A Heart Most Certain by Melissa Jagears

Reviewed by Martha Artyomenko

About the book:

While Lydia King’s reasons for joining the Teaville Moral Society might be suspect to some members, her heart is in the right place. Because of her father’s debts and her mother’s persistent illness, her best chance at a secure future and curing her mother is to impress the politician courting her. Her first task–to ask the town’s wealthiest man to donate–seems simple enough . . . until he refuses.

Despite appearances, Nicholas Lowe wants to help others, but prefers to keep his charity private. When Lydia proves persistent, they agree to a bargain, but Nicholas still intends to do things his own way. Neither predicts what they’ll learn about true charity or foresee the complications their actions will bring to the town, forcing Lydia to decide where her beliefs and heart truly align.

My Review:

I have to say that I wasn’t sure what to think of the first chapter of this book. I was mistakenly thinking it was a rewrite of a Charles Dicken’s novel and set it aside for awhile. I am so glad I picked it back up, because after the first chapter, I was hooked. 

This story took me on a journey I did not expect. Nicholas Lowe, hard skin flint, widower  and the Lydia, the daughter of a drunken gambler and dying mother were not that unusual of characters, but how Ms. Jagears portrays them is what is unique. If you don’t want to see any of the seedy underbelly of the time period, this probably not the book you want to pick up. While nothing descriptive is included, it is eluded to. Gamblers, dance halls, brothels, and the selling of under age women are all eluded to in this book. It is not a pretty sight, but you also, without the details, get to see what life was like for the less fortunate of that time. 

Most of all, you get to see how the church handled things and see glimpses of the modern church, hidden behind talk of freedom and love for all. It was a fascinating story. This book is released August 2nd and is available for pre-order. A Heart Most Certain 

This book was given to me for my honest review by NetGalley and Bethany House. The opinions contained herein are my own.