In the first entry in the Madison River Romance series, Keira Knudsen gets the traveling opportunity of a lifetime, but when she reunites with her first love, Robbie, she learns that even a wandering heart needs a home….No one in the quaint town of West Yellowstone, Montana knows that unassuming geography teacher Keira Knudsen moonlights as sensational travel blogger Kat Wanderfull. No one, … Kat Wanderfull. No one, that is, except for her first love, Robbie Matthews, who has just discovered the woman he is falling for online is the same one that broke his heart five years ago.
But Robbie has another problem: the mother of his daughter, Anabelle, has resurfaced after a three-year absence determined to rip Anabelle away from him. Robbie needs a steady paycheck for a chance at custody, and now, on the eve of a grand adventure that could give Keira a chance to flee her old, troubled life once and for all, she is in need of assistance.
With so much broken trust between them, Keira and Robbie must keep an arms-length away to make this partnership work. But the more time they spend together, exploring majestic places and sharing new experiences, the closer they get–until their secrets and dreams threaten to cost them everything.
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With her emotionally rewarding debut, Janine Rosche sets herself apart as one to watch. Lush imagery, relatable characters, and a spot-on balance of humor and heartache come together to create a romance that speaks to the wanderer in us all—and the part of us that wants nothing more than a place to call home. This Wandering Heart is a must-read for anyone who believes love is the greatest adventure of all. Highly recommended!
“God speaks in whispers when all the world is loud. Just remember—mountains, oceans, prairies? They may give beauty to our eyes and depth to our experiences, but it is God who gives peace to our soul. Don’t lose sight of him and don’t forget where or with whom your home is.”
This is just one of the many quotes—from Janine Rosche’s debut novel, This Wandering Heart—that ministered to me in a huge way!! I’m going to be totally honest here, this story epitomizes the reason why I adore Christian fiction. Yes, I get that swoon-worthy romance, the sigh-inducing hero, and that perfect reading escape, but along the way my heart gets refreshed. Grace is brushed with poignant strokes within the pages, painting a vivid and soul-stirring portrait of God’s unconditional love.
The heroine, Keira, has an adventurous spirit with a nostalgic heart. From the start of the story, I was championing her to discover what her heart craved the most—a sense of belonging. I wanted her to see herself the way God did. Having been hurt by her first love, she goes through life with a play-it-safe attitude, ensuring she never has to risk her heart again. Instead she chooses to watch the world through the lens of her camera, visiting sights most only dream of. The author used such brilliant imagery, I felt like I was there right alongside Keira. (And since it’s dreary winter here in Ohio, it was most welcomed.)
Okay, now I need to discuss Robbie. You guys! I fell in love with him from his introduction in the first chapter. He’s a single dad, and let me tell you, those affectionate interactions with his little girl totally won me over. I can’t even tell you how many “aww, I love him” moments I had. Super sweet. I soon learned his tenderness also extended to Keira. He didn’t suffocate her with his affections, but rather shown his love by giving her space. Though he was always there when she needed him. Sigh.
The engaging banter, the meaningful conversations, the fan-the-face kissing scenes, all blend beautifully together, producing a satisfying story that left me scouring Amazon for the next installment to this series!
***I was provided a copy of this story from the author. All opinions are my own.
Keira Knudson just wants to be loved, but since that’s not possible, she travels to prove to herself she’s brave. She didn’t dare to hope that side endeavor could become more, but now it might. The only problem is her old love Robbie is back as her assistant. Add in his adorable daughter Annabelle, and Keira’s firmly build walls are teetering, but can she trust him? As the story unfolds across the pages of This Wandering Heart, the characters pulled me deeply into a romance I wanted to happen even as the obstacles seemed insurmountable. This book is perfect for readers who love romances filled with heart and characters you can’t quit rooting for. And traveling vicariously through the heroine? An added bonus in an already heart-warming book.
This was a lovely story. It was the story of young love trying to endure all of the trials that come in life. It was a story based Christian faith, love and forgiveness.
Keira and Robbie were high school /college sweethearts, but misunderstandings pulled them apart. Their lives went in different directions, but they never could forget each other. When they happened to run into each other, the sparks couldn’t be ignored.
The adventures they experienced were described so well, you felt like you were there with them. The emotions so strong, you could feel them. Hurt, betrayal, abandonment, abuse, love, joy, admiration, security, faith and forgiveness. The author covered them all so well. There were a few places toward the beginning /middle of the book that dragged a bit. But it really was an enjoyable read. A Clean Christian romance.
So much drama…but in a good way! I can totally see this book being made into a movie or even a TV miniseries. Fully developed characters with rich and detailed backstory and a pitch-perfect preschooler. I loved the cleverness on each page, especially the creativity of the author to create Momentso. I’d love to take a road trip and visit each place Kat Wanderful did. Perfect ending.
I don’t think I have been more invested in two characters before meeting Keira and Robbie. They have a long history together which the author shares with grace and love. Keira is a carefree person who is afraid to put down roots. Her childhood was tainted with abuse. I can understand her need to be independent because all her life she has had this dream that never went away. I loved her other persona and all the thrills she had traveling to places with photos that capture her thirst for life. The more I got to know Keira the more I fell in love with her sweet disposition.
Robbie is a wonderful father to his adorable daughter Annabelle. Raising her alone has given him a purpose to be the best person he can be. I loved reading how family oriented he was. Robbie has loved Keira since forever and seeing her again brings back strong emotions. The author unwraps their relationship slowly as we glimpse into their struggle to be together. Keira is afraid of commitment and Robbie still feels the pain when she walked away from him years ago. Or perhaps they both struggle with pride and can’t get past asking for forgiveness from each other.
I love stories about second chances. It gives hope to a situation that seems impossible, it allows forgiveness to take place and it removes doubt and past sins to be forgotten. There is so much emotion written in this story that I could feel when Keira felt lost or Robbie wanting to tell Keira that he never stopped loving her. I love the unexpected twists which added to the story of two people finding their way back to each other. The faith element in the story is good and I really liked how Robbie always followed God’s direction. This book will remind you that when you find love, the past is forgotten. There is now a new beginning with hope, joy and above all unconditional love.
“That’s the thing about grace. It’s most appreciated by the ones who deserve it the least.”
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.
This story had an intriguing premise that drew me in. Personal preference, but I like stories when the characters already have a past with each other because the romance feels more authentic. The character development was very well done. The tension and emotion as they tried to reconcile were easily felt. The character growth was both thought-provoking and raw. There were places were I would have like to see some more suspense to keep the pages turning more, but that could also very well be just because I’m having a hard time reading right now while under quarantine. Also could be me, but there were also a few places where I was reading and it felt like the POV swapped between Robbie and Keira mid-scene. I did enjoy the story though and can’t wait to see what the author comes up with next.
*I received a copy of this book through CelebrateLit and NetGalley. Thoughts and opinions expressed are mine alone.
This book was Wanderfull! (You will understand my purposefully misspelled word when you read the book.) It is a beautifully written second chance story, filled with many heart-touching moments, a sweet little girl, drama, faith, and love. I could clearly see this story unfolding in pictures as I was reading. (I love it when that happens.) I read this book all in one sitting and I highly recommend it.
For sensitive readers, I must point out that there are a few scenes and recollections of domestic violence, a subject I tend to stay away from. Those scenes play an integral part in who Keira is and how she relates to the world.
*I received an ARC of this book from the publisher. A review was not required. The opinion expressed is entirely my own.
My goodness! Where to start? I loved Janine Roche’s writing! She beautifully captured the setting of each location we traveled to with the main characters. The heavy issue of an abusive father was also handled delicately with care. And I just loved the hero, Robbie. His relationship with his daughter was one for records. Secondary characters, like Robbie’s sister, really have me looking forward to the next book in this series.
“When she’d been with Robbie, her whole heart, soul and mind loved him more than she thought was possible.”
In a charming tale of second chances and reuniting with a first love, This Wandering Heart is the perfect novel for fans of contemporary romance. With heartwarming characters who immediately capture the readers’ hearts and author Janine Rosche’s ability to weave humor and grace authentically into the storyline, her debut novel is definitely one for the keeper shelf.
In This Wandering Heart, former high school sweethearts Robbie Matthews and Keira Knudsen unexpectedly reunite after years apart and find themselves taking the journey of a lifetime. Will unresolved issues from their past, secret identities, and Keira’s love of adventure be too much for Robbie and Keira to overcome?
This Wandering Heart is highly recommended for readers of contemporary romance, especially readers who enjoy books by Denise Hunter, Courtney Walsh, and Becky Wade. Readers will be eagerly awaiting the October 2020 release of Wildflower Road, the second installment in Janine Rosche’s Madison River romance series, where Robbie’s sister Ryann will have her story told.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author/publisher and was not required to leave a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine.
“That’s the thing about grace. It’s most appreciated by the ones who deserve it the least.”
This book has been on my TBR list for way too long, and a few days ago I couldn’t resist any longer. I innocently set aside my work to read “a few pages.” No such luck! This book should come with a warning, that once you begin not much will get accomplished until you finish. A sweet romance with imperfect characters that you can’t help but love and root for… even the ones you promise you’ll never root for. If you can wish good things for the villans, you know it’s good writing. Annabelle was a doll, and so convincing in her sweet obsession with Princess Patty Cake I admit I googled if it was a show I’d somehow missed LOL For me, any story is better with romance… but a romance is better if it has some depth and this book checked all the boxes. Some heavy topics, woven with grace, enough conflict to keep you on the edge of your seat, and that contented sigh at the end. Awesome Debut!
What an incredible debut. So heartwarming, full of beauty amid the difficult topics addressed throughout. I loved the modern You’ve Got Mail vibes, though it veered in a different direction later. The blend of old-fashion chivalry with modern touches (she’s a social media influencer after all) was fun and engaging.
I thoroughly enjoyed the depth of the characters as each of their layers were peeled away in perfect timing to the plot. Fabulous writing. heartwarming and at times heart wrenching romance, plus the nods to parenting a 4 yr old that made me laugh out loud. This book lived up to all the hype. I’m only sorry I hadn’t had a chance to read it much earlier. Now onto the next books in the series.
I liked how the characters slowly built their relationship, took time to learn about each other and put the needs of a child first before their own desires. They showed the importance of family and faith.
This Wandering Heart is such a cute story! It’s perfect for anyone looking for a sweet romance with a touch of humor and adventure. I applaud Janine Rosche for creating such likable characters. Robbie’s daughter, Anabelle, is absolutely adorable and the Matthew’s family is one I’d like to spend more time with. Furthermore, I admire the author’s willingness to tackle topics like domestic abuse and single parenting in a Christian novel.
This Wandering Heart is an excellent book! Robbie and Keira’s story was impossible to put down.
Misunderstandings and selfishness drove Keira and Robbie apart when they were young, having them to deal with pain and regret in their lives. The story of The Wandering Heart exemplifies this passage from the Bible that says, “Love is patient,.. love endures all things, believes all things.” Neither Keira or Robbie had stopped loving each other, but they each had to see that past hurts and poor choices would have to be put aside.
Robbie’s abiding love and forbearance with Keira showed what it means to put aside dreams in order to help the person, whom you love, achieve theirs. This endearing story made me really want to see this sweet couple’s relationship succeed. Through Robbie’s love and encouragement Keira was able to see how precious she was to him and see her worth that was not in what she did, but who she was.
I enjoyed this book and hope everyone has a Robbie in their life.
Thank you to the author for a copy of this book. I was not required to write a review and all thoughts and opinions in this review are my own.
Love this sweet and hard to put down read. Can’t wait to read the rest of the books by this series and other books by this author. It was a different style of writing than other authors and I really enjoy when I find a read thats not the same cookie cut as other stories.
Have you ever had a dream so big that it took on a life of its own? Keira has one that reaches all across the world. During the week, she’s a school teacher but on the weekends, she’s a faceless but highly popular social media personality delighting fans with photos from travel adventures. She’d never guess that, when her biggest dream is finally within reach, she’ll need the help of her ex-boyfriend and his adorable little girl to attain it. Now it’s starting to look like she’ll never wander enough miles to escape the past.
This Wandering Heart takes you on a complex and profound journey. Some of the stops are sweet and funny, some are breathtakingly romantic, some are painful and tragic. Yet frequent glimpses of the overall trajectory reveal a beautiful plan, mapped out by grace and Providential love.
Main characters Keira and Robbie are deep and relatable. I found Keira particularly sympathetic, with her seemingly contradictory moments of vulnerability and strength, affection and aloofness. In addition, the various settings are invigorated with detail and beauty that harmonize with the story’s themes and enhance the plot.
I highly recommend This Wandering Heart to readers who enjoy some substance and hope with their romance.
If you’re prone to bouts of wanderlust, This Wandering Heart is sure to trigger a flareup. Do not expect a lightweight fluff read here, the vast majority of the backstory and characters’ journeys within this story are heart-achingly emotional, genuinely vulnerable, and completely satisfying.
Keira and Robbie’s relationship is decidedly more difficult than an “it’s complicated” label could ever imply. Their pursuit of forgiveness, healing, and that elusive second chance is inspiring and so are the beautiful descriptions of the many places they visit along the way! Perhaps one of the most difficult yet often overlooked aspects of this story is the authentic representation of young Annabelle’s character. Rosche nailed her innocence and honesty amid the turmoil surrounding her and her loved ones.
A promising debut with genuinely complicated relationships and issues of faith, This Wandering Heart is enhanced by its small-town community vibe set in the Pacific Northwest! I am certainly looking forward to the next installment of the Madison River Romance series!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and was under no obligation to post a review. The opinions expressed are my own.
Loved it. All the main characters were wonderful and I cared for all of them. Great romance. Read this!