Ellesea Loves Reading: Book Blitz and Review: Her Outback Driver by Giulia Skye

Thursday, 22 July 2021

Book Blitz and Review: Her Outback Driver by Giulia Skye

Her Outback Driver

by Giulia Skye

Genre: Contemporary Romance

*** 2021 Romance Writers of America Vivian Award Finalist ***

Escape with this heart-warming, feel-good romance. A Romance Writers of America, Vivian Contest Finalist!

Perfect for fans of Jennifer Probst, Shannon Stacey and Jill Shavlis.

When former Olympic champion, Michael Adams—now Canada’s hottest reality TV star—insults his fake showbiz wife on social media, he jumps on the first flight to Australia to escape the ensuing scandal. Desperate to experience ordinary life again—if only for a few weeks—he becomes “Adam”; just another tourist exploring the dusty Outback trails in a beat up truck. But with a reward out for his safe return and his fame’s nasty habit of catching up with him when he least expects, Adam needs a better disguise… and he’s just found one.

Tired of lies and liars, British Backpacker Evie Blake is taking a year out of her busy London life, looking for adventure to heal her broken heart. So when the hot Canadian she meets at the campground offers to drive her through Western Australia’s wild Kimberley region, she grabs the chance, unaware he has the world out looking for him. He’s just a down-on-his-luck traveler, right?

But when hot days turn into even hotter nights, how long does Adam have before Evie discovers who he really is?

★★★★★ REVIEWS

“A heart-warming romance, with the heat turned up!” —Splashes into Books, Book Blogger

“A thoroughly unique and sexy debut.” —Sincerely Book Angels, Book Blogger

“An excellent debut novel… I loved it!” —NICOLA CORNICK, International Best Selling Author

“Hot and steamy, just like the Australian landscape.” —Chick Lit Central, Book Blogger

“A strong debut by a confident new author. This is no flowery, fairy tale romance, but a lusty, immediate physical attraction that grows into something emotional and mature.” —A Little Book Problem, Book Blogger

“Hot, escapist and infused with tension… I loved it!” —JULIA WILD, Award winning author of Illusions

“A sizzling romance from a sparkling new talent.” —LYNNE SHELBY, Author of There She Goes

“The perfect amount of steam to make it my kind of story.” —Lisa Loves Literature, Book Blogger

“Giulia Skye really captures the beauty and remoteness of the Australian Outback.” —Chapter & Cake, Book Blogger

Any romance set against a backdrop of a far-flung place has always piqued my interest. Her Outback Driver ticks all my boxes as we learn how two strangers end up together in the Australian Outback.

Trapped in a fake marriage to a glamour model and media-hungry, Saskia Williams, Michael Adams escapes to Australia. The impulsive trip begins badly after he's involved in a fight with paparazzi in Port Douglas. It stirs up a media storm and attention he's trying to avoid. With no choice but to hide, he re-invents himself as "Adam" and embarks on an extended break. His itinerary is non-existent as he embarks on a life-changing journey in the outback.

Evie Blake is taking a year out from her busy life in London. Originally, she was supposed to be accompanied by her long-time partner, but unfortunately, they've split and gone their separate ways. Unfazed, she embraces the freedom of travelling around Australia alone, that's until she meets fellow traveller, Adam from Canada. He's broke and she has money to split travel costs. Therefore, they set out together on a road trip across the Kimberley region of Western Australia to Darwin. It's a win-win situating until truths from the past catch-up with them.

As a hero, I shouldn't have liked Adam but I did. His 'economical with the truth' persona is a red flag, but knowing why he acts and behaves the way he does is justified… I liked the contrast between him and Evie, a woman who is grieving for a life she hoped to have. She's straightforward and practical in her new surroundings in a way Adam isn't. Not surprisingly, the sparse living arrangements trigger a mutual attraction unlike either has experienced before. Only, the plan is for them to go their separate way once they reach Darwin because both have to return to where they live, half a world apart.

The road trip "sings" to my love of all things to do with travelling. I've been to Western Australia a few times, but haven't ventured as far north as the protagonists. Additionally, meeting characters like Frieda, Bill and Terry, not forgetting Webbo too...is a delight. The shared travelling camaraderie is both fun and insightful and I wished I was there with them all too.

The author's written an entertaining narrative which kept my interest the whole time. It's a perfect blend of elements I love; romance and travel. It's a fun and fully relatable narrative which tugged at my wanderlust nature! It also covers a sensitive topic and highlights the emotions of those in a similar situation to Evie. As a début novel, this is first class and I highly recommend it to anyone who loves a reading a virtual escape to another part of the world.

Books2Read

Italian-born Giulia Skye writes page-turning romances with a lot of heart and sizzle. She describes her books as pure feel-good escapism! She lives in England with her Man and their two gorgeous sons, loves gardening and hates waste of any kind.

Her Outback Driver is her first novel and to celebrate being a Vivian® Contest Finalist, she is inviting readers to download her book for FREE by joining her mailing list.

Please go to https://www.subscribepage.com/giuliaskye to claim your free copy today!