The one room schoolhouse isn’t big enough to hold thirty-four students, let alone the egos of two teachers. He can’t afford to lose the position, and she refuses to lose her heart.
Washington, 1891
Humiliated after her broken engagement, Claire Montgomery flees her comfortable life in San Francisco for a teaching position in Pine Creek, Washington, a dot of a town nestled in the rugged Cascade Mountains. She’s determined to succeed—for once in her life—only to discover, upon her arrival, that success will have to be won. Thanks to a school board error, two teachers have been hired.
When scandal forces professor Barrett Clarke from his position, he returns to Pine Creek where his uncle, chairman of the school board, sets forth an irresistible offer: teach one year in return for ranchland. For this would-be rancher, nothing is more tempting than resurrecting his childhood dream, and nothing can deter him from earning that land.
Except perhaps Claire Montgomery. Losing the battle for the classroom means losing the ranchland, but winning may mean losing Claire’s heart.
With large doses of humor and romantic tension, this Christian historical love story offers a picture of grace, forgiveness, and finding true worth.
What I Loved: From page one, the sparks fly between Claire and Barrett. One Plus One Equals Trouble was a delightful read and I’m already anxious for book 2 of the series. There’s something comforting about a one-room schoolhouse setting for me. But more than the setting, the characters won me over. Claire was uptight and unsure and Barrett was charming and conflicted. They didn’t mix from the very start, and yet…they did.
Rating and Recommendation: I highly recommend this for anyone looking for a fun historical fiction or a new Christian author. I’m giving it 5 stars.
Christian Author: A.M. Heath 