Choices of the Heart

By: Sarah M. Eden

Narrated by: Nancy Peterson

Length: 4 hrs and 59 mins

Publisher's summary

The paths of life that brought them together are destined to tear them apart.

Burke Jones began his life as a nameless orphan, dreaming of one day being a renowned doctor with a home and family to call his own. Sophie Kingston, daughter of an influential East Coast family, was destined to be an important and beloved part of Baltimore Society. Life has not gone quite as either planned.

Now, living in the home of a family friend, Sophie joins the lady on a journey to the tiny town of Hope Springs in Wyoming Territory. It is unlike any place she’s ever known. And the resident doctor is a mystery as well. Burke knows he isn’t the success he’d always imagined he would be, and seeing it through the eyes of this newly arrived Society lady only drives that home. As Hope Springs begins to weave its magic, Sophie discovers more than she’d ever imagined, in both the town and its doctor. And Burke, who has always guarded his heart, begins to wonder if there might be more to life than he has previously imagined. Their futures, however, do not lie along the same path or in the same destinations. Fate has once again proven unkind.

Can Hope Springs work yet another miracle?

From the USA Today best-selling author of the Hope Springs series, Choices of the Heart is set in the beloved world of Hope Springs.

©2022 Sarah M. Eden (P)2021 Sarah M. Eden

Good not great. But live this series.

I have lived this narrator’s prior performances. Something was off for this book, tho. Still s cute story. Will keep following as they come out.

I loved it!

I lived the story and wished it was longer since a good story is always too short.

Wonderful! I loved every moment of this book!!!

Oh my heart!!! I can't even begin to describe to you how much I love this series. I have wept and laughed, cheered and mourned with these characters from the first book on. These characters and their strength through their struggles and hardships are just so inspiring. I know they're fictional. But I read to be inspired, to learn to be touched and moved, to understand others. So whether they're real or fictional, I learn and feel connected to these characters. I grow and have a better understanding of myself as well.

This is a novella and the two characters aren't part of the main families by birth but they have been loved and cared for and adopted into these families. Another reason why I love this book. Everyone cares for each other and helps and encourages each other. They're wonderful!

Burke is a character from a previous book that I was hopeful we'd get to read his story. And it didn't disappoint. It was wonderful! He's had many struggles but it was great to see what he's done to accomplish much. Although he doesn't feel like he's accomplished what he's hoped to, he's still trying to better all that he does for the benefit of the townspeople. They stick together!

Sophie is such a good hearted woman. I really enjoyed learning more about her. Her confidence is low due to different circumstances. I loved watching her come into her own and bloom throughout this book. She is a delightful character and just so tenderhearted. Yet, she steps up to the challenge when there is one.

Burke and Sophie were fun to watch interact together. They had some moments of misunderstandings. They had some fun banter with each other. And the sweet tension that built between them and the sparks were wonderful! Such a sweet story!

And for those of you following the series, yes, Finbar and Emma are in the book. I just love these two. Who knows how their story will end but I loved what we saw of them in the book. I hope that healing comes for them both some day (for those who aren't familiar with the series, their story begins in the first book). You could read this book as a stand alone if you wanted. But because of my love of this series, I highly recommend reading them all!!!

Nancy Peterson is a wonderful narrator! I have listened to several books by her and love how she brings books to life. I felt as if I was in Hope Springs right along with these characters!!!

Content: Clean!

Happy Reading!!!

Love Hope Springs series but this isn’t my favorite

I love this series but I wasn’t impressed with this book. I felt like the storyline wasn’t as detailed or as engaging as the other books. The author touched on each of the families that live in Hope Springs, which was great, but I feel like she could have added more to help the storyline. Even the main characters felt like she just touched on them. Still fun to listen to though.

Storyline, characters & performance were the great

Ms. Eden, you have done it again. Fantastic twists of strong characters weaving a heartwarming story that I will revisit many times. Ms. Petersen, your performamce rocked bringing life to these characters. The two of you are so very talented! You two epitomed pure artistry! Thank you for sharing it all with me!

I love this book!

Sarah Eden is an amazing author. If you love a good clean romance, you will love her books. I read them again and again. I wish she could write faster. I can't wait for the next installment of this series.

Great to be back in Hope Springs

It's been awhile but we're back in Hope Springs, Wyoming territory, a small but tightly knit town where they take care of each other and adopt those who have no family. Sophie Kingston comes to Hope Springs as a companion to Mrs. Archer, who's come to visit her son Joseph Archer. She's always lived in the city but never quite fit into society there. She had to restrain her natural exuberant nature in order to fit in. When she meets Burke Jones, the town doctor, they don't exactly get along right away due to some miscommunications and misunderstandings.

We met Dr. Burke Jones in Long Journey Home and I was excited to get his backstory, which I found so sad. Burke was an orphan and never really had a home. He's been adopted by the people of Hope Springs but hasn't realized it yet. Thankfully Sophie's there to point out all the ways the people consider him family. In turn, Burke is there to help Sophie realize she can truly be herself and be accepted in Hope Springs.

I loved Sophie. She's such a kind person, willing to learn how to do new things, and help out however she can. I felt she fit right in with the Archer and O'Connor families. Baltimore society was far too stuffy for someone with such a bubbly personality. Burke was loved by the people of Hope Springs because he didn't just take care of their illnesses and injuries--he truly cared about the people. It surprised me that he hadn't realized how the townspeople felt about him. I loved how the people adopted these newcomers into their ranks right away.

This is a novella, but it certainly didn't feel like one. I was transported back to Hope Springs, where they have céilís on Saturdays with lots of food and dancing. Even though this is Burke and Sophie's story, I liked that we get to see the the Archer and O'Connor families, including Finbarr and Emma.

I LOVED this audiobook. Nancy Peterson is one of my favorite narrators and she always does a fantastic job with the accents and helping me feel the emotions of the story.

Wonderful

I have loved this series from the first book, so I am thrilled every time a new book or novella is published. This story was just such a pleasure to read--or, listen to, since I did the Audible version. Even though this is a novella, the characters were still well-developed and totally endearing. I love Sophie, with her straightforwardness and her enthusiasm, and Burke, with his goodness in spite of his insecurities. I also loved them together--Burke appreciating Sophie for who she is and Sophie helping Burke to examine who he is and what he really wants most. It was also wonderful to revisit other favorite characters from the series. I just enjoyed everything about this story, and I can't wait for more from this series!
Narrator was excellent!

I read (listened to) a copy provided by the author/publisher. All opinions are my own.

another great historical novel

by Sara Eden. love her books, including this series in Hope Springs Wyoming. ❤️

Love Hope Springs

I have enjoyed every single book in the Hope Springs series and this one was loved as well. I enjoyed this sneak peek back into this wonderful town and the people that live there. Cannot wait for the next one!