The Bushranger's Wife

by Cheryl Adnams

He stole her locket ... she stole his heart.

Central Highlands of Victoria, 1861

Jack the Devil's reputation precedes him. The most notorious bushranger on the Central Highlands, nothing throws him off his game ... until he holds up Prudence Stanforth and her grandmother. Jack can't help but be captivated by the feisty Pru, with her sweeping red hair and complete lack of fear.

Weeks later, Pru crosses paths with the respectable businessman Jack Fairweather, and it's not long before she recognises him as the bushranger who stole her beloved necklace. His price for the locket's return is her silence ... and a kiss. A kiss that sparks something inside them both.

When Pru discovers her grandmother has been keeping a devastating secret, running away with Jack the Devil is the perfect escape for her broken heart. The dangerous nature of his less-than-salubrious occupation is a poetic contradiction to her sheltered upbringing and only fuels their passion. Until that danger becomes a reality. Between the return of dark elements from Jack's past and authorities intent on his capture, Jack and Pru must fight for their future together ... or risk losing everything.

A rollicking historical tale about following your heart, finding home in unexpected places - and bushrangers - for readers of Darry Fraser and Alison Stuart.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Romance, Historical

352 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 1, 2019

About the author

Cheryl Adnams has published four Australian rural romance novels and three Australian historical novels. Cheryl has a Diploma in Freelance Travel Writing and Photography and has lived and worked in the United States and Canada, and spent two years working with a tour company in Europe.
While she loves to travel overseas, especially to Italy, her favourite writing retreat is her own home on the stunning blue coastline of South Australia's Fleurieu Peninsula.
When she's not writing, Cheryl is still creating in her busy full-time job as a learning designer

Reviews

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

As Prudence Stanforth travelled with her grandmother on the last leg of their journey from England to Australia, the coach was taking them to the family who'd moved out years before. Prudence's uncle was a rich man, by the gold on the Ballarat fields, and the house he'd built with his wife showed that. But before they arrived, Prudence and her grandmother were held up by bushrangers, led by Jack the Devil. When he took her locket - the only thing she had left of her mother's - Pru was devastated. But her boredom at the manor, the restrictions placed on her by her grandmother, saw Pru head to the stables as often as she could get away. When Prudence crossed paths with a man she recognised as Jack the Devil, things changed for them both.

After Pru's grandmother revealed a secret she'd held for over two decades, Pru was shocked and saddened. She fled on her horse, Misha, determined not to return. But where would she go? What would she do? This new colony in Australia was a dangerous place - she needed to stay safe.

Set in Victoria in 1861, The Bushranger's Wife by Aussie author Cheryl Adnams is an exhilarating look at Australia's early years after the Eureka Stockade disaster, at the Ballarat gold mines and how people won their fortunes and lost them again. And at the bushrangers who ranged the countryside, stopping the carriages to rob those on board. Pru is a strong, feisty character, well matched to Jack the Devil and they worked well together. A thoroughly enjoyable look at Australia's past, which I recommend.

[Veronica ⭐️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

*https://theburgeoningbookshelf.blogsp...
Cheryl Adnams goes beyond the stories of the bushrangers of colonial Australia to the women that love them. What type of woman would marry a bushranger, a criminal?

Prudence has moved from England to Australia with her grandmother Lady Deidre Stanforth. When they are held up by a bushranger, introducing himself as Jack the Devil, on their very first day in Victoria rather than be afraid Prudence is thrilled by the excitement and adventure this new land held.

Jack Fairweather businessman and closet bushranger, Jack the Devil, loves his carefree life and the thrill of the heist. He vows he will never settle down. But after holding up the carriage of Prudence and Lady Stanforth he can’t get the young woman out of his mind.

It’s 1861 and girls are brought up to be subservient and dutiful. Prudence knows this and has done her best to comply but she sees her move to Australia as a last chance to run wild and spread her wings until she must settle into the marriage of a grandmother approved suitor.

I loved Prudence’s character. She was wild, rebellious, full of life and could be persuasive, even quite devious when she wanted something.. She was intelligent and inquisitive and was well read. She was raised to be delicate and dainty but her true nature was to be fierce and determined. The more she tasted freedom the more she wanted. She was a young woman before her time.

Jack was the most delectable anti-hero. Handsome, charming and a true gentleman. Even though he was a bushranger and thus a criminal his cheeky, easy going manner made it easy to look past this. He was the perfect fit for Pru.

The Bushranger’s Wife is a story filled with passion, danger, adventure and the true power of love. It is fast paced and heartwarming, flirty and sensual. It has all the elements of a perfect romance read.

This was my first book by Cheryl Adnams and I am now eager to read some of Cheryl’s backlist.
*I received my copy through the Beauty & Lace book club

[Brooke - Brooke's Reading Life · Rating 4 out of 5]

*www.onewomansbbr.wordpress.com
*www.facebook.com/onewomansbbr

The Bushranger's Wife by Cheryl Adnams. (2019 as an ebook, 2021 in physical print).

**Thank you to Harlequin Australia for sending me a free copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review; published 6 January 2021**

Central Highlands of Victoria, 1861. Jack the Devil is a notorious bushranger and nothing throws him off his game until he robs Prudence and her grandmother. Jack is captivated by the feisty and brave Pru. Weeks later, Pru crosses paths with respectable businessman Jack and quickly works out he is the bushranger. His price for returning her stolen locket is her silence...and a kiss. A kiss that sparks something inside them both. When Pru discovers her grandmother's secret, she runs away with Jack. The dangerous nature of his secret double life appeals to her and fuels their passion. Until the danger becomes a reality and the couple must fight for their future together, or risk losing everything.

I'll happily admit that I enjoyed this a lot more than I was expecting to. While I don't mind a romance here and there, it's not my preferred genre. However when I picked this up I was definitely in the mood for a good romance and this one hit the mark for me. Pru is a fiery young woman ahead of her time who is craving some adventure in her life and finds herself attracted to Jack after he robs her; an unconventional start to their love story but sure does make for entertaining reading! The banter between Pru and Jack is quite witty and amusing for the reader as they develop their passion fueled relationship. There are a few obstacles for their happily ever after and they are forced to consider if the bushranger life is a good long term plan...
I would definitely recommend this one for those readers that enjoy romance, and in particular if you are into Australian historical romance than this is one you won't want to miss.

[Dale Harcombe · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the central highlands of Victoria in 1861 ‘Jack the Devil’ is a notorious bushranger. Nothing throws him off the task at hand, that is until he holds up a coach carrying Prudence Stanforth and her grandmother. Prudence is the granddaughter of an earl and has been raised by her grandmother since was a child due to the death of her parents. But Prudence chaffs against the restrictions placed on her by her grandmother.
When Peru encounters Jack in another guise she recognises him as the man who held up the coach and stole her precious locket from her mother, His price for the return of the locket is a kiss, a kiss that sets off a chain of events no-one anticipated.
Pru is a spirited and feisty character and a lot of fun, as she refuses to be hemmed in by the rules of the day. Jack is a bad boy that the reader can’t help caring about. Unlike many of the bushrangers of the time prayed to kill anyone that didn't want to hand over their valuables, Jack has his own moral code that refuses such actions.
This is a light, amusing sexy romp and I enjoyed this historical romance. A good fun read.

[Mandy White (mandylovestoread) · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun read The Bushranger's Wife is. Set in Victoria, Australia in 1861, Cheryl Adnams really brought the countryside and the period to life. For a few hours I was transported back to the goldrush past and I couldn't have been happer.

Prudence Stanforth and her grandmother are given a welcome to Australia that they will never forget. Held up at gunpoint by one of Australia's most notorious bushrangers - Jack The Devil. Far from being scared, Pru is thrilled by the experience. Weeks later she meets Jack Fairbrother at the races. Jack is a well regarded businessman - but Pru recognises in his eyes his hidden identity of the bushranger that robbed them. This is the start of their adventure, which soon turns to romance and more.

Thanks to Harlequin Australia for my advanced copy of this book to read.

[Theresa Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m quite partial to historical fiction set during Australia’s colonial days. The Bushranger’s Wife follows on from The Eureka Girl, taking a character that featured within those pages and bringing him to larger than life glory in a book of his own: Jack Fairweather aka Jack the Devil, the elusive, yet charmingly polite bushranger. While this novel contained a great deal more romance than is my normal preference, the adventurous aspect to the story, combined with the feisty and tough character of Prudence, made this quite an entertaining read all round for me. Cheryl Adnams has a knack for giving her readers a good dose of cheeky humour, as this exchange of dialogue showcases:

“Jack walked his prisoner towards the house and her eyes widened as she saw the man’s distinctive clothing.
‘What’s this?’
‘It’s a priest.’
‘I can see that,’ she said. ‘Why is he bound and gagged and standing on our doorstep?’
‘He wouldn’t come of his own accord.’
‘So … you kidnapped him?! You kidnapped a priest?’
‘He said we had to come to church on Sunday,’ Jack said, as though it ought to make sense to her. ‘But I needed him to marry us today. He refused. So I talked him into it.’”

I wasn’t entirely sure where Cheryl was taking us with this story. A certain level of foreboding set in for me about two-thirds of the way in and this was sustained almost to the end. Other historical stories about bushrangers kept popping into my head and for a while there I was bracing myself. I enjoyed watching both Jack and Pru evolve into their best selves and their relationship was progressive and uplifting for the times. This is the sort of novel that is a joy to pick up after a long and tiring week at work – which is exactly what I did! Recommended for fans of adventurous historical romance.

Thanks is extended to Escape Publishing via #NetGalley for providing me with a copy of #TheBushrangersWife for review.

[Amanda - Mrs B's Book Reviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

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3.5 stars

‘A bushranger. A real live bushranger! And on her first day in Victoria.

She should have been terrified at being bailed up by a band of gun-wielding men in the middle of nowhere, but it had quickly become evident that their leader had no intention of hurting them. And at that point, for Prudence anyway, it had become an adventure.’

The Bushranger’s Wife offers a portal back to early settlement times in our nation’s past. A dangerous bushranger, a feisty young woman ahead of her time, a stolen necklace and an undeniable love tryst defines this heart pounding tale from Cheryl Adnams.

Opening in 1861 in Australia’s Central Highlands region of Victoria, The Bushranger’s Wife follows the story of a cheeky but notorious bushranger, who goes by the name of Jack the Devil. A successful player in the bushranger profession, Jack is caught off guard when he encounters a fiery red headed woman named Prudence Stanforth, who is accompanied by her grandmother on their fateful meeting. Jack holds up both women, but it is an encounter that he won’t forget in a hurry. Some time later, Pru comes face to face with the notorious Jack the Devil bushranger, but this time he is acting as a businessman. Taken aback, Pru demands that Jack return the precious family heirloom he stole, but Jack does Pru a deal in exchange for the beloved necklace. Pru must keep quiet about her knowledge of Jack’s bushranger antics and he demands a kiss to seal the deal. It is this kiss that forever changes both Pru and Jack’s lives. Pru follows her heart and seeks Jack’s love, despite the fact that she knows it is against her family’s wishes for her future. A family secret sends Pru further into Jack’s arms, but Pru knows it is a big risk to surrender herself to this dangerous criminal. With the police and other shady characters from Jack’s past set on capturing this prolific bushranger, Pru must decide if she should stick by her love, or return to her family.

The Bushranger’s Wife is cased in a beautiful cover, that immediately caught my eye. After reading The Girl from Eureka, which is also penned by Cheryl Adnams, I was keen to explore more writing from this Australian historical fiction storyteller. There was much about The Bushranger’s Wife that appealed to me and I have to say this was an entertaining read.

I would shelve The Bushranger’s Wife as a historical romance rather than a historical fiction title. This was the only drawback of the novel for me. I was expecting a historical fiction-based tale and this is a great tribute to colonial Australia. The adventure and action aspects are there, but I would say it is a lot heavier on the romance side of things. Personally, I prefer more history than romance, but for fans of the historical romance genre, The Bushranger’s Wife would appeal. I couldn’t fault the romance side of things, it is clear that romance is the author’s strength and it shows in this story.

In terms of the setting, Cheryl Adnams does a fine job of recreating the Central Highlands region of Victoria in the 1860’s. I got a good feeling for this time and place, which was defined by strict societal expectations, morals, class structures and gender roles. Pru is a female lead who surpasses the expectations of a woman of her time and social standing. It was good to see a woman break free from these restrictive barriers and express her own agency. In Jack we see a bushranger figure who is a little different from the norm. Jack is very handsome, charming and quite brazen. Cheryl Adnams works to build a forbidden style relationship between her leads. In doing this, Adnams looks beyond the courtship to the pressures of marriage. As a result, relationships, marriage, love, passion, betrayal, secrets, risk, the past and happiness all come into play. This is one fiery tale!

*I wish to thank Harlequin Australia for providing me with a free copy of this book for review purposes.

The Bushranger’s Wife is book #43 of the 2021 Australian Women Writers Challenge

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is set in the colonial days of Australia in Ballarat Victoria, it is a fabulous page turner, exciting, filled with witty banter and a beautiful romance between Jack the Devil, bushranger and the lovely Prudence Stanforth newly arrived from England, as Jack holds up Pru’s carriage a connection is made that will see them forge a future.

Pru has come to live in Australia with her grandmother, as granddaughter to an Earl she has been bought up with all of the luxuries that a lady could want, but Pru needs more she loves the thought of adventure. She loses a special locket in the holdup that has a lot of meaning to her, and when she meets respectable businessman Jack Fairweather at a race meeting she recognizes him and a kiss for her locket opens up a whole new world for Pru of adventure and love when she runs from her family and into the arms of Jack.

Jack has two lives one as bushranger and one a respectable businessman, he came to Australia for the gold rush but found his living holding up carriages he is known as the gentleman bushranger, and has no intention of ever having a wife, but when he meets the lovely Prudence on a heist he is smitten good and proper, and when he finds her riding through the bush very upset he takes her home, and a marriage is arranged and quickly, he has totally lost his heart to this beautiful feisty and adventurous woman.

I loved the setting for this story I always enjoy our colonial days and MS Adnams’s has bought the era to life with her fabulous descriptions of the time, but she has also had me falling for the cheeky gentleman bushranger Jack he truly is a lovable character even if he is on the wrong side of the law he was the perfect hero for Pru, her grandmother had never been able to take away that need for adventure from her and Jack was the man to give her that and the love that would bring joy and happiness. This is a fast paced story with all of the feels that a fabulous romance should have, I do highly recommend this one.

[Craig and Phil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Harlequin for sending us a copy to read and review.
I love a strong feisty heroine that shines from the pages and Prudence Stanforth has it in spades.
I’m also very happy the publishers chose to release The Bushranger’s Wife in print, this was first released as an ebook only in 2019.
Otherwise this gem wouldn’t have been on my radar to read as I’m not a fan of the kindle reading style and it’s been a pleasure to absorb.
1861, in the Central Highlands of Victoria, Jack The Devil is the districts most notorious bushranger.
He is mysterious and exceptional at his game.
Until one day he holds up the flamboyant Prudence Stanforth and her opinionated grandmother.
She leaves a lasting impression with her colourful attitude and flaming mane of hair.
As Pru and her grandmother settle in town she meets dashing entrepreneur Jack Fairweather but as she looks deep into his eyes she realises he’s the cocky bushranger.
Sparks fly and when a secret that has been kept from her is exposed, she runs into the arms of the outlaw.
But his hidden identity and the danger lurking brings more problems then either of them can handle.
With cheeky banter and humour and a spunky and fiery romantic love story, this swashbuckling exciting tale is full of adventure, passion, romance, jeopardy and risk.
The two leads are wonderfully portrayed in a meticulous researched plot that is fast paced and addictive that ends in a sigh of satisfaction.
Cheryl has the ability to sweep the reader away on an experience back to a time in history that’s intriguing and exciting.
It’s great that now it’s available in paperback for a whole new generation of people to discover and love.

[Lily Malone · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy Cheryl Adnam's writing and have read a lot of her stories. I loved The Girl From Eureka, and this story, The Bushranger's Wife is set just a few years later than the time of the Eureka Stockade. Jack Fairweather is a character first introduced in The Girl From Eureka. We meet him on his bush ranging escapades very early in this story where Jack robs Prudence and her grandmother on their arrival to Victoria.
While I didn't quite warm to Pru like I did to Indy in Girl From Eureka, I found this a swashbuckling tale, and Jack makes a fun character. I particularly liked the scene where Jack kidnapped the Reverend - made me laugh out loud.
Adnams is brilliant at romantic Australian historical fiction, and I look forward to what she comes up with next.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Bushranger's Wife by Cheryl Adnams is an exciting tale of an unlikely love story between a young woman of English nobility visiting Australia and the highwayman who robbed her coach when she first arrived. Prudence was a young woman of twenty who had grown up in the care of her grandparents, the Earl and Countess of Carrington. They were in Australia as the guest of her uncle and his wife, who had made quite a success of their lives there. Jack the Devil was and accomplished bushranger who led a crew of three with specific rules: no killing. This fact made him unique amongst his ilk. He stole, amongst other valuables, Prudence's locket, her only remembrance of her dead mother. It was not a valuable piece, but he could not bear to part with it, keeping it in his pocket as kind of a talisman. He only consolation, keeping her from abject loneliness, was her friendship with Brock, the groomsman and her horse, Misha. Things started to go south when she recognized him when her uncle and grandmother finally let her accompany them to the horse races. Odd that he'd led this life for years and she was the one to finally recognize him!

The Bushranger's Wife was a wonderful novel full of twists and turns and interesting situations unheard of in most romance novels. Prudence was young, but determined to live a life of adventure not one married to a married member of the local nobility. She is a terrific character, written with loving care. Jack is everyone's hero, doing the right thing at every turn and loving his wife, the one he had intended never to have. He is definitely a knight-in-shining-armor despite the fact the armor loses its gloss occasionally. Characters and plot are the making of this lovely novel, so different than most of its genre. The conclusion is foregone, the journey is not and it is clever and unexpected. I loved reading this book and highly recommend it as different in setting, clever in plotline, and refreshing in character development.

I received a free ARC of The Bushranger's Wife. All opinions and interpretations contained herein are solely my own. #netgalley #thebushrangerswife

[Sally · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

[TheHauteBookworm · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this delightful tale! This book is a fictional drama set in the Central Highlands of Victoria, Australia in 1861. It’s really about opposites that attract. A tale that has been told many times, but the author gives us a varied spin on the tale that makes it an interesting read.

Jack the Devil and Prudence meet when he robs her coach. Jack is nothing but an uncouth criminal and Prudence is a fined woman of stature. Two people on opposite sides of society.

As the story unfolds we learn the depths of Jack’s character. That he’s really a sensitive and loving person looking for a better life. We discover that Prudence is a strong woman, she knows her role in society, but refuses to fall into its confinement. She desperately craves freedom and independence.

Are they really that different?

Already frustrated at her grandmother’s attempts to marry her off to a proper gentleman worthy of her stature, Prue doesn’t waste any time running off when further family secrets are revealed. The sting of betrayal runs deep and forgiveness not so easy to give. Prudence runs straight into the arms of Jack the Devil. Believing that they can give each other the life they are really looking for, they marry. Together these two are steamy!

“Sweet Jesus, she was a wildfire, hot and bright and out of control.”

But Prudence soon discovers

“All she’d found after only a few weeks of wedded bliss were shackles of a different kind.”

Prudence questions her decisions and their love. Unfortunately, fate isn’t done with them yet and throws many obstacles in their path. These two will discover what true love is. They will have to decide if they will fight to keep that love and worse yet, will fate let them have it?

An interesting read for sure. But I have to admit I had hoped Prudence would turn Jack around, but instead she joined in his adventures and was proud of herself for helping him steal from people. Like an old fashioned Bonnie and Clyde story, but missing the parts that made me love and route for them. If you can overlook those parts you will get an entertaining read.

I read an ARC of this story via Netgalley. My fair and honest review is voluntary.

[Sheena ☆ Book Sheenanigans · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating: ★★✬☆☆ (2.5/5 Stars)
Title: The Bushranger's Wife
Author(s): Cheryl Adnams
Character(s):
― Prudence Stanforth: 22 years old, Red, Green Eyed
― Jack Fairweather: Brunette, Brown Eyed
Setting: Central Highlands, Victoria, Australia
Tag(s): Romance, Historical
Content Rating:
POV: Third Person
Smexy Level: Hot
Favorite Quote(s): N/A
Overall Opinion:
"The Bushranger's Wife" started off on a high note but unfortunately as the story progressed, it started to dwindle down and I became quite disappointed by the direction of Prudence and Jack relationship. What led me to this novel originally was the blurb. I became intrigued by the premise and was fascinated by the idea of Jack robbing Prudence at gunpoint during her carriage ride home later causing a possible courting. You're able to feel the intensity of their attraction through the pages in the first few chapters of this Western romance but once the leading lady decided to run away from home after discovering a dark secret her grandmother hide from her since birth, the romance loss is momentum and became way too instant for me. It started off good than escalated to a point that just seem unbelievable. Furthermore I wasn't a fan of the heroine. It felt like she was more into Jack the Devil unlawful ways than the man himself and her childish tendencies was annoying at times. Overall, an okay read that left me disappointed and wanting more.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Prudence Stanforth grew up in England with her grandparents until her grandmother decided to go to Australia. Pru has a wild streak to her, but keeps it "under control". She knows her grandmother will pick a man she deems worthy for her granddaughter. Pru and her grandmother are robbed on their way to see her uncle and the man who robs them strikes something within her. Jack the Devil, the bushranger, aka Jack Fairweather, the businessman, enjoy the thrill of robbing stagecoaches. Jack cannot forget Pru and when they meet in town, sparks fly, but they are in different social classes. When Pru discovers her family has lied to her for years, she runs away, right into Jack. She convinces him to take her with him, knowing his secret, but not forcing him to change his ways. Over time, they become closer, their passions igniting, and still bushranging. Events occur, which forces them to think about the life they are currently living and the one they want to have for the long term.

[Lorraine · Rating 3 out of 5]

“The Bushranger’s Wife” is a lively historical romance, focused on providing an energetic romp through Australia in 1861.

Prudence Stanforth and her repressive grandmother have just moved to Australia from England. Before they even reach their destination – Uncle Robert’s property – they are robbed at gunpoint by the Bushranger Jack the Devil.

A few weeks later, bored and unhappy, Pru is shocked to be introduced to Jack Fairweather in polite society as a respectable businessman, and to recognise him as Jack the Devil. Jack pressures her into promising to keep his secret. Both attracted to Jack and horrified by his alter ego as a bushranger, Pru reluctantly begins to see him as a friend – perhaps her only friend.

And then she is blindsided by a shocking revelation about a betrayal from her grandmother. It’s Jack she runs to. But can they build a life together with obstacles and threats on every side?

One of the pleasures of historical romance, for me, is finding small details that are new to me. Many of the historical novels I’ve read focus on issues that I was broadly aware of, but provide details new to me, or provide a new perspective on well known history. I didn’t feel this novel offered either of these things. The historical background is accurate enough, but it’s a mere backdrop. Adnams hasn’t focused on any particular details or issues, and in many ways the historical aspect feels almost incidental. Now, that’s not going to bother some readers, and it didn’t impact on my enjoyment of the main story. It just meant that there was a little less depth than with some novels.

The romance between Pru and Jack is well drawn and generally believable. The attraction between them, and the stops and starts in their growing relationship, were all credible. Pru’s relative innocence was believable, as was the passion the pair bring to their relationship.

The story is told with an energy and verve which made it distinctive. It’s highly enjoyable, and rocks along at a good pace. In fact, it’s the energy that makes this novel stand out the most; Adnams seems focused largely on making sure the reader has a good time.

Some of the details of the story were a little hard to swallow. For example, a young woman like Pru would have had very little experience of housework. She may have been willing to turn her hand to it, but I bet she’d have had some trouble with the practicalities in the first few attempts.

I enjoyed this novel, despite feeling that it didn’t have a great deal of depth or originality. It’s just so plainly about providing a satisfying love story that any other aspects become of less importance, and it achieves its’ central goal. This is probably one for die hard romance readers, though, more than those who are interested in other genres.

If you enjoyed this review, please visit www.otherdreamsotherlives.home.blog to read more.

[Shelagh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in 1861 in Victoria’s central highlands, The Bushranger’s Wife is an entertaining story with a hint of Robin Hood about it. Mind you, there was no sign of the “giving to the poor” aspect where the hero of this story, bushranger Jack The Devil is concerned. For Jack it’s all about the thrill of the chase and the excitement of leaving the scenes of his crimes with a cache of ill-gotten gains.
Brought up b her grandmother, Prudence Stanforth has come to the Ballarat region where her uncle Robert Stanforth has a substantial property, with one purpose: she is to be married off to a gentleman deemed suitable by her grandmother.Prudence has other ideas and when she finds herself promised to a gentleman not at all to her taste she flees on the horse she has been allocated on arrival at the estate.
There’s lots to love about this story. Virtually fleeing into Jack’s arms and cornering him into a marriage of convenience, Prudence shows very quickly that she’s more than a pretty face, ably taking on the running of Jack’s house including cooking, cleaning and tending to the garden, all things she would certainly not have done in her former life. I loved the setting near Ballarat’s goldfields and I thought the way life during those times was well depicted, particularly the use of drays to deliver household goods. I thought society at that time was well presented and evidenced sound research by author Cheryl Adnans. Finally I loved the premise of this story—the idea that Pru, a lady of breeding, would enjoy the thrill of holding up a coach just as much as her husband Jack. While the pacing was a little slow at times, this story was a rollicking good yarn and entertained me enormously.

[Kelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Bushranger’s Wife - Cheryl Adnams

At the heart of The Bushranger’s Wife is an enduring love story. Prudence Stanforth is the granddaughter of the Earl of Carrington, she has been groomed by her grandmother to be a lady of grace and poise, destined to marry a man worthy of her pedigree. An encounter on her arrival in the colonies with bushranger Jack The Devil may threaten all of Lady Carrington’s careful planning.

This is a fast paced historical romance, with a good dose of steamy sexual tension. The relationship between Prudence and Jack has all the elements of the forbidden love tryst, and it’s easy to be drawn into their world. Along the way there were also some laugh out loud moments. As I read, I was imagining a movie cast with some of our talented local actors (I’m looking at you Daniel Macpherson!).

Cheryl Adnams has created a very enjoyable historical romance that is a fast paced, fun read. I would recommend it to lovers of romance and historical fiction.

Thank you to Harlequin, NetGalley and Cheryl Adnams for the opportunity to read and review this advance reader copy.

[Marles Henry · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don’t choose a lot of romance novels to read.  I am not sure why, and whenever I come across something that is not part of my interest area, I do challenge myself, grab it and give it a go! I wasn’t sure where this one was heading as I started reading. The word ‘bushranger’ from years of school history lessons conjures up particular images, yet they were not sensationalised in this story. The building of both Prudence and Jack as characters was clever. They were both feisty, shrewd and tough.  Especially Pru, being a young lady arriving in colonial Australia unable to be who she wanted (only side-saddle horseriding, always chaperoned, controlled by her guardian grandmother) and then discovering some truths about her life in England. I did enjoy the storyline and character development of Jack as well, and the way in which he mingled in the world of the ‘Australian outlaw’ as well as part of the well-to-do in Victoria. I wonder if scenario or Jack's vircumstances occured in reality? This story hit the spot to immerse myself in a little adventure and a cheeky love story. For the romantically inclined, fill a bath, read and relax.

[Marissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book from Net Galley. I was very excited to start it but it took me a little longer to finish that I hoped.

The Bushranger’s Wife by Cheryl Adnams is a historical romance following Prudence “Pru” Stanforth and Jack Fairweather, better know by his bushranger name Jack the Devil.

I was curious to see where Cheryl Adnams would take the ending to. How does Jack the Devil become a reformed bad boy?

Throughout the story, there is the looming threat that Jack could get caught by the police and sent to jail. Of course, that threat becomes a reality by the end of the book and now there’s the little problem of getting Jack out of jail. Without giving away the details of the ending, I will say that I think the author handled the ending well.

Prudence grew from a young and naive girl into a strong woman, and Jack was able to reform his bushranger ways and find a family he never had.

Full Review

[Alyce Caswell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this ARC (of the PB re-release) from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Jack the Devil is a bushranger who's in it for the thrill - he's definitely not looking for a wife or anything resembling a settled life. Prudence Stanforth is from a family of title and means, so the very thought of running off with the man who held her up and stole from her should be out of the question. But the heat building between them has nothing to do with the harsh Australian climate.

I intended to read a chapter before bed, but whoops! I ended up far deeper into this story and far more enamoured of it than I had expected. Sure, this was the night before the baby woke up ridiculously early but I have no regrets (okay, maybe I have a few). I was a little worried this would be one of those depressing colonial tales with few glimmers of light - I needn't have worried. It's a lovely, fast-paced romance that is all light and all enjoyment.

[Monica Mac · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adored this book!!

It is the 19th century, Prudence is a well-brought up girl who has just arrived in Victoria from England. She is a dab hand at embroidery and making appropriate small talk - and she is bored rigid. She lives with her dour grandmother and the only thing that gives her joy is riding her horse. The restrictions on a girl at that time in history would have also been annoying to me, but Pru is far more feisty than I would have been. I spent a bit of time going: "atta girl" whilst reading this book.

This is a tale of daring, courage and a very deep love. The love story was so beautiful, it made me want to cry. Pru and Jack were absolutely made for each other but of course, the course of true love never runs smooth, does it?

You will have to read this book to see what happens but I really loved it.

Highly recommended.

5 stars from me.

Thank you to Harlequin Australia.

[jesse · Rating 2 out of 5]

1.75/5

I was really looking forward to an epic romance set in historic Australia. Australia has always held a particular fascination for me. The indigenous people and the country's rich history, animals, flora and fauna. I liked the main characters for the most part but every chapter, without fail(!) a moment would pop up that would highlight how immature, impulsive and stupid they were. Life expectancy was about 35 years in 1860-70 in Victoria/Australia, so knowing that the h was in her early twenties and the H was 28 years old and behaving in the way described, just made no sense to me. People would have had to grow up fast, really fast. In this way the story missed the mark for me. It made them feel like caricatures. I was constantly on the verge of putting the book down for good. At the 75% mark I exasperately thought "Fuck it!" and just skipped to the very end.

[Caroline (CozyBookTraveller) · Rating 1 out of 5]

The plot sounded really interesting, but sadly my expectations wasn't met. I wanted to like this book, a historical romance with a power dynamic and strong minded female character.
But I didn't find Prudence interesting of a character at all, and Jack was plain boring. The chemistry was there, but I just wasn't invested in them at all. Not a good thing in a romance book.
The book started good but then it dwindled the further into the story I got, it was like the steam of the story had ran out a quarter in.
I ended up disappointed in this book.

**ARC received from NetGalley for free in exchange for an honest review**

[Leanne ~ Tales From The Heart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love a good Australian historical fiction. This one was set really close to home for me, I recognised all the towns.
Pru and Jack were an unlikely couple and yet it worked so well. His bushranger ways were about the thrill not the violence. Would fatherhood change his ways?
There were a few twists and turns in here and a shocking secret.
I thought it was an entertaining read and thoroughly enjoyed it.

[Alli Sinclair · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Cheryl Adnams's writing and this story was a captivating read. Cheryl is very good at transporting the reader into a different era and creating characters that make you want to keep turning the page. I'm looking forward to reading Ms Adnams's next book!

[Nats Garden Of Reading · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm usually a big fan of Cheryl's writing, but this one didn't quite hit the mark for me. There was character crossover from The Girl From Eureka, so it was nice to have an ending from one of the main characters in that book.

[JoAnn · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was very disappointed with this book. Just didn’t do a thing for this reader. I received an arc from the publisher and this is my unbiased review.

[Talking Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Bushranger’s Wife by Cheryl Adnams held some surprises in what was an overall good read.
Review copy received from Escape Publishing via Netgalley

[K-Elizabeth Neale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hunk of a man.. check... A woman who will give him a run for his money... Check... What more can you ask for!