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American Mail-Order Brides #13

Alice: Bride of Rhode Island

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Alice: Bride of Rhode Island is thirteenth in the unprecedented 50-book American Mail-Order Brides series.

Fleeing her step-father and an arranged marriage in Newport, Alice Endicott finds work as a seamstress at the Brown Textile Mill near Boston. When a devastating fire destroys the factory, she and all the girls face dire unemployment circumstances. But hope arrives when their manager, Roberta McDaniel, shares the Grooms’ Gazette with them. Each woman will choose a husband and become a mail-order bride. As Alice’s friends—Lottie, Leora, Judith, Beth, Lessie and Josie—embrace the idea, she too becomes caught up in the excitement of a grand new adventure.

When fisherman Frank Martel contacts her, Alice can’t pass up the opportunity to return to Rhode Island despite her step-father’s presence. Upon arriving at the train station in Tiverton, however, Frank neglects to meet her.

James Martel is shocked to find a woman at the rail depot claiming to be his brother’s fiancée. Even more surprising is her connection to a man who ruined James’ father years before. When Frank confesses that he can no longer wed Alice, James steps forward to fill the role since the beautiful young woman holds the key to avenging the Martel name.

Can Alice convince her new husband that their marriage is worth saving once she discovers his subterfuge? And will James learn that love is more important than revenge?

A sweet romance set in 1890 America.

163 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 1, 2015

93 people are currently reading
130 people want to read

About the author

Kristy McCaffrey

71 books518 followers
Kristy McCaffrey writes historical western romances brimming with grit and emotion, as well as romantic contemporary adventures. Her work is filled with smoldering romance, compelling heroes, determined heroines, and her trademark mysticism.

Although she holds a bachelor's and master's degree in mechanical engineering, she shifted to being a stay-at-home mom and part-time writer until her four children were grown. Now she runs her writing business full-time while enjoying the perks of being the boss, which mostly entails playing with her grandchildren whenever the opportunity arises.

Her first novel, The Wren, was a CAPA winner for Best New Author Traditional, a Texas Gold finalist, and a HOLT Medallion finalist for Best First Book. The Sparrow was a 2012 Winter Rose Winner. The Blackbird won the 2015 Laramie award for Best in Western Romance. Her contemporary adventure, Cold Horizon, was a 2021 National Excellence in Romance Fiction winner, and Ancient Winds was a 2022 HOLT Medallion finalist.

An Arizona native, Kristy resides in the desert north of Phoenix with her husband and rescue mutt - an American Bulldog named Jeb. Sign up for her newsletter at http://kmccaffrey.com/subscribe/ to receive her latest book news as well as subscriber-only content.

Kristy is a member of Novelists Inc.

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5 stars
160 (55%)
4 stars
79 (27%)
3 stars
40 (13%)
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7 (2%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
Profile Image for Glenda Kinard.
223 reviews5 followers
July 14, 2020
It takes a special author to hold my attention and an even more special one to touch my heart very deeply. Kristy McCaffrey is one author that does both. I very rarely read a book without reading the back cover to see what the book is about but I knew with an author as great as Kristy there was no need to for she is an absolutely wonderful!
Alice: Bride of Rhode Island certainly didn’t disappoint!! I loved Alice’s strength and mostly her spunk for she was not a pushover nor was she going to let a man get an upper hand no matter how badly she loved the man. This book was extremely well written and most enjoyable. I look forward in the future to reading even more books by Kristy McCaffery a most intriguing and interesting author.
Profile Image for Julie Lence.
Author 22 books48 followers
July 1, 2020
Kristy McCaffrey's Alice, Bride of Rhode Island is the best sweet romance I've read in a long time!! I hated to put this book down as I was immediately drawn to Alice and James. Alice never liked her stepfather, so when her mother died and her stepfather tried to force her into marriage, she ran away and found work in a factory. But the factory burned down and many of the girls are answering newspaper ads for mail order brides. Alice is no exception, except the ad she answers takes her back to her home state of Rhode Island and not out west. Her intended is Frank, but Frank decides to stick with his girlfriend and talks his older brother, James, into marrying Alice. Alice's stepfather is the man who cheated Frank and James' father and since James has long dreamed of evening the score, he agrees. But what he doesn't count on in is falling in love with Alice and her turning the tables on him.

I loved these two. Right from the start, it's clear they belong together. Alice is young and innocent and is enamored with James, who does his best to keep her at arm's length. Learning she is to inherit a fishing company in a few months, he's determined to keep their marriage in name only, claim her inheritance and then divorce her. But the more he learns about her, the more he's drawn to her and rethinking his decision regarding their marriage. Toss in Alice's stepfather, her grandmother and an unexpected ally to help Alice realize her dreams and determine if James really does love her and you'll keep turning the pages as fast as I did!
Profile Image for JoAnne.
3,147 reviews32 followers
June 18, 2020
The book is set in the late 1800's and is a historical romance. Alice is a strong character once she learns to get a backbone. Although she ran away from her stepfather's home in Newport, Rhode Island when she didn't want to marry the person he chose for her, in other parts of her life she is afraid to speak up. She travels from Massachusetts, after the factory she worked at is burned down, to Tiverton, RI as a mail-order bride. That doesn't work out the way she expected but his brother, James, steps up to the plate.

We get to know the characters and their secrets a little at a time but there is a lot of miscommunication or non communication. There are some unsavory characters as well as hidden agendas on several of their parts. There are wonderful descriptions and since I know the area it was nice to see some some of the references. There are twists and turns to the story with a nice flow but there were still loose ends at the conclusion of the story. The prologue sets the stage and the epilogue gave me the happily ever after I look for.

I've read a couple of books in this series previously and enjoyed them. I look forward to reading more of them.
Profile Image for Janalyn, the blind reviewer.
4,607 reviews143 followers
August 10, 2020
The best American mail order bride book ever!

This book was so freaking good! Unlike most of the girls who were laid off due to the fire while Alice is waiting for a letter from Mr. Hughes in Iowa she receives one from a MeMartel from Rhode Island, her home state. At first she is hesitant because that’s weird receiving a letter to become a mail order bride, But after speaking to Roberta and finding out what happen she feels comfortable with the situation and gives up on Mr. cues and decides to go to Rhode Island., But after arriving at the train station and waiting an hour she finally sees a brooding handsome man approach her after a disheveled little boy asks her for a penny in the man says Toby leave her alone after the boy then tries to pull over behind the train station. No let me stop the summary here just to say they discussed Toby and how he is a 10-year-old thief who is homeless and he was dirty and disheveled, I thought he was going to be a part of the book do you know how they like to save unwanted wayward children but no after this thing we never see poor little homeless 10-year-old Toby again. Back to the summary after she gives Toby a nickel she turns to the man and ask him does he know a Frank Martel? After changing the shock on his face to knowing, he said yes that’s my brother I’m sorry who are you? She says I’m his mail order bride. The shot then returns to his face, but he agrees to take her to the fishery. Now this is when we find out that Frank only sent for Alice because she is going to inherit her father’s fishing business. Now her father when he was alive gave Frank and James his father money to invest in his company, but until the father could pay Allison and Daddy back he would own the company unfortunately both men died and Allison’s mother married the terrible Daniel who tried and failed to take everything that Allison‘s father left for her he took it all except for his fishing business. Nor did he honor the agreement that her father had with Frank and James is Daddy. Now this is where the story gets good and well I say it gets good it really gets good. You might think that it is rinse lather and repeat like all mail order bride stories, well you would be wrong. This book reads like a historical romance novel. Nothing is predictable… OK it is a MLB so somethings are predictable… But a lot of it is not and I’m telling you the end is awesome The whole book is awesome. So if you love historical romances, historical novels and or mail order bride stories you must read this book… Did I mention it was freaking awesome!
Profile Image for Jane.
33 reviews1 follower
July 9, 2025
This installment in the series was a pleasant surprise! The plot had more substance than I expected, and I appreciated that the conflict actually felt justified—it wasn’t just a simple misunderstanding or miscommunication, which is a refreshing change in this genre.

But while the storyline was solid, the romance itself felt a little flat. The chemistry between the characters came across as a bit forced, and I would’ve loved to see more time spent building their connection naturally. A few more meaningful interactions could’ve made their relationship feel more earned and emotionally satisfying.

Still, it’s a quick, engaging read with a stronger plot than some others in the series—definitely worth picking up if you're making your way through the collection.
Profile Image for Jamie Wagnor.
247 reviews2 followers
August 17, 2025
Alice and James

The story was okay. I greatly enjoyed parts of it while others were just annoying. James and his deceit were forgiven by Alice way too easily. She had a backbone for half a second and then gave in. He never really had to earn her back either. Lillie was a so-so character. She, like the book in general, had moments of greatness and then moments where it was just eye roll worthy. As for the “villain”, I actually didn’t hate Daniel. He wasn’t a bad guy in the typical sense, or in how William was. He seemed to truly care and yes I do know he had a motive- but then again- so did James. Kinda hard to hate one without hating the other.
417 reviews
August 28, 2018
Nice Story but a Change of Pace

This American Mail Order Brides story is quite different. Although the heroine does work for Brown Textile Factory, she does not go west, she goes to Rhode Island where the story involves fishing businesses. It was a nice change of pace from the stories involving the west. The author created such good secondary characters I wish she would add more stories about them.
Profile Image for Loraine.
3,447 reviews
August 4, 2025
Another good novella from the American Mail-Order Bride series. Another victim of the Brown Textile Mill fire who is looking to be a mail-order bride. A young man accepts her letter; but when she arrives in Rhode Island from Pennsylvania he is not there to receive her. He apparently has accepted someone else, and his brother has shown up in this place. Will Alice and James click or will all sorts of interferences keep them apart.

This was an easy read and enjoyable to follow.
25 reviews1 follower
May 12, 2018
A fun read

I really enjoyed reading Alice's story. As you can understand she had a few missteps in finally coming into her own. Between her step father and of course her husband. But with the help of some strong female friends she was able to stand strong against her step father and for her husband.
Profile Image for Barbara R. Cady.
1,080 reviews4 followers
August 10, 2018
Neat book!!!

I love this author and this is the first of this series I've read. It was a good storyline and the characters were very likable. I will be continuing to read this series.
Profile Image for Semia McFadden.
1 review
May 19, 2020
Great story

I love the length of the book and how it kept me in suspense. I'm happy with the ending, but I wish that she had also taken possession of her family's home. I also like the fact that the author gave women power in a time that they wouldn't have had any.
3,583 reviews16 followers
May 31, 2022
This book was really good!

I loved this one, so far most of this series has been very enjoyable and this one didn't disappoint! The only thing I was hoping for was for her stepfather to end up broke and maybe homeless didn't happen.
Profile Image for Liberty.
422 reviews
March 12, 2023
Mixing business with pleasure

Alice is one of my favorite characters in the American Mail-Order Brides series. I love her spunk, intelligence, and her resourcefulness. Her story is very creative and clever and I thoroughly enjoyed the surprises in her story.
Profile Image for Nancy.
375 reviews1 follower
February 5, 2017
It was a good clean book! I thought the book moved rather slow and hammered away at the one and only story line.
115 reviews
April 4, 2018
Intriguing story

I admired the strength and determination of Alice as she challenged herself to not be dictated to by the men in her life.
Profile Image for Debra Miller.
246 reviews
May 20, 2018
Great book!





I enjoyed this book very much and look forward to reading more from the author and more from this series!


Profile Image for Cissie Breland.
332 reviews2 followers
May 22, 2018
Twists and turns

This story had many twists and turns and ups and downs. Alice is so unsure of herself and her decisions.
Profile Image for Jo Herman.
18 reviews
May 25, 2018
Terrific read!

Another thoroughly enjoyable read in this series. Evil stepfather, sweet revenge, happily ever after. What more can you ask for?
161 reviews2 followers
April 17, 2020
Not your normal mail order bride

A really interesting story with many twist and turns. Keeps you wondering what will happen next. Happily ever after still might happen.
Profile Image for Heather.
225 reviews2 followers
September 28, 2022
Well written. Great storyline. The author made an effort to tie the books together a bit more so than previous books.
Profile Image for Cindy.
2,010 reviews39 followers
July 8, 2017
This series was my first experience with multiple authors working together to write a series on a large scale. I enjoyed every book in the series and found several new authors that I hadn't read before.
Profile Image for Jennifer Guffey.
1,113 reviews41 followers
December 29, 2015
Alice: Bride of Rhode Island (American Mail-Order Bride #13)
By: Kristy McCaffrey
4/5 stars


Alice left Rhode Island to escape the marriage that her step-father had arranged for her. She got a job in the textile factory which later burned to the ground. She refused to return to her step-father’s home, especially after the passing of her mother, and refused to contact him to ask for money, lest he force her to return & marry the man he had chosen for her.

A young fisherman had contacted her about marrying him after seeing her name in a paper of potential brides. Though that wasn’t the way things normally worked, all the women believed that it would be okay, especially since he had been checked out by Miss Miller, the lady who ran the mail-order bride agency.

However, when she arrived, the young man who sent for her was already betrothed to another woman, so his older brother, James Martel stepped in and married her. However, James only agrees to marry her because she is the only way to avenge his father who was wronged by Alice’s step-father.

When everything comes to light, a divorce is possible even though they aren’t common and rarely happen at the woman’s insistence. They have to decide whether to fight for their marriage or just let it all go.
Profile Image for Patty Nobles.
377 reviews5 followers
July 23, 2016
“Alice-Bride of Rhode Island,” is Kristy McCaffrey’s contribution to the American Mail-Order Bride Series, and it is the perfect tale to be included. Alice Endicott has taken the bold move in becoming a mail-order bride, but instead of waiting for the man she had been conversing with she jumps at the chance to wed a fisherman in nearby Rhode Island. Alice fled her home in Rhode Island to remove herself from her stepfather’s tyrannical rule, but she longs to go home and feel the sea breeze upon her face. James Martel is nursing a grudge against a man who decimated his father’s company, and now he finds himself pushed into a marriage with the man’s stepdaughter who may prove to be useful in fulfilling his vendetta. Alice is clueless about the issues between her husband and stepfather, but when she does, she must find a way to protect her heart and her inheritance from them both. This is a well-developed narrative with likable characters that allows the reader to become immersed within the story
Profile Image for Shirl.
198 reviews
January 18, 2016
Alice, Bride of Rhode Island Bk#13 in the series

Alice and James came together under false assumptions.

Alice was sent off to boarding school at a young age then she lost her job due to a fire in the factory. Now trying to start a new life with a new husband that wants to live in separate bedrooms. Will she ever find happiness? Why did her husband marry her if he doesn't want to be with her in all ways? Is there another reason he married her? Will they be able to find love together?

Alice is a strong woman and will do what she has to do to survive. Even if it means doing it on her own.

The story was good and made you stand behind this wonderful woman and cheer her on in this small fishing village where she grew up.

I liked how the author described the state and what business went on there, fishing!
Profile Image for Judy Esposito.
969 reviews13 followers
March 21, 2016
Alice: Bride Of Rhode Island!

This is the third book I have read in the American Mail Order Brides Series and I have enjoyed it as much as the other two. But than I enjoy reading Kristy McCaffrey books. I loved this one, it's a clean romance, a little suspense with a few surprises to keep you turning the pages. I liked Alice and wanted her to have the HEA that she was looking for. And I liked James the more I got to know him. Well written with wonderful characters and descriptions of the surrounding series. Well worth buying and reading. JudyE
Profile Image for Melissa.
351 reviews18 followers
December 22, 2015
A Great Fish Story

I liked Alice from the start. She wanted to return to Rhode Island where she grew up. I felt bad that her marriage didn't start out like she wanted. I enjoyed her and James's story. I believe that love shows up when you least expect it. The other characters are also enjoyable.

I recommend this story to anyone who likes mail order brides and a bit of intrigue.
Profile Image for Susan Robinson.
315 reviews5 followers
January 29, 2016
Pretty good read... Not quite the typical mail order bride story. Biggest problem I had was the era issue. At one point the main character is called Ms. Endicott - in 1890 women weren't being addressed as Ms. Also, Alice is at one point wandering around the town, including the docks and warehouses. Women, especially society bred women wouldn't be allowed to be in that part of town by themselves without an escort or at least a driver. She would have known that. Just seemed a little odd.
Profile Image for Kathy .
1,302 reviews3 followers
February 5, 2016
This series is off to a fine start. Alice has run away from her wealthy stepfather only to return too his clutches when, as a mail order bride, she marries a man with revenge on his mind. At first, all James can think about is using Alice tho get his family's company back. The two have several obstacles to overcome as they fall in love and learn to believe and trust in one another.
Profile Image for Jeene Hobbs.
558 reviews1 follower
April 7, 2016
Retiring to Rhode Island for Romance

Another installment in the 50 American mail order bride series. This is a story of greed, deception, reconciliation, newly discovered self assurance and, of course, romance set within the Rhode Island fishing industry.

The whole series is a joy to read.
Profile Image for Javaladybuggmail.com.
77 reviews3 followers
February 6, 2016
A Seaworthy adventure

While fishing and oceanic themes run through this story they play the foil for a feisty and adventure filled story. Love, renewed familial ties and a love story that keeps the pages turning.. Enjoy it!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews

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