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"Wealthy Arabella Lawrence flees to British Columbia on a bride ship still wearing the scars of past mistakes. One of the few single women in the boomtown, she immediately has suitors, but she is determined not to find herself trapped again by a poor choice. Vying for her hand are two very different men. Lieutenant Richard Drummond is a gentleman in the Navy and is held in high esteem. Peter Kelly is the town's baker and has worked hard to build a thriving business. He and Drummond not only compete for Arabella's affections, but clash over their views of how the natives should be treated in the midst of a smallpox outbreak. As Arabella begins to overcome her fears, she discovers someone in dire need - a starving girl abandoned by her tribe. Intent on helping the girl, Arabella leans on Peter's advice and guidance. Will she have the wisdom to make the right decision or will seeking what's right cost both her and Peter everything?"--Publisher description.… (more)
User reviews
Aside from the amazing romantic tension, The Runaway Bride boasts a swoon-worthy male lead, character development, and occasional well-placed humor. Pete Kelly is an imperfect man, but he’s also compassionate, devoted, and encouraging. For all his statements about not being a gentleman, he displays respect and patience with Arabella and others. He genuinely struggles with some tough issues and, like Arabella, he has lessons to learn. Watching Arabella’s transition from being a bit of a snob to finding joy and fulfillment in her work was a pleasure. Her character development was completely different than Pete’s, yet still admirable. In short, I loved this book and wish I had the time to give it a second read right now, but I’ll have to wait on that.
The Runaway Bride stands as the second installment in The Bride Ships series by Jody Hedlund. While it’s written as a stand-alone, I recommend reading the books in order as Mercy, the main character in A Reluctant Bride, plays an active role in The Runaway Bride. I’m looking forward to the next installment in this series. Five stars for The Runaway Bride!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.
When the facts unfold as to why the wealthy Arabella fled England and embarked to the unknown wilds of British Columbia, you will cringe. I had to wonder how long she would have
We also meet the kind hearted baker Peter Kelly and the Navy Lieutenant Drummond, whom I had a bad feeling about.
Loved the compassion showed by some to the Natives, especially the starving little girls.
Will Arabella end up with finding true love, or will she end up with wealth? Will there be justice here for all, keep reading!
I Received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Bethany House, and was not required to give a positive review.
It's another beautiful, redemptive, and satisfying historical fiction from Jody Hedlund. This is book 2 in The Bride Ships series but can be read as a stand-alone. The main characters
As expected, Jody Hedlund creates a rich and tangible backdrop in the city of Victoria and brings out the main characters layer by layer until you helplessly fall in love with them. Peter is gloriously swoony in his romantic, sensitive, compassionate, and faithful way and he truly lives life at full speed. Arabella, on the other hand, is fearful, second-guesses herself at every step, and lives confined by what others say and think. Through trials and turmoils, Peter and Arabella learn to see eye to eye. The process of commercial baking in the 1800s is fascinating and enlightening. If you enjoy historical fiction, this book and the series are a must read!
I received a copy of the book from Bethany House Publishing and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.
One of my favorite parts of reading a series is the Russian nesting doll effect; each subsequent book pulls a minor character from the book before it and brings them to the forefront to tell their story. In this way, each novel can stand alone, but reading them chronologically offers a chance to grow alongside the characters while experiencing their world through their eyes. Arabella was introduced in the first book as a quiet and timid woman, and the reason for her behavior forms the foundation of “The Runaway Bride.”
Arriving in Victoria, British Columbia on the first bride ship, Arabella brings with her the torment and fear that sent her fleeing from England. Two men, one a respected Navy Lieutenant and the other a common baker, seek her affection, but is her heart ready to trust again? Her backstory is skillfully revealed piece by piece via flashbacks throughout the narrative, adding suspense while explaining Arabella’s thought process. Entrenched in the prejudices and models of behavior that define the social classes, the city of Victoria provides an often stark glimpse into the treatment of the rich and the poor, the upper and lower class, as well as the treatment of local natives. It is both fascinating and tragic to learn about the misconceptions many harbored, and this read is very timely given the outcome of the smallpox investigation in the final section of the book.
My favorite character was Mrs. Moresby. She appeared in book one, if memory serves, and here in “The Runaway Bride” her progressive and eccentric personality truly shines forth. She is delightful in every scene in which she appears, with a pragmatic approach to obstacles and no fear of defying convention in a society that places importance on one’s outward bearing: “Somewhere in Scripture, it says, ‘Man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.’ I always figured if God thinks the condition of a person’s heart matters more, then I should too.” Without her guidance, Arabella’s future may have been very different. Between the godly wisdom and counsel of Mrs. Moresby and the aforementioned Mercy Wilkins, Arabella’s courage begins to blossom, and she comes to realize that “She might not be able to eradicate every prejudice around her, but she had to start somewhere to make a difference. And the best place for that was with herself… one by one she’d been cutting away the tangle of propriety so that with each thread she cut loose, she was slowly finding the freedom to be herself and not someone else’s version of who she ought to be.” This is what makes “The Runaway Bride” so memorable, because at one point or another everyone questions who they are and who they should be. The good news is that, just as Arabella eventually comes to realize, the Lord has the answers in His Word, the Bible, and He already loves us with an everlasting love, desiring that we invite Him into our hearts. Seek Him!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author and the publisher and was not required to post a positive review. All opinions are my own.
I was drawn to Peter Kelly for his deep faith and his great personality so I found myself irritated with Arabella for overlooking him but Arabella's past has certainly influenced her present. As they continue to work together, it becomes apparent that there is a mutual attraction between Peter and Arabella but could she ever be happy with a baker?
The historical details in Hedlund's story are excellent and the romantic scenes will take your breath away. I truly enjoyed The Runaway Bride and I recommend it to all who enjoy historial fiction and Christian romance.
I received a copy of this book from the author and Bethany House Publishers. I am voluntarily sharing my thoughts and opinions in this review.
I have read almost all of Jody’s awesome books, by far The Bride Ships series is her best writing ever! The first book in this outstanding series, A Reluctant Bride, was great, and I remember thinking to myself no way it could be topped. But I was totally wrong, and can not be happier about it. Arabella Lawrence, a middle class woman with means, is the best character Jody has ever penned, in my opinion. Maybe it is because of what she had to endure prior to getting on that bride ship, I’m not sure. I first related with Arabella in A Reluctant Bride like no other character before, and was totally captivated with her plight throughout The Runaway Bride. If I had to pick my favorite scene it would be when Arabella and Peter (Pete) Kelly the baker first meet, and he gives her his most prized possession. Oh no wait, it was the second time they met in the wee hours of the morning in the Marine barrack’s kitchen. Wait it was when they... I give up it was the whole book!
As one reads this fantastic story be careful while holding the book, your eyelashes will get singed from the steam rising from the pages. Jody kept us waiting till almost the end for the...? You’ll have to read the book to get the answer. This story is full of suspense, mystery, romance, and history. Jody’s prose is like no other bringing the 1860s to life as we view Vancouver Island for the first time right along with the women of the Bride Ship. As the boat approached the harbor, the excitement, the doubt, and many more feelings that Arabella and the other women felt so did I. Jody’s gift of storytelling draws you into the story and doesn’t let go even months after one has finished the last paragraph. The feeling of tranquility sets in at the end, a place you want to relish in forever.
Thank you so much Jody for granting me the honor of being a member of your Facebook Jody Hedlund's Reader Room and the opportunity to read this outstanding story as part of your Release Crew. I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author and Bethany House. I was under no obligation to write a favorable review, and all opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
"The Runaway Bride" by Jody Hedlund tackles some fascinating subjects—one being
In addition to Arabella, there is Pete, a hero that many ladies will swoon after. He is the town’s baker in this wild new land, and he has a soft heart. He cares about the Natives, even though many look down on them, especially during the smallpox outbreak. He defends them and helps them. This book shows that we are not all that different, despite our race or our class. There are so many divides during this time period, but the characters of this story learn that the Lord looks not at the outward appearance, but at the heart.
I really appreciate the faith aspects in “The Runaway Bride.” Arabella has been through a lot in her past and she is able to learn that God can use one’s suffering and pain to help others in the same situation. Pete and Arabella learn to not live life according to the expectations of others but to find direction from God alone. They also experience lessons in courage and forgiveness. What a wonderful and encouraging read!
Content: I give this book a PG-13 rating. Some examples of the content are: mention of half-naked natives; a woman was physically abused and she has flashbacks; people drink alcohol; a man struggles with desires of the flesh; a man tries to force his attentions on a woman; a brief scene of a man beating a woman.
Rating: I give this book 4 stars.
I want to thank Jody Hedlund and Bethany House for the complimentary copy of this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I express in this review are my own. This is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s CFR 16, Part 255.
The series follows young women who left their homes in England to become brides to men in British Columbia. This book is Arabella's story. She ran from home when abused by her intended. He
She is courted by two very different men. Lieutenant Drummond is everything she thinks she wants. He can sustain the life of luxury that she has grown accustomed to. He would provide every opportunity that she left behind. Peter Kelly is a force to be reckoned with. He is charming, attractive, kind, and attentive. But he is a baker and cannot provide her lifestyle. He is also reformed. He has not lived a life free from vice but has found that faith is more important to him than lifestyle mistakes. He is a very authentic character who is not perfect but trying to do good. (I bet you can tell whom I hope wins Arabella in the end.)
This book brought to my attention the plight of the natives living in Canada. Their story is much like that of those who lived farther to the south in the United States. The white men brought sickness and destruction to them. They were persecuted and driven from their homes. The compassion that both Arabella and Peter showed to them was heartwarming. If they were real people I would definitely want to be friends with them.
I can't wait to read the next book in the series!
This book is Christian fiction, it also contains passionate kissing and non-graphic violence.
Source: I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
Arabella is one very confused lady. She certainly seems to have a severe case of indecision. She brought to mind that verse in James about a double-minded person that is "blown and tossed by the wind.” (James 1:6 NLT) Just when I thought, "Now she’ll come to her senses and understand which direction to go,” she would falter and backpedal faster than a carriage whose horses are spooked. Thank goodness for Hedlund’s author’s notes. Hedlund assures us she’s aware we 21st-century readers might have difficulty understanding a 19th-century English woman’s hesitation to step outside of societal norms. By the novel’s end, Arabella develops a very strong spine and I wondered if I would be that courageous.
This is a nonlinear story, so we are fed a bit of the present story, then a memory bite of the past. Eventually, the dichotomous storyline is completed after much danger, soul-searching, and exciting adventures with a few clean romantic kisses, plus a nice ending twist.
Perhaps the players I most admired stayed in the background. Mercy taught Arabella so much by her example. Mrs. Moresby and Hayward were ladies I really wanted to meet and enjoy knowing.
One other note. Hedlund’s historical research is impeccable and a reader can learn a great deal about Victoria in the 1860s.
Notable Quotables:
“He’ll give you courage like no other can.”
”I always figured if God thinks the condition of a person’s heart matters more, then I should, too.”
”She’d been satisfied with eating crumbs in her relationships when there were feasts that awaited if she just had enough courage to partake.”
”...when we stand up against injustice, we’ll likely suffer for doing the right thing.”
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author and Bethany House through NetGalley. This in no way influences my opinions, which are solely my own.