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Matchmaker's Mix-Up #4

Harvey's Bashful Bride

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In theory, sending for a bride through a Matchmaker was a sound plan. In reality, it couldn't have been more disastrous...

As Cottonwood Creek's newly elected Mayor, Harvey Dennett is in need of a bride. Utilizing Chicago's most successful matchmaker certainly seemed like the answer to all his problems, but when Martha, his wife-to-be, faints the minute she arrives, he wonders whether he made a giant mistake.
Bashful Martha, on the other hand, is happy for her change in circumstance but unaccustomed to the wilds of her new frontier home. When a string of robberies plague the citizens of Cottonwood Creek, Martha enlists the help of two stalwart friends to conquer the threat, endearing her to the people of the town. Will her efforts be enough to win the heart of her husband?

Harvey's Bashful Bride is part of the multi-author series Matchmaker's Mix Up but can be read as a standalone story. Readers can expect a sweet happily ever after.

127 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 19, 2021

42 people are currently reading
26 people want to read

About the author

Krystal M. Anderson

27 books69 followers
Reading has always been a passion of mine. I always wanted to become an author but it was a "someday" sort of goal. In 2017, I decided to make my dream a reality and began my first book. While I enjoy nearly all fiction, historical novels particularly fascinate me.

My family and I live in Southern Utah, USA. I grew up on horseback and treasured any time I could spend riding through the red sands and sagebrush. My husband Randon and I have four children - including a set of twins. Nothing makes me happier than being a wife and mother.... but reading is a very close second!

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5 stars
136 (65%)
4 stars
50 (24%)
3 stars
16 (7%)
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4 (1%)
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
Profile Image for Katie (hiding in the pages).
3,523 reviews333 followers
February 24, 2021
Darling and sweet

This darling historical western romance was so sweet. The book begins with an intriguing prologue, setting the story up for a matchmaking mishap--can you imagine? It was simply wonderful!

Harvey is the mayor of a western town in Nevada and doesn't know how to handle Martha, who is completely opposite of his marriage request. With help from her new friends, Martha grows and adapts, while a mysterious string of robberies shadows the town.

I adored Martha and watching her metamorphosis. I loved watching her find her place and fit into it like a missing puzzle piece. But the surprisingly sweet, slow-burn romance was what really warmed my heart.

This small town is full of feel-good characters and charm and the story was heartwarming in its entirety.

Content: mild romance; mild religion

*I received a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.*
Profile Image for Kathy Heare Watts.
6,979 reviews175 followers
February 22, 2021
THE BRIDE IS HERE!

The Matchmaker’s Mix-Up series can be read in any order. Each book is a clean western historical tale of mail-order brides and the grooms they are matched to. With Agatha Sinclair’s illness, only one problem is her granddaughter, Maggie, doing the matching. Throw in a naughty kitty, Cleo, and things are about to get interesting.

Harvey Dennett has been voted in as the new Mayor of Cottonwood Creek, Nevada. In his acceptance speech, he will make a bold statement. With his friend, Lilac Mayhew, he will accomplish his promise—sending for a mail-order bride through Agatha Sinclair.

“I’ll be sending for a bride, one whose exemplary actions might be the model ever one of us can strive to emulate. For the sake of progress, my fellow citizens!”

“Would this Agatha woman truly be able to find a refined, confident woman in search of a groom? He considered; it was probably more likely he’d find a compatible woman through Agatha than if he sent for a mail-order bride.”

Martha Hume knows that life should offer her more than cleaning for Mrs. Kelloway. But as shy as she is, how will she ever find a husband? She will see an ad in the paper and contact Agatha Sinclair and surprises when she is matched and will be moving to Nevada.

The story is a comedy of errors as Harvey is so outgoing and expecting the same kind of person as his new wife. When Martha arrives by stagecoach to Cottonwood Creek, she won’t get out of the stage at first, and when she does, she passes out at seeing all the people. Harvey is confused but manages to hold it together with the help of Lilac. Is this marriage doomed before it even begins? How could the matchmaker send someone completely opposite of what he stated he wanted in a wife?

But like with everything, time and patience make a difference. Martha gains two wonderful friends in Irma and Louisa, who together help her. Lilac is a wise lady who listens to both Martha and Harvey but never buts into their business—she is more a sounding board. The longer Martha is in Cottonwood Creek, listening to conversations and situations, she sees needs that she thinks she can help in—and as she progresses with her plans, she impresses her husband.

“You never get the chance to recapture missed memories with those you love.”

“His bashful bride had turned out to be a perfect match.”
875 reviews12 followers
February 28, 2021
Harvey is the mayor of a small Nevada town and is looking for a bride to stand by his side. The matchmaker, Agatha, is ill so her granddaughter, Maggie, is doing the matching with the “help” of Cleo, the cat. Martha, a housekeeper for Mrs. Kelloway, has traveled to Nevada to be his bride. She is so shy she won’t exit the stage and then she faints! Harvey gets burnt meals because she knew how to clean, not how to cook. She manages to become friends with Irma and Louisa who help her be the person she was meant to be. She starts to see the needs in the town and works towards resolving them. These are wonderful characters with such diverse personalities! This is a beautiful, heartwarming story!
I received an advance copy of this book from the author, however, I voluntarily wrote an honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.
870 reviews4 followers
January 5, 2022
Wow! This book pulls you right in and then tugs on your heart.
Martha is painfully shy but wants a life of her own. She jsut hopes she'll be able to make it out West all alone.
Harvey is the new Mayor and has promised to try to bring more women to the area. Where best to start but with himself. He's hoping for an outgoing woman to come help him improve the community. But when his bride arrives, he's not sure what to do with her or what she's really thinking.
Can Martha make a home for herself even if her new husband doesn't seem to want to be around her? Will she ever find love and happiness?
This clean, sweet book was really good. I think my favourite in the series so far.
Just one thing bugged me: Harvey's books included a Mark Twain book that wasn't published until 6 years after this book took place....
2,620 reviews16 followers
July 2, 2021
Harvey and Martha

This is a sweet and loving Mail order bride tale written by Krystal M Anderson. She has done an exceptional job with the plot and the characters in this mixed up tale. She as filled the pages with excitement, adventure, a smig of humor with hint of mystery. Harvey is a young bachelor that is the newly elected town mayor and has promised to have a bride in tow shortly. Martha is a lonely, but extremely shy young lad and decides her best option for her future is to become a Mail order bride. You will enjoy discovering how Martha solving the town mystery and five young orphans lead to Harvey and Martha finding their happily ever after.
Profile Image for Rosa Cline.
991 reviews28 followers
July 18, 2021
4 1/2 stars

This was the first book I’ve read by this author and I greatly recommend it to others. I’ll be searching out more books from her.
The beginning was a bit sluggish but soon she found herself and the storyline flowed. Filled with uncertainties, town gossip,trying to fit in when you’d been alone all your life. Gods grace and finally love.
This is part of a series but can be read as a stand alone. There is no curse words or sexual references so I can recommend this to anyone who wants to read a good book. ( if she hasn’t already the author could make a series from thus book so many great characters and town)
1,297 reviews13 followers
February 18, 2021
This is a sweet historical western romance. Being a mail order bride is a scary thought. Martha didn’t give up and with the help from a couple of fast friends, she quickly learned the ways to put her home to rights. If you read a lot of mail order bride stories, you might find this one a little slow to start. But it redeemed itself as you went along. Good character description. Good story, but could have had more adventure. Have read some of this authors books and I think this one was a good read. Clean wholesome romance.
1,836 reviews12 followers
February 20, 2021
Harvey had no idea what kind of a wife he was getting from the Chicago matchmaker. Martha had no idea what all she needed to learn to become a wife Harvey would love. They both needed the help of other women in the town. Then Harvey discovers Martha is just what he needs & more of a help-mate than he could ever have imagined. This story is more enjoyable than I thought it would be at first. I received an ARC. This is my voluntary opinion.
Profile Image for Janalyn, the blind reviewer.
4,646 reviews141 followers
February 20, 2021
What a beautiful story!

I have never said this about a Storico western novella, but this was a beautiful story. The love between them when it happened felt genuine and her efforts to make her husband love her… It just all felt real and I loved it! I can’t say more about it it was so awesome harveys bashful bride is the best book in the series so far. If you love historical romance Novelas you’re going to love this books. I highly recommend this one
1,027 reviews11 followers
February 21, 2021
The author has penned a sweet, heartwarming and fun story. This is Harvey and Martha's story, and the character development is wonderful. Harvey sends for a MOB but when his intended, Martha, arrives he is not sure she is the right match. As time goes on and Martha works her way into his heart, he begins to change his mind and decides she is just what he needs. Will their relationship develop into a HEA? Be sure to read this story to find out. I know you will enjoy it as much as I did.
35 reviews
May 20, 2021
Unecpected perfection!

To be shy, quiet, unsure of one self is daunting. The courage, an sweet determination made this story soar. Women are their own worst critics. It doesnt matter the year, nationality, or of what walk of life you came from. What does it take to make the leap of faith like mail order brides took? I will treasure The story of Martha always. Thank for the gift of this story.
4,589 reviews31 followers
March 1, 2021
I have enjoyed all the books in this series and Krystal M. Anderson’s book is not an exception It was fun to watch these two mismatched “lovers” find their way. Harvey had to learn to be less of a workaholic and Martha needed to come out of her shell and also learn to cook. There are a few twists and turns along the way to make the story interesting.
Profile Image for Judy.
1,802 reviews13 followers
April 30, 2021
Martha and Harvey 💞

It took shy, bashful Martha and business minded, workaholic Harvey awhile to understand each other. Thanks to Lilac (loved her name!!) and friends Iris and Louisa’s help, Martha was able to blossom in Harvey’s eyes.

I do wish there would have been a little part dedicated to the downfall of that wicked Mathilda... she was horrid.
321 reviews2 followers
February 20, 2021
Harvey and Martha's story

I enjoyed so much reading Harvey's Bashful Bride! It is well written and the characters well developed. I have enjoyed reading all the Matchmaker's Mix-Up books! I know up will love them too!
Profile Image for Sharon.
2,770 reviews7 followers
February 24, 2021
A good read.

Harvey- the newly elected mayor.
Martha- was a house keeper but wanted more from life.
I enjoyed reading this sweet story that is well written with charismatic characters. Although it was hard to connect/like the H. Their story has a good HEA.
Profile Image for Deni-Jean Therriault.
18 reviews
April 2, 2021
This is the first book I've read by this author. It won't be the last. I was was taken in by the story, and how it does take several people to make things work. I look forward to reading other stories by her in the next few months.
2,303 reviews83 followers
May 21, 2021
Sweet Historical Romance

This is such a fun series! I loved how Martha bloomed and Harvey became more compassionate. I especially loved most of the community women in this story and the special friendships!
Profile Image for Robyn Echols.
Author 5 books28 followers
June 11, 2022
Different Kind of Heroine

One does not usually envision a shy woman as a heroine, but the author did a great job of presenting her as someone e, given the right opportunities and encouragement, can accomplish much good. Great characters and a delightful plot. A great read.
Profile Image for Angieleigh.
985 reviews121 followers
August 23, 2025
This is my favorite of the Matchmaker's Mix-Up series so far. Martha is such a sweet lead character and Harvey was definitely the perfect choice for her. Everything played out wonderfully and I'm looking forward to reading more by this author in the future.
Profile Image for Pamela.
749 reviews
March 7, 2021
Delightful

This truly a delightful book, I loved it from the beginning. A really sweet love story about two people who needed each other.
Profile Image for ReadingWench.
2,103 reviews13 followers
March 22, 2021
I love this series. How the circumstances came to be of this series is funny. This story is great. I loved the characters and flow of this book. I like the mystery of the stolen things as well.
1,296 reviews1 follower
April 19, 2021
Sweet Story

Martha finds her way and her home when she chooses to become a mail order bride to Harvey. True friends help Martha come out of her shell.
Profile Image for Mandy Letort.
186 reviews
April 27, 2025
Love this series

My Faith is so very important to me, but a good sweet love story to go along with it is fun! I love the bits of humor and suspense thrown in, too!
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews

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