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Reviewed by Jennifer Senick for Readers' Favorite
In The Widowmaker’s Bride by Diana Reyes, it is 1874 in the unsettled Colorado Territory, where Deputy U.S. Marshal Dan Crawford tries his best to raise his lively daughter, Susannah, after losing his wife. When he realizes he needs a mother for his daughter, he begins corresponding with Lily Bishop and asks her to marry him. She arrives by stagecoach with the intention of making a practical arrangement with Dan and providing stability for young Susie. Lily is a determined Southern woman who must contend with her own complicated past. She quickly bonds with the young girl, but has to adapt to a new way of life and her community’s expectations, while also starting to see Dan differently. Will he feel the same way, or are they destined only to fulfill the prearranged agreement? Will Lily’s past come looking for her, and how will the marshal handle that? The story follows the challenges and everyday moments these three share, keeping the focus on family, resilience, and the gradual formation of trust, all while handling themes of hardship, redemption, and the hope for happiness.
The Widowmaker’s Bride grabbed me right away and didn’t let go. I enjoy historical romances that explore mail-order brides, and this one had everything I wanted—plenty of heartfelt scenes, believable characters, and a setting that seemed authentic. The writing is easy to get into, with fast-moving chapters and no stuffy language or endless descriptions weighing things down. What really stood out was how Diana Reyes let little Susannah shine; her wild logic about her frogs felt so real, and Lily’s gentle way with her made their bond grow in a way that was sweet but not overly so. I appreciated how the relationship between Dan and Lily developed slowly, with both carrying heavy baggage but never losing sight of what mattered most—home and family. All in all, reading this book was pure joy, and I’m so glad I picked it.
