www.BrendaNovak.comFirst love. Second chance? As the daughter of a hoarder, Phoenix Fuller had a tough childhood. So when the handsome, popular Riley Stinson became her boyfriend in high school, she finally felt as though she had something to be proud of. Phoenix was desperate not to lose him–especially once she found out she was pregnant. Yes, she might have acted a bit obsessive when he broke … he broke up with her. But she did not run down the girl he started dating next. Unfortunately, there was no way to prove her innocence. Now, after serving her time in prison, Phoenix has been released. All she wants to do is return to Whiskey Creek and get to know her son. But Jacob’s father isn’t exactly welcoming. Riley doesn’t trust Phoenix, doesn’t want her in Jacob’s life. He is, however, ready to find someone to love. And he wants a good mother for his son. He has no idea that he’s about to find both
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I spent the first 50 pages of the book crying because it was so emotional. But despite this–or because of this–it’s become one of my favorite romances. I’ve read it twice. I can’t recommend it enough.
I read this book a while back but I loved it so much. It was the kind of book that stays with you long after you’ve read it. It’s heartbreaking in some ways, so much so that when I read the premise I didn’t think I would enjoy the book. It sounded too dark and depressing for me. Far from it, this book is about inspirational and all about second chances and the strong bond between a mother and her child. There’s also a romance which will pull at your heart with its tenderness.
There are not enough wonderful things out there that can be said about Brenda’s book that can describe them adiquitly. I so love her books, not just one or two of them but every single one of them! Thank you for all your wonderful work Brenda!
A Really sweet book with lovable characters.
Sweet second chance love story
This Heart of Mine (Whiskey Creek, #8) was a great read by Brenda Novak. Phoenix had a tough childhood with her mother who is a disabled hoarder. She spent the last seventeen years in prison for a murder that she says she didn’t commit. She was seeing Riley in high school and he broke up with her relatively quickly. She found out that she was pregnant and got a bit obsessive with him. The next girl he dated was run down by the car Phoenix was driving and she couldn’t prove her innocence. She was released and wants to do anything to get to know her son, Jacob. Riley doesn’t trust Phoenix but won’t keep her out of Jacob’s life. I really enjoyed reading Phoenix and Jacob’s story and can’t wait to read more by Brenda Novak.
One of my all time favorites. Loved the character of Phoenix.
I read the entire series!
Sweet story. I’m not sure I would have been as kind and generous and forgiving as Phoenix was after 17 years in prison. Riley had his work cut out for him. He had lots to make up for. I would have liked more time with them in the future. Living together. Married. More kids.
I liked this book best of the whole series. I liked Phoenix, her attitude and her determination to make the best of what she has and keep pushing forward.
This Heart of Mine is the 17th book I read by Brenda Novak. Most of them were romantic suspenses, but Brenda knows how to write a great contemporary romance as well. I had this book on my bookshelf for a while and when I couldn’t find anything to read, I decided to read this book. I was hooked from the start, and I couldn’t wait to read what would happen to the characters. My favorite tropes are second-chance romances and single parents, these two together feels like a perfect combination for a romance book.
My heart broke for Phoenix, she had been through so much and even though she served her time in jail she was still being punished for it. The first couple of chapters I read with tears in my eyes, and I was kind of surprised of how emotional the book was. I was expecting a very light and funny romance, but this book was about a second-chance in love and life in general. Phoenix was an amazing character, and I understood why she acted the way she did. She really kept her distance from everyone because she was afraid of stepping on any toes. I also loved Riley, and was happy that he wasn’t nasty or rude towards Phoenix. My favorite was Jake, Riley and Phoenix’s son, he was wonderful from the start and so protective of the mother he didn’t know. The story had a great pacing, the only thing that was missing in my opinion was a look into the future. I am dying to know more about this family. I hope they will make an appearance in the next books in the series.
I am a big fan of Brenda Novak’s Whiskey Creek novels.