Savannah’s Secret by Australian author Mandy Magro is a truly lovely and heart-warming romantic saga filled with suspense and mystery.
Savannah Garret is in witness protection after testifying at her best friend’s murder trial against Jimmy Biloti, although he is currently convicted and imprisoned.
Savannah feels vulnerable and is concerned of threats and intimidation against her life. Detectives issue her with a new identity and place her in Blackwater, a small country town in Queensland.
Savannah is a city girl through and through and when she steps off the bus, she finds herself in a barren place that she will have to call home. She reports to the local pub where she is to become the new barmaid and meets the owner Jacko and his daughter Jessie.
Although she is still mourning the loss of her friend, her grief is subdued as she settles into her new life and finds comfort getting to know the locals. Her biggest obstacle is not being able to tell anyone her identity and being able to reveal to anyone about her past.
Ash Sullivan is the local chopper musterer, he owns his own property called Silverton Station and runs his own business which has succeeded financially putting him at comfort. The only thing missing is someone to share it with but after bad past experiences he is reluctant to put trust in anyone.
When Savannah meets Ash there is an instant attraction and a friendship forms. As time goes by, she finds the pub accommodation lacking in space and amenities, Ash offers her a place to stay in his cottage at Silverton Station. When their friendship takes a different turn, they navigate through their differences and past haunts to reach common ground together and Savannah’s secret is unveiled. There are tensions and contradictory emotions that pull on the heartstrings.
Savannah and Ash are likeable and multi-layered characters. I appreciated how the author made this relationship realistic. She didn’t rush these two into something, but slowly drew them together in a way that made sense. I adored their connection, the easy repertoire between them, their chemistry and flirty back and forth.
This book is perfect for anyone loving a great romance with suspense, it contains wonderful skillful writing and great plot development, strong connections, beautiful landscapes, and the best kind of supporting cast, including a pig! The suspense was just the right amount to add an edge to the plot.
Thank you to Beauty and Lace and HarperCollins Publishers AU for the opportunity to read and review.
Author: Mandy Magro
ISBN: 9781489298836
Copy courtesy of HarperCollins Publishers AU
A selection of our Beauty and Lace Club members are reading Savannah’s Secret by Mandy Magro. You can read their comments below, or add your own review. Sign up for our club here.
My love of books started at a very young age. My mum has always been a reader and encouraged me to read, buying me endless book from classic fairy tales advancing to the world of Enid Blyton, CS Lewis, Louisa May Alcott, Kathryn Kenny, Carolyn Keene, Francine Pascal. In my adult years the list of authors is endless and every room in my house is filled with books.
One of my favourite novels is Narnia which has always has a special place in my heart. I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes in 1978 and when I was given this book to read it let me escape to another world where I felt like I was in the book with all the characters, it wasfun and exciting to escape from reality and eased the ups and downs of the disease at such a young age.
In books nothing is impossible and there is endless potential and hundreds of places to explore or being taken to places that are only made up from the authors’ great minds, the past and future to navigate, characters lives you step into taking you on an emotional rollercoaster ride or being scared out of your wits. I can experience things that I can’t in real life because they’re not possible or real. It challenges my perspective and mindset expanding my worldview.
I find joy, comfort and peace with books, many people may not get it, but I know bookworms like me truly understand. Reading makes my heart happy.
Savannah’s Secret … what a beautifully written novel, it had my heart by page 4. The stunning imagery and character introduction had me hook, line and sinker; not to mention the introduction of a 3 year old cat – that sealed the deal.
Set in Australia also made my heart sing, and the thrilling first chapter was written just how I like it. I felt all the emotions of the characters as they were so very well described. I felt sympathy for Ash but the repetition of his ‘feeling positive’ got a bit mushy.
Then I started to feel bored. The few chapters in the middle of the book could have been halved and still had the same impact and contribution to the narrative. Chapter 8 to Chapter 16 … BORING. It felt like padding as it added minimum value to building the characters and even less to the storyline.
It finally got exciting and captivating once again in Chapter 21 when a high risk event occurred.
I completely skipped the last chapter and called it a day.
Circumstances lead to protagonist, Savannah Garrett finding herself uprooted from the bright city lights of Sydney to Blackwater, an outback country town with a population of less than the suburb she once resided in. The initial shock of the incessant heat and flies, on arrival, is only the beginning of what she is about to discover on her whirlwind adventure.
Savannah is a beautiful, strong young lady who has had no other option but to learn to look after herself and to trust and rely on very few people she’s crossed paths with. Shaken by childhood trauma and a tragedy that leads her to Blackwater, Savannah’s derailed trust gives her character a vulnerability that leaves the reader feeling a sense of empathy. Having endured such hardships, we are on Savannah’s team hoping she can discover the peace and love she is so deserving of.
Ashley Sullivan, owner of Silverwater Station has his own secrets and has also worked hard to create new beginnings. He yearns to one day fill his exquisite property with a wife and children. Loyal and respectful, he is instantly attracted to the mysterious new lady in town. Savannah is determined not to get involved romantically with Ash, who remains intrigued and explores ways to win her over. Having also been hurt deeply, Ash is determined to break down Savannah’s walls and find out what secrets she is keeping. This proves to be no easy task as the guarded Savannah states “Everyone’s entitled to keeping some skeleton’s in the closet”. Will Ash win over the woman of his dreams…..
Mandy Magro captures the enchanting beauty of the everchanging landscape of outback Queensland through the eloquence of her writing. As someone who is yet to visit this part of the world, I felt like I became more and more immersed in the setting as I made my way through the book. Magro’s latest novel is the tale of a charming country romance.
Thankyou Beautyandlace and harpercollins for the opportunity to review Savannah’s Secret by Mandy Magro.
After witnessing her best friend Jasmine’s murder at the hands of their boss Jimmy Boloti (Jasmine was in a relationship with him) Kayla Robinson has been placed in witness protection.
She is unaware of where she’ll be sent but finds herself in the rural Australian town of Atherton where she is to become a barmaid.
A new identity and history is created for her and she becomes Savannah Garret.
Meanwhile Ashley Sullivan an eligible batchelor who six years previously has lost his girlfriend Hannah to suicide and has given up wanting another relationship is fated to meet Savannah.
This was a lovely romantic story with just a touch of suspense. The cover of the book is really attractive as well.
Savannah’s Secret is the latest novel by popular Australian author Mandy Magro. The novel features strong female characters that the author is well known for. Savannah’s Secret is a rural Australian romance with a little suspense thrown in.
Savannah witnesses her friend’s murder at the hands of their boss and is put into witness protection. This means a new name, identity, and no choice of where she can start her new life. She is sent to Blackwater, outback Queensland to be a barmaid in the town’s pub. This is a world away from Sydney and her old job of managing a night club.
Savannah meets Ash Sullivan; a local, handsome bachelor, he owns a successful chopper mustering business but he’s had terrible sadness in his life and is determined that if he meets someone, they must both be completely honest and upfront.
Savannah moves into Ash’s spare property and settles into life in Blackwater but always has the worry of whether her true identify will be discovered.
The author’s descriptions of outback Queensland really brought the novel to life. I enjoyed getting to know Savannah and Ash and reading about the many characters who frequent the pub in Blackwater and Ash’s pet pig! However, after a while I got a little bored with the “will they, wont they” scenario of Savannah and Ash’s relationship. I just felt it was going round in circles, perhaps that was the intention. I suppose it showed Savannah’s reluctance to get involved with Ash due to her secrets but as a reader I found it a little repetitive.
The story did eventually though pick up with eventful scenes full of suspense and an appropriate ending.
I’m sure many of the author’s fans will enjoy this rural romance. Thank you to HarperCollins and Beauty & Lace book club for the opportunity to read this novel.
Another great story by Mandy Magro. Set mostly in the Australian Outback we meet city girl Savannah and country boy Ash who have both been burnt by love before and have different reasons to be cautious about starting a relationship.
The story is written in the author’s usual style with the use of Aussie slang and sayings and wonderful descriptions of the scenery typical in the outback.
It is an easy and enjoyable read. Though it felt to me that the dramatic scenes at the end of the book felt sudden and rushed. But overall I really enjoyed the read.
Thanks to Beauty and Lace and HarperCollins for the chance to read and review.
Thank you kindly BeautyandLace and HarperCollins for this book reading opportunity.
I was in the mood for a good romance novel, and this book did just that. The story is set in an outback Australia town, and I found the people and the town appealing, so much that I wanted to get on a bus and go there too.
I think that’s the work of a great author, they make you want to be a part of the story. The book had thrills and romance. It was a little slow in the latter middle, but then picked up pace again.
Who doesn’t love a feel good romantic book with a handsome rugged, Australian hero and a beautiful Australian woman. I enjoyed the book and would recommend to anyone who wants to get away from the city and just enjoy rural outback Australia, with a bit of thrill as well.
Savannah’s Secret by Mandy Magro is a romance novel set in outback Australia.
As a sole witness to an awful murder, city girl Savannah Garret goes into hiding in the countryside with a new identity and is told to keep a low profile. The last thing on her mind was to fall in love but when she meets Ash Sullivan who hates secrets and values honesty, her new secret life is thrown into turmoil.
This story is set in a small country town in outback Australia with friendly characters. With Savannah being in a witness protection program, there are elements of suspense but overall, it is mostly a romance novel and I found it very easy reading.
Thank you very much Beauty and Lace and HarperCollins for the opportunity to review this novel.
Another amazing story from the lovely Mandy Magro. I love reading these types of books and I am grateful to Beauty and Lace for giving me the chance to read it. I absolutely adored this story.
Savannah’s Secret by Mandy Mangro begins with Kayla Robinson starting a new life
In the outback of Australia but with a new identity as Savannah Garret.
She has witnessed the murder of her best friend so has been put into a witness
protection scheme and ends up working in a pub in the small town of Blackwater Queensland where she meets a local Ash Sullivan but both of them have a tragic past and secrets holding them back from wanting a relationship.
Even though this novel has a great beginning and a lovely ending it is a bit drawn out and is
somewhat predictable but it is a touching heartfelt story set in a beautiful setting with very likeable characters.
I think this Is a novel that many people would really enjoy reading and I did like it but it doesn’t score very high on my list.
I thank Mira and Beauty and Lace for the opportunity to read this novel.
Thanks BeautyandLace and Mira for the opportunity to read and review Savannah’s Secret by Mandy Magro.
Savannah’s Secret is a romance novel set in the beautiful Australian outback. The novel is about Savannah and Ash, two people that have experienced loss due to tragic circumstances and how they had to overcome their previous traumas, to open their hearts to love again.
Savannah, the sole witness of a dangerous criminal case has been put into Witness Protection. With a new identity and a new life in outback Australia, can she trust the ruggedly handsome Ash Sullivan Prince Charming that has suddenly appeared into her life. He seems to be everything she would want in a partner, but can she hide the truth from him forever, her secrecy starts to drive a wedge in their blossoming relationship. Will she learn to trust Ash with her deepest darkest secrets of her previous life. Ash has been so open and honest about his feelings and his past but something is holding Savannah back.
I really liked this romance novel and I found the characters interesting and relatable. The outback Australian rural setting sounded so beautiful!
Although I don’t read many romance novels, I found Savannah’s Secret an entertaining read and I would recommend it for anyone after romantic novel with a bit of a twist.
Thanks again for the opportunity to read this.
A really huge thanks to BeautyandLace and HarperCollins and Mandy Magro for the great opportunity to read this beautiful book that is set Australia keep coming up with more books Mandy Magro as I have all of your books
I really enjoyed reading this novel by Mandy Mangro. It is a great romance novel set in the Australian outback. The characters were easy to like, the story had enough twists and turns to keep you interested. It is an easy, nice holiday read.
Savannah’s Secret took a littlewhile to arrive from the publishers but it didn’t disappoint when it got here!
A horrible event leads to many twists and turns and romance in outback Australia. I found the story did lull in parts, but not enough to make me not want to keep reading! I hope to read more of Mandy Magros’ books as I did enjoy this one!
Sorry for the incredibly late reviewing! I started reading right before the madness of Christmas set in and forgot to post my review!
I absolutely love Mandy Magro books and Savannah’s Secret did not disappoint! The characters were believable, relatable and interesting. If you’re in to romance this is certainly one to pick up. It follows the usual flow romance novels tend to take but not in a boring way, the book contains a few twists. Easily 5/5 stars!