A Haven for Her Heart (2020)

About the Book

Book: A Haven for Her Heart

Author: Susan Anne Mason

Series: A Redemption’s Light Novel, #1

Release Date: October 13, 2020

Genre: Historical Romance

Homeless after being released from a women’s reformatory in 1942 Toronto, Olivia Rosetti is taken in by an angel of mercy, Ruth Bennington. The two discover they share a painful past and together decide to open a maternity home for troubled women.

Despite the success of the home, Olivia is haunted by her inhumane treatment at the reformatory and the way her newborn son was taken from her. She feels undeserving of love–until she meets businessman Darius Reed. Although his attention makes her heart soar, he can never learn of her past.

Greek widower Darius Reed is determined to protect his daughter from the prejudice that killed her mother. He’ll ensure her future by marrying a woman from a respected Toronto family. But when Darius meets Olivia, he’s immediately drawn to her beauty and compassion.

Can love prove stronger than prejudice and past mistakes? Or will Olivia’s secrets destroy any chance at a future together?

Click HERE to purchase your copy today!

My Thoughts

A Haven for Her Heart by Susan Anne Mason is a phenomenal story. I was immediately hooked into the storyline and hated when I had to put this book down. I can honestly say that I’ve never read a book like this before. This novel illustrates Mason’s signature storytelling and smooth, flowing prose, but she throws her readers for a severe emotional loop through the history she chose to center her novel around. Her topic is one I’ve never read before and it completely wrecked me. My heart broke a 100 times for Olivia — all I wanted was to hug her and punch all the meanies who hurt her. When you read this book, and you really must, have a BIG box of tissue nearby. But, I don’t want you to read this review and think this book is just a big downer. It is absolutely not. It’s complicated, it’s frustrating, it’s super amazing, it’s romantic, it’s inspirational, and it’s incredibly encouraging. Truly, A Haven for Her Heart is a remarkable must-read novel.

Life is complex. Sometimes it’s amazing and full and good. There’s friendships and romances and babies and food and love. But sometimes life is awful and evil and unbearable. There’s pain and hate and suffering and death. In our lives we will come upon times that knock us off our feet and steal our very breath. Sometimes these moments happen because of bad choices or actions we have made and sometimes because of the bad choices or actions of others. Olivia Rosetti goes through a two-year nightmare because of a choice she made and a reaction her father had. When Olivia’s nightmare ends, she is a completely broken and scared young woman who is sure her life will never be good again. She feels shame and guilt and anger and a little bit of hate. As a Christian, she knows she needs to forgive, but forgiveness does not come easy. Olivia has to work hard at it, and more often than not gets stuck in her struggles. There is a moment in the story where Olivia’s brother, Sal, compassionately tells her, “God wouldn’t want you to remain a prisoner of your shame, Olivia. You are His beloved child, forgiven and redeemed. Be brave enough to claim the happiness He has in store for you.” I LOVE this notion. Forgiving others can be hard, but forgiving ourselves is often the hardest. When our nightmare moments in life happen because of things we chose or did the shame we feel for being so stupid or ignorant or just plain human can seem like a mountain too difficult to overcome. Sal is correct, there is a level of bravery inherent in forgiveness. Forgiveness means accepting the past and trusting God with the future. It’s knowing that something bad happened to me but having compassion to accept what could be and choosing to move forward. Olivia has a lot in her past she must overcome and forgive, but with God’s help, and the love and support of her good friend, her brother, and her romantic interest, Olivia comes to realize that true happiness comes when we break the shackles of shame and guilt, forgive ourselves, and grab hold to the goodness God has waiting for us all.

A Haven for Her Heart is a highly engaging story that rips at the reader’s heartstrings. Reading this book is an escape into a painful, difficult, beautiful, and loving journey that should not be missed. If you are a fan of excellent Historical Romance, and you’re not afraid to feel all the feels, then I highly recommend A Haven for Her Heart by Susan Anne Mason.

I received a copy of this novel in eBook form from the publisher, Bethany House Publishers, via NetGalley in order to review. In no way has this influenced my review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.