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It's 1884, and love is in the air in the town of Come-By-Chance!
In this much-loved series strong women risk everything to rise above their desperate circumstances, find true love, and wed real men who'll treat them right.
Meet Ruby - She's lost her Ma, and struck out into the world on her own. The good news is she's traveled to Pittsburgh and found a good job as a schoolmistress. The bad news is, the school's owner, the portly, whiskey-breathed Mister Murphy, has developed wandering hands, and Mrs Murphy's preparing to leave to visit her sister for a month in New York.
Ruby sees an advertisement in the Matrimonial News and takes a desperate chance, writing away to the handsome Six-feet-four James Drinkwater.
Will James be the answer to Ruby's plight? Is the handsome Montana man all that he seems? Or will someone else come to Ruby's rescue, so together they can find true love?
The Come-By-Chance series consists of:
Book 1 - Ruby
Book 2 - Emily
Book 3 - Violet
Book 4 - Kate
Book 5 - Rose ~ Due out December 2014 ~
Book 6 - Emmy-Lou ~ Due out January 2015 ~
In this much-loved series strong women risk everything to rise above their desperate circumstances, find true love, and wed real men who'll treat them right.
Meet Ruby - She's lost her Ma, and struck out into the world on her own. The good news is she's traveled to Pittsburgh and found a good job as a schoolmistress. The bad news is, the school's owner, the portly, whiskey-breathed Mister Murphy, has developed wandering hands, and Mrs Murphy's preparing to leave to visit her sister for a month in New York.
Ruby sees an advertisement in the Matrimonial News and takes a desperate chance, writing away to the handsome Six-feet-four James Drinkwater.
Will James be the answer to Ruby's plight? Is the handsome Montana man all that he seems? Or will someone else come to Ruby's rescue, so together they can find true love?
The Come-By-Chance series consists of:
Book 1 - Ruby
Book 2 - Emily
Book 3 - Violet
Book 4 - Kate
Book 5 - Rose ~ Due out December 2014 ~
Book 6 - Emmy-Lou ~ Due out January 2015 ~
184 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 15, 2014
779 people are currently reading
1668 people want to read
About the author
Juliet James
32 books26 followersJuliet James is the author of the much-loved Come-By-Chance Historical Western Romance Series.
She writes feel-good Westerns that are easy reading, enjoyable, uplifting and fun. Sure, bad things happen—but in the end, the good guys always win, the bad guys get what's coming to them, and the deserving find true love. Maybe that's why her stories are loved by the old, the young, and men & women alike.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author with this name in the Goodreads database.
For the Georgian Romance author, see Juliet James.
She writes feel-good Westerns that are easy reading, enjoyable, uplifting and fun. Sure, bad things happen—but in the end, the good guys always win, the bad guys get what's coming to them, and the deserving find true love. Maybe that's why her stories are loved by the old, the young, and men & women alike.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author with this name in the Goodreads database.
For the Georgian Romance author, see Juliet James.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 207 reviews
December 3, 2014
I was disappointed in this book. This period in history and the whole concept of mail order brides is fascinating to me so I was really interested in reading Ruby, but I found the story to be extremely unrealistic and somewhat preposterous.
I can see how a mail order bride could put herself in jeopardy by going west to marry a man she knows nothing about except what he himself tells her so that part of the story seemed possible -- but the woman who "rescues" her and the instant "once in a lifetime" mutual love that occurs when she meets the man she eventually will marry -- that was just to ridiculous to swallow. I know this is a work of fiction, but it isn't even a good one.
As I said, I found it disappointing because the story started off well...but definitely ended with a thud.
I can see how a mail order bride could put herself in jeopardy by going west to marry a man she knows nothing about except what he himself tells her so that part of the story seemed possible -- but the woman who "rescues" her and the instant "once in a lifetime" mutual love that occurs when she meets the man she eventually will marry -- that was just to ridiculous to swallow. I know this is a work of fiction, but it isn't even a good one.
As I said, I found it disappointing because the story started off well...but definitely ended with a thud.
June 30, 2017
Confession time, I have a soft spot for mail order bride stories. My own Internet dating experiences might have been terrible, but these fictional characters always seem to be able to make it through and find true love.
"Ruby" goes through quite a bit to find a good man in this storyline. First, she is constantly terrorized by her employer's husband and then she is "cat fished" by a man who lures mail order brides with the intent of forcing them into prostitution. Not exactly the light bedtime read I was expecting! Despite all that, I still flipped the pages wanting to find out how it would all turn out.
I liked Juliet James writing style and would probably pick up another of her books in the future.
"Ruby" goes through quite a bit to find a good man in this storyline. First, she is constantly terrorized by her employer's husband and then she is "cat fished" by a man who lures mail order brides with the intent of forcing them into prostitution. Not exactly the light bedtime read I was expecting! Despite all that, I still flipped the pages wanting to find out how it would all turn out.
I liked Juliet James writing style and would probably pick up another of her books in the future.
January 1, 2018
Confusing
I could not tell who the hero was until the very end. If the title of the book was not Ruby, I would not have been able to tell the heroine either. The book really seemed to build up a relationship between Ben and Letty to me. However, I think Ben might marry someone else in book 3. I have no idea what happens with the relationship between Slim Jim and Letty. I will not continue reading this series even though the second book is also free.
I could not tell who the hero was until the very end. If the title of the book was not Ruby, I would not have been able to tell the heroine either. The book really seemed to build up a relationship between Ben and Letty to me. However, I think Ben might marry someone else in book 3. I have no idea what happens with the relationship between Slim Jim and Letty. I will not continue reading this series even though the second book is also free.
February 11, 2015
As I am not one for reading books that fall into the Romance genre, and I also paid the grand total of $ 0.00 on the book, I don't feel right being too critical. It was an easy read and nice enough, but it left a lot to be desired. I was anticipating one thing and was landed with another. Mistaken identities and finding love in a strange place and stuff...although, I suppose I still got that. But not in the manner I had assumed, nor with the people I assumed. I guess it was a bit misleading, a bit bait-and-switch. I was also put off by the authors lack of commas, which left some sentences with an odd flow. There also seemed a lack of development. Everything that happened was all a bit too fast, the chapters and the story as a whole too short. It seemed to me, a few times, that perhaps the story may at one point have been written in first-person and then changed, because the words and wording was a bit off. All in all, not a terrible story, but I don't see myself reading any of the others in the series.
April 15, 2017
The author apparently has a deep and abiding grudge against commas.
This story had several problems. Firstly was the punctuation issue: it is in desperate need of a copy editor because the punctuation was terribly flawed throughout. The most obvious problem, as it occurs many, many, many times, is that when speaking to someone and using their name, the author fails to use a comma.
Here are a few examples from the story itself, all from the same first page of chapter 25: the wrong version first, my corrected version following.
1. "Outta bed you lazy buzzards." --> "Outta bed, you lazy buzzards."
2. "Yessir Ben." --> "Yessir, Ben."
3. "You see that Toby?" --> "You see that, Toby?"
4. "Must be some sorta special day for him Ben." --> "Must be some sorta special day for him, Ben."
5. "Real funny you two boys are," called Matt. --> "Real funny, you two boys are," called Matt.
6. "Don't worry Matt." --> "Don't worry, Matt."
Bonus problems unrelated to this particular grammatical issue, still on this page:
1. "Well I'll be." --> "Well, I'll be."
2. "I do declare I never saw him..." --> "I do declare, I never saw him..."
3. "I spent half the night lyin' here awake thinkin' up all the things might go wrong." --> "I spent half the night lyin' here awake, thinkin' up all the things might go wrong."
Reminder: those were ALL on ONE page, and I'm reading this on my phone, so it's a SMALL page. The entire BOOK is written this way. It's exhausting.
Another problem is shallow characterization. The villains are caricatures of nefarious dastards, the protagonists are all heart-of-gold aw-shucks heroes. The author either tells us outright about the characters, instead of showing us, or shows us using frankly stupid scenes. For example, she wants to show us what a pig Slim Jim is, but can't bring herself to write him as actually raping Ruby (and then Ruby would no longer be a precious virgin, which seems to matter more than writing a story that isn't goofy), so she just makes him frotte against her. It's ridiculous and unrealistic.
Her characterization of Toby is completely one-dimensional, and all three brothers are pretty boring in general. Lettie is impossibly sprightly and self-assured. Ruby is a dud. She falls in love with a guy after he trips and lands face-first in a pile of horse shit. He falls in love with *her* upon... watching her read a book. Everyone seems to believe these circumstances of course mean a lasting love is born. Bleh.
Then there's the way the story is written. Narrators switch so often it's hard to figure out who the protagonists are. I thought Ruby and Ben would get together, because it was written from their POVs at first... then it started switching, to Slim Jim, to Lettie... Ruby ends up with Matt... Ben falls for Lettie, who he insists upon calling "an angel"... and then nothing else is done with him or her or them together, they're just left as loose ends. The scene where Ben tries to forbid Matt from marrying Ruby was especially bad, mostly because of how quickly Ben capitulated and was suddenly in a great mood after being thoroughly convicted that he'd beat his brother to a pulp to keep him from marrying Ruby.
The author seems to hold some creepy grudge against fat people, too, because the main negative thing she keeps pointing out about Ruby's employer is that he's fat. Fat, fat, fat. Awful, awful, awful. This book, that is. And it ends too abruptly, too.
Summary: Book desperately needs about a thousand more commas inserted appropriately. Strong likelihood of subsequent books also being desperately in need of thousands of commas. Also strong likelihood of goofy premises, poor characterization, trite dialogue, and weak plot points.
This story had several problems. Firstly was the punctuation issue: it is in desperate need of a copy editor because the punctuation was terribly flawed throughout. The most obvious problem, as it occurs many, many, many times, is that when speaking to someone and using their name, the author fails to use a comma.
Here are a few examples from the story itself, all from the same first page of chapter 25: the wrong version first, my corrected version following.
1. "Outta bed you lazy buzzards." --> "Outta bed, you lazy buzzards."
2. "Yessir Ben." --> "Yessir, Ben."
3. "You see that Toby?" --> "You see that, Toby?"
4. "Must be some sorta special day for him Ben." --> "Must be some sorta special day for him, Ben."
5. "Real funny you two boys are," called Matt. --> "Real funny, you two boys are," called Matt.
6. "Don't worry Matt." --> "Don't worry, Matt."
Bonus problems unrelated to this particular grammatical issue, still on this page:
1. "Well I'll be." --> "Well, I'll be."
2. "I do declare I never saw him..." --> "I do declare, I never saw him..."
3. "I spent half the night lyin' here awake thinkin' up all the things might go wrong." --> "I spent half the night lyin' here awake, thinkin' up all the things might go wrong."
Reminder: those were ALL on ONE page, and I'm reading this on my phone, so it's a SMALL page. The entire BOOK is written this way. It's exhausting.
Another problem is shallow characterization. The villains are caricatures of nefarious dastards, the protagonists are all heart-of-gold aw-shucks heroes. The author either tells us outright about the characters, instead of showing us, or shows us using frankly stupid scenes. For example, she wants to show us what a pig Slim Jim is, but can't bring herself to write him as actually raping Ruby (and then Ruby would no longer be a precious virgin, which seems to matter more than writing a story that isn't goofy), so she just makes him frotte against her. It's ridiculous and unrealistic.
Her characterization of Toby is completely one-dimensional, and all three brothers are pretty boring in general. Lettie is impossibly sprightly and self-assured. Ruby is a dud. She falls in love with a guy after he trips and lands face-first in a pile of horse shit. He falls in love with *her* upon... watching her read a book. Everyone seems to believe these circumstances of course mean a lasting love is born. Bleh.
Then there's the way the story is written. Narrators switch so often it's hard to figure out who the protagonists are. I thought Ruby and Ben would get together, because it was written from their POVs at first... then it started switching, to Slim Jim, to Lettie... Ruby ends up with Matt... Ben falls for Lettie, who he insists upon calling "an angel"... and then nothing else is done with him or her or them together, they're just left as loose ends. The scene where Ben tries to forbid Matt from marrying Ruby was especially bad, mostly because of how quickly Ben capitulated and was suddenly in a great mood after being thoroughly convicted that he'd beat his brother to a pulp to keep him from marrying Ruby.
The author seems to hold some creepy grudge against fat people, too, because the main negative thing she keeps pointing out about Ruby's employer is that he's fat. Fat, fat, fat. Awful, awful, awful. This book, that is. And it ends too abruptly, too.
Summary: Book desperately needs about a thousand more commas inserted appropriately. Strong likelihood of subsequent books also being desperately in need of thousands of commas. Also strong likelihood of goofy premises, poor characterization, trite dialogue, and weak plot points.
July 24, 2016
I...have no idea what I just read. I mean, I've shelved it as "historical romance," and I suppose it is...if it's the sort of historical romance I would've written when I was 9 years old. And by that, I don't mean to disparage either my 9 year old writer self or Ms Juliet James: I wrote a pretty awesome yarn at 9 years old. But I also had only the merest grasp of plot and genre and point of view, all of which Ruby fumbles and stumbles with, too.
Up until the midpoint of the novel, I was certain the hero and heroine were Ben and Ruby. After all, up 'til that point, no other characters have any share in the storytelling. Sure, Ben's brother Matt has a thought or two threaded willy-nilly into Ben's third-person narrative, but most of the tale belongs to Ben. And then Ruby gets to town...and falls arse over tea kettle for Matt, who also thinks she's the world's best thing since the great epic love story of his Ma and Pa!
Maybe this is one of those romances where the wrong brother ends up engaged to the heroine and the hero has to sweep in and Fix Everything?
Nope. Not one of those stories. Matt and Ruby end up married. The End. And I mean that literally: The End, that's all she wrote, there's no more to the book. They get married. The End.
Ms James has a knack, I think, for capturing the voice of the characters and making you care about what matters to them. But judging by Ruby, she has no idea how to tell a story about those characters and clearly lacks sufficient experience with the romance, or even the western, genre to understand and play with the tropes and mechanisms of those types of stories.
If you read Ruby as a tongue-in-cheek spoof of a Western romance, it has a certain charm, but I don't believe the author intended it as such. Instead, it's disappointing and peculiar and rather pitiful.
Up until the midpoint of the novel, I was certain the hero and heroine were Ben and Ruby. After all, up 'til that point, no other characters have any share in the storytelling. Sure, Ben's brother Matt has a thought or two threaded willy-nilly into Ben's third-person narrative, but most of the tale belongs to Ben. And then Ruby gets to town...and falls arse over tea kettle for Matt, who also thinks she's the world's best thing since the great epic love story of his Ma and Pa!
Maybe this is one of those romances where the wrong brother ends up engaged to the heroine and the hero has to sweep in and Fix Everything?
Nope. Not one of those stories. Matt and Ruby end up married. The End. And I mean that literally: The End, that's all she wrote, there's no more to the book. They get married. The End.
Ms James has a knack, I think, for capturing the voice of the characters and making you care about what matters to them. But judging by Ruby, she has no idea how to tell a story about those characters and clearly lacks sufficient experience with the romance, or even the western, genre to understand and play with the tropes and mechanisms of those types of stories.
If you read Ruby as a tongue-in-cheek spoof of a Western romance, it has a certain charm, but I don't believe the author intended it as such. Instead, it's disappointing and peculiar and rather pitiful.
July 20, 2016
My edition: Kindle
Pages: 182
Series: Come By Chance Mail Order Brides
Rating: 2 stars
Review: I am in dire need of a historical Romance. In one of my challenges it is July's gemstone, which is ruby, so I have to read a book with the word ruby in the title. I went on amazon and typed in ruby in the books category. This gem popped up and it was free too. It sounded good and I decided to go ahead and read it.
A schoolmistress in Pittsburgh needs to find a way to get away from her boss Mr Murphy. One day running an errand for Mrs. Murphy, Ruby talks to the woman at the Post Office who finds a way to get Ruby out, a mail order bride. They send a letter off to the gentleman along with a photograph of Ruby. Ruby gets a reply from the man named James. He seemed nice and respectable. But James is not what he seems.
Ben, Matt, and Toby live together on their own ranch. Their mother and father left $800 for them to get a mail order bride since there wasn't many pickings in Billings. They have decided it is time to settle down and get married. But trouble is afoot with a man named Slim Jim.
At the start of this I was hooked. Then between 30-50% it started to get boring. Granted that this is only just under 200 pages but it seemed kind all out together. Some parts were fast pace, some at a slow pace. I wanted to skim the slow pace parts due to it taking forever just to get on with the rest of the book. The story actually ends on page 144.
I wanted some heated love and a gun show down. I didn't get that at all. This story seemed to be a cowboy story without the cowboys and with very little violence. When I read a western I want Wyatt Earp not this.
I know I won't be moving on with this series. The plot was meh and I'm not a fan of the writing style. There story was also kind of predictable. I wouldn't recommend this but I wouldn't discourage anyone in reading this.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Review to come
~~~~~~~~~~~~
After the suck tastic book I had just read that was some sci-fi blah. I need a little historic romance. I'm in the mood for it and I just need to not have a blah book to read at work.
Pages: 182
Series: Come By Chance Mail Order Brides
Rating: 2 stars
Review: I am in dire need of a historical Romance. In one of my challenges it is July's gemstone, which is ruby, so I have to read a book with the word ruby in the title. I went on amazon and typed in ruby in the books category. This gem popped up and it was free too. It sounded good and I decided to go ahead and read it.
A schoolmistress in Pittsburgh needs to find a way to get away from her boss Mr Murphy. One day running an errand for Mrs. Murphy, Ruby talks to the woman at the Post Office who finds a way to get Ruby out, a mail order bride. They send a letter off to the gentleman along with a photograph of Ruby. Ruby gets a reply from the man named James. He seemed nice and respectable. But James is not what he seems.
Ben, Matt, and Toby live together on their own ranch. Their mother and father left $800 for them to get a mail order bride since there wasn't many pickings in Billings. They have decided it is time to settle down and get married. But trouble is afoot with a man named Slim Jim.
At the start of this I was hooked. Then between 30-50% it started to get boring. Granted that this is only just under 200 pages but it seemed kind all out together. Some parts were fast pace, some at a slow pace. I wanted to skim the slow pace parts due to it taking forever just to get on with the rest of the book. The story actually ends on page 144.
I wanted some heated love and a gun show down. I didn't get that at all. This story seemed to be a cowboy story without the cowboys and with very little violence. When I read a western I want Wyatt Earp not this.
I know I won't be moving on with this series. The plot was meh and I'm not a fan of the writing style. There story was also kind of predictable. I wouldn't recommend this but I wouldn't discourage anyone in reading this.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Review to come
~~~~~~~~~~~~
After the suck tastic book I had just read that was some sci-fi blah. I need a little historic romance. I'm in the mood for it and I just need to not have a blah book to read at work.
June 15, 2015
I've probably read hundreds of mail order bride stories, both true and fiction, and this has to rank as one of the worst. And it had nothing to do with the one scene in the bedroom. There was little to no character development with any of the characters. The writing was all over the place and I found myself skimming to the dialogue just to get to something good. There was no romance unless you call how Ruby and Matt saw each other the first time.
As for the controversial rape scene that many have brought up. She was sexually assaulted and although, unexpected, it wasn't surprising for that time. Jim was just being an a** but it was well within his right to do it. There was nothing graphic about it and the bedroom scene with Ruby and the new husband was glossed over with no details.
The attraction between Ben and Lettie was talked about a great deal and then was dropped. The scene with Ben and Matt fighting about him getting married was ridiculous. If you're looking for a good mail order bride book or series, keep looking.
As for the controversial rape scene that many have brought up. She was sexually assaulted and although, unexpected, it wasn't surprising for that time. Jim was just being an a** but it was well within his right to do it. There was nothing graphic about it and the bedroom scene with Ruby and the new husband was glossed over with no details.
The attraction between Ben and Lettie was talked about a great deal and then was dropped. The scene with Ben and Matt fighting about him getting married was ridiculous. If you're looking for a good mail order bride book or series, keep looking.
March 19, 2015
I was so excited to read this book - a free romance (being given away by Amazon to anyone and everyone, not received in exchange for a review) with what sounds like an exciting storyline! Overall though, it wasn't particularly well-written. The characters lacked depth and chemistry. The male character that was initially introduced as the hero ended up being the brother of the man she "falls in love" with and marries (with that in quotations because it's love at first sight.) That romance is never developed in the least. It reminded me of the dog from Up. "I have just met you and I love you."
Again, the concept was interesting, but it never really went anywhere before abruptly ending. I do not recommend - not even if you get it for free. It's about an hour and a half of my life I will never get back.
Again, the concept was interesting, but it never really went anywhere before abruptly ending. I do not recommend - not even if you get it for free. It's about an hour and a half of my life I will never get back.
July 31, 2016
A Nice Clean Romance
I don't read too many romances, but got this one free which is always great. I'd just finished a book that was long and wanted what I call a fluff piece to read. Something that I can read and enjoy that doesn't tax my brain or take me weeks to read.
The story was enjoyable and I liked the characters. I also liked the authors description of the love scenes. I guess because I don't like erotica. I believe in a bit of modesty. What I didn't like was that the story ended too soon. I felt that it was just getting to the good part. I liked the plot and wanted more of the story. It just ended too abruptly and I wanted to know more about their life together.
I don't read too many romances, but got this one free which is always great. I'd just finished a book that was long and wanted what I call a fluff piece to read. Something that I can read and enjoy that doesn't tax my brain or take me weeks to read.
The story was enjoyable and I liked the characters. I also liked the authors description of the love scenes. I guess because I don't like erotica. I believe in a bit of modesty. What I didn't like was that the story ended too soon. I felt that it was just getting to the good part. I liked the plot and wanted more of the story. It just ended too abruptly and I wanted to know more about their life together.
February 3, 2015
Ruby gets conned by a scoundrel
I enjoyed this book. It,s a fast read. Imagine your a young woman who is living with a mean married woman and her lecherous husband. This is the situation Ruby found herself in. She meets Kate who becomes her friend and helps her become a mail order bride. She heads to Montana to meet the man of her dreams and become his wife. Only problem was he was already married and not looking for a wife. What happens to Ruby after he takes her home is where things change for her. This is a very nice story and if you want something that,s good and a quick read this is for you.
I enjoyed this book. It,s a fast read. Imagine your a young woman who is living with a mean married woman and her lecherous husband. This is the situation Ruby found herself in. She meets Kate who becomes her friend and helps her become a mail order bride. She heads to Montana to meet the man of her dreams and become his wife. Only problem was he was already married and not looking for a wife. What happens to Ruby after he takes her home is where things change for her. This is a very nice story and if you want something that,s good and a quick read this is for you.
July 29, 2015
A very prudent read!
I absolutely loved this story! I was so sad to see it end but glad there are more in the series. Juliet James is a very talented writer capable of creating a clean romance story yet has all the makings of a mysterious thriller in the historic wild west. While the story of Ruby and the good people of Come-by Chance is part of a series, it is entirely possible to read it as a standalone. As a side note, I would also recommend it to anyone who is a fan of strong female characters not afraid to fight for what is right.
I absolutely loved this story! I was so sad to see it end but glad there are more in the series. Juliet James is a very talented writer capable of creating a clean romance story yet has all the makings of a mysterious thriller in the historic wild west. While the story of Ruby and the good people of Come-by Chance is part of a series, it is entirely possible to read it as a standalone. As a side note, I would also recommend it to anyone who is a fan of strong female characters not afraid to fight for what is right.
February 26, 2015
If you enjoy mail order bride books, don't pass this one up. Ruby is a young & very naive girl, that because of that, gets herself in a couple of tough situations that brings about the heroes of the book. You will despise some characters & fall in love with others. I never saw the ending coming, until I read...."The End." So onto the 2nd one I go!
February 23, 2015
This was a quick read because of its length. The premise is good, but the pacing is off. I think this author has the creativity for great work but needs to work on fleshing the stories out and polishing it all up.
September 28, 2015
Really pleasurable book about mail order brides - the good, the bad and the really bad. I loved how the author ended the book with a look forward without giving too much away. I will definitely be reading more from this author.
January 14, 2015
I liked the book. I just wish it was longer, kind of leaves you hanging. Also, was confused on who the lead male was supposed to be.
August 10, 2018
2 1/2 stars. Not much plot, and even less character development.
May 3, 2016
Quick and easy read. I'm not too critical of the writing style at this point as I knew what I was getting into when I started it. I have some spoilers later on, but let me just round out this part of the review by saying this isn't a typical sweet romance. It's hurried and the ending feels a bit abrupt. I liked ideas and characters in the book overall, but there were a few things I wasn't willing to look past. My main stumbling block was that the book is sort of written from everyone's point of view, which is fine, but it's mainly written from Ruby's point of view and Ben's point of view. In a romance novel, that's the cue to the reader who is going to be pairing up. Not the case in this book. That felt very strange to me as a reader, which made me less than satisfied with the ending.
I really waivered between 2 and 3 stars and in the end rounded up.
SPOILERS:
I was shocked by parts this book. There is a semi-graphic rape scene, and I just was not prepared for that. I was like, this isn't really happening in a sweet western romance book...but it did. And I was shocked. Most mail-order bride novels deal with brides who are a little nervous, men who want to do their new woman proud and be a good person. This book deals with the darker side of the process, where women are tricked and then sold into prostitution houses - which in and of itself is a new concept on a tired theme. That is intriguing, but I personally don't want to read about that part of it. Ruby was able to escape that fate, barely, but not before she had something horrible happen to her. She carried that burden alone and then didn't even confide in her husband, which made me terribly sad for her. The ending wasn't satisfying for me. It felt abrupt, even though there were a few sentences that reach out and give you a taste of the future.
I really waivered between 2 and 3 stars and in the end rounded up.
SPOILERS:
I was shocked by parts this book. There is a semi-graphic rape scene, and I just was not prepared for that. I was like, this isn't really happening in a sweet western romance book...but it did. And I was shocked. Most mail-order bride novels deal with brides who are a little nervous, men who want to do their new woman proud and be a good person. This book deals with the darker side of the process, where women are tricked and then sold into prostitution houses - which in and of itself is a new concept on a tired theme. That is intriguing, but I personally don't want to read about that part of it. Ruby was able to escape that fate, barely, but not before she had something horrible happen to her. She carried that burden alone and then didn't even confide in her husband, which made me terribly sad for her. The ending wasn't satisfying for me. It felt abrupt, even though there were a few sentences that reach out and give you a taste of the future.
November 23, 2014
It's 1884, and love is in the air in the town of Come-By-Chance!
In this much-loved series strong women risk everything to rise above their desperate circumstances, find true love, and wed real men who'll treat them right.
Meet Ruby - She's lost her Ma, and struck out into the world on her own. The good news is she's traveled to Pittsburgh and found a good job as a schoolmistress. The bad new is, the school's owner, the portly, whiskey-breathed Mister Murphy, has developed wandering hands, and Mrs. Murphy's preparing to leave to visit her sister for a month in New York.
Ruby sees an advertisement in the Matrimonial News and takes a desperate chance, writing away to the handsome Six-foot-four James Drinkwater.
Will James be the answer to Ruby's plight? Is the handsome Montana man all that he seems? Or will someone else come to Ruby's rescue, so together they can find true love?
After reading two serious books, I was longing for something light, fluffy, 'cotton candy sweet' and fun. Ruby fit the bill, it was a romantic novella,"G" rated. (It was said to be squeaky clean.) Which is the way I like my romance stories. I found this book on Bookbub.com it was a freebie. I downloaded it onto my Nook, and it is now a part of my Nook library. I enjoyed it enough to award it 5 "Ruby" stars.
In this much-loved series strong women risk everything to rise above their desperate circumstances, find true love, and wed real men who'll treat them right.
Meet Ruby - She's lost her Ma, and struck out into the world on her own. The good news is she's traveled to Pittsburgh and found a good job as a schoolmistress. The bad new is, the school's owner, the portly, whiskey-breathed Mister Murphy, has developed wandering hands, and Mrs. Murphy's preparing to leave to visit her sister for a month in New York.
Ruby sees an advertisement in the Matrimonial News and takes a desperate chance, writing away to the handsome Six-foot-four James Drinkwater.
Will James be the answer to Ruby's plight? Is the handsome Montana man all that he seems? Or will someone else come to Ruby's rescue, so together they can find true love?
After reading two serious books, I was longing for something light, fluffy, 'cotton candy sweet' and fun. Ruby fit the bill, it was a romantic novella,"G" rated. (It was said to be squeaky clean.) Which is the way I like my romance stories. I found this book on Bookbub.com it was a freebie. I downloaded it onto my Nook, and it is now a part of my Nook library. I enjoyed it enough to award it 5 "Ruby" stars.
December 4, 2014
A gentle, almost sweet book, with overtones of danger for the women involved. Ruby needs to leave her current world, sooner than later. The current situation includes not only economic but also sexual harassment. Just when the worst appears inevitable, help comes in the form of a postmistress, and before she knows it, she has - exchanged one bad situation for a worse one.
However, her new "husband" already has a wife, and she is not quite what he thought. As a result, instead of becoming a prostitute in a small town bar, Ruby becomes the first mail-order bride, choosing her groom from all the single men in the area. The story leaves us with the newlyweds out of circulation, and the "bad guy" and his wife planning to bring in more brides.
The characters are relatively well-drawn. However, the apparent complexity of the relationships is not explained by anything in the story. While there is an attempt to shift to move between characters to create continuity, there is an inconsistency in coverage for specific characters, leading to what appear to be holes in the story. These may not be fatal, since there are additional stories to be had, which (judging from the teaser at the end of "Ruby") should increase in excitement and closure of some holes.
However, her new "husband" already has a wife, and she is not quite what he thought. As a result, instead of becoming a prostitute in a small town bar, Ruby becomes the first mail-order bride, choosing her groom from all the single men in the area. The story leaves us with the newlyweds out of circulation, and the "bad guy" and his wife planning to bring in more brides.
The characters are relatively well-drawn. However, the apparent complexity of the relationships is not explained by anything in the story. While there is an attempt to shift to move between characters to create continuity, there is an inconsistency in coverage for specific characters, leading to what appear to be holes in the story. These may not be fatal, since there are additional stories to be had, which (judging from the teaser at the end of "Ruby") should increase in excitement and closure of some holes.
May 13, 2015
I usually like to read 'mail-bride' stories, because most are sweet, with western scenes and a mix of steam and discreet romance.
Ruby is not much different from that description.
The main character, Ruby is alone in life and after been scared with the advances from the owner of the school were she works and live she decides to take the offer from Mr. Drinkwater to be his mail-bride. But he seems to good to be true, and Ruby learn it the hard way.
The other line of the story shows the Wilkinson brothers and how after losing their parents they are now read to look for wives.
The path of this characters cross and Ruby maybe has finally a chance of happiness.
Again, a light and sweet romance for when you just need to cozy with a book and don't particularly need a great development of characters or an innovative plot.
Ruby is not much different from that description.
The main character, Ruby is alone in life and after been scared with the advances from the owner of the school were she works and live she decides to take the offer from Mr. Drinkwater to be his mail-bride. But he seems to good to be true, and Ruby learn it the hard way.
The other line of the story shows the Wilkinson brothers and how after losing their parents they are now read to look for wives.
The path of this characters cross and Ruby maybe has finally a chance of happiness.
Again, a light and sweet romance for when you just need to cozy with a book and don't particularly need a great development of characters or an innovative plot.
January 31, 2016
This is the first in a series about the town of Come by Chance, Montana. Set in the old west, it has a villain who has decided to dishonestly bring mail order brides to the town as a way to line his pocketbooks. Ruby is a sweet schoolteacher who escapes her life in the east when the school master tries to demand more from her than simply teaching skills. She finds herself in an even worse spot when she gets off the train in Billings and meets Slim Jim, who has passed himself off as the wonderful James in his letters to her. But the ugly in her life transforms into the beautiful thanks to the help of Lettie, an angel who has made the most of her terrible circumstances and is determined to help others. This story keeps you on the edge of your seat as you meet slimy characters and rugged cowboys, and the ladies who try to tame them.
July 7, 2015
I really loved this book. Its been in my collection to read for awhile but I'm just not doing so and I'm glad I did. The books is about Ruby Robinson and how she became a Mail Order Bride by necessity. She was tried of being paid less and groped by an old man and his stingy wife. So she heard about an advertisement for Mail Order Bride by chance and decided after swapping letters with the gentlemen to go West and get married to him. Little did she know that the person in question wasn't what he seemed. Find out what happened to change Ruby's life around in this Old fashion Tale of the West. LOVED It!!
August 9, 2015
I was pretty excited to read a book about mail order brides but this book was a disappointment. Ruby was an airhead in a TSTL sort of way. People around her had to rescue her from her own stupidity. There never seemed to be a moment that she stood up for herself. Worse- there was no build up of the relationship between her and Matt. There were no moments of angst or challenges for them to work through. I felt no chemistry and therefore - no romance.
Synopsis of their relationship -
Matt: I saw you and I loved you- let's get married.
Ruby: Okay
Lots of potential in this tale but it was just too silly to be taken seriously.
Synopsis of their relationship -
Matt: I saw you and I loved you- let's get married.
Ruby: Okay
Lots of potential in this tale but it was just too silly to be taken seriously.
January 20, 2016
I read Ruby by Juliet James for it's feel good atmosphere. I had finished a very heavy novel and needed a much lighter book to follow. Although the plot of Ruby is simple and somewhat predictable, I did enjoy the story and appreciated the strong female characters. However, I was very put off that the story suddenly ends. The writer writes in the author's after notes that the reader can continue the story in the next book in the series. I don't mind a series of books based on the same characters, but I am offended when I must purchase more books to compete the story. The series is much better when the books are complete in themselves. So be forewarned if you to hate this type of book series.
July 20, 2016
I'm vascillating between 2 and 2 1/2 stars. I'd have to sum up the writing style and premise as "awkward". However, that is frequently the case with mail order bride stories. The author did attempt to address some of the issues that surely must have faced mail order brides, that of finding out that the groom was actually a toad when they arrived. But there were too many leering villains with ill intent. I liked having a variety of characters, but they were too cookie-cutter for me. Like other reviewers, I was shocked at an early scene, and sad that Ruby did not share what happened to her with the hero, but at least there is a happy ending
March 5, 2018
I really enjoyed this book. As the first in a series, the author does a fine job of setting the stage for more books. She uses a lot of similes, such as "uglier than the North end of a South-facing cow." The villain, Slim Jim, is almost caricature-like in his villainy, and seems to have come straight out of a silent era vignette.
What I thought was a little heavy-handed was the list of "coming attractions," so to speak, including items like, "deeds of good and evil," "a romantic handmade four-poster bed," and finished with "the birth of a very special baby." It just seemed very hokey to me.
What I thought was a little heavy-handed was the list of "coming attractions," so to speak, including items like, "deeds of good and evil," "a romantic handmade four-poster bed," and finished with "the birth of a very special baby." It just seemed very hokey to me.
October 13, 2015
I'm usually a fan of the mail order bride plot, and this book was free. I really wanted to love this book, but I just like the idea of it. It's a super fast read. The story started off great, but somewhere in the middle I felt like I was reading a rough draft. There were a lot of great ideas, but I feel like more could have been done with the plot. The pacing was off, and it made the latter half of the story seem unbelievable. That being said, I'm giving the second book in this series a try, while it is also free. I'm hoping for a more polished story.
July 18, 2016
Nice novel
This novel was interesting. The dialect of the people talking seems to correspond with the period, but turned on and off a lot. It didn't distract me from the novels story though. There was also a lot of point of view changes from first to third person and first changing around to different character. I was able to follow, but some may be a bit confused by the jumping around. I loved the story. The ending was a little bit much. It was like the wrapping up they do at the end of a fairy tale movie when no more are coming up after, but there are more novels.
This novel was interesting. The dialect of the people talking seems to correspond with the period, but turned on and off a lot. It didn't distract me from the novels story though. There was also a lot of point of view changes from first to third person and first changing around to different character. I was able to follow, but some may be a bit confused by the jumping around. I loved the story. The ending was a little bit much. It was like the wrapping up they do at the end of a fairy tale movie when no more are coming up after, but there are more novels.
November 22, 2014
Good at first but disappointing.
It was good at the beginning but went downhill quickly. Storyline was never resolved. You thought that the older brother who was a main character would have ended up with Ruby, but one of the other brothers ended marrying her, very disappointing. I feel like I wasted my time reading this book. Bad guy was never exposed. I have no interest in reading the other series.
It was good at the beginning but went downhill quickly. Storyline was never resolved. You thought that the older brother who was a main character would have ended up with Ruby, but one of the other brothers ended marrying her, very disappointing. I feel like I wasted my time reading this book. Bad guy was never exposed. I have no interest in reading the other series.
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