"Tidewater Bride" by Laura Frantz

Selah Hopewell seems to be the only woman in Virginia Colony who has no wish to wed. She already has her hands full assisting her father in the family's shop, and now she is in charge of an incoming ship of tobacco brides who must be looked after as they sort through their many suitors. Xander Renick is perhaps the most eligible tobacco lord in the settlement. His lands are vast, his crops are prized, and his position as a mediator between the colonists and the powerful Powhatan nation surrounding them makes him indispensable. But Xander is already wedded to his business and still grieves the loss of his wife. Can two fiercely independent people find happiness and fulfillment on their own? Or will they discover that what they've been missing in life has been right in front of them all along?

Inspired by the story of Pocahontas--or the aftermath of her death--Tidewater Bride brings to life the history of Jamestown and the early Virginia colony. It's expected how certain aspects of life were so very different in the 1630's, and yet it's amazing what was already established--tobacco plantations, the slave trade, shipping routes with India. Relations between colonists and natives were tenuous at best, given the common practice of treachery on all sides, but I really liked the peace child trade (hard as it would be) as a genuine attempt to foster long-lasting peace. I don't know if that was historically accurate to the Jamestown settlement, but it was beautiful and heart-breaking regardless.

As to Xander and Selah, they certainly dance around each other long enough. Both are quite independent, but likeable as well. I didn't completely understand all of Selah's reservations about marrying Xander, but then, we get to see his perspective and she doesn't. But it is satisfying when they finally get together, even amid circumstances one would not wish. The secondary characters were delightful--Xander's aunt, all of Selah's family, little Watseka (I'd especially love to know what happens with her when she grows up!). I appreciated a book with a good father-figure for a change--sometimes they feel few and far between, but Ustus was wonderful.

Thank you Revell and Netgalley for the complimentary e-book. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions are my own.