Three years after a shocking scandal destroyed her family and forced her into isolation, Eleanor Hayward finally has an opportunity to put her painful history and dashed hopes behind her. But reentering society is no simple task. In her cousin’s glittering ballroom, Eleanor is stunned when she comes face-to-face with the man who broke her heart those years before.Edmund Fletcher thought he had … he had laid the past to rest until he unexpectedly encounters the woman who so nearly became his wife. Soon to be engaged to another, Edmund knows he must let go of the complicated feelings he harbors for Eleanor. However, when the Hayward scandal resurfaces and the truth behind their parting is revealed, Eleanor and Edmund are left reeling. Tormented by thoughts of what could have been, they realize it is impossible to rewrite history. But is there a future in which they might both find happiness—and true love?
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A Guarded Heart by Heidi Kimball is my most recent read. It’s a beautiful story of second chances yet lots of misunderstandings.
Edmund misunderstands a situation and dashed off without giving Eleanor a chance to explain. But, the situation would have been very confusing for him. Heidi holds off telling you what the situation was in detail until over halfway thru the book so I won’t tell you… but the suspense was killing me trying to figure out before then what in the world had happened! I loved the back and forth from past to present and back again. I feel like it gave the story depth that sometimes lacks when a book briefly mentions what happened in the past. I really enjoyed this book and recommend reading it!
A delicious mashup of Jane Austen’s PERSUASION and Elizabeth Gaskell’s NORTH AND SOUTH; with all the swoons and brooding a lady could ask for.
Wonderful Story!
I really enjoyed this book! I had the pleasure of reading this book years ago in it’s beta phase, and it has only improved as it was refined and I like it even more now.
I love the characters probably most of all. They are so real with very relatable flaws, and very satisfying growth.
I listened to more than half the book on audible and can really recommend the narrator. She did a great job creating distinct voices and infusing personality into the characters.
This was such a good book and it delivered on so many levels. It is not the typical fluffy, shallow, light read. It had a lot of depth – with some complex issues, as well as intense emotions that effected me even after I finished reading. That is a good characteristic of a great story – when you are thinking about it for a while afterwards.
The story weaves back and forth between the present and three years past – to give a good foundation of why circumstances are what they are. It was well done and I was able to follow along.
There are mistakes made by both Edmund and Eleanor that lead to hardship, pain, and rejection. But they both come to learn what mercy, forgiveness and love really mean. The attraction between them is strong, and the romance is sweet and clean.
I love the work and detail put into this story. The author did a great job of giving her characters interesting qualities.
Overall it was well done and I’m glad I read it. I recommend it!
Don’t miss this poignant and heartwarming Regency romance tale of second chances! A great read!
A Guarded Heart is such a fabulous regency romance! I was completely invested in Eleanor and Edmund’s relationship throughout the entire story. I love that the author told the story from both characters’ perspectives and did a wonderful job of providing flashbacks to the past while moving the story along in the present. Eleanor has suffered great loss in her life one of which was the loss of her heart to Edmund Fletcher. Miscommunication, pride, and insecurities led to Edmund’s own heart break. When the two unexpectedly come back into each other’s lives, past feelings and misunderstandings are brought to light in this wonderful love story of hope and second chances.
I highly recommend this novel!
loved this story
This was a nice slow moving regency romance. Think Persuasion or Sense and Sensibility. I appreciated the very slow story telling but never felt like I was given too much inner dialog or too much nonsense. This could have been a real story much like Jane Austen’s books. It was heart breaking and lovely. I think this writer will do well. This is a proper romance with no religion. My one issue with this book was how sad it was, I was in the mood for a happier love story, so just have that in mind when you pick it up.
Heidi Kimball is a newly published author. I believe her first book was just in September of 2018, and this has come out in March. This is the first book I’ve read by her, and she’s starting out with a bang. I have to say this story brought a unique situation and plot line that I hadn’t read before in a book about this era.
Eleanor Hayward is given a chance to rejoin society by visiting cousins that she’s spent very little time with before now. Three years ago, her family’s reputation was destroyed, and she stayed secluded at home ever since. Without giving any spoilers, this wasn’t the normal scenario we see–no one gambled themselves into poverty; she wasn’t ruined or compromised by getting caught with someone, etc.
There is a basic misunderstanding between her and Edmund Fletcher that happens at the same time the scandal breaks. Eleanor is left confused and hurt when Edmund jumps to conclusions, and for a long while I didn’t like him much. It isn’t until someone else points out how very easy it was to see the situation incorrectly that Eleanor begins to heal and forgive.
Edmund completely redeems himself as Eleanor faces yet another family crisis. I have to admit it was heartbreaking to read and to realize that for some people there was no redemption, even when they have good and noble reasons for their actions. I haven’t been this emotionally invested in a book in a while. Overall, this is a stark look at how unforgiving society was about any deviation from the norm during this period in history. I have to hope we’re better than this now, but I sometimes wonder.
I have two minor criticisms. One is that Edmund, after realizing his mistake, is a bit overwrought about the lost time in their lives. Two, there were one or two places, when you’re in the story and reading through, where, if you’re not very careful, the flashbacks are easy to confuse with events happening later. I would’ve wished for bigger headings or something to keep that clearer. I would give it 4.5 stars if that were possible (or 9 on a 10-point scale). Normally I would round that down, but because it drew me in emotionally, I rounded up this time.
I received a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
The author was able to draw me into the story and keep me there. She did well in keeping with the time and making it feel authentic. I could feel the highs and lows of the h and her trials. I enjoyed all the characters, supporting and h & H. Even though there were some characters that were more villian they were all well written. This author will be on my automatic read list for future books. Wonderful and captivating story
Fair warning this book is a tear-jerker. This is a very sad book and brought tears to my eyes. The book is well written, full of expression and imagery. It was wonderful how the author described the surroundings of nature. The characters are well developed and had amazing personalities. From the heroine and the hero, to the other cast of characters, each one is defined and played perfectly in this story. They were so realistic in manner, deed, emotion and feeling. This book is about the travesty and fickleness of society bearing down on an innocent young woman in the early 1800’s. She is Eleanor Hayward and her life is about to be turn upside down and tumble way down that hope of societal recovery is a distant dream. Prior to the scandal Eleanor embraced life, enjoyed the outdoors, loved to laugh, learn new things and loved her family and friends. She had garnered the attention of Edmund Fletcher and their friendship blossomed into love. When Edmund witnessed Eleanor with another male professing her love, he became enraged. He was told by the mother of her best friend that Eleanor dallied with the affection of men and he now believed it. When he heard of the scandal, it gave him even more reason to cut off all association with Eleanor. After the scandal she was shunned. Even though she had nothing to do with the scandal, she was tainted by association. Her friends deserted her, her father was emotionally unavailable, notorious gambler and drunk. Her life was in tatters. Three long isolated years pass and her dearly departed mother’s childhood cousin invites Eleanor to their home for the summer. Mrs. Warwick decides to relaunch Eleanor into society. They held a gathering. When Eleanor comes face to face with Edmund her emotions were all over the place. Edmund did not see fit to acknowledge his previous acquaintance with Eleanor. He was hurt and angry. He was staying with his cousins and they were the Warwick’s neighbors. That meant he would be crossing paths with Eleanor again and again. Would Edmund give her the benefit of the doubt and ask her to explain what he saw that night three years ago? Would Eleanor come to forgive Edmund for breaking her heart and deserting her without warning? Would the scandal resurface and bring shame to all those who truly had Eleanor’s best interest at heart? Would anyone care what the truth of the scandal really was? It is only at the end does everything get settled out and a peace returns to Eleanor and her father. Edmund is courting a young haughty young lady who is determined to ignore, shame and belittle Eleanor. Edmund’s feelings are confusing and frustrating him. Will Edmund forget his past and move forward with someone new? Or will the old feelings reemerge? And if they do, what will he do with them or make of them. This is the first book I have read written by Heidi Kimball. I look forward to reading more from her. This is a must read. I highly recommend it. I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Eleanor Hayward had a carefree life with good friends and a happy family until there was a scandal regarding charges that her older brother, Samuel, had murdered a commanding officer while serving in the war. Their family was shamed and Samuel was on the run. Eleanor went from spending time with her closest friend, Beatrice Clark, attending balls and other social events to spending time alone, suffering the death of her mother and her father’s decline into alcoholism and gambling. On top of all the tragedy, was the abandonment of the man she had given her heart to, Edmund Fletcher.
Edmund Fletcher had seen the woman he loved in the arms of another man and he wouldn’t be seen as any else’s second best, so he left her without explanation. Three years later, while visiting family, he came face to face with the woman again, Eleanor Hayward. She was much changed, less carefree, more reserved and guarded, than he had remembered her being when he knew her before. He was now practically engaged to another woman he couldn’t get over the heartbreak he had experiences at the callousness of Eleanor Hayward. But, those feelings were still there, as much as he wanted them not to be. Would moving forward with Miss Coombs finally put those feelings to rest? Would he ever be able to forget the happiness he had felt when he had spent time with Eleanor Hayward three years earlier?
This was a sweet, Regency romance with no foul language or sex scenes. It was a sweet and tragic story of circumstances and misunderstandings that led to heartbreak and sadness. There is a happy ending, however, that is worth the wait. This is a new author to me and I look forward to reading more of her books.
I was given an arc copy of this book and I willingly offer my honest review.
This was my first read from Heidi Kimball…and it was a good one! I enjoyed the story very much. Taking the reader on a journey between events in Eleanor Hayword’s past and present. I found it interesting to read about what was currently going on in her life and then switching to the past to see what had happened in her life previously to lead up to these events. It’s an easy transition back and forth and not difficult to follow.
Eleanor has been through a lot and yet she is charming, polite, and fun. Her quick wit and fun banter with Edmund Fletcher made the book a delight. These two run into each other at every turn and yet, have a history with much pain and heartache. Their relationship is complicated and has great depth. It is refreshing to have a couple with a history. I appreciated their friendship and their easy camaraderie, in spite of their difficult past.
Again, I really enjoyed this story and I very much look forward to whatever Ms. Kimball brings to us next!
I received a complementary copy of this book. A positive review was not required. All opinions expressed are my own.
If you are looking for your next romance, look no further. Author Heidi Kimball has written a gorgeous story of love, forgiveness, and second chances, woven through with historical details and incredible emotion. The unique structure of the book (with flashbacks to the past) engaged me immediately, and kept me riveted until the end. I adored Eleanor and Edmund; they were so real and so well-rounded, that I related to them throughout the book. I loved watching them grow as they learned more about themselves and each other, and of course I loved the beautiful romance and the sigh-worthy happy ending. This is what Regency is all about! A stunning debut.
Heidi is a master of weaving plots and love stories into page-turning books. You’ll love this one if you love Regency and sweet romance.