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American Mail-Order Brides #45
Lessie: Bride of Utah
Lessie: Bride of Utah is forty-fifth in the unprecedented 50-book American Mail-Order Brides Series. [Rated PG]
**Sweet Romance Appropriate for All Audiences**
[EDITION 2 with minor typographical errors corrected]
Lessie and her twin sister Josie are entirely on their own. When the Brown Textile Mill burns and Lessie loses her job, long-unemployed Josie insists they seize the opportunity for a fresh start with a pair of husbands in Utah Territory… their best chance of remaining together.
The illusion shatters minutes after the wedding ceremonies when Lessie’s new husband Richard Cannon sends the other couple far away to New Mexico Territory. Cannon Mining is under attack from within, and Lessie’s husband requires her help to bridge the chasm between his silver-spoon upbringing and the workers he employs— men who won’t hesitate to kill to achieve their goals.
Can a genuine and abiding love be forged from a marriage of convenience?
**Sweet Romance Appropriate for All Audiences**
[EDITION 2 with minor typographical errors corrected]
Lessie and her twin sister Josie are entirely on their own. When the Brown Textile Mill burns and Lessie loses her job, long-unemployed Josie insists they seize the opportunity for a fresh start with a pair of husbands in Utah Territory… their best chance of remaining together.
The illusion shatters minutes after the wedding ceremonies when Lessie’s new husband Richard Cannon sends the other couple far away to New Mexico Territory. Cannon Mining is under attack from within, and Lessie’s husband requires her help to bridge the chasm between his silver-spoon upbringing and the workers he employs— men who won’t hesitate to kill to achieve their goals.
Can a genuine and abiding love be forged from a marriage of convenience?
191 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 1, 2016
129 people are currently reading
134 people want to read
About the author
Kristin Holt
27 books116 followersKristin Holt, USA Today Bestselling Author writes Sweet Victorian Romance set in the American West. She writes frequent articles about the nineteenth century American west--every subject of possible interest to readers and amateur historians. She contributes monthly to Sweet Americana Sweethearts.
~ Sweet Romance Appropriate for All Audiences ~
~ Sweet Romance Appropriate for All Audiences ~
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
August 4, 2017
I've read several of these American Mail-Order Brides series (There's one for EVERY state!) and have been delighted at the quality and entertainment values of the stories.
Lessie and her sister Josie have consented to become mail-order brides out of desperation following the fire that destroyed the factory where they worked. Richard Cannon and his cousin Adam are wealthy owners of a chain of mines. Unable to bridge the gap between their employees and their own patrician upbringing, they need working-class wives in order to help them understand their workers' plights. So, "desperation meets convenience" which normally is a bad way to begin a marriage arrangement! Is there a happy ending in sight?
Not only is this a heartfelt romance but a dangerous mystery involving sabotage is thrown into the mix. The author's skill at weaving the sensual attraction between these two newly-weds without the in-your-face overt sexual details is admirable.
This series, the brain-child of the authors over at the Pioneer Hearts group on Facebook, has seriously caught my interest. I'll probably end up reading every single one of them eventually. The only problem will be deciding which one to read next. If you're interested, a good place to start is right here with this one.
Lessie and her sister Josie have consented to become mail-order brides out of desperation following the fire that destroyed the factory where they worked. Richard Cannon and his cousin Adam are wealthy owners of a chain of mines. Unable to bridge the gap between their employees and their own patrician upbringing, they need working-class wives in order to help them understand their workers' plights. So, "desperation meets convenience" which normally is a bad way to begin a marriage arrangement! Is there a happy ending in sight?
Not only is this a heartfelt romance but a dangerous mystery involving sabotage is thrown into the mix. The author's skill at weaving the sensual attraction between these two newly-weds without the in-your-face overt sexual details is admirable.
This series, the brain-child of the authors over at the Pioneer Hearts group on Facebook, has seriously caught my interest. I'll probably end up reading every single one of them eventually. The only problem will be deciding which one to read next. If you're interested, a good place to start is right here with this one.
January 10, 2018
A quick, fluffy read. Miss Holt worked magic in making the romance believable in spite of the marriage of convenience set-up and the short length of the story. I also love how Lessie stand-up for herself with such grace. I didn’t feel disparity of power in their relationship even though the hero is so much richer, more educated and has complete legal rights over his wife.
Me when the hero did something sweet and caring for the heroine
Only, I’m not as pretty as Jean Arthur
Me when the hero did something sweet and caring for the heroine
Only, I’m not as pretty as Jean Arthur
February 10, 2016
Very sweet feel good romance. (Closed door).
Nevertheless I enjoy the concept of 50 mail order brides for 50 States.
Nevertheless I enjoy the concept of 50 mail order brides for 50 States.
January 3, 2016
Bride of Utah: Lessie and Richard's story
I really enjoyed this book. Maybe because it takes place in my home state; or maybe it's because it was well written; or maybe because I enjoy a good, clean romance. Actually, it's all of the above. The story is about two cousins (Richard and Adam) sending away for two mail-order brides with "a familial association". The women who answer the advert (Lessie and Josie) are twins. You can't get much more familial than that. When the sisters arrive in Utah Territory and meet their prospective husbands they find out (after the marriage ceremony) that they will be separated for the first time in their lives. The cousins are owners of a successful mining operation that has been suffering some bad accidents at two of their most prosperous mines; one in Utah Territory and the other in New Mexico Territory. Adam and Josie leave just a short time after the wedding. Lessie is NOT a happy camper about this situation. After a rough beginning Richard and Lessie start to admire each other and Lessie becomes a real asset to her husband in dealing with the mine problems. Then things take a tragic turn and the aspiring love between husband and wife is put to the test. There are a couple of plot twists you don't see coming and just show what a great writer Ms. Holt is. I can't wait for Josie: Bride of New Mexico.
I really enjoyed this book. Maybe because it takes place in my home state; or maybe it's because it was well written; or maybe because I enjoy a good, clean romance. Actually, it's all of the above. The story is about two cousins (Richard and Adam) sending away for two mail-order brides with "a familial association". The women who answer the advert (Lessie and Josie) are twins. You can't get much more familial than that. When the sisters arrive in Utah Territory and meet their prospective husbands they find out (after the marriage ceremony) that they will be separated for the first time in their lives. The cousins are owners of a successful mining operation that has been suffering some bad accidents at two of their most prosperous mines; one in Utah Territory and the other in New Mexico Territory. Adam and Josie leave just a short time after the wedding. Lessie is NOT a happy camper about this situation. After a rough beginning Richard and Lessie start to admire each other and Lessie becomes a real asset to her husband in dealing with the mine problems. Then things take a tragic turn and the aspiring love between husband and wife is put to the test. There are a couple of plot twists you don't see coming and just show what a great writer Ms. Holt is. I can't wait for Josie: Bride of New Mexico.
May 17, 2016
I enjoyed this mail order bride book. It had some great elements. It's hard to find well written mail order bride stories. This one was a little scattered in places but had a good story and the characters were well done. These are not long novels but take a couple hours to read. I wish we had heard a little more of the sisters story, I thought this would be about the tow of them but all the focus was on one sister. This is a clean romance but there is a lot of talk of intimacy between the two that makes this an adult read.
January 3, 2016
Great read!!
Fantastic book, I really enjoyed it. I can't wait to read new Mexico now, I'm sure that one will be just as great as this one!!!
Fantastic book, I really enjoyed it. I can't wait to read new Mexico now, I'm sure that one will be just as great as this one!!!
February 9, 2017
My least favorite of the books series so far. I found the bride in this book to be too annoying to be likeable.
August 9, 2017
Book 45 in the American Mail-Order Bride Series. A factory fire forces Lessie, and her twin Josie, to look to their future. Finding an ad wanting women who are related, they answer it. Their journey takes them to Utah to marry cousins. Lessie and Josie have never been separated from one another. Lessie isn't so sure about marrying Richard. A grand home and owning a mining company, is a little overwhelming for her. Lessie has great ideas to help the mining company recover from hard times. A shooting incident threatens their future together. A great read and I am off to find out about her sister, Josie in book 47.
August 13, 2017
"Love Develops Quickly"
This is a mail-order brides story which is a sweet romance story suitable for all readers. Lessie and her twin sister, Josie, are on their own when the local textile mill burns down and leaves Lessie without a job. Josie has already been long unemployed so they seek a new life with a pair of men in Utah. The two sisters want to stay close together but minutes before the wedding ceremonies ... well, you can guess one pair may not be staying in Utah for long! The story line is great as two strangers grow to respect each other and slowly fall in faithful love. A good story to read in one evening.
This is a mail-order brides story which is a sweet romance story suitable for all readers. Lessie and her twin sister, Josie, are on their own when the local textile mill burns down and leaves Lessie without a job. Josie has already been long unemployed so they seek a new life with a pair of men in Utah. The two sisters want to stay close together but minutes before the wedding ceremonies ... well, you can guess one pair may not be staying in Utah for long! The story line is great as two strangers grow to respect each other and slowly fall in faithful love. A good story to read in one evening.
July 29, 2017
Much closer to what a mail order bride novel should be!
This novel comes closer to what a mail order bride novel should be. This book is a historical romance with mail order bride and it benefits from the union. The characters , while still thin, area much more fully realized and there is a plot that is more than an outline! It even manages to keep the mail order bribe novels only redeeming feature the "sex" scenes are almost chaste, which should please mothers of adolescent children.
This novel comes closer to what a mail order bride novel should be. This book is a historical romance with mail order bride and it benefits from the union. The characters , while still thin, area much more fully realized and there is a plot that is more than an outline! It even manages to keep the mail order bribe novels only redeeming feature the "sex" scenes are almost chaste, which should please mothers of adolescent children.
September 3, 2017
Ms. Holt surpassed my expectations. Lessie and her twin sister become brides for two men who are best friends (and cousins and business partners). Lessie is a take-charge kind of woman, and she's very protective of her sister. There's a Pride and Prejudice feel to Lessie's first impressions of her husband. So much is squeezed into a beautifully written story: romance, amazing historical details, mystery, poverty, Christmas, and the sense of finding family connections.
(FYI: There's a fades-to-black/closed-door scene.)
(FYI: There's a fades-to-black/closed-door scene.)
December 12, 2018
This is the first book I have read from this author. It is a lot of sugar and spice. I normally don't read romance novels. This one was okay, it was more like a happily ever after.
This book takes place mostly in Ogden Utah. This is where I grew up. Our beautiful Union Station still stands as a icon, a museum now. ZCMI a department at 24th street and Washington Blvd. I shopped there before it was torn down. This is what a like about this book, the history behind it.
This book takes place mostly in Ogden Utah. This is where I grew up. Our beautiful Union Station still stands as a icon, a museum now. ZCMI a department at 24th street and Washington Blvd. I shopped there before it was torn down. This is what a like about this book, the history behind it.
July 31, 2017
I really enjoyed this clean, Historical, Western Romance. I voluntarily chose to review it. I've given it a 5* rating. This had mystery, romance, along with a lot of historical info on mine then. It had a lot of interesting twists to it. I really liked that it concerned twin sisters. That's the only thing I'll give away. These people made do with so little that we take for granted today.
September 23, 2017
I started this series when it was first published then became sidetracked half way through. I recently read a short story by Kristin Holt in an anthology which lead me back to this series, particularly this book. I am so thrilled to have read it. It was exciting, interesting, and brought me back into this series. Looking forward to reading the rest.
August 19, 2023
So many emotions...
Lessie's story brings out all of the emotions: sad, happy, anxious, relieved, surprised....I continue to be amazed with the beautiful, engaging stories in this series, and how each one is completely different. I loved every moment of Lessie's story and I can't wait to read Josie's.
Lessie's story brings out all of the emotions: sad, happy, anxious, relieved, surprised....I continue to be amazed with the beautiful, engaging stories in this series, and how each one is completely different. I loved every moment of Lessie's story and I can't wait to read Josie's.
May 20, 2017
Great story
Lessie, a mail-order bride, has to marry an unknown man and is not immediately in love with this man. I think it is realistic that they both first have to know eachother before there can be love.
And the end is very interesting...
Lessie, a mail-order bride, has to marry an unknown man and is not immediately in love with this man. I think it is realistic that they both first have to know eachother before there can be love.
And the end is very interesting...
June 6, 2022
What a great story!
Really enjoyed this one, a awesome storyline that really pushed home the difference between owner and the workers who got paid in script! I loved the ending and can't wait for her twins story!
Really enjoyed this one, a awesome storyline that really pushed home the difference between owner and the workers who got paid in script! I loved the ending and can't wait for her twins story!
August 28, 2025
Lessie and Richard
I enjoyed this book so much. The story was interesting but I really loved the interactions with Lessie and Richard and I’m so looking forward to seeing how Josie and Adam’s adventure goes.
I enjoyed this book so much. The story was interesting but I really loved the interactions with Lessie and Richard and I’m so looking forward to seeing how Josie and Adam’s adventure goes.
November 23, 2025
Actually 1.5 stars. It just wasn’t believable to me. I was confused about who the intended audience was, because it was too “rainbows and unicorns” as far as the “love” story, but pretty suggestive for YA or school aged children.
August 3, 2017
I read this story first for free. Loved it so much that I bought the companion story Josie, Bride of New Mexico her twin sisters story. Really enjoyed both books.
September 25, 2017
A wonderful story about taking a chance, first impressions and family !
October 26, 2018
A quick & easy read very entertaining. I loved the clean Romance story between Richard & Lessie. Now I need to read Josie story(Lessie twin sister).
April 9, 2023
Just what I was looking for
Quick mail-order bride story with adventure andintrigue and plenty of romance. Loved Lessie and Richard's love story set in Utah.
Quick mail-order bride story with adventure andintrigue and plenty of romance. Loved Lessie and Richard's love story set in Utah.
January 5, 2017
Good story
August 11, 2017
What a ride! I enjoyed this book very much and just loved the development of the characters throughout the book! Of course, it didn't hurt to also root for the development of their relationship, because it certainly was sweet and fun to read about :)
Yes, this book has romance (it's a mail-order bride book after all), but it also has a mystery going on (giving us a few glimpses from the villain POV), making it so much more interesting. Loved it!
Yes, this book has romance (it's a mail-order bride book after all), but it also has a mystery going on (giving us a few glimpses from the villain POV), making it so much more interesting. Loved it!
March 4, 2017
Great story..
I enjoyed this story of adventure , romance, suspense and life. The book and it's companion book are a great story of the life lived on the frontier of that time.
I enjoyed this story of adventure , romance, suspense and life. The book and it's companion book are a great story of the life lived on the frontier of that time.
February 23, 2017
It was a mystery romance. I liked the heart of Lessie..bold and compassionate. It was a good read.
March 9, 2016
Lessie: Bride of Utah (American Mail-Order Bride #45)
By: Kristin Holt
4/5 stars
Lessie & Josie are identical twin sisters, who were orphaned at a very young age. Lessie has always been the protector of the sisters. Josie has long been unemployed, and Lessie has worked at the textile factory. But after the fire, neither one can find a job. When Roberta has a meeting about becoming mail-order brides, Lessie isn’t so sure but Josie is determined and is pushing hard for them to take the mail-order bride opportunity. They both decide to do it, but only if they can stay close to each other, as they have never been separated in their lives.
Richard Cannon & Adam Taylor are cousins who own and operate Cannon Mining. But right now, Cannon Mining is under attack by someone on the inside. Richard & Adam don’t know what it is like to be working man, and have his woes, since they came from money & inherited the mining company. So they decide that they need working class wives who can help them understand what it is like and so they can learn to relate to their employees.
The girls go straight from the train station to the courthouse to get married after a short conversation about who is marrying who. Lessie and Richard marry and stay in Utah, as they are going to go to the main mine. Lessie is disturbed by the living and working conditions and talks to Richard about changes that need to be implemented.
But someone lurks in the background, sabotaging the mine and the efforts of Richard & Lessie. When the perpetrator is found, they think all is well. But things are just heating up, especially at the other mines.
By: Kristin Holt
4/5 stars
Lessie & Josie are identical twin sisters, who were orphaned at a very young age. Lessie has always been the protector of the sisters. Josie has long been unemployed, and Lessie has worked at the textile factory. But after the fire, neither one can find a job. When Roberta has a meeting about becoming mail-order brides, Lessie isn’t so sure but Josie is determined and is pushing hard for them to take the mail-order bride opportunity. They both decide to do it, but only if they can stay close to each other, as they have never been separated in their lives.
Richard Cannon & Adam Taylor are cousins who own and operate Cannon Mining. But right now, Cannon Mining is under attack by someone on the inside. Richard & Adam don’t know what it is like to be working man, and have his woes, since they came from money & inherited the mining company. So they decide that they need working class wives who can help them understand what it is like and so they can learn to relate to their employees.
The girls go straight from the train station to the courthouse to get married after a short conversation about who is marrying who. Lessie and Richard marry and stay in Utah, as they are going to go to the main mine. Lessie is disturbed by the living and working conditions and talks to Richard about changes that need to be implemented.
But someone lurks in the background, sabotaging the mine and the efforts of Richard & Lessie. When the perpetrator is found, they think all is well. But things are just heating up, especially at the other mines.
August 7, 2016
Lessie Bride of Utah (Mail-Order Brides Series Book 45) by Kristin Holt
This was a great book! I don’t read a lot of suspense or mystery but this book definitely piqued my interest and had me guessing who the bad guys were! The cousins seemed to have their own secret language that I had a hard time following at first, but the more I read, the more I got the big picture! I love how the grooms wanted working women, despite that fact that they were rich by inheritance. And even though they grew up with a silver spoon in their mouths, so to speak, Richard at least is very down to earth and a hands on kind of working man! Lessie is brilliant and not at all what Richard expected, but her education comes from living a hard life and learning to read people in order to survive! I have already downloaded the companion book, Josie, Lessie’s twin sister who marries Richard’s cousin Adam!
This was a great book! I don’t read a lot of suspense or mystery but this book definitely piqued my interest and had me guessing who the bad guys were! The cousins seemed to have their own secret language that I had a hard time following at first, but the more I read, the more I got the big picture! I love how the grooms wanted working women, despite that fact that they were rich by inheritance. And even though they grew up with a silver spoon in their mouths, so to speak, Richard at least is very down to earth and a hands on kind of working man! Lessie is brilliant and not at all what Richard expected, but her education comes from living a hard life and learning to read people in order to survive! I have already downloaded the companion book, Josie, Lessie’s twin sister who marries Richard’s cousin Adam!
August 3, 2016
Lots of Action
Built upon a common theme of women dealing with the loss of their factory jobs by becoming mail order brides, this book goes beyond a growing romance. It is carefully researched, and deals with the realities of life in mining towns. Greed, conspiracy and murder add to the intrigue and kept me guessing about what was happening with her husband's business. Sweet romance.
Built upon a common theme of women dealing with the loss of their factory jobs by becoming mail order brides, this book goes beyond a growing romance. It is carefully researched, and deals with the realities of life in mining towns. Greed, conspiracy and murder add to the intrigue and kept me guessing about what was happening with her husband's business. Sweet romance.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews