Author: Karly Lane
ISBN: 978-1-76063-265-6
RRP: $29.99
Publication Date: 28 November 2018
Publisher: Allen & Unwin
Copy: Courtesy of the Publisher
Karly Lane has long been a favourite of mine so I made sure that she was the first off the December pile because I had so been looking forward to reading The Wrong Callahan. Unfortunately my life has gotten a little hectic of late and reading and reviewing have come off second best on the priority list. What should have been a cozy weekend read took ages and then even longer to sit and review, and I really need to strike while the words are fresh.
The Wrong Callahan is set in a small farming community where the Callahans have a large property, and respected standing in the town. Stringybark Creek is the essence of home for Lincoln Callahan, even though farming isn’t what he wanted from his life. He left to join the army, face danger and fight for his country.
Griffin Callahan is Linc’s little brother, the one who stayed to take over the running of the farm. The one who did the right things. The one who is starting to feel a little stagnated and decides things need to change. He develops a crush on a rebellious new beauty technician in town for a while to take over the neighbour’s salon.
The Wrong Callahan is a little … I actually don’t know where I want to start or what I want to say because I loved this book, I connected with most of the characters and I enjoyed the journey. I loved the insight into the struggles Linc faced after his time in the forces, the nightmares and the flashbacks. But also the pressure he felt to hide his struggles as a sign of weakness.
Character driven stories are a strength for Lane, she always makes sure that we get inside the heads of her characters and work out what really makes them tick. The Wrong Callahan is another story that builds on solid character foundations, for the most part, and allows the narrative to grow around it’s characters.
The basic premise on the other hand isn’t highly original, which I have no issue with because a completely original storyline would be near impossible to write and the way the story is approached gives it it’s originality. I think my biggest issue, and it’s one that gets me ALL the time, is that a lot of the tension and drama in the story could have been avoided by a simple conversation.
Cash Sullivan has never been one to put down roots, she’s always moved around a lot and when things get tricky it’s just easier to move on – and it makes it harder for you to be found. She is an absolute breath of fresh air in the region, a little different to everyone else and also on the road to a new lifestyle. She know she needs to make some changes in her life but the heart wants what the heart wants.
The Wrong Callahan is a well paced tale of love, betrayal, family, PTSD and small town communities. Another **** read from me.
The Wrong Callahan is book #48 for the Australian Women Writer’s Challenge 2018.
Karly Lane loves to hear from her readers, you can find her on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and her Website.
The Wrong Callahan is published by Allen & Unwin and available now from Angus & Robertson Bookworld, Booktopia and where all good books are sold.
Thanks to Allen & Unwin a selection of our Beauty and Lace Club members are reading The Wrong Callahan so please be aware there may be spoilers in the comments below.
I devour books, vampires and supernatural creatures are my genre of choice but over the past couple of years, I have broadened my horizons considerably. In a nutshell – I love to write! I love interacting with a diverse range of artists to bring you interviews. Perhaps we were perfect before – I LOVE WORDS!
I loved this book. It’s such a very enjoyable read. There is a lot to be said for ptsd. It takes a lot of work and understanding from love ones. . Glad Linc gets his problems sorted and has the understanding from love ones. Really shows the struggles for our farmers and the fact they all pull together for there home town. Can’t wait to read the second book when it comes
I thougherly enjoyed this book. Was one of the best books I have read in a long time very easy reading. I would recommend this book to anyone. Really life the life on the land is hard but very rewarding how they all pan together for the community fundraising. It was also rewarding to see ptsd being touched on a little and what the power of love and family can do to change outcomes.
As alway this is a beautifully written book by Karly Lane and I can’t wait for book 2 in the series and every one that loves rural fiction books this is a book you should read
The Wrong Callahan’s setting is Stringybark Creek, a family farm in Rankins Springs, in the heartland of the NSW Riverina. A small rural town where everyone knows everyone’s business and you can’t make a move without everyone knowing about it. This comes as a bit of a shock to city girl Cash Sullivan who is in town to help out at best friend Savannah’s Day Spa. Cash has always kept to herself but the friendly and welcoming neighbours, the Callahans, soon have her wondering what it would be like as part of a real family.
Cash has always been attracted to ‘bad boys’ and it has always left her heartbroken. Maybe the reserved Griffin Callahan is just who she needs in her life and it’s hard not to spend time with him when the matchmaking Callahan women keep pushing them together.
Linc hadn’t been home to Stringybark Creek since he left the army, two years ago. He was the son that couldn’t get away from the farm fast enough but has returned a hero in everyone’s eyes.
As soon as Linc sets eyes on Cash he feels a strong attraction. An attraction that he is finding difficult to resist.
Lane has delivered exactly what the genre promises; a rural romance with all the feels and characters to fall in love with (a whole family of them) but not all squeaky clean. Cash has a past she would rather keep hidden but she has turned her life around and is determined not to follow in the footsteps of her parents.
Lane raises the question; do you have a type when it comes to relationships and can this be changed?
The whole Callahan family is back home for Christmas and one of the siblings New Years Eve wedding. I love the Callahan family but they aren’t as perfect as they seem when you dig a little below the surface.
Behind the romance the story has themes of sibling rivalry, close knit families, the silent but catastrophic PTSD and the all consuming trauma of a war zone.
All the way through this story I was thinking how much I wanted to read Griff’s story and yes!! I find out it is book 2 ‘Mr Right Now’. And what’s with Harmony? Will Hadley’s marriage last? So many questions I can’t wait for the rest of this series.
The story pulled me in from the start and wouldn’t let go until the very last page.
I am an avid Karly Lane fan and her new book “The Wrong Callahan” did not disappoint. I am so glad it is book 1 that is based on the Callahans of Stringybark Creek with the 2nd due out in May 2019 so we continue to read about the family we have grown to love.
I find Karly’s books so easy to immerse yourself in, they engage you and you just want to keep reading until you know what is going to happen to her likeable characters.
Book one is about Lincoln Callahan, the eldest son of the family the one who left the farm family to try and find his way in the world by enlisting in the army. It has been 2 years since he visited the farm but he is back for Xmas and his sister’s wedding. When he arrives home the family are all talking about the woman next door, Cash Sullivan who Griffin (Lincs younger brother) is always finding excuses to visit.
Cash is different and stands out in the small town but she is enjoying looking after the day spa for her friend Savannah while she is overseas. The Callahan’s have taken her in and welcomed her into their family home. She is always attracted to bad boys and Griffin is such a gentleman and she tries her hardest to feel something more than friendship with him but when her and Linc lock eyes for the first time the attraction floors them both.
There is humour, cheeky moments, some very real moments and romance but as a reader you fall in love with the Callahan family and Cash, they feel so real and familiar. It also left me wanting to know more about the other family members hence why I can’t wait to read the next book.
Thank you Allen & Unwin and Beauty and Lace for the opportunity to read and review this book. Karly Lane once again you have written a novel I could not put down. This will go straight to the bookshelf beside my other Karly Lane novels.
I wasn’t one of the people selected to read The Wrong Callahan but was lucky enough to be given a copy from a friend. I loved it so much I just had to leave a review!
This was my first time reading something written by Karly Lane and I will be looking out for her other books including the second instalment of The Wrong Callahan!
An easy read that I couldn’t put down! Would definitely recommend!
I love Karly’s books. This book was absolutely fantastic just like all her books. I’m looking forward to the next book.
Thank you Beauty and Lace for the opportunity to read and review The Wrong Callahan by Karly Lane.
I am a new fan of Karly Lane this only being my second book and it certainly did not disappoint.
I love the family dyanamic of this book in a small farming community. I myself have a very family orietated life.
The main characters Cash and Linc had me from the start and I love reading this book. Even staying up til 1am to read one night. I was unable to put this book down and enjoyed every minute all the emotions good and bad.
This book contains secrets, lies and love triangles between family and friends. Definitely worth the read. I look forward to book 2 in this series.
Linc and Griffin are the Callahan boys.
They are so different.
Linc couldn’t wait to leave the family property and join the Army,
while Griffin wanted nothing more than to stay on the land and run the family property.
Cash Sullivan has moved to the country to help her friend run her Day Spa while she is away.
She is a city girl learning about the dynamics of a close knit small farming community.
Cash is a bit of a nomad,she has always attracted the wrong type of guy.
She has decided to take her friends advice and steer clear of the bad boys.
Will things work out with Griffin, the dependable Callahan,
or with Linc, the wild Callahan?
A fairly simple story line that works
and has wonderful characters
that just about every person who reads this will relate to one or another of them.
Another great book by Karly Lane,
she has not disappointed her fans with this new one and
I am looking forward to reading the next book of the series.
It was nice to relax over the Christmas holiday period with a good book. So with my feet up, with a hot drink by my side I started reading The Wrong Callahan by Karly Lane. It was good read and as a result my children had spaghetti on toast that night for tea as Mummy was a little engrossed in reading. It was a romance book that ended well with no hard feelings between the two brothers invloved. It highlighted family problems, farming and going to war. Looking forward to a sequel. Thanks Beauty and Lace.