Reviews

The Marriage He Demands: A Passionate Western Romance by Brenda Jackson

bookish_kristina's review against another edition

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2.0

The hero’s name is Cash Outlaw and that was the least contrived part of this.

This wasn’t terrible but it was so generic, formulaic and cheesy! I need to stop letting Scrib’d suggest harlequin desire audiobooks. I’m in some deep dark hole and can’t get out… send help.


Important Note: I’m pretty sure the Harlequin Desire brand has a rule where an author can never refer to sex as anything other than lovemaking or some variation.

jigsawgirl's review against another edition

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3.0

I listened to the audio version of this book. The narration was ok. I did think this book was better than "The Wife He Needs".

Cash and Brianna had a pretty angst free marriage of convenience. At the moment when outside forces interfered with their lives, the situation waa resolved quickly. This book didn't feel quite as dated.

I would love to hear Jakobi Diem or Sean Crisden narrate or even have both a male and female narrator for these books. The current narrator is ok, but he sounds bored. I would give this book 3.5 stars.

andrea_author's review against another edition

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4.0

Cash never knew his mother. From what his father has told him, she abandoned him and went to live on a Wyoming ranch. Upon her death, Cash inherits the ranch—or most of it. A hundred acres was left to Brianna, the daughter of the late caretakers. When Cash catches sight of Brianna, his determination to sell the ranch fades. He's never felt so drawn to a woman, and the feeling is mutual. They move forward together—until the truth about his mother, and his father's interference, come crashing down on them. Can their relationship survive?

As the title suggests, this is a marriage of convenience story, and Cash is a demanding man. Yet he respects and treasures Brianna, never breaking her gentle spirit. She's sweet and caring, a little starry-eyed at his attention. Overall, it's a tender and steamy read—a good choice the next time you go to the beach.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

mraywrites's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

scoutmomskf's review

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4.0

Good book. Another Outlaw/Westmoreland bites the dust. Part of the Alaska Outlaw branch of the Westmoreland family, Cash never knew his mother. His father, Bart, a ruthless and manipulative man, refused to allow his wives any custody of his children after they divorced - and they always divorced. He also refused to allow them to have contact with their children. While growing up, Cash believed that his mother abandoned him and never tried to contact him, so he was surprised to be called to hear her will after she died. He certainly didn't expect to inherit her vast dude ranch, minus 100 acres left to her former caretaker, Brianna.

Brianna loved Ms. Ellen. She grew up on the ranch where her father had been the foreman and took over when he died. Learning of her inheritance was a relief for her because it meant she had a home that was all hers. After an earlier heartbreak, Brianna doesn't intend to marry, but she wants a baby. Now she can continue her plans.

I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Cash and Brianna. Brianna intrigued and attracted Cash from the moment he saw her. Brianna had crushed on Cash since she saw his picture years earlier, and meeting him in person increased the feeling. Cash initially intends to sell the ranch as soon as possible, as he neither needs nor wants it. However, Brianna is equally determined to convince him to keep it. Her efforts gain traction when his brother suggests he and their brothers and cousins might want to invest. Cash, who can't stop thinking about Brianna, invites his family members to the ranch to see it. He also plans to spend an extended time on the ranch and get to know Brianna better.

I liked Cash a lot. He's confident but not arrogant, and he spends a great deal of time with Brianna. He listens to what she says and gives her the respect she deserves. As they work together, going through his mother's effects, the sparks between them continue to build. When his decision about the ranch requires him to purchase the land closest to the river, Brianna offers him a bargain - she'll sell him the land if he provides the sperm for her artificial insemination. Because of the situation with his mother, Cash insists on marriage and being involved with his child.

I liked Brianna, too. She fell hard for Cash. I liked how she wants Cash to understand what happened with his mother but doesn't want to push too hard. I loved that she pushed back on his offer to buy her land with requirements of her own, though his demand for marriage surprised her.

I enjoyed watching Cash in the time leading up to the wedding. He threw himself into doing everything possible to make the day perfect for Brianna. He's thoughtful and sweet and gives the impression that it's not just attraction that motivates him. I loved watching the connection between them deepen after the wedding. But trouble rears its head when Bart's interference comes between Cash and Brianna. Cash's fury vibrated off the pages, and Brianna's hurt and anger were right there with it.

I loved the ending and seeing Cash fight for Brianna. I also loved the confrontation between Cash and Bart, who still believes he's always right. There is also a reminder that none of the Outlaws knows why Bart refuses to admit their connection to the Westmorelands. I'm looking forward to the answer to that question. The epilogue was a terrific wrap-up for the book.

I like the importance of family to the Outlaws and the Westmorelands. Cash counts on his brothers for their honest opinions about the ranch, and they don't let him down. The same goes for the cousins who also came along. I liked the cameo appearances by characters from previous books.
#netgalley

turtleberry's review against another edition

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5.0

Another great Westmoreland/Outlaw story. Enjoyed everything about this book. Can't wait to read more. 

bookswithaniya's review against another edition

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funny reflective relaxing fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

I understand that these books are like hit it and quit it but I need more plot and substance like nothing really happened but it had a lot of potential I would’ve loved this book if it was a little longer but it was still good for what it is

tfaye's review against another edition

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adventurous hopeful lighthearted reflective medium-paced

5.0

yfaith's review against another edition

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adventurous funny lighthearted relaxing fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

mommasaystoread's review

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4.0

Sometimes you just need a low angst cowboy romance to get lost in. The Marriage He Demands was just what I needed for a bit of escapism in an otherwise stressful week. Cash and Brianna are likable and their romance is fun and engaging. This book is the second in the Westmoreland Legacy: The Outlaws series, but it definitely stands alone. If you require a lot of drama and turmoil in your romances, you aren't going to find that here, but if you're in the mood for some lighter romantic entertainment, this is the way to go.