Shannon C.’s review of His Secondhand Wife by Cheryl St.John
Historical western romance published by Harlequin 1 Jul 05
I think it was Super Wendy that first told me about Cheryl St.John. I know that Sybil adores her, and after a run of particularly “meh” western romances, I picked this book off the TBR pile. Whoever recommended the book certainly didn’t steer me wrong, and I’m going to be eagerly reading more of Ms. St.John’s backlist as soon as possible.
This is a pretty simple story, with no extras like a suspense thread or paranormal elements, and I really liked that. Noah Cutter, physically scarred and thus wary of people, takes in Kate, the widow of his flamboyant brother, because Kate needs a place to live. Kate’s also pregnant with Noah’s brother’s child, and Noah wants to ensure that the child remains in his life so it can inherit the Rockin’ C ranch.
I really liked the conflicts Ms St.John set up in this book. Noah wants to provide for and protect Kate, and, because of his physical scarring, is pretty sure she’ll despise and pity him. He feels like he tricks her into staying with him, and he struggles with his own loneliness. For her part, Kate wants to be useful, to feel like she is contributing something to Noah’s life. She is drawn to his solid, quiet strength, and she knows instinctively that she can trust him. But both of them have a hard time communicating their needs to each other, and not in a childish, petty way, either. The reader can see where each of the characters comes from, and can empathize with both.
And these are some great characters. After my last stint of bad-ass gunslinger types with emotionally wrought pasts about which they obsessed constantly, Noah’s torment felt genuine, because he didn’t emote about it at great length. He repressed it, and I love me a strong silent hero. Plus, he was a virgin, and in my opinion, that just makes him doubly hot.
As for Kate, she was an excellent foil for Noah. She was cheerful and optimistic and willing to work hard. I actually felt like she was an adult rather than a silly woman-child. She does have a TSTL moment, but I really loved that it came about when she was actually out of her head with fever, which I thought was an excellent subversion of that trope. I also loved that Kate made friends outside of Noah, which made her come off as a much more well-rounded individual.
There were no villains or sequel-baits in this story, though I gather some of these characters have showed up in Ms. St.John’s other books. There is a wicked stepmother character, but in the end she had motivations I could respect, even if I didn’t agree with her methods.
The great thing about this book for me is that it’s stuck with me long past my actual reading of it. Even now, I smile at the memory of certain scenes, and “awww” at appropriate places when I think about Noah and Kate’s romance. If that’s not a keeper book, I don’t know what is, and I would definitely recommend it.
Grade: A-
Summary:
Scarred in body and soul, rancher Noah didn’t consider himself fit company for anyone. But when his brother’s philandering finally caught up with him, honor dictated that Noah claim his brother’s widow as his own….
Standing on her doorstep, with his collar turned up and a rifle by his side, Noah was about the most intimidating man Katherine had ever seen. And though one man’s false promises had already dashed her dreams, she instinctively trusted this stranger. Even more, Kate suspected she’d only be a fool this time if she didn’t take a chance on Noah for the sake of herself…and her unborn child!
No excerpt found.
It was probably me and Sybil ganging up on you. We both love St. John’s work.
Like you mentioned, there’s no blatant series-baiting (although St. John does like to “loosely connect” some of her stories) and her villains are never one-dimensionally vile. There is always a method behind their madness and it tends to be ::shock:: believable.
I’m still working through her backlist (Pretty much all I have left are the really early books….), but so far I haven’t read a single dud from her. Oh sure, there have been some books I’ve liked more than others, but not single wallbanger in the bunch so far. Oh how I love it when an author can deliver consistency…..
I love this book — a keeper!
I agree with Wendy was prolly both of us ;). But I like this book more than Wendy so good choice. I think one of her top faves is Prairie Wife.
You also need to read Joe’s Wife, The Doctor’s Wife, Sweet Anne and The Preacher’s Daughter
you know… to start 😉
Now now Sybil – I liked this one, but it wasn’t a keeper. I’d have to check my back records, but I’m sure this one was either a B or B+ for me.
Loved, adored beyond all reason, Prairie Wife. My favorite St. John to date.
Of Sybil’s rec’s – I second Joe’s Wife, The Preacher’s Daughter and Sweet Annie. I still have to read The Doctor’s Wife! LOL I’ve had it in my TBR forever.
Now, now girls, don’t fight over — well wait — yes, by all means, I love it when you fight over me. Which book is best? Why the ones you prefer, of course.
This is a lovely review, and it brings the story back to me as fresh as when I wrote it. I had tried selling this story in a couple of different forms, in fact, in one Levi came back to life! LOL But I kept ignoring those rejections and tweaking the plot until I finally got the editors to bite. Sometimes there’s just something they’re not crazy about.
My critique partner, Donna, claimed from the beginning that this was a winner, because she loved Noah. Something about those silent, suffering, heroes.
Because Noah was so silent and held everything in, I deliberately paired him with a woman who expressed every feeling and thought. Can you guess who my model was for Kate’s character? A chatterbox from a classic piece of fiction.
No, no, no the best is whatever I sez. Sheeze authors
LOL
Which is your fave? And if you say the upcoming inspy I will cry and it won’t be pretty.
Cheryl St. John is the real deal. She’s still going strong after 30 books with no sign of sacrificing quality.
I loved this one too. I so love those suffering heroes! I have more of Cheryl’s books in the TBR pile. Need to pull them out!