This is the second book in this series and it would be helpful to have read the first book in the series but not imperative. I so enjoyed Zoe and Jakob and Isaak. This is a great historical western romance. This really shows how family members need to learn to communicate. I received a copy of this book from Celebratelit for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will. ( )

A very different type of mail order bride story, especially when the perspective bride is lied to when she only reads French. Now who was the culprit who lied? Well, a delightful youngster who is very street smart, and becomes our Zoe’s unofficial brother, or a brother of the heart.
This is the second book in this series that I have read, and as enjoyable as the first. When our Zoe arrives, she is pledged to a twin brother, one who seems to like her and the other thinks she is a gold digger.
There is a theme of danger here, and if you read the first book you know what is happening, but if now there is enough information provided. Will Zoe find her happiness ever after? I found her speaking English with her French accent delightful, and she sure found food as a way into the hearts of the locals, but as you will see she needs to be careful of whom she trusts, not all are as they appear.
Will Jakob wake up and see what a treasure he is being offered, and will Isaak wake up and realize whom Zoe really is? There are answers here, but there is also danger, and our girl is way too trusting and loving!
A read you don’t want to miss, and yes, it can be read alone.

I received this book through Celebrate Lit, and was not required to give a positive review. ( )

I was hoping that the story would move faster as I read but for me it seemed to drag. I did like the idea of mail order brides as the theme. It seemed to be very popular during the time period of this story. Zoe is the main character of the book and I had a like/hate relationship with her. For some reason she bothered me with her over the top sugary personality or perhaps she went to Helene on false pretenses. She did have some redeeming qualities of caring for others and staying committed.

Jacob is excited when he says Zoe. She was beautiful, graceful and I think he may have hit the jackpot. I did not feel any connection between him and Zoe through the entire story. At times the story seemed to drag and become repetitive. When Jacob's twin brother enters the story I had figured out what would happen. Isaac is very different from his brother. Isaac is arrogant, rude and just plain unfriendly. I wanted to know more about Jacob, but the story seemed to focus on Isaac more. That confused me since the book was about a mail order bride which Jacob was looking for. I didn't like all the deceit going on between characters and hoped for more of how Jacob comes to court Zoe to woe her over. I wanted the story to not focus so much on how beautiful Zoe was. It was almost prideful to read that because she was beautiful she would make the perfect bride.

The story does pick up towards the end and I enjoyed the intrigue that developed as we learn of something illegal going on in the town. I was pleased with who Zoe ended up with, but it was a bit obvious with the not so subtle hints throughout the book. Overall a pleasant read, but a little long winded at times.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion. ( )

The Kitchen Marriage is a mail-order bride book with a couple of twists. First, the bride doesn't realize she's responding to an ad for a bride. Second are the twin brothers who have big, but completely different personalities.

Gina Welborn and Becca Whitham take readers to the bustling city of Helena, Montana and expose some of the challenges of a growing city as well as the difficulty of a newcomer finding their place.
Zoe de Fleur is a memorable character--originally from France, a chef who can't claim it because she's female, and a sweet, even-tempered woman who is alone in the world. When she makes friends in Helena, she thinks maybe she's found a place to call home.

The only problem? Isaak Gunderson--the twin brother of Zoe's intended. Isaak comes over as gruff as first with a couple flaws (even if the man is the one everyone depends on). But maybe what he needs is a woman to balance those flaws out.

While I would have enjoyed a couple more scenes from Jakob’s perspective (the brother who placed the ad), I enjoyed watching Isaak’s initial animosity toward Zoe change to appreciation as he watched her genuineness. Then a friendship is formed and the leader is left wondering how everything is going to work out to everyone’s benefit.

Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255. ( )