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Book by Hasley, Karen J

430 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

230 people are currently reading
421 people want to read

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Karen J. Hasley

17 books39 followers

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5 stars
476 (61%)
4 stars
216 (27%)
3 stars
67 (8%)
2 stars
13 (1%)
1 star
5 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
Profile Image for Christina.
Author 14 books326 followers
March 16, 2021
Beautiful, haunting tale that begins the night of the sinking of the Titanic. This story has everything. Strong, suffragette heroine from a monied Chicago family, a charming and handsome younger brother who has inherited more money and responsibilities than he ever wanted, emotive prose, amazing dialog, colorful characters, and a character driven plot that I won’t likely soon forget. This is a MUST read.

*My sister recommended this to me. I confess the cover and the title put me off and, had I just stumbled upon it, I wouldn’t had picked this up to read. So glad she suggested it. I’m going to see what else this author has written. Brilliant!
Profile Image for Gini Elliott.
50 reviews1 follower
January 11, 2021
This is a historical romance. I enjoyed the author’s writing style and enjoyed reading about the time period; starting with the sinking of the Titanic. I would have enjoyed more time on the Titanic however. Though the characters are well developed and her attention to detail and description is fantastic, I would have also liked more details about the suffrage movement. And one detail that was lost was what happened to the Anchorage house once she got married. I feel that should have been discussed rather than simply forgotten. The love story was predictable; however there were surprises in the life of her cousin. I have not read other books in this series; I enjoyed this book.
Profile Image for Karen Shrock-jones.
132 reviews
November 6, 2016
Best of the Series yet

I adore this book. Such depth of character development. I don't yet see how to fits into the series yet, but I'm looking forward to the next two books to see.

My favorite story so far.
Profile Image for Melody Oakerson.
230 reviews5 followers
March 13, 2021
The series is truly a joy!

How can you describe Karen Hadley the author? It's truly only to express my appreciation for her ability to track so many story lines, so many family groups, the geography of the families, the customs and morals of the time periods the dress of those times, the hair styles. It's just exhausting to even think about the research that went into this series. Well done ma'am! Very well done. I spent a whole week in the world created by Ms. Hasley when I was supposed to be doing a great deal of other things, thank you very much, but I was very sorry to read the last word. Thank you, for a great read!
25 reviews
October 14, 2025
Absolutely enchanting

What an incredible story! I haven’t enjoyed any book as much as this one, for a long while. I just loved every bit of it.

Such amazing characters, bright and engaging dialogue, and a story so diverse, realistic and interesting, that I couldn’t stop reading it and didn’t want it to end!

I became completely absorbed in Johanna’s life. I so loved her strength, her stubbornness, her passion and her compassion. So many emotions too. Grief, sadness, injustice, hope, laughter, and love.

A very well written story. Highly recommended.
Profile Image for Larry.
710 reviews
March 9, 2021
This is the forth book I have read by Karen Hasley and all of them have been excellent. She is a tremendously talented writer. Her vocabulary and usage of prose is remarkable. This book is a historical fiction book with a large part being a bit of a romance. While romance is not something I particularly enjoy this book is done exceedingly well. I look forward to reading even more books by Karen Hasley.
9 reviews
May 10, 2021
One of the best novels....

I SO enjoyed everything about this novel. The characters were so well defined that I miss them terribly; the quick wit, the honesty, the growth and deep feelings of each person and especially of Joanna had me feeling lost after the beautiful conclusion of this even more beautiful story!
I highly recommend Circled Heart. It’s one of my favorite reads of all time.
279 reviews
May 25, 2022
Probably my favorite so far of the Laramie Series. Another strong female. Johanna refused to except the constraints dicated by early 20th centery social standards. Well developed and colorful characters, some likable, some not. Plot was fairly predictable, but enjoyable. Epilogue stretched on a unnecessarily too long. Felt as if the author felt the need to explain the meaning of the story..










o
Profile Image for Bridgette.
62 reviews1 follower
August 13, 2022
Another Great Read

This book is number four of the Laramie series, but the characters are far removed from the other characters in the series. The story takes place in 1920 Chicago, and it is a fun history lesson. The only familiar face is Drew Galaguar, brother of the villain from book three. Although the story strays from our favorite characters, Hasley introduces new charctersand develops Drew into a true hero! Bravo!
9 reviews
March 17, 2021
I love this book. It is the first book I have read of Karen Hansley,but I will be looking for more books written by this author. I felt as if I was living as part of the family. It is a wonderful historic book from surviving from the sinking of the Titanic to the suffragettes to helping the disadvantaged . I can't wait to read another.
65 reviews
April 26, 2022
Curled Heart is a treasure.

From the beginning Johanna captured me. The writer has a way of telling a story that held my interest from the start. Drew was the perfect mate for her. I was completely entertained as they bantered back and forth in humorous verbal sparring. I highly recommend this book.
Profile Image for Kay Chambers nusz schlabach.
18 reviews2 followers
April 3, 2018
Another lovely Life story.

Again I started this book and did not lay it down I read it all. I wanted to stay with These characters for a long time. I’m so happy with the lack of bad language and bad morals. I cry and I feel like I’ve lived the life after reading these books.
Profile Image for Sherri  Razo.
28 reviews
May 9, 2018
Enjoyable Story and Characters

I enjoyed the depth of the chapters in this book the best in the series. I relate to Johanna on so many levels so her story resonated with me. The story line and setting was very different for the previous books in the series, but still enjoyable.
5 reviews
March 11, 2019
Great read

I. Have truly enjoyed this series of books. It has been hard to put them down once I started reading. I felt like I knew the characters in the book. The author was very realistic in her writing style, and made you free as if you knew the families involved.
38 reviews
January 21, 2024
Best of a wonderful series…so far

Beautifully written story of loss, redemption and love. The character development is sublime and historical attitudes well drawn. Highly recommend.
1 review
December 26, 2025
good story

Once I started reading this book, I couldn’t put it down. After reading, It reminded me of Gone With the Wind and got tearful reading about Jennie’s predicament dealing with her pending marriage.
1 review
July 10, 2019
Another successful one!

Another resounding success in the Laramie series. Slow to start but tearful ending. I cannot wait to read book 5.
Profile Image for Michelle.
1,576 reviews1 follower
July 30, 2019
Good book

You people should just read this book yourselves and write your own review on this novel yourself and I really enjoyed reading this book very much so. Shelley
Profile Image for Liz.
125 reviews
June 12, 2020
I enjoyed this book. I love the historical references to the Titanic and suffrage movement. Brings each event life. Slow to start, it didn't disappoint. On to book 5 of 6 in this series.
995 reviews5 followers
July 3, 2020
Engaging

I really enjoy this author's writing style. She makes is as if you are listening to someone from that time reminisce. Good thorough story too.
Profile Image for Ken.
134 reviews
September 24, 2020
Wonderful read. I just wish I had read them in order. At least, there is one more.
83 reviews
March 9, 2021
Epic story

Well written story of love and loss set in a time in our history that was constantly changing/evolving. Richly told and bold. Excellent character portrals.
4 reviews
March 9, 2021
Thanks

Enjoyed this book so much,the way it was written was flowing and easy to read, masterful constructed. Excellent, want to read more.
Profile Image for  Gigi Ann.
631 reviews40 followers
March 19, 2021
I enjoyed reading this book. Each year I try to read something about the Titanic era. When I received this book I knew nothing about its connection to the Titanic. It was brief introduction to the story.
Profile Image for Carol Taylor burlew.
365 reviews1 follower
December 30, 2021
Enjoying the 6 book series of historical fiction with strong female characters. This one just didn’t seem to have the same pull for me as the first three.
Profile Image for Amazin2843.
63 reviews
April 18, 2022
A Beautiful Love Story

A love story that is clean and compelling, it ended all to quickly. Karen Bradley once again wrote a wonderful love story you won't want to put down.
Profile Image for Tina.
840 reviews8 followers
July 2, 2021
This was a very enjoyable read. I felt some repetition in the relationship hiccups so down one star, but otherwise very well done.
263 reviews1 follower
February 16, 2017
Lovely story

This was such a lovely story to read. So many historic events but it was the friendship to love that highlighted the whole story. This was the first book in this series I read but I know I will order the others. I loved Karen's way of telling the story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews

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