I received an ARC from NetGalley and am sharing my review voluntarily.

This book is a beautiful exploration of healing, learning, and understanding—themes that are deeply woven into the fabric of the story. It’s a heartwarming, uplifting read, though it doesn’t shy away from the struggles that come with fighting for what you believe in.

At the heart of the book is Nina, a compassionate woman who runs Banksia Farm with her daughter, Phoebe. Nina’s goodwill is her driving force, as she helps troubled children find love, connection, and healing through interactions with the farm’s animals. But the story takes a dramatic turn when one of the children gets hurt, and a ruthless capitalist investor—who’s been eyeing Nina’s land—sees an opportunity to manipulate the situation. He pressures the child’s mother into filing a lawsuit against Nina, and the battle for her farm begins.

The plot truly kicks off when Nina, already struggling to make ends meet and keep the farm running, finds herself unable to afford legal representation. That’s when Leigh Willoughby, a partner at a law firm, enters the picture. Initially, Leigh refuses to take on Nina’s case due to Nina’s inability to pay legal fees. But with some persuasion from Leigh’s paralegal and personal assistant, she reluctantly agrees to represent Nina pro bono. From there, the story dives into Nina’s fight for justice and the preservation of everything she’s built.

I absolutely loved the dynamic between Nina and Leigh. Their relationship grows from a place of professional obligation into a genuine partnership rooted in mutual respect and compassion. But the real gem of the story, for me, was Phoebe. The young teenager is wise beyond her years—responsible, perceptive, and fiercely dedicated to helping her mother run the farm. She steps into a leadership role, guiding children and volunteers on the farm and even teaching pony riding lessons. Phoebe’s maturity and quiet strength were some of the most heartwarming aspects of the book.

The community vibe at Banksia Farm was another highlight of the story. I loved the sense of togetherness and how the farm became a safe space for children to learn, grow, and heal. One of the most touching parts of the book is toward the end, when the children who’ve learned so much about the farm’s workings begin teaching new children. It’s a beautiful reflection of how knowledge and compassion are passed along, creating a cycle of support and care. Banksia Farm becomes more than just a farm; it’s a community where everyone has something to offer and everyone is allowed to be their true selves.

This book is a reminder of the struggles faced by those who aren’t part of the “one percent” of the world, and the daily labor it takes to maintain a life that is meaningful, honest, and fulfilling. Nina’s fight to protect her farm and the way Leigh and others rally around her is both inspiring and humbling. It’s not just a legal battle—it’s a story about standing up for what you believe in, even when the odds seem stacked against you.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a moving, thought-provoking read that explores the importance of community, resilience, and the quiet strength of those who work hard every day to make the world a better place. It’s a reminder that sometimes the most meaningful battles aren’t fought in boardrooms or courtrooms—they’re fought on the ground, by people who believe in doing good for others, no matter the cost.

EXCERPT: Nina set down the wheelbarrow, rotated her tight shoulders, and indulged in a moment of pleasure watching her daughter.

Phoebe walked alongside Mr Petey, holding the grey pony’s lead rain close to the bit as she’d been taught. Mr Petey plodded docilely around the paddock, ears flicking back and forth as he listened to Phoebe’s voice. Mr Petey’s rider, Billy, clutched the saddle with both hands. His red t-shirt was a little too small and showed a strip of chunky tummy between it and his pants.

‘Try and sit a little straighter, Billy,’ Phoebe’s clear voice floated back to Nina. ‘Mr Petey will be more comfortable if you do.’

Billy jerked to attention like a soldier, making Nina smile.

‘Phoebe’s good with the little kids. You wouldn’t think she’s only twelve herself. ‘ Stella stood next to Nina. Straw stuck out of her wispy hair, but her hands were as clean as ever, her nails manicured.

‘Yes, she is.’ Nina allowed herself a moment of pride before turning back to the wheelbarrow.

Stella, however, continued to watch her son, her work apparently forgotten.

Nina sighed. If only Stella would show the same commitment Phoebe did.

ABOUT 'A HEART THIS BIG': A captivating opposites-attract lesbian romance about a city woman discovering her country heart.

Australian country girl Nina Pellegrini runs a program for city kids to experience a taste of rural life at Banksia Farm. But when a child is hurt and a lawsuit threatens, Nina is determined to find the best legal assistance to help her save the farm.

Enter high-flying lawyer Leigh Willoughby, whose city world is far from the farm’s chaotic mix of kids and animals. She certainly doesn’t have time for small cases that don’t pay or farm visits that wreck her cool—and her clothes. Still, the warm-hearted Nina and her challenging, twelve-year-old daughter, Phoebe, are awfully hard to say no to.

What on earth has she gotten herself into?

MY THOUGHTS: A Heart This Big by Cheyenne Blue is a lovely, warm romance between a soft-hearted woman who gives her all to charity and a big city lawyer. It is Nina's kindness and warmth that attracts hot-shot lawyer Leigh to her, despite all the obstacles in their way.

This is a story that's not in a hurry to get anywhere. We spend a lot of time on Banksia Farm, where Nina runs classes for city kids and free events for disadvantaged children. She'd the sort of person who never turns anyone away.

There are some amusing moments when Leigh first volunteers at Banksia, hoping to learn more about Nina and why she is being sued. I enjoyed the legal angle of this book as much as I enjoyed the rural aspects.

Cheyenne Blue's writing is very descriptive, so everything is easily visualised.

The budding romance between Leigh and Nina hits a few speed bumps and I liked their maturity in handling these, realising that they had something worth waiting for and that the legal issues needed sorting before their relationship could commence.

There are some open-door sex scenes in the latter part of the book, probably 🌶️🌶️

There's an 'uh-oh, not again' moment near the end to keep interest high.

I enjoyed this book and will read more by this author.

⭐⭐⭐.6

#AHeartthisBig #NetGalley

MEET THE AUTHOR: G’day and welcome. I’m Cheyenne Blue. I write big-hearted sapphic romance with strong women, mainly set in Australia.

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Ylva Publishing via NetGalley for providing a digital copy of A Heart This Big by Cheyenne Blue for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.

An oldie but a goodie.
I enjoy all of Cheyenne Blue’s writing and this was no different.
Thank you for the opportunity to re read this classic.

Enjoyable read with interesting characters and a lovely setting. Nina Pellegrini, runs a farm program for not only city kids but individuals that maynot be able to pay. An unfortunate accident occurs and Nina needs an attorney, enter Leigh Willoughby. Nina begs Leigh to take on the case. Although hesitate, she comes onboard. From there, I enjoyed the warm interaction/attraction between them. Such honest communication. The read had me thinking about how important it is to not only listen to what a person says but watch their actions. The ethical behavior as well as holding close to who you are was very much appreciated. Wonderful secondary characters added to the story. Especially, Nina's daughter Phoebe and Leigh's paralegal, Grizz Jankowski. Grizz's weekend adventures with her husband were quite something.

This is a perfect fit for readers who adore heartwarming, slow-burning romance stories that celebrate the beauty of country life, the power of love and acceptance, and the journey of self-discovery, particularly those who enjoy stories about strong, independent women, single mothers, and sapphic relationships.

I’ve always had a soft spot for books set in Australia, and A Heart This Big by Cheyenne Blue did not disappoint. As someone who enjoys outdoor activities, even if I'm not personally into horses, the rural setting of Banksia Farm was a real treat. The opposites-attract trope is another one of my favorites, so the dynamic between the down-to-earth Nina Pellegrini and the high-flying lawyer Leigh Willoughby was right up my alley.

While the story does veer a bit towards a Hollywood-esque neatness—everything tying up a little too perfectly for my usual taste—I found that it didn’t detract from my enjoyment. The characters are endearing, and the plot, with its blend of legal drama and heartfelt moments, kept me engaged throughout.

Overall, A Heart This Big is a charming read, and though it’s a touch more polished than I might prefer, it’s definitely worth a read. Three and a half stars rounded up to four.

I was actually sad to see I was at the last page, the book was that good.
I started reading this book this morning and only barely managed to put it down to do the necessary things today.
While there were some predictable (in my opinion) plot twists, it was amazingly written, a great romance that developed completely throughout the book and a happily ever after. I couldn't have asked for more while on holiday, a good book while it's raining outside.
I loved the big contrast between worlds that Nina and Leigh had, but still managed to find enough similarities that something beautiful could grow, with some obstacles on the way of course. It wouldn't be a good romance if it was all straight forward.
I love reading the books Cheyenne Blue writes, as it makes you feel like you're really there in Australia, but the lingo she uses isn't too difficult to figure out what she means, it makes it more authentic.
I can definitely recommend this book if you're looking for a good opposites attract book.

I felt the characters were fine but as a horse person I found some of the book a bit hard to believe and there was also cultural jargon I did not understand.

A Heart This Big by Cheyenne Blue is an enjoyable read with a charming setting on a farm near Sydney, Australia. The story revolves around Nina, a farm owner facing a lawsuit, and Leigh, a high-powered attorney who steps in to help. While I appreciated the vivid descriptions of farm life and the compelling characters, some parts felt slow and left me wanting more.

The romance between Nina and Leigh was sweet, albeit not very intense, and the resolution of the lawsuit storyline was somewhat predictable. Although I enjoyed the interactions and dynamics, I felt that certain aspects of the plot could have been developed further to create more impact.

Overall, A Heart This Big is a good, low-angst romance with a beautiful setting and an interesting cast of characters. It may not be my favourite by Cheyenne Blue, but it's still a worthwhile read for those seeking a slower paced, heartwarming story.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Ylva Publishing for a copy of this novel. ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

A Heart This Big is a genuine romance story between two unlikely characters. Nina is down to earth and practical, while Leigh is pragmatic and driven. The unlikely pair meet when Nina, needing legal help for her farm, approaches Leigh to take on her case. At first resistant, Leigh soon realises how dire the situation is for Nina and an unlikely friendship begins. Soon they both realise that their friendship is growing into something more, but will their differences get in the way?

Set in the outer rural area of Sydney, the author has created an interesting and inspiring setting. Every minor detail is well thought out, and strong supporting characters add a level of depth to the storyline. With just the right amount of drama and intrigue, the story keeps hold of the readers imagination and leaves you wanting more. A great read!

I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.

This was a cute read.

Nina is single mother to a twelve year old daughter name Phoebe she inherited a farm from her grandmother and turn into a place where kids can learn responsibility while learning to ride etc…. When a kid gets hurt she gets sued and turns to Leigh who law firms does pro bono work Leigh at first turns her down because of the risk with children is concern but also she to busy but a coworker and friend Grizz convinced her to take the case. As they work together on the case there a attraction between them but Leigh knows it’s frown upon to get involved with a client as they both put their feelings for each other aside its doesn’t stop what they are feeling. Even though the case gets resolved and I like how forgiving Nina is I still don’t think I would’ve want that person in my life although I wanted the land developer to get his karma after he kept harassing Nina I like how she handle him.

Cheyenne Blue's *A Heart This Big* is a compelling narrative that skillfully blends romance and self-discovery. Set against the picturesque backdrop of Banksia Farm, the story introduces us to Nina Pellegrini, a dedicated country woman who runs a program to give city children a taste of rural life. The plot thickens when a child is injured and Nina faces a lawsuit that threatens the very existence of her beloved farm. Desperate to save her sanctuary, she enlists the help of Leigh Willoughby, a high-powered city lawyer whose world couldn't be more different from Nina's.

As Leigh steps into the chaotic and charming world of Banksia Farm, she finds herself unexpectedly drawn to its warmth and to Nina’s indomitable spirit. The chemistry between the two women is palpable, and their evolving relationship is portrayed with depth and sensitivity. Blue’s vivid descriptions and keen insight into her characters’ emotional landscapes make this opposites-attract romance both heartwarming and thought-provoking. *A Heart This Big* is a delightful exploration of love, community, and finding one's true home, no matter where it may be.

Leigh reluctantly takes on a case defending Nina, who is accused of negligence in a kid being injured at her farm.

Nina will have to sell the farm if she loses, and is desperate to save it. She's ALSO quite attracted to the good looking lawyer, but knows she shouldn;t.

I'm already 99% certain the lawsuit is caused by the jackass guy trying to buy Nina's farm.

Leigh's first visit to the farm I'd hilarious. Poor woman.

Good, slow burn romance, with Leigh gradually falling for both Nina and the farm, as well as becoming friends with Nina's daughter. Cute characters, cute situation, and the sex scenes were good. Solid read!

I love that Blue’s books are always set in her native Australia. The mindfuck of having summer in my winter will never seize to confuse me though.

This book is set in the outskirts of Sydney and has two opposites as main characters. At least on the surface they seem opposites, but they are far from it. They both made decisions personally and professionally for “the greater good” and they have a big heart, it just manifests in different ways.

I enjoyed the book and semi-rural Australian setting.

A country girl and big city lawyer pair up together in this romance from Cheyenne Blue first published June 2019. Nina Pellegrinin runs Banksia Farm which hosts inner city and special needs children, giving them a taste of farm life. When one of the children is injured falling from a pony Nina finds herself being sued. She seeks out Leigh Willoughby in Sydney asking for her help and to work pro bono. While initially Leigh is a fish out of water on the farm she can see the value it gives to children and the community. There is also a mild villain who is a land developer who wants the farm.

This is a sweet, gentle, no big angst story. And the romance is the focus more than the lawsuit that brings them together. I would have liked to have a little more flirting but they do spend time together as Leigh volunteers at the farm to understand it better. Nina’s daughter Phoebe (12) is also a nice addition. I liked the occasional Australian words that I was less familiar with and loved the epilogue. I received a digital copy from Ylva Publishing via NetGalley and am leaving an honest review.

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this book

when billy fell off the horse and broke his arm....he set in motion something that caused nina many a sleepless night

the lawsuit that was threatened was enough for nina to go and get herself a lawyer... and Leigh Willoughby was that lawyer …persuading her to take the case was another matter

but nina managed it.....

what a delightful read this one was.... well worth the night sleep lost

This was a cute read! I liked Switcheroo quite a bit more but this was still fun!

It's a weird one to review because the romance absolutely takes centre stage over the lawsuit plot but also the romance still felt a bit underdeveloped I would have liked to see more flirting and foreplay to build the chemistry up more.

The lawsuit plot went pretty much how you can predict but it made a decent backdrop for a romance.

One thing that realllly confused me though was how tf this farm is even operating. They don't have a huge amount of animals but even just the two horses would be expensive as hell, I know they have a lot of volunteers and they sell things in their little store but like that does not seem anywhere near enough to keep a farm operating (plus pay for like food, bills, things for Phoebe). Yet the farm is their only source of income? It seems like some of the children who visited did pay to visit (as she says she doesn't charge Billy's mum, which would imply some people are charged) but idk Farms are expensive and it still doesn't make sense. But also this is a romance book who even cares and why am I thinking about this so deeply?

I'll definitely continue to check out more of Cheynne's books in the future!

Thank you to NetGally and Ylva Publishing for an arc in exchange for an honest review!

Charming romance and easy reading
A Heart this Big is a charming romance set in Sydney Australia that will restore your faith in humanity and make you wish you lived close to the farm main character Nina owns and runs with her daughter Phoebe. There is drama and some angst to offset the romance and humor but the charm of the characters and the farm (a beloved character in its own right) outweighs it all and leaves the reader rooting for the farm to survive and thrive as the big city encroaches on its territory. Secondary characters Phoebe and Grizz are favorites and both well developed, but the farm and Nina hold top spot in my mind as scene- and heart-stealers. Nina is the kind of character who embodies all the qualities in the saying that 'there are good people in the world' - generous, kind nearly to a fault, believing in the best in others, etc - and they contrast well with lawyer Leigh's big city mindset and lifestyle. Phoebe is wise beyond her years while also being a typical and vocal youngster you'd be proud to know or related to.
A few story elements were predictable but there were surprises that caught me off guard and left me wrong in my assumptions about where the story would go next. It's easy, feel good reading that had me turning pages steadily despite my initial concerns that a potential romance between Nina and her lawyer Leigh would be problematic and detrimental to both her legal case and Leigh's career.
If you're in the mood for a 'city mouse meets country mouse' romance that's light on the angst and drama, will silence your inner cynic and feed your soul for the hours you're reading it, give this book a shot and try not to fall in love with Banksia farm and its inhabitants.
I received an advance reading copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
(Reviewed June 7, 2019)