Whatcha Reading? Book Review Monday

One of my favorite hobbies is reading. I've always been an avid reader but I often end up too busy to read as much as I would like.


Ironically, since Little Mr. Ryan was born two weeks ago I've had lots of quiet time to read. That's because when I'm nursing him I have to just sit still and relax. It's quite wonderful. I also don't have that pesky work stuff to worry about, which frees up lots of time to enjoy a good book also.


My newfound extra time to read inspired me to start a weekly book review on The Family Fanatic blog. This week I'll start with a book that I just finished, but I have some other books I've recently read that I'll add soon.


I bought A Reliable Wife by Robert Goolrick as a gift for my mom and she was kind enough to pass it back to me after she read it. She told me that it was a good read and I have to agree.

A Reliable Wife is set in a small Wisconsin town in the dead of winter in 1907. Ralph Truitt is the wealthiest man in town and when he advertises for a wife he gets more than he bargained for. Catherine Land answers his ad and arrives in his life full of mysterious, seductive secrets. As her true purpose for agreeing to marry a lonely stranger unfolds we learn about the dynamics of powerful relationships between parents and children, husbands and wives, siblings, and lovers. 

I love books like this that are set in an interesting historical time period with a realistic setting that tells the reader a little bit about what life was like in the past. This book does that and a whole lot more. I was surprised by how steamy much of the plot was in this book, but if you don't mind some racy scenes you will find this to be a very interesting book with several plot twists. 

The main character, Catherine, shows us the dilemma women faced around the turn of the century: without a husband to support you, you were going to be hard off to have a comfortable role in society. In her effort to find her place in the world, she becomes caught between two loves - a new love that is seemingly good and honest versus a bitter, lustful love from the past. 


Overall, this was a very engaging story with characters that, while not exactly relatable, the reader can feel sympathy for. Be prepared for some very sexy scenes, struggles with life and death, and a few unexpected turn of events. 

I'd love comments from anyone else who has read A Reliable Wife or anyone who has any book suggestions.