Living in a small rural town can have its challenges. Inter-related families, the stress of keeping small businesses and farms working, and the threats that some people see to their ‘traditional’ ways of life. Sometimes it takes a newcomer to town to sort through the complexities and offer a different way of looking at the community.
Paige is that newcomer. A single mother of three, each to a different father, she is looking for privacy away from the demands of the city. She arrives in Badara, a small Australian country town where everyone knows each other’s business. Or do they?
Trying to deal with the demands of three young children and loneliness, she joins the fledgling Tuesday exercise class. Fearing judgement from the other women there, she finds instead kindness and an overwhelming number of baked goods.
This is not only Paige’s story, though. As secrets become revealed throughout the town, it is how the characters react and support each other that is the strength of this novel.
I enjoyed this story. It’s an easy read and you know the ending will be positive. Tricia Stringer has written an insightful story about keeping up appearances and the pressure it creates.
Four stars from me.
Read more about Keeping Up Appearances on Goodreads.
Thank you to Harlequin Australia and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book in return for an honest review.