Blog Tour: A Guarded Heart by Heidi Kimball

Reviews * Giveaway

A Guarded Heart by Heidi Kimball

Book Description:

Three years after a shocking scandal destroyed her family and forced her into isolation, Eleanor Hayward finally has an opportunity to put her painful history and dashed hopes behind her. But reentering society is no simple task. In her cousin's glittering ballroom, Eleanor is stunned when she comes face-to-face with the man who broke her heart those years before.

Edmund Fletcher thought he had laid the past to rest until he unexpectedly encounters the woman who so nearly became his wife. Soon to be engaged to another, Edmund knows he must let go of the complicated feelings he harbors for Eleanor. However, when the Hayward scandal resurfaces and the truth behind their parting is revealed, Eleanor and Edmund are left reeling. Tormented by thoughts of what could have been, they realize it is impossible to rewrite history. But is there a future in which they might both find happiness—and true love?

Rorie's Review:

It is crazy to me how much people in high society were punished for the misdeeds of someone else in their family. It seems completely ridiculous to me, but apparently it was all-too common back then.

I really enjoyed this story, but there were a few very minor things that I had issues with. First, there were a lot of people to keep track of, and I kept forgetting who was who. I'd have to go back a few chapters until I found out who that certain person was. Second, I didn't realize right away that this story went back and forth between present day and the past, so it took me a minute to figure out what was going on. These issues are easily fixed though, and didn't bother me enough that I didn't like the story.

Both Eleanor and Edmund have an unpleasant history, and they both battle feelings of not being good enough because of it. It is because of these issues that they don't really communicate all that well.

My heart ached for Eleanor, her father and Samuel. I wish things could have turned out differently there, but I couldn't think of anything else that would have been believable.

This story is full of heartache, sorrow, happiness and joy. I really enjoyed it and highly recommend it.

Andrea's Review:

I liked the story but the jumping back and forth in time was a bit much. Thankfully the year was included when that happened so you could keep track of things, but I was anxious for the story to continue and it kept going back to tell the whole backstory in pieces.

That aside, I did enjoy the story. It was clean and had a sad story of heartbreak and second chances. I felt bad for Eleanor and all she went through-being shunned for the rumored acts of her brother, even by her closest friends. Luckily she had a relative who reached out after three years and helped her make some steps toward happiness.

Edmund was a great guy who also had been dealt some big blows that unfortunately lead to rush judgment.

I’m not sure if I’d read this again due to all the flashbacks, but it was a good story.

Tarah's Review:

I actually didn't mind all the flashbacks, but when the first one came I did do a double take to check the years. After that, I just expected it, and was glad for more backstory. I love knowing the whys of things, so I'm a huge fan of backstory, and I liked how this one was presented.

This book went really fast for me. I sat and devoured it in a day, much to the detriment of all else around me. I was taken into the story and wondering how everything with Eleanor and her brother and Edmund was going to work out.

I felt the pain of both characters, and the misunderstandings that stood in their way. Thinking about it later I felt like these were actually a good thing for their relationship and I was happy with the way the author brought everything about.

I will definitely be reading this again, with a box of tissues, and I will recommend it to my book reading friends.
Tour Dates:

*March 4^th: https://brightlystreet.com/, https://thekeeledeal.com/ http://mybookaday.com/, http://melsshelves.blogspot.com/

*March 5^th: http://lisaisabookworm.blogspot.com/, https://www.wishfulendings.com/, http://bonnieharris.blogspot.com/, http://empowermoms.net/, https://joyinthemoments.wordpress.com/

*March 6^th: http://ldswritermom.blogspot.com/, http://fireandicereads.com/, http://lifeiswhatitscalled.blogspot.com/

*March 7^th: http://gettingyourreadonaimeebrown.blogspot.com/, https://www.singinglibrarianbooks.com/, http://katiescleanbookcollection.blogspot.com/ , https://ldsandlovinit.blogspot.com/

*March 8^th: http://minreadsandreviews.blogspot.com/, http://literarytimeout.blogspot.com/, http://heidi-reads.blogspot.com/, http://booksaresanity.blogspot.com/

Giveaway:
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Title: A Guarded Heart
Author: Heidi Kimball
Publisher: Covenant Communications, Inc.
Published: March 2019
ISBN: 1524406864
Source: We received copies from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Purchase: Amazon | Deseret Book