It’s 1901 and Emma Wheat has worked in a brothel in Washington DC for the last five months. Emma is trying to save money while she waits for her brother to send for her. It becomes clear that he’s forgotten her, and when she realises she’s pregnant she steals money from a customer and makes her escape to the west.
When she reaches Williams, Emma discovers her brother has fled town after stealing from local saloon owner, Dean Morelli. Fortunately, Dean is willing to give her a job, and together they try to locate her brother.
Rather than a virginal and naive heroine, we’ve got a woman forced into prostitution by circumstances. Emma’s not waiting for a man to solve her problems, she works to build a new life for her and her unborn child. While Emma accepts she did immoral things out of necessity, she struggles to move on from the guilt of the life she led and the fact that she stole money to get away. The birth of her baby gives her new strength and purpose and allows her to let it go.
Dean may be a bit grumpy with a short temper, but Emma soon realises it’s all bluster. Dean is a decent man and they develop a slow burning attraction as they get to know and understand one another.
The steady and sweet love story combines with the underlying threat that her old life will catch up with her to keep the pages turning. It’s about new beginnings and self-discovery, and starting fresh despite setbacks. It really does embrace the ideals of the settlers that crossed the vast plains, desserts, and mountains of North America in search of a new life.
From the beginning I was drawn in by the beautiful descriptive writing. It flows so well and creates beautiful visuals despite the slightly uncomfortable nature of the opening scene. The only reason I didn’t give it five stars is because I like more heat between the main characters, but that’s only a personal preference.
Plot: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Feels: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Heat: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
