I don't usually read romance books but I enjoyed reading this one and recommend for all lovers of a good book

The Brideship Wife encapsulates this little known story from our Canadian past. Author Leslie Howard has given voice to the courageous women, all from different walks of life and social standing, who came to begin new lives in British Columbia.

This is a well researched novel, told with remarkable skill and elegant story telling. We find ourselves transported back in time to Victorian England, circa 1860's. A time when women were supposed to have dowries, know their role... and the men held the key to their futures, their fortunes and fates.

On offer from British Columbia is a resettlement program...offering new opportunities and a fresh start for single women...a chance for a better future; a husband, starting a family, owning property and prosperity.
Only problem was it didn't end up that way for many of the Brideship Wives.

Of note, is the author's message to her readers, telling of her personal connection to Brideship Wives of Canada!

Thank you to NetGalley, Simon & Schuster and the author, Ms. Leslie Howard for the opportunity to read this Advanced Readers Copy of "The Brideship Wives". The opinions expressed in this review are mine alone.

Great read on a subject I knew little about. Brideship Wives. I found myself not wanting to put the book down and sneaking in reading this every opportunity I got... it’s a wonderfully written, easy read that I highly recommend.

The Brideship Wife was just an okay read for me. It was interesting a times but hard to get into at others. I give it two and a half stars.

I loved this book about an aspect of PNW life I was unfamiliar with. The challenges the women faced were maddening, yet not surprising. The scene at the fire was particularly harrowing, but I was quite pleased with how it turned out. Hair trigger, indeed. A great historical fiction read!

I love historical fiction, and this one did not let me down! This book is based on a true story, which I really enjoyed. It is focused on one woman's travel from England to Victoria, BC on a ship full of women destined to be brides. I think it is important to note that while "bride" is in the title, this is not a story of romance. While there is a small amount of it, this is truly a historical fiction story about an event in time.

I thought the writing was wonderful. Leslie Howard did an excellent job of pulling me into the story. The descriptions gave me such a sense of what it would have been like to be there, which I am always looking for in historical fiction.

I really enjoyed the author's note at the end of the book. On top of this being an obviously well-researched story, I loved that the author has some personal connections to the historical aspect!

Overall, I really enjoyed this book, and I would recommend it for reader's that enjoy historical fiction that is about a journey.

I was provided an advanced reader's copy of this book for free. I am leaving my review voluntarily.

I thoroughly enjoyed this well-researched debut novel of British Columbian history. The Brideship wives were admirable independent women attempting to escape the strictures of British society in the new world. I had not realized that many of these “mail-order” brides were from all the classes, including “gentlewomen” such as Charlotte. Charlotte was a compelling character with strong ethical principles along with courage and resourcefulness. The detailed plot pays fair homage to the plight of the indigenous people at this time in Canadian/British history. Well done, and highly recommended.

Excellent story about a piece of history I hadn't encountered before.
The voyage itself was a journey, but watchinh the characters develop during these trying times was the most captivating part

Some historical fiction books just make me happy that I live in these modern times.

Picture that you are a female, living in 1862, shy and without a dowry to help you find a husband. A BRIDESHIP WIFE by Leslie Howard was heavily researched about this time period. I had not heard about the brideship women previously, so this story was very interesting to me.

Charlotte, the main character is the book is 21 and not ready to get married. If she doesn't marry soon, however, she can expect to be a nanny or spinster, but she is looking for more adventure in life. She hears about the Columbia Emigration Society that would send ships of unmarried women from England to Canada in order for them to find a husband in the new colonies.

I felt like I was on the ship with Charlotte and then experiencing her life in Canada. The storyline kept me interested, and I learned about a part of history that wasn't taught in school.

I would definitely recommend this book to my friends. I was given this book for my honest review.

Wow! I wasn't sure what to expect from this book but I'm a huge fan of historical fiction and the topic of brideships sounded interesting. But my goodness, I got so much more from this story than I imagined. In fact, it may be one of my favorite historical fiction novels of 2020. What truly shines here is the realness of the characters and the world they live in. Charlotte is impossible not to love and root for, even when she makes things more difficult for herself. The writing is so evocative that she feels like someone you would know in real life, with all the flaws and whimsy of a true person, as are her relationships with others. Yes there is romance in the book but for me it was more a story of sisters, both those of blood and those made through experiences.

Harriet and Charlotte as a pair really treasure each other and as a big sister myself I connected with them and their love for one another intensely. I felt the same for Charlotte and the lower class women she meets during the voyage. I appreciated that this is more Charlotte's story of herself and not a full-on historical romance with John, which is lovely but really I enjoyed more watching Charlotte come into her own. Her triumph in the end is having the life that she wanted for herself and I thought that was perfect. I would highly recommend this one to any fan of historical fiction.

Note: I received a free electronic edition of this book via NetGalley in exchange for the honest review above. I would like to thank them, the publisher, and the author for the opportunity to do so.

A fascinating tale based on actual events of the 1880s. A boat load of women sail from England to Victoria to provide women as brides for the men who are corking in this colony. The women are hoping for freedom and a chance to improve themselves.The main character in the story, is Charlotte, a gentlewoman but poor. She is involved in a scandal in Victorian England and her brother-in-law sends her off on the Tynemouth, a brideship.
This debut historical novel is a must read.

Thank you to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The story begins in 1862 England where Charlotte must marry a man who will be able to advance her brother-in-law's ambitions.
This book is all about what it was like to be a woman in a time where they had no rights. They were expected to do everything their fathers and husbands told them to. They could not inherit wealth and property.
Charlotte is in the protection of her sister's husband and is being pressured to marry a man that will advance his career. When this man attacks her and she refuses to marry him a scandal ensues with Charlotte as the one at fault. She is forced to escape on a brideship heading to the New World of British Columbia. This journey teaches her how to survive on her own and to make a life of her own, not one forced on her.

This was a quick read that gives you a shallow look into the difficulties of being a woman in a world run by men. The writing style made this a fast enjoyable read with enough information for me to want to look up more about this time period, especially from a women's perspective.

The Brideship Wife begins in England in 1862. Charlotte and Harriet are sisters. Harriet has married well and is trying to find a husband for her younger sister. Since their late father lost the family wealth Charlotte is without a dowry limiting her choices of eligible suitors.
Harriet hosts a party with her husband Charles who is hoping to make a name for himself in politics. A colleague of Charles has been selected as a prospective suitor for Charlotte. Things do not go well between Charlotte and the colleague. Instead a marriage proposal there is fear of gossip and scandal. With her reputation in jeopardy Charlotte is sent off to Canada. Charles also insists that Harriet accompanies her sister.
The ship is comprised mostly of unmarried women seeking a husband and a better life in Canada since there prospects in England are dreary.
The story continues with the voyage to Canada. The last part of the story relates how the women survive in Canada.
I enjoyed The Brideship Wife. I find historical fiction based on true life events interesting. The heroines were likeable and the villains were despicable.
I would recommend The Brideship Wife to fans of Genevieve Graham or Jennifer Robson.
Thank you to Simon and Schuster and Netgalley for allowing me to read an advanced edition of The Brideship Wife in exchange for an honest review.

I will say honestly, I had no knowledge of the brideships that came to Canada from England prior to picking up this book. Canada being my home, this was very fascinating to me.

This book was intriguing right from the get-go. I had feeling of dislike towards characters in the book I believe the author wanted us to disliked and I liked the ones I was meant to.

The England-based portion of this story was a bit slow for me and I didn't resonate with it as much. Once Charlotte and her sister were on the ship, it picked up for me and continued to for the remainder.

I really enjoyed the independent and strong character Charlotte portrayed in wanting to find her own way. To me, this was what stood out about the book. It made me connect with her more.

It is evident that thought and research went into the book. However, what made it a three star read for me was that I felt in a daze most of the book, I felt like an outsider and couldn't fully connect with the characters and story even though I very much wanted to. It feel like there wasn't a lot of depth to the storytelling. Additionally, I felt the end was far too rushed and didn't provide proper closure.

The Brideship Wife is a fascinating and thought provoking historical novel. The year is 1862 when we meet Charlotte, a single society woman, living in England. She resides with her beloved sister Harriet and Harriet's insufferable social climbing husband Charles. Although she is attractive and smart Charlotte is unable to find a suitable match. The suitor Charles selects for Charlotte tries to take advantage of her but then spreads rumors to the contrary.
Charles decides Charlotte must leave England and books her passage, along with Harriet, on a treacherous voyage to the New World-Lower Canada. Charlotte meets many fascinating characters, and begins a romance, onboard the Tynemouth. The ship is her home for three and a half months and it is there that many complex situations arise. She dreams of a life free of social restrictions and equality for women. Once the Tynemouth docks Charlotte continues to pursue her goals. Howard's fascinating characters and concise writing style are what make The Brideship Wife a journey worth taking.

I enjoyed this story of another little known piece of history. Kudos to Howard, who uncovered this saga and created an interested story around it. It carries the reader from the drawing rooms of mid 1800’s England to the wilds of British Columbia in the time of the gold rush. Some well-meaning British citizens, including Charles Dickens, raised funds to charter passage for young women to provide wives for the men in that new colony as well as servants and teachers for the bits of society found there. Charlotte, while from a position in society, has no inheritance and no hopes of an advantageous marriage, and is forced through circumstances to take her chances on the ship. The journey is perilous, but Charlotte discovers much about herself on the voyage. The characters are well-drawn and varied, and the plot has plenty of twists to keep your interest.

Thanks to Netgalley and Simon and Schuster for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I have had this book for a while and for some reason I kept delaying reading it. I have no idea why! Once I started reading I couldn't get enough. I love books that read like a movie, and this was one of those. You easily connect with the characters and I could really see everything that was happenning. I loved reading about the adventure traveling across the ocean...so interesting. I do wish there was a bit more when they reached North America....I felt it rushed through that bit.
Overall, loved this book and will recommend it!

3.5 stars

The Brideship Wife is a story of two sisters and the bond they share, it’s about social classes, scandal, and new beginnings. Stepping outside your comfort zone and standing tall despite the change in the direction your life takes.

So much of this book takes place on the ship with meals, teas, strolls on deck in the appropriate attire that made me forget it was 1862 at times. Social classes are pro dominate here, the author played that out nicely arousing my irritation and frustration at the mannerisms of the high and mighty. While the journey was long and dangerous the author downplayed all the trauma that could have incurred, but instead developed relationships.

The historical aspect I found interesting. The history of the West Coast with names like Vancouver, Fraser popping up along with the Indigenous people not just of that era but prior as elaborated on in the extensive author notes - which are a fit ending for any historical fiction book.

Anything to do with Canadian history interests me which is why I was drawn to this book, along with that gorgeous cover.

My thanks to Simon & Schuster for a digital copy in exchange for an honest review.

The story of the Brideship women is a perfect subject for a historical fiction novel. Charlotte is an English woman who finds herself in a bad situation. She is pressured by her sister and brother-in-law to find a suitable husband. When a scandal changes her plans she embarks on a journey along with other Brideship women of different classes to British Columbia. They were a group of women who were encouraged to settle the colony and marry the gold miners and other bachelors already there. The women also had goals they wanted to fulfill that they would have been unable to do in England. Charlotte is able to transform into an independent woman when she is faced with new challenges and opportunities. There is some romance and dramatic moments and I enjoyed her story and the history of the actual places she visits. The author’s notes at the end of the book were really interesting and explained more about the real women who settled there.
Thanks to netgalley for providing me with an arc in exchange for my honest opinion.

This story was deeply researched .



Unfortunately I wasn't sucked into the story. It took me some time to get into it. I don't think it is because of the story itself but because I just haven't been much of a mood to read so I think I might try it again once I am in a better mind frame.



As of right now I am giving this a 3 out of 5 .