The Doctor Calling by South Australian author Meredith Appleyard is a moving tale of rural doctoring and love in the aftermath of tragedy.
About the Book
After more tragedy than one person should suffer Laura O’Connor has retreated from life and her busy city practice and returned to her great-aunt’s home in rural Potters Junction. Then Jake Finlay roars into the neighbouring property and unsettles her fragile peace. Though Laura just wants to hide from the world, it doesn’t take long before the locals suss she is a doctor, and with the town and nearby hospital in dire need, Laura is forced to decide if she is capable of returning to the career she loved. The decision isn’t made any easier by her growing attraction to the tormented Jake, who is about to confront his own demons. Is Laura strong enough to handle the rigours she will face as a country doctor, and should she and Jake walk away from their attraction before it undoes them both?
My Thoughts
The Doctor Calling is a strong tale of splintered families, new grief and old secrets, and explores the pressures of country medical care in a vibrant and informed way. Both Laura and Jake are great characters, each damaged and still struggling to find their way but forging on regardless. There is a maturity to their relationship that goes much deeper than the usual romantic play. The secondary characters are just as vibrant: Neill, Jake’s dying father and Laura’s first and deepest connection in Potters Junction, is as well rounded and complicated as his son; Jake’s sister and her troubled marriage give insight into farming and the dysfunction of families; Doctor Milt Burns is as richly drawn (and irritating) as any town patriarch unwilling to give up his role.
Appleyard gives great insight into the pressures of rural doctors, farming and family expectations. Be warned, this novel contains a lot of grief. There were times when I was reduced to tears. And there were times when I wanted to step in and help Laura with her troubles. If you are looking for escapist romance, you may find this novel a little frustrating in that regard—Laura and Jake are both so wary it takes a while for the attraction to be acknowledged by either and I found the will-they-won’t-they theme became a little frustrating. If you are looking for a heartfelt, well-written escape into the world of rural doctoring with the promise of romance between two utterly realistic characters, you’ll love this novel.
Set aside an afternoon and get cosy because this is the kind of story that pulls you in and doesn’t let go easily.
Highly recommended.
*Thanks to Netgalley and Penguin Australia for an ARC.
Novel available: 29 Feb 2016
About the Author
Meredith spent several years as a casual correspondent for the rural newspaper Flinders News, having over sixty stories published during that time.
Spending most of her life living and working in the country, Meredith’s fascination with the complexities of small rural communities, particularly the challenges of providing health services in these communities, is reflected in her debut novel The Country Practice.
The Doctor Calling, published by Penguin Random House, is Meredith’s second novel and will be released on 24 February 2016.
Meredith is married and lives with her husband Ken, in a small village in the delightful Clare Valley wine-grape growing region of South Australia.
http://meredithappleyard.com.au/index.php/about-meredith
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