Courted: Hyacinth Brides Box Set

by Bree Cariad

Hyacinth, Washington is about traditional values. Its residents live their lives by discipline. Words like trust, honor, and kindness aren't just buzzwords. Each of the novellas (and 1 novel) in this set is the tale of a young woman and her struggle to figure out who she is while going through Hyacinth's unique courting system. On their way to meet and find that one guy, these heroines grow in ways they and their town never expect.

Courted by Kathy just moved to Hyacinth and isn’t sure of their courting system. When she catches the eye of the town’s most eligible bachelor, Xander, her life turns upside down.
Courted by Cami’s dreams of marrying her prince died the day he left town without a word. On a downward spiral, she thinks all her dreams are going up in smoke—until Jerod comes into her life.
Courted by After a disaster, Stephanie has no expectations about her future. Former friends pull her back into her old life in Hyacinth & she finds happiness for the first time in a long while. When newcomer, Chris, winks at her, her life takes an unexpected turn.
Courted by Dora is dependable, realistic, and doesn’t dream about things she isn’t meant for. So when businessman, Gaelic, notices her, Dora has no idea how to handle it.
Courted by Celie returns to her childhood home of Hyacinth to take part in her courting year. Unfortunately, the eligible bachelors aren’t her type. Instead, she’s attracted to a widower her grandmother is against. She has to give up her dreams of courting or find a way to get Marcus on her list.
Courted by a Deeka isn’t sure she wants to take part in courting. She has a life to live. When outsider, Curtis, comes to town, she begins to hope she can have both.
Courted by Passed over in her courting year, DeLynn decides to go to college nearby. When the campus chaplain shows interest in her, she doesn’t know what to do. Give up Zachary or the Hyacinth way of life?

824 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 17, 2017

About the author

Bree no longer publishes their works.

Reviews

[Kathy Heare Watts · Rating 5 out of 5]

A TOWN THE DOES THINGS DIFFERENTLY

The town of Hyacinth, Washington is one that lives and practices with old fashioned ideas. I purchased and read all seven books, so I am only adding a review. Hyacinth is a town that has a unique way of courting and marriage. It is understood that the men will usually leave, get an education, return, and seek a potential bride. They don’t date just to date; it is not the Hyacinth way. If a young man is interested in a young woman, he will seek permission to offer courtship which is a written agreement and contract of guidelines with the intent of pending marriage. At the beginning of the courtship, the father of the woman is responsible for her discipline, and after a certain period, that will change to the intended bridegroom. Both the male and female have responsibilities. This is a unique group of books that cover the lives of many of the young people that will court and marry. The town is founded on the belief the husband is the head of the family, and domestic discipline is the norm.

1. COURTED BY DISCIPLINE by Bree Cariad
The town of Hyacinth, Washington is one that lives and practices with old fashioned ideas. The Bretherton family moves there near the end of their daughter, Kathy's, junior year. Seeking a better life to live in a comfortable surrounding where peer pressure and sex before marriage are not part of this community and their family moral values. Kathy is already 18 years old, so she is considered eligible for courting. Her life is now going to revolve around the gentlemen courting her, Xander Covington. The town council has stages set up for the courting process that is laid out in a contract form, which marriage is to take place at the end of the one-year period. After her father gives permission, she must enter a contract with the suitor. The principles include the man being the head of the household and discipline. After a period of time, her father will relinquish being the one to discipline her and allow her future husband to. This story is about the unusual customs and courting ritual for this community. It covers domestic discipline by both her father and her suitor. The sex which is after marriage is implied and not detailed. It is a sweet story with a unique town. This is the beginning of a series, but the book reads completely as a standalone.

2. Courted by Fall: A Courting Romance (In Hyacinth Book 2) by Bree Cariad
JEROD AND CAMI
This is the second book in this wonderful new series that centers around Hyacinth, WA, with a community that upholds high standards with their men and women. In Hyacinth, you don't date; you ask permission to court and courting last for one year before marriage. Men must be mature and hold a job and able to support a wife. In book two we have some of the same characters from book one, and this story focuses on Camille Covington. Right before her 18th birthday, her world takes a nose dive when the man she thought she would be courting left town after a scandal. Cami goes into depression and winds up in the hospital. This story covers a serious issue of depression, become so upset you throw up and start losing weight. Jerod Kinsley is new to the area but believes in the town's morals and principles. As Cami comes to terms with the changes in her life, she also realizes she has a talent as a personal shopper and after helping out her Dad and Dr. Bretherton, she is contracted by Jerod to help him with his wardrobe. This story has strong moral and family values, respect for the community, courting towards marriage, domestic discipline and a sweet story of acceptance and love. The sex is only implied. I enjoyed books one and two and am looking forward to more stories in this series.

3. Courted by Trouble: A Courting Romance (In Hyacinth Book 3) by Bree Cariad
TURNING LIES, HEARTACHE, AND PAIN INTO HAPPINESS
This is the third book in the Hyacinth books but can read as a standalone. This story brings in many of the people we have met in books one and two. Also, this story had more of a mystery/suspense storyline.
Stephanie Knight’s life sure wasn't easy, and my heart ached for her and the pain and suffering she went through. Christopher Triton is new to the area, and nephew to Jerod. He and Stephanie met by chance at the coffee shop in town. The storyline has so many emotions, from heartache, pain, suffering, self-doubt, fear, and eventually to learning to trust and acceptance. Chris is a patient and understand man and cares for Stephanie, enough so that he is willing to fight for the right to court her by town customs. I found the dialogue and the friendships heartwarming. I look forward to more stories in this series.

4. Courted by Understanding (In Hyacinth Book 4) by Bree Cariad
BEAUTY IS IN THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER
This is the 4th book in this fascinating series of the town and people of Hyacinth, WA. These books could read as a standalone but will be better enjoyed in order especially as they have people from previous stories brought into this one.
Dora Lexington is a little different than most of the single girls in town, she is 20 years old and has never been approached or courted by any of the eligible men of Hyacinth. Most girls her age are already married and starting families. But people look at her and see a plus size girl, not one that is stick thin. Even during her school days she was teased and ridiculed about her weight. Gaelic Covington is a well-traveled man, but he wants more, a wife, someone he can love. When he was younger, he would come visit his Uncle Alex and stay at his house in the summer; he remembered seeing Dora when she was over spending the night with Cami. When he sees Dora again, he realizes she is someone he would like to get to know better. But you don't just come to Hyacinth and date, there are rules set in place, and one must get permission to court. I like that the story brings out several issues, a woman's weight and her being judged because of it, someone having a stuttering problem, how cruel children can be to others. I am glad Gaelic saw the beautiful person that Dora is, both inside and out. Love isn't measured by size.

5. Courted by Experience (In Hyacinth Book 5) by Bree Cariad
HUSBAND SHOPPING THE HYACINTH WAY
This is book five of the In Hyacinth Series, each book can easily read as a standalone, but are so enjoyable, I recommend reading all of them. Hyacinth, Washington is a small community of people with old-fashioned ideas that include a special courting ritual, domestic discipline, men are head of household, and women are treated with love and respect. Loving discipline is a two-way street, a contract of request and obedience.
Celia Compton, or her nickname Celie, has decided to come back to Hyacinth to live with her grandparents, Jude and Leyton Compton when she turns eighteen-years old. Her father was killed in an accident when she was eight years old and her mother, Kaycee, moved her away in the middle of the night and often moved so they could not be found. After ten years, a diligent PI located them and communications opened up between Celia and her grandparents. Dr. Marcus Hotham and his four-year-old daughter, Vanna, moved to Hyacinth where he is a vet for small animals. They meet at the annual Memorial Day picnic, but it is several months before he asks Leyton to come to dinner. This story is captivating while dealing with her Grandmother who is a bit too judgmental and controlling and her mother who is against Hyacinth's principles. It has so many of the likable characters from previous stories, witty dialogue, and heartwarming scenes, especially with the interaction between Celia and Vanna.

6. Courted by a Knight (In Hyacinth Book 6) by Bree Cariad
LOVE SEES BEYOND THE PHYSICAL
I just love this series. Meeting new people and seeing ones from the previous books. Each book can easily read as a standalone, but it is such a wonderful series you won't want to miss a single one of them. The town of Hyacinth has rules on courting and marriage for their residents.
Deeka Williams and her father, Barrett live in Hins Creek, just outside of the town of Hyacinth. She has just turned 18, courting age, and is a little apprehensive about it, especially considering the available single men in the community. A friend of Barrett, Curtis Brenten, a writer of novels, comes to visit and is considering settling down in the area. Deeka and Curtis become friends, but due to a genetic disability, he is in a wheelchair, and he doesn't feel it is fair to Deeka to strap her down with a man with a handicap. As their friendship grows, so does her affections for him, and her father demands, either court her or stay away because she has feelings for you. Deeka is a strong woman who sees past a disability into the heart and soul of a person. This story brings out so many positive points with delightful characters and entertaining dialogue.

7. Courted by Time (In Hyacinth Book 7)
FINDING YOUR SOUL MATE
What a great addition to this series, with charming characters, difficult real-life situations, learning new cultures, finding a new niche that helps others and gaining knowledge and understanding of life. The dialog is open, honest and heartwarming. I love this series, they never get old, always a new and wonderful story. The nice thing about the In Hyacinth books, they each read as a standalone, and could be read out of order, but would be best if read in the order they are written. You will see people from previous books too. The town of Hyacinth has specific rules to follow in their courting rituals but are also open to outsiders who wish to join their community, also as long as they adhere to the town council's guidelines. The stories do share various corporal punishments, given in a loving manner. There are no sex scenes, only implied in the story.
DeLynn Straynar went through her first year of eligibility to court without success and decided to ask her mother and stepfather permission to attend Longdale Community College and take classes. She meets the LCC Chaplain, Zachary Styles when she goes to check out the college. DeLynn and Zach become friends and then she learns he is planning to move to Hyacinth. He believes in the Hyacinth way and starts courting DeLynn. So many issues besides their courting are brought out in this story. When a childhood friend runs away, then becomes pregnant and her father refuses to allow her to return. Meeting new people outside of her community and learning about lifestyles she hasn't been brought up with, but she is curious, not judgmental.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book. This is a great collection of spanking romances. These stories are centered around the community of Hyacinth. When girls turn 18, a courtship period starts where they are introduced to several suitors. Spanking as head of household is encouraged by the town. It is their way of life and they are true to these beliefs. Long read with plenty of spanking.

[lani · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC copy for an honest review. This is a box set of all the Hyacinths Brides books. Each story centers around a young girl who is looking for that special someone. Hyacinth is a town full of old fashioned ideals and traditions. The women marry young, the men must be educated and established before they can court a bride. Courting is not like dating. The young man first meets the family and then if they approve, and the girl is interested, they enter into a contract wherein each month of courting leads to a new stage in the relationship, ultimately ending with marriage. Unlike other romance stories, the sex in these is limited and mild, but the emotion, romance and love in these stories are what makes them so great. The author takes the time to really establish her characters and plot so that you feel invested in their HEA. I bought each of these books on their own as they came out because I loved them so much and I’m so excited that there’s a box set where I can read all of them in one easy place! If you love old fashioned ideals and slow burn stories, then this is the box set for you! You’ll love all the chivalry and protectiveness of the heroes, and all the feisty heroines trying to figure out how to be independent in this old fashioned town.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved these short, sweet stories of old fashioned romance and values. These are clean stories, no sex, only implied. All the stories take place in a town that believes in discipline- both from family and husbands. The first couple of stories have much more discipline than the rest. All of the stories are sweet and well written. I thoroughly enjoyed all of them. I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.