What do you think?
Rate this book
The Forced Engagement
FREE Download with Kindle Unlimited!
Georgiana Middleton doesn’t know what she’s getting into when she agrees to become a Mail Order Bride to a rancher in Fielder’s Union, Arkansas. But she has more reasons to leave home than she has to stay, and when she arrives at the tiny town, she is delighted to find the family friendly and welcoming.
The big surprise, of course, is the man she’s agreed to marry – handsome widower Spencer Frost – has no idea she’s there to marry him at all. In a desperate bid to ensure that Spencer’s five-year-old daughter is cared for after she marries, Spencer’s cousin Leslie Frost wrote to the matrimonial agency hoping for the perfect match for her stubborn cousin. But Spencer is not a man who likes the decisions taken out of his hands – and when the truth comes to light, his fledgling romance with Georgiana is in danger of plummeting into the freshly-fallen snow.
Can Georgiana manage her fraught relationship with Spencer as she does her best to mother his daughter? Or will her own heart become a casualty in the battle between love and pride?
Georgiana Middleton doesn’t know what she’s getting into when she agrees to become a Mail Order Bride to a rancher in Fielder’s Union, Arkansas. But she has more reasons to leave home than she has to stay, and when she arrives at the tiny town, she is delighted to find the family friendly and welcoming.
The big surprise, of course, is the man she’s agreed to marry – handsome widower Spencer Frost – has no idea she’s there to marry him at all. In a desperate bid to ensure that Spencer’s five-year-old daughter is cared for after she marries, Spencer’s cousin Leslie Frost wrote to the matrimonial agency hoping for the perfect match for her stubborn cousin. But Spencer is not a man who likes the decisions taken out of his hands – and when the truth comes to light, his fledgling romance with Georgiana is in danger of plummeting into the freshly-fallen snow.
Can Georgiana manage her fraught relationship with Spencer as she does her best to mother his daughter? Or will her own heart become a casualty in the battle between love and pride?
106 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 5, 2022
47 people are currently reading
10 people want to read
About the author
Susannah Calloway
396 books29 followersSusannah Calloway loves everything Western! And if a delightful romance is thrown into the mix, ahhh!, even better!
Susannah has always been intrigued with the Western movement - prairie days, mail-order brides, the gold rush, frontier life! As a writer, she's excited to combine her love of story with her love of all that is Western.
Presently, Susannah lives in Wyoming with her hubby and their three amazing children. (Her little cowpokes!) The whole family enjoys riding and grooming their four horses! (Belter is Susannah's favorite!)
Susannah has always been intrigued with the Western movement - prairie days, mail-order brides, the gold rush, frontier life! As a writer, she's excited to combine her love of story with her love of all that is Western.
Presently, Susannah lives in Wyoming with her hubby and their three amazing children. (Her little cowpokes!) The whole family enjoys riding and grooming their four horses! (Belter is Susannah's favorite!)
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
April 15, 2022
The Forced Engagement is a cute short story of a mail-order bride gone wrong. Or rather, requested without the groom-to-be's knowledge. Still, it makes for a fun premise and I really liked listening to it. My heart went out to Georgiana's plight and the circumstances that forced her to become a mail-order bride, and Lena's case of growing up without a mother definitely tugged at my heartstrings. Spencer's certainly closed off to love and second chances, but thanks to his cousin's interference, he's about to get one whether he likes it or not. Still, as with many short stories, there's a grand moment where the surly character gets their change of heart, that was actually believable, and the misunderstanding towards the end was fairly quickly resolved.
As for the narrator, she has a pleasant voice and I liked all the different ones she gave each of the characters. Her nuances are on point, but my only "complaint" would be that she kept making pauses in the middle of the sentences or at different times, which made me believe the sentence had already finished when it actually hadn't. Other than that, I really enjoyed her voices for everyone from Spencer and Georgiana to little Lena and even the grandparents.
All in all, a squeaky clean romance (there's only one kiss, and it's hinted at) read/listening experience for anyone looking for a 1- or 2-hour escape. Perfect for fans of the author, the series, or the mail-order bride trope. ~ 4 stars
As for the narrator, she has a pleasant voice and I liked all the different ones she gave each of the characters. Her nuances are on point, but my only "complaint" would be that she kept making pauses in the middle of the sentences or at different times, which made me believe the sentence had already finished when it actually hadn't. Other than that, I really enjoyed her voices for everyone from Spencer and Georgiana to little Lena and even the grandparents.
All in all, a squeaky clean romance (there's only one kiss, and it's hinted at) read/listening experience for anyone looking for a 1- or 2-hour escape. Perfect for fans of the author, the series, or the mail-order bride trope. ~ 4 stars
March 20, 2022
Spencer and Georgiana are in for quite a surprise. She is left homeless in Boston and sees her only rescue from that life is to become a mail order bride. Spencer is a widow and his sister, Leslie, the only person available to care for his daughter, is getting married. This leaves Spencer in an uncomfortable situation. But secretly Leslie decides to solve the problem herself by ordering Spencer a mail order bride; unknown to Spencer or Georgiana. Upon Georgiana's arrival, the revelation of what Leslie has done begins the adventure of possible romance. But it's a struggle that makes an interesting story as they try to work it all out. Ms. Calloway weaves it all together with skill.
The narration is well done and easy listening.
I requested this audio book from the narrator and am voluntarily leaving this honest review.
The narration is well done and easy listening.
I requested this audio book from the narrator and am voluntarily leaving this honest review.
February 7, 2022
Georgiana and Spencer
Sweet natured Georgiana is left alone in the world with nothing to her name. She stumbles upon a mail order bride agency, seeing it as an answer to her prayers. Little does she know the man she is on her way to, has no idea she is coming or who she even is.
Spencer is basically living in a fog. He lost his precious wife shortly after the birth of their daughter and for the past five years, his cousin Leslie has been taking care of little Lena. Leslie is the one who wrote the ad.
How will Spencer, who walks around with a continuous thundercloud over his head react when Georgiana shows up?
Too cute how Lena called her George lol
Ending was sweet, but very abrupt.
Sweet natured Georgiana is left alone in the world with nothing to her name. She stumbles upon a mail order bride agency, seeing it as an answer to her prayers. Little does she know the man she is on her way to, has no idea she is coming or who she even is.
Spencer is basically living in a fog. He lost his precious wife shortly after the birth of their daughter and for the past five years, his cousin Leslie has been taking care of little Lena. Leslie is the one who wrote the ad.
How will Spencer, who walks around with a continuous thundercloud over his head react when Georgiana shows up?
Too cute how Lena called her George lol
Ending was sweet, but very abrupt.
March 5, 2022
I listened to the audiobook of this story. The narrator, Colleen Weaver was good. Sweet story. Georgianna has lost everything and is alone in the world. By chance, she stumbled upon a mail order bride agency and goes in. Her luck runs out when she finds out the matchmaker is out sick, but the secretary says she can help her. Next thing she knows, she is off to Arkansas to become Spencer's wife. The problem is when she gets there, Spencer doesn't know anything about her. His cousin set everything up. Oh boy, now what happens. Funny and sad at the same time, but a delightful story.
I was given a copy of this book by the narrator for an honest review.
I was given a copy of this book by the narrator for an honest review.
March 17, 2022
A young lady becomes a mail order bride to avoid being left destitute on the streets. The groom to be doesn't know about the arrangement. Sparks fly, but is it anger or love? You'll need to listen to find out.
Narrative was well done.
I received a free copy of this audiobook and I am voluntarily leaving this review.
Narrative was well done.
I received a free copy of this audiobook and I am voluntarily leaving this review.
February 11, 2022
Mail Order Bride Romance
This story was sad and funny at the same time. It involves the mail order bride , the cousin of the groom , his daughter. Read and enjoy the entangled story for yourself. I did!!!!!
This story was sad and funny at the same time. It involves the mail order bride , the cousin of the groom , his daughter. Read and enjoy the entangled story for yourself. I did!!!!!
February 21, 2022
Sweet story
The loss of a loved one can color a person's perception of circumstances and people for some time. Overcoming and changing doesn't always come easily as so gently displayed in this story.
The loss of a loved one can color a person's perception of circumstances and people for some time. Overcoming and changing doesn't always come easily as so gently displayed in this story.
March 6, 2022
A bride to be?
Spencer has no idea what his cousin has done. Leslie has taken care of his daughter Lena since her birth. Georgianna has come from Boston as a mail order bride. Will they be able to get it straightened out?
Spencer has no idea what his cousin has done. Leslie has taken care of his daughter Lena since her birth. Georgianna has come from Boston as a mail order bride. Will they be able to get it straightened out?
March 23, 2022
Well intended
A well intended cousin invites a bride to not only marry her grouchy cousin but care for his daughter because she's been the child's care taker, but she's marrying and moving away. It's a shame she forgot to tell the groom about the bride.
A well intended cousin invites a bride to not only marry her grouchy cousin but care for his daughter because she's been the child's care taker, but she's marrying and moving away. It's a shame she forgot to tell the groom about the bride.
July 16, 2024
This is a pleasant, easy to read, relaxing book.
What I liked- the setting- out west in a farming environment. What I would like more of- character development and depth, and more drama. Still, it’s a relaxing romance to read.
What I liked- the setting- out west in a farming environment. What I would like more of- character development and depth, and more drama. Still, it’s a relaxing romance to read.
February 7, 2022
The Forced Engagement
A young woman becomes a mail order bride only to find out the groom to be does not know about the arrangement
A young woman becomes a mail order bride only to find out the groom to be does not know about the arrangement
March 17, 2022
Totally enjoyed reading this book
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews