Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
830 global ratings
5 star
65%
4 star
22%
3 star
9%
2 star
3%
1 star
1%
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Top reviews from Canada

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helen
4.0 out of 5 stars NZ thru and thru
Reviewed in Canada on May 28, 2020
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Lots of good things in this NZ romance: great dialogue (felt genuine Kiwi-like), lots of rugby, sweet kids, good parenting tips, yummy food, and likable main characters.
My one star less than 5 was because it seemed to drag a bit. I thought I was near the end when I was only 1/2 way through! I thought the detailed sex scenes (really chapters) were unnecessary and just made the book even longer. Otherwise, nice read!
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Melissa
3.0 out of 5 stars This installment is missing a lot of the culture that was included in the previous stories
Reviewed in Canada on November 25, 2015
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The third installment of the Escape to new Zealand series centers around American expat (and primary school teacher) Jenna McKnight and senior All Blacks player, Finn Douglas.

First of all, this was the fourth Escape to New Zealand book I have read (including the prequel novella). After completion, I can officially say that this was my least favourite book in the series thus far. Admittedly the story started strong; however there was a noticeable lack of that NZ culture which had been in the prior novels. It is fair to say that I was disappointed as the cultural tidbits are what drew me into this series.

Furthermore, I felt a distinct indifference to the characters in this book; overall it was the kids that stole the show for me. I enjoyed the enthusiasm and innocence that was portrayed through them. That is not to say that I did not like Jenna and Finn; they just didn't do much for me as a reader.

That being said, this was not a bad book. It made for a nice audiobook to listen to in bed at night; not too deep or too complicated. Just a simple romance set in a beautiful and exotic location. It also helps that Claire Bocking was (once again) a fabulous narrator.

Unfortunately, there is not much to say in this review that I have not stated about the other books in the series.

Bottom line: This installment is missing a lot of the culture that was included in the previous stories. Nonetheless, if you are a fan of the series I would still recommend this book to loyal fans of the series.
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M.M. Taylor
5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it!
Reviewed in Canada on January 4, 2017
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Ive found a new author to love. Couldn't put the book down I enjoyed it so much! Great storyline, characters and the happily ever after what just what the doc ordered for me today
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Koreen Sims
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book!!
Reviewed in Canada on June 29, 2018
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I have read this book three times now. Such a great story!! WoW what a twist with her ex-hubby!! Excellent writing! Definitely a must read!
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Colleen
5.0 out of 5 stars So loved this
Reviewed in Canada on December 26, 2016
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Lovely story. Right away I was captivated and quickly fell in love with everyone. The setting, the words, the people in the story were all brilliant.
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amelia
5.0 out of 5 stars Loved
Reviewed in Canada on December 26, 2016
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First book I have read that was set in new Zealand. Have to say I loved it. Even though I know absolutely nothing about rugby it kept my interest when Sophie was explaining to Jenna.
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in Canada on January 13, 2017
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Loved this story from beginning to end. Enjoyed this author, will read more.
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Sami
5.0 out of 5 stars Loved this one
Reviewed in Canada on March 26, 2019
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What a great story for a quick read. I loved the characters and the fact it’s a stand alone with a happy ending.
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Top reviews from other countries

Chrissy’s Book Shelf
4.0 out of 5 stars Sweet Single Dad Romance
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 19, 2020
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This book took a little while to get going, but the slow build worked well for the plot and the characters.

Jenna in an American living in New Zealand with her husband, working as a teacher, when she comes home to find her husband in bed with someone else. After she leaves him she travels around New Zealand looking for somewhere different to settle and ends up in Auckland with a friend. She decides that she wants to stay there and applies for a nanny job to tide her over until the new school year starts.

The new job is with Finn, who happens to be an All Black rugby player and a widower with two children. Jenna and the kids click instantly and she’s a great nanny who also happens to be a good cook too. Finn also notices she’s pretty. This is the part of the book that is the slow build, and some people may not have the patience for it, but it is a sweet and believable part of the romance.

I liked all the characters, and particularly enjoyed Jenna’s rapport with the kids. I also enjoyed the casual way in which New Zealand life was shared, and the slang that is incomprehensible to the rest of the world. I felt like I learnt a lot about rugby and the life that the players could lead.

I haven’t read the rest of the books in this series, but I may do so after reading this book.
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Lindsey
2.0 out of 5 stars Sooooo predictable!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 6, 2019
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This is a standalone sports romance with a HEA. The problem with it is that it is so predictable I spent the entire story feeling convinced that I had read it all before. It really is just an inexorable and unrelenting journey from setting the scene and establishing the family dynamics to the start of a romantic and sexual relationship, followed by an incident that causes them to split up, then a reunion triggered by a supportive relation and then the HEA. It is filled with all the clichés associated with the genre- I am not going to bother to list them all!
I also didn't enjoy all the colloquial words and phrases even if they did establish the NZ setting of the book. Some didn't travel well eg calling rugby footy? togs for bikini It is all apples? Some didn't seem needed eg en zed instead of NZ? Some of the cultural references could be explained more especially when Maori words are used- I don't know what they mean. Turns out there is a glossary at the end of the book but by the time I got to that my enjoyment of the the story had bee affected negatively.
Other thing that I struggled with was at times it felt as if the story was progressing solely through extended dialogue. This approach began to feel tired and somewhat unimaginative. Overall, disappointing.
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w woo
5.0 out of 5 stars Cozy love story
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 8, 2018
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Interesting to get a view into life in New Zealand. Lovely story too.
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Kimsmum
5.0 out of 5 stars A good read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 21, 2017
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I love all Rosalind James books; she has a great way of telling a story and gives the impression that she does a lot of research on the subject prior to writing which makes for interesting books.
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Great
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 28, 2018
Verified Purchase
Really enjoy reading these books as they are real people leading break lives. Thank you just lining go the next.
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