Review: Pretending to Be the Mountain Man's Wife by Misty M. Beller

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

About the Book

In the wild mountains of the Montana Territory, the Coulter ranch is a place of family, second chances…and a hidden fortune.

Determined to find his missing brother and catch the elusive mastermind behind the theft of his family's precious sapphires, Gil Coulter embarks on a solo mission to the remote town where the criminal is rumored to reside. As Gil scours the surrounding wilderness for the thief's hidden lair, he crosses paths with a captivating young woman who harbors secrets of her own.

Jess McPharland has spent her life hidden in the mountains, doing her best to stay separate from her family’s business. Yet the secret she’s just discovered will change her life forever. She offers a silent prayer, pleading for a man to help her conceal the truth she’s only just discovered. As if in answer, Gil Coulter rides through the trees, seeking the very criminal Jess calls Father. Now she must find a way to ask this stranger for the ultimate favor—to pose as her husband and shield her from the consequences of a change she won’t be able to hide much longer.

As Gil and Jess navigate the treacherous landscape and the greater danger from her father and his cronies, they find themselves caught in a web of danger, deception, and unexpected attraction. With each passing moment, the stakes grow higher, and the line between pretense and truth blurs. Will the love growing between them be enough to protect Jess's secret and lead them to the justice Gil seeks, or will the truth shatter everything they've risked their lives to build?

My Review

The suspense and action ramps up in this installment of the Brothers of Sapphire Ranch! Gil goes right into the heart of danger as he pursues his brother and the investigation of the stolen sapphires. He and Jess instantly connect, and I loved how he showed her the way a true gentleman treats women. Jess didn't have any loyalty to her father and his crew because of how badly they treated her. It was important that Gil had an ally in his quest, and Jess appreciated Gil's protection as her husband. The caves and tunnels brought variety to the landscape and it was fun to picture them in the adventurous setting. The story has plenty of suspense and action, as well as a strong theme of faith.

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

The Brothers of Sapphire Ranch series