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a_kira's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
misspippireads's review against another edition
3.0
Shadow Mounting has created a new book collection that is entitled, "Proper Romance Novels." A Heart Revealed is a part of the collection. This is the first book I've read by Josi S. Kilpack and the first proper romance by Shadow Mountain.
It was interesting. The novel is in two parts: London and Romanby, North Riding, County of York. It read rather slowly for me, but it did pick up the pace getting into part two. It's a story about looking at the heart over appearances. It's also a tale of second chances. I did not like the main character, Amber, at the beginning, but as her life changed, she changed as well. I appreciated Kilpack's addition of a unique autoimmune disorder in her novel. I think it was a very intriguing detail in the story. She also adds an author's note at the end to briefly describe the disorder.
Throughout Amber's story (and Thomas' story), Lord Fenton pops up every now and then. Kilpack shared just enough details that I am vastly interested in who is the real Lord Fenton. I was happy to see a note at the end of the book that Lord Fenton's Folly is coming in the Fall of 2015!
Time Period: Regency,
Location: England, UK
Reviewed from a library copy.
It was interesting. The novel is in two parts: London and Romanby, North Riding, County of York. It read rather slowly for me, but it did pick up the pace getting into part two. It's a story about looking at the heart over appearances. It's also a tale of second chances. I did not like the main character, Amber, at the beginning, but as her life changed, she changed as well. I appreciated Kilpack's addition of a unique autoimmune disorder in her novel. I think it was a very intriguing detail in the story. She also adds an author's note at the end to briefly describe the disorder.
Throughout Amber's story (and Thomas' story), Lord Fenton pops up every now and then. Kilpack shared just enough details that I am vastly interested in who is the real Lord Fenton. I was happy to see a note at the end of the book that Lord Fenton's Folly is coming in the Fall of 2015!
Time Period: Regency,
Location: England, UK
Reviewed from a library copy.
kaitib's review against another edition
2.0
I read this for a book club. I wasn't thrilled to read a Regency Era love story, but now I can say I gave it an honest try. I found the love story itself to be cliché but the use of Alopecia in the plot peaked my interest.
angmander's review against another edition
4.0
This book was a fun escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. The premise is different than other regency era novel that I've read-- While some parts were somewhat predictable, there were lots of surprises.
The end was a touch cheesy, but, let's be honest, that's why we read these kinds of books. Am I right? Ladies, am I right?
The end was a touch cheesy, but, let's be honest, that's why we read these kinds of books. Am I right? Ladies, am I right?
jackiehorne's review against another edition
2.0
Gorgeous Amber Sterlington, the "Rage of the Season," is selfish, vain, and unfeeling, only caring about her own success in snagging the wealthiest, or highest ranking, bachelor of the season. Until, that is, she is authorially punished: . As a result, Amber is banished to the wilds of Yorkshire, where her long-suffering self-sacrificing lady's maid teaches her how to do for herself, how to efface herself, and to be kind to others. Only when Amber has been suitably abased is she ready to meet her true love, a guy who fell for her back in London but whom she rebuffed because of his lowly status as the third son of a Baron.
Wonder if the author was ironically commenting on the major-league bad girl in Forever Amber with the naming of his heroine.
Gotta love (not) how Christian romance loves its anti-feminist taming/policing of the mean/selfish girl plot lines...
Spoiler
all her hair begins to fall out! Alopecia Areata, it seems, has befallen our self-obsessed heroineWonder if the author was ironically commenting on the major-league bad girl in Forever Amber with the naming of his heroine.
Gotta love (not) how Christian romance loves its anti-feminist taming/policing of the mean/selfish girl plot lines...
christina_likes_to_read's review against another edition
3.0
"A Heart Revealed" is about a young woman who is set to take society by storm. She has position, wealth and beauty on her side and is not afraid to use her assets to make an advantageous marriage. However, through an unexpected turn of events she finds herself without any of the advantages she had before and struggling to find her place in the world.
There is a lot about this book that I enjoyed. First, I liked the themes in the book: friendship, humility, forgiveness, and emotional growth. I loved that the author took a fictional romance and grounded it with a real life problem I loved the way Amber had to grow and change. I loved that the author didn't immediately, show Amber as a changed woman but allowed her to struggle and have her temper tantrums for a while.
Despite the fact that there was a lot that I loved about this book, there was one thing I didn't love: the romance. I am not a big critic of insta-love, truly I'm not. However, if you are going for insta-love you have to do it right. And in my opinion, the author didn't pull it off in this book. I was constantly scratching my head wondering how Amber had fallen in love so quickly and so thoroughly, when she had despised even the thought of love for most of her life. And I couldn't understand how after so few interactions she was convinced that she was in love. Likewise, I never understood or felt Thomas' love either. I didn't understand it and thus never connected with that aspect of the book.
Overall, I did enjoy this book. I really enjoyed the unique plot and the messages. I just wish that the romance would have been a little deeper and more developed. 3 Stars.
There is a lot about this book that I enjoyed. First, I liked the themes in the book: friendship, humility, forgiveness, and emotional growth. I loved that the author took a fictional romance and grounded it with a real life problem
Spoiler
Amber's Alopecia Areeata (hair loss)Despite the fact that there was a lot that I loved about this book, there was one thing I didn't love: the romance. I am not a big critic of insta-love, truly I'm not. However, if you are going for insta-love you have to do it right. And in my opinion, the author didn't pull it off in this book. I was constantly scratching my head wondering how Amber had fallen in love so quickly and so thoroughly, when she had despised even the thought of love for most of her life. And I couldn't understand how after so few interactions she was convinced that she was in love. Likewise, I never understood or felt Thomas' love either. I didn't understand it and thus never connected with that aspect of the book.
Overall, I did enjoy this book. I really enjoyed the unique plot and the messages. I just wish that the romance would have been a little deeper and more developed. 3 Stars.
scarlettreader's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
warri0rprincess's review against another edition
2.0
Not bad, but not one I could recommend. It took until 3/4 through it to want to know the ending.
cari1268's review against another edition
4.0
This book wasn't what I thought it would be. With a name like, A Heart Revealed, I expected nonstop romance. But there was very little romance here.
Thankfully, the book broached a subject matter unique enough to hold me captive. I quickly turned the pages to see what would become of the leading lady. Also, the change in her character was such a fun transformation to read about.
These elements were enough for me to enjoy this read. The romantic parts were more than disappointing. I felt like 100 pages were missing from the book.
Overall, the unique subject matter and character transformation were enough to capture my interest. If seeking a romantic getaway, I would recommend looking elsewhere.
3.5 Stars.
Thankfully, the book broached a subject matter unique enough
Spoiler
A young woman losing her hairThese elements were enough for me to enjoy this read. The romantic parts were more than disappointing. I felt like 100 pages were missing from the book.
Spoiler
The missing pages where Amber and Thomas fall in love. The relationship between the two was so underdeveloped as to be completely unbelievable. And don't even get me started on that ending!Overall, the unique subject matter and character transformation were enough to capture my interest. If seeking a romantic getaway, I would recommend looking elsewhere.
3.5 Stars.
amelia_arlene's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0