Yvette - Bookworlder

Eliza Cantrell is a career-minded woman who resorts to becoming a mail-order after her father leaves his store to her brother.  But all does not go as planned when her train is robbed and then fiancé/store-owner, Axel, is out of town when she arrives in Salt Flatts.  Instead, she is met by William Stanton, Axel’s non-business minded partner who has dreams of becoming a doctor.

While I’ve heard the term “light romance” attributed to similar books, I would say that A Bride in Store would more accurately be called a “medium” romance.  With moments of sorrow, including a heartbreaking medical condition that brought tears to my eyes (read the author note at the end of the book to learn more), humor, train and store robberies, marital issues, sexism, misunderstandings, greed, ambition, self-doubt, self-examination and deepening faith, Melissa Jagears has written a historical Christian romance that will entertain, amuse, and touch the reader. 

Those who have read the first book in the Unexpected Brides series, A Bride for Keeps will especially enjoy the inclusion of some of the same secondary characters and the more prominent roles played by a few. 

It was approximately 60% into the book that it suddenly occurred to me that Will is the son of Rachel and Dex Stanton from the novella Love by the Letter, and didn’t I feel silly.  You don’t have to read the other books first, but I strongly suggest you do and I would highly recommend this series to those who enjoy well-written Christian romances set in the historic American west.

I received an advanced e-book copy from Bethany House via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.