Hearts in Harmony

by Traci Summeril

Darcy adores being a teacher. She loves being with the children and being a part of the community. But most of all, she loves the freedom her job provides. She’ll never be trapped in a marriage like her parents’--because she plans to teach forever.

Reuben has his own reasons for vowing to stay single. He won’t risk his chance at a permanent pastoral position—not even for the beautiful, spirited teacher he can’t seem to stop thinking about.

When a terrible storm strikes their community, Reuben and Darcy are forced to work together. It isn’t long before sparks fly–and they both find their hearts entangled. When the storm subsides, will they remember every reason to avoid falling in love?

Genres: Romance, Historical Fiction, Historical

104 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 1, 2025

Reviews

[theliterateleprechaun · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book on my Kindle when I was looking for something else! What a precious find.

It’s set in Hart’s Hollow, Wyoming, in 1890 and features a teacher, Darcy Weston, and a pastor, Reuben Maddox. Darcy’s greatest fear is falling in love. Her parents’ marriage is like a prison, and she doesn’t want to feel trapped. Reuben’s greatest fear is losing control. His past mistakes hurt others, and he’s vowed to keep a singular focus and maintain control.

I loved the reminders about where joy comes from, what grace is, and the difference between guilt and shame. I was so glad to have read this wonderful book that encourages us to find someone with whom to ride out the storms.

[MaryEllen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my voluntary review of a copy I was given.

Wow. It's a short story, but loaded with emotion. It's definitely Christian, with a strong theme of forgiveness and grace.
The characters were realistic. They have wonderful friends, too.

This is a new-to-me author, and I look forward to more from her.

[Rebekah Morris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good message in here about not letting what others say about you be the truth that you live by instead of God’s truth. Also lessons on communication, trust, and being willing to follow God’s call not what you decide you should/want to do.
I liked the characters. I did get a little frustrated by the pastor’s insistence that he had to live by a set of rules he made instead of believing the truth of God’s word, but there were some very good conversations about his ideas.

[Makayla Ledingham · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love how her name is Darcy and she likes him against her will

[Sandra Hart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Darcy’s mother wants to arrange for her daughter to marry a widower near her home, but Darcy has no intention of giving up her teaching position to move back home. Her demanding mother had controlled her during childhood. She won’t put herself in that position again.

Reuben, the pastor at Darcy’s church, is determined to remain a bachelor, yet he can’t deny his attraction to Darcy when the couple is thrown together during a storm.

Characters I cared about drew me into the story. They had believable hurdles to overcome. I couldn’t put the book down. However, I didn’t understand why Darcy, as a protective sister, seemingly left her adopted younger sister alone with their controlling mother. The answer might be in an upcoming book.

Another quick edit would have helped with minor errors. All in all, I enjoyed the story.

I will look for more books by this author.

[PAMpublish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book with a different theme that does an in-depth analysis of of how one internalizes childhood put-downs that alters their adult perspective on matters. Reuben doesn't believe he's worthy of marriage because of issues surrounding his childhood but attempts to compensate for it by becoming a preacher. Darcy, a teacher, worships her independence (due to an invasive mother) that even affects her feelings towards romance and her future. Through a disaster, they must depend on one another for survival, but will it overcome their insecurities for a loving relationship? Definitely worth the read to give one a new and/or different perspective on how the past can affect the future.

[BlueJeansAndTeacups · Rating 3 out of 5]

April 16, 1890 Hart’s Hollow, Wyoming
•Emotional Trauma
•Dangerous weather
•Two people who have firmly written off love thanks to horrible parental influence
•Hard-fought attraction
•A preacher & a teacher
•Ruben & Darcy
•God's Redemption

Good, but a lot of emotions to process

⭐⭐⭐

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All thoughts and opinions are mine alone without expectation or compensation.

Side note, I loved the book, A Forgotten Heart, featuring Darcy's sister, Elsie and Nick McGraw
•Snowed in/stranded together
•Amnesia
•Second chance romance
•Wounded hero •Caretaker heroine •Holiday romance

[Terri Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this story! Darcy and Ruben’s pull toward each other felt destined for Happily Ever After! The storms were written in a way that felt real, (especially impactful after reading it this in 2025 with everything that has happened in 2024 in NC and 2025 in TX). The story had just the right balance of action, joy, and longing, keeping me completely captivated. And I absolutely love Grandma Douglas; she stole my heart! I’d highly recommend this to anyone who loves a heartfelt, perfectly paced romance.

[Serena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Setting: Hart's Hollow, Wyoming 1890
Just a really sweet novella about two people (Darcy, the teacher and Reuben, the preacher) that need healing and restoration before they can find love. Lots of strong faith threads about forgiveness and accepting God's grace. Also, people need to believe the truth that God says about them instead of what others say about them.
I love the gorgeous cover for this book !! It makes me want to visit this little community in Wyoming.

[Joan Arning · Rating 4 out of 5]

Darcy loves being a teacher but years ago teachers could not be married! Reuben wants to pastor a church and doesn't want to be distracted by a woman so he ignores the attractive Darcy. God has other plans and works to bring them together. You will enjoy this historical novella. I received a complimentary e-book of Hearts in Harmony and recommend it to others. This is my honest opinion.

[Marilyn Kuchma · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very enjoyable clean book

This story is about a new pastor and a new teacher in the west. Both of the main characters are planning on never marrying but between the town being flooded and the teacher and preacher caught being alone and kissing… well you’ll just have to see how it all ends

[Vilma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Darcy, the teacher and Rueben, the temporary pastor both have an aversion to marriage. But a town devastated by storms and a community in need force them together.

This is a quick, sweet, Christian read with a happy ending. Zero heat, but the characters steal the story and your heart.

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable story. I liked the storm in the background reflecting the storms in their lives. The rainbow at the end was a nice touch. I wish the story had been longer. I look forward to reading my books by this author.

[Laurel · Rating 3 out of 5]

A historical cosy with two people that do not want to marry for the same reason. Advice from others before them. Both start working together keeping to historical roles, during emergencies. This was a cute fast read. The characters were nice, but rather shallow.