Review: A wonderful "sweet" romance, full of faith and hope.
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 11 9, 2010
Faith and love can get you through anything. That is the message that is woven throughout Mended Heart. An engaging couple and vibrant supporting cast are the star players in this tale of two people finding peace... and each other.Jade McAllister grew up on "the wrong side of town". Childhood tragedy shaped her early life and her mother turned to alcohol and a parade of men. Shane Calkin was her opposite. He had the proverbial silver spoon in his mouth. His parents had money - lots of it - and to say he was privileged would be an understatement. He also had the stereotypical attitude of a young boy from a "good" family and popularity.In high school, Jade and Shane danced around their attraction for each other, but it was never meant to be. Jade was too self-conscious, and Shane was too aware of his peers and what they would say if they were to date. Instead, he teased her and was a self-centered jerk. After graduation Jade was finally able to leave on her own. She did - and she didn't look back.Ten years later, Jade has returned to the small town in Tennessee that she grew up in. Over the years, she's been repairing her relationship with her estranged mother. When her mom has a heart attack, that's all the reason she needs to pack up and come home. With a new job as an administrative assistant, she plans to take care of her mother and try to find her own faith. Much to her surprise, Shane is the youth director for the church, and the two of them are just as attracted to one another as they were in high school.Shane and Jade are lovely - kind and generous, they get through problems with grace and dignity. Shane has a deep and abiding faith and while Jade is struggling with her belief, she also puts herself in God's hands. Their interactions with friends and family illustrate how good their hearts are, and their care of the kids in the youth program at the church is touching.Throughout the story there are themes of tragedy and loss, all underlined by the conviction that faith can see you through to the other side. Watching Shane and Jade find their love for each other is very organic and natural feeling - the two seem meant for each other. Though secrets and fear work to keep them apart, their deep feelings for each other bring them together.Mended Heart is a sweet story of hope, love and forgiveness. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to anyone who is looking for an inspirational tale with Christian themes.Reviewed for TheRomanceReviews.com