A haunting guilt. A family to save. A love that can’t be.When Emma Daniels’ well-to-do family finds itself destitute, she answers an ad for the Gilbert Company seeking young women to be waitresses at hotel restaurants along remote railroad lines out west. The rules for a Gilbert Girl are work hard, act respectably at all times, and no courting allowed. None of them present a problem for Emma, at least until she meets the hotel’s builder, Monroe Hartley. His smile and teasing manner were the last things Emma expected to find on the Colorado frontier. But as intriguing as he is, Emma would be risking her job – and her family’s lives – if she allowed his attentions.Building this hotel for the Gilbert Company is the perfect opportunity for Monroe. Not only will it advance his career, it barely gives him a moment to drown in guilt over his wife’s death. When Emma arrives, he finds himself drawn to her. But he can’t promise her anything, not unless he wants her to end up with the same fate his wife suffered.Giving in to their feelings would mean losing everything, yet they find themselves growing closer as the summer stretches on. When a man who covets Monroe’s job discovers their secret and threatens to reveal it, they must each decide whether their love is worth uprooting everything they’ve worked so hard for.Building Forever is the first book in the new Gilbert Girls series. Like all of Cat's books, this sweet and clean historical romance will warm your heart and fill you with hope.
This book reminds me of a Hallmark series. I'm not a fan of all of the miscommunication and the insta-"love". I wanted to read because it's being made into a Netflix series. Even though they're clean romance and I did enjoy the Western setting, these books are not for me.
Emma decides to go west and become a Gilbert girl to support her family; her father has recently passed, and her mother is ill, so she cannot work. Gilbert girls work in the dining rooms of the Gilbert hotels. The Gilbert family employees well-brought-up young ladies for these jobs, and there is a strict moral code for the term of the contract: the girls cannot be courted until their contract is up. While Emma will miss her family, she is looking forward to the adventure. Hartley is a builder who has only worked on smaller projects previously but has managed to talk his way into working on one of the bigger Gilbert hotel complexes in Colorado. He and Emma have an almost instant attraction, even though that first interaction has a measure of embarrassment for Emma.
What an enjoyable book! Emma's kindness and compassion in her desire to help her family pulled me right in. She is plucky and adventurous as well. The writing is easy to follow, and the characters the author has created—especially all the Gilbert girls themselves—are uniquely individual. By making them so three dimensional and distinct, the author has set up the basis for a good series as we follow the life and experience of each of the girls. I like that this book gave a glimpse into what was probably similar to endeavors that actually happened across the west in those early days.
If you enjoy western romance, you will most likely appreciate this well-crafted, clean story.
I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.
When Emma's prominent family fall on hard times after the death of her father she decides as the oldest she is responsible to take care of them. She is hired to be one of new Gilbert Girls at a new hotel and restaurant being built. Monroe bluffs his way through an interview to be the builder of the newest Hotel. Although these are the two main characters we also are introduced to 3 more of the new girls. Mr & Mrs McFarland are back from the prequel of the series as is Mrs. Ruby the house mother to the girls. Monroe is hiding secrets from his past and they keep cropping up to discourage him. Although there is instant attraction between Monroe and Emma, as Gilbert Girls they have signed a contract for 1 year that they will have no relationship with men and will keep their reputation above reproach. This also is a stipulation of any of the men on the building crew, if they pay any attention to the women it is cause for instant dismissal. Emma and Monroe are a very sweet couple caught in an impossible situation they both need this job and yet what do they do about this attraction that keeps getting them in trouble. Oh my you must read to find out, as they find out this isn't the only problem out to destroy them. Really looking forward to reading more in the series to see what happens with the rest of the new girls and the problems they face. I received a free copy of this book from the publisher but I was not asked for anything in return. This review is totally my own opinion but I hope it will help in your decision to give Ms Cahill's book's a try.
The first book in the Gilbert Girls series concerns staffing a hotel on a new rail line in Colorado. It is set is the mid 1800's when rules were lots different from today. "When Emma Daniels’ well-to-do family finds itself destitute, she answers an ad for the Gilbert Company seeking young women to be waitresses at hotel restaurants along remote railroad lines out west. The rules for a Gilbert Girl are strict: work hard, act respectably at all times, and no courting allowed. None of them present a problem for Emma, at least until she meets the hotel’s builder, Monroe Hartley. His smile and teasing manner were the last things Emma expected to find on the Colorado frontier. But as intriguing as he is, Emma would be risking her job – and her family’s lives – if she allowed his attentions. Building this hotel for the Gilbert Company is the perfect opportunity for Monroe. Not only will it advance his career, it barely gives him a moment to drown in guilt over his wife’s death. When Emma arrives, he finds himself drawn to her. But he can’t promise her anything, not unless he wants her to end up with the same fate his wife suffered. Giving in to their feelings would mean losing everything, yet they find themselves growing closer as the summer stretches on. When a man who covets Monroe’s job discovers their secret and threatens to reveal it, they must each decide whether their love is worth uprooting everything they’ve worked so hard for." synopsis copied
The story the setting is perfect for the west, and Emma is trying to help her family because her father died and left them practically penniless. She also wanted to have a little adventure so she saw an ad for Gilmore girls as serving guests, but they couldn't have a beautiful or cavort with any Men but when Emma arrived on the train, she was so excited. The land was so beautiful and she also saw a man, tall, dark hair and good looking. His name was Mr. Hartley. Hartley and Emma really talk to each other but knew it could ruin each other's future because as the main supervisor of building the big hotel, the men weren't supposed to cavort with the women either but Emma and Monroe were sneaking times to talk to each other and knew that they were getting close and tried very hard not to ruin their careers as Emma really needed the money to send back to her family, but eventually the tides turn, and they are caught by Turner and he blackmailed them, but it did come out, and Emma was let go. She was devastated as she knew she needed the money to send to her family and Monroe lost his job at building the hotel. Would Emma and Monroe find happiness and be able to keep their careers wait and find out
Emma Daniels has a family to support. Her father has died, and her mother's illness has used up all the funds that he left for them. They are going to have to move and she and her sisters find work. There is no work in the city, except at factories, where the days are long and the work very strenuous. So she signs on with the Gilbert Co. to work as a waitress in one of their new hotels. The contract was for a year and they not allowed to not date or be with a man while they worked for Gilbert Co.
Monroe Hartley has just landed the the job of building this new hotel. For him it was a dream job. He hired the best crew and promised to have it done in record time. He had just begun the hotel when the first girls arrived to be trained. Emma was on that train, and he was called on to help with the trunks. Emma's trunk was old and it slipped out of the hands of the man carrying it and all her things were spilled on the ground. Monroe was kind enough to help her pick them up and put them back into the trunk. Then he offered to take her trunk and repair it. So it started. It seemed they were destined to be together. They both knew the rules.
Can these two make it for a year? Can they see each other without being caught? Read this book. It is an excellent, well written story that keeps you turning page after page. See who wins, love or rules!
Emma Daniel's family is in trouble; as the oldest, she decides to become a Gilbert Girl in the West. Emma has a strong sense of adventure and an interest in trying new things. The wrinkle with the Gilbert Girls is that one cannot marry until one's contract is over (one year).
Monroe Harley has been hired to build a new Gilbert hotel. He becomes interested in one of the new hires by the Gilbert Co., namely Emma. They both know the dangers of meeting; the company is strict about this issue. However, when something is forbidden, the attraction is that much greater. This story is unique and keeps the reader's attention throughout the story.
**A young lady had been hired to be one o the Gilbert girls, young ladies who were not to date until their contract was up. A builder had been hired to build the new hotel, he became interested in a young lady who worked at the site. A must-read for those who enjoy historical western romance kindle books from Amazon at a special price and from a delightful author who keeps me wondering what next for the characters.
This is a wonderful historical romance set in the west. Elizabeth, a young lately sets off in an adventure with the hope of helping her family, which had fallen on hard times. She was planning on sending money home to help out. She started training to work at a hotel which was being built. Monroe, the talented builder in charge of the project, was out to prove himself. They meet and attraction ensues which would be great, except for the rules of no contact between the men and women. A traitor in their midst, a series of innocent encounters build the drama up. To find how it all plays out, you need to read the book. I enjoyed the interplay between the interesting characters, and how events unfolded. The characters were true to time the story was set in. The suspense of being caught even in innocent situations was built up expertly. The author demonstrated creativity and delivered an enjoyable historical romance. I recommend this book.
This is the first book in Cat Cahill's series The Gilbert Girls and it was a great read. Emma Daniels the eldest in her family finds herself with a big responsibility. Her father has passed away suddenly and her mother is ill and can not work. With her mother's medical bills they can no longer afford the big beautiful house in the affluent neighborhood and find they have to move to an apartment. Emma sees, and answers an ad for the Gilbert Co. looking for waitresses for their new hotels being built out west along the new Railroads. The rules are hard and firm for a Gilbert Girl and are very strict: work hard, act respectably at all times, and no courting allowed. Emma does not see a problem, she only wants to work and send money back home to her family. That is until she meets the hotel’s builder, Monroe Hartley. This was a fun read with enough excitement and suspense to keep your interest.
I can’t imagine traveling away from my family to try to help earn money to support them and hopefully you wind up with a good employer.
The book is pretty good with describing the scenery with where Emma Daniels is working and growing to love as you hear about the mountains and fresh air that Emma finds so fascinating of the Colorado territory .
Monroe Hartley is in Colorado for one reason and that is to get his building dreams off and running but a little dark haired beauty just might side line everything for both of them.
The only annoying part of the book is near the ending where she ends up back in Ky and misses out on Monroe and then Monroe finally wakes up and goes after Emma but Emma also wakes up as well and goes to find Monroe back in Colorado . So hopefully these two get this whole mess sorted out in time because there’s someone with evil intentions who could destroy everything!
Emma Daniels was brave applying for a position working for the Gilbert Company in a hotel out west. Despite being told that they wanted respectable girls, she didn’t know what she was getting into. And growing up in until recently well to do household, she wasn’t prepared for the work involved. But she was doing this to support her mother and sisters. It was foolish of her to risk losing her job by sneaking out after curfew and meeting up with the hotel builder Monroe Hartley. There was romance and drama and a dastardly villain in the story. The descriptions of Colorado were breathtaking. I’m looking forward to reading about the rest of the Gilbert Girls, why they chose to work for the company, and who they fall in love with.
A sweet western romance story.. Emma, from a small town, gets on the train that takes her to the Hotel that was being built in Colorado she became a Gilbert Girl, which is a waitress in a plush, elegant Hotel that was being built. She falls in love with the 'Carpenter boss' which was against the rules. The workers and girls were not to mix, when word got out this everyone was upset. . This was a short sweet story I loved the characters and the settings were brilliant; describing the green grass at the foot hill, the snow topped mountains and the beautiful creek near by. The way the author described everything was splendid and put you right in the middle. This was a good, well written clean story in the old west. This is a book for everyone.
This is a well written old west historical romance with strong characters and an interesting story line. The author does a great job developing the story and pulls you in with the drama,suspense and romance.The supporting characters help to bring the story around along with the vividly painted scenes as she takes you back to the day and makes you feel you're there. I loved and would recommend this book.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.
Audiobook: I enjoyed this story. Monroe Hartley was hired to build a new hotel for the Gilbert Company. Emma Daniels answered an ad to be trained as a Gilbert Girl. Her training was located where Monroe was building the new hotel. The romance was charming. The worldbuilding was lovely. There were some surprising twists and plenty of action in this tale which took place when railroads were being built. Lu Banks' narration was fine, but she lacked expressiveness in her performance. I was given a free copy of the audiobook, and I have voluntarily posted this review.
Emma Daniel, as the eldest, feels she has to do something to keep her family afloat after the death of her father and her mother's illness. She answers an ad for Gilbert Girls, young women to seve in an new Gilbert Hotel in Colorado. Monroe Hartley has been hired to complete the hotel in a very short time. The only catch for them both...the Gilbert company allows no courting by thrift employees. Not a problem if you have a family to support or are running from your own demons, right? A good read.
This story follows Emma, as she make her way out west to work for the Gilbert Girls. Emma, needed to work in order to support her family. She was sent to a Gilbert hotel that was still being built so, her training and all the work she and the other girls did was hard physically. Monroe, was the builder who oversaw the hotel project. This was his dream job. One of hopefully many to come. The strictest rule the Gilbert Girls, and all male workers had to follow, was absolutely no interactions with the opposite sex. Then, Monroe and Emma met.
I absolutely loved this book! The character were great making me feel as if I was part of the story. Learning about the Gilbert girls and how that started to the building of the hotel by the train depot. The romance was dreamy and romantic and clean. I loved that there was lots of action that were brought on with one of the characters. I can’t wait to read more of Cat Cahill’s books!
Was given a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
When Emma is hired as a Gilbert Girl & is brought to Crest Stone CO to train for service, she understands the rules about not getting married while under contract. Monroe , hired to build the hotel complex, has the same understanding about the no-fraternizing policy with the Gilbert Girls. That understanding gets dynamited the moment they lay eyes on each other. A sweet story, interspersed with threats, blackmail, and strife, ensues. Good read.
I enjoyed this sweet love story in the Gilbert Girls series. Emma was a responsible young lady whose family back home relied on her income to support them. She travels to become a Gilbert Girl, and this is where she meets Monroe, the project manager/builder for the new up and coming hotel. Strict rules disallow the women and men fratenizing, but there's an immediate attraction despite secrets, arson, and so much more! I recommend this quick read.
This book was exactly what I needed. I enjoyed it so much. The damsel was in distress, but not letting that stop her. The hero was strong and masculine without being a brute. As for historical accuracy, if it wasn't accurate in some way, I missed it. The dialog wasn't riddled with modern slang. Thank you, Cat Cahill! And it was a clean read. If you enjoy sweet, clean historical romance, then you'll probably enjoy this book.
I had a little trouble getting into the book at the start but as I drew closer to the end I couldn’t put it down. It’s a shame but people like John Turner still exist in this world. I had the same thing happen to me on a job. Someone wanted my position, lied about me and tried to make me look bad at every possible turn. She won, I was terminated. It was one of the hardest moments of my life. But then I got an even better job so it worked out in the end.
I'm always amazed by the authors who have the courage to put their beloved characters through the many trials they dream up. Without struggle, there can be no victory. Emotional struggles in stories can be even more difficult to distance from because they often strum heartstrings that recognize the hurt. Thank you Ms. Cahill for a happy and victorious ending to a touching story.
This is Book #1 in a new series and is a wonderful story. It has all the elements that make for a good historical novel: lies, deception, mystery, mean people, great friends, love and HEA. Once you start reading you will not be able to put the book down. I really enjoyed the story and highly recommend it.
I enjoyed this delightful romance with its tangle of emotions and concerns that disrupted the attraction between the hero and heroine. The author gave lovely descriptions of the setting which helped me picture being there. A touch of suspense kept me guessing as the characters worked through their challenges.
I love the West where a person falls in love fast even before kissing! Gibson girls are like the Harvey girls to wait on travelers had a code to live by, that included not talking to the opposite gender or get fired, that policy is bound to be broken many times! - Babs
I thought this was a little wordy in places with the constant romantic dreams versus the strict rules & Emma's needs to earn money. But I did love the plot, I loved that silly, tie eating horse, & definitely loved the search & rescue at the end. A great book for Christians & all who like passion & romance without the porn. Thank you Ms Cahill & God bless!
I enjoyed reading Monroe and Emma's story. It was short and sweet. In fact, almost too short! I would have liked an extended epilogue going forward a couple of years to find out how Emma's family was doing and where Monroe and Emma finally ended up. Perhaps one of the later books will give us an update.
Sometimes it's impossible not to break the rules. The rules are very strict for the young ladies who seek to become Gilbert Girls. No fraternizing with the men who are working to build the Gilbert Hotel. This is an entertaining story with lots of tender moments.
Sweet historical story taken place mostly in the untamed mountains of Colorado, the Gilbert Girls, the railroad and the building of a beautiful luxery hotel.