Review of 'Buried In Between' by Leanne Lovegrove

Review of 'Buried In Between' by Leanne Lovegrove

Release Date: Out now!

Publisher: Leanne Lovegrove

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The book blurb:

She’s not your average city girl looking for a new beginning...

Ava Montgomery is desperate for a safe place to call home. On the run from her controlling marriage and fearing for her son’s safety, she hopes the small town of Bellethorpe she left years ago is the one location her husband won’t think to look.

Local builder, Noah Hawthorn, has no time for city chicks disrupting his town’s idyllic country lifestyle. Especially one who purchased the dream house he planned to buy before his wife left him.

But Noah can’t say no to renovating Ava’s home, because the money will help him to fight for custody of his daughter. Except when they uncover an incredible historical find on the grounds, the secrets they’ve both been keeping threaten to be exposed.

If Ava and Noah can’t learn to trust their hidden feelings for each other, it’s not only their pasts that are in danger of catching up with them. Their chances of building a new future together could be destroyed too...

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REVIEW

I always know when I open a book by Leanne Lovegrove, it is going to be well-written, full of surprises and cover important topics. And it will be delivered with a kind hand and perceptive view point. There will be characters I will get to know that will feel like friends who I will care about and hope their life struggles will be solved. Buried in Between covers all that and more. Men’s rights in childcare, controlling marriages of different cultures, the power of money – the lack of it and abundance, cost of realestate and renovation, archaeology dig rights on personal property, escapism and protection, women’s loss of choice and freedom, friendship and romance, the honouring of servicemen from the Great War, responsibility of caring for abandoned animals—these are just a few of the themes and scenarios analysed and played out. There was never a dull moment!

From the start, I found myself emotionally involved in Ava’s life. Her predicament reminded me of other stories I knew growing up of women marrying into cultures that were quite different from their own. And finding out one day, that they were suddenly prisoners in their own marriages, in severely controlled environments and in a relationship where the male dominated. This was what happened to Ava. She had met Henry in England, they fell in love and all was initially well in her marriage. They even had a son named Ismail. But the day her husband’s wealthy family called him back to Egypt to take over the reins of their household, Ava’s life changed dramatically. Her freedom was ripped away and she was expected to fit in to a patriarchal system that saw women as less than equals—more like servants. When it all became too much for her, thankfully she made a friend in that family who helped her escape. I won’t say any more about this part of the story but it certainly pained my heart to see Ava suffering but also relieved someone was willing to help her.

But of, course, her escape was never going to be easy. And she would be looking over her shoulder constantly. She would become suspicious of everything and everyone. For she was prepared to protect her son and new found freedom with every fibre of her being. This led her back to her childhood home town of Bellethorpe in Queensland where she once felt safe. She purchases an old homestead to restore and immerse herself and her son in this rural environment away from prying eyes. But she soon learns that when she needs to hire a contractor for the work, it is not easy to find anyone. The one man, Noah, who could do it, is upset for she has purchased the home he wanted. But his own circumstances force him to reconsider, for it will also benefit him. Thus begins a relationship between these two scarred persons, rocky at first but after time their connection begins to grow as they start to get to know each other and help each other in the struggles they each face. The homestead begins to take shape in a way Noah would have wanted as Ava is all about preserving the old character. She is also an archaeologist so ancient items are her thing. And when she makes a discovery on her property, her own dream of having a museum becomes a realistic goal. But this discovery sets her in the limelight. Will it also bring her past to her door?

Buried in Between is a beautifully written, heart-warming second chance story that I found a joy to read. (Great play on the words in the title, too!) Being a romantic, I actually liked the conclusion. It was comforting to see Ava receive what she needed and more. (Plus we learn just how special this property really is with its historical significance.) We also get to meet her ex-husband and that was interesting! I will say no more about him but truly get a copy of this novel and read it with your heart, not your head. We need more happy endings for this world is filled with enough despair and loss. Five thumbs up and all the stars to Leanne for her courage in delivering such a ‘feel-good’, life affirming story. Who ever said, in fiction we cannot have happy endings?! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to Leanne Lovegrove for a review copy.