When I first read about the novella series, "A Year of Weddings," which is released by Zondervan/Harper Collins, I glanced through the blurbs provided for each novella to see what the hubbub was about. The description for, "A March Bride," was the one that caught my eye. I have not read anything by Rachel Hauck before, but a Christian story, and a description about a king who takes an ordinary woman to be his bride automatically made me think about Christ and His Bride, the church.
The novella is actually a short sequel to "Once Upon a Prince," which is Book 1 of the Royal Wedding Series. That novel, which was published in 2013, was about how Susanna Truitt came together with the then-Prince Nathaniel. In "A March Bride," the story is about their wedding and whether it will actually happen or not.
Susanna is having doubts about her upcoming marriage to Nathaniel, who is now king of Brighton. Most of her extended family and dear friends cannot attend the wedding in Brighton, and she feels awkward with Nathaniel's inner circle of friends. Nathaniel has been distant with her for the past couple of months and she is concerned that he no longer loves her. She is feeling the strain from giving up her life in America and becoming a transplant in Brighton; in other words, she is deeply homesick.
Through a phone call home to her family, Susanna finds out that her grandmother, and her best friend/maid of honour, are not able to attend the wedding because of health concerns. The final blow that drives her over the edge is that Nathaniel's political enemies are demanding that she give up her American citizenship before the wedding to satisfy the laws of Brighton.
Susanna's turmoil over her identity rises to the forefront and she cannot handle the pressure and disappointment that have been foisted upon her. She informs Nathaniel that she needs to return to the States to think over matters. Nathaniel is fearful that if Susanna returns to America, she will never return to marry him. His fears are justified; one of his staff discovers Susanna's engagement ring by her bedside after she has left for the States. Will there be a royal wedding?
I enjoyed the Scriptural allusions to Queen Esther, to the Bride of Christ, and about how Christ gave up His heavenly citizenship so that He could identify with humankind. I also appreciated the ideas about how believers in Christ are also citizens of heaven and of the Kingdom of God, in addition to being citizens of the country that God has planted them.
I also enjoyed the message that one of the characters gives to Susanna which can also be directed to a believing reader: "He's (referring to Christ) entrusting you to be a Christian example to people around the world. For such a time as this."
You don't need to read "Once Upon a Prince," to follow the story in, "A March Bride." It can be read as a stand alone book. I haven't read, "Once Upon a Prince," but I'm probably going to keep my eye out for that book and also for "Princess Ever After," which is being released in February, 2014.
Disclaimer: An e-copy of "A March Bride" was provided by NetGalley in exchange for a review. All opinions stated in this review are mine.
