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The Gilbert Girls #1-3
The Gilbert Girls Book Collection One
Forbidden love, adventure, and heartwarming romance in the Old West
Escape to the Colorado Territory with the first three books in the Gilbert Girls series! These sweet and clean historical romances feature three very different women who take work as waitresses in a remote hotel restaurant and end up finding the kind of love that lasts forever.
Building Forever, Book One
A haunting guilt. A family to save. A love that can’t be.
When Emma Daniels’ well-to-do family finds itself destitute, she answers an ad for the Gilbert Company seeking young women to be waitresses at hotel restaurants along remote railroad lines out west. The rules for a Gilbert Girl are strict: work hard, act respectably at all times, and no courting allowed. None of them present a problem for Emma, at least until she meets the hotel’s builder, Monroe Hartley.
Building this hotel for the Gilbert Company is the perfect opportunity for Monroe. Not only will it advance his career, it barely gives him a moment to drown in guilt over his wife’s death. When Emma arrives, he finds himself drawn to her. But he can’t promise her anything, not unless he wants her to end up with the same fate his wife suffered.
Giving in to their feelings would mean losing everything, yet they find themselves growing closer as the summer stretches on. When a man who covets Monroe’s job discovers their secret and threatens to reveal it, they must each decide whether their love is worth uprooting everything they’ve worked so hard for.
Running From Forever, Book Two
A wanted man. A heart in hiding. A love to free them both.
The Crest Stone Hotel is the perfect place for a man like Thomas Drexel to hide. Wanted for crimes he didn’t commit, Thomas hopes he can blend in as a handyman at the newly-opened hotel. But his past threatens his future when one of the hotel restaurant’s waitresses discovers his identity.
Caroline Beauchamp ran from Boston to escape an arranged marriage to a despicable man. She’s safe in the hotel, hidden from those who want her to return home. Yet she finds herself drawn to Thomas and compelled to help him prove his innocence, even if she risks her position as a Gilbert Girl to do so.
Experience has taught Thomas not to trust women who come from money, but it’s not long before he sees there’s more to Caroline than he thought. With new guests arriving at the hotel each day, it’s only a matter of time before the law finds Thomas and Caroline’s family finds her. With their futures on the line, Caroline and Thomas must trust their newfound love and face their pasts before they are pulled apart--forever.
Wild Forever, Book Three
A missing girl. A damaged heart. A love that risks it all.
Penny May would do anything to forget her past, even traveling all the way to the Colorado Territory to become a Gilbert Girl. Learning to be a good waitress wasn’t easy, but Penny is happy with her new life and friends at the Crest Stone Hotel. At least until the handsome and infuriating county sheriff arrives in search of his kidnapped sister.
Sheriff Ben Young never thought his work could endanger those he loved until a disgruntled outlaw proves him wrong. The last thing he needs now is another impetuous woman in his life, particularly one who goes traipsing about the mountains with little regard to her own safety. But there’s something about Penny that draws him to her, and she turns into an unlikely ally.
Escape to the Colorado Territory with the first three books in the Gilbert Girls series! These sweet and clean historical romances feature three very different women who take work as waitresses in a remote hotel restaurant and end up finding the kind of love that lasts forever.
Building Forever, Book One
A haunting guilt. A family to save. A love that can’t be.
When Emma Daniels’ well-to-do family finds itself destitute, she answers an ad for the Gilbert Company seeking young women to be waitresses at hotel restaurants along remote railroad lines out west. The rules for a Gilbert Girl are strict: work hard, act respectably at all times, and no courting allowed. None of them present a problem for Emma, at least until she meets the hotel’s builder, Monroe Hartley.
Building this hotel for the Gilbert Company is the perfect opportunity for Monroe. Not only will it advance his career, it barely gives him a moment to drown in guilt over his wife’s death. When Emma arrives, he finds himself drawn to her. But he can’t promise her anything, not unless he wants her to end up with the same fate his wife suffered.
Giving in to their feelings would mean losing everything, yet they find themselves growing closer as the summer stretches on. When a man who covets Monroe’s job discovers their secret and threatens to reveal it, they must each decide whether their love is worth uprooting everything they’ve worked so hard for.
Running From Forever, Book Two
A wanted man. A heart in hiding. A love to free them both.
The Crest Stone Hotel is the perfect place for a man like Thomas Drexel to hide. Wanted for crimes he didn’t commit, Thomas hopes he can blend in as a handyman at the newly-opened hotel. But his past threatens his future when one of the hotel restaurant’s waitresses discovers his identity.
Caroline Beauchamp ran from Boston to escape an arranged marriage to a despicable man. She’s safe in the hotel, hidden from those who want her to return home. Yet she finds herself drawn to Thomas and compelled to help him prove his innocence, even if she risks her position as a Gilbert Girl to do so.
Experience has taught Thomas not to trust women who come from money, but it’s not long before he sees there’s more to Caroline than he thought. With new guests arriving at the hotel each day, it’s only a matter of time before the law finds Thomas and Caroline’s family finds her. With their futures on the line, Caroline and Thomas must trust their newfound love and face their pasts before they are pulled apart--forever.
Wild Forever, Book Three
A missing girl. A damaged heart. A love that risks it all.
Penny May would do anything to forget her past, even traveling all the way to the Colorado Territory to become a Gilbert Girl. Learning to be a good waitress wasn’t easy, but Penny is happy with her new life and friends at the Crest Stone Hotel. At least until the handsome and infuriating county sheriff arrives in search of his kidnapped sister.
Sheriff Ben Young never thought his work could endanger those he loved until a disgruntled outlaw proves him wrong. The last thing he needs now is another impetuous woman in his life, particularly one who goes traipsing about the mountains with little regard to her own safety. But there’s something about Penny that draws him to her, and she turns into an unlikely ally.
577 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 13, 2020
459 people are currently reading
126 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
May 13, 2023
This is an OK set of American historical romances, with likable couples, but I did have a few issues with them. It gets 3 stars from me.
All the novellas in this boxed set suffer from a lack of character development. I needed more backstory on all of the couples, but especially on the men.
The novellas are all very similar as well. The woman goes to work as a Gilbert girl, knowing that her contract specifies "no courting". The men also know that the Gilbert girls are off limits. Then they meet, and can't resist each other, so they break all the rules -- even though they both desperately need their jobs. The man is also usually dealing with some problem, and the woman is determined to help him. Their rule-breaking causes trouble with their jobs, but the problems are usually resolved easily.
The characters were all likable, and I was glad when the couples found their HEA -- but I did think their problems were resolved a bit too easily.
My rating system is below.
1 star -- Hated it, or did not finish. I usually only give this rating if some of the content is truly objectionable to me, like if one of the main characters does something really awful, and gets away with it.
2 stars -- Didn't like it. This rating usually means that I thought the writing wasn't very good, the editing was terrible, I didn't like the characters, or it had other major flaws.
3 stars -- I liked it, but had some minor issues with it. This rating means that there were minor editing issues, the story needed more character development, it was just too unrealistic, or had some other fairly minor issue. The majority of books I read get this rating – I do not consider it a bad rating.
4 stars -- I liked it a lot. This is a high rating for me, and I rarely give a higher one.
5 stars -- I loved it, and will probably read it again. Very few books are good enough to get this rating from me. The ones that do are usually classics.
All the novellas in this boxed set suffer from a lack of character development. I needed more backstory on all of the couples, but especially on the men.
The novellas are all very similar as well. The woman goes to work as a Gilbert girl, knowing that her contract specifies "no courting". The men also know that the Gilbert girls are off limits. Then they meet, and can't resist each other, so they break all the rules -- even though they both desperately need their jobs. The man is also usually dealing with some problem, and the woman is determined to help him. Their rule-breaking causes trouble with their jobs, but the problems are usually resolved easily.
The characters were all likable, and I was glad when the couples found their HEA -- but I did think their problems were resolved a bit too easily.
My rating system is below.
1 star -- Hated it, or did not finish. I usually only give this rating if some of the content is truly objectionable to me, like if one of the main characters does something really awful, and gets away with it.
2 stars -- Didn't like it. This rating usually means that I thought the writing wasn't very good, the editing was terrible, I didn't like the characters, or it had other major flaws.
3 stars -- I liked it, but had some minor issues with it. This rating means that there were minor editing issues, the story needed more character development, it was just too unrealistic, or had some other fairly minor issue. The majority of books I read get this rating – I do not consider it a bad rating.
4 stars -- I liked it a lot. This is a high rating for me, and I rarely give a higher one.
5 stars -- I loved it, and will probably read it again. Very few books are good enough to get this rating from me. The ones that do are usually classics.
August 7, 2024
wonderful world of clean romance and triumph of good
This collection is a great way to dive into the world of Creat Stone, CO, created by Ms. Cahill. And believe me you’ll be going “back for seconds”! I’ve read these novels separately but the best thing about this collection is that you can keep reading and pretend it’s still just one book 😉
Now, there are 3 love stories but they are uniques in their own way. So, that you’ll cheer for all but deep inside you’ll pick your faves.
Here are a few things that I love about the Gilbert Girls:
Clean romance (kisses and very non-descriptive but all the emotions)
Good triumphs over evil
Secrets discovered
Past overcome
Roles defined
Worth and value renewed
Differences reconciled
And a mostly always a beautiful love that blossoms unexpectedly.
Give it a try and then like me follow Cat for all the new installments and spin offs set in Crest Stone, CO.
This collection is a great way to dive into the world of Creat Stone, CO, created by Ms. Cahill. And believe me you’ll be going “back for seconds”! I’ve read these novels separately but the best thing about this collection is that you can keep reading and pretend it’s still just one book 😉
Now, there are 3 love stories but they are uniques in their own way. So, that you’ll cheer for all but deep inside you’ll pick your faves.
Here are a few things that I love about the Gilbert Girls:
Clean romance (kisses and very non-descriptive but all the emotions)
Good triumphs over evil
Secrets discovered
Past overcome
Roles defined
Worth and value renewed
Differences reconciled
And a mostly always a beautiful love that blossoms unexpectedly.
Give it a try and then like me follow Cat for all the new installments and spin offs set in Crest Stone, CO.
May 1, 2022
Three Gilbert Girls meet their husbands while there is a no-dating policy in their contracts. Read how they get to know them while trying to keep it a secret from their co-workers and superiors… at least until they know how deep their feelings run.
These stories are well written, full of hope and opportunities. The characters come from different backgrounds but all have one thing in common: they are willing to work hard, wanted to leave their current situations to better future, and had no inclination whatsoever to break the rules ☺. As the first batch of Gilbert Girls arrive on site of the new hotel to get trained, they bond and form their little family away from home.
Enjoy the insight on a time in which it was rare for women to find work and be financially independent, even able to support their families.
These stories are well written, full of hope and opportunities. The characters come from different backgrounds but all have one thing in common: they are willing to work hard, wanted to leave their current situations to better future, and had no inclination whatsoever to break the rules ☺. As the first batch of Gilbert Girls arrive on site of the new hotel to get trained, they bond and form their little family away from home.
Enjoy the insight on a time in which it was rare for women to find work and be financially independent, even able to support their families.
February 21, 2020
There are three books in this collection and each book is as enjoyable as the last. I think my favourite though was book one. Emma and Monroe were perfectly matched and easy to like characters. The story was interesting and moved at a good pace. I really enjoy when a simple storyline can be taken and turned into something wonderful. It was very well written. Book two had a bit more excitement to it! Thomas and Caroline’s story was quite fascinating but not as fascinating as Penny and Ben’s story in book three! All in all a wonderful collection and quite captivating. I definitely recommend these books to anyone who is looking for a sweet/clean historical romance to read!
March 25, 2025
This is an “older” collection having been published in 2020 that I stumbled on when looking for something different. The premise of the Gilbert girls seems based on the Harvey Hotels of the late 1800s and early 1900s in the American West. I enjoyed that the collection features the same cast of characters so I could get to know them. I was fun to watch the couples fall in love and all the foibles and misunderstands it took to get there. The story pace is slow but steady, and I learned a lot about the hotel industry. Very enjoyable sweet stories.
January 31, 2020
This is a must have book set if you enjoy historical western romances. Each book is filled with romance, surprises, dangers, unexpected twist, action and suspense. The characters are all personable and draw you into the story. The story’s pull at your heart strings as the characters deal with their feelings and the obstacles that they experience. If you like clean heartwarming romances you will enjoy theses stories.
December 29, 2021
Interesting
I like how each story is completely distinct whilst set within the same place with the same characters, plus some. The stories are well done and interesting, and are engaging as you learn more about each one's story, and the male's involved as well. Enjoyed every one. Never boring.
I like how each story is completely distinct whilst set within the same place with the same characters, plus some. The stories are well done and interesting, and are engaging as you learn more about each one's story, and the male's involved as well. Enjoyed every one. Never boring.
May 31, 2025
Compilation of Three books in the Gilbert Girls
This is a compilation of the first three books in the Gilbert Girls. I enjoy that we follow several girls so we get a picture of the community. Each story focuses on one main girl, but, you get caught up with the girls from previous stories. Very enjoyable stories.
This is a compilation of the first three books in the Gilbert Girls. I enjoy that we follow several girls so we get a picture of the community. Each story focuses on one main girl, but, you get caught up with the girls from previous stories. Very enjoyable stories.
December 7, 2025
sweet story
I’m sure Penny would not consider her story properly named “sweet” but it is in my eyes. I so enjoyed reading about this spitfire of a girl and her match to the sheriff. The sheriff, Ben, nicknames her his dragon because of her propensity to get herself in trouble by not taming her tongue or her actions. Wonderful!
I’m sure Penny would not consider her story properly named “sweet” but it is in my eyes. I so enjoyed reading about this spitfire of a girl and her match to the sheriff. The sheriff, Ben, nicknames her his dragon because of her propensity to get herself in trouble by not taming her tongue or her actions. Wonderful!
July 11, 2020
This is a fun collection of historical novels set in Colorado in 1875. Each of the heroine's works for the Gilbert Company as a waitress. Each story had a great hero. The books were clean and entertaining.
July 29, 2020
Great bookl
This was a really good book & well written. Penny & Ben kept you so involved in the story,you couldn't put it down. Ended up until 2 am reading Full of excitement & suspence.Be sure to read.Great author
This was a really good book & well written. Penny & Ben kept you so involved in the story,you couldn't put it down. Ended up until 2 am reading Full of excitement & suspence.Be sure to read.Great author
August 8, 2020
Fun read
Penny was trying hard not to have any trouble working as a Gilbert Girl. Then a sheriff came to station looking for his kidnapped sister. They seem to be attracted to each other. Could she help him? This was a really fun exciting read. Loved it.
Penny was trying hard not to have any trouble working as a Gilbert Girl. Then a sheriff came to station looking for his kidnapped sister. They seem to be attracted to each other. Could she help him? This was a really fun exciting read. Loved it.
August 25, 2020
Great Box set about the Gilbert girls
The moral compass for women was extreme during this time period. Author Cat Cahill keeps your attention from the beginning with her stories about strong female characters!
The moral compass for women was extreme during this time period. Author Cat Cahill keeps your attention from the beginning with her stories about strong female characters!
January 16, 2021
Strong Heroines
I enjoyed reading the adventures of these two ladies. Although this novel is part of a series the three books had different plots. I’m looking forward to reading the other novels in this series.
I enjoyed reading the adventures of these two ladies. Although this novel is part of a series the three books had different plots. I’m looking forward to reading the other novels in this series.
January 24, 2021
Fun and adventurous
Three great stories. Brave young women from varying backgrounds striking out on their own and out of their comfort zones learning to work hard and finding success.
Three great stories. Brave young women from varying backgrounds striking out on their own and out of their comfort zones learning to work hard and finding success.
December 19, 2021
Three wonderful stories!!!
I made short work of getting through all three of these marvelous books. The characters are delightful, the stories are fun, and you end up feeling warm and happy at the end.
I made short work of getting through all three of these marvelous books. The characters are delightful, the stories are fun, and you end up feeling warm and happy at the end.
July 4, 2020
Please see individual stories for review.
July 12, 2020
Fun reading of women’s struggles
July 15, 2020
The Gilbert Girls Book Collection One 3Sweet Historical Western Romances
This is a very good story collection about the Gilbert Girls and the people in their lives that they love
This is a very good story collection about the Gilbert Girls and the people in their lives that they love
July 24, 2021
A fun and delightful read. A sisterhood grows amongst young women while each book features a separate Gilbert Girl and her adventure(s). I highly recommend this collection.
May 6, 2023
Fun to read
These are fun historical romance that are easy to read. You get to follow the group of ladies throughout the series.
These are fun historical romance that are easy to read. You get to follow the group of ladies throughout the series.
July 5, 2024
great book
This was a great book and what a fantastic author. I highly recommend this book and author. I can’t wait to read the next book by this wonderful author.
This was a great book and what a fantastic author. I highly recommend this book and author. I can’t wait to read the next book by this wonderful author.
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August 19, 2025I did not read this book
August 26, 2025
I loved every one of these books. They have everything a good read needs to keep my attention.
good work Ms Cahill!!!
good work Ms Cahill!!!
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews