My Review of The Bound Heart

Here's a description of the book from the author's website:

One accidental kiss. That was all it took to throw Meredyth Summercourt's world upside-down. Determined to marry the ever-elusive Vance Everstone, she simply doesn't have the time or the desire to fall for her friend Lawry Hampton. However, with Vance out of the country and Lawry constantly at her side, Meredyth can’t help but wonder if what’s holding her to Vance is nothing more than a desire to redeem herself from their unfortunate past.

When Vance comes home to stake his claim on Meredyth, will she be strong enough to break free from the tangled web she’s convinced she deserves? Or will she find the strength to accept that God’s plan for her life could include redemption... and quite possibly the love of her best-friend?

My Rating

Spring

My Review

The Bound Heart is a worthy sequel to The Hesitant Heiress, with plenty of its own intrigue, another intense climax, and a tender love that takes its own sweet time in being realized and accepted (alas!).

Having read the first book, this second story wasn't quite as difficult to grasp given the familiarity of many of the characters. The plot does build up a little slowly, though, with just a bit of action but a good deal of drama going on indoors and within Meredyth's heart and mind.

I would have loved to see some more of the strength and generosity Meredyth's character displayed in the first book. There are certainly echoes of it in this, her own story, but the first-person POV perhaps dulls it a bit, since the reader is listening in on her own guilt and doubts without getting a view from the outside. My goodness, though, but Meredyth is stubborn! And carrying an awfully heavy burden in a heart much in need of supreme patience and relentless grace...

The story includes some twists and turns that really take off toward the end, with drama that's quite engaging to read, albeit painful at times. However, the revelations and redemption and romance do lead up to an ultimately sweet and satisfying conclusion, making The Bound Heart a great second installment in this historical romantic suspense trilogy.

*With thanks to the author for providing me with a PDF copy of the book in exchange for my honest opinion.*