I read this around Thanskgiving 5 years ago. A timely read, don't you think. What I remember includes: strong characters. interesting historical details, friendships and relationship building, love and loss. Vivid and educational setting and time period. I have read others in this series, and have more in my TBR. Great idea - Brides through history.

The Mayflower Bride is a wonderfully written novel with lots of faith, romance, history and more. Woodhouse easily transports readers back in time with her attention to detail - not only in descriptions, but in dialogue as well. Historical fiction fans will thoroughly enjoy The Mayflower Bride!

I received a complimentary copy of this novel and was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Sadly, this is a book that did not live up to the great hype that preceded it. I am usually a fan of prologues and glossaries and such in the front of a book, but I thought this book was never going to start. There was just too much
extraneous information, and I was tired before it began.

Mary Elizabeth Chapman is a Separatist traveling to the New World on the Speedwell with her father and younger brother. When their ship continuously springs a leak, they join their fellow travelers on the Mayflower. Mary Elizabeth is nervous about leaving behind her mother’s grave and the life she’s known but finds a courage and ability to help others within herself that she never knew she had.

William Lytton was an orphan living a rough life on the streets when he was taken in by Paul, a kind carpenter who taught him his trade and treated him like a son. Before he died, Paul bought William shares in a new venture to America. William is eager to leave his past behind and start a new life. Not having much of a relationship with God before, he doesn’t relate to the Separatists at all. But he soon becomes intrigued by them and their lifestyle and wants to learn more, especially since the lovely Miss Chapman has caught his eye.

This book was ok. The historical aspect was really interesting. My goodness, the poor Pilgrims went through so many awful hardships! The two (fictional) main characters were very likable and you wanted the best for them. Their romance was sweet. But the writing was a little underwhelming. Sentences and phrases were repeated, sometimes word for word, in nearby chapters. Ideas and plot lines were brought up and then never resolved. For instance, William worries he won’t know how to be a Godly husband, so he decides to study that more with the help of the head of the congregation. It would have been good to revisit that, see how he was progressing or even that he was feeling more confident in his ability as a future husband, but it’s never brought up again. Little things like that were just left hanging. Overall, it was an enjoyable read. I’ll continue the series and see if I prefer some of the other authors’ style better. Thanks to NetGalley for the free ebook.

Before I get started with my review I would like to thank Netgalley and Barbour Publishing for sending me an ARC of this book. All opinions expressed in the following review are my own.

It took me almost two months to read this, not because it was bad, but because I had to read it on my Kindle and lately I haven’t really been into ebooks. This was a cute, clean romance that takes place during the Mayflower’s voyage to the Americas and just after. I loved the romance that blossomed over the course of the novel and how both characters tried to be careful about how they pursued it. I also appreciated how it didn’t shy away from the hardships that the pilgrims faced both during and after their journey.

My only complaint is that the Epilogue was a little bit confusing at first, but it was still a good read, although not super gripping. But, that being said, I am looking forward to reading the other books in this series, as well as reading other books by Kimberley Woodhouse in the future. 3/5 Stars

FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. These are my honest thoughts.

This was a great story to kick off the Daughters of the Mayflower series. It was interesting from the beginning, kept my emotions involved throughout, and surprised me more than a few times.

The romance between William and Mary Elizabeth was precious. I liked that it was an innocent romance without the unnecessary heated passions and wild kisses that are so common in today’s fiction. There is something completely charming about innocent love that I want more and more of it, not less and less.

The subtleties of Mary Elizabeth’s personal growth made me pay extra attention, and I really liked how her journey flowed so well within the overall arc of the story’s plot. The grief she felt was palpable, as was the joy. She was written so well that I felt what she felt.

Peter, on the other hand, was poorly developed. I suppose his thread was kept purposely vague, but it felt much more like he wasn’t developed enough. His motivation was not really revealed until the final scene or two that he was in, and that made me question why he was one of the supporting antagonists. I don’t have to like antagonists, but I do have to be able to understand their motivation, and his was practically nonexistent through the majority of the book.

The pilgrimage from Holland to England and across the Atlantic Ocean to the New World is one I have long admired but not seen featured in Christian fiction much. Mrs. Woodhouse did a wonderful job expressing the hopes, dreams, stresses, worries, and adventures these men, women, and children must have experienced during the real-life journey. She brought these people to life for me in a way history textbooks in school failed to do.

The one drawback about modernizing the language in this historical fiction story was the inattention to detail when it came to terms that weren’t in use during the book’s time period. I’m a stickler for this, though I am more lenient with dialogue as I’d rather not have to wade through thees and thous and withertos and wherefores every two seconds (but it should remain fairly close to being era-accurate). But when there’s a blatant disregard for the originality of terms that are clearly not period-accurate, my feathers get ruffled. The two that leaped off the page at me (I’m sure there were more, but as I was not being paid to edit the book, I did not spend much time double-checking things) were “claustrophobic” and “keep me on my toes.” According to etymonline, “claustrophobia” was not coined until 1879, and “claustrophobic” not until 1889. Also according to etymonline, “to be on (one’s) toes,” meaning “alert, eager,” was first recorded in 1921. Since The Mayflower Bride took place in the early 1620s, I’m not sure how these terms were in Mary Elizabeth’s vocabulary.

Also, I am not of the same opinion as the author that watered-down beer is “drinkable by all—including infants and children.” That may have been the belief in the 1620s, so I understand its being a part of the story, but science advancements in the hundreds of years since that era have proven that alcohol is dangerous for children, no matter how diluted. In our “social drinking” and “alcoholics anonymous” era, alcoholism is a huge problem in our modern-day society, and I cannot support giving even the tiniest bit of the stuff to underage persons, especially babies or young children, as they could easily acquire a taste for the stuff and end up alcoholics by the time they enter puberty.

Overall, this story was sweet and entertaining. I enjoyed it well enough, and I am happy to be reading the second book in the Daughters of the Mayflower series next.

First in a brand new series the Mayflower will sail into history and live on in our minds and hearts forever! At least she has in mine.
I was in awe as I read through this story and I was left thinking about after it was over.
I loved the characters as they slowly wove their way into my heart. William Lytton, Mary Elizabeth and Patience all of them.
It's always scary setting out on a new adventure and Mary Elizabeth was definitely afraid. She is a person who isn't fond of change. But then neither am I. Even if it's for the best. But you know what? As long as I have Jesus and my family with me it was going to be ok. And it was.
I like to think Mary Elizabeth knew that as well. She was a smart young lady.
I'm glad she had a good friend like Patience!
It couldn't have been easy travelling aboard a wooden ship like the Mayflower. I think I would've been seasick too!
Life had to have been much harder than it is now. I wonder what they would think of today's world?
It was quite the adventure for me. I enjoyed every moment of it and I look forward to the others in the series!
I finished this in one evening as I couldn't put it down! I wanted to see what happened to my new friends! And they didn't disappoint. This is a book that will be worth the reread

When I was just a child, third or fourth grade, my parents took me on a vacation to the East Coast. We visited all sorts of historic places like Philadelphia, Boston, Washington, D.C. and somewhere in between, Plymouth!! It was quite a long vacation, three to four weeks during my summer break from school.

My mother really loved traveling and if she could take me to see these historic sites, maybe I’d become a more interactive learner. Boy, was she right!! I absolutely loved being able to see the places we learned about in school! Especially when some locations had people acting the part of what life was like back in that time.

One location we visited was Plymouth, Massachusetts. We saw the good ole Plymouth Rock and got to see a replica of the Mayflower! I remember asking a man who was supposedly living in 1620 Plymouth how he brushed his teeth. He looked at me like he had no idea what I was talking about! Somehow his teeth looked like it hadn’t been brushed, ever! The man replied that he chewed on mint leaves to keep his breath nice.

History has been a subject I’ve enjoyed as I grew older as well. I really enjoy reading historical fiction and find myself reminiscing of all the travels I’ve taken with my parents. When I saw the opportunity to read and review a book about The Mayflower Bride, I jumped at the chance! It brought me so many memories!

There is a lot of history behind the Mayflower that I wasn’t aware of and this historical fiction story shared some details. It never occurred to me that riding on the Mayflower was no cruise ship! It was rough waters with sea sickness, illness, small quarters, and a scarcity of food.

The Mayflower Bride details what life may have been like on the actual journey from day to day. There was death on the journey as well. This must have been very hard for the traveling families. Somehow those who survived were able to encourage each other and help one another heal while on the rough seas. Many moments are described from the eyes of one young woman in particular, Mary Elizabeth Chapman, who does her best to uplift the spirits of the travelers and take care of those who fell ill.

Also on this ship was William Lytton, who was paid handsomely to look after company interests for the new colony in America as a carpenter to help out on the ship. This lovely historical fiction brings together these two young travelers, who get to know one another while on this rough journey. They help those on the ship and become fast friends.

After arriving in America, the travelers find themselves not only low on food, but low on energy and on a race to build homes using the wood found there before winter sets in. It comes to light that Mr Lytton has been secretive and on trial about his deception to report his findings on the ship to the company who funded the journey.

Readers will find this story engaging and a quick read. There’s moments of tears and moments of laughter, moments of fear and moments of gladness. This book was complimentary in exchange for an honest review. I give The Mayflower Bride by Kimberley Woodhouse five stars because it kept my interest and I didn’t want to stop reading. It kept me awake that one night just to finish it!

This was a really great read. Felt like a lighter read, but there was a lot of depth, too. The characters worked well together and over all felt beautifully written.

Mary Elizabeth Chapman wants to get to America so she can live freely with her faith.  The trip is not easy and Every hardship seems to happen.  William Lytton is also on the trip as a carpenter.  Once they end up in Plymouth, things don't go smoothly.  The ship arrives too late for the colony to plant and harvest crops.  Building isn't easy and the first winter is hard.  Tempers are lost and someone in their midst is a spy for some of the investors in the venture.  

I found this book to be a good read.  I would recommend it for a few good hours of getting away.

After reading this, I sure am glad I didn’t have to emigrate to a new land in the 1600s! What hardships those people endured! That said, it took me a little while to get into this novel. The writing style tended more toward telling than showing, and in the early stages of the story in particular, we seemed to spend a lot of time in the characters’ thoughts with not much else beyond normal ship life happening in the background. It wasn’t until Mary Elizabeth and William were confronted by the hardships and grief that came in the second half of the novel that I began to feel invested in their story.

Kimberley Woodhouse obviously did extensive research for this novel, and I appreciated the historical notes she provided explaining which parts were based on historical fact and which parts were her own creation (and for the record, there’s quite a bit of historical fact here), but for me, the story lacked the kind of conflict necessary to engage me on a deeper level. There were challenges for the characters, certainly, and I felt for their losses and all they endured, but the main source of conflict was a small subplot that felt like it had been contrived purely to provide the story with an obvious climax. It didn't convince me, but those who are interested in a fictional retelling of the crossing on the Mayflower may find this book fits the bill perfectly.

I couldn't really get into this book, nothing wrong with the writing or author. Just not really a story for me

I typically love historical stories but I had a hard time staying interested in this one. The characters felt one dimensional and the plot was very predictable. Not a bad read overall but just not for me.

I loved this book. I have always been intrigued by history and while fictionalized, the storyline is well written and the characters come alive. I had a hard time putting the book down.

This book wasn't bad, by any means, but it wasn't a good fit for me. I found the characters shallow and important plot points rushed over. The early historical setting wasn't my favorite, but that's a personal choice. While I've been wanting to read more romance, historical christian romance isn't my jam.

Kimberley Woodhouse did an amazing job of penning this intense, moving, hard-working, and tear bringing book. To set the imagination of what these people faced while crossing the great, deep, dark ocean in search of being able to live in freedom for their faith. The times of sea storms, sicknesses, and death, she's included it all. As we study American History in school this year, I felt that this book was right on time and a great read gearing us up for our year of study ahead. I really look forward to continuing this series as new books come out!

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Kimberley Woodhouse in a new author to me and one I will be looking for again. I enjoy historical fiction that is well researched, in that, The Mayflower Bride exceeded my expectations.The book began with an extensive list of characters designated as factual or fictional and a glossary of terms that I did refer to more than once during my reading.

The story begins as Mary Elizabeth Chapman and her best friend Dorothy Raynsford are eavesdropping on a meeting of Separatist elders as they planned their voyage to the New World. Dorothy was excited for the adventure while Mary Elizabeth was terrified by the unknown and all the risks it involved.

The journey was more harrowing than anyone had imagined. The author did a great job of portraying the sickness aboard the Mayflower, the endless days and nights of struggle and heartbreak of so many lives lost in the hope of finding freedom. During this journey as Mary Elizabeth tends to the needs of many sick and dying friends, including her own father and her best friend, she finds strength and courage she had not known she possessed.

William Lytton, an orphaned Stranger, gained passage on the Mayflower looking for a chance to prove his worth as a carpenter. Before he sets sail the Virginia Company hirers William to keep an accurate accounting of the journey to protect their interests. William was pleased they had placed their trust in him and is faithful in his record keeping.

During the arduous journey, William begins to seek the faith and peace the Separatists display and wonders if he would be found worthy of the brown eyed beauty who nurses the sick.

My emotions went from high to low and back again as read this book. I thought the Mayflower would never reach land and then when it did, I wondered if anyone would live to start the colony, in other words, I felt very much a part of this journey.

I will not give away the delightful ending.

Very well done, Kimberley Woodhouse!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review. This is my own honest opinion.

I obtained a free copy via NetGalley for a true and honest opinion.

Mary Elizabeth Chapman boards the Speedwell in 1620 as a Separatist seeking a better life in the New World. William Lytton embarks on the Mayflower as a carpenter looking for opportunities to succeed—and he may have found one when a man from the Virginia Company offers William a hefty sum to keep a stealth eye on company interests in the new colony.

I think this book would be suitable for those who have a will interest in historical fiction based on those who journey to America to the New World.

I am voluntarily submitting my honest review after receiving a copy of this ebook via NetGalley.

In this first installment of the Daughters of the Mayflower series, Kimberley Woodhouse introduces us to Mary Elizabeth Chapman, a young woman emigrating to the American colonies with her family in search of a better life. On board, she falls in love with carpenter William Lytton, and together they face the many perils in their late-season arrival in the New World. This book did not hold my interest well. The pace was too slow, and the high volume of religious content made the book too preachy for my taste. At times, this book reads more like a sermon than a novel. In addition, the writing style suggests to me that young adult readers might be a more appropriate audience for this book. While I didn't particularly enjoy this book, I will read the next book in the series because having different authors write each installment is an intriguing idea.

Very good historical read. Felt as if I was on the Mayflower with the passengers. Good representation of what life would have been like crossing the Atlanta!