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Courting Miss Hattie

by Pamela Morsi (Goodreads Author)

4.05 of 5 stars 4.05 · rating details · 584 ratings · 43 reviews

The news spread like brush fire through the whole county when widower Ancil Drayton announced his intention to start courting Miss Hattie Colfax. She was certainly spirited and delightfully sweet natured, and she'd managed to run her family farm almost single-handedly. But wasn't a twenty-nine-year-old lady farmer too old to catch a husband?

An Irresistible Suitor.

All his l...more

Paperback, 292 pages

Published November 4th 1998 by Bantam (first published 1991)

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Jul 03, 2011 Audrey rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Everyone, particularly historical Americana readers and fans of Maggie Osborne.

Shelves: historical, nom-nom-nom-nom-nom-nom-favorites

I have no words.

Perfection.

Expanded thoughts: Although I would normally be troubled by a hero who is already engaged, it worked in this book, and the bratty betrothed actually has more layers than initially portrayed. Miss Hattie is a wonderful character who reminds me a bit of Maggie Osborne's Jenny Jones in her self-sufficiency and lack of pretension. Reed is hotttness personified - honest, hard-working, and playful with a hint of wickedness. I love how the author reveals his feelings for Ha...more

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Aug 16, 2011 LuvGirl rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: kin-p, friends-to-lovers, historical, pp-ow-dont-love-want-hero, pp-pathetic-heroine, peed-me-off, owned-non-keepers, hh-jilted, 3-stars, i-love-the-way-this-author-writes

OH. MY.GOSH this book completely peed me off! I was sorely tempted to give it 1 stars but this author can weave a good tail so that saved it. Miss Hattie is a plain Jane and almost everyone in the community calls her horse face because of her big teeth. One day out of the blue a thinning hair raggedy farmer with seven kids started to court her and she is ecstatic because no one has ever given her the time or day. The hero which is her best friend started seeing her in a new light even though he...more OH. MY.GOSH this book completely peed me off! I was sorely tempted to give it 1 stars but this author can weave a good tail so that saved it. Miss Hattie is a plain Jane and almost everyone in the community calls her horse face because of her big teeth. One day out of the blue a thinning hair raggedy farmer with seven kids started to court her and she is ecstatic because no one has ever given her the time or day. The hero which is her best friend started seeing her in a new light even though he himself was engaged. (but of course the OW really loves someone else that she later runs off with- don't get me started on that, grrr!)

What takes place after that was some very entertaining scenes. The hero teaching her how to kiss so she could use it on her suitor,his jealous antics after she does, and miss Hatti's genuine happiness at finally being wanted by a man. Then the author had to go and ruin it at about 60% in. The suitor didn't really want Miss Hattie at all, he was just using her to get her land and was still calling her horse face behind her back and saying he was gonna get some children off her by covering her face with a bag. HE SAID THIS ALL IN FRONT OF THE HERO! Thanks!

Why couldn't the suitor really want to Marry her for herself?! She had so much to offer but yet not even a nasty rotten teeth farmer wanted her? WTH? Only the hero in the whole wide world finds her appealing? No one can't be that ugly that a man like that couldn't see something to admire in the chit. She couldn't have one lone suitor that really liked her? Come on, even in real life some men actually look beyond the surface, especially a man like that idiot suitor which had absolutely nothing good going on for him. Looks nada, riches nada, teeth nada, (okay, a bit of an exaggeration) seven kids yesa.

I'm just disgruntled because I was really enjoying the fact that it took another man to see the qualities that the hero didn't see and it made him turn and take notice. It had that sort of "see what you were your missing" thing going on, but then it turned out to be a lie. The author couldn't leave it at that, the poor girl had to be humiliated by that slime scum crap bag still calling her horse face after she agrees to marry him. And get this, just get this.... She was so desperate that she was willing to give him another chance! Cuz ya know, who else was gonna ask? No pride I tell ya! Ugh! Yea, We get our HEA with the hero and heroine in the end, but at what price, at what price I say? Lol. Too bad this story went nutso because this author can really bring a story to life. I was laughing and on the edge of my seat for a while before it all turned to doodoo. I honestly can't give this book anything less than 3 stars because barring all the things that went wrong for me, the story was very engaging. (less)

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May 22, 2013 Tasmia rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013, ebooks, genre-romance-2013, rom-2013-05, hr-american

Definitely a good read with an engrossing story, appealing characters, and lively, humorous, entertaining writing. Great plot turns and a vivid, aptly detailed, setting. The romance is drawn out with complications involving secondary characters, making for an engaging story with satisfying depth of characterizations and relationships. Indeed, the first four-fifths of the book merits a rating of four or five stars in my opinion - but that last fifth drags the whole thing down. The writing and nar...more

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Jun 09, 2012 Leslie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical, romance, reviewed, small-town, own, keepers

Pamela Morsi is one of those authors that I choose when I want something different. Different hero, different heroine, different feel. What I get when I read her is a different story but still a comforting, welcoming story. A story that pulls me in a makes me feel like I know these people, like they're just as real as my neighbors down the street. The first time I read Courting Miss Hattie was years ago, along with Morsi's Simple Jess and I remember feeling drawn to these characters the same way...more Pamela Morsi is one of those authors that I choose when I want something different. Different hero, different heroine, different feel. What I get when I read her is a different story but still a comforting, welcoming story. A story that pulls me in a makes me feel like I know these people, like they're just as real as my neighbors down the street. The first time I read Courting Miss Hattie was years ago, along with Morsi's Simple Jess and I remember feeling drawn to these characters the same way I was again drawn to Hattie and Reed along with their families and friends.

I loved Hattie! She was so much fun to read. You can't help but like her and her common sense approach to life. She has this innate ability to get to the heart of things, so that you know what she's thinking. It doesn't occur to her to be dishonest. In a way she has led a sheltered life even though she has shouldered a huge amount of responsibility for a very long time. Hattie longs for a husband and family but that doesn't stop her from enjoying her life on her farm. It's one of the thing that I loved about her. She's not one to feel sorry for herself, she has her moments of sadness but doesn't wallow in them. That's not to say she was perfect. She had this tendency to sell herself short, to buy into what the townsfolk thought of her. That she was destined to be alone, a spinster that everyone liked but no man wanted to marry. That's when I wish someone would have given her a swift kick in the rear! LOL

Reed Tyler is hmm... he's a product of his environment, having believed what everyone else seemed to believe, that Miss Hattie was a nice lady but a spinster and not one to be considered for marriage. He never really saw Hattie as anything other than a friend and business partner. He was her friend and sharecropper. They had known each other forever but only knew a small side of each other. The public side that everyone else saw. In a way Reed reminded me of a little boy. They have no interest in a certain toy until another child starts playing with it. Then they suddenly realize what a fun toy it is and how much they want it, decide that, "hey, that's mine" and don't want to share. That was Reed with Hattie. Once Ancil Drayton starts courting Miss Hattie the blinders came off and Reed realized that he didn't want anyone to have Hattie but him.

There are certain parts of this book that I'm sure readers will remember fondly long after they close the book. One was the way Reed teaches Hattie the three different kisses - pecks, peaches and malvalvas. Keep in mind he's teaching her how to kiss another man, which doesn't dawn on him at first. At first he gets caught up in the teaching, typical man, then when he realizes what he's done, he tries to backtrack and convince Hattie that she should stick to giving Ancil only pecks. Hattie, being Hattie, doesn't like that and says "Why would you peck when you can peach!"

The fact that Hattie(29) is older than Reed(24) by five years didn't factor in much for me. He started working at the farm when he was eight years old, so they've grown up together, they're comfortable with each other. Reed grew up in a loving family and with responsibility for himself at an early age so you could say he's more mature than his age. Hattie, inexperienced in the ways of men and women, still has the practical experience of farm life. So while she's older than Reed, he's more experienced in sex, so it kind of balances out. At least that's my logic and like I said, their ages didn't really factor in for me. :)

It takes Reed a long time to finally be the one courting Miss Hattie. There are obstacles to overcome and responsibilities to be met and Reed is an honorable, responsible man. I was so happy when they could finally be together and once Hattie let her hair down, both figuratively and literally, she led Reed on such a wild ride. Her joy for life followed into her love for Reed.

Another wonderful re-read! If you haven't tried Ms. Morsi, give her a try. She has this ease of writing that allows the reader to just slide into the story, the town and the characters' lives. The secondary characters are well written, interesting without taking the focus off Hattie and Reed. The plot and characters always come back to Hattie and Reed. Morsi also creates a distinct setting by adding in the flavor of the time period and location with colorful sayings and the attitudes of the time.

Pamela Morsi is still writing but I haven't read any of her most recent releases, I'll have to look into changing that. Her books and author info can be found on her website. (Warning: music comes on when site loads)(less)

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Dec 11, 2010 Zahu rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: american-western, older-heroine, spinster-heroines, 1900-1950, ugly-duckling

I don't usually come across books where the heroine is older than the hero and even rare are the ones that I like. It's not a concept that I favor but once in a while there will come a book where the characters are so sweet that I sail right over the age difference.

Courting Miss Hattie is one of those. Hattie Calfox is a twenty-nine old spinster nicknamed Horseface Hattie because of her large teeth. All her life, she's waited for someone to court her, and when one finally does, it's only because...more

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Jan 20, 2012 Iss rated it 5 of 5 stars

baca ini awalnya agak2 nyebelin apa segitu desperatenya perawan tua 29taun yg jelek ga pernah pacaran, pengen pacaran, ada yg ngajak pacaran mr ancyl tua duda beranak tujuh ko mau aja bahkan terkesan dimanfaatin lg, lemah banget padahal miss hattie cewe yg mandiri dan kuat. di sisi lain juga nyebelin si Reed 24taun yg sejak kecil udah kenal sama miss hattie bekerja sebagai petani diladangnya klg hattie udah tau mulai cemburu ngeliat hattie dikencani orglain malah tunangan sama cewek lain.

ceritan...more

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Oct 30, 2010 willaful rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: fans of americana, fans of unique romance

Shelves: older-woman-younger-man, sexy-beta, out-of-the-ordinary, unusual-heroine, bye

I was tempted to give this five stars, since it is amazing and special in many ways. But it was also just a little too irritating.

Miss Hattie, popularly known as "Horseface Hattie" is the town spinster. At age 29, she's never been courted, or kissed. Hattie is only too willing when a widower with seven children announces his intention to court her, seeing a last chance at a man and family of her own. But Reed Tyler, who works for Hattie and has known her for years, is strangely perturbed, despit...more

9 likes · like · see review

Aug 19, 2012 Saly rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-in-2012, single-titles, rom-historical, virgin-heroines, older-woman

Rating 3.5 stars
This is not my favourite book by this author. The heroine is 29 and a spinster and plain looking so everyone thinks she doesn't want romance in life but that is not the case, she yearns for family and romance and when a widower with seven kids declares his intention to court her, she is very happy. Hattie never got a chance to experience romance because she was plain looking and when her father died she had to take care of her mother. Reed is 24 and engaged to a very beautiful wo...more

6 likes · like · see review

May 19, 2010 Crista rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 3-star, western

I think 3 1/2 stars would be more what I'd rate this book. It is definitely good, but I struggled to really get into it until the last 3/4 or so.

The setting is on a Arkansas farm between a land owner (Miss Hattie) and her younger field hand (Reed). The age difference didn't bother me....the boss/worker relationship didn't bother me, but it did kind of bother me that Hattie used to "babysit" Reed when he was little. If there is going to be an age gap, then please don't tell me that Hattie knew R...more

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May 13, 2013 Anna rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: adult-characters, age-gap, historical, not-gorgeous-characters, re-read, romance, rural, virgin

The heroine of this book is called “horseface” by her folks. And guess what, she really has prominent teeth. But she also has plenty of good humor, good sense, loyalty, cleverness, and she is really a hard worker. She is probably the best farmer of Arkansas.

But see, being called “horseface” is not the best incentive for prospective boyfriends. So when a suitor offers to court this 29 years old spinster everyone is surprised, specially her “plowboy”, her farm partner and best friend Reed.

I re-rea...more

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Sep 26, 2012 Cyndi rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: romance-addiction

The only reason Courting Miss Hattie didn't earn 1 star was because I learned a little about farming in Arkansas and growing rice. Other than that the book sucked.

Hardly any time was devoted to Reed and Hattie's romantic relationship. One second they have a brother/sister relationship, the next they kiss, and dozens of pages later (with no hint of romance in between) they get married and have sex all the time. Boo! Where's the build up? The romance? The will-they-or-won't-they suspense? Not in...more

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Jul 22, 2011 Denise rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Fans of Maggie Osborne and LaVyrle Spencer

Shelves: big-hulking-beautiful-male, favorites, historical-romance-usa, second-read-worthy, strong-heroine, super-protective-male

Miss Hattie Colfax is a 29 year old spinster who has been successfully running her small town Arkansas farm with the help of her 25 year old best friend/ neighbor, Reed Tyler.
Reed has been helping then sharecropping on this farm since he was about 12-13 years old. He and Hattie are great friends and she has promised to sell him the farm. He has dreams of growing rice on the farm and is saving to buy the place so he can marry his pretty little fiance'.
Hattie knows that she is no beauty, she ha...more

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Apr 14, 2010 Hilcia rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: my-bookshelf, favorite, impressions-blog-review, historical, romance

In Courting Miss Hattie, Morsi once again sets her story in an Arkansas farming community and captures both time and place. She tells the story of Miss Hattie, a 29-year-old spinster who has never been courted, until now. In Miss Hattie, Morsi again works with a character that is viewed as different by her community. She is respected, as an excellent farmer who owns her own land, is independent and knowledgeable and also happens to be an excellent housekeeper and cook. But Hattie is a woman, and...more In Courting Miss Hattie, Morsi once again sets her story in an Arkansas farming community and captures both time and place. She tells the story of Miss Hattie, a 29-year-old spinster who has never been courted, until now. In Miss Hattie, Morsi again works with a character that is viewed as different by her community. She is respected, as an excellent farmer who owns her own land, is independent and knowledgeable and also happens to be an excellent housekeeper and cook. But Hattie is a woman, and as a woman in a community where girls marry at the tender age of seventeen, she's considered an old spinster and treated as such. The fact that Hattie's looks are lacking count heavily against her -- behind her back her nickname is "Horseface Hattie."

When local farmer and widower and father to a slew of children, Ancyl Drayton decides to come calling, you can feel both Hattie's pain and her hope for a future she thought she would never have -- a husband and children. I loved Miss Hattie. She is the perfect spinster/plain Jane type of protagonist that some of us love to read about in a book. Hattie isn't exactly your missish spinster, although she is definitely naive and has her moments. She is an independent woman who is direct and plain speaking and a tough and hard-working farmer. As a woman she is vulnerable, passionate and all heart. There is a joy in Hattie that makes her beautiful.

Reed Tyler? I could have eaten him up with a spoon. What a great character he turned out to be. He is younger than Miss Hattie, but he is a real man. Reed began working at the Colfax farm when he was a 14-year-old boy. After Hattie's parents died and left her the farm, Reed stayed to help her and became a sharecropper using Colfax land. Reed and Hattie are close friends and partners. His dream is to save his money to buy the Colfax farm from Hattie so he can settle down with his young wife once he marries. That is...until Ancyl begins courting Hattie.

Courting Miss Hattie is a wonderful friends to lovers romance. In a way, I hate to put it that way because it simplifies this story and it is more than that. The community at large, and Hattie herself, both see Ancyl's courting as a godsend and a favor to her -- all except Reed. He doesn't think Ancyl is good enough for her, as a man or as a farmer. I loved him for that. Reed begins to see Hattie as a woman and to seethe. Slowly, Ms. Morsi develops the story, and the sexual tension and romance between Hattie and Reed builds. And a passionate, joyful romance it is!

I have many favorite scenes in this book. The scene where Reed explains to Hattie that there are three different types of kisses: pecks, peaches and malvalvas, and Miss Hattie comes to love her "peaches," is a favorite. But, I think their overall joy and laughter in the midst of the discovery of their passion and love is what makes this romance stand out for me.

This review would be incomplete if I didn't mention a secondary romance that impacts Hattie and Reed's relationship. Morsi doesn't leave this romance behind in passion or in characterization; she takes her time with both. As in Simple Jess, she again develops a community that is vital and their down-to-earth, everyday interactions add depth to this story. The secondary characters are very much a part of Courting Miss Hattie and complete this romance.

This is another Morsi book I highly recommend for those who want to read a different type of historical romance in an American setting. In Courting Miss Hattie you’ll find a beautifully written, well-developed, passionate romance, with a friends to lovers theme, and an unforgettable secondary, lively cast of characters that has more to offer than your every day fare. This is definitely a keeper.(less)

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Jun 10, 2010 Jill Dunlop rated it 4 of 5 stars

At a young age Miss Hattie Colfax had to run her family farm by herself with the help of her plowboy Reed Tyler. She was determined to be successful and sure enough she has one of the most prosperous farms in town. Although, since she had a farm to worry about, her youth passed her by. Now, at twenty-nine for the first time a man wants to court her. Hattie believed that her dreams of having a family of her own where just that dreams, but when Ancil Drayton’s wife dies and he desperately needs so...more

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May 29, 2012 Kay rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2012-reads, historical, american-historical

This was enjoyable read and it's just what I needed after reading some heavy books. I didn't like the hero only noticing the heroine until after someone started courting her. There was too much farm talk about growing rice that I could do without but that is an important part of their lives. I did love the epilogue and reading about the h/h years later.

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Jan 12, 2012 PNR rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: plain-spinster-heroine, aaaaangst

Yes! A truly plain heroine! I really liked Hattie, she was just the right balance of insecure and independent. She accepted that she was not considered attractive, and was strong because of it, but it still pained her. Made for some good angst too! I really liked this couple. The sex scenes we a bit too cheesy for my taste, though.

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May 21, 2011 Juanita rated it 5 of 5 stars

Hattie and Reed. One kissing lesson, and a lifetime a love to follow. I enjoyed how Reed started to realize he felt something different before the kisses, however. He felt jealousy when he found out she was being courted by Ancil, although he didn't seem to recognize the emotion. Great book all around.

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Sep 22, 2011 Donna rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: romance-historical-us

One of my favorites. I refused to sell my paperback copy when I was downsizing all our stuff and I sold nearly my entire book collection to Half Price Books. Really enjoy it's ordinary woman finds love theme. The heroine isn't spectacularly beautiful like most romance story heroines.

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May 04, 2012 Kami rated it 4 of 5 stars

Good romance - always enjoy a story where one of the main characters isn't considered terribly beautiful. And surprisingly the whole subplot with rice growing was interesting as well.

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Aug 16, 2010 Aisa rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: romance

Enjoyable. It is a very down-to-earth book with many farming terms. Solid background and likeable characters. I only read this one though. Maybe I'll try the others in the future :)

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Apr 01, 2013 Stephania Galeas rated it 5 of 5 stars

I absolutely enjoyed this book. The author has the talent of making the novel funny and enjoyable but serious when it needs to be.

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Apr 25, 2013 AsilVee rated it 4 of 5 stars

This was a really enjoyable read... very heart warming. I loved it and will definitely be reading it over and over again.

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Sep 05, 2012 Mydearloverboy rated it 5 of 5 stars

great story and romance...
excellent character development....only problem is the rushed ending..otherwise, 5+ stars;)

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Sep 22, 2011 Christine Strowbridge rated it 4 of 5 stars

Oh, those oldies but goodies. I would say about a 4.5....cute cute epilogue, but there was a bit of cheese throughout the book. I still enjoyed it. Very sweet!

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Nov 02, 2011 Amber rated it 3 of 5 stars

Enjoyable story, likeable characters and a happy ending!!

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Nov 09, 2010 Cissy rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This was my alltime favorite! I reread it often!

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Aug 20, 2010 Delaine rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: romance-historical

easy, feel-good read. Totally adorable!

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Sep 29, 2012 Jeanie Brandon rated it 5 of 5 stars

FUNNY AND A GOOD STORY

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Dec 23, 2011 Hafiza rated it 4 of 5 stars

I love Plain Jane Heroines.

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Jun 15, 2009 Mollie marked it as to-read

Shelves: blogger-recs

Recommended by Katie(Babs)

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About Pamela Morsi

Pamela Morsi is a USA Today, Waldenbooks, and Barnes & Noble bestselling author of romance. She broke into publishing in 1991 with Heaven Sent and has been gracing readers with at least a book a year ever since. Two of her novels, Courting Miss Hattie (1992) and Something Shady (1996), won the Romance Writers of America's RITA Award, the highest honor in romance publishing, and others have bee...more

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