Ribbonwood, set in a small Australian town of the same name and told from multiple points of view (primarily Lara and Ollie’s, but also others), begins with a prologue that gives us an introduction to the townspeople’s opinion of Lara Bennett. She’s the beautiful town femme fatale who is at the center of all town rumors: seductress, homewrecker, ice queen, man killer. You name it and someone has probably called her that at some point, but Lara keeps herself above it all.

Lara’s high school nemesis, Dr. Viola (Ollie) Gabrielli, comes home to Ribbonwood to be with her family as her grandmother’s health declines and try to recover from burnout as a pediatric emergency doctor. Their inevitable encounter goes about as well as can be expected, but something said by Ollie’s sister makes her reconsider everything she previously thought about Lara. She’s determined to figure her out and break through her defenses, but Lara’s walls are high and she’s resolved not to let herself be vulnerable.

Lara and Ollie are both wonderfully deep characters whose chemistry and banter are off the charts. As Ollie melts the ice queen, what unfolds is a gorgeous love story, surrounded by a bit of mystery and a lot of steam. On top of that we have a host of other characters, from Ollie’s loving family to Lara’s daughter and best friend, to the townsfolk, who all add to the story. Ultimately Ribbonwood is about women coming together to support and empower each other, and how opening ourselves up to love in all its forms can be freeing, and it’s a beautiful, beautiful thing.

I received a free ARC from the author, but my review is unbiased and left voluntarily.