Jack & Eva

by Frances Dall'Alba

Was making him smile again ... enough?

Very few people can keep up with Eva Stamford. She’s chatty, volunteers all over the community, and has one passion in life—saving the Lumholtz tree kangaroo before the curse comes true.

Jack Waller, broody, gruff and man of few words, couldn’t be more different. He’s returning to his childhood home to make good on a promise made long ago. He doesn’t want attention. He definitely doesn’t want complications. But Eva? She’s everywhere he turns and impossible to ignore.

The more time they spend together, the more the sparks fly. Jack is learning fast, it’s the whole Eva package, including her tree kangaroos, or nothing.

Eva knows better than to fall for someone who could unravel everything she’s worked so hard for, especially someone who owns the land bordering her sanctuary. But when a wild storm hits and long-held truths come to light, her worst fear is finally realised.

This time, she’ll fight fate itself to save the man she’s come to love—because she’s not leaving until Jack stops hurting.

When the skies clear, is there a chance to break the curse and build a life together? Or is this destined to be a train wreck—with a bunch of furry animals caught in the middle?

204 pages, Paperback

Published February 1, 2023

About the author

As a contemporary romance author, Frances loves nothing more than losing herself in a good romance. She's all about helping you forget the housework, or the bus to work you're going to miss, if you don't put the book down now!
She's devoted to giving her readers an emotional, passionate, possibly some ugly-cry, fairly steamy love story, that'll melt your heart and have you fighting for the happy ending right until the end.
Frances sets her books in North Queensland. She makes no excuses if some of her settings include amazing lakes and waterfalls, stunning views from tops of mountains, spectacular outback scenes, or crystal-clear creeks shadowed by tropical rainforest.
When she isn't writing, Frances is climbing mountains, searching for waterfalls and swimming across lakes. She loves to exercise, would prefer it if someone else cooked dinner every night, and never notices dust on the furniture.
She lives with her husband in tropical Far North Queensland, Australia, and uses her great baking skills to tempt her three daughters to visit home as often as they can.
You can find Frances at: https://francesdallalba.wixsite.com/f...

Reviews

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Jack Waller goes back to the home he left when he was seventeen he knew it wouldn’t be easy and fulfilling his mother’s wish would be even harder, he has made a good life for himself in these past years and has taken one year off to sort out what to do with the Queenslander that his grandfather built in the Atherton Tablelands in North Queensland. He never thought about meeting someone who would open up his heart.

Eva Stamford moved back to the place she started her life, with the curse that hangs over her, Eva lives life to the fullest, she is a photographer, has her own magazine that she publishes and she volunteers and is always there to help people, her biggest love is of the Lumholtz Tree Kangaroo the little animal that means so much to her and she works tirelessly to make sure they do not become extinct, she has been spending a lot of time in the rainforest behind and old Queenslander knowing with her roos but how much longer will she be able to.

When Jack arrives and finds Eva on his property he is not happy at all, he is struggling with his past already, will this woman make it worse or will she be the person he can finally open up to? Eva knows she has to do all she can to ensure that Jack lets her and the roos stay, Jack soon learns what a whirlwind Eva is but he feels that she is holding something back as they get to know each other and the chemistry builds between them, Eva knows she must speak to Jack about a couple of things but she has lost her heart to him and wants to make sure that she has the best time before, the curse happens.

This is a moving and emotional romance set in a fabulous setting, two people who have been hurt in the past, will they find happiness together or will the past and secrets keep them apart? I do recommend this to any lover of a beautiful romance.

[Melissa Wilks · Rating 4 out of 5]

A charming romance set in the Atherton Tablelands Eva has a reason for wanting to save the tree kangaroo. Jack returns to town to face his past and helps Eva defeat the curse of her own past.
Another fantastic book by author Frances Dall'Alba

[Lia Lorimer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A whole new area of the Australian wetlands , and the little-known tree-kangaroo, endemic to the area, are discovered in this remarkable novel!

Jack and Eva both hide long-term secrets which affect their life-styles. Jack is in limbo, returning to face his traumatic past and having to make difficult decisions about his future, while Eva, dedicated to the rescue and care of the tree kangaroos, lives each day as though it is her last, despite hiding her own dark secrets. Their friendship and the deeper feelings that develop between them are tested at every turn by their inability to share what is hidden…

Ms D‘all Alba’s skillful descriptions of the surrounding vistas and her gifted narrative keeps her readers fully engrossed in both the factual and fictional aspects of the story. Highly recommend this book, although it could disturb some readers.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Berta Greenleaf Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is much more than a love story. It is about trauma, fear, hope, along with the love of the tree roos. This book introduces the threatened Lumholtz tree kangaroo that is only found in the rainforest of Australia. Eva and Jack are brought together over a rescue of a kangaroo and develops from there. Secrets, PTSD, and alcoholism are coming between them until they finally tell all their secrets to each other. They learn to love each other, flaws and all. The roos are an integral part of the story. Very educational along with entertaining. I highly recommend this book.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was so keen to read ‘Jack & Eva’ by Frances Dall’Alba after enjoying reading ‘The Silk Scarf’ and am looking forward to reading ‘Eight Seconds’ next.

Jack returning home after years of being away, by chance meets Eva when he volunteers to assist Eva, who’s trying to capture a likely blind roo in the plumbing aisle of the local hardware store, and then later that same day, Jack realises that the neighbouring property is where the fearless Eva volunteers, and not only that, Eva’s also been frequenting his property and making herself quiet at home.

I loved the setting of the story set in the beautiful Atherton Tablelands, sprinkled with mentions of Australian flora and fauna and the heroes of the story, the adorable near threatened Lumholz’s Tree Kangaroo’s, which I had never heard of.

I’m really enjoying Frances's writing style, which make her books quiet easy fun books to read. This is a heart-warming story, with Jack tackling his childhood demons, and Eva doing everything in her power to protect her ‘babies’ amidst a blossoming romance between the pair.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic love story capturing the essence and beauty of North Queensland life. Eva has a deep connection to saving the endangered tree kangaroo native to the rainforest on the Atherton Tablelands. Jack returns to his hometown to face the demons of his past. She's bubbly and determined to help people, Jack's quiet, brooding, and just wants to demolish the house he grew up in and move on.

Except he can't. And as he and Eva draw closer together, Jack begins to find he's exactly where he belongs.

A beautiful story filled with heartache, fears, and gorgeous tree kangaroos.

[Jane Verco · Rating 5 out of 5]

Again Frances Dall'Alba has brought us a delightful book that was a joy to read. I was captivated from the beginning, as we meet both Jack and Eva, as they navigate their initially totally different journeys. Eva, focussed totally on saving a precious colony of tree kangaroos in Northern Queensland. Jack, trying to beat the demons of his childhood as he inherits his childhood home, and is trying to decide what he will do with it.

Of course, paths collide, as Eva's kangaroos are located on the edge of Jack's property, and as we learn more about both Jack and Ava, romance begins to hint through into the plot, along with other themes which are so topical in today's society - family conflict and secrets and dealing with alcoholism - which are very well dealt with by the author.

The author's ability to transport you to a location again is evident in this book, as in previous books - we are treated to another trip to far North Queensland through her wonderful writing. I can't wait to see what comes next from Ms Dall'Alba.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Simone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another lovely story from Frances Dall'Alba with an interesting back story running through it. I live in Australia and had to Google what tree kangaroos were! My only gripe is that I felt the story finished a bit abruptly, but at least there was an epilogue to leave me satisfied in the end. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Rach3l · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good read. It was sweet but still touched on some hard subjects. I did think the climax and ending happened very quick and could have been stretched out a bit more. I want to know more about Jack and his dad’s relationship.

Side note: I received a copy of this book in exchange for a honest review

[Margaret Watkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found the background to the Lumholtz tree kangaroos very interesting, especially given the emphasis on global warming at this time. The main characters, however, left me feeling a little bewildered despite all they had gone through. Jack is a fairly broody character and his anger over the past is valid, and perhaps even his PTSD, but I found him difficult to relate to. Eva is cute and bubbly, but even her belief in a family curse is a bit puzzling. However, that may be due to my own pragmatic outlook on life, rather than the author. Persuading Jack not to tear down the house that he hates, takes all of Eva's ingenuity, but eventually, the truth comes out and when it does, it comes with thunder and lightning. I have always enjoyed this author's insightful descriptions of nature, and in this case, I am left with a longing to see a Lumholtz tree kangaroo and the rainforest. I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily post this review. This is my honest review.

[Andrea]

The book is about two people Eva Stamford who has lots of energy always on the go who recuses Lumholtz Tree Kangaroos. Then there is Jack Waller who is a pilot who has another life but has been left a cabin in Malinda Australia and has come to decide what to do with it. He meets Eva during a rescue and learns her Roos border his property.

An attraction evolves which is written with all the questions of what does that mean like a frown, smile, laugh, words. This went on for quite a while for me. But, then the story moves the last third when issue evolve dealing with family. Both have their own issues to bare, but the question is can they help each other? Can they end up in love?

It is a nice story, a quick read, but deals with abuse and survival.

Thank you to Booksirens and the publisher Poinsetta, for providing a copy of this book for my review.

[Jennifer Raines · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jack & Eva by Frances Dall’Alba is a book about survival and hope. Eva Stamford has a reason for wanting to save the endangered Lumholtz tree kangaroo and it’s connected to a family curse. Jack Waller has his own demons and exorcising them involves selling the family property where Eva houses a kangaroo family. With the help of the “furry babies”, Eva coaxes Jack from his dark past into believing he can have a present and a future with her, but that could all come crashing down if she—and he—can’t defeat her curse. This sweet romance is set in the beautiful Atherton Tablelands. Dall’Alba’s love for the area comes through in her writing. She deals honestly with the complexities of abuse and abusers and the pain of survivors to spin a heart-warming story.

[Kylie Kraus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jack & Eva was an enjoyable romance set in tropical north Queensland.

I liked how Jack and Eva's personalities, interests and life history were revealed as the story progressed and their attraction grows.

Such a fabulous setting where the reader learns about the Lumhotlz tree kangaroo. While I had heard of the animal, to read a fiction story which incorporated it and the efforts of scientists and citizen scientists, was appealing to me. For me, I took away an overall message of overcoming past hurts and rising above fear and anger. Although it touches on the traumas of abusive relationships, it is overall a sweet, easy-to-read romance.

Thank you for the advanced copy, and the opportunity to review.

[Sharyn P · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jack goes back to his childhood town, his family home now his but with all the memories it contains it isn't something to bring joy. He made a promise and will do his best to see it through.
Eva is living life on a time clock, trying to live every moment as her last, promoting this small town, helping locals and trying to save a not well understood tree kangaroo. But will the appearance of Jack endanger all shes worked so hard for? She knows about him, the history from anothers perspective, can she change his perspective to save what she loves?
A chance meeting between the two sparks changes and challenge neither anticipated.
A warming and fun story, somewhat unbelievable but we can dream that these situations happen, that connection can be made so easily. My only disappointment was the abrupt open ending, i was a bit like "its finished....", i expected something different, more complete or definitive.
Thankyou to the author, Beauty & Lace & Booksirens for the chance to escape to the far north forests.

[Toyenlon · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's an interesting read. Jack is traumatized by his childhood experience. He had to go back to his childhood home because of a promise he made to his mum. While there he met a lady, Eva. Will she help him to overcome his trauma or will he forget about his promise and let go of the house? Grab your own copy and find out. "I received this book from ebook discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review".

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

The setting in the Australian rainforest, the cuddly tree kangaroos and the adventures that Jack and Eva take all add to the interesting plot. Jack and Eva both have demons to slay and baggage that have to be worked through on their way to a relationship. This is a grump man versus sunshine woman story and there are certainly bumps on the road to romance, but the ending is satisfying and loose ends are all tied up in the epilogue. Overall a fun and fast read.

[Victoria Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very heart-warming story, well written by Frances Dall'Alba. It's set against the picturesque backdrop of Queensland's Atherton Tablelands. Jack and Eva have their differences, one being a love of the elusive tree kangaroo. They are both strong in their convictions. It's a beautiful story of courage, healing and the power of love.