Marrying Off Morgan McBride | ARC Review

As the oldest of the McBride siblings, Morgan had to be protector and shepherd since Ma died and Pa ran off. It hasn’t always been easy, especially when his heart longs to roam on the trail. But now that his brother Kit is married and settled, the time is right for Morgan to leave Buck’s Creek. Little does he know that his hellcat of a little sister Junebug is dead set on keeping him at home and getting more help around the house – all with one honest advertisement in The Matrimonial News.

Epiphany Hopgood has always had a gift for doing the exact wrong thing. She’s too tall, too loud, too opinionated, and too contrary for her family and community. Staring down the barrel of spinsterhood, she and her grandmother answer a seemingly straightforward ad for a bride.

But when Pip shows up to Buck’s Creek, she finds that Morgan McBride is not the husband she expected. In fact, he doesn’t even want to be a husband. But maybe there’s a way to make everyone happy out on the Montana frontier…

These books just keep getting better!

There was a lot of build-up in the first half similar to book 1. This one did pick up pace a little quicker which was nice, but I’d say it could start even a little sooner with book 3.

This book was much spicier than book 1 which really surprised me! There was a sexy half scene in the middle and then a full scene at the end. I was perfectly happy with the sweet spice in book 1, but this was also great. It think it helped lend to the fact that Pip and Morgan were physically, lustfully attracted to each other first and then they got to know each other.

Speaking of the romance, there weren’t too many scenes with them together. We didn’t get much bonding, but that’s kinda acknowledged at the end. We see both characters say that they don’t really know each other and facilitate activities to help with that. However, the slow burn is so worth it. By the end I was desperate to see these two together which is (for some reason) my favorite romances.

Morgan is a tough, grumpy man that’s so ready to escape Buck’s Creek, which has been his home but also his cage for the past few years. He’s ready to feel like an independent man again, away from raising his siblings. Pip is desperate to feel wanted and get away from the community that doesn’t see her worth. Both characters were awesome to me honestly. They both had lots of flaws which were put on full display. I loved that. I made their union and development that much nicer.

Junebug is an absolute delight and menace all at once. If she doesn’t get her own love story after all these boys, I’m gonna revolt. She really said some astute things in this book that I wasn’t expecting. Honestly, many of the things she was telling Morgan, I kinda expected to come from Kit. They almost seemed a little too thought out for Junebug’s personality and age.

Another side character I wasn’t expecting but ended up loving was Pip’s grandma. Yep. You read that right. She travels with Pip from Nebraska and gives her all the womanly advice on how to seduce a man that our girl needs and doesn’t want.

I’m excited to see what Barry cooks up for Beau’s book. I know it’s going to be full of antics as both Junebug and Beau have these competitive personalities. I also think Beau’s book is going to be completely different from Kit’s and Morgan’s so I’m dying to see how it plays out.

I know it sounds like I was really criticizing this book, but I absolutely loved it. I wholeheartedly give it five stars even with my critiques. If you haven’t read book 1, I also totally recommend that one! You can jump into this book without book 1, but it would make the experience sweeter.

Disclaimer: I voluntarily read and reviewed a gifted and advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Rating

To check out my other reviews, click here. Or to check out more books by Amy Barry, go to her GoodReads profile.