A broken sailor looking for a purpose, a jilted lady longing for the past, and a chance at happiness neither expected.After losing his foot in battle, Lieutenant Robert Brenton can’t find his place in the navy or society, where he fears he is seen only as a cripple. He retires to his small estate to find peace, not anticipating the distraction awaiting him.Holly Addison has the world at her feet, … him.
Holly Addison has the world at her feet, until her prized beau cancels their engagement and ruins her reputation. Banished to Cornwall, she finds herself a guest in Robert’s run-down manor by the sea. She writes repeatedly to her former love, trying to persuade him to take her back to society. But Robert’s charm and simple life make her consider what she really wants—a life of excess, or a life of meaning.
As time runs out on their chance to be together, both are forced to examine their hearts and uncover a strength neither knew they had.
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Loved this novella! I didn’t want to put it down and read it in less than a day! Sometimes with novellas I feel like the love story is rushed and underdeveloped but I didn’t feel that way at all with this book. My only complaint would be that I wish it was a full book so I could have enjoyed it longer! Great clean historical romance, can’t wait to read the authors future books.
The Steadfast Heart is a wonderful retelling of The Steadfast Tin Soldier. With a creative Regency setting in Cornwall, interesting but broken characters, and an intriguing plot, Arlem Hawks’ debut novella is charming and well-crafted. I will be looking forward to reading more from this author.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this novella. All opinions are my own.
Holly Addison wasn’t very likable at the beginning of this story, lording over everyone that she had money and was engaged to Miles Pelham, a man with money. She thinks Lieutenant Robert Brenton with his wooden leg could only get a desperate woman to marry him. Then her fiance throws her over for greener pastures and she is sent to stay with her aunt in disgrace, an aunt who is married to Robert’s father, but lives in a separate house in Cornwall, that same house that Robert has recently been given and decided to live in. Tempers and sparks fly as they are forced to live together. But during that time they come to see beneath the surface and form an attachment in particular after he saves her from drowning. Until Mr. Pelham comes calling wanting Holly back. Robert has to find the courage to show her his heart and that a broken man like him was worthy of her love. This was a sweet people can change romance with plenty of humor and drama.
Based on the Hans Christian Andersen tale of The Steadfast Tin Soldier, this is a delightful retelling. I absolutely loved Lieutenant Brenton. And, even though Miss Addison pushed her indecisiveness a bit to the limit, I still enjoyed the story and thought the ending was great.
Romance – PG / some kisses
Language – Clean
Violence – PG / characters nearly drown after boat capsizes
My rating – 5 stars
I loved these characters from the very first page – so real and flawed, but very engaging. I was absolutely invested in seeing them get their happily ever after!
Beautiful retelling of the Hans Christian Andersen story, The Steadfast Tin Soldier. I absolutely love these characters and the opposites-attract style romance. A lovely read.
I enjoyed reading The Steadfast Heart. I like how Arlem Hawks developed the main characters, Holly and Robert. The plot has some twists and moves quickly. There is a great climax and an HEA. I enjoy Arlem Hawks’ writing style and would definitely read more of her work. I would recommend this to readers of historical romance. I received an ARC. I chose to write a review and share my opinion.
After losing his foot at Trafalger, Lieutenant Brenton struggles to find his place in society. Miss Holly Addison has known poverty in her life and is eager to marry a wealthy man to ensure that she never experiences that life again. When her engagement is ended, she finds herself a guest at Lieutenant Brenton’s rundown manor. Will this unlikely pair find love?
This is a Regency romance retelling of a fairy tale I’ve never read before: The Steadfast Tin Soldier. I’ll have to find a synopsis somewhere to know how this tale compares to the original story. As it stands, his a sweet novella.
I didn’t much care for Holly from the start. She came across as an arrogant flirt who was only concerned with appearances. This made it difficult to feel for her desperate letters she writes to her former betrothed. She begs him to take her back after he breaks their engagement. Her actions become a little more understandable when you find out her childhood was spent in poverty.
The lieutenant was a compelling character. He wavers between good humor and despondency from his missing leg. It is a little bit of a mystery why he fell for Holly when sh was so very rude to him at the start of our tale. I guess she was just really beautiful?
Though a novella, this is well paced and nothing feels like it is missing. The story is told well and made for quick weekend read. I would recommend this for readers who enjoy sweet novellas set in the Regency era.
Oh, how I hated that haughty ballerina, but what a dear the steadfast tin soldier! Fantastic to see that haughtiness melt away in this retelling of the old fairytale.
Ms. Hawks does a good job translating the fairy tale of a tin soldier and a paper doll ballerina into this regency-era novella with rounded characters.