Though Carolyn Miller's stories are never exactly fluffy, The Making of Mrs. Hale, is perhaps the most gritty in its honesty.

The regency novel follows the lives of both Julia and Major Hale as they learn about choice, the consequences of their actions and what enduring and sacrificial love looks like. Though their vows were made in haste, the working out of their marriage and the vows they had made were dealt with in a very real picture of seriousness and struggle. Alongside the theme of marriage there is intrigue, mystery, family expectations and an overarching look at what forgiveness, commitment to the good of another and growth really look like. I appreciate the author's willingness to tackle this subject with grace and hope.


I received a free digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

My review will be live on my blog (link below) on December 10th.

I quite enjoyed the different take on an inspirational Regency Romance. A long pursued and hard-won relationship forged in absence. With moments finding the couple divided, Miller was able to strengthen their dimensions and portray two well-rounded characters with a believably layered relationship. To add, she was able to exhume many of the double-standards afforded a woman of the time period as well as the unfair advantage allotted Regency males. Accessible writing ( a few anachronistic tendencies; but I maintain this is for easy reading) make the story flow and Miller's obvious affection for her characters and her conviction for a story threaded with redemption and forgiveness make this a stand out inspirational Regency.


A warm read --perfect for Christmas

The Making of Mrs Hale is a regency era story that has a good story line that I enjoyed, although some aspects of the story were unusual for Christian fiction. The couple in the story were apart more than together, but their journey throughout was fascinating. The hero starts out escaping prison, eventually finding himself attacked and left for dead, while his wife is living with her over bearing mother, who doesn't like her son in law at all. Overall, a well written story that I will probably read again!

The Making of Mrs. Hale is one of those books readers will either love or hate. It is a given that it will offend a number of Christian readers who want the characters in the books they read to be spit shined and perfect little Christians. I’m afraid these readers need to give this particular book a pass because it is a gritty tale filled with some of the unfortunate truths about real life and sometimes that isn’t very pretty. I personally believe that the author managed to convey her story amazingly well with tactfulness and grace and a wonderful read is in store for those willing to read it with an open mind.

This book was not at all what I expected and I loved being surprised by how Julia and Thomas Hale’s story worked its way out. Many twists and surprises helped keep me guessing and I loved seeing how Julia matured into a woman who stood up for herself rather than being dominated by her mother.

The Making of Mrs. Hale is a beautiful story of redemption and faith that will bless its readers as they watch the Lord at work in the Hale’s lives. Although I read it in digital galley form, I definitely plan to purchase a bound copy to add to the rest of the series on my bookshelf.

In Carolyn Miller’s book The Making of Mrs. Hale, she brings to life a story of the struggles, as well as the beauty of young love. Miller’s characters come to life from the pages as she tells the story of a hasty marriage and the struggles because of it, including unacceptance from family members, as well as society in general. This story suggests the possibility that through misunderstanding and deception, there is still a possibility of forgiveness from past mistakes and the beauty of love. Although this novel can be read as a standalone, characters from past novels in the series show up in this story, so it is recommended to read them in order. Readers who enjoy historical regency romance will be sure to enjoy this delightful story.

Series: Regency Brides: A Promise of Hope
Genre: historical, regency
Publisher: Kregel Publications
Publication date: November 27, 2018
Number of pages: 336

Other books in the series:
1-Winning Miss Winthrop
2-Miss Serena’s Secret

The Making of Mrs. Hale is a lovely story about the power of forgiveness, and the second chances that only God can give....

I enjoyed this book. The characters were interesting. Flawed. Dynamic. Throughout the many twists and turns in this novel, they learn the peace and release that comes from Forgiveness. They learn that God is a God of Mercy, that He can change even the most wicked or broken sinner and restore hope, even in an impossible situation.

I thought it was an interesting, hope-filled look into the Regency Era, and now that I have read this story, I’m interested to go back and read the rest of the series. The author did a good job portraying the era, and I enjoyed tagging along as she took us on this journey of healing and forgiveness.

One of the things I liked about Carolyn Miller’s stories right off the bat was that they take a slightly less beaten path in Regency romance fare. There’s less emphasis on the glittering world of the haut ton and the social whirl of the Season, more emphasis on the day-to-day lives, concerns, and responsibilities of the middle classes and landed gentry—be they titled or no. But in terms of “off the beaten path”, this one surpasses them all. When the excitement and romance of an elopement to Gretna Green wear off, where do a young couple find themselves? In the case of Julia and Thomas, disillusioned, destitute, and on different continents.

The beginning of this novel, in particular, is grittier than your average Regency romance, owing to Thomas Hale’s imprisonment in Spain, but even beyond that, there are some difficult obstacles for this couple to overcome—abandonment, secrets, betrayal of vows. This is no fluffy Regency read! But I actually think it’s been one of my favourites of Carolyn Miller’s novels so far (the other being The Captivating Lady Charlotte). I liked that it dealt with the consequences of imprudent choices and that these characters had to grapple with some serious problems—life-threatening ones at times!

As is always the case with Carolyn Miller’s novels, the characters’ spiritual maturation is just as important as their general maturation, and their circumstances provide plenty of opportunity for that, particularly in the areas of forgiveness and grace. Overall, it was a read that engaged me from first page to last, and I look forward to her new series coming in 2019.

Mistakes, failure, and love. An combination that Ms Miller has combined in an enthralling novel. She weaves faith and fiction together in this well written story. When a girl decides to leave her family for love, but then her husband disappears, can she ever been forgiven? When he reappears bringing life changing secrets, will love rekindle? Or is their marriage of haste to be repented of at leisure? When unscrupulous men learn that their plans have been foiled, they set out to eliminate the problem. Will they succeed? When things aren't as they appear choosing who to believe turns into a matter of life or death.

A novel that has romance, intrigue, suspense, and faith all wound together, I throughly enjoyed Ms Miller's latest addition, "Becoming Mrs. Hale". This would be a good book for a book club discussion!

Her husband disappeared just after they ran away to get married. The place, let alone the elopement scandalous and against her family's wishes. But she can't make it alone and has to go back home to her family. She sold everything she could to survive and he hadn't returned. It's not easy for her to face her family and she misses her husband. She doesn't know that he's been imprisoned with his men. It's a difficult journey for both of them and their families, and difficult to stay together, with people on both sides keeping them apart. They both learn a lesson in faith and forgiveness. Excellent read - one to get lost in!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher and Netgalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Marry in haste, repent in leisure--Mrs. Hale is about to find out how painful that repentance can truly be.

Julia Hale ran off to be married in Gretna Green, following romance instead of common sense. But her tale isn't turning into a happily ever after. Her new husband is gone and she doesn't know where--or if he's ever coming back. Julia has no option but to head home to the family she betrayed by eloping and to hope they'll forgive her. Especially now that she might be carrying a baby from her brief marriage.

Carolyn Miller's clean and wholesome Regency romances continue with The Making of Mrs. Hale, following familiar characters as they learn how restoration can occur by finding hope and healing through a deep relationship with God. Full of rich historical details and witty banter, this series continues to draw in fans of Jane Austen, Sarah Ladd, and Julie Klassen.

London - 1818

Julia Hale has been very ill as she was preparing to leave her baby on the doorstep of Bevington House, home of Lord and Lady Carmichael. The next day she wakes up in the home of the Carmichaels. She had been seen outside and rescued. The doctor has examined her and baby Charlie and determined that they are well.

Some time back, Julia had run away with Major Thomas Hale and they were married in Gretna Green. Julia’s mother and brother had been opposed to the marriage. After living for months in Edinburgh, Julia was left by Thomas as he went on a mission for the Crown. Now, he and his men appear to have been abandoned by the Crown and left in a filthy prison for 5 months. After a desperate attempt at escape, Thomas and several of his men managed to flee and go their separate ways to their homes. With little money, Thomas journeyed to Edinburgh only to find that Julia had gone from their home. He could only think that she had returned to her family in London.

When Julia’s mother sees her again, she seems happy to see her and little Charlie and insists they move in with her. With no other choice, she agrees knowing that her domineering mother will once again take over her life. When Thomas arrives at her door, Julia is happy to see him again, but her mother is furious.

Will Julia and Thomas ever be able to have a life together?

This book was a great disappointment. Why could Thomas never seem to communicate directly with his wife, but instead left messages for other people to deliver to her and then assumed that she got the message? Thomas comes across as someone who does not think something out before jumping in so I found him to be a huge disappointment. Julia’s constant caving into her mother’s demands made her a pathetic woman. All in all, I wish I had given this book a pass.

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I have never before read a regency book about an elopement. It was different. Sadly, I can't say I enjoyed it as I usually do.

Julia's marriage was fraught with difficulties---her husband always seeming to leave for unknown and lengthy periods of time. Meanwhile, her mother and brother protest most violently her remaining married to such a man. At every corner they compel her to break the match. But Julia is torn between their desires and the love she has for her absent husband.

The story is rather slow, and feeble. Julia's story feels very pitiable, and I couldn't help wishing everyone would just let me tell them what to do. There is a strain of mystery, with someone intent on doing away with Julia's husband even at cost of harming Julia herself. However, as we are told who is behind the ill will, we only get to guess at the next steps, rather than figuring out for ourselves who the culprit is. I wouldn't condemn this book ( I realize that some books simply aren't my style ). I really couldn't say what I would change to improve the story, it just had an underlying vibe to it that put me off.



I received a copy of this book from KREGEL PUBLISHERS, and was not required to write a positive review.

I am obsessed with this series aggg can't believe it's over!

Like, it's not particularly well-written or anything, but I still love it?? And I don't know why???? It's also a little heavy on the content side - especially since it's about a married couple this time around and talk about adultery, etc. So it wasn't squeaky clean, but neither was it explicit. 15+, but that doesn't mean it's super graphic.

Some thoughts: the blurb and cover both misrepresent since Julia isn't pregnant in the first part of the book and even when she gets pregnant she isn't showing until like ... the epilogue. So yeah. #looksnicebutbrandingisoff

ALSO: again the backstories were a little confusing. Like ... what all happened? The author is trying to be delicate (in this area *coughs*) but fails at giving the reader cold hard facts with which to make their own judgement on how bad Thomas was, etc.

But yep, it was great! I have no idea why I'm not BURNING this series because it's bad, BUT I LOVE IT SO MUCH I CANNOT EVEN EXPRESS HOW MUCH I ADORE IT THE CHARACTERS AND THE SETTING AND THE WRITING AND OHMYGOSH SERENA AND HARRY AS A MARRIED COUPLE IS THE BEST THING EVER CAN WE HAVE A SPINOFF THAT IS JUST HARRY MAKING JOKES AND SERENA ROLLING HER EYES BECAUSE I WOULD READ THAT AND LOVE IT AND CHERISH IT.

The Making of Mrs. Hale, by Carolyn Miller, brings wonderful closure to her Regency Brides: A Promise of Hope series. You will encounter Julia Hale again, as she is desperately looking for a safe place for her and her young son to land. Julia's husband, Thomas Hale, has been away from home for far too long, with no notice of when he will return. Julia has run out of money and needs assistance with keeping her son alive!

By the leading of God, Julia has landed at the doorstep of former acquaintances, Lord Henry Carmichael and his wife, Serena. Julia has definitely found a safe place to land; however, she still does not know when her husband will return!

Soon you learn that Thomas Hale is being held and tortured as a prisoner, in a jail cell in Spain. After Thomas and his fellow jail mates find a way to escape, you wonder if his wife will ever be able to forgive him for all the took place in that jail!

Hang on until the final page, to see how Thomas and Julia will learn to forgive each other and other people in their lives. The most beautiful image you will see is both Thomas and Julia bowing their knee before our God!

As the book opens, Julia Hale is abandoned and destitute, trying to make her way back to friends and family in London with a baby in tow. The story gradually unfolds to reveal that Julia, after eloping to Gretna Green with Thomas Hale, no longer knows where he is. Is he the worthless rake her family thinks he is, or does he still love her?

Imprisoned in a Spanish jail, Thomas yearns to get back across the Channel and reunite with his beloved Julia. The secret mission he went on didn't go as planned, and he hopes that he left her with enough money to survive during his absence. Plagued by guilt over past actions, Thomas escapes to England, only to find out that the plot against his life may threaten Julia too.

The plot of this Regency is extremely unusual. Thomas and Julia are an unwise couple who married in haste and may in fact be repenting at leisure. Both have a lot to learn about love, each other, and God. It is several other characters besides the hero and heroine who exert most of the agency in the story, redeeming both the couple and the situation. While one can appreciate the redemption in the story, the evangelical message is a little heavy-handed, sacrificing historicity (religious sensibilities in 1800s England were different than today) for intelligibility to the modern reader. This book is the third in a series. I did feel a little at sea in parts when characters from the previous installments came into the story, but for the most part, I was able to follow what was happening.

Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

The author herself admits in her notes at the end that this story is very raw and real, and I would have to agree. Some of it was uncomfortable to read, and in other parts, my cynicism found the characters to be more naive than compassionate or forgiving.

That being said, it’s a Carolyn Miller book, and I will never NOT read her books and love them dearly.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

This is a very well written book that grabs you on the first page! I didn't want it to end but I had to know what was going to happen next. You won't regret getting this book. Thank you Kregel Publications via NetGalley for the ARC copy of this book. This is my honest opinion of this book.