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The Bride of Willow Creek
Determined to put her past behind her and get on with her life, Angelina Bartoli Holland heads for the Colorado mining town of Willow Creek intending to divorce the husband she hasn't seen since marrying him as a teenager ten years before. But when finances force Angie and Sam to set up housekeeping together, they gradually realize that they have somehow fallen in love with the adults they both have become.
368 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2001
63 people are currently reading
444 people want to read
About the author
Maggie Osborne
30 books521 followersaka
Margaret St. George
Maggie Osborne is the author of I Do, I Do, I Do and Silver Lining, as well as more than forty contemporary and historical romance novels written as Maggie Osborne and Margaret St. George. She has won numerous awards from Romantic Times, Affaire de Coeur, BookraK, the Colorado Romance Writers, and Coeur du Bois, among others. Osborne won the RITA for long historical from the Romance Writers of America in 1998. Maggie lives in a resort town in the Colorado mountains with her husband, one mule, two horses, one cat, and one dog, all of whom are a lot of aggravation, but she loves them anyway.
Margaret St. George
Maggie Osborne is the author of I Do, I Do, I Do and Silver Lining, as well as more than forty contemporary and historical romance novels written as Maggie Osborne and Margaret St. George. She has won numerous awards from Romantic Times, Affaire de Coeur, BookraK, the Colorado Romance Writers, and Coeur du Bois, among others. Osborne won the RITA for long historical from the Romance Writers of America in 1998. Maggie lives in a resort town in the Colorado mountains with her husband, one mule, two horses, one cat, and one dog, all of whom are a lot of aggravation, but she loves them anyway.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
June 17, 2013
BIG SPOILER ALERT!
I picked up this book because I really enjoyed this author's Silver Lining. However, this one just did not hit the same note with me. I think the main issues I had with this book were: (1) I do not tolerate infidelity, and (2) I don't tolerate whiny, stubborn characters.
Angie and Sam eloped when Angie was 16 and Sam was probably not much older. Angie is the daughter of a brick mason who thought that carpenter Sam was not good enough for his daughter. So, on the night of their elopement, they return to Angie's parents' house, where Angie's father orders her to her room. Angie, being only 16, goes to her room and Sam has never forgiven her for doing so. Angie also never forgave Sam for not telling her to stay. Long story short, Sam leaves West with Angie's father's words that he'll never amount to anything ringing in his ears.
Fast forward 10 years. During this entire time, Angie has been living as an abandoned wife. She has no family of her own (husband and children) and no prospects for one since everyone knows that she's married. Her parents refuse to file for divorce during this entire time because of the scandal. Angie's mom gets severely ill and her medical bills drive the family into bankruptcy, which Angie doesn't know about until both of her parents die.
Throughout the 10 years, Sam has been forwarding his current address so that Angie will know how to reach him when she files for divorce. Now that her parents are gone, she goes to Sam to get a divorce, only neither of them can afford it. And Sam's excuse for not filing for a divorce himself? Because "gentlemen" don't do that to women; they allow the women to file.
So how has Sam been living? Well, he shacks up with a woman, Laura, who recently passed away and he has 2 daughters. Sam hasn't been doing too well financially because (as he realizes about 4/5 of the way into the book) he's always been looking for a quick payout (i.e. gold and silver mining) instead of just working up his skill as a carpenter. So, he's barely scraping by because he also sucks at money management, now that Laura is dead he has to pay for all the labor that Laura did for free, and his younger daughter has a club foot that he needs to save money to fix.
Right off: Sam isn't much of a "gentleman", is he since he has no qualms about shacking up with a woman when is already married to another. Seriously. If Laura was a "decent" woman, then what was he doing even sniffing around her when he's married? And if they were so in love, why didn't he file for divorce before shacking up with Laura, not to mention the kids?
As it later turns out, the children are actually not Sam's biological daughters. Laura had also eloped at 17, had children, and then her husband died. So, at least Sam didn't go and have children (while depriving Angie of them), but it still doesn't erase the fact that Sam just is not a likeable character.
I just felt so bad for Angie and really did not feel much sympathy for Sam at all. Yes, Angie could have had more of a backbone, but then women in that era lived under a man's rule. Also, she was only 16. Afterwards, she was in this weird limbo stage and the best years of her life were wasted sitting at home embroidering, while Sam went on with his life. And his excuse for not filing for a divorce (especially in light of his actual actions) just made me lose all respect for him.
As you can guess, there is a happily ever after. However, that didn't appease me either. The way they reach the happily ever after was not satisfying. Also, it seems that Angie never has any children of her own. And while she came to love Sam's daughters as her own, I still feel that she was robbed of experiences all because of Sam's own selfishness.
I picked up this book because I really enjoyed this author's Silver Lining. However, this one just did not hit the same note with me. I think the main issues I had with this book were: (1) I do not tolerate infidelity, and (2) I don't tolerate whiny, stubborn characters.
Angie and Sam eloped when Angie was 16 and Sam was probably not much older. Angie is the daughter of a brick mason who thought that carpenter Sam was not good enough for his daughter. So, on the night of their elopement, they return to Angie's parents' house, where Angie's father orders her to her room. Angie, being only 16, goes to her room and Sam has never forgiven her for doing so. Angie also never forgave Sam for not telling her to stay. Long story short, Sam leaves West with Angie's father's words that he'll never amount to anything ringing in his ears.
Fast forward 10 years. During this entire time, Angie has been living as an abandoned wife. She has no family of her own (husband and children) and no prospects for one since everyone knows that she's married. Her parents refuse to file for divorce during this entire time because of the scandal. Angie's mom gets severely ill and her medical bills drive the family into bankruptcy, which Angie doesn't know about until both of her parents die.
Throughout the 10 years, Sam has been forwarding his current address so that Angie will know how to reach him when she files for divorce. Now that her parents are gone, she goes to Sam to get a divorce, only neither of them can afford it. And Sam's excuse for not filing for a divorce himself? Because "gentlemen" don't do that to women; they allow the women to file.
So how has Sam been living? Well, he shacks up with a woman, Laura, who recently passed away and he has 2 daughters. Sam hasn't been doing too well financially because (as he realizes about 4/5 of the way into the book) he's always been looking for a quick payout (i.e. gold and silver mining) instead of just working up his skill as a carpenter. So, he's barely scraping by because he also sucks at money management, now that Laura is dead he has to pay for all the labor that Laura did for free, and his younger daughter has a club foot that he needs to save money to fix.
Right off: Sam isn't much of a "gentleman", is he since he has no qualms about shacking up with a woman when is already married to another. Seriously. If Laura was a "decent" woman, then what was he doing even sniffing around her when he's married? And if they were so in love, why didn't he file for divorce before shacking up with Laura, not to mention the kids?
As it later turns out, the children are actually not Sam's biological daughters. Laura had also eloped at 17, had children, and then her husband died. So, at least Sam didn't go and have children (while depriving Angie of them), but it still doesn't erase the fact that Sam just is not a likeable character.
I just felt so bad for Angie and really did not feel much sympathy for Sam at all. Yes, Angie could have had more of a backbone, but then women in that era lived under a man's rule. Also, she was only 16. Afterwards, she was in this weird limbo stage and the best years of her life were wasted sitting at home embroidering, while Sam went on with his life. And his excuse for not filing for a divorce (especially in light of his actual actions) just made me lose all respect for him.
As you can guess, there is a happily ever after. However, that didn't appease me either. The way they reach the happily ever after was not satisfying. Also, it seems that Angie never has any children of her own. And while she came to love Sam's daughters as her own, I still feel that she was robbed of experiences all because of Sam's own selfishness.
September 20, 2024
This one started so badly that I seriously considered dropping it at 8%. “If this is the beginning of a love story” I thought to myself,”Then it’s over before it’s even begun.” Ten years over, as a matter of fact. They had their shot a decade previously and blew it so stupidly, so incomprehensibly, and so quickly that it never really existed at all, in spite of the exchange of vows and wedding rings. Only an unpleasant aftertaste remained and I wanted no part of it.
But since this was written by Maggie Osbourne, I committed to 20% before bailing. And a funny thing happened on the way to that 20%: this got kind of good. And then it got even better. It certainly wasn’t smooth sailing. Both Angie and Sam had their bratty, stubborn, hopeless, and pugnacious moments, but both still managed to handle those moments as adults.
Until the uncommunicative and thiiiis-close-to-bitter end, when they finally stopped sabotaging themselves and had a moment that was shoplifted straight from the movies. It may not have been original but it was pretty darn sweet anyway.
Note to self: if the writer has a proven track record, don’t DNF at the first whiff of something odiferous.
But since this was written by Maggie Osbourne, I committed to 20% before bailing. And a funny thing happened on the way to that 20%: this got kind of good. And then it got even better. It certainly wasn’t smooth sailing. Both Angie and Sam had their bratty, stubborn, hopeless, and pugnacious moments, but both still managed to handle those moments as adults.
Until the uncommunicative and thiiiis-close-to-bitter end, when they finally stopped sabotaging themselves and had a moment that was shoplifted straight from the movies. It may not have been original but it was pretty darn sweet anyway.
Note to self: if the writer has a proven track record, don’t DNF at the first whiff of something odiferous.
March 9, 2016
I will never figure out how this Maggie O, got by me, but I am glad I found it. No one writes Americana like she does, IMO. The time placement is at the end of the 1800's in Chicago and then in Colorado. Angie and Sam Holland met when she was 16 and Sam was 18 and they decided they were in love. So they go get married without Angie's parents permission. Then when it is revealed what they have done, they are separated by her parents, but also by their own immaturity and not really having known one another. 10 years have past and Angie has come to a small Colorado town determined to get a divorce from that no good Sam and start her life, finally.
Only when she sees Sam for the first time in 10 years, she doesn't remember him having those broad shoulders or those bed-room blue eyes...wait a dang minute she is here to get a divorce, not to ogle that man, the man who refused to fight for her 10 years ago.
For Sam's part Angie's dad swore that Sam wasn't good enough for his little girl and he needed to leave. Well fine, he would show them all and he left without his young wife.
Only when he sees Agnie for the first time in 10 years, he doesn't remember her having all those curves and had those lips gotten fuller...wait a dang minute she is here to get a divorce, she doesn't deserve him admiring her, the woman who refused to fight from him 10 years ago.
But the hits keep coming for Angie, for once she gets to Sam's house, she realizes Sam hasn't been pinning for her, exactly. There are two little girls calling him Daddy and a dead woman named Laura who evidently didn't mind living with a married man. To say this is a sticky situation is putting in mildly. Angie is spitting angry at Sam, because he was living his life, not ever giving her a thought, while her life was on hold waiting for him to come get her. They both has misconceptions of the events that shaped their lives. Is there room in their hearts to forgive and heal one another's hearts?
If you haven't read a Maggie O. this is a sweet little gem of a book to start with.
Only when she sees Sam for the first time in 10 years, she doesn't remember him having those broad shoulders or those bed-room blue eyes...wait a dang minute she is here to get a divorce, not to ogle that man, the man who refused to fight for her 10 years ago.
For Sam's part Angie's dad swore that Sam wasn't good enough for his little girl and he needed to leave. Well fine, he would show them all and he left without his young wife.
Only when he sees Agnie for the first time in 10 years, he doesn't remember her having all those curves and had those lips gotten fuller...wait a dang minute she is here to get a divorce, she doesn't deserve him admiring her, the woman who refused to fight from him 10 years ago.
But the hits keep coming for Angie, for once she gets to Sam's house, she realizes Sam hasn't been pinning for her, exactly. There are two little girls calling him Daddy and a dead woman named Laura who evidently didn't mind living with a married man. To say this is a sticky situation is putting in mildly. Angie is spitting angry at Sam, because he was living his life, not ever giving her a thought, while her life was on hold waiting for him to come get her. They both has misconceptions of the events that shaped their lives. Is there room in their hearts to forgive and heal one another's hearts?
If you haven't read a Maggie O. this is a sweet little gem of a book to start with.
February 26, 2012
2 ½ stars. This is weak. Her other books are better.
STORY BRIEF:
Ten years ago when Angie was 16, she and Sam secretly married and then told her father. The father said Sam would never amount to anything and told Angie to go to her room. She did. Sam left the house and waited a while, but she never came out. So he left town. They had no contact for ten years. Now Angie’s parents have died and left her nothing to live on. She has a small amount of money and travels to Willow Creek to ask Sam to pay for a divorce and support her until it is final - about a year. She discovers Sam has two daughters and one of them needs surgery. He is saving money for the surgery which must come before a divorce. So Angie lives with Sam and the girls, cooking, cleaning, and taking care of things. Sam works as a carpenter by day and digs in his potential gold mine at night.
REVIEWER’S OPINION:
They each blame the other for splitting up. They don’t see their own blame. Later they both realize they are in love, but they have too much pride to tell the other. He loves her and wishes she would say she loved him, but she doesn’t, so he “vows” to himself he won’t touch her again. (I have no idea why he vows this.) He asks her what her plans are. Does she tell him she loves him and wants to stay? No. She says she plans to leave him, return to Chicago, and write occasionally. She then asks “Is this what you want?” He doesn’t answer. He just says “I’ll take you to the train.” In his mind he’s thinking she could do a lot better than him. I’m sorry, but this does not entertain me. This “conflict based on inaccurate assumptions and vague communication” is the major angst going on for most of the book. How does it end? All of a sudden they each have a “light bulb moment” and realize it hadn’t occurred to them to consider such and such.
This book barely kept my interest. It wasn’t fun. My feeling at the end was this was too illogical. A two-minute conversation would have eliminated the need for the book. Sometimes in other books the characters or events are interesting enough to offset this kind of problem. But not here.
Another vagary. When Sam fell in love with Laura, why he didn’t write Angie’s father and ask the father to pay for a divorce/annulment from Angie? Sam, Laura, and the girls could have had a more respectable situation. I suppose the answer again was pride. He probably didn’t want to admit to the father that he was not successful. But the respectability cost was huge. Was this interesting? Not really.
What’s good about it? Sam is handsome, responsible, loving, and caring for his daughters. He is hardworking and talented with his carpentry work. Angie has a hot temper, claiming it is her Italian side. She throws things once in a while. She too becomes loving, caring, and responsible for the daughters. The Italian temper could have been entertaining, but it wasn’t developed enough. It could have been better.
DATA:
Story length: 358 pages. Swearing language: mild, including religious swear words. Sexual language: none. Number of sex scenes: 2. Total number of sex scene pages: 5. Setting: probably late 1800s Colorado. Copyright: 2001. Genre: western historical romance.
OTHER BOOKS:
I’ve read the following Maggie Osborne books. Dates are copyright dates.
3 ½ stars. The Wives of Bowie Stone 1994
4 stars. The Promise of Jenny Jones 1997
3 stars. A Stranger’s Wife 1999
4 stars. I Do, I Do, I Do 2000
4 stars. Silver Lining 2000
2 ½ stars. The Bride of Willow Creek 2001
2 stars. Prairie Moon 2002
STORY BRIEF:
Ten years ago when Angie was 16, she and Sam secretly married and then told her father. The father said Sam would never amount to anything and told Angie to go to her room. She did. Sam left the house and waited a while, but she never came out. So he left town. They had no contact for ten years. Now Angie’s parents have died and left her nothing to live on. She has a small amount of money and travels to Willow Creek to ask Sam to pay for a divorce and support her until it is final - about a year. She discovers Sam has two daughters and one of them needs surgery. He is saving money for the surgery which must come before a divorce. So Angie lives with Sam and the girls, cooking, cleaning, and taking care of things. Sam works as a carpenter by day and digs in his potential gold mine at night.
REVIEWER’S OPINION:
They each blame the other for splitting up. They don’t see their own blame. Later they both realize they are in love, but they have too much pride to tell the other. He loves her and wishes she would say she loved him, but she doesn’t, so he “vows” to himself he won’t touch her again. (I have no idea why he vows this.) He asks her what her plans are. Does she tell him she loves him and wants to stay? No. She says she plans to leave him, return to Chicago, and write occasionally. She then asks “Is this what you want?” He doesn’t answer. He just says “I’ll take you to the train.” In his mind he’s thinking she could do a lot better than him. I’m sorry, but this does not entertain me. This “conflict based on inaccurate assumptions and vague communication” is the major angst going on for most of the book. How does it end? All of a sudden they each have a “light bulb moment” and realize it hadn’t occurred to them to consider such and such.
This book barely kept my interest. It wasn’t fun. My feeling at the end was this was too illogical. A two-minute conversation would have eliminated the need for the book. Sometimes in other books the characters or events are interesting enough to offset this kind of problem. But not here.
Another vagary. When Sam fell in love with Laura, why he didn’t write Angie’s father and ask the father to pay for a divorce/annulment from Angie? Sam, Laura, and the girls could have had a more respectable situation. I suppose the answer again was pride. He probably didn’t want to admit to the father that he was not successful. But the respectability cost was huge. Was this interesting? Not really.
What’s good about it? Sam is handsome, responsible, loving, and caring for his daughters. He is hardworking and talented with his carpentry work. Angie has a hot temper, claiming it is her Italian side. She throws things once in a while. She too becomes loving, caring, and responsible for the daughters. The Italian temper could have been entertaining, but it wasn’t developed enough. It could have been better.
DATA:
Story length: 358 pages. Swearing language: mild, including religious swear words. Sexual language: none. Number of sex scenes: 2. Total number of sex scene pages: 5. Setting: probably late 1800s Colorado. Copyright: 2001. Genre: western historical romance.
OTHER BOOKS:
I’ve read the following Maggie Osborne books. Dates are copyright dates.
3 ½ stars. The Wives of Bowie Stone 1994
4 stars. The Promise of Jenny Jones 1997
3 stars. A Stranger’s Wife 1999
4 stars. I Do, I Do, I Do 2000
4 stars. Silver Lining 2000
2 ½ stars. The Bride of Willow Creek 2001
2 stars. Prairie Moon 2002
January 29, 2012
I love Maggie Osborne books. She is such a great storyteller, and her western-romance books are the most entertaining, hilarious, fresh, and unique stories out there. Having said that, The Bride of Willow Creek is another fascinating book by MO, but not her most memorable one. I loved the main characters Angie and Sam, and also the two little girls, Daisy and Lucy. The way MO weaves children's characters into her stories is truly outstanding. All in all, not a bad read, but definitely not as good as Silver Lining, The Promise of Jenny Jones, or Foxfire Bride. I recommend this book to readers that enjoy light western-romance.
February 4, 2026
It's 3.75 but it's as good as 4. The story definitely has a few flaws but I loved how the mmc and FMC were shown struggling with each other, with poverty and whole as family. I loved the scenes when Sam would get jealous even though he's at no place to be possessive over her (iykyk). There's certain vibe in historical romance books that I couldn't find in today's time.
October 26, 2020
After reading the first chapter, I wanted to close the book and I really didn't want to read it anymore, but because it was one of Maggie Osborne's books
(and I love her work,) I give it a second chance. Don't get me wrong, the book was well written from the very beginning, but I hate cheating and cheaters so I wanted to drop this book, but I didn't and I'm so happy that I didn't cause it was BEAUTIFUL. I loved it so much and I recommend it to all.
(and I love her work,) I give it a second chance. Don't get me wrong, the book was well written from the very beginning, but I hate cheating and cheaters so I wanted to drop this book, but I didn't and I'm so happy that I didn't cause it was BEAUTIFUL. I loved it so much and I recommend it to all.
April 12, 2019
2.5 Rounding up for the unique premise. I have mixed feelings on this one. I really liked the beginning, but somewhere in there the story became tedious and the pacing felt off. I'm sure I'll read more books by Maggie Osborne but I'm now not in as much of a rush to do so. Overall, I was kind of disappointed.
May 28, 2025
If you are anything like me, when you start reading this story you will be frustrated and annoyed and be convinced the main characters are unlikable and wholly irredeemable. But I put my trust in Maggie because I’ve loved every book I’ve read by her.
I’m glad I kept going. I will warn you that the ending is hard won and very slow in coming, but the journey was worth it.
IMHO this novel is underrated. If you give it a chance I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
I’m glad I kept going. I will warn you that the ending is hard won and very slow in coming, but the journey was worth it.
IMHO this novel is underrated. If you give it a chance I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
November 11, 2025
So good as always :) I usually prefer Maggie Osborne's books that have multiple storylines but the couple in this one (Sam & Angie) had such wonderful chemistry. Dontcha just love love!!!!!
February 7, 2012
I found the man's stubborn personality to be a real problem. Angie didn't bother me after the first. She was young and made mistakes. I grew to admire her determination to do right and liked her feistiness. But I really don't think his stubborness was ultimately honorable. So. Not hero material IMO.
March 20, 2015
This was a somewhat painful book to finish, but it was mercifully short.
The main issue was the convoluted plot twists - 10 year estrangement of husband/wife because of a ridiculously minor misunderstanding, people winning gold digging lotteries, people fervently fighting for kids who aren't theirs, etc.
Would have expected more from an author whose previous books I read were entertaining and almost inspirational.
Also I hated the 'Italians are passionate' stereotype. At least one star was lost solely because of that.
The main issue was the convoluted plot twists - 10 year estrangement of husband/wife because of a ridiculously minor misunderstanding, people winning gold digging lotteries, people fervently fighting for kids who aren't theirs, etc.
Would have expected more from an author whose previous books I read were entertaining and almost inspirational.
Also I hated the 'Italians are passionate' stereotype. At least one star was lost solely because of that.
January 21, 2022
I am so glad I read the reviews because it sounds like the antithesis of Silver Lining.
April 20, 2025
This book is a 4.5. It is a well-written, highly enjoyable read. This is the thing with Maggie Osborne’s books, there is no dull moments while reading her books. Especially because I love slice of life scenes about western living and the author is very superb in describing this time and setting.
The 4.5 rating–not being a perfect five is from the way that I can’t fully forgive the hero up until the very end. Yes, throughout the story, he has proven to be a good man with many admirable traits. Sam is hardworking, determined and most of all a very good father. He is written well and his number one flaw, which is pride is fleshed out in the book, it is acknowledged and it is worked upon. But compared to any of Angie’s sin against Sam, I think his sin has more weight and impact on her life, especially with the issue of adultery. Like that is so fucked up! And Sam is very slow to understand that he has hurt Angie very much by building up his own family and doing it without her.
I was so mad at that scene when Angie burst out to him while doing laundry, questioning how he could have done the things he has done to her… Sam’s response is underwhelming. I want him to have more remorse. “
What is more is that Angie has suffered for ten years yet, in the book it was her actions that have advanced their relationship. She was the one who reached out for the divorce, and thus, starting the story. And in the end, she was the one who got off that train at the ending to run toward Sam as well. It seems like the hero is very lucky that he has such good women up his sleeves.
It would definitely be a thousand times better if we see Sam actually fight for her and actively do something to make her feel that he regrets leaving her, show that he is sorry, let her see his remorse. Let her feel that he loves her and no other. A five star read and a more dramatic alternative would have been if Sam actually ran for the train, chasing it, boarding it and begs for Angie to take him.
I felt very very jealous for Angie’s sake all throughout the story, with her, seeing Sam’s happy little life and his loving pseudo-wife/mistress and their kids. This is just the thing for me but I really needed to read something in this book that would tell me that Sam loves Angie more than he has ever loved Laura. I don’t care if it is completely unreasonable but I just want proof that he views Angie as the love of his life, that she is number one and not Laura. It is just sad to realize that if Laura didn’t die, things would have ended sadly for Angie, her possibly getting that divorce then marrying a man who is rich but one she doesn’t really love that much.
And it would have been Laura and Sam celebrating that thirty year anniversary.
The 4.5 rating–not being a perfect five is from the way that I can’t fully forgive the hero up until the very end. Yes, throughout the story, he has proven to be a good man with many admirable traits. Sam is hardworking, determined and most of all a very good father. He is written well and his number one flaw, which is pride is fleshed out in the book, it is acknowledged and it is worked upon. But compared to any of Angie’s sin against Sam, I think his sin has more weight and impact on her life, especially with the issue of adultery. Like that is so fucked up! And Sam is very slow to understand that he has hurt Angie very much by building up his own family and doing it without her.
I was so mad at that scene when Angie burst out to him while doing laundry, questioning how he could have done the things he has done to her… Sam’s response is underwhelming. I want him to have more remorse. “
What is more is that Angie has suffered for ten years yet, in the book it was her actions that have advanced their relationship. She was the one who reached out for the divorce, and thus, starting the story. And in the end, she was the one who got off that train at the ending to run toward Sam as well. It seems like the hero is very lucky that he has such good women up his sleeves.
It would definitely be a thousand times better if we see Sam actually fight for her and actively do something to make her feel that he regrets leaving her, show that he is sorry, let her see his remorse. Let her feel that he loves her and no other. A five star read and a more dramatic alternative would have been if Sam actually ran for the train, chasing it, boarding it and begs for Angie to take him.
I felt very very jealous for Angie’s sake all throughout the story, with her, seeing Sam’s happy little life and his loving pseudo-wife/mistress and their kids. This is just the thing for me but I really needed to read something in this book that would tell me that Sam loves Angie more than he has ever loved Laura. I don’t care if it is completely unreasonable but I just want proof that he views Angie as the love of his life, that she is number one and not Laura. It is just sad to realize that if Laura didn’t die, things would have ended sadly for Angie, her possibly getting that divorce then marrying a man who is rich but one she doesn’t really love that much.
And it would have been Laura and Sam celebrating that thirty year anniversary.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 10, 2024
This is my first Maggie Osborne book. I think it's set in the late 19th century. The two main characters marry at a very young age in Chicago against the wishes of the bride's father. Angie is 16 and Sam is 18. Each one makes decisions that reflect their level of maturity and result in them becoming separated. Ten years pass before they see each other again in Colorado and both of their lives have changed a lot.
It's a good story that illustrates the differences between social and economic classes and how those situations can change quickly requiring a character to adapt or give up. The story also demonstrates how communities within a particular social class stick together and help each other out during good times and bad. Especially in Willow Creek Colorado.
My favorite supporting characters were Molly and her husband Cannady. And "supportive" of Sam and Angie they were! Based on the time period in history, the fact that Willow Creek was a mining community, and one of the best characters was named Molly, I had a strong urge to watch Debbie Reynolds and Harve Presnell in the musical movie "The Unsinkable Molly Brown" after finishing the book. Go figure. ;)
I gave the book 3.5 stars. One of the reasons I couldn't give it four or more stars is because of how inconsistent Angie's character was. Angie was strong, plucky, and determined after arriving in Colorado, but where was this strength and determination during the ten years she was apart from Sam? Especially since Sam provided his current address every time he moved to Angie's father?
I enjoyed Ms. Osborne's writing, so I will definitely read more of her books.
It's a good story that illustrates the differences between social and economic classes and how those situations can change quickly requiring a character to adapt or give up. The story also demonstrates how communities within a particular social class stick together and help each other out during good times and bad. Especially in Willow Creek Colorado.
My favorite supporting characters were Molly and her husband Cannady. And "supportive" of Sam and Angie they were! Based on the time period in history, the fact that Willow Creek was a mining community, and one of the best characters was named Molly, I had a strong urge to watch Debbie Reynolds and Harve Presnell in the musical movie "The Unsinkable Molly Brown" after finishing the book. Go figure. ;)
I gave the book 3.5 stars. One of the reasons I couldn't give it four or more stars is because of how inconsistent Angie's character was. Angie was strong, plucky, and determined after arriving in Colorado, but where was this strength and determination during the ten years she was apart from Sam? Especially since Sam provided his current address every time he moved to Angie's father?
I enjoyed Ms. Osborne's writing, so I will definitely read more of her books.
October 17, 2023
Ho riletto questo libro per completare una sfida in cui si chiedeva appunto di rileggere un libro che leggerei all'infinito. Bè per me quel libro è questo, sicuramente non sarà chissà cosa perché è una semplice storia d'amore ma a me ha trasmesso tanto.
Maggie Osborne in questo romanzo attraverso Angie e Sam ci insegna tanto, a come a volte è necessario mettere da parte l'orgoglio per essere felici, a come spesso le difficoltà in due si superano più facilmente e che spesso avere un'altra persona con cui condividere i problemi e le paure rende tutto più semplice.
Angie e Sam nonostante sono sposati da dieci anni sono in realtà due estranei e quando per circostanze fortuite sono costretti a vivere insieme tutto cambia, i loro punti di vista cambiano, le loro precedenti colpe assumono un colore diverso e insieme alle figlie di lui, due adorabili bambine, diventano una famiglia nonostante entrambi ne sono restii.
Ho trovato i protagonisti assolutamente ben descritti, così come il contesto dove vivono, l'autrice è riuscita più volte a commuovermi e a divertirmi. Il suo è un libro che merita davvero la lettura perché insieme alla semplicità, come già detto sopra ci insegna tante cose, non dico altro perché altrimenti vado a rischio spoiler.
M. B.
Maggie Osborne in questo romanzo attraverso Angie e Sam ci insegna tanto, a come a volte è necessario mettere da parte l'orgoglio per essere felici, a come spesso le difficoltà in due si superano più facilmente e che spesso avere un'altra persona con cui condividere i problemi e le paure rende tutto più semplice.
Angie e Sam nonostante sono sposati da dieci anni sono in realtà due estranei e quando per circostanze fortuite sono costretti a vivere insieme tutto cambia, i loro punti di vista cambiano, le loro precedenti colpe assumono un colore diverso e insieme alle figlie di lui, due adorabili bambine, diventano una famiglia nonostante entrambi ne sono restii.
Ho trovato i protagonisti assolutamente ben descritti, così come il contesto dove vivono, l'autrice è riuscita più volte a commuovermi e a divertirmi. Il suo è un libro che merita davvero la lettura perché insieme alla semplicità, come già detto sopra ci insegna tante cose, non dico altro perché altrimenti vado a rischio spoiler.
M. B.
March 7, 2025
The premise of this book held a lot of promise, but the execution left me cold. My main issue? The hero. He marries the heroine but then, fathers two daughters over a decade with another woman, while the heroine remains steadfastly loyal. It felt like a betrayal of her character and the reader's trust.
I did appreciate the heroine's tenacity. She was resourceful and capable, handling household tasks with surprising ease. Though, let's be real, a woman raised in wealth suddenly mastering domestic chores? A bit of a stretch. It felt more like a convenient plot device than genuine character development.
Ultimately, the hero's actions were too much to overlook. His lack of fidelity, coupled with his limited prospects, made him utterly unappealing. He simply didn't deserve the heroine's devotion. It felt like a mismatch from the start, and the story never managed to convince me otherwise.
I did appreciate the heroine's tenacity. She was resourceful and capable, handling household tasks with surprising ease. Though, let's be real, a woman raised in wealth suddenly mastering domestic chores? A bit of a stretch. It felt more like a convenient plot device than genuine character development.
Ultimately, the hero's actions were too much to overlook. His lack of fidelity, coupled with his limited prospects, made him utterly unappealing. He simply didn't deserve the heroine's devotion. It felt like a mismatch from the start, and the story never managed to convince me otherwise.
December 27, 2024
Silver Lining is still my favorite but this book is close. The h and H eloped ten years ago when they were sixteen. The H planned to leave Chicago and head west. The h's father argued with the H about his ability to provide for the h successfully. The H left. Ten years later the h travels to meet the H. She is destitute and wants a divorce so that she is free to be courted by a gentleman who is interested in her. The H has financial obligations and cannot afford to pay for the divorce and set the h up while waiting for it to become final. The h is devastated to learn the H is the father of two girls. She feels broken hearted that she has wasted ten years alone while the H lived a family life. As with Silver Lining, there are surprise twists in the story that change the perspective of what is happening.
October 12, 2025
I feel like this is another book by this author where I didn’t like the situation at the beginning , but by the end of the book it all made sense, and I liked seeing the main characters work through their problems. I do think that there could have been more scenes at the end of what their lives would look like now. Also, I liked Molly, but I wanted to see more of the side characters, especially since they’re in a small town.
Setting: Willow Creek, Colorado
MCs: Sam Holland, Angelina Holland
POV: both, 3rd person
Setting: Willow Creek, Colorado
MCs: Sam Holland, Angelina Holland
POV: both, 3rd person
October 13, 2019
This was one of those fun reads that you just need to know what happens! Angie married Sam ten years ago, and through adversity, they ended up married but apart. Sam is prideful and Angie is a strong woman who speaks her mind! Together these two are trying to raise funds to operate their daughter. You see these two go through so much just to survive. I appreciated how the author built up their love story and showed how they started to love each other. It was a very real type of love.
Now for the parental review; some bad words used here and there. There were two scenes with explicit sexuality, however they are easy to skip through, and they are not longer than a half a page or so. They were not necessary, I skipped through them, and didn’t feel like I missed out on anything.
Now for the parental review; some bad words used here and there. There were two scenes with explicit sexuality, however they are easy to skip through, and they are not longer than a half a page or so. They were not necessary, I skipped through them, and didn’t feel like I missed out on anything.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
March 2, 20222022.03.02
Well, I finished it because writing was good and nothing interested me at the moment.
Characters had some redeeming qualities afterall.
They kind of suited for each other.
From the ending, I guess they didn’t have their own child. I wish they had.
——2022.03.01
Note to self.
Dnf.
I think these two shouldn’t be a couple at all.
Spineless heroine, fxxking cheating hero with ill mannered brats.
Well, I finished it because writing was good and nothing interested me at the moment.
Characters had some redeeming qualities afterall.
They kind of suited for each other.
From the ending, I guess they didn’t have their own child. I wish they had.
——2022.03.01
Note to self.
Dnf.
I think these two shouldn’t be a couple at all.
Spineless heroine, fxxking cheating hero with ill mannered brats.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 12, 2017
Pleasantly surprised.
I was pleasantly surprised with this book.
It was a little bit different and not as predictable as a lot of lithe books that I've read recently.
The people in the story had a lot of character, even the secondary people .
I will be looking at more control's by this author.
I was pleasantly surprised with this book.
It was a little bit different and not as predictable as a lot of lithe books that I've read recently.
The people in the story had a lot of character, even the secondary people .
I will be looking at more control's by this author.
February 22, 2022
A heaping portion of miscommunication/an utter lack of communication + both the hero and the heroine blame each other for their problems pretty much until the very end + the hero had another family while the heroine and he were estranged (why did he never file for divorce??) = my least favorite Maggie Osborne novel thus far.
not-interested-or-bad-reviews
January 25, 2023Apparently the whole book is based on misunderstandings and pride. Pride to a ridiculous level. For example the hero didn’t seek a divorce from the heroine so that he could marry another woman even after he fell in love and then proceeded to have two children. It had significant social consequences for them. That kind of pride is frustrating.
July 24, 2023
This book was great. I love, love, love historic westerns because there is so much everyday activity, with couples slowly falling in love and this was all here. The spice was minimal but handled well. I enjoyed the character growth (didn’t love the everyone gets rich side plot), but was missing a babylog. (Don’t @ me, I’m basic)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 18, 2024
This book was sooooo slow. The characters were sadly boring. The female lead was without personality and really immature for her age (like she was in stasis from 16 to 26), other than lacking in gumption and being fairly self involved with no idea what anyone else might feel. Stopped reading at about halfway point.
May 8, 2025
Can’t go wrong with Ms. Osborne
This was NOT my fav book by Ms. Osborne, but I loved the story. She will certainly keep you reading. Love her main characters but her secondary characters are just as awesome. And she writes so as you can keep all of the characters straight. Will continue to read her tales of love.
This was NOT my fav book by Ms. Osborne, but I loved the story. She will certainly keep you reading. Love her main characters but her secondary characters are just as awesome. And she writes so as you can keep all of the characters straight. Will continue to read her tales of love.
October 12, 2025
DNF at 73%
All that and it turns out that
All that and it turns out that
September 22, 2018
“There was no creature...
on earth as beautiful as a happy woman.” Spoiler Alert: I was uncomfortable that Sam chose a night of extravagance that delayed Daisy’s operation, even after I realized it portended a HEA.
on earth as beautiful as a happy woman.” Spoiler Alert: I was uncomfortable that Sam chose a night of extravagance that delayed Daisy’s operation, even after I realized it portended a HEA.
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