What a story! I loved the meetcute between Arabella and Peter. It was such a cute way for them to meet and their developing relationship throughout the book kept me guessing as to how it would all play out in the end. I really enjoyed getting to see Arabella again and learning more of her backstory after meeting her in The Reluctant Bride, and Peter was quite a character. I really liked him. The story was full of twists and I had trouble putting the book down at times because I wanted to know what was going to happen next. If you like historical Christian fiction then give this one a try.


I received this book from the publisher and was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts are my own.

It is impossible for me to put into words how much I love this book. Jody Hedlund never writes anything less than five stars. In "The Runaway Bride," the author has found a new way to address the age old question of whether to marry for love or social class. The characters one is supposed to love, are easy to love. The characters that one should dislike, are easy to dislike. Arabella Lawrence's journey to a new life is a reminder that, although it can be helpful to leave a harmful past, it is equally important not to repeat its mistakes. And, last but not least, that you should not shut out every possibility for future happiness based on past disappointments. I highly recommend this book!!



Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book through the publisher and was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.

A wonderful tale of a woman finding her way when everything is stacked against her. Arabella gets the opportunity to tell her story after arriving in BC. Bound by societal expectations and propriety, she wrestles against what she knows in her heart and what she knows in her mind. I truly enjoyed journeying with her to recognize the strong woman she is despite some deep heart hurts and fears. The addition of the smallpox outbreak added a nice element of struggle and of characters being further developed based on their response. The two men vying for Arabella’s attention added a healthy dose of romance. Reading the first book in the series is not required to enjoy this one, but it is nice to see some familiar characters again. I received a complimentary copy of this book and all opinions expressed are solely my own.

Jody Hedlund is by far my favorite historical romance writer (and she’s a Michigander too!!). The way she builds romantic tension is like no other Christian author I have read.
Arabella is trying to find herself. She thinks she knows who she should be, based on the expectations placed on her from her family, but in this world she is discovering parts of herself she didn’t know existed and things that actually make her happy.
Pete is also overcoming a past that wasn’t very respectable but he is determined to leave the past behind and move on with Arabella.
A wonderful historical romance that Jody Hedlund fans are sure to love.

A copy of this book was given to me through Netgalley.com. All opinions are my own.

Man, I love books by Jody Hedlund. It doesn't matter what time period she's writing in, I eat her stories up! I loved the setting and historical detail in this story and the whole bride ship concept continues to be a ton of fun. I can't say I connected with Pete and Arabella quite as strongly as I did with the hero and heroine in the first story but I have a feeling that's more personal preference than anything. Readers who love extra confident, flirtatious heroes will adore Pete! :)

The Runaway Bride by Jody Hedlund is Book #2 in her The Bride Ship Series. It could easily be read and followed as a stand alone book, but I would encourage you to pick up book one. I thought it was phenomenal. It is a wonderful Christian historical romance that will not disappoint.

Set in Vancouver in the 1860s The Runaway Bride was captivating. The story was beautifully told and within a few short pages I was under author Hedlund’s spell. I felt like I had been transported to a time and place totally new to me. Her style of writing is inviting. I was so invested in the lives of the characters that I wanted to call out to them. Their dialog and conversations sounded authentic and smooth.

This is the tale of lovely Arabella Lawrence, a genteel English woman and our Runaway Bride. Her father has arranged a marriage for her to his boss. This proves disastrous even before the wedding. Her only hope is to slip away on the Bride Ship heading to British Columbia.

Her story is so fascinating. The depth of her character is amazing. She ends up being sought after by two rivals, and it turns the story on end. Parts of the story are humorous and made me giggle while others are so heartfelt a tear would escape my eye. There are surprises, twist, and turns aplenty! I could not read fast enough to see what would happen next.

One of the things I loved most about this book was the beautiful story of faith and inspiration. Real life issues of forgiveness, compassion, second chances, social classes, trusting God, and helping others were shown. Learning about the natives and land was so interesting, also.

I highly recommend this book. It is one that has stayed with me long after reading it. A reading group would benefit by choosing this title. There is so much to discuss. I rated it a 5 out of 5 stars. A copy was provided but this is my honest opinion.

I truly love all Jody Hedlund books and this one, this series has been wonderfully written. With history, romance, suspense and drama all wrapped together in one story. The idea of the bride ships, what these women went through, the difficult path they chose and the ways God used them at the right time in the right place is such a great concept for a series. Love it!

Oh, Arabella, I knew you'd get a story. And what a story it is.
Like Mercy, Arabella comes from a hard life, only she's on the better side of the social class. Bring in Pete, the lower class baker who sets his sights on Arabella and refuses to back down. I could not get enough of Pete's actions and his swagger. Jody Hedlund kept him confident enough to be funny but humble enough that he never truly seemed conceited.
The feud between Pete and Drummond really pushed my buttons. I've learned I don't care for injustice, and Drummond's actions were abominable.
Arabella has a lot to learn in this new colony, and her place in it. Should she turn her back on the conventions she left behind or continue with what she knows, even though she recognizes the unfairness? Her growth throughout the novel was inspiring.
Once again, Jody Hedlund did not disappoint. Her writing style is so beautiful. I couldn't stop reading.
Arabella and Pete's relationship is smoking, and it's not the bread Pete's baking.
Arabella's soft heart, combined with Pete's ability to get out of a tight spot put these two in perfect harmony even while social class pulls them apart. Constant conflict between social class helps drive the plot and Arabella's thoughts, but it's the need to become more than what they are that helps these two characters grow.
I requested a copy of this book from NetGalley. I was not required to leave a positive review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

"Character is much more important than class."

Although I have not read book 1 in this series, this book read quite well as a stand alone.

It's 1862 and a bride ship has arrived at Vancouver Island British Columbia. Aboard was Arabella Lawrence who had spirited away from England due to an arranged marriage with an older gentleman who was her father's boss who had abused her before they were even married! She hopes to find a gentleman of her class who will marry her and protect her. She is first spotted by a naval officer, Lt. Drummond and then spotted by a local baker, Pete Kelley.

Arabella had been pounded by her stepmother with the notion that she is good for nothing but marrying someone of her class and being a mother. She had no notion that she was capable of so much more. Lt. Drummond fulfills all the notions of her stepmother, but is hiding behind a facade that covers his hatred of the natives and will do anything to eliminate them from the area. His desire for Arabella is to be a petty decoration on his arm. Pete Kelly is a born-again Christian and has left his rough past behind him and cares deeply about the natives. He encourages Arabella to sprout her wings and do things she has never done before. Only Arabella can determine which man is truly a loving, caring, person and the right one for her.

I loved watching Arabella grow and her love for the native people. The encouragement that Pete gave her no matter what she wanted to attempt was sweet. Their growing feelings for one another were wonderful to watch as Arabella learned what love for another man felt like and as Pete learned to control his desires and feelings. The spiritual content enriched the entire story line as Arabella learned that character was more important than class.

I look forward to reading book 1 and those that follow in this series.

**I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House through NetGalley. Opinions are mine alone. I was not compensated for this review.

The second book in The Bride Ship series, author Jody Hedlund takes us on a voyage with Arabella Lawrence who is surprised by what she finds when arriving in British Columbia. Her society notions are definitely put to the test when she meets Peter Kelly.

The characters in this story are colorful and will often put a smile on your face. Hedlund’s descriptions of British Columbia make me want to visit one day.

Not your typical rich girl falls for the poor guy story, will Arabella learn how to care for other people, and not worry about what is expected of her? Or will she marry rich as is expected of her? This story will keep you reading and turning pages quickly to see what happens next. If you enjoy historical fiction I highly recommend it.

Arabella Lawrence fled on the bride ship to British Columbia to escape a forced marriage. From the privileged class, she must learn to work with her hands in her new home. Men desire to marry her, but whom should she choose—a military man who may not be all he seems or a hardworking baker who couldn’t give her the life she’s used to. The story captures the time and situation well and the characters seem realistic, but the romance heats up too much for my taste even though it remains clean. Prejudice against Native Indians plays a role in this story, as does the growth of faith. This novel picks up where the first in the series left off, but stands alone as a complete tale too. I received a copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

I was right! I enjoyed her The Lost Princesses series, and Jody Hedlund's latest is just as good, maybe better! I don't read a whole lot of historical fiction, but I do enjoy it when I find the right book, and this series has been showing up quite a lot on my radar lately, so I was ecstatic to have the chance to read this one! (And on a personal note, I think there might have been I reason I read this 'series' out of order!) I loved all the messages of hope, love, faith, family, healing strength, and forgiveness in this! I plan to read the first The Reluctant Bride soon, but this series can easily be read as stand-alones, so it doesn't matter, they are more companion novels with some similar characters and setting mentioned, but the story-lines are each their own.

I loved meeting the cast in this one, all of the characters were fun and interesting to read about. I think perhaps my favorite part was getting to know Arabella, and seeing her faith both grow and be tested as she learned to accepted her role, not to be owned, but to grow in her faith and to let her newfound strength help others. Likewise, I loved Peter's characters and loved seeing his character develop and strive to learn from a rocky past, while also looking toward the future in an attempt to help others, including an effort to help the local Natives gain fair treatment.

With all the emotional heart-felt moments, strong characters (that often don't think they are at the start), character growth, well written plot and story, and a nice dash of hope and healing, I loved reading this, and look forward to more soon!

I really enjoyed this book. I loved seeing Arabella go between Pete who she really liked but had to get past her social upbringing and the Lieutenant who she didn't really care for but felt made a good social match. She is torn between continuing the baking she is loving and getting told someone of her station should not do things like that. It was really eye opening as to the social standards of the day even in the new circumstances that Arabella found herself in. I liked seeing how she came on her own as the story progressed.

Another great book in the Bride Ships Series and this book will enthrall you from the very beginning until the last page. I had read of the mail order brides but did not know of the bride ships but Hedlund has done her research well on this documented time in history. You had the upper class, people of society and then the lower class, common working folks. In this bride ship there were both on board and all looking to find a husband of their own choosing. Our heroine, Arabella, who is running away from an arranged marriage to a much older man who is cruel in his actions toward her. She hopes to catch the attention of a gentlemen from the upper echelons of society as she has few traits or training to be a governess or ladies companion. She does catch the attention of a dashing Lieutenant Drummond, who could offer her the lifestyle she was accustomed to in England, but also the attention of a handsome and bold arrogant man whose intent is to leave his old life behind him and lean on the Lord to help him achieve his goals. Both have set their sights on Arabella but only one would win her as his bride. Which one will she choose?…..There are lots of ins and outs and surprises to this novel that you will love, one that will leave you waiting for the next one in this series…….I received a copy of this book from the author and I am happy to leave an honest review.

We were highly anticipating this second book in the Bride Ships series and Jody Hedlund did not disappoint!

Arabella Lawrence comes from a wealthy family, but must flee her home after facing some painful circumstances - most easily done by joining other women on a bride ship bound for a far away land. Once they reach British Columbia she is terrified to be on her own, but even more afraid of being sought by the wrong suitor. Two men, who could not be more different from each other, quickly notice her and try their best to win her favor - and this new competition to win her hand will only complicate matters.

Peter Kelly, the local baker, has worked hard to overcome his past mistakes. He longs to make his father proud, and one day he would love to settle down with a family of his own. The moment he meets Arabella he longs to win her heart. But Peter questions if he is enough, especially since she is used to wealth and comfort, and Navy Lieutenant Richard Drummond has also set his sights upon her.

Arabella befriends a young Indian girl who has been left behind to fend for herself since her village was burned down after a smallpox outbreak. Due to many differing opinions on how the Indians should be dealt with, secrecy and caution are imperative. Can Arabella break free from the expectations society has placed on her? Can she trust God to care for and lead her to make the best decisions for her present and future? Jody weaves this story together beautifully. We highly recommend it and again anticipate the next book in the series!

Thank you to Bethany House for the free review copy. All opinions are my own.

I am so glad that Hedlund decided to write a book from Arabella's POV. After reading the first book in the series, I was left with so many questions about this character, and I found her story to be intriguing, sad, and full of hope. I also like how this book seamlessly flowed from the first book, and even overlapped, which worked great for setting up the plot and helped me to remember the first book in better detail.

I also enjoyed the character of Pete and his struggles that were presented in this book. It's not often that I read a Christian fiction book that talks about the struggles of lust. I applaud the author for tackling such a hard topic honestly and realistically. 

There's a lot of romance in this book, since Arabella has two men vying for her hand. And these men are as different as they come. It was interesting to see how her relationship with each of them progressed throughout the story as she was figuring out who she was and what she wants.

Running for her life and from circumstances that are very unfavourable, Arabella board the bride ship in search of a better life for herself in a new country.
Things are definitely much more different in this new land, with two different men from two different works of life vying for her affection, she's put in a place where she has to make a choice on what she wants from life and where she'd like to see herself.
When she meets a native child rummaging through trash and finds out more about the people and their plight, her heart is torn.
I love how the author brought to light the plight of the people and the smallpox epidemic. The fear, the prejudice suffered she dealt with it realistically but also with grace.
I also loved the characters Arabella and Peter, each with their own insecurities and fears but they grew through the course of the story. This was definitely an enjoyable read and would be looking forward to more in the series. I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. All opinions expressed are solely mine

Well, I almost don't know where to start with telling you how good this book is!
But I will start with the fact that I experienced a wide variety of emotions!
Suspense, heartache, sorrow, compassion, joy... and I almost swooned at the scene in the bakehouse....
whew...
I love this author's style of writing, and her development of her characters. The details are well written.
And while this book is fiction - based on history of that era, it's also cool that a few of the things in this book are actually based on true stories, as you will find out at the end, in the 'Author's notes'.

Arabella was briefly in the first book in this series A Reluctant Bride, (which was also quite amazing) - so her character is a little bit familiar already, as well as the settings and a few other characters too.
She ran away from a terrible situation, and remains haunted by it.
Peter ran away from God, and his father, thinking he knew what was better for his life.
Arabella and Peter find each other amidst difficult circumstances and different societal classes.
Their attraction to each other is soooo sparky ~ you can feel the chemistry! The romance is clean.
The supporting characters are great and diverse.
I felt compassion for the Natives who suffered in the smallpox epidemic. I also felt anger, knowing that the fear and prejudice against them ran thick.
I love how the author gently weaves in the message of faith, and makes trusting God an integral part of the story.

Jody Hedlund is a gifted writer that has the ability to take you to the location she's describing, and make you feel like you know the characters. I received an ARC of this book. I am not required to leave a review. All opinions expressed here are my own.
I highly recommend this book. It was totally worth my time to read and will go on my 'to read again' list!!
I also recommend reading the first book in this series first, as it will help to clarify things in this one.

The Runaway Bride by Jody Hedlund is the second book in The Bride Ships series. I was swept away by the first novel, A Reluctant Bride, as the brides traveled around the world to British Columbia. It was a beautiful and epic journey, and by the end, there was one woman’s story I was eager to read...Miss Lawrence’s.
Always prim and proper, yet so gentle and kind, it was effortless to cheer for Arabella Lawrence to find happiness, especially knowing her past held some painful secrets. So, I was overjoyed when I found out this book would tell us her story--both her new life in British Columbia and her past in England.
Although there is no sailing around the world in The Runaway Bride, there is still a beautiful journey to embark--one of freedom, courage, and the cost of righteousness.
I love it when a heroine finds herself. Arabella is already likable and perfectly proper from the beginning, but I love that she was willing to use the opportunity to start a new life to the fullest--pushing herself beyond the limits others had set for her. Although we do not live within the same confines, there’s a lesson to be learned from her struggles of doing what others demanded versus doing what her heart desired.
Pete. Oh, Pete. He is one of the most charming and over-confident heroes I’ve ever met, but he is good through and through. I love how his goals with Arabella shifted from wooing her into marriage to helping her find the woman who had been broken and trapped behind years of strict rules and neglect. Sigh.
I loved the big themes in this book: to love with abandon, to forgive the same, to stand up for yourself and for others no matter the cost, and to rely on God and His strength and courage through life’s toughest moments.
As with all of Jody’s books, I fell in love with this story immediately. She has such a way of creating the world around the characters, you can almost smell the evergreens! I highly recommend this book (as well as the first one in the series!). Any lover of Christian historical fiction should read this book. It will not disappoint--not even one page!
I was given a copy of this book by the publisher with no expectation of a positive review. All opinions are my own.

The Runaway Bride is the second in the Bride Ships books by Jody Hedlund. It took me a while to figure out why this book felt like I'd read it before, it was a continuation of the previous novel (reviewed here).

Arabella's father wants her to marry a man older than himself. Arabella has tried to break off the wedding with him a couple of times to her own detriment. She finally finds a way out by booking passage on a Bride Ship heading to Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Before disembarking from the ship, Arabella captures the attention of a couple of men--Pete Kelly, the baker who supplied bread to the ship before it docked: and Lieutenant Drummond, a British Naval Officer assigned to the port.

Jody has built a lot of drama into the book, even flashing back to when her father's choice of a groom abused her. Lt. Drummond and Pete both have animosity toward each other in regards to the treatment of the natives who live on the island. Lt Drummond wants them removed from the island and Pete believes they are of no harm to the new immigrants coming to the island. Arabella is caught in the middle of them and really can't choose which one she wants for her groom. She is falling in love with Pete, but Lt Drummond will give her the lifestyle she's accustomed to.

This is a five star novel, with two thumbs up, and a freshly baked slice of cake to go with your coffee.

Bethany House and NetGalley.com provided the copy I read for this review and the opinions expressed here are my own.