A Bride for Keeps by Melissa Jagears
Published: 2013
Publisher: Bethany House
Series: Not sure
Goodreads Summary: Although Everett Cline can hardly keep up with the demands of his homestead, he won’t humiliate himself by looking for a helpmate ever again–not after being jilted by three mail-order brides. When a well-meaning neighbor goes behind his back to bring yet another mail-order bride to town, he has good reason to doubt it will work, especially after getting a glimpse at the woman in question. She’s the prettiest woman he’s ever seen, and it’s just not possible she’s there to marry a simple homesteader like him.
Julia Lockwood has never been anything more than a pretty pawn for her father or a business acquisition for her former fiancé. Having finally worked up the courage to leave her life in Massachusetts, she’s determined to find a place where people will value her for more than her looks. Having run out of all other options, Julia resorts to a mail-order marriage in far-away Kansas.
Everett is skeptical a cultured woman like Julia could be happy in a life on the plains, while Julia, deeply wounded by a past relationship, is skittish at the idea of marriage at all. When, despite their hesitations, they agree to a marriage in name only, neither one is prepared for the feelings that soon arise to complicate their arrangement. Can two people accustomed to keeping their distance let the barricades around their hearts down long enough to fall in love?
This is the first novel for this author and it was a good read. Julie is a mail order bride hoping for a new beginning and Everett has given up finding a bride after trying his hand at mail order brides and ending up rejected. But a well-meaning friend has other plans any maybe this one will be the one.
What I liked: I really liked both Everett and Julia. Both their pasts made falling in love seem almost impossible but with their friends and God’s help they have a chance. I also enjoyed how right from the beginning it felt like I was part of the town. Dex and Rachel were great side characters.
What I did not like: This book goes into great depth about beauty. Not in a bad way and it fit into the story it just seemed a little much. Yes Julia felt her looks were all men saw of her and she was treated badly in her past but it just seemed it took a long time for her to move on and the focus of the physical attraction that Everett had for her got kind of annoying at times. I would have liked them to have spent more time talking then thinking how they were attracted to each other.
Over all I liked this book and I hope to read the novella that was written about Dex and Rachel and I also am looking forward to more books from this author. This author has great promise!
Book Rating
DISCLOSURE: I was provided a free copy of this ebook from the publisher through NetGalley to review it. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions I have expressed are my own.