Review: The Grass is Greener by Loretta Hill

 

Title: The Grass is Greener

Author: Loretta Hill

Published: Bantam Australia January 2016

Status: Read from January 11 to 12, 2016 — I own a copy   {Courtesy the publisher/netgalley}

My Thoughts:

The Grass is Greener is Loretta Hill’s fifth contemporary novel and like the last, The Maxwell Sisters, this novel is also set largely among the vineyards in the fertile southern region of Western Australia.

“The long and short of it is….Bronwyn needed a sabbatical from the law, so she left town to work on my family’s vineyard. I wanted to get back into law so I marched in and took her job….It was a great plan from both of our perspectives and it would have been perfect-…”

Succumbing to family obligation has left best friends, Bronwyn Eddings and Claudia Franklin, miserable. Despite her pedigree, Bronwyn detests practicing law in Perth and dreams of another life, while Claudia resents having been compelled to abandon her own fledgling law career to work at her family’s failing winery. The solution seems simple, they’ll swap places and both get exactly what they want.

Of course it’s not nearly that easy and Hill introduces plenty of conflict for both of her protagonists to work through, developing circumstances that engender mild tension and drama.
Bronwyn’s high profile mother is furious when her daughter abandons her career without a backward glance and is insistent that Bronwyn return to the fold. The Franklin family, still struggling with the aftermath of family tragedy, are hurt by Claudia’s leaving and resistant to the idea of Bronwyn taking her place.
Additionally Claudia and Bronwyn both find themselves caught up in a strange situation involving a pregnant Mastiff, a possible dog fighting ring and a local crime heavyweight.
Romance also features heavily in The Grass is Greener. The return of Jack Franklin, Claudia’s eldest brother, to the vineyard after a five year absence reignites Bronwyn’s long held desire for him.
Meanwhile Claudia finds the dark good looks and intelligence of her immediate boss, Sebastian Rowlands irresistible, despite his breathtaking arrogance.

“The truth is. it was never about swapping our lives exactly. It was always about making the most of our own….

So…what you’re really saying is, the grass is greener on the other side, but only if you water it.”

The Grass Is Greener is a warm and engaging story about friendship, autonomy, family and love from Loretta Hill. Enjoy it on a summer’s afternoon with a glass of Western Australian wine.

Available via

Random House I I Booktopia I Amazon AU I  via Booko

Amazon US

Also by Loretta Hill