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The Bridal Veil
Emily Cannon is not the mail-order bride Luck Becker expected: plain and tall, Emily has taken someone else's place as Luke's bride. And she is far from the woman Luke thought he wanted. Arriving in Oregon with nothing but the gown and veil her sister had intended to wear, Emily had nowhere to go and is in more desperate straights than she can ever let on. But Luke needs a mother for his eleven-year-old daughter, and despite his anger at the deception, he can't turn this proud, yet vulnerable, woman away. He's determined to keep this a marriage in name only--unless Emily's quiet grace and tender understanding can tempt him to open his heart...
312 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 7, 2002
72 people are currently reading
1468 people want to read
About the author
Alexis Harrington
18 books185 followersI've been a self-employed working novelist for the past twenty years. Of all the books I've written I've had just one foreign sale, and that was THE IRISH BRIDE, which was translated into Norwegian, where I understand it was a big hit.
I also make jewelry and I'm a fine needlework artist, specializing in embroidery, thread crochet, and sewing. I love to cook, read, entertain friends, decorate, and pursue various crafts.
I live in the Pacific Northwest near the Columbia River, still within 10 miles of my old high school. I have a Great Pyrenees dog, one cat, a finch, and three chickens who all seem to want to be in my small office while I'm trying to work (except the chickens, although they'd be thrilled to get into the house if I let them). Getting up to step around them is like maneuvering an obstacle course, but they are my children and so dear to me. My hours are kind of goofy--I'm just not a morning person and tend to be up late when the rest of the world is sleeping--and QUIET. No phones, faxes, distractions. Just the kids and me, candles burning, and the elevator music coming out of my CD player.
Before I made the leap to full-time writer, I spent about 12 years working for consulting civil engineers. Riprap, anyone? How about a nice detention pond?
I also make jewelry and I'm a fine needlework artist, specializing in embroidery, thread crochet, and sewing. I love to cook, read, entertain friends, decorate, and pursue various crafts.
I live in the Pacific Northwest near the Columbia River, still within 10 miles of my old high school. I have a Great Pyrenees dog, one cat, a finch, and three chickens who all seem to want to be in my small office while I'm trying to work (except the chickens, although they'd be thrilled to get into the house if I let them). Getting up to step around them is like maneuvering an obstacle course, but they are my children and so dear to me. My hours are kind of goofy--I'm just not a morning person and tend to be up late when the rest of the world is sleeping--and QUIET. No phones, faxes, distractions. Just the kids and me, candles burning, and the elevator music coming out of my CD player.
Before I made the leap to full-time writer, I spent about 12 years working for consulting civil engineers. Riprap, anyone? How about a nice detention pond?
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 140 reviews
May 8, 2015
3.5 stars....
It dragged a bit for me in the beginning but I ended up enjoying it.
Will check out more from this author.
It dragged a bit for me in the beginning but I ended up enjoying it.
Will check out more from this author.
February 17, 2013
There's a lot to love in this story of a tall, plain finishing school teacher who goes west as a mail-order bride for an Oregon farmer. Emily is a compelling mix of insecurity and strength. She recognizes that she's no beauty while at the same time holds her head up and demands people treat her with respect. Though initially relctant to marry her, Luke can't help becoming her champion, and in the process of defending her from his vicious mother-in-law he finds the strength to fight his way out of the corner he'd been pinned in since his first wife had died. Luke and Emily form a team where each shores up the other, and it was lovely to watch their love bloom slowly through lots of small actions and little conversations.
Unfortunately, the secondary characters dragged this one down for me. Luke's 11 year old daughter Rose plays a pivotal role, and that went the way most child characters tend to in romance. She begins the book a sullen, bratty, child prone to attention-grabbing stunts like petty thievery. One or two heartfelt talks with Emily later, and that's history. Despite her father remarrying, her grandmother using her as a pawn in a war with her father, and a number of domestic upheavals, she doesn't act out again. Considering that an 11 year old in a perfectly stable home will still act out just to remind you they're present, Rose's character arc didn't ring true to me. She wasn't a person so much as a prop. She was there to make initially cold and gruff Luke look like a softie, to add tension as a pawn in Luke's mother-in-law's mind games, and to make Emily look like a hyper-competent stepmom. It lacked subtlety.
Throw in some over-explanatory prose, some frustrating loose ends, and a fairly pointless epilogue, and what could've been a great story of two people finding a love they never expected to have becomes a merely ok read. It's perfectly entertaining and had me a bit choked up in parts, but it wasn't Harrington's best.
Unfortunately, the secondary characters dragged this one down for me. Luke's 11 year old daughter Rose plays a pivotal role, and that went the way most child characters tend to in romance. She begins the book a sullen, bratty, child prone to attention-grabbing stunts like petty thievery. One or two heartfelt talks with Emily later, and that's history. Despite her father remarrying, her grandmother using her as a pawn in a war with her father, and a number of domestic upheavals, she doesn't act out again. Considering that an 11 year old in a perfectly stable home will still act out just to remind you they're present, Rose's character arc didn't ring true to me. She wasn't a person so much as a prop. She was there to make initially cold and gruff Luke look like a softie, to add tension as a pawn in Luke's mother-in-law's mind games, and to make Emily look like a hyper-competent stepmom. It lacked subtlety.
Throw in some over-explanatory prose, some frustrating loose ends, and a fairly pointless epilogue, and what could've been a great story of two people finding a love they never expected to have becomes a merely ok read. It's perfectly entertaining and had me a bit choked up in parts, but it wasn't Harrington's best.
April 16, 2024
I love mail-order bride stories!!! It did start to irritate me though how often the heroine was referred to as tall, blond and plain. Over and over.
But I think what really kept this book from being a 5-star keeper for me was the mother-in-law Cora. What a poisonous little witch! I spent a lot of time being frustrated with the hero for not putting Cora in her place and letting her be so hateful to everyone. I don't believe the man of the house back then would let that fly. So he came off as a weak hero for me :(.
And honestly, his wife forgave him way way too easily at the end.
But I think what really kept this book from being a 5-star keeper for me was the mother-in-law Cora. What a poisonous little witch! I spent a lot of time being frustrated with the hero for not putting Cora in her place and letting her be so hateful to everyone. I don't believe the man of the house back then would let that fly. So he came off as a weak hero for me :(.
And honestly, his wife forgave him way way too easily at the end.
November 27, 2014
3.5 stars
THE BRIDAL VEIL was the third book I have read by Alexis Harrington. Her earlier writing style is similar to Carolyn Davidson, Millie Criswell and Mary Burton's older historical romances. These authors followed a formula and I found that my enjoyment of their stories was dependent upon the mood I was in at that particular time. Sometimes a romance was good and, at other times, I found a book to be a clunker.
Emily Cannon left Chicago for Oregon when her sister Alyssa had died in an accident and she had lost her job as a 'teacher of etiquette and fine needlework'. She was taking a chance by following up with Alyssa's pursuit as a mail-order bride to one Luke Becker: a widower with a daughter and a farmer.
Emily was the opposite of Alyssa in many ways. Plain in appearance, tall, extremely thin and reserved, she came across as prudish in many ways. When Luke and Emily first met, and after hearing of what happened in Chicago, Luke was ready to turn tail and run. Except Emily had no where to go and very little money. And Luke needed a mother for his daughter, Rose. They agreed to a marriage of convenience.
The title to the book comes from Emily's childlike belief that her grandmother's bridal veil, which she brought with her but had not worn at her wedding ceremony, had special powers that would transform her into a graceful and beautiful woman.
Our heroine had her work cut out for her. Besides trying to earn some respect from Rose and appreciation from Luke, she had to put up with Luke's former mother-in-law and live-in cook and housekeeper: the crotchety and rude Cora. Her daughter had passed away three years ago but the mother continued to live in the past. Her continued reminders of the home she made into a shrine wore down Luke and Rose. You sensed from the beginning that Luke's previous marriage may not have been everything the author initially indicated.
Ever so slowly, Emily changed in front of Luke. Instead of appearing as rail-thin, he saw her as willowy. She had an innocent shyness but he also saw a strength and purpose. Rose even started to warm up to her and Luke witnessed improvements with his daughter's attitude.
The author did not make the mistake of showing the adjustments they had to make, for their relationship to succeed, seem too easy. Some of the townspeople and the dastardly Cora did their utmost best to make their lives miserable. In this respect, the romance was very predictable but I enjoyed seeing Emily blossom from her lifelong shell. And I liked watching Luke soak up the gift of Emily entering his life.
THE BRIDAL VEIL was the third book I have read by Alexis Harrington. Her earlier writing style is similar to Carolyn Davidson, Millie Criswell and Mary Burton's older historical romances. These authors followed a formula and I found that my enjoyment of their stories was dependent upon the mood I was in at that particular time. Sometimes a romance was good and, at other times, I found a book to be a clunker.
Emily Cannon left Chicago for Oregon when her sister Alyssa had died in an accident and she had lost her job as a 'teacher of etiquette and fine needlework'. She was taking a chance by following up with Alyssa's pursuit as a mail-order bride to one Luke Becker: a widower with a daughter and a farmer.
Emily was the opposite of Alyssa in many ways. Plain in appearance, tall, extremely thin and reserved, she came across as prudish in many ways. When Luke and Emily first met, and after hearing of what happened in Chicago, Luke was ready to turn tail and run. Except Emily had no where to go and very little money. And Luke needed a mother for his daughter, Rose. They agreed to a marriage of convenience.
The title to the book comes from Emily's childlike belief that her grandmother's bridal veil, which she brought with her but had not worn at her wedding ceremony, had special powers that would transform her into a graceful and beautiful woman.
Our heroine had her work cut out for her. Besides trying to earn some respect from Rose and appreciation from Luke, she had to put up with Luke's former mother-in-law and live-in cook and housekeeper: the crotchety and rude Cora. Her daughter had passed away three years ago but the mother continued to live in the past. Her continued reminders of the home she made into a shrine wore down Luke and Rose. You sensed from the beginning that Luke's previous marriage may not have been everything the author initially indicated.
Ever so slowly, Emily changed in front of Luke. Instead of appearing as rail-thin, he saw her as willowy. She had an innocent shyness but he also saw a strength and purpose. Rose even started to warm up to her and Luke witnessed improvements with his daughter's attitude.
The author did not make the mistake of showing the adjustments they had to make, for their relationship to succeed, seem too easy. Some of the townspeople and the dastardly Cora did their utmost best to make their lives miserable. In this respect, the romance was very predictable but I enjoyed seeing Emily blossom from her lifelong shell. And I liked watching Luke soak up the gift of Emily entering his life.
February 8, 2016
3.5 stars...
I had big expectation for this book but I couldn't find it. It was a classic way American Historical Romance so it was good. Yet, events were slow and mundane, there wasn't enough dialogs or interaction between protagonists. So when their attraction started to show, it dind't affect me much.
Also I couldn't understand that while hero found heroine very plain (he was quite outspoken about it), how he changed his mind. Okay, there was some hint but I didn't think they were enough. Another complain is about hero's love for his ex-wife but we learned different things later and it was clear that there was not love or I couldn't read somethings prove that.
I gave the point accroding my liking, instead of writing because writing was good and it would be solid 4 stars despite my some complaints.
I had big expectation for this book but I couldn't find it. It was a classic way American Historical Romance so it was good. Yet, events were slow and mundane, there wasn't enough dialogs or interaction between protagonists. So when their attraction started to show, it dind't affect me much.
Also I couldn't understand that while hero found heroine very plain (he was quite outspoken about it), how he changed his mind. Okay, there was some hint but I didn't think they were enough. Another complain is about hero's love for his ex-wife but we learned different things later and it was clear that there was not love or I couldn't read somethings prove that.
I gave the point accroding my liking, instead of writing because writing was good and it would be solid 4 stars despite my some complaints.
October 8, 2022
Reading that was comparable to visiting the DMV.
June 17, 2018
2.5 Stars. I honestly don't know why I read this. It's so far from the stories that I usually read. It's a very simple story of a mail order bride settling in, getting to know, and love her new family. It's very stereotypical and a little contrived. But it's well written with interesting characters. And sometimes you just need to read things that are simple and predictable.
August 17, 2013
★★★★☆ I enjoyed this one. It took awhile to get going, but it had a nice story and characters to it. I love a good mail-order bride tale.
October 23, 2023
What an absolute treat it was to read this, I stayed up all night because I refused to stop reading.
A romance in the simplest form, two people learning to love and trust each other despite the hardships life throws their way.
Emily is now one of my favorite heroines; she was kind, determined, and had a quiet confidence that was lovely to see.
This was an unexpected hidden gem that is now a forever favorite!
A romance in the simplest form, two people learning to love and trust each other despite the hardships life throws their way.
Emily is now one of my favorite heroines; she was kind, determined, and had a quiet confidence that was lovely to see.
This was an unexpected hidden gem that is now a forever favorite!
October 23, 2024
Maybe I liked it so much because I saw so much of myself in Emily. Lol.
March 17, 2019
Heroine takes dead sister’s place as a mail order bride to a widower with a bratty daughter and a god awful mother-in-law. One of my least favorite tropes - widower who can’t get over his first one and only love. Particularly since the dead wife was not a real winner. Of well.
Re-read 3/19. Still hate the hero mooning over his dead, undeserving wife; still hate the weak hero; still hate the ending. The hero says some things to the heroine at the end of the book that are so awful, I don’t think there’s a viable way back. Maybe I just hold a grudge too long, but when someone tells me they did me a big damn favor marrying me & it was a mistake, I’m outta there. When someone’s first reaction is to attack me without facts, I’m outta there.
Re-read 3/19. Still hate the hero mooning over his dead, undeserving wife; still hate the weak hero; still hate the ending. The hero says some things to the heroine at the end of the book that are so awful, I don’t think there’s a viable way back. Maybe I just hold a grudge too long, but when someone tells me they did me a big damn favor marrying me & it was a mistake, I’m outta there. When someone’s first reaction is to attack me without facts, I’m outta there.
October 29, 2024
I’m so easy, it’s chores and farming and a plain tall woman who keeps herself strait laced and proper and a big farming man and I’m like ten stars. Fifteen stars
March 18, 2025
3.75⭐️
August 9, 2013
Great characters and nice story. The way the mother-in-law manipulated the little girl (hero's daughter) was a bit disturbing to me though. Still, I'd still recommend to anyone who enjoys historical romances. Enjoy! ~~Emmly Jane
October 3, 2016
Love made her beautiful
I loved that quote from the end of the book and I liked the story of the mail order bride and the widower. It was very sweet and had an evil ex mother in law that brought some angst to the story. Nice easy read
I loved that quote from the end of the book and I liked the story of the mail order bride and the widower. It was very sweet and had an evil ex mother in law that brought some angst to the story. Nice easy read
August 22, 2021
first time 6 years ago, 5 stars
Now, re-read, 4 stars
Great strong heroine
Great hero,
Widowed hero, some twist at final
Safe
Now, re-read, 4 stars
Great strong heroine
Great hero,
Widowed hero, some twist at final
Safe
November 28, 2023
TW: abusive grandmother is emotionally manipulating the child from a previous marriage
Abusive family members are the worst, but standing by as a parent and then believing the asshole's wild version of events does indeed put a cherry on top of the shit cake.
Abusive family members are the worst, but standing by as a parent and then believing the asshole's wild version of events does indeed put a cherry on top of the shit cake.
February 3, 2013
Really enjoyed this one. Always love and arranged marriage romance this one is quite well done. There is no unreasonable behavior among the protagonists that makes you want to throw the book and grind your back teeth, one understands how the h and H thinks and this I contribute to the author's talent. The storyline is engaging and both h ad H are lovable characteir own issues. Though some readers here think there isn't enough grovelling, I actually think the made up dialog pretty good and breathed a sigh of relief for not having the book end in a rushed manner that somehow left me flat (which had happened a lot in the past).
This is not my first read by this author and it is looking like I am steadily going through all her books now. They don't have the H panting after the h and feature tons of bed scenes, but when they happen, they are tastefully done and well placed, that makes one believe that it is not just lust.
This is not my first read by this author and it is looking like I am steadily going through all her books now. They don't have the H panting after the h and feature tons of bed scenes, but when they happen, they are tastefully done and well placed, that makes one believe that it is not just lust.
September 17, 2010
– The Bridal Veil is a romance that starts out with a dark tone but don’t worry, it doesn’t stay that way. Emily has lied to her soon-to-be husband, Luke is hiding his own secrets, then there’s a cranky, argumentative mother-in-law and a motherless daughter and that’s in the first three chapters. Harrington has taken a simple mail-order bride theme and with a few unexpected plot twists makes it fresh and new again. Her characters portray a depth and emotion that will touch the reader and keep the pages a’ turning.
I’m a long-time fan of Alexis Harrington’s work and I was thrilled to hear that she’d republished her back list in ebook format. Her books are ones that should not be missed. ~ Ana, www.ireadromance.com
I’m a long-time fan of Alexis Harrington’s work and I was thrilled to hear that she’d republished her back list in ebook format. Her books are ones that should not be missed. ~ Ana, www.ireadromance.com
April 28, 2018
Such a sweet story.
October 2, 2023
Western HR with a working class widowed hero still hung up over his dead wife, and a once upper-class now destitute school teacher who replaced her sister as a mail order bride.
There was a perfect amount of angst and longing from both sides right up until the 90% mark.
Emily, who has never felt beautiful or valued in life, was now part of a family on the mend and growing closer by the day. She’s plain and lanky but kind hearted and optimistic. I really like reading about hopeful and whimsical characters who strive to see the beauty in others even when they have suffered.
Luke, a man who tried his best to rise above his poor station and give his daughter a happy life, had always treated Emily with respect but slowly (and convincingly) developed a very heartfelt connection with her. His inability to let his ex-wife go was ultimately resolved rather quickly, but that man had been mourning for 3 years so it makes sense. Although I fully signed up for a story about a grieving widow, the constant comparisons Luke made between his ex-wife and Emily made my eye twitch.
There are many wholesome moments throughout their relationship that were very enjoyable to read:
- Buying a gift for Emily and not fully understanding why or being brave enough to admit it?
Perfect, I love when the MMC just can’t stop himself from spoiling the FMC and doesn’t want to admit why.
- Those quiet intimate conversations on the porch where the Luke confesses that Emily is beautiful?
Yes, give me more late night confessions.
- When Luke drops to his fucking knees and asks the Emily to be his WIFE AGAIN so that they could properly consummate their marriage this time?
That’ll make your pussy THROB and let’s not forget how gentle Luke was during sex too oh my fucking god and when admitted that HE was nervous oh my god
We even have a complex villian in the form of Rose’s grandmother. I sympathised with her because she lost all her children, and guilt can turn into an ugly thing. Cora’’s manipulation and gaslighting was terrible to read. Dragging Rose into every argument to guilt-trip Luke into allowing her to stay is abuse, to both Luke and Rose. She was an awful person, and I was glad to see her go. Although I knew she would make a return, I was hoping it would ultimately strengthen Luke and Emily’s relationship when they inevitably overcame Cora again (as a team).
This book was on its way to 5 stars at this point
But then Cora turns into a comically evil meddler who throws all morals out the window and intentionally destroys Rose’s life. Cora was genuinely a sociopath. What kind of a grandmother connives and schemes to claim her granddaughter by revealing that the only parent she has left is not her dad AND does not love her?
The cherry on this shit cake is that Luke gets easily tricked by Cora into believing Emily told Rose that he wasn’t her father. Come fucking on. Why would Luke immediately believe a woman who openly hates his fucking guts instead of give the benefit of the doubt to a woman who has done nothing but be kind, loyal and bring happiness into his miserable life
The words Luke yelled at Emily were awful. After knowing how insecure Emily is and how she has always suffered in her sister’s limelight, to then tell her he never should have accepted her in her sister’s place? Fuck Luke.
And all it took was one declaration of love for Emily to forget and forgive it all. Just because she’s tall doesn’t mean she can’t have a fucking backbone. What absolutely piss poor grovelling after accusing an woman of intentionally hurting a child. That level of distrust just soured their whole relationship and I just don’t think it makes for a very fairytale ending.
It didn’t make things any better that Luke realised he was in the wrong quickly, because he never should have been fooled in the first place. The book was so good right up until then. I would have had no complaints if he blasted Cora immediately for her lies and then worked WITH Emily to find Rose, and then made his confession of love when they found their daughter TOGETHER. That could have been a beautiful moment for Luke to finally realise that he’s been given a second chance.
The not-your-real father plot wasn’t needed and doesn’t make sense. It wasn’t needed because it added nothing valuable to the plot. It didn’t make sense because it cast his ex-wife in a horrible light and leaves me wondering what Luke could have possibly loved about her. The book could’ve ended on a really comforting note of Luke confessing his love to Emily without subjecting her to a verbal beatdown and almost-death. After the ridiculous apology, the plot travels at lightening speed and it felt like the author was done with the story but the story was not done with the author.
There was a perfect amount of angst and longing from both sides right up until the 90% mark.
Emily, who has never felt beautiful or valued in life, was now part of a family on the mend and growing closer by the day. She’s plain and lanky but kind hearted and optimistic. I really like reading about hopeful and whimsical characters who strive to see the beauty in others even when they have suffered.
Luke, a man who tried his best to rise above his poor station and give his daughter a happy life, had always treated Emily with respect but slowly (and convincingly) developed a very heartfelt connection with her. His inability to let his ex-wife go was ultimately resolved rather quickly, but that man had been mourning for 3 years so it makes sense. Although I fully signed up for a story about a grieving widow, the constant comparisons Luke made between his ex-wife and Emily made my eye twitch.
There are many wholesome moments throughout their relationship that were very enjoyable to read:
- Buying a gift for Emily and not fully understanding why or being brave enough to admit it?
Perfect, I love when the MMC just can’t stop himself from spoiling the FMC and doesn’t want to admit why.
- Those quiet intimate conversations on the porch where the Luke confesses that Emily is beautiful?
Yes, give me more late night confessions.
- When Luke drops to his fucking knees and asks the Emily to be his WIFE AGAIN so that they could properly consummate their marriage this time?
That’ll make your pussy THROB and let’s not forget how gentle Luke was during sex too oh my fucking god and when admitted that HE was nervous oh my god
We even have a complex villian in the form of Rose’s grandmother. I sympathised with her because she lost all her children, and guilt can turn into an ugly thing. Cora’’s manipulation and gaslighting was terrible to read. Dragging Rose into every argument to guilt-trip Luke into allowing her to stay is abuse, to both Luke and Rose. She was an awful person, and I was glad to see her go. Although I knew she would make a return, I was hoping it would ultimately strengthen Luke and Emily’s relationship when they inevitably overcame Cora again (as a team).
This book was on its way to 5 stars at this point
But then Cora turns into a comically evil meddler who throws all morals out the window and intentionally destroys Rose’s life. Cora was genuinely a sociopath. What kind of a grandmother connives and schemes to claim her granddaughter by revealing that the only parent she has left is not her dad AND does not love her?
The cherry on this shit cake is that Luke gets easily tricked by Cora into believing Emily told Rose that he wasn’t her father. Come fucking on. Why would Luke immediately believe a woman who openly hates his fucking guts instead of give the benefit of the doubt to a woman who has done nothing but be kind, loyal and bring happiness into his miserable life
The words Luke yelled at Emily were awful. After knowing how insecure Emily is and how she has always suffered in her sister’s limelight, to then tell her he never should have accepted her in her sister’s place? Fuck Luke.
And all it took was one declaration of love for Emily to forget and forgive it all. Just because she’s tall doesn’t mean she can’t have a fucking backbone. What absolutely piss poor grovelling after accusing an woman of intentionally hurting a child. That level of distrust just soured their whole relationship and I just don’t think it makes for a very fairytale ending.
It didn’t make things any better that Luke realised he was in the wrong quickly, because he never should have been fooled in the first place. The book was so good right up until then. I would have had no complaints if he blasted Cora immediately for her lies and then worked WITH Emily to find Rose, and then made his confession of love when they found their daughter TOGETHER. That could have been a beautiful moment for Luke to finally realise that he’s been given a second chance.
The not-your-real father plot wasn’t needed and doesn’t make sense. It wasn’t needed because it added nothing valuable to the plot. It didn’t make sense because it cast his ex-wife in a horrible light and leaves me wondering what Luke could have possibly loved about her. The book could’ve ended on a really comforting note of Luke confessing his love to Emily without subjecting her to a verbal beatdown and almost-death. After the ridiculous apology, the plot travels at lightening speed and it felt like the author was done with the story but the story was not done with the author.
February 23, 2022
I liked the heroine and the hero. Their initial encounter wasn't a pleasant one. He wasn't expecting plain, too tall and too proper Ms. Emily to turn up as his mail order bride; he was expecting Emily's pretty little sister. But for the sake of his young daughter, he decided to go ahead with the wedding. After all, it was a marriage in name only.
Emily had never felt alienated, useless, misunderstood and humiliated in all her life. She was now living in a stranger's house, with a rowdy young girl who didn't manners, a cantankerous mother in law who hated her and was always out to get her and an oblivious husband.
But she persevered. She did her best despite being told off by the mother in law who refused to let her cook, help, clean the house at all. The black hearted mother in law who seemed to brainwash her grand daughter into hating Emily and who seemed to fend off her every attempt in getting to know her husband's daughter. Can two women 'run' a household? When the lady of the house was supposed to be the wife, instead of the mother in law (who was the mother of the Hero's dead wife).
This was an interesting story. No real chemistry - a bit I should say.
And the antagonist of the mother in law - she was never 'punished' for all her evil doings. It was unfortunate - I was so looking forward to the epilogue being that.
Emily had never felt alienated, useless, misunderstood and humiliated in all her life. She was now living in a stranger's house, with a rowdy young girl who didn't manners, a cantankerous mother in law who hated her and was always out to get her and an oblivious husband.
But she persevered. She did her best despite being told off by the mother in law who refused to let her cook, help, clean the house at all. The black hearted mother in law who seemed to brainwash her grand daughter into hating Emily and who seemed to fend off her every attempt in getting to know her husband's daughter. Can two women 'run' a household? When the lady of the house was supposed to be the wife, instead of the mother in law (who was the mother of the Hero's dead wife).
This was an interesting story. No real chemistry - a bit I should say.
And the antagonist of the mother in law - she was never 'punished' for all her evil doings. It was unfortunate - I was so looking forward to the epilogue being that.
August 26, 2023
Luke was no hero when they met, he judged Emily by her looks like everyone else and married her for his own needs and then set her away. All the hurt inflicted was unwarranted. Melinda never deserved his loyalty or his abstinence. He was thoroughly used and abused by them both. Emily didn't deserve his wariness or distrust. And so, that's that.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 8, 2025
IM CRYIIINGGGGG. just what i needed🤏🏼 sometimes i just need the mmc to not be obsessed about his woman's prettiness.
luke needed to grovel more tho😭 but yh i finished this in a day!!
nothing new tbh, it was predictable and not exactly unique, mail order bride and how she's adapting to the new house, everyone was so hostile at the beginning tho 😭😭😭
luke needed to grovel more tho😭 but yh i finished this in a day!!
nothing new tbh, it was predictable and not exactly unique, mail order bride and how she's adapting to the new house, everyone was so hostile at the beginning tho 😭😭😭
avoid
October 4, 2023- plain Jane school teacher mail order bride.
January 17, 2024
It's a western historical romance about a farmer, dead first wife, a daughter and a mail order wife. It's a decent if bit typical western romance.
Historical romance helps me get out of my reading slump. I am trying to get over my HP fanfiction obsession with HR books.
Historical romance helps me get out of my reading slump. I am trying to get over my HP fanfiction obsession with HR books.
July 13, 2015
Emily Cannon decides to take a chance and do something risky for the first time in her very proper life. After her (beautiful) sister's death, Emily decides to take her place as a mailorder bride. As you can guess the groom, Luke, is surprised to find Emily in her sister's place. He decides to take her as his bride anyway but makes it clear that he will never love her (major eyeroll here), he only needs her to fend off the husband-hunters in town and to straighten out his difficult daughter.
It takes them about twelve hours to fall in love with each other. This is not a slowburner, which I love, no this is more like instalove. Honestly. She sees him by the pump in the yard and suddenly she feels all tingely or whatever.
While he stands by the pump he looks up and sees her through her window in her underwear and he is struck by the suddenly realiation that o-m-g, my loins ache for her with her golden-in-the-sun-hair-and-totally-willowy-graceful-frame.
Then there is the horrible ex-motherinlaw, Cora. A bigger bitch you have to search for. It enraged me that no one stood up to her. They all bowed down to her demands and let her get away with anything. She had turned Luke's house into a shrine for her dead daughter. Cora, was more like a caricature than a real character. She had one side to her and one side only. Her meanness and evilness was over the top, the twisting the mustasche while laughing or rubbing hands together while laughing, kind of evil. Her every plot was as subtle as a bonfire.
Luke is a doormat. He let's Cora walk all over him. It's infuriating how he never tells her off, I mean, not really. Every confrontation with Cora leaves much to be desired. And he is beyond dumb. He knows who Cora is, he knows what she's done time and time again and yet he falls for her obvious lies. Come one, you know that saying, "fool me once, shame on you..."
I can't remember how many times Emily realies she loves Luke or have feelings for him only to promptly forget it and realize it on the next page again, and again. It's almost like the writer forgot she had already made Emily realize this, so she realizes the same thing over and over.
The only character I liked was Rose. I could feel her pain and the struggle she had with being caught in the middle and used as a pawn. I felt sorry for her that Luke didn't stand up for her more. I felt sorry that during the story Cora had free reign to more or less emotionally abuse poor Rose.
I did not like this story. It felt clunky and had no suspense whatsoever. Nothing really happened during the 312 pages. I'm not even really sure how much time passed in the story.
While Harrington seems to have done proper research on the timeperiod there were some words that felt too modern and clashed with the rest (not many, just a couple), but overall it was written okay.
I do not recommend this book.
It takes them about twelve hours to fall in love with each other. This is not a slowburner, which I love, no this is more like instalove. Honestly. She sees him by the pump in the yard and suddenly she feels all tingely or whatever.
While he stands by the pump he looks up and sees her through her window in her underwear and he is struck by the suddenly realiation that o-m-g, my loins ache for her with her golden-in-the-sun-hair-and-totally-willowy-graceful-frame.
Then there is the horrible ex-motherinlaw, Cora. A bigger bitch you have to search for. It enraged me that no one stood up to her. They all bowed down to her demands and let her get away with anything. She had turned Luke's house into a shrine for her dead daughter. Cora, was more like a caricature than a real character. She had one side to her and one side only. Her meanness and evilness was over the top, the twisting the mustasche while laughing or rubbing hands together while laughing, kind of evil. Her every plot was as subtle as a bonfire.
Luke is a doormat. He let's Cora walk all over him. It's infuriating how he never tells her off, I mean, not really. Every confrontation with Cora leaves much to be desired. And he is beyond dumb. He knows who Cora is, he knows what she's done time and time again and yet he falls for her obvious lies. Come one, you know that saying, "fool me once, shame on you..."
I can't remember how many times Emily realies she loves Luke or have feelings for him only to promptly forget it and realize it on the next page again, and again. It's almost like the writer forgot she had already made Emily realize this, so she realizes the same thing over and over.
The only character I liked was Rose. I could feel her pain and the struggle she had with being caught in the middle and used as a pawn. I felt sorry for her that Luke didn't stand up for her more. I felt sorry that during the story Cora had free reign to more or less emotionally abuse poor Rose.
I did not like this story. It felt clunky and had no suspense whatsoever. Nothing really happened during the 312 pages. I'm not even really sure how much time passed in the story.
While Harrington seems to have done proper research on the timeperiod there were some words that felt too modern and clashed with the rest (not many, just a couple), but overall it was written okay.
I do not recommend this book.
September 5, 2015
i like the story. even though i must admit that im not too keen on our miss prim and proper Emily. i dont like her for the first 4-5 chapters, and then as the story goes, i find it that her personality start to bcome blended into the roughness of farmers life style. when i read about her on the first chapter, i felt like rather this girl living her life in her own lalala land where she was supposed to be surrounded by english's noble man for her very stiffness of way of thinking as a LADY and how come she doesnt even think that her Lady bulshit personality will come in contrast w/the farmers life? i mean, her first impression isnt very good for me. it's almost i saw her as a -damn girl, you are too deluding yourself that you r some kind of royal and too confident or stupid enough to b able to take your sister's placed, it's almost makes me flinch-
i dont like cora, the bitchy evil luke's ex-mother in law, but she made the story even more entertaining. this was a good "drama" - family novel, with romance in it.
and.. i sometimes wonder about how the author of this book describing how plain emily is, as far as it even makes me think that emily was really really poor giant women w/height taller than most guy and looks as unattractive as any average female population. but then when luke break down her feautre one by one, i almost yell, WHAT THE FUCKK????
first, SHE was TALL ofc this mean she will have LONGGGG SHAPELY LEGS and then SHE has LOONGG SHINY BLONDE HAIR who can draw attention, and then SHE has GREEN EYES as green as the forest, oh, she Also has a very Pale and creamy smooootthhhh skin that glow under the morning sun! and then SHE has LONG STRAIGHT NOSE, and then SHE has THIN body with SLIM WAIST and slender hands and fingers and neck AND THEN SHE SMELLS GOOD! GOOD freaking GOD! throw her a lingerie then she will be as good as any Victoria secret models then!! i mean, that's plain???? yeahh fucking right.
btw, emily was described as being tall. almost as tall as luke. how tall is she exactly? not likely over 175 then? if that so, it seems that Luke is the one that is too short for the girl. and here i thought every damn good looking Hero in every novels at least have their height for above 6feet 2inch. oh... here it goes my dreamy land....
i dont like cora, the bitchy evil luke's ex-mother in law, but she made the story even more entertaining. this was a good "drama" - family novel, with romance in it.
and.. i sometimes wonder about how the author of this book describing how plain emily is, as far as it even makes me think that emily was really really poor giant women w/height taller than most guy and looks as unattractive as any average female population. but then when luke break down her feautre one by one, i almost yell, WHAT THE FUCKK????
first, SHE was TALL ofc this mean she will have LONGGGG SHAPELY LEGS and then SHE has LOONGG SHINY BLONDE HAIR who can draw attention, and then SHE has GREEN EYES as green as the forest, oh, she Also has a very Pale and creamy smooootthhhh skin that glow under the morning sun! and then SHE has LONG STRAIGHT NOSE, and then SHE has THIN body with SLIM WAIST and slender hands and fingers and neck AND THEN SHE SMELLS GOOD! GOOD freaking GOD! throw her a lingerie then she will be as good as any Victoria secret models then!! i mean, that's plain???? yeahh fucking right.
btw, emily was described as being tall. almost as tall as luke. how tall is she exactly? not likely over 175 then? if that so, it seems that Luke is the one that is too short for the girl. and here i thought every damn good looking Hero in every novels at least have their height for above 6feet 2inch. oh... here it goes my dreamy land....
June 18, 2023
4.5 stars
Emily Cannon is not the mail-order bride that Luck Becker expected. Instead of the idealized image he had in mind, Emily is plain and tall, having taken someone else's place as Luke's intended bride. Stranded in Oregon with only the gown and veil meant for her sister, Emily finds herself in a desperate situation she can't fully reveal. However, Luke requires a mother for his daughter, and despite his anger over the deception, he cannot turn away this proud yet vulnerable woman. Initially, Luke intends to keep their marriage in name only, but Emily's gentle demeanor and understanding nature start to melt his heart, leaving him tempted to open up and embrace a deeper connection.
I love the love/hate relationship romances of mail-order bride books. I think I like it when each of the people realizes how much they mean to one another and exactly what they can offer each other that no one else could. Emily was a great heroine character and stood up for what she believed in without being snide about it. I also loved the antagonism Cora brought to the table making Emily and Luke's relationship so much better.
Emily Cannon is not the mail-order bride that Luck Becker expected. Instead of the idealized image he had in mind, Emily is plain and tall, having taken someone else's place as Luke's intended bride. Stranded in Oregon with only the gown and veil meant for her sister, Emily finds herself in a desperate situation she can't fully reveal. However, Luke requires a mother for his daughter, and despite his anger over the deception, he cannot turn away this proud yet vulnerable woman. Initially, Luke intends to keep their marriage in name only, but Emily's gentle demeanor and understanding nature start to melt his heart, leaving him tempted to open up and embrace a deeper connection.
I love the love/hate relationship romances of mail-order bride books. I think I like it when each of the people realizes how much they mean to one another and exactly what they can offer each other that no one else could. Emily was a great heroine character and stood up for what she believed in without being snide about it. I also loved the antagonism Cora brought to the table making Emily and Luke's relationship so much better.
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