“An Awakened Heart” ~ Book Review

May 29, 2017 by Rachel

Welcome back to Rachel’s Back Talk! I’m so glad you could join me again. Today I am reviewing Jody Hedlund’s novella, An Awakened Heart.

As is my custom, if I could ask Jody one question about An Awakened Heart it would be — “What drew you to writing a story that combined the wealthy with the poor immigrants of NYC in the 1800s?” And if you want to know why I asked that question, I guess you’ll just have to read the book to find out!

And without further ado, onto Rachel’s Back Talk!

From the Back Cover:

Trying to heal the ache she feels in her empty life, wealthy Christine Pendleton decides to volunteer at Centre Street Chapel. Ministering to one of the most deprived parts of New York City, the chapel aims at making a difference in the lives of the impoverished immigrants flooding the city. After seeing firsthand the hopelessness of the poor women and orphans, Christine is convinced more can be done to help them.

Guy Bedell has been serving at the chapel and pouring his heart out for the people he’s grown to care about. When Christine begins to challenge his methods and offers a new vision for reaching out to the community, can he trust that perhaps God has bigger plans in store for him–plans that may include this feisty socialite?

 

Rachel’s Back Talk: 

5 – award winning covers

I loved this little novella — then again, I know that I can never go wrong with Jody Hedlund! Her books never cease to grab me, connect me with the characters, and move me. I also love novellas which set up the coming series. This one was perfect because it set up the primary characters of the series, while also giving the reader some of the backstory of some of the secondary characters.

Christine’s character was so moving! I could instantly see how hard her childhood must have been because of her actions today. She is trying to prove herself, yet also, show love to others because of the love she lacked.

Jody also portrayed the Christian element through the actions that the characters displayed instead of coming across too “preachy” (even though our hero is a preacher!). Speaking of the hero — I enjoyed watching his growth and maturity through the book, as he learned to step out of his comfort zone.

My favorite quote of the books ~ “She knew she could do nothing less than continue to be the miracle people needed. But from now on she’d do so knowing that God was greater than any of her efforts and could work beyond all that she could ask or imagine.”

 

Other books by Jody I  will read next:

With You Always (Orphan Train)