The House On Burra Burra Lane by Jennie Jones

Title: The House On Burra Burra Lane
Author: Jennie Jones
ISBN: 9781743567746
Publisher: Harlequin Mira
Publish Date: January 2014

Synopsis:

Just ten days after her fresh start in the isolated Snowy Mountains, Samantha Walker trips over a three hundred pound pig and lands in the arms of Dr. Ethan Granger — and the firing line for gossip. It was hardly a ‘date’ but sparks of the sensual kind are difficult to smother in a community of only 87 people. Now there’s a bet running on how long she’ll stay and what she’ll get up to while she’s in town.

Ethan has his own issues — Sammy’s presence in his childhood home brings with it painful recollections of family scandals and a bad‐boy youth. When the gossip around them heightens, his life is suddenly a deck of cards spread on the table for all to see. Then Sammy's past catches up with her... and it looks like all bets are off.

My Thoughts:

Samantha Walker has packed up her life in the city and moved to the small and closely knit community of Swallow's Fall, where she meets the local vet, Ethan Granger. From this first encounter there is a mutual attraction between Sammie and Ethan and when Ethan offers to help Sammie fix up her house, the seeds of romance have been sown. Soon Sammie and Ethan are the talk of the town, but secrets from their pasts threaten to end their friendship.

As with most romance stories the attraction between the main characters, Sammie and Ethan is immediate, however they both carry a lot of emotional baggage and are very wary of ruining what could be a wonderful friendship.
I love the complexity of the characters. Sammy is bold and caring but determined to make a good impression and forge a good reputation for herself in the small community. Ethan is stubborn and determined but struggles with the memories of his past.
Jennie Jones has created not only believable main characters but the secondary characters are delightful as well and each of them has their own stories to tell, from Grandy, the town patriarch to Josh, the teenager who is just trying to find his place in life. Each and everyone of the characters helps bring the fictional rural setting of Swallow's Fall to life, and discovering the way their lives all intertwine is a pleasure.
The House On Burra Burra Lane is a delightful debut novel of hard won relationships full of comprise and acceptance. A must read for fans of rural romance.

Thanks to Harlequin Australia for the ARC.