Book Description:
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?
Rorie's Review:
I enjoyed this second book in the Bride Ship series, although there were several times I wanted to reach out and smack Arabella. Every time she acknowledged her true feelings, but then went against them just so she could keep her status, it made me roll my eyes. She was a really good person, it was just hard for her to rise above her upbringing to become the person she really wanted to be.
Pete was a very likeable character. He worked hard, did his best to conquer his demons, and helped those who needed his help, even when it wasn't the popular thing to do. I really like how this story doesn't gloss over his past temptations and make it seem like now that he's repented, it's not a struggle any more.
Lt. Drummond was just sleazy and gave me the willies for the entire story. I will admit, I thought more was going to happen with Drummond at the end than what really happened. Overall, this was an enjoyable story. It's part of a series, but can easily be read as a stand-alone.
Tarah's Review:
As the second book of The Bride Ship series I will say that this can be read as a stand alone. I haven't read the first book in the series (I think), but I wasn't lost at all. I would like to know more about Mercy's story, so I will go back and read the first one, but it wasn't necessary to enjoy this story.
This book is full of flashbacks as we find out why Arabella ran away from a wealthy home to sail to a new land and become a bride of someone she barely knows. Flashbacks can be really tricky. Sometimes they take away from the flow of the story, and sometimes they give you the information you want without interrupting the current story you are reading. Luckily, the flashbacks in this story fall into the second category. Little by little we find out about Arabella. It isn't distracting, but it flows with the overall story, and I enjoyed how it was put together.
This was an entertaining read that I read quickly and invoked all sorts of emotions in me. The only thing I can think of is that I would like to know more about Arabella's family at the end of the story.
Title: The Runaway Bride
Author: Jody Hedlund
Publisher: Bethany House
Published: March 2020
ISBN: 0764232967
Source: E-copy from Netgalley. All opinions expressed are our own.
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