Dearest Darling

Love Letters

By: Andrea Downing

Narrated by: Bruno Belmar

Length: 2 hrs and 49 mins

Publisher's summary

Stuck in a life of servitude to her penny-pinching brother, Emily Darling longs for a more exciting existence. When a packet with travel tickets, meant for one Ethel Darton, accidentally lands on her doormat, Emily sees a chance for escape. Having turned down the dreary suitors that have come her way, is it possible a new existence also offers a different kind of man?

Daniel Saunders has carved out a life for himself in Wyoming - a life missing one thing - a wife. Having scrimped and saved to bring his mail-order bride from New York, he is outraged to find in her stead a runaway fraud. Even worse, the impostor is the sister of his old enemy.

But people are not always as they seem, and sometimes the heart knows more than the head.

©2014 Andrea Downing (P)2017 Andrea Downing

A Mail Order Bride Surprise

I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this book on a long car ride recently. It really helped the time fly. The premise is unusual and there are twists and turns that get your heart racing. This book will stay with me. I could imagine the time and place, and it was fun to watch the couple fall in love. Good characters! I recommend this book.

Entertaining Listen

A letter delivered to the wrong person gives Emily the means to get away from a controlling brother.
Imagine Daniel’s surprise when the lady on the stage is not the mail-order bride he’s been expecting. Yet he can’t leave her to fend for herself. He isn’t happy about the situation, but decides to take some time to figure it out.
The unexpected twists and turns in this story were a welcome breath of fresh air. The narrator did an excellent job bringing the characters to life. Western romances are not normally a genre I read, but that may change. I highly recommend Dearest Darling!

Return to sender

Dearest Darling
: Andrea Downing


Historical western mail switched mail order bride story. Emily gets someone else's mail. She takes the woman's place and travels to Wyoming. The two meet and the journey began. Misunderstandings, wicked supporting characters send them on a crazy ride. This was a short listen. I probably wouldn't finish if it were longer. That was mostly because of the narration.


The narration was so so. The characters were portrayed by Bruno Belmar.



I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

A Perfect Gem

This story was short, but perfect. it was like standing in a sunbeam on a winters day. It made me happy.

A fun, mindless listen to escape reality with

One would think I would adore this book, given my tastes, but I merely liked it. The story was ruined for me by Bruno Belmar's narration, he sounded soooo bored by the content. I don't think I'd skip this story just because he was the person that narrated it, it's still worth your time, certainly.

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Good story ... but Narration was lacking still recommend though

Not a bad story ... well developed plot despite the brevity. But Bruno Belmar reads the book; he doesn't narrate it.

Authentic voice of the West!

Where does Dearest Darling rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Among the top stories!

What other book might you compare Dearest Darling to and why?

Books by Lavyrle Spencer --which is a huge compliment.

Which scene was your favorite?

When Emily returned and came riding her horse across the prairie toward Daniel.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When Daniel stood up to Emily's brother on her behalf--not in his defense.

Any additional comments?

Excellent story, and characterization with plenty of plot twists. I highly recommend this book and audible!