A beautifully written story....loved the premise/the writing/the characters/and this author. Five Stars.

1620 - Holland

Mary Elizabeth Chapman and her friend, Dorothy are eavesdropping as the Pastor affirms that it is time to journey to the New World and establish a colony in Virginia. These people are called Separatists because they want to separate from the Church of England. The young ladies learn that their families will be a part of the group to journey to Virginia. Soon they will sail from Holland to England where they will connect with the ship that will take them to the New World. They start out on the Speedwell but due to numerous leaks, they are all transferred to the Mayflower.

Mary Elizabeth meets a young man named Willian Lytton who becomes enamored by her. He works hard on the ship as a carpenter. Not having grown up with teachings from the Bible, he asks the head of the church group if he may join them in their discussions of the Bible. He is welcomed.

Along the way, they encounter many storms and much sickness. Mary Elizabeth and Dorothy work tirelessly helping the sick people as the trip drags on. When they finally reach land, they find they are off course and are not in Virginia. But they are a determined group and carry on.

This was an interesting story. I found it to be somewhat repetitive and the enormous amount of scripture inserted into the story was way overdone. Had the author stuck to the historical part of the journey, I think I would have liked the book a lot more.

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Wow! Amazing research went into this book. Just reading the introduction had me excited to read more. 🙂

It was very interesting to follow the journey of the Seperatists from Holland to America. It has been quite a while since I have read of their journey and it was amazing the number of things I had forgotten about.

The author did a great job of making history come alive. She gave just enough details to help me experience the feelings of the peril and tedium of the journey without boring me or grossing me out. While there was a great deal of history in the book, it was more about the people than the facts.

Mary Elizabeth learned how to overcome fear of the unknown and how to trust in His goodness through trying circumstances. And William learned to know God as his Savior and the only Father who loved him.

Here are some favorite passages:

She didn’t know what to do. Didn’t know what to pray anymore. “Lord…” Words failed to come.

“When you don’t know what to pray, Mary Elizabeth, pray the words Jesus taught us… pray scripture.” Mother’s words floated over her, and a single tear slipped down her cheek.

As she stood to go check on the others, Mary Elizabeth realized how much she’d changed over the past few weeks. The tragedy of losing Mother had almost broken her her. Or so she thought. But she’d needed to learn how to give it over to God the Father. She needed to know that His strength and peace were always with her. For so long, she’d thought of herself as timid and afraid. Never courageous. But now, somehow, her thinking had changed.

“I can see you are puzzled.” The man didn’t mock him or make him feel uncomfortable. He reminded William of Paul. “Let me try to explain. To be ‘poor in spirit’ means to know the depth of our lacking – to know we are broken and unusable as we are. That we are sinners in need of a Savior and can’t possibly attain anything on our own. When we come to that place of understanding and are truly ‘poor in spirit’, then we acknowledge Jesus as our Savior – that it is only through His sacrifice that we can be saved – and then we can be cleansed and transformed. Then – oh what a beautiful thought – then the kingdom of heaven is ours. To live eternally with our heavenly Father.”

The author mentioned in the introduction that she did not use the language of the day in the book because of how difficult it can be to read it. (She gave an example in the introduction from one of the books she used for research, and I am very grateful for that choice she made!) However, she did make the language seem a little too modern. Somehow it didn’t give the feel of being in that time. And there was an instance I found where she used the phrase “in a jiffy”, which didn’t start being used until the 1800s (according to what I have learned). I wish she had found a way to give a little more of a feel of the language in the book


This review was originally posted on AmongTheReads.net

I am grateful to Netgalley for giving me a copy of this book. The fact I received this book for free does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

It's always exciting when I come across the first book in what is to become a series. I love staying in fictitious worlds so even though I love reading stand alone books, there is nothing like a good series that keeps me immersed with characters for some time. I thought the Mayflower Bride sounded intriguing because it isn't often you come across a book that is set on the famous Mayflower. I felt like this book gave me some good insight into what the journey to the new land might have been like. Part of the reason I felt that way is because a lot of the book uses real passengers from the ship and tells their stories, and the author gives some background information before and after the novel which I found very helpful and enlightening. I really enjoyed getting to know Mary Elizabeth, and her family.
I am hoping to see more of them, even if just a brief glimpse or mention, in the coming books of the Daughters of the Mayflower series. I recommend this book to anyone who likes historical fiction.

The Mayflower Bride was a fast-paced, heartrending tale of the Separatists who braved the tumultuous seas, disease, and hunger, to establish the first colony in Virginia. Distress clutched my heart at the many trials and hardships our courageous forefathers had to face on the crossing of The Mayflower to the New World. The romance was not very passionate, but it does permeate the story keeping it somewhat less depressing. I enjoyed the diverse characters (factual and fiction), their solid faith during adversity, and the courage to follow their dreams no matter what the cost.

Mary Elizabeth is wary of the future. Standing on the deck of the ship Speedway in 1620, she reminisces about her life in Holland and is worried about her trip to the New World. Holland wasn't home but it was where her mother had taken her final breath, and having to leave her behind is gut wrenching for Mary Elizabeth, her little brother David, and their father. They are hoping the New World will also mean a new and better life away from persecution. A new beginning.

Mary Elizabeth and her family are members of the Separatists, a religious sect who had chosen to break away from the Church of England, in pursuit of spiritual freedom. This choice has made them detestable in their land and so they fled to Holland to break free from religious persecution. Now a number of their congregation are headed to the New World to help start a new settlement where they can freely worship and live for the Lord.

William is also ready for a fresh start. He is an orphan who has had a hard knock life thus far, being kicked out of his foster home at the tender age of nine, and was on the streets barely able to survive. This is until a kind-hearted gentleman took him in and taught him the trade of carpentry. He is on the Mayflower, the ship that is to sail alongside the Speedway, loaded with supplies for the New World.

The Mayflower Bride tells this harrowing story of the trip across the Atlantic through the eyes of Mary Elizabeth, William, and several other inhabitants aboard the Mayflower. Your hopes rise and fall with the characters, who deal with a ship that almost sinks, bouts of seasickness and scurvy, and such severe illness that it brings with it death. Intermingled with the sadness there is also the beautiful story of love, friendship, finding inner strength, and living by faith and faith alone.

This is the first book in The Daughters of the Mayflower series and I believe it to be an incredible beginning. What I really enjoyed the most was the Note to the Reader at the end of the book where the author explains in greater detail the genealogy of several of the characters that were actually on the Mayflower and connecting them to famous figures that we all know and love today! Ms. Woodhouse was even able to trace her own lineage to Virginia in 1659!

There are a few historical inaccuracies which the author does explain both at the beginning and ending of the book, but in my opinion they do not hurt the integrity of the actual story of the Separatists or the circumstances of the Mayflower voyage whatsoever. I highly recommend this book for those that love history and appreciate the plight the early settlers had to endure to create the freedom we have today.

Historical Fiction and Romance

Mary Elizabeth, a member of the Separatists, is afraid to leave the only home she’s known in Holland, but her father has secured passage on the Speedwell, a vessel bound for the new world and a better life. Her best friend Dorothy is also going on the boat. This helps Mary Elizabeth adjust because while Mary cries constantly, Dorothy is enthusiastic.

William Lytton is also headed for the new world on the Mayflower. He’s a carpenter hoping for a better life. Abandoned as a child he was rescued by his mentor, also a carpenter. Now his mentor is dead and he’s eager for a new start. This new start seems to be very auspicious when he’s approached by Crawford, one of the sponsors of the voyage. Crawford recruits him to keep an eye on his company’s interests. Since this entails a significant sum of money, William immediately draws an enemy.

If you enjoy historical novels, this is worth reading. It is well researched and the author describes the difficult voyage in a way that well illustrates the danger faced by the Separatists. The characters are well chosen and the romance between Mary and William shows how the settlers find love in spite of the hardships.

My difficulty with the book was Mary’s character. She was so weepy in the beginning of the book that I found it hard to like her. It did give plenty of room for her character to grow, but being turned off, I wasn’t as interested in her development as I might have been.

I received this book from Net Galley for this review.

" The Mayflower Bride" by Kimberley Woodhouse
I really liked this story... For me it was a very difficult read. I knew a bit of the Mayflower voyage story.. but until now, well I never really felt what it was like for the people who populated this 'journey of faith'. I vote for this story to be a "Book Club" read. If you get emotionally involved in the stories you read... be sure to come prepared!

I love historical fiction, and I began reading this book knowing I would enjoy it, but I was pleasantly surprised and ended up loving it! Some of the main characters are fictional, but many historical figures make an appearance as well.
Mary Elizabeth has lost her mother, and now her father has decided to take her and her younger brother David to the New World with the small congregation of Separatists in order to start a new life with religious freedom. She is fearful and doesn't want to leave, but her friend Dorothy encourages her along the way. They begin their journey on the Speedwell, but soon they all move to the Mayflower due to safety concerns. Mary Elizabeth meets William, a young man also looking for a new start who is searching for the truth about God and the Bible. The travelers all endure unimaginable illness and hardship on the journey, but they soon make it to the New World. Along the way, Mary Elizabeth and William grow and change while they build a relationship. Can their faith in God sustain them through these difficult losses and setbacks?
I loved the way the author portrayed the characters' faith in God and the Bible. Most Christian fiction these days is watered down and shallow, so it was refreshing for me to read this book. Thanks to the author for standing firm and not caving in to the wishy washy popular opinion so rampant in Christianity these days. The historical context was very well written and accurate, and it was a very clean read. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Christian historical fiction.
I received a review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

If you read Mayflower Bride by Kimberly Woodhouse, which I recommend, please don’t skip the “Dear Reader” and “Note to the Reader” sections. Woodhouse has provided wonderful information that will add to most readers’ knowledge of the times and events surrounding the crew and passengers of the Mayflower. Where most works of historical fiction include a few real people among the fictional characters, Mayflower Bride includes a few fictional characters among the real people who traveled to the New World on the Mayflower. This book is well researched which adds to the appeal for fans of historical fiction.
Among the fictional characters are Mary Elizabeth Chapman and her brother David. Their father volunteered to voyage with fellow Separatists in an effort to assuage his grief from the passing of their mother. Another fictional character is William Lytton, a Stranger encouraged and supported in joining the voyage by his mentor and foster father of sorts. Having had the seeds of Christianity planted while living with his mentor, William’s faith grew as he lived among the Separatists on the Mayflower. Mary Elizabeth found her faith strengthened as she worked among the sick during the trying voyage and continuing after their landing in the New World. William and Mary Elizabeth find God’s using their budding relationship to minister to one another as they face many trials.
I thank NetGalley and Barbour Publishing for providing me with a copy of Mayflower Bride in exchange for my honest review. I received no monetary compensation.

Having been to Plimouth Plantation and seen the replica of the Mayflower II, I was quite interested in reading The Mayflower Bride by Kimberley Woodhouse. Woodhouse has done a great job with the history and setting of this story. The reader feels like they are right there in the middle of the scenes. The mix of fictional characters with historical figures makes the story interesting and authentic. The sweet romance between Mary Elizabeth and William is engaging and delightful to watch unfold despite secrets and differences. The characters are vivid and lovable and their growth and maturity throughout the story is realistic. The Mayflower Bride is replete with information about the history of our nation and the struggles the passengers of the Mayflower endured. The author makes the story intriguing with some suspense as to the outcome of the passengers and to William in particular. And with a strong thread of faith in God throughout, the book is also inspirational as the reader can see how God's hand is at work in the lives of the individuals. I'm looking forward to reading more in this Daughters of the Mayflower series.

This novel is a lovely read about the Pilgrims of Plymouth. I enjoyed it quite thoroughly and would definitely recommend it to anyone interested in this era.

It was so much fun to read it in the days leading up to Thanksgiving even though the first Thanksgiving didn’t happen on-page. Got me in the stuff-myself-to-death mood with all the starvation and what-not. *shudders*

It was a light, clean historical romance read – though the romance thread wasn’t too heavy. Not the best I’ve ever read … but quite sweet.

PLOT: 4/5
At times, it did seem like it just wouldn’t get to the point. It was always quite interesting, and I never was exactly bored, but still. I kept waiting and waiting for something to happen out of the ordinary going-to-Plymouth of history (lol) … and it was forever until something did!

I also take issue with the title. What bride? She was no longer on the Mayflower, per se, by the time she became a bride – at the very, very end of the book. This book should be The Mayflower Single Girl. ;)

None of this is to say that I didn’t enjoy the book! It’s just easier to list the negatives than the positives. It was a really good book, and I’m happy to have read it.

CHARACTERS: 5/5
All very well-done! I liked them a lot, and they all seemed well-developed. The author plainly took time to create them all individually.

There were quite a few characters, but it was never confusing. Don’t let that long list at the beginning deter you! They were all individualistic. I loved the way they all got along together and cooperated on the Mayflower and then when they finally arrived at Plymouth.

Mary was a sweet, brave girl. I just want to give her a hug! Poor angel … she had to bear so much in her life. I really got to understand her feelings and thoughts as the book progressed. It was like being right there with her!

William was also cool. I mean, he wasn’t exactly swoon-worthy, but he was still a neat, upstanding guy. It was cool to see him grow close to Christ. His backstory was so sad, poor baby. *gives him lots of chocolate*

SETTING: 5/5
Very well done! I was surprised by the depth of the research. I know a lot about this era and these people (got a little obsessed when I was younger – or rather my mom did, haha), and I was deeply impressed.

A fellow reviewer has mentioned some historical errors. The first is that pneumonia was not diagnosed until the late 1800s (this article contains more details) and the second that washing a person’s mouth out with soup as a punishment for swearing wasn’t used until later.

But … honestly, I didn’t even notice – nor do I care – and it didn’t decrease my enjoyment one whit. Still, if you’re a super history buff, I guess that’s something to think about.

WRITING: 4/5
I really appreciate that the author chose to use slightly more modern speech. I love Shakespeare as much as the next gal, but I don’t want to have to unravel what people are saying when I’m reading a just-for-fun novel!

Still, it definitely wasn’t too modern. Modern enough to be understood – but not slangy or full of contemporary terms.

The book was fairly well-written overall. There was a time or two when I thought sentences could have been improved upon, but these were few and far-between and more a matter of personal preference than anything. *is a writer who edits peoples’ books in my head* *shrugs*

CONTENT: 1/5
Language: n/a

Violence: people fear that the local Indian tribe may attack

Sexual: brief mentions of childbirth and pregnancy

Other: passengers on the Mayflower are ill a great deal and many die, lots of hunger

Squeaky clean! Probably 13+ for reading level, but no objectionable content.

OVERALL: 4.5/5
I really did love this book! I haven’t delved in the Pilgrims’ lives in forever, and I was so glad to have the opportunity to do so again! Definitely a book I’d recommend to anyone interested in or studying this era or simply historical romance/adventure readers looking for their next novel.

https://www.amazon.com/review/R1I7GJNI0IT7ST/ref=cm_cr_srp_d_rdp_perm?ie=UTF8

I know a book is good when I read half of it in one sitting. This is what happened when I sat down to begin The Mayflower Bride. The story was captivating and soon had me swept away into the world of Mary Elizabeth Chapman and her experience on the Mayflower and in the New World.

I liked the mixture of fictional characters and historical figures. It lent a believability to the story and made it interesting. The author lets the reader know at the beginning of the book that there is a mixture so the reader doesn't have to guess who is real and who isn't. All the characters soon seemed real to me and it was easy to have empathy for them as they made a not-so-pleasant journey to a new life. I liked Mary Elizabeth and William and really enjoyed reading the natural progression of their relationship. I also enjoyed Mary and Dorothy's friendship and how they were always there for each other and were almost like sisters.

One of my favorite things about this book though was the character development. These characters change and grow throughout the story and the author did an excellent job of expressing these changes. Mary goes from a girl to a young woman who is much stronger than she ever thought she was. Watching this occur was an enjoyable part of the story for me.

I like this author's writing style and her way of describing events that made me feel as if I were there with the characters experiencing everything along with them. The story has a good pace to it and I didn't find any parts to be boring. I'm glad that she didn't use the language of the day and bog down the story with a lot of "thee's and thou's". (She explains at the beginning of the book she wrote it in modern day language and that we could thank her later so her is her thank you from me.)

This was a really well-written book about a time in history that I don't see much about in books. This is a book with characters that I won't soon be forgetting. I'll definitely be adding this author to my must-read list.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and was not obligated to write a review. All opinions are mine.

The Mayflower adventure brought to life…I really enjoyed this book on the Mayflower. The story starts from two different viewpoints. Mary Elizabeth, a member of the Separatist, is fearful of leaving Holland where she has spent most of her life. William, a carpenter in London, had been an orphan and suffered through life until adopted by a master carpenter. William believes in God but his faith is not strong due to his experience of life. Their intertwining story and love bring this story to life. This book details the hardship life on the ship and the first few months in the new world. The historical research that the author did enriched this story. It really brought the Mayflower adventure to life. I also enjoyed the scripture references and how their faith helped them endure. I received a copy of this book from Net Gallery. This is my honest and voluntarily given review.

The Mayflower Bride by Kimberly Woodhouse mixes historical facts with fiction to create a must-read novel.
The Saints along with some non-believers called Strangers are leaving Holland to sail to England and then on to the new world. Their passage is being paid by investors and the funds will be repaid with proceeds over the first seven years of the new colony. The families of Mary Elizabeth Chapman and her best friend Dorothy Raynsford are chosen to go with the first group to settle the colony and then others will follow. Dorothy is excited and ready for adventure; Mary Elizabeth is more reserved and not sure this is a journey on which she wishes to embark. The journey proves to be full of setbacks and challenges the faithful to hold steady to their belief that God is guiding their journey to religious freedom. Will Mary Elizabeth and Dorothy and their families be able to survive the journey? Will Mary Elizabeth and Dorothy find love on the Mayflower or in the new land?
I was completely immersed in reading this book and was surprised when I got to the end. The author mixes real life and imaginary characters in a seamless way so the reader tends to forget that the story in not historical non-fiction. The characters come alive on the pages and I had tears when some passed away and rejoiced with them when land was finally spotted. The story is well-researched and there is a lot of historical information from various sources included. I knew the story generally but there was a lot I learned from reading this novel. I highly recommend this book and can give it a solid 5 out of 5 stars rating. Everyone who enjoys history and fiction will enjoy reading this book.
I received an advance copy of this book through Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

This is the first of a series about the Daughters of the Mayflower. Being a genealogist, I love this time period. I have also given a webinar about the sail ship passages of the early years. It seemed very true to form and I had described it similary from my studies.

I enjoyed how the fictional and non-fictional characters interacted. It was an enjoyable historical fiction.

This is the first book that I have read from this author and liked it. It had great descriptions and I felt that I was visualizing what she wrote about in the book.

I was given a copy of this book from Barbour publishing and NetGalley and was under no obligation to post a review. All thoughts are my own.

Years ago, my husband and I took a tour of the Mayflower II, a replica of the historic vessel that delivered Saints and Strangers to the New World. Kimberley Woodhouse drew those memories to the forefront of my mind as I began reading her newest novel, The Mayflower Bride. Pairing the two together, I felt a new appreciation for all the Separatists risked to escape persecution and gain religious freedom.

This story follows the path of a young woman by the name of Mary Elizabeth. Mary, along with her father and brother initially embark on the Speedwell, but after two failed attempts at the passing, they join the passengers of the Mayflower. Friendships, faith, and romance are forged amid the physical and emotional trials of the journey. Mary and her friend, Dorthy, were great examples of iron sharpening iron since they prayed for one another and encouraged each other to serve their fellow shipmates. Knowing the Separatists to be pious people, I was not surprised that the characters often voiced their reliance and trust in God. That being said, their positive influence on the Strangers (particularly William Lytton) seemed to be based equally upon their deeds as their speech.

I enjoyed the interpersonal relationships as well as the history Woodhouse has woven into this story. Even though the novel is fraught with tragedy, the messages of hope and perseverance prevail in the end. For this reason, I am looking forward to reading additional titles in The Daughters of the Mayflower series.

A couple falls in love during the time period of when the Mayflower arrives in the new world. They were the first people to decide to settle and live. Many died during the voyage, it was hard to stay optimistic. They were the first Pilgrims and Strangers. Would any make it?

I enjoyed this story, was a little saddened by all of their loss. I am glad they remained faithful that God would be faithful.

Faith, hunger, hardship, sickness, loss, and grief are strong threads through this story, though they failed to engage me as a reader. The mixing of the fictional leads, however, with the historical figures was well done. I found I quite liked the portrayals of Miles Standish, John Alden, and especially Priscilla Mullins. The fictional characters did not fare so well and I found I had little sympathy or liking for them.

As a draft, this would be fine, though in need of some work to give the story a good flow, enrich the descriptions, provide stronger motivations and make the dialogue more natural while making it have more of a feel for the actual speech, values, and behavior of the times. The author herself notes that she chose not to use language like 'thee' and 'thou' to make it more readable, and that does sometimes benefit the modern reader, but there seems to have also been a loss of authenticity in the dialogue as well as the story.

2.5 stars. Rather than transporting me to the 1600's, this story brought fourth grade social studies units to mind. If you are interested in this series, as I am, then this is worth a quick read as it is the foundational novel in a linked series.

My thanks to Barbour Books for allowing me to read an e-galley through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.