Secret Marriage

by Kathleen Thompson Norris

No dust cover and pages are aged but in good condition. Binding is tight. Doubleday, 1936 MXM3

Genres: Fiction

320 pages

First published January 1, 1935

About the author

Educated at the University of California, Kathleen married Charles Gilman Norris, brother of the late Benjamin Franklin Norris, Junior, in 1909. She was a prolific author, producing over 80 novels in addition to numerous short stories and articles. Norris was a regular contributor to leading magazines such as Atlantic and Ladies' Home Journal. Her first novel, Lost Sunrise, appeared in 1909 and was immediately popular. By the end of her career her books had sold over ten million copies and made her the highest paid female author of her day.

Reviews

[Gina House · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5🌟 A charming and cozy vintage romance!

Reading Kathleen Norris books is incredibly addictive. As soon as I finish one, I want to start another right away. My collection is slowly growing and I hope I love the books on my TBR as much as I've loved the titles I've read so far!

Here's what I love about Kathleen Norris' books in general:

❤️ Cozy descriptions (home, clothing, food)
❤️ Light and engaging writing
❤️ Usually include a twist of some kind that you don't see coming
❤️ Likable female protagonists that always do the best they can for others
❤️ Happy (or at least satisfying) endings

The only thing I sometimes find frustrating in her novels is the fact that there is a good deal of sacrifice when it's not entirely necessary. Also, it's almost always the woman who is making this sacrifice—usually to the point of causing herself emotional or physical distress. In the end, the situation turns itself around (at least in the books I've read so far), but the anxiety at the time is a little uncomfortable.

Now that I know how this author structures the story in each of her novels, I have a little less anxiety while reading them.

But, even with this "flaw", I enjoy every moment of reading her vintage romance novels. Once you reach a certain point, the momentum just carries you forward until you have to finish it. Thrilling in a good way and definitely a fantastic choice for a buddy read. There's so much to talk about after reading one her books.

Highly recommended if you love domestic women's fiction with a light romance included!

[Sophie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was tough to read at times. Mary is an easy heroine to admire, and I loved Norris's insights into her youthful character. But Mary pays an awfully high price for her foolish decision—higher than I was comfortable with. Frankly, I was ready for her to stop being so dutiful and self-sacrificing and dump her arrogant, clueless husband before the "secret marriage" was a week old.

[Gina · Rating 3 out of 5]

A captivating read, but it was easy to get frustrated with Mary's self-sacrificing. Not the ending I was hoping for.

[Carly · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5