Hearts Made Whole by Jody Hedlund

About the Book
1865
Windmill Point, Michigan
Can She Forgive the Hurting Man Who Costs Her the Role She Loves?
After her father's death, Caroline Taylor has grown confident running the Windmill Point Lighthouse. But in 1865 Michigan, women aren't supposed to have such roles, so it's only a matter of time before the lighthouse inspector appoints a new keeper--even though Caroline has nowhere else to go and no other job available to her.
Ryan Chambers is a Civil War veteran still haunted by the horrors of battle. He's secured the position of lighthouse keeper mostly for the isolation--the chance to hide from his past is appealing. He's not expecting the current keeper to be a feisty and beautiful woman who's angry with him for taking her job and for his inability to properly run the light. When his failings endanger others, he and Caroline realize he's in no shape to run the lighthouse, but he's unwilling to let anyone close enough to help. Caroline feels drawn to this wounded soul, but with both of them relying on that single position, can they look past their loss to a future filled with hope...and possibly love?

My Thoughts
Oh how I loved this book! I had to read the first thirty pages in brief snatches but then thankfully I had a day where I was free to devour the rest of this wonderful story! This author absolutely never fails to impress me and I have loved every single one of her novels.
Ryan and Caroline were amazing and their romance made me melt! Jody did such an amazing job with Ryan's character. He had several faults that normally would make you disgusted with a character but the author skillfully showed the pain that brought him to the place where he made the wrong choices. While at the same time revealing the true man he was underneath all of his problems, the man he longed to be once more. Thus my heart broke for him and I was cheering him on the whole way. As for Caroline, she was such an amazingly selfless person! Every choice she made and everything she did was out of love for those around her. She had endured so much pain and was faced with many burdens that most would consider too hard to bear, but she trusted God through it all and never stopped loving Him and others.
The author also did a fantastic job with the other characters either making me love them, hate them, or want to shake them till they came to their senses!
And the ending!! Ahhhh I loved it so much! I had a dopey smile on my face for quite awhile after I finished! I won't say any more in order to avoid spoilers but you should definitely read this book and discover it's awesomeness for yourself!

Meet the Author
Jody Hedlund is the bestselling author of seven novels, including Captured by Love, A Noble Groom, winner of the 2014 Carol Award for Historical Fiction, and The Preacher's Bride, winner of the 2011 Award of Excellence. She received a bachelor's degree from Taylor University and a master's from the University of Wisconsin, both in social work. She lives in Midland, Michigan, with her husband and five busy children. She can be found online at www.jodyhedlund.com.

I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for my review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Don't miss Jody Hedlund's new book, Hearts Made Whole, a story of loss, forgiveness, hope, and true love set in 1865 Michigan. When Ryan's failings endanger others, he and Caroline realize he’s in no shape to run the lighthouse, but he’s unwilling to let anyone close enough to help. Can Caroline forgive the hurting man who costs her the role she loves?

Celebrate the release of Hearts Made Whole by entering to win an Afternoon at the Beach prize pack and RSVPing to Jody's June 23rd author chat party!

 

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A copy of Hearts Made Whole
• A picnic basket set
• A beach bag
• Flip flops
• A beach towel

One second-place winner will receive:

• A copy of Hearts Made Whole
• A lighthouse journal

One third-place winner will receive:

• A copy of Hearts Made Whole
• A lighthouse necklace

 

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on June 23rd.Winner will be announced June 23rd at Jody's Facebook party. RSVP here!