The Husband Hunt

Smoky Mountain Matches #4

by Karen Kirst

A Husband

Sophie Tanner gave up hoping for Nathan O'Malley's approval--and love--long ago. Getting married is the only way to protect her younger brother and keep her family's Smoky Mountain farm. As much as she'd like Nathan to be the groom, he can't seem to get past their friendship...or their differences.

Since they were children, Nathan has known Sophie was too impulsive, too headstrong. She's forever rushing into situations without thinking them through, like this scheme to snare a husband in under a month. Nathan always thought he'd fall in love with someone like himself--sensible, cautious, levelheaded. Sophie is his polar opposite. So why can't he picture anyone else at his side?

Smoky Mountain Dreams of home and family come true in the Smoky Mountains

Genres: Love Inspired, Romance, Historical Romance, Christian, Love Inspired Historical, Historical Fiction, Fiction

287 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

Karen Kirst was born and raised in East Tennessee near the Great Smoky Mountains. A lifelong lover of books, it wasn't until after college that she had the grand idea to write one herself. The pursuit of her dream would take longer than she first anticipated...years, in fact. In the fall of 2010, she got the happy news that Harlequin Love Inspired Historical wanted to publish her manuscript-a true blessing from God. Now she divides her time between being a wife, homeschooling mom, and romance writer. She enjoys reading, hosting tea parties and spending time with friends.

Reviews

[June · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sophie and Nathan, sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G! Several times, haha. The story begins with her in a tree and ends with them both in a tree.

Sophie and Nathan have been friends forever, but being a few years older, Nathan is so protective of her that it makes her nuts at times. When Sophie's grandfather dies and leaves her on her own to raise her younger brother Will, it is decided that she must marry. But Nathan isn't ready for that move. She'll always be the pesky friend he has to rescue.

You'll laugh, as I did, at Nathan's final rescue. This was an awesome story and I'm looking forward to the next from Karen Kirst. She's and amazing author!

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow. It's been awhile since I read a book in one day.

This was yet another great story by Karen Kirst. The transition from long time friends to romantic love experienced by Sophie and Nathan was full of angst, self - doubt, hope... and all those other good things!

Book #6 ("From Boss to Bridegroom") in Smoky Mountain Matches is next for me... I (unfortunately) read Book #5 featuring Caleb and Rebecca's love story a few years ago and I no longer have it in my possession.

I am definitely enjoying my summer as I read my way through the Smoky Mountain Matches series :D

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book better than just okay, but I found it slow to get started. Once I was able to push forward, the plot became more interesting. There weren't very many editing mistakes, which seem to be the latest Harlequin fad. But. There. Was. Still. The. Over-punctuated. Sentence. I think it must be a requirement to include one in your novel if you are writing for LIH. I haven't noticed it as much in Harlequin's other lines.

There were some historical inaccuracies but most of them had to do with not knowing dates when things got started - bridal showers, rainbow trout in the Smokey Mountains, alphabetical seating in what must have been a one room school house if the town was as small as everyone implied - were all things that made me roll my eyes because they came after the 1881.

I didn't like the way this one ended either. The hero breaks into the heroines wedding and carries her off. If she were marrying a brute who would hurt her - okay - but she was instead marrying a very nice guy. Even if the guy she was marrying had given in to his mother more and allowed her to dominate their relationship, it would have been okay to me. However, the guy was actually standing up for his new bride-to-be against her. I was completely disappointed.

[Sabrina · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book had me all tingly in the beginning. I love that feeling . . .
But by page 125 they reminded me so many times why he didn't and she couldn't I got a little irked.
Then we had our big "issue" and I thought, here it is/but it wasn't.
TBH the ending was a bit fab, but we took so long to get there that I was just wishing it would wrap up already.
So - started out strong, petered, then ended ok.

[Janis Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another serious page turner!!!! I was thrilled to see Caleb given a massive supporting role and can't wait for his story:)

[Veronica · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it but I would have liked it more if Nathan had had his epiphany a little earlier than he did.

[Michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some denial can add tension to a romance but the hero was so in denial it was ridiculous.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sophie's Soulmate

Sophie and Nathan had been best friends since early childhood and he always felt like he had to look after her. With the death of her Grandfather and the return if her Aunt it looks like things are going to change. This is another one of the Smoky Mountain Tales that you won't be able to put down.

[Mariah H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it.

[Honeybee · Rating 5 out of 5]

a good quick read. good story!

[𝕸𝖎𝖈𝖍𝖆𝖊𝖑 𝕮. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great

[Mary Helfert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Friendship, love & family.
Sophia was in love with Nathan since she was 15, but he could not get past their friendship or differences. To keep her family together she had to find a husband and fast.

[Melmo2610 · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is such a fun series! I have loved getting to know all the cousins and I'm looking forward to reading all their stories. This one was good. Definitely entertaining and an enjoyable read.

[Carissa Sheets · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my favorites when I was young. Still such a sweet story. 💛

[Jamie Harrington · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this whole Smoky Mountain Matches Series by Karen Kirst!! I actually read book #2 (The Bridal Swap) in the series a couple of years ago and when I read #5 (Married by Christmas) at the end of last year, I realized it was part of a series. So I got this book, The Reluctant Outlaw, and His Mountain Miss in order to complete the series. Karen Kirst is so good at creating believable, endearing characters that you just can't help but feel and cheer for. These books are just complete page turners, never a boring moment. I usually finish each book in about 2-3 days time. They are set in the late 1800's in Gatlinburg, TN and it circles around the two O'Malley families: the one set has 3 brothers and the other set of cousins has 5 daughters. This book is about the 2nd son. Sophie Tanner known and loved Nathan O'Malley all of her life. However, she has long given up hope that he will ever see her as more than a friend . . . a friend that he sees as too impulsive, too headstrong and is constantly rescuing from trouble. However, her most recent venture tops them all in his opinion. Due to a family tragedy, Sophie decides that she has to find a husband within a month in order to save her family farm and keep her brother with her . . . and she's enlisting Nathan's help! The more suitors Nathan sees coming around, the more it bothers him . . . which is completely foreign to him. This is a great story of how what you think you want isn't what you need and how love can be right where you least expect it. This book is filled with humor, tension, unexpected turns and even some suspense and danger. I promise, this whole series is fantastic! I've already pre-purchased book #6 that will be coming out in April 2015 . . . so you have plenty of time to get caught up on all the rest! :)

[Wendy Sparkes · Rating 4 out of 5]

#4 Smoky Mountain Matches

Another enjoyable edition to this series, this time featuring Nathan O'Malley.

I loved Sophie with her compassionate heart, her way of fighting for justice, and the freedom to be herself.

Smoky Mountain Matches
1. 2. 2.5 3.
4. 5. 6. 7.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book moved quickly for me, but I never felt like I was 'left in the dust', so to speak.
I liked both Nathan and Sophie, and how their relationship evolved from friendship into something more. There were moments when I *did* want to give one (or both!) of them a stern talking-to because they were acting ridiculously, but all-in-all, they each had a good head on their shoulders.
I especially appreciated how both of them were people with a strong faith in God, and tried their best to trust Him, even when it was difficult.
I'm glad that Caleb featured more prominently in this book, and am quite intrigued to read his story next.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a fun read!! I fell in love with Sophie immediately and yelled at Nathan (out loud I will admit) probably once each chapter. Karen Kirst kept me turning page after page, dying to know what would happen next all the way to the end of the book. I will definitely be reading more of her books!

I received this book through the Goodreads First Reads program.

[Harlequin Books]

"This addition to Kirst's Smoky Mountain Matches series has a hero and heroine who play off each other well. The development of all the characters, including a good supporting cast, makes for a fine story." RT Book Reviews, rated 4 1/2 stars

Miniseries: Smoky Mountain Matches

[Kim Drolet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very fast moving.

[Harlequin Historical]

Miniseries: Smoky Mountain Matches

[Shawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. Loved the characters. Such great laughs and a sweet story line. I also enjoyed seeing characters from the rest of the series. Great book.

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just about the cutest characters ever:) Darling Christian fiction.

[Nina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, really wonderful characters, lots of great scenes,
which pull you into the story. Hoping she does a book about Caleb.

[Angel]

I liked it a little short.

[Wendy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet, but predictable.

[Peggy Kralka]

enjoyed it

[Rachel Darden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super Quotable. Five stars. Review to come.

[Val · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! Such a wonderful story about 2 people who are in love with each other but they have a winding road to get to the alter.