93 Books Like A Bride for Keeps

I have always held a deep appreciation for Mary’s novels, but this particular one struck a chord with me on a deeper level. The narrative is rich with adventure and suspense, making it an exhilarating read. Trace emerges as one of my favorite protagonists; I admire his ability to navigate the complex themes of responsibility and love in his role as a protector, even though he’s overwhelmed with the task he’s taken on. I also liked the heroine.

Though she was initially portrayed as a damsel in distress, she showed remarkable strength, which I found particularly engaging. The story has unique characters and a community that emphasizes shared values. I also appreciated the subtle humor that is interwoven throughout the story.

I loved how this wholesome romance novel effectively captured the essence of frontier life through its relatable characters and their interactions within a close-knit community. I especially liked the heroine, Hannah, who stands out due to her occupation as a tailor, which was quite unusual for women during that era. Initially, the hero misjudges Hannah, perceiving her as someone who prioritizes fashion over more serious matters.

This created much of the romantic tension that kept me turning pages. I really enjoyed the humor of Hannah’s attempts to assist the hero’s sister in finding a beau. This subplot not only provided me with laughter but also impressed me with how it enriched character relationships and showcased Hannah’s resourcefulness. 

I found this book to be incredibly enjoyable. I was captivated by Edythe’s experience as she tackles her first teaching job, which is set in a one-room schoolhouse in Nebraska. Initially, the town folks were delighted, as she replaced a teacher they deemed ruthless. However, their delight soon turned to dismay at Edythe’s teaching style, which made me laugh out loud. Not only did she shock the town by having her students catch bugs, but she also took them on an outrageous field trip to a women’s suffrage rally. Oh, my!

I loved the hero. As a widower, he believed that having a female teacher would provide just the kind of influence his two boys needed. However, with the town up in arms—along with his own uncertainties— he is unsure how much longer he can support her unconventional ways. This caused romantic conflict that kept me turning pages, eager to… show more.

I always enjoy fish-out-of-water stories, and this book is one of my favorites. Suffragette and outspoken Kathryn are banished from Boston to a wild California gold town. Did she learn her lesson and hold her tongue? Absolutely not! This and the fact that she’s determined to change the town puts her at odds with her new community.

Not only did I love the main characters, Kathryn and Matthias, but I also enjoyed the secondary characters. They each had distinct and, in some cases, quirky personalities, which added depth to the story and made me smile. The story deals with serious themes, but the humor, charm, and delightful romance kept me anxiously turning the pages to find out how it all turned out.

This book takes on class, gender, and addiction, plus a host of other contemporary issues facing rural America and the nation—and Smarsh still manages to craft a compelling, human memoir.

This book might be the antidote to all the easy, anodyne, partisan conclusions the talking heads offer about rural America. As someone who grew up in rural America but now lives in a small city on the West Coast, I felt challenged reading this memoir.

Smarsh is the best kind of rabble-rouser; she’s telling it straight no matter who is listening. 

James Rebanks was born in England’s Lake District into a family who valued the hard work and ancient traditions of shepherding in the high hills. Later, he winds up at Oxford, seemingly headed for a life of financial success in the city, and realizes that while the world at large may value such success, he values the quiet, steady, solitary shepherd’s life and chooses that instead. He beautifully depicts a life steeped in tradition, honoring the seasons, and filled with characters. I loved learning about a slice of life that I knew little about.

I think Sanora Babb is an underappreciated author. During the 1930s, Babb worked for the Farm Security Administration and was inspired to write a novel about Dust Bowl migrants. Unfortunately, her publishing contract was canceled when John Steinbeck published The Grapes of Wrath.

As much as I love Steinbeck, I love Babb’s novel more. She paints a vivid picture of life in small-town Oklahoma through small, domestic details. I appreciated the range of characters across the economic spectrum. Her characters are strong, but they are also aware that they are cogs in a machine, caught in circumstances beyond their control. She manages to highlight the plight of farm workers while maintaining their dignity as human beings. 

Kinsella was a master at blending two of my favorite things—fiction with supernatural elements in a realistic setting, and also baseball.

The title story was expanded into the novel Shoeless Joe, which later became the movie Field of Dreams, and I was fascinated by how the story changed in those three formats. Plus, the collection is packed with cool historical Americana fiction laced with uncanny happenings.

I love well written historical fiction set in many different time periods. Death of a Rainmaker is a historical mystery set in 1930s Oklahoma during the height of the Dust Bowl days.

It includes fascinating information about rainmaking scams, the Civilian Conservation Corps, severe climate changes, Depression politics, Government programs to aid citizens, and rural life during the 1930s. The main character is a small-town sheriff trying to do the right thing with limited resources. Supporting characters are diverse and well developed.

The mystery unfolds with delicious precision. Death of a Rainmaker meets my criteria for a great read.

This novel is haunting, poetic, dense, and exquisite. It is centered around a small town in New England and wends and weaves through the strange and terrible things that happen there. Allio's writing is exquisite and melodic, and while this book nominally takes place a century ago, in so many ways, it frighteningly and fluently depicts today's world.