Karla Gracey

Bronwen's late husband's family expects her to fail and do everything they can to help her fail. She answers a letter for a mail order bride from Nelson Gustavson in Minnesota who is half Swede and half Ojibwe. His father died and his mother went back to her people. He and his mother are estranged. He's lonely and wants someone to come home to after a stagecoach run. Both are very honest in their letters. Bronwen decides to take up Nelson's invitation to visit him. Nelson's ready to declare himself but Bronwen is hesitant to uproot her children if she cannot feel more for Nelson.

I enjoyed this. I liked Bronwen and Nelson. They are good together. I like the honesty between them. Nelson is more hesitant to reveal his past but does finally when she calls him on it. I liked that she was able to help Nelson and his mother. The kids were good as were the townspeople in Minnesota.

The story was believable. I liked that there was an exchange of letters before she left New York. I liked that the reasons for mail order brides made sense. I liked Nelson's hesitation on the other letters he received and his thoughts on them. This is a sweet story with a sweet couple. I look forward to reading more.… (more)