What do you think?
Rate this book
Montana Mail Order Brides #1
Mail Order Regrets
Suffering the humiliating fall from a Boston Brahmin to a pauper living off relatives, she flees, trading the culture of New England for the hope of living a comfortable and respectful life with a Montana rancher. When she arrives and discovers that her husband-to-be has a reputation for lies and violent behavior, her pride won’t allow her to believe it—she will not return to Boston, and endure the whispers of her gossiping socialite peers! Handsome widower Clay Porter is sick of everyone trying to match him up. He doesn’t want marriage and family—not anymore. All he cares about is making extra money on the side to save up to buy his own shop. When he is hired to transport a snobbish beauty to the far-distant Croft Ranch, he realizes she is completely in the dark about her fiancé’s character. Is Clay willing to risk his own dreams—and even his life—to persuade stubborn Madeline that she's making a mistake? [ Mail Order Regrets is a sweet historical romance novel of 76,344 words, but is not a Christian/inspirational romance. There is no religious theme, and while there are also no sex scenes, there are brief kisses, and some allusions to sexual tension.] The sky was obscured by the clouds, and the last bit of light was fading as Clay guided the sleigh off the main road and down a long trail to a small cabin nestled in the foothills. “We’ll rest here a while before we go on?” Madeline asked, pulling down the furs and blankets from her face. He brought the horses to a stop in front of the door. "No. We’re not going to make it tonight. We’ll have to stay here.” “You can’t mean that.” She clutched the furs to her bosom. “You said we’d take shelter—not sleep here!” He hopped out and started unhitching the horses. “I do. It’s another two hours to my sister’s place, and the visibility is only getting worse. There’s nowhere decent between here and my sister’s house to take shelter. This is it. We’re lucky I found it—I almost missed the turn-off.” “But—but—” she stammered, “there’s no one else here.” “And we’re lucky for that. There are only accommodations for two here. Assuming someone hasn’t made off with one of the two chairs that were here last time, that is.” “You are not funny, Mr. Porter.” She stood up in the sleigh and stomped her foot. “I insist you take me to a proper place to stay.” The horses whinnied and stomped in place, jostling the sleigh. Madeline slipped fell back into her seat with a hard thump. The driver took the horses by their bridles and spoke in soothing tones until they quieted. Then he stalked back to the sleigh. “If you insist on throwing a childish fit,” he snarled, “please do it outside the sleigh, before you provoke my horses into bolting, simply because you are indulging in a tantrum over not having a soft, fancy place to lay your head tonight.” She swallowed her rage at being spoken to with such disrespect, only because she realized he was right—she could have caused a dreadful accident. “I’m sorry. I am. But it has nothing to do with a fancy place to lay my head. That—” she pointed at the ramshackle habitation, “is a very small cabin which, according to you, can only sleep two. Two! There is no one here to act as chaperone.
303 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2013
51 people are currently reading
182 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
July 30, 2016
Enjoyable mail order bride story. I liked that for once I was able to read a mail order scenario where the bride and intended groom were ill suited for each other leaving the intended bride eligible for another man.
I liked the secondary cast, well the good ones, and for their prying ways into Clay and Madeline's friendship/relationship.
Herman is one of my favorites in this story and he made me laugh a time or two. He had always had sound advice for Clay and best intentions.
I also liked that this story was told from both Clay and Madeline's points of view and occasionally from Cara, Clay's sister.
I liked the secondary cast, well the good ones, and for their prying ways into Clay and Madeline's friendship/relationship.
Herman is one of my favorites in this story and he made me laugh a time or two. He had always had sound advice for Clay and best intentions.
I also liked that this story was told from both Clay and Madeline's points of view and occasionally from Cara, Clay's sister.
June 25, 2013
I liked this book. The idea that the couple wouldn't fall instantly in love and have a wonderful life was refreshing. The secondary characters were nice and of course like all good romances there was a nice HEA that took a little while to get to, but we got there in the end.
July 31, 2013
Can't believe I wasted my time reading this book.
November 3, 2016
This was a waste of 99 cents. The H and h got on my nerves. I don't like reading about stupidly stubborn people who are always fighting and yelling at each other the whole time, but then apparently fall in love. I was willing to give it a chance and make it to the end, but then the h gets molested by two different men within 15 mins of each other. I was done after that. On Amazon this book is listed as a sweet romance. Well I guess my definition of sweet is different than the author because to me there was nothing sweet about this story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 14, 2015
I don't like giving one stars but this was not a very good book. The description sounded intriguing and a bit different. The problem was the heroine and the writing. I should have paid more attention to the many reviews that said it was repetitious. It's that and with the lack of character development, made for a long, boring story. The h was such a B#(@^. Ohmygosh, rude, disrespectful, snobbish and despite all that, Clay managed to fall in love with her. Go figure. There are so many other better written mail order bride stories, don't waste your time on this one.
January 16, 2019
Don't was your time
I started this book twice and each time I couldn't finish it. I could not stand the female character. She was spoiled rude and so high and mighty that I pretty much hated her from the start. She doesn't deserve happily ever After and I decided to not stick around to see her get it.
I started this book twice and each time I couldn't finish it. I could not stand the female character. She was spoiled rude and so high and mighty that I pretty much hated her from the start. She doesn't deserve happily ever After and I decided to not stick around to see her get it.
August 15, 2017
Great book! Surprised at end!
May 20, 2020
Not what I expected.
The story was a good one, but too many times they characters were unsure of each other. It could have been a short story.
The story was a good one, but too many times they characters were unsure of each other. It could have been a short story.
December 22, 2022
Love
Great love story that love finds it’s way to the right couples. Good read with a happy ending about the west
Great love story that love finds it’s way to the right couples. Good read with a happy ending about the west
January 30, 2019
Good
Really good book would read again
With some twists and turns with a nice ending :) it was lovely to read
Really good book would read again
With some twists and turns with a nice ending :) it was lovely to read
May 14, 2015
I really enjoyed this authors work. I was pulled into the story from the very first page. Madeline flees Boston and on the way to Montana to meet Sam her fiancé. Clay arrives to pick her up at the train station. Madeline mistakes him for her fiancé. Once she learns of the truth, she starts to treat him like a servant which Clay can not stand but puts up with it. He is trying to save up some money to buy the butcher shop.
Madeline is sad to know Sam mislead her in his letters as she thought he lived right out of town not a 2 day ride. Clay tries to warn her of the way Sam is. He is not a nice guy but she thinks he is jealous.
They have to stay at Clay's sisters house one night. As snow storms slow them down. Cara starts to teach Madeline how to cook and do a few chores around the house as she had no clue. A rancher would expect his wife to now how to cook, clean and do laundry. Madeline has no clue how to do any of those things. Cara and Madeline become fast friends. She has some feelings for Clay but knows he lost his wife a few years ago and doesn't want to remarry at all. Cara tries to warn her of Sam as well but continues on the journey.
Clay starts to have feelings for Madeline he thinks. She comes across snobby but she keeps him on his toes. Will Clay be able to save her and fall in love with her? Will Madeline come around and see Clay for the caring man he is?
A great book and I will be checking out more in this series as the author is a great writer and the characters pop out at you. You want to see how the journey ends. I highly recommend this book.
Madeline is sad to know Sam mislead her in his letters as she thought he lived right out of town not a 2 day ride. Clay tries to warn her of the way Sam is. He is not a nice guy but she thinks he is jealous.
They have to stay at Clay's sisters house one night. As snow storms slow them down. Cara starts to teach Madeline how to cook and do a few chores around the house as she had no clue. A rancher would expect his wife to now how to cook, clean and do laundry. Madeline has no clue how to do any of those things. Cara and Madeline become fast friends. She has some feelings for Clay but knows he lost his wife a few years ago and doesn't want to remarry at all. Cara tries to warn her of Sam as well but continues on the journey.
Clay starts to have feelings for Madeline he thinks. She comes across snobby but she keeps him on his toes. Will Clay be able to save her and fall in love with her? Will Madeline come around and see Clay for the caring man he is?
A great book and I will be checking out more in this series as the author is a great writer and the characters pop out at you. You want to see how the journey ends. I highly recommend this book.
September 2, 2013
“Mail Order Regrets" by Julianna Blake is Book 1 in the Montana Mail Order Brides series, published by Timeless Hearts Press.
I enjoy stories about mail order brides because I get a kick out of reading about women who have no idea what they are getting into and wonder why they had to resort to this method to find a husband. In the case of this story, Madeline Barstow had no choice but to leave her Massachusetts home and head west. Her father had lost everything and had too many debts to pay. In order to spare her mother and sisters, she decided to seek her fortune in another way.
Clay Porter had been hired by Samuel Croft to pick up his bride-to-be and deliver her to his ranch a good two days’ ride from Helena. Clay tried to talk her out of going through with her plans to marry Croft because she would be putting herself in a very dangerous position. Croft was known throughout the area as a very bad person.
I enjoyed this short novel very much because I enjoyed reading about the two main characters sparring with each other and wondering who would come up the winner. Though it is not a very long read it is an easy read and quite entertaining.
You can find this review on my blog at http://wp.me/p2pjIt-7H
I enjoy stories about mail order brides because I get a kick out of reading about women who have no idea what they are getting into and wonder why they had to resort to this method to find a husband. In the case of this story, Madeline Barstow had no choice but to leave her Massachusetts home and head west. Her father had lost everything and had too many debts to pay. In order to spare her mother and sisters, she decided to seek her fortune in another way.
Clay Porter had been hired by Samuel Croft to pick up his bride-to-be and deliver her to his ranch a good two days’ ride from Helena. Clay tried to talk her out of going through with her plans to marry Croft because she would be putting herself in a very dangerous position. Croft was known throughout the area as a very bad person.
I enjoyed this short novel very much because I enjoyed reading about the two main characters sparring with each other and wondering who would come up the winner. Though it is not a very long read it is an easy read and quite entertaining.
You can find this review on my blog at http://wp.me/p2pjIt-7H
August 1, 2015
Well, I've read worse and I've certainly read better.
I enjoyed the twist on the mail order bride trope. It was different and interesting. For the most part, the characters were likable. I do think Madeline spends an exorbitant amount of time crying instead of of actually doing much of anything. Of course, that's what makes her different from most historical fiction heroines. I ended up appreciating it by the end of the novel. Clay, on the other hand, is a little odd. He talks too much. Every time he opens his mouth he just keeps talking, over-explaining and over-thinking. That got annoying really fast.
The writing is... okay. A lot of showing instead of telling, and the end feels very rushed. There are a plethora of cute, snuggly moments. (Thanks, snow!) Overall, it is an enjoyable book if you can look past the flaws.
Note: There is language (sparse) and two attempted rapes. Both of those scenes of brief and amount to nothing, really. If both the language and content would disturb you, I wouldn't recommend you read this book.
I enjoyed the twist on the mail order bride trope. It was different and interesting. For the most part, the characters were likable. I do think Madeline spends an exorbitant amount of time crying instead of of actually doing much of anything. Of course, that's what makes her different from most historical fiction heroines. I ended up appreciating it by the end of the novel. Clay, on the other hand, is a little odd. He talks too much. Every time he opens his mouth he just keeps talking, over-explaining and over-thinking. That got annoying really fast.
The writing is... okay. A lot of showing instead of telling, and the end feels very rushed. There are a plethora of cute, snuggly moments. (Thanks, snow!) Overall, it is an enjoyable book if you can look past the flaws.
Note: There is language (sparse) and two attempted rapes. Both of those scenes of brief and amount to nothing, really. If both the language and content would disturb you, I wouldn't recommend you read this book.
July 6, 2015
Sweet? and Spicy (SPOILER ALERT)
This review will seem negative, but I really did enjoy the book. You will too as long as "Sweet" romances are not a requirement for you. But as it's billed as a sweet romance, I feel the need to warn readers who want that in as book.
The heroine chooses not to go beyond kissing until she's married, and if that's your only criterion for a "Sweet" romance, then you needn't heed my warning. However, there are elements of this story that are anything but sweet.
The heroine is mauled by her fiance.
Then she's nearly raped by one of his employees, who tells her that the boss regularly brings women to his remote ranch and when he's done with them, shares with his hired hands.
On several occasions, the heroine is kissing a man other than her fiance.
She spends two nights sleeping in the arms of the man she's been kissing, but only the most conservative reader will have a problem with this. There was nothing sexual about it and it was necessary for their survival.
This review will seem negative, but I really did enjoy the book. You will too as long as "Sweet" romances are not a requirement for you. But as it's billed as a sweet romance, I feel the need to warn readers who want that in as book.
The heroine chooses not to go beyond kissing until she's married, and if that's your only criterion for a "Sweet" romance, then you needn't heed my warning. However, there are elements of this story that are anything but sweet.
The heroine is mauled by her fiance.
Then she's nearly raped by one of his employees, who tells her that the boss regularly brings women to his remote ranch and when he's done with them, shares with his hired hands.
On several occasions, the heroine is kissing a man other than her fiance.
She spends two nights sleeping in the arms of the man she's been kissing, but only the most conservative reader will have a problem with this. There was nothing sexual about it and it was necessary for their survival.
October 26, 2014
Madeline can't stand the shame she feels, staying in Boston. So she accepts the offer to be a mail order bride to a young gentleman rancher who lives just out of Helena. At least that's what she thought she was accepting.
Clay Porter was hired to deliver Madeline to a ranch several days outside of Helena. He's reluctant but needs the money to buy his own business. The journey turns into quite the adventure because of winter storms. And he's extremely hesitant to leave her with a man he can't tolerate.
This story is not a 'Christian romance' but it is a sweet romance.
Clay Porter was hired to deliver Madeline to a ranch several days outside of Helena. He's reluctant but needs the money to buy his own business. The journey turns into quite the adventure because of winter storms. And he's extremely hesitant to leave her with a man he can't tolerate.
This story is not a 'Christian romance' but it is a sweet romance.
December 2, 2015
After having met Madeline in The Brahmin Ball was curious about her own journey towards happiness. However, for most of this story, all she made me feel was frustration. I understand her pride got in the way, and her actions did make sense because of that, but only to a certain point. Then they didn't feel as real and her stubbornness seemed to stall the story. It got better near the end, yes. And I liked Clay and the other characters. So all in all it was okay, and added something more to the whole picture of the series.
January 26, 2016
It was well written and I enjoyed the story very much. I didn't see any repetition, and I thought the story moved along well. The characters were well developed and the story line a bit different. I only gave it 4 stars rather than 5 because it was a bit predictable. But I read so many of this genre of book that I can predict most of them, but it doesn't take away from the enjoyment. I would definitely recommend this book. If I had to change anything about the book it would be to make Madaline's change come a bit more gradually. Otherwise definitely a 5 star read.
September 3, 2015
This is the first book in the "Mail Order Bride" series. I actually read the short prequel first. This book is typical of easy reading historical romance. Nothing earth shattering but a fun read. I will probably continue the series when I needs some good, clean, easy romance. I give it three stars, I liked it. Very mild swearing, one attempted rape scene, though nothing explicit. I would recommend for High school and up.
November 20, 2015
I regret finishing this book. Lol. Should've dnf'ed it. Both H/h got on my nerves. Also, there was a pretty graphic description of h being almost raped by someone (not the hero), but there were no love scenes between the H/h. Seemed kind of unbalanced. We were also treated to the hero's thoughts were he keep imagining what it would be like to raise her nightgown or be laying in bed with her with nothing separating them, but once they got married, it was extremely closed door. Meh.
August 10, 2015
A very nice story that is well written and clean. There are some unexpected twists and turns in the story but that is what makes it a good read. It’s a nice story that is about two people that fall in love. It is a quick short read and entertaining. I would recommend this book to anyone that likes mail-order bride books.
Read
May 18, 2019Historical romance - definitely not my genre. I came across this while looking for novels set in Helena, MT around the late 1800s. It was a sweet story, and even though my Nook claims it was a 600 page book, it was a really quick read. Moving on.
May 13, 2015
Mail Order Regrets by Julianna Blake
Excellent ebook and I would recommend it to others. I give this ebook a five star rating 5 star rating, and will enjoy reading more from this author.
Excellent ebook and I would recommend it to others. I give this ebook a five star rating 5 star rating, and will enjoy reading more from this author.
May 13, 2015
I felt like I was a character in this book.
I like the characters and how they interacted with each other. This was an easy read and hard to put down. It reminded me of growing up in a small town where everyone knew each other and reached out to help each other.
I like the characters and how they interacted with each other. This was an easy read and hard to put down. It reminded me of growing up in a small town where everyone knew each other and reached out to help each other.
October 17, 2015
Mail Order Regrets (Montana Mail Order Brides, Book 1)
Excellent book. Highly recommend this book to everyone. Excellent story line kept your interest and attention making it hard to put down.
Excellent book. Highly recommend this book to everyone. Excellent story line kept your interest and attention making it hard to put down.
December 12, 2025
I can't remember what day I read this.
July 11, 2014
Nice story.
Nice story with well written creators. Interesting twist to a simple love story. Great location for this story. I enjoyed it.
Nice story with well written creators. Interesting twist to a simple love story. Great location for this story. I enjoyed it.
August 11, 2015
Good read. Reminded me of the Ralph Compton cattle drive novels to a small extent, with their historical and geographical accuracy
December 17, 2016
This is a DNF--something just turned me off right away.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews