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Midnight Sons #1
Brides for Brothers
Hard Luck, Alaska--a Town that Needs Women!
Location: 50 miles north of the Arctic Circle. Population: 150 (mostly men)--but growing! Because the O'Halloran brothers, who run a bush-plane charter service called Midnight Sons, are heading a campaign to bring women to Hard Luck!
Sawyer O'Halloran-- He's the middle brother. Pilot and part owner of Midnight Sons. And, if the truth be told, he's not entirely in favor of this scheme. But he considers himself immune to the charms of any woman--he's adamantly against marriage and he's not too sure about love!
Abbey Sutherland-- Single mother of two adorable kids. Veteran of one bad marriage. Wants a new beginning--not a new romance. She responds to the Midnight Sons ad and is delighted to accept their offer. But there's a complication--or two. She hasn't told the O'Hallorans she's arriving with children!
Location: 50 miles north of the Arctic Circle. Population: 150 (mostly men)--but growing! Because the O'Halloran brothers, who run a bush-plane charter service called Midnight Sons, are heading a campaign to bring women to Hard Luck!
Sawyer O'Halloran-- He's the middle brother. Pilot and part owner of Midnight Sons. And, if the truth be told, he's not entirely in favor of this scheme. But he considers himself immune to the charms of any woman--he's adamantly against marriage and he's not too sure about love!
Abbey Sutherland-- Single mother of two adorable kids. Veteran of one bad marriage. Wants a new beginning--not a new romance. She responds to the Midnight Sons ad and is delighted to accept their offer. But there's a complication--or two. She hasn't told the O'Hallorans she's arriving with children!
187 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1995
522 people are currently reading
1143 people want to read
About the author
Debbie Macomber
902 books20.7k followersDebbie Macomber is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and one of today’s most popular writers with more than 200 million copies of her books in print worldwide. In her novels, Macomber brings to life compelling relationships that embrace family and enduring friendships, uplifting her readers with stories of connection and hope. Macomber’s novels have spent over 1,000 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. Fifteen of these novels hit the number one spot.
In 2023, Macomber’s all-new hardcover publication includes Must Love Flowers (July). In addition to fiction, Macomber has also published three bestselling cookbooks, three adult coloring books, numerous inspirational and nonfiction works, and two acclaimed children’s books.
Celebrated as “the official storyteller of Christmas”, Macomber’s annual Christmas books are beloved and six have been crafted into original Hallmark Channel movies. Macomber is also the author of the bestselling Cedar Cove Series which the Hallmark Channel chose as the basis for its first dramatic scripted television series. Debuting in 2013, Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove was a ratings favorite for three seasons.
She serves on the Guideposts National Advisory Cabinet, is a YFC National Ambassador, and is World Vision’s international spokesperson for their Knit for Kids charity initiative. A devoted grandmother, Debbie and Wayne live in Port Orchard, Washington, the town which inspired the Cedar Cove series.
In 2023, Macomber’s all-new hardcover publication includes Must Love Flowers (July). In addition to fiction, Macomber has also published three bestselling cookbooks, three adult coloring books, numerous inspirational and nonfiction works, and two acclaimed children’s books.
Celebrated as “the official storyteller of Christmas”, Macomber’s annual Christmas books are beloved and six have been crafted into original Hallmark Channel movies. Macomber is also the author of the bestselling Cedar Cove Series which the Hallmark Channel chose as the basis for its first dramatic scripted television series. Debuting in 2013, Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove was a ratings favorite for three seasons.
She serves on the Guideposts National Advisory Cabinet, is a YFC National Ambassador, and is World Vision’s international spokesperson for their Knit for Kids charity initiative. A devoted grandmother, Debbie and Wayne live in Port Orchard, Washington, the town which inspired the Cedar Cove series.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 112 reviews
December 29, 2024
Part 1
1,5 🤔s
A flat, underdeveloped and clean romance read.
The idea of getting married after only two weeks of barely getting to know each other was absurd.
1,5 🤔s
A flat, underdeveloped and clean romance read.
The idea of getting married after only two weeks of barely getting to know each other was absurd.
July 6, 2017
The beginning of the Midnight Sons series set in Alaska, 1995. BRIDES FOR BROTHERS is a sweet romance with a cast of good, down-to-earth people. The O'Halloran brothers who own a plane-charter business in Hard Luck, Alaska hatch a plan to attract women to their remote town. It's all very innocent and on the up & up. I did have to giggle at the men's reaction to having fresh womenfolk in their midst. Was it 1895 or 1995? The first to accept their offer is Abbey Sutherland who's hired to set up a library in Hard Luck. Sawyer O'Halloran takes a liking to her, but of course, there are complications. Overall, just a nice romance to give you a warm, cozy feeling. Looking forward to the next book.
December 25, 2018
A light hearted romance novel set in Alaska :)
June 10, 2019
This was a sweet romance. It involves a summer in a remote town in Alaska and a group of single men looking for women. This story focuses on Abby and Sawyer and their relationship. It was funny and frustrating in equal measure and has a happy ending.
October 4, 2014
Two-haiku review:
No women in town
Librarian answers ad
Goes north with her kids
Loved Alaska town
Almost historical feel
Old fashioned and sweet
No women in town
Librarian answers ad
Goes north with her kids
Loved Alaska town
Almost historical feel
Old fashioned and sweet
May 6, 2024
5 stars for the feel-good romance, quick read, and the Alaskan romance trope (which I love) OR 2-3 stars for the cringiness of the plot and the only jobs available for the women being stereotypical jobs.
At the end, I was happy and smiling so I'll rate it 4 stars.
#littlefreelibrarybook
At the end, I was happy and smiling so I'll rate it 4 stars.
#littlefreelibrarybook
November 2, 2015
I finished this book and then realised that the author isn't one that appeals to me and discovered the book was from quite a while ago (and it shows).
Whilst I liked the general concept of lets create / fill jobs in our small town to get more people (women) in the area and keep our workers happy. This was not well executed. The was almost no disclosure. The men of the town acted like they'd never been able to speak / interact with a woman before and our heroine was passive-agressive at best.
I really didn't like that the town and it's people didn't feature as much as it should. Where were the welcoming women - there were some in the town. Where were the characters, the quirk. This could have been utilised to make the town and it's people charming. It wasn't.
I really disliked the "it's marriage or nothing" attitude that prevailed and the sense that our heroine was desperate for it. I thought there was the beginning of a relationship between the leads NOT the basis for marriage.
Overall, this book had potential that wasn't realised and lacked as a result. I will not be pursuing this series.
Whilst I liked the general concept of lets create / fill jobs in our small town to get more people (women) in the area and keep our workers happy. This was not well executed. The was almost no disclosure. The men of the town acted like they'd never been able to speak / interact with a woman before and our heroine was passive-agressive at best.
I really didn't like that the town and it's people didn't feature as much as it should. Where were the welcoming women - there were some in the town. Where were the characters, the quirk. This could have been utilised to make the town and it's people charming. It wasn't.
I really disliked the "it's marriage or nothing" attitude that prevailed and the sense that our heroine was desperate for it. I thought there was the beginning of a relationship between the leads NOT the basis for marriage.
Overall, this book had potential that wasn't realised and lacked as a result. I will not be pursuing this series.
April 27, 2021
Update April 26, 2021:
This is now the third time I have read this book and it is just as gentle and wonderful as the previous two! I love it! When the world is crashing outside, I can curl up with this book and escape into a happy story - one where I just know the ending will be wonderful! Reading is such a wonderful thing!
~Hope
This is my 2nd time reading this series but the first time since being a part of Goodreads. I just love this book! Why wouldn't I when it combines some of my favorite things, Alaska and a story with a happy ending! :-D
I truly enjoy the humor the author puts into her books. I think that's part of the believability of her characters. I can picture Sawyer and Abbey living down the road and being good friends.
If you're looking for a light-hearted, quick read that will make you chuckle and smile, this book, this series, is for you. :-)
This is now the third time I have read this book and it is just as gentle and wonderful as the previous two! I love it! When the world is crashing outside, I can curl up with this book and escape into a happy story - one where I just know the ending will be wonderful! Reading is such a wonderful thing!
~Hope
This is my 2nd time reading this series but the first time since being a part of Goodreads. I just love this book! Why wouldn't I when it combines some of my favorite things, Alaska and a story with a happy ending! :-D
I truly enjoy the humor the author puts into her books. I think that's part of the believability of her characters. I can picture Sawyer and Abbey living down the road and being good friends.
If you're looking for a light-hearted, quick read that will make you chuckle and smile, this book, this series, is for you. :-)
January 13, 2011
The first book in the Midnight Sons series and enjoyable. Sawyer goes along with the plan to help create jobs to bring women to the small town of Hard Luck Alaska. He thinks the plan is crazy but he needs to keep pilots willing to stay in Hard Lucky. When Abbey shows up in Hard Luck with her 2 children Sawyer decides he needs to make sure they leave. It doesn't take him long to change his mind.
February 6, 2021
Insta-love story set in a tiny town in Alaska. It starts slow with all of the back story and it's a short book so there is a bunch crammed in about the location and the side characters so the main characters don't get a whole lot of substance to their story. I liked the characters though and thought the kids and dog were great. The ending was cute. The narration is fine. Not my favorite but it was easy to listen to and understand.
Read
February 18, 2017This Book was written in 1995, way before cell phones, skype, etc..
THIS SUMMARY/REVIEW WAS COPIED FROM OTHER SOURCES AND IS USED ONLY AS A REMINDER OF WHAT THE BOOK WAS ABOUT FOR MY PERSONAL INTEREST. ANY PERSONAL NOTATIONS ARE FOR MY RECOLLECTION ONLY
The beginning of the Midnight Sons series set in Alaska, 1995. BRIDES FOR BROTHERS is a sweet romance with a cast of good, down-to-earth people. The O'Halloran brothers who own a plane-charter business in Hard Luck, Alaska hatch a plan to attract women to their remote town. It's all very innocent and on the up & up. I did have to giggle at the men's reaction to having fresh womenfolk in their midst. Was it 1895 or 1995? The first to accept their offer is Abbey Sutherland who's hired to set up a library in Hard Luck. Sawyer O'Halloran takes a liking to her, but of course, there are complications.
**
This book includes two novellas: 3 O'Halloran brothers are running a scheme to get unmarried women to their town.
Sawyer, Charles and Christopher are the 3 brothers...
.
Brides for Brothers
Abby Sutherland is arriving in town but she neglects to tell them she's bringing her children with her.
She's lost her librarian job in WA and the boys agree to move with her.
Men are getting the cabins ready for the women that were chosen for jobs in Hard Luck.
The men realize things have changed since the women showed up-they are at each others throats. Love the Christmas scenes.
Love hearing all about the area as it's one place I will never travel to in my lifetime.
Things don't go as planned and Abby and her family must leave to go back to the lower states...
**
The premise of the story is that the
men in a small town in Alaska are leaving as there are no women so two brothers decide
to place an advert in Seattle papers asking women to apply for jobs in the town in
exchange for accommodation and land.
Abby answers the add, gets one of the available jobs and moves with her children to
said town. The story deals with her settling in, how her children manage the changes
and what happens with all the people she meets.
THIS SUMMARY/REVIEW WAS COPIED FROM OTHER SOURCES AND IS USED ONLY AS A REMINDER OF WHAT THE BOOK WAS ABOUT FOR MY PERSONAL INTEREST. ANY PERSONAL NOTATIONS ARE FOR MY RECOLLECTION ONLY
The beginning of the Midnight Sons series set in Alaska, 1995. BRIDES FOR BROTHERS is a sweet romance with a cast of good, down-to-earth people. The O'Halloran brothers who own a plane-charter business in Hard Luck, Alaska hatch a plan to attract women to their remote town. It's all very innocent and on the up & up. I did have to giggle at the men's reaction to having fresh womenfolk in their midst. Was it 1895 or 1995? The first to accept their offer is Abbey Sutherland who's hired to set up a library in Hard Luck. Sawyer O'Halloran takes a liking to her, but of course, there are complications.
**
This book includes two novellas: 3 O'Halloran brothers are running a scheme to get unmarried women to their town.
Sawyer, Charles and Christopher are the 3 brothers...
.
Brides for Brothers
Abby Sutherland is arriving in town but she neglects to tell them she's bringing her children with her.
She's lost her librarian job in WA and the boys agree to move with her.
Men are getting the cabins ready for the women that were chosen for jobs in Hard Luck.
The men realize things have changed since the women showed up-they are at each others throats. Love the Christmas scenes.
Love hearing all about the area as it's one place I will never travel to in my lifetime.
Things don't go as planned and Abby and her family must leave to go back to the lower states...
**
The premise of the story is that the
men in a small town in Alaska are leaving as there are no women so two brothers decide
to place an advert in Seattle papers asking women to apply for jobs in the town in
exchange for accommodation and land.
Abby answers the add, gets one of the available jobs and moves with her children to
said town. The story deals with her settling in, how her children manage the changes
and what happens with all the people she meets.
December 27, 2017
Very cute read by Debbi Macomber!
Hard Luck, Alaska has a shortage of females and the males in town are looking for companions. They set out want ads in the newspapers for work positions for females to fill (secretaries, teaching positions, nurses, librarians...). The hope is that a lucky lady will come along for the job which has its perks such as free housing and 20 acres of land if they can stick it out for a year.
Abbey Sutherland is one of the ladies that applies for the job as a librarian. However, she didn't make it clear that she would be relocating from Seattle with her two children. The problem is a big deal in part because the cabins available are really meant for one person.
Brides for Brothers tells the love story between Abbey Sutherland and Sawyer O'Halloran, one of the brothers who owns the planes flying the women into town. It's such a cute story. I highly recommend it!
Hard Luck, Alaska has a shortage of females and the males in town are looking for companions. They set out want ads in the newspapers for work positions for females to fill (secretaries, teaching positions, nurses, librarians...). The hope is that a lucky lady will come along for the job which has its perks such as free housing and 20 acres of land if they can stick it out for a year.
Abbey Sutherland is one of the ladies that applies for the job as a librarian. However, she didn't make it clear that she would be relocating from Seattle with her two children. The problem is a big deal in part because the cabins available are really meant for one person.
Brides for Brothers tells the love story between Abbey Sutherland and Sawyer O'Halloran, one of the brothers who owns the planes flying the women into town. It's such a cute story. I highly recommend it!
December 20, 2018
An interesting twist on the usual mail-order bride stories
Debbie Macomber’s storytelling is wonderful and this series is starting off in her best tradition. Hard Luck Alaska is above the Arctic Circle and the few permanent residents are all men - bush pilots, a small grocery store owner and a policeman. The men decide to advertise for some women to move up and run a library, provide nursing in a small ‘clinic’ that doesn’t have a doctor, and a secretary to organize and maintain the records in the air transport company. The first woman to come up has 2 children. The interview and application neglected to ask about family and the cabin being provided hasn’t got room for 3 people. This is the story of the children and their mother adjusting to the town while the owner of the air transport company adjusts to hthis little family.
I liked the town, the atmosphere and especially the people. A very enjoyable read.
Debbie Macomber’s storytelling is wonderful and this series is starting off in her best tradition. Hard Luck Alaska is above the Arctic Circle and the few permanent residents are all men - bush pilots, a small grocery store owner and a policeman. The men decide to advertise for some women to move up and run a library, provide nursing in a small ‘clinic’ that doesn’t have a doctor, and a secretary to organize and maintain the records in the air transport company. The first woman to come up has 2 children. The interview and application neglected to ask about family and the cabin being provided hasn’t got room for 3 people. This is the story of the children and their mother adjusting to the town while the owner of the air transport company adjusts to hthis little family.
I liked the town, the atmosphere and especially the people. A very enjoyable read.
May 2, 2023
"Brides for Brothers" is the story of Abbey and Sawyer.
A very sweet and feel good romance between a single mother and a grumpy hero.
The heroine is hired to be a librarian in a remote town, and accepts the post as she needs the income. They do not inquire about her dependents, and as she arrives with her kids, the pilot aka the hero is shocked! Initially he tries to run them off, but soon he falls in love with the kids as well as the heroine.
Minimal angst, well written characters and an adorable dog!
Loved it!
Safe
4/5
A very sweet and feel good romance between a single mother and a grumpy hero.
The heroine is hired to be a librarian in a remote town, and accepts the post as she needs the income. They do not inquire about her dependents, and as she arrives with her kids, the pilot aka the hero is shocked! Initially he tries to run them off, but soon he falls in love with the kids as well as the heroine.
Minimal angst, well written characters and an adorable dog!
Loved it!
Safe
4/5
January 1, 2021
A wonderful story based in a remote area of Alaska. The start of a series where the men in a remote town long for a more feminine element in their town without it being tawdry. Consequently they create a game plan that includes free housing, a job and a gift of land for a one year commitment. Single and attractive women need only apply.
A wonderfully humorous tale about finding true love in the wilds of Alaska.
A wonderfully humorous tale about finding true love in the wilds of Alaska.
May 25, 2023
Yes, I read this in one day...don't judge me. :)
Yes, I have a lot of other things I should be doing, like writing my own books, but um, I would so much rather sit on the front porch in this beautiful weather and read a light-hearted book and learn about living in Alaska (the only state I have left before I would have visited all 50).
So, if you want an escape that won't tax your brain and help you have a lovely summer vacation, here you go... enjoy.
Yes, I have a lot of other things I should be doing, like writing my own books, but um, I would so much rather sit on the front porch in this beautiful weather and read a light-hearted book and learn about living in Alaska (the only state I have left before I would have visited all 50).
So, if you want an escape that won't tax your brain and help you have a lovely summer vacation, here you go... enjoy.
June 17, 2017
Even thou i finished this book fairly quickly and couldn't put it down - i did find the story a little predictable, not sure if i want to read any more in the series because you sort of know what is going to happen, and the journey isn't that twisted or challenging to make it worth reading another book on the same story.
May 19, 2019
Debbie Macomber is one of my long time favorite authors. I love the humor that she brings to her stories. This book has many of her classic elements. She pokes fun at men and I absolutely love that. The O’Halloran brothers are her victims, living in a remote Alaska town. The brothers decide to import some women to the community for some extra entertainment. It all goes uphill from there!
July 24, 2019
My internet and tv went down on a Friday night and it was Tuesday before they could come out and fix it. I was thankful to have power, and a pile of books to hold me through the entertainment drought. This was a sweet story but a little on the predictable side. I only paid $1.99 for it on Bookbub so I don't feel
February 23, 2020
I didn't expect to fall in love with Hard Luck, but of course I did. I first met Sawyer in Starry Night and was excited to spend a little more time in Alaska...and then, obviously, I got completely engrossed in the lives of the characters and promptly binged the rest of the series. Macomber does it to me every time, so I have no idea why I'm always surprised.
May 7, 2024
I liked it, was a nice story with entertaining characters and wasn't boring.
I don't normally like stories where the heroine (or the hero) has kids from a previous relationship but with this story the hero was so good with both of them from the start, it felt like they were meant to be his children. Np.
I don't normally like stories where the heroine (or the hero) has kids from a previous relationship but with this story the hero was so good with both of them from the start, it felt like they were meant to be his children. Np.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 13, 2025
This was a fast and easy read. Typical MacComber read with wholesome characters. Grumpy man Sawyer, a pilot doesn’t want a relationship and is angry that he accidentally falls for a woman. The woman has two kids from previous relationship, which ended badly. He’s a bush pilot and she’s a librarian. What I was looking for at the time
November 10, 2017
Good read. Liked the story flow. Liked the characters and reading their individual struggles and how they work through them. Fun reading the back and forth issues between characters and finally realizing it is love. Always a pleasure to read this author. Would recommend this book.
June 20, 2019
The bush pilots of Midnight Sons Air Service decide they need to bring some women to Hard Luck Alaska. They offer jobs, a cabin and 20 acres of land. They open such a can of worms and it's a fun read.
July 2, 2019
I enjoyed this light, safe romance by Debbie Macomber, one of my favorite writers. Set in remote Alaska, the plot deals with a plan devised to prevent bush pilots from leaving by importing women to live in the town. The story provides both humor and warmth as misunderstandings are cleared up.
September 26, 2021
Abbey and her children move to Hard Luck, AK for work. Sawyer is determined never to marry any woman. Of course, Sawyer has feelings for Abbey but every time he opens his mouth, he makes matters worse.
November 4, 2022
The beginning of a new saga for Debbie Macomber. Some of the writings in this can be construed as comical if read in a context of humor as the men come up with some hair-brain plans for their Alaskan little town. Thoroughly enjoyable and could wait to get to book two.
July 25, 2023
I'm pretty sure I'vecread other books in this series - perhaps even this one though it isn't recorded as read before. It's a fun premise and great beach read. I enjoyed the characters and loved the kids.
December 1, 2023
Loved it
This was a fast easy easy read. It about not enough information and how things can get jumbled up with the things that are unknown by both parties. Once thing are talk over it makes every thing OK.
This was a fast easy easy read. It about not enough information and how things can get jumbled up with the things that are unknown by both parties. Once thing are talk over it makes every thing OK.
August 7, 2024
Brides For Brothers
This was a cute story about how brothers wanted some women to come to a small town in the attic of Alaska. They got 1 with 2 children that surprise them all only 1 got the best Prize of all.
This was a cute story about how brothers wanted some women to come to a small town in the attic of Alaska. They got 1 with 2 children that surprise them all only 1 got the best Prize of all.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 112 reviews