Although Everett Cline can hardly keep up with the demands of his homestead, he won’t humiliate himself by looking for a helpmate ever again — not after being jilted by three mail-order brides. When a well-meaning neighbor goes behind his back to bring yet another mail-order bride to town, he has good reason to doubt it will work, especially after getting a glimpse at the woman in question. She’s … She’s the prettiest woman he’s ever seen, and it’s just not possible she’s there to marry a simple homesteader like him.
Julia Lockwood has never been anything more than a pretty pawn for her father or a business acquisition for her former fiancé. Having finally worked up the courage to leave her life in Massachusetts, she’s determined to find a place where people will value her for more than her looks. Having run out of all other options, Julia resorts to a mail-order marriage in far-away Kansas.
Everett is skeptical a cultured woman like Julia could be happy in a life on the plains, while Julia, deeply wounded by a past relationship, is skittish at the idea of marriage at all. When, despite their hesitations, they agree to a marriage in name only, neither one is prepared for the feelings that soon arise to complicate their arrangement. Can two people accustomed to keeping their distance let the barricades around their hearts down long enough to fall in love?
A Tender Tale of Love on the Prairie Perfect for CBA Readers
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A Bride for Keeps was simply beautiful!! I loved the story between Julia and Everett. She’s afraid of trusting the man she ends up marrying only for him to discard her later on. He’s afraid of opening up to the woman he ends up marrying only for her to leave him later on when all he’s ever wanted is to hold her and never let go. Yes, this …
Melissa Jagears has written a lovely, romantic mail-order bride story for our reading pleasure. Besides the beautiful cover, the theme of a marriage of convenience, memorable characters and plenty of swoon-worthy romance make this a novel that will definitely be on my re-read list.
The hero has had one girlfriend jilt him and three unsuccessful …
I am quick to fall in love with any story about 1) a mail-order bride, 2) a fish out of water and 3) healing of past hurts. Melissa Jagear’s debut, A Bride for Keeps, not only provided a wonderful story with those themes, but also exemplified restoration in a seemingly hopeless situation.
The situation certainly seems hopeless when Julia …
Not easy to read at times. Julia was a tough character to like but the last few chapters had me liking her more. I closed the back cover with a smile on my face so I think its safe to say I liked it .
Such a sweet redemption arc!! Emmett has had a bad run of luck when it comes to courting women. After the fourth one chooses another man, he is ready to swear off marriage. Luckily, his best friend’s wife hasn’t given up on getting him married! After persuading her pen pal from Boston to come West, Rachel is ready to do whatever it takes to help …
Thoroughly enjoyed this book!
I really enjoyed this debut novel by Melissa Jagears. This is the story of Julia and Everett. What a moving mail order bride tale!
After being jilted by his sweetheart years ago, Everett set out to find himself a mail order bride for companionship as well as need for help around his farm. Three attempts and three failures later, he has given up. …
A very sweet story.