Cockatoo Cove by Maya Linnell is a rural romance set in the picturesque South Australian Limestone Coast area. The story is not just a love story, but of family, community, misunderstandings, and relationships.
Maggie West is a divorced mother of two. She has established an amicable relationship with her ex. Even though Maggie is from a well-off family, she has worked very hard to establish her own successful cattle stud. Life hasn’t always been easy, and she has had her hardships.
Isobel, her teenage daughter, is going through a rebellious stage, causing Maggie grief. Plus, her previous relationship ended badly, and she has kept herself busy with work and family.
Fergus Abernathy, originally from Scotland, is a successful winemaker working at a local winery. Although he is missing his Scottish family, his roots are now definitely in Australia.
When Maggie and Fergus meet, there is a strong connection between them. The time doesn’t seem right to either of them to take this any further, although neither can stop thinking about each other. But, living in a rural community, their paths continually cross. Will either of them let their guard down, trust and share their secrets, and take that next step to love?
The book covers many topics from parenting, teenage problems, small town gossip, scammers, and so much more. The story is well written and a joy to read. The characters are wonderful, Maggie, Fergus, Izzy, Lenny, and the whole West family are relatable.
It is easy to spoil the story for another reader by giving too much away, but there is plenty of action to keep you engaged. You certainly won’t want to put the book down.
This is part of a series, but it stands alone very well. Any book from Maya Linnell does not disappoint.
I really enjoyed this and can’t wait for Maya Linnell’s next book. 5 stars.
A selection of our Beauty and Lace Club members are reading Cockatoo Cove by Maya Linnell. You can read their comments below or add your own review.
I love to read, any book on any topic. I now love ebooks as they are easier to store, I was running out of bookshelves! My other interests are family, gardening and our beautiful King Charles spaniel dog who is my reading companion.
I was super keen to return to the Limestone Coast with Book three from Maya Linnell – Cockatoo Cove, her latest release with Allen & Unwin. Her previous two stories set in this region I absolutely loved – Kookaburra Cottage and Wallaby Lane.
I loved that this story was super real, I could relate to the main characters and the challenges they were facing as they are relevant in today’s society.
Maggie West is a hard-working Mum of two children, Ben a young adult and Isobel a rebellious teenager who she co parents with her Ex Husband-Todd.
Maggie runs a successful Cattle stud and breeds border collies determined to prove herself after marrying and having a baby young.
She has her hands full with Issy – who is challenging her, not hanging with the best crowd and making questionable choices, Maggie is determined to get her daughter back on track.
Fergus Abernathy is a Scottish Winemaker who we were first introduced to in Kookaburra Cottage, and it was nice to see him get his own story.
Fergus is called to help Maggie with her fridge, he receives an invite to her Housewarming party and is instantly envious of her family circle, the beautiful house and the life she is living.
A phone call changes everything for Fergus and his life changes in an instant.
With all of Maya’s books this one can be read as a stand alone or in order, I recommend reading in order as I feel that is the way the characters shine.
These stories are always like coming home – to be honest I am always ready to pack up and move to the country after reading one of Maya’s books.
I love hearing updates on previous main characters and seeing them mentioned in the latest book – like April and Connor, Policeman Jack and Archie.
It is not just the page turning storyline that will have you hooked, it is the location – Maya beautifully describes the Limestone Coast region which I feel is also a central character in her stories. This book has it all – two likeable main characters, great supporting characters and a beautiful location – Maya’s books are always page turners and I often tell my friends – they are like one big warm hug.
Bring on June 2026 – whose story will be next to be told? Thank you Maya, Beauty and Lace and Allen & Unwin for the chance to read and review this charming book.
Cockatoo Cove is Maya Linnells latest book, set on the Limestone Coast (the third in this series)
In Maya’s usual style, it’s a page turner, getting me sucked in right from the first page.
Maggie West is a single Mum, having had children very young, she’s dealing with a teenage daughter who’s starting a head off the rails, determined for her daughter to take advantage of all the opportunities she missed out on, Maggie is determined to keep her at school.
Between her children, running a successful cattle farm and school fundraising commitments, there’s no room left for romance, that is until she meets Fergus Abernathy, a Scottish winemaker who is ready to put down roots in Penwarra.
The attraction between the two is instant, but their busy lives, a few crossed wires, and a major bombshell all seem set to put a stop to any blossoming romance.
Filled with warm lovable characters, as we as a couple of dodgy ones, it’s your quintessential small rural town with all your usual types, making it so relatable as you read it.
Having grown up not too far over the border, I always get a kick when towns and places you know are mentioned!
If you’re a fan of Maya’s books, make sure you get your hands on this one, you’ll love it!
Thanks Beauty and Lace and Allen and Unwin for the copy to read and review.
Cockatoo Cove by Maya Linnell is another fabulous, easy to read novel set in beautiful rural Australia.
Through main characters Maggie West, who has lived in South Australia’s Cockatoo Cove all her life, and the soon-to-be love of her life Scottish winemaker Fergus Abernathy, I was transported to the Limestone Coast and the small country town lifestyle and community spirit woven into the storyline.
Whilst being a fully immersive and thoroughly enjoyable feel-good rural romance, there is also a depth to the storyline that touched on various life issues such as the struggle of single parenting, teen insecurities and family dynamics and the general ups and downs of life that I found very relatable and current.
Thank you Beauty and Lace and Allen & Unwin for the opportunity to read and review Cockatoo Cove. Once started this one was hard to put down ! Highly recommended.
Maya Linnell has done it again with her book Cockatoo Cove.
There are twists and turns that you dont expect and I love her her characters are imperfect and oh so real. They carry their emotional scars and have to work through lifes trials just like the rest of us.
Maya creates an envitonment where I always feel as if I am a welcome part of the story in some way rather then just being an outsider looking in.
Maggie West is trying so hard to do the right thing in how she is raising her teenage daughter but the teenage rebellion is strong as her daughter feels the judgement and pressure that she feels is thrown her way.
Fergus is making is way in an environment thats very different from his birth land of Scotland and here he is footloose and fancy free until a surprise change sends his life down a track he hadnt anticipated.
With Maggie and Fergus’s lives crossing paths it brings about some interesting events.
This a great Winter day read. Grab a cuppa and settle in for a wonderful weekend read.
Maya Linells latest book Cockatoo Cove is another delightful read that reinforces my love of Australian rural romance and leaves me wanting to read more of Mayas books.
Meet Maggie West. She has done the hard yards in establishing and building her own cattle stud instead of following on in her father’s crayfish business. Locals speculate about her family’s holdings, she’s dealing with her teen daughter who seems intent on being difficult and challenging her every step of the way and Maggie knows from experience money doesn’t safeguard you from hardship or dealing with hard emotions. We are also introduced to Scottish winemaker Fergus Abernathy who has faced more than his share of difficulties but continues to go from strength to strength. He misses his family back in Scotland and wants them to join him in our beautiful country – even more so after he gets a shocking phone call that changes everything and the path he’d mapped out for his future. While this change proves to be difficult at times it’s one he wouldn’t want any other way. A community fundraiser draws Fergus and Maggie together, but could it be what could break them apart in the end? I thoroughly enjoyed reading Fergus’s Scottish accent – the inclusion of it in his conversations throughout the book made his character feel even more authentic vibe that left me smiling when I imagined the way it sounded.
So much praise for Maya – this read really felt like a huge warm hug in a book.
Thank you to Beauty and Lace book club, Allen & Unwin publishing for my copy of Cockatoo Cove and the incredibly talented Maya Linell for such a beautiful story.
I always know if I am going to read one of Maya`s books, it will be the most comforting, happy and lovable journey she takes me on.
Living in Tantanoola and going to the same school as Maya (she is quite a few years younger than me) makes me so happy, proud at how darn clever she is! She is quite the star in my eyes and has grown to be such a clever writer with some of the sayings in the book that had me smiling because I haven`t heard them for a while, especially not in a book.
Some great characters and towns like Beachport, Robe and mentions of Mount Gambier made this really homely.
I loved this story and the importance of community spirit while navigating a relationship, drama and family problems.
I am such a huge fan of Maya and was a bit sad to read of her dad`s passing and loved the fact she shares this with us readers as he must have been so proud of his amazing and beautiful daughter.
Thankyou so much!