Four Brides and a Bachelor

The American Brides Collection

by Gabrielle Meyer

In 1852, Sarah Ellis is teaching at the Belle Prairie Mission when she and three other teachers learn that they must marry by the end of the year, or they will be asked to leave the mission field.

Luke Longley is at the Red Lake Mission in northern Minnesota, and he is given the same instructions. When he hears that there is a single teacher at the Belle Prairie Mission, he travels a hundred and fifty miles downriver to convince her to become his bride, even though he's never met her.

As soon as Luke arrives at Belle Prairie, he learns that there are four single teachers—and each is eager to become his bride. With just a week to decide, how will he ever choose?

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

121 pages, ebook

First published January 1, 2024

About the author

Gabrielle Meyer grew up above a carriage house on a historic estate near the banks of the Mississippi River, imagining real and make-believe stories about the occupants who had lived there. She went on to work for the Minnesota Historical Society and loves writing fiction inspired by real people, places, and events. She currently resides in central Minnesota on the banks of the Mississippi River, not far from where she grew up, with her husband and four children. By day, she’s a busy homeschool mom, and by night she pens fiction and non-fiction filled with hope. Learn more about Gabrielle and her writing by visiting www.gabriellemeyer.com.

Reviews

[Nikki Akerson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novella is packed full of all the feels. The story is impressively full of depth. The ending was a bit rushed but it’s understandable due to the length of the story. I can always count on this author for a good story.

[Staci · Rating 4 out of 5]

1852 Minnesota Territory

The Bachelor 1850s prairie version! And it's based upon actual events. What an odd situation for all five of them. While the actual details of the week are unknown, the author does a nice job of presenting how it may have played out.

[Angela Bell · Rating 4 out of 5]

In "The American Brides Collection," Gabrielle Meyer has curated a delectable assortment of eight novellas, rich and sweet as a box of chocolates.

Skillfully hand-crafted, each novella features nuanced characters, atmospheric settings, fascinating history, and heart-fluttering romance.

If historical romance is your favorite bookish treat, you’ll enjoy savoring The American Brides Collection!

📚 The American Brides Collection
📖 1) Virginia Company Bride
📖 2) Love's Undoing
📖 3) Four Brides and a Bachelor
📖 4) A Groom for Josette
📖 5) First Comes Love
📖 6) The Ranger's Reward
📖 7) A Tale of Two Hearts
📖 8) Bride of Basswood Hill

[twirlinginameadow · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite of this series so far!📚🌾💕
I adored Sarah’s character. I loved the descriptions of the prairie. I enjoyed the bachelor concept and how well handled it was. The love in this novella was also my favorite and felt more “real” compared to the others. I mean you have to take into account that these are novellas and the love is going to be quick lol. But, out of all three this one to me felt I don’t know, more serious? I don’t know how to describe it but you probably understand haha. It was sweet and heartwarming and I’m looking forward to more in this novella series! Oh! And there was more faith content in this one:)

[Hilary B · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25

[Kaity ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very sweet! I’m enjoying this series a lot! 🥰

[Audrey Colman · Rating 5 out of 5]

The tension this one! Y’all, I was a little nervous here and there that Sarah wouldn’t get Luke, or that she’d end up with John instead 🤭🤣 and then her dad is on his way!? I loved it. I love how quick and easy it is to read, but it’s still deep, emotional and faith filled.

Another amazing job! I’ve really enjoyed the notes at the ends of the books in this series so far! The attention to detail is phenomenal, and I feel like I’m getting to know Gabrielle through the blurbs at the end of the book.

[Cyndi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a sweet read!

After reading that this was Gabrielle’s first published book, I like it even more! The fact that it is based on a true story, makes it even better! I love the characters and I loved that although Sarah seemed to always be breaking the rules, many times she had noble reasons to do so. What pushed this into the 5-star category for me, was her respect for her father even while knowing what the answer might be. Good for all ages, especially teens who need a good example. 🙂

[Deanna Mosier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent and based on a true story!

I loved this sweet romance based on a true story. A missionary arrives at a mission house to marry, but finds there are four women to choose from! How will he decide in 5 days? Strong faith in God and prayer are important in big decisions! I enjoyed how he got to know each one, and the surprise twist at the end. Very excellent novella, which come to find out, was the author’s debut! I will continue reading her books, as many as I can!

[Meghan W. (Bookswithmegh) · Rating 5 out of 5]

MY THOUGHTS:
This one has been my favorite of this collection so far! It had my heart pounding, wondering who Luke was going to choose as his bride even though I had a very good idea! I appreciated Sarah's commitment to the Lord and how she approached life. The story was so sweet and heartwarming. I enjoyed how they weren't "in love" but knew they could be in time. It's great when a man is so sure about what he wants! Absolutely loved it.

GENRE: Historical fiction
PAGES: 121
RATING: 5☆

[Phyllis (Avid Reader) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars for this wonderful novella! The ONLY reason I didn't give it 5 stars was because the ending felt a bit rushed to me. Still, I loved this story. I was drawn into it on the first page.

It amazes me how well the author is able to develop the characters so well in her novellas.

This is such a sweet story, inspired by a real event, and full of nuggets of wisdom and a demonstration of commitment to the Lord.

I highly recommend it.

[Aurora Reading · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love all of Gabrielle's Novellas. She does historical romance so well. It's amazing how well she can capture characters, romance and history in such a short story! This is a quick read at 120 pages and just like the rest of the American Brides Collection, features a wonderful authors note in the back with the historical facts of the story and a little about the author. I love getting to know Gabrille through her stories and her historical notes.

[Courtney Vaughn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Honestly I enjoyed this but it was so fairytale-like it was hard to stomach at times. Then I read that it was the authors first published novel 10 years ago and it all made sense. Not bad considering that. Glad she’s incorporated a bit of tension and layering to her writing these days. Also, it’s a novella so hard to pack all that much into it. Still love Gabrielle Meyer

[Laura A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hi, I’m in my #gabriellemeyer era. 👋🏼 So far this year I’ve read 7 of her books and I’ll be reading 5 more by the time 2024 is done.

This was a fun read. Like her other historical fiction, it’s based upon true happenings. And so special that this was her 1st published book!

[Alyssa Shull · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this in one sitting. Super fast read and it was really cute. I just wish it was longer! I feel like all of these Novelas need to be full length, I wanted know the characters back stories and what happens afterwards life on the frontier like that. It was like the Bachelor meets Frontier times.

[Rachel Nolt · Rating 4 out of 5]

the prairie meets The Bachelor

Who needs the bachelor when you have Gabrielle Meyer writing the Prairie version of The Bachelor?

This darling story shares details of what life was like for missionaries who were not allowed to remain single. Enjoyed the plot.

[Tamara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have enjoyed each note that the author pens after each novella. Four Brides and a Bachelor was a unique, short, and well-crafted story. Each character was distinctive and though I didn't at first like some of them. This was a heartwarming story based on an actual place!

[Holly Pick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always love a Gabrielle Meyer book! She always transports me to wherever her story is and whatever time it’s taking place in! This was such a sweet story, like a Christian version of the bachelor! I loved it!

[Patty McGovern Pugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

good book

This was a good book. It was a bachelor show type story with one groom that had to get married and 4 women who also found out they could not stay and be missionary’s without being married. Very well written. It held my attention until the last page.

[Connie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Again, a wonderful story!

Another great story from this author….love the characters, time period, and the setting…looking forward to more from this author! Thanks!!

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Little House on the Prairie meets The Bachelor. Sweet, predictable, but a good short read.

[Lisa Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short, sweet, and clean, romance. One single man has to pick between four single women. A beautiful love story between Sarah and Luke, after a series of letters, expectations, and necessity.

[Lindy Leonard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet and engaging, with good character development for such a short story. I enjoyed it, I just felt that the ending wrapped things up much too easily.

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Falling in love with someone is different than loving them ... But loving someone is a commitment you make, day after day, for the rest of you life.

[Kassie Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably my favorite in this novella series so far!!

[Brandi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am loving this series of sweet little novellas. This was packed full of all the feels and I really enjoy Gabrielles writing and story telling.

[Emock · Rating 3 out of 5]

Skimmed to the end.

[Amanda Styler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish this novella was a novel! Very well done and it’s based on a true story. Love historical fiction done this way. Especially from a Christian perspective!

[Karri Stoerp · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one, like the others didn't disappoint! The story line flowed and kept me interested.

[Zoey Pick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good!