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Mary Elizabeth Chapman, along with her father, younger brother, and other Separatists, prepare to sail to the New World aboard the Speedwell, companion ship to the Mayflower. On the latter ship, William Lytton is a carpenter looking for a new life in the New World, but before departure, he's hired to keep an eye on the colonists and report back to the company that is financing the journey. When the two ships are funneled onto one, Mary Elizabeth and William have a chance to get to know each other, but the trip across the ocean will be long and difficult. And reaching the New World is just the beginning.

There was a lot going on in this book that never quite seemed to mesh into a coherent, interesting story. The main female character got on my nerves right away because even though her dad and brother, as well as her best friend and family, were going on the journey as well, she was unhappy and lonely. She'd somewhat recently lost her mother, which I get would affect her, but it was leaned into a little too much, given what she did have, and she spends a lot of time moping. Plus, later in the story, she made some stupid decisions that I really doubt a woman in her position would have made given the circumstances. Then when we meet the main male character, his story starts off ambiguously. The whole side plot about him "spying" for the Company was weak, and that was clear from the moment it started. I don't understand the inclusion of that arc at all, nor the fact that the POV switched to a "villain" now and then that was part of that arc. The POV also switched to Mary Elizabeth's little brother a few times, which also seemed unnecessary to me.

While the historical details of the voyage were interesting, most of the plot involving the trip to the New World and attempts to find a place to start their colony seemed fairly shallow. They were often viewed through the lens of the budding relationship between the two MCs, which I felt was portrayed in a way that was not likely very accurate to how it would have been for two people in their time period, especially with one of them being part of a religious congregation like Mary Elizabeth was. Personally, I don't need the author to interject unlikely physical contact to add to the romance; for me, the mental aspect of a developing romance is much more important anyway. But their initial attraction was mostly physical, considering they were both instantly drawn to one another after an interaction that involved no real conversation.

As the book that kicks off a series of historical romance novels set in different time periods, I had hoped for a stronger start. This book, unfortunately, did not whet my appetite for the rest of the series. However, since the series has various authors, I still plan to continue on to see what the next one holds. ( )

I am a huge fan of historical fiction. From time to time I get the opportunity to read an historical fiction book that really delights me. This is one of those books. The Mayflower Bride is about a very famous time in our history as a nation. Kimberley Woodhouse takes a story that most of us, who had American history, are quite familiar with. She uses the original story and cast of characters from history and then adds a few fictional characters to the scenario to bring us a sweet love story.

It is not just a love story, though. Woodhouse shows us the harsh realities of life on a ship in 1620 as they cross the Atlantic Ocean. She shows us conflict between Separatists and Strangers. The Separatists are seeking a new life of freedom to worship as they feel led without persecution. The contingent of Strangers are both crew members and citizens looking for adventure in a new world. The reference to Strangers is a term used for those outside of the faith of the Separatists. She also draws a very realistic picture of constant sickness, persecution and death as many lost their lives making this journey.

The full review is on my blog at... https://somedaystherespie.wordpress.com/2018/02/23/the-mayflower-bride-by-kimber... ( )

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. ( )

Parts of this story reminded me of the Colonial House series that ran on PBS several years ago. I love this period of history and it was really neat to have a first-hand perspective of what it may have been like on the Mayflower as it sailed to America in 1620.

It took great faith and perseverance to make the journey to the New World. I'm not sure that I'd have been able to do something that BIG. The 100+ passengers were crammed on the small-ish boat, where it was most often dark and smelly, and most certainly there were sick passengers all over the place. Mary Elizabeth and William-the main characters-are fictional, but the author included many real people from the Mayflower and Plymouth Colony in this story (William Bradford, for example).

I also learned about the Saints and the Strangers-I had never heard these terms before. "Saints" was the name given to the Protestant Separatists seeking religious freedom in the New World. The "Strangers" were the others aboard the Mayflower that were outside this particular community of faith. There was distrust between these groups to begin with, but they quickly learned that they would have go work together and be kind to one another if any of them were to find success in making a new community in the New World.

This story is the first in the Daughters of the Mayflower series, where the stories follow one family tree, beginning with Mary Elizabeth from the Mayflower. Each installment is written by a different author. The Mayflower Bride was a simple, quick read and I liked it, so I'll be continuing with the series. (I already own most of them!)

Audiobook Notes: I added the audio so I could listen while I did chores around my house. Sarah Zimmerman was a wonderful narrator and she has a lovely accent. She was believable in her role as Mary Elizabeth.

Title: The Mayflower Bride by Kimberley Woodhouse
Series: Daughters of the Mayflower
Narrator: Sarah Zimmerman
Length: 7 hours, 15 minutes, Unabridged
Publisher: Tantor Audio ( )