To Have And To Hold by Mary Johnston is a captivating historical fiction novel set in the early 17th century in the Jamestown colony of Virginia. The story follows the trials and tribulations of the protagonist, Jocelyn Leigh, a headstrong Englishwoman who travels to the New World to marry a wealthy Virginia planter.

The novel explores themes of love, marriage, power, and race as Jocelyn navigates her new life in Virginia. Johnston skillfully weaves together a tale of intrigue, betrayal, and unexpected twists that kept me engrossed from start to finish.

The character development in To Have And To Hold is superb, with each character evolving and growing throughout the story. Jocelyn is a strong and determined woman who defies societal norms and challenges the expectations placed upon her. Her relationships with the other characters in the novel are complex and nuanced, adding depth and richness to the narrative.

Overall, To Have And To Hold is a beautifully written and engaging novel that transports readers to a different time and place. Johnston's vivid descriptions of the Virginia landscape and the struggles of the colonists bring the story to life, making it a truly immersive reading experience. I highly recommend this book to fans of historical fiction and anyone looking for a compelling story filled with romance, adventure, and intrigue.

Book Description:
When I first started reading this book, I thought it to be a historical romance novel. As I read further, I pondered whether it might be a sea-faring story. Reading still further, I determined it to be an adventure story. Alas, it is all three. To Have And To Hold, written by Mary Johnston was the bestselling novel of 1900. The story takes place in colonial Jamestown during the 1600’s. Captain Ralph Percy, an English soldier turned Virginian explorer buys a wife - little knowing that she is the escaping ward of King James I. Jocelyn is fleeing a forced marriage to the villain of our story, Lord Carnal. Her would-be suitor arrives in Jamestown to take his bride, unknowing that she is already wed to Captain Percy. The story quickly evolves through kidnapping, intrigue, arrest, shipwreck, pirates, and the unraveling of the colony's delicate peace with the Native Americans. As our story nears the conclusion, Captain Percy is told that Jocelyn has gone in search of him during hostilities and he fears she has not survived.