Scan barcode
anna_m_k's review against another edition
4.0
Set in an alt-history USA where witches are known, this is a romance between a cowboy and a witch who are both trans and bi. The romance is sweet and the setting is well handled. Though our modern terms don't exist and aren't used in story, their identities are made clear and are respected. As is the grief Cecily feels for her lost love. Overall, it's a solid read with great characters and prose.
candidceillie's review against another edition
4.0
This was delightfully sweet and magical. Read the full review here.
lucyp21's review against another edition
4.0
I've read Coffee Boy , also by Austin Chant and really enjoyed it. I bought this book a while ago and finally got around to it, enjoying it just as much as I did Coffee Boy.
Caroline's Heart is about Cecily, a witch who is trying to bring her dead lover back to life, working on ranches in the USA during the late 1800s. Roy is a cowboy on one of the ranches and is completely fascinated by Cecily. When he gets fatally injured, Cecily has to sacrifice her one chance at bringing her lover back to life.
I really liked this book. The characters, Cecily and Roy, were as developed as they could be for a novella, the plot kept me guessing right up until the end and I absolutely adored the setting. This is set in an alternate United States where magic and clockwork are known, if not commonplace, and it is integrated within the story beautifully. I never felt lost about what was what in this world and I loved the descriptions of the magic, it's powers and limitations. The writing style also perfectly matched up with this magical setting because the lyrical, slightly whimsical style suited the plot and the setting really nicely.
A mention goes to the two main characters who are both trans and in Roy's case, it is also Own Voices. I felt like this was handled really well (something you generally expect with Own Voices) and written nicely in the setting. Though the word trans is never mentioned, it is more than obvious about what the gender identity of the two main characters are.
This is definitely a novella I would recommend. 4.5 stars!
Caroline's Heart is about Cecily, a witch who is trying to bring her dead lover back to life, working on ranches in the USA during the late 1800s. Roy is a cowboy on one of the ranches and is completely fascinated by Cecily. When he gets fatally injured, Cecily has to sacrifice her one chance at bringing her lover back to life.
I really liked this book. The characters, Cecily and Roy, were as developed as they could be for a novella, the plot kept me guessing right up until the end and I absolutely adored the setting. This is set in an alternate United States where magic and clockwork are known, if not commonplace, and it is integrated within the story beautifully. I never felt lost about what was what in this world and I loved the descriptions of the magic, it's powers and limitations. The writing style also perfectly matched up with this magical setting because the lyrical, slightly whimsical style suited the plot and the setting really nicely.
A mention goes to the two main characters who are both trans and in Roy's case, it is also Own Voices. I felt like this was handled really well (something you generally expect with Own Voices) and written nicely in the setting. Though the word trans is never mentioned, it is more than obvious about what the gender identity of the two main characters are.
This is definitely a novella I would recommend. 4.5 stars!
jce's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
bookishmarianne's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars
A really moving and unusual romance. I was hesitant to pick it up because I don’t like short novellas. But Austin Chant made the most of 95 pages. I loved Roy as a character, what a darling. Cecily was fascinating, and I liked that she had more power in their relationship. The trans and bi rep is excellent to see and unsurprisingly really well done. We really need more own voices romances with trans characters. I will say I would have liked more development of Cecily and Roy’s relationship. This may be a matter of preference since I prefer a longer romance. Regardless, this is an excellent novella, and I’m excited to read more of Chant’s work.
A really moving and unusual romance. I was hesitant to pick it up because I don’t like short novellas. But Austin Chant made the most of 95 pages. I loved Roy as a character, what a darling. Cecily was fascinating, and I liked that she had more power in their relationship. The trans and bi rep is excellent to see and unsurprisingly really well done. We really need more own voices romances with trans characters. I will say I would have liked more development of Cecily and Roy’s relationship. This may be a matter of preference since I prefer a longer romance. Regardless, this is an excellent novella, and I’m excited to read more of Chant’s work.
chickwriter's review against another edition
5.0
Every time I open a new work by Austin Chant, I prepare for a wonderful story. This new book not only did not disappoint, but tugged at my heart with its beauty.
marinakruk's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
emmaward55's review against another edition
5.0
This is the second Austin Chant book that I’ve read and it certainly won’t be the last! Caroline’s Heart is a darling tale of two characters that you can’t help but love. Sweet, charming Roy and the mysterious witch had me rooting for them both from the start. I loved the emotional punches that this book packs and the prose is delightful. Another great book!
rikepeet's review against another edition
5.0
read this in one evening as a treat for finishing my paper and do not regret in the slightest!
so far the only other story of chant's that i've read was 'coffee boy' and while i liked that one, this one is now firmly #1! (might be because fantasy is always something i really latch onto).
the only thing i really have to complain about is: why... not.... more.... i would have loved for this story to be given a little bit more space and a little slower pace to breathe and let the relationship develop more slowly, get even more background story on both mcs. other than that this gets 5* and a special place in my heart!
if you're looking for a short read that has historical fantasy, witchcraft, trans characters (yes! plural!), a sad but bittersweet wlw love story, bi characters (yes!! plural!!), a great writing style and a sense of hopefulness then look no further!
so far the only other story of chant's that i've read was 'coffee boy' and while i liked that one, this one is now firmly #1! (might be because fantasy is always something i really latch onto).
the only thing i really have to complain about is: why... not.... more.... i would have loved for this story to be given a little bit more space and a little slower pace to breathe and let the relationship develop more slowly, get even more background story on both mcs. other than that this gets 5* and a special place in my heart!
if you're looking for a short read that has historical fantasy, witchcraft, trans characters (yes! plural!), a sad but bittersweet wlw love story, bi characters (yes!! plural!!), a great writing style and a sense of hopefulness then look no further!