A Bride of Convenience
By Jody Hedlund
Back of the book: “Unemployed mill worker Zoe Hart jumps at the opportunity to emigrate to British Columbia in 1863 to find a better life and be reunited with her brother, who fled from home after being accused of a crime.
Pastor to miners in the mountains, Abe Merivale discovers an abandoned baby during a routine visit to Victoria and joins efforts with Zoe, one of the newly arrived bride-ship women, to care for the infant. While there, he's devastated by the news from his fiancée in England that she's marrying another man.
With mounting pressure to find the baby a home, Zoe accepts a proposal from a miner of questionable character after he promises to help her locate her brother. Intent on protecting Zoe and frustrated by his failed engagement, Abe offers his own hand as groom. After a hasty wedding, they soon realize their marriage of convenience is not so convenient after all.”
First impressions: This was a sweet and clean romance. This is the third book in “The Bride Ships” series. There were glimpses of previous characters but not enough to make this unreadable as a stand-alone novel.
Liked: I enjoyed getting to know Abe and Zoe. I liked how thoughtful Abe was in his ministry. By the end of the book, it was clear however that Zoe had a heart for ministry as well. It really brought this couple together in a special way and I liked how Zoe and Abe kept each other accountable.
Disliked: I didn’t care for the excitement at the end of this book. It felt contrived and I imagine things would not have transpired so smoothly. I thought the story could have done without Wanda’s character as well. I didn’t find her adding to the story. Without her, I think Abe would have appeared more consistent in his character.
Learned: Abe got caught up in rules, not ordained by God but man until Zoe reminded him who he should be seeking and following. “God gives me my ministry and no man can take that away from me.”
Quotes:
“…you don’t have to be perfect or have your situation all figured out to be used by the good Lord. If you have a willing heart, that’s all He needs.”
“…perhaps you out to seek God and ask Him what kind of husband He would have you be.”
“You might still be running away from God. But He’s never left you, and He’s waiting for you to seek Him again.”
I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review shared here.

Okay, I am a huge fan of this series!
I have been a fan of Jody Hedlund for years and I have loved most of the books that I have read by her.
This series is fantastic!
I loved the way she incorporates just enough history to make you feel like you are learning something about the setting, but not so much that you feel like you are reading a textbook.
And the way she incorporates romance......swooooon!
Abe and Zoe's story was so good, it was sweet, it was complex and they just meshed so well together as a couple, they had their obstacles and failings, but I was just rooting for them the whole time!
Abe is a more reserved hero (especially in comparison to Pete), and I loved how Zoe had a way of drawing him out and encouraged him to stand up for himself.
I really liked the way that their relationship developed, they started on rocky ground but I really liked that you could see them working together as a team. I liked that it wasn't only physical attraction that drew them together (the chemistry was there believe me), but you could really see them with their genuine love for people coming together, and using that for their work in ministry.
I loved the setting! Because my parents grew up in BC, and I loved reading about the town of Hope and the Frazier Valley, these are names I am familiar with and I loved getting to explore the historical version of them!
All the happy feels after this story!
Looking forward to the next book!
I was provided with a copy of this book from the publisher through Netgally. All my opinions are completely my own.

Zoe left everything to join a bride ship and find her brother. Abe was a preacher that was trying to re-find his purpose before returning to England. A mix-up in a desperate moment brought them together.

In this book, Jody Hedlund weaves a tale of finding trust, faith, and family with healing along the way. Both Abe and Zoe know loneliness and in the wilds of frontier life in mining camps in British Columbia they find something they didn’t know they were seeking.

I loved this story and the faith of these two souls, I love the idea of God’s hand in making things good and right as well as their need to follow what His plan is for them.


I would absolutely read this again and will look for other works by this author,

I received an eARC from the publisher through NetGalley and this is my honest review.

A Bride of Convenience (The Bride Ships #3) by Jody Hedlund

“Her heart ached too much already, and she didn’t want to allow herself to love again only to lose. No, she was a bride of convenience. And she planned to remain that way.”

This is my first from the #brideships series. It’s interesting to know that in the 1860’s, women were shipped to Canada to seek a better life as new brides. But from what I read in history, the population around the Fraser River was small. There were many young Americans drawn by the gold rush but fewer women. To make them British, Queen Victoria sent the gift of the bride ships.

I like Zoe and Abe’s characters. Zoe is one of the ladies from the Robert Lowe bride-ship. She is beautiful with a compassionate heart especially for kids. Abe wants to be a bishop someday but his ways of helping the people are not approved by his superior. Their paths crossed because of an abandoned baby. They got married to save the baby but it puts Abe in a difficult situation.

Their love story took some time to develop but was entertaining. Abe has funny and awkward moments. They like to tease each other too which is fun to read. The description of the setting is great. I can easily visualize it, cold and muddy but with beautiful views. The northern lights will be a sight to see! The great writing, exciting plots, romance and inspiring cause makes this book a must read. 5 stars

*Thank you #netgalley and @bethanyhouse for the free copy in exchange for an honest review.*

A Bride of Convenience is the third novel in Jody Hedlund's Bride Ship series. It can be read as a stand alone, however we first meet Abe and a few supporting characters in the previous novel. I don't know why, but it never even occued to me that the title was foreshadowing my favorite premise, the marriage of convenience. A delightful misunderstanding joins the main characters together as they embark on the adventure of learning to live with and maybe/hopefully love one another.
Jody Hedlund is a master literary matchmaker and one of my absolute favorite authors. Her expertise in crafting smouldering romantic chemistry and swoon worthy heroes will have you hopelessly glued to the pages. I had to force myself to stop reading as it was already late and I knew if I read one more chapter I would be unable to put the book down until I reached the conclusion. In addition to the romance, themes of faith, trusting God and serving Him even when the road turns in an unexpected direction are threaded throughout the story. Hedlund reminds her readers that one must only have a willing heart and God will work out the rest.

A Bride of Convenience will be available for purchase from your local or online book retailer June 30, 2020.

Thank you Bethany House and Net Galley for the free advanced reader copy. The opinions expressed here are my own.

I am a big fan of Jody Hedlund. Her novels cover such a wide berth of historical fiction that I am always finding myself intrigued. Although all set within a similar general time span, they are vastly different and range from almost biographies to simply writing about a specific event in our history to almost fantasy. For instance, this evening I will crack open another book by her about Martin Luther and his beloved, Katharina. I am always amazed by her ability to write so many novels, so quickly, yet still, retain depth and diversity. Since the beginning of 2020, A Bride of Convenience will be the second novel to be released with the fourth book soon following in August, and then a new three-book series being completely released this fall that I am greatly anticipating.

I have greatly enjoyed the Bride Ships series and the unique perspective of three courageous women who were brave enough to travel halfway around the world with the hope of a better life. Although not directly based on real women, this series is based on true events and epitomizes the women that had actually traveled on the bride ships to British Columbia. Given their circumstances, I would hope that I would have had the courage and the faith to do as they did. To be as courageous, courteous, and compassionate.

Unemployed and struggling with grief, Zoe Hart leaves England to emigrate on a bride ship to British Columbia in the hopes of finding her brother and make amends. Soon after arrival, she and Abe Merivale, a pastor to miners in the mountains, discover an abandoned Native American baby. Determined to find her brother and to give the baby a home, Zoe rashly accepts a marriage proposal from a man who promises both. But Abe knows the man's unsavory reputation. Intent on protecting Zoe and wounded by his own failed engagement, Abe impulsively offers his own hand instead. They hastily marry, but both soon realize the marriage of convenience they imagined is not so convenient after all.

Zoe and Abe are two compassionate and loving characters. They are selfless and give more than they receive. I enjoyed reading as they learned what it meant to serve others as well as one another. AND what it meant to have a ministry together. Both were caring for the community and were a bright light, but they did not know how to do so together. At times, I was frustrated over their many misunderstandings and just wished that they would communicate more with one another, rather than hoping their own simple tasks were enough.

I always enjoy a good marriage of convenience story and would highly recommend, if you do as well, to add this to your reading list! It was an enjoyable read and I look forward to re-reading it in the future!

Although you can read this as a standalone, I would recommend reading them in order as characters do reappear and will only make you appreciate the continuation of their story in this one! The final book in the series will be released in August and contains the own love story of Zoe’s brother.

A Bride of Convenience will be released June 30, 2020.

I was given a free copy of the book, but the opinions in this review are completely my own.

The Red Review: ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
*** 5 Stars: Compelling Characters, Well-Written, Interesting Storyline, Unable to Stop, Desire to Reread

I was so engrossed in this book that I read until 2 a.m. without realizing it!!

Zoe was such a sweet, caring woman who formerly worked in the mills in England. She travels to find her brother Zeke and make amends with him. Not long after she arrives in Victoria, she begins caring for a baby and meets and marries Abe in a hasty marriage of convenience. I loved this story (Book 3 of the Bride Ship series) and how Jody based the character of Abe off a real pastor in British Columbia back when the bride ships were traveling there in the 1860's. Historical romance is a favorite of mine and Jody Hedlund does them so well!

I am looking forward to Almost a Bride (book 4 of the series) that will be available in August 2020.

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. All opinions are my own.

I didn’t read the first books in this series, but this one read fine as a stand-alone. Often, when I read book where the H & H both doubt the others’ affection, it seems silly since it’s so obvious. In this book, the circumstances make it believable and understandable for them to doubt one another.
I loved the ending and the compassion of the characters and I very much hope Zeke gets his own book.

Just as a note: this is a clean and Christian book. God and faith are mentioned throughout. That should be obvious, since a main character is a Pastor, but people somehow manage to be offended.

I have really enjoyed The Bride Ship series by Jody Hedlund. Like the other books before it, A Bride of Convenience kept me reading until the wee hours of the morning. I could not put this one down!

It was interesting to see how Zoe, a former mill worker and Abe, a pastor, would get along after they agreed to marry. While their marriage was based on a miscommunication on both their parts, it was an intriguing concept. Zoe was full of doubt about her worthiness as a person, let alone a wife. And Abe was more worried about his ministry, what his Bishop would say and do and his parishioner's needs, then his new wife. Add to that mix an abandoned infant, a lost brother, a jilted man who wants revenge, and you can see why I couldn't put this book down.

I loved how insightful Zoe was regarding how God leads us.

"What if God's the one who calls us? What if He's the one who gives us our ministry?"

This spoke to me because as life plays out before us, we can often be blinded to what God is doing. We want to go here, but God wants us to go there and finally, our eyes are opened, and we "see the light." Both Zoe and Abe needed each other for God's plan to work out, and it was a beautiful plan indeed.

I highly recommend this entire series, and I look forward to the fourth book.

Jody Hedlund brings us the third book in her Bride Ships series and it's so very good. One thing I enjoy about her writing is that she does wonderful historical research and it often spurs me on to do some research myself!

In this book, Pastor Abraham Merivale is on the island awaiting the time when he can send for his fiancé back in England to come and marry him. He misses her so much and watching the brides coming off the bride ships makes him miss her even more. In about a week, he unexpectedly finds himself married to one of those brides, not really even sure how it happened. An infant is left in their care when the widowed father of the babe dies and now he has a wife and a baby! And a fiancé in England.

Hedlund handles this situation so well, as she is wont to do in her books. Zoe doesn't know what is expected of her and Abe doesn't know what is expected of him. Zoe just wants to find her brother, who came to the island a few years earlier when he was angry with her. Then there is the danger of one man who seeks Zoe with the intent of destroying both her, her brother and Abe. I was captivated throughout the book as I watched everything unfold. The spiritual them is strong here and one that is relevant today for every believer. Sometimes out own plans are not what God plans. I loved every minute. Recommended.

*My thanks to Bethany House Publishers for a copy of this book via Net Galley. The opinions in this review are entirely my own.

When I finished this story, I closed the book with a contented sigh. For me, that usually ends with an automatic 5 star rating. I'm pretty easy going that way. What a story! Fake relationships are among my favorite romance tropes, but I usually read them in a more contemporary setting. In this historical setting, it was (as the title implies) simply for "convenience." Zoe and Abe got married because it benefited them in the moment.

But of course things are never so easy. This couple sees their fair of struggles and it appears they aren't going to make it. These types of books are predictable in the ending, but that is why I love them. It's really more about the journey, but I do sigh over a good epilogue! This epilogue left me feeling completely satisfied. I'll leave it at that and let you find out for yourself.

The concept of a series following women of a bride ship was a new one for me. I always like finding books where I also learn more while reading. I don't recall having read any books about bride ships before so this was interesting to me. This was book #3 in the series and (because I always have to read series in order) I read the first two books first. Each can be read as a standalone but they're so much better read as a series. As the characters from previous books were referenced in later books, I felt more drawn in and connected to the world being created by Jody Hedlund.

I received a complimentary copy of this book and I have leaving an honest and voluntary review.

As you can expect from the title, the 3rd installation of the Bride Ships series tells the story of a marriage of convenience. While this theme has been written about many times over in this genre, Jody Hedlund has a way of drawing readers in as she puts her own spin on a familiar storyline. There was also a healthy dose of humour thrown in. While I found myself flipping pages to see how it all worked out, I will confess this was not my favourite book in the series and I found the climax of the story a little underwhelming. That being said, however, Jody Hedlund is one of my favourite authors and I have high expectations every time I get my hands on one of her novels. I do recommend this book (the whole series actually) to historical romance fans.

When unemployed cotton mill worker Zoe Hart arrives from Manchester, she suddenly finds herself in the care of an infant girl. Without means of support, she enters into a marriage of convenience to local minister Abraham, Pastor Abe, Merivale, who offers them protection. They are determined to live by the convenience arrangement but are surprised how dissatisfied they both are with that part of their relationship.

A Bride of Convenience is book number 3 in Jody Hedlund’s 4 book series The Bride Ships, published by Bethany House Publishers. The setting is Vancouver Island and Yale 1863, and we get to follow unemployed cotton mill worker Zoe Hart when she just off the boat meets local minister Abraham, Pastor Abe, Merivale. She suddenly finds herself in the care of an infant and in a marriage of convenience to Abe, who promises to keep Zoe and the baby safe from looming danger.

Main character Zoe Hart is a warm hearted and assertive young woman who is escaping, family drug addiction and bullying to start a new life in the colonies. She struggles with self doubt but has a full set of admirable qualities I wish she would see as clearly as Abe does.

Secondary character Abraham Merivale is on a 5 year, unpaid, mission in British Columbia to build churches. He aspires to become bishop, but is more and more in conflict with the decisions to stay on his career track. I feel for him as his life seems so confined within the rules of English society.

A Bride of Convenience includes several dramatic elements so expertly written my neck hairs rose, including well crafted and dangerous villain character Dexter Dawson out to get Zoe. The thorough research shines through in the vivid descriptions of people’s lifestyles, interactions and clothing as well as the characters themselves.

The romance between Zoe and Abe took some time to develop as they both tried to live by the convenience deal. But close moments seemed to appear between them more and more helped by walks in the northern lights and the visit to a local hot spring. This was my favorite parts of the story I felt were particularly well written. A spiritual element was running through the book as the characters continuously prayed for support while trying to deal with tough times.

A Bride of Convenience included all my favorites: Exiting plot including romance and drama set in spectacular, exotic environments. I couldn’t ask for more. A Bride of Convenience is the second work I have read by Jody Hedlund. While I would have preferred to read The Bride Ship Series in order, reading A Bride of Convenience as a standalone worked perfectly. Just enough hints from the previous installment were given to help me pick up the essentials.

Fans of Jody Hedlund will absolutely love this work, as will readers of historical romance fiction. Similar author to explore might be Laura Frantz and Karen Witemeyer.

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

My review: 5 stars / 5
Main reasons: Exiting plot, excellent writing, great romance,

When I pick up a Christian historical romance novel by Jody Hedlund, I know I am in for a treat. This third installment of her Bride Ships series is no exception. A Bride of Convenience checks off all of the qualities that I look for when choosing my next read: a strong yet imperfect hero and heroine, swoon-worthy romance, wonderful supporting characters, a page-turning plot, inspirational message, and research that enables me to learn something new. Add to this the picturesque scenery described in this Bride Ships series, and I can almost place myself in 1860s British Columbia.

As an avid reader of the Christian historical romance genre, I am fascinated by stories that feature main characters in the pastoral and medical professions as well as reading different slants on the marriage of convenience trope. In A Bride of Convenience, Hedlund weaves a masterful tale involving lead characters Pastor Abe Merivale and bride ship beauty Zoe Hart, incorporating topics of class differences, prejudice, and timeless Biblical truths. If you are looking for a highly satisfying book that will not only entertain, educate, and inspire, I strongly recommend picking up a copy of A Bride Of Convenience!

#ABrideofConvenience #NetGalley #JodyHedlund #BethanyHouse

I received an advanced reader copy from NetGalley and Bethany House. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions expressed here are my own.

Set in 1863 British Columbia, A Bride of Convenience follows Abe and Zoe through the beginnings of an unconventional marriage in the Fraser River Valley where Abe ministers to gold miners and others in a wild and treacherous land.

I've read and loved some of Jody Hedlund's previous novels, but I haven't read the other two in this series. The story was still easy to follow and definitely can qualify as a standalone, although I'd love to read the others. Marriage of convenience stories are always hooking to me, and this one didn't disappoint. While most of the book is focused on the nuances of the marriage (and some of those things are somewhat mature), there is enough conflict to keep you wondering how exactly Abe and Zoe will make things work. And the ending, I'll just say, is plenty suspenseful.

The spiritual aspects are strong, clearly not an afterthought. Abe and Zoe's struggles with the ministry, etc, ring true to difficulties faced today, and I related to the tension between the two.

I certainly recommend this one for fans of historical romance.

(I will again caution that this book deals subtly with aspects of marriage meant for a mature audience.)

A Bride of Convenience
by Jody Hedlund
Bethany House
You Like Them You Are Auto-Approved
Bethany House Publishers
Christian
Pub Date 30 Jun 2020 | Archive Date 05 Aug 2020

Our library always purchases Bethany House books and Jody Hedlund is a hit!!
Great historical novels and always enjoyable to read.
I really liked this book.
Thanks to Net Galley for providing the ARC of this novel.
5 star

A BRIDE OF CONVENIENCE is the third novel in The Bride Ships series by JODY HEDLUND. It is a beautiful historical romance, packed with action and intrigue, and with a great Christian message running through it. It is a story about unconditional love and second chances and the desire to find God's will for one's life rather than bending to tradition and man made rules.
The story takes place in 1863 with the arrival of a bride ship containing poor young girls from the cotton mills in Manchester who are looking for husbands. Many of them were starving when they left England after the closing of the cotton mills, and two succumb to consumption upon arrival - one of whom is Zoe Hart's dear friend Jane.
From Zoe's first meeting with him at Jane's deathbed, Pastor Abe Merivale takes it upon himself to be the friend she needs. Desperate to stop her from marrying Dexter Dawson, a real villain, and saddened by his fiancee in England's betrayal, he marries her.
That is all I am going to tell you as I do not want to spoil the read for you.
I cannot recommend A Bride of Convenience highly enough, and while it can be read as a stand alone, I suggest that you read the first two books in the series as well, for pure enjoyment. The characters are well portrayed and I really love the way the author describes their battles and emotions, so that we are caught up in what they are feeling. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Bethany House Publishers. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

Jody Hedlund has a gift for writing stories that both entertain and educate, and “A Bride of Convenience” is no exception. The third book in her Bride Ships series, this story is full of fascinating historical detail, valuable lessons in faith, and sweet romance.

Although “A Bride of Convenience” is a bit slower in terms of romance than other Hedlund novels, it is still brilliantly written. Hedlund punctuates her story with incredible historical detail, plus compelling, relatable, inspiringly real characters that never fail to touch the heart of the reader. Her characters remind us that we are all fallible, and it is what we choose to do in the face of adversity that ultimately defines us. Hedlund’s portrayal of children in her stories is the most accurate and adorable depiction I have come across, and the relationship between Zoe, Abe, and the children in their lives is touching and perfectly portrayed.

I have found humor in other novels by Hedlund, but this story was particularly funny and added another element to the story readers will greatly enjoy. I have enjoyed every novel written by Hedlund, and she has a special knack for the marriage of convenience trope. I was pleasantly surprised by the different way she portrayed this particular marriage of convenience story, since the romance is not what readers may expect but is ultimately greatly fulfilling.

Readers will also enjoy seeing beloved characters from former books in this series in “A Bride of Convenience.” I am so excited for Zeke Hart’s story in the fourth and final book in the Bride Ships series, coming late this summer. Fans of Hedlund will not want to miss any of the books in this series.

Sail away with the complete series! “A Reluctant Bride,” “A Runaway Bride,” and “A Bride of Convenience” are available now. “Almost A Bride” releases August 25, 2020.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.