Review of 'Written in Between' by Leanne Lovegrove
Review of 'Written in Between' by Leanne Lovegrove
Release date: August 7th, 2026
Publisher: Leanne Lovegrove
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What the story is about:
Emma McKinnon’s dream job as a cadet reporter in the small country town of Bellethorpe is not going to plan. Unless she can turn the paper around fast, she’ll be out of a job, prove her mother right, and if she’s not careful, fall for the charming advances of Angus, a local country and western singer.
Doctor in training Cole Willoughby hasn’t forgotten Emma after their holiday romance two years ago. Their frequent letters and messages are proof that things aren’t over between them, except his sister’s ill-health has kept him in Canada.
But when family tensions drive Cole away, the pull to be with Emma and the opportunity to work in outback Australia is too hard to resist… only it’s not the happily ever after he imagined.
Emma’s dedication to saving the paper, Cole’s sister’s worsening condition, and the attentions of Angus keep coming between them. Is it possible to fight for their love? Or are they destined to always be apart?
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REVIEW
“..you need to keep doing what you’ve been doing. The people of this town want articles that matter, that make a difference.”
Leanne Lovegrove’s newest novel really hits the heart from so many angles! I have to say this is my favourite of the Bellethorpe series. I can relate to Emma McKinnon on a number of levels. Her personal challenges, her desire to follow a different path from her family’s and her Canadian interest! I am from Canada originally so Doctor Cole Willoughby’s comments about his home are familiar. And his reason for coming to fair Australia? Love. It brought him here, as it did me. Along with the better climate to improve health.
The novel provides two points of view with one initially in letter form. I enjoyed reading Cole’s emails to Emma as he shared his life events. It gave me as a reader a chance to get to know him. Letter writing is an artform that is often forgotten about today. Personally I love the old postal form and have stacks of my own saved. There is something special about having a hand written letter. The physical aspect offers what some call a ‘a touch of real life’. Paper and ink are like skin and blood. Someone is sharing a piece of themselves in their handwriting. These words that flow from one’s soul can be saved. My memoir boxes are full of these keepsakes from special people I have known in my life: many now gone from this world. So having a piece of them in their writing is a special lasting gift. I can pull the letters out from time to time and they warm and inspire my heart—as they bring memories back to life.
So it is lovely that Leanne has used this approach—although Cole and Emma write in email form— which is what you’d expect as it is the fastest, it is still special communication. Currently one of the most popular novels is The Correspondent by Virginia Evans. It is a book of letters and its popularity shows how important letter writing still is today. We may have lost a bit of the personal touch in our digital computer age but even in the email form it allows us in a mindful way to share our complicated and true thoughts.
Emma has a journalist’s heart and loves reporting on small country town news of Bellethorpe. But she learns the newspaper is in trouble and unless she can help turn things around quickly, there will be no newspaper and no job. Of course, we learn much later that there is a lot more at stake at the heart of this story. And as she attempts to unveil the truth, some nasty surprises arise.
Emma is a kind and compassionate person and her stories really touch readers. She focuses on issues that matter like the environment and caring for animals. I love her attempts and impressive results at drawing attention to the numerous animals that need adoption. She not only reminds others of these homeless pets and their needs but also practises what she preaches, as she takes on a sweet dog who steals her heart.
Emma’s mother is a popular TV personality in the news world and wants her daughter following in her footsteps. But that is not Emma’s dream. This communication break-down causes her much distress. She feels pressured to prove to her mother what she is doing now is important; even when her mother initially is not listening. But something happens that will cause quite a shake and bring about change. When Emma looks at her mother’s motives, she is surprised by what she learns. Is her mother trying to control her life or does she just want to stop her from making mistakes? Even so, we all know every person must take their own path, even make mistakes to grow.
Cole is a bit of a control freak too when it comes to his sister. She has been ill and he tries to take charge of her life—care for her to such an extent he is essentially taking away her ability to make choices. Again, like Emma, she wants to walk her own path and it takes a few incidents for Cole to wake to the fact. But he is essentially a good guy with a well-meaning heart. His trip to Australia and working in a community hospital offers valuable experience and provides him with another perspective—while his love for Emma continues to blossom. And although another man seems to be in the way of his road to happiness, country and western singer and son of the newspaper owner, is not quite as he appears.
This is a moving story brimming with so many great themes and topics. Heartfelt, beautifully delivered and real. Emma is a strong and determined woman who is a mover and shaker! Books, poetry, rescue animals, a Canadian doctor, saving a newspaper, the environment and bookstore....restoring vital relationships... are just a few of its positives...plus a promising romance! This novel sparkles in its brilliance and important messages. It has depth, mystery, passion, great vibes and goodwill. I absolutely loved “Written in Between” and know all of you will, too! 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks to Leanne Lovegrove for a copy of the novel for review.
