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The Barefoot Bride
From genteel Boston to the wilds of Montana, she is searching for a safe haven for her family—and finds unexpected love.
Having lost her beloved husband, a whaling captain, to a watery grave, Molly Gallagher refuses to risk more heartbreak. Determined to keep her headstrong son from following in his father’s footsteps, she agrees to become the mail-order bride of a Montana country doctor. She tells her new husband that she can never give her love to another man; what she doesn’t tell him is that she has a young daughter and a rebellious teenage son.
Molly’s ruse might have worked, but Seth Kendrick has secrets of his own: a willful daughter determined to end the marriage before it even begins—and a double life keeping his neighbors safe from outlaws. In an untamed land of vigilante justice, Molly has no choice but to trust this gray-eyed stranger whose stubbornness matches her own, whose kisses unleash flash floods of desire—and who may be the one man in a million who could win her fiery, faithful heart.
“A book you will read and remember for a long, long time . . . Wonderful characters light up the pages.”— Rendezvous
Having lost her beloved husband, a whaling captain, to a watery grave, Molly Gallagher refuses to risk more heartbreak. Determined to keep her headstrong son from following in his father’s footsteps, she agrees to become the mail-order bride of a Montana country doctor. She tells her new husband that she can never give her love to another man; what she doesn’t tell him is that she has a young daughter and a rebellious teenage son.
Molly’s ruse might have worked, but Seth Kendrick has secrets of his own: a willful daughter determined to end the marriage before it even begins—and a double life keeping his neighbors safe from outlaws. In an untamed land of vigilante justice, Molly has no choice but to trust this gray-eyed stranger whose stubbornness matches her own, whose kisses unleash flash floods of desire—and who may be the one man in a million who could win her fiery, faithful heart.
“A book you will read and remember for a long, long time . . . Wonderful characters light up the pages.”— Rendezvous
416 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published December 2, 1991
165 people are currently reading
466 people want to read
About the author
Joan Johnston
126 books751 followersJoan Johnston (born Little Rock, Arkansas) is a best-selling American author of over forty contemporary and historical romance novels.
Johnston was the third of seven children born to an Air Force sergeant and his music-teacher wife. She received a B.A. in theatre arts from Jacksonville University in 1970, then earning an M.A. in theatre from the University of Illinois, Urbana in 1971. She received a law degree (with honors) at the University of Texas at Austin in 1980. For the next five years, Johnston worked as an attorney, serving with the Hunton & Williams firm in Richmond, Virginia, and with Squire, Sanders, & Dempsey in Miami. She has also worked as a newspaper editor and drama critic in San Antonio, Texas, and as a college professor at Southwest Texas Junior College, Barry University, and the University of Miami.
Johnston is a member of the Authors Guild, Novelists, Inc., Romance Writers of America, and Florida Romance Writers. She has two children and one grandchild, and divides her time between two homes, in Colorado and Florida.
Awards
* Paperbook Book Club of America's Book Rak Award (twice)
* Romantic Times' Best Western Historical Series Award (twice)
* Romantic Times' Best New Western Writer
* Romantic Times' Best Historical Series Award (twice)
* The Maggie (twice)
* Romance Writers of America RITA Award finalist for The Disobedient Bride
Johnston was the third of seven children born to an Air Force sergeant and his music-teacher wife. She received a B.A. in theatre arts from Jacksonville University in 1970, then earning an M.A. in theatre from the University of Illinois, Urbana in 1971. She received a law degree (with honors) at the University of Texas at Austin in 1980. For the next five years, Johnston worked as an attorney, serving with the Hunton & Williams firm in Richmond, Virginia, and with Squire, Sanders, & Dempsey in Miami. She has also worked as a newspaper editor and drama critic in San Antonio, Texas, and as a college professor at Southwest Texas Junior College, Barry University, and the University of Miami.
Johnston is a member of the Authors Guild, Novelists, Inc., Romance Writers of America, and Florida Romance Writers. She has two children and one grandchild, and divides her time between two homes, in Colorado and Florida.
Awards
* Paperbook Book Club of America's Book Rak Award (twice)
* Romantic Times' Best Western Historical Series Award (twice)
* Romantic Times' Best New Western Writer
* Romantic Times' Best Historical Series Award (twice)
* The Maggie (twice)
* Romance Writers of America RITA Award finalist for The Disobedient Bride
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
December 9, 2024
Rating: 3.5 / 5
M'kay, so...a few honest thoughts on this.
On the one hand, I was admittedly expecting a sweeter story. The whole family dynamic was something that I'd expected to be like Land of Dreams, except...it wasn't quite that.
As setups go, it's about as "second chance romance" as you could get: both Seth and Molly (hero and heroine) are parents who need someone else in their lives, and so they agree to marry after corresponding according to Seth's mail order bride ad, and specify that it'll be a marriage of convenience. Thing is, neither of them really mention that they already have kids, and so it's a surprise to everyone when they come face to face.
The kids themselves, Patch (Seth's daughter) especially are...just meh. Like, they represent kids who are scared and hurt at all the changes taking place, sure, but unfortunately I just didn't get the sense of them ever really genuinely warming up to their new parents. For Patch in her relationship with Molly especially, I don't think that there's ever really a moment when they genuinely bond, and I don't remember reading about Patch calling Molly her mother even by the end of the story--although, Molly's kids both warm up to Seth as their new father by the end, sure enough.
Likewise, Seth and Molly's romance is...well, weak to say the least. They both lust after each other, but then I don't really remember scenes between them of interacting and genuinely finding a mutual respect and then love for each other, especially as Seth is so guarded about his past around Molly, and Molly herself is just...well, a [placeholder heroine with no defining characteristics].
So...*blows out breath* yeah, I did read this from start to finish just fine, but did feel that it was lacking and could have gone further in a lot of areas, particularly in terms of the romance element and emotional connections and bonds being legitimately formed. I'd be open to trying out reading this idea again in another context and from another author, but for just this...*shrugs* it left me wanting.
M'kay, so...a few honest thoughts on this.
On the one hand, I was admittedly expecting a sweeter story. The whole family dynamic was something that I'd expected to be like Land of Dreams, except...it wasn't quite that.
As setups go, it's about as "second chance romance" as you could get: both Seth and Molly (hero and heroine) are parents who need someone else in their lives, and so they agree to marry after corresponding according to Seth's mail order bride ad, and specify that it'll be a marriage of convenience. Thing is, neither of them really mention that they already have kids, and so it's a surprise to everyone when they come face to face.
The kids themselves, Patch (Seth's daughter) especially are...just meh. Like, they represent kids who are scared and hurt at all the changes taking place, sure, but unfortunately I just didn't get the sense of them ever really genuinely warming up to their new parents. For Patch in her relationship with Molly especially, I don't think that there's ever really a moment when they genuinely bond, and I don't remember reading about Patch calling Molly her mother even by the end of the story--although, Molly's kids both warm up to Seth as their new father by the end, sure enough.
Likewise, Seth and Molly's romance is...well, weak to say the least. They both lust after each other, but then I don't really remember scenes between them of interacting and genuinely finding a mutual respect and then love for each other, especially as Seth is so guarded about his past around Molly, and Molly herself is just...well, a [placeholder heroine with no defining characteristics].
So...*blows out breath* yeah, I did read this from start to finish just fine, but did feel that it was lacking and could have gone further in a lot of areas, particularly in terms of the romance element and emotional connections and bonds being legitimately formed. I'd be open to trying out reading this idea again in another context and from another author, but for just this...*shrugs* it left me wanting.
June 3, 2012
This is one of those book who start out genuinely interesting and manage to stay that way until about 2/3s the way through. The end of this book left much to be desired. There was so much that should have happened, so much that our heroine, Molly, should have said to back up what she was feeling but didn't.
Conclusion: Read this book just so you can meet Patch and Ethan who have a story called the Outlaw's Bride by the same author - now THAT is a good, humorous Western!
Conclusion: Read this book just so you can meet Patch and Ethan who have a story called the Outlaw's Bride by the same author - now THAT is a good, humorous Western!
December 18, 2023
I hate bratty kids in romance but they steered the plot really well in this! MoC where they openly desire each other the first night is fun.
I wish I had read this before Outlaw’s Bride, which is Patch and Ethan’s story.
If you tried this author before and didn’t like her, I suggest checking out her early work (this was published in the 1990s), it’s so much better.
I wish I had read this before Outlaw’s Bride, which is Patch and Ethan’s story.
If you tried this author before and didn’t like her, I suggest checking out her early work (this was published in the 1990s), it’s so much better.
August 19, 2017
I love Joan Johnston's westerns
November 12, 2025
(2.5/5 stars)
This book had potential but, for me, failed to live up to traditional bodice rippers. It was a good book and perfect for the end of summer when I did not need to pay attention to anything else, but it was weird.
First, the premise was executed in the strangest way possible. I did not feel the desperation that I wanted to or expected to from a woman who is trying to move her son away from the ocean so he does not join a crew like his father did. I also did not feel as though the character had much motivation for anything else beyond that. They arrived in Montana and the build up wasn't really there. There was no outside plot to excite me into wanting them to be together that I would expect in a Western romance.
Second, the kids had weird motivations and felt very flat throughout. Their sole purpose was to move the plot along and be plot pieces and they failed at that. It seemed as though the author tired to make them stand on their own but was not successful in that attempt. Also, I know it is a reflection of when it was written and when the book was set, but I was so confused about the ages of the children because of the whole weird situation Patch had with wanting to be with the much older friend of her dad's.
Finally, this book had a lot of plot holes and weird development places throughout. It had times it flowed well and made sense and others where it failed. I understand bodice rippers are not meant to be full of plot, but I grew up reading fan fiction. I know there can be some semblance of a plot line before the romance starts.
Overall, this book was okay. I was not wowed by it, but also not too bent out of shape as I got it through a "blind date with a book" offer. It was a good book for the time that I read it and having such little brain power needed to read it was nice.
This book had potential but, for me, failed to live up to traditional bodice rippers. It was a good book and perfect for the end of summer when I did not need to pay attention to anything else, but it was weird.
First, the premise was executed in the strangest way possible. I did not feel the desperation that I wanted to or expected to from a woman who is trying to move her son away from the ocean so he does not join a crew like his father did. I also did not feel as though the character had much motivation for anything else beyond that. They arrived in Montana and the build up wasn't really there. There was no outside plot to excite me into wanting them to be together that I would expect in a Western romance.
Second, the kids had weird motivations and felt very flat throughout. Their sole purpose was to move the plot along and be plot pieces and they failed at that. It seemed as though the author tired to make them stand on their own but was not successful in that attempt. Also, I know it is a reflection of when it was written and when the book was set, but I was so confused about the ages of the children because of the whole weird situation Patch had with wanting to be with the much older friend of her dad's.
Finally, this book had a lot of plot holes and weird development places throughout. It had times it flowed well and made sense and others where it failed. I understand bodice rippers are not meant to be full of plot, but I grew up reading fan fiction. I know there can be some semblance of a plot line before the romance starts.
Overall, this book was okay. I was not wowed by it, but also not too bent out of shape as I got it through a "blind date with a book" offer. It was a good book for the time that I read it and having such little brain power needed to read it was nice.
July 8, 2023
Disappointing
This was another 4 star book that I ended up begrudgingly giving 2 stars. For me one storyline can sour the entire book for me and that’s what happened here. This is supposed to be a romance novel, not a history book therefore you don’t have to be sexist, misogynistic, racist, etc. the knowledge that the male lead frequented on a weekly basis the same prostitute for years and that he had been with her the weekend before his new wife arrives is disgusting. This man who is so principled in his convictions not carry a gun and not to fight. A man who loves his deceased wife so much he vows to never love another chooses to be intimate with a prostitute. I mean he has “manly needs”. NOPE! It makes no sense, it contradicts the picture that is painted of him and it ruins the rest of the book for me. To add insult to injury author Joan Johnston does a disservice to her female readers by writing narratives where the good girl wins and the bad girl has no value. Interestingly enough, it’s the “bad” girl who is true to herself. She speaks plainly without fear of repercussions. Do I like the part where she rubs the female lead’s nose into the fact that she and the male lead had a sexual relationship, no, it was completely unnecessary but that’s what a bad writer, a shallow writer does pita women against one another and divides women as winners or losers. It’s a very antiquated bias that Johnston uses. Along with giving men all the power with no shame or repercussions for their actions.
Sex scenes - yes, they’re decent but you won’t get lost in them. It’s touching and missionary.
This was another 4 star book that I ended up begrudgingly giving 2 stars. For me one storyline can sour the entire book for me and that’s what happened here. This is supposed to be a romance novel, not a history book therefore you don’t have to be sexist, misogynistic, racist, etc. the knowledge that the male lead frequented on a weekly basis the same prostitute for years and that he had been with her the weekend before his new wife arrives is disgusting. This man who is so principled in his convictions not carry a gun and not to fight. A man who loves his deceased wife so much he vows to never love another chooses to be intimate with a prostitute. I mean he has “manly needs”. NOPE! It makes no sense, it contradicts the picture that is painted of him and it ruins the rest of the book for me. To add insult to injury author Joan Johnston does a disservice to her female readers by writing narratives where the good girl wins and the bad girl has no value. Interestingly enough, it’s the “bad” girl who is true to herself. She speaks plainly without fear of repercussions. Do I like the part where she rubs the female lead’s nose into the fact that she and the male lead had a sexual relationship, no, it was completely unnecessary but that’s what a bad writer, a shallow writer does pita women against one another and divides women as winners or losers. It’s a very antiquated bias that Johnston uses. Along with giving men all the power with no shame or repercussions for their actions.
Sex scenes - yes, they’re decent but you won’t get lost in them. It’s touching and missionary.
September 22, 2021
This was a breeze to read. I say that because once I got started I had to finish it. To me, this was one of Johnston's better books. I really enjoyed the setup and the realism injected into the story, especially between Molly and Seth. Their romance was sweet and tender. Not pushy or hard to comprehend. I did find it troublesome that she continued to feel guilty about her feelings for her new husband because she lost her first husband a few months prior. I understand the time to grieve, but continually bringing up the fact that she misses him and how guilty she feels about moving on was a bit tiresome.
Seth's daughter was a bit of a brat, but considering she always had her dad to herself and now she had to share him, I kind of let it slide.
Anyway, I loved Molly and Seth's relationship. The build up between them was real and it went from a convenient marriage to trust, friendship, lovers, and unconditional love. The scenes between them and the children were touching and real. I absolutely loved the youngest daughter, Nessie. She was such a darling and her connection with Seth later on was so sweet. I loved it.
It's a good book, and again, one of her better ones, in my opinion. The love scenes are tender and still a bit warm. Johnston did a great job with the delivery of the scenes, not just putting them in there just because, but making them relevant and real to the plot. (Not like a few other of her books.)
Seth's daughter was a bit of a brat, but considering she always had her dad to herself and now she had to share him, I kind of let it slide.
Anyway, I loved Molly and Seth's relationship. The build up between them was real and it went from a convenient marriage to trust, friendship, lovers, and unconditional love. The scenes between them and the children were touching and real. I absolutely loved the youngest daughter, Nessie. She was such a darling and her connection with Seth later on was so sweet. I loved it.
It's a good book, and again, one of her better ones, in my opinion. The love scenes are tender and still a bit warm. Johnston did a great job with the delivery of the scenes, not just putting them in there just because, but making them relevant and real to the plot. (Not like a few other of her books.)
February 12, 2023
(Blurb)
Having lost her beloved husband, a whaling captain, to a watery grave, Molly Gallagher refuses to risk more heartbreak. Determined to keep her headstrong son from following in his father’s footsteps, she agrees to become the mail-order bride of a Montana country doctor. She tells her new husband that she can never give her love to another man; what she doesn’t tell him is that she has a young daughter and a rebellious teenage son.
Molly’s ruse might have worked, but Seth Kendrick has secrets of his own: a willful daughter determined to end the marriage before it even begins—and a double life keeping his neighbors safe from outlaws. In an untamed land of vigilante justice, Molly has no choice but to trust this gray-eyed stranger whose stubbornness matches her own, whose kisses unleash flash floods of desire—and who may be the one man in a million who could win her fiery, faithful heart.
Having lost her beloved husband, a whaling captain, to a watery grave, Molly Gallagher refuses to risk more heartbreak. Determined to keep her headstrong son from following in his father’s footsteps, she agrees to become the mail-order bride of a Montana country doctor. She tells her new husband that she can never give her love to another man; what she doesn’t tell him is that she has a young daughter and a rebellious teenage son.
Molly’s ruse might have worked, but Seth Kendrick has secrets of his own: a willful daughter determined to end the marriage before it even begins—and a double life keeping his neighbors safe from outlaws. In an untamed land of vigilante justice, Molly has no choice but to trust this gray-eyed stranger whose stubbornness matches her own, whose kisses unleash flash floods of desire—and who may be the one man in a million who could win her fiery, faithful heart.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 19, 2018
This was a good story of a widowed woman from the East who becomes the bride of a western doctor. Seth is a country doctor who decides to find a mail order bride to make a lady of his daughter Patch. Molly is the widow of a whaler with two children, Whit and Nessie, to raise. She answers Seth's letter and travels west with her children. The children of both adults are against the marriage, but Patch is not above doing something about it. Seth and Molly are surprised by the appearance of the other's children since neither had mentioned them before they met. There are several adventures, including the appearances of theMasked Maurauder . The story tells how these two very different families blend together.
October 16, 2017
Not a bad little story. She lost her husband, a ship's captain, and was left with 2 children. He, a doctor, lost his wife and was left with a young daughter who needs a mother. She answers his ad for a wife and moves from Massachusetts to Montana. She forgot to mention she had children - so did he. His daughter tries to drawn her upon her arrival. Ditto her son to him. Nevertheless they marry and try to sew together a little family. But there are still many more secrets to unravel and much danger in this frontier town. I give it 3.5 stars.
September 6, 2022
I'm surprised I liked one of this author's books. I didn't like Captive & didn't get very far into Wyoming Bride before I quit. I put author down as a do not read; stories too dark, too sad for my taste. But this one was a light, easy, fun read. The challenge of the step kids made the story interesting, I liked the main characters, enjoyed the romance. I hope the connecting books to this one will be as fun to read.
October 23, 2019
I loved the characters and the story, the plot was fun as well. It was hard to get past the racist language and anti- indigenous sentiment. I know this is written about a historical time and is from the 90s, so I can give some slack but it made it hard to get into. It slows down after the first couple of chapters, thank goodness.
January 4, 2017
Sweet, humble story but it was predictable. An easy read no efforts needed.
The way I see the characters same order.
Seth, Molly, Patch, Whit, Nessie .
David Gandy, Bella hadid, Massie Williams, Asa Butterfield and https://uk.pinterest.com/pin/31827789...
The way I see the characters same order.
Seth, Molly, Patch, Whit, Nessie .
David Gandy, Bella hadid, Massie Williams, Asa Butterfield and https://uk.pinterest.com/pin/31827789...
July 7, 2017
I liked the story, but it was missing something...
October 20, 2017
I really liked this story. It had a very good plot and I did not want to put it down. I believe anyone who likes a nice love story with a little intrigue would enjoy this one
June 13, 2018
A widowed whalers wife with two children and n o way to support them, becomes a mail order bride in the Montana territory to a doctor/undercover Lone Ranger type. Women sure had it rough back then.
November 7, 2019
Really liked this story, ending a little weak but I'd like to read the next one.
May 8, 2020
Really enjoyed this one!!
library
July 30, 20210
January 8, 2022
This book is SO SO good. I felt like it would be the cutest little old western movie ever.
October 9, 2022
Wonderful book really enjoyed it
January 12, 2025
2 stars
December 21, 2020
For some one who was born and raised in Boston and is a widow, Molly has a lot to get used to in Montana. She is amazing and does really well in Montana. I love these powerful strong women to had to sacrifice so much to get used to a new life totally different from their former life. The kids are great and so much mystery and surprises in the book!
June 24, 2022
A great read! I thoroughly enjoyed this book!
November 28, 2015
I thought this book was very well written. It was an excellent story with a lot of humor and heart in it. There was also a very good plot. I initially did not like Patch very much. I found her spoiled and bratty in her way. But I did grow to like her as the book progressed. I'm very curious to see what will happen to her. Also I'm very interested to see what will happen to Ethan. At any rate, I thought Seth and Molly were a very good couple and worked very well together. There were times I really laughed pretty hard. Especially about the animals. I'm definitely going to see if there is a sequel to this one.
August 12, 2014
This story was about two people who are in need of a partner in order to raise their children together. Seth needs a mother for his daughter, and Molly needs a husband to help her with her two children. They both say that they won't love the other when they marry but you know that isn't going to happen. The Masked Marauder was a bit of intrigue for the story. Curious to see if Patch and Ethan ever get their story.
February 9, 2015
This is one of those stories that was okay but didn't really make me feel anything for the characters or story. There was a lot of telling, but I didn't really feel any romance from the main characters. I figured out who the Marauder was pretty quickly. I also thought Patch was pretty annoying.
Overall, it wasn't bad. Just not something I'll remember in a couple weeks.
Overall, it wasn't bad. Just not something I'll remember in a couple weeks.
July 10, 2014
The first two chapters, where we get introduced to the protagonists, are ok. When the two meet, it left me completely astonished. I stopped reading when the hero trying to save the heroine from drowning-she was drowning- managed to wake up sensations in her that were dormant for several years. While she was almost drowned.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 19, 2014
This story is lovely crafted. I enjoyed the characters and though the western life was kind of romanticized I did enjoy it.
Johnston is a great story teller.
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Johnston is a great story teller.
Ich habe ein Buch bei BookCrossing.com registriert!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/12965323
August 16, 2010
A great book that is full of personality and is a quick read. I enjoyed the characters especially Patch. This was the first book I have read from Joan Johnston and I am hoping the rest are so great. Actually I probably would give it a 5 but that would break my trend.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews