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Wilder West #1
Everly
*A sweet, clean, historical mail order bride romance!*
The terms of her father's leave Everly with no choice but to marry before her 21st birthday in order to ensure the security of her family. Will she be able to get over her anger towards men in enough time to find someone to marry? Answering an ad for a mail order bride, she finds Ben - a man who needs a woman to help him raise his two nieces left in his care. Can they find love while dealing with both a vindictive stepmother who wants to stop her from marrying, and a meddling woman who is determined to take the children from Ben? They will both have to learn to trust, even as the past threatens to ruin everything.
MESSAGE FROM KAY P. DAWSON:
I want to thank you for taking the time to read my book - Everly is my first stab at fiction writing in the mail order bride romance genre, and I hope you love it as much as I enjoyed writing it.
The book is a clean, sweet romance between Everly and Ben. I hope it gives you a few hours of happy reading :)
Kay
The terms of her father's leave Everly with no choice but to marry before her 21st birthday in order to ensure the security of her family. Will she be able to get over her anger towards men in enough time to find someone to marry? Answering an ad for a mail order bride, she finds Ben - a man who needs a woman to help him raise his two nieces left in his care. Can they find love while dealing with both a vindictive stepmother who wants to stop her from marrying, and a meddling woman who is determined to take the children from Ben? They will both have to learn to trust, even as the past threatens to ruin everything.
MESSAGE FROM KAY P. DAWSON:
I want to thank you for taking the time to read my book - Everly is my first stab at fiction writing in the mail order bride romance genre, and I hope you love it as much as I enjoyed writing it.
The book is a clean, sweet romance between Everly and Ben. I hope it gives you a few hours of happy reading :)
Kay
178 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 9, 2015
968 people are currently reading
615 people want to read
About the author
Kay P. Dawson
60 books497 followersUSA Today Bestselling Author, Kay P. Dawson writes sweet western romance - the kind that leaves out all of the juicy details and immerses you in a true, heartfelt love story. Growing up pretending she was Laura Ingalls, she's always had a love for the old west and pioneer times. She believes in true love, and finding your happy ever after.
Happily married mom of two girls, Kay has always taught her children to follow their dreams. And, after a breast cancer diagnosis at the age of 39, she realized it was time to take her own advice. She had always wanted to write a book, and she decided that the someday she was waiting for was now.
She writes western historical, contemporary and time travel romance that all transport the reader to a time or place where true love always finds a way.
You can connect with Kay through her website at KayPDawson.com
She also has an active fan group where she hangs out with her readers...https://www.facebook.com/groups/kaypd...
Happily married mom of two girls, Kay has always taught her children to follow their dreams. And, after a breast cancer diagnosis at the age of 39, she realized it was time to take her own advice. She had always wanted to write a book, and she decided that the someday she was waiting for was now.
She writes western historical, contemporary and time travel romance that all transport the reader to a time or place where true love always finds a way.
You can connect with Kay through her website at KayPDawson.com
She also has an active fan group where she hangs out with her readers...https://www.facebook.com/groups/kaypd...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 165 reviews
May 1, 2019
3* but only because the genre of historical western mail order bride books is filled with crap. If I were rating based on all books I read I would give it 2.
Despite the generally awful quality of this type of book I sometimes feel the desire to read one. This was slightly better than average. The characters were pleasant and acted consistently. Unfortunately it was not a marriage of convenience book as the story ends as soon as they get married. I felt too much time was spent on the set up and not enough on the romance. The resolution of the problem was too quick as well.
Despite the generally awful quality of this type of book I sometimes feel the desire to read one. This was slightly better than average. The characters were pleasant and acted consistently. Unfortunately it was not a marriage of convenience book as the story ends as soon as they get married. I felt too much time was spent on the set up and not enough on the romance. The resolution of the problem was too quick as well.
December 27, 2023
I found this one to be pretty disappointing, honestly.
Good points:
In general, I liked several of the ideas the author had for this story.
Characters: I liked the idea that the main character was supposed to be (more on my qualifying this sentence later) someone who thought of others first and who did her utmost to help her family. I liked the fact that some of this wasn't purely typical romance fare in that the main (female) character's mother had been a prostitute yet was not shown in a bad light. I liked the fact that the main male character was also trying to do right by his family, taking in his orphaned nieces and trying to find a mother for them.
World building: I liked the idea that the main female character's family was trying to survive and save her family in the face of some difficult circumstances in 19th century America (i.e. not the easiest time for women).
Plot: The plot moved along well enough (this was a romance novel after all so it's not like our main lady is being attacked at every turn by exploding fireballs).
Bad points:
Characters: The reason for my stating that the main (female) character was "supposed to be someone who thought of others first and who did her utmost to help her family" is that this was something we were mostly told and not shown. The main female character (i.e. Everly) was shown (once!) doing some sewing to get some extra $$ for her family. The only other example of this was that relating to the main plot point device of the novel, in that she tried to find a man to marry before her 21st birthday. So in general, we were told that she had spent years trying to help her family (i.e. because her father was a jerk who had made her mother his mistress while marrying someone else) but this was never something which was shown. We are also told that, because of her father most likely, she does not and has never trusted men. We are told in passing of another instance (i.e. in the past) whereby she had thought a young man had been courting her but really wanted to make her a 'non respectable' offer (i.e. read make her his mistress).
We are also told but not shown that her two younger sisters differ in their trust in men with one sister believing in love while the other does not (i.e. the only thing which is shown in this regard is their differing attitudes is that one sister wants her to go through with an arranged marriage or at least to consider it because, apparently, she believes in true love, while the second is not so sure).
We are told but not shown that the main male character (Ben) almost married a woman he didn't love but that they remain friends. We are told but not shown that the marriage was broken off because Ben's cousin caught the fiancée kissing another man. We are told but not shown that Ben and this woman remained friends. We are told but not shown that Ben and his cousin Jake grew up together and are very close.
We are told and not shown that Ben and Everly spend a lot of time together over the three weeks she is in town (i.e. she was originally from Chicago). We are told but not shown that she comes to care for Ben, his family, and the entire town: the text actually skips over most of the time she spends in town, so that most of what we get to see is her arriving and she and Ben deciding to marry. We are told but not shown much about Ben's two young nieces: they say a few words here and there but that's pretty much it.
Which brings me to the biggest flaw in this book: I never got an actual sense of any of the characters, or why I should care about them. Or about what was going on in this book, for that matter.
World building: The setting was not really elaborated on in the story. It is briefly mentioned that Ben raises cattle and horses and is pretty well off financially. It is mentioned in passing that Ben's town is a quiet small town which contrasts greatly with the hustle-bustle of Chicago. I didn't get much of a sense of Chicago as a city, either, from this book.
Plot: Despite the relative simplicity of the plot, some elements didn't entirely make sense to me. For instance, while I understand that Everly's father's wife and son knew about his mistress, I didn't understand how it was the everyone around Everly and her mother knew, given that she hadn't worked as a prostitute in years (probably decades) and led a pretty quiet life with her three daughters. I mean, Chicago, even in the 19th century, was a pretty darn big city. Also, prostitution and gambling took place in particular areas of the city which Everly's family would likely have avoided given that her mother had given up prostitution a long time ago (and she had been involved in prostitution to avoid starvation, mostly). And the fact that so many people in Chicago knew about them (and that they couldn't have moved somewhere else in Chicago to avoid these people who knew, since this was, again, a BIG CITY), is never explained in the book.
A rather silly plot element takes place when Everly's stepmother actually tries to ruin her stepdaughter's life by following her to Wyoming and somehow arriving there with her son (who thought he was going there to become the financial partner of Ben's family for some reason which was never explained much). Honestly, while I understand this woman was bitter about her husband's infidelity and so on, it seems to be a ridiculous amount of trouble to go to, especially when she was actively engaged in fighting the will which would have given a lot of her husband's money to his former mistress and her children.
...So all in all, I'd suggest not bothering with this one.
Good points:
In general, I liked several of the ideas the author had for this story.
Characters: I liked the idea that the main character was supposed to be (more on my qualifying this sentence later) someone who thought of others first and who did her utmost to help her family. I liked the fact that some of this wasn't purely typical romance fare in that the main (female) character's mother had been a prostitute yet was not shown in a bad light. I liked the fact that the main male character was also trying to do right by his family, taking in his orphaned nieces and trying to find a mother for them.
World building: I liked the idea that the main female character's family was trying to survive and save her family in the face of some difficult circumstances in 19th century America (i.e. not the easiest time for women).
Plot: The plot moved along well enough (this was a romance novel after all so it's not like our main lady is being attacked at every turn by exploding fireballs).
Bad points:
Characters: The reason for my stating that the main (female) character was "supposed to be someone who thought of others first and who did her utmost to help her family" is that this was something we were mostly told and not shown. The main female character (i.e. Everly) was shown (once!) doing some sewing to get some extra $$ for her family. The only other example of this was that relating to the main plot point device of the novel, in that she tried to find a man to marry before her 21st birthday. So in general, we were told that she had spent years trying to help her family (i.e. because her father was a jerk who had made her mother his mistress while marrying someone else) but this was never something which was shown. We are also told that, because of her father most likely, she does not and has never trusted men. We are told in passing of another instance (i.e. in the past) whereby she had thought a young man had been courting her but really wanted to make her a 'non respectable' offer (i.e. read make her his mistress).
We are also told but not shown that her two younger sisters differ in their trust in men with one sister believing in love while the other does not (i.e. the only thing which is shown in this regard is their differing attitudes is that one sister wants her to go through with an arranged marriage or at least to consider it because, apparently, she believes in true love, while the second is not so sure).
We are told but not shown that the main male character (Ben) almost married a woman he didn't love but that they remain friends. We are told but not shown that the marriage was broken off because Ben's cousin caught the fiancée kissing another man. We are told but not shown that Ben and this woman remained friends. We are told but not shown that Ben and his cousin Jake grew up together and are very close.
We are told and not shown that Ben and Everly spend a lot of time together over the three weeks she is in town (i.e. she was originally from Chicago). We are told but not shown that she comes to care for Ben, his family, and the entire town: the text actually skips over most of the time she spends in town, so that most of what we get to see is her arriving and she and Ben deciding to marry. We are told but not shown much about Ben's two young nieces: they say a few words here and there but that's pretty much it.
Which brings me to the biggest flaw in this book: I never got an actual sense of any of the characters, or why I should care about them. Or about what was going on in this book, for that matter.
World building: The setting was not really elaborated on in the story. It is briefly mentioned that Ben raises cattle and horses and is pretty well off financially. It is mentioned in passing that Ben's town is a quiet small town which contrasts greatly with the hustle-bustle of Chicago. I didn't get much of a sense of Chicago as a city, either, from this book.
Plot: Despite the relative simplicity of the plot, some elements didn't entirely make sense to me. For instance, while I understand that Everly's father's wife and son knew about his mistress, I didn't understand how it was the everyone around Everly and her mother knew, given that she hadn't worked as a prostitute in years (probably decades) and led a pretty quiet life with her three daughters. I mean, Chicago, even in the 19th century, was a pretty darn big city. Also, prostitution and gambling took place in particular areas of the city which Everly's family would likely have avoided given that her mother had given up prostitution a long time ago (and she had been involved in prostitution to avoid starvation, mostly). And the fact that so many people in Chicago knew about them (and that they couldn't have moved somewhere else in Chicago to avoid these people who knew, since this was, again, a BIG CITY), is never explained in the book.
A rather silly plot element takes place when Everly's stepmother actually tries to ruin her stepdaughter's life by following her to Wyoming and somehow arriving there with her son (who thought he was going there to become the financial partner of Ben's family for some reason which was never explained much). Honestly, while I understand this woman was bitter about her husband's infidelity and so on, it seems to be a ridiculous amount of trouble to go to, especially when she was actively engaged in fighting the will which would have given a lot of her husband's money to his former mistress and her children.
...So all in all, I'd suggest not bothering with this one.
October 17, 2015
A great start to a new series. It was clean(no swearing, no sex)and it was quite different from the usual mail order bride books that I've read. I like this sub-genre (not sure if that's correct, but it's what I use for mail order bride books)immensely and have several in my "library". This is one that will remain. The storyline was unique and interesting. The child of a "soiled dove", so to speak, going west to become a mail order bride....not by choice, but to "save" her family due to stipulations in her father's will. And the prospective groom also not quite "wanting" to be married, but due to circumstances finding it the best solution (I'm trying not to give any/many spoilers). Absolutely loved it. This is a good first book(in this genre)for the author. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in this series, about Everly's younger sister, Sarah.
April 13, 2019
needs an editor. repetitive and some odd wording throughout. the conflict felt very forced. suffers from tell, don't show. there is a lot of recapping conversations, rather than conversations.
the story was sweet. the characters were likable, even if it is too short to ever really get to know them. has potential.
the story was sweet. the characters were likable, even if it is too short to ever really get to know them. has potential.
September 7, 2016
I've read a bunch of these "mail order bride" novels and my perception is that they are all written by amateurs with even grammatical mistakes (and I am a non-native English speaker) so it was a nice surprise when I read this novel; it goes accord with that time traditions and prejudices, and although we all know the type of story and its inevitable ending, it's a nice story with congruent characters. I liked it.
April 21, 2017
Clean and sweet. This is the kind of romance I can enjoy. Characters and plot were a little unrealistic but for a quick and cute read this is perfect.
September 4, 2017
Everly’s father has passed away and in his will she has to marry before her 21st birthday to secure her family. She answered an ad to be a mail order bride to Ben and his two nieces.
Ben really needs to find a wife as the gossip lady in town wants to take the two girls from him. She says they need a mother figure and he is not fit. So he places an ad in hopes to get her off his back. He love those girls.
Everly shows up and the girls take to her right away. Ben finds her attractive and vice versa. Working together they make the girls a great home and keep the girls. A wonderful read of love and hope.
I would read more books by this author.
Ben really needs to find a wife as the gossip lady in town wants to take the two girls from him. She says they need a mother figure and he is not fit. So he places an ad in hopes to get her off his back. He love those girls.
Everly shows up and the girls take to her right away. Ben finds her attractive and vice versa. Working together they make the girls a great home and keep the girls. A wonderful read of love and hope.
I would read more books by this author.
August 6, 2017
An easy read, that was kind of predictable, but I still really enjoyed it. Everly's dilemma was believable, but Ben's wasn't (at least to me for that period in time). Hazel reminded me a little of a Mrs. Oleson, from Litttle House on the Prairie, but she wasn't likable at all. I'm interested to read the next books in the series, since they're about the other two sisters.
May 9, 2020
Sweet Historical Romance
5 stars
May, 8, 2020
What a great story! You know there has to be a trouble maker to cause conflict, but wowza, this one takes the cake! But true love triumphs!
5 stars
May, 8, 2020
What a great story! You know there has to be a trouble maker to cause conflict, but wowza, this one takes the cake! But true love triumphs!
July 9, 2020
Thoughts: Sweet. A good, solid historical western romance. Clean. All the hanky panky is in the past and future. Good characters and plot. Well written. The twist was totally unexpected, but well-done. Recommended
September 6, 2016
E-Reader Romance
The Wilder family consists of their Mother with 3 unwed daughters. Their Mother met thier father at a Brothel & he set her up in an apartment. Their Father spent time at their apartment, but married another woman. He passed away & stated in his will that all financial aid would stop unless the oldest daughter Everly got married by her 21st birthday. Her birthday was weeks away. Her sister Sarah brings home a magazine with ads for mail order brides. As a last resort she writes to Ben Montgomery who has custody of his two young nieces & owns a large ranch along with cousin Jake. His Dad lives separately on the ranch.
Everly decides to go west to meet Ben & his nieces to see if they suit. She takes her sister Sarah with her as a chaperone. This book gets better by the page. I totally enjoyed this book. If you enjoy mail order brides stories, you'll enjoy this book.
The Wilder family consists of their Mother with 3 unwed daughters. Their Mother met thier father at a Brothel & he set her up in an apartment. Their Father spent time at their apartment, but married another woman. He passed away & stated in his will that all financial aid would stop unless the oldest daughter Everly got married by her 21st birthday. Her birthday was weeks away. Her sister Sarah brings home a magazine with ads for mail order brides. As a last resort she writes to Ben Montgomery who has custody of his two young nieces & owns a large ranch along with cousin Jake. His Dad lives separately on the ranch.
Everly decides to go west to meet Ben & his nieces to see if they suit. She takes her sister Sarah with her as a chaperone. This book gets better by the page. I totally enjoyed this book. If you enjoy mail order brides stories, you'll enjoy this book.
January 15, 2017
Everly must marry before her 21st birthday. She is so angry with her father for making that stipulation in his will. She must, or her mother and two sisters will be left with nothing. Her father had never married her mother and now trusting men was not something she was willing to do. Ben needed a wife because a busybody in town was trying to force him to marry her daughter. Ben decides to advertise for a wife and Everly answers his ad. How does Everly trust him with the truth about her family history?
October 16, 2016
There are parts of the book that are confusing. Everly's mother works in a hotel, but Everly doesn't have a job at age 20. The book is "christian" but the mother was a mistress. They all whine about this situation. But hey, it was the mother's choice - she isn't the martyr the book portrays. That was so irritating.
September 30, 2016
Love it!
Wonderful story that flows well and makes you smile. Everly is a strong girl but must make a serious choice that affect her and her family. She didn't have much of a great experience with men, but when Ben comes into the picture with his two niece's...everything changes. You will fall in love with each character, except maybe Hazel, lol. Must give this book a try.
Wonderful story that flows well and makes you smile. Everly is a strong girl but must make a serious choice that affect her and her family. She didn't have much of a great experience with men, but when Ben comes into the picture with his two niece's...everything changes. You will fall in love with each character, except maybe Hazel, lol. Must give this book a try.
October 19, 2016
This is an engaging clean historical western romance. The two main characters were well developed and the hero's young nieces were endearing and stole each scene they were written in. The story was short and sweet with just enough angst from our hero and heroine, fueled by the animosity toward them by two very spiteful older women, to keep things interesting.
September 22, 2016
Excellent Read
I loved this book. It is my first read with this author. It won't be my last. I love reading about mail order brides & their families .
I loved this book. It is my first read with this author. It won't be my last. I love reading about mail order brides & their families .
June 27, 2017
Great book to start the series with. The story flows and the characters are believable. I can't wait to read the rest of the series.
February 8, 2017
Couldn't put it down.
It's so refreshing to find a book that isn't bulked out with swearing and sexual content.
Looking forward to reading Sarah's story.
It's so refreshing to find a book that isn't bulked out with swearing and sexual content.
Looking forward to reading Sarah's story.
November 6, 2021
Kay Dawson – Wilder West Bk 1 – Everly – Reviewed 11/5/21 – Read 10/31/21
The will was clear: Everly had to be married by her 21st birthday or the support stopped!
Everly was hurt by a man in her past that made her determined to never trust men again. When her father dies, the terms in the will state that she had to be married by her 21st birthday or his estate would no longer support her mother and sisters. By chance, while the girls are shopping, her younger sister found some ads in the paper for mail-order brides, and she pointed them out to Everly. Everly scoffed it off but as she left the store she slipped the paper in her bag.
Later as she is re-reading the paper she comes across an ad that strikes her as different from all of the others. Her sister caught her reading it and between the two she encouraged Everly to answer the ad and the story begins.
Join Everly as she journeys west to meet the man in the ad, and her possible future husband…
What did I like? This is my first book by this author, but I was struck by the genuineness of the storyline. My grandfather had told me stories of men during his time that had indeed married mail order brides and almost all of them were still married. He had met my grandmother at a rodeo in New York and they lasted a lifetime together. It was a crapshoot as to whether something like that would work but we see Everly checking it out in this book.
What will you like? Faith, trust, romance, and love. Will it happen? Will her trip be for nothing or will the two of them be struck by the arrow of cupid? Kay has given us a beautifully written love story that will take you by storm. So many questions will be answered in a whirlwind affair. This was a sweet and enjoyable read that will make your heart sing. Don’t miss Kay Dawson’s first book in the Wilder West series, “Everly” – Available NOW!!!
• ASIN: B09F8LLCMX
• Publisher: CKN Christian Publishing
• Publication Date: 11/27/2021
• File Size: 3038 KB
• Print Length: 121 pages
• Genre: Christian Historical Fiction, Historical Christian Romance, Religious Historical Fiction
The will was clear: Everly had to be married by her 21st birthday or the support stopped!
Everly was hurt by a man in her past that made her determined to never trust men again. When her father dies, the terms in the will state that she had to be married by her 21st birthday or his estate would no longer support her mother and sisters. By chance, while the girls are shopping, her younger sister found some ads in the paper for mail-order brides, and she pointed them out to Everly. Everly scoffed it off but as she left the store she slipped the paper in her bag.
Later as she is re-reading the paper she comes across an ad that strikes her as different from all of the others. Her sister caught her reading it and between the two she encouraged Everly to answer the ad and the story begins.
Join Everly as she journeys west to meet the man in the ad, and her possible future husband…
What did I like? This is my first book by this author, but I was struck by the genuineness of the storyline. My grandfather had told me stories of men during his time that had indeed married mail order brides and almost all of them were still married. He had met my grandmother at a rodeo in New York and they lasted a lifetime together. It was a crapshoot as to whether something like that would work but we see Everly checking it out in this book.
What will you like? Faith, trust, romance, and love. Will it happen? Will her trip be for nothing or will the two of them be struck by the arrow of cupid? Kay has given us a beautifully written love story that will take you by storm. So many questions will be answered in a whirlwind affair. This was a sweet and enjoyable read that will make your heart sing. Don’t miss Kay Dawson’s first book in the Wilder West series, “Everly” – Available NOW!!!
• ASIN: B09F8LLCMX
• Publisher: CKN Christian Publishing
• Publication Date: 11/27/2021
• File Size: 3038 KB
• Print Length: 121 pages
• Genre: Christian Historical Fiction, Historical Christian Romance, Religious Historical Fiction
January 4, 2020
Everly by Kay P. Dawson is the first book in the Wilder West series. Everly Marie Wilder is forced to marry by her 21st birthday or she, along with her mother and two younger sisters, will lose support from her father’s estate. Everly has always stated that she never wanted to marry and being forced to marry to keep her family from poverty leaves her unsure how to proceed. Soon her sister, Beth, finds a magazine advertising for brides and the idea comes to her, Everly could be a mail order bride. Everly, desperate for a solution, reluctantly answers an ad that intrigues her. Ben Montgomery is a rancher in Wyoming and raising his two young nieces following the sudden death of his sister and brother in law. Under pressure from the town busybody to provide his nieces with feminine influence, Ben places an ad. Soon Everly and Ben correspond and agree to meet. Could this be a marriage of convenience? Or could love truly blossom for the reluctant Everly?
Everly was a fast-paced love story which helps set up future books in the story. While it was enjoyable, I loved the characters of Ben and Everly, the action seemed to happen way too fast with no real sense of the time which may or may not have passed. And the build up to and climax of the battle between Ben and the town busybody seemed to be over too quickly. However, I’m intrigued enough to follow the rest of the series and I do recommend Everly as a quick and enjoyable weekend read.
Everly
is available in paperback and eBook
Everly was a fast-paced love story which helps set up future books in the story. While it was enjoyable, I loved the characters of Ben and Everly, the action seemed to happen way too fast with no real sense of the time which may or may not have passed. And the build up to and climax of the battle between Ben and the town busybody seemed to be over too quickly. However, I’m intrigued enough to follow the rest of the series and I do recommend Everly as a quick and enjoyable weekend read.
Everly
is available in paperback and eBook
May 13, 2020
I'm actually giving this one 2 1/2 stars.
Storyline: Not bad. A fairly typical storyline for historic romance books, but one that works.
Everly is forced to marry before her 21st birthday because her selfish father put it in his will that if she didn't, the family would get nothing. (Given the circumstances surrounding the family, I'm not sure why he ever thought this was a good thing to do to look after his family, but I guess I could imagine a man like him doing so). Ben is forced to marry so he can keep his two nieces after his sister's death. The marriage of convenience turns into real love.
Characters: They both seem nice and suit each other, though I didn't really get to know them much (see point below).
Writing: Bad.
To be honest, the only reason I finished this book was that it was just over a hundred pages so I was always so close to finishing, I decided I may as well keep going.
The writing itself just fell really flat on this one. While we were meant to mostly be in the headspace of Everly or Ben, I felt like it was always the writer telling us what was happening and explaining the situations. I wasn't swept along at all. I didn't really get to know each of the characters. Sentences were very simple and a bit bland on many occasions. Overall it just didn't do much for me. There were also typing and grammatical errors through-out it.
With a bit more work on writing style, it could have been a lovely book. It just wasn't.
Storyline: Not bad. A fairly typical storyline for historic romance books, but one that works.
Everly is forced to marry before her 21st birthday because her selfish father put it in his will that if she didn't, the family would get nothing. (Given the circumstances surrounding the family, I'm not sure why he ever thought this was a good thing to do to look after his family, but I guess I could imagine a man like him doing so). Ben is forced to marry so he can keep his two nieces after his sister's death. The marriage of convenience turns into real love.
Characters: They both seem nice and suit each other, though I didn't really get to know them much (see point below).
Writing: Bad.
To be honest, the only reason I finished this book was that it was just over a hundred pages so I was always so close to finishing, I decided I may as well keep going.
The writing itself just fell really flat on this one. While we were meant to mostly be in the headspace of Everly or Ben, I felt like it was always the writer telling us what was happening and explaining the situations. I wasn't swept along at all. I didn't really get to know each of the characters. Sentences were very simple and a bit bland on many occasions. Overall it just didn't do much for me. There were also typing and grammatical errors through-out it.
With a bit more work on writing style, it could have been a lovely book. It just wasn't.
March 2, 2019
Everly Wilder was shocked when she heard the terms of her father’s will – she must marry before her 21st birthday in six months or she and her two sisters and her mother would lose all their financial support from her father’s estate.
Everly didn’t want to marry – her experience with men was nothing but negative – but she would not endanger the wellbeing of her family. At the urging of her sister Sarah, she responded to an advertisement in a magazine for mail order brides.
Ben Montgomery needed a wife to help him raise his two orphaned nieces so that the town busybody would not remove the girls from his custody. At the urging of his cousin Jake he submitted an advertisement to a magazine for mail order brides.
I had not read any books by this author but will in the future. The mail order bride theme is very popular and there are hundreds of them, I’m sure. I have read a few and this is one of the more interesting plots. There are secrets on both sides which makes the story interesting. Everly is a proper lady despite her background. Ben is an old-fashioned gentleman but not a snob. Frankly, I’d love to meet them and Ben’s sweet nieces in real life!
Everly didn’t want to marry – her experience with men was nothing but negative – but she would not endanger the wellbeing of her family. At the urging of her sister Sarah, she responded to an advertisement in a magazine for mail order brides.
Ben Montgomery needed a wife to help him raise his two orphaned nieces so that the town busybody would not remove the girls from his custody. At the urging of his cousin Jake he submitted an advertisement to a magazine for mail order brides.
I had not read any books by this author but will in the future. The mail order bride theme is very popular and there are hundreds of them, I’m sure. I have read a few and this is one of the more interesting plots. There are secrets on both sides which makes the story interesting. Everly is a proper lady despite her background. Ben is an old-fashioned gentleman but not a snob. Frankly, I’d love to meet them and Ben’s sweet nieces in real life!
January 14, 2018
A very sweet read for sure. I’d highly recommend this book for those who like historical books , especially the romantic mail order bride style.
Everly is in shock after finding out from her father’s lawyer that in order for her family to receive any funds from his estate, she’ll need to marry by her 21st birthday. The whole family is devastated because of their mom being a kept woman. With time ticking Everly’s sisters decide to help out by getting a mail order magazine. At first she’s appalled but with everybody in the area knowing her mom’s past she writes a letter not expecting a reply, boy was she surprised.
Ben Montgomery knows that the town busy body won t leave him alone unless he finds a woman to help raise his nieces. With his cousin’s prodding he places an add not expecting this venture to work until that one letter catches his attention. So he sends for Everly and once he gets her here he realizes he can’t let her go. Will Everly trust Ben enough to risk her heart or will they lose everything?
Everly is in shock after finding out from her father’s lawyer that in order for her family to receive any funds from his estate, she’ll need to marry by her 21st birthday. The whole family is devastated because of their mom being a kept woman. With time ticking Everly’s sisters decide to help out by getting a mail order magazine. At first she’s appalled but with everybody in the area knowing her mom’s past she writes a letter not expecting a reply, boy was she surprised.
Ben Montgomery knows that the town busy body won t leave him alone unless he finds a woman to help raise his nieces. With his cousin’s prodding he places an add not expecting this venture to work until that one letter catches his attention. So he sends for Everly and once he gets her here he realizes he can’t let her go. Will Everly trust Ben enough to risk her heart or will they lose everything?
November 22, 2023
Everly is one of three sisters raised by their mother above a hotel. She squeaked out a living by working at the hotel that Everly's father owned. He never acknowledged his daughters and on top of that he was married to another woman. After his death he put conditions on their mother inheriting any money to take care of them until they found their own husbands. This put pressure on Everly to find a man to make sure her mother and sisters where taken care of. Ben is a hardworking cowboy working in Wyoming with his father and cousin, Jake, in breeding horses. He has come in to being responsible for the raising of his two nieces, Olivia and Elizabeth, with the death of their mother and father. But some old bitty in town, Ms. Hazel, is threatening to take them away from him if he doesn't get married. So both Ben and Everly start up a correspondence with each other and eventually meet. But things come to a head when other parties try to rip the newly found love between the two.
July 12, 2020
The author has the skill to make this an interesting story. However, she decided to create a unique plotline and it just didn't work well. Everly's mom was a prostitute who was eventually a 'kept woman' by a wealthy man (who was forced to marry another woman by his family). Mr. Elliott had three daughters by his mistress. The woman he married was a widow with a son. Elliott never had children with his legal wife. She was enraged by the second family.
Mr. Elliott's will was bizarre. Mrs. Elliott and her son eventually arrive in Wyoming, just in time to try to interfere with Everly's mail-order marriage to Ben. This wrinkle was beyond absurd. It is hard for contemporary readers to be as frazzled as Mrs. Hayes about Caroline Wilder (Everly's mother) and her shady past. The plot was just too contorted to be realistic. I don't plan to continue with this series. 3.5 stars
Mr. Elliott's will was bizarre. Mrs. Elliott and her son eventually arrive in Wyoming, just in time to try to interfere with Everly's mail-order marriage to Ben. This wrinkle was beyond absurd. It is hard for contemporary readers to be as frazzled as Mrs. Hayes about Caroline Wilder (Everly's mother) and her shady past. The plot was just too contorted to be realistic. I don't plan to continue with this series. 3.5 stars
August 17, 2020
I have to say I enjoyed this book.
Yes, it wasn't my usual go-to book but I found it sweet and rather nice.
I know reading over some of the reviews a lot of people were not impressed. But I kind of like it.
Yes, the characters were not fleshed out, the storyline was very short and sweet and yes there wasn't any angst or story building.
That said sometimes you just want a sweet story that you can read in an afternoon by the pool. This one is perfect.
Everly's father has passed away and left some rather unlikely terms to his will. Ben is a man trying to raise two girls. When Everly answers Ben's ad for a bride she is sure she will not find love but hopes to help her family and his.
Overall this story was easy to read, quick, and rather sweet. It's one I would pick up again for a quick afternoon read.
Yes, it wasn't my usual go-to book but I found it sweet and rather nice.
I know reading over some of the reviews a lot of people were not impressed. But I kind of like it.
Yes, the characters were not fleshed out, the storyline was very short and sweet and yes there wasn't any angst or story building.
That said sometimes you just want a sweet story that you can read in an afternoon by the pool. This one is perfect.
Everly's father has passed away and left some rather unlikely terms to his will. Ben is a man trying to raise two girls. When Everly answers Ben's ad for a bride she is sure she will not find love but hopes to help her family and his.
Overall this story was easy to read, quick, and rather sweet. It's one I would pick up again for a quick afternoon read.
August 25, 2021
A Feel-Good Story
If you are looking for a book that occasionally makes you smile and has a happy ending, then you've found it. The little girls are charming. You want a buddy just like Jake. And the husband-to-be is what he should be in a feel-good mail order bride book. Now there is a Mrs Nasty Pants. Boy, can that woman hold a grudge. Several exchanges are quite, shall we say, entertaining.
How is your life when you & your two sisters were born with a mother who was not married to your father because he was married to someone else? And you live where everybody knows it? Men treat you like you are nothing and your distrust of all men serves you well. UNTIL...
Until your dad is dead and imposes an impossible marriage on you and there seems no out. This is a very entertaining story. A nice read. Go and enjoy.
If you are looking for a book that occasionally makes you smile and has a happy ending, then you've found it. The little girls are charming. You want a buddy just like Jake. And the husband-to-be is what he should be in a feel-good mail order bride book. Now there is a Mrs Nasty Pants. Boy, can that woman hold a grudge. Several exchanges are quite, shall we say, entertaining.
How is your life when you & your two sisters were born with a mother who was not married to your father because he was married to someone else? And you live where everybody knows it? Men treat you like you are nothing and your distrust of all men serves you well. UNTIL...
Until your dad is dead and imposes an impossible marriage on you and there seems no out. This is a very entertaining story. A nice read. Go and enjoy.
November 8, 2019
Every Finds Hope
A sweet story about Everly Wilder, a young woman who is learned not to trust men because of her father. He has recently died, and the will says that she must marry before her twenty first birthday or she, her two sisters, and her mother would receive nothing. She us no prospects at home, so her sister bought a mail order bride magazine. After thinking about it, she was reading the ads and found one that she was drawn to. She answered the ad to Ben Montgomery, a Wyoming cattle rancher. They corresponded and he sent two tickets for her and a female to travel to Wyoming to see if they suited each other. I enjoyed this story and leave it to you to read it yourself.
A sweet story about Everly Wilder, a young woman who is learned not to trust men because of her father. He has recently died, and the will says that she must marry before her twenty first birthday or she, her two sisters, and her mother would receive nothing. She us no prospects at home, so her sister bought a mail order bride magazine. After thinking about it, she was reading the ads and found one that she was drawn to. She answered the ad to Ben Montgomery, a Wyoming cattle rancher. They corresponded and he sent two tickets for her and a female to travel to Wyoming to see if they suited each other. I enjoyed this story and leave it to you to read it yourself.
May 25, 2020
Refreshingly Good Read
What a refreshing romance novel to read. Accurate depiction of mail order brides back in the early history of the states. She kept you wanting to read more to find out what happens next. Good details written in as well. Most notable was the absence of sexual details but focused on the romance of the story instead. Loved this read and highly recommend it. Completely believable story. Could have used a slight more detail in the feelings department in order to grip the reader in finding out how they we 're truly feeling. Still a good read and would recommend it to anyone looking for an escape from reality even for a little while. You won't regret taking the time to rest read it.
What a refreshing romance novel to read. Accurate depiction of mail order brides back in the early history of the states. She kept you wanting to read more to find out what happens next. Good details written in as well. Most notable was the absence of sexual details but focused on the romance of the story instead. Loved this read and highly recommend it. Completely believable story. Could have used a slight more detail in the feelings department in order to grip the reader in finding out how they we 're truly feeling. Still a good read and would recommend it to anyone looking for an escape from reality even for a little while. You won't regret taking the time to rest read it.
October 12, 2024
3.75 Stars. Clean romance. kindle fist.
I bumped up the star rating because it is a cute story that made me smile.
When Everly‘s father dies, his will states that Everly must marry by her 21st birthday or she inherits nothing. This gives Everly only a few months to find a man, so she answers a mail order bride ad.
Everly and her family were brought up and what some people might call an unconventional way as her parents were not married. I did find the character of Hazel to be a little unbelievable but the story in general was good. It is book one and does, end in a small cliffhanger for Everly‘s sister, Sarah. You must read the story to find out more.
This was another Kindle first book that I received free.
I bumped up the star rating because it is a cute story that made me smile.
When Everly‘s father dies, his will states that Everly must marry by her 21st birthday or she inherits nothing. This gives Everly only a few months to find a man, so she answers a mail order bride ad.
Everly and her family were brought up and what some people might call an unconventional way as her parents were not married. I did find the character of Hazel to be a little unbelievable but the story in general was good. It is book one and does, end in a small cliffhanger for Everly‘s sister, Sarah. You must read the story to find out more.
This was another Kindle first book that I received free.
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