A Love to Last Forever

Brides of Gallatin County #2

by Tracie Peterson

All Beth Gallatin has really wanted out of life is to settle down in one town, with one man, and raise a family. But with her father's roaming ways, she's always been denied that dream; instead, she found solace in reading romantic books. With her father's passing, she can, for the first time, dare to claim the rugged Montana frontier as her home.

Nick Lassiter has loved Beth since she first came to town, but she's always seemed to think of him more as a brother. Just when he finally gets Beth to consider him, however, a challenger threatens the affection growing between them. But neither Nick nor Beth is prepared when they must face the consequences of Nick's complicated past.

As a past fraught with unwise choices and guilt invades their world, can Nick and Beth find a love that will last forever?

Genres: Christian Fiction, Historical Fiction, Romance, Christian, Historical Romance, Historical, Fiction

368 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Tracie Peterson is a bestselling author who writes in both historical and contemporary genres. Her novels reveal her love for research as well as her strong desire to develop emotionally meaningful characters and stories for her readers. Tracie and her family live in Montana.

pen name: Janelle Jamison

Reviews

[Jasmine (Jazzie) [Jesus Loves You!!] · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rtc

[Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book so much!!! I love the relationship between the Gallatin sisters and how they can get through problems with each other there for them. This is the second book of Tracie Peterson's series called Brides of Gallatin County and it was amazing!!! So this book's main character is Beth Gallatin the second oldest Gallatin sister. It is about love, trials, and having faith in God. Beth struggles with guilt after her father's death and doesn't know how to get rid of it.

Nick Lassiter has loved Beth Gallatin ever since she moved to the little communtiy. He also stuggles with guilt in the past and they will both have to face the demons of their past and learn to trust in God on the way they will find that they might love each other.

I recommend this book to anyone who loved to read Christian Historical Romace with unpredictable plot twists and that will make you laugh and cry. Once you start this book you won't be able to put it down!

[Chloe (Always Booked) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars! This was surprisingly good, but it’s definitely obvious that it’s part of a series. It’s a lot of day in the life stuff of the whole community that would probably be more interesting if you read all 3 books.
This is the story of Beth falling in love and marrying Nick. Beth is a book lover and i thought that part was so fun! She lives in the Gallatin house with her sisters Lacey and Gwen. Gwen is married to Hank (a local shop owner) and Lacey is the youngest sister who is a little bit of a rebellious tomboy who has a love hate relationship with the town deputy. Their father died mysteriously— was it murder? Lacey is determined to find out!
The book is set in the end of the 1800s I believe in Montana. I liked the setting and thought it was funny that some of the people came from the seemingly great land of KS. Montana must really be bleak.
Nick has a tarnished past and he’s just recently found God. Beth had denied him multiple times because he wasn’t a Christian but now that he is she’s willing to admit her love for him. They start courting and then his young son shows up. He had loved another girl, gotten her pregnant, and then her family ran him out of town. She died while giving birth and her parents raised the boy but now they’re old and sick and bring him to nick. Beth is surprisingly cool with all of it and the 3 of them become one happy family.
There are also side stories including Simon (nicks brother) and one of the prostitutes. They were planning on getting married and moving away because she ended up pregnant by one of her clients but the bar owner beat her so bad she lost the baby. They’re still in love but there will be no baby and I don’t know if they’ll leave. There’s also the aspect of the railroad being built. It’s going to run north of their town so they’re going to lose any hope of traffic and the township may not survive. Beth and her sisters were always moving as kids and all she wants is a stable home. She’s so fearful of leaving that she thinks about ending her relationship with nick but then she realizes that home is where he and their son are.
As for the other sisters, Gwen is pregnant at the end of this book and Lacey is just investigating their father’s death and her relationship with Dave the deputy.
This is Christian fiction and even though I am a Christian I felt like this was overkill at some points. At times it felt very real, authentic and applicable but at other times it felt like it was just convenient to throw in a God reference. I also didn’t like how judgmental and holier-than-thou the sisters were. They were going to drug everyone at the local bar to get them to pass out and stop drinking?? Let God do the judging ladies. 2 wrongs don’t make a right. I’m all for protecting the rights of the prostitutes but when we’re talking about drinking that’s not harming others— mind your business.
Overall I’d recommend this book. I’m intrigued enough to read the other books but I probably won’t be rushing to buy them.

[Margaret Chind · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bethany or Beth, rather, is definitely the romantic one of the Gallatin sisters. In book #2 of the series we get to hear her story. As a reader, on could easily understand and appreciate this novel without having read the first book. Yet, the first book is Gwen, the eldest sister's story, and understanding her is easier if you know her background more fully.

The only qualm I have with this book is the way that it ended, I have many unanswered questions and feel quite left in my pondering. It is not necessarily bad, and it definitely makes me even more so eager for the third book, where I am sure we will hear Lacy's story, but I do despise be left to wonder.

Beth is full about romance and all she wants is her own. Then with the confusion of Mr. Adrian Murphy of the railroad company and neighbor Nicholas Lassiter, she is unsure of what she really wants. Through out the story she dives into her dime romance novels seeking answers. She even finds her way into more novels than in time for reading the Bible and that was a part of her with some guilt that I could easily relate to.

This story is definitely not lacking on romance, for Beth as well as for other characters as well. There are pregnancies with babies and losses. There are crimes with passion and purpose. People are coming in and moving out and with each page you never know what to expect next. The world of the Gallatin County Gallatin sisters is changing rapidly and as a reader you will absolutely thirst for what is next. After reading this book, if you missed the first, you'll definitely want to go back as well as look for the third to come later this year (2009).

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

More like 4.5. I'm really enjoying this series. Looking forward to seeing how it concludes. :)

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved Book Two!! I have always enjoyed the author’s book series.

[Bonnie Dieffenbacher · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book 2 in this series. It's a Christian historical novel which takes place in Montana. It is about 3 sisters who run a stage stop near present day Bozeman. It has history and romance. Loved it.

[Esmeralda_L+L]

Too much sexual content etc for me.

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 This is the second book in the series. Liked this one more than the first... Ready to read book 3 in this series.

[Clean reads for Christian women · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don't like beth

[Kathy * Bookworm Nation · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was just okay for me. The first half just felt a bit too preachy and Gwen and Beth just come across a little too goody-goody for me. Although they are obviously very Christian, they come across too judgmental for me. It felt too much like I was getting a sermon instead of a story. Not to mention all the romance novel talk from Beth, that got old rather quickly. About halfway or maybe a little more, it kind of changed pace and felt more like the first book. I am glad how things worked out for Beth, but the storyline itself was predictable and didn’t really hold a lot of excitement.

Lacy, the youngest Gallatin sister, has always been my favorite. She seems the most normal, down-to-earth character, full of sass and I love the encounters she has with Dave. They have the most chemistry out of all the characters. I’m excited to read her story in “A Dream to Call My Own”, and hope that Peterson keeps Lacy true to character and lightens up on the preaching aspect. You can tell a clean, motivating story without all the preachy stuff, just my opinion

[Shelley · Rating 2 out of 5]

I could never get a handle on Beth. She basically expected everyone to change to suit her - she admitted that to Gwen early on, and she never showed any growth past that (even into book three, which I'm reading now) - and were we supposed to find that acceptable? She was immature and not usually very likable. She *could* be fun sometimes, but those moments weren't as frequent as I liked. By the end of it, I didn't even like Nick very much. A lot of the book's tension in the first 2/3 felt manufactured and when there was something to legitimately fuel the tension, it caused zero tension whatsoever. Baffling.

[Jennifer Carr · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like this book a great deal. I liked this book alot more than the first one but the 3nd in the serise was totally the best. I really liked the story line for these books and the setting as well. Ms Peterson has a good way of getting things to happen the way you wanting it but it still not being to predicable.

[SheLove2Read · Rating 4 out of 5]

2nd book in the Gallatin County series. I liked this one better than the first. This is Nick and Beth's story.

[Leigh Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this as much as the first book. This focused on Beth, the middle sister, but you still knew
what was going on in the other sisters lives. Loving this trilogy!

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

Poor book twos they are always trailing on the coat tails book one and the hopes of what will happen in book 3. This is why I don't love series. I want each book to be resolved and independent but It is a way to sell books!! However, this book was good enough to make me want to move on to book three.
I can see why my mom liked Traci Peterson. Though I doubt she will be a favorite for me, I get it! She liked American Historical Fiction, She liked interpersonal relationships and family as well as the clean romance. What I like, is Great Britain and or European Historical Fiction, I like a little more drama and a little more conflict. Okay, that sounds weird, but these books are about people's day to day struggles, and that is swell, and I see why mom mom liked that, but for me, I want a little more entertainment not how normal people over come normal things. I guess different stages of life!

This book and series fulfills the year reading challeng of "Read a book you mom or dad love" my mom and dad have passed but I knew what mom liked to read. If it were my dad I would read a non fiction, investment book, or Day trading for dummies (love you dad, but BORING)

[Holly · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I'm still not a fan of sappy romance stories like the ones found in this series, this book did have more action and mild plot twists than the first of the series. I have enjoyed following the sisters and feel like a guest in the Gallatin House. Sometimes the sisters can throw themselves a pity party. This characteristic tends to annoy me but even still they are a joy to continue to follow.

As like the first and many Christian fiction books, there is scripture and the message of salvation and God's mercy and faithfulness scattered throughout the story.

For the more sensitive readers, there are elements of prostitution (brothel/saloon type circumstances) and violence towards women.

You will certainly find this to be a clean book with no worries of profanity, sex or other controversial circumstances. If you enjoyed the characters of the first book, you'll enjoy them still in this book along with getting to know a few newcomers.

The 3 star rating doesn't reflect a poor story or poor writing. It's an easy read that didn't evoke much emotions in me.

[Loraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is about three sisters who have taken over the stage stop once started by their father who has since passed. Book 2 focuses on the middle sister, Beth. Beth wants to find the love of her life just like the romance books she reads, but Montana is not anything like England where her books all talk about fancy Lords and Ladies. Will true love ever come her way?

Peterson brings to life each and every one of the main characters in this series. Gwen the oldest is the protective mother sister, Beth the middle sister is the one most affected by the constant moves of their father, and Lacy the youngest is the tomboy who can do anything she sets her mind to. Each of them plays a role in the story with Gwen now married, Beth looking for love, and Lacy determined still to find out who killed their father. With a touch of mystery, a good fill of romance, and other great secondary characters, Peterson keeps your attention from start to finish. Looking forward to reading the final book in the series that focuses on Lacy the youngest of the sisters.

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful story continues! Book 2 of a three book series, this one is about Beth, the second sister of the Gallatin girls. Beth has always been the girl that enjoys reading love stories, waiting patiently for her own love story. She sort of blames herself for her father's death, because she had heard him talking about moving yet again, and she didn't want to move ever again. Her father was shot and died before anything could be done about moving. Yet she still felt guilty about it. Things begin getting interesting when one of the railroad men, Adrian, begins to shows interest in her. Then there is her neighbor, Nick, who has shown interest for a while. She has known Nick for a long time, and she worries that Adrian will make them move often, from place to place. She grows closer and closer to Nick, but then she finds out that there is a big secret from Nick's past she doesn't know about. He shows up as a nine year old boy, Justin, Nick's son. Crazy and wonderful story!

[Ayla Stierwalt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book hit the spot the Author of this book has really matched the character personality well. I enjoy this book better then the first one. You really must read the first book to understand what is all happening in the second book. I am really looking forward to the third book. This one I could not put it down, the twist and turn and the crazy amount of action in this book. I am loving that they really use God with the way they are living. I feel that if you have a fear of moving all the time this book might be able to kinda help you come to terms with that fear. These girls have come a long way with just the second I can't wait to see how much they grow and who will the third sister will change. She is the most feisty one. I do have an idea, but I want to know how he steals that heart for sure!!!!

I would highly recommend this book series!!

[H · Rating 2 out of 5]

This felt like two stories—as in, I thought we’d reached the end, the storylines were wrapping up, etc., and then there were still fifteen chapters or something. I didn’t love the first third/half of the book. Honestly, if I’d been reading instead of listening I probably would have skipped to the end and then called it good, but it’s hard to do that with audiobooks. Beth drove me crazy with her obsession with comparing life and relationships to her books—I felt like it was a good character flaw but taken too far for too long—as did Lacy with her obsession with finding her father’s murderer. I liked the second half a lot better. I liked the introduction of the mystery of the highwaymen and the tension everyone felt as crime started ratcheting up.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

So... if it’s not obvious, I’m a bookworm. I don’t just read books, I climb inside them and live there. Beth Gallatin is the same way, so I’d have to say I relate to her most out of the 3 Gallatin sisters. I absolutely loved her how she thought about the characters in her book while living her everyday life. Since I read these out of order, this is the last one in the series for me. However, I’m still going to re read the 3rd once since the subplots will make more sense now that I have the background of the first two. I’ll definitely wanna revisit the entire series sometime, as the characters were lovable and the sisters knew how to keep me laughing.

[Leah B. Wagner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was legitimately the only romantic book I read as a teenager. I started with the first book and was mostly intrigued by the "murder mystery" aspect with the fathers untimely death. But then I stayed for the sister...especially Lacy. While I loved all the sisters I really skimmed the chapters waiting for Lacy to appear to see what trouble she had gotten herself into. Not going to lie...I found Beth a lil annoying, but was always routing for her. Kind of wished she didn't end up with Nick. I liked him too, he's a good character...but wished for something else for her.
Great book with lots of interesting moments! 📖❤

[Tawny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Favorite lines:
1. "What we obtain merely by asking is not really our own" (37).
2. "I won't let worries about my dignity stand in the way. I guess sometimes a man has to sacrifice that in order to better the lives of other folks" (256).

[James Hooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable read.

Somewhat formulaic but a fast book to escape into while on a plane. I would read more of her books.

[Phyllis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great characters.
Sweet story with enough "bad" to keep it interesting.
Inspirational/spiritual.
Nice easy listen. Will do #3 soon.

[JLynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of her better books. Last chapter was questionable regarding who was watching Jason.

[Lynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute story....I enjoyed it more than the first book of the series!!

[Terry Yaceyko · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read.

[Heidi Morrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent sequel to the trilogy. I'm looking forward to the final installment to discover answers to questions! :)