Change of Heart by Judith Keim
Publisher & Release: Wild Quail Publishing, June 11, 2019
Time and setting: Present Day, Florida and New York
Genre: Women’s Fiction
Heat Level: 1 Sweetheart
Rating: 4 Gold Crowns
Book Description:
Emerson “Em” Jordan always wanted a Valentine’s Day wedding. But after being dumped by her boyfriend, she spends the holiday at Seashell Cottage on the Gulf Coast of Florida with Devin Gerard, a family friend who has no interest in her or any other woman and is instead concentrating on his pediatric medical practice and continuing medical missions in Costa Rica.
Em, who’s always wanted a large family, doesn’t mind his disinterest. At thirty-two, she’s decided she doesn’t need a husband to have a child or to adopt one. First, she’s going to fulfill her dream of setting up her own landscape design business in upstate New York and has promised to continue to help run her grandmother’s flower shop.
It isn’t until Em and Devin become friends that Em realizes she might want more than friendship from him. But with his work in Miami and Costa Rica and her busy life in New York, it’s out of the question until something happens that changes everything, even a couple of hearts.
Em, who’s always wanted a large family, doesn’t mind his disinterest. At thirty-two, she’s decided she doesn’t need a husband to have a child or to adopt one. First, she’s going to fulfill her dream of setting up her own landscape design business in upstate New York and has promised to continue to help run her grandmother’s flower shop.
It isn’t until Em and Devin become friends that Em realizes she might want more than friendship from him. But with his work in Miami and Costa Rica and her busy life in New York, it’s out of the question until something happens that changes everything, even a couple of hearts.
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Vikki’s Musings
This is the second book I’ve read by Judith Keim. I enjoyed the first one so much, I eagerly accepted a chance to read and review Change of Heart when the offer came from the publisher, via Net-Galley. My opinions are my own are not influenced in any way.
Change of Heart has likable characters and an interesting plot. The pacing is steady, keeping me engaged throughout the book. I like Ms. Keim’s writing style, and the story developed logically with most of the book evolving around the heroine, and her life choices, making this a lovely women’s fiction with a romantic element.
Emerson Jordan’s character has been disappointed in love when her boyfriend ends their relationship at a wedding reception, when she is expecting a proposal. She believes romance is not for her and decides to focus on building her career. She is determined to start her own landscape design business, yet still help her grandmother with her flower shop. Em is extremely organized which is important because she has a lot the handle.
I loved the relationship between Em and her grandmother, which added a great deal to the book. I enjoyed Em’s fulfillment of her dream to have her landscaping design business. She’s an independent woman and doesn’t need a man in her life. Even though she is attracted to Devin, she keeps him in the friend category until she can no longer deny the growing attraction between them.
Devin Gerrard is the hero. He too, is focused on his career as a pediatric doctor and his work in Costa Rica. He has a genuine love for children. This comes out when he interacts with several delightful little girls in the story. When he meets Em, he’s relieved she is no more interested in romance then he is. It makes it easy for him to relax and enjoy her company, which helps their friendship develop into a strong one.
The romance is secondary to the plot. Em and Devin do not spend much time together, so it was hard to get excited about a happy ending for them. Their romance really only happens toward the end and there just wasn’t enough for me. Everything comes together really fast. The dilemma that would make it impossible for them, resolves much too easily. However, since this is women’s fiction, I didn’t expect a lot of romance.
Overall, I enjoyed Change of Heart. If you enjoy women’s fiction with a determined woman and don’t need much in the romance department, then you will enjoy this book. I look forward to reading Ms. Keim’s next book. Happy reading!
