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3.6 AVERAGE
3.6 AVERAGE
I found this book endearing from the first page, heartwarming and amusing.
hopeful
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
In the beginning, I did have a hard time getting into the book, but once the plot picked up, I got a little more invested. I liked how the book took the theme of trusting God to be in the midst of things, even when you feel that you can't see Him or feel Him. The characters each went on their personal journey, and I could identify with a few of them. A warning: this book does talk about abuse, but it was not too descriptive in my opinion.
Content Warnings
Minor: Child abuse
After really enjoying the first book, I must admit to being a bit disappointed with this one. I found the first part not quite to my taste tbh as it was set mostly in the College. I also thought that Libby should have spoken to Maelle about her feelings about not being adopted.
Once we hit the part about Pete's family, I really started investing in this story. That's the point that I really couldn't put the book down. So I felt it was a book of 2 halves really. I'm glad I read this, but just didn't get the same vibe for me as the first one. I did appreciate the Christian Aspect that was right throughout the book though. I Will definitely look out for more of this Author's books. I read this through KU.
Once we hit the part about Pete's family, I really started investing in this story. That's the point that I really couldn't put the book down. So I felt it was a book of 2 halves really. I'm glad I read this, but just didn't get the same vibe for me as the first one. I did appreciate the Christian Aspect that was right throughout the book though. I Will definitely look out for more of this Author's books. I read this through KU.
In Every Heartbeat by Kim Vogel Sawyer is the story of Libby Conley and her friends Pete and Bennett. They are off to attend college together after having grown up in an orphanage. As each one pursues their own ambitions, they struggle with the different directions those ambitions seem to be taking them. They quickly learn that adulthood brings changes and choices, and they wonder if they will be able to remain friends.
It was an enjoyable story in that it contained a little romance, talked about the importance of family relationships, and the endurance of friendship. I wanted to love the book, but something just didn't work for me. I had read and loved the previous book My Heart Remembers, but this book didn't capture my interest as much.
One thing that I kept questioning was when World War I would be introduced into the story. The synopsis made me believe the plot would somehow involve the war, and I think maybe that's what I was really anticipating as I read. Not so. It seemed to be introduced nearly 70 pages from the end and had very little to do with the plot of this book. That struck me as a little odd.
The other thing that felt a little "off" to me was one of the character's conversion experience. It seemed a bit abrupt, as if all of the sudden in a crisis the character knew they needed God, and they prayed a salvation prayer. In addition, their behavior and thinking changed dramatically in a short time, and I guess that didn't seem truly realistic to me. Although, it made for a nice, tidy ending.
I rate this book with 3 stars. It was a good story, just not exceptional in my opinion.
I thank Bethany House Publishers for sending me a free copy of the book to review. This review is solely my opinion, and I was not required to write a favorable review.
It was an enjoyable story in that it contained a little romance, talked about the importance of family relationships, and the endurance of friendship. I wanted to love the book, but something just didn't work for me. I had read and loved the previous book My Heart Remembers, but this book didn't capture my interest as much.
One thing that I kept questioning was when World War I would be introduced into the story. The synopsis made me believe the plot would somehow involve the war, and I think maybe that's what I was really anticipating as I read. Not so. It seemed to be introduced nearly 70 pages from the end and had very little to do with the plot of this book. That struck me as a little odd.
The other thing that felt a little "off" to me was one of the character's conversion experience. It seemed a bit abrupt, as if all of the sudden in a crisis the character knew they needed God, and they prayed a salvation prayer. In addition, their behavior and thinking changed dramatically in a short time, and I guess that didn't seem truly realistic to me. Although, it made for a nice, tidy ending.
I rate this book with 3 stars. It was a good story, just not exceptional in my opinion.
I thank Bethany House Publishers for sending me a free copy of the book to review. This review is solely my opinion, and I was not required to write a favorable review.
This one was good - with a satisfactory end. Though the 'third' character, of Bennett was not wrapped up, and left trailing somewhat (possibly for another book?) this story was interesting and covered some interesting topics. Not sure I can say I LOVED the book, but it was definitely worth reading.
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
A very unrealistic story to push the idea of conversion to christianity. A lot of the happenings feel sporadic, undeveloped, and un-concluded, offering no sense of closure in any plot aspect. In the last 4 chapters of the book, all sense of plot progression stops and it turns into a lengthy surface-level explanation of the internal change that is supposed to happen after a conversion of faith.
The book uses a very over-simplified set of events to discuss very real problems in the world, and it really misses it’s mark. It feels as if it’s trying to push a narrative where all outcomes are optimal and perfect. While religion can be life changing, it will not change life itself. It also feels highly unresearched in terms of both the characters, and the setting. Overall, there is much to be desired.
The book uses a very over-simplified set of events to discuss very real problems in the world, and it really misses it’s mark. It feels as if it’s trying to push a narrative where all outcomes are optimal and perfect. While religion can be life changing, it will not change life itself. It also feels highly unresearched in terms of both the characters, and the setting. Overall, there is much to be desired.
A beautiful story about identity and finding your place in life in an interesting setting—a 1914 college campus.
In Every Heartbeat by Kim Vogel Sawyer is the sequel to My Heart Remembers. Pete, Libby, and Bennett grew up as friends in an orphanage run by Isabelle Rowley. Pete was abandoned by his parents to care for himself on the streets when he was just seven, and shortly after that he lost his leg in a trolley accident. His survival of that miracle set his heart on serving the Lord as a minister at a young age. Libby was orphaned when her parents died before she could remember them, and she took Isabelle's sister, Maelle, as a surrogate mother. Libby is determined to be a writer and make her name in the world. Bennett was dropped off at an orphanage as an infant and left that one as a young child when he didn't feel loved, then Isabelle's husband discovered him and brought him home to be loved as part of their children's home. The three are heading off for college with very different goals in mind, and for the first time, they find themselves pulled apart. Sawyer excels at creating sympathetic characters who readers quickly grow to love, and this trio is no exception. Libby and Pete are fighting their mutual attraction, and Bennett still struggles at feeling that he's never found a place to fit in. Readers don't need to have read the previous novel to enjoy these characters and be moved by this touching story.
Kim Vogel Sawyer has written some wonderful stories these past few years, it's easy to see why she's made a name for herself as a top Christian fiction author. With her knack for telling sweet stories with faith and love at the heart I always find her books to be enjoyable reads and recommend them to those who love romance.
Her latest book, In Every Heartbeat takes place in the early part of the 20th century with three very different characters who are coming of age and attending university. While Kim's naturally easy paced style is present and her characters making some tough choices I just could not connect with the characters. Libby Conley, the heroine just seemed immature to me. With jealousy and campus antics it all seemed a bit juvenile and not something I was expecting from three orphans who had to "grow up" fast. However, I will say this, as the story progressed Libby did seem to mature but I was kind of left hanging as to what happened with Bennett.
I was never bored with the story and was very interested in the lives of the Leidig family and hope to see more of them in the future. I would like to see them as adults and see what they did with their lives and what they made of themselves. I love the themes of this story including that love and God are always with us in our hearts.
I received my complimentary review copy from Bethany House in exchange for posting my honest review.*
Her latest book, In Every Heartbeat takes place in the early part of the 20th century with three very different characters who are coming of age and attending university. While Kim's naturally easy paced style is present and her characters making some tough choices I just could not connect with the characters. Libby Conley, the heroine just seemed immature to me. With jealousy and campus antics it all seemed a bit juvenile and not something I was expecting from three orphans who had to "grow up" fast. However, I will say this, as the story progressed Libby did seem to mature but I was kind of left hanging as to what happened with Bennett.
I was never bored with the story and was very interested in the lives of the Leidig family and hope to see more of them in the future. I would like to see them as adults and see what they did with their lives and what they made of themselves. I love the themes of this story including that love and God are always with us in our hearts.
I received my complimentary review copy from Bethany House in exchange for posting my honest review.*
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced