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American Mail-Order Brides #21
Lilly: Bride of Illinois
A clean, sweet romance set in 1890. Lilly Lind was forced to emigrate from Sweden two years ago, due to circumstances beyond her control. She finds a job as a garment maker in the Brown Textile Mill in Lawrence, Massachusetts, finally feeling as though she is settling in her new country. Then a suspicious fire burns the mill, making Lilly seek another way to survive. She answers a mail–order bride ad in the Grooms' Gazette and sets off for Chicago, believing she will be a business owner's wife.
Kansas rancher Seth Reagan travels to the Union Stockyards in Chicago to attend the 1890 American Fat Stock Show, the American Horse Show, and to purchase horseflesh to augment his herd. When arriving at the train station, he overhears a conversation between a young woman and a shady–looking man. Seth becomes concerned for the mail–order bride who is whisked away to a saloon, not to her new husband's home.
When Seth goes to the saloon to check on the young woman, he finds her in trouble and offers to help her escape. While buying horses and arranging their return travel to Kansas, Seth realizes he would like to bring Lilly home with him, too, but she is still being hunted by the saloon owner's thugs.
Lilly's good fortune in meeting Seth makes her want to start a life with this man, but he came to Illinois for horses, not a bride. Would he want her after he learns of her secrets?
Kansas rancher Seth Reagan travels to the Union Stockyards in Chicago to attend the 1890 American Fat Stock Show, the American Horse Show, and to purchase horseflesh to augment his herd. When arriving at the train station, he overhears a conversation between a young woman and a shady–looking man. Seth becomes concerned for the mail–order bride who is whisked away to a saloon, not to her new husband's home.
When Seth goes to the saloon to check on the young woman, he finds her in trouble and offers to help her escape. While buying horses and arranging their return travel to Kansas, Seth realizes he would like to bring Lilly home with him, too, but she is still being hunted by the saloon owner's thugs.
Lilly's good fortune in meeting Seth makes her want to start a life with this man, but he came to Illinois for horses, not a bride. Would he want her after he learns of her secrets?
167 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 9, 2015
103 people are currently reading
124 people want to read
About the author
Linda K. Hubalek
115 books276 followersLinda Hubalek had written over fifty books about strong women and honorable men, with a touch of humor, despair, and drama woven into the stories. The setting for all the series is the Kansas prairie which Linda enjoys daily, be it being outside or looking out her office window.
Her historical romance series include Brides with Grit, Grooms with Honor, Mismatched Mail-order Brides, Rancher's Word, and the Clear Creek Legacy. Linda's historical fiction series, based on her ancestors' pioneer lives include, Butter in the Well, Trail of Thread, and Planting Dreams.
When not writing, Linda is reading (usually with dark chocolate within reach), gardening (channeling her degree in Horticulture), or traveling with her husband to explore the world.
Linda loves to hear from her readers and loves to know what they'd like to see her write next. Visit her website at www.LindaHubalek.com to contact her or read about all her books.
www.Facebook.com/lindahubalekbooks
Her historical romance series include Brides with Grit, Grooms with Honor, Mismatched Mail-order Brides, Rancher's Word, and the Clear Creek Legacy. Linda's historical fiction series, based on her ancestors' pioneer lives include, Butter in the Well, Trail of Thread, and Planting Dreams.
When not writing, Linda is reading (usually with dark chocolate within reach), gardening (channeling her degree in Horticulture), or traveling with her husband to explore the world.
Linda loves to hear from her readers and loves to know what they'd like to see her write next. Visit her website at www.LindaHubalek.com to contact her or read about all her books.
www.Facebook.com/lindahubalekbooks
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
November 27, 2015
Lilly: Bride of Illinois by Linda K Hubalek was actually 21st in the series, which I did not know until after I read it. This is a story of an emigrant from Sweden who lost a job because the factory she was employed at burnt down. So she answers an add for a mail order bride and ends up in a saloon. Seth sees her at the train station and after hearing an exchange finds Lilly at the saloon and helps her out of a bad situation.
This was a very endearing novel. Very clean romance. There were a few hiccups in the plot line for me, but they could have been previously explained in the other books. I do wish we would have found out more of Lilly's back story and about the Haas farm.
Lilly was a character that always searched for the good and tried to find happiness regardless of her situation. She was a survivor and a thinker, which is great characteristics for a heroine. Seth is a very decent gentleman and I think they're personalities really compliment each other.
I received a copy of this novel for an honest review. Thank you!!
This was a very endearing novel. Very clean romance. There were a few hiccups in the plot line for me, but they could have been previously explained in the other books. I do wish we would have found out more of Lilly's back story and about the Haas farm.
Lilly was a character that always searched for the good and tried to find happiness regardless of her situation. She was a survivor and a thinker, which is great characteristics for a heroine. Seth is a very decent gentleman and I think they're personalities really compliment each other.
I received a copy of this novel for an honest review. Thank you!!
December 11, 2015
Cowboy to the Rescue!
I love mail-order bride stories, yet the logical part of my brain says, they can't all be kind, and extremely good looking, and fall in love!
This story felt more realistic to me. Lily answers an ad, only to find herself whisked off not to become a bride, but a saloon girl. Luckily, cowboy, Seth Reagan noticed her at the train station and heard enough to worry about her safety.
The romance was sweet. I loved Seth and Lily together, and the description of the horses and the Union Stockyard in Chicago. I felt like I experienced a new part of history.
Content: clean in specifics, but there was the intention to turn Lily into a singer and prostitute.
I love mail-order bride stories, yet the logical part of my brain says, they can't all be kind, and extremely good looking, and fall in love!
This story felt more realistic to me. Lily answers an ad, only to find herself whisked off not to become a bride, but a saloon girl. Luckily, cowboy, Seth Reagan noticed her at the train station and heard enough to worry about her safety.
The romance was sweet. I loved Seth and Lily together, and the description of the horses and the Union Stockyard in Chicago. I felt like I experienced a new part of history.
Content: clean in specifics, but there was the intention to turn Lily into a singer and prostitute.
November 27, 2015
Lilly had been in America for two years, having arrived from Sweden under difficult circumstances. Her life had never been an easy one, but she had a decent job at the textile mill, and made several good friends there as well. Unfortunately, the mill burned, and the owner does not rebuild. Lilly and many other women are left without work, making them unsure how they will survive. Lilly and her friends ultimately end up answering ads to become mail order brides, and Lilly’s fiancé awaits her in Chicago. Unfortunately, Lilly’s groom has misrepresented both his situation and his offer, and Lilly finds herself in trouble.
Seth is a hard-working, honest, Christian man who is in Chicago seeking to purchase stock at the big event happening in town. He recognizes that Lilly is in trouble, and immediately sets about to help her. But there is only one real way he can help her, and it will come at some cost to them both – and not just a financial cost.
I loved this book, having become engaged in both the story and the individual characters early on. I couldn’t put it down and finished it in one day. I think besides being a heart-grabbing, and at times heart-wrenching storyline, the fact that this fictional story, or something very similar to it, likely played out multiple times in this country’s history really hits home when you read about it happening with a character that you come to cheer for.
This is a great story that was well written – highly recommended!
Seth is a hard-working, honest, Christian man who is in Chicago seeking to purchase stock at the big event happening in town. He recognizes that Lilly is in trouble, and immediately sets about to help her. But there is only one real way he can help her, and it will come at some cost to them both – and not just a financial cost.
I loved this book, having become engaged in both the story and the individual characters early on. I couldn’t put it down and finished it in one day. I think besides being a heart-grabbing, and at times heart-wrenching storyline, the fact that this fictional story, or something very similar to it, likely played out multiple times in this country’s history really hits home when you read about it happening with a character that you come to cheer for.
This is a great story that was well written – highly recommended!
November 25, 2015
This was such a great book! I have never heard of this author before so I didn't know what to expect and I was truly surprised that I feel in love with this book! I don't know where this author has been all my life but she has a new fan! I will be reading all her work in the future for sure.
Now for my review...
Lilly who is an Sweden emigrate finds herself looking for a place to work after the mill where she works catches on fire and burns down. All the women decide to become Mail Order Brides and Lilly decides to do that same, thinking she is going to become a wife a business owner. Once she moves to Chicago that is when everything goes down hill for Lilly BUT Seth a man who was at the train station comes to her rescue. Will he be able to save her from the saloon owner and his men? She is hiding secrets of her past and she doesn't understand why anyone would want to help her.
If you are looking for a good book today I recommend grabbing a copy of this book.
I received a copy of this book for my honest review.
Now for my review...
Lilly who is an Sweden emigrate finds herself looking for a place to work after the mill where she works catches on fire and burns down. All the women decide to become Mail Order Brides and Lilly decides to do that same, thinking she is going to become a wife a business owner. Once she moves to Chicago that is when everything goes down hill for Lilly BUT Seth a man who was at the train station comes to her rescue. Will he be able to save her from the saloon owner and his men? She is hiding secrets of her past and she doesn't understand why anyone would want to help her.
If you are looking for a good book today I recommend grabbing a copy of this book.
I received a copy of this book for my honest review.
December 10, 2015
Bride of Illinois: Lilly and Seth's story
In the 21st book in the 50 book series of American mail-order brides, Lilly has lost her job at the textile mill where she's been working after a fire destroys the mill. She answers an ad to become a mail-order bride to a successful business man in Chicago. She arrives in Chicago and sees a cowboy and is immediately drawn to him. Seth is in town to buy some cows and horses for his ranch. He is quite interested when he sees a beautiful woman step off the train but overhears her talking to another man about being there to get married. Lilly soon finds herself in a nightmare when she finds out that she is expected to sing and sell favors to men who come to the saloon. Seth saves Lilly and enters into a "marriage of convenience" to protect her from the man who owns the saloon. The longer that Seth and Lilly are together the more they start to care for each other, but neither one has the courage to tell the other. Then Lilly is kidnapped and it all comes to a head.
In the 21st book in the 50 book series of American mail-order brides, Lilly has lost her job at the textile mill where she's been working after a fire destroys the mill. She answers an ad to become a mail-order bride to a successful business man in Chicago. She arrives in Chicago and sees a cowboy and is immediately drawn to him. Seth is in town to buy some cows and horses for his ranch. He is quite interested when he sees a beautiful woman step off the train but overhears her talking to another man about being there to get married. Lilly soon finds herself in a nightmare when she finds out that she is expected to sing and sell favors to men who come to the saloon. Seth saves Lilly and enters into a "marriage of convenience" to protect her from the man who owns the saloon. The longer that Seth and Lilly are together the more they start to care for each other, but neither one has the courage to tell the other. Then Lilly is kidnapped and it all comes to a head.
January 6, 2016
Sweet Story
All Lilly dreamed of was a home and a family of her own. When she answered the ad for a Chicago businessman in need of a bride, she thought she was finally achieving that dream. All was not as it seemed and now she is in big trouble. Seth noticed the beautiful lady when she stepped off the train. He thought she needed help but she disappeared before he could take action.
This is a story of rescue and love.
All Lilly dreamed of was a home and a family of her own. When she answered the ad for a Chicago businessman in need of a bride, she thought she was finally achieving that dream. All was not as it seemed and now she is in big trouble. Seth noticed the beautiful lady when she stepped off the train. He thought she needed help but she disappeared before he could take action.
This is a story of rescue and love.
February 13, 2016
I loved Lilly's story. The plot was well-thought-out and beautifully written. The time-line made sense, the characters had substance, and I wasn't disappointed. I liked it so much I'm willing to forgive the author for taking Lilly to Kansas when she is supposed to be the bride of Illinois.
December 9, 2015
Great Read!!
What a great book , I loved it , I will be adding this book to my favorites of the series!!! Great job Linda Hubalek on writing a great book!!!
What a great book , I loved it , I will be adding this book to my favorites of the series!!! Great job Linda Hubalek on writing a great book!!!
January 6, 2016
Great Storyline
Unusual situations made the story move quickly and I loved the ending it was perfect not drawn out with words -Barbie
Unusual situations made the story move quickly and I loved the ending it was perfect not drawn out with words -Barbie
January 11, 2016
Not all Mail Order Bride marriages were beautiful.....or did they actually marry. This one shows what could have happened if someone didn't step in and save the woman like Seth did for Lilly.
February 5, 2016
Really enjoyed this story. It makes you wonder how many mail-order brides were lured by deception to a horrible ending. I'm glad Lilly made it to a wonderful life.
October 12, 2018
Great Story!
This American Mail Order Brides book also has a heroine that was in the Brown Textile Factory fire. Readers are treated to interactions with other characters in the series and this book leads to several others in the town where the couple ends up. (They meet in Illinois, but travel to Kansas where the hero lives.) I like this author's style and look forward to the her other books.
This American Mail Order Brides book also has a heroine that was in the Brown Textile Factory fire. Readers are treated to interactions with other characters in the series and this book leads to several others in the town where the couple ends up. (They meet in Illinois, but travel to Kansas where the hero lives.) I like this author's style and look forward to the her other books.
August 6, 2020
I think this is my favorite American mail order bride book so far!
I loved it, I love Lily, I love Seth, I love the story, I love everything about this book and I highly recommend it. I am almost positive if you love mail order bride books are just love books about romance U2 will love this book, because I loved it!
I loved it, I love Lily, I love Seth, I love the story, I love everything about this book and I highly recommend it. I am almost positive if you love mail order bride books are just love books about romance U2 will love this book, because I loved it!
June 14, 2022
Really really enjoyed this book!
Loved this one, first for Seth saving her, and the storyline was awesome, but it was the horse's and her ability that sealed as my favorite of all in this series! In all the cows and goats we milked on my grandparents ranch there was only five, two cows and three goats you could milk without a fight! Great story!
Loved this one, first for Seth saving her, and the storyline was awesome, but it was the horse's and her ability that sealed as my favorite of all in this series! In all the cows and goats we milked on my grandparents ranch there was only five, two cows and three goats you could milk without a fight! Great story!
March 30, 2023
Hero in a cowboy hat
The mail order bride business can be a scary one, and Lilly has no idea what she signed up for when she boards a train to Illinois. Thankfully, a kind man in a cowboy hat might be just the one to save her.
The mail order bride business can be a scary one, and Lilly has no idea what she signed up for when she boards a train to Illinois. Thankfully, a kind man in a cowboy hat might be just the one to save her.
July 21, 2023
I hate this, and pray that someone reads these reviews. This is probably a nice book; it has a good storyline and interesting characters. However, the audio version is terrible. The narration is awful, so much so that the book is ruined, which I hate for the author.
April 24, 2023
This was a good book with a sweet ending. There was a little too much going on at times. The author could have probably cut back on one or two of the extra story lines.
January 15, 2018
Another of the 50 books in the American Mail Order Bride series. Very well written and an enjoyable story. I will definitely be checking out more by this author.
July 30, 2016
I really enjoyed the story it was all that I thought it would with a lovely pretty clean plot. Lilly sign up for a mail order bride is all excited about starting a new life with a new husband only to get there and find he is not what he should be and she is about to live a life that is her worse nightmare. Never did she ever dream her life would turn in to this. One man out shines them all when he sees her and things do not add up. When they met again she is in a pickle as he finds a way to get her alone to find out if she needs help. This is where things get interesting with them trying to get her a way and all they have to do to get her out and safe. Even if they get her out will she still be safe?
I didn’t care for Ms. Velwest at times she sounded robotic with little breaks or something in there that took away from the story. Something was a little off with Seth voice but I did think the villains she does very nicely. Lilly’s voice did not sound Swedish I am unsure of what accent it was but it wasn’t Swedish. She knows her book well there were not any high or low places where you could tell she took a break nor where there any background noises. The only issues I really had with her narration were the robotic which did not come across as a smooth listen. There were times I thought now that is how it is done but she went back to the other way. I have listen to some other samples of her narration where this is not the case it is more to do with the fact books she has done. Her normal voice is very pleasant. I did have a hard time getting through this I felt the narration did take away from the story and that I would have enjoyed it more if I had read it. I do feel if this narrator took her time and worked on making a smooth read with normal talking she would be a wonderful narrator.
I loved the characters, plots and scenes which the author brings to life in your mind. This was a delight with a few passionate scenes but nothing to hot just enough to give the reader the feel that there was something powerful going on. At first Lilly comes across as naïve not having a clue what her husband to be had planned for her. Once she got away from that you find her a very strong character that has a thing or two to show the man around her. She is a very smart lady knows her way around a horse farm. Seth is a true honorable man who is the hero as he comes in and takes Lilly away giving her a choice at a better life. You will have to read to see if it is with him or if she moves on to greener pastures. I enjoyed the way they came together getting to know each other along with his parents there were just a dear and kept me smiling. I do not want to give this away so I will just say the author really brings to life how hard it can be for a mail order bride but does it with taste and in a very classy way. This story left me wondering just how many Lilly were there that have answered mail order bride ads only to find themselves in a mess not getting what they agree to and having to live a life as she would have if not for Seth. My wish is for every woman who has or will find themselves in this mess that there will always be a Seth for them. This was really a wonderful book that I hope you will pick up to read or listen to. Just because I didn’t like the narrator doesn’t mean you won’t. This has a wonderful plot with wonderful characters that you can relate to that are normal everyday people just trying to get by.
The 5 stars is for the story not the narration I gave her a 3.
I didn’t care for Ms. Velwest at times she sounded robotic with little breaks or something in there that took away from the story. Something was a little off with Seth voice but I did think the villains she does very nicely. Lilly’s voice did not sound Swedish I am unsure of what accent it was but it wasn’t Swedish. She knows her book well there were not any high or low places where you could tell she took a break nor where there any background noises. The only issues I really had with her narration were the robotic which did not come across as a smooth listen. There were times I thought now that is how it is done but she went back to the other way. I have listen to some other samples of her narration where this is not the case it is more to do with the fact books she has done. Her normal voice is very pleasant. I did have a hard time getting through this I felt the narration did take away from the story and that I would have enjoyed it more if I had read it. I do feel if this narrator took her time and worked on making a smooth read with normal talking she would be a wonderful narrator.
I loved the characters, plots and scenes which the author brings to life in your mind. This was a delight with a few passionate scenes but nothing to hot just enough to give the reader the feel that there was something powerful going on. At first Lilly comes across as naïve not having a clue what her husband to be had planned for her. Once she got away from that you find her a very strong character that has a thing or two to show the man around her. She is a very smart lady knows her way around a horse farm. Seth is a true honorable man who is the hero as he comes in and takes Lilly away giving her a choice at a better life. You will have to read to see if it is with him or if she moves on to greener pastures. I enjoyed the way they came together getting to know each other along with his parents there were just a dear and kept me smiling. I do not want to give this away so I will just say the author really brings to life how hard it can be for a mail order bride but does it with taste and in a very classy way. This story left me wondering just how many Lilly were there that have answered mail order bride ads only to find themselves in a mess not getting what they agree to and having to live a life as she would have if not for Seth. My wish is for every woman who has or will find themselves in this mess that there will always be a Seth for them. This was really a wonderful book that I hope you will pick up to read or listen to. Just because I didn’t like the narrator doesn’t mean you won’t. This has a wonderful plot with wonderful characters that you can relate to that are normal everyday people just trying to get by.
The 5 stars is for the story not the narration I gave her a 3.
January 23, 2016
Lilly: Bride of Illinois (American Mail-Order Bride #21)
By: Linda K. Hubalek
5/5 stars
Lilly is another Swedish immigrant, who has been in the U.S. for 2 years and who worked at the textile mill. She is Isabella’s friend, a recent Swedish immigrant, from book #17, bride of Ohio. If you’ve been reading the books in order, you know the gist of this book from the letter Lilly sent to Isabella. Lilly was actually tricked by a saloon owner in to traveling to Illinois under the guise of becoming his wife. But instead under threat of death, she was forced to become a singer and to offer her “womanly services.”
But as luck would have it, she was saved by a Kansas rancher who was in Chicago to buy horses for a ranch back in Kansas. Seth married Lilly so that she would be able to have his protection as a wife and to grant her safe passage to Kansas. He decided to allow her to either remain married to him or grant her an annulment so she could find a different husband. But Seth ends up falling for his wife and she falls for him.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and it probably helps that I’m from Kansas and know the history of the cattle industry and the large immigrant populations in the state. I knew where the train stops were and the towns that were talked about, traveling the interstate, I drive near some of these locations all the time. So I really connected with this book.
By: Linda K. Hubalek
5/5 stars
Lilly is another Swedish immigrant, who has been in the U.S. for 2 years and who worked at the textile mill. She is Isabella’s friend, a recent Swedish immigrant, from book #17, bride of Ohio. If you’ve been reading the books in order, you know the gist of this book from the letter Lilly sent to Isabella. Lilly was actually tricked by a saloon owner in to traveling to Illinois under the guise of becoming his wife. But instead under threat of death, she was forced to become a singer and to offer her “womanly services.”
But as luck would have it, she was saved by a Kansas rancher who was in Chicago to buy horses for a ranch back in Kansas. Seth married Lilly so that she would be able to have his protection as a wife and to grant her safe passage to Kansas. He decided to allow her to either remain married to him or grant her an annulment so she could find a different husband. But Seth ends up falling for his wife and she falls for him.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and it probably helps that I’m from Kansas and know the history of the cattle industry and the large immigrant populations in the state. I knew where the train stops were and the towns that were talked about, traveling the interstate, I drive near some of these locations all the time. So I really connected with this book.
May 24, 2016
Charming book!
I loved this novella. It was everything I hoped for in a mail-order bride historical romance: charming, sweet, romantic, some suspense, loveable characters, historical detail, and a happy ending.
Lilly was a strong woman who has been through some tough times, but she keeps going and perseveres. She is a little naive at first, but I was sympathetic with that. When Lily has to escape a terrible situation, I liked her so much and the sequence was so well written and believable that my heart was literally racing. The author Linda Hubalek also has a dastardly villain that really keeps Lily and Seth on their toes. Seth, the hero, is such a good, loveable guy who is very courageous. The author does an excellent job with the plot, and I could not find any inconsistency in the details! Bravo to the author!
FYI, there is just kissing in this novella; any lovemaking takes place off-stage or behind closed doors. I think this book is fine for anyone 13 and up; there is some punching and attempted forced prostitution/human trafficking, but the details are tastefully written, and Lilly escaped before anything really bad could happen.
I received a free copy from the author in return for an honest review. All opinions are my own, and I was not paid for my review.
I loved this novella. It was everything I hoped for in a mail-order bride historical romance: charming, sweet, romantic, some suspense, loveable characters, historical detail, and a happy ending.
Lilly was a strong woman who has been through some tough times, but she keeps going and perseveres. She is a little naive at first, but I was sympathetic with that. When Lily has to escape a terrible situation, I liked her so much and the sequence was so well written and believable that my heart was literally racing. The author Linda Hubalek also has a dastardly villain that really keeps Lily and Seth on their toes. Seth, the hero, is such a good, loveable guy who is very courageous. The author does an excellent job with the plot, and I could not find any inconsistency in the details! Bravo to the author!
FYI, there is just kissing in this novella; any lovemaking takes place off-stage or behind closed doors. I think this book is fine for anyone 13 and up; there is some punching and attempted forced prostitution/human trafficking, but the details are tastefully written, and Lilly escaped before anything really bad could happen.
I received a free copy from the author in return for an honest review. All opinions are my own, and I was not paid for my review.
November 29, 2015
I didn't know it was a Christian romance, and first of all I have to say that this is not my cup of tea. I do not really appreciate that every two or three pages there is a praise to the Lord, it does interrupt the story in my opinion. Anyway this is the story of a mail order bride at the end of the 19th Century and it's a love story with an happy ending that can be easily read and, if you are into this stuff, appreciate.
Prima di tutto non sapevo che era uno di quei libri d'amore cristiani e di solito non é il mio genere, il fatto che ogni tre per due tutto si fermi per innalzare le lodi al Signore per quanto mi riguarda interrompe la storia. Comunque la trama é semplice ed é quella di una sposa su ordinazione alla fine del 19° secolo, dopo un'inizio abbastanza avventuroso si fa leggere e se é il vostro genere, anche apprezzare.
THANKS TO JESSICA VALLIERE FOR THE PREVIEW!
Prima di tutto non sapevo che era uno di quei libri d'amore cristiani e di solito non é il mio genere, il fatto che ogni tre per due tutto si fermi per innalzare le lodi al Signore per quanto mi riguarda interrompe la storia. Comunque la trama é semplice ed é quella di una sposa su ordinazione alla fine del 19° secolo, dopo un'inizio abbastanza avventuroso si fa leggere e se é il vostro genere, anche apprezzare.
THANKS TO JESSICA VALLIERE FOR THE PREVIEW!
May 19, 2016
Had Potential to be Really Good
The book wasn't a bad book and it was a light superficial read. However, if the book were a bit longer and the characters developed more fully, this book had the potential to be a really good book. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case. The characters were very one dimensional and the story felt rushed, with all of the loose ends neatly tied up in just a few pages. I doubt that I will consciously look for any further books by Ms. Hubalek.
The book wasn't a bad book and it was a light superficial read. However, if the book were a bit longer and the characters developed more fully, this book had the potential to be a really good book. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case. The characters were very one dimensional and the story felt rushed, with all of the loose ends neatly tied up in just a few pages. I doubt that I will consciously look for any further books by Ms. Hubalek.
March 23, 2018
Tragedy turns to true love
From her earliest moments, Lilly has had a rough life! From poverty, to servanthood, to mill worker, will she finally get her Happy Ever After? Will coming to Chicago be her saving grace? I love how this story connects with Linda's other books set in Clear Creek! You must read this book to learn how her train ride to Illinois eventually gets her to Kansas!!
From her earliest moments, Lilly has had a rough life! From poverty, to servanthood, to mill worker, will she finally get her Happy Ever After? Will coming to Chicago be her saving grace? I love how this story connects with Linda's other books set in Clear Creek! You must read this book to learn how her train ride to Illinois eventually gets her to Kansas!!
January 9, 2016
Wunderbar
Absolutely wonderful. I have read other books by Linda Hubalek before and she didn't disappoint. A continuation from Dagmar's story. So nice to renew my acquaintance with old friends.
Absolutely wonderful. I have read other books by Linda Hubalek before and she didn't disappoint. A continuation from Dagmar's story. So nice to renew my acquaintance with old friends.
January 13, 2025
Will Lilly escape the Dangers of Chicago?
I enjoy a good damsel in distress story and Lilly's story is just that. I rooted for her to escape Mr Hardestys clutches for a better life and I enjoyed the Swedish touches.
I enjoy a good damsel in distress story and Lilly's story is just that. I rooted for her to escape Mr Hardestys clutches for a better life and I enjoyed the Swedish touches.
January 3, 2017
Enjoyable..
I enjoyed this story of Lilly's troubles as a Mail order bride. The author has taken the characters though a struggle of adventure, and added some romance and love to get to a great ending.
I enjoyed this story of Lilly's troubles as a Mail order bride. The author has taken the characters though a struggle of adventure, and added some romance and love to get to a great ending.
May 15, 2016
A different angle then most mail order bride books. A good light read.
May 25, 2016
This was a great book.
I love this book. It shows that you can read about the series. Very good read for romantic relationship books
I love this book. It shows that you can read about the series. Very good read for romantic relationship books
June 11, 2016
Another clean, fun western adventure
This entry in the American Mail-Order Brides is fun, clean and I am glad to have it in my library.
This entry in the American Mail-Order Brides is fun, clean and I am glad to have it in my library.
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