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The Wedding Journey
A marriage for protection in the midst of a wartime retreat becomes the passion of a lifetime in this classic Signet Regency Romance from Carla Kelly.
Set against the vivid historical background of the Napoleonic Wars, The Wedding Journey is the unforgettable story of Captain Jesse Randall, assistant surgeon of Marching Hospital Number Eight, and his undying love for beautiful, young Nell Mason. A battlefield is no place to wage a campaign of love, and even if it was, Jesse is far too shy to ever confess his love to Nell, who helps the surgeons in the field hospital.
Her father, Captain Bertie Mason, is a compulsive gambler, and when Nell’s mother dies, he desperately agrees to marry her to the despicable Major William Bones to relieve his crushing gambling debts. To prevent such a fate, Jesse hastily weds Nell. He doesn’t dare hope she’ll ever return his devotion.
A marriage on the front lines of the Napoleonic Wars would be difficult enough, but now Major Bones is out for vengeance. As the British army retreats from Burgos for Portugal, Jesse, Nell, and a handful of the sick and stragglers are left behind to fend for themselves. The newly married couple must now draw on all their strength to survive and save their small band, and somehow nurture a love that can endure the most trying of journeys...
Set against the vivid historical background of the Napoleonic Wars, The Wedding Journey is the unforgettable story of Captain Jesse Randall, assistant surgeon of Marching Hospital Number Eight, and his undying love for beautiful, young Nell Mason. A battlefield is no place to wage a campaign of love, and even if it was, Jesse is far too shy to ever confess his love to Nell, who helps the surgeons in the field hospital.
Her father, Captain Bertie Mason, is a compulsive gambler, and when Nell’s mother dies, he desperately agrees to marry her to the despicable Major William Bones to relieve his crushing gambling debts. To prevent such a fate, Jesse hastily weds Nell. He doesn’t dare hope she’ll ever return his devotion.
A marriage on the front lines of the Napoleonic Wars would be difficult enough, but now Major Bones is out for vengeance. As the British army retreats from Burgos for Portugal, Jesse, Nell, and a handful of the sick and stragglers are left behind to fend for themselves. The newly married couple must now draw on all their strength to survive and save their small band, and somehow nurture a love that can endure the most trying of journeys...
244 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 3, 2002
84 people are currently reading
911 people want to read
About the author
Carla Kelly
137 books804 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Although Carla Kelly is well known among her readers as a writer of Regency romance, her main interest (and first writing success) is Western American fiction—more specifically, writing about America's Indian Wars. Although she had sold some of her work before, it was not until Carla began work in the National Park Service as a ranger/historian at Fort Laramie National Historic Site did she get serious about her writing career. (Or as she would be the first to admit, as serious as it gets.)
Carla wrote a series of what she now refers to as the "Fort Laramie stories," which are tales of the men, women and children of the Indian Wars era in Western history. Two of her stories, A Season for Heroes and Kathleen Flaherty's Long Winter, earned her Spur Awards from the Western Writers of America. She was the second woman to earn two Spurs from WWA (which, as everyone knows, is all you need to ride a horse). Her entire Indian Wars collection was published in 2003 as Here's to the Ladies: Stories of the Frontier Army. It remains her favorite work.
The mother of five children, Carla has always allowed her kids to earn their keep by appearing in her Regencies, most notably Marian's Christmas Wish, which is peopled by all kinds of relatives. Grown now, the Kelly kids are scattered here and there across the U.S. They continue to provide feedback, furnish fodder for stories and make frantic phone calls home during the holidays for recipes. (Carla Kelly is some cook.)
Carla's husband, Martin, is Director of Theatre at Valley City State University, in Valley City, North Dakota. Carla is currently overworked as a staff writer at the local daily newspaper. She also writes a weekly, award-winning column, "Prairie Lite."
Carla only started writing Regencies because of her interest in the Napoleonic Wars, which figures in many of her Regency novels and short stories. She specializes in writing about warfare at sea, and about the ordinary people of the British Isles who were, let's face it, far more numerous than lords and ladies.
Hobbies? She likes to crochet afghans, and read British crime fiction and history, principally military history. She's never happier than talking about the fur trade or Indian Wars with Park Service cronies. Her most recent gig with the National Park Service was at Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site on the Montana/North Dakota border.
Here's another side to this somewhat prosaic woman: She recently edited the fur trade journal of Swiss artist Rudolf F. Kurz (the 1851-1852 portion), and is gratified now and then to be asked to speak on scholarly subjects. She has also worked for the State Historical Society of North Dakota as a contract researcher. This has taken her to glamorous drudgery in several national archives and military history repositories. Gray archives boxes and old documents make her salivate.
Her mantra for writing comes from the subject of her thesis, Robert Utley, that dean of Indian Wars history. He told her the secret to writing is "to put your ass in the chair and keep it there until you're done." He's right, of course.
Her three favorite fictional works have remained constant through the years, although their rankings tend to shift: War and Peace, The Lawrenceville Stories, and A Town Like Alice. Favorite historical works are One Vast Winter Count, On the Border with Mackenzie and Crossing the Line. Favorite crime fiction authors are Michael Connelly, John Harvey and Peter Robinson.
And that's all she can think of that would interest anyone. Carla Kelly is quite ordinary, except when she is sometimes prevailed upon to sing a scurrilous song about lumberjacks, or warble "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" in Latin. Then you m
Although Carla Kelly is well known among her readers as a writer of Regency romance, her main interest (and first writing success) is Western American fiction—more specifically, writing about America's Indian Wars. Although she had sold some of her work before, it was not until Carla began work in the National Park Service as a ranger/historian at Fort Laramie National Historic Site did she get serious about her writing career. (Or as she would be the first to admit, as serious as it gets.)
Carla wrote a series of what she now refers to as the "Fort Laramie stories," which are tales of the men, women and children of the Indian Wars era in Western history. Two of her stories, A Season for Heroes and Kathleen Flaherty's Long Winter, earned her Spur Awards from the Western Writers of America. She was the second woman to earn two Spurs from WWA (which, as everyone knows, is all you need to ride a horse). Her entire Indian Wars collection was published in 2003 as Here's to the Ladies: Stories of the Frontier Army. It remains her favorite work.
The mother of five children, Carla has always allowed her kids to earn their keep by appearing in her Regencies, most notably Marian's Christmas Wish, which is peopled by all kinds of relatives. Grown now, the Kelly kids are scattered here and there across the U.S. They continue to provide feedback, furnish fodder for stories and make frantic phone calls home during the holidays for recipes. (Carla Kelly is some cook.)
Carla's husband, Martin, is Director of Theatre at Valley City State University, in Valley City, North Dakota. Carla is currently overworked as a staff writer at the local daily newspaper. She also writes a weekly, award-winning column, "Prairie Lite."
Carla only started writing Regencies because of her interest in the Napoleonic Wars, which figures in many of her Regency novels and short stories. She specializes in writing about warfare at sea, and about the ordinary people of the British Isles who were, let's face it, far more numerous than lords and ladies.
Hobbies? She likes to crochet afghans, and read British crime fiction and history, principally military history. She's never happier than talking about the fur trade or Indian Wars with Park Service cronies. Her most recent gig with the National Park Service was at Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site on the Montana/North Dakota border.
Here's another side to this somewhat prosaic woman: She recently edited the fur trade journal of Swiss artist Rudolf F. Kurz (the 1851-1852 portion), and is gratified now and then to be asked to speak on scholarly subjects. She has also worked for the State Historical Society of North Dakota as a contract researcher. This has taken her to glamorous drudgery in several national archives and military history repositories. Gray archives boxes and old documents make her salivate.
Her mantra for writing comes from the subject of her thesis, Robert Utley, that dean of Indian Wars history. He told her the secret to writing is "to put your ass in the chair and keep it there until you're done." He's right, of course.
Her three favorite fictional works have remained constant through the years, although their rankings tend to shift: War and Peace, The Lawrenceville Stories, and A Town Like Alice. Favorite historical works are One Vast Winter Count, On the Border with Mackenzie and Crossing the Line. Favorite crime fiction authors are Michael Connelly, John Harvey and Peter Robinson.
And that's all she can think of that would interest anyone. Carla Kelly is quite ordinary, except when she is sometimes prevailed upon to sing a scurrilous song about lumberjacks, or warble "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" in Latin. Then you m
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 129 reviews
May 17, 2018
This novel was so much more than the title or cover would suggest, and I wasn’t expecting that so I was pleasantly surprised!
Elinor Mason‘s father was a compulsive gambler and drowning in debt led him to the decision of marrying off Elinor to Major Bones - horrible guy - to pay off his debts. Upon learning this, Captain Jesse Randall, who had always felt something for Elinor, decided to marry her to protect her and hence started their “Wedding Journey”.
Set during the Napoleon War, the author really captured the struggles and conflict of natives and soldiers alike unwillingly dragged into the war. The love story felt more in the background to this war which I actually enjoyed. And it wasn’t solely about Jesse and Elinor. I got to meet so many wonderful characters whom I utterly adored! They were such courageous, determined people, who never gave up. When one’s step faltered and slipped, another lent a shoulder, and on they carried with their journey. Despite such misery, poverty, and death that surrounded them, they continued to laugh and joke with each other, and even sing! which I thought was really sweet ✨
tis a 3.5 from me 🙌🏼
Elinor Mason‘s father was a compulsive gambler and drowning in debt led him to the decision of marrying off Elinor to Major Bones - horrible guy - to pay off his debts. Upon learning this, Captain Jesse Randall, who had always felt something for Elinor, decided to marry her to protect her and hence started their “Wedding Journey”.
Set during the Napoleon War, the author really captured the struggles and conflict of natives and soldiers alike unwillingly dragged into the war. The love story felt more in the background to this war which I actually enjoyed. And it wasn’t solely about Jesse and Elinor. I got to meet so many wonderful characters whom I utterly adored! They were such courageous, determined people, who never gave up. When one’s step faltered and slipped, another lent a shoulder, and on they carried with their journey. Despite such misery, poverty, and death that surrounded them, they continued to laugh and joke with each other, and even sing! which I thought was really sweet ✨
tis a 3.5 from me 🙌🏼
April 16, 2012
4 1/2 stars
This was my first book by Carla Kelly and now I'm wondering why I've waited so long to give her a try. I have to thank my dear GR friend Danielle for bringing this book to my attention. :)
Captain Jesse Cameron Randall, assistant surgeon of Marching Hospital Number Eight, has been in love with Elinore "Nell" Mason for years, but the battlefields of the Napoleonic Wars are no place to woo. Plus, he's just too shy to act on his feelings. Fortunately, fate decides to get these two together and plays its hand...
Due to her father's irresponsability and her mother's weakness, Nell has been taking care of her family since the tender age of ten. She's no stranger to the hardships of war, but things get worse when her mother finally dies after a long-suffering illness, her father proves himself to be unreliable once again and Major Bones (ugh, what a despicable man!) sets his sleazy, lustful eyes on her. Nell could have been fairly safe against Major Bones if it wasn't for the upcoming retreat. Thanks to Nell's father, most of his fellow officers wouldn't care about his family under ordinary circumstances, but during a retreat, they would be concerned only about themselves and their own families, so Nell would be completely left on her own and an easy prey for Major Bones.
In order to protect Nell against Major Bones' clutches, Jesse marries her right before the retreat. Obviously, the heinous Major isn't one to accept defeat easily and, taking advantage of his position, manages to trick all the English Army Units into leaving Jesse's medical unit (and some sick patients) behind during the retreat. And that's how Jesse and Nell's wedding journey begins... Will they be able to escape the approaching French Army and reach the Portuguese border safely? Will Jesse agree to an anullment and let Nell go once they're there? Will she want to leave then?
This was one of the best Trad Regency novels I've ever read. I loved Jesse, the ultimate beta hero. He was painfully shy, kind-hearted, protective, average-looking and quite unique. When I learned that this story took place during the Napoleonic Wars, I expected to find a chest-thumping, know-it-all, bigger-than-life alpha hero. Boy, was I wrong! Jesse was nothing like that and while I love an alpha hero, I couldn't help falling hard for him. I think that the fact that most of the story was told from his POV helped me to really connect with him, as I got to see how much he loved Nell, cared for everyone else and struggled with his feelings.
As for Nell, I liked her and she was perfect for Jesse, but I'm not sure I got to know her very well. She was as good-hearted as him, calm, efficient and, thankfully, not bound to hysterics. Not that I'd blame her if she was, considering what she went through on her "honeymoon", LOL. It was easy to believe she fell in love with him - hey, I did! - but something was missing. I can't quite put my finger on it, though.
All the secondary characters were well-drawn, adding more depth to the story. Captain Mason (Nell's father), Major Bones (the master villain), Major Sheffield (the chief surgeon), Harper, Wilkie, Leger, the Spanish peasants they met along the journey... All of them had individual personalities and lives, and it was interesting to see how the war affected each of them. Some sad and heartbreaking moments there, that's all I'm going to say.
All in all, this was a very good read, with remarkable characters and a story with the right amount of romance, action, suspense and drama. This wasn't a light read, as Ms. Kelly didn't skirt around the dreadful consequences of war. That doesn't mean that this was a heavy read either, because somehow these people found a way to lighten the mood now and then. Not in a silly and inconsequential fashion, but in a heartwarming way.
I really enjoyed Ms. Kelly's writing style and I'm definitely going to track her backlist, even though I don't see myself reading her books back to back. Why? Because I need some smut every once in a while and a steady diet of Trad Regency novels would make me very antsy, LOL.
This was my first book by Carla Kelly and now I'm wondering why I've waited so long to give her a try. I have to thank my dear GR friend Danielle for bringing this book to my attention. :)
Captain Jesse Cameron Randall, assistant surgeon of Marching Hospital Number Eight, has been in love with Elinore "Nell" Mason for years, but the battlefields of the Napoleonic Wars are no place to woo. Plus, he's just too shy to act on his feelings. Fortunately, fate decides to get these two together and plays its hand...
Due to her father's irresponsability and her mother's weakness, Nell has been taking care of her family since the tender age of ten. She's no stranger to the hardships of war, but things get worse when her mother finally dies after a long-suffering illness, her father proves himself to be unreliable once again and Major Bones (ugh, what a despicable man!) sets his sleazy, lustful eyes on her. Nell could have been fairly safe against Major Bones if it wasn't for the upcoming retreat. Thanks to Nell's father, most of his fellow officers wouldn't care about his family under ordinary circumstances, but during a retreat, they would be concerned only about themselves and their own families, so Nell would be completely left on her own and an easy prey for Major Bones.
In order to protect Nell against Major Bones' clutches, Jesse marries her right before the retreat. Obviously, the heinous Major isn't one to accept defeat easily and, taking advantage of his position, manages to trick all the English Army Units into leaving Jesse's medical unit (and some sick patients) behind during the retreat. And that's how Jesse and Nell's wedding journey begins... Will they be able to escape the approaching French Army and reach the Portuguese border safely? Will Jesse agree to an anullment and let Nell go once they're there? Will she want to leave then?
This was one of the best Trad Regency novels I've ever read. I loved Jesse, the ultimate beta hero. He was painfully shy, kind-hearted, protective, average-looking and quite unique. When I learned that this story took place during the Napoleonic Wars, I expected to find a chest-thumping, know-it-all, bigger-than-life alpha hero. Boy, was I wrong! Jesse was nothing like that and while I love an alpha hero, I couldn't help falling hard for him. I think that the fact that most of the story was told from his POV helped me to really connect with him, as I got to see how much he loved Nell, cared for everyone else and struggled with his feelings.
As for Nell, I liked her and she was perfect for Jesse, but I'm not sure I got to know her very well. She was as good-hearted as him, calm, efficient and, thankfully, not bound to hysterics. Not that I'd blame her if she was, considering what she went through on her "honeymoon", LOL. It was easy to believe she fell in love with him - hey, I did! - but something was missing. I can't quite put my finger on it, though.
All the secondary characters were well-drawn, adding more depth to the story. Captain Mason (Nell's father), Major Bones (the master villain), Major Sheffield (the chief surgeon), Harper, Wilkie, Leger, the Spanish peasants they met along the journey... All of them had individual personalities and lives, and it was interesting to see how the war affected each of them. Some sad and heartbreaking moments there, that's all I'm going to say.
All in all, this was a very good read, with remarkable characters and a story with the right amount of romance, action, suspense and drama. This wasn't a light read, as Ms. Kelly didn't skirt around the dreadful consequences of war. That doesn't mean that this was a heavy read either, because somehow these people found a way to lighten the mood now and then. Not in a silly and inconsequential fashion, but in a heartwarming way.
I really enjoyed Ms. Kelly's writing style and I'm definitely going to track her backlist, even though I don't see myself reading her books back to back. Why? Because I need some smut every once in a while and a steady diet of Trad Regency novels would make me very antsy, LOL.
January 7, 2009
This book was a joy to read. It was so well-written and engaging. Jesse is a hero you cannot help but love and admire. His steadfast, deep love for Elinore remains silent for a long time, but when she has need of him, he moves heaven and earth for her. Jesse is considered shy, but he is the perfect example of the shy person who has a core and will of steel. As a doctor, he is not a violent person by nature, but his intellect and strong sense of morality and resourcefulness are much more enjoyable. The sensuality is very subtle but pleasantly evident. When Jesse and Nell consummate their marriage, it's so well-done you want to reread it. It's nice to read a book where the love relationship is evidenced in so many ways in addition to bedroom scenes. This book takes place on the frontlines of the Napoleonic Wars in Spain. Jesse is a doctor in the army, and Elinore is an aid in the army hospital, and the daughter of a ne'er do well officer. When her mother dies, an unscrupulous major calls in her father's debt, asking for her in exchange for the large sum that her father cannot come up with. When push comes to shove, Jesse offers to marry her to save her from ruin. He does it because it's the right thing to do, but also because he truly, deeply loves her. His love for Nell will bring warmth and light to your heart as you read this book. The good news is that his regard is returned. Nell has always thought Jesse to be out of her reach, but she has admired him, and felt deep affection for him. Her affection believably turns into love as she spends time with him, and realizes that he would do just about anything for her. The journey is fraught with danger, but there is also lots of humor, sometimes off-color as you are reading about people who are in the military and face life and death every day. Kelly's writing feels period to me, but also has a warmth, intelligence, and humor that is irresistible. Jesse is mostly the third person narrator, and he has the dry but hilarious Scottish wit that I cannot ever resist in a character or person. He represents the shy person that doesn't speak unless they really have something to say, and when they do, you listen. I cannot recommend this book highly enough for those lovers of romance who want to go back to basics and see the journey that two lovers take as they come to realize their future is together.
May 19, 2024
It's not everyday that you come across a historical romance where the hero is genuinely so nice and yet not boring at all, and truly heroic. His tentative, shy, self-deprecating inner monologue was endearing. The heroine was great too.
In addition to a very sweet romance, the author paints a vivid picture of the life of a camp follower in the British army during the Napoleonic wars. The heroine has "followed the drum" all her life. While it has put an immense strain on her, her spirit, far from being broken, is resilient. The hero, an Army surgeon, loves her secretly from afar until circumstances become conducive to a marriage of convenience. As the British Army retreats from its position in Spain (an ally of the UK against Napoleon), hero and heroine get left behind along with their marching hospital. With the French breathing down their necks, and their Spanish allies untrustworthy, the hero and heroine undertake this hazardous wedding journey across Spain.
This is not your usual kind of "regency" romance, where elegant courtships are played out in the drawing rooms and ballrooms or even country cottages, of London aristocrats. (As such, the book cover is misleading). This is war at its plainest, unglorified, cruel, and literally taking no prisoners.
The Wedding Journey is my second historical book from Carla Kelly, the first one taking place in a completely different era and setting (Daughter of Fortune), and I enjoyed them both for different reasons.
In addition to a very sweet romance, the author paints a vivid picture of the life of a camp follower in the British army during the Napoleonic wars. The heroine has "followed the drum" all her life. While it has put an immense strain on her, her spirit, far from being broken, is resilient. The hero, an Army surgeon, loves her secretly from afar until circumstances become conducive to a marriage of convenience. As the British Army retreats from its position in Spain (an ally of the UK against Napoleon), hero and heroine get left behind along with their marching hospital. With the French breathing down their necks, and their Spanish allies untrustworthy, the hero and heroine undertake this hazardous wedding journey across Spain.
This is not your usual kind of "regency" romance, where elegant courtships are played out in the drawing rooms and ballrooms or even country cottages, of London aristocrats. (As such, the book cover is misleading). This is war at its plainest, unglorified, cruel, and literally taking no prisoners.
The Wedding Journey is my second historical book from Carla Kelly, the first one taking place in a completely different era and setting (Daughter of Fortune), and I enjoyed them both for different reasons.
July 8, 2022
My favorite thing about Carla Kelly's historical romances is that she tends to write about ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances.
Jesse is a 30-year-old surgeon in her majesty's army. He's very shy and just does his job with no fuss. He has known Nell since she was a girl, neglected by her parents, and trying to survive in an army camp. She is now all grown up and her father's gambling debts put her in danger of being sold to an evil major. Jesse rescues her by marrying her before the major can get to her first.
Jesse has been in love with Elinore for a while, but he's too shy to make his feelings known. He's thrilled to be married to Elinore, she's an amazing young woman. However, the jilted major does them dirty and leaves them abandoned in a field after the army retreat. Jesse and Elinore must find a way to follow the army and get to Portugal while taking care of the others with them.
The majority of this story is told as the H/h travel on the way to Portugal. Jesse must learn to step up, put aside his shyness, and be the leader he was meant to be. Elinore learns to love the H and be a partner. The book also has an array of secondary characters who I fell in love with. They are a loveable crew.
Carla Kelly writes with such emotion and the circumstances of the characters touch my heart. I found myself getting teary-eyed several times during the book. The H/h have all sorts of challenges and adventures before they get to their HEA, but it was well deserved and made me happy.
Safety
Jesse is a 30-year-old surgeon in her majesty's army. He's very shy and just does his job with no fuss. He has known Nell since she was a girl, neglected by her parents, and trying to survive in an army camp. She is now all grown up and her father's gambling debts put her in danger of being sold to an evil major. Jesse rescues her by marrying her before the major can get to her first.
Jesse has been in love with Elinore for a while, but he's too shy to make his feelings known. He's thrilled to be married to Elinore, she's an amazing young woman. However, the jilted major does them dirty and leaves them abandoned in a field after the army retreat. Jesse and Elinore must find a way to follow the army and get to Portugal while taking care of the others with them.
The majority of this story is told as the H/h travel on the way to Portugal. Jesse must learn to step up, put aside his shyness, and be the leader he was meant to be. Elinore learns to love the H and be a partner. The book also has an array of secondary characters who I fell in love with. They are a loveable crew.
Carla Kelly writes with such emotion and the circumstances of the characters touch my heart. I found myself getting teary-eyed several times during the book. The H/h have all sorts of challenges and adventures before they get to their HEA, but it was well deserved and made me happy.
Safety
January 15, 2025
3.5 stars
A sometimes wrenching, sometimes too fantastical tale of a shy surgeon, Captain Jesse Randall, who marries camp follower Nell, whom he’s loved from afar for two years, to save her from being sold to a sadistic Major to settle her father’s gambling debts during the Napoleonic wars. The Major retaliates by ensuring Captain Randall’s hospital unit is abandoned during a retreat, forcing the small unit to attempt to cross war-weary Spain while avoiding French troops to reunite with Wellington’s British forces in Portugal.
It was a “wedding journey” fraught with tragedy, sorrow, constant danger, hardship, revelations, sacrifice, and a growing love between Jesse and Nell.
No real surprises in the way this unfolds, although the historical facts were interesting. The two main characters were likable and admirable. Some things that happened were unbelievable, which is a problem in a story this strongly grounded in the horrors of war.
It was good—I teared up several times—but not as good as I was hoping for.
A sometimes wrenching, sometimes too fantastical tale of a shy surgeon, Captain Jesse Randall, who marries camp follower Nell, whom he’s loved from afar for two years, to save her from being sold to a sadistic Major to settle her father’s gambling debts during the Napoleonic wars. The Major retaliates by ensuring Captain Randall’s hospital unit is abandoned during a retreat, forcing the small unit to attempt to cross war-weary Spain while avoiding French troops to reunite with Wellington’s British forces in Portugal.
It was a “wedding journey” fraught with tragedy, sorrow, constant danger, hardship, revelations, sacrifice, and a growing love between Jesse and Nell.
No real surprises in the way this unfolds, although the historical facts were interesting. The two main characters were likable and admirable. Some things that happened were unbelievable, which is a problem in a story this strongly grounded in the horrors of war.
It was good—I teared up several times—but not as good as I was hoping for.
February 12, 2019
EVERYONE JUST SHUDDUP and STOP! WHAT! YOU! ARE ! DOING! and tap into the part of your brain that remembers the old Sharpe series with Sean Bean ( for no other reason than it gives you a good visual of the landscape) and listen in because
I FREAKING LOVE THIS BOOK TO DEATH!
it is SO Rachel catnip! SO!
So what we have here is a lot of stuff I love in my romance reading
> beta hero ( note: beta doesn't mean nerd--- beta means a guy who is AWESOME in a situation but is of a little gentler approach and one be rogue-ing his way across the ton to seduce the fair maiden while also hunting tigers, bragging of exploits with his mistresses, and being played by a Hemsworth. no. )
>ARMY and or NAVAL SURGEON (because Stephen Maturin is LIFE)
> INTELLIGENT AND RESOURCEFUL HEROINE!
> gorgeous writing
>sensuality saved for marriage/and or strong commitment
> gorgeous writing (again!)
> a fantastic and dimensional group of surrounding characters
> hero pines for heroine and NOT JUST BECAUSE SHE IS HOT
> hero and heroine begin romance grounded in friendship
and finally...the trope to end all tropes...
MARRIAGE OF FREAKING CONVENIENCE
guyssss! This is the first Carla Kelly book I have ever read and even though the cover looks like the above, it is not your typical genre pocketbook mass market Regency. Don't get me wrong, I read all genres. No shame. I love myself some romance in any marketing or form or vision. BUT... I put this here to let you know it is AS good as any of the mainstream historical fiction I read ( which is a lot). Like, as much as I love me some swoony earls and widows compromised in a gazebo at Lord Mariville's Winter Ball, I also read me the heck out of CS Forester and Patrick O' Brian and Arturo Perez Reverte and Bernard Cornwell. I ! LOVE! IT ! ALL !
And this is just exceptional writing. FIRST off, Kelly has, like, the anti-voice for this type of story. It is introspective, extremely psychological, drily witty and pragmatic. Which suits her hero so well.
Her research! FANTASTIC! we are completely immersed into the Peninsular wars and, what is more, get a true sense of life as a mobile and nomadic army unit. The gore and tension of a Europe at war is so well exercised under Kelly's more than competent pen.
Then... oh then... we get Jesse Randall who is just the bestest! First off, he is shy... but extremely intelligent and oh! so! competent at his job. He is respected, he is smart, he is rich---he just isn't the scheming-but-dashing-with-heart-of-gold Cornelius Devlin, Earl of Rakewith ---because not all heroes need to be. He isn't constantly strutting through the season with tightened breeches and a clean cravat because his job is dirty---but a calling.
So Jesse! (Jess <3 ) is kinda like the beta Neil MacNeill from "Christy." He has red hair, a gorgeous accent and is a surgical genius. Jess pines for Elinor "Nell", Captain Mason's daughter who is always around Marching Hospital #8 (early M*A*S*H) and ends up helping in the surgical tent. Her father is a gambling doofus who promises Nell to Major William Bones (think Obadiah Hakeswill, you Sharpe readers and viewers) to pay a gambling debt. Jesse hears this and is like....erm.... no
But what can he do? He loves her from afar, he never actually thinks that he will speak of his longtime and forever devotion...
but his lady love is compromised by the prospect of an abusive union so...
GAHHHHHHHHHHHHH
HE MARRIES HER TO PROTECT HER ! and promises her father and the unit that he will only take her across the front lines to safety across the border of Portugal where they can annul the marriage.
Talk about a hero.
But here is the thing: Nell doesn't harbour immediate love for Jesse (Jess! ) but she has always liked him. She trusts him and they have an affinity and rapport and the aching and wonderful way in which she slowly and believably senses that friendship and respect shifting to love is so delicately and beautifully sewn into the tapestry of a book about character and conscience.
This be a moral piece, kids. This is not Wed' Em and Bed 'Em Volume III (maybe I should copyright that title?), this is a slow-building romance between two people who deserve each other and the passion they eventually find.
Because one of the most attractive things about Jesse (JESS!) is that he sees more in people than they do themselves. So, when the unit abandons them and they eke their way from impoverished war-torn village to impoverished war-torn village providing clinical care, he knows his ragtag crew is able of more than they see in themselves.
Part of why Nell begins to love Jesse (JESSSS!!) is that she begins to recognize this: not for herself, but for the two other army men and a French straggler who ends up with them.
And what Jesse (JESSS!!! ) recognizes is that Nell sees him as a hero and that slowly dissolves the barriers around his heart so often perceived as shyness. He wants to protect her. He wants to treat her kindly. He wants his men to survive and the patients in his care to feel comfortable.
Is he just shy---or is he just incredibly self-aware and introspective and willing to forego mansplaining just to hear himself talk because he has a core masculine pride not stemming from his amazing physique?
(spoiler alert: ALL THREE)
This is an intelligent, moving and absolutely spell-binding romance that I gobbled up as if it were the large bag of Bulk Barn cinnamon hearts I am consuming at an alarming pace. My soul and brain feel fed but... obviously I also swooned because ... once again for the people in the back....
CATNIP!
ugh!
off to read every other Carla Kelly book ever written
FOREVER
I FREAKING LOVE THIS BOOK TO DEATH!
it is SO Rachel catnip! SO!
So what we have here is a lot of stuff I love in my romance reading
> beta hero ( note: beta doesn't mean nerd--- beta means a guy who is AWESOME in a situation but is of a little gentler approach and one be rogue-ing his way across the ton to seduce the fair maiden while also hunting tigers, bragging of exploits with his mistresses, and being played by a Hemsworth. no. )
>ARMY and or NAVAL SURGEON (because Stephen Maturin is LIFE)
> INTELLIGENT AND RESOURCEFUL HEROINE!
> gorgeous writing
>sensuality saved for marriage/and or strong commitment
> gorgeous writing (again!)
> a fantastic and dimensional group of surrounding characters
> hero pines for heroine and NOT JUST BECAUSE SHE IS HOT
> hero and heroine begin romance grounded in friendship
and finally...the trope to end all tropes...
MARRIAGE OF FREAKING CONVENIENCE
guyssss! This is the first Carla Kelly book I have ever read and even though the cover looks like the above, it is not your typical genre pocketbook mass market Regency. Don't get me wrong, I read all genres. No shame. I love myself some romance in any marketing or form or vision. BUT... I put this here to let you know it is AS good as any of the mainstream historical fiction I read ( which is a lot). Like, as much as I love me some swoony earls and widows compromised in a gazebo at Lord Mariville's Winter Ball, I also read me the heck out of CS Forester and Patrick O' Brian and Arturo Perez Reverte and Bernard Cornwell. I ! LOVE! IT ! ALL !
And this is just exceptional writing. FIRST off, Kelly has, like, the anti-voice for this type of story. It is introspective, extremely psychological, drily witty and pragmatic. Which suits her hero so well.
Her research! FANTASTIC! we are completely immersed into the Peninsular wars and, what is more, get a true sense of life as a mobile and nomadic army unit. The gore and tension of a Europe at war is so well exercised under Kelly's more than competent pen.
Then... oh then... we get Jesse Randall who is just the bestest! First off, he is shy... but extremely intelligent and oh! so! competent at his job. He is respected, he is smart, he is rich---he just isn't the scheming-but-dashing-with-heart-of-gold Cornelius Devlin, Earl of Rakewith ---because not all heroes need to be. He isn't constantly strutting through the season with tightened breeches and a clean cravat because his job is dirty---but a calling.
So Jesse! (Jess <3 ) is kinda like the beta Neil MacNeill from "Christy." He has red hair, a gorgeous accent and is a surgical genius. Jess pines for Elinor "Nell", Captain Mason's daughter who is always around Marching Hospital #8 (early M*A*S*H) and ends up helping in the surgical tent. Her father is a gambling doofus who promises Nell to Major William Bones (think Obadiah Hakeswill, you Sharpe readers and viewers) to pay a gambling debt. Jesse hears this and is like....erm.... no
But what can he do? He loves her from afar, he never actually thinks that he will speak of his longtime and forever devotion...
but his lady love is compromised by the prospect of an abusive union so...
GAHHHHHHHHHHHHH
HE MARRIES HER TO PROTECT HER ! and promises her father and the unit that he will only take her across the front lines to safety across the border of Portugal where they can annul the marriage.
Talk about a hero.
But here is the thing: Nell doesn't harbour immediate love for Jesse (Jess! ) but she has always liked him. She trusts him and they have an affinity and rapport and the aching and wonderful way in which she slowly and believably senses that friendship and respect shifting to love is so delicately and beautifully sewn into the tapestry of a book about character and conscience.
This be a moral piece, kids. This is not Wed' Em and Bed 'Em Volume III (maybe I should copyright that title?), this is a slow-building romance between two people who deserve each other and the passion they eventually find.
Because one of the most attractive things about Jesse (JESS!) is that he sees more in people than they do themselves. So, when the unit abandons them and they eke their way from impoverished war-torn village to impoverished war-torn village providing clinical care, he knows his ragtag crew is able of more than they see in themselves.
Part of why Nell begins to love Jesse (JESSSS!!) is that she begins to recognize this: not for herself, but for the two other army men and a French straggler who ends up with them.
And what Jesse (JESSS!!! ) recognizes is that Nell sees him as a hero and that slowly dissolves the barriers around his heart so often perceived as shyness. He wants to protect her. He wants to treat her kindly. He wants his men to survive and the patients in his care to feel comfortable.
Is he just shy---or is he just incredibly self-aware and introspective and willing to forego mansplaining just to hear himself talk because he has a core masculine pride not stemming from his amazing physique?
(spoiler alert: ALL THREE)
This is an intelligent, moving and absolutely spell-binding romance that I gobbled up as if it were the large bag of Bulk Barn cinnamon hearts I am consuming at an alarming pace. My soul and brain feel fed but... obviously I also swooned because ... once again for the people in the back....
CATNIP!
ugh!
off to read every other Carla Kelly book ever written
FOREVER
June 21, 2017
4.5 stars
For June’s TBR Challenge prompt of Favourite Trope, I turned to Carla Kelly’s The Wedding Journey, the story of a marriage of convenience made during wartime in order to protect the heroine from the threat of being sold off in marriage to pay her father’s debts. In the hands of this author, however, the story is so much more than the story of two people thrust unexpectedly into marriage; set amid the slaughter and chaos of the Peninsular War, it’s also a story of the struggle to survive against the odds and of how the most ordinary person can call on reserves deep inside to achieve the truly extraordinary.
Elinore Mason - Nell – has followed the drum for as long as she can remember. Her father, a captain, is a hard drinker and gambler who doesn’t spare a moment’s thought for his wife and daughter – other than for what they can do for him – and the time Nell doesn’t spend with her ailing mother is spent in the hospital tent, tending to the sick and wounded and helping however she can. Captain Jesse Randall is a highly competent surgeon, widely respected, well-liked, but quiet and shy – and has been hopelessly in love with Nell for years.
The smarmy Major William Bones also has his eye on Nell, but his intentions are not at all honourable. After Nell’s mother dies, her father, who is deeply in debt to Bones, agrees to give Nell to him as payment – but to prevent this, Jesse steps up and offers to marry her instead. He doesn’t have any hope that Nell will ever return his love, but he knows she likes him well enough; and in any case, they can have the marriage annulled at a later date.
Bones, furious at having Nell snatched away from him exacts his revenge in a most appalling way. With the army preparing to retreat from Burgos into Portugal, Marching Hospital Number Eight is packed up and ready to go the next morning – and awakens to discover that they have been abandoned thanks to Bones’ machinations. The unit’s commanding officer, Major Sheffield, Jesse and Nell are left with a handful of sick soldiers and army stragglers to fend for themselves and make their own way into Portugal without transport, supplies or protection – and with the French army not far behind them.
The Wedding Journey is probably the most unusual marriage of convenience story I’ve ever read. Jesse and Nell are both likeable, sensible and determined people and there’s never really any question that they are meant to be together, but the circumstances in which they find themselves continually test them and the bonds they forge as they face danger, sickness, great tragedy and even a madman are perhaps all the stronger for everything that they are forced to go through together.
As is the case with all of Carla Kelly’s books set during the Napoleonic Wars, she doesn’t sugar-coat the difficulties her small band of brothers are facing and nor does she pull her punches when it comes to gritty reality, unafraid to show the terrible consequences of war in all its dirt, blood and horror. But while the odds against Jesse and Nell are overwhelming, Ms. Kelly still manages to find time for them to talk and learn about each other and even to share the odd joke to lighten the mood.
The book is narrated almost entirely by Jesse, who is, quite simply, the most adorable beta hero. He’s a ginger-haired Scot, with a dry sense of humour – his inner monologue with Hippocrates is funny and allows us to learn quite a lot about him – he’s resourceful, kind and protective, and is thoroughly dedicated to doing the best for those under his care. He’s also got a steel backbone and an innate authority that he doesn’t use very often and didn’t really know he had, but which makes him a natural leader and someone who inspires trust in others and makes them want to do their best for him. With the bulk of the story told from his PoV, the reader is able to really connect with him and to see and understand the depth of his compassion and his love for Nell, whom he would do absolutely anything to keep safe.
We don’t spend as much time in Nell’s PoV, so she feels a little less well-developed, but it’s easy to see that she’s clever, strong and resilient and that she’s a little bit smitten with Jesse, but, believing herself to have nothing to offer him besides bad luck and a wastrel father, hadn’t ever thought to look for anything more than friendship. But as they journey through a Spain laid waste by two opposing armies, she comes to love him as he loves her, the respect and admiration she has long-felt for him morphing into something far deeper.
I suppose the one criticism I can level at the book is that the adventures and misadventures of Marching Hospital Number Eight overshadow the romance somewhat. Jesse and Nell have so much to deal with that although they spend a lot of time together and clearly make a great team, they don’t have a lot of time to explore their feelings for each other or their new relationship.
The Wedding Journey encompasses high-stakes drama, tragedy, trauma and a very realistic portrait of the sufferings wrought by war, but at the same time, it’s uplifting and imbued with warmth and humour. The love story between Nell and Jesse is tender and sweet and the writing is intelligent and devoid of sentimentality and yet emotionally satisfying.
For June’s TBR Challenge prompt of Favourite Trope, I turned to Carla Kelly’s The Wedding Journey, the story of a marriage of convenience made during wartime in order to protect the heroine from the threat of being sold off in marriage to pay her father’s debts. In the hands of this author, however, the story is so much more than the story of two people thrust unexpectedly into marriage; set amid the slaughter and chaos of the Peninsular War, it’s also a story of the struggle to survive against the odds and of how the most ordinary person can call on reserves deep inside to achieve the truly extraordinary.
Elinore Mason - Nell – has followed the drum for as long as she can remember. Her father, a captain, is a hard drinker and gambler who doesn’t spare a moment’s thought for his wife and daughter – other than for what they can do for him – and the time Nell doesn’t spend with her ailing mother is spent in the hospital tent, tending to the sick and wounded and helping however she can. Captain Jesse Randall is a highly competent surgeon, widely respected, well-liked, but quiet and shy – and has been hopelessly in love with Nell for years.
The smarmy Major William Bones also has his eye on Nell, but his intentions are not at all honourable. After Nell’s mother dies, her father, who is deeply in debt to Bones, agrees to give Nell to him as payment – but to prevent this, Jesse steps up and offers to marry her instead. He doesn’t have any hope that Nell will ever return his love, but he knows she likes him well enough; and in any case, they can have the marriage annulled at a later date.
Bones, furious at having Nell snatched away from him exacts his revenge in a most appalling way. With the army preparing to retreat from Burgos into Portugal, Marching Hospital Number Eight is packed up and ready to go the next morning – and awakens to discover that they have been abandoned thanks to Bones’ machinations. The unit’s commanding officer, Major Sheffield, Jesse and Nell are left with a handful of sick soldiers and army stragglers to fend for themselves and make their own way into Portugal without transport, supplies or protection – and with the French army not far behind them.
The Wedding Journey is probably the most unusual marriage of convenience story I’ve ever read. Jesse and Nell are both likeable, sensible and determined people and there’s never really any question that they are meant to be together, but the circumstances in which they find themselves continually test them and the bonds they forge as they face danger, sickness, great tragedy and even a madman are perhaps all the stronger for everything that they are forced to go through together.
As is the case with all of Carla Kelly’s books set during the Napoleonic Wars, she doesn’t sugar-coat the difficulties her small band of brothers are facing and nor does she pull her punches when it comes to gritty reality, unafraid to show the terrible consequences of war in all its dirt, blood and horror. But while the odds against Jesse and Nell are overwhelming, Ms. Kelly still manages to find time for them to talk and learn about each other and even to share the odd joke to lighten the mood.
The book is narrated almost entirely by Jesse, who is, quite simply, the most adorable beta hero. He’s a ginger-haired Scot, with a dry sense of humour – his inner monologue with Hippocrates is funny and allows us to learn quite a lot about him – he’s resourceful, kind and protective, and is thoroughly dedicated to doing the best for those under his care. He’s also got a steel backbone and an innate authority that he doesn’t use very often and didn’t really know he had, but which makes him a natural leader and someone who inspires trust in others and makes them want to do their best for him. With the bulk of the story told from his PoV, the reader is able to really connect with him and to see and understand the depth of his compassion and his love for Nell, whom he would do absolutely anything to keep safe.
We don’t spend as much time in Nell’s PoV, so she feels a little less well-developed, but it’s easy to see that she’s clever, strong and resilient and that she’s a little bit smitten with Jesse, but, believing herself to have nothing to offer him besides bad luck and a wastrel father, hadn’t ever thought to look for anything more than friendship. But as they journey through a Spain laid waste by two opposing armies, she comes to love him as he loves her, the respect and admiration she has long-felt for him morphing into something far deeper.
I suppose the one criticism I can level at the book is that the adventures and misadventures of Marching Hospital Number Eight overshadow the romance somewhat. Jesse and Nell have so much to deal with that although they spend a lot of time together and clearly make a great team, they don’t have a lot of time to explore their feelings for each other or their new relationship.
The Wedding Journey encompasses high-stakes drama, tragedy, trauma and a very realistic portrait of the sufferings wrought by war, but at the same time, it’s uplifting and imbued with warmth and humour. The love story between Nell and Jesse is tender and sweet and the writing is intelligent and devoid of sentimentality and yet emotionally satisfying.
November 25, 2019
Pardon me people while I give this book, “The Wedding Journey” a five star review. For a thin little book, it sure packs a wallop. OMG!! Where do I begin. This book had romance, suspense, action, frightening moments and most of all, it has humility, a warm heart and the understanding and willingness of being a human being.
People I rank this book up there with the growing list of my favorite books of all to read. And as said throughout the book, my friends this is my Hippocratic oath for this book. Wow! Where do I go to read after reading this book?!
People I rank this book up there with the growing list of my favorite books of all to read. And as said throughout the book, my friends this is my Hippocratic oath for this book. Wow! Where do I go to read after reading this book?!
January 9, 2015
Captain Jesse Randall had curly red hair, was slim and leaned to the short side. He was ordinary-looking and neither gambled, smoked or drank in excess as so many men did from this era. He came from a good family; he was the only son that served in the Napoleonic War. Those in his unit, including the young Nell Mason, had been his family for years.
He has loved her for a long time but he was a private man and had difficulty showing emotion. Regrettably, his agonizing reticence had kept him from telling her of his deep and intense affection. Until the time came to take 'The Risk' by way of a villain named Major Bones.
Bones was a lecherous, malicious and wicked lowlife. He had gambled with Nell's bum-of-a-father placing him into abysmal debt with the sole intention of bedding Nell. He claims he will marry her at a later date.
The war was raging on and his unit needed to move. Jess, with the encouragement of some of the soldiers, proposed marriage. Little did Nell know how he felt when she accepted his offer. Carla Kelly does not make it easy for these two young people!
When Major Bones found out what happened, he made their lives excruciating miserable. He arranged so that Jesse's unit was left behind. Jess, Nell and the wounded soldiers find themselves without medical supplies, weapons and horses for travel. Jess had the additional job to prove to Nell that she is not a hardship but, instead, brought him comfort.
Ms. Kelly writes her best using the common folk. She brought Napoleon's War to life with the rain, cold and hunger. More than once I thought of MARRYING THE ROYAL MARINE.
At times the excessive amount of everything going on slowed down the actual romance. And if you don't enjoy how the characters continual talk to themselves -Ms. Kelly's style of writing- you might find that as a weakness. But I enjoyed their journey: their courtship after marriage. Ms. Kelly's stories are always interesting, loaded with great observations and the main characters are generous and honorable.
He has loved her for a long time but he was a private man and had difficulty showing emotion. Regrettably, his agonizing reticence had kept him from telling her of his deep and intense affection. Until the time came to take 'The Risk' by way of a villain named Major Bones.
Bones was a lecherous, malicious and wicked lowlife. He had gambled with Nell's bum-of-a-father placing him into abysmal debt with the sole intention of bedding Nell. He claims he will marry her at a later date.
The war was raging on and his unit needed to move. Jess, with the encouragement of some of the soldiers, proposed marriage. Little did Nell know how he felt when she accepted his offer. Carla Kelly does not make it easy for these two young people!
When Major Bones found out what happened, he made their lives excruciating miserable. He arranged so that Jesse's unit was left behind. Jess, Nell and the wounded soldiers find themselves without medical supplies, weapons and horses for travel. Jess had the additional job to prove to Nell that she is not a hardship but, instead, brought him comfort.
Ms. Kelly writes her best using the common folk. She brought Napoleon's War to life with the rain, cold and hunger. More than once I thought of MARRYING THE ROYAL MARINE.
At times the excessive amount of everything going on slowed down the actual romance. And if you don't enjoy how the characters continual talk to themselves -Ms. Kelly's style of writing- you might find that as a weakness. But I enjoyed their journey: their courtship after marriage. Ms. Kelly's stories are always interesting, loaded with great observations and the main characters are generous and honorable.
December 16, 2016
What is it about Carla Kelly that just jabs me straight in the feels? How does she do it? I cried four times in this novel. I am no lightweight on serious issues but there I was, weeping away. Such a watering pot.
In some ways this is CK by numbers. I have read variations on this novel by her before, but it still changes enough, it's still engaging enough that it feels fresh and moving and lovely and sad and All The Feelings.
So we have a familiar tale: war, horror and a romance in the midst of it. Jesse our Scottish ginger [ginger! Always a favourite.] hero, a doctor. And Nora, the young woman, basically a nurse, who he's loved for years. Forced into a marriage of convenience by the actions of a genuinely evil villain.
Don't let the title Wedding Journey fool you. They don't go on some sojourn to Brighton. The H/h are left behind by their brigade and they and a ragtag band of hospital workers and patients have to make their way across Portugal to the Spanish border. It's a journey of trauma, high stakes and real, real drama and tragedy [hence, the tears]. This isn't some sanitized version of war.
As ever, even amidst all that realism, CK creates a beautiful, subtle, lovely romance between two fundamentally good people who see the good in each other. And, for a CK, there's pretty explicit sex with members and touching of breasts and everything.
The cast of secondary characters is very strong. Everyone who needs to get their commupence gets it and those who deserve redemption are redeemed. It's neat (CK alludes to the neatness in a fourth wall moment towards the end) but it works with this novel and for this genre. With the level of trauma that takes place on the journey it's nice to have a happy, complete ending.
This is a brilliant, engaging, enjoyable, romantic novel. Go and read, keep the Kleenex nearby.
In some ways this is CK by numbers. I have read variations on this novel by her before, but it still changes enough, it's still engaging enough that it feels fresh and moving and lovely and sad and All The Feelings.
So we have a familiar tale: war, horror and a romance in the midst of it. Jesse our Scottish ginger [ginger! Always a favourite.] hero, a doctor. And Nora, the young woman, basically a nurse, who he's loved for years. Forced into a marriage of convenience by the actions of a genuinely evil villain.
Don't let the title Wedding Journey fool you. They don't go on some sojourn to Brighton. The H/h are left behind by their brigade and they and a ragtag band of hospital workers and patients have to make their way across Portugal to the Spanish border. It's a journey of trauma, high stakes and real, real drama and tragedy [hence, the tears]. This isn't some sanitized version of war.
As ever, even amidst all that realism, CK creates a beautiful, subtle, lovely romance between two fundamentally good people who see the good in each other. And, for a CK, there's pretty explicit sex with members and touching of breasts and everything.
The cast of secondary characters is very strong. Everyone who needs to get their commupence gets it and those who deserve redemption are redeemed. It's neat (CK alludes to the neatness in a fourth wall moment towards the end) but it works with this novel and for this genre. With the level of trauma that takes place on the journey it's nice to have a happy, complete ending.
This is a brilliant, engaging, enjoyable, romantic novel. Go and read, keep the Kleenex nearby.
October 8, 2020
3.2 stars
February 6, 2017
Solid 3.5 for me.
This was such an incredibly well done book, and a breath of fresh air from the relatively stagnant, paint by the number books I've read recently.
I'm not going into too many plot points as this is more of a character driven story than anything. It's also more of historical fiction with a sweet romance than a romance. The two main characters are caring and honorable and enjoyable to read.
Well written, the characters are well-developed and the details of medicine in the Napoleonic Wars are incredibly detailed and poignant.
There are some tense and somewhat graphic scenes as this is set in war, but nothing over the top.
This was such an incredibly well done book, and a breath of fresh air from the relatively stagnant, paint by the number books I've read recently.
I'm not going into too many plot points as this is more of a character driven story than anything. It's also more of historical fiction with a sweet romance than a romance. The two main characters are caring and honorable and enjoyable to read.
Well written, the characters are well-developed and the details of medicine in the Napoleonic Wars are incredibly detailed and poignant.
There are some tense and somewhat graphic scenes as this is set in war, but nothing over the top.
September 12, 2009
Wow. I really don't have adequate words to describe how much I enjoyed this book. Wonderful and unusual writing, a hero to die for, a lovely heroine you would love to be friends with and a ragtag crew of military "misfits" who prove their worth time and again in this engaging story.
Set in Spain during the Napoleonic War, Capt Jesse Randall and Elinore Mason are "forced" into a marriage in order to save her from ruin at the hands of another man her father owes money to. Not much of a sacrifice on Jesse's part however, because he has loved her from afar for literally, years. Jesse is one of those shy men who straddles the line between alpha and beta male. He has a heart of gold but a core of steel when it comes to Elinore. Elinore for her part is one of those heroines you wish you knew in real life, because you just know you would be great friends. Watching her and Jesse come to love each other during an impossible circumstance was delightful.
Going straight to my keeper shelf.
Set in Spain during the Napoleonic War, Capt Jesse Randall and Elinore Mason are "forced" into a marriage in order to save her from ruin at the hands of another man her father owes money to. Not much of a sacrifice on Jesse's part however, because he has loved her from afar for literally, years. Jesse is one of those shy men who straddles the line between alpha and beta male. He has a heart of gold but a core of steel when it comes to Elinore. Elinore for her part is one of those heroines you wish you knew in real life, because you just know you would be great friends. Watching her and Jesse come to love each other during an impossible circumstance was delightful.
Going straight to my keeper shelf.
August 29, 2025
This story is about a marching hospital and I don't typically like history and definitely not war romances, but this one had a different writing style and I enjoyed it very much. I actually couldn't put it down. I do love me a shy hero. I loved how they were so comfortable with each other. And gentle and kind to each other. Not a clean book, but the quiet moments and bedroom scene were tastefully done and reflected the characters' deep affection for each other. Great romance.
January 11, 2016
In a genre full of rogues and rakes, hoydens and harlots, sometimes it's nice to come across a hero and heroine who are gentle, kind, honorable people from the very beginning of the story. The hero of this novel, Jesse Randall, is a surgeon on the frontline of the Napoleonic Wars, struggling to save lives on the battlefields of Spain. He's a shy Scot from a well-to-do family, and for years he's been secretly in love with gentle, pretty, impoverished Nell Mason, who works with the doctors as an unofficial nurse. Nell's father is an officer but not much of a gentleman, and has made their family life miserable for years with his drinking and gambling. The only existence she has known is following her father from post to post.
When Nell's mother dies on the eve of the army's retreat, her father, who is heavily in debt to a villainous major, all but sells his daughter to the officer in order to free himself of his debts. Rather than let Nell fall into the major's clutches, Jesse offers to marry Nell himself, and escort her to over the border of Spain into Portugal. Once there, she can decide whether she wants to remain married or wants the marriage annulled. The major gets his revenge by arranging for the hospital unit to be left behind during the army's retreat, leaving Jesse, Nell, and a ragtag group of fellow travelers to make their way to Portugal on their own, without transportation, supplies, or the safety that comes from traveling in numbers.
What follows from there is an on-the-road adventure as the couple encounter hardships and the dangers of life during wartime, all while romance blooms. I loved that their relationship grew through the things they experienced together, and through working together as a team in order to survive their circumstances. They were able to see each other's true characters and get to know each other in a genuine, believable way. Watching their love blossom was very touching.
A very warm, emotional, thoroughly entertaining and well-written novel. My first Carla Kelly story, but not my last!
When Nell's mother dies on the eve of the army's retreat, her father, who is heavily in debt to a villainous major, all but sells his daughter to the officer in order to free himself of his debts. Rather than let Nell fall into the major's clutches, Jesse offers to marry Nell himself, and escort her to over the border of Spain into Portugal. Once there, she can decide whether she wants to remain married or wants the marriage annulled. The major gets his revenge by arranging for the hospital unit to be left behind during the army's retreat, leaving Jesse, Nell, and a ragtag group of fellow travelers to make their way to Portugal on their own, without transportation, supplies, or the safety that comes from traveling in numbers.
What follows from there is an on-the-road adventure as the couple encounter hardships and the dangers of life during wartime, all while romance blooms. I loved that their relationship grew through the things they experienced together, and through working together as a team in order to survive their circumstances. They were able to see each other's true characters and get to know each other in a genuine, believable way. Watching their love blossom was very touching.
A very warm, emotional, thoroughly entertaining and well-written novel. My first Carla Kelly story, but not my last!
July 1, 2018
Usually these kind of historical romances have such an alpha male hero, and Kelly's Jesse is such an understated kind of hero; smart, capable, kind, with a simmering kind of sensuality seemed at once believable and such a breath of fresh air. Nell is so well-drawn--all the characters are--at once sympathetic and strong. The structure of the book--their journey--is such a good one. Tidy but always interesting.
I read once that Ms. Kelly thought of herself more historian than writer, and she certainly does this time period justice. She doesn't shy away from darker themes, and the villain in this book is a true villain, without any cartoon silliness.
I read once that Ms. Kelly thought of herself more historian than writer, and she certainly does this time period justice. She doesn't shy away from darker themes, and the villain in this book is a true villain, without any cartoon silliness.
December 9, 2013
Lovely story set against the backdrop of Spain during the Peninsular War. The hero was a beta guy, a doctor who had loved the heroine for a while but was so shy that he would never have done anything about it. He stepped out of his shell to marry her to save her from worse. Nice traveling story. I enjoyed the details of the Spanish people during Napoleon's invasion. One of my favorite time periods and settings. I felt the hero was better developed than the heroine in this case. Haven't been disappointed in a CK book yet and she has a large backlist for me to work my way through.
January 3, 2016
I liked it, I just didn't love it.
January 9, 2016
How rare to come across a hero who is as fundamentally selfless and kind-hearted as Jesse Randall, the hero of this novel. Jesse is a British field surgeon who has been serving in Spain during the Napoleonic wars. He has known the heroine, Nell Mason, since she was a little girl and he still a young trainee. She is the daughter of a captain whose family has been a laughingstock for years due to the captain's gambling, drinking, and inability to support the family he drags along with him from post to post. Nell has had the running of her family for quite some time, though she is still quite young herself. Jesse's boss, the Chief of the field hospital, has for a decade allowed Nell to assist at the hospital to help support her family.
Jesse is a quiet, bookish young man who has loved Nell for years. At the start of the story, Nell's father is bullied into giving her to a cruel major in order to settle his gambling debts and buy a coffin for Nell's dead mother. Nell and her rag tag crew of friends pull together to stop this plan. They scrounge up enough money to pay off the gambling debts and Jesse marries Nell to put a full stop to her father and the major's machinations. And that marriage of convenience is the root of the trouble that follows, as the major she was to marry abandons the field hospital in retaliation, dying patients and all, in the middle of a retreat from an onslaught of French troops...
This was basically a road trip novel, and what a good one it was! It was 40% romance and 60% a story about how the odd, intimate, and intense conditions of war allow people to bond and create makeshift families. The major secondary characters in this book are fully realized and pop off the page just as much as the lovely hero and heroine do. This book has some evil characters, and Major Bones, the big villain, is a total cookie cutter baddie. Luckily, he's only the guy who sets the story in motion and really does not have much of a physical presence in the book. It's the good, decent heroes who get to shine:
Jesse - a mannerly, shy, and focused doctor
Nell - a wise, earnest young lady who has basically been beaten down so much she considers herself "a woman of breathtaking insignificance" :(
The Chief - a kind but snarky old man who considers the heroine the daughter he never had
Harper - a cut-purse turned soldier who saves everyone's ass over and over again
Leger - a Frenchman whose wife and daughters were killed by the guillotine in The Terror
I don't know what I was expecting: a fun little romp about a ragtag group of misfits trying to outrun the French army and make it to Portugal? Fluffy romance a la The Lure of the Moonflower, which was also about a hero and heroine trekking through Portugal and Spain during the Napoleonic wars? Boy was I wrong! This was quite a serious little novel; and yet, even though the good people in this story saw and suffered so many awful things, it still left me feeling quite uplifted. How refreshing to read about people who wade their way through cruelty, indignity, and lots of mud and make it to the other side with their integrity, spirit, and hope intact.
The hero and heroine in this saw each other clearly from the first and recognized what a good, worthwhile person the other was, even if they couldn't see themselves quite so clearly. We don't even get a real romantic moment until maybe 70% into the story, when . Folks who want a fullblown romance might be underwhelmed by this story, however. Just a warning.
I have some gripes. The internal dialogue was weird to me. Maybe it was the formatting? I prefer to have it italicized. And I got so damn annoyed by how much the hero invoked Hippocrates. I liked how good he was, but I hated how every time he mentioned the Hippocratic oath some boy scout line was sure to tumble out of his mouth next. The ending was also quite rushed.
Overall a quiet, lovely lovely book. A solid 4 star read.
I've had a really great reading streak lately and encountered some great new books. Let's hope it continues...and that I'll be less wordy in my next review.
Jesse is a quiet, bookish young man who has loved Nell for years. At the start of the story, Nell's father is bullied into giving her to a cruel major in order to settle his gambling debts and buy a coffin for Nell's dead mother. Nell and her rag tag crew of friends pull together to stop this plan. They scrounge up enough money to pay off the gambling debts and Jesse marries Nell to put a full stop to her father and the major's machinations. And that marriage of convenience is the root of the trouble that follows, as the major she was to marry abandons the field hospital in retaliation, dying patients and all, in the middle of a retreat from an onslaught of French troops...
This was basically a road trip novel, and what a good one it was! It was 40% romance and 60% a story about how the odd, intimate, and intense conditions of war allow people to bond and create makeshift families. The major secondary characters in this book are fully realized and pop off the page just as much as the lovely hero and heroine do. This book has some evil characters, and Major Bones, the big villain, is a total cookie cutter baddie. Luckily, he's only the guy who sets the story in motion and really does not have much of a physical presence in the book. It's the good, decent heroes who get to shine:
Jesse - a mannerly, shy, and focused doctor
Nell - a wise, earnest young lady who has basically been beaten down so much she considers herself "a woman of breathtaking insignificance" :(
The Chief - a kind but snarky old man who considers the heroine the daughter he never had
Harper - a cut-purse turned soldier who saves everyone's ass over and over again
Leger - a Frenchman whose wife and daughters were killed by the guillotine in The Terror
I don't know what I was expecting: a fun little romp about a ragtag group of misfits trying to outrun the French army and make it to Portugal? Fluffy romance a la The Lure of the Moonflower, which was also about a hero and heroine trekking through Portugal and Spain during the Napoleonic wars? Boy was I wrong! This was quite a serious little novel; and yet, even though the good people in this story saw and suffered so many awful things, it still left me feeling quite uplifted. How refreshing to read about people who wade their way through cruelty, indignity, and lots of mud and make it to the other side with their integrity, spirit, and hope intact.
The hero and heroine in this saw each other clearly from the first and recognized what a good, worthwhile person the other was, even if they couldn't see themselves quite so clearly. We don't even get a real romantic moment until maybe 70% into the story, when . Folks who want a fullblown romance might be underwhelmed by this story, however. Just a warning.
I have some gripes. The internal dialogue was weird to me. Maybe it was the formatting? I prefer to have it italicized. And I got so damn annoyed by how much the hero invoked Hippocrates. I liked how good he was, but I hated how every time he mentioned the Hippocratic oath some boy scout line was sure to tumble out of his mouth next. The ending was also quite rushed.
Overall a quiet, lovely lovely book. A solid 4 star read.
I've had a really great reading streak lately and encountered some great new books. Let's hope it continues...and that I'll be less wordy in my next review.
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June 11, 2017
My review contains spoilers and they're mostly my thoughts... for more, visit Punya Reviews...
It’s always a little difficult for me to review a Carla Kelly book, mostly because I know I won’t be able to capture the life of her stories. So I can only hope that I make anyone reading my reviews intrigued enough to consider checking out that book. The Wedding Journey is one from her quite lengthy backlist (thank God for that, I hope she continues to write for years to come!) and a book that was equally heartwarming and heartwrenching. I just don’t know how to else to put it but this is what her books do to you. They make you feel every single emotion her characters are going thru!
Much like many of Ms. Kelly’s books, The Wedding Journey, is set around wartime. The Napoleonic Wars to be precise. The story begins in a camp somewhere in Spain where we find little Elinore, AKA Nell Mason, working around the Head Surgeon’s tent. Her parents were the dumbest people out there, or so everyone knew them to be. She had a younger brother whom she had to take care of most of the times, much like she had taken care of herself since she’s learned to walk and talk. Her father, Major Mason, was always in his cups and never had enough money to take care of his family. Not that he bothered. Her mother, Audrey, had suffered thru it all. She’s now a shell of a woman after years of trudging thru war-zones with her husband. She simply didn’t care anymore. But Nell, even at the age of 10, knew she had to take care of her family.
The Head Surgeon, Major Sheffield, had always been very affectionate towards Nell, like a daughter he never had. Needless to say he was always empathetic towards her plight. Hence, she would be given food in exchange of a little this or that done around the Surgeon’s tent. Sometimes she’d exchange blue beads from a necklace in order to exchange something she needed because she didn’t have the money; so thoughtful even then, winning the deepest love of the Surgeon himself and anyone else around him. She had the protection of the Surgeon and his new assistant, Captain Jesse Randall, and no one in and around the camp would’ve thought about harming her.
Jesse, 18 or 20 at that time, had fallen for Nell’s sweet yet loyal and honest nature. He felt protective when he had no idea what that feeling could mean. In the meantime though, duty called and Jesse was away to another station for 6 more years, not knowing what may have happened to Nell or her family. But when he returned, and joined the Marching Hospital Number 8 with Major Sheffield yet again his mentor, he wasn’t expecting to find Nell still working there. But she was as her family was with the army unit at that time. Only her brother was away with a relative, hoping to shine as the lone Mason with proper education. But Nell wasn’t unhappy. Her life has always revolved around war, bloodshed, soldiers and hospitals. She didn’t know any different.
In the time that Jesse was away, Nell has grown into a beautiful young lady with dark hair and blue eyes, and Jesse finds he can’t take his eyes off of her anymore. His protective instinct turns into a deeper love before he could do anything about it. Only he couldn’t tell her. Ever. Everyone knew he was the ‘shy guy’ among the soldiers. So shy that others poked fun at him. Even Nell would sometimes, but hers was always good-natured fun. Jesse thought he could never show his devotion to Nell and tell her what he feels... well, he didn’t think he much of a catch. He was tall enough, with a strong body and auburn hair, his Scottish ancestry showing. He worked pretty hard as a field surgeon too. Still he wasn’t sure he had enough to win Nell’s hand. What he never noticed is that Nell had a fascination for him too, only she was also burdened by the fact that she’s Major Mason’s daughter, and that meant no one will ever wanna marry her. Mason had no respect among his peers because of his gambling and drinking habit, being the worst father out there. He even owed money to several people, one of whom returns to bite in the a$$ soon enough, hoping to gain Nell as his mistress.
It was another Major called Bones. He was the worst in the unit in the sense that, because of his cold and cruel nature no one liked him but everyone feared him for certain. And Bones has had his dirty eyes on Nell for a while now.
It’s been 2yrs. since Jesse had been back, working alongside Nell among others. Major Sheffield still holds her in affection, so despite the same callous parents, she was doing pretty well. One day, suddenly, all that changes. Audrey passes away from a long suffering illness and Nell finds herself all alone; easy picking for Bones because her father will not be of any help on that regard. Then, one thing led to another and Nell finds herself married to Jesse Randall. It should’ve been a MOC where they’d simply march towards a border to escape the current situation from where they were stationed. Crossing that border, they should be safe and Jesse and Nell can have an annulment if they find they don’t wanna stay married. It should’ve been all fine and dandy, only fate had other plans for them. A journey of a lifetime where their love would blossom and flow in a way they couldn’t even have imagined a few weeks ago.
Needless today, Bones wasn’t happy about it and he exacts his revenge in his own nasty way. The Marching Hospital Number 8 was supposed to be moving away from that tiny Spanish village they’ve been situated in for months now. Bones was in charge of the moving, of which he takes advantage of. He leaves in the middle of the night, somehow making sure to abandon Jesse, Major Sheffield, Nell, another doctor Daniel O’Leary who was in support of the marriage, some patients too injured to move and 2 other rogue privates that no one cared much about. In the morning, when they found out Bones’s perfidy, there was nothing to be done. It was certain that if they are to manage, their little troop will have to walk the miles until they find some better way to ride to the border. They couldn’t stay for long, already overstaying their welcome with the Spanish. French were gaining miles and it wasn’t safe anymore to be around.
This journey, aptly titled The Wedding Journey for Jesse and Nell, would prove to be the most eye-opening, and most heart-rendering journey of their lives. A Journey where they’d meet people, see cruelty and disasters, losses no less painful than what they’d seen before. They’d also find kindness among the dead and dreary life after a war. Love will blossom, overflowing Nell and Jesse’s life. They had already adored each-other in their own sweet way but thrown together the way they were, it wouldn’t take long for them to get to know each-other so well even within those few weeks of trekking through the numerous Spanish villages.
Jesse’s expertise as a surgeon would come in handy too, where Nell would discover that along with his excellent skills, how mentally strong her husband was, yet how much he needed someone to hold him, comfort him at night. Her adoration will simply grow over time, while Jesse’s heart bursting with joy finally having Nell as his wife. At one point, any thought of annulment will disappear when they’d finally consummate their marriage. They wanted to be together, close to each-other and Nell was more than happy to comfort her husband after such grueling days of death and dread.
At one point, Nell’s happiness would turn wondrous knowing Jesse had loved her for a long time. And the fact that he’s not really someone making a day-to-day living. Apart from his generous earning as the field surgeon, where he’d amassed quite a fortune of his own, Jesse was from a very prosperous and upstanding Scottish family. Nell would learn that finally she’d have a home of her own (the way he’d ask her what she wanted was SO Sweet!); a home where she can finally settle down, maybe, God willing, someday have children. Her own family! There were doubts about Jesse’s intentions as to if he’d wanna settle down, doctoring a small town rather than something big but after their memorable (to say the least) journey together, Jesse had no doubt he wanted to settle down with Nell beside him. After all, both have witnessed how short life could be in the worst way imaginable. They were happy to be alive, together and have found love where they never expected they would. What else can they desire?
I didn’t think they could desire anything else, so happy I was for them! I wished there were more chapters where we could see Jesse and Nell’s life post war, blissfully happy in Scotland. I also missed if the few patients Jesse had to leave behind in Spain cause they weren’t up to a long journey like that, had made it or not. And if Daniel, who was in charge of them, was finally home with his own family. Jesse promised help once he crossed the border but his own journey was so fraught with danger that I don’t know if he ever did. Daniel and those patients were never again mentioned again in the story. :( I had hoped for a book for Daniel but I found none.
Either way, The Wedding Journey is such a heart-touching story that you must read to find out what I’m talking about. For those who may inquire, it’s a semi-clean romance (mention of a few kisses and love-scenes but no graphic details) but I loved it! I’d recommend if sex scenes isn’t a problem for you. 4 solid stars. I’m already checking Carla Kelly’s backlist to see what’s up next for me!
It’s always a little difficult for me to review a Carla Kelly book, mostly because I know I won’t be able to capture the life of her stories. So I can only hope that I make anyone reading my reviews intrigued enough to consider checking out that book. The Wedding Journey is one from her quite lengthy backlist (thank God for that, I hope she continues to write for years to come!) and a book that was equally heartwarming and heartwrenching. I just don’t know how to else to put it but this is what her books do to you. They make you feel every single emotion her characters are going thru!
Much like many of Ms. Kelly’s books, The Wedding Journey, is set around wartime. The Napoleonic Wars to be precise. The story begins in a camp somewhere in Spain where we find little Elinore, AKA Nell Mason, working around the Head Surgeon’s tent. Her parents were the dumbest people out there, or so everyone knew them to be. She had a younger brother whom she had to take care of most of the times, much like she had taken care of herself since she’s learned to walk and talk. Her father, Major Mason, was always in his cups and never had enough money to take care of his family. Not that he bothered. Her mother, Audrey, had suffered thru it all. She’s now a shell of a woman after years of trudging thru war-zones with her husband. She simply didn’t care anymore. But Nell, even at the age of 10, knew she had to take care of her family.
The Head Surgeon, Major Sheffield, had always been very affectionate towards Nell, like a daughter he never had. Needless to say he was always empathetic towards her plight. Hence, she would be given food in exchange of a little this or that done around the Surgeon’s tent. Sometimes she’d exchange blue beads from a necklace in order to exchange something she needed because she didn’t have the money; so thoughtful even then, winning the deepest love of the Surgeon himself and anyone else around him. She had the protection of the Surgeon and his new assistant, Captain Jesse Randall, and no one in and around the camp would’ve thought about harming her.
Jesse, 18 or 20 at that time, had fallen for Nell’s sweet yet loyal and honest nature. He felt protective when he had no idea what that feeling could mean. In the meantime though, duty called and Jesse was away to another station for 6 more years, not knowing what may have happened to Nell or her family. But when he returned, and joined the Marching Hospital Number 8 with Major Sheffield yet again his mentor, he wasn’t expecting to find Nell still working there. But she was as her family was with the army unit at that time. Only her brother was away with a relative, hoping to shine as the lone Mason with proper education. But Nell wasn’t unhappy. Her life has always revolved around war, bloodshed, soldiers and hospitals. She didn’t know any different.
In the time that Jesse was away, Nell has grown into a beautiful young lady with dark hair and blue eyes, and Jesse finds he can’t take his eyes off of her anymore. His protective instinct turns into a deeper love before he could do anything about it. Only he couldn’t tell her. Ever. Everyone knew he was the ‘shy guy’ among the soldiers. So shy that others poked fun at him. Even Nell would sometimes, but hers was always good-natured fun. Jesse thought he could never show his devotion to Nell and tell her what he feels... well, he didn’t think he much of a catch. He was tall enough, with a strong body and auburn hair, his Scottish ancestry showing. He worked pretty hard as a field surgeon too. Still he wasn’t sure he had enough to win Nell’s hand. What he never noticed is that Nell had a fascination for him too, only she was also burdened by the fact that she’s Major Mason’s daughter, and that meant no one will ever wanna marry her. Mason had no respect among his peers because of his gambling and drinking habit, being the worst father out there. He even owed money to several people, one of whom returns to bite in the a$$ soon enough, hoping to gain Nell as his mistress.
It was another Major called Bones. He was the worst in the unit in the sense that, because of his cold and cruel nature no one liked him but everyone feared him for certain. And Bones has had his dirty eyes on Nell for a while now.
It’s been 2yrs. since Jesse had been back, working alongside Nell among others. Major Sheffield still holds her in affection, so despite the same callous parents, she was doing pretty well. One day, suddenly, all that changes. Audrey passes away from a long suffering illness and Nell finds herself all alone; easy picking for Bones because her father will not be of any help on that regard. Then, one thing led to another and Nell finds herself married to Jesse Randall. It should’ve been a MOC where they’d simply march towards a border to escape the current situation from where they were stationed. Crossing that border, they should be safe and Jesse and Nell can have an annulment if they find they don’t wanna stay married. It should’ve been all fine and dandy, only fate had other plans for them. A journey of a lifetime where their love would blossom and flow in a way they couldn’t even have imagined a few weeks ago.
Needless today, Bones wasn’t happy about it and he exacts his revenge in his own nasty way. The Marching Hospital Number 8 was supposed to be moving away from that tiny Spanish village they’ve been situated in for months now. Bones was in charge of the moving, of which he takes advantage of. He leaves in the middle of the night, somehow making sure to abandon Jesse, Major Sheffield, Nell, another doctor Daniel O’Leary who was in support of the marriage, some patients too injured to move and 2 other rogue privates that no one cared much about. In the morning, when they found out Bones’s perfidy, there was nothing to be done. It was certain that if they are to manage, their little troop will have to walk the miles until they find some better way to ride to the border. They couldn’t stay for long, already overstaying their welcome with the Spanish. French were gaining miles and it wasn’t safe anymore to be around.
This journey, aptly titled The Wedding Journey for Jesse and Nell, would prove to be the most eye-opening, and most heart-rendering journey of their lives. A Journey where they’d meet people, see cruelty and disasters, losses no less painful than what they’d seen before. They’d also find kindness among the dead and dreary life after a war. Love will blossom, overflowing Nell and Jesse’s life. They had already adored each-other in their own sweet way but thrown together the way they were, it wouldn’t take long for them to get to know each-other so well even within those few weeks of trekking through the numerous Spanish villages.
Jesse’s expertise as a surgeon would come in handy too, where Nell would discover that along with his excellent skills, how mentally strong her husband was, yet how much he needed someone to hold him, comfort him at night. Her adoration will simply grow over time, while Jesse’s heart bursting with joy finally having Nell as his wife. At one point, any thought of annulment will disappear when they’d finally consummate their marriage. They wanted to be together, close to each-other and Nell was more than happy to comfort her husband after such grueling days of death and dread.
At one point, Nell’s happiness would turn wondrous knowing Jesse had loved her for a long time. And the fact that he’s not really someone making a day-to-day living. Apart from his generous earning as the field surgeon, where he’d amassed quite a fortune of his own, Jesse was from a very prosperous and upstanding Scottish family. Nell would learn that finally she’d have a home of her own (the way he’d ask her what she wanted was SO Sweet!); a home where she can finally settle down, maybe, God willing, someday have children. Her own family! There were doubts about Jesse’s intentions as to if he’d wanna settle down, doctoring a small town rather than something big but after their memorable (to say the least) journey together, Jesse had no doubt he wanted to settle down with Nell beside him. After all, both have witnessed how short life could be in the worst way imaginable. They were happy to be alive, together and have found love where they never expected they would. What else can they desire?
I didn’t think they could desire anything else, so happy I was for them! I wished there were more chapters where we could see Jesse and Nell’s life post war, blissfully happy in Scotland. I also missed if the few patients Jesse had to leave behind in Spain cause they weren’t up to a long journey like that, had made it or not. And if Daniel, who was in charge of them, was finally home with his own family. Jesse promised help once he crossed the border but his own journey was so fraught with danger that I don’t know if he ever did. Daniel and those patients were never again mentioned again in the story. :( I had hoped for a book for Daniel but I found none.
Either way, The Wedding Journey is such a heart-touching story that you must read to find out what I’m talking about. For those who may inquire, it’s a semi-clean romance (mention of a few kisses and love-scenes but no graphic details) but I loved it! I’d recommend if sex scenes isn’t a problem for you. 4 solid stars. I’m already checking Carla Kelly’s backlist to see what’s up next for me!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 2, 2012
This story lacked passion and I'm not just talking about lackluster sex scenes.
This whole journey dragged. They had "adventures", but I was actually really bored. Each mishap didn't seem to add anything significant to the storyline. For me it was more of a story about war than a real romance.
I don't know what was so appealing about Nell that made Jesse fall in love with her, apart from the fact that she was hard working and pretty(?) girl. And as for Jess, he was excellent example of telling about but not showing hero's characterstics. Everyone, including himself, says he's very shy. And how does that manifest? Because he doesn't act on his feelings towards Nell?
Well, for me that's just normal behaviour, considering their circumstances. But then again he embraces her a lot, calls her "my dear" and doesn't ACT like a shy guy at all.
This whole journey dragged. They had "adventures", but I was actually really bored. Each mishap didn't seem to add anything significant to the storyline. For me it was more of a story about war than a real romance.
I don't know what was so appealing about Nell that made Jesse fall in love with her, apart from the fact that she was hard working and pretty(?) girl. And as for Jess, he was excellent example of telling about but not showing hero's characterstics. Everyone, including himself, says he's very shy. And how does that manifest? Because he doesn't act on his feelings towards Nell?
Well, for me that's just normal behaviour, considering their circumstances. But then again he embraces her a lot, calls her "my dear" and doesn't ACT like a shy guy at all.
April 25, 2022
I'm on the fence.
I did love the setting and I feel like this book would make an excellent movie- one I would probably ugly cry watching. A lot of death and gory details, which I love reading about, but watching loveable characters die, not so much.
Romance was lacking. I've noticed with Carla Kelly books that there isn't much chemistry between her MCs, they just sorta fit like puzzle pieces. They're snapped together and then you move onto the next piece. Nothing grand about it. I will admit that I kind of enjoyed the shy hero. It got sorta annoying towards the end, but was sweet.
I didn't like the loose ends in this book either. Characters just walked off and we have to assume what happens to them. I needed a little more from this book, but it wasn't terrible.
And the thing I HATED was all the internal dialogue! Nothing was italicized so it was very confusing!!
I did love the setting and I feel like this book would make an excellent movie- one I would probably ugly cry watching. A lot of death and gory details, which I love reading about, but watching loveable characters die, not so much.
Romance was lacking. I've noticed with Carla Kelly books that there isn't much chemistry between her MCs, they just sorta fit like puzzle pieces. They're snapped together and then you move onto the next piece. Nothing grand about it. I will admit that I kind of enjoyed the shy hero. It got sorta annoying towards the end, but was sweet.
I didn't like the loose ends in this book either. Characters just walked off and we have to assume what happens to them. I needed a little more from this book, but it wasn't terrible.
And the thing I HATED was all the internal dialogue! Nothing was italicized so it was very confusing!!
September 29, 2009
Great romance. I love Jesse for he's not typical romance hero but he's so realistis. I think a great hero is someone who did what is right even if he's afraid becuase it's out of his comfort zone. Jesse ia pretty much my idea of a perfect man. Quiet but strong in the core. Funny, observant and not judgmental. Someone that you wish to know. My only concern is how many times the author point out his shyness. I mean it's like shyness is some kind of a disease or curse. ANd everyone just has to comment on his shyness. I don't believe Jesse can be regarded as shy anyway. He's just a quiet man that most of the time tries to avoid conflict. Aren't most people like that also?
July 4, 2020
TW/CW:
war, medical stuff, death, grief, fatphobia, one aborigine joke, mention of rape, gore, mention of Jewish man that could be implied offensive.
This was really good! I won’t be reviewing it as it got deleted by accident and I’m annoyed, but it was great! I might share quotes though, since I won’t post a review but I really liked the hero and heroine. It’s not an overly angsty romance, in fact, the romance is pretty subtle here. This book is more about the war that is happening, and the character’s journey to safety during this time. They are also just recently married for convenience. And also both of them shy and good people who are secretly yearning for the other.
war, medical stuff, death, grief, fatphobia, one aborigine joke, mention of rape, gore, mention of Jewish man that could be implied offensive.
This was really good! I won’t be reviewing it as it got deleted by accident and I’m annoyed, but it was great! I might share quotes though, since I won’t post a review but I really liked the hero and heroine. It’s not an overly angsty romance, in fact, the romance is pretty subtle here. This book is more about the war that is happening, and the character’s journey to safety during this time. They are also just recently married for convenience. And also both of them shy and good people who are secretly yearning for the other.
May 3, 2013
loved this book, even though there was little emotional conflict and the story was quiet. It was just a lovely, surprisingly gripping, sweet, and moving read. The characters and their internal thoughts--especially the hero's--really made the book so that even I, a purveyor of emotional angst, could love it!
October 10, 2017
What a beautiful book 
-> this is how I was reading it for about 95% of the entire book.
This is the story of a beautiful couple, Jesse, a soldier and surgeon, and Elinore, a poor girl daughter of a drunkard soldier, during the Napoleonic War. They have a marriage of convenience (or of protection) so Elinore can escape from a true villain, Major Bones, who is a sadist, cruel, rapist man. Although it is to save her, Jesse has loved Elinore for many years, but since he is very shy, he never made a move. Give me a beta hero over an alpha anytime! Not only he was kind, but he was also hardworking, respectable, and honest. I love all his conversations in mind with Hippocrates. Most of the book is from his POV, so we get to know him very well, but we also get to know dear Nell, who likes to talk to her husband in her mind as well.
They have to run away when their Regiment, along with several patients, is abandoned by that awful Major Bones. Such dear fellows in Hospital Number Eight. They have to go through many things in such a cruel time, and all of them were so dear. Rascals Harper and Wilkie, so loyal, always protecting Nell and Jesse.
Since this happens in a difficult time, this was not a happy reading. People lose family, girls get raped, soldiers lose a limb... Jesse was truly an admirable man doing his work Poor men, poor little girl, poor Armand Leger and poor Frenchman Phillippe
This is not a clean romance, which is surprising since Carla Kelly writes almost always clean. But I think they were rather tasteful, not very explicit, so I didn't mind. A heartbreaking book, but at the same time, heartwarming.
I'll say it again, a thousand times again: CK and GH are the only two writers that write the best beta heroes
-> this is how I was reading it for about 95% of the entire book.This is the story of a beautiful couple, Jesse, a soldier and surgeon, and Elinore, a poor girl daughter of a drunkard soldier, during the Napoleonic War. They have a marriage of convenience (or of protection) so Elinore can escape from a true villain, Major Bones, who is a sadist, cruel, rapist man. Although it is to save her, Jesse has loved Elinore for many years, but since he is very shy, he never made a move. Give me a beta hero over an alpha anytime! Not only he was kind, but he was also hardworking, respectable, and honest. I love all his conversations in mind with Hippocrates. Most of the book is from his POV, so we get to know him very well, but we also get to know dear Nell, who likes to talk to her husband in her mind as well.
They have to run away when their Regiment, along with several patients, is abandoned by that awful Major Bones. Such dear fellows in Hospital Number Eight. They have to go through many things in such a cruel time, and all of them were so dear. Rascals Harper and Wilkie, so loyal
, always protecting Nell and Jesse.Since this happens in a difficult time, this was not a happy reading. People lose family, girls get raped, soldiers lose a limb... Jesse was truly an admirable man doing his work
Poor men, poor little girl, poor Armand Leger and poor Frenchman Phillippe This is not a clean romance, which is surprising since Carla Kelly writes almost always clean. But I think they were rather tasteful, not very explicit, so I didn't mind. A heartbreaking book, but at the same time, heartwarming.
I'll say it again, a thousand times again: CK and GH are the only two writers that write the best beta heroes
September 30, 2019
The Wedding Journey is a delightful marriage-of-convenience romance! I loved that Jesse is decidedly a “beta hero”, shy and quiet at times, but his strength and fortitude are obvious to the reader through his actions and his internal monologues. These little 1st person POV comments add humor and wit to the story that I didn’t expect! Carla Kelly also waits a good while before the story shifts to Nell’s POV, a unique tactic that made me root for Jesse even more because I'd gotten to know him so well. The way he protects Nell is just plain swoony.
The setting is an intriguing one, that of a retreat through Spain during the Napoleonic Wars. Not your typical Regency era setting! This allows plenty of drama and action, too, as the endearing cast of characters contend with the perils of a war zone. The circumstances they are thrust in allow both Jesse and Nell to come to terms with their sacrifices and the slow-growing love between them.
The beauty of this story is in the little details. The friendship (in an I-understand-what-makes-you-tick way) that deepens between Jess and Nell, the nuances of holding hands, the ways the army hospital figures in to Nell and Jesse’s dynamic, the unlikely heroism of two rag-tag privates, and the selfless love that grows between Jesse and Nell.
Content note: this story has some mild expletives appropriate to the era. It does contain a few moderately detailed to detailed intimate scenes (not closed door) between a husband and wife that makes it a hard PG13 in my opinion.
The setting is an intriguing one, that of a retreat through Spain during the Napoleonic Wars. Not your typical Regency era setting! This allows plenty of drama and action, too, as the endearing cast of characters contend with the perils of a war zone. The circumstances they are thrust in allow both Jesse and Nell to come to terms with their sacrifices and the slow-growing love between them.
The beauty of this story is in the little details. The friendship (in an I-understand-what-makes-you-tick way) that deepens between Jess and Nell, the nuances of holding hands, the ways the army hospital figures in to Nell and Jesse’s dynamic, the unlikely heroism of two rag-tag privates, and the selfless love that grows between Jesse and Nell.
Content note: this story has some mild expletives appropriate to the era. It does contain a few moderately detailed to detailed intimate scenes (not closed door) between a husband and wife that makes it a hard PG13 in my opinion.
April 8, 2023
As usual, Carla Kelly manages to write Regency Romance that goes so far beyond the norm it's almost a pity to call it a romance. Except it is that, too. In this case our hero is a surgeon in Wellington's army and the heroine a young English woman (with a terrible father) who helps nurse the sick and injured. When she is desperate for help the surgeon, who has always liked her but is too shy to admit it, steps up to the plate and they make a marriage of convenience. Then things get truly, seriously troubled.
Making their way across Spain barely one step ahead of the French army, this couple has to deal with their difficult situation, the horrible results of war on the people around them, and their own awkward relationship. This isn't a light, frothy story of balls and flirtations, but a look into the lives of two people must learn to take care of each other while trying to stay alive and out of the hands of the enemy - even when they can't be sure who exactly that may be.
I gave this book 4 stars because there was one section that I found ridiculous and unbelievable, and it really broke the reality of the book for me. Otherwise this was a tense story that had me genuinely worried for the MCs and desperate to see them find the happiness - and safety - they clearly deserved. I highly recommend it.
Making their way across Spain barely one step ahead of the French army, this couple has to deal with their difficult situation, the horrible results of war on the people around them, and their own awkward relationship. This isn't a light, frothy story of balls and flirtations, but a look into the lives of two people must learn to take care of each other while trying to stay alive and out of the hands of the enemy - even when they can't be sure who exactly that may be.
I gave this book 4 stars because there was one section that I found ridiculous and unbelievable, and it really broke the reality of the book for me. Otherwise this was a tense story that had me genuinely worried for the MCs and desperate to see them find the happiness - and safety - they clearly deserved. I highly recommend it.
January 23, 2024
Very sweet beta H and nice but strong h!
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