GRR Reviews A Wife for Big John by Lauri Robinson

A Wife for Big John is a Western Historical romance that's definitely a breath of fresh air from all those mail order bride stories, as this girl was traveling west... alone, but the chemistry between the two main characters was a little hard to explain at times.

To recap, Dani Jones is trying to get to California to meet up with her fiancee but she had no money. She does, however, have plenty of cooking skills, and she set out to prove herself by becoming the camp cook for Big John Thompson's logging operation (not that she explained that she's actually "Danielle") and it's love at first sight for Dani... Not for Big John, but Big John's stove. Big John himself felt out of control of his life upon his return to the camp. A bunch of kids had taken over his house, and "Danny" he hired as camp cook turned out to be "Dani" the girl. What's worse, Dani Jones decided that Big John really needs a wife, and proceed to grade every single and available women in town... except herself, of course. She is, after all, leaving. But will Big John want Dani to leave after tasting her cooking? Or is there... some other reason?

We're almost at the turn of the century and technology such as telegrams and railroads, as well as good ovens (with better temperature controls) but that's just the background info. I honestly don't feel much between the two main characters, Dani and Big John. Big John was initially overwhelmed (despite him being the big boss) by the situation then realized he hired Dani thinking she's male, but there is no other candidate available and she really really can cook, which is very admirable. But where's the chemistry in that? Did he not want to share? Want to protect her from the bunch of rough lumberjacks? Dani on the other hand decided Big John needs a wife since she's leaving. (Is that really her denying she's in love with Big John?) So you basically have two characters denying to themselves their own feelings? Now that's seriously uncomfortable. The plot twists that came later are rather interesting and did force the relationship forward. Still, I can't say the beginning of the relationship was that good. Once it got started, then the relationship seems to work.

Category: Historical western

Primary Plot: Woman as Logging Camp Cook tries to find wife for logging camp boss, but boss wants her instead

Tropes: different worlds, matchmaker, hot for boss

Overall Rating: 3/5