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A Stranger's Wife
It Was Supposed to Be a Charade...
With his big shoulders and bold ideas, Quinn Westin is hellbound to be the first governor of the newly-created state of Colorado. One obstacle stands in his way... the threat of scandal after his wife mysteriously runs off. But Westin has an audacious solution -- find a woman who is the spitting image of his vanished Miriam.
They Weren't Supposed to Fall in Love.
After 5 years in prison, Lily Dale finally wins her freedom...for a price. Under Westin's smoldering gaze, Lily slowly transforms from a rough frontier woman to the polished beauty fit for the arm -- but never the bed -- of a future governor. Never, that is, until Westin's searing touch overcomes her growing suspicions about her predecessor's true fate... and until hot, whispered words dangerously defy his carefully-written script.
Setting: Colorado Territory, late 1800s
With his big shoulders and bold ideas, Quinn Westin is hellbound to be the first governor of the newly-created state of Colorado. One obstacle stands in his way... the threat of scandal after his wife mysteriously runs off. But Westin has an audacious solution -- find a woman who is the spitting image of his vanished Miriam.
They Weren't Supposed to Fall in Love.
After 5 years in prison, Lily Dale finally wins her freedom...for a price. Under Westin's smoldering gaze, Lily slowly transforms from a rough frontier woman to the polished beauty fit for the arm -- but never the bed -- of a future governor. Never, that is, until Westin's searing touch overcomes her growing suspicions about her predecessor's true fate... and until hot, whispered words dangerously defy his carefully-written script.
Setting: Colorado Territory, late 1800s
Sensuality: 7
Lily Dale is no lady. In fact, she's spent the past five years in Yuma Women's Prison for aiding and abetting a holdup. Men have been her downfall her whole life, and when she's unexpectedly paroled from prison her only goal is to return to Missouri and to her 6-year-old daughter. But someone has pulled the strings to get Lily released from jail, and that someone wants a favor in return, namely her cooperation in impersonating another woman for the next seven months. The woman a politician named Kazinsky wants her to impersonate is none other than Marian Westin, the missing wife of Colorado candidate-for-Governor, Quinn Westin. Stunned, Lily refuses but quickly learns that Quinn won't take no for an answer. Compelled to cooperate by both the threat of returning to jail and the promise of a new life for her and her daughter in Europe, Lily reluctantly agrees and begins intensive lessons acting out the role of the mysterious Mrs. Westin. Lily is quickly drawn to Quinn with an overwhelming attraction that is returned by the influential man. Despite the knowledge that Lily must disappear in seven months while Quinn goes on to govern Colorado, the two find themselves giving in to their growing love.
Lily Dale is a woman of courage and conviction, an out-of-the-ordinary heroine--a Maggie Osborne trademark. Quinn Westin is a hero powerful enough to balance Lily's strength and clever enough to value her wisdom. Combine Lily and Quinn with an entertaining plot, a dash of mystery, and plenty of steamy romance, and the result is a novel not to be missed.--Lois Faye Dyer
368 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 1999
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
May 13, 2021
A STRANGER’S WIFE is for those readers who enjoy their HRs with wary, but intense chemistry, a slow burn and an element of suspense. It is not for those fans of cookie-cutter love stories.
At the onset Quinn Westin is married, but both Lily Dale and the reader don’t know where his wife is or if she is alive or dead. Quinn, with the help of his friend and kingmaker, Paul, plans to run for the first-time governor of Colorado. Both men expect him to be the winning candidate and will do whatever is necessary to achieve victory.
They need a ringer for Miriam Westin to pose as his wife until after Quinn is elected; Lily is the woman they’ve chosen. Except she is a prisoner at Yuma State Prison in Arizona. Just forget how they managed to locate her; I did. They pull strings and have her released early, but with restrictions. Don’t worry, you’ll read all about this in the first chapters.
~~~~~
I have read other HRs by Maggie Osborne, but this story was a cut above. I enjoyed watching Lily develop from a lost soul to a successful member of the haut monde. With intense pressure and some confusing situations, she was still able to remain true to herself.
Be that as it may, Quinn became a better person when Lily entered his life. And the chemistry I mentioned above? At certain moments, the tension was like a dark effervescence with crevices and cracks. Other times, it was similar to a tightly wound clock. With the directions: turn slowly, do not try to force it any further.
I even liked Paul’s role as Lily’s instructor. Without him, the world building would not have been so delicious. I thought Cranston, the butler, popped up at the most interesting moments. The elusive Miriam’s confidant, Helene, gave new meaning to wingman. This was one time that without those necessary secondary characters, the romance would not have been nearly as good.
At the onset Quinn Westin is married, but both Lily Dale and the reader don’t know where his wife is or if she is alive or dead. Quinn, with the help of his friend and kingmaker, Paul, plans to run for the first-time governor of Colorado. Both men expect him to be the winning candidate and will do whatever is necessary to achieve victory.
They need a ringer for Miriam Westin to pose as his wife until after Quinn is elected; Lily is the woman they’ve chosen. Except she is a prisoner at Yuma State Prison in Arizona. Just forget how they managed to locate her; I did. They pull strings and have her released early, but with restrictions. Don’t worry, you’ll read all about this in the first chapters.
~~~~~
I have read other HRs by Maggie Osborne, but this story was a cut above. I enjoyed watching Lily develop from a lost soul to a successful member of the haut monde. With intense pressure and some confusing situations, she was still able to remain true to herself.
Be that as it may, Quinn became a better person when Lily entered his life. And the chemistry I mentioned above? At certain moments, the tension was like a dark effervescence with crevices and cracks. Other times, it was similar to a tightly wound clock. With the directions: turn slowly, do not try to force it any further.
I even liked Paul’s role as Lily’s instructor. Without him, the world building would not have been so delicious. I thought Cranston, the butler, popped up at the most interesting moments. The elusive Miriam’s confidant, Helene, gave new meaning to wingman. This was one time that without those necessary secondary characters, the romance would not have been nearly as good.
September 6, 2024
***spoilers***
A gothic western? A mashup of frontier politics, Daphne du Maurier, Alfred Hitchcock, My Fair Lady, and Jane Eyre? Whatever it was it was bizarre and messy, defied logic, and I had a hard time putting it down because who leaves the scene of an accident when you can hang around and watch?
Quinn was both hero and anti-hero and wasn’t very good at being either. He was pushed into politics by his father, married to further his ambitions, endured the disappointing result of that decision, and let himself be pushed into letting a lookalike substitute for his wife when she “went missing.” Which is undoubtedly the most asinine idea ever invented by a political campaign until 2016.
Lily was both heroine and anti-heroine and came up short on both. Quinn’s campaign manager got her paroled from an Arizona prison to impersonate his missing wife because Quinn needed to look like a family man to be the first governor of Colorado. She was rough, had an illegitimate daughter she hadn’t seen in five years (the father was the man who persuaded her to join him in an armed robbery) and was smart enough to be turned into a society matron in three weeks. Cue the Rain in Spain song.
That was, like, chapter one. The author proceeded with a plot so convoluted it looked like a nautical knot and so full of holes you could have slapped it on rye with ham. In fact, she lost track of it herself more than once. This book didn’t require suspension of disbelief; it required a suspension bridge across an ocean of disbelief.
It culminated in whiplash. For the reader, that is. In about twenty pages Lily went from loving and trusting Quinn, to being convinced he was a murderer and intended to kill her (which, in turn, led to a looney chase through a dark mansion), to thinking he wouldn’t hurt a flea under any circumstances. IN TWENTY PAGES.
No, no, I’m not done yet:
After that bit of excitement it landed with a thud. Why dial back on the insanity at the end? I say leave on the crazy horse what brung ya.
This is actually a two-star book but I’m giving it three because it was so ridiculous it came close to being sublime. Not close enough, however.
A gothic western? A mashup of frontier politics, Daphne du Maurier, Alfred Hitchcock, My Fair Lady, and Jane Eyre? Whatever it was it was bizarre and messy, defied logic, and I had a hard time putting it down because who leaves the scene of an accident when you can hang around and watch?
Quinn was both hero and anti-hero and wasn’t very good at being either. He was pushed into politics by his father, married to further his ambitions, endured the disappointing result of that decision, and let himself be pushed into letting a lookalike substitute for his wife when she “went missing.” Which is undoubtedly the most asinine idea ever invented by a political campaign until 2016.
Lily was both heroine and anti-heroine and came up short on both. Quinn’s campaign manager got her paroled from an Arizona prison to impersonate his missing wife because Quinn needed to look like a family man to be the first governor of Colorado. She was rough, had an illegitimate daughter she hadn’t seen in five years (the father was the man who persuaded her to join him in an armed robbery) and was smart enough to be turned into a society matron in three weeks. Cue the Rain in Spain song.
That was, like, chapter one. The author proceeded with a plot so convoluted it looked like a nautical knot and so full of holes you could have slapped it on rye with ham. In fact, she lost track of it herself more than once. This book didn’t require suspension of disbelief; it required a suspension bridge across an ocean of disbelief.
It culminated in whiplash. For the reader, that is. In about twenty pages Lily went from loving and trusting Quinn, to being convinced he was a murderer and intended to kill her (which, in turn, led to a looney chase through a dark mansion), to thinking he wouldn’t hurt a flea under any circumstances. IN TWENTY PAGES.
No, no, I’m not done yet:
After that bit of excitement it landed with a thud. Why dial back on the insanity at the end? I say leave on the crazy horse what brung ya.
This is actually a two-star book but I’m giving it three because it was so ridiculous it came close to being sublime. Not close enough, however.
September 15, 2010
Oh, this book had so much potential. It was a great idea for a story but I couldn't stand some of the characters and at one time wanted to punch the hero in the face for being an idiot. Then for the Jane Eyre-esque like truth about the wife - hidden upstairs, gone mad over the death of her baby - and the lack of trust between the hero and the heroine, I just wanted to throw this dang book against the wall! I've never felt so frustrated before.
Lily Dale was actually a character I liked in the novel. she made foolish decisions in life but paid for them by going to prison and losing out on 5 years of her daughter's life. She made the best of what she was being asked to do, portraying another woman. I wasn't even upset with her for doubting Quinn, the man she loved because I doubted him too! At times he was a great hero, so loving and romantic to Lily. At other times I thought he was a murderer and a cruel bast**d.
I absolutely hated the best friend, Paul. Yet, in the end Lily is writing to him as "Dearest Paul". His character just wasn't written in a way where I could like him. He seemed sneaky and deceitful and unethical as well. I truly thought he had "disposed" of Miriam (the wife) or gotten "rid" of her.
Now, "disposed of" and "get rid of" are phrases that don't have the best connentation. What else was Lily, and the reader, supposed to think. Those two phrases were used a lot to describe Miriam and Lily. That just made me highly dislike Paul. I think we were supposed to like him but for me the character was way too poorly written for me to like him.
The fact that Quinn gave up his spot in the election for governor helped a bit but he still bothered me with his attitude towards Lily, especially after he knew he loved her. I was glad that he dropped out of the race and I loved he had Lily's daughter, Rose, brought to her but I still am not very fond of him.
I also thought it was ridiculous that little Rose decided she was going to marry "uncle Paul" when she grew up. Maybe if I actually liked Paul I would have found that cute but I didn't.
I did like the epilogue where Lily writes to Paul and we learn about their other children and Quinn's life as a lawyer to the people in Italy.
This story was an interesting one and it kept me turning the page but it could've been so much better if the characters of Paul and Quinn were better presented. They took this book down from a 3 star to a 2 especially with their attitude to Lily at the end (which was kind of anti-climactic especially as I knew what the actual truth was about Miriam).
I have a couple of other Maggie Osborne books to read. I hope they are more enjoyable than this one. It wasn't the first of hers I've read but it was probably the one I enjoyed the least all in thanks to the two male leads.
Lily Dale was actually a character I liked in the novel. she made foolish decisions in life but paid for them by going to prison and losing out on 5 years of her daughter's life. She made the best of what she was being asked to do, portraying another woman. I wasn't even upset with her for doubting Quinn, the man she loved because I doubted him too! At times he was a great hero, so loving and romantic to Lily. At other times I thought he was a murderer and a cruel bast**d.
I absolutely hated the best friend, Paul. Yet, in the end Lily is writing to him as "Dearest Paul". His character just wasn't written in a way where I could like him. He seemed sneaky and deceitful and unethical as well. I truly thought he had "disposed" of Miriam (the wife) or gotten "rid" of her.
Now, "disposed of" and "get rid of" are phrases that don't have the best connentation. What else was Lily, and the reader, supposed to think. Those two phrases were used a lot to describe Miriam and Lily. That just made me highly dislike Paul. I think we were supposed to like him but for me the character was way too poorly written for me to like him.
The fact that Quinn gave up his spot in the election for governor helped a bit but he still bothered me with his attitude towards Lily, especially after he knew he loved her. I was glad that he dropped out of the race and I loved he had Lily's daughter, Rose, brought to her but I still am not very fond of him.
I also thought it was ridiculous that little Rose decided she was going to marry "uncle Paul" when she grew up. Maybe if I actually liked Paul I would have found that cute but I didn't.
I did like the epilogue where Lily writes to Paul and we learn about their other children and Quinn's life as a lawyer to the people in Italy.
This story was an interesting one and it kept me turning the page but it could've been so much better if the characters of Paul and Quinn were better presented. They took this book down from a 3 star to a 2 especially with their attitude to Lily at the end (which was kind of anti-climactic especially as I knew what the actual truth was about Miriam).
I have a couple of other Maggie Osborne books to read. I hope they are more enjoyable than this one. It wasn't the first of hers I've read but it was probably the one I enjoyed the least all in thanks to the two male leads.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 1, 2021
2.5/5; 3 stars
I have mixed feelings about this book. In the Maggie Osborne stories I’ve really loved, the female main characters shine and the male main characters tend to be difficult but ultimately solid people you can admire. I didn’t feel much admiration for the Quinn or Paul in this book and, in fact, their slimy dishonesty took away a lot from the the story IMO. I appreciated Lily’s growth and transformation and the many insights into her strong ethical core but I really struggled to see Quinn as worthy of her. Also, in a book like The Promise of Jenny Jones, there wasn’t so much scrutiny of the the attractiveness of the characters or repeated thoughts about the ‘lust that would not be denied’.
You win some, you lose some. I still treasure a few of the book I have from this author and that’s good enough for me.
I have mixed feelings about this book. In the Maggie Osborne stories I’ve really loved, the female main characters shine and the male main characters tend to be difficult but ultimately solid people you can admire. I didn’t feel much admiration for the Quinn or Paul in this book and, in fact, their slimy dishonesty took away a lot from the the story IMO. I appreciated Lily’s growth and transformation and the many insights into her strong ethical core but I really struggled to see Quinn as worthy of her. Also, in a book like The Promise of Jenny Jones, there wasn’t so much scrutiny of the the attractiveness of the characters or repeated thoughts about the ‘lust that would not be denied’.
You win some, you lose some. I still treasure a few of the book I have from this author and that’s good enough for me.
March 28, 2019
3,5 stars rounded up 4!
Interesting plot. As usual this author based her story with a huge tragedy.
Sometimes story was a bit sugary.
Both not virgins.
Faithful both of them
Interesting plot. As usual this author based her story with a huge tragedy.
Sometimes story was a bit sugary.
Both not virgins.
Faithful both of them
January 16, 2013
I wasn't as pleased with this book as I was with the others I've read by this author. The story was interesting enough I guess. It mostly dealt with the Pygmalian type make over of a rough ex con woman in the old west into a society matron. The love story part was underwhelming. I didn't really feel any emotion from the two of them. The characterization was not real deep for any of them. Oh well could have been better but it also could have been worse.
January 7, 2022
Ahh Maggie! They can’t all be winners can they? I wasn’t feeling the love in this one. Just attraction…in the hero’s case it was attraction to a woman who resembled his vanishing wife. Well that’s not sexy is it? Anyway, The mystery was sorta easy to figure out. The heroine was not up to Maggie Osborne standards and I lost interest.
December 11, 2012
I didn't love, love this book the way I have with the other Maggie Osborne books I've read. In fact, I found myself skimming a little bit in the last few chapter.
The premise is very interesting. Lily Dale has been in prison for five years for being an accomplice to a bank robbery where her gun discharged and killed a man. A women's prison in Yuma,AZ in the 1800s with a male warden and guards had to be a hellish place. The author clearly lays out some of the hardships that Lily had to endure but alluded to worse.
An early pardon for Lily is engineered by a powerful man. That man is Quinn Westin. Quinn's wife has disappeared and her disappearance is having a deleterious effect on Quinn's campaign. But Lily is a dead ringer for Quinn's missing wife, Miriam. So Quinn and his campaign manager Paul has a proposition for Lily. Impersonate Miriam and after the election retire to a life of ease in Europe, or get thrown back in prison for another several years.
Although the charade will delay Lily getting back to her daughter whom she hasn't seen since she was a baby, Lily takes the Faustian bargain. But Quinn gets more than he bargained for. While Lily may look a lot like the genteel, shy Miriam, she is completely different. Lily is no shrinking wallflower. And the mysterious disappearance of Miriam Westin has Lily asking a lot of questions.
There were two main things I really liked about this book.
The first was the writing. This author is one that writes a tight, emotional story. Her characters have incredible depth and her plots are very well executed. Quinn and Lily fall in love convincingly and yet the author doesn't give short shrift to their complications. The characterizations and the plot were well layered over and around each other.
The second is Lily. Lily was a dynamic character that kind of reminded me a little bit of Jenny Jones from The Promise of Jenny Jones only not as hardened as Jenny. Even as Lily gets polish, she continuously struggles not to lose herself in the skin of another woman. A woman whose clothes she wears, whose house she lives in, whose mannerisms she mimics, and whose husband she is falling in love with. Lily fights to keep herself as Lily all the while she slips deeper into this woman's life. Quinn and Paul don't tell her the whole truth, only giving her the information about Miriam that they think she'll need to impersonate the woman. Only that is not enough for Lily who constantly questions and them about Miriam, instinctively knowing she wasn't getting the whole story. Lily is the opposite of TSTL. She remains skeptical and makes smart assumptions.
But for all that, there was a sluggishness to the book. I didn't fly through the pages, and at one point I just wanted the get the whole mystery of Miriam out in the open already.
Also, I did not in any way like the manipulation of Lily and the blackmail by the two main male characters.
And finally, I thought there was an unconvincing 11th hour redemption of a character. Their personality and character arc seems to have one trajectory throughout the book and then, boom, in the last chapter it seemed to take an abrupt turn.
The premise is very interesting. Lily Dale has been in prison for five years for being an accomplice to a bank robbery where her gun discharged and killed a man. A women's prison in Yuma,AZ in the 1800s with a male warden and guards had to be a hellish place. The author clearly lays out some of the hardships that Lily had to endure but alluded to worse.
An early pardon for Lily is engineered by a powerful man. That man is Quinn Westin. Quinn's wife has disappeared and her disappearance is having a deleterious effect on Quinn's campaign. But Lily is a dead ringer for Quinn's missing wife, Miriam. So Quinn and his campaign manager Paul has a proposition for Lily. Impersonate Miriam and after the election retire to a life of ease in Europe, or get thrown back in prison for another several years.
Although the charade will delay Lily getting back to her daughter whom she hasn't seen since she was a baby, Lily takes the Faustian bargain. But Quinn gets more than he bargained for. While Lily may look a lot like the genteel, shy Miriam, she is completely different. Lily is no shrinking wallflower. And the mysterious disappearance of Miriam Westin has Lily asking a lot of questions.
There were two main things I really liked about this book.
The first was the writing. This author is one that writes a tight, emotional story. Her characters have incredible depth and her plots are very well executed. Quinn and Lily fall in love convincingly and yet the author doesn't give short shrift to their complications. The characterizations and the plot were well layered over and around each other.
The second is Lily. Lily was a dynamic character that kind of reminded me a little bit of Jenny Jones from The Promise of Jenny Jones only not as hardened as Jenny. Even as Lily gets polish, she continuously struggles not to lose herself in the skin of another woman. A woman whose clothes she wears, whose house she lives in, whose mannerisms she mimics, and whose husband she is falling in love with. Lily fights to keep herself as Lily all the while she slips deeper into this woman's life. Quinn and Paul don't tell her the whole truth, only giving her the information about Miriam that they think she'll need to impersonate the woman. Only that is not enough for Lily who constantly questions and them about Miriam, instinctively knowing she wasn't getting the whole story. Lily is the opposite of TSTL. She remains skeptical and makes smart assumptions.
But for all that, there was a sluggishness to the book. I didn't fly through the pages, and at one point I just wanted the get the whole mystery of Miriam out in the open already.
Also, I did not in any way like the manipulation of Lily and the blackmail by the two main male characters.
And finally, I thought there was an unconvincing 11th hour redemption of a character. Their personality and character arc seems to have one trajectory throughout the book and then, boom, in the last chapter it seemed to take an abrupt turn.
June 17, 2015
Once the H/h fell in love with each other the story became a little too sappy for me. The justification for Quinn and Paul's actions and their peculiar way of stating certain things was just not enough for me and it was disappointing that the story couldn't maintain its momentum till the end. I disliked the final piece regarding Miriam's disappearance. I know it's a romance and love is supposed to be all that one needs but I wish things had ended up a little differently. I can't help but dislike Quinn a little bit for coming out of it all fine while one woman wasted her life away in despair and the other molded herself into someone he would approve of.
June 26, 2017
This is not a book with universal appeal and I didn't think I was going to like it. The "romance" isn't really the main part of the story, but it was so well written and interesting. I gave it 4 stars.
June 15, 2018
This book is different from Osborne's usual fare in that it's a suspense/mystery.
February 17, 2025
Finally back on my bullshit… this book was so weird and ended so abruptly I felt like I was reading a Sherry Thomas book
March 22, 2020
I’ve been mulling over this book since I finished it last night. Lily Dale has served 5 years of a 10 year sentence in prison for a horrible crime. She gets a lucky break when Quinn hears that she is his missing wife’s doppelgänger and so she gets pardoned and let out early. She doesn’t get to go home to her now-5 yo daughter because Quinn and Paul blackmail her into acting the role of a proper (hopeful) Governor’s wife. Quinn needs a Miriam-imposter so he can win the election.
Things I disliked: Paul was CREEPY and I was pretty sure he was a murderer. He didn’t do much to dispel suspicions that he disposed of Miriam, as in killed her after her affair was discovered. Quinn and Paul were also very short-sighted and naive to think that Lily posing as Miriam might not pose even more dire results than if Miriam was actually declared to be dead. I also hated how meddlesome Lily was in the end! Why the HECK did she meet with Miriam’s lover!? I liked her character until she did that! The weird ending—Miriam has been crazy for 5 months over the death of her daughter and is locked in the attic. 5 months is not a long time. I kept thinking Quinn moved on WAY TOO FAST, despite Miriam’s betrayal. So then Quinn abandons all of his political aspirations that he cared so much for in order to live with his crazy wife and make babies with Lily in Italy.
I liked: Lily’s spunk and pragmatism. Quinn’s character was usually pretty magnetic. I could see the appeal for Lily. There was a lot of good sexual chemistry.
Things I disliked: Paul was CREEPY and I was pretty sure he was a murderer. He didn’t do much to dispel suspicions that he disposed of Miriam, as in killed her after her affair was discovered. Quinn and Paul were also very short-sighted and naive to think that Lily posing as Miriam might not pose even more dire results than if Miriam was actually declared to be dead. I also hated how meddlesome Lily was in the end! Why the HECK did she meet with Miriam’s lover!? I liked her character until she did that! The weird ending—Miriam has been crazy for 5 months over the death of her daughter and is locked in the attic. 5 months is not a long time. I kept thinking Quinn moved on WAY TOO FAST, despite Miriam’s betrayal. So then Quinn abandons all of his political aspirations that he cared so much for in order to live with his crazy wife and make babies with Lily in Italy.
I liked: Lily’s spunk and pragmatism. Quinn’s character was usually pretty magnetic. I could see the appeal for Lily. There was a lot of good sexual chemistry.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 1, 2011
It had romantic ingredients, but could have used something more with characters, dialogue, and plot.
STORY BRIEF:
Quinn is hellbound to be the first governor of the newly created state of Colorado. His wife Miriam mysteriously runs off/disappears. His campaign manager Paul searches for a woman who looks identical to his wife to take her place. Without his wife, Quinn cannot win voters who expect a family man.
Lily is a rough frontier woman who cusses and drinks whiskey. She’s been in prison for five years because her boyfriend talked her into helping him commit a crime. She has a five-year-old daughter who is being raised by her aunt. After Paul sees Lily, he arranges for her to be pardoned. In return he wants her to impersonate Miriam for six months until after the election. He will then give her enough money to raise her child comfortably in Europe. If Lily does not agree, Paul will return her to jail, so she agrees. She learns how to be a lady, changing her speech, manners, and actions.
REVIEWER’S OPINION:
The premise is a little hard to believe – that one would actually search the prisons in different states looking for a look-a-like clone back in the 1800s. Maybe today with the help of plastic surgery one might hope to pull it off. But this is fiction, so I’m willing to go along with it if the rest is entertaining. But the rest was ordinary, with some weaknesses. I liked the transformation of Lily into a lady. I liked the falling in love by Quinn and Lily. There was one nicely done passionate sex scene. I did NOT feel “I wish it would be over,” which would have taken it to 2 stars.
The weaknesses were not major, but they existed. Lily jumped to conclusions too quickly, getting mad about some things. There was too much repetitive pondering by Lily, wondering what happened to Miriam, and worrying about what was going on. Quinn’s secretiveness did not make sense after a while. The plot didn’t win me over. It might have been ok if it was developed differently.
DATA:
Story length: 362 pages. Swearing language: mild, including religious swear words. Sexual language: mild. Number of sex scenes: 3 (one passionate kissing scene, one sex scene, and one sex scene referred to not shown). Total number of sex scene pages: 7. Setting: 1876 to 1881 New Mexico Territory, Colorado Territory, Italy. Copyright: 1999. Genre: western historical romance.
STORY BRIEF:
Quinn is hellbound to be the first governor of the newly created state of Colorado. His wife Miriam mysteriously runs off/disappears. His campaign manager Paul searches for a woman who looks identical to his wife to take her place. Without his wife, Quinn cannot win voters who expect a family man.
Lily is a rough frontier woman who cusses and drinks whiskey. She’s been in prison for five years because her boyfriend talked her into helping him commit a crime. She has a five-year-old daughter who is being raised by her aunt. After Paul sees Lily, he arranges for her to be pardoned. In return he wants her to impersonate Miriam for six months until after the election. He will then give her enough money to raise her child comfortably in Europe. If Lily does not agree, Paul will return her to jail, so she agrees. She learns how to be a lady, changing her speech, manners, and actions.
REVIEWER’S OPINION:
The premise is a little hard to believe – that one would actually search the prisons in different states looking for a look-a-like clone back in the 1800s. Maybe today with the help of plastic surgery one might hope to pull it off. But this is fiction, so I’m willing to go along with it if the rest is entertaining. But the rest was ordinary, with some weaknesses. I liked the transformation of Lily into a lady. I liked the falling in love by Quinn and Lily. There was one nicely done passionate sex scene. I did NOT feel “I wish it would be over,” which would have taken it to 2 stars.
The weaknesses were not major, but they existed. Lily jumped to conclusions too quickly, getting mad about some things. There was too much repetitive pondering by Lily, wondering what happened to Miriam, and worrying about what was going on. Quinn’s secretiveness did not make sense after a while. The plot didn’t win me over. It might have been ok if it was developed differently.
DATA:
Story length: 362 pages. Swearing language: mild, including religious swear words. Sexual language: mild. Number of sex scenes: 3 (one passionate kissing scene, one sex scene, and one sex scene referred to not shown). Total number of sex scene pages: 7. Setting: 1876 to 1881 New Mexico Territory, Colorado Territory, Italy. Copyright: 1999. Genre: western historical romance.
June 12, 2019
After 5 years in prison, Lily Dale is released early. She is ‘offered’ the opportunity to impersonate the wife of the man who wants to be the first governor of Colorado – Quinn Westin. Otherwise, she can go back to jail. What a choice!
Lily’s face and that of Quinn’s wife are nearly identical. The reformation of Lily begins immediately and Lily is a quick study. No one talks about where Quinn’s real wife is and why she isn’t by Quinn’s side.
Quinn soon comes aware of his attraction to Lily. Is it because she has become Miriam – or because he is attracted to Lily? The new Mrs. Westin (Lily) has no such questions; she’s never been around such a dynamic and confident man and she’s very attracted to him.
Miriam’s missing status is a stumbling block between Quinn and Lily. She wants to know about her; Quinn does not want to discuss her. He becomes very angry when she poses questions.
When I first read this book a year ago, I wasn’t impressed. On second reading, however, I see things I didn’t see before. This is a unique and subtle book. Enjoy!
Lily’s face and that of Quinn’s wife are nearly identical. The reformation of Lily begins immediately and Lily is a quick study. No one talks about where Quinn’s real wife is and why she isn’t by Quinn’s side.
Quinn soon comes aware of his attraction to Lily. Is it because she has become Miriam – or because he is attracted to Lily? The new Mrs. Westin (Lily) has no such questions; she’s never been around such a dynamic and confident man and she’s very attracted to him.
Miriam’s missing status is a stumbling block between Quinn and Lily. She wants to know about her; Quinn does not want to discuss her. He becomes very angry when she poses questions.
When I first read this book a year ago, I wasn’t impressed. On second reading, however, I see things I didn’t see before. This is a unique and subtle book. Enjoy!
April 25, 2020
Maggie Osborne is one of my all-time favourite historical romance authors. I've read all her more known works and just because from time to time, I crave something, anything from these seasoned historical writers, I go back to read anything I can find from their lists. A stranger's wife seemed obscure, the ratings aren't as high as her other books but boy was I pleasantly surprised. Excellent writing, well fleshed out story, all round interesting book. There's something very authentic about a well written historical romance. I loved it!
October 14, 2014
I didn't care for the premise of this book as well as her other books, but it was an entertaining read.
June 24, 2023
**Most of my reviews contain detailed CW/TW sections, which may include spoilers. I have tried to mark them appropriately, but please use caution.**
Ebook
3/5
Summary: After his wife disappears under somewhat tragic and mysterious circumstances, the aspiring politician MMC seeks out a doppleganger to pretend to be her - and finds her in the imprisoned convict FMC, who is desperate for freedom.
Stats: HR - Western, M/F, fake marriage, standalone, open door - but somewhat limited.]
Notes: This book is a bit weird. I have weird feelings about the ending/first wife situation. Hmm. Really only finished because of the sunken cost. Previous comments: Oh look, Maggie Osborne using child death again as *tragic backstory* when it seems like it’s pretty unnecessary… This has become something of a sunken cost issue for me, so I’ll finish it, but I’m not best pleased. Something of a Pygmalion story - the FMS is pretty interesting, the MMC isn’t very sympathetic... Bit annoying, really.
OTT and Spoilery Content Warnings (CW) and Trigger Warnings (TW):
Ebook
3/5
Summary: After his wife disappears under somewhat tragic and mysterious circumstances, the aspiring politician MMC seeks out a doppleganger to pretend to be her - and finds her in the imprisoned convict FMC, who is desperate for freedom.
Stats: HR - Western, M/F, fake marriage, standalone, open door - but somewhat limited.]
Notes: This book is a bit weird. I have weird feelings about the ending/first wife situation. Hmm. Really only finished because of the sunken cost. Previous comments: Oh look, Maggie Osborne using child death again as *tragic backstory* when it seems like it’s pretty unnecessary… This has become something of a sunken cost issue for me, so I’ll finish it, but I’m not best pleased. Something of a Pygmalion story - the FMS is pretty interesting, the MMC isn’t very sympathetic... Bit annoying, really.
OTT and Spoilery Content Warnings (CW) and Trigger Warnings (TW):
September 2, 2022
I liked this book, but I thought that some of the things at the beginning could have been shorter, and the ending could have shown more of Lily and Quinn’s future.
Quinn was fine, and I really liked Lily’s character and her personality. I didn’t really like how Lily and Quinn’s relationship is uncertain throughout the whole book and then at the very end they decide that they love each other. It seemed like their relationship development at the end of the book was very rushed.
There were a few side characters mentioned, but they weren’t developed. Miriam’s friends are only shown twice, the servants don’t have any personality, and I didn’t like or trust Paul throughout this whole book.
I thought that the mystery of the missing wife (Miriam) was very intriguing, and I liked how the author shows Lily finding out small pieces of the puzzle and trying to figure out how it fits into what actually happened. I didn’t guess what the truth of what happened was, and I thought that it was interesting.
I didn’t like the ending as it was very rushed. In one chapter everything is revealed, then the next short chapter talks about the future. I wanted to see more of what Lily and Quinn’s everyday lives would look like, as well as their interactions with Rose.
I still want to try more books by this author as the plot was interesting, but this book just wasn’t for me.
Quinn was fine, and I really liked Lily’s character and her personality. I didn’t really like how Lily and Quinn’s relationship is uncertain throughout the whole book and then at the very end they decide that they love each other. It seemed like their relationship development at the end of the book was very rushed.
There were a few side characters mentioned, but they weren’t developed. Miriam’s friends are only shown twice, the servants don’t have any personality, and I didn’t like or trust Paul throughout this whole book.
I thought that the mystery of the missing wife (Miriam) was very intriguing, and I liked how the author shows Lily finding out small pieces of the puzzle and trying to figure out how it fits into what actually happened. I didn’t guess what the truth of what happened was, and I thought that it was interesting.
I didn’t like the ending as it was very rushed. In one chapter everything is revealed, then the next short chapter talks about the future. I wanted to see more of what Lily and Quinn’s everyday lives would look like, as well as their interactions with Rose.
I still want to try more books by this author as the plot was interesting, but this book just wasn’t for me.
November 29, 2022
If you love strong, resilient, less than perfect heroines, then you should love Maggie Osborne. I read a lot--almost 400 books so far this year, all genres. Since about the middle of the 2020 COVID pandemic, I've been reading far more romances than usual, and I find I usually immerse myself in a particular subgenre. For the last month or so, it has been historical/western romances. There are many formulaic books out there--mail-order bride, outlaw rescue, damsel fleeing forced marriage. Maggie Osborne's books are not among them. A Stranger's Wife is kind of a cross between Pygmalion and The Prince and the Pauper. The characters are appealing; the plot fairly original, and the ending satisfying. I gave this book 5 stars, a rating I reserve for books I can see myself reading again. This is the third Maggie Osborne book I've read, and so far, she hasn't disappointed me. She doesn't write the steamiest of sex scenes, though--pretty much a slow burn--so if you are looking for red-hot, detailed inventive sex, you may find this book disappointing. If you want romance with complicated, imperfect characters and a unique plot wrapped up in a western romance, I'd strongly recommend this book.
March 16, 2023
3.5⭐
A strangers wife, like every other Maggie Osborne book I have read so far had a heroine I could admire and root for- strong, independent and that innate sense of honesty and dignity.
But unlike the other books what I found different was how tedious the book gets somewhere in the middle -it could have been edited better. And towards the end it seems rushed , I would have loved seeing a longer epilogue (more details) after investing so much time and energy into this book ,I felt disappointed.
Also, I get it the author didn't want to make it predictable but honestly I figured out the plot by the first half of the book (Jane Eyre seems to be an inspiration) and towards the end I hated how things were resolved.
I didn't understand how the h could so easily agree to be the mistress and even worse be okay with the wife living with them. The same wife who is a mirror copy of her and was probably what first attracted the H to her
A strangers wife, like every other Maggie Osborne book I have read so far had a heroine I could admire and root for- strong, independent and that innate sense of honesty and dignity.
But unlike the other books what I found different was how tedious the book gets somewhere in the middle -it could have been edited better. And towards the end it seems rushed , I would have loved seeing a longer epilogue (more details) after investing so much time and energy into this book ,I felt disappointed.
Also, I get it the author didn't want to make it predictable but honestly I figured out the plot by the first half of the book (Jane Eyre seems to be an inspiration) and towards the end I hated how things were resolved.
I didn't understand how the h could so easily agree to be the mistress and even worse be okay with the wife living with them. The same wife who is a mirror copy of her and was probably what first attracted the H to her
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 28, 2023
...an old house covered in snow...
I'm disappointed. I Haven't read a Maggie Osborne novel in some time. I have always found her writing to be interesting with nuaunces other writers may not have. Her stories come to life so wonderfully and her characters are rich and enjoyable. For the stories I've read I usually give a 4 star rating.
But I didn't connect to this story. I think the premise threw me off and I could never get past that. It was just weird to me. I also had a hard time liking the characters. Paul and Quinn both seemed quite smarmy to me. Lily was an okay character. I guess if I had to choose I'd pick her as my champion.
Maybe my mood was off with this one but it didn't resonate as some other novels by this author.
I have a couple others I'd like to read. Hopefully I'll find some more wonderful gems!
Reading Challenge 2023
Month: January Letters: A/B
I'm disappointed. I Haven't read a Maggie Osborne novel in some time. I have always found her writing to be interesting with nuaunces other writers may not have. Her stories come to life so wonderfully and her characters are rich and enjoyable. For the stories I've read I usually give a 4 star rating.
But I didn't connect to this story. I think the premise threw me off and I could never get past that. It was just weird to me. I also had a hard time liking the characters. Paul and Quinn both seemed quite smarmy to me. Lily was an okay character. I guess if I had to choose I'd pick her as my champion.
Maybe my mood was off with this one but it didn't resonate as some other novels by this author.
I have a couple others I'd like to read. Hopefully I'll find some more wonderful gems!
Reading Challenge 2023
Month: January Letters: A/B
January 27, 2020
This book had the potential to be a good book if the character's were more likable especially the heroine. She was the biggest the reason why I didnt enjoyed the book much. She was so annoying, putting her head where it was not needed and quite vulgar too. She was cursing Quinn and Paul throughout the book. Watever there intentions where, they were the reason she was even out of jail. But she was not at all grateful for it. Instead she just became so obsessed with Mariam and was constantly nagging them. On top of it she was dumb and had a mind of her own no matter the consequences. The way she was running at the end shouting 'they will kill me ' was so pathetic . I just hated her.
January 22, 2022
I can understand why some reviewers have this a lower rating. Osborne writes a great yarn. But if you look at the characters and plot strictly as belonging to that of a romance novel (which is the obvious expectation), you might be a bit disappointed with the hero, not keen on the heroine, hating the best friend, and questioning fidelity.
For myself, I decided to detach my expectations and reframe this novel as whether it was well written and whether I enjoyed it- and I did! The tension in the story was great and the Pygmalion dynamic was interesting. It held my interest until the end and was a good story.
Was it a good romance? That’s up to you to decide.
For myself, I decided to detach my expectations and reframe this novel as whether it was well written and whether I enjoyed it- and I did! The tension in the story was great and the Pygmalion dynamic was interesting. It held my interest until the end and was a good story.
Was it a good romance? That’s up to you to decide.
January 6, 2020
I like Maggie Osborne as a writer. But this book just didn't click for me. The premise was different from your regular romances and seemed interesting enough that's why I had picked it up. But halfway through the book, I was skipping parts, stopped caring about the main characters. I just couldn't bring myself to care about what was happening. The only saving grace was it's strong female protagonist.
April 23, 2022
I liked the concept here--a Pygmalion story/mystery, where a woman has to impersonate someone else and tries to uncover the truth of her disappearance--but the book ultimately didn't work for me.
Lily was an interesting heroine, but I didn't trust the hero at all (which was detrimental to my enjoyment of the romance)! I also felt like the final revelation of Miriam's fate was...not what I expected, and absolutely bonkers.
Lily was an interesting heroine, but I didn't trust the hero at all (which was detrimental to my enjoyment of the romance)! I also felt like the final revelation of Miriam's fate was...not what I expected, and absolutely bonkers.
November 1, 2025
Wish there were 10 stars!
I have read several of her novels and I am NEVER, NEVER disappointed. This lovely story had mystery, secrets, and a beautiful love story. I couldn’t stop reading! I couldn’t wait to know the ending.
Love, I am just a hopeless ROMANTIC and love romance novels. But Ms. Osborn’s work is so beautifully written. It’s the LOVE that always changes things. And truly, TRUE LOVE can change a life.
I have read several of her novels and I am NEVER, NEVER disappointed. This lovely story had mystery, secrets, and a beautiful love story. I couldn’t stop reading! I couldn’t wait to know the ending.
Love, I am just a hopeless ROMANTIC and love romance novels. But Ms. Osborn’s work is so beautifully written. It’s the LOVE that always changes things. And truly, TRUE LOVE can change a life.
April 6, 2020
I liked it, it wasn't one of the authors greatest books bit kept me interested. The hero same best friend were portrayed badly its no wonder Lily thought the way she did the end. The ending was not great in the sense it was great too fairy tale sugary and pat and could have been done better.
May 14, 2022
Really enjoyed this story, so many twists and turns all the way to the end. Along the way, I guessed correctly about the situation and yet did not quite have it all figured out. That makes for fun reading.
February 26, 2025
Love Maggie’s Stories
I love that her characters are flawed. They aren’t perfect and aren’t always good, or nice, or kind; they’re real. There’s always something happening that holds my attention and I like that too. On a final note, the ‘spice’ factor is pretty impressive.
I love that her characters are flawed. They aren’t perfect and aren’t always good, or nice, or kind; they’re real. There’s always something happening that holds my attention and I like that too. On a final note, the ‘spice’ factor is pretty impressive.
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