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A review by loverofromance
In Search of Heaven by Anita Stansfield
5.0
This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review. Also my tags may have spoilers in them so be forewarned before checking out full review.
Book Evaluation:
Plot: ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ
World Building:ππππ
Cover:ππππ
Hero: π¦Έπ»π¦Έπ»π¦Έπ»π¦Έπ»
Heroine:π¦Έπ»ββοΈπ¦Έπ»ββοΈπ¦Έπ»ββοΈπ¦Έπ»ββοΈπ¦Έπ»ββοΈ
Intimacy Level: π₯π₯
Relationship Building: πππππ
Heart & Feels:πππππ
Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: πππ
Page Turner Level:πππππ
Ending:π§§π§§π§§π§§π§§
Overall View: β¨β¨β¨β¨β¨
First Impressions
In Search of Heaven is the first in a series of the Barrington Family. This is where we have a match between a holder of a English estate with a mass inherited fortune and a humble girl of faith. This is a story that will deal with both the setting of England and the America's....it will delve into a deep abiding faith, it will also dig into learning to love despite deep hurts being given and courage to face the unknown for a bright and beautiful future and what feels right in the heart....
First Line
Eleanore Layne hurriedly wove her dark auburn hair into a long braid, tied it with a black ribbon, and tossed it over her shoulder.
The Main Protagonists
The Hero: James Barrington
The Heroine: Eleanor Layne
Summary
Eleanor is just a humble servant in the household of the Barrington. She is a woman of faith and content with her lot in life. She dreams of one day falling in love and having a family. She stumbles across a book in the road which leads her to the discovery of a new book of scripture: The Book of Mormon. She is instantly drawn into its pages that feels so connecting to the Bible. She is a avid reader and dreams of going to America. When the wife of Mr. James Barrington dies in childbirth he is in need of a governess, one that is well read and with a kind heart. He then offers Eleanor the job to be their governess. At first she is hesitant to take the offer, but then knows that this is a blessing from heaven, as it would mean higher wages and it wouldn't take so long to earn her way to the America's. James and Eleanor build a slow trust with each other, and Eleanor falls deeply for his children and when he makes a decision to move to the America's, he makers her an offer she can't refuse.....a marriage of convenience with promise of protection and affection but not love as his past wife burned him of love he could have had for her....but will Eleanor's dream of love be forgotten....
What I Loved
This was truly such a poignant and heartfelt romance that I felt dig deep into my heart. I wanted to just relax with this book and not rush through it so I did take my time with it. It felt so heavenly to be reading with this author once again. I fell so hard for this book and these characters just captivated me so deeply. I loved the authors' note in this book especially and I feel like many who grew up with religion in their lives and the aspects of intimacy that are rarely communicated with will relate to this story and how she really talks about intimacy in this story. If you are worried about detailed or explicit sex scenes, they aren't going to be in this. But it definitely touches base on this aspect as our couple is in a marriage of convenience but its going to be on the bridge between closed door and fade to black.
I found In Search of Heaven to be fascinating and emotionally engaging. This is going to appeal to readers that enjoy romance and more focus on character building. There is a plot here but its more slow going in that regard as the focus is the slow built relationship between this family. From the beginning you are on board with this heroine and her journey of faith and love. I loved how the author slowly built the ties with the Barrington family and then what she touched on with the religious aspects. It does touch base with the Latter Day Saint faith but its not heavy no more than any other Christian based book and I think non Latter Day Saints will appreciate this story and this series and the journey I know that is ahead for them. I have a feeling more historical relevance will be in later books.
What I Struggled With
The romance starts out pretty slow so some readers may struggle with this one and if you don't read romance on the regular....keep in mind this is a romance. But the writing is very engaging so I think most readers will be drawn into the story easily.
Overall View
In Search of Heaven was a captivating read that digs deep into the heart's desires, a entwined spiritual journey and deeply rooted relationships that will tightens its reigns on your emotions easily.
Book Details (also in my shelves)
Sub Genre: Inspirational Romance, Historical Romance
Character Types: Man of Wealth, Servant Heroine, Bookish Heroine
Themes: Pining Heroine, Kids/Children, Slow Burn, Tear Jerker
Tropes: Epic Love, Marriage of Convenience, Unrequited Love
Book Perspective
1st POV
Relationship Conflict vs Plot Conflict
Relationship
If you like these authors, I recommend This Book
Gerald Lund
Karen Witemeyer
Sarah M Eden
Recommendation For Reading Order
Yes
Book Evaluation:
Plot: ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ
World Building:ππππ
Cover:ππππ
Hero: π¦Έπ»π¦Έπ»π¦Έπ»π¦Έπ»
Heroine:π¦Έπ»ββοΈπ¦Έπ»ββοΈπ¦Έπ»ββοΈπ¦Έπ»ββοΈπ¦Έπ»ββοΈ
Intimacy Level: π₯π₯
Relationship Building: πππππ
Heart & Feels:πππππ
Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: πππ
Page Turner Level:πππππ
Ending:π§§π§§π§§π§§π§§
Overall View: β¨β¨β¨β¨β¨
First Impressions
In Search of Heaven is the first in a series of the Barrington Family. This is where we have a match between a holder of a English estate with a mass inherited fortune and a humble girl of faith. This is a story that will deal with both the setting of England and the America's....it will delve into a deep abiding faith, it will also dig into learning to love despite deep hurts being given and courage to face the unknown for a bright and beautiful future and what feels right in the heart....
First Line
Eleanore Layne hurriedly wove her dark auburn hair into a long braid, tied it with a black ribbon, and tossed it over her shoulder.
The Main Protagonists
The Hero: James Barrington
The Heroine: Eleanor Layne
Summary
Eleanor is just a humble servant in the household of the Barrington. She is a woman of faith and content with her lot in life. She dreams of one day falling in love and having a family. She stumbles across a book in the road which leads her to the discovery of a new book of scripture: The Book of Mormon. She is instantly drawn into its pages that feels so connecting to the Bible. She is a avid reader and dreams of going to America. When the wife of Mr. James Barrington dies in childbirth he is in need of a governess, one that is well read and with a kind heart. He then offers Eleanor the job to be their governess. At first she is hesitant to take the offer, but then knows that this is a blessing from heaven, as it would mean higher wages and it wouldn't take so long to earn her way to the America's. James and Eleanor build a slow trust with each other, and Eleanor falls deeply for his children and when he makes a decision to move to the America's, he makers her an offer she can't refuse.....a marriage of convenience with promise of protection and affection but not love as his past wife burned him of love he could have had for her....but will Eleanor's dream of love be forgotten....
What I Loved
This was truly such a poignant and heartfelt romance that I felt dig deep into my heart. I wanted to just relax with this book and not rush through it so I did take my time with it. It felt so heavenly to be reading with this author once again. I fell so hard for this book and these characters just captivated me so deeply. I loved the authors' note in this book especially and I feel like many who grew up with religion in their lives and the aspects of intimacy that are rarely communicated with will relate to this story and how she really talks about intimacy in this story. If you are worried about detailed or explicit sex scenes, they aren't going to be in this. But it definitely touches base on this aspect as our couple is in a marriage of convenience but its going to be on the bridge between closed door and fade to black.
I found In Search of Heaven to be fascinating and emotionally engaging. This is going to appeal to readers that enjoy romance and more focus on character building. There is a plot here but its more slow going in that regard as the focus is the slow built relationship between this family. From the beginning you are on board with this heroine and her journey of faith and love. I loved how the author slowly built the ties with the Barrington family and then what she touched on with the religious aspects. It does touch base with the Latter Day Saint faith but its not heavy no more than any other Christian based book and I think non Latter Day Saints will appreciate this story and this series and the journey I know that is ahead for them. I have a feeling more historical relevance will be in later books.
What I Struggled With
The romance starts out pretty slow so some readers may struggle with this one and if you don't read romance on the regular....keep in mind this is a romance. But the writing is very engaging so I think most readers will be drawn into the story easily.
Overall View
In Search of Heaven was a captivating read that digs deep into the heart's desires, a entwined spiritual journey and deeply rooted relationships that will tightens its reigns on your emotions easily.
Book Details (also in my shelves)
Sub Genre: Inspirational Romance, Historical Romance
Character Types: Man of Wealth, Servant Heroine, Bookish Heroine
Themes: Pining Heroine, Kids/Children, Slow Burn, Tear Jerker
Tropes: Epic Love, Marriage of Convenience, Unrequited Love
Book Perspective
1st POV
Relationship Conflict vs Plot Conflict
Relationship
If you like these authors, I recommend This Book
Gerald Lund
Karen Witemeyer
Sarah M Eden
Recommendation For Reading Order
Yes