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Can a mistaken identity lead to love?

When Matthew Canton's mail-order bride is kidnapped from her wagon train, he doesn't hesitate to rescue her. But he didn't expect to have to bargain for her--and he certainly didn't expect her to be someone entirely different.

Sophia Zane needed a quiet, quick way out of Kansas City with the money she inherited. Opting to join a wagon train headed west, she doesn't correct the wagon master when he assumes she's someone else. It's safer to leave under a different name, and her way is now already paid.

When outlaws kidnap Sophia from the wagon train, she invents a wealthy groom to persuade them to keep her alive. She never thought her fabricated fiancé would find her--much less believe she's actually the woman whose name she's taken on.

Traveling across the desert together, it doesn't take Matthew long to realize the woman beside him isn't the one he sent for, yet he finds himself attracted to her bravery, generosity, and quick-thinking nature. When they return to town and Sophia's reputation is in question, Matthew proposes a quick marriage. But can Sophia believe Matthew has truly forgiven her for her deception? Will their blossoming love survive the danger that's followed them to Crest Stone?

A Bartered Bride is a standalone sweet and clean historical western romance novel that can be read on its own, or enjoyed as part of Cat's Crest Stone Mail-Order Brides series.

158 pages, Paperback

First published May 31, 2022

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Cat Cahill

72 books69 followers

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5 stars
439 (55%)
4 stars
213 (26%)
3 stars
106 (13%)
2 stars
28 (3%)
1 star
9 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
Profile Image for MAP.
573 reviews233 followers
January 10, 2026
This book has been sitting in my kindle for years. I have no idea where I got it - one of those Amazon free book things? Anyway I finally opened it because I needed something to read while getting my nails done.

More novella than novel, the book is a typical “mail order bride during the age of western expansion.” It barrels along from plot point to plot point in a way that is both completely predictable for the genre and also in a way that makes no sense because none of the plot points are set up, they just happen. No characters, no motivations, no growth or change. Just BAM Matthew does x, BAM Sophia does Y. It’s even worse with the minor characters and there are an ABSURD amount of minor characters and plot threads for a book less than 145 pages.

This book tried to cram 5 stories into a box that could barely hold 1 and it suffered for it.
Profile Image for Michaela.
26 reviews20 followers
February 1, 2025
Got this on Amazon’s free kindle book day—Felt like I read a plot idea of a book rather than an actual book. The set up has the making for a good book but ultimately every conflict is too easily resolved and nothing is fleshed out. Enjoyed that it was Christian and had faith concepts
Profile Image for Veronica Shields.
206 reviews2 followers
January 7, 2024
The setup for a good, funny romcom is there, but every conflict is so easily resolved that the novel has no fundamental tension. Serviceable but ultimately a bit of a snooze.
1,603 reviews12 followers
May 22, 2023
This was an OK mail-order bride romance, with likable characters, but it needed more character development. I needed more backstory on both Sophia and Matthew. It gets 3 stars from me.

Sophia was likable, but I did think she should have told Matthew who she really was right after he rescued her. I get that she didn't want to hurt him (he thought she was his fiancee) and that she was also worried he might abandon her in the desert -- but he still deserved to know the truth.

Matthew was likable, too, but it bothered me that he didn't believe Sophia near the end of the book. I won't give spoilers, but he almost lost her over that. For the most part, though, he was good to her, and they made a good couple.

I think I would have enjoyed it more if more backstory had been included on both Sophia and Matthew.

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.
Profile Image for Lana Burton.
326 reviews15 followers
June 1, 2022
Taking on the name of a no-show, paid up passenger of a wagon train, Sophia took off to Colorado and left her poor, destitute family behind, as they planned, in hopes of finding a mail order husband. She was to have ridden in a train, but when she overhead that a young woman didn’t show up for the wagon train, decided to take her place! Who would know? When she gets kidnapped by outlaws, she tells them she has a wealthy groom waiting for her! So, they send a message to the name she makes up. Matthew, the real groom to be who was waiting for his bride, takes off, just knowing that his bride must be out there, too! No, there’s only one woman and it’s not his fiancé! Matthew rescues her and they ride together on his horse back to their town. He quickly realizes that this is not the woman described in the letters, but he’s so drawn to her as she is to him. They ride alone across the desert for a time and get to know each other, and really love what they see in each other. He brings her to his parent’s home, where he lives. The next morning, his parents explain to him, that to save her reputation, they must get married. They do and they are happy, and then comes trouble!! I’m not going to ruin this wonderful book for you, so you’ll have to get it and read it for yourself to see what else happens and how it ends! You’ll be so glad you did! I know I loved it! I really love ❤️ Cat Cahill’s 📚 I was given this book to read and give an honest review.
73 reviews
June 2, 2022
Wow! What a story full of twists and turns! Sophia feels like she has been the most fortunate person when she decided to run from home, preferably without the man chasing her finding out where she went. Deciding to join a wagon train seemed to be her best chance, especially when she was mistaken for another passenger-one who had already paid. What are the chances of that? When outlaws threaten to take the woman she has been riding with, who had just shared with Sophia that she was expecting, she offered to go in her place. She had no idea that the man waiting the woman she had assumed the name of would actually come and find her! This sets a long line of things in motion, which I have to admit had me reading uninterrupted to the end! There are so many beautiful people in this story and the situations that come out of it are impossible not to be pulled into. I love books like this that keep my attention so well and keep me wondering what will happen next. I was rooting for Matthew and Sophia from the beginning but with what they find themselves up against in the end…will their love survive? I guess you will have to read it to find out! I will say I can’t imagine you regretting a minute you spend reading!
I received an advanced copy of this book from the author but this review is my voluntary and honest opinion.
3,973 reviews21 followers
November 5, 2023
Basically, I did not like this book because of its preposterous premise. Sophia Zane needed a way to get out of Kansas City because her father's former partner pressed her to marry him (for her father's money). She joins a wagon train in Independence. Lo and behold, there is a place already paid for on the wagon train. Since the real traveler did not arrive, Sophia could move into the reserved space seamlessly. The wagon train was expecting an unmarried woman to be traveling to Colorado near Pueblo to be married.

Matthew Canton knew there was something different about Daisy when he met her because he'd corresponded with her for months. He was expecting someone demure and reserved, and this woman was not.

The book deals with Sophia's father's former partner and Matthew's to-be bride. However, the author dealt with Daisy in a way that didn't correspond to her previous behaviors. Strange.

Crest Stone Mail-Order Brides Total of 6
1. A Hopeful Bride (2021)
2. A Rancher's Bride (2021)
** 3. A Bartered Bride (2022)
1,027 reviews12 followers
May 31, 2022
This is a sweet and heartwarming action packed story and includes deception, kidnapping, danger, secrets, forgiveness, and romance. This is Matthew Canton and Sophia Zane's story, and the character development is excellent. Matthew learns that his MOB has been kidnapped from the wagon train she is traveling on and sets out to rescue her. Sophia, who was fleeing to protect an inheritance, did not correct the wagon master when he assumes she is someone else and takes on that person's identity. After Matthew barters for Sophia's release, he realizes she is not the woman he was expecting, yet he is attracted to her. Will Matthew be able to forgive Sophia's deception? When danger follows them back to town, will Matthew be able to protect Sophia. Will their attraction grow into a relationship and a HEA? Be sure and read this wonderful book to find out; I know you will enjoy it as much as I did.
492 reviews1 follower
June 11, 2022
To flee from a man who wants to steal her inheritance, Sophia goes to the west by wagon. Being mistaken for someone else, she does not correct the people and hopes to be far enough to never be found. But when she meets Matthew, she regrets the deception that will possibly cost her the love of a good man…
Sophia was a delightful character. I’m probably not the only person who can relate to her way of thinking – or overthinking. But I doubt I would ever have been as generous and kind toward Miss Timperman as she was. Having read the Gilbert Girls books, I enjoyed reading how Crest Stone is growing as well as how some of the first Gilbert Girls settled into married life. However, this book can be read on its own, knowing about some of the mentioned characters only enriches the experience but does not hinder any comprehension for the story.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Cyndi.
427 reviews9 followers
July 15, 2022
Every time I read one the Ms Cahill's I remember why I enjoy them so much! There is always the sweetest love story that has lots of struggles, there is always some mystery and suspense and I wish I was just able to sit and read through all her books! This book does not let you down! Sophia has found herself in some trouble and how she world her way through it is awesome! Few of us would be as courageous as this young woman is! Matthew thinks this woman may need his help and of course because he is a man he jumps right into rescue her! Lol it isn't always wanted or needed! Totally enjoyed this book! I received a free download of this book from the publisher. This review is my own honest opinion.
977 reviews3 followers
January 2, 2023
nice read

This was a nice read by Cat Cahill. She wrote this book very well. Sophia is escaping from a man who want to take her money from her. He wants her to marry him so he can have all the money. So she runs. She escapes by taking a wagon train and using another persons name. Before she arrives she is kidnapped and a demand for money for her return. Behold her intended, Matthew, shows up. He does not know about the demand so is not prepared for the request. So Sophia, pays the money from a hidden area in her skirt. Then Matthew starts to thinking this is not the woman he was to marry. So he asks her about it. Will she explain what happened will the real bride show up. What happens to Sophia and Matthew when the man who caused Sophia to run shows up. A enjoyable read.
1,249 reviews3 followers
April 3, 2023
Sweet and clean historical western about a young woman whose business partner harasses her to split her deceased father's profits and marry him. Escaping, she travels via wagon train out west under another's 'no-show' name. Kidnapped by robbers, she is rescued by the groom who was expecting a mail-order bride under the other's name. Despite coming to like one another, she has to reveal her true identity, and problems occur when the true bride arrives along with the business owner wanting to reclaim the money. A great bedtime story for all ages, yet a bit naive and unrealistic expectations of the bandits and her husband to maintain a proper and respectful distance from her under the circumstances.
Profile Image for Joleen.
2,688 reviews1,227 followers
September 27, 2023
Independence, Missouri to Colorado
May 1877

When an evil man (Francis Durham) claimed half of what her father left her when he died, Sophia Zane decided to withdraw the money and run. The situation worked out that she was able to cross the states on a wagon train under an assumed name (Daisy Temperman).

As it turns out, this Daisy Temperman was promised as a mail order bride to Matthew Canton in Colorado, so the eventual meeting between those two was going to be awkward.

Of course, this rarely turns out well, and sounds awfully cringe-worthy. But it turned out to be a sweet book with just enough conflict to make it interesting.

Not what I'd call Christian fiction, but still, very clean.
496 reviews10 followers
May 29, 2022
My thoughts about this book:

• The opening to this story was great. It caught my interest quickly and I was completely engaged. I wanted to learn more about Sophia and I was sympethetic to her plight.

• I found the story interesting and I enjoyed the author's writing style.

• This was a clean read and I appreciated that fact.

• I enjoyed the action in the storyline.

• I found the story a little rushed and would have enjoyed more details to add depth to the story and characters.

I was given an advance copy of this book by the author. My review was voluntary and my opinions were my own. I'm looking forward to reading more stories by this author.
Profile Image for Debbie Turner.
191 reviews10 followers
June 16, 2022
Sophia is on the run. She's running from a man who expects her to marry him since her parents are dead. She gets as far as a wagon train getting ready to head to Oregon and she's mistaken for Matthew's betrothed. She decides that it's better for her to be someone else so she won't be tracked by anyone.

Then as the wagon train gets close to Colorado, a gang of thieves attack the wagon train and they take Sophia as a hostage.

When the wagon train gets to Pueblo, Colorado, Matthew finds out his betrothed has been abducted, he goes in search of her.

This story has some really funny parts and it contains a growing romance, not to mention a happy ever after.
44 reviews
January 19, 2024
The Best Yet!

I started reading the Crest Stone Mail-Order Brides series immediately after finishing the series that started the town of Crest Stone, Colorado, the Gilbert Girls. I’ve hardly gotten a thing done, besides reading, since I started!
Every book has been such a wonderful story! I loved all of them! I couldn’t choose which one I liked the best. Then I read this one!
THIS STORY IS MY FAVORITE SO FAR! I loved the adventure and the characters. It’s such an amazing one! I am still smiling…
I can’t wait to read the next in the series. I don’t have to hesitate a moment longer because i have Kindle Unlimited!
Profile Image for Tracy Sylvester.
1,028 reviews9 followers
April 25, 2024
Sophia Zane has lost her parents and doesn't want to marry a man who wants her fathers money. She decides to cash out at the bank and join the wagon train to the west. As with much of the early west her travels don't go as planned and she finds herself kidnapped by some bandits. Matthew Canton is expecting his intended on the incoming wagon train but she is weeks behind schedule. When the wagon train arrives in town he hears that who he thought was his intended has been kidnapped from the wagon train and must go in search of her. I enjoyed the characters, the storyline and the sweet building romance between the characters.
Profile Image for Alejandra Guerrero.
1,739 reviews6 followers
August 28, 2024
I really don't like christian romance. And not because it has no spice, no, it's because of the preaching that is ever present in those. The judgment that's implied in the prose. If the story was good, I could get over that, but that's not the case here. The story made no sense, there were several time jumps and I had no idea how much time had passed. Conflicts come and go willy-nilly, and a lot doesn't make sense. They get married, but they don't even freaking kiss for I don't know how long, because I have no idea how much time passed, with all the time skips. No chemistry, no tension, nothing. Won't read this author again.
Profile Image for Kathy.
1,713 reviews5 followers
April 3, 2023
Sophia has lost her father and mother to illness. Now a man has shown up saying that the money her father left her is his. He can’t prove anything but he insists that she give him the money. Now he wants to marry her. He won’t take no for an answer. She decides to leave town. A wagon train is leaving soon and she plans to travel with them. The wagon master believes she is someone else so she goes as that person. Matthew is waiting for that very person that Sophia is pretending to be. An exciting book with lots of turmoil.
Profile Image for kathi Driskell.
370 reviews10 followers
December 24, 2023
An unusual Trip

Sophia found a way to escape the man chasing her for marriage with the wagons going west. It didn’t matter she took another’s identity to do so! With the trip finished she was forced to be kidnapped where she met the man intended for her new life. Love didn’t come easy yet it was quick to happen. What happened when the intended lady she had assumed her identity showed up in her life is an unusual love story. I enjoyed the writing and the quick moving story in this book. A Great, clean read!
4,589 reviews33 followers
May 31, 2022
Cat Cahill gives her readers exactly what they would expect from one of her books, a good story line, strong characters, humor and a few surprises. Sophia Zane certainly got more than she expected with her wagon train trip west and Matthew Canton did not get the bride he was expecting. The road to love definitely had a tortuous path for them. I enjoyed this story. It was good to return to visit friends in Crest Stone.
Profile Image for Anna Schwirian.
120 reviews1 follower
May 1, 2024
Decent but short

The story was definitely short which meant less character development and not a lot of plot. The danger and even the typical romance "issue" finished in a couple of pages. Everything was sped up. I like novellas but wish they would understand that its a must to have character relationships and development happen in the story to actually connect with the characters.
Profile Image for Nancy.
Author 40 books667 followers
August 9, 2024
Sophia Zane takes her inheritance money and flees out west via a wagon train. When she shows up to buy a ticket, she’s mistaken for another woman. The other lady is absent and her fare has been paid, so Sophia assumes her place. She has no idea the other woman was on her way to meet her groom as a mail-order bride. Various adventures ensue and she falls for the other woman’s fiancé. What will happen when he learns her true identity? This charming historical romance is an easy read with a satisfying conclusion.
1,933 reviews5 followers
July 22, 2022
A Bartered Bride

Loved reading this book on a young woman who snuck out of town with her in her inheritance that came from her fathers investment before he died. She arrives at the wagon train and assumes another woman’s place. The mystery continues. This is my review and mine alone. Norma Gorrill
870 reviews4 followers
September 20, 2022
On the run from a man after her Father's money, Sophia finds herself on a wagon train to Colorado, pretending to be another woman. What happens when she arrives in Colorado? Will she be safe?
This is a clean book. It was fun to see characters pop-up from the author's other books. This was a good read.
133 reviews2 followers
April 4, 2023
Quick Clean Read

This is book three in a series but it was the first of the series I’d read and is fine as a stand-alone book as well. It was a quick read with wonderful characters and a sweet story line. I would have done five stars but I felt some really important areas, such as an abduction, were skimmed and basically skipped over. Otherwise very well done.
908 reviews11 followers
April 30, 2023
Another great read in this series. I like how each bride has a different back story as to why they become mail order brides though this story our heroine falls into being a bride by accident. Some great surprises along the way and very well written like the rest of the series. So worth the time to read.
68 reviews
May 17, 2023
Matthew and Sophia

The author wrote a very sweet romance in a typical western town. The townsfolk were predictably pleasant and friendly. It had a bit of a different twist to a mail order bride story. I loved that Sophia was spontaneous and resourceful. Would like to have seen a longer story
Profile Image for Donna Keller.
293 reviews4 followers
May 14, 2024
who are you

Sophia a lady that needed to escape. She managed to escape on a wagon train posing as someone else that didn’t show up. She had several adventures and learned a lot while traveling on the wagon train. She got taken by some robbers and was saved by the man that intended to marry
Profile Image for Lucia Valenzuela.
2,054 reviews12 followers
May 31, 2022
So good. This story started out great and continued to keep me entertained. Matthew are a perfect couple. The side characters are well depicted. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this one.
I received a free copy of this book and this is my voluntary, honest review.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews

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