I have fallen into the trap. Wide open spaces, hot ranchers and mail order brides have taken over my brain. This story is my second MOB book this week!
Pecola was a romance writer who wanted a love of her own. Writing MOB novels from her Brookstone in Brooklyn wasn't doing it for her anymore. She was stuck in a rut and needed a change. When she eavesdropped on a couple of 'ugly ladies' talking recklessly about her latest novel, she decided enough was enough. She took the plunge and signed up for the mail order bride service.
Billy Joe was a former professor who moved back home to Montana to run his family's ranch. He loved the ranch, but wanted the companionship of a woman who could understand his literary mind. He heard about the mail order bride service and painstakingly took his time to find the right woman.... Pecola.
This story was charming and I wanted to cry with poor Pecola on her wedding night. Old boy was a hound who just needed a release. I was happy she was patient with him enough to show him what she liked and how to really love her. Once he got it right, he got it right!
I enjoyed the secondary characters, especially Pap with his made up words and untapped wisdom. I hated how Pecola was treated when she introduced to the townsfolk at the barn raising. I may have made a few enemies with those ignorant folks. Pecola was a good one. When they started surrounding her and touching her hair and skin it was a bit much. It made me all kinds of uncomfortable, but that's what good writing does.
I wanted to smack Billy Joe's cousin Avery when she attached herself like a leech to Pecola's brother Zach. When she exclaimed I ain't never been with a black man before, I wanted to shake her. She was a little over the top with her aggressive behavior to a strange man. It felt like I was watching Mandingo for a second. I'm still tripping at the shotgun wedding.
This was a good book. I enjoyed the characters as well as the storyline.