The Soldier’s Lady is a collection of four novellas set between 1828-1879. Each story is set at an army fort and features a soldier and a woman who either works at the fort or has come to visit someone.
I’ve included my thoughts of each story below. As with most novella collections, there were some stories I liked more than others. But overall, these were nice stories for when you need a lighthearted read and are a great way to sample authors you haven’t read before.
The Colonel’s Daughter by Gabrielle Meyer
This was a sweet story. The romance was a bit rushed to me, but I loved the way the author kept the story moving. She did a great job of create engaging characters and immersing the reader in the setting. I also loved her note about where she got her story idea from.
Frontier of Her Heart by Susanne Dietze
This story was fairly good. I didn’t quite buy the romance because it seemed a bit rushed. I could see their relationship begin to change, but couldn’t see them declaring love so quickly. However, I really liked the characters and could accept the ending for what it was.
Save the Last Word for Me by Lorna Seilstad
This story started out great, but the ending left me a bit confused. The story jumped forward all the sudden, and I had to flip back a couple of pages to make sure I hadn’t missed anything. I think she was trying to create a bit of anticipation, but it fell flat for me. However, I really liked the characters and Adelina’s dedication to her students and desire to teach the soldiers. And I thought Isaac was well-developed, especially his dedication to protecting the fort. This is one of those stories that I think would make a fantastic novel.
Forever Fort Garland by Janette Foreman
This was by far the best story in the whole collection. Jefferson stole my heart fairly quickly between his dedication to his friend’s memory and his desire to do right by Annie. The author did a great job of developing Annie’s backstory, and I was able to understand why Annie felt like her only choice was to get married. The plot was well-developed considering the word count limit, and I found the romance believable considering the fact that Annie and Jefferson had been corresponding before the story began.
Overall, The Soldier’s Lady is a nice collection that provides light reading perfect for a nice evening in.
Further Information
The Soldier’s Lady releases August 1. To pre-order, click the book cover to purchase it from bookshop.org, a website that allows you to order from your local bookstore. Or you can visit your favorite bookstore.
(Note: I received a complimentary copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.)
