Love's Undoing

The American Brides Collection

by Gabrielle Meyer

McCrea Fur Post, Upper Mississippi River, 1792

Abi McCrea has been raised in a remote fur post on the Upper Mississippi River, the daughter of a Scottish fur trader and his Indian wife. All she wants is to see the world beyond her stockade walls, but her father worries that life in the city will not be kind to her.

Englishman Isaiah Kingsley has worked for years to gain the trust of his employer. When he agrees to take a letter into the backcountry, a week’s journey inland, he doesn’t expect to escort a captivating young woman on his return to Montreal.

After they arrive in Montreal, and nothing goes as expected, Abi and Isaiah are soon faced with a decision. Will their plans keep them apart, or will they finally find what they were looking for all along?

Genres: Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction, Fiction, Historical, Christian, Romance

94 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 16, 2024

About the author

Gabrielle Meyer grew up above a carriage house on a historic estate near the banks of the Mississippi River, imagining real and make-believe stories about the occupants who had lived there. She went on to work for the Minnesota Historical Society and loves writing fiction inspired by real people, places, and events. She currently resides in central Minnesota on the banks of the Mississippi River, not far from where she grew up, with her husband and four children. By day, she’s a busy homeschool mom, and by night she pens fiction and non-fiction filled with hope. Learn more about Gabrielle and her writing by visiting www.gabriellemeyer.com.

Reviews

[Staci · Rating 4 out of 5]

1792 Upper Mississippi River (present day Minnesota)

Sweet novella about wanting to explore beyond the only home/place you've ever known.

[Nikki Akerson · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s incredible how Gabrielle packs so much depth into this novella. The story feels full and fleshed out. I loved every minute of it!

[Angela Bell · Rating 4 out of 5]

In "The American Brides Collection," Gabrielle Meyer has curated a delectable assortment of eight novellas, rich and sweet as a box of chocolates.

Skillfully hand-crafted, each novella features nuanced characters, atmospheric settings, fascinating history, and heart-fluttering romance.

If historical romance is your favorite bookish treat, you’ll enjoy savoring The American Brides Collection!

📚 The American Brides Collection
📖 1) Virginia Company Bride
📖 2) Love's Undoing
📖 3) Four Brides and a Bachelor
📖 4) A Groom for Josette
📖 5) First Comes Love
📖 6) The Ranger's Reward
📖 7) A Tale of Two Hearts
📖 8) Bride of Basswood Hill

[Audrey Colman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story! At the end I was like “it’s already over!?”

Watching Isaiah learn the difference between inward and outward beauty and Abi as she saw that the world wasn’t what she thought it was. People outside of her safe community, people who were supposed to be family, were not the picture she’d painted them to be in her mind.
I liked Isaiah’s regard and respect for Abi, no matter her heritage. And Abi caring for Isaiah when he first arrived 🫠

Another phenomenal short read by Gabrielle! I can’t wait to read the rest in the series.

[Janixa - Her Bible and Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story! I could have kept reading more about Abi and Isiah!

Gabrielle Meyer has such a gift for writing and I'm so excited to keep reading her work!

[Amber Underhile · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love Gabrielle Meyer and the way she brings her writings to life. Just not a fan of short romance stories.

[Deanna Mosier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wonderful historical romance

Gabrielle Meyer writes wonderful books, and this novella is very enjoyable! Short but sweet as backwoods meets city …who will win her heart? I enjoyed reading it!

[twirlinginameadow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super sweet! As always, I learned something new and loved the historical note at the end!
I really enjoyed Isaiah’s character and the love development in this story:) And following along as they traveled by dogsled!

[Susan P · Rating 4 out of 5]

Novella--part of an interesting series.

[Kaity ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Looove! I loved how rich in historical detail this series is so far!! Abi and Isaiah deserved one another 🤧 I loved them. ❤️ Another short and sweet story!!

[Karen Austin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very short read only 100 pages. Insightful read about the life of fur traders and their families in the late 1700’s. Many European men came to the US for this trade would usually marry native Indians have children creating a “not” so culturally accepted race. This story highlights one family’s experience, particularly a daughter named Abi. She has an adventurous heart in desiring to see other parts of the world before she is to settle into a marriage her father desires her to make. Through meeting a new stranger, Isaiah she befriends, her dream of seeing other parts of the world become reality. However, she is not totally prepared for all she hopes to experience and how life tends to change our plans. Sweet short read of learning something about history with a short romance mixed into the story!

[Emily Waits (emilylovesreading_) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a sweet story! If you are looking for a lovely historical fiction with a clean romance that you can fly through in a sitting or two, this is it!

The setting of this book was so fascinating to me. This novella is set in 1792 at a fur trading post in a remote location in the Upper Mississippi River region.

This book deals with several societal issues of the time, and I loved learning more about this time period in history through reading this story and through the research this story inspired me to do afterward. The main characters were wonderful to spend time with.

[Teresa Forsberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. A short 100 page novella about fur trading in the 1800/. Abi is the daughter of a fur trader and an Indian mother. She know nothing about life outside of the post she has lived at in the wilderness and longs to go to Montreal. After a stranger comes bringing a missive to her father from his brother, her father agrees to let her go with Isaiah and one of his men to Montreal. It was a quick read with a fast growing relationship (it has to be in 100 pages). Cute but not sure I will read the other books in the collection of novellas.

[Amber Thiessen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy the setting of the backcountry. Abi McCrea is Metis, which comes with discrimination she's been sheltered from her whole life. She longs for ballrooms and society unaware of these realities. She's strong and courageous and has deep love for her sister. When she finally has the opportunity to see Montreal she finds it not as she imagined.

This is a nice short novella for a rainy afternoon :)

[Meghan W. (Bookswithmegh) · Rating 5 out of 5]

MY THOUGHTS:
Just a sweet and heart warming novella! I love these American Bride novellas by Gabrielle Meyer. They have the perfect touch of historical fiction & romance that suits my mood-reader self. I loved Abi & Isiah. They were so well suited & communicated well, & wanted the best for each other. When it ended I wanted more of the story!

GENRE: Historical Fiction
PAGES: 103
RATING: 4.5☆

[Harleigh King · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this novella and read it in a short time. The characters and setting drew me in immediately. However, I did wish it had more depth and heartfelt emotion, but characters in novellas are typically less developed than those in novels because of the length. Overall, this was a very quick and enjoyable read.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Abi and Isaiah

I would’ve given five stars, but the ending came to an abrupt, screeching halt! I loved the story of Abi finding love with Isaiah, but when the story ended with no notice, I was disappointed.

Otherwise, it was well written and had a sweet romance.

[Courtney Vaughn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very quick, sweet historical romance. Definitely “insta-love” vibes but reasonable for a novella. The authors notes are always cool, I enjoyed learning a little bit more about the Métis people. Looking forward to the next book in this series!

[Leanne Eastman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short and Sweet!

I love this author. Everything is put together just as it should, well written and engaging. Not surprising because everything she writes makes me happy in the end.

[Alyssa Shull · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet Short Story

I really enjoyed this sweet love story. A little piece of history I never knew about. I read it in one sitting which was really fun!

[Laura A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this novella set in 1752 during the North American fur trade. Go read this book if you’re in the mood for a short, delightful historical romance!

[Sheridan Wibeto · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and sweet! Always love Gabrielle Meyers writing.

[Connie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ah…another sweet story!

I enjoyed this novella…I want to hear more from this author (& these characters!!!). Loved the setting and the time period…

[Tamara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the historical background of the fur trade as it was something I learned about in history in school and Montreal is a couple of hours from where I live. Abi is an endearing character.

[Joee (booksandacupofjoee) · Rating 4 out of 5]

*3.5 stars*

[Jennifer V · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was looking for a lighthearted and short read. This was perfect! A little clean romance, a small conflict, and a tiny bit of a history lesson.

[Holly Pick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great love story by Gabrielle! Love learning about another place and another time! I just wish the book were longer, I wasn’t ready for it to be done 😊

[Lisa Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A quick, but sweet read. I really loved how Abi realized that her father was protecting her, even though she had to go through the pain for herself. Loved watching her and Isaiah’s love story unfold.

[Lindy Leonard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Novellas aren't usually my favorite, but this one squeezed a lot of character development into a short story! Worth reading. Just wished for one more chapter.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gabrielle Meyer is such a fantastic storyteller. I devoured this short story in one sitting. So, so good.

I’ll post my full review ASAP.