His Remarkable Bride

By: Merry Farmer

Narrated by: Virtual Voice

Length: 6 hrs and 25 mins

Publisher's summary

Everybody in Haskell, Wyoming knows that railroad stationmaster Athos Strong, widower and father of eight rambunctious children, needs a new bride. Even Athos knows it, but being a single father and a responsible stationmaster doesn’t leave him time for romance. It barely leaves him time to remember the hopes and dreams of his younger self. Once, he dreamed of being a hero, a valiant musketeer, like his namesake, but then life took over. He sends away to Hurst Home for a mail-order bride, not expecting anything more than a friend to help him raise his brood. The last thing he expects is love… Elspeth Leonard was once a rising star of the British nobility, until she was seduced into following a wealthy American across the sea. Betrayed, abandoned, and disowned by her family, she has spent the last six years struggling to keep her dignity as a third-rate governess and tutor. Finding Hurst Home was her saving grace. So when she was offered the chance to go west as a bride for a man with eight children, she took it, expecting nothing more than a stable home… But between the lively and mischievous Strong children and the conniving and revenge-seeking Bonneville family, Elspeth has no idea what she’s stepping into. When the children are taken away after allegations of neglect leveled against Athos by the Bonnevilles, Elspeth must step up to help Athos fight to keep his family together. What was supposed to be a mutually-beneficial, platonic marriage becomes something much more as both Athos and Elspeth come to see the heroism in the person they’ve married… The greatest heroes are sometimes found in the most ordinary hearts… PLEASE BE ADVISED: Steam Level = VERY HOT

Easy Lighthearted Read

This was a first for me by this author. I have adhd and like to listen to audiobooks while I do tasks. It helps me stay focused. I try to choose stories that are simple and easy to follow along so I don’t get too lost if I zone out.

The main characters were likable. Widower husband, loving but distracted father of many kids. The kids are active and imaginative but good kids. The bride was not a simpering virgin. She came to the marriage wiser for her mistakes. It was a partnership right from the start.

Their relationship was easy and healthy with no games or devious behavior for the drama. The drama was more about the kids and just settling into a relationship that was truly healthy and loving. There were some steamy scenes - I generally skip them but if you like them - there are several.

This was not a “deep” book. Heavy topics were handled gently and lightly. Perfect if you’re in the mood for easy breezy. Everything was wrapped up in a little bow by the end and there’s an opening for more books with other characters. Which I would happily read.

I’ve never listened to a book narrated by AI. I was not anticipating it going well but I was surprised. It was a bit monotone but I was never distracted by it and was able to hear the story. I’m really picky about narrators. I would listen to more narrated by AI. I prefer good narrators over fake ones but I prefer a fake one over distracting or poor narrators.