leslie_books_and_socks_rock's review against another edition
4.0
This is Heidi Kimball's first novel although you may have read her work in the Christmas Courting anthology.
The first half of the book, each chapter switches from present day to 3 year prior. It helps show their backstory and how they fell in love and their misunderstanding. After the truth comes out, the chapters are present but the location changes. I felt this made for a choppy story and I'd forget where we were located, all the back and forth. In some of these chapters you meet other characters and then they're dropped from the book. I loved the parts with the Warwick's grandchildren and wished to see them again.
At the beginning, Eleanor finds herself in embarrassing moment after another that Edmund always seems to see. While one funny story, maybe two is fun, but to have it happen over and over again is too much. Poor fictional Eleanor.
A third almost invisible character is Eleanor's brother. I'm not a medical expert but as a reader, I guess he contracted yellow fever. What is the likelihood that he lived the boat ride back?
There were a few editing mistakes and perhaps this ebook is an older version? This is my first time reading a book through NetGalley. I received this book for free in exchange of a review.
The first half of the book, each chapter switches from present day to 3 year prior. It helps show their backstory and how they fell in love and their misunderstanding. After the truth comes out, the chapters are present but the location changes. I felt this made for a choppy story and I'd forget where we were located, all the back and forth. In some of these chapters you meet other characters and then they're dropped from the book. I loved the parts with the Warwick's grandchildren and wished to see them again.
At the beginning, Eleanor finds herself in embarrassing moment after another that Edmund always seems to see. While one funny story, maybe two is fun, but to have it happen over and over again is too much. Poor fictional Eleanor.
A third almost invisible character is Eleanor's brother. I'm not a medical expert but as a reader, I guess he contracted yellow fever. What is the likelihood that he lived the boat ride back?
There were a few editing mistakes and perhaps this ebook is an older version? This is my first time reading a book through NetGalley. I received this book for free in exchange of a review.
heather_pluim's review against another edition
4.0
Such a cute story! Heidi Kimball has a gift for holding out the resolution until the last moment and it really kept me engaged in the story to the very end.
punandprose's review against another edition
3.0
A beautifully written story with a plot based on miscommunication. The characters are well-rounded and authentic, but the story didn't really hold my attention. Still, it's a nice novel, but it's not entirely memorable when compared to all the other stories out there. I listened to the audiobook, which was also done quite well, but it was a bit confusing and hard to keep track of the events with all the flashbacks. Perhaps I'll try again one day, but with a physical book.
thenovelbook's review
4.0
This was a really nice example of Regency romance. The writing was beautiful, and there was emotional depth to it.
Anyone who reads many of my reviews will know that I am not a fan of the plot that hinges on avoidable misunderstandings or stubborn lack of communication. That is what drives the plot for half of this book. Edmund and Eleanor fell in love with each other three years ago, and he was on the point of proposing when he happened to see her in the arms of another man. Crushed and convinced of her fickleness, Edmund storms off without a word. After all this time has passed, they are thrown into one another's company again, and the old wounds have not healed. Their affection is still alive, but it's tormented.
For at least the first half, the book alternates between chapters of their original romance and falling-out, and their current reunion. Even though I found their breakup frustrating, as I always do when a simple conversation could clear things up, after the halfway point I was more satisfied with the direction the characters are heading. It becomes at least a little understandable why Edmund was so sensitive all those years ago, and his emotions upon realizing his mistake are strong enough to be gratifying to the reader. His subsequent attempts to help Eleanor, even without the hope of marrying her, really go a long ways toward redeeming his major error. And, as mentioned, the writing is very lovely.
I look forward to reading other books by this author.
Thanks to NetGalley and Covenant Communications for this digital review copy.
Anyone who reads many of my reviews will know that I am not a fan of the plot that hinges on avoidable misunderstandings or stubborn lack of communication. That is what drives the plot for half of this book. Edmund and Eleanor fell in love with each other three years ago, and he was on the point of proposing when he happened to see her in the arms of another man. Crushed and convinced of her fickleness, Edmund storms off without a word. After all this time has passed, they are thrown into one another's company again, and the old wounds have not healed. Their affection is still alive, but it's tormented.
For at least the first half, the book alternates between chapters of their original romance and falling-out, and their current reunion. Even though I found their breakup frustrating, as I always do when a simple conversation could clear things up, after the halfway point I was more satisfied with the direction the characters are heading. It becomes at least a little understandable why Edmund was so sensitive all those years ago, and his emotions upon realizing his mistake are strong enough to be gratifying to the reader. His subsequent attempts to help Eleanor, even without the hope of marrying her, really go a long ways toward redeeming his major error. And, as mentioned, the writing is very lovely.
I look forward to reading other books by this author.
Thanks to NetGalley and Covenant Communications for this digital review copy.
robertsonreads817's review
4.0
Another good one from Heidi Kimball.
This one wasn't as light and cute as one would expect from a Regency. It dealt with some serious topics, but I liked it nonetheless.
This one wasn't as light and cute as one would expect from a Regency. It dealt with some serious topics, but I liked it nonetheless.
karenthornell's review
5.0
4.5 stars. A sweet romance that I thoroughly enjoyed! I had a hard time connecting with the characters at the beginning and found a few things difficult to believe would actually occur during the regency era (such as her uncle coming and staying for such an extended period of time), but besides that I loved everything about this book!
melissasbookshelf's review
4.0
Loved this story! I enjoyed the heroine who is resilient in the worst of circumstances. The story goes back and forth between what happened three years ago and the present time period. Three years ago two people met and were instantly drawn to one another. Something happened though and three years later, when the two meet again they are obviously estranged from one another. The reader is taken back and forth in time until the whole story is laid out and the past is revealed finally. If you like a good heart wrenching romance, this is the book for you. It is fraught with snooty society ladies and misunderstandings, but well worth the read.
jesforeverlostinbooks's review
5.0
I’ve loved binge reading Heidi Kimball’s books… they are all stand alone books. This one had all the feels, romance, heartbreak, healing and redemption.
thebookscript's review
4.0
4.5 Stars. A guarded heart is a good example of how real tragedy and pride can cause true lasting heartache. I loved the two main characters immensely. They were flawed and real yet people I truly came to care for throughout this story by getting to know each through their own narrative. Edmund is as true a gentleman as they come (most of the time) as Eleanor is someone who has this great enduring spirit. The story is at times a bit sad, but for me it just added an intensity needed to keep me going and immersed in the story. A beautiful romance that wasn’t full of fluff but still had me swept up until the very end. I’ll for sure read more of Heidi Kimballs work.
ghumpherys's review
5.0
Another one that I loved - wonderful characters, bittersweet moments, and of course a happy ending!