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tearainread's review
3.0
As Meatloaf would sing "....cause 2 out of 3 ain't bad."
1. The Hand-Me-Down Bride by Elizabeth Lane - 1 star
The first story was not well-executed. These characters sucked and the insta-love trope was so "insta" I got whiplash. Arabella comes to Montana to marry her fiancé Charles (they were engaged before he left Boston to settle in Montana and he provided the train ticket for her to come out). Charles slept with Sally, a dim-bulb of a seductress, and got her pregnant. Sally's brother Stewart found out after she started showing and made her marry Charles at gunpoint. Stewart takes an instant liking to Arabella, even though he wants her to leave in order to keep Sally's marriage to Charles from unraveling; after several damsel-in-distress situations that had Stewart rescuing Arabella, they were in love and married within one week.
Yeah, that would be a big nope on me believing either couple's HEA. This anthology is not off to a good start.
2. The Bride Wore Britches by Kate Welsh - 4 stars
A longer and more fleshed-out story than the first one. Dylan and Rhiannon's story was more realistic and sweet without being too heavy-handed or insta-love. The side characters rounded out the story very well. A very worthy HEA. Since the story is part of a longer series, the mystery isn't solved in the story.
3. Something Borrowed, Something True by Lisa Plumley - 2.5 stars
This was okay. Very fluffy and more physically affectionate than the two previous stories. A mail-order bride trope with a twist that made the trope feel fresh despite the insta-love. There wasn't much conflict and the HEA went on a little too long, but I rooted for Nellie and Everett. The side characters were the highlight of the story though.
1. The Hand-Me-Down Bride by Elizabeth Lane - 1 star
The first story was not well-executed. These characters sucked and the insta-love trope was so "insta" I got whiplash. Arabella comes to Montana to marry her fiancé Charles (they were engaged before he left Boston to settle in Montana and he provided the train ticket for her to come out). Charles slept with Sally, a dim-bulb of a seductress, and got her pregnant. Sally's brother Stewart found out after she started showing and made her marry Charles at gunpoint. Stewart takes an instant liking to Arabella, even though he wants her to leave in order to keep Sally's marriage to Charles from unraveling; after several damsel-in-distress situations that had Stewart rescuing Arabella, they were in love and married within one week.
Yeah, that would be a big nope on me believing either couple's HEA. This anthology is not off to a good start.
2. The Bride Wore Britches by Kate Welsh - 4 stars
A longer and more fleshed-out story than the first one. Dylan and Rhiannon's story was more realistic and sweet without being too heavy-handed or insta-love. The side characters rounded out the story very well. A very worthy HEA. Since the story is part of a longer series, the mystery isn't solved in the story.
3. Something Borrowed, Something True by Lisa Plumley - 2.5 stars
This was okay. Very fluffy and more physically affectionate than the two previous stories. A mail-order bride trope with a twist that made the trope feel fresh despite the insta-love. There wasn't much conflict and the HEA went on a little too long, but I rooted for Nellie and Everett. The side characters were the highlight of the story though.
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