When I read A Reluctant Bride, the first book in The Bride Ships series, I knew that I needed to know more about Miss Lawrence, so it was thrilling for me to have the opportunity to read a complimentary advance copy through #NetGalley. Jody Hedlund did not disappoint. Although many of the women who boarded the bride ships to find a better life in British Columbia were leaving a life of poverty, some women were from the wealthier classes. This book provides a scenario to explain why a woman may have chosen to leave a life of privilege and to endure a dangerous voyage. When Arabella arrived in British Columbia, she quickly attracted the attentions of two very different men-- Lieutenant Drummond, a successful Navy man, and Peter Kelly, the local baker. I love the way the romance unfolds, and how Arabella's wounded soul begins to heal and gain courage. I also learned a lot about the area natives and the struggles they faced with disease and prejudice. This book is my favorite one so far this year, and I cannot wait for the third one in the series.

“Perhaps forgiveness took the greatest courage of all” is one of the many fabulous quotes contained within the pages of The Runaway Bride, Book Two in the Bride Ships series. Author Jody Hedlund’s research and writing talent take you on a journey that will keep pages turning. Some of the characters from Book One make an appearance like Arabella Lawrence, who is onboard the bride ship, Tynemouth. It seems Arabella is running away from an unbearable situation, and she’s hoping to find a husband who can offer the lifestyle she is accustomed to. Upon her arrival in Victoria, BC, Canada, she meets Lieutenant Richard Drummond, a royal naval officer. Then, she meets handsome, kind-hearted local baker, Peter Kelly, and can’t deny the attraction. Who will win her heart? Author Jody Hedlund has a flair for writing stories filled with inspiration and faith. I always look forward to her new releases. You won’t want to miss this series!
I receive a complimentary copy from the publisher through NetGalley. The opinions are my own.

Jody Hedlund has offered readers an extraordinary glimpse into the lives of brides looking for a husband, and a completely new way of life. The characters in this story were unforgettable and Pete was endearing from the very beginning. I could not put this book down and stayed up late into the night to find out what happened. Would the past secrets and an unforeseen enemy keep them apart? Or would true love overcome all obstacles?

The Runaway Bride
I could not put this book down! The Runaway bride was the perfect addition to Jody Hedlund’s Brideship series! I was completely charmed by Pete! I thought this whole story was so unique and I loved the chemistry between the characters! I really enjoyed the bold faith that Pete embodied. He was a great example of redemption, but showed that he was human and faced temptations and struggles that kept him relying on God for strength. These characters came from different circumstances, however I loved that they struggled with things in their past that allowed them to identify with each other’s struggles. The love story between these characters was perfectly crafted and I really loved watching it unfold. I just absolutely loved this book! I can’t wait to see where this series goes next!

This story takes place shortly after where book 1 leaves off. The women from the Tynnemouth have arrived in BC and the courting begins!
In book 1 we were introduced to passenger Arabella Lawrence, a woman from British upper class, and the mysterious injuries she sustained before coming aboard. This is her story.
The time period covers the smallpox epidemic in British Columbia when it was still a British colony in the 1860s. Small pox had hit the native population and readers are introduced to the prejudices of the time and those who opposed the pre-conceived ideas.
This is a great story about breaking free from societal restrictions. Arabella is challenged by the suitors who show interest in winning her hand, but both are from very different worlds. The influence of her upbringing and expectations from back home bring an internal struggle that turns out to be downright frustrating at times. Arabella waffles between her choices and I found myself annoyed with how she dealt with certain circumstances. It is obvious to the reader that should she choose a certain suitor, she’d throw herself right back into a similar situation she ran from.
There’s much to love and dislike about both suitors, but I won’t spoil it for anyone reading this review. I was quite happy with the ending for both male characters.
Secondary characters play a huge role in this novel and once again, Mrs. Moresby is a gem. I hope to see more of her and Pastor Abe in future releases for this series.
The plot and characters were solid, but this book wasn’t as engaging for me as the first book. There’s a lot of sexual tension (well written), but it was a bit too much at times (again, totally my taste). HOWEVER, I understood the challenges our hero faced having had the conversion experience he did, so his struggle with this issue wasn’t so far off the mark as to be unrealistic.
Another job well done, Ms. Hedlund.
I received a copy of the book from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.

In this second book of the Bride Ships series, Arabella escapes a marriage to a wealthy older man to Vancouver Island on one of the bride ships. This well researched book gives readers an inside look of why women boarded these ships as well as their lives when they arrived in Vancouver. Arabella, having been taught to marry well, will soon learn to look beyond wealth for a spouse. I like that the character Peter was likeable and realistic. Arabella and Peter complimented each other with their hearts for others. Highly recommended!

Jody Hedlund discovered a hidden gem when her research led her to the Tynemouth, widely known as the “bride ship”. This second book in the series tells us the story of Miss Lawrence who we were introduced to in the Reluctant Bride. The contrast between upper class and lower class remains a theme here, but from the opposite angle. Arabella is middle class intending to marry someone of similar station. In comes Lieutenant Drummond who fits the bill. But then there is Pete, a lower class baker. Who will Arabella choose? This is another historic romance that I really enjoyed. Can’t wait for book 3.

'Maybe it was time to let the wisdom of God's Word guide her.'

Jody Hedlund brings us the second book in her Bride Ships series with this one, my favorite so far. Arabella Lawrence, a wealthy young woman, escapes from a forced marriage in England by getting on a bride ship, ships that carried women to marry men they'd never even seen. But anything was better than the brutish and cruel man her father was forcing her to marry. Arabella is determined not to fall prey to such a man on Vancouver Island. There are two men here who would love to marry her. Lt. Drummond, a Navy gentleman who is upstanding and Peter Kelly, the town's baker who has worked very hard to build his business. Both these men would make good husbands, but they clash constantly. Their stance on the natives of the island and how the smallpox outbreak among them must be treated are at opposite ends of the pole.

Arabella is beginning to overcome her fears of somehow going into a disastrous marriage and then she finds a starving native girl. She accepts Pete's help in caring for the girl, but then things start turning sideways. Can she find hope and have her heart fulfilled and keep the girl and Pete safe? Or is she headed down the wrong side of the aisle again?

I loved these characters. Pete Kelly was such a fun character in this book. He could win over anyone's heart. He was absolutely delightful and had such a heart for God. I especially loved how he knew where he came from, what he had become and what he came out of. God can indeed make a person a new creation! And Arabella's character touched me greatly, too. She knows God loves her but is scared He will not bring her to a happy ending.

Hedlund is at her best here. I love the research she puts into her books and love learning about all the different plots she writes, based on actual events. It prompts me to check it out even further. Well done!

*My thanks to Bethany House Publishing for a copy of this book via Net Galley. The opinions stated here are entirely my own.

THE RUNAWAY BRIDE by JODY HEDLUND is the second book in her Bride Ships series, but it can easily be read as a stand alone.
When Arabella Lawrence arrives in Canada on the bride ship Tynemouth, a spinster of twenty five who has run away from an abusive man in England, she is determined to make a good impression. Although she is nervous, she feels that her marrying a gentleman and living a genteel life will make up for the way in which her choice not to marry the abusive Mr Major has affected her parents. She feels that Lieutenant Drummond could well be the gentleman that she has come all this way to find.
Peter Kelly, the baker, is great fun to be with, very encouraging, and, after repenting of his former sinful ways, has become a truly godly young man.
The scene is set, but I am not going to tell you any more, excepting to say it is a most enjoyable read with an interesting plot, great characters and a strong Christian message. It is a book I can highly recommend.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Bethany House Publishers. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

“Today she might meet the man she’d marry.”

Jody Hedlund’s second installment in her new Bride Ships series, The Runaway Bride, explores the relatively unknown history of poor and middle-class British women willingly boarding bride ships to seek a better life and to find husbands in British Columbia in the 1860s. The treatment of the natives during the smallpox epidemic of 1862 in Victoria is a part of history that may also be unknown to many readers and is very interesting to learn about in this novel.

In an effort to escape the pain of her past, wealthy Arabella Lawrence heads to British Columbia aboard one of the bride ships where she meets two very different suitors, Navy Lieutenant Richard Drummond and Peter Kelly, the poor town baker with a heart of gold.

Jody Hedlund creates delightful characters and allows their personalities to shine, especially with Arabella and Peter. Handsome baker Peter Kelly, with his charming personality and wonderful sense of humor, is a hero that readers will be rooting for.

Hedlund shares the powerful message of breaking free from society’s expectations and to discover God’s expectations and plans for us. Mrs. Moresby continues to be a beloved secondary character in this series with her mentoring Arabella as she struggles with decisions that will affect her life and the lives of those most important to her. The Runaway Bride is highly recommended for readers of inspirational historical fiction.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine.

“Character is much more important than class.”

Jody Hedlund has yet again brought us a delightful tale; full of faith, adventure, love, and finding of one's self. I loved that this book overlapped a bit of the timeline from the first book in the series, using main characters from "The Reluctant Bride" as minor characters in Arabella's story.

Beginning with their disembark from the Tynemouth, a chance encounter with a handsome baker, and a charming lietunant vying for her attention, you will be on the edge of your seat until the very end with this love triangle.

Throughout this story, you will get to know the people of Victoria, empathize with the plight of the natives on a deeper level, and see some of the unanswered questions from Book 1 tied up with a nice bow. You will fall in love, hold onto hope, and find yourself dreaming of happy endings from page 1 to the end. Arabella's story will captivate readers, relating to each of us on a personal level as she struggles with the weight of expectations versus where her heart truly lies.

From a long time Hedlund fan, I can't recommend this story - this series - enough.

I loved this book! The story was very interesting! Arabella comes on a bride ship, a group of women that came from England for the main purpose of being brides to men already settled. She meets Pete, the colony baker, and she really doesn't know what to think of him. He's sure of himself, with more confidence than a man should be allowed.. Their friendship grows, even though Arabella believes at first, that they are from different classes, and he is beneath her. He worries he may not be gentleman enough for the lovely lady. It is a great story I will enjoy reading over and over again! Jody Hedlund does not disappoint!