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Brides of Fremont County #3
Ruthann
Can a marriage of convenience turn into a second chance at love?
Ruthann Joliet has been in love with her brother's best friend, Nathaniel Harper, since she was a girl. When Nate kissed her and then enlisted in the Army, Ruthann was certain she'd never see him again.
Years later, Nate has returned to Cañon City and set up shop as a photographer. But much to Ruthann's dismay, he's changed. The once easygoing, affable boy has turned into a hardened man.
When a pending scandal means that Nate needs to marry quickly or leave town, Ruthann is his only willing option.
Can a man haunted by the past find love in the present? And will Ruthann learn to love the man Nate is now, particularly when the reason she married him threatens everything they hold dear?
Ruthann is the third book in the sweet and clean Brides of Fremont County series.
Brides of Fremont County is a spin-off of Cat's Gilbert Girls series. You may find some of your favorite characters making an appearance in each series! Each book in the Brides of Fremont County series is a standalone romance and can be read in no particular order.
Ruthann Joliet has been in love with her brother's best friend, Nathaniel Harper, since she was a girl. When Nate kissed her and then enlisted in the Army, Ruthann was certain she'd never see him again.
Years later, Nate has returned to Cañon City and set up shop as a photographer. But much to Ruthann's dismay, he's changed. The once easygoing, affable boy has turned into a hardened man.
When a pending scandal means that Nate needs to marry quickly or leave town, Ruthann is his only willing option.
Can a man haunted by the past find love in the present? And will Ruthann learn to love the man Nate is now, particularly when the reason she married him threatens everything they hold dear?
Ruthann is the third book in the sweet and clean Brides of Fremont County series.
Brides of Fremont County is a spin-off of Cat's Gilbert Girls series. You may find some of your favorite characters making an appearance in each series! Each book in the Brides of Fremont County series is a standalone romance and can be read in no particular order.
186 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 31, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
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January 12, 2025DNF at 21%. Predictable and lacking interest for me.
June 16, 2022
A Lovely Historical Romance
I loved a lot about this book, including the heroine's name. It was also great to read a clean, sweet historical romance. I think Cat Cahill does a good job of balancing the sweet/clean with growing love between her MCs without it coming across as excessively juvenile or shallow. This is not really an inspirational romance, but there is a bit of faith mentioned in appropriate places in the story.
If you enjoy clean, sweet, historical romance, I'd recommend this book to you.
I loved a lot about this book, including the heroine's name. It was also great to read a clean, sweet historical romance. I think Cat Cahill does a good job of balancing the sweet/clean with growing love between her MCs without it coming across as excessively juvenile or shallow. This is not really an inspirational romance, but there is a bit of faith mentioned in appropriate places in the story.
If you enjoy clean, sweet, historical romance, I'd recommend this book to you.
July 8, 2022
Much to Overcome
A love that started years earlier, but after Mate returned after serving in the Indian wars, there were challenges from many directions. Good characters and a reference to the difficulties battle veterans face. A lovely ending.
A love that started years earlier, but after Mate returned after serving in the Indian wars, there were challenges from many directions. Good characters and a reference to the difficulties battle veterans face. A lovely ending.
October 25, 2022
Ruthann in the Brides of Fremont County ~ Book 3 is a sweet and brave young woman in Canon City, Colorado and she wants to settle down with a family but she isn't in love with any of the local young men. When Nate comes home from the Army and finds himself in a sticky situation not of his making.
Ruthann comes up with the solution that he should marry immediately and she is willing to help him and marry him. What starts as a marriage of convenience changes slowly as Nate with Ruthann's help comes to terms with what he saw while in the Army in battle.
This is a wonderful sweet romance facing real problems and still finds a happy ending too.
Ruthann comes up with the solution that he should marry immediately and she is willing to help him and marry him. What starts as a marriage of convenience changes slowly as Nate with Ruthann's help comes to terms with what he saw while in the Army in battle.
This is a wonderful sweet romance facing real problems and still finds a happy ending too.
May 4, 2023
This was an OK American historical romance, with likable characters, but it was just too short to have enough character development. I needed more backstory on both Ruthann and Nate. It gets 3 stars from me.
Ruthann was likable, but I thought she was a little too perfect. She didn't seem to get upset about anything, even Nate's odd behavior when he wouldn't share his problem with her. Most women would have gotten incredibly frustrated with a man like that, but she didn't.
Nate was likable enough, but he had terrible PTSD from his time in the Cavalry. There was no treatment for PTSD then, and it wasn't even a recognized condition -- so it makes sense that he would have difficulty learning to deal with it. I liked that Ruthann was able to help him, but I didn't think he would have recovered so quickly after they got married.
This is a clean romance, with nothing but kisses. If you only want to read romances that do not include sex scenes, this one might work for you.
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.
Ruthann was likable, but I thought she was a little too perfect. She didn't seem to get upset about anything, even Nate's odd behavior when he wouldn't share his problem with her. Most women would have gotten incredibly frustrated with a man like that, but she didn't.
Nate was likable enough, but he had terrible PTSD from his time in the Cavalry. There was no treatment for PTSD then, and it wasn't even a recognized condition -- so it makes sense that he would have difficulty learning to deal with it. I liked that Ruthann was able to help him, but I didn't think he would have recovered so quickly after they got married.
This is a clean romance, with nothing but kisses. If you only want to read romances that do not include sex scenes, this one might work for you.
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.
April 9, 2022
Set in the late 1800’s, which is one of my favorite time periods, this story centers around two people who have loved each other since they were very young. Now, the man, Nate Harper, has been gone and has participated in the cavalry, where he was severely traumatized in the Sioux incident. He has come home to find that that his best friend’s sister, Ruthann, is still unmarried, which he can barely believe, as beautiful and sweet as she is! Nate gets wrangled into a scheme with a bad woman who is looking for a husband, and Ruthann volunteers to marry him immediately, claiming they were engaged all along and just had not yet announced it. Nate cannot believe his dream has come true and neither can Ruthann! But they don’t tell each other that they love each other or that they have always dreamed of marrying one another. There are too many things that happen in the book that are so unexpected, and thrilling, so sudden, so shocking, and so filled with love. This is such a precious book. I never wanted to stop reading it until I was finished reading it all!! Be sure you get this book! You will love it as much as I did! It’s one of Cat Cahill’s best books!! ♥️
April 1, 2022
Even though she knew Nate did not really mean to marry her, Ruthann offered herself as his wife to rescue him from an unloving marriage in which he would have been trapped. She has so many weeks to open Nate’s eyes that they are meant to stay married forever…
Nate’s character was interesting and gave me lots to think about. How often does one do something thinking it’s noble when actually it is false pride? However, it’s not easy to make the difference. Nate was carrying wounds from the war and honestly thought he could not stay married to Ruthann for her own happiness. It’s not because one’s train of thoughts make sense that they are right. Especially when others clearly can see the bigger picture, which is even less easy when one is in the middle of it. I loved that Nate had such good friends, willing to interfere so that he could find himself again and recover from his past.
Enjoy Ruthann and Nate’s story and how they overcame difficult situations, both in their town as well as emotionally.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Nate’s character was interesting and gave me lots to think about. How often does one do something thinking it’s noble when actually it is false pride? However, it’s not easy to make the difference. Nate was carrying wounds from the war and honestly thought he could not stay married to Ruthann for her own happiness. It’s not because one’s train of thoughts make sense that they are right. Especially when others clearly can see the bigger picture, which is even less easy when one is in the middle of it. I loved that Nate had such good friends, willing to interfere so that he could find himself again and recover from his past.
Enjoy Ruthann and Nate’s story and how they overcame difficult situations, both in their town as well as emotionally.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
June 2, 2022
How often do women fall in love with their brother’s best friend or their best friend’s brother? This book starts just that way. Ruthann had always been in love with Nate, her brother’s best friend. Nate has always been in love with Ruthann as well. After returning from a time in the service she discovers that he has changed from the happy young man he was yet it does not lessen her feelings towards him. Nate sets up a photography business in town and in a short period of time finds himself in a pickle and the only way out is for him to get married, fast. Naturally Ruthann is there, ready to marry and save him from the trouble he is in. I love the way Cat shows the difficulties this young couple faces. Ruthann is typical, in her writing style, is a very strong lead character. I truly loved watching as these two young people navigated through their difficulties to see if they can find what they have each always dreamed of, a happy life together!
I received an advanced copy of this book from the author but this review is my voluntary and honest opinion.
I received an advanced copy of this book from the author but this review is my voluntary and honest opinion.
March 27, 2022
Lovely Ruthann is heading towards spinsterhood because she can't seem to find a man who measures up to her first love and brother's best friend Nate. When Nate returns to town, he faces a possible scandal. Though innocent of wrongdoing, he takes up Ruthann's offer of marrying--in name only-- to avoid any more trouble. Ruthann and Nate grow closer, especially as danger encroaches. But can he forgive himself and forget his past so that he can have a future? An enjoyable quick read with a few twists of danger and mystery.
It was heartwarming to see Ruthann's transformation from an unmarried woman to a caring wife and also allowed Nate to begin healing. I also loved the lovely cover. I highly recommend this clean romance as well as the entire series!
I received a complimentary ARC of this book and have freely given my honest opinion in this review.
It was heartwarming to see Ruthann's transformation from an unmarried woman to a caring wife and also allowed Nate to begin healing. I also loved the lovely cover. I highly recommend this clean romance as well as the entire series!
I received a complimentary ARC of this book and have freely given my honest opinion in this review.
March 31, 2022
This is a sweet and heartwarming story and is Book #3 in the Brides of Fremont County Series. This is Ruthann and Nathaniel's story, and the character development is excellent. Ruthann has loved Nathaniel, her brother's best friend, for years but after he kissed her and left from for the Army, it was years before he returned. Upon his return, Nathaniel had changed from the happy go-lucky guy he had been to a hardened cynical person. Than after Nathaniel when a scandal ocurred and the only way he could clear his name was to marry. Ruthann was his only choice; yet she had misgivings as to whether a marriage of convenience would really work out. Can Ruthann learn to live with Nathaniel's new personality? Will their marriage grow into a HEA? Be sure to read this wonderful story to find out; I know you will enjoy it as much as I did.
March 31, 2022
Another beautiful story by a very talented author! Ruthann is great as the main character in this book. She is headstrong and sure of herself, and she knows what she wants! Nate, is a great friend of Ruthann's brother Stewart. But Nate has came back to Canon City from the man who left to fight in the war. I enjoyed the character of Sissy Flagler even though she was a real troublemaker!! This story takes us into the life in Canon City of these characters and more. It is exciting and sweet and a very good book.
I received a free download of this book from the publisher. This review is my own honest opinion.
I received a free download of this book from the publisher. This review is my own honest opinion.
June 11, 2022
Sweet and clean all the way about a beautiful gal who refuses all hands in marriage until her long-lost crush returns from the war, however, a changed man. Handsome, he is pursued but to save him from jealous competition who attempts trickery to woo him, Ruthann intervenes through the help of her brother to wed him using an annulment as a means for escape. However, Nate is suffering from the emotional aspects of war and is hesitant to emotionally commit. A rather singular plot, with the characters' actions not always making sense and with a predictable conclusion. A good bedtime read for all ages to enjoy who prefer this type of genre.
April 2, 2022
Thoroughly enjoyed this sweet, clean romance. Nate and Ruthann marry in order for Nate to avoid a scandal. This couple have kept their love for each other secret. Ruthann is a lovely character who knows what she wants. Nate must overcome his feelings of worthlessness stemming from an incident that happened when he was in the army. Wonderful story
I received a free copy of this book and this is my voluntary, honest review.
I received a free copy of this book and this is my voluntary, honest review.
May 1, 2022
Ruthann just can't find the right guy and when her brothers best friend comes back to town to live; a lot happens. An accusation happens leading to an unplanned marriage for Ruthann. Overall love the story line and the characters. I like the different twists that happen through out that kept me guessing a couple of times. There is a nice mix of mystery, romance, and friendship in this story that is worth reading.
June 12, 2022
ptsd the horror of memories
This story was full of love and patient understanding for one suffering from post traumatic stress disorder. It was woven so compassionately into the story. I appreciated the gentle way this subject was presented. I grew up in Canon City and the street names and proximity of the Arkansas river brought such good memories, I was right there with the story and the landmarks. Great story by a talented author. Get your copy today, you won’t be sorry.
This story was full of love and patient understanding for one suffering from post traumatic stress disorder. It was woven so compassionately into the story. I appreciated the gentle way this subject was presented. I grew up in Canon City and the street names and proximity of the Arkansas river brought such good memories, I was right there with the story and the landmarks. Great story by a talented author. Get your copy today, you won’t be sorry.
May 14, 2023
Ruthann finds her future
Ruthann has just rejected her sixth suitor. She has failed to accept her sixth proposal in as many years. She hasn’t felt that any of them lived up to her ideal. And then it happened, her ideal returned from the Dakotas where he had gone to join the Calvary. Her brother’s best friend, Nate Harper. Life became befuddled and Ruthann married Nate in an attempt to keep him from a forced marriage.
Ruthann has just rejected her sixth suitor. She has failed to accept her sixth proposal in as many years. She hasn’t felt that any of them lived up to her ideal. And then it happened, her ideal returned from the Dakotas where he had gone to join the Calvary. Her brother’s best friend, Nate Harper. Life became befuddled and Ruthann married Nate in an attempt to keep him from a forced marriage.
July 1, 2023
Ruthann: book 3
I loved this book and the many twists and turns as Nate gets out of the service and has difficulty dealing with some of the difficult bloody and gruesome things he experienced. He remembers Ruthann and the kiss they shared before he left. A twist of fate has him married to her to get out of a circumstance with a girl trying to trap him into marriage. Read and enjoyed.
I loved this book and the many twists and turns as Nate gets out of the service and has difficulty dealing with some of the difficult bloody and gruesome things he experienced. He remembers Ruthann and the kiss they shared before he left. A twist of fate has him married to her to get out of a circumstance with a girl trying to trap him into marriage. Read and enjoyed.
August 9, 2023
Nate has come back to town to open a photography studio. Ruthann is excited because she’s in love with Nate. But he is a different person now. There is a horrible sadness, his eyes are filled with sadness and remorse. She can’t get him to share what is bothering him. When a scandal is threatening to destroy his business Ruthann decides that they must marry. They can always annul it later. But he doesn’t know that Ruthann has other plans.
January 29, 2024
Ruthann Joliet can't find a man to hold up to the one that got away, Nate Harper. Nate was her brother's best friend and the man who kissed her and then left off to war without a word. When Ruthann breaks it off with another suitor, she feels isn't a good fit she seems at peace with it until she finds out from her brother that Nate is back from the war and has started up a photography business in town. This is a well written, clean, historical romance with great characters and storyline.
April 8, 2022
I loved Nate, such a great character. This is a fun story but had me feeling sorry for Nate with his trauma from war and now circumstances beyond his control. Great plot that kept me rooting for Nate not to give up and for RuthAnn to find happiness with what she wants most. Clean romance that is a feel good read!
Was given a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
Was given a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
April 8, 2022
Cat Cahill is one of my favorite authors and this book is a good example of why. Her female characters don’t stand around and wring their hand, they get involved. Her characters are well developed and her plots are realistic. We all know someone like Miss Flager, well maybe not to the extremes she goes to. I really enjoyed this book.
August 7, 2023
Written as the time period after the Civil War. This historical fantasy introduces Post Tramatic Stress Syndrome from that time period. It also shows how a rejection from a man to a female of that time period could get dangerous. Include a love that spans before and after the war. Then this book is complete.
April 3, 2022
I loved Ruthann’s story! The book is part of a series but it is a stand alone romance. The story became very exciting and was hard to put down. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series! I recommend reading this book!
June 13, 2022
Historical romancd
I loved this story of renewed relationship. Which turned to a marriage of convenience. Well written with great characters. A great book for those who like historical romance.
I loved this story of renewed relationship. Which turned to a marriage of convenience. Well written with great characters. A great book for those who like historical romance.
May 17, 2023
Too many secrets
This was a good historical story in the small town in the west. A man with too many bad memories of the war comes home to find his love. She had loved him for years and not excepting the many men who have come calling. Good read.
This was a good historical story in the small town in the west. A man with too many bad memories of the war comes home to find his love. She had loved him for years and not excepting the many men who have come calling. Good read.
May 23, 2023
Forgiveness
The characters are well described and the plot that is different than our usual love story. Is a forgiving necessary even if the one we need to forgive just might be ourselves?
The characters are well described and the plot that is different than our usual love story. Is a forgiving necessary even if the one we need to forgive just might be ourselves?
July 3, 2023
Loved this story
A little drama in their lives could be ruin for their impromptu marriage or it could be their saving grace. I really liked the way this books twist and turns weaved a good story.
A little drama in their lives could be ruin for their impromptu marriage or it could be their saving grace. I really liked the way this books twist and turns weaved a good story.
January 29, 2024
Nightmares
Hate is haunted by his past. He comes home and doesn't feel worthy of Ruthann. After many twists and turns, they find a way to move forward. All characters in this book make the reader love or hate their roles in the developing plot.
Hate is haunted by his past. He comes home and doesn't feel worthy of Ruthann. After many twists and turns, they find a way to move forward. All characters in this book make the reader love or hate their roles in the developing plot.
September 28, 2025
Nate's PTSD leaves him thinking he's not good enough for the girl he's always loved, but they enter a marriage of convenience anyway.
There are many surprises in the story. There's rumor and danger and sweet romance. The characters were relatable, and the story was entertaining.
There are many surprises in the story. There's rumor and danger and sweet romance. The characters were relatable, and the story was entertaining.
April 1, 2022
I read this book in great anticipation as a member of the arc team. This author, one of my all time favorites, did not disappoint. This book has all you could need, adventure, mystery and romance.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews