The Willow Tree Wharf by Léonie Kelsall. (2023).
**4 out of 5 stars**
Samantha, owner of Settlers Bridge café Ploughs and Pies, is short on confidence and big on regrets. Married young to fill the void of an unhappy childhood, Sam is still in the same small town she grew up in. Will the end of her abusive marriage help her spread her wings? City restaurateur Pierce knows what it is to have his career and family ripped away. A chance encounter with Sam ignites his passion, and together they concoct a plan for a destination restaurant. But will old hurts and hidden truths destroy the new business?
Having read other novels set in this area, Samantha was a welcome familiar face for me. It’s clear that Sam is a kind soul whose husband has belittled her for so long that she hasn’t yet fully realised she’s in an abusive marriage. While Sam is coming to terms with this, Pierce comes into the scene after some dramas with his own family. The two seem like two sides of the same coin with their passion for cooking and a shared interest in a historic paddle steamer. I really enjoyed the character growth of side character Christine who seems to be a stereotypical slightly nasty older lady but she takes a shine to Sam and becomes a huge support for her. I would describe the narrative as a feel-good story with some moments of realistic darkness.
Overall: a highly enjoyable Aussie rural romance/domestic drama fiction that I would happily recommend.
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