Still Waters Run Deep

Whose Happiness Will She Protect?

Could you - would you - give up the man you love?

Two young couples struggle with lives that haven’t gone according to plan.

Jack and his wife Jenny have two small children, after a shotgun marriage.

Sarah and her husband Andrew long for children, but their dreams are dashed by infertility.

Frustrated by the cards she’s been dealt, and plagued by a sense of yearning, Sarah immerses herself in her job, working for Jack in a spectacular underdeveloped country offering the adventure of a lifetime.

She gradually blossoms as a woman in the professional workforce but—she falls in love with Jack and reaches a crucial turning point in her life.

Parents and children are involved. Whose happiness will she protect?

An unconventional, 'slow burn', second-chance romance.

This was a really deep and emotional read. It was so easy to relate to the characters and to feel what they were going through. I enjoyed this book and will look for more books from Louisa to read. Deb on Amazon.ca & Goodreads

Louisa Valentine is a new-to-me author. I wasn’t sure what to expect but I’m happy I took the chance. From the opening descriptive words until the end, I was hooked. Jack and Sarah are work colleagues in PNG. From the moment they meet there are sparks of chemistry between them. Sarah and her husband are having problems conceiving and are drifting apart. Jack and his wife have two children but married young and are in a comfortable relationship. Sarah and Jack work together not acknowledging how they feel until one fateful NYE .... This was an emotional read with many emotional subjects such as infertility. Sarah and Jack stayed true to themselves and their families and put the needs of others before themselves and their own happiness. Aliama, on Amazon.ca & Goodreads

I love this author. I couldn’t wait for her third book to hit my Kindle and I am not disappointed. Jack and Sarah’s story is another sweet and poignant romance that tugged at my heartstrings and brought a tear to my eye. That’s not to say it is a sad story. Watching Sarah and Jack tussle with lives that take them in different directions, but along a star-gazed path to each other, was a pleasure to read. Papua New Guinea is the setting and the author’s attention to detail and obvious love of the country are clear on the page and added to my enjoyment. I have never been there, but I feel I know the place a lot better now. Bonus. Eliza Renton, on Amazon.au & Goodreads

I liked the strong moral perspective and resolve by Sarah and Jack to honour spousal commitments, rather than regretting getting into an affair and living a deceitful double life. To base much of the story around the themes of honesty and authenticity gave the novel refreshing strength. Well done. Glenda B, via email

A page turner. Started it yesterday and probably would have finished it but had to leave for childcare duties. Found the description of New Guinea interesting. Liked the subtle feminism message e.g. female's tendency to see deficiencies in oneself when there is a problem with others. Could identify with the time it is set in. Lyn Payne on Goodreads

This well written novel has many interesting themes. The main protagonist, Sarah, is a talented and highly motivated woman operating in workplaces dominated by men. She achieves success without compromising her sense of self and her need for independence ...... the romantic theme has all the best ingredients of the genre. The sexual tension is always present but the seeming impossibility of a happy resolution kept me wondering how things were going to turn out right until the very end. Sarah is instantly attracted to Jack, a man she works with, and everything about this man is attractive to the reader, no mean feat .... Sarah’s work takes her to various parts of the world but PNG is the special place where she meets Jack and where her career is launched. The descriptions and stories of this little known country are fascinating and have the authenticity only possible from a deep knowledge of the country. I strongly recommend this novel. Frances, on Goodreads

This book was a story about love, loyalty and heartache. Sara and Jack's story was beautifully written. This story takes place in New Guinea and Australia. The author's vivid description of the New Guinea landscape was very enjoyable. Laura, on Goodreads

A romance with a difference! I've read a lot of books set in a lot of countries, but never one set in Papua New Guinea - and it was fascinating! The author paints a vivid picture of this small Pacific nation that shows a deep understanding of what it would have been like to live there as an expatriate in the 1970s. I was swept up in the setting and drawn in by the unconventional romance between Sarah and Jack. This book is highly recommended for anyone looking for a well written story that doesn't shy away from big issues like infertility and infidelity. It will leave you thinking about life, love and longing, well after you turn the last page. Heidi Reads, on Amazon.au & Goodreads

A superbly written story’ with a ‘happily ever after ending’. Louisa Valentine’s description of life in New Guinea was so vivid if I closed my eyes, I could almost hear the buzz of the mosquitoes, and feel as if I was sitting on the rattan sofa, in an old plantation homestead with Sarah and her friends, sipping cool drinks in the evening. Margaret Tanner on Goodreads

This was a sweet star-crossed lovers story. Imagine meeting your soul mate after you both were married to other people and then longing after each other for years …. It all comes together nicely. The story is well written and I enjoyed it. Bridget Ratliff on Amazon USA

There is nothing more satisfying than a book which grabs you from page 1. “Still Waters” falls in this category. There is so much I have learnt through turning the pages: how to face adversity, how to stay strong and principled, decent, open minded. Ava Niall on Goodreads

True love does run deep and it can run any course. A burning desire in this case spanned over a decade, multiple countries and career progressions. Integrity and faithfulness at the forefront. In the early 1970’s young Australian couples took outposts to Port Moresby to build resumes and live an adventure abroad .... Divorce, death and international adventure all feature as still waters do run deep. The era is not only nostalgic but one that comes with less technological tools to communicate and makes a love story reminiscent of how things once had to be done. Phil from HappyValley_BooksRead, on Instagram

The first half of this book was particularly interesting for me having lived and worked in the Australian colonial town of Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea around the same time as this story is set. It all came back - the oppressive heat, the tropical social life, the home security problems, tensions between the Papuans and Highlanders, trips to various picnic spots etc .... I've read 'Still Waters Run Deep' twice now and I think I got more out of it the second time. It was refreshing to read a book which discussed in some depth the stress of infertility (a not very common topic) and a couple who had the strength of character to not destroy a marriage for their own pleasure. Valmai Trainor, on Goodreads

From the get-go, I could tell this was an experienced author because it's beautifully written which made ‘Still Waters Run Deep’ a great read. I enjoyed the story of Jack and Sarah because it wasn't conventional. Sarah doesn't want to fall in love with her married boss, Jack, but they are very well-suited. The tension in the book is created by the will they or won't they dynamic. The setting is Papua New Guinea, which makes it fascinating as I remember the politics of the time and personally knew some of the Australian founders before Papua became independent. Can't recommend this enough. Cathleen Ross, on Goodreads