Book Review for A Heart Full of Hope by Kay Seeley
I received this book for free. This does not impact my review in any shape or form.
A Heart Full of Hope by Kay Seeley is a historical romance about following your heart and understanding what it means to have long-lasting love rather than love based on infatuation alone. Charity Browne is a young, rambunctious woman who is strongly encouraged to find a match by her aunt and mother. She runs into a man named Jack Carter, and it’s love at first sight. She finds herself smitten, only to fall harder when she realizes the heart of gold behind his roguish charm. Things are further complicated when another suitor, the local doctor, Adam Radcliffe gently nudges Charity’s heart in other directions, a genuine gentleman who will do everything he can to ensure her happiness.
I enjoy the dynamic between Charity, Adam, and Jack. It’s not as high stakes as some of the other romances I’ve read, and the characters can look beyond themselves and their love interests. I adored how much Jack bonded with Billy and Sara, and even though he clearly cares for Charity, he can let her go and give her the life she deserves, all the while pursuing his dreams. Personally, Charity’s free to choose who she wants to be with (she can be single if she wants to, though I doubt her mother would be happy about that), but I feel she could do more good with Adam than Jack. I talk about this from personal experience; to be in a helping profession, especially as a teacher or therapist, you need to know the resources in the community. And while Charity can definitely help Jack entertain the masses, her real passion lies in helping the people in front of her. I can definitely see her as a case worker of some kind in Adam’s practice, or a coordinator for the boy’s home to ensure that people who have experienced abuse have a haven to go to.
Moreover, I enjoyed how Daisy stood up for Elise, despite all the shit that girl put her through. She reminded me of a girl who flew too close to the sun, impulsively acting on her heart’s desires without thinking of the consequences. Still, Daisy was able to mend some of the bridges Elise burnt. This reflects something worthwhile; like Charity, Daisy looked out for people who weren’t as privileged as her, especially women in the workplace. She gave them a place to belong and a financial way to fight back, albeit very subtle. It asks what she’d think of the feminist revolutions we’re experiencing now.
Seeley values providing a voice to the oppressed. Charity and Daisy are reflections of England’s changing standards of living. The more improved those standards are, the more likely seeing someone vulnerable, like children or women, being impoverished, reflects a moral failing in the culture. It’s probably the reason these women got involved. While women were chained by gender norms, the women in Seeley’s story are much more empowered. Their voices actually matter. Maybe that’s why the book is called A Heart Full of Hope. Love plays an important part in these women’s lives, but they don’t allow love to dictate their lives and instead use it to power their actions and figure out what’s next. And honestly, it’s very wholesome.
I absolutely loved this book. I can see readers fatigued by the dark romance trend take comfort in this lighthearted story. As such, I would give this book a 5 out of 5 stars.
You can purchase the book here!
About the Author
Kay Seeley is a talented storyteller and bestselling author. Her short stories have been published in women’s magazines and short-listed in competitions. Her novels had been finalists in The Wishing Shelf Book Awards. She lives in London and loves its history. Her stories are well researched, beautifully written with compelling characters where love triumphs over adversity. Kay writes stories that will capture your heart and leave you wanting more. Often heart-wrenching but always satisfyingly uplifting, her books are perfect for fans of Anna Jacobs, Dilly Court and Josephine Cox. All her novels are available for Kindle, in paperback, audio and in Large Print.
Kay is a Member of The Alliance of Indie Authors and The Society of Women Writers and Journalists.
