Feature book: The Station, Volume Two

The Station, Volume Two by Mel A Rowe
Series: Oasis of the Outback #2
Subgenre: rural romance
Release date: 23 Aug 2023
Publisher: self-published
Format: ebook and print
Length: 394 pages
RRP: $5.99 (ebook); $37.78 (print)
Definitely do not start #2 if you haven’t read The Station, Volume One . This book follows directly on from the first, and you do need to read them in order. But no problem, they’re both fab.
In Volume One Sienna, the relief cook, and Jake, station manager, began a heated and illicit romance. Illicit because firstly, the rules are you shouldn’t sleep with the boss, and secondly, there’s a bigger reason why you shouldn’t sleep with the boss, but I won’t spoil what that reason is.
Sienna and Jake’s coming together was inevitable, but now they’re both struggling to see how on earth their romance can last. The odds (and Bob, Jake’s father) are stacked against them. However, Sienna’s not ‘just’ a cook. When she goes and sits on the roof of her car under the banyan tree (where the wi-fi is strong), and works on her laptop, you’ll be surprised what other schemes she cooks up.
She’s full of ideas and contacts, and she’s not afraid to use them to save Danbunnan Station. And Jake. She’s also all about saving Jake, especially from his poisonous father.
So, what’s with Bob? There are huge Cullan family secrets in both books, slowly revealed, and Bob comes out very poorly in the ongoing revelations. No surprise really, because he’s a mean, drunk bully, a depressed coward, and a misogynist. The things that come out of his mouth! No wonder Danbunnan Station is struggling.
Sienna and Jake’s romance takes second place to the race to save Danbunnan Station. Things are far from settled between them, even as they snatch precious moments together. Sienna is always aware she is ‘staff’, and ‘temporary’, so leaving soon. Her sadness at their doomed love is real, and the restrictions on Jake entangle him hopelessly.
Is there a HEA for them? Can Danbunnan be saved?
Mel A Rowe has given us a wonderful cast of characters in this duology, including some welcome favourites from her Elsie Creek series popping in to say hello. Her love of the outback shines brilliantly through both books, creating a huge, stunning backdrop for this high-stakes romance set against the high-stakes race to save Danbunnan. Enjoy.
PS: And let’s give a shout-out to those gorgeously striking covers!
reviewed by Malvina
A review copy of this book was provided by the author.