The Rancher's Want Ad Mix-Up

Author: Megan Besing
Genre: Historical Romance
Release Date: April 26, 2022

A mail-order mistake… Or a made-to-be match?

When Della Mae Wagner’s train arrives in Missouri, she’s shocked to find that the couple who hired her don’t just want a teacher for their grandsons but a wife for their son! After a broken engagement, marriage is not in Della’s plans. And Hank Lamson isn’t pleased—with his parents, with his unexpected guest or with Della’s unfairly appealing smile. But his plans to send her packing are foiled as his family comes to love her…and he feels the walls around his wounded heart start to fall.

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Reviewer: Lori Parrish

A cute story for sure, and in some places, you'll want to giggle or laugh outright.

The only confusion was the man's name because it kept changing. It's why I gave it four stars. Trying to figure out who was actually who definitely kept you guessing!

The boys were adorable, and they kept you on your toes. Still, you gotta love them. In my opinion, they made the story. I really loved Della's adventurous spirit and determination to make it work. I loved this sweet historical fiction a lot. My favorite was the sweet inspirational messages throughout the book. A reminder that God is always near.

I received a review copy courtesy of the author through Interviews & Reviews, for my honest opinion.

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Reviewer: Diana Varela

This book is a good combination of romance, biblical principles, and a clean read. It’s a win-win all the way around for me.

I loved the parent’s meddling. It was really cute and comforting to see the parents care about their child and grandchild that they would go to great lengths to find him a wife. Alice trying to help her son, Hank, was the cutest. Their little arrangement to get rid of women who wanted to snag him up was efficient. 

This story shows that you are worth so much more than what other people think or say. God’s opinion is the ultimate value and goal. We are precious in His sight, and that’s all that should matter. 

The three boys: Robert, Edward, and Wallace, made this story even better. Their shenanigans to get rid of Della and their slow acceptance of her was beautiful to watch. Also, I loved seeing how they came to trust her and know that she wasn’t like the other women who kept vying for their father’s attention. 

I received a review copy courtesy of the author through Interviews & Reviews for my honest opinion. 

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Reviewer: Elisha Varela

Megan Besing produced a story of true acceptance of self-worth, forgiveness, and letting go of things we fear that are out of our control. Such a beautiful story. 

I have never before read a book about the oil industry in the late 1800s. It was a nice surprise. I know quite a bit about that industry because of family members who work in that department. However, I never thought about the possibilities of what it was like back then. Money-hungry women. Lazy workers in a growing industry. Besing meshes these things into the story while staying true to the main story at hand.

Della Mae Wagner has always been made to feel inferior to what she really was. Never accepted by her own mother, Della sets out to find acceptance. After finding it in the least expected places, she is happy but wants more. Acceptance from the person who has come to mean a lot. However, the only thing that mattered was God’s opinion of her, which is true. Our true acceptance comes from God, our creator. He loves us no matter what. After she understands who she is in Christ, she finds acceptance from the person she craved it from.

Hank Lamson is a widower with three children. His parents set out to find him a bride he is most reluctant to accept. He agrees she can stay on as a teacher for one week. Although his plan did not go exactly as planned, he is sure of one thing - he will never open his heart up to love again. Not wanting to hurt again like he did when his wife died, he is closed off to Della Mae. He lacks trust in people because of past mistakes and in God. Hank realized his mistake. Not all people were out to get him or his money. He also had to trust God because being angry at Him led Hank nowhere. It was only when Hank put his trust in God that deliverance from that bondage of fear in his life vanished. 

This was a very delightful read. This book will interest anyone who loves a good historical romance. It was tough to put down.  

This book was clean - free from any sexual content and profanities. Just a brief kiss and an aftermath scene where a man got hit on the head.

I received a review copy courtesy of the author through Interviews & Reviews.

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Reviewer: Laura J. Davis

The Rancher's Want Ad Mix-Up by Megan Besing is just what you need to curl up to for a summer-time read.

This "new to me author" had me interested from page one and her cast of characters (especially the boys) had me wondering what they would do next. It is filled with warmth, charm, and lessons to be learned about trusting God. 

Hank Lamson's parents decide to place a want ad for a mail-order bride for their son. But the wording in their ad never mentioned anything about a bride. The word "teach" stood out, though, and that is why Della Mae Wagner was shocked when she discovered the real reason behind the ad she answered. She was prepared to be a teacher, not a mom.

While I enjoyed this book, I struggled with who was talking at times. Pa was Roy, but he was also Hank. Hank was Mr. Lamson, but so was Roy. If the author had changed the wording a wee bit, it would have flowed better. That said, the storyline was great, and the theme of trusting God ran throughout this book. 

You will enjoy this book if you love historical romance with a faith-based theme! I highly recommend it.

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