‘My Stubborn Heart’ by Becky Wade – Contemporary Debut with Sass

May 9, 2012 Rissi JC 16 Comments

The Story: Unhappy with her life as it stands now, thirty-something Kate Donovan travels with her grandmother from their home in Dallas to Redbud Pennsylvania to restore gran’s ancestral home. After heartbreak with her work as a social worker, Kate is ready for a break – and she is realizing that despite two “serious” relationships, she still seeks “Mr. Right.” Is God telling her that there is no one “right” for her? Or did she miss her chance at happy-ever-after?

Matt Jarreau is broken. Once a popular, decorated hockey star, Matt walks away from the spotlight following his wife’s tragic death. Now he is returns from New York to his small hometown of Redbud. Working as a contractor, he’s a hermit who likes his “space.” That is all about to change. Matt is hired by Beverly to see her family home put back to rights. He quickly realizes that he cannot shake Kate so easily. Will Kate’s stubborn heart break Matt’s cynical one? Or will the two of them never realize what they have is more than friendship?

my stubborn heart

BOOK REVIEW | ‘A Girl’s Guide to the Outback’: A Comedy of Duty and Love!

REVIEW: I’m the sort of reader who usually is willing to try a book even if it has an unfamiliar name emblazoned across the cover. That was my keen interest in this novel; I saw the cute cover, read the synopsis, and thought, “it sounds good.” Debut author Becky Wade does indeed create a sweet, engaging romance that is not just a romance but also an affectionate piece of writing that blends a fairy-tale (of sorts albeit not in the “traditional” sense) with realism perfectly. In my humble opinion, there is a fine line in crafting that balance but it seems to be something that I crave in authors – and Wade captures it skillfully.

In more depth, here are the things I really like, and those I wish came across differently.

The Pros of My Stubborn Heart:
  • The characters; I just love Wade’s leading couple. By definition, they are “ordinary,” and by that, I mean they’re “real.” Both are likable but flawed human beings who we could easily imagine being friends with. Matt’s broken past is a reminder of favorite literary man; his good looks and brooding manners aren’t all that make us fall in love with him (but it isn’t a hindrance, either *wink*), but it’s his protectiveness and eventual redemption are what makes him a good man. Kate likewise isn’t hard to like. She is quirky but lovable; and is a woman we long to see take her happy ending.
  • Wade is definitely a “fresh” voice in the Christian fiction scene, and overall, I love her style. The prologue and epilogue were unique to the books I’ve read previously and it was refreshing way to start a novel while creating a different perspective than the typical he/she switch off of the character’s mindset.
  • The pacing is fabulous. I love what Wade does within these pages – and by that, the characters. For once, I’m delighted that an author takes care with the budding romance. Although Kate is immediately attracted to Matt, there is no “love at first sight,” instead the characters grow individually and together as friends, nothing more. Their friendship was solid long before they saw themselves as romantic counterparts.
  • The fact that nothing resembles even a hint of a “mystery” enters this novel’s pages is a fabulous “change.” A lot of books that aren’t even categorized as “suspense” usually draw from something that has potential to ruin the happy-ever-after in the last push to the end. This book did not. I am a fan of a good thriller but in novels like this, it rarely works really well. 
The Cons of My Stubborn Heart:  
  • Most of the book is witty and I love the humor but…periodically (and for lack of a better word), it borders on the edge of crude. It’s not to the can’t-believe-this-is-a-Christian-novel point (not by a long shot) but it is… awkward.
  • Kate’s bemoaning of her love life. It’s more in the opening and near the end when prospects look grim but it is a bit tiresome to hear the moping, and the attitude she has about not being married or in a serious relationship.

When it comes right down to it, cons or no, this novel undeniably charms. It’s a tender, romantic, boy-meets-girl scenario that is, in my humble opinion, all-around one of the best I’ve read in a while. But, I couldn’t help but feel some of the books flaws were unmistakably “awkward.”

I see a lot of good potential in Wade’s storytelling. I appreciate what the author does with the characters, how she “eases” them into a relationship as opposed to defaulting to that “one moment” in which characters, suddenly, inexplicably realize they are (surprise!) actually in love; it has been forever since I felt so happy with a romantic-comedy set in novel form that I could be so enthusiastically pleased with. The hints of realism and probable conversations are an additional plus that I appreciate having been able to applaud, unlike a series by Karen Kingsbury I recently read, this book had an excellent handle on it.

Undeniably, I am happy with the decision to read My Stubborn Heart, and will be anxiously awaiting any additional titles by Becky Wade: a 4-out-of-5-star read!

Did you or would you read this novel? What were your impressions of My Stubborn Heart? Comment below, readers.

My Stubborn Heart by Becky Wade – Contemporary Debut with Sass. A review of the 2012 debut of author Becky Wade. #Romance #Fiction #MustRead Click To Tweet
ABOUT THE BOOK

(Disclosure: this post does contain affiliate links; if you buy anything through these links, I may receive a small percentage of the sale at no extra cost to you. Thank you to anyone who makes a purchase through these links. Read the disclosure page for details.)

Author: Becky Wade
Publisher: Bethany House
Publication Date: 2012
Find the Book Elsewhere: Amazon | Goodreads
Find the Review Elsewhere: Amazon | Goodreads
Genre: Fiction; Contemporary Romance
Rating: 4 1/2 out of 5

*Many thanks to the publisher for providing this copy for reviewing purposes 

About Rissi JC

amateur graphic designer. confirmed bookaholic. bubbl’r enthusiast. critical thinker. miswesterner. social media coordinator. writer.

Rissi JC

amateur graphic designer. confirmed bookaholic. bubbl’r enthusiast. critical thinker. miswesterner. social media coordinator. writer.

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16 Comments

  • Jessica May 9, 2012 at 4:56 PM

    Thanks for the heads up on the giveaway! And what a great book — I will definitely add that one to my list.

    xoxo,
    Jessica

  • Rissi May 9, 2012 at 8:57 PM

    Sure, Jessica! Best of luck with it – I never win anything. =D

    This novel was charming – it was definitely the best debut novel I've read in… forever! Loved it. =)

    Thanks for commenting. =)

  • Brooke May 9, 2012 at 9:33 PM

    I want to read it!:]

  • jennifer blair May 9, 2012 at 10:29 PM

    Sounds like a good read to me! I love your reviews!

  • Annie May 10, 2012 at 2:20 AM

    This sounds like a good book! I'm definitely going to check it out. PS – to what Karen Kingsbury series did you refer toward the end of your post? I like her stories but I have a few issues with her writing style. So I'm just wondering which series you're thinking of and if we possibly have some of the same issues!

  • Rissi May 10, 2012 at 2:55 AM

    Brooke – do! It is a great read!

    (Only thing I did forget to mention is, there are a couple of instances of crude dialogue – nothing terrible though.)

    Glad you stopped in! Happy reading!

    Jennifer – it was. I was completely charmed by it. =)

    Thanks – I appreciate that. Enjoy if you read it. =)

    Annie – I thought so. There was something "different" about Becky's style even though there were the typical rom-com cliches that we still love. =) Enjoy!

    Karen Kingsbury: It was actually her most recent, the "Bailey" books. I liked a lot about the series but some things were just TOO realistic for me. Realism in novels is something I crave but not to the extent that Karen writes about it. Plus for whatever reason, Karen seems intent, or "afraid" of letting her characters be… happy! Or that is how it can come across.

    ::Great comments everyone (I love each of them). Any others are most welcome: I am curious fellow, readers, what did you think of this debut novel?

  • His Little Lady May 10, 2012 at 8:22 PM

    what a great story. and so relatable to all those stubborn hearts. *mine included.
    might just have to give this a read ;)
    xo TJ

  • Meredith Sledge May 11, 2012 at 12:26 AM

    WOOO!! Such a great giveaway! I entered!

  • Rissi May 11, 2012 at 2:32 AM

    TJ – it really is! This was one of the best debut novels I ever read! Left me wondering when Becky's second novel would appear. =)

    Enjoy if you read it!

    Meredith – I know, right!? Best of luck in the giveaway and thank you bunches for stopping by. =)

  • Anonymous May 12, 2012 at 3:28 PM

    I adored My Stubborn Heart. Will certainly pass it along and recommend it to others. After reading through several blog reviews, a few bloggers commented on the use of "crude" language. I am honestly confused … I must've missed this. I don't recall any language or scenarios that were inappropriate or offensive. Can you help me out? I am genuinely interested in understanding this critique of Ms. Wade's debut novel.

    ~Su

  • Rissi May 12, 2012 at 5:05 PM

    Hello, Su! Thanks for stopping by – I am so glad you did. =)

    I really enjoyed this one, too – it was a very string debut novel. Now all I want to know is… where is Becky's second book!? LOL!

    There is nothing terribly "crude" in the novel but she does use a couple of minor profanities/crudities (p*ss), and there are a few too many anatomy references for my taste. I don't have a problem with most of the content because it is "life" but it just seemed out of place (awkward) most the time, and honestly, it wore a little thin. All in all, that was the only thing keeping me from giving it a five-star rating. =)

    Hope that helped!

  • Anonymous May 13, 2012 at 7:35 PM

    Ah, I see. Thank you for helping to clarify. I understand your point and now the critiques make sense to me.

    And yes, I agree … I will be waiting anxiously as well for a second release from Becky Wade!

    :-) Susan

  • Rissi May 14, 2012 at 3:24 PM

    Sure, no problem, Susan. =)

    I already am anxious to read about a 2nd novel by Becky – hopefully she is already hard at work on one. =)

  • Portugal May 31, 2012 at 8:20 AM

    I LOVE THIS BOOK! I just HAD to share my review FIRST, so that, as you are looking at the book cover, because hey – let's face it, we ALL look at the cover and decide if this is a book we might want to read ;) Let me just tell you guys This is MUST READ! I absolutely fell in love with Kate! She is smart & sensitive, puts people at ease, and is adorably quirky in a good way! She has prayed and prayed for a husband and has yet to find that perfect Man, God has made just for her.

  • Rissi May 31, 2012 at 1:33 PM

    So did I. =) It was one of the best debut novels I've read in a loooong time. Loved it! Cannot wait for whatever Wade has next. =D

    Thanks bunches for stopping by, Portugal. I hope you do again sometime. =)

  • […] and romcom bliss. Becky reemerged in the fiction game some five or six years back with the debut My Stubborn Heart, a story about a broken hockey player and the woman who helps him change. Then came the Porter’s, […]

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