Too Rich for a Bride

In a time when women were expected to “stay in the kitchen,” Ida Sinclair defies tradition by moving to Cripple Creek, Colorado, to become a businesswoman. When she arrives, she is hired by Mollie O’Bryan, who is a successful woman in a man’s world. Ida soon thrives but finds herself balancing her ethics with her ambition. Enter Tucker Raines, a preacher who must give up his career to run his family’s business. Can two ambitious entrepreneurs find time for love?

This book is my first book by Mona Hodgson, but it won’t be my last. I am a character-driven reader, and this book is full of unique characters whose stories need to be shared. Ida is a strong, fierce woman who strives for something more than is expected of her. Even though women today are equal to men in the workforce, female readers will identify with the need Ida has to prove herself and her worth to those she loves. The minor characters are intriguing. Abraham, the young boy who always has a joke, adds a layer of humor to the story. (I’d love to see what happens with him when he’s grown.) Otis, an African-American, faces some discrimination as he serves as a faithful employee to Tucker. His story could stand alone in a book. Willow is a young woman who broke down mentally after her husband’s death. Her story adds to the development of Tucker’s character, but it’s also an interesting topic on its own: how mentally ill people were treated then in comparison to now.

I did not read the first book in the series, but I did not feel lost in this book. I do plan to check out the first book, and I hope Mona writes more about the characters in this small town.  Overall, I thought it was a fantastic story with wonderful characters and a strong plot that sparks discussion. Too Rich for a Bride would be a great book club read.

I was given this book free of charge by the publisher. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

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