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Nebraska Historicals #5
Eye of the Beholder
Mary Peters despairs that she will never get married. At nineteen, she has no prospects for finding a husband, so she takes matters into her own hands and becomes a mail order bride. When she arrives in Omaha, Nebraska to meet the man she's due to marry, he takes one look at her homely appearance and rejects her.
But fate has other plans for Mary, for Dave Larson, happens to be nearby and figures she will make a suitable companion to help him on his farm. Though she is stunned that someone as handsome and as kind as Dave would ask her to marry him, she accepts, realizing that this marriage of convenience will not bear the fruits of love. Love, after all, is for beautiful women. Isn't it?
But fate has other plans for Mary, for Dave Larson, happens to be nearby and figures she will make a suitable companion to help him on his farm. Though she is stunned that someone as handsome and as kind as Dave would ask her to marry him, she accepts, realizing that this marriage of convenience will not bear the fruits of love. Love, after all, is for beautiful women. Isn't it?
278 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 28, 2009
266 people are currently reading
1138 people want to read
About the author
Ruth Ann Nordin
172 books715 followersWhat's to say? I write a lot. I read often. I sleep little. Once in awhile, I've been known to clean the house. A number of kids live in my house and there's this guy they call dad and I call husband. All in all, it's a pretty good life. :-)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 215 reviews
November 7, 2018
OMG I loved this book. It was so sweet. I love that Mary wasn't considered a beauty, but Dave seen her worth. Mary and Dave made an amazing couple and their story gave me all the sweet feels. My favorite by this author to date!!!
November 10, 2011
I like the story, but it drives me crazy when an author doesn't research or an editor doesn't edit!!! Certain things stopped me cold in this book, got me scratching my head and I would look them up and say, "how did this get past the editor?" one such thing was a comment of a woman to her husband where she informed him that he was the the one who chose the sex of the child not her... Well, this book takes place in the 1870's and I was pretty sure that farmers in Nebraska didn't have a clue as to how sperm worked... so I looked it up. Well, the FIRST scientific paper written on this subject was in 1905. Other things that bother me are the use of present day slang. I don't think that "guilt-trip" was a term used in the 1870's ... I think that there are quite a few other ways to write this that would be more fitting with the time period. I do like the premis of the story, but the author really needs a new editor.
October 13, 2018
Mary Peters wants to get married and have kids. Unfortunately in her small town in Maine she has giving up finding a man who can get pass her plain looks to have her dream family. So she decides to become a mail order bride even though her parents are hesitant about her success. When she meets her groom to be he decides right there he can't get passed her looks to fulfill his proposal. Her feelings are hurt of course but she already decided she would not go back home no matter what. But she is in for a huge surprise.
Dave Larson is a young farmer that lives in Omaha, Nebraska and is in town to get more food since he has run out. He is surprised to hear that his neighbor has a mail order bride on her way since he never seemed the marrying type. As he is about to head home he is curious about what a mail order bride is like since he has been thinking of placing an ad himself. When he sees he neighbor reject the young woman he approaches her and thinks she will be a perfect fit for him so he offers her marriage to him instead and after some hesitance on her part she accepts. While Mary is unsure of Dave's reasons for marrying her she finds him to be a good man but love is another question.
I got this as a freebie and had been wondering about it. I am glad I gave it a chance. It was sweet with some nice mild heat so wasn't clean as I thought it might be. The heroine was sweet and the hero was awesome and protective. Mary was always looked down on by her family so this made her very insecure but she blossomed with Dave and his family. I loved watching them fall in love and even though some spots were a little slow I appreciated it. I loved that it wasn't angst filled and just felt more like a romance but still had some drama added to make it interesting. It dealt with a hard subject of but was done well and with care. But wanted to warn for those that might find that hard. But completely safe read.
Review of Follow up book To have and to hold
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Dave Larson is a young farmer that lives in Omaha, Nebraska and is in town to get more food since he has run out. He is surprised to hear that his neighbor has a mail order bride on her way since he never seemed the marrying type. As he is about to head home he is curious about what a mail order bride is like since he has been thinking of placing an ad himself. When he sees he neighbor reject the young woman he approaches her and thinks she will be a perfect fit for him so he offers her marriage to him instead and after some hesitance on her part she accepts. While Mary is unsure of Dave's reasons for marrying her she finds him to be a good man but love is another question.
I got this as a freebie and had been wondering about it. I am glad I gave it a chance. It was sweet with some nice mild heat so wasn't clean as I thought it might be. The heroine was sweet and the hero was awesome and protective. Mary was always looked down on by her family so this made her very insecure but she blossomed with Dave and his family. I loved watching them fall in love and even though some spots were a little slow I appreciated it. I loved that it wasn't angst filled and just felt more like a romance but still had some drama added to make it interesting. It dealt with a hard subject of but was done well and with care. But wanted to warn for those that might find that hard. But completely safe read.
Review of Follow up book To have and to hold
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
October 26, 2010
I'll be honest -- this was a very boring book. Both the hero and the heroine are so perfect it's disgusting -- they're both loving, giving, completely understanding, devoted to each other even though they just met, blah blah blah. Neither one of them felt "real" -- even the nicest, most Christian people I've met in real life still have uncharitable moments or times of anger or complaints, but not Mary and Dave, and this left them feeling like such paragons that you wanted to nominate them for sainthood rather than continue reading their escapades.
The romance scenes felt forced and technical, with pretty much no sizzle at all...
There was no angst outside of the reminiscing about how "plain" or "ugly" the heroine supposedly was, and then the initial meeting with Neil where he was cruel to Mary (and even then, Perfect Mary just let him off the hook with nary a sniffle or indignant remark).
Even the climax where she's kidnapped felt like watered-down soup, with the villain completely non-threatening and non-confrontational. He lets her go without any sort of confrontation or excitement, just a "well shucks I thought about it and I guess what I'm doing is wrong" type of thing! It's actually a bit ridiculous.
The plot summary had such potential, but in execution, it fell very very flat.
1 1/2 stars only because I always feel bad giving a single star to self-published authors. (Sorry)
The romance scenes felt forced and technical, with pretty much no sizzle at all...
There was no angst outside of the reminiscing about how "plain" or "ugly" the heroine supposedly was, and then the initial meeting with Neil where he was cruel to Mary (and even then, Perfect Mary just let him off the hook with nary a sniffle or indignant remark).
Even the climax where she's kidnapped felt like watered-down soup, with the villain completely non-threatening and non-confrontational. He lets her go without any sort of confrontation or excitement, just a "well shucks I thought about it and I guess what I'm doing is wrong" type of thing! It's actually a bit ridiculous.
The plot summary had such potential, but in execution, it fell very very flat.
1 1/2 stars only because I always feel bad giving a single star to self-published authors. (Sorry)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 14, 2019
Slow at times and very basic writing. A very passive read, but no hassles, no dramatics and no stupidity. So managable.
Also, did I just read a christian book and not realize it?
Also, did I just read a christian book and not realize it?
January 7, 2023
Second Rating: 5 / 5
Re-reading through this lovely romance, I just breezed through it as everything was done absolutely perfectly! The romance, the chemistry, the development, and the light-but-fun plot! I absolutely just loved it and appreciated having it to read on a cold winter's day--hooray!
This is a book that I will be returning to over and over again, no doubt many, many times.
We all love what we love, and something tells me that a year of romance is up ahead for me based on the books I feel like reading now!
Rating: 4.5 / 5
Going through this historical romance--which thankfully can be read as a standalone, even though there are characters from other books in this series--was a sweet and touching experience that really brought on heartwarming feelings.
The story centres about Mary Peters, a woman who is plain faced, and who has gone her entire life with those around her doubting that she'll ever get a husband. At 19, of course she considers herself on the verge of becoming an "old maid" (and yes, a bit of an eye roll there, I know), and so she answers a mail order bride ad and moves to Nebraska from her home in Maine. There, she meets her intended, Neil, but one look at her and he rejects her--even though his ad did not specify how his wife should look, which is why Mary was comfortable accepting in the first place.
Luckily, Dave Larson witnesses this scene, and can't understand for the life of him why Neil rejects Mary. Sure, Dave himself realizes that she's not as pretty as other women, but he's impressed by her regardless and he's also in need of a wife, so he proposes and Mary accepts.
What proceeds from there is one of the most heartwarming, touching, innocent and just feel-good historical romances that I have ever read. Like...this couple just gets along without any extra troubles or secrets to get in their way or anything like that. Sure, Mary's unsure about their relationship for a good portion of the story, convinced that Dave can't really love her because she's not pretty, but as every day he shows her more and more how he does love her, of course she accepts his feelings and admits her own as well. It all moves along at a pace that feels natural, and has them interacting with decent people in a decent community. There is some action at the end that separates the husband and wife for a short time, but otherwise they've just got an overall great relationship and chemistry going on.
It's a romance where things just work out the easy way, and quite frankly, that's what I need in romances sometimes, even though other people may find those types of romances dull. In my view though, I quite like them. Why can't things just work out in a pleasant story with a straightforward HEA?
Those feel-good moments at sometimes just what we need in life, after all.
(Also, as a note to myself, if Ruth Ann Nordin is an author that makes a pattern out of writing straightforward, nice romances about good people, then she'll be my go-to for when I want these kinds of stories. As my second read by her, I'm quite satisfied with this.)
Re-reading through this lovely romance, I just breezed through it as everything was done absolutely perfectly! The romance, the chemistry, the development, and the light-but-fun plot! I absolutely just loved it and appreciated having it to read on a cold winter's day--hooray!
This is a book that I will be returning to over and over again, no doubt many, many times.
We all love what we love, and something tells me that a year of romance is up ahead for me based on the books I feel like reading now!
Rating: 4.5 / 5
Going through this historical romance--which thankfully can be read as a standalone, even though there are characters from other books in this series--was a sweet and touching experience that really brought on heartwarming feelings.
The story centres about Mary Peters, a woman who is plain faced, and who has gone her entire life with those around her doubting that she'll ever get a husband. At 19, of course she considers herself on the verge of becoming an "old maid" (and yes, a bit of an eye roll there, I know), and so she answers a mail order bride ad and moves to Nebraska from her home in Maine. There, she meets her intended, Neil, but one look at her and he rejects her--even though his ad did not specify how his wife should look, which is why Mary was comfortable accepting in the first place.
Luckily, Dave Larson witnesses this scene, and can't understand for the life of him why Neil rejects Mary. Sure, Dave himself realizes that she's not as pretty as other women, but he's impressed by her regardless and he's also in need of a wife, so he proposes and Mary accepts.
What proceeds from there is one of the most heartwarming, touching, innocent and just feel-good historical romances that I have ever read. Like...this couple just gets along without any extra troubles or secrets to get in their way or anything like that. Sure, Mary's unsure about their relationship for a good portion of the story, convinced that Dave can't really love her because she's not pretty, but as every day he shows her more and more how he does love her, of course she accepts his feelings and admits her own as well. It all moves along at a pace that feels natural, and has them interacting with decent people in a decent community. There is some action at the end that separates the husband and wife for a short time, but otherwise they've just got an overall great relationship and chemistry going on.
It's a romance where things just work out the easy way, and quite frankly, that's what I need in romances sometimes, even though other people may find those types of romances dull. In my view though, I quite like them. Why can't things just work out in a pleasant story with a straightforward HEA?
Those feel-good moments at sometimes just what we need in life, after all.
(Also, as a note to myself, if Ruth Ann Nordin is an author that makes a pattern out of writing straightforward, nice romances about good people, then she'll be my go-to for when I want these kinds of stories. As my second read by her, I'm quite satisfied with this.)
April 25, 2022
1.5 stars
Most of the characters felt like cardboard cutouts but none more so than Mary, the heroine. She knows that the spoiled mail-order bride living on the next farm over is using her, and yet instead of getting angry she continues to make clothes for her and help take on her chores. She overhears Dave’s brothers talking about how ugly she is and when he gets into a fight with them, she worries that she’s driving a wedge between them instead of being disgusted by their insults. She works from sunup to sundown doing the work of three women (including picking bugs off of the crops, ew) and never complains or even thinks to herself, “Damn, this is all a bit much!” Not Mary. She’s always ready to do more, more, more! It felt like her entire life was lived as an apology for not meeting the going standards of physical beauty.
Most of the characters felt like cardboard cutouts but none more so than Mary, the heroine. She knows that the spoiled mail-order bride living on the next farm over is using her, and yet instead of getting angry she continues to make clothes for her and help take on her chores. She overhears Dave’s brothers talking about how ugly she is and when he gets into a fight with them, she worries that she’s driving a wedge between them instead of being disgusted by their insults. She works from sunup to sundown doing the work of three women (including picking bugs off of the crops, ew) and never complains or even thinks to herself, “Damn, this is all a bit much!” Not Mary. She’s always ready to do more, more, more! It felt like her entire life was lived as an apology for not meeting the going standards of physical beauty.
August 1, 2020
4 stars... this book is perfect for an extremely low angst read. It was syrup sweet, and the story moved at a decent pace. I was never bored, but I was in the mood for a less exciting book.
This is the story of Mary and Dave and their life together after an unexpected meeting and subsequent wedding. Mary isn’t a beauty and struggles with how she is perceived by others. Dave is a really sweet hero (not an alpha), and quickly sees Mary’s inner strength and beauty. Their relationship is adorable and this story gave me all the warm feels.
Safe for most, contains miscarriage & abduction. Heroine is a virgin and hero is probably a virgin (slightly unclear but likely). Very low angst.
This is the story of Mary and Dave and their life together after an unexpected meeting and subsequent wedding. Mary isn’t a beauty and struggles with how she is perceived by others. Dave is a really sweet hero (not an alpha), and quickly sees Mary’s inner strength and beauty. Their relationship is adorable and this story gave me all the warm feels.
Safe for most, contains miscarriage & abduction. Heroine is a virgin and hero is probably a virgin (slightly unclear but likely). Very low angst.
May 29, 2018
Are you tired of Heros-manwhores? This book is for you!
Its a western romance. Cute, short, sweet, cheesy sometimes.
I didnt like the h, because she was a push over, but the HERO, oohh, the HEROO, my stars goes to him! So swoony, so tender, patient, yummy.
Safety: NO OP scenes, NO ex-dramas, a bit of drama on final pages, no cheating.
Its a western romance. Cute, short, sweet, cheesy sometimes.
I didnt like the h, because she was a push over, but the HERO, oohh, the HEROO, my stars goes to him! So swoony, so tender, patient, yummy.
Safety: NO OP scenes, NO ex-dramas, a bit of drama on final pages, no cheating.
May 28, 2018
I liked this one. Sweet story :)
June 16, 2019
Eye if the Beholder was my first book by this author and since mail-order bride stories is on of my favorite themes, I adored the wonderful heroine, Mary Peters. Although only 19, Mary took her destiny in her own hands by answering an ad to be a mail order bride in Nebraska. The youngest, and least attractive, in a family of twelve children Mary had been ignored or reject by most of the men in her Maine hometown. When she arrive at the train station in Nebraska, her reception by her would-be husband was crushingly horrid when Neil Craftman took one look at the plain Mary and stated he couldn't get drunk enough to get her with child.
I felt the sting of rejection for Mary at such a cruel statement. Yet it was her dignified presence, in the face of terrible cruelty, that brought her to the attention of the hero, Dave Larson, who saw the value in Mary's presence and he quickly proposed marriage to a devastated yet polite and graceful young woman that he had great intuition regarding her gravitas and character.
Following their marriage, Mary quickly becomes an apt pupil of learning to build a new life on a farm. Just like Dave, I had such admiration and respect for Mary who is indeed a rare and precious human being. There time together was realistically portrayed and I could feel them falling in love.
As for Mary's intended groom, Neil got his comeuppance in a royal payback. His dreams for a beautiful mail-order bride who would give him children to inherit his farm, was answered in the person of Philadelphia-born, Cassandra Tyler whose outward beauty revealed an deceitful, lazy, vile person. What Neil ultimately received was a lying, already pregnant female and in need of a dupe to save her reputation. Soon enough Neil regretted rejecting Mary but it was too late. Mary had fallen in love with a better man, Dave, and ole Neil is stuck no heirs and raising another man's child. I love seeing the villain get the comeuppance he deserves.
I look forward to reading the other two books that feature Mary and Dave's life together.
I felt the sting of rejection for Mary at such a cruel statement. Yet it was her dignified presence, in the face of terrible cruelty, that brought her to the attention of the hero, Dave Larson, who saw the value in Mary's presence and he quickly proposed marriage to a devastated yet polite and graceful young woman that he had great intuition regarding her gravitas and character.
Following their marriage, Mary quickly becomes an apt pupil of learning to build a new life on a farm. Just like Dave, I had such admiration and respect for Mary who is indeed a rare and precious human being. There time together was realistically portrayed and I could feel them falling in love.
As for Mary's intended groom, Neil got his comeuppance in a royal payback. His dreams for a beautiful mail-order bride who would give him children to inherit his farm, was answered in the person of Philadelphia-born, Cassandra Tyler whose outward beauty revealed an deceitful, lazy, vile person. What Neil ultimately received was a lying, already pregnant female and in need of a dupe to save her reputation. Soon enough Neil regretted rejecting Mary but it was too late. Mary had fallen in love with a better man, Dave, and ole Neil is stuck no heirs and raising another man's child. I love seeing the villain get the comeuppance he deserves.
I look forward to reading the other two books that feature Mary and Dave's life together.
July 11, 2024
Nice read really loved Dave the hero
Despised with fierceness her self deprecating attitude and doormat way of handling situations
Please Mary grow a backbone
3 stars
Despised with fierceness her self deprecating attitude and doormat way of handling situations
Please Mary grow a backbone
3 stars
April 26, 2020
Wonderful 4 1/2 stars! (Where is the petition, btw, to get Goodreads to start giving half-stars? I will sign it!)
This book was just about near-perfect. A wonderful heroine you root for, a beta hero that is exactly the kind of man we should all lionize (I read more than my fair share of alpha-hole books, it is refreshing to read about a nice, good man). Plenty of sweet and mild angst moments as the heroine doubts her self-worth (tied into her appearance) and surrounding characters see that a person you love/admire becomes more beautiful to you over time. I am writing this review in the time of lock-down/quarantine/self-isolation, whatever we are calling it these days, and this was a sweet story that took me out of my own head for a few hours. Hoping everyone is staying safe and well - reading is my #1 way to get through this! Highly recommend!
This book was just about near-perfect. A wonderful heroine you root for, a beta hero that is exactly the kind of man we should all lionize (I read more than my fair share of alpha-hole books, it is refreshing to read about a nice, good man). Plenty of sweet and mild angst moments as the heroine doubts her self-worth (tied into her appearance) and surrounding characters see that a person you love/admire becomes more beautiful to you over time. I am writing this review in the time of lock-down/quarantine/self-isolation, whatever we are calling it these days, and this was a sweet story that took me out of my own head for a few hours. Hoping everyone is staying safe and well - reading is my #1 way to get through this! Highly recommend!
June 7, 2020
A beauty and the beast where the heroine plays both roles. Be careful what you read when you’re bored. I was looking for an enjoyable mail order bride story. This was not it. Horribly ugly Mary can’t find a man in the entire state of Maine to marry. She is so ugly the man who proposes through the mail takes one look at her when she steps off the train and backs out. I am thinking this must be a really hideous person if she is considered THAT ugly at a time when disease and accident related disfigurements were not uncommon.
Fortunately, the one man on the planet who doesn’t get physically ill when he sees her hideousness is on hand to to recognize the beauty hidden under the beast. By the end of the book almost everyone thought that Mary was actually, if not a beauty, then real darned pretty. All she had to do was to make an entire town throw out decades of social norms & accept an unwed mother, out cook and sew ALL the other women, perform like a veritable wanton in the boudoir, be kind to stray dogs and children, deliver foals and newborns, forgive everyone and anyone who disparages her looks, and pretty much be the most perfect person ever born. One of these days, Mary’s going to get real tired of sainthood and slip some arsenic into the Church picnic potato salad.
Fortunately, the one man on the planet who doesn’t get physically ill when he sees her hideousness is on hand to to recognize the beauty hidden under the beast. By the end of the book almost everyone thought that Mary was actually, if not a beauty, then real darned pretty. All she had to do was to make an entire town throw out decades of social norms & accept an unwed mother, out cook and sew ALL the other women, perform like a veritable wanton in the boudoir, be kind to stray dogs and children, deliver foals and newborns, forgive everyone and anyone who disparages her looks, and pretty much be the most perfect person ever born. One of these days, Mary’s going to get real tired of sainthood and slip some arsenic into the Church picnic potato salad.
August 7, 2019
4.5 STARS..
This is really a beautiful story..Hero is a sweetheart..Heroine, too is a sweetheart..I felt bad for her when everyone criticizes her that she isn't beautiful..I loved how Hero takes a stands for her, even against his brothers..I loved how he speaks for her when that cassie & her MIL corners heroine to make her clothes..I loved how everyone realises how nice & beautiful heroine is & come to love her...
This is really a beautiful story..Hero is a sweetheart..Heroine, too is a sweetheart..I felt bad for her when everyone criticizes her that she isn't beautiful..I loved how Hero takes a stands for her, even against his brothers..I loved how he speaks for her when that cassie & her MIL corners heroine to make her clothes..I loved how everyone realises how nice & beautiful heroine is & come to love her...
January 2, 2019
I can't believe I finished this. It is one of the worst books I've read. The story is so unbelievable and the characters are one dimensional the felt like cardboard cutouts. I don't see how anyone couldn't this higher than a three. Wow.
November 1, 2016
Mary and David, this is such an amazing story.
April 20, 2024
How dare Mary be able to cook and sew and midwife even though she was ugly. 🙄🙄🙄
April 9, 2025
This was an okay read, but nothing really stood out. I picked it up because I enjoy western historicals, and the premise had potential. Unfortunately, the execution didn’t quite hit the emotional depth I was hoping for.
I couldn't help comparing it to Ellen O’Connell’s books, which tend to have more nuanced character work and stronger prose. Here, the writing was simple and clean, but also a bit flat. It got the job done, but I never felt particularly pulled in by the voice or the emotional undercurrents. The dialogue leaned toward stiff in places, and the chemistry between the leads felt more functional than swoony.
The story takes a dramatic turn near the end when the heroine is abducted, but it felt like an unnecessary attempt to stir up conflict rather than something organically built into the plot. It resolved so quickly that it didn’t leave much of an impact, and it didn’t really change anything between the characters.
If you’re looking for a sweet, low-angst historical with a kind hero and a straightforward storyline, this might work for you. But for me, it lacked the kind of depth and emotional payoff I usually look for in this genre.
I couldn't help comparing it to Ellen O’Connell’s books, which tend to have more nuanced character work and stronger prose. Here, the writing was simple and clean, but also a bit flat. It got the job done, but I never felt particularly pulled in by the voice or the emotional undercurrents. The dialogue leaned toward stiff in places, and the chemistry between the leads felt more functional than swoony.
The story takes a dramatic turn near the end when the heroine is abducted, but it felt like an unnecessary attempt to stir up conflict rather than something organically built into the plot. It resolved so quickly that it didn’t leave much of an impact, and it didn’t really change anything between the characters.
If you’re looking for a sweet, low-angst historical with a kind hero and a straightforward storyline, this might work for you. But for me, it lacked the kind of depth and emotional payoff I usually look for in this genre.
not-finished
August 2, 2025DNF around 35%
I will be picking this up again to finish it. But I was just getting a bit bored by it. The romance is almost too sweet and too easy.
I will be picking this up again to finish it. But I was just getting a bit bored by it. The romance is almost too sweet and too easy.
April 25, 2018
Middle of the road. It was a low angst, sweet romance with not much happening. I agree with other reviewers that the fabricated drama toward the end was unnecessary and came out of nowhere. It felt out of character and made no sense, and the way it played out and resolved was far too pat to actually be dramatic. The writing style wasn't too bad, but the editing could have been much better.
If you want a story with meat and adventure, keep looking. If you want an easy read with a sweet H and h and low angst, give this one a try.
If you want a story with meat and adventure, keep looking. If you want an easy read with a sweet H and h and low angst, give this one a try.
May 29, 2025
An extra star only because Dave was a KING and was the only one who treated his wife properly.
April 19, 2011
Reviewed @ Girls Without a Bookshelf.
I happen to come across this title as I was browsing through Amazon's Kindle Store, and it was the exact kind of historical romance I was in the mood to read so I picked it up and moved it ahead of my to-read pile. Fantastic decision, because Eye of the Beholder is an exquisite romance novel! It was such a beautifully gentle and tender romance I nearly swooned.
I have read very little of 19th century American romances so I started with a clean slate. While I loved to read about arranged marriages in regency romances, there's still a difference, albeit small, between those and the marriage in this book, which resulted from ad-postings. Ad-postings! Soon enough however, the book made me realise that it is a beautiful foundation for a sweet romance - and now I'm hoping to read more romance books of this era! Most likely with the author too.
Mary Peters knows she is unattractive, which very much explains her lack of a marriage prospect. What makes her stand out as a character however, is that despite that, she knows her worth. She's independent and strong-willed, and whilst she is aware and is often times hurt by the fact that she is merely plain, she has accepted it and continually found a way to move beyond it. It was easy to symphatise with Mary as it is clear her world is outwardly judgemental, and even easier to admire her strength because she works to overcome this lack of outer beauty, which I'm sad to say, her (and our, for that matter) society almost labels as a disability.
Mary's insecurities and hurt does affect her and Dave's relationship in the book, but ultimately, she is not hindered by this. And the message that carries through is a positive one - it really is about building a marriage, trust and affection on the basis of inner beauty.
Eye of the Beholder has very varied group of supporting characters - there is Neil Craftsman, arrogant villain extraordinaire. Dave, Mary's husband, is a chivalrious, caring gentleman who from the very beginning has clearly appreciated Mary's inner beauty. It was a joy discovering a leading man that was not highlighted for his looks, but for his gentleness and kindness. Usually romance novels has excessive focus on how handsome the hero is, but Ruth Ann Nordin that no beautiful face can ever be truly memorable if an unpleasant person lurks behind it. There are assortments of other secondary characters and events that together highlights Mary and Dave's romance as well as the message of the book in general: inner beauty shines through.
The plot does have the tendency to drag as the conflict occurs towards the end; however, since Dave and Mary's marriage have practically begun from scratch, I felt that that some scenes were essential to show how they have progressed in their relationship.
Ruth Ann Nordin writes books that readers are bound to revisit again, and again, and again. Eye of the Beholder is one I shall read a lot in the coming years, that's for sure.
PERFECT! <3
I'm checking out the author's other works because I just fell in love with this!
I happen to come across this title as I was browsing through Amazon's Kindle Store, and it was the exact kind of historical romance I was in the mood to read so I picked it up and moved it ahead of my to-read pile. Fantastic decision, because Eye of the Beholder is an exquisite romance novel! It was such a beautifully gentle and tender romance I nearly swooned.
I have read very little of 19th century American romances so I started with a clean slate. While I loved to read about arranged marriages in regency romances, there's still a difference, albeit small, between those and the marriage in this book, which resulted from ad-postings. Ad-postings! Soon enough however, the book made me realise that it is a beautiful foundation for a sweet romance - and now I'm hoping to read more romance books of this era! Most likely with the author too.
Mary Peters knows she is unattractive, which very much explains her lack of a marriage prospect. What makes her stand out as a character however, is that despite that, she knows her worth. She's independent and strong-willed, and whilst she is aware and is often times hurt by the fact that she is merely plain, she has accepted it and continually found a way to move beyond it. It was easy to symphatise with Mary as it is clear her world is outwardly judgemental, and even easier to admire her strength because she works to overcome this lack of outer beauty, which I'm sad to say, her (and our, for that matter) society almost labels as a disability.
Mary's insecurities and hurt does affect her and Dave's relationship in the book, but ultimately, she is not hindered by this. And the message that carries through is a positive one - it really is about building a marriage, trust and affection on the basis of inner beauty.
Eye of the Beholder has very varied group of supporting characters - there is Neil Craftsman, arrogant villain extraordinaire. Dave, Mary's husband, is a chivalrious, caring gentleman who from the very beginning has clearly appreciated Mary's inner beauty. It was a joy discovering a leading man that was not highlighted for his looks, but for his gentleness and kindness. Usually romance novels has excessive focus on how handsome the hero is, but Ruth Ann Nordin that no beautiful face can ever be truly memorable if an unpleasant person lurks behind it. There are assortments of other secondary characters and events that together highlights Mary and Dave's romance as well as the message of the book in general: inner beauty shines through.
The plot does have the tendency to drag as the conflict occurs towards the end; however, since Dave and Mary's marriage have practically begun from scratch, I felt that that some scenes were essential to show how they have progressed in their relationship.
Ruth Ann Nordin writes books that readers are bound to revisit again, and again, and again. Eye of the Beholder is one I shall read a lot in the coming years, that's for sure.
PERFECT! <3
I'm checking out the author's other works because I just fell in love with this!
August 18, 2009
Fourteen years old Mary Peters remembers the day when her sister, Grace told her “Love is the most wonderful feeling in the world, Your time will come.” it was on Grace’s wedding day. The year was 1869. It is now 1874 and Mary is still single and fears she will never marry. Who would ever find plain Mary pretty?
Since Mary knows no guy will ever court her, she decides to answer an ad in the newspaper for a mail order bride. Mary travels to Omaha, Nebraska to marry her husband, Neil Craftsman. Once Neil gets a look at Mary he rejects her. Dave Larson witnesses the whole ordeal and comes to respect Mary for being a strong woman. He offers to marry Mary and she agrees. Will Mary live up to Dave’s expectations or will Mary be heading on the first train home?
I found Mary to be full of grace and great strength. Even though adversity she always tried to find the positive in everything as well as everyone. Dave was a handsome, well-built guy. He also had a heart of gold. We all have our own definition of beauty but you don’t know what true beauty is till you experience it through the eyes of the beholder. That is the lesson you will learn when you read Ruth Nordin’s latest novel Eye of the Beholder. For anyone who is a fan of historical romances then you are in for a nice treat. I read Eye of the Beholder in one sitting, it was that good. The ending was an unexpected surprise. This book is worth your time to read; besides if you don’t pick up a copy how else are you going to find out what the surprise ending was all about!
Since Mary knows no guy will ever court her, she decides to answer an ad in the newspaper for a mail order bride. Mary travels to Omaha, Nebraska to marry her husband, Neil Craftsman. Once Neil gets a look at Mary he rejects her. Dave Larson witnesses the whole ordeal and comes to respect Mary for being a strong woman. He offers to marry Mary and she agrees. Will Mary live up to Dave’s expectations or will Mary be heading on the first train home?
I found Mary to be full of grace and great strength. Even though adversity she always tried to find the positive in everything as well as everyone. Dave was a handsome, well-built guy. He also had a heart of gold. We all have our own definition of beauty but you don’t know what true beauty is till you experience it through the eyes of the beholder. That is the lesson you will learn when you read Ruth Nordin’s latest novel Eye of the Beholder. For anyone who is a fan of historical romances then you are in for a nice treat. I read Eye of the Beholder in one sitting, it was that good. The ending was an unexpected surprise. This book is worth your time to read; besides if you don’t pick up a copy how else are you going to find out what the surprise ending was all about!
May 1, 2022
All of the historical inaccuracies aside, I loved the story. Yes, the author should’ve researched a little bit more about the time period and place she’s setting her story in, but I’m here for the romance and aside from a few pesky anachronisms, the story is solid. Sweet. Stir in a little steam. And voila, SWOON!
I’m a sucker for the Hero-Falls-for-Ugly-Duckling Trope and this one delivers! I adored the hero. He was kind, devoted and as he fell more and more in love with the heroine, the more beautiful she became to him in his eyes. And I loved the sweetness and gentleness of the heroine, she was such a sweetheart.
This has dual virgins, it’s safe even tho there’s issues from OM (heroine was supposed to marry another man but he took one look at her and rejected her. There’s never any intimacy between them.) no others, no cheating or abuse of any kind. HEA with epilogue
Possible trigger: miscarriage. This was a sad element to the story but thankfully it doesn’t end on a sad note
I’m a sucker for the Hero-Falls-for-Ugly-Duckling Trope and this one delivers! I adored the hero. He was kind, devoted and as he fell more and more in love with the heroine, the more beautiful she became to him in his eyes. And I loved the sweetness and gentleness of the heroine, she was such a sweetheart.
This has dual virgins, it’s safe even tho there’s issues from OM (heroine was supposed to marry another man but he took one look at her and rejected her. There’s never any intimacy between them.) no others, no cheating or abuse of any kind. HEA with epilogue
Possible trigger: miscarriage. This was a sad element to the story but thankfully it doesn’t end on a sad note
August 7, 2011
I really wanted ot rate this higher because I love a plain/unattractive heroine, and there was soooo much set-up for good angst, but everything just moved too, I dunno, smoothly. It sort of drifted from one plot point to the next with little friction or build-up or climax. I guess I was just hoping for more angst and drama, where this is just a mild, sweet book. (2.5 stars)
December 10, 2011
It's a gentle, well-meaning story. My main problem with the book is that it's supposed to be historical fiction set in 1874, yet the characters speak like people of today. They talk about putting things "on hold" (really? before telephones were invented?) and wanting to "be focused," and they all seem far too familiar with late-20th century psychology. Laura Ingalls would have had no idea where these people "were coming from."
August 8, 2017
Well, this one had some good moments, but on the whole it was... awkward. The story was ok, but the writing style, stifle dialogs and very simple - almost script like - way of "setting the scene" was really distracting.
October 15, 2018
I could not finish this one and that is unusual for me. I was so bored and I got about 1/3 of the way through it when there was nothing happening, no conflict to overcome at all besides trying to win a damn baking competition. Everything was too cheesy and perfect. Not for me.
December 16, 2016
I was excited to read this book at first because the plot sounded terrific.
I read half and gave up ....it wasn't well written and I was bored....
I read half and gave up ....it wasn't well written and I was bored....
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