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Misled Mail Order Brides #3
The Perfect Wife
Natalie Harper has just married the man of her dreams. All of her life, she has wanted a husband who would be kind, gentle, and handsome. She wanted a companion she could share her life with. Mark Larson fulfills all of those dreams. And she couldn't be happier. However, Mark is also wealthy. The money doesn't mean anything to Natalie. She's just happy to be loved by him, but she soon discovers that his wealth comes with some unexpected problems. She grew up on a farm with very little to her name. No one cared about how people drank tea, how well they danced, or how much education they had. They didn't judge people based on any of those things. In Mark's world, though, she's expected to follow certain etiquette rules she didn't even know existed. And the women in her new social circle aren't the least bit shy about letting her know she doesn't meet up to their standards. Yes, she married Mark because she loved him, but she's quickly learning there's more to marriage than love. A lot more. And she's not sure she has what it takes to make it work. DON'T MISS THE BOOKS IN THIS SERIES The Bride Price (Book 1) The Rejected Groom (Book 2) The Perfect Wife (Book 3)
218 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 25, 2018
209 people are currently reading
96 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 - 15 of 15 reviews
July 4, 2020
Enjoyable. (And FREE)
Still a bit too much unnecessary repetitiveness with the dialog (internal and external).
The conflict was moderate, but emotion provoking. More so with the cattiness of the snobby women looking down on the h then the craziness at the end. It was interesting how the author weaved intuition as a driving force into the story. A great message to convey about trusting one's gut feeling.
The characters were all likable but still too much telling and talking instead of showing.
The romance was not there. I suppose this may be because I didn't read the previous book, and the H & h were already married at the start. Sex scenes seemed mechanical, lacking passion and tenderness. ("Sensitive nub" used twice - BLAH)
Summary- Wealthy hero marries uneducated farm girl out of love. Heroine has difficulty fitting into society and feels pressure to do so in order to be helpful to her husbands business.
Safety
Still a bit too much unnecessary repetitiveness with the dialog (internal and external).
The conflict was moderate, but emotion provoking. More so with the cattiness of the snobby women looking down on the h then the craziness at the end. It was interesting how the author weaved intuition as a driving force into the story. A great message to convey about trusting one's gut feeling.
The characters were all likable but still too much telling and talking instead of showing.
The romance was not there. I suppose this may be because I didn't read the previous book, and the H & h were already married at the start. Sex scenes seemed mechanical, lacking passion and tenderness. ("Sensitive nub" used twice - BLAH)
Summary- Wealthy hero marries uneducated farm girl out of love. Heroine has difficulty fitting into society and feels pressure to do so in order to be helpful to her husbands business.
Safety
June 6, 2019
Love, intrigue, and humor!
Natalie feels lost in her new world. She is afraid of doing something wrong and hurting her husband's business. Some of the women do not really accept her and make fun of because she was raised on a farm. On another front Annabelle is being courted by someone new in town, and Mark, her brother, is worried about because he is suspicious of him. Ruth Ann Nordin plots her story to keep your attention to see what will happen next. I could not put this book down until I finished it. If you like romance, humor, and suspense, you will enjoy this book. Happy reading!
Natalie feels lost in her new world. She is afraid of doing something wrong and hurting her husband's business. Some of the women do not really accept her and make fun of because she was raised on a farm. On another front Annabelle is being courted by someone new in town, and Mark, her brother, is worried about because he is suspicious of him. Ruth Ann Nordin plots her story to keep your attention to see what will happen next. I could not put this book down until I finished it. If you like romance, humor, and suspense, you will enjoy this book. Happy reading!
December 1, 2025
A sweet story, all in all, and a good ending to this series.
I must say, I was surprised with how "innocently" Mark justified his actions to everyone, ha ha! I'm not sure if he's just a straightforward sweet-talker, or if he honestly believes that tricking everyone was all for the best, but I get the feeling now how he's a character who's used to "always getting what he wants". xD
I must say, I was surprised with how "innocently" Mark justified his actions to everyone, ha ha! I'm not sure if he's just a straightforward sweet-talker, or if he honestly believes that tricking everyone was all for the best, but I get the feeling now how he's a character who's used to "always getting what he wants". xD
March 18, 2019
Good story.
No intimate scenes with anyone other than the Hero and heroine.
Small other woman drama linked to previous books couple.
Breadcrumbs dropped for future books in series and updates of previous characters and couples from previous books.
HEA.
No intimate scenes with anyone other than the Hero and heroine.
Small other woman drama linked to previous books couple.
Breadcrumbs dropped for future books in series and updates of previous characters and couples from previous books.
HEA.
March 24, 2019
If not for the manner it was written, I might rate this 1 star. It didn't give me a headache but I was slightly irritated particularly with Mark. There were many things to unlike in this story.
In some ways, this story goes against morality. It was like telling people it's alright to lie and manipulate people so long you can justify it.
1. It was hypocritical of Mark when he said, "Why should I be stuck with Velma just because she wanted it? Why should Natalie be forced to marry Tony—who didn’t even want her—because Velma wanted it? Since when does Velma get to make all of the decisions?" For his information, he made the decision for the 4 of them! I really abhors it when a person thinks that s/he knew what is best for everyone. If you ask me, Mark was better suited with Fran because like him, she was also manipulative.
I'm also an intuitive person but I never played God. I'll just warn the other person if needed to but I'll never control them. If they don't want to heed my advice then that's their problem, at least I have done my part.
2. Richard (Mark's father), Natalie and Annabelle were simpletons. A little justification and a few twists on reasonings, they left Mark off the hook. Only Tony was able to see through Mark.
3. I wonder why didn't Mark nor Annabelle nor their mother taught Natalie anything immediately. They were aware of her background and should have taught her place right after the wedding since both Mark and Natalie didn't bother to go on a honeymoon trip. Not just leave her to her own devices.
4. If Natalie dislikes Katherine and Fran and the other pretentious lot, she didn't need to explain anything to them. She could just wish them a pleasant day and go away.
5. I find the way Annabelle and Ben got married idiotic.
6. Natalie and Margie were banned from their social group and going to formulate a new one. I feel this is going to be Ladies of Grace vs Enduring Friendships 1880s Omaha, Nebraska version and I expect to read more of it in Ruth Ann Nordin's succeeding Western Historical Romances.
In some ways, this story goes against morality. It was like telling people it's alright to lie and manipulate people so long you can justify it.
February 22, 2020
The Perfect Wife
Oh boy what a book...
Mark has a twin named Tony. They both fell in love with two women. Mark loves Natalie, and Tony loves Velma.
The problem was Velma though she should marry Mark. Mark came up with a plan to marry Natalie using Ben as the preacher.
Both couples were to wed together. Ben preformed the service quickly and Mark took his bride Natalie away from the church before the members of the congregation could say anything.
Velma though she was marring Mark but was shocked to see she married Tony instead.
Annabelle is the sister of the men and again Mark is playing matchmaker maker. He wants Ben to marry her.
He does but at gun point.
Will Velma and her husband work things out? Will Mark learn to stop playing matchmaker?
I enjoyed the book, I could have done without the adult content of the bridal room. Apart from that it was a good story.
Oh boy what a book...
Mark has a twin named Tony. They both fell in love with two women. Mark loves Natalie, and Tony loves Velma.
The problem was Velma though she should marry Mark. Mark came up with a plan to marry Natalie using Ben as the preacher.
Both couples were to wed together. Ben preformed the service quickly and Mark took his bride Natalie away from the church before the members of the congregation could say anything.
Velma though she was marring Mark but was shocked to see she married Tony instead.
Annabelle is the sister of the men and again Mark is playing matchmaker maker. He wants Ben to marry her.
He does but at gun point.
Will Velma and her husband work things out? Will Mark learn to stop playing matchmaker?
I enjoyed the book, I could have done without the adult content of the bridal room. Apart from that it was a good story.
July 21, 2020
Pretty good
I'd read a few reviews on this, some must've read it differently than I did. But I got this because one lady took offense to the sex in it. Lol! I loved the characters. I was a little taken aback to the wealth in this story compared to the other characters in two other books I've read in the series. Talk about two different worlds. I don't see Mark as being manipulative as some reviews said. He's just sure of his convictions. I would have enjoyed more of the parents and Tony in this. I have to say tho Ruth Ann Nordin is getting better and better. I hope you enjoy this. Happy reading! 😺
I'd read a few reviews on this, some must've read it differently than I did. But I got this because one lady took offense to the sex in it. Lol! I loved the characters. I was a little taken aback to the wealth in this story compared to the other characters in two other books I've read in the series. Talk about two different worlds. I don't see Mark as being manipulative as some reviews said. He's just sure of his convictions. I would have enjoyed more of the parents and Tony in this. I have to say tho Ruth Ann Nordin is getting better and better. I hope you enjoy this. Happy reading! 😺
August 31, 2021
I hate Mark. He's selfish and an asshole. Plus, he's a manipulative jerk that can never be justified. His affection for Natalie does not and will never be enough reason to betray your brother.
And he blames everything on Velma. He's the one who lied. He was never punished for what he has done. He was never remorseful.
The end does not justify the means.
I hate that he was happy in the end without any suffering for what he did.
Natalie is meh. Boring.
I just wish I could rate it a zero 🤣.
And he blames everything on Velma. He's the one who lied. He was never punished for what he has done. He was never remorseful.
The end does not justify the means.
I hate that he was happy in the end without any suffering for what he did.
Natalie is meh. Boring.
I just wish I could rate it a zero 🤣.
June 29, 2020
3rd book about two of the three young women who answer an ad for a mail order bride and are given the chance to start new lives, but not with the expected groom they had each wanted.
In this tale the women share the spotlight to an extent with the main focus on Natalie and her journey from unsure young bride to a decisive person.
In this tale the women share the spotlight to an extent with the main focus on Natalie and her journey from unsure young bride to a decisive person.
November 22, 2018
Great story
Mark and Natalie
I enjoyed reading this captivating and somewhat dramatic story with witty banter. Their story has a satisfying and complete HEA. Although I can't wait for Annabelle story!!
Mark and Natalie
I enjoyed reading this captivating and somewhat dramatic story with witty banter. Their story has a satisfying and complete HEA. Although I can't wait for Annabelle story!!
October 11, 2022
Great series
This was not my favorite of the series but there was so much information needed to understand book 2 and 4. Love these characters. There is love, laughter and drama. A great read.
This was not my favorite of the series but there was so much information needed to understand book 2 and 4. Love these characters. There is love, laughter and drama. A great read.
September 3, 2018
Loved!
Another great read by Ruth Ann Nordin! I'm loving this new series. The Larson's are such an amazing family and I enjoy reading about them.
Another great read by Ruth Ann Nordin! I'm loving this new series. The Larson's are such an amazing family and I enjoy reading about them.
March 6, 2019
Nicely written as usual and I do usually love this author's books (have read heaps), but this one not so much. Sorry about that - can't love them all.
February 13, 2020
A wonderful western romance. Well written as always.
August 13, 2018
4.5 stars. Mark is used to manipulating those around him. He’s grown used to lies and deception ‘for the benefit of others’. After learning of the scheme surrounding their wedding Natalie extracts a promise of honesty. I liked that he sticks to his word, even when things aren’t going the way he wants. Natalie learns to fit into Marks affluent world and still be true to herself. Velma, from the last book, impressed me with her compassion. Ben and Annabelle’s book will be something to look forward to.
Adult read
Adult read
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews