I enjoyed The Brideship Wife it’s based on a true story about single women leaving England and moving to the other side of the world. They had no idea what life would be like in the New World and for many it opened up opportunities that they would never experienced if they didn’t make the decision to go and take such a big risk.

I thought this book held much promise, but I found it to be more focused on the romance side of things. I did enjoy the historical aspect. Thank you for a complimentary copy of this book.

The Brideship Wife is set in one of my favourite places and eras. The story is based on an actual event.
Howard tells the tale with finesse and good pacing. The characters are believable.
Recommended to readers who enjoy historical fiction.

Twenty-two-year-old Charlotte is shy, literary, and knows her sole duty in life is to marry a man important in society, she has no dowry to provide so, she has little to say in the matter. Charlotte’s lived with her sister Harriet, and her wealthy brother, Charles for a few years, and knows she’s overstayed her welcome. Harriet and Charles host a large party where Charlotte is instructed to win over Charles’s colleague, in the hopes for an offer of engagement. However, she’s put into a situation that could ruin her reputation, over the course of the next few days, rumours begin to swirl. As Charles’s reputation and standing in society is threatened over the rumours, Charlotte is forced to leave England and start her life over in the New World.



The Brideship Wife is a beautiful historical fiction novel, inspired by the Voyage of Bride Ship Tynemouth. The research poured into this novel is truly incredible, and the story was very well written. This book has quickly moved its way up to one of my favourite historical fiction novels. Just when you think this book can’t get anymore heart-wrenching, it does, absolutely devastating; however, there is a light at the end. I enjoyed the pace, it flowed well, I was hooked. Charlotte’s character development was incredible, and I enjoyed reading about the friendships she made through such despair.



Thank you Netgalley and Simon and Schuster Canada for this ARC in exchange for a review.

I was not able to get interested in this book and I did not finish it. The characters and the plot were not able to catch or keep my attention.

I have enjoyed reading stories about history and especially the stories with strong women, determined to make a life for themselves and this was no exception! Charlotte was a very strong character who believed in herself and she her abilities.

Charlotte was under pressure from her family to find a suitable husband, as all women of a certain age were expected to do. Anxious to find another way, she speaks to her childhood nanny who tells her about the Brideships and encourages Charlotte to make a future for herself in the new world.

Charlotte travels from England to Canada and is not prepared for the life she encounters there. She works hard to start her new life and makes the most out of her new life.

It was interesting to read about new colonies and how women were encouraged to leave their homes and families behind for a whole new life. I can't begin to imagine what life was like back then and everything the men and women endured.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

While this book is well written, with a spunky heroine, and a fast paced narrative; I can’t in good conscious give it the full four stars I might if it was only fiction. The reality is it is not just fiction; but historical fiction, and so the commentary, ethical/morale choices, and societal arrogance of the book should represent the time period.
Our leading lady being insistent she wouldn't take 'free land' from the government because it 'didn't belong to them' is so far from what a women in that time period would have understood or thought I just struggle with it. While that is what we all wish they realized or thought; the reality is that they likely didn't. And so I don't like the way Leslie Howard makes our leading lady seem more aware and culturally understanding than any woman of the time period was likely to be. It just feels wrong.

Colonization
This book falls down regarding it’s handling of the colonization of what eventually becomes British Columbia. Particularly regarding the seizure of land from the Indigenous tribes. It feels like it was written by a privileged white women (which yes I am also) whom wanted to try to say the right things but just doesn't actually consider what the women in the real historical situation would have thought or done. Howard does a great job of researching the actual circumstances of many of these women and how their lives ended up after coming across on a crazy journey. However I just don't think you can say some things; make your character seem all righteous, and not delve deeply into the tragic history. In the end it made the commentary on colonization appropriated in order to give our leading lady a more moral existence. This is inherently not okay.
Is it sad that the women of the time likely didn't understand? Yes.
Is it sad that even if they did they would have had little to no power to stop it? Yes.
But pretending the women were aware or attuned to the sufferings of the Indigenous tribes just feels wrong to me. Especially when none of our ladies stand up to say something; or make a huge difference in the lives of the people who were being colonized (aka: conquered). I'm sorry but delivering a small amount of vaccine for the smallpox is just not near enough to make her settling down somehow acceptable.

The Ending
I have a real pet peeve when it comes to book endings, and unfortunately The Brideship Wife hit it bang on. Everything magically seems to work out in the last 20 pages. Suddenly our leading lady doesn't need any 'free land' or a handout from others. She just has the world become her oyster and everything lands in her lap. I'm sorry but real life is NOT like this at all.
Additionally it just adds to the entire attempted touch regarding the destruction of the Indigenous bands and lands as insulting. It makes me think of a scar leftover from a wound. In no way does the 'free land' from the government or our leading ladies choices seem to put the Indigenous lands at risk in the end. And yet she still ends up happily living in (what will be) Western Canada. Hypocrite much?

Overall
I get that the point of this historical fiction is to tell the story of these women who were either (essentially) sold to be wives of the new settlers on the West of the 'New World'; or those whom actually volunteered. What was just too hard to take here was the passing commentary on the sufferings of the Indigenous and the devastating affect colonization had. I get that may of the colonists, especially women like this, might not have realized the situation and/or not had any power to truly change the eventual outcomes. But I just feel like in today's society, especially recently in Canada, it's not to just pay lip service anymore. Yes this book was about women whom left everything behind for a chance at a good life, and many at great expense to their possible, original dreams. I just couldn't help but feel like the thoughts of our leading lady regarding the Indigenous were just a way to try and tell this historical story without blaming the women for the situation. That didn't sit well with me. And so regardless of decent writing and solid character development I just can't give this anymore than 3 stars; and I think even that is being generous.

Please note: I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is an honest and unbiased review.

This is my first read by Leslie Howard and a huge thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this one! I enjoyed learning about this little bit of Canadian history that I hadn’t known anything about before! I found the story to be a bit slow in parts although very well written! I’m definitely interested to learn more about the Brideship. 3.5 stars!

I received a copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest review
This was not what I was expecting at all. It didn't hold up to the description and I felt the character structure was lacking.

A wonderful addition to the historical fiction world. These brideships are such an important but underrated representation of Canadian history. This book was really well researched, and as a history teacher, I really appreciated the attention to detail, and how it was incorporated into the fictional, yet realistic story.

A wonderful historical fiction novel with so much romance throughout!
I had no background on Brideship wives before reading this story - it was both a learning experience on some British history and a great romance all at once for me.

This novel is set in the 1860’s and is set upon the idea of the Brideship wives that England used to ship over to Canada.

The main character Charlotte is expected by her family to marry, and marry well. Although after a party she attends, rumours being to swirl and both her own and her family’s aspirations are put at risk. With limited options Charlotte then begins the journey to a new life, and as a reader we are taken along on her difficult journey.

My favourite part of this novel is the main character Charlotte - I found her to be an inviting, and very likeable lead. Her search for independence is something I can very much relate too, in its own sense. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a story with a strong female lead!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the gifted copy.

Charlotte is under pressure from her family to find a suitable husband. Her old nanny, who she is still close to as an adult, tells her about the Brideships and urges her to travel to the new world and make a future for herself. Charlotte is sure that is not an option for her. Through a misadventure she finds herself on one of the Brideships. Follow Charlottes travels from England to Canada, and see what the Brideship adventure starts for her.

I knew there were women shipped to Canada to try to help “settle” the new colonies, but I didn’t know much more than that. This novel has made me want to look deeper into what these women endured and how they helped to settle the new Canadian colonies.

Thank you NetGalley, Leslie Howard and Simon & Schuster for this edition and hearing my honest review. Looking forward to reading more with you
#partner

A serviceable historic romance. Well researched, but still seemed heavier on the romance than the history, and not particularly evocative.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing an ARC copy for me to review.

Charlotte is shy and enjoys reading. She is considered a wallflower by her peers. She's living with her sister Harriet but that can't continue indefinitely. Harriet has a big party one night. Harriet thinks this is a wonderful opportunity for Charlotte to meet her future husband. The man who Harriet has planned on Charlotte winning the affections of is not the man either of them thought he was. Soon there are rumors swirling and Charlotte's reputation is in jeopardy. Charlotte can no longer stay in England. Soon Charlotte finds herself on a ship headed for a new adventure.

I've just finished reading The Brideship Wife written by Leslie Howard. This is Mrs. Howard's first foray into the world of the publisher author and her debut should be well received

I love historical fiction, always have, especially a well researched one (naturally). Mrs. Howard raises a lot of issues of the day; some of which I was aware and some not as much. I wish there was more information in this book. I wanted to learn more, well, about everything. Why, or rather, how the women ended up choosing to travel on the brideships. We know why Charlotte, Harriet, and Sarah are there but I'll bet there were as many different reasons as there were women. I would have appreciated some more information there. I also wanted to have more information regarding what the agreement was between the women and the society which sent them, more about their arrival and some anecdotes along with follow-ups. More information about the towns, their inhabitants, more about the indigenous peoples.

The ending of The book felt rushed. We go from Sarah's wedding to a year later. There is nothing about how Charlotte cared for a year! One mom's t she has bought land and there is mention of needing to hire a house builder and the next moment, she seems to have a very successful business with many employees and buildings. I would have enjoyed reading how she accomplished it all.

There were many moments that seemed right out of a romance novel, certainly more than I care for - well to be honest I would prefer to have none. These moments seemed a bit too obvious and contrived but I realize that I am likely in the minority.

I was very glad to see in the Author's Notes what first interested her in this subject, how she researched it, a list acknowledging the actual women who sailed on the Tynemouth along with a few stories detailing what happened to a few of these brave women.

All in all, a fine debut that is sure to please many readers who will no doubt become loyal fans.

She's marriageable age but has found no suitors she loves. When a man her brother-in-law needs favor from is suggested, she's not enthused but agrees to meet him. They meet at a big party and he takes her off by herself to an island she's always wanted to see. She didn't know there was a building there. She also didn't know what he had in mind. He wouldn't marry a penniless orphan, but he'd take what he could get from her...

Simon & Schuster and Net Galley let me read this book for review (thank you. It will be published the fifth of May.

Her sister finally gets her to tell her what happened. To save gossip and her husband's career, she writes a letter saying the matter will be forgotten and makes her sister sign it. The man uses it to say she's blackmailing after she tried to seduce him. Her reputation is ruined...

Her governess from the past tells her about brideships that are going to Canada. You don't have to marry. There you can be your own woman. She goes to look at land available and picks out the ground she wants. Her one regret was the man she met and loved had to go back to England to handle his father's affairs. He'll have to stay. She won't return...

With her landlord's help, she gets her house built. Then fire hits the town and when she tries to go out, a man she knows blocks the door. He's been sent by the man that ruined her reputation. He won't move. She gets out her gun to threaten him and it goes off. She still can't get out the door and runs to the window where there is a ladder down. She gives her friend's baby to the landlord and then attempts to use the ladder herself. She falls...

Despite all this hardship the story does have a happy ending. The Victorian times were hard on women...

This story seemed to stumble at different times. Characters seemed a bit stiff. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher!

3.4. Interesting historical fiction on brideship wives, British women who went to British Columbia in search of husbands during the 1860s good rush. I knew about the Americsn version exemplified in "Here Come the Brides," a television show starring Bobby Sherman in the late 1960s and the Broadway show/movie, "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. The "brides" generally were unmarried with no dowry or in a poor station in life who were recruited to go to Vancouver to marry in the British Canadian Western colonies to populate the territory with "good Christian women", and hopefully get in return financial security, independence and a new life. However, not all seemed as one would hope. First, the book showed the plight and lowly status (if one could even call it that) of women in Britain at the time, especially those without an inheritance, prospects, or marriage. It also exemplified that the dream of a better life was often not attained. However, two of the protagonists, Charlotte (the main character) and her sister Harriet were not wealthy but of a decent middle class background, and in Harriet's case married into a respectable and moneyed family, but even with that, they were at a disadvantage in British society due to their lack of status or opportunity as women; they were unable to own anything. The book also detailed the arduous journey these women took to get to British Columbia, but stopped in interesting places like Bermuda, the Falkland Iskands and San Francisco. The novel focused on the unfortunate circumstances and lowly status, opium addiction, class distinctions, and the discrimination against the native and indigenous population in Canada. The book was obviously well researched, but seemed a tad unrealistic and predictable. The characters in my opinion were relatively shallow and not well developed. Although I though the book was a bit contried, it was an interesting tale about the Brideship wives of Canada.

England, 1862.

Unmarried at twenty-one-years-old, Charlotte goes to live with her sister Harriet and her husband, Charles. Both charge Charlotte with finding a suitable husband – preferably, one that will help augment Charles’ career and bolster his social standing.

When things go terribly sideways for Charlotte, she finds herself aboard a Brideship, crossing the ocean from high society, teeming England, to Canada and the untamed, natural beauty of British Columbia.

The indignity of having to be at the mercy of others and the shame of exclusion eventually transforms Charlotte’s journey into a quest for self-empowerment, possibilities, and liberation.

The Brideship Wife is splendid – well-researched with engaging characters, and an excellent depiction of the era.

A brilliant debut novel for Leslie Howard. Looking with anticipation for what is to come.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Canada for the read of Leslie Howard’s, The Brideship Wife.

Opinions expressed are my own.

Brideships are a little known chapter of Canadian history. This is a story of the hardships these women encountered before, during the trip and still went through after they reached their destination.
I found the Canadian history interesting as I had never heard of this part of Canadian history.
I think Canadian readers would be particularly interested in reading this book.
Because this took place in the 1800's we see the attitude and beliefs women had back then of accepting what men say and do to them including an almost rape . Sweeping things like this under the rug to stay high in society and avoid a scandal was important.
Illustrating the weakness of a woman, the main character's sister becomes addicted to laudanum on the ship and is unable to function without it but it becomes she's unable to function with it either.
Charlotte grasps her inner strength she hadn't known she possesses and becomes her sister's caretaker . This inner strength gives her the ability to stand up for herself now and no man is going to take advantage of her again.
Heartache is abound in this book but inner strength,love and compassion play just as important a role in this book. I encourage women who want to feel encouraged by women who find their own inner strength to read this .

Pub Date 05 May 2020
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. Thank you.
All opinions expressed are my own