The Runaway Bride by Jody Hedlund ~ Review

My Review: 

Arabella Lawrence takes the chance of a lifetime to find a new beginning in Canada, escaping a difficult situation.

Peter Kelly is a prodigal of sorts, making his living as a baker, and also fighting for the fair treatment of the Natives. He is smitten by Arabella from the moment he sees her, but will his past exclude him from vying for her hand?

A fantastic read from beginning to end, from Peter and Arabella who instantly captured my heart, with strong bonds of faith that bring the story together, this was well worth the read. I liked the realistic setting of British Columbia and how it showed the very real tensions between the military and the native peoples.

I admired Arabella's faith and how she grew, finding the courage to fight for herself. She is beautiful from the inside out, with a heart of compassion for others, she realistically struggles to reconcile the societal norms of her past with her brand new life.

Peter is an honorable man, who has made his mistakes in the past, but has come to a saving faith that has changed his whole life. I admired how he makes a point to make intentional choices leading him away from the past. He is a brave advocate for those who cannot speak up, with a strong work ethic, and heart for others.

This book had some of my favorite supporting characters, from Mrs. Moresby, Blind Billy, Sque-is, Haiel-Wat, Pastor Abe, and finally Mercy. A compelling read from the very beginning, with excellent chemistry and romantic tension between Peter and Arabella.

Though part of a series, this book stands well on it's own,  working more as a companion to the previous book in the series.

Overall, an engaging read that had me riveted to the page, fantastic characters, great tension, with a good use of flashbacks, and compelling journeys of faith for both Peter and Arabella. I think that the author did a fantastic job of handling both Arabella's and Peter's pasts in an honest, yet not too explicit way, that only added to my respect for both of them. Highly recommend this well written read!

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