I enjoyed reading, Once Upon a Mail Order Bride, so much. It's so sad to see these people be condemned for something that they never had a part in, and because of this they are forced to act as Outlaws do. Ridge made a comment that stuck with me. He said "killing only adds to more killing". The fact that that's what he has been forced into is just sad. But they make the best of it in the small town of Hope's Crossing. I was sad to see the series come to an end.

I’ve anticipated this amazing book, Once Upon A Mail-Order Bride by Linda Broday for years.
When Ridge Steele was introduced into this phenomenal series, he intrigued me in more ways than one, especially his mysterious past.
Often when a book is over anticipated by a reader, once they finally get to read it, it often can be a letdown, but OH CONTRAIRE, this book delivered beyond my wildest expectations.
Our Queen of Texas Historical Romance, never lets her readers down.

Once Upon A Mail-Order Bride started off strong and never looked back.
Ridge Steele and Adeline Jancy were the perfect fit for one another.
Running from their past and trying to keep a low profile, has become their survival.
Ridge and Addie’s union was what both had been needing and longing to find, a true soulmate.
“Like plants needed sun to grow, true friendship required laughter and sharing to nurture one’s soul.”

Ridge and Addie have the most beautiful love-story and have stolen my heart.
Bodie was such an amazing young man, charming, protective, and just wanted to be loved.

Linda Broday has written the perfect book (I know, I say everyone hers is my favorite), but this truly shot to the top.
She writes with so much compassion, I’ve never read an author that can put so many feelings in her books, as she incorporates.

I highly recommend this phenomenal book to everyone, it will forever remain in your heart.

One of the most profound statements in the book truly sums up this wonderful storyline.
“Ridge had always thought that a person’s past was what determined their future, but he could see now that it didn’t have to be that way. Strong desire to change could override all else, determine a new outcome of a life. He’d dreamed of being out from under the stain of his past, and maybe now he had a real shot.”
I received this arc copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

What can I say. I am a sucker for stories that feature mail order brides. I find the entire concept rather fascinating and amazed that this procedure actually existed as close as a century ago. Women have always exhibited their own sense of strength in dealing with some rather harsh realities of life. And none more so than those that moved to god knows where to live with a stranger. Talk about trust and faith. I am sure some of these did not work out well and there are of course stories about those ill-fated unions but I assure you Linda Broday would never conjure up a tale that is less than heartwarming and optimistic. ONCE UPON A MAIL ORDER BRIDE is a sincere look at a woman and man looking for a place to land safely and done with aplomb by Linda Broday.
ONCE UPON A MAIL ORDER BRIDE is book number four in the Outlaw Mail Order Bride series. I have read each and every one of these priceless tales of outlaws of both sexes coming together in a rough and tumble newly organized town. Each one in this series stars unforgettable characters that will of course be supporting cast in future installments. So for those following this series you just may find ONCE UPON A MAIL ORDER BRIDE climbing the list of your favorite.
Adeline has spent three years locked up in solitary confinement for a crime she did not commit but one that she witnessed. She can’t escape this prison nor can she escape her memories of a blood bath that started her on this harsh journey to nowhere. Adeline started writing to Ridge while imprisoned. The mail order bride program introduced these two damaged souls and they founded a friendship through their letters. Ridge wrote letters of encouragement that there are better days ahead. Adeline soaked up those words as her means to stay sane. And now Adeline is in Hope’s Crossing ready to start a new life as Mrs. Ridge Steele.
Would be wonderful if it was that easy but of course there are many roadblocks to the happy end for Mr. and Mrs. Steele. Both have pasts that endanger their future. Both spend lots of time looking over their shoulder.
When faced with the possibility of living in a large house surrounded by acres of land Adeline should have felt a measure of calm and safety but we are moved to sadness when she finds a small space under the stairs to claim as her safe place. This one scene sets the immense challenge Ridge faces in his determination to give his Adeline a comfortable home with him.
ONCE UPON A MAIL ORDER BRIDE includes some wondrous descriptions of the surroundings in Hope’s Crossing. Linda Broday has created a magical place carved out of a canyon surrounded by high mountains. This place was once upon a time a salvation for outlaws evading the rangers and lawmen has now become a community for those looking to redeem themselves and become somewhat law abiding citizens.

Maybe it's because I hadn't read the first three books in the series, but I did not like this one at all. The main characters, Ridge and Addie, were fine but the plot was so formulaic, and frankly boring that I almost couldn't finish this.

This will be the last book in this series. I'm sorry we won't get to visit our friends in Hope's Crossing. I fell in love with Ridge and Addie. Ridge a Preacher who was accused of a crime he didn't commit and became an outlaw. Addie in prison for a crime she didn't commit. She agreed to be Ridge's Mail Order Bribe. What a beautiful, loving story Ms Broday wrote. I couldn't put this book down. I will miss Hope's Crossing and it's people. I received this complimentary book for an honest review.

Oh what a read and awesome addition to the Outlaw Mail Order Bride series. I have to admit when I read the Author's remarks at the end of the book I teared up because Linda Broday let it be known that this was the last book in the series. I want more is all I can say. I have fallen in love with all the characters in this series that had forged their own way. Outlaws and many people that have come together to form a town in what used to be an Outlaw's Hideaway. This series could go on and on with the men in the town finding love, with the children growing up and I just don't want to leave these characters behind.

In Once Upon a Mail Order Bride, Ridge Steele, former preacher turned outlaw when wrongfully charge with a crime is a wanted man that agrees to take on a mail-order-bride. Not only is he getting a mail-order-bride but she is a woman that is coming to him after being released from prison. Ridge has been corresponding with Adeline Jancy, although he has no idea why she is in prison and knows very little of her past he decides that she is what he has been searching for.

Addie, as she is called, has no idea what to expect when she arrives at Hope's Crossing but she is looking forward to starting a new life with her proposed husband, Ridge. She is hoping to be able to have the little boy in her life that she risked it all for and the reason that she ended up in prison. She is a woman wanted by her evil father that will do anything to find her and get her to tell him where that little boy is. Ridge's first surprise when Addie arrives at Hope's Crossing is that Addie can't speak. She communicates by writing what she has to say with pencil and paper that she always keeps at hand.

This is a beautifully written Historical Western Romance about a couple that is in danger from the beginning because they are both hunted but they're both determined to survive and find their happily-ever-after together. An excellent read as all Linda Broday books always are.

I have voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this title given to me via NetGalley. This book was just amazing. I just lost myself in this story and didn’t want it to end. It was really well written and just drew in you into these characters lives. I look forward to seeing what’s next from this author.

Once Upon a Mail Order Bride was a real surprise to read. I received an advance copy from NetGalley for review and was hoping for a nice fluffy Western romance to read.

It was so much more. There aren't a lot of original ideas in romance novels anymore, which is fine (I'm a sucker for certain tropes myself), but it really makes books like this stand out.

Addie had strength and fight in her, yet still showed the effects off her traumatic upbringing and false imprisonment. Ridge was the perfect hero for a Western romance. He was strong, wounded in more ways than one, and full of compassion for others. He wanted nothing more than to live his life in peace, without the violence that had followed him for years.

This is the last book of a four book series. I haven't read any of the others, but it stands well on its own. I wasn't confused at all, I just want to read the others now!

I did notice one small mistake which hopefully got fixed before the book went to print: the town hospital is mentioned as having three beds the first time we heard about it, and just two the second time. I was reading the advance copy, so I'm assuming that was caught later.

The one issue I had with the book came at the end, and is the reason I'm marking my review as having spoilers (so stop here if you don't want to know).

I did not agree AT ALL with how the issue of Nico was handled. It was rushed and was way too easy. The woman who had raised him for three years just happened to die when it was safe to get him? He wasn't upset by this at all?? Just trotted of with a couple off perfect strangers. Without even a mention that he'd been told about them or anything to give it a little logic.

AND THEN they just hand him over to Addie's mother, who just a week or so before was so physically and emotionally beaten that she watched her husband torture and prepare to kill her daughter without even a protest????? It made NO sense. Addie had been planning on raising this child as her own for three years and she didn't even seem sad. And i just couldn't see a good reason why her mother would have wanted to take him in. So frustrating.

All that being said, it's a minor issue given that I loved the rest of the book. It's still a solid four star read for me. Thank you again to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to review this book.

I received a complimentary copy of Once Upon a Mail Order Bride in exchange for an honest opinion. I usually love mail order bride themes, but this one wasn't my favorite. I didn't read the previous books in this series so that might have contributed to my opinion.

I really liked the idea that Ridge and Addie were both criminals and ended up in a town of misfits. I was a little confused by Addie's release from prison and her association with Luke, and her escape. i thought he was a quick character in the beginning, but I believe he came back later in the story, or maybe he was another Luke. Anyway, that wasn't very clear.

I also wasn't crazy about Addie being mute. That theme didn't contribute to this story at all., and led to some pretty boring dialogue.

Once the story started to develop it became slightly more interesting, but not enough to recommend to friends and family.

Ridge and Addie in Once Upon a Mail Order Bride
Ridge, an outlaw himself, starts up a correspondence with Addie, while she is at the end of her jail term. Addie makes her way to Ridge, not without trouble but she makes it there. Bother have bounty hunters after them. Can they stay alive and can their love grown their love grow even when folks are after Addie and Ridge?
I felt the book was a little formulaic: they begin to fall in love but his bounty hunters show up again and again then her bounty hunters show up then a tornado hits then her voice comes back and now they love each other other.
Other subplots were mentioned then left in thin air: her friendship with the recluse is no longer mentioned once she has her voice back. The dance she wants to help get off the ground is talked about but never materializes. We never know if she will find the baby she helped to hide. Perhaps these will be resolved in the next book in the series but if so this book would not be good as a standalone.
I would not recommend this book to my patrons and would not buy it for my library

Broday tops off her series with a stunner. Ridge Steele finally marries but it takes Addie awhile to find her voice. Ridge is swoon worthy. I developed a reader crush on him immediately. My next favorite character was Bodie. My heart went out to this unwanted kid who just wanted to know someone cared about him. This book is actuon packed. From villains and robbers to dances and ferocious storms, one has to pause to catch her breath from all the events. The truly evil get their just desserts as they should. I love old western romance and this one suits that penchant perfectly.

Having read the first in this series by Linda Broday and it being just an okay read. I enjoy reading "mail order bride" romances and was hoping that this one did not disappoint.

Once Upon a Mail Order Bride was well-written, entertaining and an enjoyable read. This was a quick read for me as I was intrigued on the end outcome and the story captivated my attention. It had action from the beginning and throughout the story with a bit of twists. I thought the characters were likeable and the story very good. This is the second read I've had by this author and not going to being the last.

Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for this ARC and my fair and honest review of this book.

Very sweet, slow burn addition to the Mail Order Bride series by Linda Broday. I love western romance, but usually get bored with the slow burns. This title, however, kept me interested simply because of the story line. The fact that the main characters are both considered criminals, falsely accused, was something you don't see in every book out there. All in all, it was sweet and entertaining!

This was an all around enjoyable story. Most western romances are basic and don't go into real depth. They are a light, quick read and some times there are missing components.
Not this one. This story was complete and there were no danglers or story line/characters that were just tossed in for no good reason. This book made sense. I felt I was in the old west. It was part of a series, but it did not feel like it. It was definitely the story of Ridge and Addie.
The heroine has just been released from 3 years isolation in prison and she was told to contact a man who makes mail order matches for people that are on the wrong side of the law or for those who had one time been on the wrong side of the law. The heroine was in jail for murder and kidnap. Her father, who was a cult leader, had gotten one of her students pregnant and the student gave birth to a son, something her father always wanted. The heroine convinced the midwife to escape with the baby when it became evident that the young mother was dying from blood loss. The one thing I do not believe was the age of the heroine. She would have been 17 years of age when she was teaching, actually younger because she leads the reader to believe she has been teaching for some time. I believe the heroine should have been aged 23 to 25 years of age. The hero is an outlaw because he was accused of rape and murder. He was a preacher and when he was travelling outside his parish, he heard a young girl screaming. He stopped and saw that she was facing off 4-5 young men, like him. He was able to save the girl, but in the process, one of the men had fallen and cracked open his head on a rock. The dead man's father was the corrupt leader of the community and the preacher was convicted. He was saved by a friend and they escaped to the town they live in. He stopped preaching and instead became the mayor. So the heroine married the mayor by mail order. But she finds out when she leaves jail that she can't speak and her father has sent 2 killers after her to find out where his son is. Her mother is an abused wife with those mannerisms and the heroine has 3 sisters.
There is a lot of action and adventure in this book. It was longer to read than normal westerns and I enjoyed the descriptive, in-depth story. I really felt that I was part of the story. I heartily give this book 5 stars. It is such a well written story, with deep characters and immersive descriptions. I recommend this book if you like a good book.

A fitting conclusion to the Mail Order Bride Series. I was waiting for Ridge's story and happiness! A definite read for those who crave a good cowboy romance with some depth.

I received an advance readers copy in exchange for an honest review. Very sweet story with a very likable hero and a very empathy and using heroin. I would like to see more from this author. Enjoyable and unique

Last in the mail order bride series.
This is ex preacher, Ridge Steele story. He corresponds with Addie while she is in prison.
We get to visit previous characters and hear what has happened in their life.
I loved how 2 characters who seemed flawed found their way to each other.
Bodie was cute too

ARC received for review

Hi! I did it again and haven't read the first three books, but this one is a stand alone.

Ridge has been accused of crimes he didn't commit. Ridge has been living in Hope's Crossing and watched his friends find HEA with mail order brides and decides to take a change. Addie was falsely imprisoned for something she didn't do, and while in there stopped talking. She is released and is immediately in danger which follows her to Hope's Crossing. Ridge's past also comes to call. Lots of danger and lots of romance later, they get their HEA plus with help from the previous couples.

This is the last book in this series and I am honestly sad to say good by to the people of Hope's crossing. You know how sometimes you start a series and the rest of the books are not good, well that is not the case with this series. We began with Tally and Clay and i still love them, but then we got Nora and Jack, Melanie and Tait and we cant forget Rebel, boy did she come along way. In this book we get Ridge whom we were hoping that whoever he got was worthy of him and I am happy to say we got that with Addy. My god the things that Addy went thru was heartbreaking. But in Linda Broday's way we not only got justice we get our HEA. I am hoping that eventually we get a story on the kids. Enjoy!

I am very sad to see this amazing historical western romance series end. It is definitely one of my favorites in this subgenre and I have come to really love all the characters in it. Once Upon a Mail Order Bride tells the story of ex-preacher Ridge Steele, who now serves as the mayor of the outlaw town of Hope's Crossing. He is the last of the town's founders to meet his mail order bride Adeline Jancy. Addie has spent the last three years in solitary confinement below the prison, and has lost her voice because of the trauma she has been through. Ridge is very patient and just a great man in general, and he does his best to make sure that Addie's safe and can take all the time she needs to open up.

These two were an amazing couple and I really enjoyed seeing them grow closer together. They both have been through things in the past and I loved seeing them finally opening up to each other. Besides that I also loved seeing the individual growth of these characters. Especially Addie had a lot of trauma to deal with. She was very strong and determined and also loyal and protective. She will do anything in her power to protect and fight for the people she cares about. Ridge is the same and I thought they made such a beautiful couple.

I absolutely love Linda Broday's writing style and story-telling abilities. She really knows how to suck a reader in and have them connect and care about the story and characters. It was so much fun to see what all the main characters from the previous books were up to and I enjoyed being reunited with them. The transformation of this beautiful and wild outlaw town was phenomenal, I loved going on this journey with the characters. This series was funny, romantic, action-packed, and emotional. This series is a must-read for historical western romance readers. Also I want to encourage historical romance lovers to give this subgenre a chance, I think you'll enjoy the simple, exciting but very dangerous way of living in the wild west. I think this subgenre is underrated nowadays and I hope more new readers will give it a try.