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The Tender Texan
From the New York Times bestselling author of the Harmony McLain and Whispering Moutain series'
Anna Meyer offers one hundred dollars to the Texas cattleman who can help her forge a frontier homestead. Chance Wyatt agrees to settle down and build a home with a lovely stranger. The boy in him never considered the possibility of love. But the man in him can't deny the passion that Anna brings out in him. They vowed to live together for only a year, but as the challenges of the savage land bring them closer together, neither can resist the aching desire that inflames their hearts-and touches their souls.
Anna Meyer offers one hundred dollars to the Texas cattleman who can help her forge a frontier homestead. Chance Wyatt agrees to settle down and build a home with a lovely stranger. The boy in him never considered the possibility of love. But the man in him can't deny the passion that Anna brings out in him. They vowed to live together for only a year, but as the challenges of the savage land bring them closer together, neither can resist the aching desire that inflames their hearts-and touches their souls.
368 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 1991
73 people are currently reading
685 people want to read
About the author
Jodi Thomas
128 books2,498 followersI'm a New York Times and USA Today Best Selling author, wife, mother, in-law, grandmother, sister, friend, and owner of one fat cat.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
August 3, 2010
If you enjoy an old school western romance, this is a book you will like. The Tender Texan has both a hero and heroine who are survivors. They both have suffered tragedy and turmoil in their short lives. I absolutely adored Chance. He is a true, tough, fierce Texan, but he was also so loving and caring towards Anna. Jodi Thomas knows how to write absolutely scrumptious heroes--both incredibly loving and tender, but also formidable western heroes who know how to handle themselves and to take care of their women.
Chance has moved up near the top of my list. He's probably #3 now, #1 being Carter from The Texan's Wager, and #2 being Winter McQuillen from Two Texas Hearts. Chance lost his family in a renegade Indian attack, all except for his infant sister. His goal has been to make enough money to pay for the care of his sister. When Anna Meyer approaches his cattle campsite and asks for a man who is willing to marry her for a year, he offers himself, even though he's only nineteen years old. That's the kind of man Chance is. He might be young in years, but he's a fully grown man who knows how to handle himself and take care of his own, and he does that and more for Anna. Chance falls hard and soon for Anna, despite the fact that he's spent more time around cattle than women. He dreams of making love with his wife, making her his first and only woman, but he has to get past the wall around her heart first.
Anna frustrated me terribly at times. I did understand her issues, having been raped by her husband, and taken advantage and mentally/verbally abused by her mother. Yet, she wasn't able or willing to give Chance the opportunity to prove that he would be a good husband that she could love. The frustration I felt towards her couldn't be a mere fraction of what Chance felt. She craved his closeness, and was attracted to him, but her past had showed that a man couldn't give her anything but pain and humiliation, and that she was foolish to trust anyone or learn to depend on them. It was sad to read, because they both deserved better. Although Chance was the kind of man no one took for granted, because he was more than able to take care of himself; he had nothing on Anna. She is incredibly stubborn. I think that's a good thing. She couldn't have survived the tribulations she went through otherwise. Anna's not going to be a meek wife. She'll keep Chance on his toes. But, it's more than clear that he wants no other woman than her.
Although there isn't quite as much action in this story as some of Jodi Thomas' books, the depictions of the harsh journey that the German immigrants (including Anna) have to take from the Gulf Coast to their lands in New Braunfels are full of dangers--mainly from sickness and disease. I was actually glad that there wasn't a lot of Settler-Indian conflict in this book--that just breaks my heart. I liked that Ms. Thomas made it clear that not all Indians were violent towards the settlers. Chance has an issue with an Indian that killed his family, but he's not out to kill them all--he's actually friendly with various groups.
I like how Jodi Thomas shows humanity in all its forms. Her down-to-earth way of writing characters really speaks to me. I like her humor, a welcome counterpoint to the inherent danger and sadness of a life on the frontier.
It was good to immerse myself back into another fantastic romance by a dependably wonderful writer in the western romance genre. Definitely recommended.
Chance has moved up near the top of my list. He's probably #3 now, #1 being Carter from The Texan's Wager, and #2 being Winter McQuillen from Two Texas Hearts. Chance lost his family in a renegade Indian attack, all except for his infant sister. His goal has been to make enough money to pay for the care of his sister. When Anna Meyer approaches his cattle campsite and asks for a man who is willing to marry her for a year, he offers himself, even though he's only nineteen years old. That's the kind of man Chance is. He might be young in years, but he's a fully grown man who knows how to handle himself and take care of his own, and he does that and more for Anna. Chance falls hard and soon for Anna, despite the fact that he's spent more time around cattle than women. He dreams of making love with his wife, making her his first and only woman, but he has to get past the wall around her heart first.
Anna frustrated me terribly at times. I did understand her issues, having been raped by her husband, and taken advantage and mentally/verbally abused by her mother. Yet, she wasn't able or willing to give Chance the opportunity to prove that he would be a good husband that she could love. The frustration I felt towards her couldn't be a mere fraction of what Chance felt. She craved his closeness, and was attracted to him, but her past had showed that a man couldn't give her anything but pain and humiliation, and that she was foolish to trust anyone or learn to depend on them. It was sad to read, because they both deserved better. Although Chance was the kind of man no one took for granted, because he was more than able to take care of himself; he had nothing on Anna. She is incredibly stubborn. I think that's a good thing. She couldn't have survived the tribulations she went through otherwise. Anna's not going to be a meek wife. She'll keep Chance on his toes. But, it's more than clear that he wants no other woman than her.
Although there isn't quite as much action in this story as some of Jodi Thomas' books, the depictions of the harsh journey that the German immigrants (including Anna) have to take from the Gulf Coast to their lands in New Braunfels are full of dangers--mainly from sickness and disease. I was actually glad that there wasn't a lot of Settler-Indian conflict in this book--that just breaks my heart. I liked that Ms. Thomas made it clear that not all Indians were violent towards the settlers. Chance has an issue with an Indian that killed his family, but he's not out to kill them all--he's actually friendly with various groups.
I like how Jodi Thomas shows humanity in all its forms. Her down-to-earth way of writing characters really speaks to me. I like her humor, a welcome counterpoint to the inherent danger and sadness of a life on the frontier.
It was good to immerse myself back into another fantastic romance by a dependably wonderful writer in the western romance genre. Definitely recommended.
April 30, 2021
Being a looonnnggg time romance reader, there have been books I’ve read that have stayed with me over the years and I remember them as if I just read them yesterday. Then there are books where I don’t remember the details, but I clearly remember the love I felt for the book. Such is the case with The Tender Texan. This is one I’ve been wanting to get as an ebook for a number of years now. My thousands of books are all packed up in over 35 boxes in one of the rooms and very inaccessible. Plus I so much prefer ebooks. I’m having to use somewhat larger fonts now. The cost of The Tender Texan has always been too high to justify getting it. I have a number of books like this that I check every few months and low and behold – the price came down!! So of course I picked it up lickity split
Anna Meyers is part of a group of settlers all the way from Germany planning on settling in Texas with the promise of free land. While on the journey, her husband died and because of this, she doesn’t get the land they were promised. She needs a husband. She bravely walks into a camp of cowboys and ask if any of them are willing to marry her for $100. Of course she’s laughed at until one steps forward. Lets just say that Anna struck gold when Chance Wyatt volunteers. He needs the money for personal reasons and agrees to marry Anna and take care of her and help her build her home and get things going. At the end of one year he will leave and she will have her land.
Chance is simply the very best kind of hero. He’s slightly younger than Anna but that doesn’t matter. He is fully competent in everything he does and he is smitten with Anna right from the very beginning. Over the course of the story he does everything he says he would do and so much more besides. There was one stipulation that Anna put on the marriage and that is no kind of physical touching whatsoever and as Chance falls deeper and deeper for Anna, he finds that harder and harder. And although the reader might get a little annoyed with her – I mean this guy is pure gold – she has her reasons. She was brutally attacked by her husband a couple of times and left pregnant after the second time. What’s worse is he was carrying on with her nightmare of a mother and she has no sense of self worth. She’s learned to be cold because she had to in order to survive. But she is gradually attracted to Chance in return and manages to send the poor guy some mixed messages.
There is a whole lot more in this book that I have mentioned and it all works together to make this such a wonderful book and yet another reason I love Westerns. I’ve read many a book by Jodi Thomas and this is my favourite one – still.
Anna Meyers is part of a group of settlers all the way from Germany planning on settling in Texas with the promise of free land. While on the journey, her husband died and because of this, she doesn’t get the land they were promised. She needs a husband. She bravely walks into a camp of cowboys and ask if any of them are willing to marry her for $100. Of course she’s laughed at until one steps forward. Lets just say that Anna struck gold when Chance Wyatt volunteers. He needs the money for personal reasons and agrees to marry Anna and take care of her and help her build her home and get things going. At the end of one year he will leave and she will have her land.
Chance is simply the very best kind of hero. He’s slightly younger than Anna but that doesn’t matter. He is fully competent in everything he does and he is smitten with Anna right from the very beginning. Over the course of the story he does everything he says he would do and so much more besides. There was one stipulation that Anna put on the marriage and that is no kind of physical touching whatsoever and as Chance falls deeper and deeper for Anna, he finds that harder and harder. And although the reader might get a little annoyed with her – I mean this guy is pure gold – she has her reasons. She was brutally attacked by her husband a couple of times and left pregnant after the second time. What’s worse is he was carrying on with her nightmare of a mother and she has no sense of self worth. She’s learned to be cold because she had to in order to survive. But she is gradually attracted to Chance in return and manages to send the poor guy some mixed messages.
There is a whole lot more in this book that I have mentioned and it all works together to make this such a wonderful book and yet another reason I love Westerns. I’ve read many a book by Jodi Thomas and this is my favourite one – still.
September 1, 2016
Rant to follow...
Quit at 53% because there is nothing remotely likable about this heroine. She is a total psycho bitch, and I have no clue why the hero wants her.
She has done nothing but treat him like dirt. She is one minute wanting him and making him think he has a chance then she's pushing him away. She is basically abusing him and all he does is break his back to please her.
The writing is also IMHO horrible. There is a psychoticness about it. Haphazard best descibes it. I can't take the constant jumbled thoughts of the MC's that also contridict each other. The characters also come up with ridiculous notions about one another that have no basis given the actions they have seen in one another.
And Geeze even an idiot could figure out the h must have abuse issues or man issues with all her flinching away from him, yet the hero doesn't get it. There is just no logic in the H & h's thinking whatsoever.
The hero's texas accent gets dropped about 10% in too btw.
It also pisses me off how the H has opened up and told the heroine all about himself and she doesn't confided in him about anything. He has more than proven himself trustworthy and yet she still doesn't trust him.
I am so done with this book. Hero virgin or not.
Safety- as far as I got it is safe. No issues except the heroine was raped in the past but it isn't described.
I do not recommend this book
Quit at 53% because there is nothing remotely likable about this heroine. She is a total psycho bitch, and I have no clue why the hero wants her.
She has done nothing but treat him like dirt. She is one minute wanting him and making him think he has a chance then she's pushing him away. She is basically abusing him and all he does is break his back to please her.
The writing is also IMHO horrible. There is a psychoticness about it. Haphazard best descibes it. I can't take the constant jumbled thoughts of the MC's that also contridict each other. The characters also come up with ridiculous notions about one another that have no basis given the actions they have seen in one another.
And Geeze even an idiot could figure out the h must have abuse issues or man issues with all her flinching away from him, yet the hero doesn't get it. There is just no logic in the H & h's thinking whatsoever.
The hero's texas accent gets dropped about 10% in too btw.
It also pisses me off how the H has opened up and told the heroine all about himself and she doesn't confided in him about anything. He has more than proven himself trustworthy and yet she still doesn't trust him.
I am so done with this book. Hero virgin or not.
Safety- as far as I got it is safe. No issues except the heroine was raped in the past but it isn't described.
I do not recommend this book
May 13, 2025
I’ve read Jodi Thomas before but somehow never saw this one. However, a sweet angel (Sarah) bought me the book and I am forever changed. It’s got my micro-trope!! And Chance is probably my favorite JT MMC.
Their back and forth, will they/won’t they got a bit repetitive but we got there in the end.
Their back and forth, will they/won’t they got a bit repetitive but we got there in the end.
June 26, 2022
One of the best western romance I ve read
February 22, 2017
I'm a HUGE Jodi Thomas fan and love her Historical Western Romance novels, but I'm sorry to say that I had some problems with this heroine. I'm not without compassion and I do understand that Anna is carrying a tremendous amount of baggage when she first meets Chance Wyatt; however, I would think after a year of living together as man and wife, she would've let down her emotional walls. Her behavior just doesn't add up or make any logical sense to me.
I found her moody behavior to be nothing short of shrewish. She would turn on Chance over the smallest issue, yet put them both in danger any time he insisted she stay put for her own safety. She places Chance under tremendous pressure by going anyway (on more than one occasion), then gets angry over his brooding, repeatedly failing to understand she's forcing him to protect both of them from the elements, accidents, illness, hostile Indians, etc. Logic tells me that she would stay home, especially being pregnant. This led to many fights between the couple. I lost count of the times she sent him packing, only to go after him in tears. I understand that she doesn't want to be alone, but then why be so hesitant to trust him with her safety and her heart?
Very frustrating. I kept reminding myself that the book is titled The Tender Texan, not the "The Texas Shrew," but it could've gone either way for a little bit.
Speaking of the tender Texan in question...
Chance is a fabulous hero and about as close to a saint as I've come across in quite awhile. He is genuinely a nice guy - clearly exhibited by his relationship with his sister - and probably has more patience in dealing with Anna than any other man in Texas.
There are many wonderful and emotional scenes in this book, mainly surrounding Chance's acts of generosity and kindness, but Anna's dysfunctional personality pulled the story down a couple of stars by invoking the wrong kind of emotion...like frustration, or wanting to smack her into next Tuesday for not realizing what a great guy she had caring for her.
I'm still a huge fan of the author and plan to read more of her books in the future, hopefully with a better heroine.
I found her moody behavior to be nothing short of shrewish. She would turn on Chance over the smallest issue, yet put them both in danger any time he insisted she stay put for her own safety. She places Chance under tremendous pressure by going anyway (on more than one occasion), then gets angry over his brooding, repeatedly failing to understand she's forcing him to protect both of them from the elements, accidents, illness, hostile Indians, etc. Logic tells me that she would stay home, especially being pregnant. This led to many fights between the couple. I lost count of the times she sent him packing, only to go after him in tears. I understand that she doesn't want to be alone, but then why be so hesitant to trust him with her safety and her heart?
Very frustrating. I kept reminding myself that the book is titled The Tender Texan, not the "The Texas Shrew," but it could've gone either way for a little bit.
Speaking of the tender Texan in question...
Chance is a fabulous hero and about as close to a saint as I've come across in quite awhile. He is genuinely a nice guy - clearly exhibited by his relationship with his sister - and probably has more patience in dealing with Anna than any other man in Texas.
There are many wonderful and emotional scenes in this book, mainly surrounding Chance's acts of generosity and kindness, but Anna's dysfunctional personality pulled the story down a couple of stars by invoking the wrong kind of emotion...like frustration, or wanting to smack her into next Tuesday for not realizing what a great guy she had caring for her.
I'm still a huge fan of the author and plan to read more of her books in the future, hopefully with a better heroine.
May 9, 2022
Well, this was a disappointment. I found myself skimming because I hated the repetition of “I love you/I hate you” that seemed to be the backbone of this story.
I read The Texan’s Wager and it immediately made it on to my “favorites” shelf. I was hungry for more Jodi Thomas and decided to give this one a shot…and now I want my $8 back.
Anna is insufferable. If the phrase “Pride cometh before the fall” were a person, it would be Anna. I’m not discounting the gravity of her abuse; not at all. But her pride would’ve gotten her killed or abandoned with any other man.
Who built her a house? Chance.
Who planted her garden so she wouldn’t starve? Chance.
Who nursed her near-death baby back to health for two days? Chance.
…but also…
Who does she treat terribly? Chance.
To whom does she give false hope? Chance.
She is a young woman in a wild and foreign country but her attitude did not match the vulnerability of her position. Am I looking for a meek heroine who allows a hard life to beat her down? Absolutely not! But Anna confuses stubbornness with strength; she mistakes pride for tenacity.
There were so many times I wish Chance would throw up his hands and say, “F it! I’m outta here!” Just to give Anna a taste of the “independence” she was asking for. The first time she sees an Indian in her home, she throws a loaf of bread and him and goes screaming for Chance…
….yet she continually says she could handle being on her own once Chance (is forced to) leaves.
All in all, Anna is an immature dummy but Chance redeemed the story.
I read The Texan’s Wager and it immediately made it on to my “favorites” shelf. I was hungry for more Jodi Thomas and decided to give this one a shot…and now I want my $8 back.
Anna is insufferable. If the phrase “Pride cometh before the fall” were a person, it would be Anna. I’m not discounting the gravity of her abuse; not at all. But her pride would’ve gotten her killed or abandoned with any other man.
Who built her a house? Chance.
Who planted her garden so she wouldn’t starve? Chance.
Who nursed her near-death baby back to health for two days? Chance.
…but also…
Who does she treat terribly? Chance.
To whom does she give false hope? Chance.
She is a young woman in a wild and foreign country but her attitude did not match the vulnerability of her position. Am I looking for a meek heroine who allows a hard life to beat her down? Absolutely not! But Anna confuses stubbornness with strength; she mistakes pride for tenacity.
There were so many times I wish Chance would throw up his hands and say, “F it! I’m outta here!” Just to give Anna a taste of the “independence” she was asking for. The first time she sees an Indian in her home, she throws a loaf of bread and him and goes screaming for Chance…
….yet she continually says she could handle being on her own once Chance (is forced to) leaves.
All in all, Anna is an immature dummy but Chance redeemed the story.
January 12, 2019
4.5 stars. A lovely story of a temporary marriage of convenience that blossomed into a real marriage. Pregnant, widowed German immigrant Anna Meyer needs help to claim her land in Texas. Chance Wyatt needs the money she is offering to pay for the support of his younger sister. Anna is deeply afraid of intimacy due to her abusive husband, but Chance falls for her anyway. The story covers the year that Chance committed to helping her get established.
Jodi Thomas's writing style is smooth and steady. No fast action here. Just a slowly developing relationship between two people that need each other. Nice, nice story.
Jodi Thomas's writing style is smooth and steady. No fast action here. Just a slowly developing relationship between two people that need each other. Nice, nice story.
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May 3, 2015I really love Jodi Thomas. I have never read a book by her that I did not enjoy. However, I just could not finish this one.
I believe this book is a horrific tale of one woman who has serious panic disorders after having been raped. I sympathize with Anna's issues. I like her very much as a person.
However, I could not believe that she was falling in love with Chance. She continually treated him so poorly. I understood the why of her behavior and I don't judge her for it but I just never saw love developing for Chance from Anna. I don't understand why Chance would imagine himself in love with someone, that by his own admission, only had negative things to say to him.
I would love to see Anna develop as a healing, whole woman, in some coming of age novel of a person that had been abused and overcame it. I did not buy it as healing woman who was falling in love with someone. Love is not being hateful. I will read Jodi Thomas again. I love her books but this one did not do it for me.
I would not care for a male hero who spent the majority of the novel being hostile to the heroine so same thing here.
I believe this book is a horrific tale of one woman who has serious panic disorders after having been raped. I sympathize with Anna's issues. I like her very much as a person.
However, I could not believe that she was falling in love with Chance. She continually treated him so poorly. I understood the why of her behavior and I don't judge her for it but I just never saw love developing for Chance from Anna. I don't understand why Chance would imagine himself in love with someone, that by his own admission, only had negative things to say to him.
I would love to see Anna develop as a healing, whole woman, in some coming of age novel of a person that had been abused and overcame it. I did not buy it as healing woman who was falling in love with someone. Love is not being hateful. I will read Jodi Thomas again. I love her books but this one did not do it for me.
I would not care for a male hero who spent the majority of the novel being hostile to the heroine so same thing here.
May 2, 2016
This book was intense! The summary just doesn't do justice to the story, it is a sweeping saga packed with every emotion under the sun. I haven't read a tale so poignant in a long time, and I'm surprised it isn't a more popular book.
I think the title is kind of "meh" for me, it's too saccharine sweet and it makes you think you're picking up a cheap, poorly written romance novel, it hardly matches what resides in the pages and it took me awhile to actually pick up the book and read it for that very reason. Thankfully, from the very first pages I was swept up immediately!
Things of mention for more sensitive readers:
I could've done with a lot less lusty admiration on the hero's part; too much running inner dialogue.
The intimate scenes were, I think, too detailed but, I guess, tame from what I hear of the Romance genre in general.
I think the title is kind of "meh" for me, it's too saccharine sweet and it makes you think you're picking up a cheap, poorly written romance novel, it hardly matches what resides in the pages and it took me awhile to actually pick up the book and read it for that very reason. Thankfully, from the very first pages I was swept up immediately!
Things of mention for more sensitive readers:
I could've done with a lot less lusty admiration on the hero's part; too much running inner dialogue.
The intimate scenes were, I think, too detailed but, I guess, tame from what I hear of the Romance genre in general.
December 20, 2019
"Why do Men Marry Bitches?" I have no clue. But this poor schmuck certainly did it. Couldn't even begin to imagine why he stayed with her. Jodi need to do a sequel where she kills off psycho bitch and pairs him up with someone halfway normal. She should charge half price too. She owes us for this one.
May 28, 2018
I enjoyed this historical romance. It's about Anna from Germany who emigrates to the USA in 1840. Her husband has just died and to be able to get a large plot of land, she wants to get married again as soon as possible. She marries Chance, even though she has just met him and doesn't even know his name. They agree to stay together for 1 year and then Chance will leave. They make their way across dangerous territory, while getting to know each other better. This book has got interesting characters, like Tobin. What Annoyed me a bit was that Anna could not decide if she wants Chance or not. At times I wanted to scream at both Anna and Chance to stop acting so foolish. I liked that the book was packed with action. Times were hard, and the story gives you a taste of that. This was the first time I read something by this author, and will certainly read more of her books
avoid
May 20, 2023self note
h has past abuse issues from her dead ex.
h has past abuse issues from her dead ex.
February 10, 2017
The Tender Texan by Jodi Thomas.
Anna Meyer has lost a husband and if she does not get another to help her take land that she and her husband were coming to live and improve to homestead,she will lose it. She is pregnant and wants it for the child so much that she walks to a group of oilman and ask one to marry her. many laughed and scoffed at her when she ask one to commit to a year and she would give him $100.
Chance Wyatt thought she was so brave and he needed that money so offered to be the husband she needed for a year.
Chance was young and had never been in love but soon found himself with a desire to know his new wife so much that he decided to court her.
You will enjoy this journey and the characters of Anna and Chance. their courage...their love growing as they got to know one another and to trust one another. I know I did.
Anna Meyer has lost a husband and if she does not get another to help her take land that she and her husband were coming to live and improve to homestead,she will lose it. She is pregnant and wants it for the child so much that she walks to a group of oilman and ask one to marry her. many laughed and scoffed at her when she ask one to commit to a year and she would give him $100.
Chance Wyatt thought she was so brave and he needed that money so offered to be the husband she needed for a year.
Chance was young and had never been in love but soon found himself with a desire to know his new wife so much that he decided to court her.
You will enjoy this journey and the characters of Anna and Chance. their courage...their love growing as they got to know one another and to trust one another. I know I did.
August 20, 2018
It took me a long time to read this book. I am not one to give up so I finished it even though I didn't want to. Anna may have been the "older" woman but she sure didn't act like it. Her temper tantrums and "stubbornness", for lack of a better word, put me off. She may have been beautiful but she sure acted stupid! Chance was the reason I kept reading although he did get on my nerves too with the way he "handled" Anna. Back in those days, a man didn't let a woman run roughshod all over him. I understand the need for a strong heroine in books but this one did not turn out the way I hoped a strong heroine should. Anna was more flitting with her emotions then Selma was while dancing love circles around Carl.
May 22, 2012
it was ok, not the best I've read but not the worst
September 29, 2021
This book was one of Jodi Thomas’ earlier works (published in 1991), but I found myself liking it a bit more than the last book that I read from her which was published in the early 2000s.
The main female character, Anna Meyer, was a challenge to like. She’s a young pregnant widow who is very stubborn and prideful. Anna suffered from sexual abuse from her husband and was also neglected by her mother when she was younger, so I understand where her anger and distrust were coming from. However, there were times when I found her to be unreasonable with her anger often directed at the wrong person. Still, I do admire her for staying strong despite all the horrible things that she went through. She also had positive character growth as the story progressed.
The main male character, Chance Wyatt (bless his heart), was truly a patient and charming young man. Chance is probably one of the most patient and understanding characters I’ve ever read. If I was him, I probably would’ve left Anna already with the way she treated him. Still, he never gave up on her and was always there for her whenever she needed him.
Overall, I enjoyed reading this book. The romance was nice and slow-burn although it was kind of frustrating at times. It has very interesting characters and a compelling story about family, friendship, love, loyalty, and overcoming one’s fears. I guess the only thing I wish this book had was an epilogue.
The main female character, Anna Meyer, was a challenge to like. She’s a young pregnant widow who is very stubborn and prideful. Anna suffered from sexual abuse from her husband and was also neglected by her mother when she was younger, so I understand where her anger and distrust were coming from. However, there were times when I found her to be unreasonable with her anger often directed at the wrong person. Still, I do admire her for staying strong despite all the horrible things that she went through. She also had positive character growth as the story progressed.
The main male character, Chance Wyatt (bless his heart), was truly a patient and charming young man. Chance is probably one of the most patient and understanding characters I’ve ever read. If I was him, I probably would’ve left Anna already with the way she treated him. Still, he never gave up on her and was always there for her whenever she needed him.
Overall, I enjoyed reading this book. The romance was nice and slow-burn although it was kind of frustrating at times. It has very interesting characters and a compelling story about family, friendship, love, loyalty, and overcoming one’s fears. I guess the only thing I wish this book had was an epilogue.
January 21, 2023
Skipped 50%, skimmed the end. I like a number of JT’s other books but I couldn’t get thru this one. It’s one of her older books, so I was prepared to forgive the unbelievable number of catastrophes that happened every few pages, as typical for books written in the 90s.
But the heroine was completely self absorbed and selfish. She used & emotionally abused the hero, Chance, so much that I began to dislike him for sticking around. I stopped reading after she ran in fear from an Indian, leaving his little sister alone and asleep in the cabin. And she wanted to raise her & her own baby alone in the wilderness? No. I’d rather imagine my own HEA and it would be:
Anna dies in childbirth, leaving Chance to raise both children alone. Selma’s spinster sister comes to live with them. Chance falls for the sister after realizing that Anna wasn’t capable of loving anyone. The spinster truly appreciates the good man Chance is. They make a good home, have a few more kids & live many happily ever after years together. The end.
But the heroine was completely self absorbed and selfish. She used & emotionally abused the hero, Chance, so much that I began to dislike him for sticking around. I stopped reading after she ran in fear from an Indian, leaving his little sister alone and asleep in the cabin. And she wanted to raise her & her own baby alone in the wilderness? No. I’d rather imagine my own HEA and it would be:
Anna dies in childbirth, leaving Chance to raise both children alone. Selma’s spinster sister comes to live with them. Chance falls for the sister after realizing that Anna wasn’t capable of loving anyone. The spinster truly appreciates the good man Chance is. They make a good home, have a few more kids & live many happily ever after years together. The end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 7, 2017
I've been hovering between giving this book a three and a four for a couple of days now. It was just right on the edge between being a three and four and I just can't decide. There were some things I really enjoyed about this book and some things that drove me crazy.
As for the things I loved - nobody can write a western romance quite like Jodi Thomas. There's just something about the way her books feel that transport me to another place and time. I loved Chance as a hero and I loved the changing perspectives between him and Anna.
As for what I didn't like- there was almost no communication between Chance and Anna. Half of their problems could have been solved in no more than a sentence. I suppose there would have been no story otherwise but sometimes the two of them made me want to scream. All of their problems and worries could have been solved so easily!
Overall an enjoyable novel but by no means Jodi Thomas's best. Fans of Jodi Thomas will no doubt enjoy but I wouldn't recommend starting with this one if you've never read a book by her before. There's much better ones to start with!
As for the things I loved - nobody can write a western romance quite like Jodi Thomas. There's just something about the way her books feel that transport me to another place and time. I loved Chance as a hero and I loved the changing perspectives between him and Anna.
As for what I didn't like- there was almost no communication between Chance and Anna. Half of their problems could have been solved in no more than a sentence. I suppose there would have been no story otherwise but sometimes the two of them made me want to scream. All of their problems and worries could have been solved so easily!
Overall an enjoyable novel but by no means Jodi Thomas's best. Fans of Jodi Thomas will no doubt enjoy but I wouldn't recommend starting with this one if you've never read a book by her before. There's much better ones to start with!
December 13, 2019
Sorry to say I was disappointed with this book. I wanted to read a sweet romance and learn more about the early colonies and all I got was a bipolar heroine and a very naive/borderline stupid hero. I found her reactions and emotions to be all over the place, many times inexplicably. (spoiler alert) She doesn't trust him or wants him to touch her but it’s ok for him to assist in the delivery of her baby??? He saves the baby’s life more than once and she still doesn’t trust him? I found no real explanation as to why he loves her except that she is beautiful, which paints him as quite a shallow guy. “Oh yes, darling, I’ll clean up the placenta from the floor while you insult me and give me blue balls...I love you so much”. WTF. Couldnt finish it. The author has many great books. Don’t waste your time on this one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 30, 2020
Trustworthy Cowboy
I have reread this wonderful historical western many times. Jodi Thomas stories are spellbinding, heart warming and swoon worthy entertainment. This book brings a lot of emotions to the story of an abused young woman trying to secure a future for herself and unborn child. In rides an honest hard working Cowboy ready to be responsible and caring...you will enjoy this endearing book.
I have reread this wonderful historical western many times. Jodi Thomas stories are spellbinding, heart warming and swoon worthy entertainment. This book brings a lot of emotions to the story of an abused young woman trying to secure a future for herself and unborn child. In rides an honest hard working Cowboy ready to be responsible and caring...you will enjoy this endearing book.
February 6, 2023
Yes yes laugh all you want. The plot's a little silly, the turns are wild and insane, and the romance is swoon-worthy. Slightly outdated both in its time period and when it was written, this was a treasure to find at Pioneer Book and to explain to those who cared to know what was next happening to the characters. Makes me crave a trip to Texas. ☺️
June 13, 2020
Wow! I actually found a book of Jodi's I hadn't read. So I went ahead and devoured it. Love, love, love this author! Loved when I lived in Texas and took road trip weekends and found all these places. (Even Luckenbach, though that was because of Waylon and Willie).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 30, 2018
3.5 stars.
February 5, 2019
Very good reading.
December 25, 2019
I enjoyed reading.
December 29, 2024
Great Story
I wish she would continue this story so we could see how things turn out in the future. Recommend this book.
I wish she would continue this story so we could see how things turn out in the future. Recommend this book.
November 24, 2025
I like some of Jodi Thomas' other works better.
June 14, 2019
This book and one other (THE TEXAN'S DREAM) are my absolute favorites from Jodi Thomas. I've read almost all of her books at least twice; she writes with such sensitivity about a subject dear to my heart. This is a fictionalized account of how German immigrants came through Galveston, on their way to settling land in the Texas Hill Country. Both my ancestors and my husband's arrived and traveled this way; while doing genealogy research, I've seen just how accurate the author's vision of this migration was.
Only men could claim land in the US at this time. Thus, when Anna's husband dies during the difficult sailing passage to Texas, she is in danger of losing any right to claim a homestead. Rather than marry one of the leering men of her acquaintance, Anna boldly walks up to a group of Texas strangers and offers $100 to any man who will marry her (in name only) and help her work the land for a year.
One man, Chance Wyatt, takes her up on the offer. Anna is wise beyond her years to have gone outside of her circle for a husband; Chance knows the land and the trail. He is able to help the tired and bewildered Germans in many ways.
Anna and Chance have tremendous challenges to face, individually and as a couple. This book is very entertaining and there's never a dull moment. Chance and Anna are endearing people who are resourceful, generous and loving. I'm only sorry that the limit is 5 stars.
Please note: Although rarely mentioned, PRAIRIE SONG continues with two of the characters from this story.
Only men could claim land in the US at this time. Thus, when Anna's husband dies during the difficult sailing passage to Texas, she is in danger of losing any right to claim a homestead. Rather than marry one of the leering men of her acquaintance, Anna boldly walks up to a group of Texas strangers and offers $100 to any man who will marry her (in name only) and help her work the land for a year.
One man, Chance Wyatt, takes her up on the offer. Anna is wise beyond her years to have gone outside of her circle for a husband; Chance knows the land and the trail. He is able to help the tired and bewildered Germans in many ways.
Anna and Chance have tremendous challenges to face, individually and as a couple. This book is very entertaining and there's never a dull moment. Chance and Anna are endearing people who are resourceful, generous and loving. I'm only sorry that the limit is 5 stars.
Please note: Although rarely mentioned, PRAIRIE SONG continues with two of the characters from this story.
July 17, 2016
I'm sort of torn between 2 and 4 stars. I loved the hero and he's why I'm rating this at 4 stars.m. He was fantastic. Anna, the heroine, I didn't like very much. For someone who's all about farming, all she did was cook. Granted she's pregnant but still. And I realize she had serious trust issues but up until the 67% point or so, if I was Chance, I'd have walked away.
I also had problems figuring out how much the had passed between major events. It read as if only a couple of weeks (at times) but then BAM Anna's super pregnant. I also had issues with her stopping nursing at 4 months - I highly doubt a frontierswoman would have stopped so quickly. And again, there were timeline issues with her nursing and leaving the baby for hours at a time.
And could anything else happen to the couple? Seriously. Gunshot wounds, fevers, cholera, fights, you name it they faced it.
I think it would have been a stronger book had it concentrated on the psychological aspects of Anna's issues with men. Chance v. his enemy (Storm something) was over so quickly there was little point to introducing it. And then there was Walter the villain.
So 4 stars for Chance. Two stars for everything else. Averaged out to three.
I also had problems figuring out how much the had passed between major events. It read as if only a couple of weeks (at times) but then BAM Anna's super pregnant. I also had issues with her stopping nursing at 4 months - I highly doubt a frontierswoman would have stopped so quickly. And again, there were timeline issues with her nursing and leaving the baby for hours at a time.
And could anything else happen to the couple? Seriously. Gunshot wounds, fevers, cholera, fights, you name it they faced it.
I think it would have been a stronger book had it concentrated on the psychological aspects of Anna's issues with men. Chance v. his enemy (Storm something) was over so quickly there was little point to introducing it. And then there was Walter the villain.
So 4 stars for Chance. Two stars for everything else. Averaged out to three.
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