Wife Number Seven: The Compound Series, Book 1

4.5 “keep sweet” “secrets” “bad seed” “the screams” “free” KissesI have been dying to read Wife Number Seven since I read the blurb. It immediately made me think of The Rapture of Canaan (one of my favorite books ever) and that made me all kinds of giddy. It pushed me in ways I wasn’t expecting, brought out feelings that I hadn’t had in a long time and truly blew me away with how much I fell in love with every aspect of this story.Brinley Cluff…beautiful, sweet, innocent Brinley…she’s a creature of her surroundings, being raised to be a follower of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints…short translation: long hair, always covered up, plural marriages and everyone who is not part of their community is going to burn in hell. Fun times. I found Brinley intriguing because while she was a very obedient girl, she had a spark in her. A spark that kept her from just being ‘another wife’…she did what she was told but that didn’t stop her from having her own thoughts…wanting things…dreaming. Brinley has a very curious nature…she’s definitely wary and cautious of the unknown, but that doesn’t stop her desire to pursue it and understand it. She’s also a bit of a rebel…well, as rebellious as she can get…but once again, given the way she was raised, it surprised me a little bit, in a good way of course. Overall, Brinley was completely unexpected…she never ceased to amaze me, but add that to the pile of things I adored about her. There’s a lot to love about her really…just ask Porter.‘Aspen was the perfect example of a plural marriage.I, however, was not. As far as anyone could see, I was an obedient, even-tempered, and loyal wife. I helped with the cooking, the cleaning, and the child-rearing. I’d never tried to secretly cut my hair or wear the color read. But I had my secrets. A voice inside told me I didn’t belong here, that there was another life waiting for me. And with each passing year, that voice became louder.’Porter Hammond…I simply love this poor, broken boy. He’s an outcast…a bad seed…and the funny thing is, he couldn’t be farther from it. He’s not perfect…but I love Porter’s flaws…because they’re a part of who he is. Over the past several years Porter has hardened himself…he had to, I get that…but Brin’s presence and the reminder she brings of Porter’s past is I think what breaks him out of his cycle. Porter is a strong, caring, kind man…a gentle soul that has made some mistakes, but has so much potential, if given the right opportunity. Brinley gives him that opportunity…to see who he can be, when he opens his heart and focus’s on what’s important in his life…forgets his past and can finally see what his future can hold. I loved how thoughtful he was…I loved his passion…and I loved how emotionally vulnerable he was.‘And as I lay there with him, staring at the stark white ceiling above us, I knew there was so much more to my feelings for this man than the electricity of his kiss, his touch, his passion. I was drawn to the softness of his voice when he was confessing his deepest feelings, the complexity in his expression when he was trying to explain a concept that he knew would be foreign to me, and to his vulnerability…the way he was able to admit his struggles, his failures, the most shameful parts of himself. Men in our community didn’t do that. Porter was showing me every part of himself; I just had to pay attention. I had to accept the good with the bad.And before that CD came to an end, I knew that I could.I was tired of fighting this.I didn’t just want to kiss Porter Hammond.I wanted to be with Porter Hammond.’Well, Porter and Brin definitely are far from your average couple…not that that should be any surprise. Given the context of how they know each other…and the events that basically start their relationship, they’re not even in the same ballpark as average. But I loved that about them…they’re extremely unique, I mean clearly Brinley isn’t your normal girl, she can’t go out and see Porter whenever she likes, but if anything that added a little bit of excitement to their relationship. Now…I feel like I have to give kind of a warning because if you’re in any way, shape or form opposed to cheating – then this might not be the book for you. In my eyes…it’s kind of a grey area, because there are a lot of extenuating circumstances…if you’re going by labels alone it was cheating, but in my heart…it wasn’t. The influence that Porter and Brinley had on each other way enough to make me love them till my heart exploded. They both affected each other in the most positive ways imaginable…she made him want to be a better person and he gave her the strength and bravery to do things she never thought she could do. He also brought out feelings in her that she never thought she would ever experience…and I think she gave him a peace that he hadn’t felt in years.“I’ve never been in it emotionally, ya know? I mean, it was always just sex. Just physical. But with you, it was so much more. You make me feel alive…like anything is possible.” He shook his head. “God. I’m an idiot.”Quickly, I raised up on my elbow and my gaze met his. “No, you’re not. You’re saying everything that I feel. It’s scary, right?”“Yeah.” His eyes began to glisten with that simple word. “But I don’t care. Bring the fear, bring the pain. You’re worth it.”“I agree.”“No regrets?” he asked, his eyes concerned.I smiled and ran my fingers through his hair. “Never.”So…Wife Number Seven is a romance…but it felt like more than that to me…I took more from it than just the romance aspect of it. I enjoyed watching Brinley grow and change and figure out who she was as much as I watched her falling in love with Porter. I’ll be honest, reading some of those scenes where she’s having to “keep sweet” made my inner feminist want to scream like a banshee! I cannot even fathom living how these women do day-to-day…granted, they hold their own to a certain point but by far and large they're required to stay quiet and be obedient, regardless of their own thoughts or wishes. The concept of that makes me want to pull off all of my fingernails...but, it was very intriguing to read. I’m usually all about being able to relate to characters…and while I could on an emotional level to some degree, for the most part this was like all new territory and I was fascinated. I also loved Brinley’s relationship with the secondary characters…well, some of them – mainly Aspen and Jorjina. I was honestly on the fence about both of them from the start…Aspen is a tough nut to crack and Jorjina made me nervous at first, but by the end both of them more than proved their loyalty to Brinley.‘He swallowed hard, his eyes wary as he said, “I’m in love with you.”I’d be lying to myself if I said it didn’t scare me. But I felt the same way and I needed to express it, but somehow those three words didn’t seem adequate.Porter apparently could read the worry on my face. “What is it?” he asked, shifting slightly.“I’m not sure I can form the words. Love doesn’t seem like enough. You’re just…you’ve changed my life.”“And you’ve changed mine.” He still looked confused as his fingertips slid down my cheeks.“I love you in a way that I didn’t know I could,” I finally said, and Porter smiled and released a sigh. “And I love you in a way I never will again.”He cupped my face in his hands, his expression pained. “We have to do this, Brin. You and me. Please don’t say no. I’m begging you.”“I know,” I said, smoothing his hair with my fingertips as I nodded. “I’ll never say no to you again.”’Confession time…this is my first Melissa Brown book. I know, I know…I’m kicking myself now, trust me. When I read the first 5 pages of Wife Number Seven I was absolutely blown away…her writing is fantastic…right up my alley – amazing characters, gripping story line, intense emotion…I loved every second that I was reading. The flow of WNS isn’t fast paced, but it’s powerful…lots of depth and Brinley is just so incredibly compelling. Most of the story is told from Brinley’s POV…I was actually really surprised when we changed POV’s – it happens a couple of times, with a few different characters and at first, it caught my off guard – I wasn’t expecting it and I had a little bit of a readers jump catching up and figuring out that we weren’t in Brin’s head anymore. I understand and appreciate why it was done – we get insight that would never have been possible otherwise and it totally worked for the story line…so I was happy she did it. I am so incredibly excited about His Only Wife …I wasn’t ready to let go of Brin and Porter…not that the ending to WNS isn’t great, it is…but I cannot wait to see how Melissa continues their story.

Polygamy is a marriage that includes more than two partners, or in this case one man, seven wives.How in the world can one write a story about this and turn it into an AMAZING romance novel? I really have no answer other than, Melissa Brown did just that. Brinley Cluff didn't ever want to live as a sister wife. She yearned for a monogamous relationship with a husband who worshipped only her. Living in the compound wasn't part of her dream but it was absolutely her reality. Confined to a house with six sister wives her husband Lehi Cluff who was 30 years her senior. Being the last and youngest of the wives, she felt very disconnected from her family. Her only friend being her sister wife #6 Aspen. Aspen is outspoken, motherly, and the only person Brinley truly has to confide in.Then the Prophet reassigns Rebecca Jameson, a woman who was wife #2 to one of the fellow men in the compound, to become wife #8 to Lehi. Rebecca was older than Brinley by about 10 years and had 2 children with Burt Jameson. My heart absolutely shredded for this woman and her children. She and Burt shared a bond. He was a kind man, a good husband who truly loved her, and a great father. Leaving him to marry Lehi was devastating. At this point you are starting the hate you will develop for the Prophet.Brinley has a secret. One so powerful, it would ban her from the compound if discovered. Every chapter, every twist my stomach was in knots waiting for the bottom to fall out.Porter Hammond was banned from the compound years ago. He never quiet fit in and was forced out by the Prophet, abandoned by his own mother. To say he is a hot mess is an understatement. After running into each other on one of Brinley's trips to the outside town for supplies, he is all Brinley can think about. Dream out. She, like Porter, doesn't fit into the mold that she is required to be as a sister wife. Like a moth to a flame, she is drawn to the outside world. Porter is trouble and sinful and Brinley's brain keeps reminding her of that, but her heart is another story.Let's get to the juicy part.. the sex.Honestly, I was so disgusted with Lehi from page one, my skin crawled at the thought of him touching Brinley. We aren't talking steamy erotic sex. On her night to "lay with him" it's cringeworthy. Women in this religion are only allowed to "fornicate" to create life. There is NO pleasure and once pregnant, there is NO sex until after baby… This sickened me. These poor women are used literally and while the men get to enjoy it, the women. Never.Then Brinley gets to hear about Rebecca and Burt's relationship which is NOTHING like hers and Lehi's. Burt cherished Rebecca. He took her places that women are not allowed to go physically and mentally. This only deepens Brinley's want of something more than this life.A lot of super huge spoilers happen after this that I don't want to ruin but let me tell you, there was not one part of this story that I didn't feel. I was so "in" it, I felt like a sister wife. I have so much Porter Hammond love my heart is bursting. Brinley was so relatable even though I never have lived in her shoes, I was there with her. Aspen was like MY friend. The bond her and Brinley have is the kind we as women spend our whole lives looking for in a friendship. I haven't mentioned Jorjina, she is the Prophet's mother. Brinley and her become very close and I couldn't have loved her anymore. She was a spunky old woman who had lived this life for so long, yet gives Brinley so many opportunities to free herself from it.DO YOURSELF A FAVOR. ONE-CLICK THIS TODAY, DEVOUR THIS STORY, FALL IN LOVE WITH THE CHARACTERS, HATE SOME OF THEM, LOATHE THEM EVEN, AND TRUST ME WHEN I SAY, IT'S UNLIKE ANYTHING YOU HAVE EVER READ.5 stars is a disgrace to rate this book. I'm itching for a second and I'm going to even say, this may be my #1 read of 2014. I loved it that much. Thank you Melissa for stepping outside the box and giving us something so taboo yet so beautiful that my heart is forever changed because of it <3

I have an unending fascination with polygamous wives. That said, this was the first fiction I'd read about polygamists. I've only read biographies before. I was a little hesitant about reading fiction on the topic, but I was pleasantly surprised.Brown's Brinley, Rebecca, Aspen and Porter are all incredibly well-rounded: the seventh wife craving something more than the life her birth has planned for her; the reassigned wife who loves her former husband; the sister-wife who might be more than the sweet submissive girl she seems; the lost-boy, lost in drug addiction after being kicked-out by his parents. In Leandra and Lehi Cluff, she has created a believable couple who value their position in their polygamous community above all other considerations, and who behave in a believably reprehensible manner, without being cartoonish.Melissa Brown has created a story I wanted to read and ploughed through in two nights, desperate to find out what became of the characters, who - for that short time - seemed so real. The world of the polygamous community, the Prophet, and the Prophet's mother were so accurate and believable that they all seemed like they could have been lifted from a biography I read, without being an obvious copy of any group or person.I also love that Brown created a realistic lost-boy. Sadly, many of the boys discarded by their families do experience Porter's problems, and the fact she made him realistic and didn't have him overcome his issues the second he met our heroine (thus becoming an expy of practically every man in romantic fiction, ever!) is something I will forever respect Brown for.Something else I particularly enjoyed was the way Melissa Brown gave each of the wives their own identity. This must have been no mean feat in a family with eight wives. This also helped when reading the multiple viewpoints. There was never a time when I had to guess who was speaking.I have since read this book a second time, and still find it as good as I did the first time.4.5 stars

"A voice inside told me I didn't belong here, that there was another life waiting for me. And with each passing year, that voice became louder."I am still thinking of this book days after finishing it - Brinley's story has really got under my skin. It's so different to other books by Melissa Brown, and even though I loved Picturing Perfect and Unwanted Stars, Wife Number Seven is in a class of its own. It was mesmerising, heart breaking, and had me biting my nails on more than one occasion. It's also a really beautiful story of a young woman finding herself and rising above the oppressive society she has grown up in.Brinley lives in a Mormon compound that is strictly religious and adheres to the polygamous lifestyle. She is the seventh wife of Lehi Cluff, and also the youngest. She also happens to be the only wife yet to bear him a child. Brinley is different, she feels there must be more to life than the one she is living at the moment. She's like a caged bird, just waiting for the moment she will be able to fly away, but she's also too afraid to rock the boat. So she does as she is told, making do with her frequent trips into town to get supplies for the Cluff Household. It's on one of these trips to town when Brinley meets Porter, a man who was exiled from the community because of his rebellious behaviour, and that turns out to be the one meeting that changes Brinley's life forever.Porters issues don't put me off, I LOVE that he isn't perfect. It's hard to say too much without giving away spoilers, but I find it refreshing to have a hero who has these issues and is facing a battle to turn his life around. Brinley coming into his life is a ray of sunshine in his dark world and she gives him something to aim for.There were so many twists and turns in this story, I was never sure who Brin could trust. There were her other sister wives, in particular Aspen and Rebecca, and then there was also Jorjina, The prophet's mother. They were the only ones that Brin felt remotely close to, but she still needed to be on guard and watch what she said so most of the time she just had to smile and 'keep sweet.'I was on the edge of my seat for most of the book, worrying about Brin getting caught, and if she did what would the consequences be? I could not read this story fast enough, and now that I've finished, I want to read it again. Easily one of my favourite books this year.

The way the book is written ... you feel you are in the story and it’s happening around you as you spectate and there are twists and turns you don’t expect and your heart feels frequently in your mouth as you read!

It wasn't quite the story i expected but it was a good read. A few times i wanted to yell at Brin to just leave already but where would the story be in that lol! I would read more from this author.

Great read, loved the characters and a happy ending. Makes me wish for romance now. A great book to read