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Grayson Family #1
Always and Forever
A Mail Order Bride He Doesn’t Want – A Woman He Can’t Resist
The problem is that Nancy Mitchell can’t marry the man her father chose for her. Her only escape from the arrangement is to find another husband quick, so she concocts a desperate plan and agrees to become a mail order bride. When a drastic change in circumstances dumps her into the arms of Hal Grayson, a handsome grieving man who hates her family, she is forced to rethink her hastily made plan. Can the captivating and spirited Nancy Mitchell reawaken Hal Grayson’s grieving heart?
The problem is that Nancy Mitchell can’t marry the man her father chose for her. Her only escape from the arrangement is to find another husband quick, so she concocts a desperate plan and agrees to become a mail order bride. When a drastic change in circumstances dumps her into the arms of Hal Grayson, a handsome grieving man who hates her family, she is forced to rethink her hastily made plan. Can the captivating and spirited Nancy Mitchell reawaken Hal Grayson’s grieving heart?
Please Note: Always and Forever is the SWEET edition of When I Fall in Love, book 1 in Wendy Lindstrom's award-winning and New York Times bestselling Grayson Brothers series.
278 pages, ebook
First published January 3, 2016
2202 people are currently reading
612 people want to read
About the author
Wendy Lindstrom
25 books138 followersNew York Times & USA Today Bestselling Author Wendy Lindstrom is known for the riveting emotional power of her work. Romantic Times has dubbed her “one of romance’s finest writers,” and readers rave about her enthralling characters and “masterfully crafted” stories. She is the creator of the “original Grayson Brothers” series that begins with RITA award-winner Shades of Honor. This bestselling series is available in ebook, paperback editions, and audiobooks.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 101 reviews
Want to read
June 4, 2018💝FREE on iBooks today (6/4/2018)!💝
Want to read
June 4, 2018💝FREE on iBooks today (6/4/2018)!💝
March 19, 2020
Slow, meandering story. Not bad, but you have to like the sort of storytelling where every little thought and action is described.
January 3, 2016
I love when a series I love gives me a prequel to show me how it all began, and that's what we have with When I Fall in Love. Now is your chance to get to see how Hal and Nancy's story began.
Hal is a strong, emotional, prideful man. He feels things deeply, whether it be obligation to family, or emotions for those that he loves. He's got an endearing wit about him that you have already seen in his sons in the Grayson brothers series. He's quick to anger and quick to forgive, he's prideful, but caring.
Nancy is a strong, stubborn woman. Readers of the Grayson brothers series know that in the way she supported each of her sons as they navigated their own love stories. But seeing her young self starting out in the world is an interesting look into how a young girl turns into the strong matriarch of the Grayson family. It's fun to watch her journey from young, frightened girl into strong wife to Hal Grayson.
This story takes the reader back more than twenty years before the first Grayson brother book and almost fifty years back from the most recent Grayson book and it's interesting to see snippets of Fredonia earlier in history. The town in many cases serves as a character in and of itself and as a reader you can really feel yourself walking the streets of Fredonia beside Hal and Nancy as they begin their life together.
Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Hal is a strong, emotional, prideful man. He feels things deeply, whether it be obligation to family, or emotions for those that he loves. He's got an endearing wit about him that you have already seen in his sons in the Grayson brothers series. He's quick to anger and quick to forgive, he's prideful, but caring.
Nancy is a strong, stubborn woman. Readers of the Grayson brothers series know that in the way she supported each of her sons as they navigated their own love stories. But seeing her young self starting out in the world is an interesting look into how a young girl turns into the strong matriarch of the Grayson family. It's fun to watch her journey from young, frightened girl into strong wife to Hal Grayson.
This story takes the reader back more than twenty years before the first Grayson brother book and almost fifty years back from the most recent Grayson book and it's interesting to see snippets of Fredonia earlier in history. The town in many cases serves as a character in and of itself and as a reader you can really feel yourself walking the streets of Fredonia beside Hal and Nancy as they begin their life together.
Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
October 18, 2018
This was a good read. A little fun, emotions, good characters, some ups and downs, courage, determination, silver linings, great personalities, and a really good HEA. I enjoyed reading this and got caught up in the life. Something that is good for anytime reading but better on a cold night some popcorn, a drink and a blanket. Sweet and strong. Enjoy
January 25, 2016
Beautiful historical love story, with secrets and a mail order bride. Full review on http://www.tbqsbookpalace.com Feb 1st.
November 16, 2023
Great
Not an action novel but to me a true romance. Well written and yes I did enjoy it thank you
Not an action novel but to me a true romance. Well written and yes I did enjoy it thank you
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November 25, 2021Stop this nonsense
If this was steamy well I don't know. Bad advertising hurts the work. Steamy? Ain't even lukewarm. And then it turns out to be a short story masquerading as a novel.
If this was steamy well I don't know. Bad advertising hurts the work. Steamy? Ain't even lukewarm. And then it turns out to be a short story masquerading as a novel.
May 3, 2021
Sweet
This has the perfect pacing and development. You really go through the emotional journey of the hero and heroine. Such exquisite story.
The heroine escaped from an arranged marriage by becoming a mail order bride. She meets the hero who’s the brother of her deceased groom. They ended up marrying and since she is barely 17 yrs old at that time the marriage was more in name only. They spent time going through the motions of getting to know each other and adjusting to married life and financial challenges. The heroine is strong in a graceful and endearing way. She really provided support to the hero. The hero is the steady and strong and understanding type. He is firm and yet has such a tender heart. There is a lovemaking scene but it is not vulgar. More of a 2.5 heat level out of 5. Their journey to their HEA is so sweet. And the epilogue is so nice. But the thing that made me sad (and get ready because this is a spoiler) is that this series has 7 books and the last book featured the heroine in this book and she was widowed. My heart broke because I witnessed the amazing journey of the hero and heroine only to find out the hero dies some time in their future.
This has the perfect pacing and development. You really go through the emotional journey of the hero and heroine. Such exquisite story.
The heroine escaped from an arranged marriage by becoming a mail order bride. She meets the hero who’s the brother of her deceased groom. They ended up marrying and since she is barely 17 yrs old at that time the marriage was more in name only. They spent time going through the motions of getting to know each other and adjusting to married life and financial challenges. The heroine is strong in a graceful and endearing way. She really provided support to the hero. The hero is the steady and strong and understanding type. He is firm and yet has such a tender heart. There is a lovemaking scene but it is not vulgar. More of a 2.5 heat level out of 5. Their journey to their HEA is so sweet. And the epilogue is so nice. But the thing that made me sad (and get ready because this is a spoiler) is that this series has 7 books and the last book featured the heroine in this book and she was widowed. My heart broke because I witnessed the amazing journey of the hero and heroine only to find out the hero dies some time in their future.
August 31, 2024
This is the first Wendy Lindstrom book that I've read, and I am so impressed! The characters are written with such depth, with trackable history, makes it easy to immediately feel connected to the story. Nancy Mitchell's family is extremely wealthy, but her father has chosen to engage her to a man that her twin sister is in love with. Nancy decides to protect her sister at all costs and answers a mail order bride ad and run away. John Radford Grayson and his brother Hal have a lumber mill and Hal also makes furniture. They are frantically working with very little sleep to make the business successful. John has written a mail order bride ad, even though the house they live in is a pigsty and they live on apples and eggs, he feels a woman would be able to at least keep house and feed them. But John has an accident in the wagon, which turns over and crushes him. Now Hal is left to not only try to keep their business running, but also must deal with the woman that is on her way to marry John. This is a great book, with a ton of backstory, I promise it will keep you reading. Excellent!
June 9, 2024
Sweet story. Poor editing
This read like an old fashioned love story. It was a very nice change of pace. Unfortunately the editing didn't match. It is absolutely as bad as many other current day books. There are word errors, grammar issues, and inconsistencies. (exited for existed, access for assess; writing 'been able to' instead of 'not been able to', which turns the meaning around 180°. Referring to a piece of bedroom furniture as both a bedside stand and as a dressing table.)
This is a leisurely read with the plot involving some less than complete truth, and the subsequent lack of communication causing shock and distrust when uncovered.
I settled in comfortably to begin this book, only to be jolted and prodded to discomfort and the chore of editing while reading. It is otherwise a lovely little story.
This read like an old fashioned love story. It was a very nice change of pace. Unfortunately the editing didn't match. It is absolutely as bad as many other current day books. There are word errors, grammar issues, and inconsistencies. (exited for existed, access for assess; writing 'been able to' instead of 'not been able to', which turns the meaning around 180°. Referring to a piece of bedroom furniture as both a bedside stand and as a dressing table.)
This is a leisurely read with the plot involving some less than complete truth, and the subsequent lack of communication causing shock and distrust when uncovered.
I settled in comfortably to begin this book, only to be jolted and prodded to discomfort and the chore of editing while reading. It is otherwise a lovely little story.
July 8, 2019
Repetitive scenario of a young rich girl with a penchant towards 'lying', whose father arranged a marriage and she sought out an alternative. Of course she's beautiful, although the man she married was the brother of the intended who unexpectedly died from an accident in order to save her reputation. The entire book surrounded her desire to become a 'true wife' of the overworked groom via showing him her worth. Her deception catches up with her resulting in a further quandary. Saccharin sweet novel, including the groom who speaks like a nobleman. Mostly predictable theme with a happily-ever-after outcome for those enjoy this genre.
July 11, 2017
Having not read anything on this book prior to starting it, I had a really hard time figuring out the connection to the rest of the Grayson series -- especially since this was book 7 -- when really it should have been book 1! I truly enjoyed the story anyhow and when I finally figured it out, felt so dumb! I guess I just never really knew grand-mamma Grayson's name or I would have connected sooner!
Now on to her "after Hal" story which began in book 6 I believe! I've been looking forward to this one!
Now on to her "after Hal" story which began in book 6 I believe! I've been looking forward to this one!
May 2, 2021
Just fantastic
This slow and sweet book was so enjoyable. If it hadn’t been free on Kindle I wouldn’t have purchased it as mail-order brides in America aren’t my usual historical romance style and I usually hate the keeping your past a secret until it causes a problem trope. But I am so glad that I got this one. The author has given us fully formed characters with full emotional ranges that can be lacking in romance novels. The descriptions have you feeling that you are actually there, like you can smell Nancy’s dinners or the sawdust on Hal’s boots.
Just fantastic.
This slow and sweet book was so enjoyable. If it hadn’t been free on Kindle I wouldn’t have purchased it as mail-order brides in America aren’t my usual historical romance style and I usually hate the keeping your past a secret until it causes a problem trope. But I am so glad that I got this one. The author has given us fully formed characters with full emotional ranges that can be lacking in romance novels. The descriptions have you feeling that you are actually there, like you can smell Nancy’s dinners or the sawdust on Hal’s boots.
Just fantastic.
October 2, 2023
When I Fall in Love (Book 1) By Wendy Lindstrom
Five stars, Nancy made have been upper class born and raised, but she love her family so much that she left home so her twin could marry. The man her twin was marrying was arranged for her, but she left and became a mail order bride. Before she arrive her fiance was killed and she forced his brother to honor the agreement. Hal, didn't want to marry but he did. Nancy had secrets, but she hope the love she had growing for her husband would overcome any problems. Secrets, passion, and trust it was a good ending.
Five stars, Nancy made have been upper class born and raised, but she love her family so much that she left home so her twin could marry. The man her twin was marrying was arranged for her, but she left and became a mail order bride. Before she arrive her fiance was killed and she forced his brother to honor the agreement. Hal, didn't want to marry but he did. Nancy had secrets, but she hope the love she had growing for her husband would overcome any problems. Secrets, passion, and trust it was a good ending.
February 10, 2018
Corny at best
This book is poorly written. There are so many typos and missed or added words that it was very distracting. It needs an editor in a bad way! The book would be half the size if Lindstrom didn't repeat things over and over. The dialogue was very corny and not realistic. And a 16-year-old taking on what Nancy took on. I laugh at that! The other books in this series were better, but we probably could've done without this poorly written prequel.
This book is poorly written. There are so many typos and missed or added words that it was very distracting. It needs an editor in a bad way! The book would be half the size if Lindstrom didn't repeat things over and over. The dialogue was very corny and not realistic. And a 16-year-old taking on what Nancy took on. I laugh at that! The other books in this series were better, but we probably could've done without this poorly written prequel.
May 21, 2018
Book 1 in the Grayson Brothers series. I found the book enchanting, loved the characters and the story line. Nancy answered a mail order bride ad. She found it the perfect way out of an arranged marriage that her father was lining up. Hal's brother was to wed Nancy. He ended up dying. Hal wanted to send her back the moment she stepped off the train. What would a well to do lady want with a poor lower class life? Hope to read more book of this series!
December 14, 2019
Many typos and over commentated
I love that the book was vintage and clean with good morals and family values.
But the author uses redundant expressions and commentary that made me want to skim rather than read the story. I read... and came across many typos, causing me to feel the book was hastily edited and produced.
Almost too sweet and endearing, I simply can not highly recommend this book.
I love that the book was vintage and clean with good morals and family values.
But the author uses redundant expressions and commentary that made me want to skim rather than read the story. I read... and came across many typos, causing me to feel the book was hastily edited and produced.
Almost too sweet and endearing, I simply can not highly recommend this book.
September 28, 2020
Always is Forever
Nancy called herself protecting her sister’s love by running away and marrying someone she found in an ad. Hal jus wanted to send the young woman back that had been promised to marry his brother John. Things didn’t go as planned for either Hal or Nancy and slowly but surely they found themselves falling in love with each other. It may have been a marriage not of their making but they made the most of it and carved out their own world of love.
Nancy called herself protecting her sister’s love by running away and marrying someone she found in an ad. Hal jus wanted to send the young woman back that had been promised to marry his brother John. Things didn’t go as planned for either Hal or Nancy and slowly but surely they found themselves falling in love with each other. It may have been a marriage not of their making but they made the most of it and carved out their own world of love.
October 31, 2020
A good story. This is a mail-order bride story. There are so many that I'm sure it is difficult to make the story unique. This one is good. I am always distracted by grammar and typo errors, and this one has plenty. I counted 20. Maybe not so many to some people. But I feel like a book that is worth publishing, is worth having the best team of proofreaders. Thus the reason for my 3 stars instead of 4. A 5-star book would be outstanding in every way.
March 23, 2021
When I Fall in Love (Grayson Brothers Book 1)
The love story of Hal and Nancy. Hal is angry with his brother, John, for advertising for a mail order bride. She is on her way there and now John was kill in an accident. What is he to do with her? Nancy do not wish to marry the man her sister love so she becomes a mail order bride. She know the Grayson family and think she will find love. One problem Hal Grayson hate her father.
The love story of Hal and Nancy. Hal is angry with his brother, John, for advertising for a mail order bride. She is on her way there and now John was kill in an accident. What is he to do with her? Nancy do not wish to marry the man her sister love so she becomes a mail order bride. She know the Grayson family and think she will find love. One problem Hal Grayson hate her father.
February 22, 2022
Hal & Nancy
A short and a beautiful love story. Mail order bride is one of my favorite HR tropes. At the beginning I was a bit disappointed with the setting of the story but the romance was good, slow burn and well written so I liked it a lot. I could see a change in the the characters through the book and Hal was gentle and kind. Both main characters were good for each other as the secondary characters. I think the author mirrored the society at that time perfectly.
A short and a beautiful love story. Mail order bride is one of my favorite HR tropes. At the beginning I was a bit disappointed with the setting of the story but the romance was good, slow burn and well written so I liked it a lot. I could see a change in the the characters through the book and Hal was gentle and kind. Both main characters were good for each other as the secondary characters. I think the author mirrored the society at that time perfectly.
October 28, 2023
Challenges Courageously Met
Nancy flees an arranged marriage to protect her beloved twin. She becomes a mail order bride but a cruel twist of fate takes the life of her intended before she arrives at her destination. So she marries his brother instead and gradually learns that they were right for one another even though they must overcome many hardships together. Love finds them, and they overcome the deceit that threatened to tear them apart.
Nancy flees an arranged marriage to protect her beloved twin. She becomes a mail order bride but a cruel twist of fate takes the life of her intended before she arrives at her destination. So she marries his brother instead and gradually learns that they were right for one another even though they must overcome many hardships together. Love finds them, and they overcome the deceit that threatened to tear them apart.
July 1, 2024
When I fall in Love (The Grayson Family Book 1)
This is probably the best Western Romance Novel that I have ever read!! It was absolutely amazing from page one to the very lovely ending. I can not believe how so much love can be in a single wonderful book. This Author is now one if my very favorite and I read a hundred books a year! I can not wait to read every book in this wonderfully Romantic Series..
This is probably the best Western Romance Novel that I have ever read!! It was absolutely amazing from page one to the very lovely ending. I can not believe how so much love can be in a single wonderful book. This Author is now one if my very favorite and I read a hundred books a year! I can not wait to read every book in this wonderfully Romantic Series..
December 18, 2017
Made it 70% in
I enjoyed about the first half of this book, but started skipping pages soon after. There was some minor tension but nothing to keep me interested after about 65%. The story had plenty of conflict left unexplored. Maybe it was being saved for the end, but I just couldn't make it there, sorry!
I enjoyed about the first half of this book, but started skipping pages soon after. There was some minor tension but nothing to keep me interested after about 65%. The story had plenty of conflict left unexplored. Maybe it was being saved for the end, but I just couldn't make it there, sorry!
May 21, 2018
Sweet and clean romance story. Enjoyed it so much.
Although there were a number of grammatical errors, duplicated words, etc., it didn't detract from the story itself.
I do believe the author could have left out some scenarios. I admit to skimming some pages now and then, but again, it was a delightful read.
Although there were a number of grammatical errors, duplicated words, etc., it didn't detract from the story itself.
I do believe the author could have left out some scenarios. I admit to skimming some pages now and then, but again, it was a delightful read.
June 14, 2018
Beautiful writing
I loved Wendy's full descriptions. You can picture yourself in the middle of each scene or perhaps viewing from a hidden vantage point. The characters are reflected with emotions most anyone could feel. I enjoyed the growth of the relationship between Hal and Nancy. It was not stagnant. So many facets to them and their lives.
I loved Wendy's full descriptions. You can picture yourself in the middle of each scene or perhaps viewing from a hidden vantage point. The characters are reflected with emotions most anyone could feel. I enjoyed the growth of the relationship between Hal and Nancy. It was not stagnant. So many facets to them and their lives.
August 16, 2019
A lovely story that I want to say is beautifully written but it is need of an editor. A couple of minor grammatical errors of tense, a couple of clunky repetitions, but the errors that most disturbed the flow were that they played croquette — that’s a crumbed meatball— and that he spent a wakeless night on the sofa. Grr.
February 17, 2020
Wonderful lovestory
What a wonderful story. Nancy and Hal made me laugh, cry and want a love like theirs. I enjoyed getting to know their town, friends and neighbors. Story also reminded me that we can do anything we set out minds on.
I can I begin to express my enjoyment. Hope many others will love it as well.
What a wonderful story. Nancy and Hal made me laugh, cry and want a love like theirs. I enjoyed getting to know their town, friends and neighbors. Story also reminded me that we can do anything we set out minds on.
I can I begin to express my enjoyment. Hope many others will love it as well.
October 4, 2020
A wonderful story about love and family
I can't wait to read more from this writer! Author Wendy Lindstrom has the amazing gift of introducing her characters and revealing more about them as the story unfolds. With her wonderful skills of describing the environment, I felt as though I was there experiencing the adventure.
I can't wait to read more from this writer! Author Wendy Lindstrom has the amazing gift of introducing her characters and revealing more about them as the story unfolds. With her wonderful skills of describing the environment, I felt as though I was there experiencing the adventure.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 101 reviews