A Girl’s Guide to the Outback

Kate (Love and Other Mistakes) delivers an endearing inspirational romance that spans continents. Headstrong business expert Kimberly and risk-averse youth pastor Sam cannot seem to get along as they attempt to launch a youth ministry in Charlottesville, Va. After three years of little progress, Sam learns his family farm in Australia is at risk of bankruptcy and decides to return home to help save his family’s legacy. However, once there, he and his sister realize they need a professional to help ensure the farm’s long-term survival. Meanwhile, Kimberly is unable to secure a new pastor for the ministry. When she receives an offer from Sam to help hire his replacement in exchange for her business expertise, she accepts and travels to Australia to assess the farm’s needs. As Kimberly learns a new way of life and starts to trust Sam, she thinks she might have found the family she never had. She also helps Sam begin to believe in himself and God’s plan. Their story is paralleled by Sam’s sister’s relationship with her on-again, off-again boyfriend, and everyone experiences spiritual growth and contemplates the bonds that bind families. With its dramatic descriptions of the Australian landscape, this sweet romantic inspirational will please readers of Katherine Reay. (Jan.)