***Review - Charming the Outback by Leesa Bow - 3 Stars***

***Review***

Charming the Outback by Leesa Bow

3 I Hate Luke Stars

Blurb - When jaded city girl Maddy McIntyre packs up and leaves Adelaide for a new job in the country, it's not only a chance at a fresh start. Six months ago, the first guy she'd ever loved shattered her heart before moving home to Broken Hill. Deep down inside, Maddy is hoping that living in the same town will give her an opportunity to prove to Luke that she's one temptation he can't resist.

But when she arrives in Broken Hill, Luke White is not the same guy she knew in the city. And it soon seems very clear that he doesn't want her there. Although Maddy settles in quickly, excelling at work and partying with her new friends, she can't understand why Luke is remaining so distant. Particularly when all her instincts are telling her that they're meant to be together – and that he feels the same burning attraction.

As Maddy learns more about Luke's family and background, she begins to understand that his mixed messages are caused by balancing what's expected of him with what he really wants. Maddy gave Luke her heart long ago and, despite their differences, she knows she'll only ever be happy with her hot country boy. But how can she convince him that she's the risk he needs to take?

Charming the Outback is the first book I have read by this author. I was gifted a copy of this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review, so here goes...

This is a marmite book for me, if you are not familiar with marmite it’s a British food that is something you either love or hate.

Well this book splits me in two, I love Maddy she funny and endearing and I genuinely liked her character. She’s someone who I would want to be friends with in real life; something about her was so open and guileless that everyone just wants to be her friend.

For me the Marmite aspect of this book is Luke because I simply HATED him!!! I mean seriously what a douche canoe!!!!  (I love that phrase lol) I’ve really tried to find something likable about him but I just can’t!!

He is rude and obnoxious to Maddy, he speaks down to her like she an idiot. Christ he is so incredibly condescending I wanted to reach into the book and slap him!!!

What I don’t understand is what Maddy sees in him?? Apart from the hot sex, which is admittedly quite hot what else does he have going for him? Personally I don’t even think they seem to have any real connection.

In my opinion Maddy is with the wrong guy...... And who you may ask is the right guy??? Well Duhhhh its Zane obviously.

Maddy and Zane have insane chemistry, they flirt and banter and do you know what it’s effortless. Nothing about their relationship is forced or convoluted and I waited, patiently, hoping that Maddy would realize what an idiot Luke was and end up with Zane.

At one point after Luke’s very drunken verbal diarrhea I really thought that Leesa Bow was going to make my dreams come true and Zane a sex god in knights clothing was going to save the day and make Maddy fall madly in love with him. But alas it was not to beL.

For me this could have been a fantastic book if the author had simply had Luke be the knobhead ex that made Maddy realise why her new love interest was so amazing.

Unfortunately the story didn’t pan out that way so Charming the Outback only gets 3 stars from me.