Back to the Country

by Mandy Magro

Set in the heart of the Australian countryside comes a compelling romance with a touch of mystery from bestselling author Mandy Magro.

Country singer Indigo Nash has it all, except love ...

At the height of her musical career, Indigo should be nothing but happy. But Indi is disillusioned with show business, finding herself depressed and lonely. When she reaches breaking point, a simple life back in the country begins to beckon her. But the demons left lingering in the shadows from a childhood trauma follow her, and nightmares of that fateful night plague her ... Can she unearth the truth of her family's deep dark secrets?

For two years Harley Knight has travelled the world with Indi as her bodyguard. She's a stubborn woman who drives him nuts, but also, in her vulnerable moments, shows him a side of herself he secretly loves and always has since they were teenagers. When she hits rock bottom, he convinces her to return with him back to their hometown of Kuranda and stay at his property, where Harley hopes the peaceful landscape will give her the time and space she needs to heal.

With these precious few weeks, can he show her what she's missing by constantly running away, or is time to let her go?

PRAISE FOR MANDY

'Savannah's Secret is a story set in a small Australian country town, the local characters are likeable and extremely funny, and it has elements of romance, suspense and danger' - Karen Reads Books

'Seasoned Australian rural romance novelist Mandy Magro gifts her readers with another genuine read told from the heart...' - Mrs B's Book Reviews

Genres: Romance, Australia, Audiobook

282 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 4, 2022

About the author

Mandy Magro lives in Cairns, Far North Queensland, with her daughter, Chloe Rose. With pristine aqua-blue coastline in one direction, and sweeping rural landscapes in the other, she describes her home as heaven on earth. A passionate woman, and a romantic at heart, she loves writing about soul-deep love, the Australian rural way of life, and all the wonderful characters that live there.

Reviews

[Craig and Phil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Harlequin and Mandy for sending us a copy to read and review.
Queen of rural romance Mandy Magro releases a tender, heartwarming story of affairs of the heart just in time for Mother’s Day.
International country superstar Indigo Nash is the flavour of the month.
When an incident makes her revaluate what’s important she decides it’s time to go home.
Harley Knight is bodyguard and childhood friend to the star but sees the harsh side of stardom affect Indigo more than she is letting on.
What the world doesn’t see is a headstrong woman with a vulnerable side and he’s harboured feelings for her since they were teenagers.
Back home, he convinces her to stay at his property to relax and recharge.
But the past still haunts Indigo and the present is shaky for Harley.
Can they heal and find something in each other that is threatening to bubble over?
Romance in the bush is Mandy’s specialty and this read is another trusted story in the writer’s popular genre.
Continually told from the heart and a plot full of hope, emotion and life, Back To The Country is your traditional country friends to lovers story.
Taking inspiration from the landscape around her, Mandy gives fans and her loyal readers all the elements needed for a beautifully told rustic tale.
Pure serenity, sounds of nature, colourful characters, descriptions of the outback and the genuine love of the land, it’s all here for your reading experience.
A good old fashioned passionate love story.

[Beccabeccabooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Country music superstar Indigo Nash seems to have it all- from Far North Queensland local to best selling American artist, she has the fame, fortune and adoring fans. But, Indi is also burnt out, unhappy, lonely and in a desperate need for a break.

So, upon the news of her father's death, Indi and her close friend/bodyguard Harley Knight embarks on the long flight home. Despite feeling at peace for the first time in ages, Indi is still struggling emotionally. Her troubled past has caught up with her, and she's trying desperately not to share that's she's head over heels in love with Harley. How could she, knowing that she has to return back to her life stateside, and that Harley is needed by his sister Amy here in picturesque Kuranda?

Little does Indi know, but Harley is equally smitten and in love with Indi, but he's also too afraid to speak up! I do love a slow burn romance, and this one is a beauty! There's so much jealousy and will they/won't they moments that you will be eagerly turning the pages to see how all of it turns out!

𝔹𝕒𝕔𝕜 𝕥𝕠 𝕥𝕙𝕖 ℂ𝕠𝕦𝕟𝕥𝕣𝕪 is such a wonderful, beautiful read and I loved it so much!

🌟🌟🌟🌟✨/5

[Clare Bear · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting reading in parts i did feel like it was a story i had read before even though i havent. I enjoyed it and it was an easy read

[Candice · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well I returned to read another of Mandy’s books after I found myself A YEAR AND A HALF LATER thinking of how warm ‘home sweet home’ made me feel, despite my rating it only 3 stars. It’s saying something about a book of you are thinking about it that far on (especially if you have a shocking memory like mine).

What I love:
Anyway, I find I love these books when I have a lot going on in my life - they are simple and warm and not too deep with no real stress.

What I don’t like:
There is alot of repetition with how much the characters like the other person but can’t tell them which gets tiresome unless you are a good skim reader. It felt like other major storyline details were substituted for soooooo much ‘she/he is cute but I must not tell them for no good reason.’

What I would like:
More backstory details and the completion of the backstories. The backstories were there. And they were great, they just never quite materialised. Or the ones that did, just poof disappeared!!

For example: Why was the neighbours son Max so bad? What did his widowed father think? Was he holding the widowed elderly father captive when he wouldn’t let Indy see him? Who was Amy - other then tall blonde and eternally ‘there’ for Indy. Did Harley tel Jake about the baby? Did Indy get the courage to face up to her manager? What happened to Linda? Did he break the mistreated horse in?

So that’s where the three stars really came in.

[Sharon Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hello Everyone , I just finished reading Mandy Magro's latest book Back to the Country , what a wonderful journey Mandy takes us on with Indigo , Harley and Amy ........they live in a small country town , Indigo is a famous Country singer and takes Harley with her to be her bodyguard to chase her dreams ................sounds great doesnt it well theres a lot more to this fabulous journey ....but you will have to read for yourself ......Loved it didnt want to put it down ....😀

[Alison Humble · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mandy Magro delivers another fantastic read as I knew she would!
This is the story of Indigo Nash, famous country singer who is touring America with her long time friend and now body guard Harley Knight (holy heck he sounds desirable!)
Indigo has a coloured past that, through certain events she is required to face and overcome - in saying that......this is certainly a love story with so much built up passion and heart warming moments.
I easily give this book 5/5 stars

[Don · Rating 4 out of 5]

Back To The Country
by
Mandy Magro

Back To The Country was the eighth of Mandy Magro’s I have read or listened to over the past year or so.   Set in far North Queensland's Kuranda, Back To The Country is an enjoyable romance between Indigo Nash and Harley Knight her bodyguard of two years and lifelong friend.   Nash,  is an established Country singer, based in America.

With all her good fortune and talent, however, she finds herself disillusioned with her industry which leads to being lonely and depressed.  Indy begins to think of her home in Queensland and when news of her father’s death reaches her, Harley convinces her to return to Kuranda for the funeral and some rest and recovery time.

Harley has travelled with his childhood friend for several years and as stubborn as she can be, she also is the one he secretly loves.  He only has a few weeks to convince her to stay in Australia.  The question is, will that be enough time to show her what she's missing by constantly running away?  Is time to let her go?  Or will there be a happy ever after?

Back To The Country is an enjoyable read/audiobook and one which I felt was worthy of a four-star rating.

At the time of writing my review other Goodreads readers had awarded Back To The Country
an average of 4.08 stars from 255 ratings and 18 reviews.

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another page turner from a renowned author.
Indigo and Harley’s childhood friendship knows no boundaries when it comes to matters of the heart. Working as country singer superstar Indigo’s bodyguard Harley is always on hand to pick her up. Called home to park ghosts of the past, the two are forced to unpack reality.
Can’t wait for the next novel, perhaps Amy, Harley’s sister needs a beautiful love story set in Kuranda...

[Vicki Robe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again another fabulous country romance from Mandy Magro. This one is about Indigo Nash who is a Country Western singer at the top of her game, touring America with her best friend from home, Harley Knight, who doubles as her security. Indi is feeling depressed and lonely and decides to fly back home and stay with Harley and his sister, Amy, for a couple of weeks for some rest.

This story line involves the two very strong main characters, who go through every emotion you could possibly imagine on their roller coaster ride of a relationship.

Well worth the read if you enjoy Australian Country Romance.

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

always love a happy ending...

[Anne Blyth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first Mandy Magro book and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

[Stacey Houllis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved Loved this book read it twice over that last few months. Mandy doesn't disapoint her readers.
indgo Nash is Aussie Ciountry singer touring in Nasville America with her childhood friend as her Bodyguard Harley Knight. Indgo is living with some nightmares from her past when she returns back home to rest up before going back on the road. She secretly in love with Harley. Harley would do anything to pretect Indgo. So when he has to return home he convices her to go with him.

Mandy wrote the relationship of these two characters beautifuly I can't wait for what is next in her next rural romance. I highly recomend this and of Mandy Magro books.

[Donna · Rating 2 out of 5]

ok but hard to get into and finish story had little impact ending disapointing

[Maureen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn't enjoy it as much as her other books.

[Ruth Bonetti]

Truth to tell, I saw this book to the end, albeit skim reading three-paragraph pages of tell his/her convoluted feelings as an escape. Not just your usual escapist novel, but simultaneously reading The Violinist of Auschwitz. Which I know has to get a whole lot worse before any slim chance of a half-way ok survival ending.
I chose this from the library as I come from FNQ (Far North Queensland for the US readers), reared on country and western/ hillbilly music, but became a classical musician. What’s not to like? A garbled mix of Aussie and American slang, though the former heartened me that American readers might tolerate Australian tendencies to shorten words (delish, though soz for sorry is new to me, perhaps that’s American?)
The characters are obviously obsessed with each other, even the devious Linda is a flimsy red herring.
How can they take three hundred pages to get to the wedding? And please, get to the point to reveal the cause of a brother lost for twenty years.
Much food is prepared, consumed and described in detail. I nearly threw the book at “a moan escaped her as she shoved the last of the shepherds pie in her mouth, savouring the rich minced lamb topped off with fluffy, cheesy mashed potato.”

A author myself, I hesitate to pan this book with such negativity and will probably soften this review after sleeping on it. But I should have faced reality of a (fictionalised) grim historical era that could well replicate as the rise of neo-nazism forebodes.
Sorry, Mandy Margo, writing escapism is a worthy cause. Perhaps you do it too well, as revealed in the Acknowledgment “Penning twenty-one books on thirteen years…sometimes exhausting and exasperating.” Your supporting team could have improved this book with judicious editing.

[Kate thebooklover · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mandy Magro has become one of those authors who’s books I am always keen to read and producing an amazing two books I never have to wait long to enjoy another exceptional rural romance novel.

Back to the Country gave me “Chesapeake Shores” vibes of sorts, country singer Indigo Nash returns from years overseas to her home town of Kuranda with Harley Knight who has travelled with her as her bodyguard. But Harley doesn’t want to travel anymore, he wants to fulfil his own dreams along with help his sister out with her business.

I got immersed in the setting and it was pretty cool that at the same time I was reading this amazing story my bestie in real life was travelling around tropical Far North Queensland and was in Kuranda the day I picked up the book to read.

Back to the Country had it all, friends to lovers, a touch of mystery, a wonderful setting and as always a wonderfully written story.

[Trish Drinkwater · Rating 3 out of 5]

If I read "Howdy" one more time I was going to scream. I've loved Mandy Magro books before but this grated with the American slang in Australia. I felt as though it was written for the American market about an Australian singer who makes good in the States. Readable but definitely not memorable for the right reasons unfortunately.

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Harper Collins Australia for sending me a copy of this book to review.

All the stars for me. Mandy has won a new fan here. ! I cant wait to read all of your backlist. Loved this book . It has everything you could hope for and more. The realistic , down to earth characters, the landscape is described perfectly makes you fell like you are there, the romance/flirting with some spice thrown in, country and western music and of course animals. I loved the dialogue so many times I laughed out loud. It also has my favourite trope- a cold case and missing person. Highly recommend.

[Nicky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pleasant love story. Easy listening as an audio book. Predictable but simply written story.

[Tracey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This country romance story dragged and dragged ... Friends v Lovers etc ... to its predictably happy ending.
Not as entertaining as her other books, But still a light, enjoyable read.

[Ann Mallia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was definitely another great Mandy Magro book and I was sad to leave the main characters Harley and Indigo behind.

[Ruth Bonetti · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book drew my eye at the library; as I grew up in northern Queensland, (albeit inland rather than on the verdant coast) raised on hillbilly music, though I went on to become a Classical musician. What's not to like?
I finished this in spite of frustration that it needed more stringent editing of "show, don't tell."
As an author myself I felt bad for writing negatives ('please hit return more often; pages consisting of three, even two paragraphs invite skim reading'). Please, editors, even popular authors who admit in their Acknowledgment to “penning twenty-one books thus far, over thirteen years has been …sometimes exhausting and exasperating” need ruthless tightening.

Just as well, my initial review was lost in the tech ether.
I confess; It was an escapist read interspersed with facing The Violinist of Auschwitz. The Auschwitz story can only become more and more grim before there’s any hope of a half-way ok ending. But given the rise of anti semitism around the world it’s a book I must face and finish. And pray that history does not repeat.

[Charlene Roslyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another beautiful heartwarming story from Mandy. ❤️

[Maddy Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

do we have to always end in a wedding, with the inlaws suddely loving you better than your own parents. a fun country romp.