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Coorah Creek #3
Christmas at Coorah Creek
It might take some Christmas magic to make this outback town feel like home...
Eager to make a real difference, English nurse Katie Brooks has travelled halfway around the world to work on an air ambulance in outback Queensland. She was prepared to be a fish out of water, but she hadn't anticipated how challenging the isolation would be. And she'd certainly never expected to be rescued on day one by Scott Coorah Creek's prodigal son, who might just be the best thing about the town.
Meeting Katie is the one bright spot in Scott's reluctant return to his childhood home. He has nothing but bad memories of growing up. He once vowed never to return, but now he needs to put old ghosts to rest, before beginning a new life as far away as he can get.
Katie is determined to stay. Scott is just as determined to leave. Can a small-town Christmas change their minds?
Eager to make a real difference, English nurse Katie Brooks has travelled halfway around the world to work on an air ambulance in outback Queensland. She was prepared to be a fish out of water, but she hadn't anticipated how challenging the isolation would be. And she'd certainly never expected to be rescued on day one by Scott Coorah Creek's prodigal son, who might just be the best thing about the town.
Meeting Katie is the one bright spot in Scott's reluctant return to his childhood home. He has nothing but bad memories of growing up. He once vowed never to return, but now he needs to put old ghosts to rest, before beginning a new life as far away as he can get.
Katie is determined to stay. Scott is just as determined to leave. Can a small-town Christmas change their minds?
154 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 6, 2015
23 people are currently reading
85 people want to read
About the author
Janet Gover
24 books112 followersJanet Gover was born in Melbourne, Australia. When she was very small, her family moved to a small country town in Queensland. She studied Journalism and Politics at Queensland University. She went on to forge a path in television journalism, she worked as a reporter and producer of news and other factual TV programmes in Australia, Hong Kong and the UK. Today matched with a Englishman, she lives in West London and works as a consultant, implementing high end digital systems in TV stations and production facilities in Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
Janet Gover published her first short story, called The Last Dragon, in 2002, and since then she published some short stories. In 2007 she won the Romantic Novelists' Association's Elizabeth Goudge Trophy, and now she is part of the RNA's Committee.. She published her first romance novel in 2009.
Janet Gover published her first short story, called The Last Dragon, in 2002, and since then she published some short stories. In 2007 she won the Romantic Novelists' Association's Elizabeth Goudge Trophy, and now she is part of the RNA's Committee.. She published her first romance novel in 2009.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 22 reviews
October 1, 2022
English nurse Katie Brooks was frustrated when her "new" holden commodore blew up on the isolated outback track as she made her way to Coorah Creek. The straight road hadn't seen any traffic in hours and Katie wasn't sure if she'd be rescued any time soon. But when Scott Collins pulled up beside her, she was very grateful to see him.
Katie couldn't believe how isolated the town was, and how quiet. She was so used to the London noise of traffic, people, planes - she didn't think she'd ever get used to the blackness of night, the brightness of the stars and the aloneness. But the people of Coorah Creek were friendly and with Christmas almost on them, she wouldn't miss her family back home too much, would she? And as her feelings for Scott grew, she was conflicted - he was leaving after Christmas and she was staying...
Christmas at Coorah Creek is the 3rd in the Coorah Creek series by Aussie author Janet Gover and I enjoyed it very much. I loved the 1st but haven't read the 2nd (didn't realise this was #3) so I'll rectify that soon. Coorah Creek is a typical small country town - fictional - set in rural Queensland where everyone knows everyone's business and helping each other out is just the way it's done. Katie and Scott are great characters - I'm hoping there'll be more of their story in an upcoming book. Highly recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
Katie couldn't believe how isolated the town was, and how quiet. She was so used to the London noise of traffic, people, planes - she didn't think she'd ever get used to the blackness of night, the brightness of the stars and the aloneness. But the people of Coorah Creek were friendly and with Christmas almost on them, she wouldn't miss her family back home too much, would she? And as her feelings for Scott grew, she was conflicted - he was leaving after Christmas and she was staying...
Christmas at Coorah Creek is the 3rd in the Coorah Creek series by Aussie author Janet Gover and I enjoyed it very much. I loved the 1st but haven't read the 2nd (didn't realise this was #3) so I'll rectify that soon. Coorah Creek is a typical small country town - fictional - set in rural Queensland where everyone knows everyone's business and helping each other out is just the way it's done. Katie and Scott are great characters - I'm hoping there'll be more of their story in an upcoming book. Highly recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
October 9, 2022
Christmas at Coorah Creek might be short—perfect for an afternoon read—but author Janet Gover has crafted a heartwarming story filled with beautifully crafted characters. The plot is simple, yet well developed. English nurse Katie Brooks is very much a fish out of water in outback Coorah Creek, yet it is here that she discovers inner strength she didn’t know she had. For Scott Collins, back home after storming out of his father’s life eight years early, it’s all about fixing past wrongs. Finding love is the icing on the cake for these two. This is a gentle Christmas story filled with hope and I loved it.
November 21, 2015
Wonderfully romantic and a perfect read for the approaching festive season, ‘Christmas at Coorah Creek’ takes us back to our favourite Australian outback, where we see some old friends, and make some new ones.
Janet Gover has a talent of taking you away from your life with her stories. For the hours that I read them, I’m not at home in between another day at work and another part of a dissertation, I am in the blazing heat and part of the small community of Coorah Creek, where life is at the same time so familiar and yet so foreign. I adored getting to see Coorah Creek from Katie’s perspective, a real outsider who has to contend with not only a different climate (jumping from British December to the height of summer would be a shock!) but a very different lifestyle. I loved seeing her struggles which were so true to what somebody so far away from home would be experiencing. The homesickness mixed with her uncertainty about the path she wanted to take in life made for a both emotional and exciting read.
The hero of our story, Scott, was a kind-hearted man who had a kick of bad-boy. With him we get to see another family story within Coorah Creek, and are given another piece of the puzzle that makes up this wonderful town. His and Katie’s relationship was a fast-paced one, but not once did I feel like it was rushed. Instead I felt sure in the way that their romance flourished and looked forward to their scenes together.
A festive novella that ticks all the boxes, ‘Christmas at Coorah Creek’ has romance, family drama, and the desire to find a home and purpose.
5 Stars!
*Review copy was kindly provided by the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*
Janet Gover has a talent of taking you away from your life with her stories. For the hours that I read them, I’m not at home in between another day at work and another part of a dissertation, I am in the blazing heat and part of the small community of Coorah Creek, where life is at the same time so familiar and yet so foreign. I adored getting to see Coorah Creek from Katie’s perspective, a real outsider who has to contend with not only a different climate (jumping from British December to the height of summer would be a shock!) but a very different lifestyle. I loved seeing her struggles which were so true to what somebody so far away from home would be experiencing. The homesickness mixed with her uncertainty about the path she wanted to take in life made for a both emotional and exciting read.
The hero of our story, Scott, was a kind-hearted man who had a kick of bad-boy. With him we get to see another family story within Coorah Creek, and are given another piece of the puzzle that makes up this wonderful town. His and Katie’s relationship was a fast-paced one, but not once did I feel like it was rushed. Instead I felt sure in the way that their romance flourished and looked forward to their scenes together.
A festive novella that ticks all the boxes, ‘Christmas at Coorah Creek’ has romance, family drama, and the desire to find a home and purpose.
5 Stars!
*Review copy was kindly provided by the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*
September 10, 2016
This novella has a sweet undertone of romance as it explores the emotions of a broken family and what led them to that point.
Read full review in the 2016 September issue of InD'tale Magazine.
Read full review in the 2016 September issue of InD'tale Magazine.
December 24, 2022
This is a contemporary rural Christmas romance novella by Australian author Janet Gover. Disillusioned with the NHS, English nurse Katie Brooks arrives in rural Queensland seeking adventure and a job which will reignite her passion for helping people. A broken down car soon brings her into contact with handsome local Scott Collins, returning to Coorah Creek to try and mend bridges with his estranged father Ed. This is a short but sweet holiday story.
May 21, 2023
Christmas at Coorah Creek by Janet Gover - Didn't realise it was a book 3 in a series. Can absolutely be read as a stand alone novella. Easy to read, finished in an afternoon. Small town outback romance, chance meeting between Katie and Scott on a lonely highway to Coorah Creek. Tiny little town where the two keep running into each other as you do in a very small town. They help each other through a tough phase each is going through in their own lives and fall in love.
October 26, 2023
This short story is the 3rd book in the Coorah Creek series by Janet Gover. The main characters Katie and Scott meet when he comes across her car broken down on the side of the road. It's a steep learning curve for Katie coming from England to outback Queensland. Scott has returned to Coorah Creek to heal a rift with his father.
The story moves along quickly, and it's nice to get more information on the characters and people in the town. That's the thing I enjoy most when reading a series.
The story moves along quickly, and it's nice to get more information on the characters and people in the town. That's the thing I enjoy most when reading a series.
December 25, 2017
Lighthearted Aussie novella for Christmas, enjoyable read if a little predictable
September 25, 2016
A short novella but a good one, it follows on from Flight to Coorah Creek with some new characters, but the characters in the previous book pop up in this one. I would have loved it to be longer as Scott and Katie drove off into the sunset, there was still a story left to tell I felt. Great writing
December 31, 2015
First reviewed at Keeper Bookshelf
Two people, each with vastly different reasons for heading to Coorah Creek this Christmas season. What they find there will surprise them both – in a most wonderful way.
Katie has had it with the hospital scene in London. She is taking a chance, redefining her nursing calling and heading to another country in order to find the type of passion she needs for her career. But she really didn’t expect the quiet, heat, distance or the people of Coorah Creek. She certainly never expected to react to the air ambulance the way she did. But she also didn’t think she would find the man who would be perfect for her in this isolated part of the outback.
Scott was leaving his country and heading for a new part of his career in England. But he had one last thing to do before he left. He had to face his past and his father. Neither would be easy to do, but as a man now it was time. When he rescued a charming newcomer by the side of the road into Coorah Creek, he didn’t realize that he had in fact rescued himself, too.
Christmas at Coorah Creek is a wonderful story of two people making life changes which brings them into each other’s lives. Katie wanted a change, but it wasn’t exactly what she had in mind back in London. Scott knew he had to try to mend fences with his Dad, he just didn’t know if he could. Second chances at love don’t always have to be between lovers – another chance to bridge the gap between Father and son is simply another take on that type of chance.
The citizens of Coorah Creek are just as lively as ever – and some are just as gossipy as well. I enjoyed journeying back to Coorah Creek once again. Scott and Katie’s romance is lighthearted, fast paced with a satisfying conclusion for absolutely everyone. If you enjoy a good solid romance, with believable characters and a realistic, “it could happen to you” type of storyline – then Christmas at Coorah Creek needs to be added to your Christmas reading list – like right now.
*I received an e-ARC of Christmas at Coorah Creek from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. That does not change what I think of this novel.*
Two people, each with vastly different reasons for heading to Coorah Creek this Christmas season. What they find there will surprise them both – in a most wonderful way.
Katie has had it with the hospital scene in London. She is taking a chance, redefining her nursing calling and heading to another country in order to find the type of passion she needs for her career. But she really didn’t expect the quiet, heat, distance or the people of Coorah Creek. She certainly never expected to react to the air ambulance the way she did. But she also didn’t think she would find the man who would be perfect for her in this isolated part of the outback.
Scott was leaving his country and heading for a new part of his career in England. But he had one last thing to do before he left. He had to face his past and his father. Neither would be easy to do, but as a man now it was time. When he rescued a charming newcomer by the side of the road into Coorah Creek, he didn’t realize that he had in fact rescued himself, too.
Christmas at Coorah Creek is a wonderful story of two people making life changes which brings them into each other’s lives. Katie wanted a change, but it wasn’t exactly what she had in mind back in London. Scott knew he had to try to mend fences with his Dad, he just didn’t know if he could. Second chances at love don’t always have to be between lovers – another chance to bridge the gap between Father and son is simply another take on that type of chance.
The citizens of Coorah Creek are just as lively as ever – and some are just as gossipy as well. I enjoyed journeying back to Coorah Creek once again. Scott and Katie’s romance is lighthearted, fast paced with a satisfying conclusion for absolutely everyone. If you enjoy a good solid romance, with believable characters and a realistic, “it could happen to you” type of storyline – then Christmas at Coorah Creek needs to be added to your Christmas reading list – like right now.
*I received an e-ARC of Christmas at Coorah Creek from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. That does not change what I think of this novel.*
October 25, 2015
This was my first book that I have read by Janet Gover, and it definitely won't be my last. I was gripped from the first to the last word. Its a relatively short novella, and only took me around 90 mins to read it, and I was hooked.
It was also obviously my first encounter with Coorah Creek, a small town in the Australian outback, but as Scott returns to the place and takes a look around, you soon get a very vivid picture of what the town is like, and what life in the outback must be like.
Even in the first few pages, where Katie's car breaks down on a long very empty looking long road, there is a mention of the only sign of life she had seen for ages being a lone kangaroo, which really brought home the seriousness of her initial predicament, and also how the book is clearly set in Australia!
Katie is a young English girl, a nurse who has come to Coorah Creek to rediscover her love of nursing, after being fed up with doctor's attitudes in London to her. Scott is her rescuer, and he is dreading returning to Coorah Creek for the first time in 8 years.
There is a lot of action and drama is this book, as you would expect from Katie being an outback nurse, but she does have a lot of doubts as to whether its really the best place she should have escaped to. She also is doubting just how Christmas would be celebrated, since there is no chance of a white Christmas in the outback.
I won't tell you just how Christmas day is celebrated, but it does summon up the key themes of Christmas, in a really good way, and there is a, I hate to say Christmas miracle, but lets go for something unlikely happening,.
Christmas at Coorah Creek didn't completely feel like a Christmas book to me, however I really didn't care either, as I was enjoying the story so much, which was more the focus of the book, than the time of year. I loved my trip to Coorah Creek, and I hope to return there again one day soon.
Thanks to Choc Lit and Netgalley for this review copy. This was my honest opinion.
It was also obviously my first encounter with Coorah Creek, a small town in the Australian outback, but as Scott returns to the place and takes a look around, you soon get a very vivid picture of what the town is like, and what life in the outback must be like.
Even in the first few pages, where Katie's car breaks down on a long very empty looking long road, there is a mention of the only sign of life she had seen for ages being a lone kangaroo, which really brought home the seriousness of her initial predicament, and also how the book is clearly set in Australia!
Katie is a young English girl, a nurse who has come to Coorah Creek to rediscover her love of nursing, after being fed up with doctor's attitudes in London to her. Scott is her rescuer, and he is dreading returning to Coorah Creek for the first time in 8 years.
There is a lot of action and drama is this book, as you would expect from Katie being an outback nurse, but she does have a lot of doubts as to whether its really the best place she should have escaped to. She also is doubting just how Christmas would be celebrated, since there is no chance of a white Christmas in the outback.
I won't tell you just how Christmas day is celebrated, but it does summon up the key themes of Christmas, in a really good way, and there is a, I hate to say Christmas miracle, but lets go for something unlikely happening,.
Christmas at Coorah Creek didn't completely feel like a Christmas book to me, however I really didn't care either, as I was enjoying the story so much, which was more the focus of the book, than the time of year. I loved my trip to Coorah Creek, and I hope to return there again one day soon.
Thanks to Choc Lit and Netgalley for this review copy. This was my honest opinion.
November 9, 2015
When I was younger, I dreamed about starting over some where new and different. However, I would never have been as brave as Katie to travel half way around the world to do so as she does in Christmas at Coorah Creek by Janet Gover. So early on I knew she would be just the type of female character I like to read about in books. I think it was early on when she contemplated kicking the tire that I was sold on her. Even with her self-doubts this is a strong, wise woman. Also I would like to visit Australian outback after seeing it through Katie’s eyes.
For me, it is also a wonderful introduction to the outback town of Coorah Creek. Seeing this town from Scott’s perspective and how that perspective changes over the course of the story adds the overall striking sense of time going by
This is definitely a rich, vibrant story of romance, family, second chances, real life adventure, finding your place in life and coming to terms with the past. Oh yeah, it is also a Christmas story and I couldn’t help but fall in love with how the Coorah Creek pub celebrated at the hall. I guess I’m more like Trish Warren at this stage of my life.
Never having been to the Outback myself, I can still say it is a realistic, riveting read. Now I feel as if I have found new friends and a new place to visit (even if it is as an armchair visitor) again and again so I will be looking for more of the Coorah Creek Series by Janet Gover.
The publisher through Net Galley provided a copy.
For me, it is also a wonderful introduction to the outback town of Coorah Creek. Seeing this town from Scott’s perspective and how that perspective changes over the course of the story adds the overall striking sense of time going by
This is definitely a rich, vibrant story of romance, family, second chances, real life adventure, finding your place in life and coming to terms with the past. Oh yeah, it is also a Christmas story and I couldn’t help but fall in love with how the Coorah Creek pub celebrated at the hall. I guess I’m more like Trish Warren at this stage of my life.
Never having been to the Outback myself, I can still say it is a realistic, riveting read. Now I feel as if I have found new friends and a new place to visit (even if it is as an armchair visitor) again and again so I will be looking for more of the Coorah Creek Series by Janet Gover.
The publisher through Net Galley provided a copy.
November 4, 2015
A delighful tale of finding love in the Australian outback at Christmastime...
Katie, a nurse struggling with her career choices, migrates to Australia's Coorah Creek, where she is rescued by Scott Collins, a man with a short-term plan. She's running away, he's retuned to confront the past and leave. Can they find what they're looking for together, when life plans are pulling them in opposite directions?
This is the second Janet Gover book I have read, and just as enjoyable. I love the depth and rawness of her characters: they feel real, complete with flaws and vulnerabilities. The setting was strong, the plot gentle. A great feel-good holiday read!
*I received a free copy from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for my honest review.
Katie, a nurse struggling with her career choices, migrates to Australia's Coorah Creek, where she is rescued by Scott Collins, a man with a short-term plan. She's running away, he's retuned to confront the past and leave. Can they find what they're looking for together, when life plans are pulling them in opposite directions?
This is the second Janet Gover book I have read, and just as enjoyable. I love the depth and rawness of her characters: they feel real, complete with flaws and vulnerabilities. The setting was strong, the plot gentle. A great feel-good holiday read!
*I received a free copy from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for my honest review.
October 26, 2015
A lovely novella from Janet. I've read all her books and they are all truly wonderful.
Katie is an English nurse arriving in Coorah Creek to work at the hospital and Scott is returning after 8 years to try and make his peace with his father and the town.
The story follows Scott and Ed's attempts to bridge their differences, and the beginnings of the relationship between Katie and Scott.
I loved the ups and downs of the relationships, to say nothing of poor Katie and the ups and downs of the air ambulance! I couldn't see how the geographical problems could be resolved......but Janet's ending is a stroke of genius!
Next Coorah Creek book please!
Katie is an English nurse arriving in Coorah Creek to work at the hospital and Scott is returning after 8 years to try and make his peace with his father and the town.
The story follows Scott and Ed's attempts to bridge their differences, and the beginnings of the relationship between Katie and Scott.
I loved the ups and downs of the relationships, to say nothing of poor Katie and the ups and downs of the air ambulance! I couldn't see how the geographical problems could be resolved......but Janet's ending is a stroke of genius!
Next Coorah Creek book please!
January 9, 2016
This is a novella set in Coorah Creek, following Janet's series set there. The full length books usually contain the stories of two couples (intertwined with the inhabitants of the town) and this one is a shorter story of one couple - Scott and Katie, who meet by chance when he rescues her from a car breakdown on the way to her new job as nurse in Coorah Creek. As ever, I became involved immediately with the characters, and thoroughly enjoyed the story - finished it far too quickly. Now I want the next one - and I can't put my next comment about a possible future character because it would be a spoiler to this one!
November 12, 2015
Just What has Santa Got in his Sack for Coorah Creek this Christmas?
A short but festive trip to Coorah Creek this time, for a typical outback Christmas.
Some old friends make a welcome appearance, and a few new ones arrive, for a sharply told Christmas story.
If you havn't read any of Janet Gover's books - well, why not?? This is a heartwarming way to start.
A short but festive trip to Coorah Creek this time, for a typical outback Christmas.
Some old friends make a welcome appearance, and a few new ones arrive, for a sharply told Christmas story.
If you havn't read any of Janet Gover's books - well, why not?? This is a heartwarming way to start.
January 31, 2016
I quite enjoyed this novel but I expected to have more atmosphere to transport me to the setting in Australia; the location seemed a little sketchy and confined to the more obvious things we associate with the country. However, the story was sweet, although predictable, and the plot jerky at times. But a good light read.
January 12, 2016
I've read a few Coorah Creek novels now and I feel like I really know the place. Being a novella, this one was a little short (I'd have liked more!), but it was good fun. I especially liked the British heroine's perspective on life in the outback.
November 21, 2015
A quick read with previous characters included. A love that grew from meeting along side of the road. Both seeking answers one to discover their gift n the other to heal before heading to the new adventure.
May 11, 2023
Getting to know Katie and Scott was a real pleasure. The outback settings are divine and describe it perfectly. A short outback romance that was thoroughly enjoyable. I really hope that there is a sequel because I would love to hear how Katie and Scott end up. As it left on a bit of a cliffhanger.
April 28, 2017
I loved no bad language in the book
Please keep writing these kind of books As I love reading books about the Australian out back especially when there is no bad language in them.
Please keep writing these kind of books As I love reading books about the Australian out back especially when there is no bad language in them.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 22 reviews