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****2017 IRAE Award Winner- Best Contemporary Novel****

In one night, she lost everything she loved.
In one man she learned to love everything she lost.

Starting over, never felt so damned good.

208 pages, ebook

First published March 10, 2016

119 people are currently reading
65 people want to read

About the author

Olivia Gaines

135 books347 followers
Olivia is a USA Today Best Selling, Emma Award and multiple award-winning author who loves a good laugh coupled with some steam, mixed in with a man and woman finding their way past the words of "I love you." An author of contemporary romances, she writes heartwarming stories of blossoming relationships filled with heart and humor. The Technicians, The Blakemore Files, and the Modern Mail Order Brides, are one clicks for thousands of readers.

When Olivia is not writing, she enjoys quilting, playing Scrabble online against other word lovers and spending time with her family. She is an avid world traveler who writes many of the locations into her stories. Most of the time she can be found sitting quietly with pen and paper plotting more adventures in love.

Olivia lives in Hephzibah, Georgia with her husband, son, grandson and snotty evil cat, Katness Evermean.

Subscribe to her email list at http://eepurl.com/OulYf
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/olivia.gaine...
Twitter: https://twitter.com/oliviagaines
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oliviawrites/

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5 stars
295 (56%)
4 stars
149 (28%)
3 stars
67 (12%)
2 stars
6 (1%)
1 star
5 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews
Profile Image for Musings of A Romance Junkie.
311 reviews92 followers
May 8, 2016
Okay, first of all, I had no idea the couple was 40+: BO-NUS!!!

How often do you get to read about a mature couple in contemporary romance who still like to get they freak on. Don't get it twisted, they keep it classy, not trashy, and I was thoroughly delighted.

So, this chick is a widow, mourning the death of her entire family (I can't even...) when they were killed in an automobile accident some years ago. I know you're probably thinking, just get over it, but do you ever really get over the death of a loved one, let alone, your husband, kids, and grandkids? Ugh...had me on the verge of tears...

Her ratchet-ass BFF convinces her that she needs to start living again and that she needs a husband (Why and where they do that at?) She hand-picks three guys for her to choose, and they set out on a series of road/plane trips to check these dudes out, and the first two are strike-outs. The last prospect is some hermit/ranger dude who lives in the boonies of Wyoming, and he just may be the one.

With a hilarious supporting cast of characters, this story was quite entertaining and quite funny. I would've easily given it five stars, but there wasn't enough interaction between the main couple for me. They didn't hook up until halfway through the book, and even then, there time together was limited due to neighborly intrusions and the perils of bein a ranger. Nevertheless, I do recommend this sweet story of love after 40+. The wedding scene alone is worth the effort of reading. I don't think I laughed that hard at a romance in a good while.
Profile Image for Elle1986.
456 reviews31 followers
May 1, 2016
I rarely read books in which the couple is over 50... so this was a treat.

It was sweet, warm, soft.. etc etc etc.

Just what was needed... and funny as hell. This is the second book I've read of Olivia Gaines and I find myself LOL every single time.


Soooo when I need a pick me up... I know which author to check out!
Profile Image for Lisa Tetting.
Author 4 books68 followers
April 14, 2017
Daniel and Darlene's story was a riot! Once again the author created characters that delight the heart and tickle the funny bone.

Darlene lost her entire family; husband, son, daughter, grand kids and son in law in a car accident. She lost herself and mourned for four long smelly years. Her lucrative legal career left in the shadows, Darlene took a leap of faith. Her BFF signed her up for a mail order bride service and scheduled 4 meetings with prospective husband's throughout the US. The first three being duds, but the final one was a stud!

Daniel was a park ranger who lived in Wyoming in a cabin he built with his own hands. Divorced from a Hollywood starlet and father to a grown son, he was looking for a woman to share his love of nature and support his dream of opening a general store.

From the outside looking in, Darlene was not his match. She was wealthy, had designer clothes, fancy cars and a 5500 square foot house in a nice community. Peeling back the layers, Darlene was the perfect fit for him.

They get married in Atlanta, where poor Daniel has an allergic reaction to almonds in the cake. His sister said she didn't use nuts, she used almonds. After peeing himself the poor man needed a shot to keep from dying. The next day he and his new bride head to Wyoming to start their life together.

Darlene found redemption for her absence during her children's lives, in the rag tag friends and family on the mountain. They live HEA.
Profile Image for Millie Carter.
68 reviews7 followers
October 22, 2017
What a fun book. I was laughing out loud from beginning to end. And there was even a sweet second chance at love with some hot sex. You can never go wrong with an Olivia Gaines book
Profile Image for SassafrasfromAmazon.
1,163 reviews74 followers
July 15, 2022
4⭐️ This is a great heart-warming read and not to mention hilarious. Daniel has been looking for a woman who will share his dreams, his vision and a simpler life in the remote hills of Wyoming. He has been unsuccessful in his quest, and is losing hope, so he decides to join a mail order bride site, Ahusband4u.org.

Darlene had been an environmental attorney who, for the past 4 years has been grieving over the loss of her entire family, her husband, 2 children and 2 grand babies due to a car accident. She has ceased to live--she doesn't bathe, stays in bed all day, never cooks, etc. That has been the status quo, until one day her best friend, Krysten, also an attorney, shows up and tells Darlene she needs to go wash--her hair, her breath and her "sweaty ass." She has news. She has plane tickets to 4 fun-filled getaways in New Orleans, Amish country in Pennsylvania, Orlando and Wyoming. It seems that her friend Krysten has signed Darlene up on the mail order bride website and each of the 4 potential men has proposed to Darlene. This books chronicles Darlene's travels to each of the locations and how each of her meetings goes with prospective husbands. During these travels, Darlene learns more and more about herself and is surprised by what she had not realized about her 25 year marriage or about her husband. This journey helps Darlene to discover what she really wants for her life going forward. There were a host of memorable secondary characters, especially Krysten, who is an absolute riot. Hence, the hilarious romp aspects of this story prevents it from being too maudlin.

I really, really liked this story; however, some serious editing is definitely required. That just bummed me out big time! If you can get past the editing problems, this is worth the read. Daniel and Darlene are wonderful, memorable characters. And, you will not soon forget Krysten and other secondary characters.
Profile Image for Yvonne Daniels.
2,695 reviews22 followers
March 15, 2024
Sweet

I really enjoyed this book and it will easily make you smile. The chemistry between the two characters is loveable with captivating romance. The characters are excellent which makes it a beautiful story. I even enjoyed all of the secondary characters their friendships are amazing. The story is fantastic and when you add in their small amount of drama along with their emotions about their love then you have their happy ever after tale that's truly delightful. Plus the friend's character is so cute that it just worked so well together that I couldn't help but enjoyed their story along with how the relationship is built up that it's naturally such a beautiful thing that it never seemed forced." I had hope to read this story all night but even good things come to a end and This Is Definitely A Sweet Read.
564 reviews1 follower
November 23, 2017
Serenity indeed...

When I first read a summary of the Serenity series..my first thought was,
"Ok...sounds a little trite..corny." But I do love the author and thought let me try Wyoming Nights...reasoning that this one would suffice. But I got more than I bargained for and boom you know I'll be reading the rest in this series. Beautifully written as usual..made me laugh out loud as Ms. Gaines never fails to delight with the myriad of characters who grab your attention each and every time. She gives great detail to the environment the stories take place in, personalities and the backstories which shape everyone's personalities. The town grows up and onto the reader. Sit back and enjoy!
Profile Image for Lane.
1,336 reviews
December 28, 2019
This book had several things I liked, including bantering friends and lots of funny moments that may have you laugh out loud. Moving on from any tragedy is hard, but losing your entire family...that is challenging. After 4 years, Darlene's bestie has had enough. So, what does she do? She chooses 4 husband potentials to bring her friend back to life. Darlene has several revelations through this process and begins to realize she's been given a second chance.

I enjoyed reading Darlene's journey and meeting the craziest characters, like Cassandra. While the story is good, the editing is not. This is not merely punctuation issues, which can become annoying. No, this is grammar and spelling issues that had me getting frustrated towards the book's end. 2.5-3 stars
788 reviews4 followers
September 25, 2018
Funny and heartwarming!

Ms Gaines the humor in your books have me laughing out loud and having to apologize to the strangers around me once I am able to catch my breath from laughing so hard. The story is very good with colorful characters, funny events in their lives, and a mish mosh of people that morphed into a scruffy family everyone would love. I love your stories, your characters and their demeanor and I especially like how you weave it all together to present a really joyful reading experience! Thank you so much for this book I laughed so much I thought just like with your other book I read that I would tip my tickle box over. Great book just great!!!!!!!!!
234 reviews1 follower
August 21, 2020
Love Finds You

This story and series just kept getting better with each page. Both characters from the outside had led a full life and accomplished great things. Both had suffered terrible losses and dealt with them in different ways. Both had been empty and lonely and did not know how to get over it. Daniel was searching and Darlene qas hiding. Her journey instigated by her insane bff, and we all have one or need one like her, opened her heart and cleared her head of her past and brought her to the meaning of life and love, right in the middle of nowhere.
Profile Image for Courtnee Howell.
499 reviews1 follower
November 4, 2020
Darlene Patterson suffered a crippling blow in life, and almost couldn’t get herself back together. But when her best friend takes her on a husband-finding trip, Darlene meets the man of her dreams in Daniel Wilstrom.

Another hit for Olivia Gaines. I’m super intrigued about these stories because I think they’re all different. I like that this relationship is a second chance for both characters, and there’s no expectation of a young baby because they’ve both had kids.

I would recommend this to anyone who likes their love interests closer to fifty and trying something new in life.
Profile Image for Jackueline Graves.
241 reviews1 follower
May 13, 2017
Wyoming second chance

Good story about second chances at love. Darlene looses her family in a tragic accident. She believed her life is over. Her best friend decides it is time for her to live again and sets her up to meet a new man and that is where the fun begins. Some of the guys she meets are a trip, however there is one who gives her life purpose again. Daniel lives in Wyoming and the collection of people in his life is a chance for Darlene to rebuild with a new family.
Profile Image for Julia.
248 reviews2 followers
September 17, 2017
They found love in the internet

Darlene lost her husband, children, and grandchildren in an accident and quit living for four years until her best friend decided it was time for her to start living again. After two duds and a not quite, she meets Daniel, her perfect match. Darlene packs up, says goodbye to the past and begins her next phase of life in Wyoming, which includes a whole new family, even though they are not blood related. What a cast of characters!
Profile Image for Jodi.
1,779 reviews
January 9, 2023
This is the 3rd book of Olivia's I have read and I enjoyed this one. There is less drama and more about finding yourself, especially for Darlene who lost her husband, children and grandchildren. Daniel has is own loss as well, and I'm glad we got a quick peak of his relationship with his son. My only issue wasn't I didn't get a clear understanding of Daniel's relationship with his sisters other than it's always been a bit rocky. The wedding scene threw me off. I did like Darlene's brothers
Profile Image for cynthea carbon.
240 reviews2 followers
June 16, 2023
I love this book even though it started off sad with Darlene losing her husband's daughter's grandkids and son in one accident. But her friend (Krysten)someone that is your ride or die comes and gets her out of her funk and takes her on three weeks of finding a new husband in the process of finding the right man each man teaches her something about herself and she picks the last one the one that lets her be how she was before she meets her husband. 5 stars
14 reviews
October 14, 2018
WHOA! Wyoming

I really enjoyed Wyoming Nights by Olivia Gaines. The characters were very likable and the storyline was well written. Her sense of humor and the funny quips in the story had me laughing out loud. This is the third book in the series I have read and I plan on buying the next one to see what she has in store for us. Good read 👍.
156 reviews1 follower
June 23, 2020
Moved to tears

I laughed so hard I cried. I love the comedic tone in this story and the entire time it touched and triggered every emotion. This makes it an awesome story I was so said when she realized what kind of man her husband was. But the happiness that came from her loss..... simply beautiful!
Profile Image for Louise Lennox.
Author 22 books151 followers
July 9, 2020
The story is Hilarious and Ms. Gaines is a very engaging storyteller. I have happily read all ten books in the series. This is definitely #happyblackromance. The only drawback is the copy editing. Her story is tight but there are little copy and formatting mistakes through out. I does not take away from the great story at all; but it can affect readability!.
471 reviews1 follower
Read
August 5, 2020
OMG, Loved it

Daniel and Darlene are the cutest couple. Loved both their back stories and loved that they found each other. Krysten is a mess, and when you throw in Cassandra, Jamar and Jack it's hilarious. It'll be interesting to see if Darlene's brother, Roosevelt will decide to stick around.
Loved this story I hope there are follow on to this particular storyline.
Profile Image for Kaygee.
338 reviews1 follower
November 1, 2020
Uuummm...

This was by far my least favorite of the MOB series. I have one more to go. Daniel and Darlene were an OK couple. I even laughed a couple of times, but there wasn't enough to rank this high on my list.

So far 2 of the Neary Brothers had the best stories. Also. The book with Evan was also good.
Profile Image for Sophia L.
244 reviews
July 20, 2021
Book 3 in the series and…

…it just keeps getting better! Such a lovely story!
I love a good romance with little drama, no endless first person dialogue and dragging on nonsense. This was just perfect! This book is a testament to no matter your age, where you are in life or mistakes you’ve made, love can be found anew! Bravo!
Profile Image for Helen Williams.
283 reviews5 followers
February 2, 2022
Wyoming Nights

I am loving I Modern Mail Order Brides. So far I have cried and I have laughed. The laughter really brings the stories to life along with the fact that the love seems to be genuine between the couples. It was wonderful to see that Darlene found the love she needed to become whole again. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Profile Image for Lichaun Trotter.
202 reviews2 followers
December 15, 2022
Loved this story

I really enjoyed this story, however I am not generally for reading about really sad story this did, start kinda dark. I am glad I kept reading though because I really enjoyed reading about the development of their relationship. It was definitely an enjoyable short read.
151 reviews1 follower
December 11, 2017
Loved this couple and this story was funny!

Really enjoyed this story and once they settle into married life it really became funny with the other characters added in. Love the fact this was a older couple. They wedding was hilarious.
20 reviews
January 5, 2018
Funny love story

I have to admit I have never laughed so much in reading a love story. The major characters were sweet but not sappy. The other characters were hysterical especially Krystal if you want a sweet n funny love story this is it!
Profile Image for Nycskpe.
766 reviews
January 28, 2018
Awesome

I truly enjoyed this book. The characters were well developed & the chemistry was electric. The story line was great to with lots of humor. I was laughing so hard at times I cried.
34 reviews
April 14, 2018
Good book

Enjoyed Darlene and Daniel's story. This story had me laughing at times because of her best friend Krysten and also happy that Darlene was finally able to get past her grieving of her family,
Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews

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