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Bunyip Bay #1
Outback Dreams
Faith and Monty are both looking for love...but they’re looking in the wrong direction.
Faith Forrester is at a crossroads. Single, thirty and living on a farm in a small Western Australian town, she’s sick of being treated like a kitchen slave by her brother and father. Ten years ago, her mother died of breast cancer, and Faith has been treading water ever since. She wants to get her hands dirty on the family farm. She wants to prove to herself that she’s done something worthwhile with her life. And she wants to find a man...
For as long as he can remember, Daniel ‘Monty’ Montgomery has been Faith’s best friend. When he was ten, his parents sold the family property and moved to Perth, and ever since, Monty’s dreamed of having his own farm. So for the last ten years, he’s been back on the land, working odd jobs and saving every dollar to put toward his dream. Now he finally has the deposit. But there’s still something missing...
So when Faith embarks on a mission to raise money for a charity close to her heart, and Monty’s dream property comes on the market, things seem like they are falling into place for them both. Until a drunken night out ends with them sleeping together. Suddenly, the best friends are faced with a new load of challenges...
Monty and Faith are both ready to find a life partner and settle down, but have they both been looking in all the wrong places?
Faith Forrester is at a crossroads. Single, thirty and living on a farm in a small Western Australian town, she’s sick of being treated like a kitchen slave by her brother and father. Ten years ago, her mother died of breast cancer, and Faith has been treading water ever since. She wants to get her hands dirty on the family farm. She wants to prove to herself that she’s done something worthwhile with her life. And she wants to find a man...
For as long as he can remember, Daniel ‘Monty’ Montgomery has been Faith’s best friend. When he was ten, his parents sold the family property and moved to Perth, and ever since, Monty’s dreamed of having his own farm. So for the last ten years, he’s been back on the land, working odd jobs and saving every dollar to put toward his dream. Now he finally has the deposit. But there’s still something missing...
So when Faith embarks on a mission to raise money for a charity close to her heart, and Monty’s dream property comes on the market, things seem like they are falling into place for them both. Until a drunken night out ends with them sleeping together. Suddenly, the best friends are faced with a new load of challenges...
Monty and Faith are both ready to find a life partner and settle down, but have they both been looking in all the wrong places?
352 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2013
84 people are currently reading
1037 people want to read
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May 27, 2016
Faith and Monty – best friends since childhood where their farms were side by side and they did everything together. Then came the day that Monty’s parents sold their farm and took both Monty and his brother Will to live in Perth. Monty was devastated – as a ten year old child he couldn’t comprehend what his parents were doing; the farm had been in the family for generations – just because Will needed medical care on a constant basis didn’t mean they should move away from everything they’d known and loved all Monty’s life; did it?
Boarding school and college over, both Faith and Monty were adults now – Faith still living on the family farm at Bunyip Bay and Daniel (Monty) Montgomery back and working odd jobs to save enough money to buy his own farm. The two of them remained fast friends – best buddies – helping each other out, enjoying a beer together. But things had changed (as they tend to do). Faith’s Mum had passed away ten years prior to cancer and while her Dad and brother Ryan continued to work the farm, Faith wanted more than just cooking for the men and cleaning the house.
When Faith decided to do a fundraiser to raise money for autism and the special dogs which were needed to be companions to autistic children, she settled on the Barking Ball to be held in Bunyip Bay. As the members of the town rallied around her to help, Monty’s dreams of owning his own farm were coming closer to fruition. Unexpectedly though the two best friends were feeling uncomfortable around one another – what was going on? Faith knew she couldn’t lose the friendship she’d cherished her whole life; Monty wasn’t sure what to do…
Outback Dreams by Aussie author Rachael Johns is the first in the Bunyip Bay series and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Having already read the third and fourth in the series, which I loved, I decided I needed to read the first two. Outback Dreams is a delightful rural romance with characters that I had already met in the later books, so it was like catching up again (though in a back to front way) The descriptions of farm life were authentic and real – Clancy’s Breakaway was beautiful. (I wondered if it’s the author’s home or the one she dreams of having) I especially loved Jenni and Nora. I have no hesitation in highly recommending Outback Dreams.
Boarding school and college over, both Faith and Monty were adults now – Faith still living on the family farm at Bunyip Bay and Daniel (Monty) Montgomery back and working odd jobs to save enough money to buy his own farm. The two of them remained fast friends – best buddies – helping each other out, enjoying a beer together. But things had changed (as they tend to do). Faith’s Mum had passed away ten years prior to cancer and while her Dad and brother Ryan continued to work the farm, Faith wanted more than just cooking for the men and cleaning the house.
When Faith decided to do a fundraiser to raise money for autism and the special dogs which were needed to be companions to autistic children, she settled on the Barking Ball to be held in Bunyip Bay. As the members of the town rallied around her to help, Monty’s dreams of owning his own farm were coming closer to fruition. Unexpectedly though the two best friends were feeling uncomfortable around one another – what was going on? Faith knew she couldn’t lose the friendship she’d cherished her whole life; Monty wasn’t sure what to do…
Outback Dreams by Aussie author Rachael Johns is the first in the Bunyip Bay series and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Having already read the third and fourth in the series, which I loved, I decided I needed to read the first two. Outback Dreams is a delightful rural romance with characters that I had already met in the later books, so it was like catching up again (though in a back to front way) The descriptions of farm life were authentic and real – Clancy’s Breakaway was beautiful. (I wondered if it’s the author’s home or the one she dreams of having) I especially loved Jenni and Nora. I have no hesitation in highly recommending Outback Dreams.
March 6, 2017
Outback Dreams is book one of the Bunyip Bay series by Rachael Johns. The readers of Outback Dreams will see how childhood friends Daniel Montgomery and Faith Forrester realise that they have fallen in love. Outback Dreams also discusses Daniel Montgomery family and how they handle when they realise their youngest son William had autism. However, until one night of passion with Faith, no one understands how William affected the way Daniel feels and behaves. Another, story in the background of Outback Dreams is the problems that happen when men can not cope when their wife dies and how that affects the way they behaviour to their children. I enjoy the way Rachael Johns educates the readers of Outback Dreams on autism. I also learnt by reading Outback Dreams that they can use dogs to assist children who have autism. I recommend this book.
December 4, 2013
This is the first book I've read by Rachael Johns and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Faith Forrester and Daniel 'Monty' Montgomery have been best friends since childhood. Having grown up together they know just about all there is to know about one another. Faith lives Bunyip bay with her father Frank and her brother Ryan. Faith's mother passed away from breast cancer eight years ago. Her father and brother work on the farm each day whilst she is left to do the cooking and all the cleaning. In fact Faith is treated more like the hired help most days especially by father. Faith feels like she hasn't accomplished anything in her life and decides this year things are going to change. She starts with organising a fundraiser which will be a ball to raise money to train companion dogs for autistic kids. The Barking Ball Charity event.
And she feels it's about time to find herself a man, but this may seem harder than she thinks.
Monty's parents sold their family farm when he was ten years old and moved to Perth. This move was to enable them to get more help and support for Monty's brother Will who has autism. Since Monty was young he always dreamed of owning a farm and thought it would be the family farm, but this was not too be. Monty's dream never faded and once he was old enough he worked so hard towards he's dream. He worked on other peoples farms and on crayfish boats between seasons and saved like mad. And it seems like his dream was getting closer as he is told about a farm that has come on the market and of course Monty is thrilled. He has all his finances sorted only to be disappointed as the sale falls through. A short time later Monty is told about another farm that has just been listed but it's eight hours away. He discusses it with his best friend Faith and ask her to come with him to take a look and she agrees.Once they reach the farm they are both in awe of the farm as it's so beautiful and more than either of them expected. The people that own it have named it Clancy's Breakaway and they are a lovely couple who want someone who will appreciate their home and surroundings. They will not just sell to anyone it has to be the right person. So will Monty be that person? After spending the night at the farm Monty and Faith see each other differently but could this make their lives more complicated.
This is a beautiful story of romance, friendship and community. I really enjoyed all the characters although Faith's father wasn't very pleasant I did warm to him in the end. I honestly didn't want this story to end it was a lovely easy read and I can't wait for the next one in this series Outback Blaze. A remarkable story written by an Aussie author and I highly recommend you read it.
Faith Forrester and Daniel 'Monty' Montgomery have been best friends since childhood. Having grown up together they know just about all there is to know about one another. Faith lives Bunyip bay with her father Frank and her brother Ryan. Faith's mother passed away from breast cancer eight years ago. Her father and brother work on the farm each day whilst she is left to do the cooking and all the cleaning. In fact Faith is treated more like the hired help most days especially by father. Faith feels like she hasn't accomplished anything in her life and decides this year things are going to change. She starts with organising a fundraiser which will be a ball to raise money to train companion dogs for autistic kids. The Barking Ball Charity event.
And she feels it's about time to find herself a man, but this may seem harder than she thinks.
Monty's parents sold their family farm when he was ten years old and moved to Perth. This move was to enable them to get more help and support for Monty's brother Will who has autism. Since Monty was young he always dreamed of owning a farm and thought it would be the family farm, but this was not too be. Monty's dream never faded and once he was old enough he worked so hard towards he's dream. He worked on other peoples farms and on crayfish boats between seasons and saved like mad. And it seems like his dream was getting closer as he is told about a farm that has come on the market and of course Monty is thrilled. He has all his finances sorted only to be disappointed as the sale falls through. A short time later Monty is told about another farm that has just been listed but it's eight hours away. He discusses it with his best friend Faith and ask her to come with him to take a look and she agrees.Once they reach the farm they are both in awe of the farm as it's so beautiful and more than either of them expected. The people that own it have named it Clancy's Breakaway and they are a lovely couple who want someone who will appreciate their home and surroundings. They will not just sell to anyone it has to be the right person. So will Monty be that person? After spending the night at the farm Monty and Faith see each other differently but could this make their lives more complicated.
This is a beautiful story of romance, friendship and community. I really enjoyed all the characters although Faith's father wasn't very pleasant I did warm to him in the end. I honestly didn't want this story to end it was a lovely easy read and I can't wait for the next one in this series Outback Blaze. A remarkable story written by an Aussie author and I highly recommend you read it.
January 9, 2021
I need Book 2 NOW!
Just a fantastic contemporary fiction read! Loved the characters, the complexity of the plot, the rural setting, the strong female voices and of course outback Aussie larrikin fun.
Awesome book to start the year with - thank you Rachel Jones for kicking 2021 into the bleachers!
Just a fantastic contemporary fiction read! Loved the characters, the complexity of the plot, the rural setting, the strong female voices and of course outback Aussie larrikin fun.
Awesome book to start the year with - thank you Rachel Jones for kicking 2021 into the bleachers!
March 23, 2017
I like the build-up and the sense of rural community relationships, until...
There's always a moment where the conflict hits its highest point and unfortunately, I found it breathtakingly stupid when it came. From the heroine too, which makes me grimace and hunker down and whimper because I feel the need to excuse for the silliness in my own gender. Seriously? Faith's desire to have children leads her to break-up with Monty without taking the time to understand the resentment that he'd has for years makes it alright for her to take moral high ground? And everything is resolved the moment Monty comes grovelling? Are her biological clock and her desires eclipsing the beauty of what 'true' partnership is? Ugh.
Because as much as Monty has been accused of selfishness, she is equally guilty of acting as though he is the only entity that's missing it all.
There's always a moment where the conflict hits its highest point and unfortunately, I found it breathtakingly stupid when it came. From the heroine too, which makes me grimace and hunker down and whimper because I feel the need to excuse for the silliness in my own gender. Seriously? Faith's desire to have children leads her to break-up with Monty without taking the time to understand the resentment that he'd has for years makes it alright for her to take moral high ground? And everything is resolved the moment Monty comes grovelling? Are her biological clock and her desires eclipsing the beauty of what 'true' partnership is? Ugh.
Because as much as Monty has been accused of selfishness, she is equally guilty of acting as though he is the only entity that's missing it all.
September 16, 2013
After reading Man Drought earlier this year and then hosting Rachael Johns as a Stories on Stage speaker (read my interview with her here), I was more than happy to receive an advance copy of her next book, Outback Dreams. Hands up if you wish you received that advance copy … if your hand is waving, then you’ll be happy to read that I have one copy to give away to AU readers. More on that later. I was hoping for another fun-loving romp in John’s refreshing style and I’m happy to say that’s just what I got – an enjoyable story of two people looking for love in the wrong direction.
Thirty-year-old Faith Forrester lives on a farm in a small Western Australian town with her father and brother. Her mother died of breast cancer 10 years earlier and since then Faith has been running around after her brother and father like a chook with its head chopped off … but, she’d much rather be running around on the farm. That doesn’t seem to be an option so when Faith is at a boarding school reunion, she decides to take part in a fundraising challenge and prove to herself (and her old school peers) that she’s doing something worthwhile. That’s not the only complication Faith has added to her life in one fell swoop – when asked about her love-life, which is non-existent, she thinks on her feet and tells everyone that her long-time best friend Monty (Daniel) is her boyfriend, hoping that will satisfy their lust for information.
Back in town, she updates Monty, and is surprised to find that she’s looking at him in a new way. He looks pretty good, she thinks, wondering why she’s never really noticed before. Turns out Monty has news of his own. After years of dreaming of a farm to call his own, Monty has the deposit he needs to buy a property. With Faith’s new charity mission and Monty’s real-estate venture, things look like they’re falling into place … apart from the fact that neither of them have partners, Monty has a crush on a girl who doesn’t seem interested, and Faith can’t stop looking at Monty’s ripped bod. When the two travel down south to check out a property Monty is interested in, a few too many red wines lead to an amorous night under the stars and suddenly life is more complicated than ever before. Both want to be in love, but they just didn’t expect it to be with each other.
What an enjoyable read! Just the right amount of conflict, heat and romance, played out by two great characters in Faith and Monty. I read this after a few heavier books and it turned out to be the perfect antidote for a weighed-down mind! Johns has really found her forte in romance writing; she tells a good yarn, uses humour well, and she makes her rural settings look darn inviting. I’m looking forward to the rest of what is, as I discovered later, a three-book series (you can read this as a standalone, though) and I think for her growing fan base, Outback Blaze and Outback Ghost won’t come fast enough.
One of the key elements in determining whether a romance works or not, aside from the requisite conflict of sorts, is the chemistry between the leads. I really liked that Faith and Monty started out as friends first and that the romantic attraction was a later addition to their relationship – it gives me faith in their longevity. Often with a fast-burn relationship I wonder what will happen once the lust and desire wears off (or at least dims, as it is wont to do). Once the attraction was sparked, I found it believable; at different times I felt frustrated by the characters’ miscommunications and wanted to give them a shake! Other characters, such as Ruby and Adam, who will be highlighted in the next two books, rounded out the story well, providing stability, added interest and a little extra conflict (as well as friendship and a voice of reason for the love-addled Faith and Monty).
It’s not all sweetness and light; the storyline also explores a touchy relationship between Faith and her still-grieving father, as well as an issue close to Johns’ heart, autism. Yes, in essence it’s a romance, but I do like a bit more depth and Outback Dreams delivers that with a gentle touch.
Thirty-year-old Faith Forrester lives on a farm in a small Western Australian town with her father and brother. Her mother died of breast cancer 10 years earlier and since then Faith has been running around after her brother and father like a chook with its head chopped off … but, she’d much rather be running around on the farm. That doesn’t seem to be an option so when Faith is at a boarding school reunion, she decides to take part in a fundraising challenge and prove to herself (and her old school peers) that she’s doing something worthwhile. That’s not the only complication Faith has added to her life in one fell swoop – when asked about her love-life, which is non-existent, she thinks on her feet and tells everyone that her long-time best friend Monty (Daniel) is her boyfriend, hoping that will satisfy their lust for information.
Back in town, she updates Monty, and is surprised to find that she’s looking at him in a new way. He looks pretty good, she thinks, wondering why she’s never really noticed before. Turns out Monty has news of his own. After years of dreaming of a farm to call his own, Monty has the deposit he needs to buy a property. With Faith’s new charity mission and Monty’s real-estate venture, things look like they’re falling into place … apart from the fact that neither of them have partners, Monty has a crush on a girl who doesn’t seem interested, and Faith can’t stop looking at Monty’s ripped bod. When the two travel down south to check out a property Monty is interested in, a few too many red wines lead to an amorous night under the stars and suddenly life is more complicated than ever before. Both want to be in love, but they just didn’t expect it to be with each other.
What an enjoyable read! Just the right amount of conflict, heat and romance, played out by two great characters in Faith and Monty. I read this after a few heavier books and it turned out to be the perfect antidote for a weighed-down mind! Johns has really found her forte in romance writing; she tells a good yarn, uses humour well, and she makes her rural settings look darn inviting. I’m looking forward to the rest of what is, as I discovered later, a three-book series (you can read this as a standalone, though) and I think for her growing fan base, Outback Blaze and Outback Ghost won’t come fast enough.
One of the key elements in determining whether a romance works or not, aside from the requisite conflict of sorts, is the chemistry between the leads. I really liked that Faith and Monty started out as friends first and that the romantic attraction was a later addition to their relationship – it gives me faith in their longevity. Often with a fast-burn relationship I wonder what will happen once the lust and desire wears off (or at least dims, as it is wont to do). Once the attraction was sparked, I found it believable; at different times I felt frustrated by the characters’ miscommunications and wanted to give them a shake! Other characters, such as Ruby and Adam, who will be highlighted in the next two books, rounded out the story well, providing stability, added interest and a little extra conflict (as well as friendship and a voice of reason for the love-addled Faith and Monty).
It’s not all sweetness and light; the storyline also explores a touchy relationship between Faith and her still-grieving father, as well as an issue close to Johns’ heart, autism. Yes, in essence it’s a romance, but I do like a bit more depth and Outback Dreams delivers that with a gentle touch.
November 6, 2013
Rachael's books always manage to captivate me from the first page. Thanks so much for raising the issue of Autism in your book and proving just because you have a disability it doesn't mean you can't lead a happy life. Loved the storyline of best friends falling in love, was kind of sweet. :) Can't wait for the next 2 books in the series!
October 1, 2013
A school reunion has forced Faith Forrester to recognise that her life is going no where. Almost 30, she lives on the family farm with her widowed father and brother but she isn’t allowed to assist with any of the farm work. Instead Faith cleans and cooks, picking up after her relatives like some kind of slave. She has a half finished agriculture studies degree that she gave up ten years ago to nurse her mother through the last stages of breast cancer and never went back. She wants to do farm work but she has come to the realisation that it isn’t going to happen as she cooks the next Sunday roast. To do what she loves, she will have to leave the family farm.
Faith’s best friend Daniel Montgomery (aka ‘Monty’) is doing everything he can to get back to a farm. His parents sold their family farm and moved to Perth when Daniel was 10 in order to get more help and support for Daniel’s autistic brother Will and ever since then, everything Daniel has done has revolved around his dream of being able to own his own farm. He’s worked hard for years doing every job he could find and carefully saved all his money when his friends have been partying and holidaying. Now he thinks he finally has enough to go to the bank with a good deposit in order to get a loan to make his dream come true.
Faith has decided to embark on a charitable project, raising money to help fund companion dogs for autistic children and she has roped in many of the locals to help her, including Monty. The two have been friends since they were kids but now both of them are slightly startled by the distinctly more than friendly feelings they are having towards each other and when visiting Monty’s dream property together, a night of too much alcohol and a shared tent leads to a night of passion. Both of them are taken aback by this new direction and in their attempts to banish any awkwardness, only end up creating more. And although Monty now has a date with the girl he’s been chasing for months, he finds that he only has Faith on his mind.
Is it possible that what Faith and Monty have been looking for, the reason that neither of them have ever had a serious partner, is because what they want has been right in front of them all along?
Outback Dreams is Rachael Johns’ latest novel and the first of her Bunyip Bay trilogy. Faith has grown up in the town, departing only for boarding school and part of her university degree. Since the death of her mother from breast cancer, Faith and perhaps the whole family, have been in a sort of limbo. A tedious reunion for her school makes her realise this and that she wants to change something, do something meaningful. She vows to enter the Ms Alumna award, which celebrates the woman whose project has raised the most for charity. While Faith is vowing to change her life, her best friend Monty is about to do exactly that, finally able to secure a bank loan to fulfill his dream of purchasing his own farm.
One thing I love about all of Johns’ rural romances are the communities she creates within each one. I think I liked this one best of all – Bunyip Bay is full of characters you want to know more about, from the shy Ruby who clearly has something going on in her past, to Faith and Monty’s lovely friend Adam, to the elderly ladies that Monty has done work and odd jobs for. Luckily this is part of a trilogy (each installment with a new couple but with some threads of plot that run through all 3) so we will get to read much more about these wonderful people, who contribute so much to this story. Everyone pitches in to help Faith with the ball she decides to have in order to raise money for her chosen charity – it’s the sort of place you can imagine yourself living very easily.
Both Faith and Monty are incredibly well-rounded characters complete with some rather glaring flaws to flesh them out. Monty grew up the neurotypical or “normal” child in a family that also had an autistic child who needed so much more. He resents the fact that his parents sold the farm, the farm that would’ve been his in order to move to Perth and help Will get the support that he needed in order to live as full a life as possible. Monty has seethed on this for years and he rarely sees his family and Will and finds it hard to relate to his brother and is surprised to learn just how far Will has come in living a “normal” life with a job and even a girlfriend. Will is a highly functioning autistic who as a child would melt down at the vacuum cleaner, the jars in the pantry not being arranged, even having his hair washed. Will’s needs have coloured Monty’s life and he has a lot of inner resentment and anger over that. It creates difficulty between him and Faith after they decide to try a relationship, because Monty is adamant he wouldn’t sell his dream for anything. And to be a family, you need to put that first and not a property. I found that I could understand Monty’s feelings and sympathise with them even though I knew they weren’t healthy and that he needed to move past them and let it all go in order to be truly happy. He isn’t deliberately cruel, he honestly believes that he’s doing the right thing in making the decisions he does. I also really enjoyed the way Faith’s difficult relationship with her father was explored and the reasons why he found it so difficult to have her help on the farm. It seemed like he was treating her like a slave but he was doing the best he could to actually keep her on the property so that she didn’t have to leave. He didn’t know that she was so dissatisfied with her life and felt as though she’d accomplished nothing.
Outback Dreams is a fresh take on the friends to lovers story. Quite often one character has had long running feelings and the other is oblivious. In this one Faith and Monty genuinely only see each other as friends, almost siblings until their lives begin to change. Monty realises that he wants someone to go with the dream of his own farm and that the only person he can really see playing that role is Faith. Likewise, Faith finds that the Monty she thinks she sees is long gone and it’s a man in front of her, not a teenage boy. I think it works, because they both have hit a stage in life where what they want is different. They are looking for the same thing at the same time and they are quite honestly, made for each other. They just needed to see beyond the whole ‘best friends’ thing.
This is a complete story in its own right but it also lays the groundwork for the threads to continue running throughout the next 2 installments, Outback Blaze and Outback Ghost. Waiting is torture!
Faith’s best friend Daniel Montgomery (aka ‘Monty’) is doing everything he can to get back to a farm. His parents sold their family farm and moved to Perth when Daniel was 10 in order to get more help and support for Daniel’s autistic brother Will and ever since then, everything Daniel has done has revolved around his dream of being able to own his own farm. He’s worked hard for years doing every job he could find and carefully saved all his money when his friends have been partying and holidaying. Now he thinks he finally has enough to go to the bank with a good deposit in order to get a loan to make his dream come true.
Faith has decided to embark on a charitable project, raising money to help fund companion dogs for autistic children and she has roped in many of the locals to help her, including Monty. The two have been friends since they were kids but now both of them are slightly startled by the distinctly more than friendly feelings they are having towards each other and when visiting Monty’s dream property together, a night of too much alcohol and a shared tent leads to a night of passion. Both of them are taken aback by this new direction and in their attempts to banish any awkwardness, only end up creating more. And although Monty now has a date with the girl he’s been chasing for months, he finds that he only has Faith on his mind.
Is it possible that what Faith and Monty have been looking for, the reason that neither of them have ever had a serious partner, is because what they want has been right in front of them all along?
Outback Dreams is Rachael Johns’ latest novel and the first of her Bunyip Bay trilogy. Faith has grown up in the town, departing only for boarding school and part of her university degree. Since the death of her mother from breast cancer, Faith and perhaps the whole family, have been in a sort of limbo. A tedious reunion for her school makes her realise this and that she wants to change something, do something meaningful. She vows to enter the Ms Alumna award, which celebrates the woman whose project has raised the most for charity. While Faith is vowing to change her life, her best friend Monty is about to do exactly that, finally able to secure a bank loan to fulfill his dream of purchasing his own farm.
One thing I love about all of Johns’ rural romances are the communities she creates within each one. I think I liked this one best of all – Bunyip Bay is full of characters you want to know more about, from the shy Ruby who clearly has something going on in her past, to Faith and Monty’s lovely friend Adam, to the elderly ladies that Monty has done work and odd jobs for. Luckily this is part of a trilogy (each installment with a new couple but with some threads of plot that run through all 3) so we will get to read much more about these wonderful people, who contribute so much to this story. Everyone pitches in to help Faith with the ball she decides to have in order to raise money for her chosen charity – it’s the sort of place you can imagine yourself living very easily.
Both Faith and Monty are incredibly well-rounded characters complete with some rather glaring flaws to flesh them out. Monty grew up the neurotypical or “normal” child in a family that also had an autistic child who needed so much more. He resents the fact that his parents sold the farm, the farm that would’ve been his in order to move to Perth and help Will get the support that he needed in order to live as full a life as possible. Monty has seethed on this for years and he rarely sees his family and Will and finds it hard to relate to his brother and is surprised to learn just how far Will has come in living a “normal” life with a job and even a girlfriend. Will is a highly functioning autistic who as a child would melt down at the vacuum cleaner, the jars in the pantry not being arranged, even having his hair washed. Will’s needs have coloured Monty’s life and he has a lot of inner resentment and anger over that. It creates difficulty between him and Faith after they decide to try a relationship, because Monty is adamant he wouldn’t sell his dream for anything. And to be a family, you need to put that first and not a property. I found that I could understand Monty’s feelings and sympathise with them even though I knew they weren’t healthy and that he needed to move past them and let it all go in order to be truly happy. He isn’t deliberately cruel, he honestly believes that he’s doing the right thing in making the decisions he does. I also really enjoyed the way Faith’s difficult relationship with her father was explored and the reasons why he found it so difficult to have her help on the farm. It seemed like he was treating her like a slave but he was doing the best he could to actually keep her on the property so that she didn’t have to leave. He didn’t know that she was so dissatisfied with her life and felt as though she’d accomplished nothing.
Outback Dreams is a fresh take on the friends to lovers story. Quite often one character has had long running feelings and the other is oblivious. In this one Faith and Monty genuinely only see each other as friends, almost siblings until their lives begin to change. Monty realises that he wants someone to go with the dream of his own farm and that the only person he can really see playing that role is Faith. Likewise, Faith finds that the Monty she thinks she sees is long gone and it’s a man in front of her, not a teenage boy. I think it works, because they both have hit a stage in life where what they want is different. They are looking for the same thing at the same time and they are quite honestly, made for each other. They just needed to see beyond the whole ‘best friends’ thing.
This is a complete story in its own right but it also lays the groundwork for the threads to continue running throughout the next 2 installments, Outback Blaze and Outback Ghost. Waiting is torture!
October 4, 2013
I have fallen in adoration for Rachael Johns. This is my first experience reading a novel written by Ms Johns and most certainly not the last. I do have a couple of other’s on my to-read list, Jilted and Man Drought, which have moved up my list now. Outback Dreams was absolutely fantastic; I loved every aspect of this book and cannot wait to read the companion novels Outback Blaze and Outback Ghost (TBC). This will be one awesome series, with the characters and friendly small town quality, but also the realistic associations with family issues.
Faith Forrester is thirty and attending a boarding school reunion. Everybody there is so successful and happy, or so they appear, that Faith feels jealous and alone. The girls sidle up to Faith and ask about her life. Faith is frozen, with no ring on her finger, is there anything she can say. Working on her family farm, she cannot say she is a successful lawyer or doctor and thinking quick, creates a fiancé. Faith created a fiancé in Daniel Montgomery, known to all as Monty.
Not having accomplished anything in her life, Faith was determined to change it. She pledged to raise money for a charity and hope to win Alumna of the Year by raising the most money. Heading home to an unhappy house, Faith is determined to gain confidence and make a change.
Monty and Faith have been friends since forever. Monty has had a dream of owning his own farm ever since his parent’s sold theirs and moved to the city. Devastated by the move Monty is determined to save and work as much as possible to buy that dream farm. Monty is a jack-of-all-trades and the eldest child, his younger brother, Will has Autism and they have had to change their life in order to accommodate to Will’s needs.
Since Faith decided Monty was her fiancé, she has been looking at Monty in a new light. Realising how hot and wonderful he is, Faith is going to flaunt her curves. Heading to the pub to celebrate Monty’s achievements towards his dreams, Faith shows up in a dress. This is highly unusual for her and everybody was shocked, but in a good way. Monty has had his sights on Ruby, recently returned to Bunyip Bay and all the blokes in town are smitten.
Monty cannot remember ever seeing Faith dressed that nice before. All of a sudden he is thinking about her long legs and beautiful curves. Ruby is next to him, but he can’t stop looking at Faith and puts it down to protectiveness. All the blokes are vying for her attention and Monty is worried.
Monty takes Faith to check out an available farm 8 hours away and they spend the weekend camping on the property. Monty is excited to have Faith with him; she is his best mate after all. Reaching Clancy’s Breakaway, they are both in awe of the homestead. Beautiful and impressive, they head in and meet the old couple that own it.
Having a good time, they have a few too many drinks, with their heads fuzzy, their hearts break through and heading to bed they kiss. Things turn into more, but will this ruin their lifelong friendship?
The next morning is awkward to say the least and it appears they have crossed a line. Everything in Faith’s life lately has gone from bad to worse. Her Father has turned to anger now and Faith only has him as a parent, so nothing is going right.
Can Monty and Faith overcome their awkwardness and discover their true feelings for each other? Will the Barking Ball charity event be a success? What will Faith decide to do with her life? Will Monty get his outback dream?
This was fabulous. The characters had depth and although I got annoyed with Monty at times for his selfishness, I can understand why he held onto his resentment for so long. I loved Faith’s strong will and no bars hold attitude, but with a delicate heart she shows she is still a woman. Ms Johns is remarkable; all the research into Autism and the minute detailing throughout the book really brought me into Bunyip Bay and Clancy’s Breakaway. I highly recommend this to all romance readers.
Faith Forrester is thirty and attending a boarding school reunion. Everybody there is so successful and happy, or so they appear, that Faith feels jealous and alone. The girls sidle up to Faith and ask about her life. Faith is frozen, with no ring on her finger, is there anything she can say. Working on her family farm, she cannot say she is a successful lawyer or doctor and thinking quick, creates a fiancé. Faith created a fiancé in Daniel Montgomery, known to all as Monty.
Not having accomplished anything in her life, Faith was determined to change it. She pledged to raise money for a charity and hope to win Alumna of the Year by raising the most money. Heading home to an unhappy house, Faith is determined to gain confidence and make a change.
Monty and Faith have been friends since forever. Monty has had a dream of owning his own farm ever since his parent’s sold theirs and moved to the city. Devastated by the move Monty is determined to save and work as much as possible to buy that dream farm. Monty is a jack-of-all-trades and the eldest child, his younger brother, Will has Autism and they have had to change their life in order to accommodate to Will’s needs.
Since Faith decided Monty was her fiancé, she has been looking at Monty in a new light. Realising how hot and wonderful he is, Faith is going to flaunt her curves. Heading to the pub to celebrate Monty’s achievements towards his dreams, Faith shows up in a dress. This is highly unusual for her and everybody was shocked, but in a good way. Monty has had his sights on Ruby, recently returned to Bunyip Bay and all the blokes in town are smitten.
Monty cannot remember ever seeing Faith dressed that nice before. All of a sudden he is thinking about her long legs and beautiful curves. Ruby is next to him, but he can’t stop looking at Faith and puts it down to protectiveness. All the blokes are vying for her attention and Monty is worried.
Monty takes Faith to check out an available farm 8 hours away and they spend the weekend camping on the property. Monty is excited to have Faith with him; she is his best mate after all. Reaching Clancy’s Breakaway, they are both in awe of the homestead. Beautiful and impressive, they head in and meet the old couple that own it.
Having a good time, they have a few too many drinks, with their heads fuzzy, their hearts break through and heading to bed they kiss. Things turn into more, but will this ruin their lifelong friendship?
The next morning is awkward to say the least and it appears they have crossed a line. Everything in Faith’s life lately has gone from bad to worse. Her Father has turned to anger now and Faith only has him as a parent, so nothing is going right.
Can Monty and Faith overcome their awkwardness and discover their true feelings for each other? Will the Barking Ball charity event be a success? What will Faith decide to do with her life? Will Monty get his outback dream?
This was fabulous. The characters had depth and although I got annoyed with Monty at times for his selfishness, I can understand why he held onto his resentment for so long. I loved Faith’s strong will and no bars hold attitude, but with a delicate heart she shows she is still a woman. Ms Johns is remarkable; all the research into Autism and the minute detailing throughout the book really brought me into Bunyip Bay and Clancy’s Breakaway. I highly recommend this to all romance readers.
October 4, 2013
Oh gosh. Outback Dreams – where do I start with this book? I’ve written three different openings to this review and none of them seem good enough compared to this wonderful story. Rachael Johns has done it all brilliantly with this book – the characters are likeable (and gorgeous in the case of Monty), the setting beautiful and the storyline is a ripper. At heart a romance, this book also has a number of non-romantic plot threads deftly woven through it to maintain your interest while you’re reading and to have you thinking about the book when you’re not!
I do love books set in my native Western Australia, and Outback Dreams is set in a rural area that I’m fairly familiar with. While Bunyip Bay is a fictional town, those who know the area will see that Johns has remained faithful to the spirit of the area, as well as the local industries. There’s farming, fishing and a big town (Geraldton) close by, plus the Big Smoke of Perth is not that far away. This makes for plenty of opportunities for characters to move about and new characters to come in. I loved how the friendliness of the small country town is captured and how there’s no sugar coating of the downsides (such as wildfire gossip).
So what’s this story about? Monty (Daniel Montgomery) and Faith have been best friends since they were kids in Bunyip Bay. While Faith has stayed on in town as a frustrated cook and cleaner for her dad and brother, Monty’s family moved away to Perth to be nearer resources for Monty’s brother Will, who is autistic. Monty has always longed for a farm to call his own, and now he’s working feverishly in Bunyip Bay to earn the deposit. Monty’s got his eye on Ruby, the daughter of the family who runs the local Ag Store while Faith takes up a half-hearted romance with a man in town for crayfish season. When Monty asks Faith to accompany him to see a farm south of Perth, things go awry after one too many drinks and the friends get intimate. Mistake or meant to be?
While this is happening, Faith is organising a charity ball in Bunyip Bay to support dogs for autistic children after attending her yearly school reunion (poor Faith – imagine one of those every single year). Her father is barely speaking to her after Faith asked to be involved in the working life of the farm, rather than just the kitchen. Plus she’s not too sure what to make of Ruby, who has come to Bunyip Bay under a cloud – is she friend or foe? Monty’s trying to make sense of his future and where his fears regarding Will fit in.
It’s pretty rare in the book that I love all the major characters. But in Outback Dreams, I can honestly say that I did. Monty is a genuine gentleman, who is caring, clever and handsome. Faith is the kind of friend I’d like to have – she’s down to earth and unpretentious. Ruby is someone I’d like to know more about – I think what Faith mistook for a cold exterior hides a shy girl who’s been hurt. Will is just lovely (except for his spider addiction, I could have lived without that) and Mr and Mrs Montgomery are sweet with delightful quirks. I’d also like to know more about a minor character, Drew the policeman – I think he has a story too…
I loved this book; I could talk and write about it for hours! The spirit of Australia (and particularly country Australia) is evident in Outback Dreams. It reminds me of something we tend to lose in the city, heads down pushing through peak hour…the loss of mateship, helping a friend out. Bunyip Bay is full of good characters who help each other out – Monty helping out the elderly ladies in town with their gardening, Faith coaching the youth netball team… Johns gets the plot balance exactly right – there’s drama, conflict and love that will keep you turning the pages for hours until you finish.
Thank you to Harlequin Australia for the ARC.
http://samstillreading.wordpress.com
I do love books set in my native Western Australia, and Outback Dreams is set in a rural area that I’m fairly familiar with. While Bunyip Bay is a fictional town, those who know the area will see that Johns has remained faithful to the spirit of the area, as well as the local industries. There’s farming, fishing and a big town (Geraldton) close by, plus the Big Smoke of Perth is not that far away. This makes for plenty of opportunities for characters to move about and new characters to come in. I loved how the friendliness of the small country town is captured and how there’s no sugar coating of the downsides (such as wildfire gossip).
So what’s this story about? Monty (Daniel Montgomery) and Faith have been best friends since they were kids in Bunyip Bay. While Faith has stayed on in town as a frustrated cook and cleaner for her dad and brother, Monty’s family moved away to Perth to be nearer resources for Monty’s brother Will, who is autistic. Monty has always longed for a farm to call his own, and now he’s working feverishly in Bunyip Bay to earn the deposit. Monty’s got his eye on Ruby, the daughter of the family who runs the local Ag Store while Faith takes up a half-hearted romance with a man in town for crayfish season. When Monty asks Faith to accompany him to see a farm south of Perth, things go awry after one too many drinks and the friends get intimate. Mistake or meant to be?
While this is happening, Faith is organising a charity ball in Bunyip Bay to support dogs for autistic children after attending her yearly school reunion (poor Faith – imagine one of those every single year). Her father is barely speaking to her after Faith asked to be involved in the working life of the farm, rather than just the kitchen. Plus she’s not too sure what to make of Ruby, who has come to Bunyip Bay under a cloud – is she friend or foe? Monty’s trying to make sense of his future and where his fears regarding Will fit in.
It’s pretty rare in the book that I love all the major characters. But in Outback Dreams, I can honestly say that I did. Monty is a genuine gentleman, who is caring, clever and handsome. Faith is the kind of friend I’d like to have – she’s down to earth and unpretentious. Ruby is someone I’d like to know more about – I think what Faith mistook for a cold exterior hides a shy girl who’s been hurt. Will is just lovely (except for his spider addiction, I could have lived without that) and Mr and Mrs Montgomery are sweet with delightful quirks. I’d also like to know more about a minor character, Drew the policeman – I think he has a story too…
I loved this book; I could talk and write about it for hours! The spirit of Australia (and particularly country Australia) is evident in Outback Dreams. It reminds me of something we tend to lose in the city, heads down pushing through peak hour…the loss of mateship, helping a friend out. Bunyip Bay is full of good characters who help each other out – Monty helping out the elderly ladies in town with their gardening, Faith coaching the youth netball team… Johns gets the plot balance exactly right – there’s drama, conflict and love that will keep you turning the pages for hours until you finish.
Thank you to Harlequin Australia for the ARC.
http://samstillreading.wordpress.com
October 3, 2013
Australian rural romance author Rachael Johns begins a new trilogy with her latest release, Outback Dreams. This novel, and the two to follow, will be linked by location, set in the small Western Australian town of Bunyip Bay, and will each feature two people finding love.
In Outback Dreams, Johns introduces Faith Forester and Daniel 'Monty' Montgomery. Best friends since childhood, neither is prepared when their feelings for each other begin to change. Faith is suddenly achingly aware of Daniel's rippling six pack and Monty, despite being distracted by a new face in town, finds himself admiring the lean length of Faith's tanned legs. Unwilling to risk their friendship both Faith and Monty ignore the growing heat between them, until they are faced with losing one another.
Faith's and Monty's journey from friends to lovers is the focal point of this novel offering a good balance of conflict, passion and sweet romance. John's easily convinced me that I wanted to see this couple give in to their simmering mutual attraction and to realise that what they each wanted had been right in front of them all along.
Outback Dreams is about more than a simple romance though. In terms of character, Johns' protagonists face personal challenges that they must work through, and have dreams they are working towards. This ensures they are well rounded, believable and easy to relate to.
In terms of the plot, Johns brings attention to issues such as grief, depression and most notably, Autism. I really liked that the author chose to explore the effect of the diagnosis of Monty's younger brother, acknowledging the strain Will's needs placed on Monty in particular. I have to mention though, that I thought Faith's judgement of Monty's resentments a little harsh.
An engaging and charming story of romance, family and community, Outback Dreams is a lovely read and sure to be another winner with her fans.
April 26, 2018
I have mixed feelings about this book. The portrayal of a hero whose brother has autism is really well done, as is the autistic brother. There are some triggering tropes at the black moment which some readers might find difficult.
I almost did not finish this book, and the only thing that kept me going was that it won a reader's award and I wanted to know why.
Why did I almost DNF? The heroine begins the book with "not like other girls" syndrome. She's jealous of every other woman in the book, especially those who talk to the hero (who is her best friend not her lover). She continually compares herself to others and finds herself lacking in femininity, eg equating herself to 'not like other girls'. She's a doormat who can't stand up for herself. Basically, everything I hate about a heroine.
Eventually (and it takes some persistence as a reader), the heroine discovers that perhaps all those other women she is jealous of, might actually be nice people and she makes an effort to talk to them. Low and behold, she discovers her jealousies are all in her head and the other side characters in the book are perfectly reasonable people. It's a character arc which is satisfying in the end, but is bloody tough to read through.
Oh, and trigger warning for miscarriage/pregnancy scare/'hero doesn't want kids in case they turn out like his brother'. Yeah, that one is a bit of a hot mess, although it's resolved nicely. Similar to the heroine's journey, it hurts along the way, and is untangled positively at the end.
This book is not for everyone. I can see why it won a reader's award, because the troublesome issues are all resolved at the end in a way which isn't harmful, and is emotionally rewarding. I found getting there to be a difficult road.
I almost did not finish this book, and the only thing that kept me going was that it won a reader's award and I wanted to know why.
Why did I almost DNF? The heroine begins the book with "not like other girls" syndrome. She's jealous of every other woman in the book, especially those who talk to the hero (who is her best friend not her lover). She continually compares herself to others and finds herself lacking in femininity, eg equating herself to 'not like other girls'. She's a doormat who can't stand up for herself. Basically, everything I hate about a heroine.
Eventually (and it takes some persistence as a reader), the heroine discovers that perhaps all those other women she is jealous of, might actually be nice people and she makes an effort to talk to them. Low and behold, she discovers her jealousies are all in her head and the other side characters in the book are perfectly reasonable people. It's a character arc which is satisfying in the end, but is bloody tough to read through.
Oh, and trigger warning for miscarriage/pregnancy scare/'hero doesn't want kids in case they turn out like his brother'. Yeah, that one is a bit of a hot mess, although it's resolved nicely. Similar to the heroine's journey, it hurts along the way, and is untangled positively at the end.
This book is not for everyone. I can see why it won a reader's award, because the troublesome issues are all resolved at the end in a way which isn't harmful, and is emotionally rewarding. I found getting there to be a difficult road.
September 15, 2013
Do you love your Aussie authors ? Love reading novels set in the Country ? Love to scoop up a hot cowboy or in this instance a farmer for yourself ?
Rachael Johns has done it again as McCains Vegetables love to say as she has written another fabulous Outback Australian novel. In Outback Dreams we have several storylines running smoothly together. The first is where we discover Daniel Montgomery aka Monty's little brother Will suffers from a high-functioning Autism. I liked reading about this as I have some family members etc that are on the Autism Spectrum Chart. The second is we are introduced to the blooming and strong friendship between Monty and Faith. Best friends since they were young, the pair have always been inseparable but now nearing their 30's - Faith wants more but it seems that Monty is only interested romantically for Ruby - the new woman in town whom ALL the guys have their eyes set on. The third storyline is the relationships between Faith and her family and Monty and his. Each in their own way are close yet estranged from their families and it seems like now is the time to stand up and let them know how you feel before it's too late. When an opportunity arises for Faith to do something for her community and for a cause she feel dearly about - is this the stand and push she has been needing to move on with her life and let the world know what Faith wants?
Rachael John's novel "Outback Dreams" is a book that reminds readers, that if you have a dream - go for it as you often only have one chance to do it right and if you never go for it - you will always be wondering the big "What If" ???????????
March 20, 2023
This is the first book in the Bunyip Bay series and it definitely grew on me!
Faith wants more responsibility on her father's farm, to do something meaningful this year AND she is looking for a man!
Her best friend Monty wants to buy his own property. He has worked tirelessly to achieve his dreams after his family sold their farm while Monty was a kid. Monty's brother has autism and he needed extra assistance only the city could offer.
Sparks suddenly begin to fly for the two best friends but can their dreams and beliefs align. And do they risk their friendship at a chance of happiness?
I really enjoyed the small town vibes. I started book number 2 straight away because I didn't want to leave Bunyip Bay. Faith and Monty were really sweet. And things picked up for me about half way through.
I honestly wasn't sure if this would end in happily ever after and I liked that aspect. It added a little suspense.
Would recommend for those who enjoy a friend's to lovers, rural community romance.
Faith wants more responsibility on her father's farm, to do something meaningful this year AND she is looking for a man!
Her best friend Monty wants to buy his own property. He has worked tirelessly to achieve his dreams after his family sold their farm while Monty was a kid. Monty's brother has autism and he needed extra assistance only the city could offer.
Sparks suddenly begin to fly for the two best friends but can their dreams and beliefs align. And do they risk their friendship at a chance of happiness?
I really enjoyed the small town vibes. I started book number 2 straight away because I didn't want to leave Bunyip Bay. Faith and Monty were really sweet. And things picked up for me about half way through.
I honestly wasn't sure if this would end in happily ever after and I liked that aspect. It added a little suspense.
Would recommend for those who enjoy a friend's to lovers, rural community romance.
September 15, 2013
Rachael Johns has fast become one of my favourite Australian authors, even if she does make me cry – EVERY single time I think. I have previously read and reviewed Jilted, Stand In Star and Man Drought. I have been itching to get my hands on Outback Dreams for months so when it arrived I wanted to drop everything and dive in, which didn’t quite happen but I did manage to devour it in the space of 12 hours.
Outback Dreams is set in the small Western Australian farming town of Bunyip Bay. A beautiful and well described spot that is the setting for at least three linked books, so of course I am itching for the next already.
In this book Rachael Johns has tackled a sensitive subject that touches many people’s lives and in her opening letter to readers explains why she chose to base a book around this subject.
For the entire review: http://bookgirl.beautyandlace.net/boo...
Outback Dreams is set in the small Western Australian farming town of Bunyip Bay. A beautiful and well described spot that is the setting for at least three linked books, so of course I am itching for the next already.
In this book Rachael Johns has tackled a sensitive subject that touches many people’s lives and in her opening letter to readers explains why she chose to base a book around this subject.
For the entire review: http://bookgirl.beautyandlace.net/boo...
September 23, 2013
Outback Dreams is a wonderful story about country girl Faith that just wants to work on her family farm with her father and brother as an equal and not be treated like a slave. Being sent away to boarding school Faith has the love of the land in her heart and blood she wants nothing more than to be a part of her family farm so moves back home. Monty her best friend forever had to move to the city when he was 10. Still shattered at having to sell the family property when he was a child has moved back to his old town and has been working for local farmers and helping out the towns people ever since. Faiths struggles with life, love, being heard and being a voice for others is strong and captivating.
I felt myself pulled into the story and did not want to put it down.
I felt myself pulled into the story and did not want to put it down.
December 19, 2021
Faith and Monty are looking for love and end up finding it in the least expected place..
Outback Dreams is a sweet friends to lovers romance that has just the right amount of angst and swoon to satisfy any romance lover. I adored Faith and Monty's story and look forward to checking out more from this series in the future. This is my first book by this author and definitely won't be my last.
Thank you to NetGalley & Harlequin AU for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Outback Dreams is a sweet friends to lovers romance that has just the right amount of angst and swoon to satisfy any romance lover. I adored Faith and Monty's story and look forward to checking out more from this series in the future. This is my first book by this author and definitely won't be my last.
Thank you to NetGalley & Harlequin AU for the opportunity to read and review this book.
October 2, 2014
I could not put this book down! All the characters were really well written and the setting really came to life! Its going to be a long wait for the next one!
June 21, 2016
A nice mushy Aussie romance in the WA outback. After growing up together life long friends Faith and Monty discover there is more to their relationship than just friendship.
March 12, 2021
Another fab read from Rachael Johns. Sweet, relatable and satisfying. Even more satisfying is knowing there's more books in the series.
February 28, 2014
Another awesome read from Rachael Johns.
November 29, 2013
Faith Forrester and Daniel Montgomery have been best friends for ever. Their family's farms at Bunyip Bay in Western Australia were next to each other, and until the day Monty's parents sold theirs and moved to Perth, they saw each other often. Even after the move, Faith spent many a holiday with Monty's family and vice versa. Best mates, they've only ever seen each other in the platonic way.
But when Faith attends her old private girls' boarding school's alumnae dinner, she finds herself turning Monty into her boyfriend in order to not sound quite as boring and lacking as she feels amongst all the glamorous, rich and successful women at the event. Such is her newfound feeling of inadequacy - after all, she's twenty-eight and ever since her mum died eight years ago all she's done is kept house for her father and brother while they work the farm - that she finds herself signing up to the charity fundraising challenge. This is the year, she vows, that she'll do something with her life, make a difference, and start thinking about getting a real job since her dad won't let her help out on the farm in the ways she wants to.
Monty has a good old laugh when she tells him she pretended he was her boyfriend, but he's got his own eyes set on model-like Ruby who's recently moved back to Bunyip Bay and is staying with her parents while she helps them in their shop. Ruby seems like a princess and a fake to Faith, who thinks she needs to protect Monty from the other woman. Monty has worked over the years at any and every job he can find in the area in order to save enough money for a deposit on his own farm, and now that he's been approved by the bank Ruby is suddenly taking an interest in him. It brings out Faith's claws, and she's cold and unfriendly towards Ruby who is, in fact, merely shy and getting over a bad relationship.
It is Faith's efforts to change the direction of her life, which include some new, sexy clothes and a desire for a boyfriend, that make Monty look at his old friend in new ways. Even as Ruby agrees to go out on a date with him, it's Faith who's drawing his eyes. When they drive south of Perth to see a farm that's up for sale, they're mistaken as a couple and the light-hearted flirtation between them turns into something much more sensual and powerful. Things sour after they sleep together, as their fears of ruining their friendship do just that. With Faith immersed in preparing her big charity fundraising event, and Monty working hard towards achieving his dream of having his own farm, is there time in their lives to fix their friendship and face the fact that they love each other, before it's broken for good?
I have to begin by saying that I did not enjoy this nearly as much as other readers did. I will come to why in a bit. First, though, there's much to appreciate and enjoy in Johns' new novel, the first of a new trilogy set in Bunyip Bay.
This was my first chance to read a "rural romance" novel, and in general it was a positive one. I love the setting, though it was not so much described as conjured out of community relationships and the sense of shared history. It has that small town vibe, where everyone knows everyone, gossips and observes, and where people help each other and share in goodwill. It touches on the still-existent gender stereotyping that goes on in the country, with Faith relegated to paid housekeeper, but also speaks to the same problem in urban areas as well, especially among the more affluent: the "society ladies" whom Faith went to school with are all married to rich, high-powered men, have kids and do good deeds, but the fact that many of them hold their own jobs and have real lives is glossed over; Faith just doesn't see them that way. It is still "Mr Successful ... and his wife."
The charity that Faith chooses to support is one that raises and trains dogs as companions for children with autism. She chooses this organisation because she grew up not just with Monty but with his younger brother Will, who has autism (I was a bit startled to read that their mother, Jenni, believed that his autism was caused by infant vaccinations - this "theory" was started by a British researcher whose study was, earlier this year, found to be completely fabricated. The belief that there's a connection between autism and vaccinations has, sadly, stuck - thanks to silly Jenny McCarthy, who has since claimed her son is "cured". But the damage is done. I was disappointed to hear it repeated in this book, though, even as a descriptor of a character reflective of real people - see page 289). It is because of Will that their parents sold the farm and moved to Perth, where they could have better access to treatments and support for Will. What Faith is slow to realise is that Monty has always harboured a secret resentment towards his brother because of it. He feels, deep down, that he was robbed of his inheritance, that he is entitled to his own farm, and that Will's needs superseded his own, always. He loves his brother, and he knows how horrible it sounds which is why he's never shared his real feelings with anyone.
It is also because of Will that Monty has his own relationship problems. Faith learns, almost too late, that he doesn't want children - for fear they'll be born with autism and he has to sacrifice his own life and needs, all over again, for the sake of the child. It's a very human feeling, and I could completely relate to Monty and empathise with him, while also empathising with Faith and Monty's parents. Nothing's ever black-and-white or so straight-forward, and there's no real right-or-wrong either. I could understand Monty's feelings, but I could also understand Faith's anger with him about it, and agree that his perception had become a bit twisted, or skewed. Out of whack. It takes Will himself to wake Monty up to what the real sacrifice would be.
Really, there's nothing wrong with this book. As a romance, it's "lite", focussing more on the building of relationships than the consummating of them. Unfortunately, for this reader, it failed to build any real sense of chemistry between Faith and Monty - who always seemed too much like good friends to me, so that their sexual relationship felt almost like incest - and the few intimate scenes (which don't go further than kissing, touching and the removal of clothing) lacked fire. Overall, there was just no real spark here. No zing. I didn't feel it. I cared for the characters, I liked them, they felt real to me, and I quite liked the story as a story, but without any spark, any heat or chemistry, it was a bit of a slow read for me, and a bit directionless. It didn't start to get interesting until towards the end, but not in terms of chemistry.
Without chemistry, the story as a whole read a bit flat to me. And Faith and Monty, as I mentioned, were far too convincing as friends, that their physical relationship felt almost wrong to me. It also felt off in the sense that, without chemistry, it didn't seem like they were with the right person. Yes, flat. The writing is good (though I wish the setting had been better fleshed out; any mention of being on the coast was a surprise to me, and I could never really picture Bunyip Bay, its size or character or anything), the characters are good, the story is decent, it's all good and fine, but there's no excitement here. It just failed to connect with me in the ways that are so important to good romance - and this is wholly subjective. The chemistry between the book and me just wasn't there. Which is a real shame, but it doesn't put me off from trying more rural romances.
My thanks to the publisher for a copy of this book.
But when Faith attends her old private girls' boarding school's alumnae dinner, she finds herself turning Monty into her boyfriend in order to not sound quite as boring and lacking as she feels amongst all the glamorous, rich and successful women at the event. Such is her newfound feeling of inadequacy - after all, she's twenty-eight and ever since her mum died eight years ago all she's done is kept house for her father and brother while they work the farm - that she finds herself signing up to the charity fundraising challenge. This is the year, she vows, that she'll do something with her life, make a difference, and start thinking about getting a real job since her dad won't let her help out on the farm in the ways she wants to.
Monty has a good old laugh when she tells him she pretended he was her boyfriend, but he's got his own eyes set on model-like Ruby who's recently moved back to Bunyip Bay and is staying with her parents while she helps them in their shop. Ruby seems like a princess and a fake to Faith, who thinks she needs to protect Monty from the other woman. Monty has worked over the years at any and every job he can find in the area in order to save enough money for a deposit on his own farm, and now that he's been approved by the bank Ruby is suddenly taking an interest in him. It brings out Faith's claws, and she's cold and unfriendly towards Ruby who is, in fact, merely shy and getting over a bad relationship.
It is Faith's efforts to change the direction of her life, which include some new, sexy clothes and a desire for a boyfriend, that make Monty look at his old friend in new ways. Even as Ruby agrees to go out on a date with him, it's Faith who's drawing his eyes. When they drive south of Perth to see a farm that's up for sale, they're mistaken as a couple and the light-hearted flirtation between them turns into something much more sensual and powerful. Things sour after they sleep together, as their fears of ruining their friendship do just that. With Faith immersed in preparing her big charity fundraising event, and Monty working hard towards achieving his dream of having his own farm, is there time in their lives to fix their friendship and face the fact that they love each other, before it's broken for good?
I have to begin by saying that I did not enjoy this nearly as much as other readers did. I will come to why in a bit. First, though, there's much to appreciate and enjoy in Johns' new novel, the first of a new trilogy set in Bunyip Bay.
This was my first chance to read a "rural romance" novel, and in general it was a positive one. I love the setting, though it was not so much described as conjured out of community relationships and the sense of shared history. It has that small town vibe, where everyone knows everyone, gossips and observes, and where people help each other and share in goodwill. It touches on the still-existent gender stereotyping that goes on in the country, with Faith relegated to paid housekeeper, but also speaks to the same problem in urban areas as well, especially among the more affluent: the "society ladies" whom Faith went to school with are all married to rich, high-powered men, have kids and do good deeds, but the fact that many of them hold their own jobs and have real lives is glossed over; Faith just doesn't see them that way. It is still "Mr Successful ... and his wife."
The charity that Faith chooses to support is one that raises and trains dogs as companions for children with autism. She chooses this organisation because she grew up not just with Monty but with his younger brother Will, who has autism (I was a bit startled to read that their mother, Jenni, believed that his autism was caused by infant vaccinations - this "theory" was started by a British researcher whose study was, earlier this year, found to be completely fabricated. The belief that there's a connection between autism and vaccinations has, sadly, stuck - thanks to silly Jenny McCarthy, who has since claimed her son is "cured". But the damage is done. I was disappointed to hear it repeated in this book, though, even as a descriptor of a character reflective of real people - see page 289). It is because of Will that their parents sold the farm and moved to Perth, where they could have better access to treatments and support for Will. What Faith is slow to realise is that Monty has always harboured a secret resentment towards his brother because of it. He feels, deep down, that he was robbed of his inheritance, that he is entitled to his own farm, and that Will's needs superseded his own, always. He loves his brother, and he knows how horrible it sounds which is why he's never shared his real feelings with anyone.
It is also because of Will that Monty has his own relationship problems. Faith learns, almost too late, that he doesn't want children - for fear they'll be born with autism and he has to sacrifice his own life and needs, all over again, for the sake of the child. It's a very human feeling, and I could completely relate to Monty and empathise with him, while also empathising with Faith and Monty's parents. Nothing's ever black-and-white or so straight-forward, and there's no real right-or-wrong either. I could understand Monty's feelings, but I could also understand Faith's anger with him about it, and agree that his perception had become a bit twisted, or skewed. Out of whack. It takes Will himself to wake Monty up to what the real sacrifice would be.
Really, there's nothing wrong with this book. As a romance, it's "lite", focussing more on the building of relationships than the consummating of them. Unfortunately, for this reader, it failed to build any real sense of chemistry between Faith and Monty - who always seemed too much like good friends to me, so that their sexual relationship felt almost like incest - and the few intimate scenes (which don't go further than kissing, touching and the removal of clothing) lacked fire. Overall, there was just no real spark here. No zing. I didn't feel it. I cared for the characters, I liked them, they felt real to me, and I quite liked the story as a story, but without any spark, any heat or chemistry, it was a bit of a slow read for me, and a bit directionless. It didn't start to get interesting until towards the end, but not in terms of chemistry.
Without chemistry, the story as a whole read a bit flat to me. And Faith and Monty, as I mentioned, were far too convincing as friends, that their physical relationship felt almost wrong to me. It also felt off in the sense that, without chemistry, it didn't seem like they were with the right person. Yes, flat. The writing is good (though I wish the setting had been better fleshed out; any mention of being on the coast was a surprise to me, and I could never really picture Bunyip Bay, its size or character or anything), the characters are good, the story is decent, it's all good and fine, but there's no excitement here. It just failed to connect with me in the ways that are so important to good romance - and this is wholly subjective. The chemistry between the book and me just wasn't there. Which is a real shame, but it doesn't put me off from trying more rural romances.
My thanks to the publisher for a copy of this book.
October 11, 2013
Best friends Faith and Monty know everything there is to know about one another … or do they!
Faith Forrester is in a bit of a quandary. Thirty years old, more comfortable in sloppy t-shirts and jeans and still living on the family farm with her widowed father and brother, she’s become a slave to them since her mother passed away. Having abandoned her agricultural degree to come home and take care of her mother ten years before, she’s recently started thinking that there has to be more to life than what she’s getting out of it. She loves the farm, but it seems her father believes that the only place for her to be is in the house, not allowing her to get her hands dirty and help out with the daily farm work.
Attending her fancy boarding school old girls reunion in Perth, she notices that most of her former peers appear to be either successful, married or settled (or all three) and begins to consider doing something constructive with her life instead of just pandering to her father and brother’s whims. As she gets caught up in the midst of the celebrations for the winner of that year’s Miss Alumna charity award and knows that these “old girls” will think she’s just another small town hick, when she is asked about her relationship status, she finds herself telling the girls that she too has a boyfriend and inadvertently blurts out the name of her best friend, Monty.
Faith and Monty have been best friends forever, so when she gets back home, she fills him in on all the happenings at the reunion including the fact that she told them that he was her boyfriend. They share so much history with one another and she has nothing to hide from him – he even knows of her unhappy home life. Her announcement on their supposed relationship status doesn’t appear to phase Monty in the least, but for Faith, her faux pas makes her see him in a different light and she begins to wonder how she could never have noticed that her best friend is also a man!
Daniel Montgomery, fondly known as Monty, has always wanted to own his own farm. As a ten year old boy, Daniel’s parents sold up in Bunyip Bay to move to the city so that they could be closer to doctors and new treatments for his autistic brother, Will. While Monty is caring, considerate and the epitome of everything any girl could want in a man, his inner resentment at the fact that his parents sold the farm which he was supposed to one day inherit, is evident.
Over the last ten years, he’s worked his butt off and has finally saved enough money, bringing him closer to the dream of owning a farm and nothing and no-one is going to stand in his way. The only problem is that something is missing and he’s trying his damndest to rectify that in his pursuit of Ruby Jones, a former resident of Bunyip Bay who has come back to live. Now, if only he could get the visions of that night in the pub when a totally different, sexier Faith walked in.
When Faith comes across an advertisement for a charitable cause close to her heart, training companion dogs for autism, she decides that this could be her one chance to prove herself and decides to enter the following year’s Miss Alumna competition by hosting a ball to put her in the running. It appears that things are also falling into place for Monty when the sale of a property some hours away from Bunyip Bay, piques his interest and he invites Faith to go along to visit the property so that he can get his best friend’s opinion.
After spending a wonderful day talking, dining and consuming way too much alcohol with the current owners of the property, when Faith and Monty return to their tent for the night, the distinction between friends and lovers crosses a steamy line – and suddenly, nothing is the same.
I don’t know where to begin in writing this review, but how about “wow, I loved it”! This story has everything I look for in a novel, including strong main characters, plausible conflicts, passionate romance, and some mystery and intrigue surrounding a few of the secondary characters who made a significant impact on me – specifically Ruby who initially rubbed me up the wrong way!
This novel is the first in a new series about the small fictional town of Bunyip Bay in Western Australia and, if it’s anything to go by, I am eagerly anticipating the release of Outback Blaze and Outback Ghost. But, back to Outback Dreams!
Rachael Johns has not only skilfully laid the groundwork for her two future novels by leaving those threads open-ended, but created a firm sense of place, community and friendship, by giving us the sights and smells of farm life, the laughter and camaraderie of friends gathered at the local pub, the gossip-mongering that almost always abounds in a small town, that feeling of achievement when a community pulls together to support a good cause and some sizzling hot romance.
Of course, along with a great sense of place, characters are the lifeblood of any story and Ms Johns has created some very memorable ones in Monty and Faith, both of whom I connected with emotionally.
Monty is dynamically drawn and, throughout the narrative, we see him trying to overcome the circumstances surrounding the sale of the farm that should have been his, while at the same time still finding it in his heart to love a brother that his resentment prevented him from getting to really know and respecting the decisions that his somewhat eccentric parents made. In seeking a resolution to his personal issues, Rachael has added depth to the story by aligning the crux of Monty’s worries to Faith’s charity event, thus setting the basis for a lot of their emotional conflict and Monty’s final revelation of a fatal flaw - one which threatens to tear him and Faith apart forever.
Faith is one of those girls with whom I immediately connected and I could just picture myself sitting with her in the pub having a few pots of beer and a good old yarn about how far she and Monty had come, her unexpected friendship with one of the secondary characters, the absolute frustration she felt towards her father in his treatment of her and their inevitable confrontation with one another, which had my anger at him dissipating once I learned the reasons behind his unjustified behaviour towards her.
This was a thoroughly satisfying read and it’s quite apparent that Rachael has evolved her plot from her characters’ lives, giving us a credible storyline with solid characters and I can't wait to discover the subsidiary plot lines alluded to, such as the reasons behind Ruby Jones’ return to Bunyip Bay, the secret that the gorgeous new cop, Drew, may be running from and the suspense and romance surrounding Adam and his missing sister.
Faith Forrester is in a bit of a quandary. Thirty years old, more comfortable in sloppy t-shirts and jeans and still living on the family farm with her widowed father and brother, she’s become a slave to them since her mother passed away. Having abandoned her agricultural degree to come home and take care of her mother ten years before, she’s recently started thinking that there has to be more to life than what she’s getting out of it. She loves the farm, but it seems her father believes that the only place for her to be is in the house, not allowing her to get her hands dirty and help out with the daily farm work.
Attending her fancy boarding school old girls reunion in Perth, she notices that most of her former peers appear to be either successful, married or settled (or all three) and begins to consider doing something constructive with her life instead of just pandering to her father and brother’s whims. As she gets caught up in the midst of the celebrations for the winner of that year’s Miss Alumna charity award and knows that these “old girls” will think she’s just another small town hick, when she is asked about her relationship status, she finds herself telling the girls that she too has a boyfriend and inadvertently blurts out the name of her best friend, Monty.
Faith and Monty have been best friends forever, so when she gets back home, she fills him in on all the happenings at the reunion including the fact that she told them that he was her boyfriend. They share so much history with one another and she has nothing to hide from him – he even knows of her unhappy home life. Her announcement on their supposed relationship status doesn’t appear to phase Monty in the least, but for Faith, her faux pas makes her see him in a different light and she begins to wonder how she could never have noticed that her best friend is also a man!
Daniel Montgomery, fondly known as Monty, has always wanted to own his own farm. As a ten year old boy, Daniel’s parents sold up in Bunyip Bay to move to the city so that they could be closer to doctors and new treatments for his autistic brother, Will. While Monty is caring, considerate and the epitome of everything any girl could want in a man, his inner resentment at the fact that his parents sold the farm which he was supposed to one day inherit, is evident.
Over the last ten years, he’s worked his butt off and has finally saved enough money, bringing him closer to the dream of owning a farm and nothing and no-one is going to stand in his way. The only problem is that something is missing and he’s trying his damndest to rectify that in his pursuit of Ruby Jones, a former resident of Bunyip Bay who has come back to live. Now, if only he could get the visions of that night in the pub when a totally different, sexier Faith walked in.
When Faith comes across an advertisement for a charitable cause close to her heart, training companion dogs for autism, she decides that this could be her one chance to prove herself and decides to enter the following year’s Miss Alumna competition by hosting a ball to put her in the running. It appears that things are also falling into place for Monty when the sale of a property some hours away from Bunyip Bay, piques his interest and he invites Faith to go along to visit the property so that he can get his best friend’s opinion.
After spending a wonderful day talking, dining and consuming way too much alcohol with the current owners of the property, when Faith and Monty return to their tent for the night, the distinction between friends and lovers crosses a steamy line – and suddenly, nothing is the same.
I don’t know where to begin in writing this review, but how about “wow, I loved it”! This story has everything I look for in a novel, including strong main characters, plausible conflicts, passionate romance, and some mystery and intrigue surrounding a few of the secondary characters who made a significant impact on me – specifically Ruby who initially rubbed me up the wrong way!
This novel is the first in a new series about the small fictional town of Bunyip Bay in Western Australia and, if it’s anything to go by, I am eagerly anticipating the release of Outback Blaze and Outback Ghost. But, back to Outback Dreams!
Rachael Johns has not only skilfully laid the groundwork for her two future novels by leaving those threads open-ended, but created a firm sense of place, community and friendship, by giving us the sights and smells of farm life, the laughter and camaraderie of friends gathered at the local pub, the gossip-mongering that almost always abounds in a small town, that feeling of achievement when a community pulls together to support a good cause and some sizzling hot romance.
Of course, along with a great sense of place, characters are the lifeblood of any story and Ms Johns has created some very memorable ones in Monty and Faith, both of whom I connected with emotionally.
Monty is dynamically drawn and, throughout the narrative, we see him trying to overcome the circumstances surrounding the sale of the farm that should have been his, while at the same time still finding it in his heart to love a brother that his resentment prevented him from getting to really know and respecting the decisions that his somewhat eccentric parents made. In seeking a resolution to his personal issues, Rachael has added depth to the story by aligning the crux of Monty’s worries to Faith’s charity event, thus setting the basis for a lot of their emotional conflict and Monty’s final revelation of a fatal flaw - one which threatens to tear him and Faith apart forever.
Faith is one of those girls with whom I immediately connected and I could just picture myself sitting with her in the pub having a few pots of beer and a good old yarn about how far she and Monty had come, her unexpected friendship with one of the secondary characters, the absolute frustration she felt towards her father in his treatment of her and their inevitable confrontation with one another, which had my anger at him dissipating once I learned the reasons behind his unjustified behaviour towards her.
This was a thoroughly satisfying read and it’s quite apparent that Rachael has evolved her plot from her characters’ lives, giving us a credible storyline with solid characters and I can't wait to discover the subsidiary plot lines alluded to, such as the reasons behind Ruby Jones’ return to Bunyip Bay, the secret that the gorgeous new cop, Drew, may be running from and the suspense and romance surrounding Adam and his missing sister.
September 12, 2025
I just finished Outback Dreams and really enjoyed it! This was my first Rachael Johns novel, and I can safely say it won’t be my last—I’m already lining up more. I listened to the audio book and Casey Withoos gave me “My Matilda” vibes (if you know you know)!
What stood out most to me was how beautifully and authentically Australian this book feels. The slang, the mannerisms, the small-town quirks—it’s all there, and it makes the story feel instantly familiar and warm. It’s the kind of book that quietly reminds you what’s so special about Aussie country life and communities.
The story itself is a friends-to-lovers romance with just a touch of spice (about 1.5 🌶️, plus one very memorable drunken night). What I appreciated most, though, was how much heart was woven in. From charity fundraising (autism awareness), and how the story is layered with meaningful details that gave it real depth.
The characters were such a joy—a great variety, each one adding to the richness of the story and making me want to pack my bags and visit Western Australia.
Outback Dreams is heartfelt, swoony, and distinctly Australian in the best way. A great comfort read that left me smiling and keen to read the next book in the series.
3.5/5
What stood out most to me was how beautifully and authentically Australian this book feels. The slang, the mannerisms, the small-town quirks—it’s all there, and it makes the story feel instantly familiar and warm. It’s the kind of book that quietly reminds you what’s so special about Aussie country life and communities.
The story itself is a friends-to-lovers romance with just a touch of spice (about 1.5 🌶️, plus one very memorable drunken night). What I appreciated most, though, was how much heart was woven in. From charity fundraising (autism awareness), and how the story is layered with meaningful details that gave it real depth.
The characters were such a joy—a great variety, each one adding to the richness of the story and making me want to pack my bags and visit Western Australia.
Outback Dreams is heartfelt, swoony, and distinctly Australian in the best way. A great comfort read that left me smiling and keen to read the next book in the series.
3.5/5
January 15, 2023
I came across this author yesterday after a friend mentioned the first book in this series in an email book discussion group i am part of. I am glad to be introduced to this series as this first book was fantastic. What i loved the most about the book was although it is a romance that did not take over the story, there were a lot of elements to it which the author says will be carried on in future books. Faith and Monty were really well developed characters and it was great getting to know other characters in the community who will get there own books. I liked the disibility aspect of the book and the way it showed that a disibility like autisum does not just effect the sufferer but also there family as well. The author portrayed that really well with Monty’s character. I felt i was on the Journey with Faith and Monty as they started to overcome there challenges and grow. I am looking to more of this series for sure.
October 28, 2024
I am a massive fan of Rachael Johns' work and decided to re-read this series before I read the 6th book in the series that is due to be released in 2 days.
Outback dreams is a friends to lovers romance that brings to light some of the difficulties faced by Autistic people and those that love them. It's a fun story but has its serious moments. I enjoyed returning to the start of the series and listening to the narrated version for the first time.
Outback dreams is a friends to lovers romance that brings to light some of the difficulties faced by Autistic people and those that love them. It's a fun story but has its serious moments. I enjoyed returning to the start of the series and listening to the narrated version for the first time.
June 26, 2018
If It wasn’t mentioned in the authors letter to the reader I would be annoyed that there were so many stories that were eluded to but not fully discussed. Knowing that there are more books in the series gives me something to look forward to. I can’t wait!
November 12, 2024
I actually read book 3 in this series years ago, not realising it was 1 of 6.
Starting from the beginning now and I loved this book.
Nothing beats a good Aussie, country drama.
Easy read, likeable characters and a story that keeps you entertained.
4⭐️😉
Starting from the beginning now and I loved this book.
Nothing beats a good Aussie, country drama.
Easy read, likeable characters and a story that keeps you entertained.
4⭐️😉
July 28, 2021
Read a few of Rachel's but decided to give the Bunyip Bay series a go - this was a really enjoyable book, looking forward to more in the series
May 9, 2025
it was so cute i think it flowed well ykwim like wasnt too slow
lovely.
lovely.
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