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Short Straw Bride by Karen Witemeyer Review

Hello Bookish Friends!!

Today is a very special post for me here on The Preppy Book Princess. This review I'm posting today is officially my 400th blog post!

When I first started my blog back in 2015 it seemed like such milestones were such a long ways off, and now I can't believe I'm already to that point.

I've read and reviewed some pretty amazing books in the last 399 posts, and for today's, I decided to make my 400th a review of an amazing book that really stood out to me with it's strong characters, swoon worthy romance, and the fact that faith was at the heart of every integral moment throughout the story.


Short Straw Bride by Karen Witemeyer:



Source: Library

Publisher: Bethany House

Publication Date: June 1st, 2012

Genre: Christian Fiction/Historical Fiction

Series: Archer Brothers

Synopsis:

No one steps on Archer land. Not if they value their life. But when Meredith Hayes overhears a lethal plot to burn the Archer brothers off their ranch, a twelve-year-old debt compels her to take the risk.

Fourteen years of constant vigilance hardens a man. Yet when Travis Archer confronts a female trespasser with the same vivid blue eyes as the courageous young girl he once aided, he can't bring himself to send her away. And when an act of sacrifice leaves her injured and her reputation in shreds, gratitude and guilt send him riding to her rescue once again.

Four brothers. Four straws. One bride. Despite the fact that Travis is no longer the gallant youth Meredith once dreamed about, she determines to stand by his side against the enemy that threatens them both. But will love ever be hers? Or will Travis always see her merely as a short-straw bride?


*****synopsis from goodreads*****


My Review:

God always has the perfect plan, but sometimes the way He reveals this plan can be very different than we'd expect, and this is a lesson that Meredith and Travis learn quite well in Karen Witemeyer's Short Straw Bride.

Meredith grew up hearing crazy stories about the four Archer brothers and the extremes they'll go to protect their land, but she has a big secret. She actually encountered the oldest Archer brother, Travis, when she was ten years old, and he showed her a kindness she was never able to forget. Fast forward twelve years later, and Meredith's aunt and uncle are her trying to force her hand in marriage to a wealthy businessman who can help her uncle's struggling mill. However, after Meredith overhears his sinister plan to burn down a building on the Archer brother's property, she knows that not only can she not marry this man, but that she owes it to Travis Archer to forewarn him of the impending attack. None of the Archer brothers are prepared for Meredith's presence on their land or in their hearts, and Travis especially doesn't know what to make of the situation. Both will soon learn though that God always works things according to His plan, especially when we least expect it.

Meredith was such an inspirational protagonist. She has such a big heart, and goes out of her way to help anyone in need that she possibly can, and goes to great lengths to soften the hearts of these four sheltered men that life has brought her accidentally into contact with. She's not persuaded by money or status, and instead knows the true value of a person lies within their heart, a fact that some of her other family members learn a smidgen too late. Likewise, Travis was an admirable book boyfriend who comes to care greatly for Meredith, and goes out of his way to keep her out of arm's way. With great responsibility left on his shoulders, he reacted in the way he thought best.Although he doesn't always make the best choices, the reader can easily see that his actions were caused by his desire to keep his family and land safe, rather than of any selfish ambitions. 

For this being my very first time reading a Karen Witemeyer book, I was pleasantly surprised, and found myself glued to the story from start to finish. Full of heartwarming moments, hilarious hi-jinks, well developed plot points, lots of faith based content, and characters that will give you all the warm fuzzies, Short Straw Bride is definitely a new favorite for me, and I can't possibly recommend it enough. 

Final Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Thanks so much for reading guys! Have a great rest of your day :)

This is not a sponsored post. All thoughts and opinions are my own. The photo does not belong to me, and all rights to the respective owners. 

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