The subject of mail-order brides is always intriguing and author Melissa Jagears has selected this topic for her Unexpected Bride series.  A Bride in Store is the second full length book in the series.  Although reading the previous books could prove interesting, this novel stands alone. 

The pacing of this book is really well done.  Often in novels with romantic tension building, the author feels the need to build the tension with repetitive romantic encounters.  In this story, the tension is built while the author is exploring interesting plot twists and the plot twists are not centered exclusively around the romance.

A wide variety of characters dance across the pages.  Some are delightful and others distasteful.  The characters experience much more than just romance.  There are all kinds of heartaches and challenges to keep readers interested.  If readers have not already picked up the previous offerings in the series, they will be left eager to read more by Melissa Jagears.

This book was sent to Compass Book Ratings for review by Bethany House Publishers

Content Analysis:

Profanity/Language:   None

Violence/Gore:  People threaten characters with guns; characters hit with objects and blood is mentioned; characters throw objects at another; report of a character shot by another; a few medical procedures described in brief, non-graphic terms, but blood is described.

Sex/Nudity:   Non-married characters touch one another’s hair, kiss, embrace, and imagine doing those same actions; a mention that a woman’s child is not her husband’s and that’s why she was in such a hurry to marry the man.

Mature Subject Matter:

Death of spouses/children/friends.

Alcohol / Drug Use:

Adult characters mention being drunk and drinking too much; a punch bowl at a party is supposed to contain alcohol.