The Secrets of a Broken Heart

by Lilah Rivers

Growing up in Boston, Erin Cassidy has lived a difficult life. She’s always had to fend for herself and her brother Michael, who has been shunned by their family and the community due to his health issues. She hasn’t seen a great deal of kindness in the world, so when she responds to a mail-order bride ad from a cattle rancher in Dry Creek, Wyoming, she doesn’t expect much. When she arrives however and encounters a kind and honorable man she would really like to get to know better, everything changes… How can she overcome the dark secret she keeps though, knowing how it could ruin her chances of happiness? When Sam discovers she has been going out on a walk every evening, will he be willing to hear her explanation and possibly forgive her? Sam McKinley is a successful cattle rancher who prides himself on being a stand-up gentleman and a hard worker. Regrettably, he’s never had much luck with love, which is why he sends out a listing for a mail-order bride. He’s always been an independent man without too many people to rely on, so he’s not sure how he’ll adjust to having not just another person in the house, but a wife, too! When Sam meets Erin though, they surprise each other by being respectful and not trying to push anything too quickly. Even though she is the prettiest woman he has ever seen, he cannot help but think that she's still a total stranger to him. Understandably, his initial hesitation acts as the perfect safety net to avoid getting hurt. When she gives him a reason not to trust her, could he believe the woman who stole his heart against his own judgment? The problem is, both Sam and Erin have secrets they’re hiding from the other. Why is Sam going into town on a moment’s notice and why is Erin secretly meeting a red-haired gentleman? As they begin to discover their secrets, will they be able to make their marriage work? When whispers of cattle thieves start growing around town, will suspicious and strange behaviors put an end to Sam and Erin's story before it even started? "The Secrets of a Broken Heart" is a historical romance novel of approximately 60,000 words. No cheating, no cliffhangers, and a guaranteed happily ever after.

Genres: Historical

317 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 28, 2021

Reviews

[Sherrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Erin loves her brother Michael, but everyone in town, including their own family, shuns him and treats him very badly. Michael has a minor health issue, which is the reason his family discards him. She decides to answer an ad for a mail order bride from rancher Sam McKinley in Wyoming. She also decides to sneak her brother along for the ride, getting him a room in the new town of Dry Creek Wyoming. When Erin arrives, she and Sam hit it right off, each attracted to the other. But she does not tell him about her brother, being terrified Sam would mistreat her brother like all the others. Sam has been having trouble with cattle rustlers, as has the other ranchers, but he is afraid if he lets Erin know, that she will not stay. So each has their secrets. This is a good, emotional story, well written, with excellent characters. When Sam meets Erin, he also brings his friend Anna... read this book to see all that happens!

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really nice story. This is a clean, sweet, enjoyable story. The characters are very engaging with realistic emotions. I’ve never read a story about a mail-order bride before. I usually avoid the topic because it’s always seemed strange to me. I can’t remember what compelled me to read this story, but I’m glad I did.

I understood why the two main characters were drawn to this type of relationship, and the lengths someone will go to, to protect a family member who needs help. It was amazing to read and experience how the main characters’ relationship developed. I wouldn’t have thought it was possible.

While the ending felt a little rushed, certainly all the story threads were tied up nicely. And I loved the pacing throughout the book (till the rushed end), as I got to enjoy watching the characters and relationships grow. The setting seemed very real and I felt like I was there. If you want to enjoy a sweet story, this is a good one.

[M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Erin and Sam

Erin has come to Dry Creek from Boston to be a mail order bride to Sam. Only she has a secret that she is unsure of telling him about. Sam on the other hand is also keeping secrets. Anna a childhood friend of Sam's and Jake, the tavern owner, also his friend are to act as their witnesses. Erin and Anna become great friends! So Anna is the first one Erin tells her secret to. Michael, who arrived on the same train as Erin, seems to be involved, but how and why? Will Sam be able to explain his secret to Erin? Will both come to an understanding? Only one way to find out, read this great story by Lilah Rivers. So many things to think about!

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet story.
Erin Cassidy's journey to Dry Creek, Wyoming wasn’t the best but her whole life had been difficult why would the trip and becoming a mail order bride be any different. When she meets Sam things seem to turn around for her. She and Sam were getting along well but Erin has a secret and she is not sure what Sam will say when he finds out. There is even perhaps more than one story to enjoy. Like all love stories, there are some ups and downs but in this one there is the added trouble from rustlers. I enjoyed the book. This is a rather quick read and very sweet.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Compassion for a Troubled Soul

I loved this heartwarming love story of Erin, a mail order bride, and Sam, a shy rancher. Erin left unloving parents and a broken engagement to go west and marry Sam. She arrived with a secret that almost ended their marriage when they finally realized that their friendship had turned into love. What is the secret? You will have to read the book to find out. I highly recommend this wonderful book of love and compassion for a troubled soul. Be sure and read the extended epilogue that is offered, because it is the perfect ending.

[Jeannine Wickliffe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Erin is traveling to Dry Gulch to get married and is secretly bringing her brother along. Erin's brother, Michael has small seizures and has been treated as an outcast, so she is afraid of being open about Michael. So when she marries Sam, she doesn't tell him who Michael is. Sam is afraid if he tells Erin about the cattle rustling going on that she will go back to Boston. Neither trust each other enough to tell their secrets, but they are growing to love each other more every day. Will their secrets destroy their growing love or bring them close together?

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

A story about the life and effects of a person who suffers from seizures.

A sister who is going to be a mail order bride takes her ill brother with her. She tries to hide her relationship to him while trying to help him.
A very good read about how people related to ones who suffered from seizures.
Book title was confusing. Also too many inconsistency within the story.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Secrets

Secrets do have a way of coloring a relationship, most of the time not in a good way. It was expected that two people who met through the mail-order bride process would have a lot of secrets. It was also quite expected that they would be reluctant to share them with one another right away. It was an emotional to read, especially about the unraveling of all the secrets.

[Gwen Hight · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good story

This is another good story by this author about Erin a mail order bride that travels with her brother but she has secrets and Sam her groom also is hiding things The characters are strong and realistic The extended epilogue completes the story with a happy ending Enjoyable read

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written story that is very emotional. The h's family is a waste of oxygen in that they shun her and their son because of his health problems! Probably not too unusual for the times but still hard to comprehend. The way the author weaves the brother's seizure disorder into the relationship of the main characters was very well done. They did achieve their HEA.

[Faith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Erin is a mail order bride for Sam. They both are dealing with past issues in their lives, but they each must learn to trust and be honest with one another if they are to have a truly happy marriage. Sweet, clean romance.

[Bonny Rambarran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mail order bride — can it really work? Do either of them have what it takes to make it work? GREAT STORY. . . you WILL LOVE IT.

[Maria Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you for a wonderful story

[Delbora · Rating 5 out of 5]

What A Happy Story!

This story really made me feel happy. The changes, risks and living these couples experienced were truly inspirational and the ending wonderful!

[Bobbie Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable read

Enjoyable read with likable characters. My grandson has absence seizures, but I never dreamed they would be part of a character’s life in a book.

[Medenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

So little was known about epilepsy during this time, Michael suffered as a result. Erin was an amazing young lady and Sam is blessed to have married her.