Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
This was my first non-Regency by Lorraine Heath and wow, she did a great job.
The good:
- If you like your romances on the more "gentle", not-so-steamy side this is the book for you. Lots of looks, conversation, some kissing, and one tasteful sex scene.
- The tension! After Dallas goes and breaks his leg he sends his brother Houston to pick up his mail order bride. Houston and Amelia start off on the wrong foot but the three week ride back to the ranch gives them lots of time to know each other. And talk. And woah, look at her hair. ;)
- The characters are wonderfully developed, and even those that only grace a few pages have personality and a back story. I can't wait to read the other brothers' stories, especially Austin.
- Little bits of history were dropped in here and there but never felt preachy or unnatural.
- There's a Big Misunderstanding that's handled in a way I've never seen before. Usually I can't stand it when people refuse to talk to each other, but considering who's involved it makes complete sense. Still not my favorite trope, but it's done well.
The not-so-good:
- I like my romances a bit more steamy. I'm not taking points away or anything, but if you're used to high heat levels this may feel a bit tame.
- The setting felt like it came from Western movies I saw more than any description Heath provided. It just felt... flat. Oh geez, that's a pun but it's accurate.
- I generally like tortured heroes but Houston felt a little one-note at the end there.
- The last quarter or so started to drag but that may have been me, as there's certainly action right up to the end.
All in all a lovely novel by one of my favorite romance writers.
The good:
- If you like your romances on the more "gentle", not-so-steamy side this is the book for you. Lots of looks, conversation, some kissing, and one tasteful sex scene.
- The tension! After Dallas goes and breaks his leg he sends his brother Houston to pick up his mail order bride. Houston and Amelia start off on the wrong foot but the three week ride back to the ranch gives them lots of time to know each other. And talk. And woah, look at her hair. ;)
- The characters are wonderfully developed, and even those that only grace a few pages have personality and a back story. I can't wait to read the other brothers' stories, especially Austin.
- Little bits of history were dropped in here and there but never felt preachy or unnatural.
- There's a Big Misunderstanding that's handled in a way I've never seen before. Usually I can't stand it when people refuse to talk to each other, but considering who's involved it makes complete sense. Still not my favorite trope, but it's done well.
The not-so-good:
- I like my romances a bit more steamy. I'm not taking points away or anything, but if you're used to high heat levels this may feel a bit tame.
- The setting felt like it came from Western movies I saw more than any description Heath provided. It just felt... flat. Oh geez, that's a pun but it's accurate.
- I generally like tortured heroes but Houston felt a little one-note at the end there.
- The last quarter or so started to drag but that may have been me, as there's certainly action right up to the end.
All in all a lovely novel by one of my favorite romance writers.
Recommended to me as part of my #bHeath21 read, this was a bit out of my comfort zone as an American Historical set post-Civil War. I wasn't aware before reading it (or at least didn't think through it), but the hero and heroine were both living in the Confederacy as children during the Civil War, and are dealing with PTSD ten years after. That said, the only mention of slavery is that the heroine lived in the slave quarters after her family's plantation was taken over during the war.
Also, big CWs for PTSD, grief, trauma, rape (off-page, heroine's mother and sisters were raped while she was hidden), snake bite, scary nature situations
The relationship between Houston and his brother's intended mail order bride is quite epic. Houston is sent to retrieve Amelia after his brother breaks his leg, Houston is grumpy and mad and afraid she'll be afraid of his scars and his eyepatch. He refuses to wear the floral embroidered ribbon she sent for the hat his brother was supposed to wear so she could find him at the train.
I loved the road trip aspect of this story, and watching these two bozos fall completely in love with each other along the way. Houston watching her bathe through the tent, how naughty!
I was not sure how Heath would wrap this one up, especially since Amelia does indeed marry the brother!! but then gets it annulled.
Lots to unpack here, but for more notes check out my twitter thread.
Also, big CWs for PTSD, grief, trauma, rape (off-page, heroine's mother and sisters were raped while she was hidden), snake bite, scary nature situations
The relationship between Houston and his brother's intended mail order bride is quite epic. Houston is sent to retrieve Amelia after his brother breaks his leg, Houston is grumpy and mad and afraid she'll be afraid of his scars and his eyepatch. He refuses to wear the floral embroidered ribbon she sent for the hat his brother was supposed to wear so she could find him at the train.
I loved the road trip aspect of this story, and watching these two bozos fall completely in love with each other along the way. Houston watching her bathe through the tent, how naughty!
I was not sure how Heath would wrap this one up, especially since Amelia does indeed marry the brother!! but then gets it annulled.
Lots to unpack here, but for more notes check out my twitter thread.
Lorraine Heath’s writing? Great.
This hero? Not so great. SO FRUSTRATING! Not enjoyable yet I will continue on bc Dallas is intriguing and Austin is an ANGEL!!!
This hero? Not so great. SO FRUSTRATING! Not enjoyable yet I will continue on bc Dallas is intriguing and Austin is an ANGEL!!!
Enjoyed. Made me want to go buy the rest of the trilogy.
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Oh my it's been ages and ages since I've read a Western romance! This was a good one by one by an author I've come to love! It is however her first book, so it's a little old-school feeling. Not at all bad, but just a bit dated for me. Still worth a read if you like a good mail-order-bride story!
Beautiful love story between Houston and Amelia. My heart broke for Houston, both for the boy and the man. Amelia was a great heroine, optimistic and sweet without being too sugary. She's the one who really fights for her love, Houston is too broken and too convinced that his brother really is the better man. I loved that Dallas was in fact a good man, he just wasn't for Amelia. An easier story would have had Houston having to rescue Amelia from some horrible marriage. Since no one is the "bad guy" here their road to happiness is actually more difficult. For me this book had a perfect blend of light & dark, smiles & tears. I need to read more Lorraine Heath as I loved the Scoundrels of St. James series as well.
Stayed up extra late reading this. It was sooo good. But my god that cover is awful. Thankfully I had my Kindle to read it on!
Full review here: https://courtneyreadsromancesite.wordpress.com/2018/08/17/review-of-texas-destiny-leigh-brothers-texas-trilogy-by-lorraine-heath/
I did not expect to give it this rating but that last 20% really made me rage. For her to actually marry his brother and almost have sex with him? That was such unnecessary drama. Then Houston and Amelia finally marry and after they kiss she turns around and thanks Dallas by kissing him on the lips, too. GTFO