Status
Available
Call number
Publication
Bethany House Publishers (2019), Edition: Repackaged ed., 352 pages
Description
Fiction. Romance. Christian Fiction. In an effort to restore the elegant house her grandmother grew up in, Kate finds herself being drawn to Matt, an ex-hockey player hired to help her renovate. When their stilted, uncomfortable interactions shift into something more, is God answering the longing of her heartâ??or asking her to give up more than she ever dream
Media reviews
Booklist
Wade creates a charming setting amidst a lively bunch of seniors, making My Stubborn Heart more than just a romance. In scenes of laugh-out-loud humor, home renovation reflects a renovation of hearts. Readers will enjoy getting to know each of the other characters as they root for Kate and Matt to
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overcome obstacles on their way to love. Show Less
User reviews
LibraryThing member alekee
This is truly God's hand on everyone, he has placed the perfect people for the job at the place they need to be. I found myself trying to outwit God...but he has a plan and it must be followed!
There is a lot of pain in some of the character's lives, mainly Matt, and you really want to hold him and
There are so many chuckles here...you will love the Seniors!! Can you believe "poker night"! There also "love" interests here that come with a Lot of demands....change your hair....do something about your clothes...and more!!
This becomes a real page turner with you guessing all the way. Enjoy this really sweet read!
I received this book through Litfuse Book Tours, and was not required to give a positive review!
There is a lot of pain in some of the character's lives, mainly Matt, and you really want to hold him and
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hug him. He is running from that kind of compassion, and hits the wall with Grandma and Kate.There are so many chuckles here...you will love the Seniors!! Can you believe "poker night"! There also "love" interests here that come with a Lot of demands....change your hair....do something about your clothes...and more!!
This becomes a real page turner with you guessing all the way. Enjoy this really sweet read!
I received this book through Litfuse Book Tours, and was not required to give a positive review!
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LibraryThing member ReviewsFromTheHeart
Once upon a time, Kate Donovan prayed to God. She prayed that same prayer since the fourth grade. She prayed for her future husband. She prayed for his health, his happiness, his protection, and-okay-sometimes for his good looks. She'd prayed that she would meet him when she was meant to.
Except
She'd been avidly expecting and watching for him all this time from the fourth grade straight up til now and though she tried hard to be positive, the truth was that she'd grown tired of waiting. Tired of dating. Tired of breaking off just two bananas from the bunch at the grocery story. Tired of singles group at church. Tired of living alone.
Worse, she was beginning to doubt that her nameless, faceless husband existed at all. Maybe, late at night in her kid bed, her college bed, her adult single woman bed, she'd been praying for someone who wasn't coming. Ever.
Once upon a time, there was a mother who'd been praying double hard for her son ever since he'd stopped praying for himself. Her son had been extraordinary - a perfect, miraculous blend of athletic ability and focused determination as he climbed his way up every level of the sport of hockey. By the age of 18, he was now playing professionally. He married a beautiful girl in a grand wedding ceremony, complete with house surrounded by a wall of security. Her son had accomplished it all. And then it had all come apart, crashing and rolling out of reach like a handful of spilled marbles. His wife had been diagnosed with cancer and nothing - not money, not the best doctors - had been able to save her. When she died, he'd walked away from his sport, from the big house with the wall and from the fame.
In the years since, he'd retreated himself into a place where none of his family or friends could reach him. So his mother prayed. She prayed that God would not forget him, this son of hers, who'd gained and lost the world in just a third of his lifetime. She prayed that God would send someone who could find him and save him from his prison of grief. And she prayed that maybe, somehow, in time, his heart would soften and he'd find love again.
Funny thing about prayers. God hears them. But you just never know if, when, or how He's going to answer them. (except pg 7-9).
In the wonderful novel My Stubborn Heart by Becky Wade, we encounter the prayers of two profound women both praying for the same person, Matt Jarreau. When Kate decides to take God up on His offer to help her grandmother renovate her home in Redbud, Pennsylvania, little does she know how God will answer her childhood prayer. What ultimately transpires between the two over this novel is nothing short of an exceptionally well-written romance classic. You can't help but fall in love with their story and how masterfully each is taken by the hand of God and walked through their darkest valleys.
I received this novel compliments of Litfuse Publicity for my honest review and LOVED IT! I know for sure, I will be keeping this as part of my permanent library on one of the best love stories of all times. This is Becky Wade's debut novel but now, will be one of the authors on my watch list. Her writing is exemplary and the ache you feel when Kate and Matt met is genuine and lasting. You are rooting for them every step of the way and that is just the perfect blend of intensity and romance you are looking for in a book like this one. I rate this one a perfect 5 out of 5 stars and can't wait to find more from Becky in the near future. This is a Must Read for your summer love stories!
Except
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that in thirty one years she hadn't.She'd been avidly expecting and watching for him all this time from the fourth grade straight up til now and though she tried hard to be positive, the truth was that she'd grown tired of waiting. Tired of dating. Tired of breaking off just two bananas from the bunch at the grocery story. Tired of singles group at church. Tired of living alone.
Worse, she was beginning to doubt that her nameless, faceless husband existed at all. Maybe, late at night in her kid bed, her college bed, her adult single woman bed, she'd been praying for someone who wasn't coming. Ever.
Once upon a time, there was a mother who'd been praying double hard for her son ever since he'd stopped praying for himself. Her son had been extraordinary - a perfect, miraculous blend of athletic ability and focused determination as he climbed his way up every level of the sport of hockey. By the age of 18, he was now playing professionally. He married a beautiful girl in a grand wedding ceremony, complete with house surrounded by a wall of security. Her son had accomplished it all. And then it had all come apart, crashing and rolling out of reach like a handful of spilled marbles. His wife had been diagnosed with cancer and nothing - not money, not the best doctors - had been able to save her. When she died, he'd walked away from his sport, from the big house with the wall and from the fame.
In the years since, he'd retreated himself into a place where none of his family or friends could reach him. So his mother prayed. She prayed that God would not forget him, this son of hers, who'd gained and lost the world in just a third of his lifetime. She prayed that God would send someone who could find him and save him from his prison of grief. And she prayed that maybe, somehow, in time, his heart would soften and he'd find love again.
Funny thing about prayers. God hears them. But you just never know if, when, or how He's going to answer them. (except pg 7-9).
In the wonderful novel My Stubborn Heart by Becky Wade, we encounter the prayers of two profound women both praying for the same person, Matt Jarreau. When Kate decides to take God up on His offer to help her grandmother renovate her home in Redbud, Pennsylvania, little does she know how God will answer her childhood prayer. What ultimately transpires between the two over this novel is nothing short of an exceptionally well-written romance classic. You can't help but fall in love with their story and how masterfully each is taken by the hand of God and walked through their darkest valleys.
I received this novel compliments of Litfuse Publicity for my honest review and LOVED IT! I know for sure, I will be keeping this as part of my permanent library on one of the best love stories of all times. This is Becky Wade's debut novel but now, will be one of the authors on my watch list. Her writing is exemplary and the ache you feel when Kate and Matt met is genuine and lasting. You are rooting for them every step of the way and that is just the perfect blend of intensity and romance you are looking for in a book like this one. I rate this one a perfect 5 out of 5 stars and can't wait to find more from Becky in the near future. This is a Must Read for your summer love stories!
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LibraryThing member Susan.McNiel.Godfrey
Recently, I received the book My Stubborn Heart by Becky Wade It is a 352 page light-hearted contemporary Christian romance novel from Bethany House Publishers.
The main female character is Kate Donovan. She is burned out with her job as a social worker following a tragedy and she’s down on her
Kate is drawn to Matt and feels that the Lord is urging her to help him heal his wounds and move on with his life. Will Kate’s stubborn determination to pull him out of his grief work? Will Matt be able to trust and open his heart again?
My Thoughts on My Stubborn Heart by Becky Wade
The main characters of My Stubborn Heart are true to life and I was really drawn into the story. Becky Wade’s writing if fun and the plot line is well crafted. I loved the secondary characters (the “girls”, her grandmother’s friends) and the secondary plots were fun. But, would I recommend this book to others? The honest answer is that it would depend on the reader. While I loved the characters and plot, it was awfully worldly for a Christian novel. I had quite a few issues with the book’s content. I’ll share them so you can make up your own mind on whether or not to read My Stubborn Heart.
There is a preoccupation with all the women in the book about how “hot” Matt is. There are very few discussions between the female characters about him where his “hotness” is not at least mentioned. I found this a bit disturbing, especially because My Stubborn Heart is a Christian novel. I found it a bit offensive, as even the married women were constantly discussing his “hotness”. One married woman even said that if Matt ever asked her out that she had her husband’s permission to date him. Even joking around, adultery is not funny. Matthew 5:28 says, “but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” This is certainly true for both men AND women.
A preoccupation with appearances seemed to be a main theme among all the characters. Some of the descriptions running through the characters thoughts were also a bit uncomfortable and offensive, especially in a Christian novel. Matt’s description of the kind of girls he’d been attracted to in the past was “the kind of girls in Budweiser ads. Blond, big curves on top, mile-long legs.” I found this sort of physical description offensive and uncalled for in a Christian novel.
Another annoying thing was the author’s habit of tossing in brand name placement ads. It got to the point where I seriously started wondering if the author was getting kick-backs from all these companies she kept mentioning. When describing a person’s clothing, brand names were nearly always tossed in.
I also found that the Christian characters all felt too “worldly”. They gambles, playing poker for money. This wasn’t just once, but an every Friday event described multiple times in the book. Kate dates a casual drinker, while Matt purposely sets out to get drunk. Not to mention several instances of mild cursing. All of these things topped with the apparent obsession with appearances gave this Christian novel a bit too much worldliness.
The final issue I had with My Stubborn Heart is that the faith element felt like an after thought. My Stubborn Heart really felt more like a secular romance novel that someone decided to try to sell to the Christian market.
Overall, I think Becky Wade is a fine writer, but I would like to see her write a less worldly Christian novel in the future. After reading My Stubborn Heart, while I liked the characters and plot, I don’t know if I’d choose another book by this author.
NOTICE: Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this item free from the creator. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
The main female character is Kate Donovan. She is burned out with her job as a social worker following a tragedy and she’s down on her
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luck in the romance department. he wants to be married and have a family, but in the past has made some bad choices in the men she dates. She comes to Redbud, Pennsylvania with her grandmother to recharge and help her grandmother restore the house she grew up in. She meets Matt Jarreau, the contractor hired by her grandmother, and is immediately attracted to hi. Matt was once a well known and celebrated hockey player in the NHL. He left that world behind when his wife died of cancer. Matt is wounded and is hiding from the world and hiding from God, whom he has lost faith in.Kate is drawn to Matt and feels that the Lord is urging her to help him heal his wounds and move on with his life. Will Kate’s stubborn determination to pull him out of his grief work? Will Matt be able to trust and open his heart again?
My Thoughts on My Stubborn Heart by Becky Wade
The main characters of My Stubborn Heart are true to life and I was really drawn into the story. Becky Wade’s writing if fun and the plot line is well crafted. I loved the secondary characters (the “girls”, her grandmother’s friends) and the secondary plots were fun. But, would I recommend this book to others? The honest answer is that it would depend on the reader. While I loved the characters and plot, it was awfully worldly for a Christian novel. I had quite a few issues with the book’s content. I’ll share them so you can make up your own mind on whether or not to read My Stubborn Heart.
There is a preoccupation with all the women in the book about how “hot” Matt is. There are very few discussions between the female characters about him where his “hotness” is not at least mentioned. I found this a bit disturbing, especially because My Stubborn Heart is a Christian novel. I found it a bit offensive, as even the married women were constantly discussing his “hotness”. One married woman even said that if Matt ever asked her out that she had her husband’s permission to date him. Even joking around, adultery is not funny. Matthew 5:28 says, “but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” This is certainly true for both men AND women.
A preoccupation with appearances seemed to be a main theme among all the characters. Some of the descriptions running through the characters thoughts were also a bit uncomfortable and offensive, especially in a Christian novel. Matt’s description of the kind of girls he’d been attracted to in the past was “the kind of girls in Budweiser ads. Blond, big curves on top, mile-long legs.” I found this sort of physical description offensive and uncalled for in a Christian novel.
Another annoying thing was the author’s habit of tossing in brand name placement ads. It got to the point where I seriously started wondering if the author was getting kick-backs from all these companies she kept mentioning. When describing a person’s clothing, brand names were nearly always tossed in.
I also found that the Christian characters all felt too “worldly”. They gambles, playing poker for money. This wasn’t just once, but an every Friday event described multiple times in the book. Kate dates a casual drinker, while Matt purposely sets out to get drunk. Not to mention several instances of mild cursing. All of these things topped with the apparent obsession with appearances gave this Christian novel a bit too much worldliness.
The final issue I had with My Stubborn Heart is that the faith element felt like an after thought. My Stubborn Heart really felt more like a secular romance novel that someone decided to try to sell to the Christian market.
Overall, I think Becky Wade is a fine writer, but I would like to see her write a less worldly Christian novel in the future. After reading My Stubborn Heart, while I liked the characters and plot, I don’t know if I’d choose another book by this author.
NOTICE: Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this item free from the creator. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
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LibraryThing member BookWhisperer
Oh, where to start with this book? I guess I should get right down to it; I really liked it on so many levels.
First, I loved the humor in this book. Kate hanging out with the Gran and people Gran’s age just made me laugh. Because of their age, Gran and her friends could be as blunt as possible
Secondly, the connection. When Matt first comes to the house to help renovate, Kate would seek him out and try to get to know him. He would give her one-worded answers and she would crack jokes just to get a response out of him. It was her goal to get him to smile and want to be around her. As time went on, those one-worded became full sentences and Matts want for working alone changed and he found a need for her to be by his side.
Thirdly, Wade has written her characters to be multi-dimensional. They all are hurting from something. Deep down lies a pain in their heart but most of them keep going through life praying that it will get better. More so Matt in this area-minus the praying. “My Stubborn Heart” really does show the rejection of God on Matt’s side because he lost his wife. It shows how just regular, ordinary people can come in with God’s hand and flip the world upside-down for the better and that is where Kate comes in. God has a plan for her to help Matt get back on his feet and into the game of life (and the NHL.)
This book tore my heart into pieces (and when you read it, you will understand why) because of the refusal God presents to Kate. This pained Kate and made her question all that she beliefs. However, in the end, it shows that if you obey Him, He will bless you in everyway. ~BookWhisperer Review MC~
First, I loved the humor in this book. Kate hanging out with the Gran and people Gran’s age just made me laugh. Because of their age, Gran and her friends could be as blunt as possible
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and no one would say a thing about it. Gran’s friends kept talking about how hot Matt was and it would make him feel uncomfortable; but did they stop calling him that, nope! Secondly, the connection. When Matt first comes to the house to help renovate, Kate would seek him out and try to get to know him. He would give her one-worded answers and she would crack jokes just to get a response out of him. It was her goal to get him to smile and want to be around her. As time went on, those one-worded became full sentences and Matts want for working alone changed and he found a need for her to be by his side.
Thirdly, Wade has written her characters to be multi-dimensional. They all are hurting from something. Deep down lies a pain in their heart but most of them keep going through life praying that it will get better. More so Matt in this area-minus the praying. “My Stubborn Heart” really does show the rejection of God on Matt’s side because he lost his wife. It shows how just regular, ordinary people can come in with God’s hand and flip the world upside-down for the better and that is where Kate comes in. God has a plan for her to help Matt get back on his feet and into the game of life (and the NHL.)
This book tore my heart into pieces (and when you read it, you will understand why) because of the refusal God presents to Kate. This pained Kate and made her question all that she beliefs. However, in the end, it shows that if you obey Him, He will bless you in everyway. ~BookWhisperer Review MC~
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LibraryThing member BeautyintheBinding
Withering under a load of burn out, Kate Donovan agrees to accompany her grandmother to Pennsylvania and spend a few months restoring the old house that her grandmother grew up in. Matt Jarreau, the handsome man her grandmother hired to renovate the house, is a loner. When Kate's innocent attempts
My Stubborn Heart by Becky Wade far exceeded my expectations. From the explanatory, yet intriguing prologue, I was hooked on the story line. I would love to see this book made into a movie. To me, it has has all the great elements: authentic characters complete with flaws and pain, a strong mysterious male, romantic tension between the two main characters, personal tension internal to each character, and redemptive love. Kate essentially sums up the theme of the book during a conversation with Matt: “He [God] never promised us that we wouldn't suffer. But He's too good just not to redeem it. And He does promise us that He won't leave us. That He'll be with us through the worst. That He loves us.” (Page 180) This theme, woven into both the plot and characters, is strong enough to touch the reader's heart. My Stubborn Heart is one of the best books I've read this year and I recommend it to anyone who enjoys romantic fiction. I'll definitely be looking forward to more books by Becky Wade!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers as part of their blogger review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
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at friendship with him are rebuffed, her stubborn heart refuses to let her stop reaching out. As tension grows between Kate and Matt, so does something else. A love that leads them to a greater revelation of God's love for them. As they both face career decisions and the pain of Matt's past, only a love stronger than themselves will be able to hold them together. Can they accept God's will? Or must they sacrifice their hope and love?My Stubborn Heart by Becky Wade far exceeded my expectations. From the explanatory, yet intriguing prologue, I was hooked on the story line. I would love to see this book made into a movie. To me, it has has all the great elements: authentic characters complete with flaws and pain, a strong mysterious male, romantic tension between the two main characters, personal tension internal to each character, and redemptive love. Kate essentially sums up the theme of the book during a conversation with Matt: “He [God] never promised us that we wouldn't suffer. But He's too good just not to redeem it. And He does promise us that He won't leave us. That He'll be with us through the worst. That He loves us.” (Page 180) This theme, woven into both the plot and characters, is strong enough to touch the reader's heart. My Stubborn Heart is one of the best books I've read this year and I recommend it to anyone who enjoys romantic fiction. I'll definitely be looking forward to more books by Becky Wade!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers as part of their blogger review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
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LibraryThing member MandaT
Becky Wade released her debut novel My Stubborn Heart this past May and I had the privileged of getting my hands on a copy. This is a fun contemporary romance novel. I usually don't read a novel that is strictly romance, but I was pleasantly surprised at how much I liked it. Kate Donovan is a great
This was such a fun book to read! I would encourage you to pick up a copy and read it for yourself. I'll definitely be looking up her new novel releasing in May 2013 called Undeniably Yours.
** I received this free book from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for an honest review.
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girl who just hasn't succeeded with finding love in a relationship. But when she agrees to take time off of her job to go help her grandmother restore an old house that her grandma grew up it, she meets someone who is as stubborn as she is. Matt Jarreau is quite a catch but isn't looking for love since tragedy has left his heart with scars. You'll have to read the book to find out what happens b/c I'm not spoiling anyone's fun here.This was such a fun book to read! I would encourage you to pick up a copy and read it for yourself. I'll definitely be looking up her new novel releasing in May 2013 called Undeniably Yours.
** I received this free book from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for an honest review.
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LibraryThing member passionforbooks
A Great Romance!
I really liked this book. I loved the characters of Matt and Kate. Both are struggling in their own way. This is a story of deep hurt and loss, broken relationships, and a loss of faith in God.
Does God put certain people in our path to help our healing from a loss and deep hurt?
I really bonded with Matt and Kate and was a cheerleader for them. I held my breath when things weren't going the way I wanted them to. I laughed and smiled too with other loveable characters in this book. I will admit toward the end I cried. This book really touched me.
Even though this was the authors debut book I must admit I read her second book, Undeniably Yours, first. Undeniably Yours was also a 5 star book for me. I am so looking forward to this author's next book.
I really liked this book. I loved the characters of Matt and Kate. Both are struggling in their own way. This is a story of deep hurt and loss, broken relationships, and a loss of faith in God.
Does God put certain people in our path to help our healing from a loss and deep hurt?
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Does he care about us if we have broken relationships? Can God restore our faith through love, caring, and just being there for another person?I really bonded with Matt and Kate and was a cheerleader for them. I held my breath when things weren't going the way I wanted them to. I laughed and smiled too with other loveable characters in this book. I will admit toward the end I cried. This book really touched me.
Even though this was the authors debut book I must admit I read her second book, Undeniably Yours, first. Undeniably Yours was also a 5 star book for me. I am so looking forward to this author's next book.
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LibraryThing member mlake
I didn't love this book. It had a little too much God for my taste.
LibraryThing member MickyFine
When Kate agrees to spend three months with her grandmother in Pennsylvania, restoring the family home, she at first only perceives it as a chance to take a break from her sometimes wearing job as a social worker. Until she meets Matt Jarreau, the gorgeous contractor her grandmother has hired. A
I picked this up because I was in the mood for some fluffy Christian fiction romance and this completely fit the bill. I breezed through the novel in an afternoon and enjoyed the humour, the well-drawn characters, and the fact that the Christianity didn't feel squeezed into the plot nor was it "hit you over the head." Kate is a totally relatable heroine and Matt, while a bit more aloof and damaged than I typically prefer in a romance novel, definitely brings a swoon factor. Shout out to Wade's observation on church classes for singles which will crack up anyone who's ever been in one. The next time I get a Christian fiction hankering, I'll definitely consider picking up another novel by Becky Wade.
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former NHL player who lost his wife to brain cancer, Matt comes with plenty of baggage. But Kate knows that God has brought her into Matt's life for a reason, although it may not be the reasons she initially thinks.I picked this up because I was in the mood for some fluffy Christian fiction romance and this completely fit the bill. I breezed through the novel in an afternoon and enjoyed the humour, the well-drawn characters, and the fact that the Christianity didn't feel squeezed into the plot nor was it "hit you over the head." Kate is a totally relatable heroine and Matt, while a bit more aloof and damaged than I typically prefer in a romance novel, definitely brings a swoon factor. Shout out to Wade's observation on church classes for singles which will crack up anyone who's ever been in one. The next time I get a Christian fiction hankering, I'll definitely consider picking up another novel by Becky Wade.
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LibraryThing member Sandralb
Becky Wade is becoming one of my top favorite Authors. Her stories keep me involved from the first line to the back page. Her characters are very believable and someone you might want as your best friend. You can't help but root for them. I feel you could read any of her books and not be
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LibraryThing member Beverlylynnt
My Stubborn Heart was one of the sweetest romances I have read in a long time. Two hurting individuals meet while renovating an old home in the reclusive town of Redbud, Pennsylvania. Kate Donovan and her grandmother had arrived to renovate Gran's childhood home, Chapel Bluff, and return it to its
Kate's first impression of Matt was that of tragedy. He had a heart-breaking story filled with sadness and bitterness. She could sense it. Matt was reclusive. He preferred working alone. He didn't socialize much. People in the small town knew who he was but left him alone. Matt was the local celebrity. He had been a world champion hockey player. He had married a sweet girl, an actual Miss America, but after being on top of the world as a married couple, his wife died of cancer. He was so ripped up about it, he left hockey behind. Kate didn't know this at first, but she could see that he needed a friend. She was determined to be that friend.
Kate lived in Dallas. She was a social worker. The job was demanding, but she loved it. That is, she did until one of her children she had worked closely with had committed suicide. It sucked the joy out of her life. She needed a break so that she could get her head on straight about her purpose in life. So she joined her grandmother in a journey up north to remodel Gran's old childhood home. The break was just what she needed. She loved antiques and old homes and this was just the therapy she needed. She joined Matt daily in taking down wallpaper, designing rooms, painting walls, and so on. Matt was reluctant to work with her, but she was persistent. Keeping everything on a friendly note, she knew God had a purpose for her to be there.
I love the simplicity of the story. It's not overly complicated. There are a few other subplots, but the story stays true to the major theme--renovation. Not just the home, but Matt's heart as well. It took a lot of time and patience, but eventually he started to warm up to her friendship. Kate didn't try for anything deeper than that. She had already set her heart on not reading anything personal in their relationship. She felt that God had sent her for only one thing...to bring Matt's heart alive again.
The part of the story I like best is the relationship Kate has with God. She prays and listens to Him. She tries hard not to insert her own personal interests in what she thinks God wants her to do. I really like her humble spirit and teachability. So many of us struggle with these character qualities. I felt encouraged in my own prayer life just by watching how Kate kept her expectations in line with what she felt God wanted her to do. Many of us try to do that, but often fail if we don't use the Bible as a guideline. We often want to read into situations things that aren't there because we fail to know and understand the God of the Bible as it teaches us. Kate demonstrated a good balance between knowledge and personal application. The author accomplished this in such a natural manner. There was no awkwardness, no preachiness, no finger wagging, no guilt trips. The issue of faith in God was not overtalked or forced. This was truly an enjoyable book to read.
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old glory. It was a massive job, requiring them to hire a local contractor for the work. That's where Matt Jarreau came in. He specialized in working on old homes and restoring them. Kate's first impression of Matt was that of tragedy. He had a heart-breaking story filled with sadness and bitterness. She could sense it. Matt was reclusive. He preferred working alone. He didn't socialize much. People in the small town knew who he was but left him alone. Matt was the local celebrity. He had been a world champion hockey player. He had married a sweet girl, an actual Miss America, but after being on top of the world as a married couple, his wife died of cancer. He was so ripped up about it, he left hockey behind. Kate didn't know this at first, but she could see that he needed a friend. She was determined to be that friend.
Kate lived in Dallas. She was a social worker. The job was demanding, but she loved it. That is, she did until one of her children she had worked closely with had committed suicide. It sucked the joy out of her life. She needed a break so that she could get her head on straight about her purpose in life. So she joined her grandmother in a journey up north to remodel Gran's old childhood home. The break was just what she needed. She loved antiques and old homes and this was just the therapy she needed. She joined Matt daily in taking down wallpaper, designing rooms, painting walls, and so on. Matt was reluctant to work with her, but she was persistent. Keeping everything on a friendly note, she knew God had a purpose for her to be there.
I love the simplicity of the story. It's not overly complicated. There are a few other subplots, but the story stays true to the major theme--renovation. Not just the home, but Matt's heart as well. It took a lot of time and patience, but eventually he started to warm up to her friendship. Kate didn't try for anything deeper than that. She had already set her heart on not reading anything personal in their relationship. She felt that God had sent her for only one thing...to bring Matt's heart alive again.
The part of the story I like best is the relationship Kate has with God. She prays and listens to Him. She tries hard not to insert her own personal interests in what she thinks God wants her to do. I really like her humble spirit and teachability. So many of us struggle with these character qualities. I felt encouraged in my own prayer life just by watching how Kate kept her expectations in line with what she felt God wanted her to do. Many of us try to do that, but often fail if we don't use the Bible as a guideline. We often want to read into situations things that aren't there because we fail to know and understand the God of the Bible as it teaches us. Kate demonstrated a good balance between knowledge and personal application. The author accomplished this in such a natural manner. There was no awkwardness, no preachiness, no finger wagging, no guilt trips. The issue of faith in God was not overtalked or forced. This was truly an enjoyable book to read.
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LibraryThing member judyg54
Okay, this book was a winner!! I loved it from start to finish. The beginning was interesting; how Kate was praying for a mate, and then how Matt's Mom was praying for him to find himself again after losing his wife. The interaction between these two and their thoughts through the story were so
Now if you want a good description of the story, here it is, from Amazon:
"Kate Donovan is burned out on work, worn down by her dating relationships, and in need of an adventure. When her grandmother
asks Kate to accompany her to Redbud, Pennsylvania, to restore the grand old house she grew up in, Kate jumps at the chance,
takes a leave of absence from her job as a social worker, and the two of them set off.
Upon her arrival in Redbud, Kate meets Matt Jarreau, the man her grandmother has hired to renovate the house. From the first moment
she meets Matt, Kate can't help but be attracted to him--he's got a combination of good looks and charisma that draw and tug at her. But she knows there's zero chance of a romance between them. Matt's in love with his dead wife, and even if he weren't, Kate realizes that she's way too ordinary for him. For Matt Jarreau is no ordinary guy. Kate discovers that he was once a great NHL hockey player who left the sport when his wife--an honest-to-goodness former Miss America--was diagnosed with brain cancer. Matt's been hiding from people, from God, and from his past ever since. Yet Kate is absolutely determined to befriend him, to try to reach him, to help him in some small way."
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good. And I was laughing out loud at times with the interaction of some of the secondary characters in this book. I will be keeping this book and reading it again sometime.Now if you want a good description of the story, here it is, from Amazon:
"Kate Donovan is burned out on work, worn down by her dating relationships, and in need of an adventure. When her grandmother
asks Kate to accompany her to Redbud, Pennsylvania, to restore the grand old house she grew up in, Kate jumps at the chance,
takes a leave of absence from her job as a social worker, and the two of them set off.
Upon her arrival in Redbud, Kate meets Matt Jarreau, the man her grandmother has hired to renovate the house. From the first moment
she meets Matt, Kate can't help but be attracted to him--he's got a combination of good looks and charisma that draw and tug at her. But she knows there's zero chance of a romance between them. Matt's in love with his dead wife, and even if he weren't, Kate realizes that she's way too ordinary for him. For Matt Jarreau is no ordinary guy. Kate discovers that he was once a great NHL hockey player who left the sport when his wife--an honest-to-goodness former Miss America--was diagnosed with brain cancer. Matt's been hiding from people, from God, and from his past ever since. Yet Kate is absolutely determined to befriend him, to try to reach him, to help him in some small way."
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Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2012-05-01
Physical description
8.5 inches
ISBN
0764232215 / 9780764232213