The Lawson Sisters

Written by Janet Gover

Narrated by Rebecca Macauley

A heartfelt and compelling story of family, secrets and second chances, set in the heart of the beautiful Hunter Valley of NSW, from an award-winning new voice in Australian fiction.

Family, fortune and holding on to what counts...

For many years Elizabeth Lawson has battled single-handedly to run the family's historic horse stud in memory of her beloved father. But a devastating loss puts her dreams at risk. With no options left, Liz is forced to turn to her estranged sister Kayla for help.

Kayla has built a new life in the city as a wedding planner, far removed from the stableyard sweat and dust of her rural upbringing. She never thought she'd go back. But when Liz calls out of the blue, Kayla forms a plan that could save their childhood home.

Kayla's return forces Liz to confront her past ... and her future, in the shape of Mitch, her first and only love, who still watches over her from the other side of the creek.

But Liz still hides a terrible secret. When Kayla learns the truth, will the Lawson sisters find common ground or will their conflict splinter the family once again?

PRAISE FOR JANET GOVER:

'A stirring family drama, set to a spectacular rural stage ... The Lawson Sisters is an exceptional read from cover to cover.' - Mrs B's Book Reviews

'Easy to read and beautifully written - the characters came to life...' - Beauty and Lace

'With the scent of eucalyptus on the air, estranged sisters and a homestead echoing past regrets and missed chances, The Lawson Sisters has everything you want in an Aussie romance.' - Fiona Lowe, bestselling Australian author

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperAudio
• Release date: Jan 20, 2020
• ISBN: 9781460783276

Janet Gover

Janet Gover grew up in outback Australia, surrounded by wide open spaces, horses ... and many, many books. When her cat lets her actually sit in her chair, she writes stories of strong women, rural communities and falling in love. Her novel Little Girl Lost won the Epic Romantic Novel of the Year Award presented by the Romantic Novelists' Association in the UK, and she has won or been shortlisted for awards in Australia and the USA. As Juliet Bell, in collaboration with Alison May, she rewrites misunderstood classic fiction, with an emphasis on heroes who are not so heroic. Her favourite food is tomato. She spends too much time playing silly computer games, and is an enthusiastic, if not always successful, cook. Janet loves to hear from readers—so do drop her a line. http://janetgover.com/ www.facebook.com/janetgoverbooks/ Twitter: @janet_gover

Reviews for The Lawson Sisters

[shelleyraec · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Set in the western region of the NSW Hunter Valley, The Lawson Sisters by Janet Gover could be considered both a family drama and a rural romance.Fifteen years after the tragic death of her parents, Liz is struggling to keep the family horse stud, Willowbrook, from foreclosure, and with nowhere left to turn, swallows her pride and turns to her estranged younger sister Kayla for advice.Kayla, who has made a life for herself in the city as a wedding planner for wealthy clients, isn’t sure she cares if they lose Willowbrook, and is certain her sister won’t like the only suggestion she has to offer - to use the homestead and grounds as a wedding destination.Liz’s reluctance to concede stems not only from her shame in failing to make the property profitable, but also because Kayla’s return to Willowbrook will force her to face some shocking secrets about her parents deaths, her relationship with her sister, and her feelings for the boy next door.Exploring the themes of love, guilt, estrangement, and reconciliation, The Lawson Sisters unfolds primarily from the perspectives of Liz and Kayla as both come to terms with the secrets that have kept them apart.Not only is Liz under enormous financial pressure to keep the stud viable, she has the sole physical and emotional responsibility for the maintenance and operation of the farm, all intensified by the crushing burden of guilt she carries. As a result, Liz is single-minded, closed-off, and bitter, and Gover’s characterisation is so convincing that unfortunately I had more pity than empathy for her. I want to at least in part identify with the heroine in this type of story, and I found that difficult here as Liz wasn’t particularly likeable. However, I was rooting for the sisters reconciliation, for Willowbrook’s fortunes to be reversed, and for Liz to be able to let go of her guilt and move on with the ever patient Mitch.