Set in 1861 in Victoria’s central highlands, The Bushranger’s Wife is an entertaining story with a hint of Robin Hood about it. Mind you, there was no sign of the “giving to the poor” aspect where the hero of this story, bushranger Jack The Devil is concerned. For Jack it’s all about the thrill of the chase and the excitement of leaving the scenes of his crimes with a cache of ill-gotten gains.
Brought up b her grandmother, Prudence Stanforth has come to the Ballarat region where her uncle Robert Stanforth has a substantial property, with one purpose: she is to be married off to a gentleman deemed suitable by her grandmother.Prudence has other ideas and when she finds herself promised to a gentleman not at all to her taste she flees on the horse she has been allocated on arrival at the estate.
There’s lots to love about this story. Virtually fleeing into Jack’s arms and cornering him into a marriage of convenience, Prudence shows very quickly that she’s more than a pretty face, ably taking on the running of Jack’s house including cooking, cleaning and tending to the garden, all things she would certainly not have done in her former life. I loved the setting near Ballarat’s goldfields and I thought the way life during those times was well depicted, particularly the use of drays to deliver household goods. I thought society at that time was well presented and evidenced sound research by author Cheryl Adnans. Finally I loved the premise of this story—the idea that Pru, a lady of breeding, would enjoy the thrill of holding up a coach just as much as her husband Jack. While the pacing was a little slow at times, this story was a rollicking good yarn and entertained me enormously.

The Bushranger’s Wife - Cheryl Adnams

At the heart of The Bushranger’s Wife is an enduring love story. Prudence Stanforth is the granddaughter of the Earl of Carrington, she has been groomed by her grandmother to be a lady of grace and poise, destined to marry a man worthy of her pedigree. An encounter on her arrival in the colonies with bushranger Jack The Devil may threaten all of Lady Carrington’s careful planning.

This is a fast paced historical romance, with a good dose of steamy sexual tension. The relationship between Prudence and Jack has all the elements of the forbidden love tryst, and it’s easy to be drawn into their world. Along the way there were also some laugh out loud moments. As I read, I was imagining a movie cast with some of our talented local actors (I’m looking at you Daniel Macpherson!).

Cheryl Adnams has created a very enjoyable historical romance that is a fast paced, fun read. I would recommend it to lovers of romance and historical fiction.

Thank you to Harlequin, NetGalley and Cheryl Adnams for the opportunity to read and review this advance reader copy.

Jack the Devil is a bushranger who's in it for the thrill - he's definitely not looking for a wife or anything resembling a settled life. Prudence Stanforth is from a family of title and means, so the very thought of running off with the man who held her up and stole from her should be out of the question. But the heat building between them has nothing to do with the harsh Australian climate.

I intended to read a chapter before bed, but whoops! I ended up far deeper into this story and far more enamoured of it than I had expected. Sure, this was the night before the baby woke up ridiculously early but I have no regrets (okay, maybe I have a few). I was a little worried this would be one of those depressing colonial tales with few glimmers of light - I needn't have worried. It's a lovely, fast-paced romance that is all light and all enjoyment.