#SheReviews Kookaburra Cottage by Maya Linnell

She Society were lucky enough to receive an advanced reader copy of Kookaburra Cottage by well – loved Australian rural romance author, Maya Linnell. Maya has made her name as one of Australia’s finest rural romance writers since the publication of her first novel – Wildflower Ridge. She followed with three more books in her McIntyre sister series – Bottlebrush Creek, Magpie’s Bend and Paperbark Hill. With her fifth novel Maya has taken us on a trip to the Limestone Coast in a love letter to the place where she grew up.

This wonderful South Australian setting shares many places I was unfamiliar with but will now be researching as a new destination. Wineries, beaches and the country will be calling you as you read along. It’s clear that Maya has enjoyed her research into the winemaking industry. Perhaps a little Kookaburra Cottage tipple might be in the works? Here’s hoping.

Maya’s lovely story is filled with everything she is passionate about herself including baking, gardening , music and country shows. Renovation shares a big part as well and Maya and her husband built their own country home so she is definitely an expert in this department.

My mouth was watering at the cooking class scenes and the imagery was so good I could almost taste the creations. Some of my favourites dishes to cook were included with quiche, strawberry muffins and focaccia making an appearance. When the signature ingredient for the fledgling cooks was mushrooms I couldn’t help but cook my delicious mixed mushroom risotto. This lovely story will have you heading straight to the kitchen.

It was sweet to imagine the pride these fledgling cooks had in their creations. The shared activity worked well to imagine the bond growing between the characters and also introduced us to some of the colourful townsfolk. As Maya says in her story, “ Cooking – once you knew how – really was its own brand of alchemy.”

Kookaburra Cottage shares the story of April Lacey, a horticulturalist who is determined to lead her family’s Limestone Coast winery into the future, but she finds that the crumbling historic building and her father’s reluctance to join the food tourism revolution are just the beginning of an uphill battle. Can April’s fresh ideas save Lacewing Estate from folding, or will they be a fool’s folly?

Enter English winemaker, Connor Jamison who has travelled to South Australia’s iconic wine region to learn from the experts and carve a name for himself in the industry. There is something from Connor’s past nipping at his heels. Will this complication derail a fledgling romance?

United by food, music and an unexpected involvement in the Penwarra Show, April and Connor do seem like the perfect match. Can this pair ever forge a path together with old flames, new challenges and careers conspiring to keep them apart? The romance element in this story is as tender and sweet as one of Maya’s home grown flowers unfurling.

You will fall in love with the gentle winemaker and British pianist Connor, who has unfinished business in the UK, and readers will cheer for the hardworking and tenacious April as she navigates the launch of her longed for B & B and the opening of her fragile heart after heartbreak, while also appeasing wishes of her family.

I also enjoyed the characters of young neighbour Archie, Connor’s music loving sisters and the wisdom and guidance of caring chef, Geraldine. Maya has three children herself and it shows. She writes about intergenerational relationships very well. She also shares the resilience and willingness to help community shared by country folk. You might also enjoy looking out for this writer’s name as you read along. I was surprised, thrilled and very touched to be included.

Country life, family dynamics and a fledgling romance are at the heart of this lovely story which will tug on your heartstrings and have you booking a ticket to this picturesque wine region. Maya’s own authenticity and kindness shine through, while she doesn’t shy away from gently reminding us of some of the problems found in rural communities.

Reading a Maya Linnell story is like enjoying some freshly baked scones slathered with creamy butter and some of Maya’s famous quince jam. It’s very satisfying and will leave you wanting more. Maya Linnell’s writing just goes from strength to strength with each new book and I will eagerly await the next instalment in her Limestone Coast series. If you are looking for a heartwarming, contemporary Australian rural romance this winter you will find Kookaburra Cottage more than satisfying. This sweet treat is available now in all good bookstores.