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3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-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:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
3.5 stars/4 stars.
I enjoyed this book but had some slight issues with it.
The story itself was intriguing and well done - it had a lot of emotion and packed a punch to the gut in some scenes.
Houston Leigh is sent to pick up his older brother Dallas's mail-order-bride and travel with her back to his brother's ranch where they will then marry. Along the way, Amelia and Houston grow closer and find that they are falling in love despite the fact that she is promised to his brother and against all odds.
Amelia was a sweet, innocent heroine who from the get-go showed real sympathy towards Houston, an incredibly physically and emotionally scarred man. He fought in the Civil War from the tender age of 12, and by the time he was 15 had earned more than his share of trauma. His physical injuries have wreaked major havoc with his sense of self-worth and by consequence, Houston feels like he doesn't deserve happiness or peace in his life. Amelia is his perfect counterpart in that she too has emotional scars from the war and is struggling to rebuild her life and find some solace of her own.
These two as a couple had real warmth and chemistry. The circumstances of their journey add to the drama because you know they'll eventually have to give one another up or fight hard to be together - which for two guilt-ridden, broken individuals is easier said than done.
Points I had an issue with in the book have more to do with the actual writing than the story of characters themselves.
This is one of Heath's earlier novels and as such the writing, in my opinion, is mediocre and needs some work.
Some of the circumstances which lead to the more intimate moments between the couple seemed forced and contrived, with Amelia trying to convince herself that some of the liberties she was taking were only a result of either 1) repaying Houston's kindness or 2) showing kindness to her fiance's brother. In many circumstances these excuses just didn't jive well enough. The excuses seemed out of character for both Houston and Amelia and I didn't buy the ease without the necessary guilt. I think that if Heath had of played up the confusion of emotions, making it harder for both hero and heroine to accept what they were growing to feel for one another, the story would have packed more of a heart wrenching punch.
Lines were also repeated in several variations through out the story and within one paragraph Heath used the same words repeatedly which got on my nerves. The writing needed to be tightened and better executed.
If it weren't for the mediocre writing - I know from experience Heath can do better - this would have gotten a flat out 4.
Overall the story was well done though and I'd recommend it to any one who either wants to read the rest of the series or who likes a good scarred hero.
I enjoyed this book but had some slight issues with it.
The story itself was intriguing and well done - it had a lot of emotion and packed a punch to the gut in some scenes.
Houston Leigh is sent to pick up his older brother Dallas's mail-order-bride and travel with her back to his brother's ranch where they will then marry. Along the way, Amelia and Houston grow closer and find that they are falling in love despite the fact that she is promised to his brother and against all odds.
Amelia was a sweet, innocent heroine who from the get-go showed real sympathy towards Houston, an incredibly physically and emotionally scarred man. He fought in the Civil War from the tender age of 12, and by the time he was 15 had earned more than his share of trauma. His physical injuries have wreaked major havoc with his sense of self-worth and by consequence, Houston feels like he doesn't deserve happiness or peace in his life. Amelia is his perfect counterpart in that she too has emotional scars from the war and is struggling to rebuild her life and find some solace of her own.
These two as a couple had real warmth and chemistry. The circumstances of their journey add to the drama because you know they'll eventually have to give one another up or fight hard to be together - which for two guilt-ridden, broken individuals is easier said than done.
Points I had an issue with in the book have more to do with the actual writing than the story of characters themselves.
This is one of Heath's earlier novels and as such the writing, in my opinion, is mediocre and needs some work.
Some of the circumstances which lead to the more intimate moments between the couple seemed forced and contrived, with Amelia trying to convince herself that some of the liberties she was taking were only a result of either 1) repaying Houston's kindness or 2) showing kindness to her fiance's brother. In many circumstances these excuses just didn't jive well enough. The excuses seemed out of character for both Houston and Amelia and I didn't buy the ease without the necessary guilt. I think that if Heath had of played up the confusion of emotions, making it harder for both hero and heroine to accept what they were growing to feel for one another, the story would have packed more of a heart wrenching punch.
Lines were also repeated in several variations through out the story and within one paragraph Heath used the same words repeatedly which got on my nerves. The writing needed to be tightened and better executed.
If it weren't for the mediocre writing - I know from experience Heath can do better - this would have gotten a flat out 4.
Overall the story was well done though and I'd recommend it to any one who either wants to read the rest of the series or who likes a good scarred hero.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I have so much to say about this book, so hang in there. I’ll start with the Confederacy because some people may not want to read the book after finding out it is set post-American Civil War and the main characters not only lived through the war, but the MMC was in the war on the side of the Confederacy. Now, although the FMC is from the South and the MMC was a soldier, both were children and there is no mention of their feelings about the reasons for the war and no real mention of slavery, but that’s just how we used to whitewash history in our romance books, and still sometimes do. I didn’t think this through going in, or I may have realized this about the characters. Something to think about before deciding if you want to read this one.
There were two reasons I decided to pick this book up. The first is that I enjoy Lorraine Heath’s more current books and wanted to go back to read her library of work. The other reason is that I think I actually already read this book when it was released. I think this is one of the first adult romance books I read. (I read a lot of Sweet Valley High and that sort other YA type of romance in the late 80s and early 90s) I wanted to read it and see if it rang any bells. It definitely felt familiar.
Now about this story. Oh, the yearning! These two want each other so badly and know it’s not possible. Over and over my heart broke for them. They are perfect for each other, yet circumstances and loyalty stand in their way. So many butterflies flew through my belly while reading this book.
Amelia is a very strong heroine for a book published in the 90s. It wasn’t yet the norm for that to be the case, but Amelia proved she was no shrinking violet. She may have been small and not very strong, but she had determination and grit. She did what needed doing, even when Houston wanted to hold her back. And she was very astute. Not only with Houston, but with all of the brothers once she met them.
I loved Houston so much. He was carrying around a wounded and abandoned child inside himself. He didn’t even realize the extent of the damage the war had on him because he thought everything was about his outside scars. Inside, there was much more damage done. Most of it was done by his father.
Any mentions of the war in the way of them being from the South or the losers of the war took me out of the story. But when it comes to the characters and their struggles and them falling in love, this book was amazing. Honestly, it would be a 5-star read if that other stuff didn’t bother me so much.
There were two reasons I decided to pick this book up. The first is that I enjoy Lorraine Heath’s more current books and wanted to go back to read her library of work. The other reason is that I think I actually already read this book when it was released. I think this is one of the first adult romance books I read. (I read a lot of Sweet Valley High and that sort other YA type of romance in the late 80s and early 90s) I wanted to read it and see if it rang any bells. It definitely felt familiar.
Now about this story. Oh, the yearning! These two want each other so badly and know it’s not possible. Over and over my heart broke for them. They are perfect for each other, yet circumstances and loyalty stand in their way. So many butterflies flew through my belly while reading this book.
Amelia is a very strong heroine for a book published in the 90s. It wasn’t yet the norm for that to be the case, but Amelia proved she was no shrinking violet. She may have been small and not very strong, but she had determination and grit. She did what needed doing, even when Houston wanted to hold her back. And she was very astute. Not only with Houston, but with all of the brothers once she met them.
I loved Houston so much. He was carrying around a wounded and abandoned child inside himself. He didn’t even realize the extent of the damage the war had on him because he thought everything was about his outside scars. Inside, there was much more damage done. Most of it was done by his father.
Any mentions of the war in the way of them being from the South or the losers of the war took me out of the story. But when it comes to the characters and their struggles and them falling in love, this book was amazing. Honestly, it would be a 5-star read if that other stuff didn’t bother me so much.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Misogyny, Sexism
Moderate: War
Minor: Rape, Grief
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Loved the romance but was off put by the Confederate backstories of both leads. In their defense they were minors during said war (12 and 8) and both got traumatic backstories out of it. But the author never mentioned slavery in her discussions about it and in a Western Historical book never once said anything about the indigenous peoples so….choices were made