Historical Fiction at its Best!
Laura Frantz’ The Tidewater Bride (2021) is historical fiction at its best. Carefully researched and meticulously detailed, it immerses its readers into a captivating tale at America’s first settlement.
Spoiler-Free Summary
Selah Hopewell seems to be the only woman in James Town with no intentions of marriage. There may be too many men and far too few women, but Selah remains busy assisting her family with their home and merchant’s shop. When she becomes in charge of a ship full of tobacco brides from England, her hands grow more full.
Xander Renick is the master of vast lands, producing valuable crop, with prominent stature in James Town, and a strategic position with the neighboring Powhatan nation. He may be the most eligible widower in James Towne, but he is wedded to his work and still grieving the loss of his wife.
Amidst growing tensions between the Powhatan and the settlers at James Towne, will Selah and Xander be able to set aside their independence and pride and find what they’ve each been seeking in one another?
What I Liked About Tidewater Bride
- Rich, historical detail: Laura Frantz’s historical research is second to none. She writes with vivid detail, engaging readers into the time and place. Language, custom, geography, religion, and more work together to draw the reader to historic James Towne.
- Setting: Early Colonial America is rife with fascinating stories, full of tension, danger, loss, love, schemes, and hope. The way Frantz brought it to life made it all the more riveting.
- Characters: Protagonists Selah and Xander were layered, likable, and worth rooting for. Secondary characters were also well-developed and engaging, adding depth to the overall narrative.
Why the Ending Left Me Wanting More
I had few complaints about Tidewater Bride, barring the conclusion. When the action peaked, I found it a little bit lacking in excitement, but it didn’t bother me. This is a historical fiction romance after all!
However, it began to drag on before concluding rather rapidly and a little too neatly.
The resolution was satisfactory with no loose ends, but I personally think it could’ve been fleshed out a touch more.
Should Tidewater Bride be Your Next Read?
If you like:
- Rich historical detail
- Thoughtful characters
- Clean, no-spice romance
- Lyrical writing style
- Colonial America setting
Final Thoughts
I definitely recommend Tidewater Bride for lovers of historical fiction and historical romance. It is a sweet, engaging story of two independent individuals finding each other amidst the tensions of settlement life in James Towne.
Content Rating: Mild
mild romance, references to sexual assault
Copyright Laura Frantz and Revell Publishing. Image from Amazon.
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