When Lucinda dies, two men are at her funeral claiming to be her nine year old son, Anthony's, father. One, Anthony had known as Pa for most of his life.  The other he knew not at all. But neither one are who he wants to be left with since Kate Dawson was his mother's choice for guardian when she died of consumption. There is no denying that teacher, Miss Dawson will love Anthony and that he will has little luxuries but will be provided for. But both "fathers" want Anthony as well. One, for his own gain and the other because he desires a family and was married to Lucinda a decade ago.  The courts must decide who Anthony belongs with.

Knowing Anthony will be gone the following week with whomever the judge gives custody, Kate chooses to make the most of her brief days with him. What she doesn't expect is to begin to have feelings for one of the men. However, he will be leaving her behind after the hearing, or will he?  And what if Anthony isn't willing to let the judge decide his future and decides to take matters into his own hands?

Set in 1885, A Bride At Last by Melissa Jagears is the story of escaping a haunted past, sorrow, and love. I had never read any of Mrs. Jagears books before but very much enjoyed her writing style.  Her humor was evident throughout the book and I could picture the settings even though I have never visited Missouri and of course didn't live in the time period.  You may think the ending predictable from the first chapter but Jagears keeps the reader guessing until almost the end as to how it really will turn out.  From the other book titles listed by the author, this is most likely one of a series of Bride books but stands alone as far as I can tell. Never did I feel that I missed out on anything in this story by not having read the previous three.  Jagears is an author I will look for again.

I did receive this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review and was in no way obligated to write a positive one.