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Mary Ryan leaves the orphanage and heartbreak behind and follows her friend Katie to Clover Springs to become a mail order bride. She's nervous but reminds herself that Davy Sullivan must be a nice man or Katie wouldn’t have recommended him.

Davy Sullivan needs a wife, but he's not looking for love. In his experience, that only leads to heartbreak.

Mary and Davy soon find out that getting married was the easy part. Staying together is difficult especially when past secrets come to light and threaten to destroy their future. Can they develop trust in one another and find happiness?

230 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 22, 2016

967 people are currently reading
159 people want to read

About the author

Rachel Wesson

112 books358 followers



Rachel Wesson was born in Kilkenny, Ireland but considers herself to be from the capital, Dublin as that's where she spent most of her life. Her dad brought Rachel and her two sisters out every Saturday to give their mother a break. He took them to the library and for ice-cream after. It took a long time for her sisters to forgive her for the hours she spent choosing her books!
She grew up driving everyone nuts asking them questions about what they did during the War or what side they were on in the 1916 rising etc. Finally her Granny told her to write her stories down so people would get the pleasure of reading them. In fact what Granny meant was everyone would get some peace while Rachel was busy writing!
When not writing, or annoying relatives, Rachel was reading. Her report cards from school commented on her love of reading especially when she should have been learning. Seems you can't read Great Expectations in Maths. After a doomed love affair and an unpleasant bank raid during which she defended herself with a tea tray, she headed to London for a couple of years. (There is a reason she doesn't write romance!). She never intended staying but a chance meeting with the man of her dreams put paid to any return to Ireland. Having spent most of her career in the City, she decided something was missing. Working in the City is great but it's a young person's dream. Having three children you never see isn't good for anyone. So she packed in the job and started writing. Thanks to her amazing readers, that writing turned into a career far more exciting and rewarding than any other.
Rachel lives in Surrey with her husband and three children, two boys and a girl. When not reading, writing or watching films for "research" purposes, Rachel likes to hang out with her family. She also travels regularly back home - in fact she should have shares in BA and Aerlingus.

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5 stars
788 (57%)
4 stars
401 (29%)
3 stars
151 (10%)
2 stars
23 (1%)
1 star
10 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
121 reviews7 followers
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August 7, 2018
I loved this second book. It was nice to see new characters intermingled with previous ones.
1,066 reviews9 followers
February 18, 2021
Mary escapes Boaton

Katie has been married, happily, and is now pregnant. They own the store now, and are busy.
Her friend Mary, from the ship in which they travwled together, has already lost her parents and a younger soster to fever on the ship and has seen them buried at sea. is heart achingly lonely. As 8f the loss of 3 family members isn't enough...and as if the cruelty of many of the nuns at the orphannage isn't enough, now her younger sister Cathy has been adopted by a couple from New York, but they wouldn't take Mary. Mary doesn't begridge Cathy her new home,but misses her terribly and feels lonely. Shortly after yet another warning from the head nun that on her 18th birthday, she has to leave and will be on her own, Katie writes to her about her older BIL, who is lookimg to marry for companionship. Katie asks if Mary is interested. She encloses a short letter from the man himself...a letter she has to get from the priest in order to escape the abbess reading it, as she does all mail anyone receives in the entire faxility. It's against the law, but no one dares cross her or report her. The same night she receives the letter, a new young boy is taken in, and she's tasked with his care. He seems belligerent, but what she discovers leaves her heart broken for the child.
She writes back to Davy and to Katie, and soon is on her way west, upset that she has to leave the boy alone.
Since book 1, Ellen, Katie's younger sister, has taken to visiting with the formidable, and deeply anti-Irish, Mrs. Grey. She has succeeded in befriending her, the unlikelinesa of the relationship astounding to all. It will turn out to be a good thing.
Since Mary doesn't know Davy, amd vice versa, Davy puts her in a room of her own ar first, to allow her to get used to him and vice versa. Davy has some issues regarding a former fiance that begin affecting their relationship...amd.impeding theor getting to know one another.
When Katie goes into labor, she nearly dies, and only the intervention of an old war nurse saves her (and this old nurse, when they described the problems with Katie, was asking herself why nobody knew to do what the nurse actually did as it was relatively common knowledge back then...and something.I taught in childbirth education classes about emergency deliveries back in the day).
Mary is in for a long heart to jeart with her husband, and a surprise for Mary.
Sorcha, one of the 2 other girls with whom Mary shared a room at the orphannage, jas been corresponding with one of the hands at Davy's ranch, and si she is on the train now to meet her mail order husband. We should find out about her, I'd imagine, in a future book.
There are many details I've skipped over that, when you read the book, will show a rich tapesrry of love.
Profile Image for Darkwinde.
170 reviews16 followers
March 25, 2018
I enjoyed this book, but it lost stars for a couple of reasons.

1. A lot of the book is about Katie and Daniel, the couple from book 1. Mary and Davey were involved, but it felt like Katie Part II for a good third of the book. If I hadn't read the first book, I'd be rather upset that so much of this book was devoted to someone else. It can be read as a standalone in that you aren't missing information or plot points from the first book, but it really helps to have an affinity for Katie and Daniel before you read this one.

2. Most of Mary and Davey's obstacles are artificially inflated. If they could sit down and have a decent conversation, they could work out their issues. But they either refuse to do so, or are interrupted by convenient problems that seem to exist only to keep them from talking. I hate it when the major complication in a book romance is caused by a lack of proper communication. I gave Mary a bit of a pass on this since she's 18, but Davey knows from the beginning that he needs to tell her his past because it will cause trouble. Spoiler alert: He doesn't and it causes trouble.

This is a clean romance, but doesn't shy away from passionate kisses.

Overall, I did like the book even with its issues. I will go on to read more in the series
Profile Image for Scarlet Fanning.
626 reviews26 followers
March 6, 2018
Mary Ryan follows Katie to Clover Springs, with plans to marry Katie's brother-in-law Davy Sullivan. Mary is thrilled to leave the orphanage in Boston, but upset about leaving 6 year-old Ben, who is crippled by polio.

Davy Sullivan hopes for a marriage like his brother Daniel and Katie, but only expects companionship and children from the new wife. He was once engaged, but her death has scarred him emotionally. He has a problem with trust.

Mary and Davy are attracted to each other, but seeing how innocent Mary is, Davy puts her in another bedroom giving her time to get to know him. Mary spoiled by the housekeeper, finally ask for chores or things to do at the ranch. Both women become close with a mother-daughter relationship.

Sparks fly every time Mary speaks to another man. Will Davy control his jealousy and learn to trust Mary?

Great adventure with rustlers and surprises of the heart.
Profile Image for Lisa  Montgomery.
949 reviews4 followers
June 2, 2019
Like, Book 1, Katie, I would give this book a 3.8 or there about for a rating.
There are 51 chapters, mostly short ones, but a bit daunting when reading that many.
Mary's story was an extension of that of Katie and Daniel in book 1, for Katie and Mary are friends, coming over to America from Ireland together, and Davy is Daniel's older brother.
The author becomes a bit distracted, telling parts of the story from other characters' points of view. That pulls the reader out of the main plot line, and, in truth, the reader does not need to know what others are thinking or planning.

Just as book 1 has the occasional phrase that needs closer editing (such as "she relieved the terror" should be "relived"), this book has phrases such as "Curiosity was peaked," rather than "piqued."
2,197 reviews5 followers
May 19, 2024
4 stars
This is a clean and delightful little series about the old West and mail order brides.
Mary is Irish; her family fled to America for a better life than in Ireland. All but Mary and a younger sister died on the ship.
She lands in a convent orphanage run by a truly hateful Mother Superior. But the local priest is kindly and does what he can to bolster her spirits.
She follows her friend, Katie (book 1) to become a mail order bride.
Davy, her husband, is the brother of Katie’s husband. So the Sullivan family is also part of this book.
Davy has hang ups from a prior engagement. It almost costs him Mary’s regard.
But they come to love each other.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Theresa.
323 reviews
January 13, 2026
Mary and Davy

Mary leaves the orphanage after her sister is adopted. She travels to Clover Springs to marry her friend Katie's brother-in-law. Unfortunately, she's become very attached to a little boy at the orphanage called Ben. She's heartbroken to have to leave him behind but doesn't think her mail order groom would appreciate her showing up with a child. Davy has a ranch outside Clover Springs and a housekeeper. Mary is used to hard work, so she's a bit lost with having a housekeeper. I'm really enjoying this series and love that the characters carry over from one book to the next.
268 reviews
September 7, 2018
Clover Springs

Another wonderful clean romance bringing two lonely people the love they need. I can't get enough of this series and I have yet another book in Rachel's series to read as soon as I have left this review. I would encourage you all to read the characters are so realistic and characters from the previous book pop up regularly as Katie and Mary are good friends. Davy asks his sister in law Katie to help him find a mail order bride she suggest Mary her friend left behind in Boston. Tis then the fun begins
307 reviews1 follower
February 9, 2018
I am really enjoying this series. Not the typical mail order brides books. I usually don't spend $3 on a book but the author does a really nice job of bringing all the characters together in each book. She is keeping the family together. Each couple has a different story and reading Katie's delivery of her baby had me in tears because of what one woman did for her. What a surprise that was. Starting the next book tonight.
Profile Image for Carolyn O’Connor .
257 reviews
December 22, 2024
Another quick read that continued from the first book in the series. The Sullivan Family grows as another Mail order bride arrives for Daniel’s brother. In the first book it was about Katie being a mail order bride. Mary encouraged her best friend to marry his brother Davy. It took time for each of them to get to know one another after being married the day after arrival. It was ok but not as good as the first book
110 reviews
June 29, 2021
Lovely mail order bride story

Mary traveled from Ireland to Boston with her parents for a new life. Her mom, dad and sister died on the trip. She and her other sister are forced to live in a Catholic orphanage. Life is hard until Mary decides to leave Boston and become a mail order bride.
227 reviews3 followers
July 20, 2022
Great story

We are so lucky to have a wonderful author producing these amazing stories. I'm sure girls would travel across the country to win a man who was ready to marry. I'm sure you will love these books. They help you to understand what happened. Rachel is a wonderful author and I'm ready for the next book in her started.
26 reviews1 follower
July 5, 2024
Easy read but always enjoy. There are times I just want to read a well written and something different book. Read the first book on a longer flight home thoroughly enjoyed and.ordered the second book. I also read mysteries, sci Fi and historical books. Recently wanted a break from these books and read the Clover Springs 2nd book. Thoroughly enjoyed.
Profile Image for LaLa.
23 reviews1 follower
August 24, 2024
Davey is an immature, impulsive jerk without a brain to Mary for a while at first. The endearing Mrs. H pretty much says this in chapter 48. Some cliche plot points are included that have been in dozens of books. The whole book builds on Mary and Davey’s growing attraction and sexual frustration. Aside from that it is a good storyline.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for ReadingWench.
2,103 reviews13 followers
August 30, 2024
The narrator is this book is fantastic. I love the Irish accent since it is an Irish heroine in the book. Esther Wane really brought the book to life. I really like the premise of this story. Not far into the book, I knew I wanted to read the rest of the series. I am invested in these girls and their lives.
Profile Image for Sharon Rudolph.
2,142 reviews
September 3, 2017
Great book

This was another fun book in this series. I really enjoyed the characters and their storyline was wonderful. I enjoy reading about mail order brides and I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
457 reviews1 follower
April 4, 2018
Strength and courage

Mary is a very sweet young lady. She had strength to make it to America and care for her younger sister. She has a big heart for children and her friends. When time to make a decision to go west she had the courage to go. A very good book for this series.
10 reviews
August 17, 2020
loved the book

I love mail order bride books, and this one was one of the best I have ever read. Even though this was a short book, the author wrapped everything up by the end of the book.
89 reviews2 followers
Read
January 24, 2023

Loving all the books so far in this 12 book series. Mary’s story is like Katie’s story, but different. My favorite part was when Mrs Grey took over Ella and made Mary’s life renew. Actually I cried this was so touching and not expected. You all will love this book…!!!! ❤️
232 reviews
April 23, 2024
Another Clover Springs adventure

I like how this story continues the tale if bringing brides to this town and connect them to men who are kind and learn to love them in this challenging country.
18 reviews
February 27, 2025
A Love Story

The old frontier! It was a hard life but yet so worth reading about. This is a series of tales of different women, who were alone and went to the west to marry. I couldn't put this book down. There was sadness, fear, trouble, and finally the joy of finding love.
2,472 reviews10 followers
January 23, 2019
Was ok. Not a lot of development in these characters. Still a sweet story.
48 reviews15 followers
January 28, 2019
Interesting.

I read Tabitha as well, I enjoyed reading, but wasn't tnterested enough to carry on to the next character. Not much else to say.
Profile Image for Beverly.
1,331 reviews
January 21, 2020
Another sweet mail order bride story. Little pieces of history added by the author make each story seem true. This particular ending was special.
Profile Image for Pat Jackson.
6 reviews
April 18, 2020
Mary: Clover Springs Mail Order Bride 2

I loved this book. At times I got so frustrated with the male character I wanted to go to Clover Springs myself and shoot him.
838 reviews1 follower
August 14, 2020
I really loved reading this wonderful book! I loved the characters and the plot! I will be reading the next book in this wonderful series!
1 review
October 26, 2020
These reads are great, short romance, stories. I like they way the book relates back to the characters from the other books in the series.
Profile Image for mois reads .
536 reviews1 follower
December 11, 2020
Mary

Mary is another mail order bride and a friend of Katie who meets up with her future husband a great book 5 stars
1 review
June 23, 2021
Great books

I really enjoyed the books but having a horrible timre accessing them I almost gave up Now i see another battle to get book 3 even though i paid for it
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews

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