The Heart's Haven

by Jill Barnett

The lawless, gold-hungry town of San Francisco was no place to raise a family, but Hallie Fredriksen had little choice after her mother’s sudden death. Her father’s call to sea took him away for months at a time, and there was no one but Hallie to raise her headstrong sisters and impish twin brothers. The young Fredriksen clan was a handful, but the last person Hallie needed involved was Kit Howland, the arrogant and handsome whaling agent who was her father’s good friend…and her own secret crush. But Kit had been burned by love and thought himself immune to feelings of the heart, until he was face to face with the most unlikely beauty, who captured his heart with her spirit and laughter. He refused to trust his feelings, refused to forget the past and step into the dangerous territory of love and desire. Then fate made them an instant family, bound them as husband and wife in wild town full of danger, where their battle of wills and love was as treacherous as the stormy sea and…as thrilling as the rush for gold.

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Historical, Historical Fiction, Amazon, Fiction, Regency

336 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 1, 1990

About the author

New York Times Bestselling Author Jill Barnett is master storyteller known for her beautifully-written love stories rich with humor, emotion, and poignancy. She is the winner of Lifetime Achievement Awards for Love and Laughter and Historical Romance and is a six-time Romance Writers of America RITA nominee and winner of both a Persie Award for Literature and a Waldenbooks Award. Her books have been named Best of the Year by Dallas Morning News, Detroit Free Press, and Kirkus Review and she was the first historical romance author to ever receive a starred review from Publishers Weekly. She stands alongside Judith McNaught as one of only two authors to ever receive a six-star review from Affaire de Coeur Magazine and her work has been published in 23 languages and appeared on numerous bestseller lists. She lives in the PNW with her family.

Reviews

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Finalist RT Reviewers Choice Award.
Rerelease.
Mid-1800s San Francisco is wild and crazy. Abandoned ships in the harbor are due to the gold strikes, sailors choosing shovels and picks over ships. With her mother dead and her father away on his whaler, Hallie Fredriksen is responsible for her siblings. Kit Howland is her father's business partner. Hallie has had a crush on him for two years. Almost nineteen she is no longer a child. Kit is very aware of her attributes. When her father is lost at sea, Kit is left with the responsibility of Jan Fredriksen's children. A man who refuses to love again and a young woman who looses her heart. Some great characters including a sleazy villain and the backdrop of devastation from one of the San Francisco's fires.
Steam level 4.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

[Sylvia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let me start by saying that I got this book when it was on the free list. As a rule, if I get a book for free then the author deserves an honest review in return. That being said, this one is a bit difficult to write. On one hand I loved the story, romantic without being syrupy, nice setting, and interesting characters. I really enjoyed the backdrop of San Francisco as a boom town filled with gold miners and sailors and not a lot else at that point. I think this part of the story was very well done, with the muddy streets, opium dens and occasional fires. The characters were also well done, all of them were unique and interesting and the children at times were laugh-out-loud funny.

What I did not like was the poor job of editing that was done on this book. I'm talking about more than a few typos. It seemed like every few pages there would be some mistake in spelling or format that would jar me out of the story. This was very frustrating, because otherwise the book would have been excellent. Even more frustrating, was that most of these errors (every book has a couple) could have been easily found and corrected if someone had taken the time to carefully proofread it. With several other books I own, a new edition was released with corrections, and Amazon issued an update for my kindle book. I truly hope that such an update will be released for this one as well. In the meantime, I will look in the library for another book by this author. If it doesn't have the same editing problems as this one, then I will look forward to buying more books from this author!

**Update from Publisher**

So, sorry you had a bad experience. The book was reloaded and I'm afraid you may have gotten a copy before the reload populated. We'll check this out. Thank you.

[Merri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice romance and happy ending. Read free on kindle

[Nessa]

DNF. QUITE THE CRINGE-WORTHY READ.

I love Jill Barnett but, this one had characters with the mindset of children. The male lead had a wife who cheated on him and thus he sworn off women. The heroine straggled the lines of womanhood and virginal shyness around the man she's been crushing on. It could have been a beautiful story, or it could have been a disaster. I vote for the latter.

Kit's character failed to garner me any kind of respect. His constant deliberate objective to embarrass Hallie and indirectly make her feel less than her worth...was quite uncomfortable to read. The poor girl deserved more than him...a man who couldn't quite make up his mind if he wanted her or disliked the feelings she roused in him. In other words, a coward. Though, I don't quite blame him of his distrust for women, but his indecisiveness doesn't paint him in a good light.

Hallie on the other hand made me suffer from constant SECOND HAND EMBARASSMENT everytime she's around Kit, and while I wanted to see her as a mature woman...the way she acted...was like a young girl. She deserves credit for mothering her 4 younger siblings, and no one can say she never tried, in fact, Hallie's a great protector, though her love life could use better polishing.

There was more going on about the plot circumstances than the relationship building between the MCs (that was worthy of reading anyway), and how they got married was the breaking point where enough was enough. The chemistry was impeded more often by the disasters in their life, and Hallie being on end's wit...took the fun out of a lot of things.

OVERALL this wasn't my favourite or the best book from Jill Barnett.

[Margaret Watkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

A dramatic novel, set in the Victorian era when San Francisco was in its early days, making this an interesting novel from a historical point of view. Life was hard and after the death of their mother, Hallie Fredriksen is left with the responsibility of her four siblings. The Fredriksen's creepy neighbor brought suspense to the novel and Hallie's four-year-old twin brothers brought humor with their escapades. Forced to seek out the help of their father's friend during his absence at sea, Hallie does not relish having to face Kit Howland after her previous debacle in his presence, but she is even more incensed when she discovers that her father has died at sea and that Kit has been named the Fredriksen children's guardian. Sparks fly between the pair throughout the novel and an emotionally wounded Kit manages to inflict some of his pain on Hallie. At times I felt I was being bombarded with one incident after the next and that I was suffering from a case of whiplash, but ultimately the novel does come to a good and successful conclusion. I received a copy of this novel as a gift through BookSprout and this is my honest and voluntary review.

[Cherie S · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review is of a new edition of the same book The Hearts Haven.
3.5 rounded up to 4 Star
Seamen, Calamities, Love:
A complex plot with a large cast of characters but only a few I liked.
The first several chapters introduced the characters and the plot which
is fairly sad for the heroine Hattie. A young lady struggling to take care
of her siblings while her dad is at sea.
The love of her life Kit is a bit older and more seasoned to life and has an
attraction to Hattie that he doesn't want to admit. She tries to show him
how grown up she is but it usually turns to be an embarrassment.
Many complex situations, many struggles, friendships, heartaches, and more.
This book was published a long time ago and has been revised.
The setting is early San Fransico wharf area, a struggling romance along
with a happy ending.
5 Stars for the new cover:
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this revised book for
my honest opinion and thoughts.

[Sheri-Lynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are Romance books and then there are Romance novels. This is most definitely the latter.
Written by one of my favorite Romance authors, Jill Barnett, Hallie and Kit's story has a depth to it that begs to be read the way one sips their first cup of Mexican cocoa.
I settled in to "sip" the first chapter expecting it to "taste" like other novels of hers that I've read. (How I missed this one, I have no idea.) It wasn't long before I was pleasantly surprised by the warmth and intensity unfolding within this tale. And, of course, it has just the right amount of spice expected in a Romance.
Thank goodness books haven't any calories, because this is going right into my "to-be-reread pile!".

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lesley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story of heartache, struggles and passion.
Hallie is a mother before her time to her siblings but does the best that she can to keep them in line. Aged 18 the only man who has ever affected her, is her father’s friend Kit Howland and certainly at the beginning of this book, she comes over as childishly manipulative in her interactions with him. However after losing their San Francisco home and being injured in a fire, she seems to grow up and the story becomes progressively more absorbing. A good read.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from OHB and Booksprout. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Kendra · Rating 3 out of 5]

The heroine was young and it showed. I had a hard time reading about a relationship when I don't think the girl was ready for it. She needs some time to mature before that.

Oh, and the subplot with the guy that kidnaps her sister and holds a grudge against them. Ugh! Way too much.

Still, I loved the way she loved and fiercely protected her siblings.

C rating.

[Lori D · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in the Victorian era in San Francisco, the story follows Hallie, who is left taking care of her siblings while her father is at sea.

Getting notified her father has perished, she finds herself at the mercy of Kit, as their guardian.

Suspense, history, humor and love bring this story full circle for a satisfying end!!

[Maria · Rating 1 out of 5]

Miliony wątków, miliony 😱

[Paulina]

PL Zamęt

[Suzette · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful love story between two fiery and passionate characters. Hallie is a young woman who is fiercely loyal to her siblings and wants only to do right by them in the absence of their parents. Kit is a man scarred by the betrayal of love and can’t see past his loyalty to Hallie’s father. The characters are super awesome. There are the four year old twins who will make you laugh at their antics. There is also nine year old Liv who is fierce and fearless as well as the wily aunt Maddie. The plot is not all romance as the girls will find themselves in danger. It is an overall great story that sees Kit and Maddie finding love together and a family happy.

[LJ · Rating 2 out of 5]

THE HEART'S HAVEN (Romance-1800s) - Okay
Barnett, Jill

From Fiction DB: When Hallie Fredriksen’s father was lost at sea, she was shocked to discover that he had named Kit Howland to be her guardian. Three short years ago, Hallie had blushed with a girl's infatuation for the handsome San Francisco whaling agent. Now his kisses thrilled the blonde beauty, and his tenderness awakened a wondering need. But Kit had been cruelly betrayed in love ... and did not trust his feelings for this impulsive woman who could lift his spirits with her laughter, and fill him with desire. And Hallie refused to bow to an infuriating man who would insist on treating her like a helpless child.

Then chance made them husband and wife, and bound them in a battle of wills--and longing. Amid danger and treachery they sealed their devotion. But only when they shared the tender secrets of their hearts would they revel in the glorious love that would be theirs forever!

This was an early Barnett and, boy, did it show it. It was "okay" at best.

[Marie Bourgery · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hallie and Kit have tumultuous relationship. He acts like an overbearing teasing much older brother while fighting his desire for her as she keeps trying to get his attention. There are some awful circumstances like her father dying, a fire that burned her leg and home, the undertaker and his obsession with her younger sister, and all the trouble her younger siblings get into. Although the last part added plenty of funny moments including the cat and skunk.

[Kathy Brickert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read

This was a good story, but too much happens so quick I had trouble keeping up! Mostly sad things. It makes it hard to read, but you have to see what happens next! Lots of suspense!

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good.

[Rie_dominique · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aduuuhhh, kalo punya anak kembar seperti Gunnar dan Knut udah abis aku cubitin! bandel dan menggemaskan...

[Sparty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story. I am a sucker for a forced marriage when there is chemistry...

[SandraE · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good read from an author I love.

[Cheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

😂🥰🥰

[Theresa Contreras · Rating 3 out of 5]

An OK read...

[Michelle [Helen Geek]]

Free on Amazon 03/22/2012.

[Mum · Rating 3 out of 5]

Parts were enjoyable, parts brought home history, parts were disjointed. The characters were never really fleshed out. There were too many characters to focus on the interesting ones.