Review: This Heart of Mine – Brenda Novak

Posted April 5, 2015 by Elizabeth in Elizabeth B, Reviews / 0 Comments

Review:  This Heart of Mine – Brenda NovakThis Heart of Mine by Brenda Novak
Series: Whiskey Creek #8
Genres: Contemporary Women
Published by Harlequin Mira Publication Date: 31 March 2015
Pages: 400
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Find on: Goodreads
four-stars

First love. Second chance?Β As the daughter of a hoarder, Phoenix Fuller had a tough childhood. So when the handsome, popular Riley Stinson became her boyfriend in high school, she finally felt as though she had something to be proud of. Phoenix was desperate not to lose himβ€”especially once she found out she was pregnant. Yes, she might have acted a bit obsessive when he broke up with her. But she did not run down the girl he started dating next!Β Unfortunately, there was no way to prove her innocence. Now, after serving her time in prison, Phoenix has been released. All she wants to do is return to Whiskey Creek and get to know her son. But Jacob's father isn't exactly welcoming.Β Riley doesn't trust Phoenix, doesn't want her in Jacob's life. He is, however, ready to find someone to love. And he wants a good mother for his son. He has no idea that he's about to find bothβ€”if they can forgive the mistakes in their past…

Elizabeth’s Thoughts

I have to confess to being a little nervous when I started this book. I have enjoyed the previous entries of the Whiskey Creek series and I wasn’t sure how I felt about Phoenix being a heroine. While I haven’t read all of the books in the series (I want too), I have read enough to know the back ground of Phoenix’s situation and that made me leery of her.

It didn’t take me long to discover that I really liked Phoenix! She’s had a raw deal, but is willing to put up with absolutely anything to get to know her son, Jacob. I appreciated that Phoenix’s focus was on building lasting relationships with both her mother and son and that she tried to avoid anything romantic with Riley, Jacob’s father.

Riley is a good guy and hard not to like. It doesn’t take him long to figure out that he’s been unfair to Phoenix and in the process of supporting his son’s getting to know her, he figures out his own feelings. This is a couple that you definitely root for throughout the book.

There is an element of β€œtoo good to be true” in the Phoenix-Riley-Jacob relationship and interactions, but it works in the context of the story. The big conflict in the book is Phoenix and Riley vs outside forces and Ms. Novak did a great job with handling it. We get the expected happy ending, but it isn’t exactly perfect and that’s what makes it just right for the story.

Overall, This Heart of Mine is a well written and strong entry into the Whiskey Creek Series. It also works well as a stand-alone novel. The characters from previous Whiskey Creek stories make an appearance in the book, but are not central to the action.

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I am a full time mom who works part time. I squeeze reading in wherever I can between work, volunteer stuff, and kid activities. I read a little bit of everything, but really enjoy indie authors and Happy- Ever-Afters. I've been reviewing for Cocktails and Books since January 2015.