Written by: Linda Bridey
Narrated by: J. Scott Bennett
Length: 5 hrs and 18 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:02-19-16
Publisher: Belvoire Books
My Review
I really enjoyed this audio from the narrator to the author it was a fun clean read of finding one’s self, learning to talk things out, overlooking the little things, finding a place to call home that you find exciting enough to last you a lifetime.
Tessa wants more out of life than to be someone’s wife who is there to make her husband look good, never having a mind of her own, living with a boring man who is just out to make a name for his self living it up with party after party. She wants a man who truly is a man one that doesn’t mind a women being a women with a mind. She has gone through all the men in her town and fines them lacking, she sees an ad for a mail order bride which seem exciting. A place she doesn’t know anyone, where she can get a fresh start not only in her life but in her writing as well. She reads a letter from a man who she wants to get to know better. As they write back in forward she decides she wants to meet him. Off she goes not telling any of her family. On meeting Dean sparks fly and as they get to know each other she finds this is a man who she could live and love.
When Deans brother tells him about the mail order bride program Dean laughs and said sure why not. His brother write for him, when a letter comes back they are both shocked to get a reply. Dean wasn’t even serious but his brother was. Dean is great at a lot of things but writing and telling about his feelings has never been one of his strong points. Dean agrees to let his brother write back to Tessa, of course he reads her replies and tells his brother what to write with his brother adding more in detail of things a woman might like to hear which will cause trouble down the road. Dean likes what he sees when he meets Tessa as times goes on he finds he is very attracted to her never guessing he would feel this way about another women.
They have their ups and downs as they learn to talk, and deal with day to day issues. Most day’s things are more down than up leaving Dean confused as to just what Tessa wants or expects. She sure does know how to beat a dead horse.
J. Scott Bennett I thought did a wonderful job of narration he put feeling into the audio. His voice is very powerful, clear and pleasant to listen to. There are no background noises or any high or low tones. His tones are very even never leaving you guessing how the character feels. He gives you a very clear rich audio that you do not want to put down. His male voices are as pleasant as his female voices. You never have any trouble knowing who is talking or just what is on their mind. I did feel he at times he didn’t give a chuckle when the author said the character had chuckled but in no way does that take away from the audio but I felt it would have added more to the listen. I really enjoyed his voice and could listen to it all day with no problem. I do feel the audio made this a more enjoyable read than just reading the book…just my thoughts.
The one thing I found annoying in this audio is I do not think when the character is talking if you use character voice that you need to say he said or she said the different voices should tell you who is talking without saying who is. There were a few places that it was mostly all the author put in there. As for reading that is fine but in an audio is not needed. I am unsure if that would be the narrator or the author to make this decision. It isn’t so bad or very noticeable if there aren’t a lot of these all in one area as in this book. Again that is just me and most likely others wouldn’t even think of it.
I did find this story for the most part believable. Since they lived in a small area so far from town I doubt much would have been said about them living in the same home with no other females there. I believe in some area there was something called hand fasting where you lived as man and wife until you could be married. This isn’t like they are in a big city or town where they would be talked about. I did find Tessa went a little over board on the fact that he didn’t write the letters in a time where a lot of people could not read or write. I think with him saying he was sorry and why he did this that should have been good enough and things should have been forgotten. The way the author wrote it made it a much interesting story with this in it.
I did like the characters and at times I had to laugh at things they said or did. I loved the children they can get by with saying things that others could not. They are innocent and say what they think. I thought both of their families were adorable and love how her father checked on her to make sure she found a true gentlemen. I enjoyed how his brothers teased and embarrassed Tessa and Dean with their talk of the love act. There are so many wonderful things in this story, the plot is great, and the one step forward and two back is darling. I very much look forward to listening and reading more from this narrator and author. It was just a nice fun clean read of two people finding there is life out there and the right one is just around the corner.
This book is a free read on all of the below sites. On Amazon if you buy the book you can get the audio for 1.99. Which is really a good deal.
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Overview
Tessa O’Connor lives in a
world of privilege and excess. Her doting parents want her to make a
good match with a worthy gentleman and live a respectable life. She is
beautiful and intelligent and she comes with a hefty dowry. There is no
reason that she shouldn’t be able to find an eligible man and settle
down.
Tessa herself is the reason. The men who are attempting to court her are, in her opinion, boring and conceited. Not only that, Tessa craves excitement and adventure, of which there is little in her social circles. By chance, she comes across an advertisement for a bride brokerage company seeking eligible women of good breeding to go west and find husbands.
One man on the list catches her eye and she begins corresponding with him, eventually agreeing to go to Montana to meet him. She can’t resist the possibility of finding someone different and even if she doesn’t, the adventure itself would be worth her time. Tessa makes a successful escape and sets out to make a new life in Montana.
Dean Samuels is a Montana rancher who is in over his head. His ranch is struggling and his two children are unruly and in need of a caretaker. It’s clear to his younger brother, Marcus, that he needs help. He tells Dean about a mail order bride service and convinces him that he should utilize it to find a wife.
After his wife, Sarah, had passed away, Dean never intended to marry again. His ranch and his children became his life. However, it becomes apparent that Sadie, his daughter, and his son, Jack, need stability and love. The demands of raising his children and keeping his head above water financially have taken a toll and Dean grudgingly gives in to Marcus’ idea.
Sarah had been the love of his life and Dean doesn’t intend to let any other woman into his heart. He’s locked those kinds of emotions deep inside, not wanting to take the chance of getting hurt like that again. Because Dean has trouble expressing his feelings in writing, his younger brother Marcus agrees to help write the letters to Tessa. Dean is happy to leave that part up to him.
When Dean and Tessa meet, sparks fly between the two strong willed people. Tessa is disappointed that Dean isn’t the romantic, sophisticated man she was lead to believe he was in the letters she received. Dean is aggravated that she isn’t a meek woman who is easily managed. Never mind the fact that she has no idea of how to take care of children and keep a home.
Dean and Tessa struggle to find common ground and make their marriage work. Will they each take the risk and open their hearts to one another? Can their marriage survive and will they find love and contentment in each other? Their future happiness hangs in the balance under the Montana skies.
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