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The Careys of Cowboy Point #1
The Cowboy’s Mail-Order Bride
Cowboy looking for wife to work the land, help with the business, and raise the next generation. Must be practical, reasonable, and honest.
Harlan Carey needs a wife, and fast. Because his father is dying and wants to see his five sons settled before he goes. It makes sense to put out an ad like he’s on the frontier and he’s looking for a bride from somewhere back in civilization. He’s expecting something workable. What he gets is a wildfire.
Kendall Darlington needs to disappear from her messy life. Becoming a mail-order bride sounds close enough to actual time travel to work. What she’s not expecting is to fall, hard, for the beauty of the land and the surprising delight that is Harlan himself.
But when her past comes calling, can Kendall trust the future Harlan promises enough to finally stay—with the only man she’s ever loved, in the only place that’s ever felt like home?
Harlan Carey needs a wife, and fast. Because his father is dying and wants to see his five sons settled before he goes. It makes sense to put out an ad like he’s on the frontier and he’s looking for a bride from somewhere back in civilization. He’s expecting something workable. What he gets is a wildfire.
Kendall Darlington needs to disappear from her messy life. Becoming a mail-order bride sounds close enough to actual time travel to work. What she’s not expecting is to fall, hard, for the beauty of the land and the surprising delight that is Harlan himself.
But when her past comes calling, can Kendall trust the future Harlan promises enough to finally stay—with the only man she’s ever loved, in the only place that’s ever felt like home?
224 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 9, 2024
About the author
Megan Crane
69 books731 followersUSA Today bestselling, multi-award-nominated, and critically-acclaimed author Megan Crane has written more than 150 books and shows no sign of slowing down. She publishes contemporary romance and paranormal romance as Megan Crane (and briefly M.M. Crane) with an extensive backlist of women’s fiction, rom-coms, chick lit, and young adult novels—among other things. She’s also won a large and loyal fanbase as Caitlin Crews with Harlequin Presents, Harlequin Dare, Harlequin Historical, and contemporary cowboy books. And for Midwestern small town coziness, found families, romance, and some paranormal scariness thrown in, Megan partners with Nicole Helm to publish as Hazel Beck.
Megan has a Masters and Ph.D. in English Literature, has taught creative writing classes in places like UCLA Extension’s prestigious Writers’ Program, and is always available to give workshops (or her opinion). She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her comic book artist husband, though, at any given time, she is likely to either be huddled in a coffee shop somewhere or off traveling the world. Preferably both.
You can find out more than you ever wanted to know about her at www.megancrane.com
Megan has a Masters and Ph.D. in English Literature, has taught creative writing classes in places like UCLA Extension’s prestigious Writers’ Program, and is always available to give workshops (or her opinion). She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her comic book artist husband, though, at any given time, she is likely to either be huddled in a coffee shop somewhere or off traveling the world. Preferably both.
You can find out more than you ever wanted to know about her at www.megancrane.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 102 reviews
May 13, 2024
I do love a good cowboy story and when the title has mail-order bride in it then I really want to read it and I was not disappointed, Megan Crane has taken me on a sensual, emotional and moving story, come along and see who answers Harlan Carey’s add and will they find that HEA?
Harlan is the eldest of five boys who still live on the family ranch up high in the mountains of Montana not far from Marietta, Cowboy Point is the nearest town and he is a real ranch cowboy the land and his family mean everything to him, so when his father Zeke tells them that he is not well and would dearly love to have some grandchildren before his time comes, Harlan acts fast and puts an ad in the paper for a mail-order bride, after searching through the replies he chooses someone he thinks he will get on with, but does not expect her to heat his blood and feel so comfortable with.
Kendall Darlington has led a life roaming around the country with her mother and sister and it is not the best life and the time has come for her to leave and start something for herself, when she sees the ad she is certain that this will be her chance to at least start a new life, but when she arrives at a saloon hotel, in Marietta , Harlan Carey is not what she expected, far from it and soon not only is she falling for the country landscape but also for Harlan and his family.
Was their love instantaneous? Two people from totally different backgrounds will it work strangers agree to marry, their relationship grows as Kendall does her best to keep her past in the past but soon it is time to open up will they still be together after Harlan discovers the truth?
I loved this one, Harlan is the best hero and Kendall so beautiful inside and out and the Carey family they are fabulous and I am really looking forward to the next one in the series. I do highly recommend this one to any lovers of romance.
My thanks to Tule Publishing for my digital copy to read and review.
Harlan is the eldest of five boys who still live on the family ranch up high in the mountains of Montana not far from Marietta, Cowboy Point is the nearest town and he is a real ranch cowboy the land and his family mean everything to him, so when his father Zeke tells them that he is not well and would dearly love to have some grandchildren before his time comes, Harlan acts fast and puts an ad in the paper for a mail-order bride, after searching through the replies he chooses someone he thinks he will get on with, but does not expect her to heat his blood and feel so comfortable with.
Kendall Darlington has led a life roaming around the country with her mother and sister and it is not the best life and the time has come for her to leave and start something for herself, when she sees the ad she is certain that this will be her chance to at least start a new life, but when she arrives at a saloon hotel, in Marietta , Harlan Carey is not what she expected, far from it and soon not only is she falling for the country landscape but also for Harlan and his family.
Was their love instantaneous? Two people from totally different backgrounds will it work strangers agree to marry, their relationship grows as Kendall does her best to keep her past in the past but soon it is time to open up will they still be together after Harlan discovers the truth?
I loved this one, Harlan is the best hero and Kendall so beautiful inside and out and the Carey family they are fabulous and I am really looking forward to the next one in the series. I do highly recommend this one to any lovers of romance.
My thanks to Tule Publishing for my digital copy to read and review.
May 11, 2024
2.5 stars
To say this book is a slow starter is an understatement. I have trust in this author so I kept going, although I was getting annoyed. In the first half of this story, we barely see anyone other than Harlan and Kendall, they have one brief kiss during their quick wedding for their marriage of convenience, and there is a lot of internal dialogue which equates to being told instead of shown that these two are falling in love.
Once they finally kiss and Kendall gets more incorporated into Harlan’s family, the last half is a great story. These two are great together and work off each other well. There was a spark between them upon their initial meeting, it comes back if you’re patient. The last quarter of this book kept me riveted and feeling all the feels.
Harlan’s family are very loving and kind people, even with all of the ribbing and wrestling that happens amongst the brothers. The community as a whole is tight knit and that serves Kendall well when her past comes back to bite her. I wasn’t crazy about her keeping her family a secret, especially once she got to know the Carey family. It didn’t matter though, they still had her back in a big way.
As for Harlan’s dad and step-mom…they may be fantastic in many ways but I have an issue with their ultimatum to the kids. Although it’s skirted around and no actual disease is named, he is lying to his kids in an abhorrent way to get them to start thinking about having families of their own. It’s laid out in the beginning so this isn’t really a spoiler but a warning to those who wouldn’t be able to read beyond the first two chapters once you know the information. The father tells his kids he doesn’t have long to live and the step-mom (mom to the youngest sons) goes along with the ruse. Ugh! I love this family and will read the next book even though this one started so slowly. I want to see these cowboys all find their matches. I just hope the author rethinks things and this terrible trick isn’t kept going through every book.
**I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely**
To say this book is a slow starter is an understatement. I have trust in this author so I kept going, although I was getting annoyed. In the first half of this story, we barely see anyone other than Harlan and Kendall, they have one brief kiss during their quick wedding for their marriage of convenience, and there is a lot of internal dialogue which equates to being told instead of shown that these two are falling in love.
Once they finally kiss and Kendall gets more incorporated into Harlan’s family, the last half is a great story. These two are great together and work off each other well. There was a spark between them upon their initial meeting, it comes back if you’re patient. The last quarter of this book kept me riveted and feeling all the feels.
Harlan’s family are very loving and kind people, even with all of the ribbing and wrestling that happens amongst the brothers. The community as a whole is tight knit and that serves Kendall well when her past comes back to bite her. I wasn’t crazy about her keeping her family a secret, especially once she got to know the Carey family. It didn’t matter though, they still had her back in a big way.
As for Harlan’s dad and step-mom…they may be fantastic in many ways but I have an issue with their ultimatum to the kids. Although it’s skirted around and no actual disease is named, he is lying to his kids in an abhorrent way to get them to start thinking about having families of their own. It’s laid out in the beginning so this isn’t really a spoiler but a warning to those who wouldn’t be able to read beyond the first two chapters once you know the information. The father tells his kids he doesn’t have long to live and the step-mom (mom to the youngest sons) goes along with the ruse. Ugh! I love this family and will read the next book even though this one started so slowly. I want to see these cowboys all find their matches. I just hope the author rethinks things and this terrible trick isn’t kept going through every book.
**I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely**
January 19, 2026
I don't understand why I hadn't read this before I read all the other books in the series. Maybe I thought I had because we get to know Harlan and Kendall throughout the rest of the series as the Carey's are pretty tight as a family.
Harlan is the first of the brothers to take up the challenge when his father Zeke announces he hasn't got long to live and he wants to see some grandchildren on the way before he's gone.
Ever practical, he takes up a dare from a neighbour and puts in an advertisement for a mail order bride like his great grandad did.
What he wasn't expecting was the very attractive Kendall Darlington to walk through the door. I'm guessing he was thinking Sarah, Plain and Tall and Kendall was thinking old lonely guy she could play for a few weeks while avoiding her grifter family. So long as he wasn't an axe murderer of course.
What she got was Harlan and neither of them can quite believe their luck.
Harlan is a great guy, the eldest of the Carey brothers and knows it. He's responsible and serious and every now and then he has a kick in his gallop when you least expect it.
Kendall, surprisingly enough is also the responsible one in her family. She is the one who fixes things when her mother and sister have gone too far and their victims need smoothing over. But every now and then she wants out, even knowing that they will be back again to drag her into their scams.
It was great to see Harlan and Kendall getting to know each other after the marriage. She fits right into his family and his lifestyle in a way she's never felt before.
I really liked how Harlan and his family and the whole community accepted her and had her back when she needed it. A really good start to the series, even if I am reading it last.
Harlan is the first of the brothers to take up the challenge when his father Zeke announces he hasn't got long to live and he wants to see some grandchildren on the way before he's gone.
Ever practical, he takes up a dare from a neighbour and puts in an advertisement for a mail order bride like his great grandad did.
What he wasn't expecting was the very attractive Kendall Darlington to walk through the door. I'm guessing he was thinking Sarah, Plain and Tall and Kendall was thinking old lonely guy she could play for a few weeks while avoiding her grifter family. So long as he wasn't an axe murderer of course.
What she got was Harlan and neither of them can quite believe their luck.
Harlan is a great guy, the eldest of the Carey brothers and knows it. He's responsible and serious and every now and then he has a kick in his gallop when you least expect it.
Kendall, surprisingly enough is also the responsible one in her family. She is the one who fixes things when her mother and sister have gone too far and their victims need smoothing over. But every now and then she wants out, even knowing that they will be back again to drag her into their scams.
It was great to see Harlan and Kendall getting to know each other after the marriage. She fits right into his family and his lifestyle in a way she's never felt before.
I really liked how Harlan and his family and the whole community accepted her and had her back when she needed it. A really good start to the series, even if I am reading it last.
April 6, 2024
Maisey Yates fans will not want to miss Megan Crane's fiery, emotional and intense Western contemporary romance, The Cowboy's Mail-Order Bride.
Harlan Carey is in desperate need of a wife. With his father dying and wanting to see his sons settled before he passes, Harlan needs to marry - fast. Placing an ad for a mail-order bride might seem like something from the nineteenth century, but desperate times call for desperate measures. Harlan was hoping for somebody workable, instead he got Kendall Darlington who is far removed from everything he was expecting...
Kendall was also desperate. She needed to escape from her old life and becoming a mail-order bride was the closest she got to time travel. Kendall was looking for somewhere to lay low - she certainly never imagined finding herself falling head over heels in love with her convenient husband! As Kendall begins to fall for Harlan, she wonders whether a future for the two of them is possible. Until her past comes calling and all her hopes and dreams shatter into a million pieces...
Can Harlan and Kendall find their way back to one another? Or are they just not meant to be?
As a huge fan of Megan Crane's category romances written under the name of Caitlin Crews, I had hopes for The Cowboy's Mail-Bride and I was not disappointed. Witty, angsty, passionate and deliciously readable, romance fans will want to devour The Cowboy's Mail-Order Bride in one sitting.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Harlan Carey is in desperate need of a wife. With his father dying and wanting to see his sons settled before he passes, Harlan needs to marry - fast. Placing an ad for a mail-order bride might seem like something from the nineteenth century, but desperate times call for desperate measures. Harlan was hoping for somebody workable, instead he got Kendall Darlington who is far removed from everything he was expecting...
Kendall was also desperate. She needed to escape from her old life and becoming a mail-order bride was the closest she got to time travel. Kendall was looking for somewhere to lay low - she certainly never imagined finding herself falling head over heels in love with her convenient husband! As Kendall begins to fall for Harlan, she wonders whether a future for the two of them is possible. Until her past comes calling and all her hopes and dreams shatter into a million pieces...
Can Harlan and Kendall find their way back to one another? Or are they just not meant to be?
As a huge fan of Megan Crane's category romances written under the name of Caitlin Crews, I had hopes for The Cowboy's Mail-Bride and I was not disappointed. Witty, angsty, passionate and deliciously readable, romance fans will want to devour The Cowboy's Mail-Order Bride in one sitting.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 3, 2024
As a reader, I've always loved the mail-order bride trope and have read dozens and dozens of them as historical romances, but instead of following in that tradition, Megan Crane has written this first novel in her The Careys of Cowboy Point series in the present day. The Netgally blurb for this 85th Copper Mountain Rodeo Romance,so intrigued me, that I requested an advance reader copy, and, as it turned out, I absolutely loved this novel. 5 stars.
Zeke Carey is the current patriarch of the Carey family of Marietta, Montana, which currently consists of his second wife, Belinda (his first wife, Alice, passed away years before) and his 5 sons, none of whom have married or are even headed that way, nor have they produced any grandchildren. When Zeke gathers them together and lets them know he is dying and that he wants to meet and love on some grandchildren before he passes, the first one to take him seriously is his eldest son, Harlan, a straight shooter of an honest, hardworking rancher through and through. But rather than start courting any of the local women in this small community, he places an ad for a mail-order bride, not telling anyone that he's done so. He's not looking for romance, he's looking for a woman who can be his life partner, who can handle living in this small community, share the work involved in ranching, and be a mother to his offspring. Of all the responses he received, many of them highly inappropriate, the one response he answered belonged to Kendall Darlington, and unlike many of the other historical mail-order bride romances I've read, she's not running away from an abusive father or boyfriend, an arranged marriage she wants no part of, or any of the other reasons you can imagine, and no, I'm not telling you exactly what she's running from because I don't do spoilers, but 48 hours after meeting one another, these two characters marry.
What I can tell you to expect is a a slow growing relationship between Harlan and Kendall. Harlan's family is shocked at the news of his marriage, but they are willing to warmly welcome Kendall into their family, although she doesn't have much to say about her life before arriving in Marietta, and for good reason. In addition to these relationships, Ms. Crane has made the gorgeous scenery of Montana and it's beautiful peaks and valleys integral to this story, and her descriptions of them border on the poetic--so much so, that I now want to see Montana for myself.
I loved the way in which Ms. Crane developed the characters in this novel--all of them, not just Harlan and Kendall, and the slow and tear-inspiring denouement and surprising epilogue, which makes clear that the remaining four Carey brothers' stories are ones to look forward to. My strong suggestion is to get in at the beginning of this series, because I think you'll enjoy it every much as I did.
As stated, I read an advance reader copy of this novel. The opinions stated are my own.
Zeke Carey is the current patriarch of the Carey family of Marietta, Montana, which currently consists of his second wife, Belinda (his first wife, Alice, passed away years before) and his 5 sons, none of whom have married or are even headed that way, nor have they produced any grandchildren. When Zeke gathers them together and lets them know he is dying and that he wants to meet and love on some grandchildren before he passes, the first one to take him seriously is his eldest son, Harlan, a straight shooter of an honest, hardworking rancher through and through. But rather than start courting any of the local women in this small community, he places an ad for a mail-order bride, not telling anyone that he's done so. He's not looking for romance, he's looking for a woman who can be his life partner, who can handle living in this small community, share the work involved in ranching, and be a mother to his offspring. Of all the responses he received, many of them highly inappropriate, the one response he answered belonged to Kendall Darlington, and unlike many of the other historical mail-order bride romances I've read, she's not running away from an abusive father or boyfriend, an arranged marriage she wants no part of, or any of the other reasons you can imagine, and no, I'm not telling you exactly what she's running from because I don't do spoilers, but 48 hours after meeting one another, these two characters marry.
What I can tell you to expect is a a slow growing relationship between Harlan and Kendall. Harlan's family is shocked at the news of his marriage, but they are willing to warmly welcome Kendall into their family, although she doesn't have much to say about her life before arriving in Marietta, and for good reason. In addition to these relationships, Ms. Crane has made the gorgeous scenery of Montana and it's beautiful peaks and valleys integral to this story, and her descriptions of them border on the poetic--so much so, that I now want to see Montana for myself.
I loved the way in which Ms. Crane developed the characters in this novel--all of them, not just Harlan and Kendall, and the slow and tear-inspiring denouement and surprising epilogue, which makes clear that the remaining four Carey brothers' stories are ones to look forward to. My strong suggestion is to get in at the beginning of this series, because I think you'll enjoy it every much as I did.
As stated, I read an advance reader copy of this novel. The opinions stated are my own.
February 1, 2026
Reviewed at Happily Ever After Romance
The Cowboy’s Mail-Order Bride begins The Careys of Cowboy Point series with a delightful introduction to Harlan and Kendall, each with their own unique reasons for entering into a mail-order bride situation. Neither expected love to grow, but surprising things usually happen when you least expect them. I love returning to Marietta, Montana once again… and again, this town is as much a character in this story as any other, with the shenighans to prove it. Although Cowboy Point is near Marietta, this town still shines even as a neighbor.
Harlen’s father has had enough of his sons not settling down, he’s determined to get himself some grandkids one way or another… and hatches the perfect plan. And while I may not agree with this plan, it definitely worked. Harlen, the first of the Carey brothers we’ll meet, is a man of the land. He works the ranch 24/7 without fail; it’s his life, and he wouldn’t change a thing. Yet now he’s got to go looking for a wife (which he doesn’t want, thank you very much, Dad). His decision? Do it the old-fashioned way, offer marriage to a mail-order bride in this century, and see what happens. He never expected Kenall, and certainly never expected to fall in love with his mail-order bride! But she brings secrets to the ranch. Where his life is an open book, Kendall’s past is shrouded in mystery… something that could get them both hurt beyond repair.
Kendall is determined to change her life around, to get away from her grifter family. The ad for a mail-order bride seemed like a heaven-sent escape from a life she wanted to leave in the rear-view mirror. If she can manage to completely get away from her family. And that’s a big if, but she’s willing to take a chance. Only Harlen certainly didn’t fit the idea of her unknown groom, and his family is one that she could love and feel at home with. But can a marriage based on a lie really flourish? She’s about to find out when the past comes calling, and her new family circles the wagons to protect her.
I loved everything about The Cowboy’s Mail-Order Bride. It’s well-written (which isn’t a surprise from this author), emotional, filled with secrets and possibilities, hurt and healing, and the chance for a lifelong love to grow old with. If you love a really good story, full of believable characters, unique situations, and a love that is worth every risk, then you’d love Harlen and Kendall’s story. I’d highly recommend it, along with the rest of this series.
*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the author or the author’s team via Booksprout, and I sincerely thank them for their trust. I am choosing to leave a review to share my personal opinion about this book.* I also own a Kindle edition of this title.
The Cowboy’s Mail-Order Bride begins The Careys of Cowboy Point series with a delightful introduction to Harlan and Kendall, each with their own unique reasons for entering into a mail-order bride situation. Neither expected love to grow, but surprising things usually happen when you least expect them. I love returning to Marietta, Montana once again… and again, this town is as much a character in this story as any other, with the shenighans to prove it. Although Cowboy Point is near Marietta, this town still shines even as a neighbor.
Harlen’s father has had enough of his sons not settling down, he’s determined to get himself some grandkids one way or another… and hatches the perfect plan. And while I may not agree with this plan, it definitely worked. Harlen, the first of the Carey brothers we’ll meet, is a man of the land. He works the ranch 24/7 without fail; it’s his life, and he wouldn’t change a thing. Yet now he’s got to go looking for a wife (which he doesn’t want, thank you very much, Dad). His decision? Do it the old-fashioned way, offer marriage to a mail-order bride in this century, and see what happens. He never expected Kenall, and certainly never expected to fall in love with his mail-order bride! But she brings secrets to the ranch. Where his life is an open book, Kendall’s past is shrouded in mystery… something that could get them both hurt beyond repair.
Kendall is determined to change her life around, to get away from her grifter family. The ad for a mail-order bride seemed like a heaven-sent escape from a life she wanted to leave in the rear-view mirror. If she can manage to completely get away from her family. And that’s a big if, but she’s willing to take a chance. Only Harlen certainly didn’t fit the idea of her unknown groom, and his family is one that she could love and feel at home with. But can a marriage based on a lie really flourish? She’s about to find out when the past comes calling, and her new family circles the wagons to protect her.
I loved everything about The Cowboy’s Mail-Order Bride. It’s well-written (which isn’t a surprise from this author), emotional, filled with secrets and possibilities, hurt and healing, and the chance for a lifelong love to grow old with. If you love a really good story, full of believable characters, unique situations, and a love that is worth every risk, then you’d love Harlen and Kendall’s story. I’d highly recommend it, along with the rest of this series.
*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the author or the author’s team via Booksprout, and I sincerely thank them for their trust. I am choosing to leave a review to share my personal opinion about this book.* I also own a Kindle edition of this title.
May 13, 2024
i think i won this as a Goodreads giveaway, funny thing is i am trying to think if i know MC's other books or not? not sure??! book 1 from "The Careys of Cowboy Point" series. western & frontier romance ebooks. western & frontier romance. historical romances. came out May 9, 2024. there are some parts that get a bit confusing or i feel lost, lots of silly funny parts ... with the family / brothers. guess it is all in what you wish for ... not a wham bam!! thank you, ma'am. wondering when you say "slow burn" how long is that??! but it takes a while to get started so to speak. Sept 5, 2024 is when book 2 "The Cowboy's Forbidden Bride". book 3 "The Cowboy's Secret Babies" comes out Feb 25, 2025. after i did finish this book i was curious - wondering if MC had any other books ..those other 2 are out way in the future ... sad face. i hate waiting on a series. it think if i was an author i wouldn't make readers wait ... meaning ... who has the time to sit around waiting ... no one ... and by the time you around to those books you have forgotten what happened in the past one. make sense?? hope you got that. so i saw the "Make You Burn" which is apart of "The Deacons on Bourbon Street", i always enjoy MC Romances ...don't or have not seen a good one in a while. so i figured i would check it out. i am curious ... i say this all the time when it comes to authors ...being that MC is not someone i have heard or ... or really read ...why is she asking $6.99 for a book ...but the ladies and men i know in the romance / MC romance world ...really well ... been following them for years, when i had my book blog they were always promoted and out there on FB and other social medias (i don't do those any more ... were wasting my time, i had other things to do in my life, i have to weed out something, i don't enjoy having that cell phone up in my face 24/7 ...went to a winery this past weekend and the group we were with of all ages, had their noses up in the cell phone, what?? seriously what happened to face to face chatting, getting to know your people, don't that you have to like them, love them, or even really care for being around them ...but be in the moment, not tagging this or that on the socials??! i wonder??!) ...have book so much cheaper?? i don't get that?? is that a publisher thing or what?? i just wondering who makes the decision. curious.
January 19, 2026
The Cowboy’s Mail-Order Bride by Megan Crane is the kind of cowboy romance that sneaks up on you—quietly emotional, deeply sensual, and unexpectedly heartfelt. If you love mail-order bride stories with real depth, this one delivers in all the best ways.
Harlan Carey doesn’t want romance. He wants solutions. As the eldest of five brothers on a Montana ranch near Marietta, his life revolves around the land, his family, and honoring his dying father’s wish to see his sons settled. So Harlan does the unthinkable in the modern world—he places a mail-order bride ad, hoping for someone practical, honest, and capable.
What he gets instead is Kendall Darlington… and she is nothing short of a wildfire.
Kendall is running—from a messy past, a rootless childhood, and a life that never truly felt like hers. Answering Harlan’s ad feels like time travel, a chance to start over somewhere wide, quiet, and safe. What she doesn’t expect is the beauty of the land, the warmth of the Carey family, or the slow, steady way Harlan makes her feel seen.
Their love isn’t instant, and that’s what makes it feel so real. Two strangers from completely different worlds agree to marry, then gently—sometimes awkwardly—learn each other. Harlan is everything you want in a cowboy hero: grounded, loyal, protective, and quietly intense. Kendall is strong, tender, and beautiful inside and out, trying desperately to keep her past buried while daring to hope for a future.
But the past never stays quiet forever.
When Kendall’s secrets come to light, the question isn’t just whether Harlan can forgive her—it’s whether she can trust the life he offers enough to finally stay. The emotional stakes here are rich and satisfying, wrapped in sweeping Montana scenery and the kind of family dynamic that makes you want to pull up a chair and stay awhile.
I absolutely loved this story. Harlan is a standout hero, Kendall is easy to root for, and the Carey family is pure gold. This book is sensual, emotional, and quietly powerful—and it left me eager for the next installment in the series.
If you love cowboy romance, mail-order brides, found family, and stories about choosing love even when it’s terrifying, The Cowboy’s Mail-Order Bride is a must-read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Harlan Carey doesn’t want romance. He wants solutions. As the eldest of five brothers on a Montana ranch near Marietta, his life revolves around the land, his family, and honoring his dying father’s wish to see his sons settled. So Harlan does the unthinkable in the modern world—he places a mail-order bride ad, hoping for someone practical, honest, and capable.
What he gets instead is Kendall Darlington… and she is nothing short of a wildfire.
Kendall is running—from a messy past, a rootless childhood, and a life that never truly felt like hers. Answering Harlan’s ad feels like time travel, a chance to start over somewhere wide, quiet, and safe. What she doesn’t expect is the beauty of the land, the warmth of the Carey family, or the slow, steady way Harlan makes her feel seen.
Their love isn’t instant, and that’s what makes it feel so real. Two strangers from completely different worlds agree to marry, then gently—sometimes awkwardly—learn each other. Harlan is everything you want in a cowboy hero: grounded, loyal, protective, and quietly intense. Kendall is strong, tender, and beautiful inside and out, trying desperately to keep her past buried while daring to hope for a future.
But the past never stays quiet forever.
When Kendall’s secrets come to light, the question isn’t just whether Harlan can forgive her—it’s whether she can trust the life he offers enough to finally stay. The emotional stakes here are rich and satisfying, wrapped in sweeping Montana scenery and the kind of family dynamic that makes you want to pull up a chair and stay awhile.
I absolutely loved this story. Harlan is a standout hero, Kendall is easy to root for, and the Carey family is pure gold. This book is sensual, emotional, and quietly powerful—and it left me eager for the next installment in the series.
If you love cowboy romance, mail-order brides, found family, and stories about choosing love even when it’s terrifying, The Cowboy’s Mail-Order Bride is a must-read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 7, 2024
What do you do when your dad tells you that he is dying and would love to see a grand babies before he goes? That is what Harlan's dad told him and his 4 brothers that Easter. The man you looked up to and thought the world of well you put an ad in the newspaper advertising for a bride. Lots of women applied but only one that came to see him would be the one, Kendall. When he first saw her, he knew she was to be his wife. They first met and she came over and put her hand on top of his and you could feel the electricity radiating from them. Harlan took her back to his house and she slept in a spare bedroom until they got married. He lived up in the mountains and it was gorgeous. When they first pulled into the yard, she could see a series of houses and outbuildings. The houses were for his dad and stepmother and his 4 brothers each had a house and their house. This was cattle country so a lot of hard work but a lot of rewards too. Marietta, Montana was the little town at the bottom of the mountain where everyone you met was like family and helped you in any way they could. Such a nice and friendly community.
They got married and Harlan took her to Sunday dinner and introduced her as his wife. His family was shocked but Zeke, his dad said if anyone would do this it would be Harlan. He was the oldest son so he got his wife first and now the others could follow him and get married as well. Everyone seemed to get along so well and Kendall felt like she finally had a family to love and to love her back.
Who will be next to get married? Will the 4 other brothers follow Harlan's example? Will Kendall and Harlan fall in love, or will Kendall move on to another town? Will there be any grand babies for Zeke, will he ever get to be a grandpa?
I got this great book off of BookSprout and will be happy to leave my review.
They got married and Harlan took her to Sunday dinner and introduced her as his wife. His family was shocked but Zeke, his dad said if anyone would do this it would be Harlan. He was the oldest son so he got his wife first and now the others could follow him and get married as well. Everyone seemed to get along so well and Kendall felt like she finally had a family to love and to love her back.
Who will be next to get married? Will the 4 other brothers follow Harlan's example? Will Kendall and Harlan fall in love, or will Kendall move on to another town? Will there be any grand babies for Zeke, will he ever get to be a grandpa?
I got this great book off of BookSprout and will be happy to leave my review.
August 28, 2024
I am pleased to offer my review of Magan Crane’s The Cowboy’s Mail Order Bride, which is her first story in her new The Careys of Cowboy Point series. This is the story of two total strangers who trust each other. Harlan is the oldest Carey son whose family ranch seems as big as the Montana sky. He is determined to marry and begin the next Carey generation, but he is married to the ranch 24/7. Kendall Darlington is lovely, smart, thinks well on her feet, and is desperate to break free of her con-artist family.
Neither believes in the mail order bride ad as a legitimate arrangement, but their initial meeting occurs at Grey’s Saloon. How many times has Marietta voodoo gob smacked an unsuspecting couple? They were not prewarned. Harlan is a plain talking, what you see is what you get kind of guy. He is up front and honest with Kendall. Kendall is stubbornly hiding all details concerning her family. She can’t admit who she is. She can’t handle rejection again. Especially not from Harlan and his welcoming family. A family who has accepted her.
Kendall and Harlan react to each other, the embers growing hotter and hotter. As the flame burns brighter, it is almost immediately extinguished by the sudden appearance of Kendall’s devious mother and sister. Kendall has never been able to break in the past from their joint conspiracies. In the past, Kendall has never had Harlan’s love, or the steadfast resolve of the Carey family.
Th author has crafted a wondrous story of life in the valley high up on the rear side of Copper Mountain. I beg the readers to read slowly and cherish her words. I could smell the pines and the horses and feel the wind that always blows. The hawks hunting, and the eagles circling above. The men, strong as granite, who never play head games. All of them, the ten-year newcomer and the 70-year-old who was born on the old ridge cabin, always willing to help whoever is in need. The Cowboy’s Mail Order Bride is this perfect first book in this series. My Rating: 5+ STARS!
Neither believes in the mail order bride ad as a legitimate arrangement, but their initial meeting occurs at Grey’s Saloon. How many times has Marietta voodoo gob smacked an unsuspecting couple? They were not prewarned. Harlan is a plain talking, what you see is what you get kind of guy. He is up front and honest with Kendall. Kendall is stubbornly hiding all details concerning her family. She can’t admit who she is. She can’t handle rejection again. Especially not from Harlan and his welcoming family. A family who has accepted her.
Kendall and Harlan react to each other, the embers growing hotter and hotter. As the flame burns brighter, it is almost immediately extinguished by the sudden appearance of Kendall’s devious mother and sister. Kendall has never been able to break in the past from their joint conspiracies. In the past, Kendall has never had Harlan’s love, or the steadfast resolve of the Carey family.
Th author has crafted a wondrous story of life in the valley high up on the rear side of Copper Mountain. I beg the readers to read slowly and cherish her words. I could smell the pines and the horses and feel the wind that always blows. The hawks hunting, and the eagles circling above. The men, strong as granite, who never play head games. All of them, the ten-year newcomer and the 70-year-old who was born on the old ridge cabin, always willing to help whoever is in need. The Cowboy’s Mail Order Bride is this perfect first book in this series. My Rating: 5+ STARS!
April 5, 2024
4.5 ⭐s One whopper of a white lie!
Zeke Carey has had two loves in his life. Alice, his first wife, gave him three sons, Harlan, Wilder, and Ryder. After her death, he married Belinda. She gave him two sons, Boone and Knox.
Life has been good for Zeke. He and his wives raised five sons, all of whom are upstanding, hardworking, and decent men. Zeke has almost everything he's wanted from life. All that's missing is grandchildren! The big stumbling block is that none of his sons have shown any interest in marriage. But if they thought he was terminally ill with only about a year left, that ought to light a fire under them...
As the oldest, Harlan is the first to spring into action. He decides to use the 1850s old-school method and run an ad for a mail order bride. He gets responses, but only one applicant catches his eye, Kendall.
Kendall Darlington needs to escape her present life. She shows up in Marietta, Montana, a small town in Paradise Valley, for the interview with Harlan. She hides her true situation from him. She's certain he'd turn her away if he knew the whole truth about her.
Harlan is a very patient man. He's certain their marriage will work, even if for now it's a marriage on paper only. He just has to keep believing that Kendall will learn the true meaning of family. When her past arrives, trying to stir up trouble, she learns she has a much bigger family than just the Careys!
I received an ARC of this book from the author via Booksprout. I am voluntarily leaving this review.
Zeke Carey has had two loves in his life. Alice, his first wife, gave him three sons, Harlan, Wilder, and Ryder. After her death, he married Belinda. She gave him two sons, Boone and Knox.
Life has been good for Zeke. He and his wives raised five sons, all of whom are upstanding, hardworking, and decent men. Zeke has almost everything he's wanted from life. All that's missing is grandchildren! The big stumbling block is that none of his sons have shown any interest in marriage. But if they thought he was terminally ill with only about a year left, that ought to light a fire under them...
As the oldest, Harlan is the first to spring into action. He decides to use the 1850s old-school method and run an ad for a mail order bride. He gets responses, but only one applicant catches his eye, Kendall.
Kendall Darlington needs to escape her present life. She shows up in Marietta, Montana, a small town in Paradise Valley, for the interview with Harlan. She hides her true situation from him. She's certain he'd turn her away if he knew the whole truth about her.
Harlan is a very patient man. He's certain their marriage will work, even if for now it's a marriage on paper only. He just has to keep believing that Kendall will learn the true meaning of family. When her past arrives, trying to stir up trouble, she learns she has a much bigger family than just the Careys!
I received an ARC of this book from the author via Booksprout. I am voluntarily leaving this review.
April 4, 2024
Tropes/Themes: Contemporary mail-order bride, cowboy, old western feels, strong family elements, small town, heroine on the run
My Review
I don’t think I will ever get tired of the mail order bride trope.
Although Harlan and Kendall definitely had their differences, they put a lot of focus on the positive values that they admired in the other. Both characters gained a greater appreciation of their own strengths, especially when it came to making their slightly unconventional, modern mail-order bride situation work.
It took Kendall the majority of the book to begin breaking down all the walls she had built up. Harlan was the total opposite when it came to letting Kendall into his life, sharing the desires he had for the future and inviting her into his family without hesitation. There were parts that felt slow, it could be due to the fact that this is the first book in a new series. Lots of introductions were made, both of characters and important places. We got quite a bit of backstory about the side characters, it was the typical small town gossip that is to be expected when living in a small town.
I’m looking forward to seeing more of the Carey brothers in the future books to come. The potential tropes that were hinted at, definitely piqued my interest and I can’t wait to dive in!
Format Read: Ebook (Received from Booksprout in the exchange of a voluntary review. All thoughts and opinions are my honest views.)
My Review
I don’t think I will ever get tired of the mail order bride trope.
Although Harlan and Kendall definitely had their differences, they put a lot of focus on the positive values that they admired in the other. Both characters gained a greater appreciation of their own strengths, especially when it came to making their slightly unconventional, modern mail-order bride situation work.
It took Kendall the majority of the book to begin breaking down all the walls she had built up. Harlan was the total opposite when it came to letting Kendall into his life, sharing the desires he had for the future and inviting her into his family without hesitation. There were parts that felt slow, it could be due to the fact that this is the first book in a new series. Lots of introductions were made, both of characters and important places. We got quite a bit of backstory about the side characters, it was the typical small town gossip that is to be expected when living in a small town.
I’m looking forward to seeing more of the Carey brothers in the future books to come. The potential tropes that were hinted at, definitely piqued my interest and I can’t wait to dive in!
Format Read: Ebook (Received from Booksprout in the exchange of a voluntary review. All thoughts and opinions are my honest views.)
January 23, 2026
Harlen Carey is finding a wife the old fashioned way. He doesn't have time to romance someone, so he advertises for a wife. He must marry and start producing heirs, as his father has announced that he is sick and wants to see his 5 sons married and giving him grandkids. So when he goes this route, he is not sure who is going to apply and is so pleasantly surprised when the only women he corresponded with would be not someone quiet and unassuming but this beautiful women Kendall Darlington.
Kendall needed to get out of the clutches of her mother and sister and try to have a normal life, what ever that was. So she answered the ad for a mail order bride. She thought Harlen would be some old codger who she could marry and then after a period of time leave. But she was not prepared for how handsome and sexy Harlan was and the instant attraction she had to him. This marriage was not what either of them thought it would be. Harlan knows that Kendall is hold something back and he must gain her trust, because that is a big thing for her, trusting anyone, especially men.
This is the first book in The Carey's of Cowboy Point and it starts out with a bang. I loved Harlan and Kendal as a couple and how they both had this instant attraction and were so opposite to each other than they worked. There is humour, family, passion and a few tears in this wonderful first book of the series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Kendall needed to get out of the clutches of her mother and sister and try to have a normal life, what ever that was. So she answered the ad for a mail order bride. She thought Harlen would be some old codger who she could marry and then after a period of time leave. But she was not prepared for how handsome and sexy Harlan was and the instant attraction she had to him. This marriage was not what either of them thought it would be. Harlan knows that Kendall is hold something back and he must gain her trust, because that is a big thing for her, trusting anyone, especially men.
This is the first book in The Carey's of Cowboy Point and it starts out with a bang. I loved Harlan and Kendal as a couple and how they both had this instant attraction and were so opposite to each other than they worked. There is humour, family, passion and a few tears in this wonderful first book of the series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 23, 2024
Cowboy Harlan needs a wife ASAP and decides to go for the mail-order bride variety, like people did in the old days. Kendall responds to his ad, looking for a temporary escape from her rootless, messy life. Neither is what the other expects and yet it seems they are exactly what the other needs. But despite their growing feelings, Kendall’s past is always just a step away…
This was a lovely book with two very interesting and complex characters. Both Harlan and Kendall come across as mature and thoughtful and very likeable and have great chemistry. The side-characters, especially Harlan’s whole family, are well developed and although there are a lot of them, easy to remember and not mix up. The plot is fresh and unique in the sense that the whole mail-order bride thing is usually handled as a comedy in contemporary novels, but this book has a rather serious tone and slowish pacing, which makes it feel believable and real. The writer has a very recognizable writing style, kind of pensive or even wistful, tender and beautiful. She also clearly loves rural mountain towns because after reading this, you will want to live in one or at least vacation in one. A thoroughly gripping book and I am looking forward to reading the next one in the series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was a lovely book with two very interesting and complex characters. Both Harlan and Kendall come across as mature and thoughtful and very likeable and have great chemistry. The side-characters, especially Harlan’s whole family, are well developed and although there are a lot of them, easy to remember and not mix up. The plot is fresh and unique in the sense that the whole mail-order bride thing is usually handled as a comedy in contemporary novels, but this book has a rather serious tone and slowish pacing, which makes it feel believable and real. The writer has a very recognizable writing style, kind of pensive or even wistful, tender and beautiful. She also clearly loves rural mountain towns because after reading this, you will want to live in one or at least vacation in one. A thoroughly gripping book and I am looking forward to reading the next one in the series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 6, 2024
A fabulous entertaining story as Zeke Carey decided he wanted to see his five sons married with children. He took matters into his own hands by announcing at Easter dinner that he did not have long to live, and he would like to see each of his sons married with a child on the way. The only son that really took the announcement to heart was the oldest, Harlan. He immediately ran an ad for a mail-order bride in several newspapers across the country. He narrowed the responses down to one, Kendall Darlington. She came with her own set of problems, as she had escaped from her mother and sister. They traveled the US as a trio-group of grifters. Kendall hated doing what they did, and she would periodically take off, they always found her drawing her back into the group. She worked as the fixer when things did not go quite right. She was in hopes that, where Harlan lived was in the back in beyond far enough that they would not find her. After awhile she would be able to start her own life. Until, she saw Harlan. She found a family and a community in Cowboy Point, Montana. a must read story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 7, 2024
Finally home - Kendall needs to break away from her dysfunctional family. What better place to cool her heels than middle of nowhere MT. And it doesn't hurt that the cowboy she's supposed to marry is hot as hellfire. Harlan wants to wed to breed grandbabies for his ailing dad. The old man's not long for this world. But he wasn't planning on liking his bride as much as he liked the spitfire who answered his ad. Thrown together by a wily old man's scheming, the MCs dance around their attraction until she tries to leave because her chickens have come home to roost. Harlan won't let her go before she knows what she'll be giving up - a lover who will cherish her forever.
This is a great start to this latest series based around Copper Mountain. Kendall and Harlan are perfect for each other and his family is amazing. Even if Harlan's brothers are annoying rogues who think they can take him. They embody what a real family is supposed to be. Maybe someday Mayrose and Breanna will realize that and turn over a new leaf. Unlikely, but Kendall has the Carey brood and all of Cowboy Point in her corner. Who needs'em.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is a great start to this latest series based around Copper Mountain. Kendall and Harlan are perfect for each other and his family is amazing. Even if Harlan's brothers are annoying rogues who think they can take him. They embody what a real family is supposed to be. Maybe someday Mayrose and Breanna will realize that and turn over a new leaf. Unlikely, but Kendall has the Carey brood and all of Cowboy Point in her corner. Who needs'em.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 20, 2024
This story introduces the readers to the Carey family. The patriarch of the family, Zeke, has told his five sons that he’s dying and he wants them to give him grandkids.
Harlan, the oldest and always considered the more serious one, decides to go the old fashion way and places an ad for a bride.
Kendall Darlington’s life has not been one we would wish on anyone and when she sees the ad, she travels to Montana to meet whom she thought would be an old man.
Imagine both their surprises when Harlan is anything but old, but rather a handsome rancher and Harlan sees Kendall as beautiful.
What starts out as a marriage of convenience turns into more. Feelings develop but Kendall has yet to divulge her past, that is, until it comes back to destroy the new life she has made for herself. While at first the arrangement was made as a temporary one, Kendall is now invested in the town, its people, Harlan and his family.
Will Harlan turn his backon her when he sees what she ran away from, or will he stand by her?
This was a wonderful story about families or lack thereof, and new beginnings in life and love. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
I was entrusted a copy of this book by Tule Publishing. The opinions expressed are solely my own.
Harlan, the oldest and always considered the more serious one, decides to go the old fashion way and places an ad for a bride.
Kendall Darlington’s life has not been one we would wish on anyone and when she sees the ad, she travels to Montana to meet whom she thought would be an old man.
Imagine both their surprises when Harlan is anything but old, but rather a handsome rancher and Harlan sees Kendall as beautiful.
What starts out as a marriage of convenience turns into more. Feelings develop but Kendall has yet to divulge her past, that is, until it comes back to destroy the new life she has made for herself. While at first the arrangement was made as a temporary one, Kendall is now invested in the town, its people, Harlan and his family.
Will Harlan turn his backon her when he sees what she ran away from, or will he stand by her?
This was a wonderful story about families or lack thereof, and new beginnings in life and love. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
I was entrusted a copy of this book by Tule Publishing. The opinions expressed are solely my own.
January 24, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I absolutely loved The Cowboy’s Mail-Order Bride. The characters were engaging, well-written, and easy to root for from the very beginning. Harlan is the kind of steady, hardworking cowboy you can’t help but admire—practical on the surface, but with a depth of loyalty and tenderness that makes him incredibly appealing. Kendall is just as strong in her own way, running from a complicated past and bravely stepping into an uncertain future.
Their relationship develops naturally, with a perfect balance of emotional depth, warmth, and romance. I especially loved how the land itself felt like a character—rugged, beautiful, and full of possibility—mirroring Kendall’s journey toward finding a true sense of home. The mail-order bride trope was handled thoughtfully, with real stakes and heartfelt moments that made their connection feel earned.
This story delivered exactly what I was hoping for: great characters, strong emotions, and a satisfying, hopeful romance. A wonderful start to The Careys of Cowboy Point series, and I’m definitely looking forward to reading more about this family. 💕🤠.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Their relationship develops naturally, with a perfect balance of emotional depth, warmth, and romance. I especially loved how the land itself felt like a character—rugged, beautiful, and full of possibility—mirroring Kendall’s journey toward finding a true sense of home. The mail-order bride trope was handled thoughtfully, with real stakes and heartfelt moments that made their connection feel earned.
This story delivered exactly what I was hoping for: great characters, strong emotions, and a satisfying, hopeful romance. A wonderful start to The Careys of Cowboy Point series, and I’m definitely looking forward to reading more about this family. 💕🤠.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 11, 2024
The Cowboy’s Mail-Order Bride ~The Careys of Cowboy Point #1 by Megan Crane
Blurb:
Cowboy looking for wife to work the land, help with the business, and raise the next generation. Must be practical, reasonable, and honest.
A wonderful start to a new series, it is set in Marietta, Montana, and it is a Mail-Order Bride story set in the present. Most Mail Order Brides are historical.
Here we have Harlan Carey, who needs a wife, to help on the ranch, but also to answer his father's dying wish to see his five sons, happily married and some grandchildren. Kendall Darlington, who needs a new start and a getaway from her past, decides to answer his ad.
Can this Mail-Order bride find true happiness and love?
I found The Cowboy’s Mail-Order Bride to be written brilliantly and the character felt so real, and the storyline, wow I was kept engaged from beginning to end, I highly recommend this book, and would award more than 5* if I could. I'm also looking forward to reading book two.
Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Easy-to-read, Entertaining, Happily Ever After, Page-turner, Romantic, Realistic, Wonderful characters, and Marietta Montana.
Blurb:
Cowboy looking for wife to work the land, help with the business, and raise the next generation. Must be practical, reasonable, and honest.
A wonderful start to a new series, it is set in Marietta, Montana, and it is a Mail-Order Bride story set in the present. Most Mail Order Brides are historical.
Here we have Harlan Carey, who needs a wife, to help on the ranch, but also to answer his father's dying wish to see his five sons, happily married and some grandchildren. Kendall Darlington, who needs a new start and a getaway from her past, decides to answer his ad.
Can this Mail-Order bride find true happiness and love?
I found The Cowboy’s Mail-Order Bride to be written brilliantly and the character felt so real, and the storyline, wow I was kept engaged from beginning to end, I highly recommend this book, and would award more than 5* if I could. I'm also looking forward to reading book two.
Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Easy-to-read, Entertaining, Happily Ever After, Page-turner, Romantic, Realistic, Wonderful characters, and Marietta Montana.
January 28, 2026
The Cowboy’s Mail-Order Bride is a heartfelt start to Megan Crane’s Careys of Cowboy Point series. I loved how she took the classic mail-order bride trope and gave it a modern, Montana twist.
Harlan Carey is a cowboy bound by duty and family, while Kendall Darlington is a woman desperate for a fresh start. Their unlikely pairing sparks with tension, humor, and tenderness. What begins as a practical arrangement quickly turns into a story about trust, healing, and finding love where you least expect it.
Crane’s writing shines in the way she captures small-town ranch life—the rugged beauty of Montana, the weight of family expectations, and the warmth of community. Kendall’s fiery spirit balances Harlan’s stoic nature, and watching them navigate their differences was both fun and moving.
If you enjoy cowboy romances with strong family themes, emotional depth, and a touch of humor, this book is a great pick. I’m excited to see how the rest of the Carey brothers’ stories unfold!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Harlan Carey is a cowboy bound by duty and family, while Kendall Darlington is a woman desperate for a fresh start. Their unlikely pairing sparks with tension, humor, and tenderness. What begins as a practical arrangement quickly turns into a story about trust, healing, and finding love where you least expect it.
Crane’s writing shines in the way she captures small-town ranch life—the rugged beauty of Montana, the weight of family expectations, and the warmth of community. Kendall’s fiery spirit balances Harlan’s stoic nature, and watching them navigate their differences was both fun and moving.
If you enjoy cowboy romances with strong family themes, emotional depth, and a touch of humor, this book is a great pick. I’m excited to see how the rest of the Carey brothers’ stories unfold!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 24, 2024
The Cowboys mail order bride
By Meghan Crane
Release date May 9, 2024
Megan, I loved it! And love being back in Marietta!
When Zeke Carey the head of the Carey family tells his five sons he is dying and wants grandchildren! Harland, his oldest sets out to grant his father‘s wish.
Harlan needs a wife and family so he does this the very old-fashioned way and puts an ad in the paper for a wife.
Kendall Darlington is looking for a different life! So she answers Harlan ad.
When they meet for the first time, they are both quite surprised. They didn’t know what they expected, but it definitely wasn’t each other. There was definitely an attraction that neither one of them expected. They married within 48 hours. But they wanted this relationship to work. So they took it very slowly.
I loved every page of this book. As always Magen did an amazing job!
Thank you to Tule publication for this ARC and your trust in me.
By Meghan Crane
Release date May 9, 2024
Megan, I loved it! And love being back in Marietta!
When Zeke Carey the head of the Carey family tells his five sons he is dying and wants grandchildren! Harland, his oldest sets out to grant his father‘s wish.
Harlan needs a wife and family so he does this the very old-fashioned way and puts an ad in the paper for a wife.
Kendall Darlington is looking for a different life! So she answers Harlan ad.
When they meet for the first time, they are both quite surprised. They didn’t know what they expected, but it definitely wasn’t each other. There was definitely an attraction that neither one of them expected. They married within 48 hours. But they wanted this relationship to work. So they took it very slowly.
I loved every page of this book. As always Magen did an amazing job!
Thank you to Tule publication for this ARC and your trust in me.
April 15, 2024
A great start to a new series.
When Zeke Carey decided it was time for his sons to settle down and have families of their own, he told a little white lie to get them motivated to find a wife. Zeke’s oldest son, Harlan, was the first to take the plunge. Being a rancher didn’t leave him much time for dating, so he placed an ad for a wife. Kendall answered the ad and became Harlan’s wife. But Kendall is keeping a secret, from her past, that could ruin everything between them and cause a lot of problems for Harlan and his family.
This story is a perfect example of what true love looks like. No matter what happens, you know who has your back. It’s a wonderful story about starting a new life and learning to trust and love. It’s the perfect start of The Careys of Cowboy Point series.
When Zeke Carey decided it was time for his sons to settle down and have families of their own, he told a little white lie to get them motivated to find a wife. Zeke’s oldest son, Harlan, was the first to take the plunge. Being a rancher didn’t leave him much time for dating, so he placed an ad for a wife. Kendall answered the ad and became Harlan’s wife. But Kendall is keeping a secret, from her past, that could ruin everything between them and cause a lot of problems for Harlan and his family.
This story is a perfect example of what true love looks like. No matter what happens, you know who has your back. It’s a wonderful story about starting a new life and learning to trust and love. It’s the perfect start of The Careys of Cowboy Point series.
May 15, 2024
Oh my was this book a fun read! Harlan is one of those people you do not want to mess with but is also a big teddy bear who speaks his mind and is not known for doing anything off the rails. Kendall is more let see how it plays out and keeps to herself so not to upset the wagon. She however is not a delicate flower this girl can hold her own and seeks out to create a family she so longs to have. I loved Zeke and Belinda those two oh my oh my they are up to something but they love there boys and aren't afraid to test them a little. I really enjoyed the spin the author took the this family on and kept things lively. In the end I thought it would play out one was but to see the way it played out reminds me that family is what you make it not blood. Overall this book was fun read and I can't wait for more from this family. There is adult content so may not be suitable for all.
January 8, 2026
I've read some of the other books in this series so I was very happy to finally get to read this one!
Harlen Carey, a serious, steadfast, and somewhat old fashioned cowboy needs a wife. He decides to put an ad in small town papers and see what he gets. Only one respondent piqued his interest. Now she's here and much more than he bargained for!
Kendall Darlington is trying to get away from her grifter mother and sister. She answers an ad for a mail order bride. When she walks into the bar where they agreed to meet, she sees a handsome man. She thought she would see an old down on his luck guy. Now she's tempted, but has never done forever.
Can the two of them work out their issues?
This was a good book. Some tension between Harlan and Kendall at first, but when her family shows up, she finally feels what it's like to have backup for her decisions!
Harlen Carey, a serious, steadfast, and somewhat old fashioned cowboy needs a wife. He decides to put an ad in small town papers and see what he gets. Only one respondent piqued his interest. Now she's here and much more than he bargained for!
Kendall Darlington is trying to get away from her grifter mother and sister. She answers an ad for a mail order bride. When she walks into the bar where they agreed to meet, she sees a handsome man. She thought she would see an old down on his luck guy. Now she's tempted, but has never done forever.
Can the two of them work out their issues?
This was a good book. Some tension between Harlan and Kendall at first, but when her family shows up, she finally feels what it's like to have backup for her decisions!
January 13, 2026
Zeke Carey is tired of his five hard-headed sons depriving him of grandchildren, so he devises a plan. Zeke tells them he only has a year to live and wants to see all of them married and have children on the way before he dies.
Up first is Harlan, the oldest. Being a practical man and having no time to date, Harlan places an ad for a wife. He's looking for a partner in life and on the ranch, not love and romance with a beautiful wife. Kendall Darlington is seeking a temporary place to escape from her con artist mother and sister, not a happily ever after with a handsome rancher.
The Cowboy's Mail-Order Bride is the first book in Megan Crane's series, The Careys Of Cowboy Point. I loved Harlan's patience and love for Kendall. I hope to read the other brothers' stories.
I received a free Kindle copy of this book. I volunteered to read it and write a review.
Up first is Harlan, the oldest. Being a practical man and having no time to date, Harlan places an ad for a wife. He's looking for a partner in life and on the ranch, not love and romance with a beautiful wife. Kendall Darlington is seeking a temporary place to escape from her con artist mother and sister, not a happily ever after with a handsome rancher.
The Cowboy's Mail-Order Bride is the first book in Megan Crane's series, The Careys Of Cowboy Point. I loved Harlan's patience and love for Kendall. I hope to read the other brothers' stories.
I received a free Kindle copy of this book. I volunteered to read it and write a review.
March 4, 2024
This is one of my favorite tropes and I love how this author brought this to a modern day setting. It is a slow burn romance with a slow talking cowboy who can call me “Baby” anytime! Swoon. I really enjoyed following the romance between Harlan and Kendall as well as watching how Kendall integrated herself into the small close knit community of Marietta, Montana. There is a wonderful cast of characters in Harlan’s family as well as the town’s folk. This was a fairly quick read that I was sad to finish. But I am looking forward to going back to High Mountain Ranch soon because Harlan has some yummy brothers.
My only pet peeve is the abundant use of italics.
I received a free copy from Booksprout. This is my unbiased review..
My only pet peeve is the abundant use of italics.
I received a free copy from Booksprout. This is my unbiased review..
March 31, 2024
Harlan's father and stepmother have decided that their boys need wives! Harlan is the eldest and immediately advertises for a wife! Kendall's mother and sister are always using her to get out of scrapes and problems, and she's had enough. She answers Harlan's advert and they get married, but she's always thinking it's temporary, although she loves living in Cowboy Point, and wants to stay but is worried about her family and what Harlan and his family will think if they meet them. Meanwhile he's very taken with her but biding his time. A little more communication will help them both!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A great enjoyable read from Megan, look forward to the next brother's book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A great enjoyable read from Megan, look forward to the next brother's book.
May 8, 2024
Book one in @meganmcrane’s The Careys of Cowboy Point series is absolutely amazing! Harlan Carey needs a wife after his father announced that he is dying and his wish is for his children to marry and provide the next generation. Kendall Darlington replies to his ad needing to escape from her toxic family. I loved this marriage of convenience story, Harlan is such a pragmatic man, sturdy and strong he gives Kendall a family and at long last, the stable, warm, safe community she has wanted all her life. I love the small town of Cowboy Point and the large, warm, boisterous Carey family. This series has been perfectly set up and I can not wait to read more of the Carey brothers and their community and friends.
May 25, 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed this book!
Harlan Carey’s dad is dying, and he’s asked his sons to find wives and be settled before he goes. So pragmatic Harlan decides to place an ad for a mail-order bride – yes – something that was common in the old days! Kendall Darlington has had enough of her mother and sister, so she decides to escape. She applied for the wife position, knowing that it would only be temporary. Little did she know that she and Harlan would hit it off. But her mother and sister aren’t done with her.
I liked both Harlan and Kendall. While mail-order brides are a thing of the past, it really did work for them.
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher, the opinions are my own.
Harlan Carey’s dad is dying, and he’s asked his sons to find wives and be settled before he goes. So pragmatic Harlan decides to place an ad for a mail-order bride – yes – something that was common in the old days! Kendall Darlington has had enough of her mother and sister, so she decides to escape. She applied for the wife position, knowing that it would only be temporary. Little did she know that she and Harlan would hit it off. But her mother and sister aren’t done with her.
I liked both Harlan and Kendall. While mail-order brides are a thing of the past, it really did work for them.
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher, the opinions are my own.
January 4, 2025
A great start to a new series by Megan Crane. Harlan's dad announces he's dying and would like to see his son's married and the next generation on the way before he passes. As the oldest , Harlan acts decisively and quickly advertising for a mail order bride. One of the respondents is trying to get a break from her grifter family. Little does she expect to fall in love!
Harlan is patient and attentive, letting her know he's ready and waiting for a physical relationship with her. Can she trust her instincts and know that Harlan will continue to live her even when he learns about her family and background. What a wonderful story of live, commitment and what family truly means. NOW on to book 2 in the series!
Harlan is patient and attentive, letting her know he's ready and waiting for a physical relationship with her. Can she trust her instincts and know that Harlan will continue to live her even when he learns about her family and background. What a wonderful story of live, commitment and what family truly means. NOW on to book 2 in the series!
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