jjares reviewed on 2/14/2016 + 3414 more book reviews

This is one of those stories that gives an accurate picture of 1890's small-town America. There isn't much commotion, just people trying to get by. The real drama is in the relationships between individuals.

Ellie Mitchum is a naive 18 (almost 19 year old) who comes to the town doctor to find out why she is dying. Without any adult woman to guide her, Ellie is clueless about her pregnancy. Dr. Win Gray gently talks with her and offers future help, if things don't go well with her father. Mr. George Michum is enraged to find that his daughter is expecting a baby and throws her off his ranch. Ellie walks to town and asks for work. Word soon gets to the doctor and he offers her a job as a cook and housekeeper.

Now, of course an unmarried woman living in the same house as an unmarried man is a no-no in frontier culture. Before long, Win finds himself faced with a choice -- marry Ellie or let her go. Now, Dr. Gray.is from a prominent family of lawyers in St. Louis; however, Win has turned his back on that life and loves what he does and where he lives. When Win offers Ellie a marriage of convenience, she is overwhelmed by his kindness. Ellie has spent her young life taking care of an ungrateful father who constantly bemoaned the fact that she was useless.

Just when Ellie and Win settle into a happy home of mutual respect and love, the father of Ellie's baby returns and insists that she get the marriage annulled and he will take her to Pennsylvania and a life of luxury. By now, Ellie has learned the difference between real love and just sex; she isn't interested in the offer. Just because she isn't interested, won't make the problem go away. The problem of Ellie's abusive father and even Win's haughty mother will require the couple's attention before the end of the story.

This is a well-written book with excellent pacing of the story. However, this is a quiet book about relationships. It is well-worth reading, just be aware that it is a homey type of story without a lot of snap, sizzle and high drama.

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