This third in the bride ship series is my least favorite, mostly because of Abe. Abe's waffling feelings and actions regarding Zoe drive me a little crazy. I understand that societal and occupational pressure is hard to resist, but I wish he had been more steady. The bishop is awful! His influence hurt more than anything.
Zoe has all of my sympathy. Her efforts are thwarted continuously. She has a generous nature that is admirable but she is taken advantage of. I do love that she does everything she can in order to care for the baby she adopts.
A marriage of convenience is one of my favorite tropes. I think the developing relationship can be intriguing. Bride of Convenience is worth the read even though Abe needed a good talking to a few times.
Thank you to Bethany House and NetGalley for the e-book copy. All thoughts in this review are my own.

Thanks to Bethany House for the free review copy. All opinions are my own.
I have enjoyed these bride ship books, so I was looking forward to reading Pastor Abe's story since I got to see him in the first two books. I also was intrigued by Zoe. She was a great woman who really rose to meet all of the challenges she was presented with throughout this book. I haven't really read a book about a convenience bride, so I was interested in how this story would go. Hedlund kept me entertained and invested in this book.
My only complaint with the book is how much lust there is in it. I wished the characters had just decided to talk about the level of intimacy they were expecting to get out of this convenience marriage. These characters did leave me frustrated when it came to their marriage because of the lack of all communication.

Let's take a little quiz. Are you looking for a story about a marriage of convenience? Are you looking for a book that includes an adorable baby? Are you looking for a book that takes place in British Columbia? Are you looking for a historical romance? If you answered yes to any of those questions then, I would highly recommend you read A Bride of Convenience by Jody Hedlund because it has all of that and more! This book was probably my favorite one in the series for several reasons. First, the baby was adorable. Really, she was. Second, Zoe was such a good homemaker and inspired me to do a better job with homemaking. Third, the story itself kept my attention throughout the whole book and made me not want to put it down, even when I had housework of my own to take care of . I recommend this book for those who are enjoy historical romance, especially about marriages of convenience.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I was quickly drawn into this believable tale of two friends Jane and Zoe young ladies heading into uncharted territories on a ship bound for Vancouver in 1863. These brave and strong ladies are doing their best to stay alive. But Jane begins to cough.. ” While Jane might be able to muffle the deep hack, there was no hiding the bright crimson that seeped through the linen.” The unthinkable happens and Zoe is left to ride out this journey alone.

In walks Pastor Abe who dresses in regular clothes so people can relate to him better than his Pastor attire. Abe first meets Zoe when Jane passes. He feels for Zoe of her loss as he has just lost his fiancé. They join forces in a search for the father of an abandoned baby. They come up empty. Zoe feels strongly for this little one and becomes the guardian.

I enjoyed these flawed characters fighting the good fight. This story had a good mix of unexpected events, tender moments, hard times with fun, relatable characters I could rooted for. Zoe is a nineteen-year-old woman of faith and Abe is a local pastor they make the best of a crazy situation.

Being a single mother is not acceptable and/or practical back then. Zoe gets two marriage proposals and she chooses Pastor Abe. These strangers marry, trying to do right by this innocent little one. It doesn’t take long for them to discover neither of them is prepared to care for this babe. Hard choices need to be made. I enjoyed their journey. I liked that they are respectful with each other as they learn about discerning the path God would have them be on. They fight the feelings that surprise them both as they become friends hoping for something more. It’s a sweet, intriguing story with flawed characters I could root for in their journey through real hard-ship, and mistakes that test their faith. “Sometimes our worst mistake can turn out to be a great blessing.”

I enjoyed this story but was uncomfortable reading about the desires each had for the other after they were married. It was more than I wanted to know. They are respectful of each other but just like when you see a couple in public, I don't want to see them make out and the rest. They can do all that in private. It would have been a great read except for that. If that does not bother you than this will be a perfect read for you.

This is the third novel in the Bride Ships series. I’ve enjoyed this authors book. This book would work well for your book club pick. There is so much to talk about.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog www.bookfun.org

A Bride of Convenience stands as the third novel in The Bride Ships series by Jody Hedlund, but can be read as a stand-alone. The story immediately drew me into Zoe’s world and I didn’t want to set the book down. I liked the plot’s pace with its superb mixture of action and internal reflection by the characters. The novel was a quick read for me despite its substantial length.

Zoe, the leading lady in A Bride of Convenience, possesses admirable boldness and a protective mama heart. She accepted needy children and loved them as her own. As for Abe, I admired his heart to serve God and the people around him. I liked that Zoe and Abe complemented each other well and could do more good together than separately. Although their romance had less tension and swoony moments than I expected, I still rooted for them to get together and enjoyed watching their relationship grow.

While A Bride of Convenience held a few laugh-out-loud moments, it also explored important themes. An embedded theme about finding God’s will and trusting him to work things out laced throughout the story, but I especially liked how it played out in the end.

Overall, I really enjoyed A Bride of Convenience by Jody Hedlund and I look forward to reading the next book in this series. Four stars!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a copy of this book by the author or publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.

The Bride Ships trilogy concludes with a beautiful tale of a mill worker, a missionary and the small child that brings them together. Whereas the previous novels were set in the city of Victoria, A Bride of Convenience takes readers to a rough and ready community once known as “the wickedest little settlement in British Columbia,” where Pastor Abe makes his home among miners and madams.

Pastor Abe is a man who believes that evangelism isn’t merely about preaching the Word of God. He insists on being a man of the people. He gets involved with the community and develops personal relationships. In short, he goes way beyond what is expected of him by legalistic Bishop Hill. Actually, the only part of this book I had a problem with was the bishop’s portrayal because I couldn’t accept that a man of God would insist only on the strictest form of evangelism. Still, it brought about the interesting question of what is a pastor’s role? Is it to only preach the gospel or to also get involved in social issues? That’s especially pertinent in these current times of change and uncertainty.

Despite that particular portrayal of a secondary character, however, A Bride of Convenience is my favorite of this trilogy. This is a story where you knew there had to be the required happy ending, but you couldn’t quite work out how it would happen. But happen it did, and I can safely say I believe that Jody Hedlund left the proverbial best until last in terms of storylines and the emotions provoked.

Does it help to have read the previous books? Let’s just say it’s worthwhile to have done so, although probably not necessary. Characters from the previous title, The Runaway Bride, reappear as quickly as the second chapter, and there are also references to events that took place in the earlier books.

Disclaimer: Although I received a copy of this book from the publisher and author, the words and opinions below are my own.

Zoe has no job and no family left in Manchester, England. Faced with bleak prospects she and her best friend decide to board one of the Bride Ships that are being sponsored by a local charity. This ship will deliver single, young women to the British colony in Canada, a rough area full of bachelors with good financial prospects. Abe is a British ex-pat sent to Canada by the Church of England to establish ministries. After several tragedies strike, Zoe and Abe find themselves in need of the security of marriage and, although they are virtual strangers, they marry each other in a rush one evening. They have an immediate, easy friendship but both are unsure of whether they can have a real marriage.

I thought this story was delightful. This was a period of history and an event that was new to me and made for a great plot. There were twists and turns, villains and romance. I will definitely look for more works by Jody Hedlund and would recommend it to anyone who loves historical romance.

Thank you to Bethany House Publishers and NetGalley for this eARC, which gave me the opportunity to share my honest review.

A Bride of Convenience by Jody Hedlund is the third book in the Bride Ships series and features Pastor Abe, who we met in the last book, The Runaway Bride. I was hoping to get to know Pastor Abe better, so seeing his name in the back cover blurb made my day!
It is always interesting to see what kind of women chose to brave the journey across the ocean and start a new life in Vancouver. They come from all sorts of backgrounds, but they seem to all have one goal: find a new beginning.
Zoey is an amazing young woman. I cannot imagine living in the conditions she endured in England, although I know it was a reality for many people at the time. But she is a resilient and resourceful woman full of compassion and generosity. A true beauty in her heart. I loved her journey of finding God’s calling in her life and her courage to step onto God’s path for her when He placed it before her. Her story was a great inspiration to me.
Abe is a respectable man of God, but he is also just a man fighting his own temptations. I loved the flawed side of him, and how he was willing to listen to criticism about himself--even from a young boy. His blossoming relationship with Zoey was a joy to watch, and their playful banter was adorable. Abe may be a pastor, but he is definitely swoon-worthy--a handsome, hunky, man of God! Who could ask for more?
Any fan of Christian historical fiction will enjoy this book. The history is interesting, the setting is gorgeous and the characters are unforgettable. Be prepared to preorder the next book!
I was given a copy of this book by the publisher with no expectations of a positive review. All opinions are my own.

I just adore this series by Jody Hedlund. Well, if I'm being honest, I love all books by Jody Hedlund. I can't choose a favorite actually - they are all so good! And what's great about the series is that even though every book features a different bride/ship, you still hear about the previous characters and what they are up to, but not so much that it takes away from the current story line.

I have to say that while I love a good heroine story, and Zoe makes a fantastic heroine, it's really Abe's story line that I found most intriguing. He's got this struggle between going by what the "church" is telling him to do, and doing what he feels God is telling him to do. I can't imagine what that must be like for someone! And Hedlund handled it with such care, and honestly it just secured my feelings about knowing that God will never lead us astray. He knows what is best for us and our situations. This was such a great faith theme!! And for the record, Abe makes a swoony hero as well ;)

With the ups and downs of a "convenient" relationship, adorable new baby, and interfering neighbors, this just might be my favorite of the series! Of course, I say that about all of them! Highly recommend this series. And while this could be read as a stand alone, I urge you to read the entire series. I promise you will not regret it!

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

What a series! So thankful my friend Rel Mollet turned me on to Hudlund's work. What an exquisite writer and storyteller! I so enjoyed A Bride of Convenience--the romantic tension, rich history, and emotional tug-of-war were the perfect reading escape during these long months of isolation. Highly recommend!

I’m always up for a good marriage of convenience story, and this one was excellent! Zoe has such a compassionate heart and I loved her desire and willingness to care for orphaned children. Abe has a plan and is doing his best to stick to it, even when he struggles with the bishop’s formality and demands for how he interacts with the community. Even though the beginning of their relationship is a bit rocky with doubts and hesitation, they are both sincere and genuine, and recognize the goodness in each other. It was fun to see their growing attraction and the blossoming of deeper feelings of romance. Their future is uncertain and a variety of obstacles challenge them and their little family that quickly grows as Zoe brings more chicks under her wing. I loved how their vulnerabilities contrasted with their strengths and the way God led them to each other and others who needed them.

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

A Bride of Convenience is the third book in The Bride Ship Series. After heartbreak, loss and a marriage of convenience holds more appeal than ever before. Another amazing book by Jody Hedlund. If you love historical fiction, this is one that should not be missed.
Zoe Hart is unemployed and struggling with grief, she decides to leave her life behind and board a Bride Ship to British Columbia to try and find her brother who fled there when he was accused of a crime. The theme of loving others was clear throughout the story.
Abe Merivale is finishing out his commitment as a missionary and is looking to return to his parish in England and marry another woman. God has other plans for both Zoe and Abe.
Pull up a chair, grab a cup of coffee and sit back for an adventure. A Bride of Convenience was my favorite so far out of the series. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
I was given a copy of the book from Bethany Publisher. All opinions are my own.

Jody Hedlund has a gift for weaving fictional characters into real historical events in a way that makes a reader want to read more. Her latest novel, A Bride of Convenience, is no exception. This well written book is set on and around Vancouver Island, British Columbia in 1863.

Abraham Merivale, known to locals as Pastor Abe is serving the Church of England during a five year stint as a missionary in the British Colonies. He spends most of his time in the mining camps outside of Vancouver, but comes down to check in with his Bishop and get supplies several times a year. He loves his job, the miners he serves, and the rugged mountains. What he doesn’t love are the Bishop’s ideas about how he should be re-creating the Church of England in the wilderness. Abe is more concerned with the state of men’s hearts than whether or not a new church building gets completed this year.

Zoe Hart has recently arrived in Vancouver upon one of the Bride Ships that left England, sailed around South America, and has brought dozens of former millworkers, all women, to this rugged land. She isn’t sure she wants to marry, unless it helps her find her twin brother who ran away from home after being falsely accused of setting a mill on fire.

Zoe is hurting from the loss of her friend who dies shortly after they arrive. Now she really needs the help of others, but isn’t sure whom to trust. Through an unusual turn of events, Pastor Abe finds himself suddenly without a fiancé back home. He is reeling. Zoe is determined to find someone to help her find her brother. Local Dexter Dawson says he will take her if she marries him, but should she trust him? What about Pastor Abe?

Want to know what happens next? Pick up a copy at your local bookstore or online.

A Bride of Convenience by Jody Hedlund

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

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Story Notes

Jody Hedlund presents readers with the third installment of her Bride Ships series that has a good plot and fairly likable characters but the pacing of the story makes it a struggle to read.

I’ve been able to read all the books of this series and have enjoyed them pretty well but this one……I just didn’t care for it like the other two. I know it wasn’t the plot or the characters (although Abe does get on my nerves quite a bit) but the pacing of the story was weird. At times it moved along well, then it would slow with the most inane conversation topics that I did a bit of skimming in those sections. The story begins with a couple of young, prospective brides soon to arrive in British Columbia. Zoe has left behind the soul-stealing work of the mills in England with the hope that a better life awaits her in Vancouver. She has made friends with another young woman named Jane and they have looked forward to their destination the entire voyage. However, Jane has not fared well on the crossing and has become so sick she is bedridden. Zoe is heartbroken to know that her friend will not have the peaceful life she was hoping for and refuses to leave Jane until she is placed in the local hospital clinic. But it’s too late for Jane and she passes away within days. Trying to find a new place to belong in such a strange new country, Zoe looks to the kindly Mrs. Moresby for what to do next. She advises Zoe to take her time in choosing a husband from the many men available in the town to ensure she will make the best match. Zoe finds a man named Dexter Dawson who is agreeable to her terms of marriage, including the promise to help her find her older brother that she believes works in the lumber camps surrounding Vancouver. But she can’t quite set aside the feeling that there is more to this man that she can see and that he might be trouble for more than just her. Pastor Abe has been ministering in Vancouver under the tutelage of Bishop Hills for the past few years in the hopes of being granted the position of Bishop upon his return to England. But all has not gone as he hoped and it doesn’t appear that the Bishop is pleased with his efforts nor his hands-on approach to ministry. When he meets Zoe through the circumstances surrounding Jane’s passing, Abe notices her beauty but cannot pursue her due to his commitment to a young woman in England. That obstacle is soon vanished with the arrival of a letter from the young woman announcing her upcoming marriage to another man. And when Abe discovers that Zoe intends to marry Dexter Dawson, he has more than one reason to offer for her hand. Their marriage of convenience starts as something very awkward but will soon bloom into a nice friendship with the promise of more. If they can only face down those determined to tear them apart they might have a chance at a real lasting marriage. You can see there is plenty of good plot and some decent characters so it made me sad that their story really lacked in its fleshing out. I liked how the relationship between Zoe and Abe grew pleasantly but slowly and wished there had been more page time given to the ending of the story to get a better idea of their future. I also liked the faith journey they each were on throughout the pages that made them seem like realistic and true Christians. The children in the story were also well written, making me laugh and commiserate with Zoe often. Perhaps if this story was re-worked to flow along better, I would have been able to give it five stars. I will recommend it as an okay read and as one that adds to the series, but I don’t think I will be purchasing this one to read again. Hopefully the last book in the series will have better pacing and conversation.

I received this temporary complimentary E-book from Bethany House Publishers via NetGalley in order to provide a fair and honest review. I will receive no fiscal compensation for this review and the opinions expressed herein are entirely my own.

A Bride of Convenience
This is the third installment of “The Bride Ships” Series, and I think it may have bested the previous two! Well it’s hard to say, because I truly loved the first two, but this one had a different twist, with the Hero and the heroine getting married at the beginning of the story, in order to save a little babe from being abandoned or sent to someone who wouldn’t be able to care for her. I have to say that Marriage of Convenience is my favorite trope, I'm always admired of how two people forced together by the circumstances can fall deeper in love than people who experience a sparkling attraction at first sight. So I has very high expectations of this story, and I wasn't disappointed!
The book captivated me from the first page and I couldn’t put it down until the end! Pastor Abe was a secondary character in the first two stories as a minister on a five year unpaid mission to build new churches in British Columbia, Canada. He’s aware of the Robert Lowe Ship arriving from Manchester with new brides for the miners, but he has his heart attached to his fiancé waiting across the ocean for him to return to England and marry her. That is, until she writes that she has wed another! In the midst of a great deception and the need to provide a solution for Zoe to keep little Violet, Abe offers to marry her (it’s a bit of a providential confusion because he misunderstands her that she is asking him to marry her; while she is asking him to marry her to Dexter, a vicious man that Abe can only wish long away from Zoe). So, they end up married, being total strangers, and this is the story of how they gradually fall deeply in love, while caring for the babe, leaning on each other through various struggles and discovering God’s will for them in helping the people that surround them: miners, as well as natives.
Zoe also has the mission to find her twin brother Zeke and free him from guilt because he ran away after a terrible and false accusation; she has also escaped a difficult past of poverty and rejection. Abe finds himself at odds with his career as a minister of the Anglican Church, wanting to be a bishop one day on his return to England, but finding his goal opposed to what he truly feels called by God for: help the most needy people in the Island.
There are all real conflicts, drama and also the danger of a vicious villain (focused on getting Zoe after she rejected him), that will bring Zoe and Abe closer and to get to know each other’s character better. The complexity of the story kept me enthralled! The romance was not love at first sight, but it was a sight beautiful to behold. So, so sweet! Zoe’s innocence and Abe’s growing admiration of her selfless love and generosity will be like a magnet attracting him to her. The admiration for each other is in fact mutual, and it doesn’t take much for it to dig roots in form of a deep love.
I definitely recommend this book to Historical Romance lovers. As all of Jody’ Hedlund books, they are based on true events and are full of historical facts, even if the characters are fictional. This is part of what I love most of her stories, they feel so real! And her characters are always deep and shine a light among the most dark circumstances, like Zoe and Abe, which makes you fall in love with them and live their epic journey as if you were beside them. I always end up closing her stories with a sigh, not wanting it to end, but satisfied and happy because after all the struggle and suffering, the main characters are free to love each other and spread their love to all that are near. As always, this was totally the case with “A Bride of Convenience”. I can't wait for “Almost a Bride” to be released!!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House and this is my honest and unbiased review.

Jody Hedlund is a true master storyteller artfully drawing her readers into a story with her profound prose. In A Bride of Convenience, book three in The Bride Ship Series, she gave us Pastor Abe’s story. I loved that Pastor Abraham Merivale was based on an actual pastor of Vancouver Island to the miners then.

Pastor Abe, loved and confident when leading his flock, meek when facing Bishop Hills, and totally naive when it come to love and Zoe. Zoe, an outspoken, compassionate, tender hearted soul who wears her heart on her sleeve, arrives from the cotton manufacturing district of Manchester, England on the Robert Lowe. They meet at a time of sorrow, both repressing their attraction, flounder. Two souls are bound by God in marriage due to a miss understanding. Can they, Will they, Do they join their hearts?

A Bride of Convenience will grip your heartstrings from the very first chapter and not let go even after one has read the last word. This book can be read as a stand-alone, however I recommend reading the series in order as it makes each story more enjoyable.


I received a complimentary copy (or ARC) of this book from the author/publisher. I was under no obligation to write a review, and all opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I requested this @netgalley option despite it being the third book in a series. Luckily, there was no need to have read the first two books, but I liked this #christianromancenovel so much that I will check them out. While the bulk of the book features the typical slow burn #lovestory of most #christianromancebooks the conclusion is quite rewarding. The author’s note confirms the research done to ensure the historical details and I really appreciated her final wish, “I pray that as you seek after God’s will and leading in your life you would never forget He’s able to do exceedingly more than you can ask or imagine. If you allow Him to guide you, He might just surprise you with what He does!” That was the the moral of the story and a great conclusion. A ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ book to #readnow or start with the first book in the series. 📚📚📚 #booklover #bookreview #bookrecommendations #historicalromancenovel #netgalleyreads #netgalleyreview #abrideofconvenience #bethanyhousepublishers

Set in British Columbia in 1863, A Bride of Convenience is an imaginative and colorful peek into a fascinating slice of history. Jody Hedlund is a master at creating vibrant, multi-layered, and realistic characters and placing them in compelling and intriguing situations. Zoe Hart is courageous and compassionate and is a perfect match for the kind and caring Pastor Abe Merivale. I loved their almost instant connection and enjoyed watching their attraction and relationship grow through their trials. With a captivating cast of characters and a gripping plot, this story kept me enthralled and turning the pages. Hedlund’s descriptions were so vivid that the story came alive, and I could easily picture the action in my mind.

Filled with adventure, intrigue, danger, suspense, and a dash of romance, this tale has a little bit of everything. Woven throughout are threads of faith, hope, trust in God, and the courage to stand for right. This is the third in The Bride Ships series featuring ladies who journeyed from England to British Columbia to hopefully find husbands and a new life. It can be read as a standalone book, but it was enjoyable to catch up with some of the characters in the previous books. 4.5 stars

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from Bethany House Publishers and NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I’ve always been a sucker for these marriage of convenience types, no matter the era the book is set in. It’s a given they’ll find a way to love in the end, but the journey is always the best part.

Starting out with oh so noble intentions Pastor Abe is really like most the hero’s who fall into this plot line. However, he’s got his struggles and he’s human like the rest of us and all of that shines through. Why anyone wants to read about perfect people with everything aligning just in all the right moments, I don’t really know - but this is why I’m such a big fan of Hedlund. Yet again she has continued to educate us all in little known historical events with a great fictional story to hook the reader.

I absolutely loved Zoe, and her big charitable heart, that really has always been part of her very nature. Always looking out for her family, niece, best friend on the ship and all the children that came her way. No question she endeared herself to everyone who came into contact with her.

The pious Bishop & Dex make the best bad guys, and glad they both got put in their place by the end.

A joyous and surprising conclusion, not what I expected. Really hoping there will be another book for Zeke, because wow is there an opening for a story there!

Thanks to Bethany House & Netgalley for the eARC. This is my honest review.

Jody Hedlund’s books are always fantastic, and her many fans will love this story. The historical setting for this book is intriguing and all the small details from the author’s research add much to the story. As always, the characters seem to walk off the page into real life. This book is a “just one more chapter” type of book and it’s hard to find a stopping place to put it down. This has been a great series, and this book certainly holds its place with the others. It’s one you’ll want to read again.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.