I feel like this book fit the standard lighthearted Christian Romance. It's not a bad read, but it's just formulaic. Emma is an interesting character because she's a female banker, but Malachi? Eh.

An all-ladies colony is a very intriguing idea, especially in the Wild West in the 1800s. Very progressive for the times. These women are strong and tough, especially Emma. When a little mystery and suspense make an appearance, they realize that maybe a protecting man might not be such a bad idea.

I loved every single one of these ladies and felt like I really came to know them and their quirks. And as for Malachi? Yes! He's such an enigma. How can a man grow up in such tough conditions and become the amazing gentleman that he did?

Witemeyer does a great job of creating an endearing town with rock-solid characters inhabiting it. The romance is tender and the plot was a perfect melting pot of all the elements that make a story good.

Content: mild romance; mild-moderate violence; moderate religion

1894 Texas Christian Historical. When Mal was 13 he happened into a barn on a farm owned by a family of women who were strong and full of common sense and wisdom. His angel Emma found him freezing in the barn and they nursed him back to health. Years have gone by and he has been working for the railroad, but now these women need his help. They are being threatened. Always a fixer, Emma and a friend formed a women’s colony, where women could be treated fairly in business and life. But someone wanted to take it away from them. A dangerous mystery that could involve someone from their close knit town working against them. Hearts laid bare, they try to figure it out, with lessons of life and Christian faith strengthening their way. They fight the good fight and come through better for it, with a stronger relationship and self worth.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher and NetGalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
#NoOtherWillDo #KarenWitemeyer #NetGalley #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout

FTC DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. A positive review was not required. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.

Boy, oh boy! Or should I say, Gal, oh gal!

This adventure featuring a women’s colony was a delightful tale that kept me in stitches from page one through the finale. I can hardly wait to get to the next installment or two. I really liked how it featured an explosives expert as well as the suffragette movement. Though the latter is not my favorite topic ever, and a couple of moments in the story were a tad abrasive in pushing women’s rights, I thought it was handled in a funny way in most instances, which took the sting right out of the women-only stance that irks me. Ms. Witemeyer’s trademark humor was laced into every aspect of this book, sometimes delicately while other times were in-your-face hysterical.

Things I didn’t like included:
* a disrespectful name for God (Big Man; used once)
* swearing “by all that was holy” (used once)
* one profanity
* a pair of horses’ names were those of mythological gods, and this was highlighted in a couple of scenes, intentionally drawing attention to the fact that they’re mythological in nature
* “Heaven” was used in vain numerous times throughout the story.

Had those things been cleaned up, this unpredictable story would have easily claimed all five stars from me and been tagged as a favorite. It was a precious romp through an Old West town, with all the hijinks you’d imagine would take place in a colony filled with nothing but women and children. Oh, there’s trouble a-brewin’!

And I can only think there must be many more adventures in store for the Ladies of Harper’s Station!

No Other Will Do is a stand alone novel by Karen Witemeyer, and is published by Bethany House. As usual, this novel is set in the American West in the 1800s, but the characters had their own unique passions.



Emma Chandler grew up with her two eccentric, feminist aunts. They’re compassionate to those in their communities and have nothing against men; they just live without them. When Emma was a child, there was a young boy who’d snuck into their barn. The three ladies took him in and cared for him for two years, but then he left unexpectedly. It’s been over a decade since then, and Emma and her aunts have made a community for women. When trouble strikes, Emma knows who to call: the boy from the barn.



Malachi Shaw has worked to make his way in life on his own. He doesn’t believe in kindness until he meets Emma Chandler and her aunts, and feels very much in their debt. He makes Emma promise to let him know if she ever needs help, so when he reads her request for help, he drops everything to come and save her.



I thought that this was a very cute story! The characters were unique and I loved their personalities and reading their reactions to each other. The setting of a town of suffragettes was interesting to me, even if it was only fictional. I would recommend this book! There are some action/suspense scenes that are a little intense, but I really enjoyed this book overall. It was quite possibly my favorite book by this author so far.



Thank you so much to Bethany House and Net Galley for providing me with a copy of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own and were not required to be positive, nor was I compensated in any way other than receiving the book itself.

I have to admit, that I did not finish this book. It was really hard for me to get into and the story felt flat.

Great book! Fun characters, unique setting, and a vibrant romance. Enjoyed it! Karen Witemeyer doesn't disappoint.

No Other Will Do has an interesting premise in that the setting is a women's colony for women who have left abusive or intolerable situations and generally are distrustful of men. The town is founded, lived in, and run by women. Emma Chandler and her aunts have founded the colony as their mission but now they are in trouble because someone is trying to do them harm.


Emma sends for her long time friend and first mission cause, Malachi Shaw. It soon becomes evident that Emma and Malachi are more than friends although neither seem to recognize that fact. Malachi has been working a dangerous job, dynamiting for the railroad and has only a few days to help Emma before his job becomes in jeopardy; but Malachi has a dilemma because it's either lose his job or Emma who has his heart.


Karen Witemeyer always has great stories. This one is no exception. I received this copy from Netgalley for an honest review.

To be published 1/10/17 on Macarons and Paperbacks:

Thoughts

Once again, Karen Witemeyer has created wholesome and endearing characters that inspire readers. Emma Chandler is an 19th century female banker with a heart for broken women who need a second chance at life. When someone starts threatening the lives of the women in her care, Emma turns to one of her oldest friends, Malachi Shaw, a timid dynamite expert with a protective streak, to help protect her women's colony.

One of my favorite parts about No Other Will Do is Malachi's career in 19th century explosives. I know in the grand scheme of the novel, this character description is only slightly relevant to the plot line, but I still thought it was remarkably interesting. I also appreciated how Malachi's career choice contrasted with his quieter and hesitantly expressive personality.

Emma, on the other hand, is inspiring in her own sense. She's brave, strong-minded, and incredibly compassionate. When the odds are stacked against her, she still manages to overcome every challenge, even when she's struggling with her own doubts and failures.

Although I'd categorize No Other Will Do as an inspirational novel, it also features some darker scenes and depictions. Harper's Station is a refuge for battered and abused women, but Karen Witemeyer is able to blend the harsher depictions of domestic abuse with compassionate characters who impart healing and hope.

Read This Book If...

...you enjoy historical fiction set in the American west.
...you're looking for an uplifting novel to start the year off with.
...you appreciate themes of feminism and redemption.
...you're interested in well-researched 19th century life (including insight into the life of a dynamite expert).

Final Musings

I can't believe that Karen Witemeyer has been one of my favorite authors for four years now and I haven't written a single review for her on my blog yet! I know I've recommended and gushed about her books plenty of times, but I'm happy I finally got around to putting together a formal review. If you think you'd be interested in Karen Witemeyer's other novels, I'd strongly recommend Short-Straw Bride and To Win Her Heart.