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With Love, From Kurrajong Crossing #3
Hard Road Home
This time, he’ll need to play for keeps—or not at all.
Xander Mac, now an internationally acclaimed country singer, has finally come home to Kurrajong Crossing. It’s been four years since his casual, no-strings-attached relationship with Bonnie Callaghan imploded under the pressures of distance and secrets held back. Xander’s return for a charity concert during the town’s winter festival is his opportunity to reconnect with Bonnie. Only this time, he might have to put his heart on the line.
Bonnie left Kurrajong Crossing hoping distance would give her heart a chance to heal, but she owes Xander’s grandparents, so when they need her help she answers the call. The return of Xander brings back hurt, long-buried feelings, but Xander has always said he only wants fun from a relationship and that’s not something Bonnie can guarantee.
Their attraction is still hot and their connection is deep. But to make it work, they’ll both need to be all in or say goodbye forever.
Xander Mac, now an internationally acclaimed country singer, has finally come home to Kurrajong Crossing. It’s been four years since his casual, no-strings-attached relationship with Bonnie Callaghan imploded under the pressures of distance and secrets held back. Xander’s return for a charity concert during the town’s winter festival is his opportunity to reconnect with Bonnie. Only this time, he might have to put his heart on the line.
Bonnie left Kurrajong Crossing hoping distance would give her heart a chance to heal, but she owes Xander’s grandparents, so when they need her help she answers the call. The return of Xander brings back hurt, long-buried feelings, but Xander has always said he only wants fun from a relationship and that’s not something Bonnie can guarantee.
Their attraction is still hot and their connection is deep. But to make it work, they’ll both need to be all in or say goodbye forever.
278 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 21, 2022
30 people are currently reading
29 people want to read
About the author
Fiona M. Marsden
37 books148 followersFiona Marsden shares her five-acre rural block in Australia with kangaroos, wallabies and a koala. A keen reader from childhood, she hasn't let the proliferation of books available prevent her from writing her own stories.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
July 18, 2022
I love visiting Kurrajong Crossing, it is such a great small town with wonderful characters and I think this one just might be my favourite story from Fiona M Marsden her best yet. Come along and meet Xander and Bonnie I am sure you will be cheering them on as they navigate a tough journey to their HEA.
Xander Mac is home, he is now a big country singer and has travelled extensively but he feels it is time to return home and face a lot of things from his past, but one of the reasons is Bonnie his long- time friend and see if he can reignite their relationship. Things didn’t end well when he left four years ago with Bonnie and he wants to put it right.
Bonnie left Kurrajong Heights four years ago with a broken heart, but when Xander’s grandparents need help Bonnie is happy to return home and help them, when Xander returns Bonnie’s heart may just break all over again, will Xander finally see that a relationship is more than just fun that there are a lot of other issues that need to be taken in.
This is a beautifully written story and I loved it from page one I fell into the story and getting to know the characters and felt the emotions flowing from the pages, Xander really has a lot from the past that needs to be worked on and Bonnie wants love and happiness but from someone who is willing to take a chance on a future and not run. Xander has a heart of gold and Bonnie is strong and caring and both deserve love and happiness. I do highly recommend this one, it really ticks all the boxes for a fabulous romance and is one that I am sure any romance reader will love. I am looking forward to the next one in this series.
My thanks to the publisher and author for my digital copy to read and review.
Xander Mac is home, he is now a big country singer and has travelled extensively but he feels it is time to return home and face a lot of things from his past, but one of the reasons is Bonnie his long- time friend and see if he can reignite their relationship. Things didn’t end well when he left four years ago with Bonnie and he wants to put it right.
Bonnie left Kurrajong Heights four years ago with a broken heart, but when Xander’s grandparents need help Bonnie is happy to return home and help them, when Xander returns Bonnie’s heart may just break all over again, will Xander finally see that a relationship is more than just fun that there are a lot of other issues that need to be taken in.
This is a beautifully written story and I loved it from page one I fell into the story and getting to know the characters and felt the emotions flowing from the pages, Xander really has a lot from the past that needs to be worked on and Bonnie wants love and happiness but from someone who is willing to take a chance on a future and not run. Xander has a heart of gold and Bonnie is strong and caring and both deserve love and happiness. I do highly recommend this one, it really ticks all the boxes for a fabulous romance and is one that I am sure any romance reader will love. I am looking forward to the next one in this series.
My thanks to the publisher and author for my digital copy to read and review.
July 21, 2022
Hard Road Home (With Love, From Kurrajong Crossing #3) may be the first book I have read written by Fiona M. Marsden. Books one and two were written by a different author so was somewhat surprised to see a new author in the mix. No need to worry it fits right into the series.
Xander Mac now a country music star has return for a charity concert but also has the opportunity to reunite casually with a former girlfriend. There was hurt when the relationship ended four years ago so Bonnie is not as ready to start the relationship back up. Don’t blame her one bit. I liked Bonnie’s questioning and wariness. The world may be Xander’s oyster but should Bonnie’s heart be part of the throw away again?
A great story of learning what is important and how life can be empty without true love. This country music singer has some lessons to learn and some manning up to do. It’s a hard road but he should do it for his heart just as much as for Bonnie’s.
An ARC of the book was given to me by Tule Publishing which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Xander Mac now a country music star has return for a charity concert but also has the opportunity to reunite casually with a former girlfriend. There was hurt when the relationship ended four years ago so Bonnie is not as ready to start the relationship back up. Don’t blame her one bit. I liked Bonnie’s questioning and wariness. The world may be Xander’s oyster but should Bonnie’s heart be part of the throw away again?
A great story of learning what is important and how life can be empty without true love. This country music singer has some lessons to learn and some manning up to do. It’s a hard road but he should do it for his heart just as much as for Bonnie’s.
An ARC of the book was given to me by Tule Publishing which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
July 21, 2022
Hard Road Home, is the first book by Fiona Marsden that I’ve read and now I know what I’ve been missing out on. Here is an author who really knows her stuff! The book is beautifully crafted with superb imagery throughout. Bonnie and Xander are both complex characters, each with issues that impact on the possibility of them finding a happy ever after. I loved the story’s setting in rural Kurrajong Crossing. I loved the people in the book, but most of all I loved this story, which flows effortlessly from start to finish.
July 22, 2022
Once again we are in Kurrajong Crossing and once again it is conflict between the past and the future that is the basis for this story. Xander Mac may have left Kurrajong Crossing and become a big singing star but he has unsolved issues there and he knows that it is time to return He broke Bonnie Callaghan when he walked away she has built a life for herself now and has also actually returned to Kurrajong Crossing to help Xander's grandparents Can he realise that relationship are far more important than fame and can he finally build the future he wants You will have to read to see
July 17, 2022
This is a second chance romance. What a great second chance it was. This book was filled with drama, misunderstandings and so much more. The author did an amazing job of telling this story. This book will keep you turning the pages and their story will not disappoint. I voluntarily reviewed this book in exchange for an honest review.
July 11, 2022
Love is not always easy with hearts and flowers abounding. It can be a hard traveled road with pitfalls and ruts. So it is for Bonnie and Xander, friends since forever, off and on lovers. Miscommunications, insecurities, and a big fight separated them until he returned from his last band tour determined to rekindle the love they had.
It is a lovely novel of love that could be again, love that could be finally forever.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
It is a lovely novel of love that could be again, love that could be finally forever.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
July 21, 2022
Excellent book I am looking forward to the next one in the series.
June 30, 2022
Their love was well worth the wait.
This is an amazing second chance romance featuring Bonnie and Xander, who grew up together and once had a friends with benefits relationship. While Xander was off making it big as a country music star, Bonnie waited for him. It had been four years since they last saw each other. In that time, Bonnie had given up in Xander. Now Xander was back in Kurrajong Crossing and planned to stay and wanted to pick up where they left off. Bonnie decided she would be friendly, but that’s as far as it would go. How far will Xander go to win Bonnie’s heart back?
I enjoyed seeing how Bonnie and Xander found their way back to each other and found a forever love. This is a great addition to the With Love, From Kurrajong Crossing series.
This is an amazing second chance romance featuring Bonnie and Xander, who grew up together and once had a friends with benefits relationship. While Xander was off making it big as a country music star, Bonnie waited for him. It had been four years since they last saw each other. In that time, Bonnie had given up in Xander. Now Xander was back in Kurrajong Crossing and planned to stay and wanted to pick up where they left off. Bonnie decided she would be friendly, but that’s as far as it would go. How far will Xander go to win Bonnie’s heart back?
I enjoyed seeing how Bonnie and Xander found their way back to each other and found a forever love. This is a great addition to the With Love, From Kurrajong Crossing series.
June 20, 2022
This is a second chance Romance it’s #3 in the With Love From Kurrajong Crossing series.
Xander and Bonnie’s love story is a little bit complicated and despite his hard childhood he has made his career very successful but his past seems to be one of the stumbling blocks in finding complete happiness with Bonnie, the other is her medical issues.
Wanting to see them find their HEA keep me turning the pages.
I choose to read and review an advance reader’s copy of this book.
Xander and Bonnie’s love story is a little bit complicated and despite his hard childhood he has made his career very successful but his past seems to be one of the stumbling blocks in finding complete happiness with Bonnie, the other is her medical issues.
Wanting to see them find their HEA keep me turning the pages.
I choose to read and review an advance reader’s copy of this book.
March 29, 2024
I received an arc of Hard Road Home by Fiona M. Marsden in exchange for my honest review. This is the third book in the With Love, From Kurrajong Crossing series. This book was wonderful. I was so glad to return to this lovely little town in Australia and to see some of the people we had met in the earlier books. This book features Bonnie Callaghan who has returned to Kurrajong Crossing to help out at the inn she had worked at for a long time. The owners were her friend Xander’s grandparents and friends of her grandmother before she passed away. They contacted Bonnie as they needed help running the place.
Bonnie has always loved Xander and had engaged in a friends with benefits relationship before he ghosted her. Xander Mac is a huge country star with a band that traveled internationally. The band is returning to the Crossing for a big concert so Bonnie knows she will see Xander again. She isn’t sure what their relationship will look like, how long she will stay, or if she will return to Canada and what Xander’s plans are. When they see each other at the inn, all their feelings come rushing back but neither of them wants to allow the other to know how they feel or what they plan to do. We learn that Xander intends to try and win her back and she is very uncertain as to what his feelings toward her really are. She would love to be in a forever relationship with him.
The two have had much sadness in their past, both not having parents growing up and feelIng unloved and unwelcome. Xander also had some issues related to an unpleasant early life before ending up with his grandparents. Bonnie and Xander are both likable and genuine but their issues make it difficult for them to trust and maintain relationships. There are some steamy moments as well as lots of angst and suspense as to what will happen to this couple. I highly recommend this book and the series. I have given it 5 stars.
Bonnie has always loved Xander and had engaged in a friends with benefits relationship before he ghosted her. Xander Mac is a huge country star with a band that traveled internationally. The band is returning to the Crossing for a big concert so Bonnie knows she will see Xander again. She isn’t sure what their relationship will look like, how long she will stay, or if she will return to Canada and what Xander’s plans are. When they see each other at the inn, all their feelings come rushing back but neither of them wants to allow the other to know how they feel or what they plan to do. We learn that Xander intends to try and win her back and she is very uncertain as to what his feelings toward her really are. She would love to be in a forever relationship with him.
The two have had much sadness in their past, both not having parents growing up and feelIng unloved and unwelcome. Xander also had some issues related to an unpleasant early life before ending up with his grandparents. Bonnie and Xander are both likable and genuine but their issues make it difficult for them to trust and maintain relationships. There are some steamy moments as well as lots of angst and suspense as to what will happen to this couple. I highly recommend this book and the series. I have given it 5 stars.
July 26, 2022
Hard Road Home by Fiona Marsden, book three in the With Love, From Kurrajong Crossing series is a beautiful and heart-warming, second chance romance featuring Bonnie and Xander, who grew up together and once had a friends with benefits relationship. Xander and Bonnie’s love story is a bit complex; they have been friends since forever, as well as off and on lovers. Miscommunications, insecurities, and a big fight separated them until Xander returns from his last band tour determined to rekindle the love they had. While Xander was off making it big as a country music star, Bonnie waited for him. It had been four years since they last saw each other. In that time, Bonnie had given up on Xander as well as traveled to Canada to work. Now Xander was back in Kurrajong Crossing, planning to stay and wanting to pick up where they left off. Bonnie decided she would be friendly, but that is as far as it would go; or so she believes. Chemistry and attraction are not the stumbling block between these two. Xander will need to overcome his childhood demons before he will be ready to accept Bonnie, despite her medical issues, and find a forever love.
Ms Marsden wrote a wonderful sweet story that is definitely not to be missed. She provided a tale rich with friendship, attraction, chemistry, supportive community, and charming characters giving Bonnie and Xander a chance to heal old wounds and find their forever love. I highly recommend Hard Road Home to other readers and look forward to the next book in this series.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
Ms Marsden wrote a wonderful sweet story that is definitely not to be missed. She provided a tale rich with friendship, attraction, chemistry, supportive community, and charming characters giving Bonnie and Xander a chance to heal old wounds and find their forever love. I highly recommend Hard Road Home to other readers and look forward to the next book in this series.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
September 2, 2022
4.5 stars. I really liked this book. The characters were nicely developed and both had some growth. Communication was in some ways a big part of the conflict, that and a lack of trust. Overall, an enjoyable story. *I received an ARC of this book and this is my voluntary and honest review.
January 14, 2023
Lovely to read a romance about a musician that isn't one of my own books. Not only that, but I especially liked that the heroine had diabetes, but the author didn't portray her has helpless, needy or totally dependent on other people to look after her.
February 15, 2024
Sometimes, it's a long way home.
Beautifully written.
It was hard to put done when I should have been sleeping.
Sometimes fame is what it's cut out to be, but family is what you need ❤️
Beautifully written.
It was hard to put done when I should have been sleeping.
Sometimes fame is what it's cut out to be, but family is what you need ❤️
July 5, 2023
Good second chance romance💏
4.5🌟 stars
This story has some depth to the characters and the issues they were working through when their paths crossed again in their hometown were realistic. The female lead is diabetic and the story was also informative about the way she dealt with her condition and meds. A bit of a medium-paced burn which I thought fit their story well, and some heartbreaking revelations about the country musician's early years in a commune that go a long way to explaining his attitude to love and commitment.
Good plot and characters: recommended.
4.5🌟 stars
This story has some depth to the characters and the issues they were working through when their paths crossed again in their hometown were realistic. The female lead is diabetic and the story was also informative about the way she dealt with her condition and meds. A bit of a medium-paced burn which I thought fit their story well, and some heartbreaking revelations about the country musician's early years in a commune that go a long way to explaining his attitude to love and commitment.
Good plot and characters: recommended.
January 7, 2023
The next charming and thoughtful book in this likable series.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews