Skip to main content
PBS logo
 
 

Book Review of Weddings Under a Western Sky: The Hand-Me-Down Bride / The Bride Wore Britches / Something Borrowed, Something True (Harlequin Historicals, No 1091)

jjares avatar reviewed on + 3299 more book reviews


THE HAND-ME-DOWN BRIDE (Elizabeth Lane) Arabella Spencer has arrived in Montana to marry her fiancé, Charles Middleton. She arrives from Boston during a deluge and there is no Charles. Eventually, neighbor Stewart McIntyre announces hes there to take Arabella to Charles.

Arabella is relieved because she knows that Charles is not very reliable. After almost losing her life while crossing a body of water, Arabella arrives at Charles ranch to find hes already married another. The number of males severely outweighs the number of marriageable ladies in the area. Surely, she can find another husband.

To me, this was the weakest of the 3 stories; it had an interesting premise but the execution lacked something.

THE BRIDE WORE BRITCHES (Kate Welsh) This is the most unique (and interesting) of the three stories...I really enjoyed the authors style of writing.
Only child Rhiannon Oliver has always worn baggy, unbecoming clothes to keep potential suitors and trouble from her door. Both parents are now deceased; Rhia has been in love with her neighbor Dylan Varga for several years. Dylans sister Farrah is Rhias best friend.

Rhia has held a secret dream of wearing her first dress and attending the annual spring social. Friends help make Rhias dream come true but a tragedy strikes and Dylan comes to her rescue. However, this creates a scandal in town and Dylan is called upon to rescue Rhia again.

SOMETHING BORROWED, SOMETHING TRUE (Lisa Plumley) This is the most light-hearted of the three stories. Everett Bannons ranch hands decide to order a mail-order bride for their boss who is downhearted after being rejected by a woman.

Everett, when he finds out, plans to send the young woman packing back to San Francisco as fast as he can. However, one look at the personable, sparkling Miss Nellie Trent makes Everett reconsider. The secondary characters added so very much to this tale.