Heidi Kimball

2023 Review:
Oh, my heart! To say I loved this book just as much as the first time I read it would probably be an understatement. Even knowing exactly what was going to happen, I still felt every revelation, every hard conversation, every emotion, as if this were my first time. I laughed, I seethed, I cried. My heart broke and then, just as the first time, Heidi deftly healed it with her marvelous character and relationship development. I love that she hasn’t shied away from hard things in her books, because this book destroyed me in all the ways I love a book to destroy me. Thanks again for a wonderful read, Heidi!

AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: This narrator does a fine job with the characters. I love the emotion and I’d say she does a decent job with the Scottish accents.

2021 Review:
Dear Mrs. Kimball,
Oh, this beautiful, heartfelt, amazing book. I struggle to put anything I feel into words. Your book gutted me. It destroyed me in the way all book lovers love to be destroyed. It stomped on my heart before gently healing it and left me feeling all the feelings. Did you laugh and cry when you wrote this? Because I don’t know how anyone could experience this book without expressing the emotions it evokes. I’m giving you ALL THE STARS! Perhaps saying your book gutted me does not feel like much of a compliment, but please believe me, it definitely is. I mean, I did just say “all the stars” after all, and I do not say that lightly.
Though I tell you that your book made me sob, it’s not a sad book. It is simply filled with so much heart. It is as if you are a magician and somehow managed to infuse the words of your story with the souls of its characters, so the reader, upon reading the words you wrote, deeply feels the emotions and turmoil, despair and hope, longing and love as each character experiences such. It was as though I was one with the story. I was not simply a bystander, watching from the outside, but a full participant.
I loved that both Callum and Katie (she cannot ever be only Kate to me after reading) were so clearly human. They each had flaws and weaknesses, each contributing in some way or another to their struggles. As you can probably guess, I thought Callum was a wee bit the “eejit” (okay fine, you’re right; the eejit part of him may be more than just a “wee bit”). His rash decision certainly caused problems for plenty of people (he will have to learn to school that desire to make hasty choices under the influence of heavy emotions). But I supposed felt some empathy for him as well, as I know how difficult it is to live with a parent you can’t ever seem to please. I was definitely feeling the turmoil with him just wanted to shake him a little to wake him up.
Katie’s anger didn’t serve anyone either though. But I cannot fault her that. She has shouldered a good deal of hurt and burden over Callum did and that isn’t something one overcomes in the blink of an eye. I loved her big heart though; she really was made for loving.
I loved that Charlotte served as the healer for her little family. Without even knowing it, the love everyone felt for her provided some of that healing balm they all needed to be able to repair the rifts and soothe the hurts. I loved her zest for life and love of animals.
I loved that Katie used art as a sort of diary. Your descriptions of her drawings were so evocative I was sure I could imagine them clearly in my mind’s eye. What a talent (for your character but also for you). I loved how Callum tried so hard to fix his mistakes and coax laughter and lightness back into Katie’s heart. When he is in, he really is all in! I also love how well you wrote a hero we were all ready to despise and then made us love it. You are clever, Mrs. Kimball. Very clever.
Mr. Archie and Harriet were such delightful side characters and I adore them. I also have a special place in my heart for Callum’s mother. She is an incredible woman!
Within the pages of this book, I found myself completely transported. Partially to Scotland, yes (oh, writing in Callum’s Scottish accent was genius and I loved every moment of hearing his Scottish lilt in my head) but also into the hearts of what felt like real, raw, imperfectly flawed and perfectly crafted human beings. I expect to never forget the journey you sent me on and am grateful to have a new book join the ranks of my forever favorites.
Many thanks to ye!
Forever yours,
Jessica

The following content warnings contain spoilers for the book. Consider yourself warned!
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
**Note: contains closed-door scenes of intimacy between man and wife. On page is nothing but kissing but you know what happens; there is also talk about what happens between man and wife; a push to “produce an heir”; strained parent/child relationships and manipulation; abandonment; stillbirth.… (más)

The beautiful cover, the heartrending description, and the genre.

I was pleasantly surprised when we found Where the Stars Meet the Sea in the mailbox long before I expected to find it.

One of my favorite tropes of ALL TIME is broken characters, I love seeing how they heal, change, learn to love again, and are no longer in a dark place. This book was no different in how I liked the brokenness of Halstead, though I disliked it since it wasn't to God's glory and therefore I'm slightly dissatisfied by the ending. Another thing I liked was Juliet's love for her brother, the care she takes of him. I liked the Cinderella feel of this Regency romance.

Something like a Pride and Prejudice, Cinderella mix. The plot is somewhat normal but not too common to be cliche. The older women in Halstead's life were somewhat like Lady Catherine, and his sister was a steller character that I liked as a side character.

Note: When I received the book in the mail I realized that the publisher was an LDS publishing house, it did not impact the story in any way, if it had I wouldn't have finished Where the Stars Meet the Sea.

I received this book from the author through Interviews and Review. All thoughts are my own. I was not required to write a positive review.

Rating: 4 stars.

… (más)

This is a sequel to Heart in the Highlands, a riveting book that tells the story of Charlotte’s parents. Although A Not-So-Distant Love can certainly be read alone, you’ll want to read Heart in the Highlands, too, as it is excellent.

Set in Pittsburgh in 1835, A Not-So-Distant Love features Lady Charlotte Darrington, who will inherit her father’s dukedom in Scotland, and Dr. Alec Galloway, whose tragic past has left him wary of relationships. The characters are well-drawn and engaging, including a pig that tends to steal the show. As Charlotte searches for more purpose in her life, she finds herself drawn to Alec.

Beautifully written and well-researched, this book showcases author Heidi Kimball’s talents and illustrates why she is one of my favorite historical fiction writers. I’m looking forward to reading more of her stories in the future. 4.5 stars

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from Covenant Communications through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.… (más)