“Hearts Made Whole” Book Review

Jun 1, 2015 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 newest book Hearts Made Whole which is second book in her Beacons of Hope series.

 

As is my custom, if I could ask Jody one question about Hearts Made Whole it would be — “Why did you decide to write about lighthouse women?” 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, on to Rachel’s Back Talk!

                                                                     

From the Back Cover:

After her father’s death, Caroline Taylor has grown confident running the Windmill Point Lighthouse. But in 1865 Michigan, women aren’t supposed to have such roles, so it’s only a matter of time before the lighthouse inspector appoints a new keeper–even though Caroline has nowhere else to go and no other job available to her.

Ryan Chambers is a Civil War veteran still haunted by the horrors of battle. He’s secured the position of lighthouse keeper mostly for the isolation–the chance to hide from his past is appealing. He’s not expecting the current keeper to be a feisty and beautiful woman who’s angry with him for taking her job and for his inability to properly run the light. When his failings endanger others, he and Caroline realize he’s in no shape to run the lighthouse, but he’s unwilling to let anyone close enough to help. Caroline feels drawn to this wounded soul, but with both of them relying on that single position, can they look past their loss to a future filled with hope…and possibly love?

 

Rachel’s Back Talk:

5 – award winning covers!

 

This book was just…ahhh…so wonderful! After reading the first book, I was so excited to see that the main character’s brother from Love Unexpected was one of the main characters in this book. I was wondering what had happened to him.

Caroline was absolutely amazing. She was utterly devoted to her family and Ryan. Even when she was confronted by dangers made to her family, she was still steadfast. The relationship between Ryan and Caroline was so sweet. Ryan held Caroline in such regard and he was determined that he didn’t do anything to sully her reputation. In fact, he had this urgent need to protect her.

I also love the faith aspect that is so present in Jody’s books. Caroline, it seemed, was strong in her faith, but Ryan and Caroline’s sister Tessa both went on a journey through the book to find God. For Ryan, he had his past wounds and scars that kept him from turning to God. Even though Caroline seemed to be helping, he appeared to recognize that only God could really change him.

 

This book was given to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review which I have given.

 

Other books by Jody I will read next:

Luther and Katharina: A Novel of Love and Rebellion

Unending Devotion

Rebellious Heart