A Heart to Heal by Allie Pleiter ~ CFBA Tour

Lucie's Review:

Heather Browning has a heart for the hurting. As a guidance counselor at Gordon Falls High School she will do almost anything to help the students there succeed, especially Simon who is in a wheelchair. She will even put up with her friend JJ's brother, Max "Hot Wheels" Jones.

Max faces everything head on. Even being in a wheel chair, he has flames on his car and wheelchair, and doesn't mind calling attention to himself wherever he goes. He personality is quite the opposite of the timid Simon whom he is supposed to be helping. But Max surprises himself with how much he really does want to help Simon and prove to Heather that he can be a good mentor.

This book starts out strong, with well developed and interesting characters. Max does a lot of growing up and we see great changes in his character and faith.  Heather has amazing communication skills and she helps Max see his fall in a whole new way, even when she's mad at him she doesn't tear him down.

But I was very disappointed by the way homeschooling was portrayed in this book, like it was the worst possible option for Simon, and how it made Simon's parents out to be villains for deciding to do so. And I found Max's attitude towards Simon's parents to be childish and disrespectful throughout most of the book, though he did come to his senses later.

Overall, this was a sweet romance with great characters and side characters like Violet Sharpton, who was one of my favorites. An entertaining romance.


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. 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."

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing A Heart to Heal Love Inspired (July 15, 2014) by Allie Pleiter

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Enthusiastic but slightly untidy mother of two, Allie Pleiter writes both fiction and nonfiction. An avid knitter, harp player and non-reformed chocoholic, she spends her days writing books, doing laundry, running carpools and finding new ways to avoid housework. Allie grew up in Connecticut, holds a BS in speech from Northwestern University and currently lives in suburban Chicago, Illinois. The "dare from a friend" to begin writing eight years ago has blossomed into a career that includes numerous public speaking engagements, two books on parenting; Becoming a Chief Home Officer and Facing Every Mom's Fears and now novels for Steeple Hill Books. She is the mother of two children and, most recently, a Havanese dog named Bella.


ABOUT THE BOOK

The Courage To Hope.

Guidance counselor Heather Browning is desperate. She needs a mentor to help Simon, a disabled student who is struggling at Gordon Falls High School. Unfortunately, hotshot Max Jones is her only option. Confrontational and cavalier, Max uses his flashy persona to hide the bitterness he's felt since his life-changing accident. Perpetually cautious, Heather finds Max's bad-boy bravado as intriguing as it is infuriating. But as Heather and Max work together to build Simon's self-confidence, they begin to trust each other. Max has never been slow and careful with anything. Can he be gentle with Heather's heart?

Gordon Falls: Hearts ablaze in a small town.

If you'd like to read the first chapter of A Heart to Heal, go HERE.