About the Book

Book:  A Girl’s Guide to the Outback

Author: Jessica Kate

Genre:  Contemporary Romance

Release Date: January 28, 2020

How far will a girl go to win back a guy she can’t stand? This funny, sweet, and romantic story proves that opposites do attract—and that God has a sense of humor.

Samuel Payton is a passionate youth pastor in Virginia, but below the surface, he’s still recovering from the blow of a failed business and insecurities he can’t shake. His coworker, start-up expert Kimberly Foster, is brilliant, fearless, and capable, but years of personal rejection have left her defensive and longing for a family. Two people have never been more at odds—or more attracted to one another. And every day at work, the sparks sure do fly.

When Kimberly’s ambitious plans for Sam’s ministry butt up against his risk-averse nature, Sam decides that obligations to family trump his work for the church. He quits the ministry and heads home to Australia to help his sister, Jules, save her struggling farm. As Kimberly’s grand plans flounder, she is forced to face the truth: that no one can replace Sam. Together they strike up a deal: If Kimberly comes to work on Jules’s dairy farm and lends her business brains to their endeavor, then maybe—just maybe—Sam will reconsider his future with the church.

 As Kimberly tries her hand at Australian farm life, she learns more about herself than she could’ve ever expected. Meanwhile Sam is forced to re-evaluate this spunky woman he thought he already knew. As foes slowly morph into friends, they wonder if they might be something even more. But when disaster strikes the farm, will Sam find it within himself to take a risk that could lead to love? And will Kimberly trust God with her future?

Click here to get your copy.

My Thoughts

I had no control reading this book. There were so many things I was SUPPOSED to get done…I kept telling myself, “Put the book down, it’ll still be there later.” but, I failed. Every time.

The thought of an American girl having to survive in the Outback in pulled me in. At first, I wasn’t sure how Jessica was going to get her there, but she pulls off a way that Kimbo and Sam realize they both need each other’s strengths thanks to some meddling from beloved Julie.

Both Kim and Sam have problems accepting they’re worthy of love, but for different issues. Both struggle with head knowledge of how God’s love and forgiveness works but not accepting it into their innermost being. Both are sometimes madding for how tenaciously they hold on to their view points, but it makes for some fiery face offs and moments of surprising depth when they put their gloves down.

I admire Kim’s work ethic; she’s a crazy hard worker. I admire Sam’s gifting with teens. Through this story, Jessica shows us how we can all have different strengths but still serve God.

Plus, it’s a 2 for 1 romance! What the description doesn’t tell you is the secondary story between Mick and Julie that also makes you swoon. They were both great supporting characters and you have some point of views from Julie so you get to know her well. I definitely got frustrated with her stubbornness, though. Two HEAs for one story made me a very happy reader indeed.

I received a copy of this book for the purpose of this tour. I was not required to give a positive review. All opinions are my own.

About the Author

Australian author Jessica Kate writes inspirational romances with wit, sass, and grit. Jessica is a screenwriting groupie, cohost of the StoryNerds vlog and podcasts, and her favorite place to be—apart from Mum and Dad’s back deck—is a theme park. She has traveled North America and Australia, and samples her favorite pasta wherever she goes—but the best (so far) is still the place around the corner from her corporate day job as a training developer. She loves watching sitcoms with her housemates and being a leader in a new church plant. Visit her online at jessicakatewriting.com; Instagram: jessicakatewriting; Facebook: jessicakatewriting; Twitter: @JessicaKate05.

Exclusive Excerpt

Click here to read an exclusive excerpt of the book!

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