The Soldier’s E-Mail Order Bride by Cora Seton
Series: The Heroes of Chance Creek, #2
First published: July 21, 2014
Genre: Romance, Military, Contemporary
283 pages
Format: eBook
Source: Freebie
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Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Staff Sergeant Austin Hall has a brilliant record in the Special Forces—except for one disastrous decision that cost his best friend’s life. Now he’s heading home to Chance Creek, Montana, where he’d like to spend the rest of his days in the obscurity of his family’s ranch. Too bad Great Aunt Heloise won’t hand the ranch over unless all four of the Hall brothers marry and one of them produces an heir within the year. Austin is too broken to marry for love, so he places an online ad for a fake wife. What could possibly go wrong?
Ella needs to leave Hollywood—fast. It’s bad enough another actress stole her fiancé—on national television. Now she’s ruined her comeback by decking her ex on a morning talk show. Pursued by paparazzi, Ella needs a new life, a new name and someplace to hide. When she reads Austin’s ad for a stand-in wife, she knows she can act this part perfectly. To the rest of the residents of Chance Creek, they’ll be a happily married couple. In private, they’ll just be roommates. In a year when she’d old news and the Hall brothers secure the ranch, she and Austin will quietly divorce and she’ll go on her way.
Or will she?
Austin’s already finding it hard to remember his promise never to love again. Ella’s finding it hard to keep her hands to herself. But when they’re asked to make a back-up baby, Ella realizes she may have stepped into a lifetime role.
Can this pretend marriage go the distance?
Review
The soldier’s e-mail order bride is the second book of the heroes of chance creek series by Cora Seton, but it can be read standalone. Actually, I read it first before starting the others and I still ended up enjoying it.
The story started with Mason, the oldest Hall brother urging, or should I say, ordering the others to get married, lol. Within a year, they need to get married and have heirs. This is their aunt’s requirement for them to get back their ranch.
And what’s the fastest way to get a wife? Post a wife wanted ad online, lol. Just like Mason’s (the first book), that’s how Austin and Ella’s story started.
Austin suffers from survivors guilt after one of his partner/bestfriend died during their service. He blamed himself and thinks that it would be unfair for his dead partner if he’s happy. He and two of his friends promised each other when they were young that they would visit each other’s family if one of them dies, but half a year has passed and he still can’t have the courage to face his friend’s family. Whenever he’s starting to get happy, he takes a step back and hides which in return hurts the people that love him.
Ella on the other hand needs to run away from Hollywood – fast! She didn’t get the award and her fiance’ is cheating on her – broadcasted live on national television. She also ruined her chance for a comeback by decking her ex on a morning show. Her Hollywood life is pretty much a lost cause and she figured this wife wanted ad is her answer. Contrary to what I’ve expected, she’s a pretty cool character. I like that despite the extravagant life in Hollywood, she’s very down to earth. She’s also very kind, I like how she gets along with everyone. Another thing that I think that made her character stand out for me is her not giving up on Austin. Austin has been a pain in the a*ss big time, so I really salute the girl for sticking up to him and not acting up considering how frustrating he could get. She’s very patient and always there to talk some sense to the guy.
Speaking of that, I was not a big fan of the conflict. Austin’s survivor guilt is ofcourse understandable, but I didn’t like how it was being dragged on that long. I just really feel bad for his family, especially Ella. I just can’t imagine how his life is going to be more miserable if Ella gave up on him. So imagine how very happy I was when he finally listened and started to realize how to live his life.
Despite my frustration with the conflict, I still believe that this story deserves my 4-star rating. I love the pacing of the story and the shifting of POVs. Sometimes especially on heated scenes, shifting of povs can be a challenge but I’m glad it was very clear in this story. I also like that it has lots of unexpected revelations and emotional moments. I just love how it highlights family and faith.
Minus the conflict, I believe The Soldier’s E-Mail Order bride is a cute story that all started with a mere wife wanted ad. Highly recommended!
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Not, that I don’t have sympathy for losing a friend or can even understand about it being during a combat situation, but I get your frustration in wanting to see him embrace a future and happiness with Ella.
It was frustratingly long too, that’s why it was kind of hard to read. So glad he finally worked it through 🙂
I don’t think that I have had a chance to read this author’s work just yet but I know that I have a book or two hiding on my Kindle. I am so glad that you enjoyed this one!
Thanks Carole. Hopefully you’ll also enjoy them once you get the chance to try them 🙂