Review: Maggie's Run (Outback Brides Book 1) by Kelly Hunter

Maggie Walker has never called Wirra Station home. Orphaned as a child, she spent more time at boarding school, and then working in the city, than she ever spent on the edge of the outback. But when her great aunt dies, Maggie inherits everything and reluctantly returns to tidy the place up before selling.

Ambitious cowboy-next-door Max O’Connor has the means and the desire to buy Wirra Station outright and return it to its former glory. But first, he wants elusive Maggie Walker to know what she’s giving up. He challenges her to live at Wirra Station for three months—with him as farm manager. Just one season–and if she still doesn’t love the place, he’ll gladly pay up and she can be cashed-up and careless, with no ties to anything or anyone.

Three months. Two hearts. One Summer. Roll on.

My Review:

Maggie Walker returned to Wirra Station, after inheriting it from her aunt.  She has no idea what to do with the land or the house until she runs into her childhood friend Max O’Connor, who is her neighbor.  Max doesn’t want Maggie to sell the property, has another idea, he will stay on as farm manager while she sorts through the homestead.  If Maggie still wants to sell after three months, Max will buy it from her.  If Maggie decides to stay, Max suggests she sell her Melbourne house and pay him back what he has put into the land.  But then, Maggie comes up with the brilliant idea of turning it into an events and wedding venue.  It doesn’t take long for Maggie and Max to give in to the growing attraction they have for each other.  But will Maggie’s fears and secrets ruin their new relationship?

There was so much more to this book than just the romance.  I enjoyed the discoveries Maggie makes as she goes through the house, especially what was in the hidden room.  There were a lot of secrets that Maggie’s aunt kept from everyone and it was fun to see that part of the story unfold.  The fact that Maggie suffered PTSD and why she has it gave the story an emotional feel.  It was an interesting and entertaining book that I thoroughly enjoyed.