Review of 'Where There's Smoke' by Karly Lane
Release Date: April 28th, 2026
Publisher: Allen and Unwin
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REVIEW
What a glorious hug of a book this ultimate second chance romance is! Where There is Smoke by Karly Lane was just what I needed during a very hectic and challenging time. This allowed me to slow down and slide into the world of Kenzie Knight and Ewan Campbell. And what a delicious and delightful reading feast this was! I loved it immensely as it provided such an uplifting, memorable and cozy experience.
I discovered Karly’s stories ten years ago, when my daughter was hospitalised for a long stay with a life threatening condition. During one of those very dark days, one of Karly’s books made its way into my hands through the hospital library. It brought so much light and healing to my worried heart. After that, I got every book of hers I could locate and read one every time my daughter went in for treatment. Even now during stressful times, I often turn to her words for comfort, escape, enlightenment and joy. And over and again her books have never let me down. Being a spiritual person, I would say it was a divine moment back in the hospital when one of her books found me! Since then, I continue to appreciate, be inspired and cheered by the stories she creates. And Where There’s Smoke has done it again. Every page is a display of courage and romantic charm.
All characters are well drawn and believable. And I enjoyed getting to know each one but two in particular captured my heart and became like old friends I did not want to see go! (Plus I adored the little fairy lover who added a beautiful dash of sparkle and spunk to certain scenes!) Kenzie is a successful wedding planner. She is a strong and courageous woman who has worked hard to make a good home and name for herself. Family is very important to her and she protects those she loves fiercely. But she has been carrying a secret for five years that could affect many lives.
Ewan is a business man but grew up in a family with a successful cattle farm. His skills in this area remain excellent as we see when he helps out Kenzie’s stepfather on their farm. Ewan is a lovely guy and most people like him. But his relationship with his father is a difficult one (and we learn later why). Ewan tried many times to please this staunch Scottish man, without success. So he left home and moved up north to make a different life. But this need to prove himself continued with another male figure. Ewan is engaged to a high society woman named Sasha. To keep in the good graces with her family, Ewan has to meet her father’s high expectations by working in his business. Life is a challenge for him to say the least. But fate steps in and turns everything on its head.
When Ewan’s fiancée, Sasha, hires Kenzie to be her wedding planner, little does she know of her fiancé’s short history with Kenzie. And Kenzie does not know either that Sasha’s fiancé is Ewan Campbell, the man who set her night on fire. Their one encounter was memorable in more ways than one. Later when Kenzie tried to find Ewan, she could not for they never exchanged last names or numbers. She figured he went back to Scotland with his Scottish backpacker friends after their tour of Australia. She then decides to go forward with her life and is happy enough. Until Ewan crosses her path again five years later, through his fiancee hiring Kenzie as their wedding planner. And when they meet again, she is faced with a difficult decision. Should she tell him something important that could change his life and others? If she does, there is a high risk that a major shift in relationships could occur.
I became completely engaged with Kenzie and Ewan and appreciated their encounters and predicaments. This enchanting love story, shows how a spark from the past can continue to smoulder over the years and even turn into an unstoppable fire. Neither of these two ever forgot the other, until another chance encounter brought them back together again, and ignited the flames of passion into full force. It was easy to see this couple were meant for each other. And what their love created is beautiful and lasting.
There are some amazing unexpected turns and twists in this plot and I enjoyed seeing the reveal and what it eventually leads to. The pacing was perfect and the ride through these characters’ lives kept me captivated. Emotions were both high and controlled for the characters but my own were always on full force as I wanted these two to work out their differences and overcome the challenges that were thrown at them. It was easy, though, to relate to their actions and reactions which were realistic but it was nice to have a fairytale ending. This is one of the glories of fiction: making positive outcomes that sometimes don’t happen in real life. This allows our spirits to feel uplifted and to experience a little victory—even if just on the pages of book. But it can also provide hope that despite dire situations, the possibility of good things can transport to the pages of our lives! Which is great for mental health.
I cannot rave enough how much I loved Where There is Smoke as it gave me all the warm and wonderful feels. Karly is a champion of contemporary rural romances as she spins heartfelt fiction in a way like no other. Tender and triumphant, uplifting and inspiring are just a few of the words I would use for Where There is Smoke and, in fact, all her stories. I highly recommend her latest delivery, along with her previous releases. 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Special thanks to Allen and Unwin for a paperback review copy.
