Two Hearts in Winter, Ocean City Boardwalk Series, Book 2

Note. I received a free copy of this book for my honest review. My review is in no way influenced by receipt of a free copy. I loved this book. Once I started reading I could not put it down. The twists and turns through the relationship and her friendships were very realistic. Some things just catch you out of nowhere and sometimes your best friends can hurt you more than anyone else. I will have to read the other two books in this series. I would recommend this book.

Two Hearts in Winter by Donna Fasano You can always count on Ms. Fasano to write about a topic that many women struggle with and do it with finesse. Her characters are also always strong but flawed. How she is able to shine a light on these flaws and allow us to follow their journey to completeness or happiness as they gain insight to tackle their problems head on is one of Ms. Fasano’s greatest strengths. In this second book of Ms. Fasano’s Ocean City Boardwalk series we meet Heather Phillips, the owner and operator of The Lonely Loon Bed and Breakfast. She seems to have her life on track after suffering through a devastating break-up with a fiancé years ago over a decision she made for her own wellbeing. She’s now happy, prosperous, and has good friends she can count on. Her life would be almost perfect if it wasn’t for this cranky author, DB Atwell, who has rented the entire Bed and Breakfast for the whole winter so he can have peace and quiet to finish his next best seller. Heather has been walking on egg shells for over a month now and the quiet is driving her nuts. Heather is a social person who loves getting to know her guests, which is one reason her B&B is such a success, and it is Christmas Eve. It turns out Daniel is dealing with more than his next novel and he is hiding from the paparazzi. I love the way Ms. Fasano is able to unfold her characters through realistic dialogue, it gives the reader a genuine sense of who they are. Daniel’s story is heartbreaking and gut-wrenching as he tries to navigate international politics while trying keep his sanity. When Heather begins to learn his story a compassion is awakened in her that she thought she had safely buried and she is forced to confront her past decision in a way she never imagined. I was able to feel her emotional turmoil as if it was my own. The plot moves at a steady pace, but never too slowly, because there is a lot going on. We also get to revisit and learn more about people and events from her earlier works in this series. While it is not necessary to have read the first book of this series, Following His Heart or the related novella, An Almost Perfect Christmas to enjoy these parts of this story, I have to say that you are missing out on a couple of gems if you haven’t read them. Now I am anxious to learn more about Cathy! I found Two Hearts in Winter a unique, captivating, emotional tale that will keep you thoroughly enthralled until the very end. Don’t miss this one, it will make your heart smile. As a bonus Ms. Fasano has included the recipes Heather prepared for her International Holiday Dinner party on Christmas Eve at the end of this book for us all to enjoy as well. FYI: Two Hearts in Winter is Book 2 in the Ocean City Boardwalk series. This book can be read as a standalone story, as is true with other series books by Ms. Fasano. **Originally written for "BigAl’s Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy.** April 15, 2016 Format/Typo Issues: I found exceptional editing.

There is a social message in each of Donna's books and the second book in the Ocean City Boardwalk Series is no exception. The first book dealt with organ donation. Sara and Landon came together because of his transplanted heart. We also met Sara's friends Heather and Cathy. This is Heather's book. We learn about why she is so cut off from the dating scene. She has seen her mother fight and lose the battle to breast cancer and that has coloured her life with fear and some proactive action. I don't want to give away the story, but needless to say, its very relevant in the society today. Heather's beau is Daniel, and he has problems of his own. Daniel has hired out the entire Lonely Loon, the Bed and Breakfast that Heather runs, for the peace and quiet he requires to finish his next novel. Unfortunately, things are never exactly what they seem, he has a reason to hide and its eating up his heart. Can Heather help him heal even as his acceptance helps her come to terms with her own body? Its a beautiful book grounded in reality and speaking of how love can still be possible, if you just give it a chance. I was gifted a copy of the book by the author for an honest review. I enjoyed it greatly and I look forward to seeing what Cathy will get up to with her on again off again boyfriend in the final book of the series.