A Choice Considered by Tracie Peterson

A Choice Considered
by Tracie Peterson

ISBN-13: 9780764241086
Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
Released: July 2, 2024

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Melody Doyle has spent years following her father across the country as the transcontinental railroad is built. When she announces her desire to settle down in Cheyenne, her father presents her with an unconventional He will allow her to stay if she finds a husband before his departure. As word spreads and the men in town vie for her hand, she wonders if she could ever be happy with a husband chosen in such a way.

Charles Decker, the heir to a banking dynasty, has been sent West to manage the bank started by his brother. His heart yearns for a simple life of teaching, but banking is the family business, and Charlie feels obligated to fall in line. When his friendship with Melody blossoms, he's drawn to this remarkable woman who defies conventions. Will he be able to come to terms with his growing feelings for her and confront the true desires of his own heart before it's too late?


My Review:
A Choice Considered is a romance set in Cheyenne, Wyoming in 1868. It's very slow-paced, with many details about cooking or planting a garden (or watering it by bucket and ladle...she could have used a watering can as they did have them back then, but, no). Some details were questionable, like why she deliberately cooked a roast a day early and then thought it'd still be perfectly cooked after sitting in an oven as the oven cooled and then leaving it in there with no refrigeration. Or the way Melody and her father lived in a tent but regularly left the stove untended (which was somehow in the tent without causing smoke problems) and food was left out on the table, which should have been snatched in no time by animals. Or how one of the suitors pointed a shotgun at a friendly dog who was near Melody; he'd have known it was dangerous to shoot a rifle in her direction, and using shot was even worse as it'd likely hit her! Not the way to win a wife, but that wasn't what upset Melody.

Any conflict in the story was soon resolved (or good or bad) in a way that didn't create suspense. Things could have caused suspense, like Melody's father's health preventing him from working, but everything just works out, and usually pretty quickly. I still can't believe that Charlie somehow forgot to take back the keys when he fired an employee, even though the employee had just stated he regularly unlocked and locked up the bank and Charlie was about to lock up the bank himself. Anyway.

The story was basically Charlie spending time with Melody so that they could become friends (with the intent on his part to marry her) while she dealt with the marriage prospects and cared for her father. They got along well. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this to people looking for a sweet romance with minimal suspense.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.