Anna's Fresh Start: Emotionally resonant story about second chances

Anna’s Fresh Start by Lori Soard is a captivating and heartfelt romance set in the post-Civil War South, where the heroine, Anna Heartfield, must confront the weight of a dangerous secret and find a way to rebuild her life. Anna is a complex and compelling character, and I thoroughly enjoyed following her journey. Her hidden past is not one of a broken relationship, but a dangerous web of secrets tied to her actions during the war, secrets that threaten to unravel her family’s reputation. Anna’s need for a fresh start is palpable, and her internal conflict about whether to share her truth with the man she begins to fall for adds a rich layer of emotional depth to the story.

Ezra Walters, the quiet, serious widower, is equally compelling. With a painful past marked by the suicide of his wife and the responsibility of raising their young daughter alone, he struggles to open his heart to love again. His reluctance to form new attachments stems from the fear of experiencing another devastating loss, yet his longing for companionship is undeniable. The emotional weight Ezra carries makes him a character readers can’t help but root for, and his slow-burn romance with Anna is beautifully developed.

BookHookup review: Anna's Fresh Start

The romance between Anna and Ezra is heartwarming and engaging, and Soard does an excellent job of slowly unfolding their emotional connections, allowing readers to fully invest in their blossoming relationship. The addition of little historical touches, such as the candy Anna received from a soldier, enriches the narrative and adds depth to the setting. These details create a world that feels vivid and real, drawing the reader further into Anna’s struggles and hopes for redemption.

While the book is thoroughly enjoyable, there are a few moments that could benefit from refinement. One recurring detail is repeated several times, likely to ensure readers remember it, but it can feel a bit redundant. Additionally, there's a discrepancy regarding the delivery of Anna's truck—it's introduced in Chapter 6 but is said to have arrived earlier that day in Chapter 9. This inconsistency momentarily pulled me out of the story as I had to double-check to make sure I hadn’t missed something and it threw me out of the emotional build-up at that moment.

Overall, Anna’s Fresh Start is a heartwarming and emotionally resonant tale of second chances, trust, and the healing power of love. The characters are well-developed and easy to invest in, and I found myself rooting for Anna and Ezra every step of the way. With its charming narrative and warm atmosphere, this book is sure to delight fans of historical romance. It offers a compelling and heartfelt journey that will leave readers eager for more.

Rating: 4/5 Stars

 

About the Author

Lori Soard has a PhD in Journalism and Creative Writing, but she's hardly the stuffy professor type. She loves nothing better than a good romantic comedy and thinks the good guy should always win and the ending should always be happy.

From an early age, Lori started honing her story telling skills. As a kid she was rarely seen without a book in her hand, even walking and reading at the same time. Her first stories were about the world around her. At twenty she wrote her first novel, which she admits was horrible. At twenty-one, she sold her first article to a local newspaper. Once she got that taste of having others read her work and realizing that she could reach others and touch their hearts, there was no turning back for this natural born writer.

"If I can make someone's day just a tiny bit better," Lori says, "if I can make them smile even though they are sad, make them think things could be better, make them understand how much God loves them, then I have accomplished something. I write my stories, articles and books with that one person in mind who really needs the message. If I can change one person's perspective, then I've succeeded."

Lori is a life-long Hoosier and lives in southern Indiana with her high school sweetheart turned husband. They have two grown daughters and two granddaughters. She always has a her critters surrounding her, including a couple of miniature dachshunds and several rescue cats. "During the extreme low points in life, it has been my animals that have seen me through. There is nothing like the deep devotion of a dog or the unconditional love of a cat." Lori adores animals and while some of her dear friends have crossed over the Rainbow Bridge she will always stand by her belief that animals make the world a better place.

She loves to hear from her readers and blogs regularly.

Love ignores societal separation

The protagonist of An Unlikely Belle is Madelyn MacNalling, better known as Maddy. Born into the lower class, her life has not been easy. Both of her parents have died and the only family she has left is her older brother, Nate. Thanks to him, Maddy has received an education, and upon graduation, she moves to live with him on the Stirlingshire Estate where he is the head hostler. She loves horses and is happy when she learns she will work under her brother caring for three horses. But living on the estate opens a whole new world where love ignores the societal separation that comes with wealth and brings about life lessons that test young Maddy’s faith.

 

Book review: An Unlikely Belle

An Unlikely Belle by Dannie Marie delivers well-written characters that are likable but flawed and combines them with family secrets on the Stirlingshire Estate. Maddy is not ashamed of her humble standing, or her work in the stables with her brother Nate, but her life changes when Elizabeth Stirlingshire, daughter to the Viscount, accepts Maddy as her best friend. Maddy is invited to participate in social events above her standing. Dressed in Elizabeth’s clothing, Maddy fits right in, and soon her dance card is filled with young men who have no idea of who she really is. 

 

@donnasundblad An Unlikely Bell Review #bookreview #bookreviews #bookreviewer #historicalromance #christianromance #bookhookup #booktok #readersoftiktok ♬ original sound Donna Sundblad

As she navigates the social norms of the Regency era, the complications involved with her new relationships, and the possibility of love, tests humble Maddy’s faith as she asks for God’s guidance. An Unlikely Belle is a faith journey couched in a heartwarming romance that swept me away to another time. Readers who enjoy historical Christian romances like A Viscount's Stolen Fortune will enjoy this read. I’m happy to give it 5 stars.

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As BookHookup, I am a longtime book reviewer. I received a free review copy of this book from BookTasters and have not received compensation for reviewing or recommending it. Some links in this post are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to amazon.com and affiliate sites.