Book Shelf: Love Song (Daughters of the Outback #3) by Sasha Wasley

There was something about Charlie. Something about the way he questioned and teased her, brought her outside of herself … the way he’d made her crash headlong into love just by singing to her.

At age seventeen, Beth Paterson was determined to study medicine at university, despite the heartache of losing her mother. Tutoring Charlie Campbell worked well with her plan – but falling in love with him sure didn’t, and neither did getting her heart broken when he abruptly left town.

Now Charlie is a big star on the alternative rock scene, while Beth is a respected doctor in her hometown. When Charlie comes back to fight for the tiny community where he was raised, neither one of them can ignore the resurgence of wild attraction they once shared.

Beth swore no man would ever hurt her again – least of all this man. But some love songs can never be forgotten, especially when they were written for you …

From the author of Dear Banjo comes a book to make your heart sing and your spirits soar.

More info on Goodreads.....


Review:

Love Song is the third instalment in Sasha Wasley’s Daughters of the Outback series and is another deftly told rural fiction that smoulders with romance, friendship and the Australian heart.

As a teenager close to finishing school, Beth Paterson was determined to study medicine and tutoring Charlie Campell fit in beautifully with her plan. Talented in music and eager, Charlie was one of the few Indigenous kids in the region and had something special about him that made falling in love with him almost effortless….until the day he abruptly left town and broke Beth’s heart. Fast forward almost two decades and Charlie is a successful singer and Beth a highly respected doctor in town. Returning to Mount Claire for the first time since he left, Charlie is hoping to stand up for the local community where he was raised and with Beth’s seeing to their medical needs, crossing paths was almost inevitable. As is the renewed spark of attraction that surges between them. Beth swore no man would ever hurt her the way Charlie did but as old feelings resurface, will Beth give the one who broke her heart another chance? Or will she lose out on a true chance of love due to old hurts and wounded pride?

I’m not naturally drawn to rural fiction, but if they were all written the way Sasha Wasley writes her novels, I may just be converted! Beautifully written and emotionally rich, Love Song is a passionate and poignant story about first love and the ones that stay with you. Set in the stunning Kimberley valley and the Australian outback, Love Song offers a glimpse into natural Australian heritage and wilderness as protagonist and eldest Patterson daughter Beth finds herself coming into contact with her first love; a man whose rejection left her heartbroken.

As with sisters Willow and Free, I was excited to begin Beth’s story and looking forward to getting to know this practical and meticulous doctor. Beth has always come across as serious and organised in a way her sisters haven’t. Perhaps this is a side effect of being the oldest sibling and having to take on extra responsibility after their mothers passing, but it was refreshing to see a softer, vulnerable side to Beth. She was left shattered when Charlie left, effectively ending their relationship, and as Love Song progresses, there is a lot of emotions and feelings that need to be addressed by Beth before she is ready to trust and take a chance again.

I found I really appreciated the Indigenous aspect that was included within the story. Aboriginal heritage is so ingrained in our Australian history and I don’t think we as a society often offer it the respect they as a people and a culture deserve. I loved that Sasha Wasley wrote about an indigenous love interest who was successful and grounded as well as exploring their communities while paying homage to both their history and current situations. Charlie was sexy as hell and his nieces Jill and Pearl adorable. The moments with the Madjinbarra community felt authentic and well executed on Wasley’s part.

Throughout the series I have fallen in love with Willow, Free and Beth and have enjoyed seeing them find their own happily ever afters. Love Song marks the end of the series but Sasha Wasley ties everything up beautifully and leaves readers feeling satisfied that all three sisters will live a lifetime of love and happiness. Wonderfully written and littered with Australian heritage and mannerisms, Love Song concludes a fantastic rural fiction series that I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend!

Rating:
Source: Sent for review by publisher (Thank you Sofia!)
Publisher: Penguin Random House
Format: Paperback
Australian RRP: $32.99
Release Date: June 4th 2019
Buy: Angus & Robertson | Booktopia | The Book Depository | Amazon
Final Thoughts: A wonderful read that concludes the series beautifully; Love Song is a delightful read.