Noelle Marchand

I've not read the other two books in the O'Brien series so I came into this one with no history on the characters.

We start out with Ellie turning 21 and deciding that she wants to find a beau and get married. To that end, she starts a list of the eligible men in town, some of whom she pairs up with women based on what she knows. In the end, the non-matched ones are not men she would consider for her husband. Later, we realize that Ellie is blaming herself for her parents' deaths even though she doesn't fully realize what caused it until later in the book.

Lawson returns to town after a stint in the Texas Rangers--a job he apparently took to try to prove that he wasn't like his parents, only to find that some of the Rangers agreed he was almost better suited to be an outlaw than a lawman. Lawson struggles with the fact that his parents deserted and abandoned him. It makes him feel as if he is unlovable or that all people who are supposed to love him will eventually desert him.

Both have to confront people from their pasts and forgive themselves in order to move on.

By page 68, both Lawson and Ellie have realized they love each other. It takes over 200 more pages for the two of them to admit it to each other and seal the deal. I did kind of feel like the story dragged on longer than it needed to.… (mere)

Kate O'Brien has been struggling to take care of the farm and her brother and sister ever since her parents died. The bank is very close to repossessing her land. As if that's not enough to deal with now a man named Nathan Rutledge is at her door with a certificate that says they are husband and wife. Her young siblings and a friend in town only wanted to help her find love and help for the farm. Nathan only wanted a fresh start and Kate's ad for a husband seemed like the perfect solution. But Kate wants nothing to do with a marriage to Nathan. The problem is the judge that can grant an annulment is out of town and won't be back for a least a month. In the meantime Nathan moves into a cabin on the farm and somewhat takes charge. She learns day-by-day that Nathan is a good, Christian man. But Nathan also has a past that Kate doesn't know of. What will happen when the past rears it's ugly head? More importantly, what will happen when the judge finally returns to town?

This was a really fun and enjoyable story to read. You really can't help but fall in love with the characters. Especially the kids, they are such a hoot! I loved the steadfastness of Nathan and the way handled himself. The way he always encouraged Kate and the kids to turn to the Lord for help. Kate was a very spunky gal. But for all her spunk, she was afraid to accept help from anyone and trust did not come easy, if at all, but she was practical. Nathan was a great influence, although he didn't realize it was having any effect. I think that could be true for us as well. You never know how you influence someone for good or for bad. This was just a great, feel-good, type story. One that will take you away for a little while, to a different time and place and put a smile on your face. It had a little of everything in the story which kept it well rounded. At the end it made reference to a book coming out starring one of Kate's siblings. I look forward to seeing what happens next.
Format: Kindle Edition
File Size: 411 KB
Print Length: 285 pages
Page Numbers Source ISBN: 037382890X
Publisher: Love Inspired Historicals (October 1, 2011)
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services
ASIN: B005HRQ032… (mere)