What do you think?
Rate this book
Marvells of Montana #1
The Montana Bride
She’s not running anymore…
After a decade away, Jacie Rose has returned with her daughter to Sweetheart to renovate a historic hotel…and to lay some ghosts to rest. She knows she’ll have to confront mistakes she made in the past, but she didn’t expect to be living right next door to the guy she once asked to be her husband.
When Brett Starr was approached ten years ago by Jacie Rose with the wild scheme of marrying her to help her out of a jam, his white knight instincts kicked in and he agreed to be her emergency groom. The only problem was that the bride didn’t show up for the wedding. How’s he supposed to get used to seeing the woman he’s never forgotten every day now that she’s his neighbor?
Determined to provide the secure home life for her daughter that she never had, Jacie is not about to bring a man into her life—even one that she sometimes thinks should have been there all along. But Brett and Jacie soon discover the spark between them is even stronger than before… Now that their paths have crossed again, will they lead them back to the wedding that almost was?
Previously titled The Secret Bride
After a decade away, Jacie Rose has returned with her daughter to Sweetheart to renovate a historic hotel…and to lay some ghosts to rest. She knows she’ll have to confront mistakes she made in the past, but she didn’t expect to be living right next door to the guy she once asked to be her husband.
When Brett Starr was approached ten years ago by Jacie Rose with the wild scheme of marrying her to help her out of a jam, his white knight instincts kicked in and he agreed to be her emergency groom. The only problem was that the bride didn’t show up for the wedding. How’s he supposed to get used to seeing the woman he’s never forgotten every day now that she’s his neighbor?
Determined to provide the secure home life for her daughter that she never had, Jacie is not about to bring a man into her life—even one that she sometimes thinks should have been there all along. But Brett and Jacie soon discover the spark between them is even stronger than before… Now that their paths have crossed again, will they lead them back to the wedding that almost was?
Previously titled The Secret Bride
222 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 15, 2015
1802 people are currently reading
728 people want to read
About the author
Jeannie Watt
111 books141 followersJeannie Watt lives on a small cattle ranch and hay farm in southwest Montana. When she's not writing, she enjoys making mosaic mirrors, sewing, and pretending that the house is neat and tidy.
Jeannie loves to hear from readers. Please contact her via her website www.jeanniewatt.com.
Jeannie loves to hear from readers. Please contact her via her website www.jeanniewatt.com.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 111 reviews
February 12, 2021
The Montana Bride was the first book in the Marvels of Montana series by Jeannie Watt. It was my first book by the author.
Jacie Rose had come back to her small home town after a ten year hiatus in the big city. She had left quickly, leaving a terrible home situation and was no longer the eighteen year old when she left. She was now a successful engineer and was brought in to oversee a large hotel renovation. What she hadn’t counted on was running into the boy - now man - that she had left behind without a trace.
Brett Star had just returned home to live after giving up his rodeo spurs for settling down to run his newly acquired hay farm. Then surprisingly the girl he never forgot, but who left him at the altar, was now his new neighbor.
As expected, sparks flew but the past and her priority of being a single mom was between them. And the relationship was a slow process and a slow burn. As a result, it was difficult to see the connection between the two at times. Maybe because I couldn’t relate, but I just didn’t always gel with her.
Watt also included the power hungry, duel personality, step dad villain as the antagonist. And add in a few other small town affluent busy bodies and a challenging plot unfolded. I enjoyed both aspects of the storyline but desired a deeper dive into the conflict as well as a more in-depth conclusion.
All in all, it was an intriguing read. The storyline progressed a little slow for me, but the busy body townsfolk kept me guessing and turning the pages. Lil, Jacie’s best friend, is up next in The Christmas Secret.
Jacie Rose had come back to her small home town after a ten year hiatus in the big city. She had left quickly, leaving a terrible home situation and was no longer the eighteen year old when she left. She was now a successful engineer and was brought in to oversee a large hotel renovation. What she hadn’t counted on was running into the boy - now man - that she had left behind without a trace.
Brett Star had just returned home to live after giving up his rodeo spurs for settling down to run his newly acquired hay farm. Then surprisingly the girl he never forgot, but who left him at the altar, was now his new neighbor.
As expected, sparks flew but the past and her priority of being a single mom was between them. And the relationship was a slow process and a slow burn. As a result, it was difficult to see the connection between the two at times. Maybe because I couldn’t relate, but I just didn’t always gel with her.
Watt also included the power hungry, duel personality, step dad villain as the antagonist. And add in a few other small town affluent busy bodies and a challenging plot unfolded. I enjoyed both aspects of the storyline but desired a deeper dive into the conflict as well as a more in-depth conclusion.
All in all, it was an intriguing read. The storyline progressed a little slow for me, but the busy body townsfolk kept me guessing and turning the pages. Lil, Jacie’s best friend, is up next in The Christmas Secret.
December 26, 2016
Now I know I read quite a lot of books but this one was just so familiar from the very start. The character names, the events, the general plot were ones I’d read before, I knew what was going to happen. That’s when I checked and discovered I was right. This is a tweaked version of a story by the same author entitled ‘The Secret Bride’ that I’d read and reviewed in 2015. In that case the heroine returned to Cherry Lake, whilst in this one she’s returning to Sweetheart. Other than that and a few minor differences, it is essentially the same story IMHO and having read this new version, I think my original review is still appropriate.
This story concerns Jacie Rose who is returning toCherry Lake Sweetheart to help renovate the historic hotel. Jacie grew up in here but ran away when she was a pregnant teenager and this is her first time back in ten years. She’s bringing her daughter with her. With many events from a decade ago impacting on current events, meeting up with some of her old friends may well be welcome but what about the man she left waiting to marry her, Brett Jackson Starr, and her conniving, manipulative and vicious bullying ex stepdad? Life’s never simple but it is sure to be more complicated now!
… The characters are well developed, the emotional turmoil of Jacie deciding whether to dare to give their love a second chance yet being torn by loyalty to her daughter because of her traumatic teenage experiences with her step father all add to the drama. A great story, well written, enjoyable and engaging - a lovely romantic read to relax with, especially if you haven't read the previous version of it!
Many thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for gifting me an ARC of this novel with no obligation. This is my honest review.
This story concerns Jacie Rose who is returning to
… The characters are well developed, the emotional turmoil of Jacie deciding whether to dare to give their love a second chance yet being torn by loyalty to her daughter because of her traumatic teenage experiences with her step father all add to the drama. A great story, well written, enjoyable and engaging - a lovely romantic read to relax with, especially if you haven't read the previous version of it!
Many thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for gifting me an ARC of this novel with no obligation. This is my honest review.
December 24, 2016
This is the fifth book in this series, all written by different authors but based in the same community with characters, events and key plot events shared or alluded to in them all. I continue to be so impressed with how the authors collaborate to produce series like these, maintaining a very high standard in integrating plots and characters between them yet writing from their own points of view and in their own inimitable manner to put their individual stamp on their own book contribution to the series.
This story concerns Jacie Rose who is returning to Cherry Lake to help renovate the historic hotel which appeared in the earlier books. Jacie grew up in here but ran away when she was a pregnant teenager and this is her first time back in ten years. She’s bringing her daughter with her. With many events from a decade ago impacting on current events, meeting up with some of her old friends may well be welcome but what about the man she left waiting to marry her, Brett Jackson, and her conniving, manipulative and vicious bullying ex stepdad? Life’s never simple but it is sure to be more complicated now!
This is a great addition to the series but could still be read as a standalone. The characters are well developed, the emotional turmoil of Jacie deciding whether to dare to give their love a second chance yet being torn by loyalty to her daughter because of her traumatic teenage experiences with her step father all add to the drama. A great story, well written, enjoyable and engaging - a lovely romantic read to relax with!
This story concerns Jacie Rose who is returning to Cherry Lake to help renovate the historic hotel which appeared in the earlier books. Jacie grew up in here but ran away when she was a pregnant teenager and this is her first time back in ten years. She’s bringing her daughter with her. With many events from a decade ago impacting on current events, meeting up with some of her old friends may well be welcome but what about the man she left waiting to marry her, Brett Jackson, and her conniving, manipulative and vicious bullying ex stepdad? Life’s never simple but it is sure to be more complicated now!
This is a great addition to the series but could still be read as a standalone. The characters are well developed, the emotional turmoil of Jacie deciding whether to dare to give their love a second chance yet being torn by loyalty to her daughter because of her traumatic teenage experiences with her step father all add to the drama. A great story, well written, enjoyable and engaging - a lovely romantic read to relax with!
February 16, 2020
Forgot to add this to Goodreads apparently.
Pretty good, but outside my typical range of romance books. Probably the best free romance I've read to date. The characters were well written, the backstories were great, the events that played out were reliable and credible, and I just liked the progression of the romance. Worth the read.
Also pretty short, which was a plus.
Pretty good, but outside my typical range of romance books. Probably the best free romance I've read to date. The characters were well written, the backstories were great, the events that played out were reliable and credible, and I just liked the progression of the romance. Worth the read.
Also pretty short, which was a plus.
August 7, 2022
"Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review"
I really enjoyed reading this story. The story is sweet, the romance believable and the characters complex. The writing, as usual with Jeannie Watt, is good.
There are some details that I loved and that bring depth to the plot: the heroine’s (a strong woman, an engineer, a single mother) sexual inexperience, the fact that the hero is a regular guy with a regular job, his protective instincts and integrity.
There are even some twists on the usual tropes in romance and in this story it’s the heroine that, finally, takes the initiative and the hero refuses to be used. Cool…
The heroine’s daughter is a wonderful character too.
There’s some predictability but also some opacity and that combination contributes to a very pleasurable reading.
I'm grateful to the author, the publisher, Tule Publishing, and NetGalley for providing a free copy.
I really enjoyed reading this story. The story is sweet, the romance believable and the characters complex. The writing, as usual with Jeannie Watt, is good.
There are some details that I loved and that bring depth to the plot: the heroine’s (a strong woman, an engineer, a single mother) sexual inexperience, the fact that the hero is a regular guy with a regular job, his protective instincts and integrity.
There are even some twists on the usual tropes in romance and in this story it’s the heroine that, finally, takes the initiative and the hero refuses to be used. Cool…
The heroine’s daughter is a wonderful character too.
There’s some predictability but also some opacity and that combination contributes to a very pleasurable reading.
I'm grateful to the author, the publisher, Tule Publishing, and NetGalley for providing a free copy.
October 5, 2015
This is my first book to read by Jeannie Watt. I really enjoyed her writing style and love reading all the stories based in Cherry Lake, Montana. The characters are wonderful and the secondary characters make me want to know their stories. I hope there are more.
November 12, 2021
Perfect book for our "competition" theme challenge. It was just what I needed. Full review coming when I can sit still for longer than 5 seconds. Will post at TheZestQuest.com, then repost here. I'm looking forward to another book by this new-to-me author.
September 7, 2018
Review
I enjoyed reading this book. Life is funny and some times puts you where you need to be happy. The characters were real and charming
I enjoyed reading this book. Life is funny and some times puts you where you need to be happy. The characters were real and charming
December 15, 2016
Jeannie has given us a good Sweetheart story. There is a bit of action, twists and turns. This starts in the past. Jacie had to leave to save herself and left her best friend behind. Forward and Jacie is coming home with her daughter,Darby, who is 9 and loves horses. Brett finds they live beside him and his sister Megan and her horse ranch. Jacie is now an engineering contractor who is to rework the Hotel in town. She meets the problem that made her run. Her stepfather the Mayor. Major Spoiler! He is rotten to the core and tries to ruin her reputation. There are lots of problems solved between Jacie and Brett. Darby gets to ride horses. The mayor gets his comeuppance. You need to check out this book and see how it ends. It is a quick read
or at least feels like one. Please choose to read this story! I volunteered to read and review this book.
or at least feels like one. Please choose to read this story! I volunteered to read and review this book.
August 21, 2024
Excellent second chance journey for Jacie and Brett.
A decade has passed since Jacie has been back to her hometown of Cherry Lake, MT. She now has a daughter Darby, who comes first in her life, always, no question about it. What she doesn't count on is having her old crush Brett, living right next door and finding out her feelings haven't diminished one iota for that hot cowboy.
There's much more to all the reasons Jacie thinks she cannot be with a man because, again, her daughter needs to come first. In her experience stepdaddies are horrible and manipulative.
Brett has always had feelings for Jacie, but kept that to himself. So what Jacie proposes to him has him turning her down ... at first.
A lot of feels in here, plus Darby adds a lot of sage advice for a nine year old, and she really likes Brett.
A decade has passed since Jacie has been back to her hometown of Cherry Lake, MT. She now has a daughter Darby, who comes first in her life, always, no question about it. What she doesn't count on is having her old crush Brett, living right next door and finding out her feelings haven't diminished one iota for that hot cowboy.
There's much more to all the reasons Jacie thinks she cannot be with a man because, again, her daughter needs to come first. In her experience stepdaddies are horrible and manipulative.
Brett has always had feelings for Jacie, but kept that to himself. So what Jacie proposes to him has him turning her down ... at first.
A lot of feels in here, plus Darby adds a lot of sage advice for a nine year old, and she really likes Brett.
April 20, 2020
Fantastic
This book is a fantastic book. I love Darby the most. She is a 9 year old girl who is going on 30 most of the time. She is very wise for her age and sees a lot of things her mother does not won't her to see. Her mother Jacie has raised Darby by herself. There has never been a dad in the picture and Jacie plans to keep it that way. When Jacie is need to go back to Cherry Lake for work her rental property is beside Brett the man she was supposed to marry 10 years ago. What will happen now. How does Darby doin Cherry Lake and has Jacie and Brett moved on after all this time? You must read to find out. But you will not be disappointed.
This book is a fantastic book. I love Darby the most. She is a 9 year old girl who is going on 30 most of the time. She is very wise for her age and sees a lot of things her mother does not won't her to see. Her mother Jacie has raised Darby by herself. There has never been a dad in the picture and Jacie plans to keep it that way. When Jacie is need to go back to Cherry Lake for work her rental property is beside Brett the man she was supposed to marry 10 years ago. What will happen now. How does Darby doin Cherry Lake and has Jacie and Brett moved on after all this time? You must read to find out. But you will not be disappointed.
March 3, 2023
Jacie and Brett really belong together if Jacie can get out of her own way
A great second (third) chance. Jacie and Darby move back to where Jacie grew up because of her job. She never imagined she would run into the boy she left at the alter so to speak. Brett recently bought the farm next door to her rental. They both had a crush on the other but never acted on it. Jacie realizes that those feelings are still there a decade later but tries to hide them. Will she be able to keep them hidden and keep the promise she made to herself when Darby was born? Can Brett convince her he is not like her ex stepfather? How does Darby feel about her starting to date?
A great second (third) chance. Jacie and Darby move back to where Jacie grew up because of her job. She never imagined she would run into the boy she left at the alter so to speak. Brett recently bought the farm next door to her rental. They both had a crush on the other but never acted on it. Jacie realizes that those feelings are still there a decade later but tries to hide them. Will she be able to keep them hidden and keep the promise she made to herself when Darby was born? Can Brett convince her he is not like her ex stepfather? How does Darby feel about her starting to date?
April 24, 2018
The Montana Bride
This book had great potential to be a great story if it weren't for Jacie's insecurities. I kept waiting for her to realize not all men were like her step father. I got super bored with Jacie repeating over and over that her daughter would not be hurt by a step father or moms boyfriend. We had to wait until the very end for her to give Brett a chance. I read three other books in between finishing this one. I wanted to yell JUST STOP!!!!
This book had great potential to be a great story if it weren't for Jacie's insecurities. I kept waiting for her to realize not all men were like her step father. I got super bored with Jacie repeating over and over that her daughter would not be hurt by a step father or moms boyfriend. We had to wait until the very end for her to give Brett a chance. I read three other books in between finishing this one. I wanted to yell JUST STOP!!!!
May 8, 2018
Love and second chances
Jacie's mother marries a man to give her a dad and he is abusive jerk. She has crush on best friend in high school but he is with someone else. She rebels in her senior year and ends up pregnant from one time at party and never sees guy again. She ask Brett (high school crush) to marry her but runs away instead. Ten years later she is back and he is available. They get their second chance
Jacie's mother marries a man to give her a dad and he is abusive jerk. She has crush on best friend in high school but he is with someone else. She rebels in her senior year and ends up pregnant from one time at party and never sees guy again. She ask Brett (high school crush) to marry her but runs away instead. Ten years later she is back and he is available. They get their second chance
September 19, 2019
I really enjoyed reading this book. It was a quick read. I loved Cherry Lake. Quite a reunion for Jacie. Although a enjoyable read I didnt like Jacies insecurities. Totally get putting your kid first but it went so much farther than that. I absolutely loved Brett. Such a great character. By the end I was dissapointed in the way the book finished. I really would have liked to get a little more. It was to abrubt an ending for me.
All in all an enjoyable read.
All in all an enjoyable read.
January 30, 2020
A girl comes home after ten years sway, with an engineering degree and her nine year old daughter.
The man she had left at the courthouse was her next door neighbor, and his sister had his pasture full of horses, perfect for her horse loving daughter, not so much for her. She had a renovation job to supervise, a daughter to raise, an ex-stepfather to avoid, and no time to moon over the man she had always had a crush on.
The man she had left at the courthouse was her next door neighbor, and his sister had his pasture full of horses, perfect for her horse loving daughter, not so much for her. She had a renovation job to supervise, a daughter to raise, an ex-stepfather to avoid, and no time to moon over the man she had always had a crush on.
January 12, 2021
Montana Romance
Too much pain and bad memories from childhood keep Jacie from seeing a future with Brett, her high school crush. Now she’s back home for 2 months and the attraction is still there. Unfortunately, Jacie can’t let go of the past to do anything about it.
Strong female in so many ways but emotionally crippled by her mother’s marriage to 2nd husband. Used being there for her daughter over and over again to push away love interest. Just grew old quickly.
Too much pain and bad memories from childhood keep Jacie from seeing a future with Brett, her high school crush. Now she’s back home for 2 months and the attraction is still there. Unfortunately, Jacie can’t let go of the past to do anything about it.
Strong female in so many ways but emotionally crippled by her mother’s marriage to 2nd husband. Used being there for her daughter over and over again to push away love interest. Just grew old quickly.
November 8, 2024
Jacie Rose was a pregnant teenager who asked her friend Brett Jackson to marry and he agreed. But on the wedding day, Jacie ran away to have her baby and go to college. Ten years later Jacie returns to Cherry Lane with her daughter to refurbish a hotel. Jacie sees Brett and they are still in love with each other. Will their love last? Stay tuned ro find out about their romance. I really enjoyed this fantastic contemporary romance novel.
November 8, 2024
Jacie Rose was a pregnant teenager and asked her friend Brett Jackson to marry her which he agreed. But on the wedding day, Jacie ran away to have her baby and go to college. Ten years later, Jacie returns to Cherry Lane with her daughter to refurbish a hotel. Jacie sees Brett and they are still in love with each other. Will their love last? Stay tuned to find out about their romantic relationship. I really enjoyed this fantastic contemporary romance novel.
January 12, 2017
Jacie returns to Montana with her daughter and runs into her almost groom Brent.
These two must come to an understanding to join their futures together. Enjoyed the characters and setting. Looking forward to reading more in this series.
Ebook from netgalley and publishers with thanks. Opinions are entirely my own.
These two must come to an understanding to join their futures together. Enjoyed the characters and setting. Looking forward to reading more in this series.
Ebook from netgalley and publishers with thanks. Opinions are entirely my own.
April 4, 2018
Single mom finds love
A hometown girl who left for the big city. to escape an abusivre stepfather and getting pregnant by a stranger. Also left a best friend at the altar after asking him to marry her. She returns ten years later with her daughter . She is an engineer in charge of a big project. Sparks fly between her and Brett the friend she jilted..
A hometown girl who left for the big city. to escape an abusivre stepfather and getting pregnant by a stranger. Also left a best friend at the altar after asking him to marry her. She returns ten years later with her daughter . She is an engineer in charge of a big project. Sparks fly between her and Brett the friend she jilted..
May 6, 2018
I haven’t read books by this author before. The book was ok, the characters were well developed but I got a little annoyed at Jacie for thinking all men are the same and not giving Brett a chance. I think this book had potential but never really got going for me.
Plus the spelling mistakes drove me nuts!
Plus the spelling mistakes drove me nuts!
July 4, 2018
A second chance with an old beau
Jeannie Watt writes a satisfying book about dealing with choices made in youth. Becoming pregnant, leaving her family and friends behind to fulfill her dreams lead to facing her past. The journey to her future was a study in becoming a whole person. A great read.
Jeannie Watt writes a satisfying book about dealing with choices made in youth. Becoming pregnant, leaving her family and friends behind to fulfill her dreams lead to facing her past. The journey to her future was a study in becoming a whole person. A great read.
July 16, 2018
SWEET-SLOW & BORING. I HAD A HARD TIME TRYING TO STAY INTERESTED, BY 38% I WASN’T FEELING ANY DIFFERENT. SHE JUST DIDN’T KNOW HOW TO JUGGLE HER SINGLE PARENT LOVE LIFE. THERE IS A WAY TO HAVE AN ADULT LIFE WITHOUT INVOLVING YOUR CHILDREN IN IT. HER CHOOSING TO BE FRUSTRATED IS SENDING THE WRONG MESSAGE TO HER DAUGHTER. LIFE DON’T HAVE TO BE THAT HARD. THIS GOT SORT OF SILLY NEAR THE END. ;\
February 17, 2020
A great hometown love story...
I enjoyed reading this book . It had many different unexpected changes which keeps the reader interested about what was going to happen next...thus it was a fast read. I enjoyed the characters whose personalities came through to the reader very clear. It is definitely a "chick" read love story.
I enjoyed reading this book . It had many different unexpected changes which keeps the reader interested about what was going to happen next...thus it was a fast read. I enjoyed the characters whose personalities came through to the reader very clear. It is definitely a "chick" read love story.
November 3, 2025
it’s 3.65 but I don’t want to round down
Enjoyable. Not groundbreaking. I think it had potential to be a solid 4/5 but overall pleasant.
I think Jacie could have been stronger although I understand where her fear came from. Brett was not about to beg, but there’s something to be said about fight for what you want. Sigh.
Enjoyable. Not groundbreaking. I think it had potential to be a solid 4/5 but overall pleasant.
I think Jacie could have been stronger although I understand where her fear came from. Brett was not about to beg, but there’s something to be said about fight for what you want. Sigh.
December 31, 2025
Jacie and Brett have history - not the usual history but a friendship that could have been more if Jacie hadn't run away. Now Jacie is back in her hometown, with a young daughter, Darby, in tow and a job to do. Brett just happens to live next door and while they sort out what happened and what can happen Darby is busy working out how to get a dad. A great start to a series.
April 4, 2018
True Love
Jackie is back to Cherry Lake after running away pregnant 18. Brett would have married her to help her out but she got sacred. Now 10 years later is back doing a job and has her daughter with her, and has to deal with her awful ex step-dad.
Jackie is back to Cherry Lake after running away pregnant 18. Brett would have married her to help her out but she got sacred. Now 10 years later is back doing a job and has her daughter with her, and has to deal with her awful ex step-dad.
April 6, 2018
This book is a great second chance story. 💕💖💕
Jackie is a woman who doesn't know how to trust a man... and with good reasons. But the one man she has trusted is Brett. And having him around is scaring her because he is stirring up lots of feelings she thought were long gone. 💞💗💞
Jackie is a woman who doesn't know how to trust a man... and with good reasons. But the one man she has trusted is Brett. And having him around is scaring her because he is stirring up lots of feelings she thought were long gone. 💞💗💞
April 8, 2018
Enjoyed!
Enjoyed this book and ready to read Book two. I love contemporary western stories and this was close. Characters were fun, loved the strong female engineer a n d her tough/soft character.
Enjoyed this book and ready to read Book two. I love contemporary western stories and this was close. Characters were fun, loved the strong female engineer a n d her tough/soft character.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 111 reviews