Never a Bride

Kansas Brides #2

by Denise Hunter

God either has a cruel streak or a peculiar sense of humor. At least that is what "Plain" Jane Cooper thinks. Why else would He have stuck her smack in the middle of the beautiful Cooper family? And why did she have to get duped into minding house for that exasperating Luke Reiley?Luke has his own set of problems. His brother just married the woman Luke loves, and they will be living in his home after their honeymoon. With all of that to worry about, Luke might as well throw his energy into what he does best: teasing. And nobody is more fun to tease that the stiff, starchy Jane Cooper. How will Jane handle this outrageous relationship.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Romance, Fiction, Christian Fiction, Christian, Historical, Westerns

170 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

Denise Hunter is the award-winning author of more than 40 novels, three of which have been adapted into Hallmark movies.

Denise writes heartwarming, small-town romances, peopled with layered characters who have real-life issues. Her readers enjoy the vicarious thrill of falling in love and the promise of a happily-ever-after sigh as they savor the final pages of her books.

In 1996, Denise began her first novel, writing while her children napped. Two years later it was published, and she's been writing ever since. Her books contain a strong romantic element, and her husband says he provides all her romantic material, but Denise insists a good imagination helps too!

Denise and her husband live in Indiana, where they raised three sons, and are currently enjoying an empty nest.

Reviews

[Loraine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Set in Kansas in the 1800's, Jane Cooper has always thought herself homely. Teased by the other kids when she was young, she has grown up feeling that she would never marry. But when she has to help out at a young man's ranch taking care of his sister, she begins to have feeling for Luke, the brother. But all sorts of situations make it difficult for both Luke and Jane for her to feel that she is pretty enough to have a man love her.

Quick, easy read that focuses on how we view ourselves and how others see us.

[Randy Tramp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jane Cooper lives with the Cooper family. She gets duped into minding house for Luke Reiley. Luke's brother just married the woman Luke loves, and they will be living in his home after their honeymoon. With that, Luke throws his energy into what he does best: teasing. And nobody is more fun to tease than Jane Cooper. How will Jane handle this outrageous relationship?

Jane sees herself as "plain" and the Cooper family as "beautiful." Luke's teasing is funny. My kind of guy. It drives Jane crazy, until... It reminds me that we have "lies" within us that keep us from real love. When we look through others' eyes we don't see what God sees.

Great story. I loved the horses in the story. The laughs. And the romance.

[Darla Damron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never underestimate the power of God's will for your life. Jane Cooper had a vision for her life and she was very much wrong. She had to let go of self-pity and learn to be grateful to see the beauty in her life. Love the story and reminded me a lot of myself growing up. Although I didn't have any sisters to compare myself to. Just others around me.

[Kari Schooley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love dear “plain Jane.” This book was a delight, mainly because I wasn’t sure how the two very likable (but seemingly incompatible) characters were going to fall for each other. Quick, easy read. These are hard to find, but I put them on hold at the library and waited for them. Nice, refreshing surprise.

[Marty Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Sweet Story

This is the second story in the Kansas Brides series and it's a sweet story of misunderstanding, vanity and young love. A reminder that God looks to our hearts, not our looks and how much He loves us.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jane had lessons to learn about inner beauty and letting her physical self shine. Her heart had to soften also. Could being housekeeper temporarily for Luke and his young sister be just what she needs? I enjoyed this novella.

[Stacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet and tender story by Denise Hunter. I was left wondering if Jane ever showed Luke her first drawing of him and whether he laugh or soberly kissed her!

[Renee Coleman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

This isn't my first time reading this book or this series but I'll have to say that it's still a great read and keeps me wanting to keep rereading it.

[Nancy Palmer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good Christian fiction.

[Ckainer · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a toss up between 3 and 4 stars. Sweet story but something was lacking that I couldn't quite put my finger on. Good if you want an easy light read. One of my favorite scenes was when Jane's mother lit into her. She needed it!

[Rebekah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oh. My. Word. This book is filled to the brim with trashy romance novel cliches, cleaned up with family friendly Christian values and drowned in a deep layer of saccherine-sweet sappiness. Reader Beware: if you enjoy sappy romance novels (with a surprising amount of character development), you'll prolly like it. If you despise that genre, you will despise this book too.

[Massanutten Regional Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rebecca, North River patron, June 2015, 5 stars:

Jane Cooper never thought she would be a bride - until she met Luke. Through Luke's eyes Jane came to realize her own personal worth and strengths. Will a terrible accident cause Jane to lose everything? A sweet romance book. Christian, historical fiction.

[Laurie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Had to borrow thru interlibrary loan... .but just wasn't into the time era right now.... maybe someday.

[CarolynB · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've enjoyed ever book I'e read by Denise Hunter and this onw was no exception. I needed a light, quick read and this book filled the bill.

[Lavender · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! For me, it has the perfect balance of religion and romance.

[Shay · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book, except at the very end, where she... oh wait... spoilers. Darn.

[Marie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Again, super simple, preachy. Reads like a beginner writer, text complexity simple enough for elementary level reading.