Reluctant Bride - A Review

Published - June 2019, Bethany House
Series - Bride Ships Book 1
Author - Jody Hedlund
Title - A Reluctant Bride
Format - ebook, paper, audio
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About the book:
Mercy Wilkins is poor. She is one of the oldest children in her family, and in order to keep her parents from sending one of the little boys to the docks, she agrees to leave home. She doesn't want to go to the workhouses, so when she hears of an opportunity to take a ship to British Columbia, she signs up. She doesn't realize that she's going to be part of a group of women who are to be brides for the settlers. Ship surgeon, Joseph Colville, is a titled peer of the realm. He doesn't have to work for a living. But he's not ready to take on all of the duties his title requires. As the ship's surgeon, the health and welfare of the crew and passengers, including the sixty brides, fall to his care. When he takes Mercy on as his assistant, both must fight the attraction they have for each other. Will they take a chance on love or not?

My Thoughts:
I don't know how Jody Hedlund does it, but each book seems to get better and better. I loved both Mercy and Joseph. I loved how their characters developed and the perceptions the had changed over the course of the book. I also loved the way that the history of the ships was portrayed. I've read other mail-order-bride type books in the past and enjoyed them. I think that this is the first one I've read where the brides aren't coming to America but to Canada, and by ship instead of wagon train or train.

I am eagerly awaiting the next book in this series.

I received a copy of the book from the publisher in order to help promote it. I was not required to like the book, only to give an honest opinion of it. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

Recommended to fans of Jody Hedlund, historical fiction, Laura Frantz

Rating - 4 stars