GRR Reviews Almost a Bride (Wyoming Wildflowers Bo by Patricia McLinn

Almost a Bride is a novel about family tradition, unquestioning friendship, and affection to love, presented in a Wyoming ranch way by using an old trope: a marriage of convenience.

Matty Brennan is back in Wyoming and she's desperately trying to save her family ranch. She will do anything... including asking Dave Currick to marry her, even though he broke her heart six years ago... just so she can get an address change, and use that to apply for a water grant to save her ranch. And yes, it will be a loveless marriage of convenience, including the full prenup. But Dave had never said no to Matty... even though it was Matty that refused help. Dave accepts that this is a loveless marriage, but when "You may kiss the bride" was ordered... He made sure he put his heart into it... now if only Matty will reciprocate...

The problem with this book is a frequent problem with romance... The characters are supposed to be adults, but their thought processes seem to be still be randy teenagers. One look from him and her heart stuttered and her tongue refused to form words. One look from her and his... blood went southward. You get the idea. On the other hand, the other push-pull between the characters, such as teasing banter and the indignation that followed were fun to read. Overall, I guess I liked the book enough.

Category: Contemporary

Primary Plot: Girl will do ANYTHING to save her family ranch... Including a marriage of convenience to the guy who broke her heart 6 years ago

Tropes: return, friends to lovers, ranch, marriage of convenience

Overall Rating: 4/5 (rounded up from 3.5/5)