Justin's Bride

by Susan Mallery

After seven long years, Justin had finally stopped running.

Though years had passed since he'd left town, Justin Kincaid still had something to prove. Especially to Megan Bartlett, the only woman he'd ever loved --- and the one woman he could never forgive.

This couldn't be happening, Megan told herself. Justin was back. Justin Kincaid had returned. But the boy he'd been was gone, replaced by a man who'd brought Megan a child to cherish. And her own secret past to confront.

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Westerns, Historical, Harlequin Historical, Fiction, Harlequin

299 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published April 1, 1995

About the author

#1 New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery writes heartwarming and humorous novels about the relationships that define women's lives—family, friendship, romance. She's best known for putting nuanced characters into emotionally complex, real-life situations with twists that surprise readers to laughter. Because Susan is passionate about animal welfare, pets play a big role in her books. Beloved by millions of readers worldwide, her books have been translated into 28 languages.

Critics have dubbed Mallery "the new queen of romantic fiction." (Walmart) Booklist says, "Romance novels don't get much better than Mallery's expert blend of emotional nuance, humor, and superb storytelling," and RT Book Reviews puts her "in a class by herself!" It's no wonder that her books have spent more than 200 weeks on the USA Today bestsellers list.

Although Susan majored in Accounting, she never worked as an accountant because she was published straight out of college with two books the same month. Sixteen prolific years and seventy-four books later, she hit the New York Times bestsellers list for the first time with Accidentally Yours in 2008. She made many appearances in the Top 10 before (finally) hitting #1 in 2015 with Thrill Me, the twentieth book in her most popular series, the Fool's Gold romances, and the fourth of five books released that year.

Susan lives in Washington state with her husband, two ragdoll cats, and a small poodle with delusions of grandeur. Her heart for animals has led Susan to become an active supporter of the Seattle Humane Society. Visit Susan online at www.SusanMallery.com.

Reviews

[Gemma]

I did not like that the hero was supposedly in love with the heroine, yet slept with a prostitute repeatedly. And when the heroine is understandably upset about it, the hero justifies himself that he was a young man with needs, and she needed to understand that. Ick. Buddy, if you're that horny, use your hand, not a hooker.

[June · Rating 3 out of 5]

Justin returns to his hometown, where he grew up as the bastard to the woman who worked at the saloon. He was run out of town when the local whore was found beaten unconscious. She claimed it wasn't him when she recovered. Now he has returned 7 years later as the sheriff. The whore was murdered before he returned and he is investigating her murder and taken in her child. However, he hadn't planned on finding his former fiance who spurned him when he was falsely accused.

[Susannah Carleton · Rating 3 out of 5]

The big misunderstanding drags on forever (or so it seems), with the hero more inclined to hold onto it than the heroine, since something she said started it.

The bad guy’s identity was fairly obvious early, but not proven until the end.

The main characters’ development was slow but steady, and the story was well written and interesting, as was the development of the hero’s and heroine’s relationship.

[Libbi Longworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're looking for a sexy, old timey western with mysterious murders this book's your best bet! ;)

[Jerry Jares · Rating 3 out of 5]

Because I'd delayed writing a review for 6-7 weeks, I checked what others had to say about this particular story. I only remembered that it was a very ordinary story with too much angst going on in the two leads' minds. After reading all the 5-star reviews, I doubted I'd read the same book. It had made so little impression that I couldn't remember this novel's substance enough to give a review of my own. I reread the book to see if I'd missed some of the star quality in one of Susan Mallery's early published works.

This is a story about Justin Kincaid; he'd left his hometown as the resident bad-boy and came back as the sheriff of the small town. When his fiancee Megan Bartlett decided not to leave town with him seven years ago, Justin was crushed. During the intervening years, Justin did some smart things. He was guided by a man who became his friend and mentor. Williams convinced Justin that he needed to go back and look at things from an adult's perspective so he could settle the ghosts of his past.

Justin was surprised to see that Megan was still in town and unmarried. They clashed immediately and often. Years before, Megan had asked Justin not to tell of their engagement; he saw that as proof that she was ashamed of him. However, it wasn't really 'all about him.' Both had had childhoods from hell, but Justin thought her upbringing was idyllic because her family was better at hiding their secrets. Justin may have been as 'handsome as sin' but he held out forgiveness until the last pages. I didn't find him to be a particularly admirable character.

There's a mystery included in this story and the resolution was quite satisfactory. However, the story could have been shortened by 20+ pages because the leads were involved in too much interior dialogue -- saying the same things repeatedly.
One person found this helpful

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't usually care for the seond chance scenario. My experience has been that once a relationshp is over, it stays over and can't be rekindled, especially seven years later, but Justin and Megan are still young and have learned a lot about themselves in those seven years. They are different people. Set in the 1800's in Kansas in a small frontier town, reputations are important as is the church. I enjoyed watching Megan work her way through her feelings about her reputation in the town. I was a bit surprised at her conclusions. I would have thought she would decide to at least be discreet and not flaunt herself so that everyone knows what she's doing. Not caring what others think about you is one thing. Shoving it in their face is another. She confused me to the end. Justin, on the other hand, was a delight right from the start. Mrs. Dobson and Bonnie added a lot to the story, too.

[Luz T · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was tempted to stop reading this book half way thru, but I didn't. I enjoy reading a romance where you see the love of the protagonists grow, this was not the case. What a pair of annoying characters! It was not until the last page that he forgives her and has no more doubts about her loving him. It seems to me that that cloud of doubt will always be over his head.

[Tawnya · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was only the second "Western" Romance I have read by Mallery, and it was very good. Not like many of her other books that I have read, even found myself checking the cover to make sure it was one of her books a few times. Not in a bad way though! I definitly recommend this book.

[Madam Claire of Whistley Woo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my second romance novel to ever read. Thanks, Kate!

[Sylvia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Western

[Karyn Gerrard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another second hand store pick up, another enjoyable read. Justin was a fine hero. Released in 1995, and another western historical that stands the test of time.

[Hildegart · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one of a few historical romances that I have enjoyed.

[K. A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reread this one a lot too.