Living in London's poorest slum, Mercy Wilkins has little hope of a better life. When she's offered an opportunity to join a bride ship sailing to British Columbia, she agrees.
Living in London’s poorest slum, Mercy Wilkins has little hope of a better life. When she’s offered an opportunity to join a bride ship sailing to British Columbia, she agrees. After witnessing so much painful heartache and loss in the slums, the bride ship is her only prospect to escape a bleak future, not only for herself but, she hopes, someday for her sister.
Wealthy and titled Joseph Colville leaves home and takes to the sea in order to escape the pain of losing his family. As ship’s surgeon, he’s in charge of the passengers’ welfare aboard the Tynemouth, including sixty brides-to-be. He has no immediate intention of settling down, but when Mercy becomes his assistant, the two must fight against a forbidden love.
With hundreds of single men congregating on the shore eager to claim a bride from the Tynemouth, will Mercy and Joseph lose their chance at true love, or will they be able to overcome the obstacles that threaten to keep them apart?
Editorial Reviews for A Reluctant Bride
Publishers Weekly (Starred Review): Hedlund (With You Always) opens the Bride Ships series with a lively story about the Victorian class system; the workings of bride ships, which traveled to the English settlement of Vancouver Island; and the place of women in that society. Weaving in faith elements organically, Hedlund explores the prejudices, restrictions, and moral codes of the Victorian era, as well as what it means to know oneself and to love someone. This excellent series launch will leave fans eager for the next entry.
Booklist: Hedlund is an expert in grounding her wildly engrossing stories in historical facts, and capturing the plight of the poor with compassion. The sizzle between the main characters is palpable, their devastating and dangerous voyage heightens their chemistry, and their journeys toward vulnerability and bravery in the new world parallel their emotional awakening to self-worth.
Reviews for A Reluctant Bride
- CoffeeBreakBooks: Jody Hedlund, whom one might consider a historian as well as a novelist, has penned an absolutely fascinating story of the little known “bride ships” which sailed from England to British Columbia in the 1860’s. The author wove redemption, romance, and a captivating plot to make an enjoyable and educational story.
- Paula: A Reluctant Bride is a story of a poor English woman that accepts the opportunity to board a ship to go to America. It’s a lovely tale and I greatly enjoyed reading it.
- Deanne Patterson: Why do I love historical fiction? This book is a prime example of why! I highly recommend this book!
- Joy of Reading: Right from the beginning I was pulled headlong into the story and swept blissfully along on a journey that I won’t soon forget!
- MJSH: What an incredible journey! Jody Hedlund is well-known for her beautifully written historical fiction and this beginning of a new series about bride ships will surely delight her fans and garner more followers.
- Marissa Baker: I loved the characters. The faith elements weave through the story naturally and the plot kept me turning pages eager to see how events played out. I definitely recommend this book for fans of sweet, historical romance.
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