the author’s depiction of Angie and Rob’s relationship was nuanced and realistic, touching on familiar marital stressors such as parenting, finances, renovation, and communication failures. Bottlebrush Creek has a real sense of emotional authenticity that’s very appealing. While Angie and Rob’s relationship is quite fraught at times, there are also plenty of moments of humour, romance, and fun in the novel.
I generally found the characters convincing and often relatable. I liked Angie and could mostly empathise with her emotions and behaviour. Rob’s mother, Rosa, is delighted that her son, his partner, and her grandchild have moved in next door but Angie finds Rosa’s enthusiasm intrusive, and struggles as Rosa repeatedly pushes against her boundaries. It doesn’t help that Rob fails to recognise the problem, adding to the strain between he and Angie. Rob is a decent guy who loves Angie and his daughter but has his own issues and insecurities. The return of his twin brother from years overseas, and their shared past, leads to him making mistakes, which he is reluctant to share with Angie.
With its focus on relationships and family, Bottlebrush Creek is a wonderful story I found to be moving, entertaining and charming.
Featuring the youngest of the McIntyre sisters, Angie, she and her partner, Rob Jones, are thrilled when they find a bargain-priced, if run down, 200-acre property in Port Fairview, South West Victoria. Recognising its potential to provide a wonderful life for their small family, they plan to live in a caravan on site while they renovate the derelict cottage but the relentless hard work and financial stress of the renovation soon begins to take its toll on their partnership, exacerbated by Angie’s tense relationship with their new next door neighbour - Rob’s mother, a toxic friendship, and the return of Rob’s estranged twin brother.
I really like that Linnell chooses to feature an established couple with a somewhat unconventional back story in Bottlebrush Creek. I thought the author’s depiction of Angie and Rob’s relationship was nuanced and realistic, touching on familiar marital stressors such as parenting, finances, renovation, and communication failures. Bottlebrush Creek has a real sense of emotional authenticity that’s very appealing. While Angie and Rob’s relationship is quite fraught at times, there are also plenty of moments of humour, romance, and fun in the novel.
I generally found the characters convincing and often relatable. I liked Angie and could mostly empathise with her emotions and behaviour. Rob’s mother, Rosa, is delighted that her son, his partner, and her grandchild have moved in next door but Angie finds Rosa’s enthusiasm intrusive, and struggles as Rosa repeatedly pushes against her boundaries. It doesn’t help that Rob fails to recognise the problem, adding to the strain between he and Angie. Rob is a decent guy who loves Angie and his daughter but has his own issues and insecurities. The return of his twin brother from years overseas, and their shared past, leads to him making mistakes, which he is reluctant to share with Angie.
With its focus on relationships and family, Bottlebrush Creek is a wonderful story I found to be moving, entertaining and charming.
November 8, 2020
I was so excited to read this book and based on the blurb knew that I was going to love it and let me tell you, it did not disappoint!
I absolutely loved this book! I settled in yesterday and read it all in one go! I did not want to put it down. I was so invested in Angie and Rob and their rural life in the coastal town of Port Fairview.
Australian author Maya Linnell takes us on the journey of Angie, Rob and their two-year-old daughter Claudia as they abandon life in Eden Creek, Angie’s beauty salon and Rob’s fly-in, fly-out mining job for life on a 200 acre property adorned with a perfect fixer-upper cottage.
The perfect change of lifestyle and project for the couple to tackle together. However, it doesn’t come without it’s challenges. Rob’s parents John and Rosa live next door and while Rosa thinks she’s trying to help, she often ends up meddling where Angie doesn’t want her to. Rob’s relationship with John is somewhat strained and there is also Max, Rob’s estranged twin brother who’s arrival home causes tension, not to mention financial stress.
Is Angie and Rob’s relationship strong enough to withstand the battles of all of these challenges or will it tear them apart?
I loved the premise of this story, the rural setting and the use of familiar Australian expression that made the book engaging. The stress and tension that Angie and Rob endured and the way they responded were realistic to the situations they were confronted with.
If you are looking for a easy, relaxing story, then settle down with this wonderful contemporary rural romance!
I absolutely loved this book! I settled in yesterday and read it all in one go! I did not want to put it down. I was so invested in Angie and Rob and their rural life in the coastal town of Port Fairview.
Australian author Maya Linnell takes us on the journey of Angie, Rob and their two-year-old daughter Claudia as they abandon life in Eden Creek, Angie’s beauty salon and Rob’s fly-in, fly-out mining job for life on a 200 acre property adorned with a perfect fixer-upper cottage.
The perfect change of lifestyle and project for the couple to tackle together. However, it doesn’t come without it’s challenges. Rob’s parents John and Rosa live next door and while Rosa thinks she’s trying to help, she often ends up meddling where Angie doesn’t want her to. Rob’s relationship with John is somewhat strained and there is also Max, Rob’s estranged twin brother who’s arrival home causes tension, not to mention financial stress.
Is Angie and Rob’s relationship strong enough to withstand the battles of all of these challenges or will it tear them apart?
I loved the premise of this story, the rural setting and the use of familiar Australian expression that made the book engaging. The stress and tension that Angie and Rob endured and the way they responded were realistic to the situations they were confronted with.
If you are looking for a easy, relaxing story, then settle down with this wonderful contemporary rural romance!
June 28, 2020
I wish it was double the length! It was such a lovely slice of Australian country life, complete with a trailer load of polka dotted calves and prawns on a barbie...I absolutely wish I could go to the pub with Angie, Rob and Claudia. They were such great characters to hang out with. I loved seeing them living out the restoration dream, although it definitely does sound like hard yakka! That pallet of tiles, the tradesmen and all that plastering...I loved this book so much, I loved revisiting the McIntyre sisters and getting to know the Jones, with lamingtons, yo-yo biscuits and coconut cake thrown in. It was perfect!
September 11, 2020
This sweet rural romance gave me all the feels! I just loved reading about family life in this cozy setting. Made me want to renovate a cottage...despite the drama it causes Ange and Rob!
December 28, 2024
I've had a pile of Maya Linnell books on my shelf, crying out to be read, for a while now. So, I decided to read the four books back-to-back.
There is nothing like immersing yourself in an author's characters knowing you will be back with them all again as soon as you open the next book
First off is Bottlebrush Creek where I was introduced to the McIntyre sisters, Lara, Diana, Penny and Angie.
Bottlebrush Creek is Angie's story. She has moved away from her family with her husband Rob Jones and their young daughter Claudia. Rob and Angie have purchased a cottage that needs extensive renovations. It is not until they move that Angie finds out it borders Rob's parents' farm.
Bottlebrush Creek is a highly engaging family centric story about compromise, the stress of money worries and the involvement of well meaning grandparents.
Angie finds it hard to cope with Rosa's over zealous grandparenting and constant advice, always comparing her actions to what she thinks her deceased mother would do. All Rosa wants is her whole family together again and is overjoyed to spend time with her granddaughter.
Bottlebrush Creek is a heart-wrenching story of a family at breaking point that will have readers eager for a second chance for the whole Jones family.
Maya Linnell focuses her novels on country communities and the problems that can be faced in rural areas. However, her readers can always be assured of a happy ending.
Bottlebrush Creek is a delightfully sweet story about family, forgiveness and helping each other.
There is nothing like immersing yourself in an author's characters knowing you will be back with them all again as soon as you open the next book
First off is Bottlebrush Creek where I was introduced to the McIntyre sisters, Lara, Diana, Penny and Angie.
Bottlebrush Creek is Angie's story. She has moved away from her family with her husband Rob Jones and their young daughter Claudia. Rob and Angie have purchased a cottage that needs extensive renovations. It is not until they move that Angie finds out it borders Rob's parents' farm.
Bottlebrush Creek is a highly engaging family centric story about compromise, the stress of money worries and the involvement of well meaning grandparents.
Angie finds it hard to cope with Rosa's over zealous grandparenting and constant advice, always comparing her actions to what she thinks her deceased mother would do. All Rosa wants is her whole family together again and is overjoyed to spend time with her granddaughter.
Bottlebrush Creek is a heart-wrenching story of a family at breaking point that will have readers eager for a second chance for the whole Jones family.
Maya Linnell focuses her novels on country communities and the problems that can be faced in rural areas. However, her readers can always be assured of a happy ending.
Bottlebrush Creek is a delightfully sweet story about family, forgiveness and helping each other.
November 4, 2021
Maya has written so much of her rural living and renovation experience into this story giving it an authentic feel. Her understanding of relationships is clear too, and she handles each character's challenges with great skill. There are plenty of ups and downs (just as in real life) with this couple, Angie and Rob, and their families but also the positive theme of the importance of forgiveness comes shining through when steps are taken to heal broken promises and hearts. I found myself constantly saying this is real life and maybe it is not what readers expect. Because fiction often offers escapism from the real world and that is not a bad thing either but sometimes a story can also offer a roadmap to solving problems. This book is a display of honest feelings where characters have great depth and struggle with their own failures. They pull you in to their world and at times you are sitting in their kitchens as an observer and sometimes you want to interject. But Maya handles it all for you as the story unfolds. She has also included her knowledge of planting and cooking, too, and we get to see the joys and satisfaction from such activities. I had difficulty putting the novel down to do my own cooking and writing as it is a page turner. You come to love these people and want to see their lives restored and to see the end product of all their hard labour! Maya's story telling ability does not disappoint. Highly recommend. 5 Stars
August 10, 2020
I enjoyed this story, I liked the fact they were an established couple struggling with real-life issues and I liked the setting where it took place. I didn’t connect with the characters the way I would have liked though. I completely understood what they were going through and felt for them, but I didn’t like any of them particularly which I was disappointed about, but that perhaps was just my mood at the time of reading.
Thanks to Beauty and Lace and Allen & Unwin for a copy of this novel in return for an honest review.
Thanks to Beauty and Lace and Allen & Unwin for a copy of this novel in return for an honest review.
June 30, 2020
Maya Linnell perfectly captures the downward spiral of misconceptions and lack of communication in a relationship. If only they’d talk to each other!! We learn how to misunderstand the world around us as children, then carry that through into adulthood. The fortunate few figure out its their own lens that’s faulty and find the path to real happiness. I loved this next chapter in the lives of the McIntyre girls...a beautiful story that illustrates the loves and lives of rural Australia.
Read
May 31, 2020Everything you want in a rural romance: relatable characters, farm life, the sound of the ocean and a quaint cottage-the perfect fixer-upper. I enjoyed spending time with Angie and Rob as they navigated their way through the highs and lows of renovations and dealing with the in-laws. This is the second book about a McIntyre woman (Wildflower Ridge was the first) and I 'sense' that Lara's story might be next but I'm just guessing! I guess we wait until 2021 to find out.
June 17, 2020
The beautiful thing about Maya Linnell's book is that they really do transport you into rural life - its ups and downs, its loves and losses, its challenges and opportunities. Bottlebrush Creek has an extremely authentic feel and the author's lived experience of what she writes really shines through. A lovely reading experience for this city slicker.
August 15, 2020
I totally loved this book. I couldn’t put it down. I cannot praise this book enough. It is only Maya’s second book but feels like I’ve been reading her work for years. Cannot wait for more by this amazing Author.
January 10, 2021
Just adored this book!! Really lovely story and great characters. Thanks ML 😘
August 13, 2020
Just finished reading this one and I must say I loved it from start to finish and each character as well for all different reasons. Maya I thought that Wildflower Ridge was awesome but this one is just as good if not better thank you again for another fantastic read
July 15, 2020
This review first appeared at https://bookgirl.beautyandlace.net/bo...
House renovations right next door to the in laws – what could possibly go wrong?!
Angie and her husband Rob decide they need a change of pace from their busy FIFO and beauty salon jobs - a move to the country is just what they need. When they find what appears to be Angie’s dream cottage – there’s one thing which makes her hesitant – the property backs onto Rob’s parent’s dairy farm.
The cottage is completely unlivable, so the couple camp with their two-year-old in a caravan parked in the shed. Before long they are working long hours renovating the house, looking after their two-year-old and their friend’s children as well as the hoard of animals they have adopted.
Tensions rise and past grievances with Rob’s family causes strain between the couple. Will their relationship survive the madness of renovating in close proximity to Rob’s family?
If you enjoy rural living, romance and renovation you’ll love this one by Maya Linnell – a nice easy relaxing read. Thanks to Beauty and Lace and Allen & Unwin for the opportunity to read and review this book.
House renovations right next door to the in laws – what could possibly go wrong?!
Angie and her husband Rob decide they need a change of pace from their busy FIFO and beauty salon jobs - a move to the country is just what they need. When they find what appears to be Angie’s dream cottage – there’s one thing which makes her hesitant – the property backs onto Rob’s parent’s dairy farm.
The cottage is completely unlivable, so the couple camp with their two-year-old in a caravan parked in the shed. Before long they are working long hours renovating the house, looking after their two-year-old and their friend’s children as well as the hoard of animals they have adopted.
Tensions rise and past grievances with Rob’s family causes strain between the couple. Will their relationship survive the madness of renovating in close proximity to Rob’s family?
If you enjoy rural living, romance and renovation you’ll love this one by Maya Linnell – a nice easy relaxing read. Thanks to Beauty and Lace and Allen & Unwin for the opportunity to read and review this book.
August 19, 2020
I adore Maya Linnell's writing and the McIntyre girls. Waiting impatiently for the next book.
February 10, 2021
~ Another beautifully written Australian Rural story by @maya.linnell.writes I love it when you get to find out what happens to characters once a book finishes and Bottlebrush Creek does that. You can read it as a stand alone but it continues the story of the McIntyre sisters from Wildflower Ridge - this is Angie's story. So, I loved that we find out more about Penny and Tim (three years after Wildflower Ridge).
Angie is a strong and stubborn character. Rob is just trying to do his best (he is a bit of a sweetie). However, they need to unite to get back on track. Written in a way that makes you feel exactly what Angie and Rob are going through. SO many people can relate to how Angie and Rob initially deal with their problems. I love the use of their thoughts being in cursive. A story about home renovations; relationships with the in-laws; friendships; learning to accept yourself just the way you are; and of course rural living. There is so much in this story that I think readers can connect with: the Mother-in-law who keeps 'interfering'; the child that bites; the bossy 'friend'; or the rift between Rob and Max. Linnell knows how to write realistic characters. I look forward to the books still to come (Diana and Lara's stories) - Magpie's Bend will be out in June. Read it.
Enjoy x
Angie is a strong and stubborn character. Rob is just trying to do his best (he is a bit of a sweetie). However, they need to unite to get back on track. Written in a way that makes you feel exactly what Angie and Rob are going through. SO many people can relate to how Angie and Rob initially deal with their problems. I love the use of their thoughts being in cursive. A story about home renovations; relationships with the in-laws; friendships; learning to accept yourself just the way you are; and of course rural living. There is so much in this story that I think readers can connect with: the Mother-in-law who keeps 'interfering'; the child that bites; the bossy 'friend'; or the rift between Rob and Max. Linnell knows how to write realistic characters. I look forward to the books still to come (Diana and Lara's stories) - Magpie's Bend will be out in June. Read it.
Enjoy x
January 17, 2021
A captivating story with strong and colourful characters. Real life issues rang some loud bells with me so I enjoyed the way they were handled and how this wonderful book finished! I could happily follow more of their lives!
March 10, 2021
Another book of beautifully described Australian country living and community that takes me back to my own upbringing in rural Australia. I love Mayas writing for this reason and will be hanging out for her next book to take me away and get me reconsidering my current not-so-rural life!
July 26, 2020
Set in rural Victoria, the story is about the stresses of modern life and relationships, with the renovation of an old cottage the backdrop to multiple dramas for our main characters Angie and Rob. I could relate to a lot of the tension in Angie’s relationship with her future mother-in-law Rosa, as well as the struggles with communication and compromise that complicated her relation with her partner Rob.
It took me a while to really feel like I was enjoying the story, and it wasn’t until the third act that I started to feel like I was invested in an outcome. Seemingly disparate threads are drawn together and spun into a resolution, with a terrible event the catalyst that almost every character seemed to need to knock some sense into them.
Whilst I appreciated this story about family, marriage and the challenges of both, most of the time I wanted to give all of the main characters a good slap upside the head! Their silly choices, though made for the right reasons, were incredibly frustrating throughout most of the book. I even felt at points the only sensible person amongst the lot was the estranged brother, whom we are clearly not supposed to trust!
Overall I enjoyed the book but it lacked a little something for me, though perhaps my assumption from the cover that it was a rural romance rather than a family drama has coloured my opinion.
It took me a while to really feel like I was enjoying the story, and it wasn’t until the third act that I started to feel like I was invested in an outcome. Seemingly disparate threads are drawn together and spun into a resolution, with a terrible event the catalyst that almost every character seemed to need to knock some sense into them.
Whilst I appreciated this story about family, marriage and the challenges of both, most of the time I wanted to give all of the main characters a good slap upside the head! Their silly choices, though made for the right reasons, were incredibly frustrating throughout most of the book. I even felt at points the only sensible person amongst the lot was the estranged brother, whom we are clearly not supposed to trust!
Overall I enjoyed the book but it lacked a little something for me, though perhaps my assumption from the cover that it was a rural romance rather than a family drama has coloured my opinion.
January 1, 2021
A lovely feel good read with drama. I enjoyed the relationship with Angie's mother in law, relationship with Rob, bad news friend Bobbie and the renovation saga. An enjoyable read.
March 3, 2021
I really enjoyed it! It had the all hallmarks of a good rural romance including cows, calves, dogs, chooks and a snake, along with a some D.I.Y. home reno thrown in too! The pushy Mother in law was interesting, as well as all of the lovely country cooking, which I could almost taste!😋Yum! The usual small, country town antics where everyone knows everyone else and their business, was also fun and familiar. A great read!😊👍
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 22, 2020
A gentle, fun to read escape romance set in Victoria's south west. Pleasant characters in the setting of a small coastal farming community. Just what this sort of book should be.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews