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Customer Reviews for Bethany House My Stubborn Heart
Bethany House My Stubborn Heart
Burned out, Kate Donovan jumps at the chance to restore her grandmother's house in Redbud, Pennsylvania. But when she arrives, she becomes involved in a project she didn't expect. Handsome former hockey star and contractor Matt Jarreau is clearly wounded, hiding from people and God. Can Kate help him face his past---whether he likes it or not? 352 pages, softcover from Bethany.
Average Customer Rating:
(51 Reviews) 51
Rating Snapshot (51 reviews)
5 stars
32
4 stars
14
3 stars
3
2 stars
2
1 star
0
46 out of 5190%customers would recommend this product to a friend.
Customer Reviews for My Stubborn Heart
Review 1 for My Stubborn Heart
Overall Rating:
An Enjoyable Read With Heart, Hope, and Humor
Date:May 3, 2013
Wman4JC
Location:miami, fl
Age:25-34
Gender:female
Quality:
5
out of
5
Value:
5
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
5
out of
5
I knew this book was worth 5 stars in the FIRST two pages and the story DOES NOT disappoint at any point along the way. This is Wade’s first book??!! She absolutely writes a bestseller with heart, hope, humor, and finding out how God can use brokenness even in a stubborn heart. If it were possible, I’d bestow 6 or 7 stars on this book easily. I fell in love with Kate’s character right away and if she were real, I’d want her for a best friend. I so understood her feelings, her faith, and her fears in every part of the story and anything she experienced I was right there with her. I have very little in common with her (I’m not into antiques or taffy), but I totally related to the inability and not wanting to cook. Watching the friendship between her and Matt develop and grow while Kate puts all her creativity and efforts into restoring Chapel Bluff was such a treat and I really felt the large house transform into a real home as they worked on it.
There is plenty of romance, but the way Wade writes it is so subtle and precious that I was sucked into it and turning pages to see what would be the next step. There’s a scene in Pride and Prejudice where Darcy touches Elizabeth’s hand to help her into the carriage as she leaves. She is surprised at his gesture and as he walks away from the carriage, the camera focuses on his hand. His hand reacts to this touch they shared and the viewer comes to appreciate that even that little touch has so much power in it! That’s how it felt reading this book. The simplest gestures, looks, body language, conversation or lack of….speaks VOLUMES in this story! It’s a challenge to convey this in a film much less in a book, but Wade effortlessly takes the reader through this journey of emotions and house restoration with each character and keeps you wanting more. I actually laughed and cried in this one, the tension in this story is tangible, and I learned a lot with Kate and Matt’s story. I hope Wade continues to writes books because her storytelling skills will resonate with readers for years to come and I’m thankful for authors like her; she has touched me, inspired me, romanced me, and blessed me with her FIRST book, WOW!
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Review 2 for My Stubborn Heart
Overall Rating:
A Great Romance!
Date:April 28, 2013
Quality:
5
out of
5
Value:
5
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
5
out of
5
I really liked this book. I loved the characters of Matt and Kate. Both are struggling in their own way. This is a story of deep hurt and loss, broken relationships, and a loss of faith in God.
Does God put certain people in our path to help our healing from a loss and deep hurt? Does he care about us if we have broken relationships? Can God restore our faith through love, caring, and just being there for another person?
I really bonded with Matt and Kate and was a cheerleader for them. I held my breath when things weren't going the way I wanted them to. I laughed and smiled too with other loveable characters in this book. I will admit toward the end I cried. This book really touched me.
Even though this was the authors debut book I must admit I read her second book, Undeniably Yours, first. Undeniably Yours was also a 5 star book for me. I am so looking forward to this author's next book.
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Review 3 for My Stubborn Heart
Overall Rating:
Enjoyable romance novel
Date:January 15, 2013
momof2
Age:25-34
Gender:female
Quality:
4
out of
5
Value:
4
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
4
out of
5
I enjoyed reading this fun contemporary romance novel titled My Stubborn Heartfollow by Becky Wade. Kate who is the main character in this book takes time off work to help her grandma restore an old house. This is where she meets Matt who is the contractor. Matt has some deep scars from a tragedy in his past life and isn’t looking for love. With Kate’s insistence on finding out more and more about Matt and his pain, Matt’s defenses begin to crumble. The story also includes a crazy cast of seniors who “help” Matt and Kate’s connection to grow. I’m not going to tell you how the story ends. You will need to read this book to find out but I can tell you it has a great ending!
I received a free copy of this book from Bethany House. All opinions are 100% my own.
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Review 4 for My Stubborn Heart
Overall Rating:
A Romance to Fall in Love With
Date:December 11, 2012
It's been a long time since I read a romance novel that left me completely and utterly speechless. No joke...I'm not the target market for romance novels. I was as an impressionable, young, braces-on-my-teeth teenager complete with a dad who thought I shouldn't read so many of them (even if they were Christian). Since then, I'm not so impressionable, but I find that my attention wanders greatly. So, imagine my surprise to find one that I fell in love with from start to finish. I loved Matt's moodiness, Kate's persistence, and oh...those sweet, meddling, need-to-go-on-a-date seniors who were nosy as all-get-out. I loved the redemptive theme and the unfailing love of God that was present in every chapter. But if the truth be told, I really, really loved the romance. It was the kind that made me feel all giddy inside with loads of warm fuzzies. It was the kind that made me want to give my hubby that extra kiss in the morning before work. And it was the kind that made me thankful for parents who have been married for 40+ years and have had a romance that has endured all those hard times.
So, maybe I'll get back on that romance bandwagon. Well...leastwise when Becky Wade comes along with her next novel. You better believe that I'll be jumping on for that ride. :o)
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Review 5 for My Stubborn Heart
Overall Rating:
I wish this book would be made into a movie!
Date:November 15, 2012
Quality:
5
out of
5
Value:
5
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
5
out of
5
Withering under a load of burn out, Kate Donovan agrees to accompany her grandmother to Pennsylvania and spend a few months restoring the old house that her grandmother grew up in. Matt Jarreau, the handsome man her grandmother hired to renovate the house, is a loner. When Kate's innocent attempts at friendship with him are rebuffed, her stubborn heart refuses to let her stop reaching out. As tension grows between Kate and Matt, so does something else. A love that leads them to a greater revelation of God's love for them. As they both face career decisions and the pain of Matt's past, only a love stronger than themselves will be able to hold them together. Can they accept God's will? Or must they sacrifice their hope and love?
My Stubborn Heart by Becky Wade far exceeded my expectations. From the explanatory, yet intriguing prologue, I was hooked on the story line. I would love to see this book made into a movie. To me, it has has all the great elements: authentic characters complete with flaws and pain, a strong mysterious male, romantic tension between the two main characters, personal tension internal to each character, and redemptive love. Kate essentially sums up the theme of the book during a conversation with Matt: “He [God] never promised us that we wouldn't suffer. But He's too good just not to redeem it. And He does promise us that He won't leave us. That He'll be with us through the worst. That He loves us.” (Page 180) This theme, woven into both the plot and characters, is strong enough to touch the reader's heart. My Stubborn Heart is one of the best books I've read this year and I recommend it to anyone who enjoys romantic fiction. I'll definitely be looking forward to more books by Becky Wade!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers as part of their blogger review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
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Review 6 for My Stubborn Heart
Overall Rating:
Perfect Chick Lit!
Date:September 22, 2012
Nicole
Location:Chicago, IL
Age:25-34
Gender:female
Quality:
5
out of
5
Value:
5
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
5
out of
5
My Stubborn Heart by Becky Wade is a very fresh novel. It is a Christian romance novel, but unlike any I have read before. The author kept the emotions, actions, and thoughts real. For example, the main character, Kate, complains about her breast size, Kate and Matt have an argument, and one sentence was, "He kissed her and kissed her and kissed her and she kissed him back, until she was forced to come up for air." I have read too many Christian romance novels where things like that aren't mentioned. However, how many of us Christian women didn't have body image issues especially when dating? Or you didn't kiss your boyfriend passionately?
The characters were well-developed and the story flowed well, which made it hard to put down. Although I had nothing in common with the main character except our ages, I really liked Kate. She was spunky and although we had nothing in common, I felt like we could be friends!
The book had a couple of enjoyable secondary stories and lots of humor. There was a wide range of emotions in the book, especially as Matt's past was incredibly sad.
One complaint is that I don't know if the author thought out the whole restoring the house storyline completely through. If I was renovating a house, I don't know that I would have painted all of the walls before having the floors sanded and refinished (too much dust being kicked up on freshly painted walls).
Additionally, I don't feel that the end of the book was as strong as the rest of the book. I wasn't disappointed, though. Perhaps it is that it ended abruptly. I felt the author could have built up the last chapter more.
All in all, I really enjoyed this book, and look forward to reading more books by Becky Wade.
The characters were well-developed and the story flowed well, which made it hard to put down. Although I had nothing in common with the main character except our ages, I really liked Kate. She was spunky and although we had nothing in common, I felt like we could be friends!
The book had a couple of enjoyable secondary stories and lots of humor. There was a wide range of emotions in the book, especially as Matt's past was incredibly sad.
One complaint is that I don't know if the author thought out the whole restoring the house storyline completely through. If I was renovating a house, I don't know that I would have painted all of the walls before having the floors sanded and refinished (too much dust being kicked up on freshly painted walls).
Additionally, I don't feel that the end of the book was as strong as the rest of the book. I wasn't disappointed, though. Perhaps it is that it ended abruptly. I felt the author could have built up the last chapter more.
All in all, I really enjoyed this book, and look forward to reading more books by Becky Wade.
I received a copy of this book for free from the publisher, in exchange for my honest opinion and review.
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Review 7 for My Stubborn Heart
Overall Rating:
Healing, Soul Searching and Love
Date:September 1, 2012
Quality:
4
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
4
out of
5
I really enjoyed My Stubborn Heart. It was perfect for some fun summer reading. I've always thought it would be so neat to restore a old house. While walking and thinking God's words to Matthew come to mind: " If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, nothing will be impossible for you". Kate had a plan she just hoped this plan was not only the right plan but maybe included a little love. In step's Matt the former hockey player that is now working with her to renovate the her childhood home. Both Matt and Kate have some soul searching and healing to do. God works in mysterious ways and has he placed them together to help each other heal and find love?
thank you Bethany House for sending me a review copy of My Stubborn Heart.
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Review 8 for My Stubborn Heart
Overall Rating:
Bravo Becky Wade! Calling all the romantics!
Date:August 18, 2012
Quality:
5
out of
5
Value:
5
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
5
out of
5
Oh, the happy ending! A hero to sigh for, a heroine that every girl can understand, a love story that grips you from the very first word. I spent one whole day finishing this book and I am quite satisfied!
Wow! Bravo, Becky Wade! I couldn't put this one down. My Stubborn Heart has received well-deserved rave reviews and I'm glad I got the chance to embark on the adventure. And if you also chose to, I believe that at the end of it you'll most likely feel the same.
Very good story line, with believable and retable characters. Laugh-out-loud funny story, SO cute, witty and also deep. To be honest, I can't believe this a debut and I'm definitely adding Becky Wade to my list of authors to look out for.
Bravo! Again Bravo!
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Review 9 for My Stubborn Heart
Overall Rating:
Beautiful story
Date:August 8, 2012
Joanna
Location:Indiana
Age:55-65
Gender:female
Quality:
3
out of
5
Value:
3
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
3
out of
5
Kate Donavan along with her grandmother and retired friends are most enjoyable characters. Matt Jarreau, a former high level hockey player who suffered a tragic loss, has been hired to restore Kate's grandmother's family home in Redbud, PA. God does work on the main characters' stubborn hearts, but the Christian inferences were not as subtle or as uplifting as I would have liked. The answers or conversations directly from God that pop into the characters' heads bothered me. Yet the book is an easy, enjoyable read, and I thank Bethany House for sending me a copy to review. I would read another book by this author.
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Review 10 for My Stubborn Heart
Overall Rating:
I really enjoyed this story!
Date:July 31, 2012
Quality:
5
out of
5
Value:
5
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
5
out of
5
This was a very well developed Christian romance book. This author is a great writer and I will be reading every book she writes.
This book is about Kate Donovan and Matt Jarreau. How they meet and fall in love is the majority of the story. I personally liked the ending the best. It is realistic yet romantic. I thought the relationship that Kate had with the other important characters in the story was well written and believable. I liked how Matt interacted with the people in the town. The author’s portrayal of this characters reaction to events was excellent.
I gave this book 5/5 stars. I liked how the story moved at a realistic pace. You can see how the relationship between the two main characters develops and it is at a realistic pace as well. I liked how easily the words flowed in the book making this story very easy to read. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good Christian romance!
I would like to thank the publisher for the copy of this book I enjoyed reading. I gave an honest review based on my opinion of what I read.
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Review 11 for My Stubborn Heart
Overall Rating:
Wow!
Date:July 25, 2012
Relaxing Sunday Reader
Location:Marion, IN
Age:35-44
Gender:female
Quality:
5
out of
5
Value:
5
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
5
out of
5
I was surprised to find out this was Becky Wades first novel. I am certain it will not be her last. I am writing having just finished its pages and my faces is stained with tears of first sadness then anxiety then joy. The characters are unbelievably believable, and the story line very true to life. I got so into this book that I put down my 'to do list" for the afternoon just to find out how it ended. I would recommend this read to anyone who loves real life romance.
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Review 12 for My Stubborn Heart
Overall Rating:
Worth the read
Date:July 23, 2012
Keira
Age:25-34
Gender:female
Quality:
4
out of
5
Value:
4
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
4
out of
5
Book Review
My Stubborn Heart by Becky Wade
My Stubborn Heart by Becky Wade
I found this book to be an easy read and entertaining enough to hold my attention. The characters seemed realistic, down to earth and easily relatable. I enjoyed the relationship between Kate and her grandmother and appreciated the emphasis on spending quality time with people outside the normal social circles. I enjoyed getting a glimpse into Matt's thoughts as well and would have enjoyed more of those. The book was only a little cheesy and that was easily overlooked by the refreshing honest that the characters held. Although not perhaps completely congruent with the decision of a early thirties women i did like the attempt at relationship restraint. I enjoy her relationship with God and the ease that it carried however it could have harbored more dialog and honesty on her side of it and more then one word answers on His. I would recommend this book to my friends as a light and uplifting book. I would say it is overall worth the read.
I received a review copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers.
I received a review copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers.
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Review 13 for My Stubborn Heart
Overall Rating:
Fresh Spin on Love for Modern Young Women
Date:July 20, 2012
Quality:
4
out of
5
Value:
4
out of
5
My Stubborn Heart is a story about waiting for love, with a fresh spin for modern young women. Becky Wade creates an engaging tale with a strong message of faith, especially as it relates to finding the right future husband. Wade sets the tone for My Stubborn Heart with the prologue- it is witty, conversational, and modern.
The cast of My Stubborn Heart carries the plot with ease. Kate and Matt are both likable characters who display depth and emotion. They both deal with realistic matters of the heart and faith. The group of older characters- Kate's grandmother and friends- add light-hearted moments to the story. Their charming and quirky humor were among my favorite parts of the novel.
There were several instances that I found to be too "modern" in language or description. The novel remained clean, of course, but it did not match my personal taste in every aspect. My Stubborn Heart is a promising debut novel with an inspiring and relevant message of love and faith, filled with encouragement for women to let go and wait for their perfect love.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers through their book review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed above are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
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Review 14 for My Stubborn Heart
Overall Rating:
A good summer read
Date:July 20, 2012
BTNSBJ
Location:Ashland, Ky.
Age:45-54
Gender:female
Quality:
4
out of
5
Value:
4
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
5
out of
5
I finished reading this book I got FREE from Bethany House Publishers a few wks. ago and needed to post a 'book review' on my site about it. Well, I must say this one is just darling from start to finish. The characters are very down-to-earth w/a modern edge to them and there is a romance w/in a romance w/the secondary (older) characters that is quite charming. All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed it for the most part, although I didn't care for some of the phrases the author used in the storyline. They weren't all-out cuss words exactly, but I feel most Christians would find them offensive to some degree. (Thankfully there were only a few of them). If the author had left them out, I would have given it a 5-star.
The story line was believable and the characters were all endearing. I liked the way the main characters took their time getting to know one another and had such a great relationship w/the older generation. Mostly a good read if you like Christian fiction.
The story line was believable and the characters were all endearing. I liked the way the main characters took their time getting to know one another and had such a great relationship w/the older generation. Mostly a good read if you like Christian fiction.
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Review 15 for My Stubborn Heart
Overall Rating:
Terrific with a Few Minor Problems
Date:July 15, 2012
Quality:
5
out of
5
Value:
5
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
4
out of
5
A book that put a smile on my face.
My Stubborn Heart is a charming romance, with a cast of quirky characters. I loved how much of the book had a light humorous tone to it that definitely made me chuckle often.
I just loved the sweet yet at times totally hilarious relationship between two of the side characters, Morty and Velma, it was easily one of my favorite things about this book. And I really liked how Matt and Kate's relationship progressed naturally and how she really drew him out of the shell he'd been in. The book had a nice everyday feel to it, it wasn't like a pile of drama, but it had a sweet charm to it.
While this was a book that I did enjoy, there were some things that prevented me from all out loving it. There were times when the characters said or thought, words that are considered cursing at my house and though it wasn't like all out cussing or anything, I just didn't think that certain words were necessary for the flow or arch of the story.
Overall I think that this was a charming debut, that had a nice depth to it with Matt's past, and I just loved the characters! Gran was pretty good at getting people to agree to what she requested, and all the while she was a lady about it :) I think my favorite part of the story was how Matt and Kate hung out with older folks, and it was cool. And I think that cross generation friendships are really one of the big things that are missing in today's world so it was great to see Kate and Matt forging those bonds. My Stubborn Heart is a promising debut from Becky Wade and I will most definitely be looking for books form her in the future!
I received this book from the publisher through Litfuse Publicity in exchange for an honest review. Thanks!
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Review 16 for My Stubborn Heart
Overall Rating:
Enjoyed reading it
Date:July 12, 2012
truebeliever17
Location:Des Moines, IA
Age:25-34
Gender:female
Quality:
4
out of
5
Value:
4
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
4
out of
5
Overall, I enjoyed reading this book. When going into a Christian Romance book, you have to expect it to be a light read. That's why I enjoy them. The thing I liked about this book is you could relate to the characters. I like that there were a mix of characters as well. I found the "elderly" group to be a funny addition to the story.
Even though I felt that at times the story of Kate and Matt dragged on a bit, I liked how it worked out in the end. I also liked how Kate looked towards God for answers and did what she felt He was instructing her to do instead of doing what she *wanted* to do.
Disclaimer: I was sent a free copy of this book by Bethany House Book Reviewers so that in return that I would give an unbiased review.
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Review 17 for My Stubborn Heart
Overall Rating:
My Stubborn Heart by Becky Wade
Date:July 12, 2012
Quality:
2
out of
5
Value:
2
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
1
out of
5
I am not fond of My Stubborn Heart by Becky Wade. The book is about a young lady, Kate Donovan who takes her grandmother to Pennsylvania to help renovate her grandmother's old family home place in three months time. She meets Matt Jarreau, a former NHL player who is hiding from the world. Immediately Kate is in his face every time he turns around, almost like she is stalking him.
I was surprised this is listed under Christian genre. It is not a book I would recommend especially to a teenage girl. It had inappropriate language, drinking and gambling a lot of talk about what everyone was wearing from the most expensive shops… typical of today’s world. It was just a very “worldly” book. It had humor and love of “Seniors”, but there was just too much I did not like and did not need a lot of the descriptions. It started out really good, then got caught up in a less than Christian scene.
I received this book from Bethany House in exchange for an honest review.
I received this book from Bethany House in exchange for an honest review.
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Review 18 for My Stubborn Heart
Overall Rating:
My Stubborn Heart Provides a Pleasant Surprise
Date:July 9, 2012
Laundry Lady
Location:Bethlehem, PA
Age:25-34
Gender:female
Quality:
4
out of
5
Value:
3
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
4
out of
5
I really didn’t want to like this book. I'm not often a fan of romance, especially Christian romance, mostly because I find them to be predictable. But I actually did like My Stubborn Heart by Becky Wade. While I found the prologue to be a bit unnecessary and possibly giving away too much of the story, the rest of the book was a pleasant read.
I found myself interested in these characters in spite of myself. The prologue, unfortunately, made me believe that I was reading a stereotypical Christian romance novel. But once I got past it I was quickly captivated by the characters and their complicated back stories. Ex-hockey player and young widower Matt Jarreau; and feisty social worker Kate Donovan have great chemistry on the page. Kate’s grandmother, Beverly, and her cohort of friends provide an amusing cast of minor characters and the renovation of Beverly’s childhood home a believable premise upon which the book is based. I found the constant description of clothing and physical appearance of characters to be a bit unnecessary, but it certainly didn't detract from the story. On the other hand, the descriptions of the architecture and landscaping were enchanting. As a native of Eastern Pennsylvania, I found myself wondering where Redbud is meant to be. I would love to visit.
The problem I sometimes have with romance novels is that the ending feels predictable but if it happens any other way than expected I find myself disappointed. I won’t give away the end of this one, but I’ll say that Wade does a good job keeping the reader guessing.
I was not compensated for this review but I did receive a free copy of the book to review.
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Review 19 for My Stubborn Heart
Overall Rating:
Lacks depth and subtance
Date:July 7, 2012
applestonedrive
Location:St Louis, MO
Age:35-44
Gender:female
Quality:
2
out of
5
Value:
3
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
2
out of
5
My Stubborn Heart is a light, romantic read about a single thirty something woman who is overly focused on finding a husband. Realistic as it may be, it was disappointing that this Christian woman was not portrayed to be content in her relationship with God with peace about His timing and provision for marriage.
If you want a no-thinker type of book, this is a great escape. But if you're hoping to be encouraged and edified, I would pass. The language, though acceptable, is not profitable many times and there is an over emphasis on the character's outward appearance.
There is not much that separates this book from being a Christian book from a secular one.
If you want a no-thinker type of book, this is a great escape. But if you're hoping to be encouraged and edified, I would pass. The language, though acceptable, is not profitable many times and there is an over emphasis on the character's outward appearance.
There is not much that separates this book from being a Christian book from a secular one.
Please note: I received a free copy of this book for review from Bethany House.
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Review 20 for My Stubborn Heart
Overall Rating:
Strong Story
Date:July 7, 2012
ChristianFictionLover
This review challenged me because on the one hand, this was one of my favorite books this year. On the other, the publisher and author included offensive language that jarred me out of the story on a few occasions.
I’d heard, ahead of reading the novel, that there were specific words included. So I was curious about why and in what context. How far would they go? If they allowed bad language, would they include sexual situations? Is this publisher breaking into another market now? As an avid reader of Christian fiction, I’ve come to trust I won’t run into degrading slang terms and swear words, etc. Most of the time character realism is expressed through implication. Honestly, after that first instance in the book, I debated reading on. The choice to include that language made me question my previous trust of this publisher, as well as questioning what direction the story would go. But if you can ignore/overlook the few instances of offensive language, you’ll be rewarded with a very good story by a fresh voice in Christian romance.
The hero’s brooding, wounded approach to life immediately had my interest and sympathy. Maybe we would see behind the scenes. Gain understanding. I watched the heroine’s interactions with him and wondered how she’d get anywhere with her quirky personality and determination to break through his walls. Oh, that was fun to watch.
I liked the secondary characters, how the author used some of them as a mirror of Matt’s and Kate’s relationship.
Their fiery attraction kept me turning pages. The remodeling of the old house was a good metaphor for Matt’s revamped life, and though we’ve seen this setup before, it worked as a setting and vehicle for forcing our characters together.
As I mentioned, I liked the author’s fresh voice. I believe the story would have been just as strong without the jarring language choices. Characters can be realistic without being crass. This book would have gained a lot of buzz based on the well-done story alone.
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