A Girl's Guide to the Outback {A Book Review}

**I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for consideration. All thoughts are 100% my own. 

How far will a girl go to win back a guy she can’t stand? This funny, sweet, and romantic story proves that opposites do attract—and that God has a sense of humor.

Samuel Payton is a passionate youth pastor in Virginia, but below the surface, he’s still recovering from the blow of a failed business and insecurities he can’t shake. His coworker, start-up expert Kimberly Foster, is brilliant, fearless, and capable, but years of personal rejection have left her defensive and longing for a family. Two people have never been more at odds—or more attracted to one another. And every day at work, the sparks sure do fly.

When Kimberly’s ambitious plans for Sam’s ministry butt up against his risk-averse nature, Sam decides that obligations to family trump his work for the church. He quits the ministry and heads home to Australia to help his sister, Jules, save her struggling farm. As Kimberly’s grand plans flounder, she is forced to face the truth: that no one can replace Sam. Together they strike up a deal: If Kimberly comes to work on Jules’s dairy farm and lends her business brains to their endeavor, then maybe—just maybe—Sam will reconsider his future with the church.

As Kimberly tries her hand at Australian farm life, she learns more about herself than she could’ve ever expected. Meanwhile Sam is forced to re-evaluate this spunky woman he thought he already knew. As foes slowly morph into friends, they wonder if they might be something even more. But when disaster strikes the farm, will Sam find it within himself to take a risk that could lead to love? And will Kimberly trust God with her future?

Australian author Jessica Kate writes inspirational romances with wit, sass, and grit. Jessica is a screenwriting groupie, cohost of the StoryNerds vlog and podcasts, and her favorite place to be—apart from Mum and Dad’s back deck—is a theme park. She has traveled North America and Australia, and samples her favorite pasta wherever she goes—but the best (so far) is still the place around the corner from her corporate day job as a training developer. She loves watching sitcoms with her housemates and being a leader in a new church plant. Visit her online at jessicakatewriting.com; Instagram: jessicakatewriting; Facebook: jessicakatewriting; Twitter: @JessicaKate05.

When I read Jessica Kate's first novel- Love and Other Mistakes- I was an instant fan. I loved her fun romantic comedy style that had be laughing throughout the story. Naturally, I could not wait to read this one, her second novel- A Girl's Guide to the Outback.

As the name suggests, this book takes place in the author's home country of Australia. I thought this added a really fun element, hearing some of the Australian slang--- some of which I'd heard before, but others that were new to me. Likewise, it lead to some fun 'fish out of water' type moments throughout the story as well, aiding in that great romantic comedy style that I'd so enjoyed from the first book. Whereas her previous book was labeled as a Christian fiction, but read more like a mainstream fiction in which some of the characters happened to be Christian, I felt like this one had more faith content which I very much enjoyed. There were great messages about giving it to God and following His plans, as well as forgiveness and grace. It wasn't preachy, but certainly seemed to play more of a role in the story than the previous... so for anyone who liked the style but wanted more of that Christian content, this one might be more up your alley.

I enjoyed watching the relationship between our romantic leads- Sam and Kimberly- as their relationship kicked off from barely tolerating each other to falling in love. They were quite different in so many way, but complimented each other well. I always personally enjoy a good ol' fashioned opposites attracting story, as my husband and I likewise have completely different personalities too. Though in the case in this story, it was not as much their personal differences, but rather their personal hangups that seemed to get in the way. Either way, their fun banter made for a cute story that I enjoyed reading about. And while it was the main love story, it wasn't the only one! We get to know another couple throughout the story which is a great added bonus for us true romantics!

Overall, this was a great story and one that I thoroughly enjoyed. As much as I enjoyed her previous book, I thought this one was even better. I look forward to reading more from Jessica Kate in the future!