Title: Savannah’s Secret
Author: Mandy Magro
Published: May 5th 2021
Publisher: Mira – AU
Pages: 320
Genres: Fiction, Contemporary, Romance
RRP: $29.99
Rating: 4 stars
Starting over was never going to be easy, especially as he’s looking for the one thing she can’t give … the truth.
Set in the heart of the Australian countryside comes a compelling romance with a touch of suspense from bestselling author Mandy Magro.
Savannah Garret remains resolute in testifying as the sole eyewitness in Brisbane’s most dangerous criminal case. For safety, the police have furnished her with a new identity and instructions to keep to herself. With a shiny new driver’s licence in hand and job as a barmaid lined up, this die-hard city girl finds herself stepping off a bus and into the desolate street of the small country town she’s now to call home.
Ash Sullivan has it all, money at his fingertips, his own property, and a successful chopper mustering business. But when it comes to love, he’s failed miserably. Bitter experience has taught him that if he is ever lucky enough to meet a special woman he can fall for again, she has to be upfront from the get-go, no matter what.
These are two people, as different as chalk and cheese, who were never meant to meet until fate intervened. Will they grow to be the person each other needs? Or will their differences drive them apart?
Review:
‘He had his skeletons too, so he understood her not wanting to talk about the past, but something told him there was way more to her story than what she was letting on.’
Mandy Magro is one of our country’s most giving storytellers in the field of rural romance. This gracious Australian author gifts her readers with a brand-new rural treat. Savannah’s Secret is a city girl to country escape tale, with a soft sprinkling of romance and a whisper of suspense. It is a story that I approached with an eager heart.
Savannah’s Secret is essentially a story of recovery and starting over. Truth, lies, secrets and the past all come into play as Savanah Garret is placed into witness protection. With a new identity and a new home, Savannah has been advised by the police to remain closely guarded. As Savannah begins her new job as a barmaid in her new town, she strives to keep to herself. But a local man by the name of Ash Sullivan soon captures Savannah’s attention and heart. We learn that Ash has his own tragic back story but Ash has hopes that he will find love again. It is clear that there is difference and resistance from both parities in this game of love. Can Ash and Savannah learn to trust again and let love into their lives?
Mandy Magro is a much-loved Australian author, who continues to deliver heartwarming stories of love and strength to her loyal fan base. If rural stories are your cup of tea, you need to pick up a Mandy Magro novel. Savannah’s Secret is a great starting point.
This time around Mandy Magro tackles a strong danger and suspense based narrative thread by placing her lead in a witness protection program, following her involvement in a criminal case. I liked this intrigue focus, it certainly surrounded the novel with a thick air of tension. I felt quite on edge of the duration of this tale and I genuinely cared about Savannah’s safety. Savannah’s welfare was of my central concern as I made my way through the troubled waters of this latest novel by Mandy Magro.
Savannah is a well rendered character. I liked Savannah from the opening pages of this novel and I greatly admired her fighting spirit, as well as her very determined mindset. A loyal woman with a strong heart, I really wanted Savannah to settle in a loving relationship. When Ash arrives on the scene, I enjoyed the frivolity, resistance and chemistry between the lead couple. Ash was a great male primary character. I found much to love about this hardworking man. Ash cuts a solid figure and he has an honest heart, despite his sad background in the love department. Mandy Magro shows us what she is made of in terms of her approach to romance. We have a burgeoning relationship that begins and ends with trust issues. For those who enjoy a touch of heat to their love stories, this one will definitely hit the spot.
I enjoyed taking a trip to Far North Queensland as I kicked back and inhaled all this breathtaking rural romance had to offer. I am really missing the chance to travel, so Savannah’s Secret seemed to fill my travel void. Mandy Magro is passionate about her country’s landscape and nature in general, which aids her picturesque setting descriptions. Plenty of vividly presented sights, sounds, smells and references to flora and fauna are covered over the course of this novel’s journey. With such a vibrant setting base, combined with interesting characters and an intriguing overall story arc, Savannah’s Secret was a gratifying read.
A gripping country escape awaits the reader in Savannah’s Secret. It is time to pick up this extremely readable rural romance tale if you are a fan of passionately told Australian stories.
Savannah’s Secret by Mandy Magro was published on 5th May 2021 by HQ Fiction – AU. Details on how to purchase the book can be found here.
To learn more about the author of Savannah’s Secret, Mandy Magro, visit here.
*I wish to thank Harlequin Australia for providing me with a free copy of this book for review purposes.
Savannah’s Secret is book #48 of the 2021 Australian Women Writers Challenge
