The Bride

- Julie Garwood -

This is an older novel, relatively anyway - published in 1991 - but I have heard Julie Garwood's historicals raved about and I have enjoyed her contemporary suspense books so decided to give it a try.

Good decision! The characters are charming, realistic and behave in a time period/society appropriate way yet are still relatable and not Too Stupid Too Live or too overbearing.

Jamie, adopted daughter of an English baron, is picked as the wife of Alec Kincaid, a scottish laird, and accompanies him back to Scotland. Alec and Jamie have vastly different views of just about everything, including the proper role of women and wives, and it was lovely to join them on their journey as they reconcile their different views and attitudes on the way to falling in love, almost despite themselves. That they each find the other completely baffling and frustrating yet they never let that get in the way of them communicating or getting to know each other was really refreshing - too often in romance novels theses frustrations lead to an irritating and nonsensical gulf between the couple.

I also really enjoyed the way Jamie adapted to life in the Highlands, yet also made their way of life accomodate her as she insisted on using her skills as a healer and treating everyone with respect and courtesy.

Definitely going to be getting more Garwood historicals from the library ASAP!