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english_lady03's review against another edition
3.0
When I saw a friend on social media had reviewed this book late last year, I thought it would be right up my alley as a historical novel set in England during the Edwardian period, and so I went and requested on Netgalley almost straight away. Which turned out be a timely discovery, since the book was archived shortly afterward.
In many ways, it was a very good book and an enjoyable read: even though I found some details in the plot were rather cliched. The whole aristocratic girl who refuses to marry for money/duty/convenience and ‘follows her heart’ to marry the commoner that she falls in love with has been done many, many times before.
It takes a very good author to make an original tale out of such an overused formula, in my opinion. Stacy Henrie did that: for the most part anyway, with some of the details about Ada’s life, and her struggles as a widowed single parent during the First World War, and her faith journey. She proves to be a strong character, with great resolve and independence in this well-written tale.
In the second half, however, I felt the story became a little more strained and predictable: although I liked the character involved (but really could not remember him being mentioned previously, although he was meant to have been a childhood friend of the protagonist), and I felt the relationship developed slowly and plausibly without the insta- love you see in some books. I didn’t like one part of the conclusion though: stories like this always and always end with a certain thing happening, and I don’t see why its necessary to the ending.
Whilst a lot was right, there were certain Americanisms which stood out, (‘someplace’ ’write him’ etc), and some of the accents seemed a little dubious, with that of Ada’s Cockney friend seeming to be all but indistinguishable to those of people from rural Yorkshire.
Finally, that this is a personal matter, I did not realize this book was by a Mormon until I read the biography at the end. I have no problem with reading or even recommending books written by authors who aren't Orthodox Christians or even religious, but I'm still undecided about whether I want to endorse them on my blog.
I requested a copy of this book via Netgalley of my own volition. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are my own.
In many ways, it was a very good book and an enjoyable read: even though I found some details in the plot were rather cliched. The whole aristocratic girl who refuses to marry for money/duty/convenience and ‘follows her heart’ to marry the commoner that she falls in love with has been done many, many times before.
It takes a very good author to make an original tale out of such an overused formula, in my opinion. Stacy Henrie did that: for the most part anyway, with some of the details about Ada’s life, and her struggles as a widowed single parent during the First World War, and her faith journey. She proves to be a strong character, with great resolve and independence in this well-written tale.
In the second half, however, I felt the story became a little more strained and predictable: although I liked the character involved (but really could not remember him being mentioned previously, although he was meant to have been a childhood friend of the protagonist), and I felt the relationship developed slowly and plausibly without the insta- love you see in some books. I didn’t like one part of the conclusion though: stories like this always and always end with a certain thing happening, and I don’t see why its necessary to the ending.
Whilst a lot was right, there were certain Americanisms which stood out, (‘someplace’ ’write him’ etc), and some of the accents seemed a little dubious, with that of Ada’s Cockney friend seeming to be all but indistinguishable to those of people from rural Yorkshire.
Finally, that this is a personal matter, I did not realize this book was by a Mormon until I read the biography at the end. I have no problem with reading or even recommending books written by authors who aren't Orthodox Christians or even religious, but I'm still undecided about whether I want to endorse them on my blog.
I requested a copy of this book via Netgalley of my own volition. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are my own.
meezcarrie's review against another edition
4.0
The Keeper of Her Heart follows Ada Thorne Henley over the course of several years and, in so doing, readers are given a glimpse into England from the beginnings of WW1 to its aftermath. History is intrinsically woven into Ada’s compelling story, and readers will be moved by the emotional ups and downs. Told almost in snippets, the novel sometimes hops forward several months – or even years – but this allows no scene to be wasted.
Ada is a very likable heroine whose courage, resolve, and vulnerability is inspiring and compelling. She quickly feels like a friend, and we become so wrapped up in her story that we feel each emotion with her. The cast of other characters are vivid and full of life, and Henrie knits them all together with a tender hand.
Bottom Line: The Keeper of Her Heart by Stacy Henrie is poignant and inspiring, the highs and lows of Ada’s life drawing the reader in wholeheartedly. The theme of God’s presence in times of joy as well as sorrow and fear walks hand-in-hand with Ada’s determined spirit and her compelling courage. Life doesn’t always work out the way we planned but in God’s hands we are held through it all.
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first seen at Reading Is My SuperPower
Ada is a very likable heroine whose courage, resolve, and vulnerability is inspiring and compelling. She quickly feels like a friend, and we become so wrapped up in her story that we feel each emotion with her. The cast of other characters are vivid and full of life, and Henrie knits them all together with a tender hand.
Bottom Line: The Keeper of Her Heart by Stacy Henrie is poignant and inspiring, the highs and lows of Ada’s life drawing the reader in wholeheartedly. The theme of God’s presence in times of joy as well as sorrow and fear walks hand-in-hand with Ada’s determined spirit and her compelling courage. Life doesn’t always work out the way we planned but in God’s hands we are held through it all.
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first seen at Reading Is My SuperPower
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