I love a good marriage-of-convenience story and that's what each of these are about! From the wilds of untamed country to one set in Regency time, these definitely were great novellas.

There was no “favorite” among them but since I also love Regency, I'd have to say the first one by Angela Bell “The Substitute Bride” was one I enjoyed immensely! Can you imagine a groom on his wedding day unveiling his bride to discover that it was the sister of his intended? What a muddle that is! As it always does in fictional romance, it worked out in the end and I loved watching it unfold.

The other story I really enjoyed was “Not so Pretty Penny” by Amy Lillard because of the unusual story-line. Penelope Pinehurst is so desperate for marriage to save her farm, that she buys a husband from jail destined for the gallows. Now if that isn't the strangest thing I've ever heard of! It made me wonder if that really happened in history. There's more than meets the eye with “Wash” Brannock, however (the one she chose); I really enjoyed getting to know these two characters. This was a fun one to read and I loved what the journey brought for Penny and Wash!

I've only touched on two of these nine stories, but in my opinion they were all equally good. There's such a great variety to keep you reading & interested! I love these are short so you can squeeze in to times when you only have a moment or two to read. I also love that these didn't feel rushed and there was plenty of depth to them. Barbour puts out some of the best novella collections!

*I received a complimentary digital copy of this book via Netgalley and was not obligated to leave a favorable review. All opinions are my own. *

What an amazing collection of short stories. Each one is unique and well written, and of course thoroughly entertaining.

Because they're ll so good I thought I'd review them seperately.

The Substitute Bride by Angela Bell

This is the only short story in the bunch that takes place completely in England. Lord Carlyle finds himself at the alter with what he thinks is the woman he loves, but when the vows are said and the veil is lifted he is confronted with the fact that he's been married to his love's dowdy sister. Feeling tricked he looks towards a bleak future, but has he maybe dodged a bullet?

A great start to this bundle of short stories. Gwen is a wonderful woman: caring, intelligent, self-sufficient and talented. But next to her sister all those years no man has seemed to notice her. Luckily for her Lord Carlyle is much in the same predicament. And even though he's been tricked by Cynthia and her mother, I can't help but smile and wait till the moment he reailses that it's the best thing that has ever happened to him. I found it a little unfortunate that we didn't really encounter her family after the wedding breakfast, but for a short story that isn't really necessary. A brilliant read!

Bridal Whispers by Angie Breidenbach

Mailia returns home because of illesses in her family. As a nurse, she's the perfect person to have around, but she's already built a life for herself in the city- a job, a beau- everything she's been working so hard towards. But when she finds herself married to her deceased cousin's husband, it seems like everything is going too fast and that all her dreams are being shattered.

I don't think I've ever read a story where Swedish immigrants in America play the main role. It's a really refreshing read, where culture gets to play a really big role. I love Mailia and how she's so strong willed but at the same time how she seemes to find her place both back in the village with her family, as well as within her marriage. Though it's a short story, this feels like a novel. It's so complex, with multiple characters and a depth that I rarely find in short stories and novellas. I particularly liked the scene where Mailia confronts her mother regarding her being sent away. It's a touching moment that is so well written.

Mule Dazed by Lisa Carter
When Brax is forced to throw his childhood friend in jail for running off with a mule, there was no way he could have foreseen that he would have to marry her. Harriet 'Crazy Hair Brimfield becomes a pain in his side, especially when her brothers show up and their shotgun wedding insues. But with being married comes a whole host of issues, such as learning to live with his new wife.

I smiled a lot while reading this short story. I especially love the little quotes at the beginning of each chapter from Harriet's book For Love of a Mule. And Brax seems to be perpetually confused, which makes for a hilarious read. Add to that a bit of wild west action, it's an adventure I'll probably not forget any time soon.

The Sweetwater Bride by Mary Connealy
Tanner has finally got his won piece of land and a house built on it. He's breaking out on his own and ready for the challange of running his own land. What he wasn't prepared for was Debba McClain. Living on the land by herself, since her father died, Debba has been making due for as long as she can remember. And when Tanner practically hogties her and brings her to his family, she's a little dazed and afraid to be so far away from home, especially since her father had always told her to never leave the valley. But everyone agrees. She can't go back by herself. And before long she and Tanner are saying their vows.

There are a lot of aspects to this short story that make it brilliant. But perhaps the most brilliant one is Debba's herd. How her longhorn cows manage to follow her all the way is not only sweet but absolutely hilarious. That scene is reason alone to read it. However, the real jem is Debba herself. She's so innocent and naive, that she makes for such an interesting character to read. You even forgive Tanner everything because he really is doing everything in her best interest.

A Highbrow Hoodwink by Rebecca Jepson
Katie Dupont was naive enough to accept a carriage ride from what she thought was a gentleman. By the next day she had lost her virginity and was pregnant. Forced to work at a hotel to support herself and her son, she is found by her son's uncle. Soon, she's being whisked away to Washington with her son and her new husband, Henry.

I really love how this story really has an extra character that doesn't really make an appearance. Henry's brother might be dead, but he's there, keeping both Henry and Katie from really being a family. He's the elephant in their relationship, invisible, but absolutely there. Katie wont tell Henry it was just a night and Henry can't help but think that he's married his brother's mistress. There are moments in this that I was thinking back to Oscar Wilde's The Improtance of Being Ernest and all the slapstick comedy. I love the moments when Henry shows his softer side, especially with his nephew/step-son.

Not so Pretty Penny by Any Lillard
When Penelope walks into the Sheriff's office in order to buy herself a husband from the men sitting in the jailcell, she could never have imagined that under all that dirt would be such an attractive man, with such a good heart. Geroge Washington Brannock agrees to the wedding, but in the back of his mind all he can think about is revenge. But he soon realises that there's more to his wife than just the price of his freedom.

I didn't realise that you could buy a husband like that. It was completely new to me. A quick google didn't offer me anything, but none the less, it's a really interesting notion that i'd never heard of before. Of course, I imagine that Penelope got really lucky, who knows what kind of psychopath she could have taken home with her. And though I would imagine that she isn't the easiest of women, they manage to pull through very well.

All's Fair by Gina Welborn
A great little Romeo and Juliet story, where two people from warring families are forced to wed to keep the peace. But once they're married, they decide not to take the loophole offered to them.

I wasn't really sure where this short story was going, for the most part, but that being said, it still is a nice read. The characters are different (espcially Coral, who is so gung-ho about what she wants that she'll just make decisions for Jackson, whether he wants them or not) and though the storyline has a very trope-like feel to it, there are enough unusual aspects to it to make it fresh.

The Colorado Coincidence by Catherine Y'Barbo
Gloree is on the verge of losing her land. The bank has already started the forclosure procedings, and if she doesn't do something quickly she might lose it completely. So, when Mack inserts himself into her life and suggests that they marry so that she can secure the land, she readily agrees. But both of them are hiding a secret, and will it cause friction between the newlyweds?

This short story is a lot like Not So Pretty Penny with one big difference, in the previous one the main character goes hunting for a husband to rescue her, and here one seems to just arrive on her doorstep. I like Mack and Gloree, they're both willing to do what it takes to make their lives what they intend for it to be. They're courageous and godfearing. But most of all they both have big hearts that they're a little afraid to open to each other. It makes for a wonderful story with very funny moments scattered between.

Railroaded into Love by Rose Zediker
Noah and Molly were put together when Noah's brother Seth brings her to him after finding Molly in a saloon. Noah couldn't leave her there, his consience as a preacher wouldn't let him. With her brother on the loose and the law looking for him, he has no choice but to take her to wife, for good and bad. Molly just wants to prove that her brother isn't the criminal everyone expects. But with all the evidence stacking up against him it's becoming harder and harder to believe. Luckily she has Noah to lean on. He makes her feel safe and good.

I'm not really sure what it is about this short story that I loved so much, maybe it was the fact that both the characters were religious, without the story being unnecessarily religious. Or perhaps it was the fact that Molly wants to stand by her good-for-nothing brother. Or maybe it's her relationship with Tom. Most likely it's a combination of all of the above. The characters and the situaton, all coupled with the great writing.