A Place to Remember

Book Blurb…
A man loses five years of his life. Two women are desperate for him to remember.
Running away for the second time in her life, twenty-seven-year old Ava believes the cook's job at a country B&B is perfect, until she meets the owner's son, John Tate. The young fifth-generation grazier is a beguiling blend of both man, boy and a terrible flirt. With their connection immediate and intense, they begin a clandestine affair right under the noses of John's formidable parents.
Thirty years later, Ava returns to Candlebark Creek with her daughter, Nina, who is determined to meet her mother's lost love for herself. While struggling to find her own place in the world, Nina discovers an urban myth about a love-struck man, a forgotten engagement ring, and a dinner reservation back in the eighties. Now she must decide if revealing the truth will hurt more than it heals...

My thoughts…
I write this review with some bias; I love this author, I've read every book, and her latest novel is a story to remember that will captivate your heart. A Place to Remember is a big novel - a romantic sage that spans three generations. There are some really likeable characters, and as usual, Jenn does antagonists that you want to hate but just can't help but feel for by the end of the story. (Maybe not all of them!) Of course, her protagonists (a mother and daughter both looking for their place in the world, who find love) are resilient and determined.

You'll fall in love with Ava and John as they fall in love (in the eighties) and Nina's story (current day) will make you laugh and cry as she struggles to adapt to the land. Nina's role is also to uncover an urban myth about a love struck man, a forgotten engagement ring and a dinner reservation back in the eighties.

This is a such a good story. Its almost two love stories in the one book and Jenn's descriptions of life on the land always give me goosebumps. A Place to Remember is her best yet.

A 'must read' for 2018.

Ava Marchette's arrival in Candlebark Creek made her thankful it was so different from what she'd left behind. The volatile circumstances meant she'd needed to distance herself - just as she'd done at seventeen years of age. Now twenty seven, and a passionate chef, she was applying for the job of cook at the B&B on the family property, Ivy-May.

Her employer, Marjorie Tate, ran Ivy-May with aplomb; her iron fist was everywhere. Her husband Colin worked quietly in the background, while their only child, John was an up and coming farmer, and at only twenty he loved the land and the property which had been in their family for five generations. Often by his side was next-door neighbour and childhood friend Katie - their combined dreams for the property were known by all.

But the affair which began between Ava and John after a surprising connection was felt by them both would lead to nothing but heartache...

When Ava returned to Candlebark Creek thirty years later, she felt the memories assail her in waves. But it was when Nina, Ava's daughter, decided to check her mother's past out for herself that the secrets were uncovered...

A Place to Remember by Aussie author Jenn J. McLeod is a stunning family drama set in country Queensland, and filled with heartache, loss, hope and deeply buried secrets. Two generations and a thirty year gap with family love at the core with great, well-rounded characters as is usual by this author. I thoroughly enjoyed the journey and highly recommend A Place to Remember.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my uncorrected proof to read and review.