The Rancher Takes a Wife Written by Leslea Tash Narrated by Eileen Smith

This audiobook was provided to me by the author in exchange for an honest review. 

The historical stopping points are painted with a vivid brush and while the heroine is a tad naive… some people are. The cast of characters are colorful and entertaining. The early part of the book begins in the excess of the 1920s while Chastity is attending teaching college. Through a series of events following the stock market crash she ends up in the west for her first teaching position in a one room school house teaching both towns children and Native American children. Our rancher hero has an admirably progressive view on the treatment of others especially Native Americans and how he can serve the town for its future betterment. 

I have read a wide gamut of romance books from Christian to closed door to open door. Generally there are parameters that are typically followed. For example in Christian romance the arc of developing faith in a character typically has a break through moment; those committing risky behavior are referred to as nothing more risqué than fallen women or referencing a child conceived outside of marriage/wedlock in dry clinical tones. This book is a little hard to categorize in that respect as there are references to “unnatural relationships” and the terms sl*t and wh*r* are used more than once. 

And while morality is emphasized and church/Christianity is a background theme it did not feel like a central topic. While it does remain largely pg and really no consummation is even hinted at there are two occasions where there is fully clothed full body contact. I can see where these things might be a bit much for someone who only reads sweet clean Christian romance and I feel reviews stand an important roll to tell a potential reader whether this is a book that is to their taste or not. Often I feel 1 star reviews come from people who have read a book that is just not for them. I believe there is a book for everyone and a person for every book. On the flip side if you’re someone who only reads open door romance this may not be your cup of tea either. If you’re  more flexible in your expectations it is worth a listen. 

Audiobook length comes in at just under 6 hours. Good sound quality and narration. 4/5