Troubled Bride

advanced-reading-copy arc-read-review arranged-marriage

Becky Claxon

2,250 reviews18 followers

I love Ms. Woolf’s historical western romance books. Olivia was not the typical mail order bride. I can’t imagine what she was going through trying to get money to save her mother, and fool her employer at the same time. This was not Olivia’s personality, but sometimes we do things for loved ones we would normally never do. Unfortunately when Olivia leaves New York City to travel to Golden, Colorado she witnesses a murder and hopes she gets out of town and no one follows her. I loved Tyler, her husband to be. He has a three month old daughter named Josie that he needs a wife for. He didn’t have to worry about Olivia as she fell in love with Josie at first site. I always enjoy learning more about the ranches back then and all they went through. I felt bad for a Olivia as she wanted children and Tyler was afraid to have any more. Then someone comes to town and is out to get Olivia. The story gets very exciting. I strongly encourage you to read the book. I was given a copy of the book and voluntarily wrote a review.

Julia David

2,556 reviews26 followers

Olivia has been taking care of her mother and in order to do that, she deceived a man who was looking for a mail order bride. When her mother dies, she decides to make it real and go to him. Tyler's wife died during childbirth and he needs a wife to care for his new baby. Olivia has always wanted to be a mother but didn't think it would happen for her. The moment she saw Tyler's baby daughter, it was instant love. Now she would do anything to protect that little girl. She has also fallen in love with Tyler and when she brings trouble to his door, she will do anything to protect her new family. Will she be able to stay?

SKM

136 reviews2 followers

April 14, 2021

This book was very good. It was well written with characters that had depth and personality. Olivia lied, but I could actually understand her reasoning. Tyler was very brave and strong and, he ultimately forgave Olivia for her lies. This was a easy, short read that I truly enjoyed.

I received an ARC of this book and am volunteering an honest review.

Kaye

7,177 reviews72 followers

⚖️⚖️ONE TITILLATING ADVENTURE⚖️⚖️
Jumping jellybeans jasper! Cynthia whips out one tantalizing delight, delivering up this rough and rowdy, boot-stomping, tilt-our-world wonder with this heart pounding, pulse racing, adrenaline pumping, block busting dynamo, bringing the heat and busting down walls, launching this baby to staggering heights. Mannerisms and attributes in every thread you unravel with each page, your drawn into this tangled web so intricately and precise, booting this bad boy into the eye of the storm, bursting it into a tailspin with astonishing impacts, exhibiting the soaring ups and agonizing downs, breathtaking in it's simplicity and beautiful in it's depth, blasting this baby to life beautifully. Stepping head-long into a unfamiliar territory chocked-full of riveting drama, gripping intrigue, underlying threats, brutal tactics, spiraling danger, electrifying suspense and terrifying encounters, wrapping this gem up sleek, shiny and tight. The attraction and chemistry collides with such ease and adoration, exploding with boundless emotions and infinite affections, putting our characters through their paces, uniting them together flawlessly. The characters, dialogue, interactions and charged atmosphere along with relatable qualities and individual traits, blend and flow adding depth and diversity, transforming into outstanding personalities. The scenes are abundantly descriptive with colorful details that blend and flow, creating a majestic backdrop that's so rich and lively it feels as though you're part of the story instead of on the sidelines, feeling everything the characters feel. Fabulous job Cynthia, thanks for sharing this awesome little gem with us.

Lisa

949 reviews

April 13, 2021

Olivia Hayes works for Matchmaker & Company in New York City. The year is 1873. Holly’s mother is sick and needs to be hospitalized. Unfortunately, the hospital will not treat her other unless Olivia pays the entire amount upfront. Since, she has no money, she decides to lie and cheat to get it.

Olivia decides to become a mail order bride. Her plan is to steal the money that Tyler, the groom, sends for her journey to Colorado and, instead, use it for her mother’s treatment. Her mother dies before she has a chance to pay the hospital, and Olivia uses the money for her mother’s burial.

Afterwards, Olivia resigns from Matchmaker & Co. and refuses to honor her obligations as a mail order bride. She only agrees after Maggie, the matchmaker, threatens she will prosecute her if she doesn’t go.

Unfortunately, along the way to Colorado, Olivia witnesses a vicious murder. She realizes her life is in danger when the murderer sees her. Olivia hopes for her safety is that she will be safe because she is starting a new life, with a new name, far away from the actual crime. Unfortunately, the hired assassin turns out to be smarter than Olivia realizes since he is eventually able to find out where she is. And, the lives of Olivia and her new family are in serious danger. If they do not find a way to get rid of the man chasing them, they will never be able to live a normal life on their ranch.

Ms. Woolf creates an absorbing plot filled with lots of action and danger!

Margaret Watkins

3,574 reviews89 followers

I enjoyed this clean romance with its underlying suspense, which ran its course throughout the book. Olivia Hayes has her hands full with a desperately sick mother, driving her to make a serious mistake. Forced to leave the city behind, Olivia embarks on a journey to Denver as a mail-order bride but unwittingly witnesses a crime on the way to the train station, thereby putting a target on her back. Arriving in Golden, Olivia is met by her long-time friend and mentor, who introduces Olivia to Tyler Wainwright, her soon-to-be husband, and his beautiful little baby. Although Olivia starts out badly, she actually does make a good showing of herself as she takes up the reins of marriage and caretaker of baby Josie. Tyler appears on the surface of things to be careless of Olivia's feelings when he informs her that there will be little to no intimacy in their marriage, but he has a good sense of humour and turns out to be a caring husband. Unfortunately, the idyll is shattered when Olivia's nemesis arrives on the scene and puts not only Olivia's life at risk but also those she cares about. There is a good plot and the story is generally well written. Although part of a series, this novel is a standalone and comes to a good conclusion. I received a copy of this romance as a gift and this is my honest and voluntary review.

Ruth

319 reviews5 followers

I really wanted to knock Olivia into next week from the start of this book. She made me mad. However, I did like the book.
Olivia is the manager of the Matchmaker Company. Her good friend Maggie is the owner and not too long ago married a client in Colorado. Olivia was finding mail order brides for men in the west. What got me about her is she deceived one of these men by posing as a bride. She was going to use the money to help her dying sick mother, but before the money got there her mother did die. She tells Maggie that she never intended to be a bride for the man and Maggie told her to get on the next train. She agrees and leaves the next day. However, a twist happens on her way to the train and she really does not think about it.
Tyler is looking for a wife as he is a widower and has a young baby, like months old. His wife died in childbirth. He needs to run his ranch and he cannot run it well this a baby on his hip. He sends money to Olivia so she can move to Colorado and become his new bride. He marries her and brings her home. Now the fun begins.
As they live and work together their feeling might be changing to love. Once the trouble that Olivia did not think much about catches up with her, she will have to make some choices. First does she tell her husband and ask for help. Second does she leave or stay. If she stays will all be ok? Once Tyler knows can he keep his family safe? Does he finally tell Olivia he loves her? Will they make it out of this, or will they lose all they have worked for?

* I received a free advance review copy of this book and am voluntarily providing my honest review.

Charmaine Nouwen

5,468 reviews23 followers

Troubled Bride: Historical Western Romance by Cynthia Woolf is a captivating,intriguing and heartwarming with a bit of danger,action and suspense.. a western mail order bride romance story of Tyler and Olivia..Tyler is a rancher,a widow and a single dad to a baby and needs a wife for his daughter..Olivia is from the city and working in Matchmaker & Company. and taking care of her ill mother so she signep up for a mail order bride for a rancher in colorado they exchanging letters..Olivia wasn't born a liar or a cheat, but circumstances have forced her to play a role she never wanted or imagined for herself but she was desperate for money to care for her ill mother,Olivia had no intention of following through with the contract she signed with Matchmaker & Company untill her mother past away without,money and homeless and the owner of the matchmaking company gives her a choice; go to Colorado and be the bride she promised she would be, or go to jail on her way to the station she witness a murder scene and she knows her life is in danger so she run to get her ticket towards colorado to meet her new husband the gorgeous rancher..
Will the killer sent to silence her forever complete his mission? Will Olivia's lies lead to her death or will love and truth be enough to give Olivia and Tyler a happily-ever-after? I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

Phyllis Rundell

1,027 reviews12 followers

The author has once again given us a sweet and heartwarming story, yet one full of human emotions and shortcomings which include: lies, deceit, death, grief, murder, suspense, danger and romance. This is Olivia Hayes and Tyler Wainwright's story, including his infant daughter Josie. After the death of his wife, Tyler sends for a MOB as a means to have someone to care for his daughter. Maggie, while working at the mail order bride agency, accepted his request under false pretenses and when the deceit is discovered she is forced to follow through. Their marriage goes through many trials and tests. Will they reach a HEA? Be sure to read this great story; it is a real page turner. I know you will enjoy it as much as I did.

Sheila

617 reviews4 followers

Getting to know Tyler, Olivia, Josie and Cloris was fun to a point, the story was almost too short for me. I looked and hoped for something just seemed missing - did the mayor go to jail, did he hear of Edgar's passing and leave town and resign, pretend nothing happened? Maybe a little more action from Edgar - possibly on his journey to find his target or even while watching the house?
I did like how Maggie understood Olivia and her issue, explaining how she understood and giving her a chance to "make up" for it and how she took her shopping and lunch. I could see Olivia's face when she saw Bernice the dress shop owner for the first time and knew she found the right dress maker.
It states book 5 of 5, does this mean the end of Matchmaker and Co?

Vicki Johnson

802 reviews6 followers

A very engaging and well written historical romance set in the Colorado Rockies in the 1800's. This is the story of Olivia and Tyler and a precious little infant that makes you want to hold her and watch her smiles and giggles. The fifth story in this Matchmaker series that has Olivia leaving her "home" in New York after the heartbreaking death of her mother. There is some interesting subterfuge happening as the story plays out and guarantees a story that is an easy and entertaining read that will leave you with a smile at the final epilogue.

I received an ARC copy of this book. This is my voluntary, honest, and completely personal review. VICKI FROM WYOMING

Amanda Marlowe

2,561 reviews27 followers

March 24, 2021

Olivia was helping to run the matchmakers mail order bride office in New York. She's been in contact with Tyler looking for a bride for him, to look after his baby daughter, but really there is no bride ready, she needs the travel money for her mother's hospital visit. But although the money arrives, her mother dies, so she prepares to travel to Golden, on the way to the station she sees the mayor shoot someone.
She arrives in Golden and Tyler is everything she hoped for and his daughter, Josie, is enchanting.

Will the mayor's henchman find her? Can she persuade Tyler she won't die in childbirth?

Another great read from Cynthia.

Jeanne Mead

512 reviews4 followers

March 25, 2021

Olivia is desperate to find a way to pay her mother's medical bill so she can receive further treatment.
Posing as a potential mail order bride, she hopes to use the money sent for her train fare towards her moms expenses.
Unfortunately, her mothers' unexpected passing gives Olivia no choice but to actually accept future husband Tyler's request to marry him.
On her way to start a new beginning, she accidentally witnesses a horrific crime and barely makes it on the train.
Will Olivia and Tyler be able to adjust to married life with an infant daughter or will trouble come to haunt them?
Enchanting and exciting romantic adventure!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book.

Melinda M

1,004 reviews1 follower

April 2, 2021

Troubled Bride: Historical Western Romance by Cynthia Woolf is book 5 of the Matchmaker and Company series. This is Olivia and Tyler’s story. Oliva's story makes this adventure also have a suspense twist. Cynthia Woolf has managed to tell a story where the heroine starts out not doing the right thing complete because of family issues. Olivia will steal your heart and Taylor's as well. It does well as a stand alone but reading the series always makes it better to me. Cynthia Woolf has become one of my favorite authors. Looking forward to the next book.

I received a free advance review copy of this book and am voluntarily providing my honest review.

arc-book done

Pamela Mitchell

1,596 reviews12 followers

What a wonderful historical western so beautifully written I felt like I was right beside Olivia Hayes as she leaves New York City to travel to Golden, Colorado to become wife to Tyler Wainwright in this can't-put-down adventure with characters you want to know more about, danger, life in the wild west and heartwarming romance. Ms. Woolf never disappoints whatsoever and "Troubled Bride" is a must read for anyone who enjoys well-crafted historical western romance. I received an advance reader copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving my review.

Margie

4,609 reviews33 followers

NYC politics hasn’t changed much in the last 150 years, there was corruption in 1873 and as history has shown corruption up to current times. Unfortunately, Olivia happened to see the corruption in person. Fleeing New York City for her life and a mistake she had made, she heads west to face her punishment for the mistake. Tyler Wainwright just wants a bride, primarily to care for his 3 month old little girl. Cynthia Woolf has given us interesting characters and a plot full of twists and turns. Romance, humor, danger and a happily ever after, what more could you want.

Karen

1,488 reviews27 followers

March 30, 2021

I received an ARC of this book from the author, Cynthia Woolf, via Bookfunnel and this is my voluntary and honest review. I loved this wonderful love story of Olivia and Tyler. Tyler lost his wife in childbirth and puts out an ad for a mail order bride to care for his infant baby girl named Josie. Olivia falls in love with Josie as soon as she sees her but isn't happy when Tyler makes it clear he doesn't want more children after their marriage. I highly recommend this book. It will hold your attention from beginning to end with a HEA ending that is perfect.

Diane

736 reviews

Olivia manages a mail order bride office in New York and lives with her mother in the upstairs apartment. Due to looming medical bills for her mother, Olivia decides to pose as a potential bride to gain the ticket money to pay the medical bills. Things don’t go exactly as planned and Olivia finds herself traveling to Colorado to meet her groom. I recommend this book for anyone who loves historical romance.

Mary Willard

328 reviews2 followers

March 30, 2021

A stand-alone book that is the fifth in the Mail Order Brides series. Another great addition to the Matchmaker & Co. mail-order brides series. We get to see a bit of the characters from the previous books and it is nice to follow up with them. Leaving New York after witnessing a murder, being tracked by a killer who wants any witnesses eliminated, Olivia must try to keep the killer from finding her with her new family. A page turner!

Sherry Westendorf

4,603 reviews22 followers

March 30, 2021

Love this book. It gives you so much excitement, suspense, twists and turns and throws in romance and life situations and much more. There is not a boring place in this story. It is very well written and keeps you on the edge of your seat all the way through. Throw in debt, a sick mother, matchmaking business, mail order fiancé and so much more. I highly recommend this. I received a review copy and voluntarily review it.

Cindy C.

1,143 reviews14 followers

April 12, 2021

What an enjoyable story. Troubled Bride brings the Wild West as Olivia travels west to keep her promise to marry Tyler. But Olivia finds herself fleeing as she witnessed something she should not have. As Olivia and Tyler work towards having a meaningful relationship the shadow that has been stalking Olivia soon finds her. Cynthia Woolf has written a sweet romance with characters that come off the pages and pull you into their tale, a good plott, with intrigue, danger and suspense.

Viola

1,012 reviews3 followers

February 8, 2025

very good

Book 5 of this series is just as good as the first 4 books. Cynthia Woolf is a very good writer and knows her subjects. A mail order bride wanted the money to help her mother who was ill. Yet when she had the money her mother dies. So she is told to travel west and marry the rancher or face charges. So she starts her travels by running. She witness a murder. So now she is really on the run. A very enjoyable read.

Nethanja

862 reviews11 followers