The Chesapeake Bride

Chesapeake Diaries #11

by Mariah Stewart

Architect Cassidy Logan has sworn off good-looking adventurers. Newly divorced, she’s focused on building ecologically friendly, historically accurate homes on the Chesapeake Bay for her father’s construction company. Traveling to Cannonball Island—where there has been no new construction in nearly one hundred years—Cass is sensitive to the heritage of the island, and has come up with plans so perfect she’s determined to buy a home for herself. Even the fact that Owen Parker—a local who she dismisses as a lightweight and a player—seems to be everywhere isn’t enough to deter her from building her dream house.

Owen Parker is and always has been sinfully handsome and wickedly clever, a magnet for mischief as well as girls. He’s a rolling stone, going and doing whatever appeals to him, from flying a mail plane in Alaska, to working on a cattle ranch in Australia, a shrimp boat in Louisiana, and surfing and diving in Costa Rica. When an old friend offers him a job salvaging a sunken ship on the Chesapeake Bay, Owen gladly accepts. Something’s been telling him it was time to head home to Cannonball Island, and a job is as good an excuse as any. And he’s totally smitten by the pretty architect on the scene, but it seems he’s finally met a woman who’s immune to his charms. Sooner or later, Owen will have to face the reason why he always runs, because this time, leaving just might be harder than staying.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Adult, Chick Lit, Family

385 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 29, 2017

About the author

Mariah Stewart is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of forty-one novels and three novellas and has been featured in the Wall Street Journal. She is a RITA finalist in romantic suspense and the recipient of the Award of Excellence for contemporary romance, a RIO Award for excellence in women's fiction, and a Reviewers Choice Award from Romantic Times Magazine. A three-time winner of the Golden Leaf Award presented by the New Jersey Romance Writers, Stewart was recently awarded their Lifetime Achievement Award (which placed her in their Hall of Fame along with former recipients Nora Roberts and Mary Jo Putney — very excellent company, indeed!)

After having written seven contemporary romance novels, Stewart found true happiness writing murder and mayhem. She considers herself one lucky son of a gun to have landed the best job in the world: getting paid for making up stories. At home. In sweats and J. Crew flip flops. Could life be sweeter?

Reviews

[Chris C - A Midlife Wife · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting read. Little history and old family stories.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I was a bit intimidated when I picked up this book and saw it was book 11 in a series. I thought I was going to be in trouble as far as keeping up with all of the characters. However, that could not be further from the truth. The author did a fabulous job blending in the storylines from other books seamlessly so I never felt lost or wondered what I was reading.

This book is a waking talking history book of the infamous Chesapeake area of the eastern seaboard. With wonderful detail and highly descriptive portions of the area and local architecture, you are sucked into Cannonball Island and all of the interesting characters that live there.

Blended into the history of the area is a budding romance. Smitten from first glance, Owen and Cass are finding comfort in the town and each other with a few ups and downs and fearful steps along the way. Written with a slow build of romance, you become comfortable with them, just like they were an old friend. Finally cheering them on as they find their way through the inevitable stuff that pops into life.

With plenty of unique and fun characters to get to know, the activity of the wedding, and lots of exploration of the town, The Chesapeake Bride is an engaging and sweet, cozy romance that leaves you with a happy feeling and the anticipation of more to come in this series.

* Copy received for review consideration
Giveaway and full review - http://amidlifewife.com/the-chesapeak...

[Carla · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading "The Chesapeake Bride" I have added 10 more books to my TBR list. This is book eleven in the "Chesapeake Diaries" series, and even though it can be read as a standalone, after meeting the characters in this story, I want to read their stories. There was enough of the history of the characters in the story that you were able to get the idea of what this little island and its history means to the characters in the story.

I have never been to this area, but I definitely want to go now. Mariah Stewart does an amazing job weaving the descriptions of the area, the architecture and the history of Cannonball Island into the story with the quirky and interesting characters that live there and on St. Dennis. I absolutely loved the character of Ruby, the irascible 100 year old matriarch of the Parker family. She has "the sight" but does not interfere and share her knowledge. When the romance of Cass (Cassidy Logan) and Owen begins to grow, you can feel the emotions, and their wonder. I wanted to be there and watch it unfold. As they move through all the other stuff that gets in the way and pops up unexpectedly, you cheer them on, you want them to get together. With plenty of unique and fun characters to get to know, the exploration of the town, and the upcoming nuptials of Owen's sister Lis, this story is a sweet romance, community drama and family story that will leave you wanting more. There is definitely another visit to Chesapeake in my future reading. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book via Netgalley.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great series!

[Miranda · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 / 5 Fangs

I was really worried going into this book since it is the 11th book in the series. I figured I would have a really hard time jumping into this world with all these already developed characters. Thankfully, the author did a great job weaving the old stories and characters into this new story. The author made it very easy to get a sense of all the characters and feel like you didn't miss a thing.

The characters in this book were all charming and lovable people. It was easy to care for the cast of characters that the author created. I loved how this book really focused on the importance of family and friendships. The importance of loyalty really shined in The Chesapeake Bride and it warmed my heart.

There were some slower and predictable elements in this book, but I thought it did a great job holding my interest overall.

One of my favorite things about this book was the setting. I love the Chesapeake area and Cannonball Island seems like a dream. The author was so descriptive and detailed that I actually felt like I was in the charming town. All of the characters cared deeply about Cannonball Island and their passion for it made me feel just as passionate about the Island. I want to move there!

The romance was sweet and slow burning. It made me smile and feel all the feels. There were some things between Cass and Owen that caused some drama, but it was great to watch them overcome those issues together. I loved watching them grow comfortable together and learn to trust each other. Their hesitancy was adorable and I ended up really liking them as a couple.

The Chesapeake Bride was a charming and heart-warming read. I would recommend this to any people who love contemporary romances set in a quaint town!

3.5 / 5 Fangs

*This ebook was given to me in exchange for an honest review. *

MrsLeif's Two Fangs About It
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[Linda Zagon · Rating 5 out of 5]

MY REVIEW OF “THE CHESAPEAKE BRIDE’ A Novel by MARIAH STEWART

I enjoyed the charming and delightful novel, “The Chesapeake Bride” by Mariah Stewart. The genres for this novel are Romance and Women’s Fiction.

I love the way Mariah Stewart describes the charming setting and town on the Chesapeake Bay, in the Cannonball Island. The artistic feel of the houses, the restaurants, the hotel, and the stores are so appealing. Whether you are clamming, or sailing on a ship, or just relaxing and having tea with home baked delicacies, there is a homey and comforting feel. The old homes are part of this Island, and have tremendous history.

The author describes her characters as complex and complicated. Some of the older seasoned characters have memories of the townsfolk that goes back many years. Cassidy Logan is an architect that is working for her father’s big company, and has plans to rebuild the falling down homes and use as much as she can of the materials in her new homes in this historic area. Cassidy wants to preserve the historic feel and preserve the previous family history. Owen Parker, considered an adventurer and “player” is back at home by the Chesapeake Bay to work and help his 100 year old grandmother, who runs the country store. Owen is also looking at the Chesapeake Bay for sunken ships found at the bottom, to determine the historical finds, and dive to retrieve many things.

Owen’s and the other divers have found enough to put a stop to Cassidy’s work temporarily. Cassidy has to find other alternatives to make this work.
There are a cast of colorful and quirky characters. Cassidy and Owen work closely professionally and sparks seem to fly. On this small island, people are very hospitable.

I appreciate the way the author writes about the importance of family, friendships, loyalty, love and hope. There are some twists and turns and secrets in this novel. This novel is part of a series, but can stand alone. I was captivated by the charm and story by the author and would highly recommend this book to readers who enjoy Romance and Fiction. I received a copy of this book for my honest review. This novel is part of a blog tour for Mariah Stewart.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having read and enjoyed many of the books in this series, it is easy to see how the series is still going strong with this book, number eleven! Once again Mariah Stewart has written a great small town contemporary romance with characters that you just can't help but liking. Even though she keeps introducing new characters which will undoubtedly become future books, she still manages to keep them all connected while incorporating former couples into the newest story line. But yet manages to do so in such a way that its ok if you haven't read all of the books. However, it does make me want to go back and read the few books that I have missed just because I like the characters and their stories. One of the best parts of this series is the diary entries from Grace that start and end each book. Grace is like the town matriarch/historian/reporter and since she has the gift of sight her entries always prove to be entertaining and slightly cryptic. I do enjoy how Grace hints at what is to come without making the story delve into paranormal romance territory. I look forward to many more entries into this series in the future.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this novel.

[Tanja ~ KT Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review to come
*ARC Read


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[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first book by Mariah Stewart, but it will not be the last. Even though this is the 11th book in the series, I never felt lost, only intrigued. I will definitely add the other books to my "want to read" list. I loved the setting of the islands of the Chesapeake Bay in the early autumn, with the descriptions of the warm days and cool nights. The homes and businesses were ones I'd love to visit, from having tea with Grace at the Inn or ice cream at One or Two Scoops in St. Dennis, to visiting with Ruby at the general store on Cannonball Island.

I was immediately drawn into the lives of the two main characters, Cassidy and Owen. Cassidy is an architect with her father's construction company. She has designed a series of houses to be built on the island, ones that retain the style and history of the originals, to the point of using materials saved from the old houses in the new ones. I loved her enthusiasm, as every day seemed to give her new ideas on ways to bring the past and the future together. Something not in her plans is getting involved with Owen Parker, local playboy and rolling stone.

Owen is one of the island's more notorious residents. He is handsome, fun-loving, and hasn't run very fast when the girls chased him, though he doesn't stay caught for long. He's spent years going where his whims take him, from Alaska to Australia, but lately, he's felt nostalgic for home. When a friend offers him a job as a diver helping to excavate a sunken ship, he jumps at the chance. It doesn't take long for him to be drawn to Cass, but she doesn't want anything to do with him.

I loved the development of the relationship between Owen and Cass. Both of them have failed marriages in their pasts, making them wary of getting involved. Cass was married to a man who was never home, having decided that his military career was more important than their marriage. She's determined not to get involved with another rolling stone. Owen married the girl who was always there when he came back from one of his trips, thinking it was time for him to settle down, but friendship and habit weren't enough to sustain the marriage and keep him from wandering. Owen was attracted to Cass from the moment he met her, but she wouldn't give him the time of day, no matter how hard he tried. Fortune smiled on him, though, when the ship excavation disrupted her construction plans, giving him the chance to offer his assistance. I loved seeing Owen approach his goal of getting to know her from a different angle, and being very smart about it. Instead of making it personal, he offered to help her find another solution, and at the same time show her around the island. Cass is, of course, skeptical at first, but relaxes when he behaves himself.

I loved the way that Cass's enthusiasm for the island and everything about it made Owen look at her as more than just another conquest. It didn't take long for him to realize that he had gone past wanting her to needing her in his life. I loved seeing him find multiple little ways to help her learn about the island, from showing her the little cemeteries to taking her crabbing. Even when his attempts went wrong (the trip on the schooner), his sensitivity to her needs was amazing. It was fun to watch Cass realize that she was fighting a losing battle when it came to resisting Owen. In spite of frequently reminding herself that he was a player, she discovered that there was much more to him than she expected. But just when things looked especially promising for them, an unexpected twist turns Owen's life upside down. I ached for Owen, who didn't know how to handle it and feared becoming a man like his father. I also ached for Cass, who believed that her dreams were crumbling in front of her. It took some blunt talk from family members for each of them to overcome their fears and realize that they could handle anything if they did it together.

I loved the importance of family and community in the book. Owen's great-grandmother, Ruby, was my favorite of the secondary characters. She's one hundred years old, with the Southern grace and steel to go along with those years. She also has the "sight" but doesn't use it to interfere in people's lives, though she will occasionally make a comment to get someone thinking. Thanks to her age, Ruby also has an encyclopedic knowledge of the area, and the stories she told gave extra depth to the magic of the island. I loved how various people in the community embraced Cass and her ideas for ways to preserve and showcase the island's history. There were some terrific scenes of that support, from Grace's teas to a possible collaboration with Owen's sister. I can't wait to go back and read the earlier books.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

THE CHESAPEAKE BRIDE Stands on Its Own with an Interesting Accent
http://fangswandsandfairydust.com/201...

This is an interesting, not too steamy, romance — I would share it with my mom. The story has some interesting plot points, although they resolve in a fairly predictable manner. But what Romance doesn’t? The HEA is, after all, a requirement and for a story to resolve with an HEA the plot points will have to go a certain way.

The first predictable elements are the characters’ attitudes toward romance an to moving on. Cassidy is “on to” the player nature of local Owen Parker. He’s a rolling stone as well. She’s adverse to both, one because she’s smart and the other because of past experience. Owen, is challenged by Cassidy’s lack of interest. She has an eye to staying put after her project is done and he isn’t, yet.

They keep getting thrown together, he can’t back away from a challenge, and, well, you know.

I liked the family and close community aspect of the story. But, the thing I enjoyed the most was the historical. The story is placed in an area of islands off the coast of Virginia, called Tangier. There’s plenty written about it:

As the waters around Tangier Island slowly swallow up the shoreline, more than the land is being threatened: a way of life, a fascinating history, and a unique local dialect are all in danger of vanishing for good.

Captain John Smith “discovered” Tangier in 1608, and the British claimed it. The first permanent settlers arrived in 1686. In 1812, the Royal Marines built Fort Albion, which is now completely underwater. They offered American slaves safe haven on the island and freed them. Many of the former slaves enlisted in the Royal Marines, and then relocated to British colonies in the Caribbean….

…“Some people call it ‘Elizabethan’ or a ‘Restoration-era English accent,’ but it’s not really that,” Kilpatrick says. A book written by a local Tangier man, David Shores, says the dialect descends from early settlers who came from the Cornwall region of southwest England. Because the island is so isolated, much of that dialect has remained intact. https://www.pri.org/stories/2014-07-2...

This is also important in an audio narraction of this book as the accent is pronounced and unless you know about it ahead of time, the reading sounds all wrong — like a Mid-Atlantic accent with a lot of Cornwall as well. It sounded a bit like Cornwall, old Boston and Philadelphia got together and brought in a little pf the Blue Mountains. I can’t say how well Osmanski does with it, since it is not an accent I was really familiar with, but I guarantee it was a challenging job. The accent first bugged me, but then added a lot of interest.

There’s not a lot of steam; while there is some sheet time, it’s pretty tame. The characters are interesting, even if they are not developed at length.

Even though this was the eleventh book in the series I thought it could stand on its own — while there was obviously some backstory, I didn’t miss it.

If you like contemporary romance with a little history try THE CHESAPEAKE BRIDE.

[Shane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I hadn't realized that this was eleventh in a series when I found it on NetGalley. I just got curious about the story after reading the blurb and requested it right away. Thankfully, each book in the series focuses on different characters so this one, like the others, can be read as a standalone.

So what can I say about The Chesapeake Bride? Well, above all else I definitely enjoyed it. The story is rich in history and has wonderful descriptions of a coastal setting that had me breathing in every scene. I also really liked each character, not just the main. While Cass and Owen were both very interesting to read about, I fell in love with Owen's grand-aunt Ruby and his little sister, Lis. I liked how loving and supportive the family and members of the community were. Everyone knew everyone. That in itself was simply delightful. And whenever Ruby or Grace got to talking about a family or a particular spot on the island, it always warmed my heart. In a way, they brought life back to things and you could really feel the love and knowledge they possessed.

As for the main characters, Owen and Cass, I thought their encounters were cute and often times informative. Cass was still moving on from a divorce so it was understandable that she'd want to focus solely on the development project and fought the idea of having a relationship with Owen, especially when he was a known player and adventure seeker that never stuck around for long. Nevertheless, the subtle ways Owen had gotten her to warm up to him was adorable and he certainly made my mouth drool reading about his cooking skills. Their time together didn't always end well, with Cass being headstrong and her drive to preserve the history of Cannonball Island not always being taken in a genuine way. But I was glad that Owen cleared up his misinterpretations pretty quickly and that the two were able to better connect.

Honestly, though, the romance aspect wasn't a huge part of why I liked the story so much, and I didn't care for the last minute drama involving Owen's ex. What I loved more than anything else was the island and its history. The details truly made me want to move there. And I loved that toward the end certain things had resolved for the better. With The Chesapeake Bride being such a good read, I'd love to catch up with the rest of this series. I definitely see why so many people love Stewarts' storytelling.

[Shelley Lawrence · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75-4 stars
The Chesapeake Bride is the 11th book in the ongoing Chesapeake Diaries series by Mariah Stewart. This story mainly takes place on the small, rustic, semi-abandoned town on Cannonball Island off the Chesapeake Bay.

Cassidy Logan is a gifted architect who works for her father’s construction company. She is currently designing historically accurate remodels of the small, decrepit homes on island. They are rich in history and culture, but in need of attention and restoration after being abandoned and neglected for years.

Owen Parker is known as a player who doesn’t stay put long. He’s home from his world travels to spend time with his 100 year-old grandmother, Ruby, and to salvage a sunken ship that is causing some delays in Cassie’s construction. The two seem to be drawn to one another, but Cass is wary, with good reason.

Mariah Stewart does an amazing job of blending romance, family drama, history, architecture and topical facts together to create a well-rounded story that offers depth and versatility. This cast of likable characters, along with a unique setting and sweet romance, makes The Chesapeake Bride is a nice addition to this series.

[Dawn West · Rating 4 out of 5]

**Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book.**

So glad this series isn't over!



I have been a fan of Mariah Stewart for years now. Ever since my mother handed me the first of the Chesapeake Diaries series and I fell in love with St. Dennis. I thought that the tenth book of this series would be the last, so I was surprised to see number eleven was on the way. I knew I had to read it the second I got my hands on it. I definitely don't regret that decision!

Owen is a man who seeks out adventure and follows it wherever it may lead. Whether it's the mountains of Alaska or the waters of Costa Rica, he can't seem to sit still long enough to grow roots. However, the connection he has to his home on Cannonball Island continues to pull at him, making him wonder if maybe it's time to pick a place to call home. Or perhaps, a person...

Cass knows Owen isn't the man for her. His love-and-leave reputation is all it takes to convince her. But the more time she spends with Owen, the less she realizes she actually knows about him. Deep down, he loves his family and has a deep appreciation for his home's history. Oh, and he makes a great crab cake too.

One accidental date turns into two and soon the pair are stealing kisses and rethinking their futures. But just when things seem to be going great, a big secret may threaten to rip everything away. The couple will have some serious decisions to make if they ever stand a chance at finding their happily ever after.

I liked our characters from the start. Owen was sweet and Cass was ambitious. Together, they could do so much for Cannonball Island and I loved that they each had an appreciation for the place's rich history. I immediately fell in love with Owen's grandmother. Ruby was a breath of fresh air in the story and offered most of the humor. We also get to visit several of the other characters in the town that we've already met in earlier books.

The title may be a little misleading as it seems to actually refer to Owen's sister, who gets married in this book. Her story was told in book number ten but we get to see the ceremony here. Owen and Cass's love story is slower to progress so don't expect to see wedding bells for them in this book. Once I realized this, I wasn't disappointed but the romance is slower burning.

I think the only thing I didn't love about the book was the abundance of backstory. This area has hundreds of years of history and we seem to learn a whole lot about it. I didn't mind a few stories here and there but there was quite a bit more of it in this installment than the rest. It didn't help that the majority of the conversations our couple had revolved around historical buildings or families. I could have done with a little less of the history lesson. But it was still a really good read.

In closing...
I'm excited by Grace's last diary entry. It suggests there are more books to come in this series and I hope the wildcat Chrissie gets her turn soon!

Full review on blog: https://uptildawnbookblog.blogspot.com/2017/09/review-chesapeake-bride-by-mariah.html

[Gloria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mariah Stewart has been a go to author for me for many years. The Chesapeake Diaries series is one that I have read and enjoyed, from the beginning. It is about an area on the Eastern shore of the Chesapeake Bay comprising of St. Dennis, Sinclair's Point and Cannonball Island. Each time a new book in the series comes out, it is like revisiting old friends and catching up with what is going on in their lives.

Cassidy Logan is in the area working as an architect for her father's company on a new development on Cannonball Island. Owen Parker is back on the island for a few months to visit his great grandmother and matriarch, 100 hundred year old Ruby Carter and work with a friend on a diving job off the island coast. Ruby raised Owen and his sister, Lisbeth, who is an artist and also living back in the area. Cass sees Owen as a player and Owen sees Cass as someone he would like to get to know better. It was fun to watch the two become friends as Owen shows Cass around the area and gives her some local tours and history lessons. There are some unexpected twists in the story that I wasn't expecting to see and wondered how they would be worked out. Owen and Cass, as all the characters in this series, are real and likable. I would like to visit the area and maybe stay in the Inn, visit Scoops Ice Cream Shop, go to Blings Boutique and listen to Ruby's tales of the area. There is also a wedding to look forward to since Lis and Alec got engaged in the previous book, Driftwood Point. I recommend this wonderful series with the colorful history of the area, memorable characters that welcome newcomers and returning members alike, and maybe a celebrity or so. This book is one of my favorite in the series and I am looking forward to see what will be happening in the next book.

Thanks to Simon and Schuster and Melissa for giving me an opportunity to read this book and in exchange, an honest review. The opinions are mine and completely honest.

[Escape Into Reading · Rating 4 out of 5]

I do not like starting a series either in the middle or at the end of a series. I always feel like I am missing something. 9 out of 10 times, the book always references back to the earlier books in a series. I know people are asking “Why review then“. Simple. I love to read and sometimes, not always, there is a book that you can read alone from the series. The Chesapeake Bride is such a book. While it is the 11th, yes 11th!!, book in The Chesapeake Diaries series, this can be read almost as a standalone book. I say almost because there are scenes where I wished I had read the other 10 books.

The plot of The Chesapeake Bride is a pretty straightforward one. Cass is an architect who is in the process of evaluating houses on Cannonball Island. She is seeing if they could be rebuilt as they were 100 years ago. Owen is a Cannonball Island local and a bit of a free spirit. He is a ladies man who charms every woman that he meets, except Cass. The two of them connect on Cannonball Island. That is where Cass sees Owen as a player who refuses to settle down and Owen sees Cass an anomaly. Someone who is immune to his charm. The book takes off from there. There is a subplot of a sunken Revolutionary era ship in the bay which was very interesting. The other major subplot was the mystery of what Cyndy, Owen’s ex-wife, wants to talk to him about. I called that one as soon as it came up.

The Chesapeake Bride is one of those romances that you sigh over every page. Owen and Cass’s story was a true opposite attract romance. Sometimes, they are the best kind romances to read!! I love a well-written romance and Mariah Stewart has not failed me yet in any of the books that I have read and reviewed.

I loved Cass’s character. She was funny and successful. Being on Cannonball Island was helping her heal from her divorce. Then she met Owen and sparks happened. But once she got into a relationship with him, I felt that she lost some of her oomph. I felt that she overreacted to certain events that happened that involved Owen. I mean, you don’t run away from a man you love and want to be with. Luckily, her mother was able to talk some sense into her. It rubbed me the wrong way that she did what she did.

Owen was a riot. He loved the ladies and the ladies loved him. He was happy wandering the earth, doing whatever he wanted with whoever he wanted. So when he met Cass and got the cold shoulder, instead of being put off, he was attracted to her. It made him want her more. He did everything and anything to get her to like him. So when they did hook up, it was great. Then his ex-wife dropped a huge bombshell on him. She didn’t even have to cojones to tell him to his face. He had to find out this bombshell by running into her at a coffee shop with Cass. I would have reacted to same way he did. I also think I would have done the same things he did too.

When Owen and Cass finally had sex, it was pretty hot. What I liked is that it wasn’t that descriptive. Enough wordage was used so you knew what was happening but nothing too graphic. Like I have said in other reviews, I like graphic sex scenes. But I also like nongraphic sex scenes too.

The end of the book was very interesting. I did think that the Owen/Cyndy storyline was going to go in a different direction than it did. All the other storylines were wrapped up and ended in a satisfactory way. I loved the epilogue and the peek it gave into Owen and Cass’s life!!

4 stars

My Summary of The Chesapeake Bride:

The Chesapeake Bride is a cute, fast paced romance with a few curveballs thrown into it. With truly imaginable characters and a great storyline, you will get sucked into the book. Definitely a book that I will recommend to people!!

Will I reread: Yes

Will I recommend to family and friends: Yes

Age range: Adult

Why: Language and sex (not graphic)

I would like to thank Mariah Stewart, Gallery, Threshold, Pocket Books, Pocket Books and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review The Chesapeake Bride

All opinions stated in this review of The Chesapeake Bride are mine and I received no financial compensation for this review.

**I chose to leave this review after reading an advance reader copy**

[Ann Lorz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed for Romancing the Readers Blog: https://romancingthereaders.blogspot....

I can't believe we are already up to eleven books in the Chesapeake Diaries series. I've really fallen in love with this town and the people who live there.

Since book one what really made this series was Grace. I love the diary prologues that happen at the beginning of each book by Grace. I might be wrong but I think in the earlier books she wrote more then one entry. From them you are reminded about what happened in a prior book and what's coming in the one you are reading.

A very smart tool when you only get one book a year in this series.

For those of us reading this series we know that we've now moved over to Cannonball Island and Ruby. Oh boy do we love Ruby. Is there anybody from the island she doesn't know or knew in some cases? I will admit that she is 100 so I worry about her being around anymore. But maybe this will be the last book in the series and it won't matter? To be honest I don't know if there will be anymore.

Ruby's great-grandson Owen is staying with her while he tries to figure out what he wants to do next. He's the type of guy who doesn't let moss grow underneath his feet. Not great romance material, or is he just waiting to that one person that helps him find home?

Cass might only be there to build homes on Cannonball Island but she seems to also be falling in love with both St. Dennis and Cannonball Island and maybe a Owen a little bit too!

I really love these two together. Both Cassidy and Owen match. They might not know it at first but soon learn. Cass finds the ability to love and trust again in Owen and he finds home with her.

You will really enjoy the romantic dance these two go through. You will also love learning all the history surrounding Cannonball Island. It's a very rich history. If this is the last one in the series then I think it ended well, if not I will be sure to read what's next.

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ARC received for a honest review

[Kristi Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read all my reviews at: https://brainfartsandbooks.wordpress.com

Predictable? Yes. Still a fabulous read? YES! This is the second Mariah Stewart book I’ve read. Both books were so good even though this is not usually a genre I read a lot of. What I really enjoyed about this book is that it wasn’t all about the romance. It was about the history of the town the main characters were living in, Chesapeake Bay, and the everyday lives of the people who lived there. Cass Logan works for her father’s development company and upon arrival, is able to resist the handsome Owen Parker, a native of the land who has just come back from being away on different jobs that have brought him around the world. The two are brought together and develop a deep friendship. Owen, who is characterized by Cass as a “player”, is smitten with Cass but finds himself not only caring about her looks, but also caring about the things she is interested in including the history of the island and his family. I absolutely loved all the characters in this book and the way Mariah Stewart developed the deep relationships between Owen and his great-grandmother and sister, Lis. This book was beautifully written.

Thank you to Netgalley,  Mariah Stewart, and Pocket Books for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Chris Conley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading one of the Chesapeake stories is like catching up with old friends. Every book introduces new folks to these little communities and expands the number of new "friends" I now have in St. Dennis and Cannonball Island.

[Frankie Ness · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're looking for your future husband, it seems like Chesapeake is the place to be.

[Regina Skoczylas · Rating 2 out of 5]

The narration of this book may cause me not to finish it . Xe Sands did the narration on the previous 20 books in this series. This narrator isn’t getting it done . Very flat .

[Christie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Typical cute, feel-good chick-lit. Boy meets girl, relationship starts and evolves, conflict ensues, characters grow, solution, and HEA. I do like all the character tie-ins from the previous books. That’s always fun.

[Caro · Rating 1 out of 5]

I found this book very boring and the lead female character, Cass, came off as spoiled and petulant.
I have read all of the Mariah Stewart Chesapeake books, but I think it is time to give them up.

[Kathleen (Kat) Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love great series of books that don't stop at the traditional 3 book trilogy that most do. It's like you get so involved in these characters, the small town of St. Dennis and the many people who live, work and fall in love there, all have their own stories created in their own novels. If you have never picked up any of the now eleven novels in the series, and love romances that are built on that small town feel along a beautiful and enchanting seaside community, you will want to pick up all of the books in the Chesapeake Diary series from Mariah Stewart.

In the Chesapeake Bride, the eleventh in the series, Cass Logan is an architect with a big vision of restoring the small community of Cannonball Island that has spent the last 200 plus years raising families, burying their loved ones and in most cases left behind as the ocean claimed more and more of the smaller islands. Now in disrepair and barely standing Cass' father, owner of Deiter Construction has purchased all 22 lots with the idea of building a new community. But with Cass' imagination and information she has gleaned from the oldest of residents who lived and loved those who made the island a home, she wants to restore as much of the original home as possible using the reclaimed materials and keep the original look and feel of the homes that were once built there.

With each encounter of a new person she meets from St. Dennis, her ideas and creativity are manifesting them in ways that has her winning the support of the surrounding town and even potential buyers before the homes have even broke ground. The only thing that she is certain about is that she isn't about to fall for local boy Owen Parker, whom she perceives as a player and heart breaker. When she runs into a potential huge delay in her project, a sunken vessel at the mouth of the river which would mean not being able to build docks for the homes she had originally designed, she has to rely on Owen whose been hired to salvage and determine the nature of the vessel and hopefully open the way up to continued work on the island home renovations. Not only that her father has placed the entire project in her hands and at this stage it seems like all hope might just sink!

I received The Chesapeake Bride by Mariah Stewart compliments of Simon and Schuster Publishers. I have read every single one of this books in the series and really LOVE this one as probably my most favorite. You have a single attractive adrenaline travel junkie, Owen Parker, who is not about to be rejected by any woman, including Cass Logan. Yet the more time they spend together, not doing the traditional date stuff, the more they begin to learn about the true person hiding behind the shell most see on the outside only. But like all good things, it can't just end with a happily ever after ending you'd expect. Nope this one has more debris than what is laying on the ocean floor that seem determined to keep our favorite characters separated. You'll find out how it all ends by picking up this novel, but I must warn you, be prepared for another potential sequel where things might wrap up there instead. Am I giving you a premonition or simply trying to create a desire to pick this one up? Only time will tell. I'd give this one a 5 out of 5 stars in my opinion.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the continuing series about the Chesapeake area, this book takes the reader to Cannonball Island, where architect Cassidy Logan is working with her father’s company on a housing development in the area where there has been no new construction in a long time. Cass is sensitive to the subtle nuances and history of the island, and wants to develop something so unique and so attuned to the island and its history that she is staying there to get a good feel for it while figuring things out. In addition, Cass thinks this is the place where she will build her own home. While on the island, she encounters Owen Parker, a restless world vagabond who is also a known player, who has recently returned to his great-grandmother’s home for a visit. Though fascinated by him, Owen is not enough to keep Cass from the job at hand. Owen knows he has never met a girl who is not taken in by his charms, though he has never settled down but has instead traveled the world seeking his own wonder lust. Right now, he has returned to Cannonball Island because a friend has offered him a job salvaging a sunken vessel just off the island shore. From almost the start, Owen is smitten by Cass, who is newly divorced and not really ready for another man in her life. Both Owen and Cass have problematic histories and issues to resolve as well as jobs they look forward to, but the pull of each for the other can easily get in the way--if they let it.

Like the rest of the series, this book provides a good glimpse of life in a small island town as well as of the daily life of the residents who live there and have long, interesting histories connected with the island. It was interesting to watch the relationship between Own and Cass develop, while in and among a cast of colorful but loving other characters, who have been a part of Cannonball Island for years. The book definitely provides a good picture of the culture and history of the region. However, this is not my favorite in the series. I enjoyed reading it, but felt it dragged a bit and did not hold my interest as much as the other books in the series did. Still, I love all the stories about this region as presented in this book and series. I think anyone who enjoys a good storyline, infused with a good bit of history and culture, will enjoy this book. In addition, anyone who has read and enjoyed any of the other books in the series will enjoy this one. Even if you have not read the other books in the series, this one can be read as a stand-alone and will open up the rest of the series to you once you read it. I received this form NetGalley to read and review.

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was thrilled to get an ARC of Mariah Stewart’s newest book. The Chesapeake Bride is the first book in Ms. Stewart’s newest series The Chesapeake Diaries. As you can tell from the title, this book takes place on the Chesapeake Bay in the small town of St. Dennis and on Cannonball Island. Ms. Stewart not only captures the essence of the Chesapeake Bay, but also the history of the area.
Cassidy Logan is an architect. She may work for her father’s firm, but her designs and success are all her own. Her latest project is to rebuild the structures on Cannonball Island as new vacation homes. Cassidy plans to use as much of the area’s history as possible and to preserve everything she can. As she spends more time on the island, she comes to understand what makes is particularly unique. Of course, having a handsome native to the island to give her information and help her out doesn’t hurt.
Owen Parker was born and raised on Cannonball Island, but has spent most of his adult years wandering. Now he feels the need to return home. His great grandmother is one hundred years old and is starting to slow down some. Hearing about the development on the island and being offered a job to dive in the river and bay surrounding it make coming home easier. When Owen meets Cassidy, sparks fly—at least for him. She seems to want nothing to do with him and his charming ways.
Cassidy and Owen both love Cannonball Island and that shows through the rich descriptions and the history that Ms. Stewart shares in this book. As they work together to bring the island back together, they also find more and more to like about each other. Cassidy knows that Owen is a playboy so she has to decide how much of their attraction is real and how long it can last. For a successful woman, Cassidy has her own baggage with relationships and we see that when things get rocky for the couple.
I liked almost everything about this book. There is a subplot which I won’t spoil by giving it away that seems to unnecessarily complicate things for everyone. Not only is the subplot predicable which eliminates some of the surprise that I think Ms. Stewart was trying to introduce, but it adds drama that isn’t needed. If this small part was removed, the story would have flowed more smoothly. Cassidy and Owen have enough things to work out without this complication.

[Cheri · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Another sweet story from Mariah Stewart. I have really enjoyed getting to know the Cannonball Island residents in this series. I would love to buy one of Cassie’s designs and live out my days on such an island. Not only have I loved the couple who have come out of the place, I also love Ruby and the descriptions of the atmosphere.

Owen is like a teenager in the way he goes about wooing Cassidy. Not that he’s immature about it, but he plays a little game of acting like he’s not that into her. Don’t get me wrong. He’s not a jerk or anything. Just kind of cute and innocent with Cassidy.

I was already a fan of Cass after the last book when everything about the development of the island came to a head. She is so passionate about the things she loves. When her passion gets a bit over the top it can be taken the wrong way, and Owen does misinterpret her motives at one point. But it’s soon very apparent that Cass just goes all in when she has a job she loves and there isn’t a deceitful bone in her body.

There is a pretty big issue that has to do with Owen that most readers will figure out pretty quickly. As much as I enjoyed that monkey wrench I wasn’t crazy about the timing of the issue (I felt like I was waiting for the other shoe to drop forever!) and that it all moved very quickly with not a lot of details. It’s kind of funny since a past complaint of mine with this series was the use of details that weren’t needed. In this portion of the story I felt there were some details that weren’t fleshed out as well as I would have liked.

Oddly enough, I thought book 9 in this series was going to be the last of the series. From the introduction of some new characters and situations in this story it seems there is still quite a bit of steam in this story. I only hope these stories deal with Cannonball Island a bit more.

**I received an ARC of this book courtesy of Net Galley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review**

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[William J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would like to thank Mariah Stewart for this book. It was so enjoyable to read. Owen Parker who is divorced and 38 years old returns to live with his great-grandmother, Ruby, in her home on Cannonball Island off the Waring River and the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland. He normally has been traveling and working diving and doing other jobs. He always returns to his home town but usually it is only temporary. Cassidy Logan who is also divorced is an architect who works for her father's construction company. She gets first choice on jobs she's interested in and she loves history and wants to design houses and buy one herself on Cannonball Island. She isn't interested in Owen Parker who she knows is handsome but thinks of him as a player. Owen proves her wrong by taking her to dinner at Emily Hart's where she met people and learned about the history of the Island, took her crabbing and taught her to catch crabs, took her on a tour of Chestertown, Maryland where she saw all the historic houses, took her on a ship called the Contessa where she learned not to be so afraid of being on the water and he brought her home for dinner with his family and cooked her dinner. He also told her about his failed marriage and about his father whom Owen didn't discuss with others. He also helped her clean up gravesites and taught her how to use some of the tools she needed. Ruby, Owen's great-grandmother runs the Cannonball Island General Store and has celebrated her one-hundredth birthday. She is wise, knows the history of sunken islands and ships and has special insight. She predicts changes will come and this proves to be true. Owen's ex-wife returns to the Island and this becomes interesting. I liked the description of the crab dinner's which included Maryland Crab Cakes, mashed potatoes or baked fries (at Owen's dinner) and fried green tomatoes with horseradish sauce and apple pie. All the details were charming. I highly recommend that you buy, gift, but most importantly read this book which is not only educational but very unique. I know you won't be disappointed.

[Katherine Hayward Pérez · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I saw this was book 13 in the series, I thought "oh, I've missed out on a lot!" It was easy to get into, though. It was the first I had read by Mariah Stewart. As I'm not from the US, I enjoy any book that is set there. I know nothing about the Chesapeake area of Maryland, so I was happy to explore. I love stories based on islands, and although it does not start on an island, the reader is swept up in the writing and the descriptions of the surroundings. Owen Parker is a professional diver (at least in his current job, and he has had many and has traveled to a lot of places.)

Cass ventures to the area as a newly divorced woman and she is an architect. She really wants to build eco-friendly homes which use local materials on nearby Cannon Island. She's really impressed by her visit there with Owen, and even more impressed by the stories his grandmother Ruby tells Cass and the guests at the island's inn about Owen and his extended family.

The book is full of old memories and the flow is great. There's romance too, and overall the setting as well as the fact that the island is steeped in history and tradition make for an excellent read.

There's happiness, sadness tension and longing all woven in with friendship, and, of course, a beautiful wedding!

The book is pure escapism. I enjoyed seeing Cass's and Owen's friendship develop, despite their differences on some subjects. The book is made fun too by the sense of mystery and secrecy surrounding the old boat. It is a story of small-town goings on, of giving back and of helping others.


Thanks to Mariah Stewart and Simon and Schuster for my ARC. I hope to read more in the series. The diary entry at the beginning was a good, original alternative to a prologue and the characters all bring something different to the story.


Whether you love romance, island tales or just a sweet small town tale or are looking for a beach read. this is worth a read!

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mariah Stewart is my favorite romance author EVER. I've read and own every book she's ever published. If her name is on it, I'm going to read it.

The was the 11th installment in her Chesapeake Diaries series. I've given every other book 5 stars except for one. That's how much I love them. (The one that didn't get 5 stars still got 4 stars) I had high expectations for this novel and while I still enjoyed it, it wasn't as good as the other books in the series.

I can't totally place my finger on it, but something was missing. I enjoyed the previous book more than this book but there's something about the setting of Cannonball Island that is not as enthralling to me as St. Dennis. Again, I wish I could place my finger on why, but I can't.

Cass Logan was a good, strong heroine. She wasn't a warm and fuzzy kind of person. She's spent her adult life proving herself as a competent architect in a male run business. I think this made her into a more straightforward person. Now there's nothing wrong with being straightforward, but I was missing the warmth that tends to come with Ms. Stewart's heroines. I felt like the only thing that showed her emotional side was when she had a freak out on a boat and Owen had to comfort her.

Owen Parker is what I would call a man with Peter Pan syndrome. 38 years old, bored easily, doesn't like being tied down, doesn't have any interest in having a romantic relationship. If he had of been a bit younger, I could have gone for this plot. But a 38 year old man? Eh. I did like that he pursed Cass from the very moment he met her, and he didn't try to deny or run away any of his feelings for her. Once he realized that he was in love he accepted it and admitted it.

This book had one, blink and you'll miss it, sex scene. No language. No violence.

As a whole, I liked it. But unfortunately, I didn't love this one.

[Valeen Robertson (Live Thru Books Blog) · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Chesapeake Bride is a sweet, mostly clean romance. Owen has come home, finally, to Cannonball Island, for his sister's wedding and to see his elderly grandmother, Ruby. Owen has traveled the world, never settling in one place for long, but it's time for him to settle down, at least, according to Ruby, it is. He meets Cassidy (Cass) when he comes home. She's on the island for her father's company, to build eco homes that fit within the historical feel of the area. Owen is used to women falling for his charm, but for some reason, Cass seems immune to him and his charm. That she isn't really immune is something he'll soon find, it's just that she's still sensitive from her recent divorce.

As they eventually drift into a relationship, it was sweet and cute, but quite frankly, I was kind of bored. The pace was REALLY slow at times, and there was way too much nattering on about all the history of the island. Yes, I appreciated some of the history that was given, but there was far too much of it and not enough of the developing relationship between Owen and Cass. I wanted more heat between Owen and Cass and more relationship development and far less historical talk.

I like the ending, though, and the fact that they dealt with Owen's out of the blue big thing in a realistic way. More heat and more relationship and less historical talk and I would have been able to give this 4 stars. As it stands, though, as cute and sweet as The Chesapeake Bride is, it's just not up to the standards of the romances I usually favor.

I received an ARC through NetGalley for an honest review.

[Abigail Books Addiction · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mariah Stewart has released another fantastic book in The Chesapeake Diaries series. She released The Chesapeake Bride, which will the reader to read more about Owen falling in love than ever.
The reader has met Owen before in a previous book. But they get to know more about Owen now. He has always been traveling country to country whenever he finds a new challenge. However, things are changing for him because he is finding his life lonely and unsettling that he returns back home to find the answers. While he is trying to figure out his life, he also meets the beautiful yet brilliant, Cassidy.
Cassidy is very brilliant in her career that she takes challenge head-on. But lately, she been finding her life unbalance because she wants to settle down and form a family. But it is going to be a challenge because she has a hard trouble in finding the right guys since she typically attracts the ones who usually leave country to country.
Owen and Cassidy have a crazy attraction for each other. But it will definitely take some time to each other to figure out what they want for them and each other.
The Chesapeake Bride is another fun yet warmful romance that will bring the reader home. Four stars.