"Healing Hearts" by Sarah M. Eden is a historical romance set in the small town of Savage Wells, Wyoming, in 1876. The story follows Miriam Bricks, a nurse who arrives in town expecting a new job but finds herself unexpectedly at her own wedding to Dr. Gideon MacNamara. As Miriam and Gideon navigate their new relationship, secrets from Miriam's past threaten to unravel their budding romance. The book delves into themes of mental illness, epilepsy, stigmas, and the challenges faced by individuals in the late 19th century. Eden's writing style is described as charming, touching, and reminiscent of a Hallmark movie, with well-developed characters and a mix of romance and humor.

Characters:

The characters are relatable and well-developed, with a strong focus on growth and interactions.

Writing/Prose:

The writing is engaging, featuring playful dialogue and emotional depth, making complex themes accessible.

Plot/Storyline:

The story follows a nurse who unexpectedly finds herself in a wedding scenario and must navigate her new life while dealing with her troubled past.

Setting:

Set in a small western town during the 1870s, the backdrop enhances the story’s themes and character struggles.

Pacing:

The pacing generally maintains reader engagement, though some find repetitiveness towards the end.

Miriam Bricks sat in the cramped and rancid interior of a rickety stagecoach and contemplated for the hundredth time how fortunate she was to be there. In many ways, being pressed between two passenge...

Notes:

The story is set in 1876 in a small town called Savage Wells, Wyoming.

Miriam Bricks arrives intending to take a nursing job but ends up at her own wedding.

Gideon MacNamara is a doctor looking for a wife and is the groom at the unexpected wedding.

The book touches on serious topics like mental illness and chronic health issues.

Miriam has a troubled past that affects her ability to trust.

The romance is clean and focuses on character development and emotional growth.

Readers appreciate the charming small-town characters and humor throughout the story.

The author, Sarah M. Eden, is known for addressing difficult subjects in her writing.

Miriam is depicted as a strong female character with resilience.

The book contains elements of intrigue and a hint of mystery surrounding Miriam's secrets.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include themes of mental illness, chronic illness, and discussions of stigma associated with these issues.

Has Romance?

The romance is a central focus of the story, with a significant emotional connection between the leads.

From The Publisher:

Wyoming Territory, 1876

As the only doctor in the frontier town of Savage Wells, Gideon MacNamara knows his prospects for a bride are limited. The womenfolk in town are either too young, too old, or already spoken for. So, being a practical man, he decides to take advantage of the matchmaking service of the day-mail-order brides-and sends away for a woman with nursing experience.

When Miriam steps off the stagecoach in Savage Wells, she sees a bright future in front of her. But when the town-and Gideon-meets her, ready for a wedding, her excitement quickly turns to horror. Somehow Dr. MacNamara's message had gotten turned around. He didn't want a nurse, he wanted a wife. When she refuses to marry him, she finds herself stranded in Savage Wells with some very unhappy townspeople.

But Gideon is not like the other men Miriam has met. Embarrassed by the misunderstanding, he offers her a job, and the two begin an awkward-and often humorous-dance of gettting to know each other as they work to care for the people of their town. Romance blossoms between the two, but when a former medical associate of Miriam's arrives in town, Gideon and the other townsfolk must rally to protect Miriam from a dangerous fate. Gideon and Miriam must decide if they are willing to risk their hearts for each other even as buried secrets are brought to light.

Reader Stats (2):

Not Interested (2)

What can you read after
Healing Hearts?

See the list (11 books)

Meet New Books is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a way for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to products and services on amazon.com and its subsidiaries.
When you click the Amazon link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commision, at no cost to you.

Healing Hearts

Sarah M. Eden

Book 2 in the series:Savage Wells