What do you think?
Rate this book
Stand-In Brides #1
His Substitute Wife
A Convenient Marriage
Blake Latherop needs a wife in order to keep his business, and his betrothed has apparently eloped with another man. So when his fiancee's sister, Audrey Prescott, steps off the train in Whisper Creek offering to be his bride, he's in no position to refuse. But it's hardly the marriage he had in mind.
Audrey knows she shouldn't have answered Blake's letters in her sister's namebut she couldn't bring herself to tell him of his fiancee's betrayal. Now the only way to fix things is through a temporary marriage. But as she comes to love her new life in the West, Audrey dreads the day Blake finds another solution to their situation. Because what started as a marriage of convenience has become so much more for her
"
Blake Latherop needs a wife in order to keep his business, and his betrothed has apparently eloped with another man. So when his fiancee's sister, Audrey Prescott, steps off the train in Whisper Creek offering to be his bride, he's in no position to refuse. But it's hardly the marriage he had in mind.
Audrey knows she shouldn't have answered Blake's letters in her sister's namebut she couldn't bring herself to tell him of his fiancee's betrayal. Now the only way to fix things is through a temporary marriage. But as she comes to love her new life in the West, Audrey dreads the day Blake finds another solution to their situation. Because what started as a marriage of convenience has become so much more for her
"
288 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Published January 3, 2017
About the author
Dorothy Clark
30 books87 followersMarried to her own personal hero for over fifty-eight years, mother of three, grandmother of four, and great-grandmother to a beautiful baby girl, Dorothy calls on her life’s experiences—including designing and helping her husband build their home, complete with beams they hewed by hand and a real, old-fashioned walk-in kitchen fireplace she occasionally cooks in, to add color and depth to her stories. But, while she still knows how to clean used bricks, mix mortar and swing a mean hammer, she now only designs homes for the characters in her books. An antique lover, she fills those homes (and her own) with furnishings appropriate to the time.
When she is not busy writing, Dorothy enjoys visiting with family—who live much too far away—and traveling with her husband throughout the United States doing research for future books. She values her American heritage and believes in God, love, family and happy endings, which explains why she feels so at home writing Christian historical romance.
When she is not busy writing, Dorothy enjoys visiting with family—who live much too far away—and traveling with her husband throughout the United States doing research for future books. She values her American heritage and believes in God, love, family and happy endings, which explains why she feels so at home writing Christian historical romance.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
April 12, 2026
I really liked this book until the end. Blake is a married man but keeps kissing his wife's sister.
December 21, 2016
There really is a lot of good here. It might be the best-researched book I’ve read from this line. I sometimes have a problem with these Love Inspired Historical books because they are set in such small, isolated locations and because of that sometimes they drag – but this one never did.
However… this book reads like it was written in the 1950s! The misogyny. The dozens of nasty references to fair-haired women (in fact, the moment the sister is introduced, her blonde hair is used as a shortcut to tell us she is a nasty, scheming, slut). The sister who does not have a SINGLE redeeming quality – she is just horrid from start to finish, and in every way. However, the hero keeps kissing the sister even after he has been married to the heroine for ages, because the sister’s “feminine wiles” keep trapping him.
I do think this was a generational thing, and while it’s not fair to say all books in the past were more misogynistic and stereotyped more than they are now, the slutty other woman should be a relic of the past, and I found it offensive. For a character who didn’t appear until the end of the book, the sister sure was discussed and insulted a lot.
I feel like there are two books here: the fantastic piece of historical fiction, and the outdated one with the judgemental, sexist stereotyping. I was VERY confused how the heroine was just going to leave her marriage and let her sister take over. Divorce had massive stigma attached to it a century after this book is set; it was unrealistic to think hero and heroine could end their marriage with no issues or social repercussions.
It was an odd thing, as the rest of the research was so good, and the author added lots of little touches about everyday life that really brought the setting to life.
One other thing that bothered me was how many times “blinked” was used as a character reaction. It started making ME want to blink (which was driving me nuts).
So… When the characters aren’t going on about the evil sister, this is a wonderfully-researched and interesting book. I wish there’d been more of that and less of the other!
Review copy provided by NetGalley.
However… this book reads like it was written in the 1950s! The misogyny. The dozens of nasty references to fair-haired women (in fact, the moment the sister is introduced, her blonde hair is used as a shortcut to tell us she is a nasty, scheming, slut). The sister who does not have a SINGLE redeeming quality – she is just horrid from start to finish, and in every way. However, the hero keeps kissing the sister even after he has been married to the heroine for ages, because the sister’s “feminine wiles” keep trapping him.
I do think this was a generational thing, and while it’s not fair to say all books in the past were more misogynistic and stereotyped more than they are now, the slutty other woman should be a relic of the past, and I found it offensive. For a character who didn’t appear until the end of the book, the sister sure was discussed and insulted a lot.
I feel like there are two books here: the fantastic piece of historical fiction, and the outdated one with the judgemental, sexist stereotyping. I was VERY confused how the heroine was just going to leave her marriage and let her sister take over. Divorce had massive stigma attached to it a century after this book is set; it was unrealistic to think hero and heroine could end their marriage with no issues or social repercussions.
It was an odd thing, as the rest of the research was so good, and the author added lots of little touches about everyday life that really brought the setting to life.
One other thing that bothered me was how many times “blinked” was used as a character reaction. It started making ME want to blink (which was driving me nuts).
So… When the characters aren’t going on about the evil sister, this is a wonderfully-researched and interesting book. I wish there’d been more of that and less of the other!
Review copy provided by NetGalley.
February 18, 2017
This is a frontier town story with quite a domestic feel. A young man has opened a shop in a new town which, striving for respectability, makes shopkeepers sign contracts that they are wed or will wed within thirty days of opening. As our hero has a fiancée in New York this poses no problem. Only, the wrong sister steps off the train. She has to explain that her parents died, her older sister wed someone else, and she has come to try to uphold the bargain.
Some fun twists and turns follow, so just when you thought it was all settling down they are off again. I did find a lull in the middle, but I am sure it is what one could expect of the time when women were supposed to be in the home. This is inspirational, meaning some life lessons are learned and the romance could be read by anyone from teens up. I like that the characters, while trying to follow the Bible, also take responsibility for their lives and try to make changes.
I downloaded a copy from Net Galley and this is an unbiased review.
Some fun twists and turns follow, so just when you thought it was all settling down they are off again. I did find a lull in the middle, but I am sure it is what one could expect of the time when women were supposed to be in the home. This is inspirational, meaning some life lessons are learned and the romance could be read by anyone from teens up. I like that the characters, while trying to follow the Bible, also take responsibility for their lives and try to make changes.
I downloaded a copy from Net Galley and this is an unbiased review.
July 31, 2018
I didn't really have any expectations for His Substitute Wife when I started it, so I was glad when I ended up loving the story. Some parts were a bit weird (the requirement that he needed a wife in order to keep his business), but I was able to overlook that in this book.
I liked the characters and how the romance grew naturally. It was actually sweet and I found the ending to be perfect. :)
All in all, His Substitute Wife was a wonderful read. I plan on reading the next book in this series as soon as possible.
*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*
I liked the characters and how the romance grew naturally. It was actually sweet and I found the ending to be perfect. :)
All in all, His Substitute Wife was a wonderful read. I plan on reading the next book in this series as soon as possible.
*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*
February 7, 2017
I liked this book but had a hard time getting into the time period I guess I'm not really into historical type stories but I know my daughter will enjoy this book.
November 24, 2016
Can you imagine the anticipation that Blake Lathrope is experiencing as he meets the train carrying his beloved Linda on, only her sister Audrey appears, she is lovely, but not Linda. Audrey knows her sister has left Blake in the lurch as he has agreed to stay in a town, Whisper Creek, and he needs to be married, or he looses his new store.
We go through this story with each member of this, married in name only, couple, and each thinking the other wishes Blake was married to Linda.
Will Linda the one, who brought them together, be the one who breaks them apart? Interesting concept, but how would any woman want to live in a home, with one glace shows who Blake was thinking of when he bought each piece.
We do get picturesque looks at the Wyoming scenery, and I would love to see the waterfall. You will have to read to the very end to see how this all comes out, and I had an idea of some of the events that did happen.
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Love Inspired, and was not required to give a positive review.
We go through this story with each member of this, married in name only, couple, and each thinking the other wishes Blake was married to Linda.
Will Linda the one, who brought them together, be the one who breaks them apart? Interesting concept, but how would any woman want to live in a home, with one glace shows who Blake was thinking of when he bought each piece.
We do get picturesque looks at the Wyoming scenery, and I would love to see the waterfall. You will have to read to the very end to see how this all comes out, and I had an idea of some of the events that did happen.
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Love Inspired, and was not required to give a positive review.
April 27, 2017
3.5 stars
This is a cute book about a woman willing to sacrifice everything to fix her sisters mistakes. Audrey is a woman of depth and character. She is overshadowed by her flirtatious sister. Most men are blindsided by Linda, and Audrey is overlooked.
I liked the story. I wish Blake didn't spend so much time wallowing over Linda and that Audrey wasn't so understanding. There were a lot of missed opportunities to really make the best of the situation. The best part is when the truth was forced upon Blake and he realized what her really had in Audrey.
This is a clean book with Christian elements.
Source: I received a copy to review from Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This is a cute book about a woman willing to sacrifice everything to fix her sisters mistakes. Audrey is a woman of depth and character. She is overshadowed by her flirtatious sister. Most men are blindsided by Linda, and Audrey is overlooked.
I liked the story. I wish Blake didn't spend so much time wallowing over Linda and that Audrey wasn't so understanding. There were a lot of missed opportunities to really make the best of the situation. The best part is when the truth was forced upon Blake and he realized what her really had in Audrey.
This is a clean book with Christian elements.
Source: I received a copy to review from Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
August 1, 2017
I really enjoyed this story, though I would have liked Blake to have been stronger in the ending. I loved Audrey! The ending was good, but I didn't like how Audrey and Blake handled things.
4.5 stars
4.5 stars
May 12, 2019
I wanted to like this book, but I couldn’t. The way the romance played out was weird and I didn’t enjoy it. The characters kind of came across as annoying and/or stupid.
Audrey seemed to always be guilt-tripping and apologizing for something that wasn’t her fault, like the whole Linda situation. Then near the end, it seemed she was just going to give up and cry, which didn’t seem in character. Blake, at first, was always in a sour, depressed mood and pining for Linda- why, I don’t know. As for Linda, she was awful and selfish and, since she didn’t come in until the very end, it was irritating that she was kind of there in essence the whole time, casting a shadow over Blake and Audrey’s lives and in a way controlling everything they said or did. I wish they could have just forgotten her and moved on.
As for B&A’s marriage, I was surprised that they kept calling it “pretend” and a “sham.” It was most certainly very real and in this time period I didn’t understand how they thought they could just walk away from it. As time passed on, B&A seemed to be getting fonder of each other, but didn’t say anything for some reason. I think lack of communication in this book was also a big turn-off for me. They never sit down and talk about their feelings. They just automatically assume they know the other’s thoughts and feelings and jump to (wrong) conclusions 🙄. Then after Audrey left and Linda came Blake turned into a wishy-washy wimp. He missed Audrey but kept kissing Linda. Then his brain started chugging along and he realized he’s a married man and he loved Audrey. About time he made up his mind with like 15 pages left!
One more aspect of this book that grated on my nerves was the author constantly describing a character as chewing/gnawing/snagging their lower lip with their teeth. Unfortunately, this is a description I come across a lot in reading Christian fiction and it is extremely overused. I don’t want or need to read about a character doing this action every chapter, or sometimes multiple times in one chapter. It’s a waste of words and makes me want to punch the character in the mouth.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 9, 2017
This story with its well written natural flow pulled me into the world of Whisper Creek and held me captive until the very end. And I didn't want it to be done, I wasn't ready to leave Blake and Audrey and the new life they were starting.
My heart broke a bit for both them at the beginning of the story with the thoughtless actions of Audrey's sister and the consequences of Audrey's selfless, sacrificing yet brave actions. The author draws the clear picture of the agony and disappointment Blake and Audrey felt towards Linda as they are starting the marriage of convenience. Linda wasn't drawn in a very good light in the novel, she had made several severe mistakes that had dire consequences to all of them. But in a miraculous way, Linda's mistakes turned into blessings in disguise.
Even though I am not a fan of love triangles in my romance novels I enjoyed the story watching Audrey and Blake find their footing in the new situation while starting the new life. The faith they had in God was a constant and natural part of them and their everyday life in an exemplary way.
The building of the town was fascinating as well as starting of the store and the life in general in Whisper Creek. From the plumbing to shelving at the store the details charmed me, the authentic history shining through in the details.
An emotional and moving story of a new life at the prairie where unfortunate and rather distressing situation brings two friends into a new point in life and relying on God's guidance they find a way to reconciliation, forgiveness, love and unity, bringing them a new hope for future. "God works in mysterious ways".
~ Four Spoons
My heart broke a bit for both them at the beginning of the story with the thoughtless actions of Audrey's sister and the consequences of Audrey's selfless, sacrificing yet brave actions. The author draws the clear picture of the agony and disappointment Blake and Audrey felt towards Linda as they are starting the marriage of convenience. Linda wasn't drawn in a very good light in the novel, she had made several severe mistakes that had dire consequences to all of them. But in a miraculous way, Linda's mistakes turned into blessings in disguise.
Even though I am not a fan of love triangles in my romance novels I enjoyed the story watching Audrey and Blake find their footing in the new situation while starting the new life. The faith they had in God was a constant and natural part of them and their everyday life in an exemplary way.
The building of the town was fascinating as well as starting of the store and the life in general in Whisper Creek. From the plumbing to shelving at the store the details charmed me, the authentic history shining through in the details.
An emotional and moving story of a new life at the prairie where unfortunate and rather distressing situation brings two friends into a new point in life and relying on God's guidance they find a way to reconciliation, forgiveness, love and unity, bringing them a new hope for future. "God works in mysterious ways".
~ Four Spoons
January 9, 2017
Wow, what a great story. Blake is engaged to Linda but she marries another and tells her sister Audrey that she should marry Blake if she's so worried about him. Audrey is always taking care of others. When she finds that Blake is about to loose his store and all that he has, Audrey follows her sisters advice and proposes marriage to Blake. There are a variety of things they go through that make the story a page turner and quick read. Loved it!
March 29, 2018
I can’t believe that this book made me cry, but it did. It’s a very simple storyline, and the characters really have no depth. Likewise the technology/advancements of that time period are a little off. However, the writer did a very good job of making the reader feel what the main characters feel. It hurts to see Audrey in pain, as well as Blake’s sense of betrayal and confusion. It’s also easy to hate Linda. It’s well worth an afternoon read.
February 7, 2017
Interesting idea but being from Wyoming I was lost immediately with the geographical reference which I know doesn't exist. Some of the details were completely unbelievable such as how easy it was for a young struggling businessman to buy multiple train tickets. The characters were nicely drawn although Linda was very one dimensional. An okay read for a Sunday afternoon but not a must read.
August 22, 2017
For the genre, it was a good fast read.
[Spoiler]
The dramatic return of the flighty sister as the impetus to lead to the resolution was annoyingly predictable.
[Spoiler]
The dramatic return of the flighty sister as the impetus to lead to the resolution was annoyingly predictable.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 18, 2022
Oh. MY. GOSH this book was good. 💗🥵
I’ve already read “Wedded For The Baby” by Dorothy Clark, which is the next in the series after this book, and it was great. This one is amazing too!!
Again, I wasn’t sure if this book would be very good because it’s from the Love Inspired series, but it WAS GOOD!!
Everything about the story, plot, and characters was on point..!! The way Clark writes about the general store and the train + small town of Whisper Creek is so great. She’s doesn’t just say Blake owns the shop, she truly incorporates it into the story. She’s descriptive and the story has depth despite its being a shorter book.
⚠️ spoilers ahead⚠️
The ending was very nice, not too rushed or unrealistic.
Audrey is wonderful and Blake is so amazing. I hated Linda so much, HAHA 😆 I liked what happened to her in the end.👍🏼🤷🏻♂️
I love when Blake takes a train to New York and finds Audrey at her house and then reads her the “goodbye letter” that she wrote to him. He was firm but so sweet about how he was her husband and he LOVED HER!
🤩my favorite quotes/parts from when Blake chased Audrey down in New York to confess his love:
“I figure it’s all right for a man to be in the kitchen while his wife make him coffee”-Blake 💗🥺
“what you have on is fine, Audrey. A dressing gown is proper attire for a wife with her husband.“ -Blake
“...’ and our time together as “pretend man and wife “was pleasant.’ PRETEND man and wife? Our marriage was real, Audrey.” -Blake
Audrey: “I was setting you free to marry Linda.”
Blake: “Don’t you think that should be my choice? Don’t you think it should have been my choice all along?
That I should have been told the truth?
I know you wrote those letters for Linda, Audrey. I knew as soon as I read this letter. I recognize the handwriting.
I am not some toy ball you and your sister can toss back and forth between you as suits your fancy. I am a man with a mind, I will and emotions, and I will choose who I will marry. Is that understood?”
She nodded.
Blake: “Good. Because I’ve waited as long as I’m going to, to do this...” 🥺🥺
Then he kisses her
I think it’s cool that Blake was able to figure out that Audrey had been the one writing the letters to him this whole time as Linda. It’s cool that she didn’t have to explain that to him; that he found out on his own.
I like the whole scenario with Audrey stepping in to help save Blake’s store since her sister Linda bailed on him.
The only thing I didn’t understand is why Blake let Linda touch all over his shoulders and hold his hand when she returned in the end to try to marry him.. and he even kissed her like twice..! Weird. Even though his marriage to Audrey was fake, I wonder that he didn’t say no to her because he was currently a married man.
Seriously, though, Clark is an amazing author and I loved every moment in this book!!!!! 💗💗💗💗💗💗
I’m so in love with the whole mail-order bride switch plot! Clark sews everything together seamlessly and doesn’t rush the relationship.
Would read again!!!👍🏼😊
I’ve already read “Wedded For The Baby” by Dorothy Clark, which is the next in the series after this book, and it was great. This one is amazing too!!
Again, I wasn’t sure if this book would be very good because it’s from the Love Inspired series, but it WAS GOOD!!
Everything about the story, plot, and characters was on point..!! The way Clark writes about the general store and the train + small town of Whisper Creek is so great. She’s doesn’t just say Blake owns the shop, she truly incorporates it into the story. She’s descriptive and the story has depth despite its being a shorter book.
⚠️ spoilers ahead⚠️
The ending was very nice, not too rushed or unrealistic.
Audrey is wonderful and Blake is so amazing. I hated Linda so much, HAHA 😆 I liked what happened to her in the end.👍🏼🤷🏻♂️
I love when Blake takes a train to New York and finds Audrey at her house and then reads her the “goodbye letter” that she wrote to him. He was firm but so sweet about how he was her husband and he LOVED HER!
🤩my favorite quotes/parts from when Blake chased Audrey down in New York to confess his love:
“I figure it’s all right for a man to be in the kitchen while his wife make him coffee”-Blake 💗🥺
“what you have on is fine, Audrey. A dressing gown is proper attire for a wife with her husband.“ -Blake
“...’ and our time together as “pretend man and wife “was pleasant.’ PRETEND man and wife? Our marriage was real, Audrey.” -Blake
Audrey: “I was setting you free to marry Linda.”
Blake: “Don’t you think that should be my choice? Don’t you think it should have been my choice all along?
That I should have been told the truth?
I know you wrote those letters for Linda, Audrey. I knew as soon as I read this letter. I recognize the handwriting.
I am not some toy ball you and your sister can toss back and forth between you as suits your fancy. I am a man with a mind, I will and emotions, and I will choose who I will marry. Is that understood?”
She nodded.
Blake: “Good. Because I’ve waited as long as I’m going to, to do this...” 🥺🥺
Then he kisses her
I think it’s cool that Blake was able to figure out that Audrey had been the one writing the letters to him this whole time as Linda. It’s cool that she didn’t have to explain that to him; that he found out on his own.
I like the whole scenario with Audrey stepping in to help save Blake’s store since her sister Linda bailed on him.
The only thing I didn’t understand is why Blake let Linda touch all over his shoulders and hold his hand when she returned in the end to try to marry him.. and he even kissed her like twice..! Weird. Even though his marriage to Audrey was fake, I wonder that he didn’t say no to her because he was currently a married man.
Seriously, though, Clark is an amazing author and I loved every moment in this book!!!!! 💗💗💗💗💗💗
I’m so in love with the whole mail-order bride switch plot! Clark sews everything together seamlessly and doesn’t rush the relationship.
Would read again!!!👍🏼😊
January 30, 2017
This is the first book in the Stand-In Brides Series. This book is well written and heart warming. I know you will really enjoy it.
Audrey Prescott knows what it is to plan to marry and be left at the alter so when her sister runs off and marries another Audrey goes out of Wyoming to marry the man her sister left high and dry. She has been writing to him in her sister's place and the last letter tells of how he has signed a contract that he must marry within thirty days of opening his new store. Since there is little time left for him she takes the ticket and comes to take her sister's place. When she arrives everything has been special ordered for her sister's taste. How is she going to live this way?
Blake Latherop came to Wyoming to build a life for his family. Linda had promised to come as soon as the home was finished. Now it was ready, he sends for her, but her sister comes in her place. He is heart broken by Linda's betrayal. He finally agrees to marry Audrey to save his inheritance. Audrey is nothing like her sister.
A journey of two heart broken souls trying to rebuild their lives but with each of them sure they have no future together. God has a plan for them, a plan for a hope and a future. God has a plan for you too. Surrender your heart to Him and watch Him work in your life.
Audrey Prescott knows what it is to plan to marry and be left at the alter so when her sister runs off and marries another Audrey goes out of Wyoming to marry the man her sister left high and dry. She has been writing to him in her sister's place and the last letter tells of how he has signed a contract that he must marry within thirty days of opening his new store. Since there is little time left for him she takes the ticket and comes to take her sister's place. When she arrives everything has been special ordered for her sister's taste. How is she going to live this way?
Blake Latherop came to Wyoming to build a life for his family. Linda had promised to come as soon as the home was finished. Now it was ready, he sends for her, but her sister comes in her place. He is heart broken by Linda's betrayal. He finally agrees to marry Audrey to save his inheritance. Audrey is nothing like her sister.
A journey of two heart broken souls trying to rebuild their lives but with each of them sure they have no future together. God has a plan for them, a plan for a hope and a future. God has a plan for you too. Surrender your heart to Him and watch Him work in your life.
September 13, 2017
This was just odd for a romance. I understand Audrey's desire to help Blake out when her sister abandons him, but they kept acting like ending the marriage would be no problem. That did not seem to fit the historical time period at all. Unfortunately, Blake's falling in love with her felt an awful lot like a rebound because not that much time passes and he had been in love with her sister. They each do a lot of guilt tripping because Blake feels disloyal when he starts liking Audrey. And Audrey has her own guilt issues about how she added to the situation. It kept bugging me why was Audrey so capable and her sister such a diva? Nothing in the very briefly mentioned family history explains why the older daughter would be allowed to behave that way. It just did not work for me at all.
August 28, 2017
I really enjoyed this one. Audrey was a great heroine - the sort of person that is often taken for granted in real life, so I loved that she got a chance to shine and was appreciated by Blake in this book. (And I actually think whoever did the illustration for the cover read the book...or got a decent description.)
May 7, 2017
Great historical romance
What a wonderful story. I found myself drawn into the story of Audrey and Blake from the first pages. Their story was unique in so many ways and the ending was great.
What a wonderful story. I found myself drawn into the story of Audrey and Blake from the first pages. Their story was unique in so many ways and the ending was great.
April 9, 2018
This story hooked me in at the start. It held my interest. Blake was able to see that Audrey always had his best interests at heart & that made him see she was the one for him. Beautiful story! Loved it!!
August 13, 2020
Interesting read
Enjoyed the read but even halfway through the book I was getting so sick of her saying I am only pretend wife or I love Linda. Then it stopped. Then the book got real.
Spoiler alert. I dislike Linda. Such a selfish, self-centered woman. You will too.
Enjoyed the read but even halfway through the book I was getting so sick of her saying I am only pretend wife or I love Linda. Then it stopped. Then the book got real.
Spoiler alert. I dislike Linda. Such a selfish, self-centered woman. You will too.
January 18, 2022
Blake needs a wife to keep his store . he fixes a wonderful home above his store. then the lady he ask to be his wife ran of with another man. her sister takes her place to help him keep his store. they have a marriage of convenience. until everything changes
November 16, 2016
I really enjoyed this marriage of convenience story. I loved watching Blake and Audrey fall in love.
June 28, 2017
Got to say I love everything I have read from Dorothy Clark, this did not disappoint. Can't wait to read the next one.
March 23, 2018
Charming!
May 1, 2018
This was a beautiful love story. It wasn’t love at first sight, but a slowly-developing deep love. The book was hard to put down.
May 15, 2018
I like it, really really like it. The heroine is very likable and very pragmatic. The Hero is lovable as well. I like that their story evolve in a grocery store ha ha ha
March 23, 2021
Blake was annoyingly patronizing, but other than that, quite a sweet story
March 2, 2017
I have to say this was a surprisingly good read. I wasn't sure what to expect but it's a new take on the mail-order bride theme. Fans of sweet romances will find this one great. I loved the complete list of characters, even found the town to be well written. I do question some things about the founder but that's not a major issue for reading the story. This story is about Blake and Audrey but you'll want to continue reading the series,STAND-IN BRIDES, because you'll want to know how the town grows and who the other residents are. I enjoyed watching Blake and Audrey come to terms with past betrayals and fall in love. This is NOT a preachy read. Fans of the Love Inspired Historical line will enjoy this story. If you are new to this line you'll find this story a great introduction. The story is well written, engaging and really sweet. A wonderful way to spend a day.
February 15, 2017
Linda and Aubrey are sisters, but they couldn't be more different. Blake met the two sisters and proposed to Linda, whom he'd fallen in love with. But once he's gone, Linda loses interest and Aubrey continues writing to him, but signs the letters as Linda. When Linda runs off to marry another man, Aubrey goes to meet Blake as his substitute wife so he doesn't lose his business. But Blake is still in love with Linda, so things got off to a very rocky start.
I love historical fiction and mail-order bride type plots. So I was really looking forward to this story. The settings were wonderful and really captured my attention. Aubrey was a character with depth. But the rest of the characters really fell flat for me. In fact, I didn't care for Blake at all. He seemed weak to me. The angst and drama involved in the misunderstanding was more than I like in a story. And a few things didn't really ring true for the time period. Overall, it was a nice story if you enjoy marriages of convenience, history, and lots of emotional angst in your story. It just wasn't for me.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.
I love historical fiction and mail-order bride type plots. So I was really looking forward to this story. The settings were wonderful and really captured my attention. Aubrey was a character with depth. But the rest of the characters really fell flat for me. In fact, I didn't care for Blake at all. He seemed weak to me. The angst and drama involved in the misunderstanding was more than I like in a story. And a few things didn't really ring true for the time period. Overall, it was a nice story if you enjoy marriages of convenience, history, and lots of emotional angst in your story. It just wasn't for me.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews