In the second installment of her "Paradise Valley Ranch" series (after
Away in Montana), Porter centers the story on a marriage of convenience. In 1890s Montana, Ellie Burnett needs to marry before her terminally ill father dies. She's due to inherit his large ranch and a lot of money, and her father is concerned that she will be at the mercy of unscrupulous men once he's gone. To make him happy and because she wants to hang onto the ranch, Ellie has been actively looking for a potential spouse. Her father thinks Thomas Sheenan is a likely candidate—though he is not wealthy, he has been a hard worker and seems honorable. Ellie isn't thrilled at the idea—she and Thomas have mostly traded barbs until now—but she is desperate. Thus, a marriage is born.
VERDICT Though Ellie is at times unlikable and unevenly drawn, the romance is nicely done here and builds to an emotionally satisfying conclusion. Fans of Western romance will want to read this one.
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