Two Heartbeats

Outback Queensland Romance #1

by Rhonda Forrest

When Jess heads west for a fresh start in a small mining town, the dusty, outback plains are a far cry from her former life in the city. Despite having no knowledge of country life, she finds herself loving the isolation and local people who she lives with. All she has to do is keep her head down and work hard to create a better life for herself and Johnno, the only person she has ever truly cared about. As relationships develop and change, Jess discovers the caring warmth of a welcoming family and a circle of friends who look out for her. She begins to feel that maybe for once, her life is heading in the right direction. However, problems arise when her temper and stubborn nature collide with her new boss Daniel, who is suspicious of her background story. Has Jess told him everything, or is there a hidden secret to justify his earlier distrust of her?With a cast of eclectic characters, set amidst the rugged outback of Australia, Two Heartbeats is a story of friendship, resilience and the hope that ultimately loving relationships may triumph over obstacles defined by the past.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary

Paperback

First published October 12, 2018

About the author

An Australian voice creating compelling contemporary fiction - from bush to beach, steamy romances, riveting history and eclectic characters.

Rhonda Forrest is an Australian teacher and author who writes captivating contemporary and historical fiction about relationships, family life and social issues, set amidst beautiful and uniquely Australian landscapes.

After bringing up three daughters and traversing several different careers, Rhonda went on to teach creative writing, English and History to high school students. Her passion for literacy, history and travelling around Australia fuels her novels.

Rhonda currently lives with her husband between two Queensland homes: one on Tamborine Mountain, the other a century-old cottage with a rambling garden, overlooking the waters of the Whitsundays.

Readers can connect with Rhonda via her website www.rhondaforrest.com, Instagram @rhondaforrestauthor or Facebook https://www.facebook.com/valeenapress.

Reviews

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jessica Bailey can’t remember when she felt this nervous, but when she arrives at Seelo Mining Corporation, one of the biggest businesses in Australia she can’t seem to calm her nerves. Then when she was greeted by a rude receptionist by the name of Miriam she thinks she will have no hope of getting picked for the job. Her interview is quite full on and once it is over Jess knows she won’t get the job, and then she will be back to job hunting.

When Jess finds out she got the job she can’t believe her luck. It was now time for this city girl to get used to country life. Isolation in a country town is not for everyone, but Jess doesn’t seem to mind that part so much. She merely wanted to work hard to save money to make a better life for her and Johnno the one person in her life who really meant the most to her.

Everything seemed like it was going well that is until Jess, let’s her temper get the better of her which gets her into trouble with her boss on a few occasions. Jess likes to tell it how it is and unfortunately not everyone appreciates this. Her boss Daniel thinks there is more to Jess than what they know. Is she hiding something?

Two Heartbeats by Aussie author Rhonda Forrest really knows how to draw her readers in that’s for sure. This is a tale of friendship, love and hope. It explores the great Australian outback a place where many struggle through tough times making a livelihood. It’s definitely not for everyone, but I really do admire those who can overcome the challenges and make a go of it. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Highly recommended.

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5★s

Desperate for a fresh start, Jess was more than happy when she was successful in her job application. Working for mining company Seelo in the small fly-in, fly-out community in the dusty outback Queensland town, she soon settled in and made friends with the group of people who were living in the isolated caravan park where Jess had chosen as her home. The only bane in her existence was her boss, Daniel – they clashed at every turn and while Jess tried to control her flash-point temper, it wasn’t always easy.

Jess’ constant worry about Johnno, her only friend from her old life, niggled her. She knew she shouldn’t send him money whenever he asked – but that was the way it had always been. But her life in the outback mining job kept her busy and she loved the isolation, the raw countryside and the people she looked on as family. But would that change? Good things never lasted – did they?

Two Heartbeats by Aussie author Rhonda Forrest (aka Lea Davey) is a story of second chances; of hope; sadness; love and trust. Set in the vast and drought-ridden Australian outback with nothing but dust, flies and heat for company, Two Heartbeats is another emotional novel from an author I thoroughly enjoy. Highly recommended.

With thanks to the author for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

[Amanda - Mrs B's Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

*https://mrsbbookreviews.wordpress.com

‘This was her chance, a break from the past hardships, and no matter how much she wanted to be with him, she knew deep down that this was an opportunity for her to get somewhere in life.’

I think it has been almost two years since I last set eyes on the work of Rhonda Forrest (also known as Lea Davey). It was a most welcome experience to return to her writing. Two Heartbeats is stunning Australian feel story, rich in emotion and relationships. It is a book that I was easily able to consume from cover to cover.

Two Heartbeats is the story of Jess, a young woman who decides to make a change in her life and bravely take on a career change in a small mining town – in the heart of the outback. The new life Jess has carved out for herself proves to be vastly different to her former city life existence. Jess is unprepared for what the wild outback holds, she has no previous experience to draw on and she doesn’t know a soul. But Jess is determined to make this new sea change work, she sets herself some goals, which includes supporting Johnno, the only person who has been a permanent fixture in Jess’ difficult life. It doesn’t take long before Jess is embraced by the welcoming community of her new town. She begins to settle in to her new home and job. With life looking up, the only complication that arises is her boss, Daniel. They have come to blows more than once and Daniel is unsure of Jess. He knows she is hiding something, but he can’t put his finger on it. Two Heartbeats is a journey of trust, instinct, love, friendship, hope and survival. It offers a heartfelt story of overcoming the odds and learning to place trust in people, when you have remained guarded for the good part of your life.

Two Heartbeats is an emotional tug of war tale. There were so many conflicting feelings to deal with that I soon got caught up in Jess’s world. I developed a deep sense of compassion for Jess, she had a hard life, but this isn’t revealed straight away. Jess has plenty of walls around her and it took same time to penetrate these barriers to uncover who Jess was and the heart of her problems.

Rhonda Forrest has a good grasp of the human condition and an aptitude for conveying a bevy of emotions. She works hard to draw out a story that encompasses so many feelings. We have bravery, fear, excitement, love, loyalty, trust and hope. All of these complex feelings swirl around Jess and the characters featured in Two Heartbeats.

I have commented before on the sense of place Rhonda Forrest is able to express. Two Heartbeats is another prime example of Forrest’s skill in this area of her writing. From the moment we step into the pages of this novel, the setting comes alive before our eyes. I have to say this was by far my favourite aspect of the novel.

‘Everything is brown, the sky is huge, the stars are so bright, and the paddocks just stretch forever. Everytime I drive out here I’m amazed by what I see, the endless paddocks, the dry riverbed, the windy track I follow, even things like this old style of house. I’d never seen anything like it or even imagined that something like this ever existed.’

Connected to the setting is of course the focus on the mining way of life and the Australian outback mode of living. I can never get enough of these types of books, so Two Heartbeats was a winner in my eyes. The mining culture is still big here in Western Australia, so reading this book reminded me of the feelings and experiences many workers may hold when they launch into work in our remote mining institutions. Forrest gives a voice to these hardworking folk and the common situations that they are faced with. There are positives and negatives about the FIFO industry, which Forrest draws out well in her novel.

Another side thread that I feel Forrest was able to successfully capture was a very current day issue, drug abuse and addiction. This is linked to the background of the lead and explains why Jess behaves in the manner she does. Forrest puts a face and story to addiction – in an insightful manner. I am sure these highly relevant social issues will strike a chord with many readers who have also been touched by drug and addiction in their own lives.

A book with the title Two Heartbeats, definitely hints at some form of romance – for me anyway! I would lean towards attaching the label of contemporary fiction to this novel, with elements of romance. The romance is definitely a slow burn style, but that’s just how I like it! It developed gradually and it was heart-warming to watch on as Jess was able to learn to trust and open herself up to others. The friendships Jess forms are just as heartening to observe, as much as her love story! It almost brought a tear to my eye, that a woman so hurt in the past, could find the support she deserves.

Two Heartbeats closes off with a slightly open ending. For me, this was acceptable and was in line with the behaviour of the lead character, Jess. All in all, the latest novel penned by Rhonda Forrest was finely executed, offering plenty of truth about remote Australia, our current societal issues, complete with a love story wrapped around a hopeful narrative.

*With thanks to the author, Rhonda Forrest, for providing me with a copy of this novel, in exchange for an honest review.

Two Heartbeats is book #19 of the 2019 Australian Women Writers Challenge

[TheMadHatter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third book released by the author and the first written under the name "Rhonda Forrest" (the previous two books were released under Lea Davey). What can I say? I am so proud of what this woman can do. She writes these amazing rural Australian characters and these amazing everyday stories with these beautiful Australian settings and as I said with her previous two books "totally authentic". Yes, I do cringe sometimes when I hear the Aussie slang and speech - but it is not out of place in the book or with the characters speaking it who are just so well crafted.

This one was marketed more as romance - but I don't think it ticks the boxes of "Must haves" for the romance genre and I would put it more as contemporary fiction as the underlying focus (and even the title) is more on family connections.

While the characters in this book are deeply flawed (due to circumstances in growing up), it is such an interesting look at another aspect of Australian culture and of mining towns.

When I finished this book I was floored - the ending was so not what I was expecting and so it took me a few days to write this review as I was left pondering (which is the sign of a great book). However, the ending so fits and so works and even though it wasn't the ending I was expecting, it was the only ending that makes sense. So in love with the writing of this woman and I hope she gets the recognition she deserves up there with the great Aussie writers. Can not wait until her next book!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the setting, loved the characters and loved the story that had me intrigued and hopeful until the very last page. What a great read and once again, a little different than the first two books published by the same author under the name Lea Davey. Thank you for such a beautiful Australian story! I can't wait until the sequel.

[Melanie Hunter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for sending me a copy of this book for my honest review.

As I sit here and ponder on this novel I have just read, I realise that the book is just as it should be. The characters stay true to themselves throughout the entire novel. I love this. I did not expect the book to end on the note it did and took my time to process this before writing my review.

I could not put Two Heartbeats down. Rhonda Forrest (Lea Davey) has such a beautiful style and describes the Australian land in a way that makes me feel a closer connection and appreciation of the country I live in. The scenery described is breathtakingly realistic. 

Jess is a young girl who has had to grow up too soon and learn to be independent from a young age, especially once her mother dies of a drug overdose. Her story, up until the moment the reader meets her, portrays her loyalty, courage and determination to succeed, even though she has experienced and witnessed extreme human suffering. I loved these qualities and soon loved her character too. 

As an adult, our protagonist decides to take an interview that could be life changing. Her credentials are less than satisfactory, yet her determination to do well is clear. As Jess is given a chance to change her life, working as a courier in the mines in a small town in outback Australia, she soon finds herself a family of her own. There are many quirky characters living solitary lives at the isolated site that Jess prefers to live in, whilst working as a FIFO employee.

As the daughter of a FIFO father for a few years, I understand the financial benefits of such work, along with the week off to spend quality time with family. My dad also made connections with people who will no doubt be in his life for years to come. The community is something entirely different to that of the normal 9-5 position. I enjoyed reading about the way that the employees looked out for oneanother. The strain on FIFO workers, whilst they are away from their families is significant and I could only imagine what it would be like for someone with a young family.

This is my third Rhonda Forrest (Lea Davey) novel that I have read. It has been a while since I have read three novels from the same author that I have loved this much. The novels are all so very different and yet, are all thought provoking and realistic whilst being eloquently written. In Two Heartbeats Rhonda again describes the Australian nature and took me to the outback. Her descriptions gave me insight into a place of rugged, yet beautiful terrain. This is the first novel I have read set in the outback and as an Australian I loved how Rhonda shows appreciation for the Aboriginal culture and sites. Rhonda is one talented Aussie author and she deserves recognition for her talent.

[Telma Rocha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jess grew up in foster homes after the death of her mother, due to drugs. Since childhood, Jess has looked out for herself and has never had anyone to depend on. She has fought hard for everything that she has and is not used to letting others in.

Daniel comes from a completely different background, years older than Jess, he owns his own business and prefers the life of solitude, countryside, and peace over the big city.

When Jess ends up working for Daniel, they find themselves at odds with each other. Two people could not be any more different. But, as time progresses, the two learn that they have more in common than they originally thought.

Can Jess overcome her childhood struggles and give others an opportunity to make her happy, or will she forever live in her own self-pity and grief while trying to fix everything on her own?


This book is not your typical, predictable love story. This book deals with themes of love but also self struggle, and the fight against remaining locked up in oneself’s own misery, and the fear to open up and let others in.

I loved the story. I loved the writing, and all the characters. Most of all, my favourite character that I connected to the most was Daniel. His ability to open up and look beyond the surface to find depth and meaning was remarkable.

Jess underwent her own period of growth during the story but I feel that Daniel’s growth was more significant and substantial, mainly because of the unpredictable ending. There is also a plot twist that I did not see coming, and just when I thought I had the ending figured out I was turned around in a 360° turn!

If you want a book that will surprise you, this is your next read.

[Connie C. Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book and especially the characters.

[Katrina Gevaux · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another amazing book by Rhonda Forrest.

[Craig and Phil · Rating 5 out of 5]

https://www.instagram.com/p/CCZ0LTOgf...

[Jackie Wolfe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous Read

This was a fabulous read, and I had a hard time putting it down. All of the characters were do real and descriptions of the settings drew me right into the scenes. This author is among my absolute favorites, and I've read many of her novels. I can't wait to read the next one in this series. I highly recommend this novel!

[Virginia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Simple romantic outback novel. Not a bad lighthearted read. But don't expect too much depth.

[Raquel Medeiros · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rhonda Forrest, nos traz um romance que vai além das cenas tão esperadas entre os protagonistas.

Jess e seu irmão gêmeo, Johnno aprenderam muito cedo a cuidarem um do outro para sobreviverem.

Órfãos, sem opções de adoção, devido ao temperamento agressivo de Johnno, Jess tem que se virar para terem o que comer e onde dormir.

O lar dos dois foi a rua, mas Jess nunca desistiu de procurar algo melhor para ela e seu irmão.

Já Johnno, não teve o mesmo pensamento e infelizmente se deixou levar pelas drogas.

Quando surgi uma oportunidade de trabalho, Jess a agarra com unhas e dentes, mas para tanto terá que mentir sobre seu passado para conseguir a vaga.

No outback (interior) da Austrália,  com temperaturas quentes e épocas de chuvas torrenciais, Jess terá que lidar com o medo de perder de vez seu irmão, a possibilidade de finalmente ter dinheiro e o surgimento de um romance.

É no cenário árido da Austrália que, Rhonda traz temas sérios como vícios em drogas e bebidas e a vida difícil dos sem-teto, sempre de uma forma fluída e envolvente, com um final que nos deixa em suspenso, aguardando pela continuação.

Jess conseguirá lidar com suas questões familiares e ter o tão esperado emprego?

Descubra no e-book que está disponível no Kindle Unlimited.

Mais uma excelente história que a editora Leabhar Books Brasil, traz para seus leitores.

"Johnno e eu costumávamos nos abraçar assim quando éramos pequenos. Podíamos sentir os corações um do outro batendo."

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two Heartbeats is book one in the Jess & Daniel series by Rhonda Forrest. Jess wanted a new life for herself, and her brother Johnno decided to move to a small North Queensland mining community. At first, it was a big learning curve for Jess, who has no experience in country life. However, her happy life might end due to clashing with her new boss. The readers of Two Heartbeat will continue to follow Jess and Daniel to find out what happens.

I did it again and read the last book in a series. By reading Two Heartbeats, I learned more about the characters and the authors plan for this series. I engage with the story from the first page and continue to the end. I love Rhonda Forrest portrayal of the characters of Two Heartbeats and their interaction with each other throughout this book. Two Heartbeats is well written and researched by Rhonda Forrest. I like Rhonda Forrest's description of Two Heartbeats' settings that allow me to imagine living in North Queensland.

The readers of Two Heartbeats will learn about living in the small Queensland town of Gowie. Also, the readers of Two Heartbeats will learn about the consequences of neglect on Children.

I recommend this book.

[Sally Stackhouse · Rating 3 out of 5]

Set in the Australian outback, Jess tries to maintain a workable life to support herself and her brother. Her brother has another story which we are led to in fits and starts.
I like the way an eclectic group of people find hope, love and togetherness out of (for some of them) the depths of despair. Character descriptions are good and seem to stay true to their nature.
The forces of nature in Australia I found very interesting as an UK reader.
There were a few things that didn’t quite gel with me and some things I feel could have been expanded a bit more.
My rating is 3 ½ - 4 stars for this reason.

[Rita Liziet Pedro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jess e o irmão Johnno levam a vida nas ruas, e mesmo em condições ruins, ela não perde a esperança; ele, porém, enfraquece e vai para as drogas. Ela precisa mentir para conseguir um emprego, mas essa mentira não vai durar muito. E um provável romance com Daniel deixa sua vida a um fio.

A carga emocional do romance é bem forte, como a maioria dos livros da Rhonda, mas tratada com sensibilidade. A fotografia australiana é de tirar o fôlego. Um ótima opção de leitura!

[Alayne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book but I can't say that I loved it. Jess and Daniel were just too different and I don't think their relationship could really work. I felt that the title could have referred to Jess and Johnno, or Jess and Lea, or Jess and Rosie, but not Jess and Daniel. However, the descriptions of the Qld outback and the mining camp were spot on and reminded me of places I have been.

[Leanne Lovegrove · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic rich and emotional Australian story. Reading it I was transported to the outback, it's captured perfectly in this novel: the heat and changeable weather, the isolation and working conditions. Rock solid and real characters make for a great story. And I hear there might be a sequel to satisfy those of us desperate to find out more....

[sharon sobzak · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two Heartbeats

Long slow moving story. Interesting complex scenery and living conditions in a mining community. Rough childhood made Jess exceptionally independent with barriers to relationships. She finds some peace and contentment for herself but feels pulled to be close to her twin. Has an unsatisfying non ending.

[Anne Blyth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have to say it was a very good book right up to the end. I was totally let down by the ending and while I know life isn't always fair, I read to escape and I like closure or a happy ending. Nor even an epilogue to let me know what happened.

[Sarah Tummey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This gripped me from the beginning. The characters were very realistic, I thought, and I enjoyed reading about their journey. The end was unexpected and makes you want to buy the sequel to know more of the story.

[Queds Carvalho · Rating 4 out of 5]

É um livro que aborda as relações de amizade e família, emocionando o leitor enquanto acompanha a construção dessas relações ao longo da narrativa. A esperança de superar os obstáculos do passado e encontrar o amor verdadeiro deixa um quentinho no coração

[Colin Sampson · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a good story, however I would have liked to see the end not to end so abrutly, but may be that often how life is.

[Lucía · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lovely and calming reading. There is love but it is not a romantic novel. Better and deeper than I expected.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining and educating story about Australia.

[Susan Mackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not what I expected, but couldn't put it down. Wow!! Rhonda Forrest has done it again! Beautifully drawn Australian outback; heat, dust, flood and a cast of characters you might just meet if you head west. Oh, and there are dogs. Really lovable dogs.