An enjoyable, light read. Two sisters who end up with two brothers after some complications and misunderstandings. ( )

This is Rachael Johns fourth book in her rural romance series linked by the fictional community of Bunyip Bay. Readers familiar with the town will recognise Frankie Madden, the owner of a local cafe, and her sister, widowed mother of two, Simone, as the tititular Outback Sisters.

When a tall, ruggedly handsome and desperately sexy stranger strides into Frankie’s cafe and sweeps her into his arms with a bone melting kiss, she is stunned, and then a little disappointed to learn Logan Knight has mistaken her for her sister. Unbeknownst to Simone, her teenage daughters, Harriet and Grace, have been playing online matchmaker.

What follows is a charming, if slightly unconventional, tale of romance when Logan introduces the sisters to his older brother, Angus. Each of the four main characters are wary of love, having experienced hurt and loss in the past, and then there is the complication of their sibling bonds. I really enjoyed the way in which the author developed these relationships, it’s a tricky proposition but one which Johns achieves admirably.

Johns writes with a great ear for dialogue and a wonderful sense of humour. This ensures her characters feel authentic, including the teens. The relatable characters have been one of the strengths of the series.

It is satisfying as always to revisit Bunyip Bay, in this book we learn Faith and Monty (Outback Dreams) are expecting their first child, Ruby and Drew (Outback Blaze) are happily engaged, and we attend Adam and Stella’s (Outback Ghost) wedding.

The Bunyip Bay series has been a delight, I’m sad to see it end with Outback Sisters though it’s a wonderful note to close on. ( )

Reading a Bunyip Bay is like coming home for me (possibly in more ways than one, since I used to live around the area). Naturally I was overjoyed to hear that there was a fourth book in the series, starring Frankie and Simone, supporting characters in the previous books. As Frankie is the owner of the local café and creator of all sorts of drool worthy baked goods, I was really looking forward to reading her story. I got a bonus in learning more about her sister Simone, a widow whose main action in the previous novels was to pursue a man who had a boyfriend (oops).

The story opens as a mystery man (who just happens to be delectably gorgeous) kisses Frankie in her café. The only problem is that Frankie has never, ever met this handsome stranger. It turns out that Logan thought she was her sister Simone. It’s a surprise to Frankie (and it turns out, Simone) that she’s been using an online dating service, but she takes it in her sisterly stride as Logan and his brother Angus become part of the their lives. The tension comes to a head at the wedding of Outback Ghost lovers Stella and Adam. Has each sister made the right choice? How will the decisions of that night affect the relationships between the four?

Rachael Johns’ books are always comforting and satisfying in addition to being page turners with multiple issues affecting the heroes and heroines. Outback Sisters doesn’t disappoint with a mystery surrounding the health of Logan (I was trying to guess what it was all the way through – I was close, but no cigar), a calamity involving a wedding cake (which would have been funny if I wasn’t such a cake aficionado) and a case of mistaken identity that has the local gossips atwitter. (Of course, there are many more juicy parts, but I’m not ruining the surprise for you!).

I’ve loved all the heroes from the Bunyip Bay series (I even have a Team Monty badge on my desk, although I suspect Adam is Hugh Jackman’s secret cousin). Unfortunately Logan has muddled my affections even more! He’s got everything you want in a hero – caring, cute, sensitive and sympathetic. He’s also independent and fights for what he believes in. Logan’s brother Angus was quieter and had hidden depths that had to be more gradually revealed as he was more comfortable around the sisters, but he’s worthy too. As for Frankie, I already loved her character and this book was just the icing on the cake for me. I also felt that I got to know Simone and her daughters much better through this book, and was able to sympathise with Simone’s life as a single mum and questioning when it’s ‘right’ to love again.

Seeing the return of old favourites such as the always gorgeous Heidi, Monty, Faith, Adam, Stella, Ruby and Drew before and at the wedding was just perfect for a fan of the series. It was just so lovely to see how our favourite couples were going post-happily ever after. It’s something you don’t get too see too often in this genre and I felt it emphasised the cosy, familiar feeling of the series. I’d love for there to be another Bunyip Bay book but I’m a bit perplexed as to who could have their story told next – will it be the pub owner (he seems like he needs to wow a lady with his cooking skills)? Could we have a new policeman in town or will the rookie cop find love locally?

If you haven’t read the other books in the series, you could quite happily read this as a stand-alone. I thought it was very clever how none of the backstories of the other couples was revealed, so you can read the wonderful experiences of life and love in Bunyip Bay and still be surprised.

Outback Sisters cements Rachael Johns’ place as the queen of Aussie rural fiction. I guarantee if you read one of her books, you’ll be hooked for life!

Thank you to Harlequin for the eARC. My review is honest.

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