Her Aussie Holiday

Cora and Trent’s love story in Her Aussie Holiday by Stefanie London, book 2 in the Patterson’s Bluff series, was an amazing, sizzling, emotional and humorous tale. Through her visual descriptions of the town, the beach, the houses, Ms. London grabbed my imagination, making me wish I lived in Patterson’s Bluff and spent time with the Walters family. Cora Cabot’s life has imploded, crumbling around her, forcing her to admit she needed a break from her job, family, and Manhattan apartment. When her Australian friend calls, looking for recommendation of places to live as she received an internship in New York City, Cora had the brilliant idea of a house swap. Small-town Australia would provide the perfect escape. Arriving at the house, Cora discovers it’s not empty. It seems that her friend’s brother, can we say hot, Australian brother, is also staying there, unbeknownst to his sister. Trent Walters thought he would be able to complete some major home improvements while his sister was in the States, not realizing she would have her American friend staying there. Cora ends up flooding the house and destroying a family project his sister created for their parents’ upcoming anniversary. It wasn’t totally her fault since Trent forgot to turn off the water main when he left the house for a bit. Since she was staying there, Cora insists on helping him fix the house and he needs her help in re-creating the family scrapbook. The glitter scene will keep you laughing for chapters beyond. As Cora and Trent spend time together cooking late night meals, pints at the local pub, and partaking in cricket matches on the beach they start to act on the sizzling attraction drawing them together. Cora might make a dent in Trent’s defenses but Trent has worked hard building up Cora’s self-esteem and confidence. If Cora hadn’t promised to return to working with her father at the end of the holiday, she questioned leaving as it she was feeling like she had found her home. Returning to New York Cora realizes family is not always the one you are born to and home is actually where your heart belongs. Ms. London wrote a fun, emotional, and sizzling romance that should not be missed. She provided a tale rich with emotions, sexual chemistry, humor, wonderful dialogue, and charming characters giving Cora and Trent a chance at love and forever. I highly recommend Her Aussie Holiday to other readers. I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

Whoever says money can buy you happiness, has never met Cora. Coming from wealth, Cora has lived a VERY public life. She’s ALWAYS done everything her mom has asked her to do and been miserable doing it. Cora is a people pleaser and would love nothing more than to earn her dad’s approval-love. So she submits a manuscript to her dad in hopes that he will finally take her dream of becoming a writer seriously. What she receives, is an email telling her she isn’t made to be a writer. So when her Aussie friend reaches out in need of an apartment for a month, Cora readily agrees to a house swap. In need of escape from her public life, parents, and ex-fiancé Cora hops the next plane to Patterson’s Bluff and to Trent.... Trent Walters, a jack of all trades and older brother to Liv, is the laidback, easy going sibling in the Walter’s family. He is always willing to help his family and puts others before himself—at his expense. When his sister decides to take an internship in Manhattan, he decides to move into her “house” so that he can finish the remodel and surprise her when she returns. What he didn’t expect to find, was a flooded house and Cora... Between the flood repairs, scrapbook redo, and the cricket team, Trent and Cora begin to bond. The friendship is immediate and the chemistry is off the charts! I laughed, cried, held my breath in anticipation throughout all their interactions. The glitter “party” was adorbs. Joe and his head-banging was HILARIOUS! Cricket lessons on the beach were priceless. This was a story of self discovery, love, and the true meaning of family. I LOVED Trent’s encouragement of Cora’s dreams! I also enjoyed glimpses into the rest of the Walter’s clan. I can’t wait to read the rest of the series. I read a gifted copy and all opinions stated are my own.

This book was a mixed bag for me. The first half was very slow and I had a hard time connecting with the characters or their story. I actually put it down several times before I finally finished the book. Once I hit the halfway point it changed and I found myself immersed in the characters' lives and wanting them to get their HEA ending. I fell in love with Cora and Trent couldn't wait to see them find their love story. The charm of the story came to life on the pages. The author is on my must read authors' list and normally I'd give all of her books a 5+ star rating. It makes me sad to rank this one lower and give it 3.5 stars.