My Review
Have you read any of Jody Hedlund's books yet? If you haven't do yourself a favor and do so, she has so many available and they are all fabulous . Recently she's also released a YA fantasy series and it's a not to miss as well. The cover of this book is really stunning and I was so excited to start into it. We've all heard of mail order brides, well these are ship brides, which I found so fascinating to learn more about as I read the first book in the series as well.
I can just imagine what the ladies had to be going through that signed up to go on the ships to be a bride, it was not just the poor working class ladies either, there were ladies of means that signed up too. I can say it was probably an adventure for all of them and hopefully in a good way.
The romance is sweet and tender and two men are vying for our Arabella's hand. Now being a lady of means she is expected to marry within the same class as herself but love doesn't always, or maybe I should say hardly ever follows the rules.
The plot was a fun read and held my interest the whole way through. It was fun to meet up with what felt like old friends, characters from the first book and be introduced to new characters as well. I wonder which will appear in the third book in the series. Learning about the smallpox outbreak was interesting as well. It took so many lives.
I don't believe it's presumptions to say this book will stay up there with my favorites for the year. Pub Date 03 Mar 2020 I was given a complimentary copy of this book. Thank you. All opinions expressed are my own.
Amazon Buy Link
GoodReads Summary
Wealthy Arabella Lawrence flees to British Columbia on a bride ship still wearing the scars of past mistakes. One of the few single women in the boomtown, she immediately has suitors, but she is determined not to find herself trapped again by a poor choice. Vying for her hand are two very different men. Lieutenant Richard Drummond is a gentleman in the Navy and is held in high esteem. Peter Kelly is the town's baker and has worked hard to build a thriving business. He and Drummond not only compete for Arabella's affections, but clash over their views of how the natives should be treated in the midst of a smallpox outbreak. As Arabella begins to overcome her fears, she discovers someone in dire need—a starving girl abandoned by her tribe. Intent on helping the girl, Arabella leans on Peter's advice and guidance. Will she have the wisdom to make the right decision or will seeking what's right cost both her and Peter everything ?
About The Author
Website
Genre
Historical Fiction, Romance, Young Adult
Jody Hedlund is the author of over twenty historicals for both adults and teens and is the winner of numerous awards including the Christy, Carol, and Christian Book Award. Jody lives in central Michigan with her husband, five busy children, and five spoiled cats. Although Jody prefers to experience daring and dangerous adventures through her characters rather than in real life, she’s learned that a calm existence is simply not meant to be (at least in this phase of her life!). When she’s not penning another of her page-turning stories, she loves to spend her time reading, especially when it also involves consuming coffee and chocolate.
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