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Wyoming Wildflowers #1
Almost a Bride
Originally published by Silhouette
Wyoming Wildflowers: Indian Paintbrush
Dave Currick was everything Matty Brennan wanted for as along as she could remember. Right up until he broke her heart six years ago. Now that she’s returned to Wyoming for good, what she wants more than anything is to save her family’s ranch. Even if that means swallowing her pride and asking Dave to marry her.
Matty’s up to something � Dave knows that much. Just as he knows that Matty needs help, so of course he’ll provide it, just as he has all her life. Doing what’s best for Matty is second nature. Even when it comes to marrying her in name only. Although he can’t resist one hot-blooded kiss after the I-dos. Maybe � just maybe � his Matty will become more to him than Almost a Bride.
Wyoming Wildflowers: Indian Paintbrush
Dave Currick was everything Matty Brennan wanted for as along as she could remember. Right up until he broke her heart six years ago. Now that she’s returned to Wyoming for good, what she wants more than anything is to save her family’s ranch. Even if that means swallowing her pride and asking Dave to marry her.
Matty’s up to something � Dave knows that much. Just as he knows that Matty needs help, so of course he’ll provide it, just as he has all her life. Doing what’s best for Matty is second nature. Even when it comes to marrying her in name only. Although he can’t resist one hot-blooded kiss after the I-dos. Maybe � just maybe � his Matty will become more to him than Almost a Bride.
254 pages, ebook
First published June 1, 2001
1,854 people are currently reading
3,197 people want to read
About the author
Patricia McLinn
124Ìýbooks307ÌýfollowersUSA Today bestselling author Patricia McLinn’s novels—cited by reviewers for warmth, wit and vivid characterization â€� have won numerous regional and national awards and been on national bestseller lists.
In addition to her romance and women’s fiction books, Patricia is the author of the Caught Dead in Wyoming mystery series, which adds a touch of humor and romance to figuring out whodunit.
Patricia received BA and MSJ degrees from Northwestern University. She was a sports writer (Rockford, Ill.), assistant sports editor (Charlotte, N.C.) and—for 20-plus years—an editor at the Washington Post.
She has spoken about writing from Melbourne, Australia to Washington, D.C., including being a guest-speaker at the Smithsonian Institution. She is now living in Northern Kentucky, and writing full-time. Patricia loves to hear from readers through her website, Facebook, Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ, and Twitter.
In addition to her romance and women’s fiction books, Patricia is the author of the Caught Dead in Wyoming mystery series, which adds a touch of humor and romance to figuring out whodunit.
Patricia received BA and MSJ degrees from Northwestern University. She was a sports writer (Rockford, Ill.), assistant sports editor (Charlotte, N.C.) and—for 20-plus years—an editor at the Washington Post.
She has spoken about writing from Melbourne, Australia to Washington, D.C., including being a guest-speaker at the Smithsonian Institution. She is now living in Northern Kentucky, and writing full-time. Patricia loves to hear from readers through her website, Facebook, Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ, and Twitter.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 383 reviews
May 19, 2020
This was a very compelling tale. The characters demonstrated a wide spectrum of emotions that included changes in an estranged relationship, development into a deep abiding love and faith in each other. The plot was very believable. The story began oddly but eventually changed to an entertaining story.
This is NOT a clean series. Those who actually prefer steamy to clean and sweet might not view it as flawed. Due to this aspect, I recommend it with reservations. If you prefer clean and sweet reads, avoid this book. It is not fair to an author when readers provide bad reviews about steamy scenes if they know they are included in advance. I have been guilty of this offense myself. It takes a lot of time and effort for an author to research and write each book. And there are readers who prefer the material included in this one to a clean and wholesome read. However, I actually prefer the latter. This does have steamy sex scenes, so if you like a sex-free book this is not it. If you enjoy steamy reads, jump into this book looking forward to plenty.Ìý
Unfortunately, for those that prefer a clean and wholesome read, this one should be avoided. I really wish that publishers notated this in their descriptions.
This is NOT a clean series. Those who actually prefer steamy to clean and sweet might not view it as flawed. Due to this aspect, I recommend it with reservations. If you prefer clean and sweet reads, avoid this book. It is not fair to an author when readers provide bad reviews about steamy scenes if they know they are included in advance. I have been guilty of this offense myself. It takes a lot of time and effort for an author to research and write each book. And there are readers who prefer the material included in this one to a clean and wholesome read. However, I actually prefer the latter. This does have steamy sex scenes, so if you like a sex-free book this is not it. If you enjoy steamy reads, jump into this book looking forward to plenty.Ìý
Unfortunately, for those that prefer a clean and wholesome read, this one should be avoided. I really wish that publishers notated this in their descriptions.
June 10, 2012
I got this book free and glad I didn't pay for it. Too many WTF moments. Matty inherits this huge ranch with no means of support. Sell the d@mm thing! Why does she want it? She has NO living relatives. She has lived out East for years and had no interest in the ranch until it's hers. Whatever. . . So to save it, she proposes marriage to the rancher next door who has been her nemesis growing up. The sparks between them and the writing was the only reason this book got even one star. Their marriage is supposed to save the ranch. Okay, so I read further waiting for the big reveal. When it came in chapter four, I and the hero was aghast at the reason for the hurried wedding. She married him for his ADDRESS!!! WTF!! She needed an address in the county HIS ranch was located instead of her ranch to apply for some government loan. Really. . . . really. . . . get a stinking apartment in town! OMG, I was done. I couldn't read another word. I don't care how they work out their problems and turned the marriage into a love match. End.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 13, 2014
This was an Amazon recommendation and for only $1 I thought "why not"? Well, the plot was good, kind of a marriage-of-convenience type scenerio (which I love). Marty must marry her ex-boyfriend Dave in order to save her ranch. Dave dumped her six years earlier for a dumb reason and has missed her ever since. Anyway, I liked the story and characters, but found I had to skip a lot because of sexual content. once you put that stuff in I think the story losses a lot of it's chemistry. I skimmed a lot and skipped to the end just to see how it all wraps up. I wish it would have been cleaner, I think I would have liked it a lot more!
I really wish books had ratings or at least some kind of content warning.
I really wish books had ratings or at least some kind of content warning.
September 10, 2016
How very much is wrong with this awful book...where to begin? You have already read this stale marriage of convenience plot like a few hundred? thousand? times--nothing original and fresh to see here, Folks, move along. Sometimes the reasons and motives for being trapped into such stupidity are handled more skillfully than others but this was the pits, no sense whatsoever. For fiction to work, the characters, dialogue, thought processes, etc. must vaguely resemble something that would emerge from a critter who could pass for a human being; these critters could not. The inconsistencies and stupidities were too numerous to count, but there were a few that bothered me more than others. It is bad enough to have an obnoxious sociopathic heroine or an obnoxious Too Dumb To Live heroine, but an obnoxious Too Dumb To Live sociopathic heroine, give me a break! Mattie is supposedly educated, brilliant(LOL), has a good job she loves in Chicago, so with so many other life options the no big whoop "drama" of losing a run-down ranch is just missing-in-action. She is supposedly too proud or moral or something to ask or accept help from Dave, but if she just adds FRAUD to the mix, she suddenly finds it morally okay, huh? Then she dubs him Snidely Whiplash but, wait a minute, since SHE is the deceitful villain with the nefarious plot, shouldn't she call Dave "Nell"? Dave is supposedly a hot shot lawyer, and he didn't bother to ascertaining the details of her plot before signing on, seriously? And even though they delayed the fake marriage a few days to think things over, nobody gave the tiniest thought to how his sister and parents would feel? Oh well, we're back to the sociopath thing again. Just how does an author create such a long book out of so little material? Why, by repetitiously dragging it on and on, of course, and when it can reasonably drag no further, by miring it in some of the most convoluted "thought" processes and stupid senseless dialogue that ever disgraced a novel. I will just say that I've given some really abysmal books two-stars and save the one-star rating for those that are torture to slog through--this was definitely one-star. Even deleting this stain from my kindle brought little pleasure since this book makes me want to throw my Kindle into the next hot load and add bleach.
October 3, 2016
Almost A Bride
Patricia McLinn
Received from author for an honest review.
ALMOST A BRIDE is the first book in the Wyoming Wildflowers series. It is the story of Matty and Dave. They were childhood sweethearts until six years ago when Dave told Matty they needed to take a break. Matty is devastated of course, and leaves Wyoming. Fast forward to six years later and Matty is back to take over the family ranch. The ranch is in dire straits and the only way Matty can save it is to get a grant. The only way to get the Grant is for her to have an address in the next county. Dave is her neighbor and lives in that county. She approaches Dave with a hair brained notion that they need to get married so she can get the grant.
The marriage is for the grant only but Dave sees the potential in marrying Matty and maybe, just maybe he can convince her that they belong together. He has never stopped loving her and wants to convince her what a stupid mistake he made six years ago. ALMOST A BRIDE is his chance to get her back in his arms and make her happy once again. I found myself cheering for Dave and praying he would be able to convince Matty how wrong he was to let her go six years ago.
Second chance love stories always make me happy which is why I agreed to read and review ALMOST A BRIDE for Patricia McLinn. Her story did not disappoint either. I love how Patricia took the time to show Dave and Matty falling in love all over again. The whole town knew these two should be together and tried to help them along the way. Everyone saw it except for Dave and Matty. I was instantly hooked on their story and couldn't wait to see If they stayed together or ended the marriage after their deal expired. I've never read anything by this author before but I can't wait to continue this wonderful series. Plus she wrote a bunch of other books I'm excited to read as well.
Patricia McLinn
Received from author for an honest review.
ALMOST A BRIDE is the first book in the Wyoming Wildflowers series. It is the story of Matty and Dave. They were childhood sweethearts until six years ago when Dave told Matty they needed to take a break. Matty is devastated of course, and leaves Wyoming. Fast forward to six years later and Matty is back to take over the family ranch. The ranch is in dire straits and the only way Matty can save it is to get a grant. The only way to get the Grant is for her to have an address in the next county. Dave is her neighbor and lives in that county. She approaches Dave with a hair brained notion that they need to get married so she can get the grant.
The marriage is for the grant only but Dave sees the potential in marrying Matty and maybe, just maybe he can convince her that they belong together. He has never stopped loving her and wants to convince her what a stupid mistake he made six years ago. ALMOST A BRIDE is his chance to get her back in his arms and make her happy once again. I found myself cheering for Dave and praying he would be able to convince Matty how wrong he was to let her go six years ago.
Second chance love stories always make me happy which is why I agreed to read and review ALMOST A BRIDE for Patricia McLinn. Her story did not disappoint either. I love how Patricia took the time to show Dave and Matty falling in love all over again. The whole town knew these two should be together and tried to help them along the way. Everyone saw it except for Dave and Matty. I was instantly hooked on their story and couldn't wait to see If they stayed together or ended the marriage after their deal expired. I've never read anything by this author before but I can't wait to continue this wonderful series. Plus she wrote a bunch of other books I'm excited to read as well.
May 10, 2012
Two-haiku review:
She returns to home
To try to save bankrupt ranch
Needs help from first love
I might have mentioned
How much I love cowboy books
So good I bought next
She returns to home
To try to save bankrupt ranch
Needs help from first love
I might have mentioned
How much I love cowboy books
So good I bought next
March 13, 2013
I started reading this book because of the Wyoming Wildflower part of the title. My family comes from Wyoming and I have always loved Wyoming. However, there was just too much explicit description of their sex life and not enough actual story line. I didn't even finish it because I was tired of reading their intimate contact over and over and not having the story go anywhere.
January 27, 2015
Predictable, standard, penniless heiress marries wealthy, sexy, lawyer/cowboy with more money than sense in an effort to save the ranch she adores( but didn't really care about until she inherited it)Then falls in love with said lawyer/accountant/whizz-kid with more money than sense and they all live happily evva after.
One day I would like to read one of these plots where the ranch isn't saved. Or the lawyer/etc/etc/etc realises just what a muggins he has been and kicks the money-grasping female out.
One day I would like to read one of these plots where the ranch isn't saved. Or the lawyer/etc/etc/etc realises just what a muggins he has been and kicks the money-grasping female out.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 26, 2016
I like books about marriages for convenience. And when there's a bit of a history and incredible attraction between the couple - definitely up my alley.
So I'm not sure why I didn't love Almost a Bride. IT feels like it had all the right elements but just didn't work for me.
Matty and Dave were so in love when they were younger. Everyone thought they were going to get married and live happily ever after. But when Dave broke up with Matty she packed up her life and moved as far away from Wyoming as she could. Now it's six years later and Matty is back and needs Dave's help. One quicky wedding later and the pair have to navigate their sexual tension, overcome the hurt from before and decide just what they want from this marriage of convenience.
Ok, I do know why I didn't love this book as much as I had hoped. It's because the reason for their marriage in the first place is so flimsy. Matty needs a local address for some grant and marrying Dave is the ONLY way she can get it. Because that's plausible. They couldn't have just moved in together or she rent a cheap house within the city limits. No. She has to get married to her former flame and not tell him the reasons behind this impulsive marriage.
Not that Dave is much better. He doesn't ask any questions because he's just more than happy that Matty needs his help after he broke her heart all those year prior.
It's just so silly!
Once you get past the entire premise for the novel (if you can get past it) you do get a rather sweet novel. I liked how Matty and Dave interacted and despite the entirely too obvious ending (lets face it. It's a romance novel. There's only one possible ending), they do seem to earn their happy ending. It takes a little while for everything to get moving and the slow pace almost caused me to abandon the book but overall I was satisfied with the romance and chemistry between Dave and Matty.
If you can overlook a ridiculous premise and slow burn, Almost a Bride does deliver a satisfying ending. It just takes a little bit of patience on the reader's behalf to get there.
So I'm not sure why I didn't love Almost a Bride. IT feels like it had all the right elements but just didn't work for me.
Matty and Dave were so in love when they were younger. Everyone thought they were going to get married and live happily ever after. But when Dave broke up with Matty she packed up her life and moved as far away from Wyoming as she could. Now it's six years later and Matty is back and needs Dave's help. One quicky wedding later and the pair have to navigate their sexual tension, overcome the hurt from before and decide just what they want from this marriage of convenience.
Ok, I do know why I didn't love this book as much as I had hoped. It's because the reason for their marriage in the first place is so flimsy. Matty needs a local address for some grant and marrying Dave is the ONLY way she can get it. Because that's plausible. They couldn't have just moved in together or she rent a cheap house within the city limits. No. She has to get married to her former flame and not tell him the reasons behind this impulsive marriage.
Not that Dave is much better. He doesn't ask any questions because he's just more than happy that Matty needs his help after he broke her heart all those year prior.
It's just so silly!
Once you get past the entire premise for the novel (if you can get past it) you do get a rather sweet novel. I liked how Matty and Dave interacted and despite the entirely too obvious ending (lets face it. It's a romance novel. There's only one possible ending), they do seem to earn their happy ending. It takes a little while for everything to get moving and the slow pace almost caused me to abandon the book but overall I was satisfied with the romance and chemistry between Dave and Matty.
If you can overlook a ridiculous premise and slow burn, Almost a Bride does deliver a satisfying ending. It just takes a little bit of patience on the reader's behalf to get there.
October 20, 2016
I received this book free from the Author and chose to write an honest review
Matty Brennan left her high paying PR job in Chicago to move to Wyoming when she inherited the Flying W Ranch from her great uncle. She also inherited all of its associated debts. She wants to bring the ranch back up to its former glory and applies for a grant so she could do all the work. She needs to establish an irrigation system as well as repair many of the fences around the ranch.
When her grant application is denied, she decides to ask her childhood sweetheart, Dave Currick, to marry her. Dave is surprised and pleased with the request. He has loved Matty since they were children, although they had seen very little of each other since they were both in college.
Their marriage is very unusual. Matty says she want a platonic relationship, but keeps feeling the old attraction and love she has had for Dave since she was 3 and wanted to go fishing with him. Dave is trying to respect her wishes, but the same old feelings are there for him as well.
Will they find a way to maintain the charade of a loving relationship while resisting the natural attraction and love they both feel?
Why did Matty want to marry Dave? Was it for his money? Would he have loaned her the necessary funds if she had asked?
It is a nice loving story with enough friction to make an interesting situation. There are contributing characters to provide suspense and details of location enough to make you want to visit Wyoming.
Well written with location details, believable characters, and enough twists to keep the story interesting and make the reader want the sequel right away.
Matty Brennan left her high paying PR job in Chicago to move to Wyoming when she inherited the Flying W Ranch from her great uncle. She also inherited all of its associated debts. She wants to bring the ranch back up to its former glory and applies for a grant so she could do all the work. She needs to establish an irrigation system as well as repair many of the fences around the ranch.
When her grant application is denied, she decides to ask her childhood sweetheart, Dave Currick, to marry her. Dave is surprised and pleased with the request. He has loved Matty since they were children, although they had seen very little of each other since they were both in college.
Their marriage is very unusual. Matty says she want a platonic relationship, but keeps feeling the old attraction and love she has had for Dave since she was 3 and wanted to go fishing with him. Dave is trying to respect her wishes, but the same old feelings are there for him as well.
Will they find a way to maintain the charade of a loving relationship while resisting the natural attraction and love they both feel?
Why did Matty want to marry Dave? Was it for his money? Would he have loaned her the necessary funds if she had asked?
It is a nice loving story with enough friction to make an interesting situation. There are contributing characters to provide suspense and details of location enough to make you want to visit Wyoming.
Well written with location details, believable characters, and enough twists to keep the story interesting and make the reader want the sequel right away.
January 1, 2016
SUMMARY: Dave Currick was everything Matty Brennan wanted for as along as she could remember. Right up until he broke her heart six years ago. Now that she's returned to Wyoming for good, what she wants more than anything is to save her family's ranch. Even if that means swallowing her pride and asking Dave to marry her.
Matty's up to something - Dave knows that much. Just as he knows that Matty needs help, so of course he'll provide it, just as he has all her life. Doing what's best for Matty is second nature, and part of the cowboy code. Even when it comes to marrying her in name only. Although he can't resist one hot-blooded kiss after the I-dos of their marriage of convenience wedding.
Maybe - just maybe - his Matty will become more to him than Almost a Bride.
Wildflowers have to be strong and resilient to bloom amid the rugged western beauty of Wyoming - and so do the women.
REVIEW; This was a Kindle freebie. Reading the summary it sounded like it would be a sweet contemporary romance with a good plot. The characters were interesting. But I felt the plot line could have used a great deal more development; and it's main focus seemed to be on the intimacy between Dave and Matty with little focus on saving her ranch. I would definitely class this as secular fiction and would not recommend it.
Matty's up to something - Dave knows that much. Just as he knows that Matty needs help, so of course he'll provide it, just as he has all her life. Doing what's best for Matty is second nature, and part of the cowboy code. Even when it comes to marrying her in name only. Although he can't resist one hot-blooded kiss after the I-dos of their marriage of convenience wedding.
Maybe - just maybe - his Matty will become more to him than Almost a Bride.
Wildflowers have to be strong and resilient to bloom amid the rugged western beauty of Wyoming - and so do the women.
REVIEW; This was a Kindle freebie. Reading the summary it sounded like it would be a sweet contemporary romance with a good plot. The characters were interesting. But I felt the plot line could have used a great deal more development; and it's main focus seemed to be on the intimacy between Dave and Matty with little focus on saving her ranch. I would definitely class this as secular fiction and would not recommend it.
August 11, 2015
The pace of the story was slow, and sweet. David, and Mattie were child hood friends. They always assumed they would end up married. When David finished high school he told his parents, but they encouraged David to wait, to give time for Mattie to find her own dreams, and find her wings. After they broke up, Mattie left the state. 6 years later she came home after her uncle passed away. She had to save her ranch. It was the only thing she had left, from her parents, grandmother, and uncle. The ranch was in debt. When I said she would do anything to save it, I mean anything. She married David, in a paper only marriage so she could get a grant to save it. the chemistry was still there. Everyone around them knew that they loved one another. It took them a little while to figure it all out. the romance was sweet. I loved how David compared Mattie to a Indian paintbrush wild flower. He was the one that ordered her wedding bouquet, and those are the flowers he requested. He wanted to make it a real marriage, and secretly so did Mattie. The two didn't fall into bed right away. Like I said the pace was slow. They slept in separate rooms for awhile. I thought the two would never wake up, and go for what they really wanted. I did love the end. I'm glad the two got the happy ever after they deserved.
Read
May 26, 2012I don't often read romance novels...okay, fine. I NEVER read romance novels unless it's New Adult or Young Adult, so this was a new venture for me. It starts out like so: Matty needs to marry her ex-boyfriend so she can snap up a grant in order to keep her ranch. Apparently if she marries her ex, Dave, she can get the grant. So...BAM. Dave agrees to marry her "temporarily" even though he doesn't know why she's doing it. Yup. Just like that. After six years of not speaking to each other they agree to get married it less than five minutes. That was the first thing that did it for me. Second, I just felt like there was a lot of fluffy text and and I could see what this novel was building up to, and it wasn't my cup of tea. So I didn't finish the book, which is fine, because I picked it up for free on Amazon during a promotional period. And that's all I have to say.
May 13, 2012
This was a free kindle book. It sounded like it would be a cute story from the description. I got to the end of chapter two and realized that this book was going to be going somewhere I didn't want to go (graphic sex), so I stopped reading it and checked some of the reviews on goodreads, which confirmed my suspicions. I was sad, because there was so much potential for a cute story with some fun characters...next time I'll need to do more research on what I pick up off the free reads for kindle.
October 23, 2013
A friend of mine on Facebook asked me if this was any good, and I realized my response would make for a useful review.
Meh. The writing isn't terrible, but it's one of those romances where the only thing keeping the protagonists apart is their unwillingness (inability?) to actually talk to each other. Which I find irritating in the extreme.
Meh. The writing isn't terrible, but it's one of those romances where the only thing keeping the protagonists apart is their unwillingness (inability?) to actually talk to each other. Which I find irritating in the extreme.
July 15, 2011
Second chance at love story. Contemporary marriage of convenience. Very good story of two friends in love getting to know their real selves.
April 4, 2014
This book was a free Kindle ebook offering. It was an OK book- light weight chick-lit romance. The characters were likeable, but the plot was pretty predictable.
Read
January 1, 2018This book was a cute read, but I didn’t finish it. I mean, I did but I actually skimmed the last half of it only reading the dialogue. So I don’t really count that as a complete read.
The reasoning behind that is the same thing kept being said over and over. Matty’s reason behind not getting physically involved with Dave lost its potency after a while. And she was too immature for me. It was just the same thing being repeated over and over. And Dave�.well I found him entirely too overbearing and selfish. I couldn’t really connect with either character.
Also, I wanted the progression of the romance to move faster. There was no other plot beyond the romance and it crawled along. With no substantial growth for either character to keep my interest, it kept me from caring what happened to them. This is a real big issue for me. So since I just wanted some closure, I skimmed. Which I regret because I feel like I lost a lot of time that could have been spent on a book I got more enjoyment from.
March 8, 2025
Dave and Matty
I found this to be cute and sweet second chance romance. These two were sweethearts when they were young. Then years later Matty is asking Dave to marry her but not telling him why. I enjoyed this clean romance. I listen and thought the narrators did a good job.
I received a copy and listened to it through BookFunnel.
I found this to be cute and sweet second chance romance. These two were sweethearts when they were young. Then years later Matty is asking Dave to marry her but not telling him why. I enjoyed this clean romance. I listen and thought the narrators did a good job.
I received a copy and listened to it through BookFunnel.
Want to read
August 13, 2017AMAZON FREEBIE 8/5/17
December 2, 2023
Pretty standard fake marriage fare here…I thought I might like this one because it also has second-chance romance trope, but even that fell flat.
August 10, 2018
I found the plot very boring.
July 26, 2015
This wasn't a great story. The writing was good but it was boring with boring characters.
I was not a fan of Matty at all. She was so annoying throughout this story. Matty seemed to only be smart when the topic was farming, no other areas. Constantly turning everything Dave says around and making him seem like a total jerk. Or Matty seemingly clueless about the way Dave feels towards her, only catching on at the very end. And Matty is so eager to get the ranch back on its feet, so why did she rarely visit in the first place? She probably could have helped out her..Uncle or grandfather(whoever he was).
It seemed kinda weird how Matty thought it would be a good idea to marry Dave. What actually made her think of this in the first place, I'd like to know. Getting her address changed, getting the marriage license was all she seemed to have thought about. Never actually thinking of the inner details or workings that went along with marriage. Living/sleeping together...Never seeing any issues with her not changing her 'way of life', if you will, once she was married. How did she manage that? Stupidity?
For ex: Like sleeping at Dave's house. Um, I'm pretty sure that most 'just married' couples sleep in the same house. Dave had to basically fight her on that.
Or not thinking about the fact that they'd have to act differently around other people, so they didn't expose their fake marriage.
Dave is wondering (prior to marrying her) if he'll be able to basically sleep around? Get sex? Nope. He's told he'll have to hold off for 2 years! Seriously?
Or not understanding why her changing her address to Dave's would be a big deal? Um...you both live in a small town, hence, everyone knows everyone else's business. Hello!
Moving on...what was the big deal with Matty's wedding suit outfit? Her not wanting Dave to take it to the cleaners for her? What did she think he'd start making out with it in the truck? I didn't get it.
What adult female, relatively young, reasonably attractive?, out-going? would own and wear a throat to foot knit nightgown? In front of a male?
Why did Dave's parents think he needed help 'from the wide world to bring you a dose of reality"? I didn't get that. Given the fact, that he plans on staying in Wyoming and farming...he's in college (at this time) to become a lawyer, so he'll learn a good amount there. It didn't seem like they wanted him to wait for marriage ONLY because of Matty.
The party or get together with Dave and his lawyer people...who paid for that? Very curious because Matty seemed to have done a lot and it's not like food is free (the gourmet ham) and whatnot. Yet, I can't imagine she would be wasting her farm's money on this.
If Matty was scared of 'getting together' with Dave again, what in the world made her think going to the movies together would be a good idea? And on that note, we're told that another couple is in the same row as Dave and Matty. Yet, Matty is getting bumped in the arm and getting her leg kicked. I can assume the other couple are really going at it, BUT, why were they sitting so close to Matty? How many seats were in this theater?
Dave is thrown from his horse. The whole incident, I was thinking that maybe he had done it on purpose, just with the way Matty and Cal were talking about his horse. But no. Strange. Anyways, so Matty sends her horse off with a message for Cal. Years later (haha), he shows up to help out. Was it really better for her to stay with Dave all that time, instead of going to her ranch for help? IDK, just seemed like a waste of time there. Yes, he ended up having a concussion but still. What would she have done if Cal hadn't been there? Waste more time?
So Dave is on the horse behind Matty. 'Bryan' and 'Jack' are there to help out. They're wondering how they'll get Dave off the horse. Very strange, considering there's only one way to get off a horse, I thought it was obvious. Apparently not. Well, the next instant Dave is sliding off (Matty thinking that he's passed out.) So instead of getting Bryan or Dave to help, she ends up yelling to Cal, whose a distance away. Huh?
Matty finds out that Dave cancelled the grant and it's his money that's been helping her ranch. Why would she really be mad about that? I get Dave's always done stuff for her and all that. Not letting her have a say. But given the fact, that he's a part of the 'illegal situation' they find themselves in...? Work with me here.
Dave, the judge and (the other guy?) are in Dave's office having a powwow. Why is the judge sitting behind Dave's desk? They're not in a courtroom or anything.
I was not a fan of Matty at all. She was so annoying throughout this story. Matty seemed to only be smart when the topic was farming, no other areas. Constantly turning everything Dave says around and making him seem like a total jerk. Or Matty seemingly clueless about the way Dave feels towards her, only catching on at the very end. And Matty is so eager to get the ranch back on its feet, so why did she rarely visit in the first place? She probably could have helped out her..Uncle or grandfather(whoever he was).
It seemed kinda weird how Matty thought it would be a good idea to marry Dave. What actually made her think of this in the first place, I'd like to know. Getting her address changed, getting the marriage license was all she seemed to have thought about. Never actually thinking of the inner details or workings that went along with marriage. Living/sleeping together...Never seeing any issues with her not changing her 'way of life', if you will, once she was married. How did she manage that? Stupidity?
For ex: Like sleeping at Dave's house. Um, I'm pretty sure that most 'just married' couples sleep in the same house. Dave had to basically fight her on that.
Or not thinking about the fact that they'd have to act differently around other people, so they didn't expose their fake marriage.
Dave is wondering (prior to marrying her) if he'll be able to basically sleep around? Get sex? Nope. He's told he'll have to hold off for 2 years! Seriously?
Or not understanding why her changing her address to Dave's would be a big deal? Um...you both live in a small town, hence, everyone knows everyone else's business. Hello!
Moving on...what was the big deal with Matty's wedding suit outfit? Her not wanting Dave to take it to the cleaners for her? What did she think he'd start making out with it in the truck? I didn't get it.
What adult female, relatively young, reasonably attractive?, out-going? would own and wear a throat to foot knit nightgown? In front of a male?
Why did Dave's parents think he needed help 'from the wide world to bring you a dose of reality"? I didn't get that. Given the fact, that he plans on staying in Wyoming and farming...he's in college (at this time) to become a lawyer, so he'll learn a good amount there. It didn't seem like they wanted him to wait for marriage ONLY because of Matty.
The party or get together with Dave and his lawyer people...who paid for that? Very curious because Matty seemed to have done a lot and it's not like food is free (the gourmet ham) and whatnot. Yet, I can't imagine she would be wasting her farm's money on this.
If Matty was scared of 'getting together' with Dave again, what in the world made her think going to the movies together would be a good idea? And on that note, we're told that another couple is in the same row as Dave and Matty. Yet, Matty is getting bumped in the arm and getting her leg kicked. I can assume the other couple are really going at it, BUT, why were they sitting so close to Matty? How many seats were in this theater?
Dave is thrown from his horse. The whole incident, I was thinking that maybe he had done it on purpose, just with the way Matty and Cal were talking about his horse. But no. Strange. Anyways, so Matty sends her horse off with a message for Cal. Years later (haha), he shows up to help out. Was it really better for her to stay with Dave all that time, instead of going to her ranch for help? IDK, just seemed like a waste of time there. Yes, he ended up having a concussion but still. What would she have done if Cal hadn't been there? Waste more time?
So Dave is on the horse behind Matty. 'Bryan' and 'Jack' are there to help out. They're wondering how they'll get Dave off the horse. Very strange, considering there's only one way to get off a horse, I thought it was obvious. Apparently not. Well, the next instant Dave is sliding off (Matty thinking that he's passed out.) So instead of getting Bryan or Dave to help, she ends up yelling to Cal, whose a distance away. Huh?
Matty finds out that Dave cancelled the grant and it's his money that's been helping her ranch. Why would she really be mad about that? I get Dave's always done stuff for her and all that. Not letting her have a say. But given the fact, that he's a part of the 'illegal situation' they find themselves in...? Work with me here.
Dave, the judge and (the other guy?) are in Dave's office having a powwow. Why is the judge sitting behind Dave's desk? They're not in a courtroom or anything.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 3, 2011
Up front I will admit that I am not a huge fan of romance novels. With only a few exceptions, I nave never cared for them. So you may wonder why I bought this book and why I gave it four stars.
There are two reasons I bought the book. I love horses and books with western settings. When I read an excerpt of the book I decided I wanted to read about this woman who is trying to save her ranch in Wyoming. The other reason I bought the book is because I met the author online and after getting to know her over a period of a few months, I decided to try one of her books.
I'm glad I did.
The story has all the elements a romance fan would expect, attraction, sexual tension, the push-pull of will they get together or won't they, but this is all done without the oh-so-predictable approach that is common in romance novels. Matty and Dave are wonderful, interesting characters and the things that keep them apart are believable.
The love scenes are true love scenes, not sex scenes, and the emotional reactions the characters have to each other are as important as the physical.
This was truly a delight to read, and I am so glad I took a chance with one of Patricia's books.
There are two reasons I bought the book. I love horses and books with western settings. When I read an excerpt of the book I decided I wanted to read about this woman who is trying to save her ranch in Wyoming. The other reason I bought the book is because I met the author online and after getting to know her over a period of a few months, I decided to try one of her books.
I'm glad I did.
The story has all the elements a romance fan would expect, attraction, sexual tension, the push-pull of will they get together or won't they, but this is all done without the oh-so-predictable approach that is common in romance novels. Matty and Dave are wonderful, interesting characters and the things that keep them apart are believable.
The love scenes are true love scenes, not sex scenes, and the emotional reactions the characters have to each other are as important as the physical.
This was truly a delight to read, and I am so glad I took a chance with one of Patricia's books.
June 27, 2013
I like reading about happy endings with difficult journeys (like sorting out misunderstandings etc.) and this is what Almost a Bride is about. I loved Matty and Dave's journey towards their happy ending.
Matty loves her home Flying W very much which now after her great uncle's death is trapped under a huge load of financial problems and Matty would do anything to save it and that includes contract marriage with Dave.
Matty and Dave were childhood friends turned lovers. She has always loved him and he is still in love with her but still they broke up 6 years ago and have been apart since then. now within 3 days of their meeting they are married the twist is that for Matty its purely business to save Flying W and for Dave its real.
Now living under same roof gives them time together and a chance to ask what happened 6 years ago? if they are still in love with each other then why they are not together? they finally share their fears and together plan to save Flying W in their own way.
I liked Matty and Dave a lot and the chemistry between them is awesome (hot).
I am definitely looking forward to read other books in the series. :)
Matty loves her home Flying W very much which now after her great uncle's death is trapped under a huge load of financial problems and Matty would do anything to save it and that includes contract marriage with Dave.
Matty and Dave were childhood friends turned lovers. She has always loved him and he is still in love with her but still they broke up 6 years ago and have been apart since then. now within 3 days of their meeting they are married the twist is that for Matty its purely business to save Flying W and for Dave its real.
Now living under same roof gives them time together and a chance to ask what happened 6 years ago? if they are still in love with each other then why they are not together? they finally share their fears and together plan to save Flying W in their own way.
I liked Matty and Dave a lot and the chemistry between them is awesome (hot).
I am definitely looking forward to read other books in the series. :)
January 10, 2017
This book is fairytale-ish. It is so far from real life that it seems like the script for a bad reality TV show. I wish I could run into my ex after six years and propose (demand) that he marry me and he not only says yes but takes care of all the details all while I have a attitude towards him like HE asked (forced) ME instead. Matty comes across as a selfish witch and Dave is a idiot who is so in love with her that he agrees to marry her after all of 2 mins. She's been gone for six whole years and they haven't communicated since! But that doesn't matter to him or the townspeople who always"knew" they would get hitched. And though Dave is a good guy, she runs him over and treats him like crap. I couldn't finish it, I got all the way to Chapter Five and couldn't force myself to read another page.
February 2, 2014
On my Cowboy Scale of Hotness...I'd have to give this one a 0. Not enough sizzle, not enough cowboying and definitely not romantic. Matty is a silly excuse for a person, let alone woman and Dave is an idiot. Why I continued to read past Chapter 3 is still a mystery to me. I should be shot for continuing. I believe this is book one in a series...I'm done. 1.5 stars - for the "idea" of the story only.
July 4, 2014
This is the first book I have read by this author. I was given the gift of an ebook from a reader group I am in. I couldn't find anything from the usual authors that I wanted to be gifted and came across Almost a Bride. I'm so pleased that I did. What a sweet sweet story. If you are looking for something like and lovely to read please don't go past this book. I'm hoping to read some more of this author in the near future.
May 7, 2012
3.5 stars
Typical romance/convenience marriage"arrangement" type book. It was entertaining and kept my interest. I downloaded it for free off amazon.
Typical romance/convenience marriage"arrangement" type book. It was entertaining and kept my interest. I downloaded it for free off amazon.
September 17, 2015
beautiful novel.
something which is slightly non-conventional and hard to predict.
really loved it.
something which is slightly non-conventional and hard to predict.
really loved it.
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