Can they help each other heal?Joshua Gibbs survived the Civil War, building on his wartime experiences to become a small town doctor. And if he wakes from nightmares more often than he would like, only his dog Major is there to know it.Then two newcomers arrive in Cowbird Creek: Clara Brook, a plain-speaking and yet enigmatic farmer’s daughter, and Freida Blum, an elderly Jewish widow from New … elderly Jewish widow from New York. Freida knows just what Joshua needs: a bride. But it shouldn’t be Clara Brook!
Joshua tries everything he can think of to discourage Freida’s efforts, including a wager: if he can find Freida a husband, she’ll stop trying to find him a wife. Will either matchmaker succeed? And is it Clara, despite her own scars, who can heal the doctor’s troubled heart?
more
What Heals the Heart by Karen A. Wyle is a historical romance set after the Civil War, and it’s a great tale of what happens when people come back from the war and some of their issues.
Who has succeeded in their matchmaking schemes?
Joshua Gibbs
Doctor Joshua Gibbs is the only doctor in the town. He considered a doctor due to his time of service during the war. He didn’t imagine his life going this way after he finished serving his country. Joshua’s life wasn’t that good. Even though he was a doctor from a wealthy family, things weren’t always great. He had done a lot for the citizens of his small-town and even more trying to help Mrs. Blum when she needed it. These two formed an unlikely friendship, and I like seeing them bicker from the pages of the book. Even more with Freida trying to find Josh, a wife.
What I like about Joshua is that he is trying to make a livelihood for himself. He is also trying to put what he had been through in the past. Josh is a good person that doesn’t think that he is worthy of love. Finally, he realizes that he can be loved if he lets the right person in.
Clara Brook
Clara Brook was a nurse in the Civil War, and she came back to civilized life by doing it her way. She is trying to live a life without her family around. As she didn’t want to burden them with expectations that she can’t do anymore. Clara had a lesson to learn after a bit of time and something happening to both of them. I like Dr. Gibbs with Clara, especially the few times that they talked in town. She is a great person that does well around Gibbs.
What I like about Clara is that she is different than other women in their town. It is a great contrast to some of the town’s women. Clara and Joshua’s chemistry is very subtle in the beginning and wasn’t something that either of them excepted to happen.
Freida Blum
Freida Blum is a widower that moved from New York to Cowbird Creek, Nebraska, because she needed a fresh start. She never excepted to have such an active lifestyle in Cowbird Creek as she has since moving there. Making a deal with the handsome young doctor is something that she never excepted to happen. Not only that, but maybe finding someone to live with for the rest of her life. This is something that you would have seen back in those days.
Freida Blum is a great character. She is the mother figure for Joshua that he never knew that he needed. I love the unlikely friendship that has grown between these two and how much Joshua cares for her.
Three Stars
What Heals the Heart by Karen A. Wyle is a book that I thought was a bit complicated for some of the things that were happening. Small-town life even back then was hard to deal with. I liked reading about the medical profession and thinking about how it has evolved a lot since that time. Both characters had their share of unknown complications throughout their life, especially when the Civil War started.
I am giving this book three stars and recommending it to anyone that likes historical romances.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from the author. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of What Heals the Heart by Karen A. Wyle.
Anyways, until next time,
Karen the Baroness
If you would like to see other reviews like this one, check out BaronessBookTrove.com.
A grand historical romance
This is the first story I’ve read from Wyle, and I really enjoyed it. It wasn’t just about two people who were fated to be together, there was another woman in the mix, and she was focused on having a husband, and she knew who she wanted. It was well written and the story flowed, well, not forced at all. Each character had their own unique traits, and fit within the story. I like that it also touched on Joshua’s past in the war, (the Civil War) and how it affects him, and his life. It is a great romance, and it has a lot of depth in the story. I look forward to reading more by this author. This book is recommended by Amy’s Bookshelf Reviews.