Review: Divorce Lawyer Finds Love in 19th Century Oklahoma
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 06 26, 2013
Set in 1891 in Oklahoma Territory, this is the story of Jennie Hastings and her son Oliver who come west to claim the 160 acres her late husband Charles left them. But when she arrives in the town of Guthrie, she discovers that while Charles was there buying the land, he divorced her and married another woman named Luna before he returned home, never saying a word to Jennie about it.Guthrie, Oklahoma, it seems, is the divorce capital of the west. Divorce there is as frequent as the common cold (like Las Vegas today). People are flocking from all over to get a quick divorce, and Zach Warner, an attorney, is happy to handle their case. He tells Jennie she hasn't a chance to gain the land she seeks, but agrees to try and work something out with Luna. Luna isn't interested. And Zack senses something is wrong.Though this was very well written, to me the story seemed to move a bit slowly in the first half as we are shown all the women flocking to Guthrie for a divorce. About half way through, Zach develops an overwhelming lust for Jennie and she for him. It seemed love developed quickly after that. Though he wanted to sleep with her, even desired to live with her (which would have been shocking for the late 19th century, not to mention the issue of illegitimate children which was never addressed), he wants nothing to do with marriage. Seemed a bit ignoble to me--and unrealistic for an upstanding member of the bar in a small community.If you're interested in divorce as a subject for a western historical romance novel, this is one to read. It's well told.