The Heart of a Vicar by Sarah M Eden

The Heart of a Vicar by Sarah M Eden ISBN-13: 9781523308619 Paperback: 268 pages Publisher: Covenant Communications Released: June 1, 2019

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Young love is all too fleeting, as Harold Jonquil painfully discovered years ago when Sarah Sarvol, the niece of a neighboring landowner, captured his heart. After an idyllic few weeks in the throes of blossoming love, reality intervened. They could have no future. Following their disastrous parting, Harold attempted to push aside thoughts of love and regret, but Sarah has never left his heart. Now, years later, he has achieved his lifelong aspiration of becoming the local vicar. However, the role proves more difficult than he imagined. He feels hollow and uninspired—until the most important person in his past returns, challenging him as no one ever has.

When Sarah’s ailing uncle summons her back to the family estate in England, there is only one person from her past she is reluctant to see again: Harold Jonquil, the only man who has ever claimed her heart. But when she comes face-to-face with her former beau, she hardly recognizes the aloof and dull man before her. She is determined to help Harold rediscover the passion he once felt toward his chosen profession. Is it too late for second chances?


My Review:
The Heart of a Vicar is a romance set in 1816 in England. While it works as a stand alone, the previous novels' married pairs show up in this novel, which may entice those who want to know how they're doing.

Harold has always wanted to be a vicar. He's trying his best to be the perfect vicar, but he feels like a failure at it. Was he wrong to choose to become a vicar, especially since he enjoys odd hobbies like climbing walls? When Sarah, the girl he never topped loving, returns to the area, she's disappointed to see how distant and uncaring Harold now seems to be. She understands that he doesn't have a sufficient income to allow them to marry, but she wants to see him happy--and more like his old, caring self again. So she tells him that she's better at being a vicar (in caring for the congregation) than him and challenges him to prove her wrong.

The characters were engaging and acted realistically. The brothers enjoyed teasing each other, so there was some humor as well. Harold and Sarah brought out the best in each other and were better people for knowing each other. The historical details were woven into the story, making it come alive in my imagination. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this novel.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.