Reviewed by PizzyGirl
TITLE: Robby Riverton: Mail Order Bride
AUTHOR: Eli Easton
NARRATOR: Matthew Shaw
PUBLISHER: Pinkerton Road
LENGTH: 7 hours, 34 minutes
RELEASE DATE: August 2, 2018
BLURB:
Being a fugitive in the Old West shouldn’t be this much fun. The year is 1860. Robby Riverton is a rising star on the New York stage. But he witnesses a murder by a famous crime boss and is forced to go on the run – all the way to Santa Fe.
When he still can’t seem to ditch his pursuers, he disguises himself as a mail-order bride he meets on the wagon train. Caught between gangsters who want to kill him and the crazy, uncouth family of his “intended”, Robby’s only ally is a lazy sheriff who sees exactly who Robby is – and can’t resist him.
Trace Crabtree took the job as sheriff of Flat Bottom because there was never a thing going on. And then Robby Riverton showed up disguised as a woman and betrothed to Trace’s brother. If that wasn’t complicated enough, Trace finds the man as appealing as blueberry pie. He urges Robby to stay undercover until the danger has passed.
But a few weeks of having Robby-Rowena at the ranch and the Crabtree family will never be the same again.
STORY REVIEW:
This was not at all what I was expecting. I was thinking this was going to be some slapstick over the top production but it wasn’t. There was a surprising amount of heart and depth that left me feeling warm and fuzzy. Don’t get me wrong, there was humor and a few OTT elements, but in the end, I really enjoyed my listening experience.
I am not normally a fan of stories set in the old west. Times were hard and people/conditions were unsanitary and I have always had a hard time with the imagery of sex in those days. But this story didn’t hit any of those hot buttons for me. The author acknowledge the hygiene issues as if they were normal and in doing so counteracted that styma and even poked a bit of fun. I didn’t ever have that visceral “gross” reaction I have had to old west tales in the past.
The secondary characters in this story were so much fun for me. They were simple folks but they were loving. Even when they were hard headed, it came from a place of caring. Trace’s family made this story for me. I connected to them as people, was emotionally involved with them, and fell into the trap of needing to figure out the ,mystery of the bruises.
I liked the plot. It was typical old west plot, but with drag! The way Robby so easily passed as female was the biggest OTT element for me, but I have to admit it made this plot work and added many opportunities for some chuckles. I enjoyed it.
I did struggle a bit with the love story but that may just be me. Wanted more of Trace and Robby getting to know each other. I did really like seeing Robby interact with Trace’s family and I could see how that would sway Trace to fall for Robby, so maybe that is just me being picky. So take that with a grain of salt.
I would like to end this review by saying the Robby himself was my all time favorite element of this book. He might have been a bit shallow and vain, but he was a good person. The way he taught the family manners and improved their conditions without ever judging or condemning was amazing to watch. It spoke to his heart and really brought out my compassionate side. It was because of Robby’s behaviors and attitude that I was able to love the family and to love the romantic ending. Robby gave his all and dersverd the world in return.
I picked this story up based on a Facebook recommendation by a friend. I am so grateful I gave this a try and believe you should give it a try as well.
NARRATION REVIEW:
I enjoyed this narration. Matthew Shaw had a voice that was sure and strong and very easy to listen to. He easily distinguished the character voices and gave them all personality. There was an overall “slow” feel that I didn’t always think fit the tone of the story but it wasn’t distracting. Overall, I think he did a good job and I would listen to him again.
RATING: 
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