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A review by baileyskye
A Cowboy for Keeps by Jody Hedlund
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Many thanks to Graf-Martin for sending me a complimentary copy for an honest review.
If you're ready to hear the line "This town ain't big enough for the two of us" within the first 20 pages of a western novel, then this book is for you.
But in all seriousness, this book is chock full of genre tropes - but that doesn't have to be a bad thing. When you reach for a romance, you often know what you're getting yourself into. I like to take the leap every once in awhile as guilty pleasure, and this book delivered.
Greta is traveling across the country headed for Colorado with her young sister as a mail order bride. With nothing to her name she needs to belong somewhere, and take care of her sister Astrid, who's sick with consumption. When she arrives in the small town only to learn that he husband to be has passed, Greta has no idea what she's going to do. Greta's traveling companion takes pity, and seeing an opportunity to spin things to his own advantage, he asks Wyatt - a local man trying to get his start at ranching - to marry Greta. The two strike a bargain, and Wyatt asks Greta to be his wife. Feeling like she has no other options anyways, and wanting to make sure her sister can be taken care of, Greta agrees.
The characters in this novel are honestly pretty great. Wyatt is completely lovable and you can't help but be attracted to his charming personality and hard work ethic. Astrid is a fearless young lady who always has a quick response, even when she's not trying to be smart, and her banter with the characters throughout is always enjoyable. And even Greta herself has admirable qualities. She, too, has a strong work ethic and takes pride in her home and responsibilities to her family. She has a fierce need to contribute - though admittedly she was a little too good for my tastes and if I had to read about her twirling a loose strand of her hair around her finger all innocently again, my eyes would likely roll so far back into my head that they'd be irretrievable.
Overall the story is heartwarming and has a satisfying conclusion while still being left open ended for the author to add to this new series. While this is a Christian book, the themes aren't overwhelmingly in your face about it, and still enjoyable for people like me who aren't religious. I think part of it, too, is that it fits with the time period, so it doesn't feel like a religious message being thrown in for the sake of it. While I can't see myself going out of my way to read the next book, I'd certainly give it a read if it found its way into my hands.
If you're ready to hear the line "This town ain't big enough for the two of us" within the first 20 pages of a western novel, then this book is for you.
But in all seriousness, this book is chock full of genre tropes - but that doesn't have to be a bad thing. When you reach for a romance, you often know what you're getting yourself into. I like to take the leap every once in awhile as guilty pleasure, and this book delivered.
Greta is traveling across the country headed for Colorado with her young sister as a mail order bride. With nothing to her name she needs to belong somewhere, and take care of her sister Astrid, who's sick with consumption. When she arrives in the small town only to learn that he husband to be has passed, Greta has no idea what she's going to do. Greta's traveling companion takes pity, and seeing an opportunity to spin things to his own advantage, he asks Wyatt - a local man trying to get his start at ranching - to marry Greta. The two strike a bargain, and Wyatt asks Greta to be his wife. Feeling like she has no other options anyways, and wanting to make sure her sister can be taken care of, Greta agrees.
The characters in this novel are honestly pretty great. Wyatt is completely lovable and you can't help but be attracted to his charming personality and hard work ethic. Astrid is a fearless young lady who always has a quick response, even when she's not trying to be smart, and her banter with the characters throughout is always enjoyable. And even Greta herself has admirable qualities. She, too, has a strong work ethic and takes pride in her home and responsibilities to her family. She has a fierce need to contribute - though admittedly she was a little too good for my tastes and if I had to read about her twirling a loose strand of her hair around her finger all innocently again, my eyes would likely roll so far back into my head that they'd be irretrievable.
Overall the story is heartwarming and has a satisfying conclusion while still being left open ended for the author to add to this new series. While this is a Christian book, the themes aren't overwhelmingly in your face about it, and still enjoyable for people like me who aren't religious. I think part of it, too, is that it fits with the time period, so it doesn't feel like a religious message being thrown in for the sake of it. While I can't see myself going out of my way to read the next book, I'd certainly give it a read if it found its way into my hands.