Five seconds.A deafening blast. Pain. Silence. That was all it took for an IED to end my life as I knew it. The man I was shattered in a hard wave of sound and debris that rained down on me like death itself. And six months later, after waking up to an inescapable hell, I found myself wishing that death had found me. Until her. Miranda Jacobs swept into my life like a cool breeze on a … a cool breeze on a smoldering day.
With her smart mouth and her ridiculous jokes, she brought me back to life one minute at a time.
Turned out time wasn’t on our side.
Five seconds.
Screams. Twisted metal. Silence.
And I’d lost it all again—only this time, I had no one to blame but myself.
more
I listened this Audiobook and I really loved it. It is such a sweet, funny yet poignant story about the healing power of love. Is it emotional at times? Yes especially when Holden’s PTSD is at the forefront of a scene and he is having flashbacks. Those could get a little intense for sure and were the hardest times for me but I truly felt for him and think the narrator did a great job bringing Holden to life. I was happy to see quirky sassy Miranda (Mae) get her own love story. She is so quirky and just all around so real and awesome. There is an 11 year age difference here, but I feel like Miranda being younger left her heart unjaded and very open to the brooding scowling disabled veteran giving her alone the ability to help him and eventually heal him. I love Will’s character! He is a funny little boy that’s for sure! I also love that Holden calls her My Mae. It makes me melt and swoon ever time I heard it. I love so many things about this story that would be spoilers so I will just say this, it is definitely worth the read or listen! I enjoyed the listen very much!!!
The Heart series by Amie Knight has become a favorite. Her powerful writing is able to cry with laughter, yet tell the most touching and heartbreaking stories.
A Steel Heart tells the story of Miranda Jacobs, a quirky and funny romance editor who is obsessed with lists and his next-door neighbor, the always frowny Holden Steel. She always sees the good in people and is devoted to her friends and helping others. Holden is struggling to adapt to civilian life, after an IED in Afghanistan shattered everything he knew and was sure of.
Where Miranda is bubbly and kind, Holden is closed off and pissy. But she is determined to get to know Holden while also giving him a piece of mind. They are explosive together, and their interactions are way too funny. Well, it’s mostly due to Miranda, because she always knows what to say to make him smile.
She will make Holden understand that there is a life for him out there and that he is wordy of love. But in order to love, he will have to forgive himself and come to terms with the past. Holden’s rivalry with 8-year-old neighbor Will is simply hilarious. The ending of the book is unexpected and pure perfection.
Lisa Zimmerman and Kale Williams deserve a special mention for the amazing narration of the audiobook. They were the perfect Miranda and Holden.
Another 5 stars read by this author, every time I read her stories I fall madly in love with the characters, I become a sponge and try to soak up everything. Swoony worthy guys that aren’t perfect but Man do they make up for it by showing their feeling for their lady. Holden Steele is a top ten guy for me, he was brooding and angry, and had this permanent scowl, he is a war veteran dealing with becoming a civilian and hating it. He met his match just next door is a true romantic Quirky, talkative sweetheart Miranda (Mae) Jacobs. This chick is just amazing You will fall just as much in love with her as you do Holden. I loved Loved Loved this story. I am already ready for a reread.
10++++ stars! Are you looking for a story that will make you laugh out loud – many times? This is for you. A story that will be emotionally satisfying? Yes, read this! A story with a sassy heroine & swoony, broken hero with an amazing dimple? THIS THIS THIS!
Miranda is one of my to 10 favorite names, and yet, the fact that Holden has his very own special nickname for her completely made me fall in love w/ the name Mae. Miranda & Holden’s personalities are so wonderfully written, they leap off the page and become… real. They become your friends, family, and you root for them, laugh with them, cry with them, celebrate with them…
I really loved this story & it is a TOP READ for me, favorite – re-read shelf & definite recommendation. Grab this one as soon as you can, because you will not be disappointed. : ) (less)
If I could give this book more than five stars I certainly would. I’m completely in love with Miranda and Holden. Ms Knight’s amazing talent brought these characters to life and I didn’t want this story to end. Miranda is wonderfully quirky, hilariously funny, sweet and selfless. She is quick witted and tenacious and she completely endeared herself to me. I would really love to have her as a friend.
Sexy Holden is a wounded soul, brooding, grumpy and impatient. Through flashbacks which are woven seamlessly into the story, together with chapters from his point of view, we are given an insight into his thoughts and feelings. We are shown what he is dealing with and the demons which take hold every night in his sleep. Initially standoffish, he begins to succumb to Miranda’s charms and as more of his personality reveals itself, the more captivating he becomes. The interactions between him and Miranda are fantastic and their growing feelings are a joy to read. It’s hot and sexy and above all a beautiful romance.
A truly fabulous, emotional book, full of fun and humour, along with some heart ache. The author takes a difficult subject and handles it sensitively. Definitely one of my favourite reads this year. I can’t wait to read more of Ms Knight’s words in the future.
This is the first book I’ve read by Amie Knight, but I will be remedying that in the near future. She takes us on an emotional journey that will stay with you long after you read the last word. Holden is a retired Army Ranger finding it hard to adjust to civilian life. Miranda, or Mae as he calls her, lives across the hall and has a bit of a watching problem, lol. I don’t want to give away too much, but I will say if you’re looking for a beautifully written story that isn’t an easy journey to the HEA, then you will absolutely love this book. I’m looking forward to reading the other Amie Knight books I’ve purchased. Grab your copy of A Steel Heart and get ready to fall in love with your next book boyfriend.
So we met Miranda in a see through heart. She was the bubbly, bouncy best friend to the main charachters…this is her story.
A list addicted, book lending, romance editing girl… she knows his routine and his walks and his scowls… she searching for her one…she has her favourite list, what she thought he should be…
He’s rude, grumpy and doesn’t eat donuts…but he’s perfect.
He is Holden. A wounded in more was than one, from his injuries, from his loss and from watching his neighbour who he knows he isn’t good enough for.
As always a beautifully written heart jerking ‘all the feels’ and so much more of a book. I adored that we caught up with previous charachters and saw them through a little more of their journey.
I adored this book, it was laughter and love and heart ache…just fantastic.
I cannot wait for more from this author!!
5.5 amazing stars!
Hours after I finished A Steel Heart I was still tearing up over this beautiful, emotional love story. It’s a Standalone and it’s told in alternating POV. I wept quite a few times while reading it, tears of joy and some of sorrow both emotions I love in a Romance novel, and by the end I was a blubbering mess. And what an end! I love a good epilogue and this one is so outstanding that those tears at the end were of pure happiness. This story is going on my list for Top Ten of the year reads. It’s going to be one of my favorite go-to books that I reach for, when I want find comfort, and lose myself in a beautiful story.
Miranda “Mae” Jacobs, twenty-two, has been making endless lists since she was eleven years old, as a way to find order in her chaotic childhood. The only child of a single, emotionally abusive mother, years later she was still making lists on Post-it notes, scattered everywhere. She finds comfort in her book boyfriends, and her beloved donuts, maybe too much comfort as her mother constantly tells her. Her best friend Ainsley insists she’s curvy, and she tells the usually bright, bubbly and cheerful Miranda not to pay attention to her mother’s ugly comments. When she isn’t working out of her house editing romance novels, she’s donating books she’s read to the library, volunteering in the NICU by snuggling babies once a week, or watching Will, eight years old, when his mother was running late due to her job as a nurse. Yes, and on top of all that, she’d taken up spying on her new neighbor, lots and lots of spying.
“Of course, even his name was drool worthy, sounding like the very definition of a hot fictional book boyfriend. I couldn’t even with him. It was as if God himself was taunting me with this Holden, having him be everything I’d ever wanted and nothing I needed.”
Holden Steel, thirty-three, an Army ranger, returned from Afghanistan six months ago after stepping on an IED. Now dealing with constant pain and PTSD he’s going through the motions of living. Wearing a perpetual frown on his face, he runs into his neighbor several times and doesn’t make a very nice impression. He’s rude and makes disparaging remarks about her appearance, or so she thinks, and when Miranda tells him how rude he is, Holden realizes he’s hurt her. Something he’s sorry for and wants to make amends but doesn’t know how.
When Miranda decides she’s going to befriend Holden, she starts to silently accompany him on his morning walks. Then she begins to tell him random things about herself. And question him, too. Soon, she’s confiding things to Holden that she hasn’t told anyone else. Without realizing it, they become friends, and soon so much more. She slowly begins to draw out smiles, and laughs, out of Holden something no one had been able to do in a long time.
“Your dream man isn’t going to appear out of one of these over romanticized storied, Mae.”
“I know that, Holden. I don’t expect my one to walk from the pages of one of my romance novels. Whoever this man is, when he comes for me, we’re gonna write our own story.”
This story is so riveting; I sat and read it almost from start to finish in one sitting. Poor Holden had horrible nightmares and PTSD that he hadn’t talked to anyone about, he was wracked with guilt and felt he had nothing to offer Mae. And Mae had a huge heart, one she deserved to have filled, and she thinks she’s found “the one” that ticks off every item on her list; but things don’t work out as she thought or hoped for.
“You might be right, but I still want it.”
“Want what?”
“True love. Mad love. Deep love. The kind of love that makes you do insane things. The kind of love that makes you as angry as it does happy. The kind of love that hurts you as much as it heals you. The forever kind. Truly. Madly. Deeply. That’s what I want.”
I can’t express how much this book touched me! I hurt for both Holden and Mae. I’ve said many times “So and so are my favorite book couple!” No, I feel like no one can hold a candle to Holden and Mae. Now that I know and love them they’re my favorite book couple!
ChasingTheWordsRecommends #5Stars
#Dimples #OhMy #MilitaryMan #OneClick #EmotionPacked #Mae #Lists #LoveHolden #MirandaAndHolden
You will fall in love with Miranda and her quirky, sometimes funny self. Oh and Holden, an ex-military man who is hot, brooding and needing some extra loving – how can you go wrong with that? In A Steel Heart you will Be taken on a ride of ups, downs and in between a while you get to know both Miranda and Holden but boy oh boy is it so worth it.
I devoured this book cover to cover in less than 24 hours. The minute I started to read A Steel Heart i was engrossed in the story and didn’t want to put the book down. It was funny, sexy, romantic, full of emotions and some drama. I was never left with a feeling of wanting more. 100% perfect in every way! There were just so many sweet and touching moments throughout the book that I just couldn’t take it.
This is my first time reading anything by Amie Knight but will definitely not be my last. The story of Holden and Miranda is one that will leave you with the feels. It is such a heart warming story about love, faith and having the strength in yourself to overcome something bad that happened. I loved reading Holden and Miranda’s story and can’t wait for more from Amie.
Miranda Jacobs is looking for her forever kind of love, she’s done the random hook-ups and meaningless relationships, and that just isn’t her thing anymore, she wants her “one”… and she thinks he might just be her handsome new neighbor across the hall. They have a standing date everyday, he goes for a run, and she stands at her window and spies on him and checks out his goods, but as of yet she hasn’t been able to work of the nerve to get a up close and personal account. He has a air of mystery about him, a painful story to tell, and she wants to read him cover to cover…
Holden has a serious thing for his new neighbor, she sassy, sweet, and likes to push his buttons, but a man like him isn’t the right guy for a girl like her… or is he? He has checked her out in passing in the hall, but has never uttered a word to her, then she comes crashing into his world out of the blue, and now he never wants to let her go. She breathes life into his solitary world, makes him feel again, and pushes him out of his comfort zone, and he loves the hell out of her for it, even if it scares the hell out of him too. Then he does something to push her away, and it damn near kills him, he has to have his Mae back… no matter the cost!
A Steel Heart is compelling read that will tug on your heartstrings and push you to the brink of your emotional bounds, break you, and in a matter of chapters put you all back together again good as new! This was a first time read for me and I have to say this author definitely got me good with this one, it was rich with emotion, crafted perfectly, and the characters were down right amazing! It has been a while since I have delved between the pages of a read and been moved this deeply, my emotions are still a little raw, and I have a feeling this one is going to linger with me for a while…WOW!! I just cannot say enough about these characters, it was so easy to get wrapped up into their beautiful story… it is by far one of my favorite reads this year! I highly recommend this one, it is one of those reads that will take you places you never expected, effect you in ways you never expected, and transform your thoughts in ways you never expected!!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this title.
Wow… I absolutely loved Steel Heart. Holden and Miranda’s story crushed my heart into a million little pieces one moment and then had it overflowing with joy and hope for the couple in the next.
Miranda is a character to admire. She had a difficult childhood and experience the loss of someone dear to her at a young age but didn’t let her hardships make her into a bitter person. Instead she’s selfless and caring. She’s a woman both beautiful on the inside and out.
Holden seems like a rude and grumpy man on the outside looking in but really he is a man who has tragically lost a great deal in a short amount of time. Deeply hidden under his ruff exterior is a kind and loving man. A man who may even be a secret romantic.
Miranda’s persistence has Holden opening up and letting her in. She becomes the bright light shining in his sea of darkness bring him back to life. Just when it seemed like things where looking up something happens that may cause Holden to lose it all again.
A STEEL HEART is the first book I have read by Amie Knight, but I am so blown away by how good it was, that I plan to read her other two books very soon. Those two books are SEE THROUGH HEART and THE LINE. They both look like they will be good, too.
Miranda Jacobs did not have a happy childhood. She was an only child raised by a very bitter single mother. Her mother took all her frustration of her miserable life out on her daughter. Regardless to how she was raised, she grew up to be a very positive and well adjusted person. She had a small apartment all her own, where she worked to edit the books for others. She loved to read and surrounded herself with stacks of books, and her hand written lists.
She didn’t need a man to be happy. That sure as heck didn’t mean she didn’t want one. Miranda spent many hours stalking the hot neighbor from behind the window. In looks he fit her dream man, but she didn’t even know his name. She had a list of qualities she wanted called The One. Unfortunately the first run-into meetings with this man were far from pleasant. She wondered how a man could be so hot and moody at the same time.
Holden Steel was retired army, but that was not by choice. He had stepped on an IED and it had changed his life entirely, including losing his best-friend on the same day. Now he lived alone, in pain and nightmares. If not for his sister Harper, he felt he had little left to live for. He hadn’t expected his red-headed neighbor to be a force that even he couldn’t entirely resist. She started to bring him back to life slowly, one minute at a time. But their story was not to be an easy one.
I really like the character of Miranda: “And, Mae, you are anything but harsh. You’re soft. Breezy. Carefree. Sweet. You’re like Sunday morning. Slow and easy. You’re no Miranda. You’re all Mae, baby.” Love Amie Knight’s writing! Sometimes you just need to eat a donut. “Holden, sometimes we don’t eat for our bodies. Sometimes we eat for our souls and trust me, your soul needed that donut yesterday.” And the best line is, “Sometimes, Holden you just gotta watch the sunrise.”
Wow!! She did it again!! I loved this book!!
I loved Miranda with her quirkiness. Miranda is infacuated with Holden. She finally runs into him and he is not what she expected.
Holden has been through the ringer the last 6 months and is going through the motions. Until her meets Miranda.
Miranda and Holden have hurdles to overcome. Can Miranda make Holden believe in true love, mad love, deep love? Will it be too late?
Another win!!!!
A Steel Heart has got to be one of my favorite reads this year I went through so many emotions while reading this amazing story and this has got to be a book lovers dream read . I’ve read one book by Amie Knight and very much enjoyed it but I’ll now be reading See through heart because the couple in it are the heroines best friends and are mentioned a lot during A steel Heart . Lets just say the first , second , third, and maybe forth time Miranda and Holden share a presence with one another it doesn’t go so well but when the heroine chews the hero out for being a major D bag things change . Miranda is my spirit human adore everything about her she’s funny , selfless , beautiful inside/outside , a obsession with donuts , has a no pants policy , and is a book lover . Holden comes a crossed as a butt head in the first couple of chapters but when we get his point of view I fell madly in lurve with him my heart broke when we learn the things he goes through and bring on the swoon with the things he does for Miranda cue silly grinning . These two are perfect for one another the relationship they share is just wow two people written beautifully together with sex scenes that will have you blushing . I can’t wait to read more by the author she really knows how to bring on the feels .
copy provided for honest review
****************************************
hero=10 heroine=10 secondary characters=10 Chemistry=10 steam=7
romance=10 humor=8 darkness level=4 action=3 mystery=2
enjoyment=10 angst=2 story line=10 Story ending=10
character development=10 pacing=10
cover= 10 stars=5 + author=10
would I recommend this book=yes
would I re read this book= yes
would I read future books by this author= yes
“Only happiness. No Regrets.”
We all make lists, grocery lists and Christmas wish lists. Errands lists. Any list you can imagine. It so happens that Miranda does too.
A Steel Heart is another (perfect) standalone by Amie Knight.
The story follows Miranda Jacobs, who so perfectly has the kind of job a lot of people reading this would probably love. She is an editor, more specifically a book editor. A feisty redhead who isn’t easily put down by just anyone. She has a heart of gold and a crazy habit of sometimes saying and doing without thinking. She’s twenty-two and has a continuous habit of making lists of almost everything she can possibly think of and she makes donut runs a part of her daily routine.
We also meet cranky Holden Steel. He never pays much attention to anything and is always scowling at everything. He is a whole different person from what everyone initially thinks. Sometimes for the worst. Sometimes for the best. He’s a real piece of eye candy too. Living with demons he cannot shake and things he cannot change, he barely lives life day by day. But at night everything is always more vivid and more real. Nothing could possibly get any better or any worse for him.
Miranda and Holden live basically right next to/across from each other in a small building housing only a few apartments. They were eventually going to meet and unavoidably so, it’s a cringe-worthy but exciting moment. Who knows what could happen from the first hasty moment they literally run into each other?
Our main girl is kind of a hot mess and it made me happy in the sense that Amie wrote such realistic characters that anyone can relate to. She’s clumsy and happy and normal and I loved it! I loved this theme throughout the book. Everything that happens from the peeping neighbor all the way up to the ending of the amazing story. I felt elated when things went Miranda’s way and the thought that a small kid could unsettle a grown man over things they both liked.
My heart broke when things fell apart, but the balance of heartbreak and happiness is good. For every thunderstorm, a rainbow isn’t far behind.
I have a soft spot for Aiden, we all need the kind of best friend who would be there in an instant and here we are blessed with hipster looking Aiden. Sweet but faultless when fighting for the people he loved.
We’ve all had a moment when we spill something on a new shirt or dress and in those brief moments we wonder what we did that could be so bad that this darn gravy had to fall on my newly bought white shirt?!? That got me right in the feels. It happens often, and I felt less alone.
Aside from the amazing and gut-wrenching moments, this story is absolutely beautiful!
Five sex-shenanigan-stars!