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Nebraska Prairie #1
The Purchased Bride
Ada Wilcox never thought her brother would answer a mail-order bride ad on her behalf. Worse, he’s sold her—sight unseen—to a complete stranger. As she travels to Nebraska, she doesn’t know whether to be angry with her brother or scared about the uncertain future looming before her.
Pete Kelly never thought he’d marry. Then one day his brother brings him a woman to marry, and the loneliness that plagued him for years in his quiet world is finally at an end. But the gift he was given might be quickly taken away if he doesn’t act in time to keep it.
*This story was originally published in the Bride by Arrangement anthology.
Pete Kelly never thought he’d marry. Then one day his brother brings him a woman to marry, and the loneliness that plagued him for years in his quiet world is finally at an end. But the gift he was given might be quickly taken away if he doesn’t act in time to keep it.
*This story was originally published in the Bride by Arrangement anthology.
121 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 29, 2020
About the author
Ruth Ann Nordin
173 books713 followersWhat's to say? I write a lot. I read often. I sleep little. Once in awhile, I've been known to clean the house. A number of kids live in my house and there's this guy they call dad and I call husband. All in all, it's a pretty good life. :-)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
November 2, 2025
Rating: 5+++ / 5
My goodness, this was just...soooo sweet! 😊
The penny dropped for me regarding Pete early on, of course, but still, it was so nice to read his and Ada's story about falling in love! They're just...so cute and so good together!
This is yet another five star read by Ruth Ann Nordin, who just writes books about good things happening to good people and, while there are some trials and hardships, it's never enough that love can't handle it!
Colour me impressed and keep up the reading from this author--these are my feelgood cuddly reads that I need to bring me up! (And they always do!)
My goodness, this was just...soooo sweet! 😊
The penny dropped for me regarding Pete early on, of course, but still, it was so nice to read his and Ada's story about falling in love! They're just...so cute and so good together!
This is yet another five star read by Ruth Ann Nordin, who just writes books about good things happening to good people and, while there are some trials and hardships, it's never enough that love can't handle it!
Colour me impressed and keep up the reading from this author--these are my feelgood cuddly reads that I need to bring me up! (And they always do!)
May 15, 2025
Tbh, I'm not sure how to feel about this book, leaning towards positive, though, and I really like both of the MCs. Pete and Ada were good people down to their core, so I think that's why, even though the start was really slow, I got invested for some reason.
This is set in 1876, so some things definitely bothered me, but I suppose they were acceptable then.
Anyway, Ada (18) came from a huge family that isn't really doing well financially, so her brother decided to arrange a marriage for her, hoping she'd settle down and get taken care of. And Pete's brother wanted a wife to "take care" of him because they thought he couldn't manage on his own. Hence, how these two got roped into this mail-order bride setup.
Ngl, I was confused about Pete (20) at first because his brother made him seem mentally challenged and childlike. But then, reading along, it was easy to figure out that he was deaf. How his brother and his wife didn't find that out was still so beyond me. Then Ada only figured this out at the 50% mark of the story. Tbh, I'm not sure how to feel about that because I think that's kind of a bit late for my liking, but oh well, there's nothing I can do about it.
So they figured out a way to communicate, and she taught him things along the way. Still, it amazes me how he was able to live on his own with limited knowledge.
Then the issue came when his brother wouldn't believe Ada that Pete is just deaf and not dumb, as he had assumed. Look, I know his concern came from a good place, and although there's some ignorance and denial on his part, I know he only wants what's good for Pete. But I didn't have to agree to his idea of separating these two just because he thought she was taking advantage of his brother. That was unacceptable and pissed me off to no end. I'm just glad that Pete immediately figured out something wasn't right, and he didn't hesitate to run after Ada.
When all is said and done, they just decide to forgive his brother, decide to start over with their relationship, and leave the past behind.
Book info:
- Novella
- Historical romance
- Arranged marriage
- Disability rep (Deaf, MMC)
- No cheating, OM/OW, separation
- Dual V! 💖
- HEA (1 yr later, with 2 mos old son)
This is set in 1876, so some things definitely bothered me, but I suppose they were acceptable then.
Anyway, Ada (18) came from a huge family that isn't really doing well financially, so her brother decided to arrange a marriage for her, hoping she'd settle down and get taken care of. And Pete's brother wanted a wife to "take care" of him because they thought he couldn't manage on his own. Hence, how these two got roped into this mail-order bride setup.
Ngl, I was confused about Pete (20) at first because his brother made him seem mentally challenged and childlike. But then, reading along, it was easy to figure out that he was deaf. How his brother and his wife didn't find that out was still so beyond me. Then Ada only figured this out at the 50% mark of the story. Tbh, I'm not sure how to feel about that because I think that's kind of a bit late for my liking, but oh well, there's nothing I can do about it.
So they figured out a way to communicate, and she taught him things along the way. Still, it amazes me how he was able to live on his own with limited knowledge.
Then the issue came when his brother wouldn't believe Ada that Pete is just deaf and not dumb, as he had assumed. Look, I know his concern came from a good place, and although there's some ignorance and denial on his part, I know he only wants what's good for Pete. But I didn't have to agree to his idea of separating these two just because he thought she was taking advantage of his brother. That was unacceptable and pissed me off to no end. I'm just glad that Pete immediately figured out something wasn't right, and he didn't hesitate to run after Ada.
When all is said and done, they just decide to forgive his brother, decide to start over with their relationship, and leave the past behind.
Book info:
- Novella
- Historical romance
- Arranged marriage
- Disability rep (Deaf, MMC)
- No cheating, OM/OW, separation
- Dual V! 💖
- HEA (1 yr later, with 2 mos old son)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 3, 2022
I really enjoyed this lovely romance novella set in the late 1800's in Nebraska. Ada leaves her family to marry Pete, who is apparently 'simple', a fact she discovers when she arrives in town. They go ahead and get married and she finds herself falling for the sweet young man. (She's 18 and he's 20). But is Pete really simple? Let's just say that our heroine isn't as clueless as the hero's family... There are a few seamy'ish' romance scenes that are well and plainly written and some drama near the end. I adore this author's historicals, as her writing is down to earth, easy to read and engaging. Her characters are usually innocent, humble folk, sometimes sweet and very practical. Ms Nordin manages to capture the characters and this time period perfectly. 3.5 stars. 😍
June 16, 2021
I thought this was going to be a story with a simple-minded hero. Turns out it was everyone around the hero that was stupid.
October 13, 2025
DNF AT 52%
The writing isn't horrible, but it's not great. There's a lot of telling, not showing. There's no chemistry at all, I thought this was a clean romance (it reads very clean), then there's the most boring sex scene ever, and that's when I gave up. I started to dread picking up this book, I simply don't want to read it. Life's too short to read boring books.
Also, how did the mmc brother not realize the mmc was deaf?? 20 years without realizing it and instead thinking he's mentally challenged? sorry, dude, but YOU'RE mentally challenged one for not realizing it.
This had such an interesting premise, there's no reason it should be boring but it is! The lack of chemistry made the so-called romance between the two uncomfortable and awkward.
sorry for any typos and such, typing on my phone.
The writing isn't horrible, but it's not great. There's a lot of telling, not showing. There's no chemistry at all, I thought this was a clean romance (it reads very clean), then there's the most boring sex scene ever, and that's when I gave up. I started to dread picking up this book, I simply don't want to read it. Life's too short to read boring books.
Also, how did the mmc brother not realize the mmc was deaf?? 20 years without realizing it and instead thinking he's mentally challenged? sorry, dude, but YOU'RE mentally challenged one for not realizing it.
This had such an interesting premise, there's no reason it should be boring but it is! The lack of chemistry made the so-called romance between the two uncomfortable and awkward.
sorry for any typos and such, typing on my phone.
June 1, 2021
Intriguing romance!
Ada is sold by her brother to marry someone in Nebraska. She leaves Virginia on a train to Lincoln, Nebraska to meet her betrothed. When she arrives, she is informed that her husband to be is not smart and needs to be treated like a child. Ada disagrees with everyone and believes that her husband, Peter, is very smart, but thinks there is something else wrong. Ruth Ann Nordin weaves this story to keep your interest to see what will happen next. You will want to read this book to see what Ada discovers about Peter and how things unfold. Happy reading! 😊
Ada is sold by her brother to marry someone in Nebraska. She leaves Virginia on a train to Lincoln, Nebraska to meet her betrothed. When she arrives, she is informed that her husband to be is not smart and needs to be treated like a child. Ada disagrees with everyone and believes that her husband, Peter, is very smart, but thinks there is something else wrong. Ruth Ann Nordin weaves this story to keep your interest to see what will happen next. You will want to read this book to see what Ada discovers about Peter and how things unfold. Happy reading! 😊
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August 4, 2022FREE today (June 14, 2022) on Amazon.
February 13, 2021
Great book
Lov we this different mail order bride book.Couldn’t put it down and got frustrated it took them so long to figure out the problem.
Lov we this different mail order bride book.Couldn’t put it down and got frustrated it took them so long to figure out the problem.
March 30, 2026
3.5 ⭐️ Sweet little love story with two very kind and gentle MCs.
☀️ Nebraska, 1876
☀️ mail order bride
☀️ deaf MMC
☀️ sweet, sweet love story
☀️ actual steamage to be found
☀️ double virgins
Poor Ada. She wakes up one day and her older brother takes her to the train station, buys her a ticket and informs her that he had answered an ad and accepted money for her to be a mail-order bride! (Her family was extremely poor, he was trying to find extra income and send her away to have one less mouth to feed). So off she goes, in shock and fear of what is waiting for her in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Thankfully, her future husband was the biggest sweetheart of all sweethearts.
🧑🏻🌾 Pete - 20-yrs old, accomplished painter and farmer
He doesn’t talk or understand when being spoken to.
His family assumes he is somewhat mentally-challenged with a low level of child-like intelligence.
His parents did everything they could to keep him away from other people because they were afraid someone would take him to an asylum.
His brother has now gotten married and moved into his own house down the way, but doesn’t want Pete to be left alone on his own. So he advertised for a mail order bride for his brother to keep him company.
👩🏻 Ada - 18-yrs old, notices right away what his family has missed all of these years, that Pete was extremely intelligent and in no way mentally-challenged.
So the story shows us how they quickly fall in love with each other (without being able to talk) and it was adorable. The main conflict is how Ada finally realizes that his issue is actually deafness and her then trying to convince Pete’s brother of this reality. Pete’s brother refused to believe it and accused Ada of taking advantage of/kissing his mentally-challenged brother.
I loved the love story, it was super sweet. The part about Pete’s brother though…. At first I was like ‘hell no!’ at the lengths the brother went thru to try to separate Ada and Pete. And then I was like ‘hell no!’ at how quickly Ada forgave him for his shenanigans.
A cute read though, I’m glad I tried it.
☀️ Nebraska, 1876
☀️ mail order bride
☀️ deaf MMC
☀️ sweet, sweet love story
☀️ actual steamage to be found
☀️ double virgins
Poor Ada. She wakes up one day and her older brother takes her to the train station, buys her a ticket and informs her that he had answered an ad and accepted money for her to be a mail-order bride! (Her family was extremely poor, he was trying to find extra income and send her away to have one less mouth to feed). So off she goes, in shock and fear of what is waiting for her in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Thankfully, her future husband was the biggest sweetheart of all sweethearts.
🧑🏻🌾 Pete - 20-yrs old, accomplished painter and farmer
He doesn’t talk or understand when being spoken to.
His family assumes he is somewhat mentally-challenged with a low level of child-like intelligence.
His parents did everything they could to keep him away from other people because they were afraid someone would take him to an asylum.
His brother has now gotten married and moved into his own house down the way, but doesn’t want Pete to be left alone on his own. So he advertised for a mail order bride for his brother to keep him company.
👩🏻 Ada - 18-yrs old, notices right away what his family has missed all of these years, that Pete was extremely intelligent and in no way mentally-challenged.
So the story shows us how they quickly fall in love with each other (without being able to talk) and it was adorable. The main conflict is how Ada finally realizes that his issue is actually deafness and her then trying to convince Pete’s brother of this reality. Pete’s brother refused to believe it and accused Ada of taking advantage of/kissing his mentally-challenged brother.
I loved the love story, it was super sweet. The part about Pete’s brother though…. At first I was like ‘hell no!’ at the lengths the brother went thru to try to separate Ada and Pete. And then I was like ‘hell no!’ at how quickly Ada forgave him for his shenanigans.
A cute read though, I’m glad I tried it.
March 7, 2022
I liked both MCs, this was a cute story. I did not like either of the brothers at all, and neither of them were contrite enough or groveled enough to earn their forgiveness. The brother in law especially was such a dick and so unwilling to think he was wrong.
My major complaint with this book: I’ve read one other book similar, a historical romance where a deaf woman is married to a man and no one knows she’s deaf but he figured it out. But she was at least deafened in childhood so she had some exposure to language before she lost her hearing. In this story, it sounds like he was born profoundly deaf, so he would have had zero language exposure. I guess he would have learned some gestures maybe but even then, I just don’t think this story was that realistic in terms of what he would have known without any exposure to written or signed language. And even profoundly deaf people usually have some residual hearing and can feel vibrations, so some of these scenes were not realistic at all. How, when Gallaudet is a thing, did they not realize he was simply deaf?
I also would have liked things to be fleshed out more, because the drama of the two brothers separating them could have been good but it was all too quick. I would have much preferred them to have convinced her brother to let them go while on the train, or at least given him the slip, and then have them make their way to DC where he could go to Gallaudet and they could both learn to sign and then eventually the brother in law comes and sees him living this successful big city life where he has a job and a home and realizes what an idiot he’s been.
My major complaint with this book: I’ve read one other book similar, a historical romance where a deaf woman is married to a man and no one knows she’s deaf but he figured it out. But she was at least deafened in childhood so she had some exposure to language before she lost her hearing. In this story, it sounds like he was born profoundly deaf, so he would have had zero language exposure. I guess he would have learned some gestures maybe but even then, I just don’t think this story was that realistic in terms of what he would have known without any exposure to written or signed language. And even profoundly deaf people usually have some residual hearing and can feel vibrations, so some of these scenes were not realistic at all. How, when Gallaudet is a thing, did they not realize he was simply deaf?
I also would have liked things to be fleshed out more, because the drama of the two brothers separating them could have been good but it was all too quick. I would have much preferred them to have convinced her brother to let them go while on the train, or at least given him the slip, and then have them make their way to DC where he could go to Gallaudet and they could both learn to sign and then eventually the brother in law comes and sees him living this successful big city life where he has a job and a home and realizes what an idiot he’s been.
June 25, 2022
I should've dnf-ed this, but it was short so I forced myself to finish. Every character was annoying, and stupid. I just can't believe that no one noticed that the hero was deaf. How can no one notice it for 20 years? The heroine realized at about 50% that he was deaf (they thought that he was mentally disabled), and she spent the rest of the book telling everyone that and trying to convince hero's brother. His brother was so annoying. And hero's behavior and knowledge of people and how the world, and things worked, didn't really add up, considering no one ever taught him anything, and no one knew how to communicate with him. He knew to tell the time on the clock, and he even knew that the clock showed time; he knew to knock on closed doors, and there were so many more stuff that didn't make sense.
Also, some conversations were weird and stupid.
For example, “Abigail’s six and Theodore’s eight.” “Those are good ages,” Ada said, finally able to take a deep breath to help settle her nerves. “It is.” Opal paused. “That’s very perceptive of you.”
And there was a sentence that really made me want to stop reading, but I continued against my better judgement. The sentence is: 'Children should be seen and not heard'.
I know that people at those times, some even today, thought that was normal and that was expected, but I really don't know why the author decided to put that in a book. And it was even repeated by the child. It made me feel bad.
I may give this author another chance, because I remember reading another book by her, and thinking it was okay. But this was so awful, I need time to forget.
Also, some conversations were weird and stupid.
For example, “Abigail’s six and Theodore’s eight.” “Those are good ages,” Ada said, finally able to take a deep breath to help settle her nerves. “It is.” Opal paused. “That’s very perceptive of you.”
And there was a sentence that really made me want to stop reading, but I continued against my better judgement. The sentence is: 'Children should be seen and not heard'.
I know that people at those times, some even today, thought that was normal and that was expected, but I really don't know why the author decided to put that in a book. And it was even repeated by the child. It made me feel bad.
I may give this author another chance, because I remember reading another book by her, and thinking it was okay. But this was so awful, I need time to forget.
June 26, 2022
⭐️⭐️✨️ 2.5 stars
Listen I've been a fan of Ruth for years, I read most of her work years ago on wattpad and she was one of the authors that got me into western historical fiction way back then. I got this for free through Google play books.
I liked both MCs. I appreciate Ada taking her time to try to understand what was really going on with Pete. And I appreciate that she never treated him like a child. She encouraged him to try knew things and she taught him how to communicate and be even more independent. Pete was a sweetheart.
That whole town and Pete's family were dense af. Bc how did it take Ada like less than a month to figure out he was deaf and not mentally disabled and yet every one else had no clue -especially Jimmy and Cheryl that were in complete denial of it.
Also how did Pete know so many things if he couldn't understand things. Like how'd he know the names of things like animals and food? How'd he learn to paint? Howd he learn how to tell time, and to knock and to count?? Like I know he was observant but still. The math wasn't mathing.
Anyways it was a quick read and I enjoyed it regardless of how questionable it was lmao
Listen I've been a fan of Ruth for years, I read most of her work years ago on wattpad and she was one of the authors that got me into western historical fiction way back then. I got this for free through Google play books.
I liked both MCs. I appreciate Ada taking her time to try to understand what was really going on with Pete. And I appreciate that she never treated him like a child. She encouraged him to try knew things and she taught him how to communicate and be even more independent. Pete was a sweetheart.
That whole town and Pete's family were dense af. Bc how did it take Ada like less than a month to figure out he was deaf and not mentally disabled and yet every one else had no clue -especially Jimmy and Cheryl that were in complete denial of it.
Also how did Pete know so many things if he couldn't understand things. Like how'd he know the names of things like animals and food? How'd he learn to paint? Howd he learn how to tell time, and to knock and to count?? Like I know he was observant but still. The math wasn't mathing.
Anyways it was a quick read and I enjoyed it regardless of how questionable it was lmao
August 22, 2024
I enjoyed this book but
The MMC is deaf which I like but the fact that nobody recognized it or really tried to communicate with him until he was an adult took me out of it. A person's capacity for language development changes after early childhood and if they make it to adulthood without some form of language be it spoken, signed or written their brain is likely to be forever frozen in a state that doesn't allow for language development. That's why feral children often never develop language when rescued from the jungle. So it just felt like his thought patterns were inconstant. On the one hand he would talk about others moving their mouths like he didn't know speech or words existed on the other hand he would think the word brother and boot maker when he had no reason to have specific words for these concepts. At one point he even slips up and thinks Ada rather than dark haired beauty the way he has previously thought of her. Skipping completely over any scene where she might try to convey her name or any other sign. If you can get past the fact that this is not a realistic portrait of disability it is a very sweet story.
The MMC is deaf which I like but the fact that nobody recognized it or really tried to communicate with him until he was an adult took me out of it. A person's capacity for language development changes after early childhood and if they make it to adulthood without some form of language be it spoken, signed or written their brain is likely to be forever frozen in a state that doesn't allow for language development. That's why feral children often never develop language when rescued from the jungle. So it just felt like his thought patterns were inconstant. On the one hand he would talk about others moving their mouths like he didn't know speech or words existed on the other hand he would think the word brother and boot maker when he had no reason to have specific words for these concepts. At one point he even slips up and thinks Ada rather than dark haired beauty the way he has previously thought of her. Skipping completely over any scene where she might try to convey her name or any other sign. If you can get past the fact that this is not a realistic portrait of disability it is a very sweet story.
June 16, 2022
Ada Wilcox's brother accepted money to send Ada to marry a stranger in Nebraska. Money and food were tight for the Wilcox family, and he thought Ada would be better off where she could get regular meals. In Nebraska, Pete Kelly never thought he would get to marry. He was somewhat jealous of his brother Jimmy and his wife, Cheryl. He felt very alone now that the men's parents were gone. With Cheryl getting ready to have another child, they needed someone to watch over Pete.
This is a different type of story. Jimmy tells Ada that she needs to treat Pete like a child. Ada finds that Pete is intelligent, but something is definitely wrong. Ada met a teacher while riding to their new home in Nebraska, and Ada consulted with her about Pete.
The pages flew past because the story was so interesting. The author showed a real gift for explaining deafness to the reader.
Nebraska Prairie – Total of 3
** 1. The Purchased Bride (2020)
2. The Bride's Choice (2020)
3. Interview for a Wife (2021)
This is a different type of story. Jimmy tells Ada that she needs to treat Pete like a child. Ada finds that Pete is intelligent, but something is definitely wrong. Ada met a teacher while riding to their new home in Nebraska, and Ada consulted with her about Pete.
The pages flew past because the story was so interesting. The author showed a real gift for explaining deafness to the reader.
Nebraska Prairie – Total of 3
** 1. The Purchased Bride (2020)
2. The Bride's Choice (2020)
3. Interview for a Wife (2021)
January 8, 2023
The Purchased Bride
First let me say I did like 85% of the story. Leave out the adult content and you would get a higher rating from me.
Now my review, the bride was sent to get married to a man whom is deaf. He can’t hear and his brother thinks he is mentally challenged, assuming he is in child like in mind.
The bride agrees to marry him and tend to the home. She soon learns that he isn’t child like mentally. But when she nearly falls into a shelf, glass and noise doesn’t have him turn she realised that he can’t hear anything.
She tried to tell his brother but he gets angry and tried to take the brother away when that didn’t work he gets her brother to remove her and take her back. But the husband won’t stand for that, he gets his bride back.
I did like the story line, but like I said I don’t care for adult content.
First let me say I did like 85% of the story. Leave out the adult content and you would get a higher rating from me.
Now my review, the bride was sent to get married to a man whom is deaf. He can’t hear and his brother thinks he is mentally challenged, assuming he is in child like in mind.
The bride agrees to marry him and tend to the home. She soon learns that he isn’t child like mentally. But when she nearly falls into a shelf, glass and noise doesn’t have him turn she realised that he can’t hear anything.
She tried to tell his brother but he gets angry and tried to take the brother away when that didn’t work he gets her brother to remove her and take her back. But the husband won’t stand for that, he gets his bride back.
I did like the story line, but like I said I don’t care for adult content.
February 21, 2026
I want to preface this with saying this was not a bad book, like the two star rating is not it being paid just not to my taste.
Overly sweet story, just very ….. unrealistic? I just felt like things were really strange. I am very happy Ada and Pete found happiness. I honestly don’t have more to say. I am just left with questions really. Like ok so hear me out. If they all thought Pete was unintelligent how could he fully take care of cows and land and plants and house by himself? I just find that whole idea of his brother snd family not realizing just crazy. And then if they thought him so incompetent snd cant do anything then did he learn everything on his? If so how did they not see him learning all these things?
The writing wasn’t bad and the idea wasn’t bad, but the execution of idea just was to fantasize to me I think.
Overly sweet story, just very ….. unrealistic? I just felt like things were really strange. I am very happy Ada and Pete found happiness. I honestly don’t have more to say. I am just left with questions really. Like ok so hear me out. If they all thought Pete was unintelligent how could he fully take care of cows and land and plants and house by himself? I just find that whole idea of his brother snd family not realizing just crazy. And then if they thought him so incompetent snd cant do anything then did he learn everything on his? If so how did they not see him learning all these things?
The writing wasn’t bad and the idea wasn’t bad, but the execution of idea just was to fantasize to me I think.
August 15, 2024
So sweet! A swoony, tender love story. Loved the mmc, he was adorable, though I felt so sad for him as well, I think everybody judged him way too easily when they thought him too dumb when he is just not!
The fmc was a spitfire! So so loved her. She really loved him hard and fought for him, she didn't give up on him. The conflict was just really so frustrating though, both the MC's brothers were so annoying, I really hoped they weren't forgiven. For me, they really went over the line and I wished they could have been punished for what they did to their siblings.
Everything about the epilogue was good except for the MC's easily forgiving their selfish brothers. Still, I really loved this book and enjoyed going through it.
The fmc was a spitfire! So so loved her. She really loved him hard and fought for him, she didn't give up on him. The conflict was just really so frustrating though, both the MC's brothers were so annoying, I really hoped they weren't forgiven. For me, they really went over the line and I wished they could have been punished for what they did to their siblings.
Everything about the epilogue was good except for the MC's easily forgiving their selfish brothers. Still, I really loved this book and enjoyed going through it.
May 24, 2023
Loved it!! Some of Ruth ann Nordin's heroes are so good that you wish you'd married them and Pete was one of those! The heroine was no disappointment, shw was strong, loving and smart. Loved both of them and this story so much!
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January 30, 2026
it's pretty run of the mill in terms of mail order bride stuff, and the two are fine together. the family is a little cartoonish and the solutions to the plot problems are kind of obvious, it's definitely all set dressing to the relationship.
And that's fine! They're pretty cute figuring each other out, the sexual tension is fun. They don't really have much other than wanting to live together and enjoying touching each other, but that's a staple of the genre.
the depiction of a hero that cannot hear is not amazing, it felt kind of condescending all around in order to manage the story beats, I wouldnt suggest this book for someone looking for Deaf rep honestly.
And that's fine! They're pretty cute figuring each other out, the sexual tension is fun. They don't really have much other than wanting to live together and enjoying touching each other, but that's a staple of the genre.
the depiction of a hero that cannot hear is not amazing, it felt kind of condescending all around in order to manage the story beats, I wouldnt suggest this book for someone looking for Deaf rep honestly.
April 11, 2025
verbal pornography effects stars
I would have given it five stars because I really enjoyed the story. However, I don’t think it necessary that I “watch” people having sex just to be able to enjoy a nice story. It’s like standing next to them while they’re doing it. Sick! I know that sexual graphics, aka verbal pornography, are popular, but what’s popular isn’t always right or good. Please remember to “close the bedroom door” next time, because if your books are good, they don’t need the “bedroom graphics”.
I would have given it five stars because I really enjoyed the story. However, I don’t think it necessary that I “watch” people having sex just to be able to enjoy a nice story. It’s like standing next to them while they’re doing it. Sick! I know that sexual graphics, aka verbal pornography, are popular, but what’s popular isn’t always right or good. Please remember to “close the bedroom door” next time, because if your books are good, they don’t need the “bedroom graphics”.
June 19, 2022
Ada's brother sold her and the girl is beyond angry. I enjoyed her inner fortitude as she navigates her new world and the fact that she could see beyond what others had presumed about Pete. She connects with and encourages Pete to be more than what he has been boxed into. There is a whole lot under the surface when it comes to Pete. He's intelligent and kind. His loneliness is tangible until Ada arrives.
March 14, 2025
A wonderful , charming little nugget
This was entertaining and interesting. I enjoyed reading it. Now. I think the writing flowed pretty smoothly. The characters, Pete and Ada, are warm and loving. Ada has been sold to Pete by her brother. Pete's brother and parents treated Pete as though he were a child. My questions started almost immediately. There were moments of taking pause and not getting the background story that I feel is needed in some instances.
This was entertaining and interesting. I enjoyed reading it. Now. I think the writing flowed pretty smoothly. The characters, Pete and Ada, are warm and loving. Ada has been sold to Pete by her brother. Pete's brother and parents treated Pete as though he were a child. My questions started almost immediately. There were moments of taking pause and not getting the background story that I feel is needed in some instances.
November 3, 2022
Learning the truth
This beautiful story had me bewildered and angry at times. Ada was being unfairly treated when her brother sold her as a mail order bride to Pete. Everyone was going to have a rude awakening when Ada proved that Pete was smarter than they gave him credit for. The author will hold your attention as she unravels the story for you.
This beautiful story had me bewildered and angry at times. Ada was being unfairly treated when her brother sold her as a mail order bride to Pete. Everyone was going to have a rude awakening when Ada proved that Pete was smarter than they gave him credit for. The author will hold your attention as she unravels the story for you.
November 22, 2022
Nice story but too sexually graphic for me
I was glad to read a novel involving a deaf man as I am hard of hearing. But was really disappointed in the detailed descriptions of private matters. I skipped over all those paragraphs. The novel was a short one. Not going to read any more from this author out of concern for being offended. Sorry, Ms. Nordin.
I was glad to read a novel involving a deaf man as I am hard of hearing. But was really disappointed in the detailed descriptions of private matters. I skipped over all those paragraphs. The novel was a short one. Not going to read any more from this author out of concern for being offended. Sorry, Ms. Nordin.
January 2, 2022
Pete and Ada
Finally got to read Pete and Ada's story they were mentioned either stories Good side how their art
story developed thought they would figure it out a little sooner .
uo
Finally got to read Pete and Ada's story they were mentioned either stories Good side how their art
story developed thought they would figure it out a little sooner .
uo
July 2, 2022
Sweet
Hiding a child's affliction was still common in my generation, such a shame. The love and determination was just wonderful to read about. Stories like these could be eye openers.
Hiding a child's affliction was still common in my generation, such a shame. The love and determination was just wonderful to read about. Stories like these could be eye openers.
March 28, 2024
Beautiful
Another beautiful story by Ruth Ann Nordin. The first book that I read from her was one of her recency series, and think I bought all of them. If you like romance and a laugh at the same time, her books will give you that and more.
Another beautiful story by Ruth Ann Nordin. The first book that I read from her was one of her recency series, and think I bought all of them. If you like romance and a laugh at the same time, her books will give you that and more.
July 2, 2025
I did enjoy this book, however it felt like an unbelievable long time for the FMC to figure out that the MMC was deaf.
I am not from/adjacent to the deaf community, but I found it odd that the MMC wouldn't have tried to communicate with writing or symbols beforehand with his own family.
I am not from/adjacent to the deaf community, but I found it odd that the MMC wouldn't have tried to communicate with writing or symbols beforehand with his own family.
June 1, 2021
Muy dulce, en pocas páginas te enamorás de los protagonistas y te hace tomar conciencia cuanta gente sorda era desestimada o menospreciada. Le faltó un epilogo y que ella le de la gran noticia.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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