The Ship of Brides

By: Jojo Moyes

Narrated by: Nicolette McKenzie

Length: 15 hrs and 33 mins

Publisher's summary

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Giver of Stars and the forthcoming Someone Else's Shoes, a post-WWII story of the war brides who crossed the seas by the thousands to face their unknown futures

1946. World War II has ended and all over the world, young women are beginning to fulfill the promises made to the men they wed in wartime.

In Sydney, Australia, four women join 650 other war brides on an extraordinary voyage to England—aboard HMS Victoria, which still carries not just arms and aircraft but a thousand naval officers. Rules are strictly enforced, from the aircraft carrier’s captain down to the lowliest young deckhand. But the men and the brides will find their lives intertwined despite the Navy’s ironclad sanctions. And for Frances Mackenzie, the complicated young woman whose past comes back to haunt her far from home, the journey will change her life in ways she never could have predicted—forever.

©2014 Jojo Moyes (P)2014 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“Wonderfully romantic and moving.”—Daily Mail (London)

“The Ship of Brides is a wonderful read: a tale of fate and destiny that remains utterly unsentimental.”—Sunday Express (London)

“A scintillating novel of friendship, family and love.”—Woman & Home

Perfect pairing

Nicolette McKenzie is a very talented narrator and brings Jojo Moyes's heartwarming story to life.

Disappointing

Normally, I love JoJo Moyes' books and I have read several. This one just could not grab me. I kept reading the same passages over again, as my attention seemed to easily wander during listening. That is not typical of most of Ms. Moyes' books. In the end, I did not finish the book. Perhaps I shortchanged myself. I guess I will never know.

Slow start, great story!

Bit of a slow start, but once she started telling her story it was much more exciting to listen to.

Good performance/Story-Meh!

I love this author and have read or listened to many many of her books. But this story was painfully bland. The narrator was phenomenal which is the only reason I finished the book.

I LOVED IT!!!

I love novels of WW ll. Not the battles, but the lives of those fighting on the front line and loved ones at home struggling to maintain a semblance of normalcy in the midst of the crisis that war brings. The narrative of young war brides sailing from Australia to England is a compelling,
my emotions were tugged in every direction, I fell in love with some characters and loathed others. The ending was like walking on a tightrope. I want to read it again. Just perfect!!!

Loved it!

Great story, kept me guessing to the end. Can’t wait to listen to Jojo Moyes’ next book.

Really enjoyed!

Held my attention wondering how it would end and could have ended several different times- glad it didn’t.

Interesting story and characters.

This is the third book I’ve listened to by Jojo Moyes. I really enjoy her writing.

Good story, but wee bit confusing at the end and beginning. Would recommended for characters and the history.

Good story, but wee bit confusing at the end and beginning. Would recommended for characters and the history.

Bummer

I felt like I was never really in….it was so slow. I love historical fiction. Loved the idea of reading a book about this. I felt the story never really got off the Ground.