The NerdHerd Reads: Hearts Made Whole {by Jody Hedlund}

Title: Hearts Made Whole

Author: Jody Hedlund
Series: Beacons of Hope, #2

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Source: publisher

After her father’s death, Caroline Taylor has grown confident running the Windmill Point Lighthouse. But in 1865 Michigan, women aren’t supposed to have such roles, so it’s only a matter of time before the lighthouse inspector appoints a new keeper–even though Caroline has nowhere else to go and no other job available to her.
Ryan Chambers is a Civil War veteran still haunted by the horrors of battle. He’s been given the post as lighthouse keeper, and the isolation where he can drown in drink and hide from his past is appealing. He’s not expecting the current keeper to be a feisty and beautiful woman who’s none-too-pleased to be giving up her position. They both quickly realize he’s in no shape to run the lighthouse, but Ryan’s unwilling to let anyone close, ravaged by memories and guilt. Caroline’s drawn to this wounded soul, but with both of them relying on that single position, can they look past their loss to a future filled with hope…and possibly love?

I will admit, the first in this series was my favorite. However, this was a light, enjoyable read as well. This book follow's the brother of the MC from the first book. He's now grown-up, has fought in the war, and is coming back broken and disabled, trying to put his life back together. He ends up getting a job as a lighthouse keeper. The only problem? The current lighthouse keeper, who is being kicked out of the job simply because she is a woman. She has four younger siblings to take care of, and no way to take care of them now.

I think this one definitely dealt with some deeper and darker issues than the first one. Ryan has a serious problem with drinking and being addicted to his pain pills. But slowly we get to see the person he is underneath, the person he is trying to get back to. Caroline is a strong character. First being a mother to her siblings, and then taking over the lighthouse duties when her father died, as well as running the house. And now, being kicked out only because she's a woman.

This was your typical light romance story. There was a darker sense of mystery and foreboding around it that added a layer of complexity and interest. It was still a pretty light and fast read, but enjoyable.

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