Books & Spoons Review for HIS SUBSTITUTE WIFE by Dorothy Clark

4/1/2017

A Convenient Marriage

Blake Latherop needs a wife in order to keep his business, and his betrothed has apparently eloped with another man. So when his fiancée's sister, Audrey Prescott, steps off the train in Whisper Creek offering to be his bride, he's in no position to refuse. But it's hardly the marriage he had in mind.

Audrey knows she shouldn't have answered Blake's letters in her sister's name…but she couldn't bring herself to tell him of his fiancée's betrayal. Now the only way to fix things is through a temporary marriage. But as she comes to love her new life in the West, Audrey dreads the day Blake finds another solution to their situation. Because what started as a marriage of convenience has become so much more for her…

This story with its well written natural flow pulled me into the world of Whisper Creek and held me captive until the very end. And I didn't want it to be done, I wasn't ready to leave Blake and Audrey and the new life they were starting.
My heart broke a bit for both them at the beginning of the story with the thoughtless actions of Audrey's sister and the consequences of Audrey's selfless, sacrificing yet brave actions. The author draws the clear picture of the agony and disappointment Blake and Audrey felt towards Linda as they are starting the marriage of convenience. Linda wasn't drawn in a very good light in the novel, she had made several severe mistakes that had dire consequences to all of them. But in a miraculous way, Linda's mistakes turned into blessings in disguise.
Even though I am not a fan of love triangles in my romance novels I enjoyed the story watching Audrey and Blake find their footing in the new situation while starting the new life. The faith they had in God was a constant and natural part of them and their everyday life in an exemplary way.
The building of the town was fascinating as well as starting of the store and the life in general in Whisper Creek. From the plumbing to shelving at the store the details charmed me, the authentic history shining through in the details.
An emotional and moving story of a new life at the prairie where unfortunate and rather distressing situation brings two friends into a new point in life and relying on God's guidance they find a way to reconciliation, forgiveness, love and unity, bringing them a new hope for future. "God works in mysterious ways".
~ Four Spoons