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I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
MY REVIEW:
Genre | Tropes: Historical Fiction, Clean Romance, Mail Order Bride
Rating: 5 out of 5 ⭐
Essie Martin is a spontaneous, quick thinking young woman that really brings out the spirit of the frontier woman in this series. We briefly met Essie in book 1 as the best friend of Laurie, who is featured in Haven River Rescue, but now Essie is feeling trapped and unhappy with her city life. After watching her best friend leave as a mail-order bride and find her own happiness, Essie desires to return to that small town life of quiet farm and a wonderful man. She comes across a bridal article from the same town her friend left for and it feels like fate.
Matt is the deputy of Haven River Falls and ready to settle down with a wife and start a family, but that’s not easy to do in a small mining and ranching town where there are very few women to choose from. After placing his ad for a bride, he starts to receive letters from Essie and they immediately connect.
What I loved most about this book was how well it puts you in the drivers seat of experiencing the frontier life from the perspective of two characters that really enjoy and embrace the elements needed to move into a brand new place and explore life. Essie desires adventure and isn’t afraid to do hard work or protect herself with her pistol, and Matt is equally suited for this life. They make the perfect couple and bring out the rich history of settlers to the western front.
Matt’s character is sweet and comforting, but Essie is a whirlwind of quick decisions that sometimes put her in a bad spot. But I adore her spontaneity and wouldn’t want her any other way. It’s always refreshing to read female characters that take charge and speak their mind, especially in these settings, the way that she did.
I’m excited for the final book in this series to come out in April and hope you’ll enjoy them all, too!
Haven River Brides Series
GET IT HERE:
When Essie Martin sees a mail-order bride ad that would take her to the same tiny town where her best friend Laurie now lives, it’s impossible to resist. Her sister and toddler nephew don’t need her as much as they did when she moved in to help, and she’s tired of living Beth’s life instead of her own.
A mail-order bride seems Deputy Matthew Cooper’s best option after a run of disappointing first impressions with ladies thanks to his amputated arm. Hoping letters will give her the chance to get to know him before meeting face to face, he doesn’t expect to fall head over heels within the first few letters.
Though traveling West risks heartbreak and danger, can Matt and Essie turn their pen pal romance into true love?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Christie Williams (Eliza Prokopovits)
I’m a Christ-follower, mom, writer, knitting designer, and blogger. (You can see my knitting on my blog, Squigglidinks.)
I always have to have a book to read, and I love going back and rereading old favorites (over and over). I’ve been writing novels and short stories since middle school, when I used to carry yellow legal pads to school to write during free periods (often in purple gel pen). I used to work at a library, and I still love connecting readers with amazing books.
My favorite things include books, yarn, and dark chocolate. I live with my husband, two boys, and our fluffy-faced goldendoodle.
Looking for book recs…
Adventures in Literature 
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