An Honest Heart

The Great Exhibition #2

by Kaye Dacus

Dr. Neal Stradbroke has a secret past that could destroy everything he’s worked since childhood to build. But when he falls in love with the daughter of one of his patients, he must choose between revealing his past and risk losing everything or keeping his secret and watching her marry another man.

Cadence “Caddy” Bainbridge has worked hard as a seamstress since her vicar father died, and for a while, things went well. But then her mother fell ill. Now, most of Caddy’s earnings go for doctors, medicines, and trips to the seaside trying to get her mother better. The last thing she needs is a romantic entanglement—but she finds herself torn between two men: Oliver Carmichael, whose wealth could give Caddy’s mother the life of ease she deserves; and Neal Stradbroke, for whom her heart yearns.

Oliver Carmichael has always drawn the eye of all the girls with no exertion on his part—all the girls, that is, except seamstress Caddy Bainbridge. So, even though he has plans to marry Edith Buchanan, he places a bet with his friends that he can make Caddy fall in love with him before the opening day of the Great Exhibition. Edith Buchanan has been disappointed in marriage prospects already, so she is not about to lose another suitor to a woman of lower social status—especially not her own dressmaker!—so she spreads rumors about Caddy that could not only ruin Caddy’s business but cause Caddy’s mother to have a fatal relapse.

Courtship . . . cunning . . . candor. Who has an honest heart?

Genres: Christian Fiction, Historical Fiction, Romance, Historical Romance, Christian, Fiction, Christian Historical Fiction

304 pages, Paperback

First published October 9, 2013

About the author

Kaye Dacus is a professional editor, author, and educator who has been writing fiction for more nearly forty years. Pursuing her passion for writing, she earned a Master of Arts in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University. Kaye lives in Middle Tennessee, where she is a training documentation specialist in the IT industry and volunteers teaching writing in the community. She writes contemporary and historical romances; and while her contemporary romances are out of print, her historicals are available at most major retailers. To learn more about Kaye and her books, visit her website at kayedacus.com.

Reviews

[Katie(babs) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute inspirational historical romance that for some reason reminded me of Downton Abbey while I read, although it takes place in Victorian England. The writing was engaging, and the characters very dimensional, but the ending is sudden and flat, feels rushed as if the author had to end the story but didn't know how to.

Not a bad read.

[Kathleen (Kat) Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kaye Dacus is one of my favorite must watch authors since reading her first novel, Follow the Heart and she came back in a big way with An Honest Heart. Captivated in your traditional regency style, Kaye mixes this one up with a dramatic twist with the upcoming opening of the Great Exhibition just at the height of the Industrial Revolution.

In An Honest Heart combines two very distinctive love stories, the first being with Cadence "Caddy" Bainbridge, a seamstress who has made a life for herself opening her own dressmaking shop in the heart of Oxford, England in 1851. She uses her valuable skills not only to create the equivalent fashions of the higher end shops in London, but also incorporating those same skills to create attire for the lower class residents who also need clothing. She spends her free time teaching sewing skills to the women housed in the poor houses and prisons so that they can have a skill to fall back on much like she did. It's her way of simply giving back to the heart of the community. She was sent to a finishing school by her father who had connections with high end schools through his friendships with head masters as a way of hoping to raise her opportunities for marriage to a fine gentleman in the future.

She meets quite by fate and accident, Dr. Neal Stradbroke, the town's new doctor as he brings her mother home late one afternoon who has fainted on her daily walk. Dr. Neal Stradbroke advises Caddy that her mother has heart issues and needs to make sure she is taking better care of herself, but Caddy's mother sees a fine prospect for a husband in Neal instead and will stop at nothing to ensure that the two see what is right in front of their eyes.

The secondary story involves Edith Buchanan, a fine upstanding but often times cold-hearted wealthy women of a prominent family who is searching for a well deserved husband complete with a high end title. When her father arranges for Lord Thynne, a single viscount to arrive at their home in hopes of a possible connection for Edith, he instead has interests in her American cousin, Katharine Dearing, an heiress to a railway fortune instead of the Ice Queen. She plots to find a way for Katharine to do something that she can use to engineer her downfall and thus enable Lord Thynne to fall in love with her instead. She makes a bet with Oliver Carmicheal, Lady Carmichael's eldest son and future baron at Chawley Abbey that if neither of them secure a better match for themselves by the close of the Great Exhibition, they will agree to marry one another.

Yet Oliver Carmichael has his own sites set on Miss Bainbridge after making a bet with his close friends at a gentlemen's club when he is snubbed and dismissed by Miss Bainbridge. He believes he will have no problem in getting her to fall in love with him, since he has never been turned down by any female in his life and wagers 100 pounds that he can do it by the day the Great Exhibition opens on May 1st.

There are so many different twists and turns in this exceptional and wonderfully written novel, you truly feel like you're at the heart of something amazing as you watch things unfold between the different classes set in this novel. You are cheering that some will get what they truly deserve and you definitely have the good and evil characters in this one. I often found myself seeing the characters of Caddy Bainbridge played by the actress, Anne Hathaway and Dr. Neal Stradbroke by Hugh Jackman, while the opposing characters Mr. Oliver Carmichael portrayed by Billy Zane and Edith Buchanan played by Charlize Theron. I can't wait to see what Kaye Dacus comes up with next and this one easily rates a 5 out of 5 stars.

I received An Honest Heart by Kaye Dacus compliments of Christian Fiction Blog Alliance and B and H Publishing Group for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation and the opinions expressed in this review are strictly my own. This is the second novel in the Great Exhibition Series.

[Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Caddy is a seamstress with a successful shop at the edge of town, making dresses for the elite as well as the lower class. She teaches sewing to the less fortunate and also cares for her elderly mother. She meets handsome Oliver while visiting one of her clients, he is immediately attracted to her and determines to get to know her.

Neal is the local doctor and meets Caddy when he brings her mother to the shop after a fainting spell. He finds Caddy very attractive and though he had told himself he wouldn't get involved with anyone here he is drawn to her. Caddy's mother sees Neal as a perfect husband for her daughter and plots to help them see their need for each other.

A wonderfully written novel with amazing characters and very interesting twists. There's another story in the book that's just as fun. Edith Buchanan is an upstanding woman looking for a husband of wealth and importance. Edith must get the man her sister is interested in to fall in love with herself because she and Oliver had agreed if neither are married by the end of the Great Exhibition they will marry each other and Edith (nor Oliver) want that. An entertaining story that left me wanting to read more of this author's books.

I received a copy of this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[Rachel Brand · Rating 4 out of 5]

Caddy Bainbridge runs a seamstress shop in a relatively rough area of Oxford, supporting her elderly mother and training up a team of apprentices from the local workhouse. In spite of her location, her deft with a needle has gained the attention of several local aristocratic women, allowing Caddy to expand her business and appeal to both upper and working class women. Caddy longs to visit London during the Great Exhibition in order to see the latest fashions and fabrics from around the world, but this dream will only come true if she can save enough money to afford the trip. Oliver Carmichael, the son of one of Caddy’s clients, might be able to provide passage to London, and entertainment once she makes her way there, but is he the kind of man she can trust? Rumour has it that Oliver is actually betrothed to Edith Buchanan—although he certainly doesn’t act like it. Caddy is equally unlikely to place her trust in Neal Stadbroke, the new doctor in town who appears to be hiding a secret or two of his own. But when Caddy’s mother falls ill, Neal is the only one she can trust to help restore her mother’s help. A series of unfortunate events draw Caddy and Neal closer together, but will they allow their past secrets to continue to haunt their present and spoil their future together?

Back in April, I devoured the first novel in this series, Follow the Heart. Exploring a previously unknown topic in British history—the Great Exhibition—while delving into the upstairs/downstairs relationships I love so much in Downton Abbey, with the addition of American characters, the book was a perfect fit for me. And while An Honest Heart wasn’t quite as compelling as its predecessor, it still continued many of the elements I had loved about Follow the Heart. The contrast between Edith and Oliver’s aristocratic, privileged lives—full of intrigue and social politics—and the day-to-day problems of Caddy and Neal’s lives made for a fascinating read, especially when these two worlds unexpectedly intercepted with one another.

Although I vaguely recalled Caddy’s character from the previous book in the series, I had mistakenly assumed that this novel would be set after the ending of Follow the Heart. I was pleasantly surprised to find that An Honest Heart ran parallel to Follow the Heart. I’ve never come across this concept before, and Kaye executed it perfectly. It was fascinating to see the events of the first novel through the eyes of Edith and Oliver—especially as Edith had been previously cast as a rather villainous character. Although she was still a rather unsympathetic character, I didn’t envy her position in society, especially her need to find a rich husband and not be overshadowed by her cousin and sisters. As much as I’d love to dress in one of Caddy’s beautiful creations, I wouldn’t want the drama that comes with a social position like Edith’s.

As with the previous book, An Honest Heart shed light on many of the issues facing women in this time period—both young and old, rich and poor. Perhaps I’m noticing this more because I spent my last year of university studying a vast array of literature and history from a feminist perspective, but it appears that more Christian authors are exploring some of the unjust social situations women faced in historical periods. Even little remarks—like the fact that Caddy is unable to defend a friend in a court of law because she is a woman—serve as much needed reminders that Caddy and women like her faced much larger problems than deciding which man they should marry.

That’s not to say that there isn’t any romance in this book. Neal Stadbroke is an appealing hero from the first moment he’s introduced, from his offer to teach a local boy how to read to him pretending not to notice Caddy’s mother’s match-making attempts. He felt real, which is the best compliment I can give a romantic hero. Caddy is also an incredibly admirable character, and I’d love to have her as a friend. Her interactions with her young apprentices and her mother made for some very touching and amusing moments. These aren’t characters you’re going to forget in a hurry.

My main gripe with the romance in this novel is that the conflict felt drawn out. Caddy and Neal are constantly thrown together by circumstances involving their friends, Caddy’s mother and her shop, but they keep denying their attraction to each other because of mysterious secrets that they can’t bear to reveal. Honestly, there was so much hype about Neal’s secret that I was almost kind of disappointed when I realised what it was because I’d been half-expecting something much darker or heavier. I won’t deny that Neal’s secret brought up some interesting, often-forgotten issues from this time period. Caddy’s secret was a lot simpler, and revolved around a lack of trust. I don’t think I would have minded either Caddy or Neal’s individual conflicts if they’d been presented on their own, but given that both of them were being held back by secrets and a lack of trust, it made the conflict feel a little repetitive. I’m not a fan of conflicts that revolve around something that could easily be communicated and cleared up, but if this doesn’t bother you, it might not hold you back from enjoying this part of the novel.

Although I’m pleased with the way Kaye represented the difficulties facing women in this time period, there was one sensitive issue that I felt was skimmed over. I don’t want to spoil this book for any potential readers, but there is a very brief scene in which a female character is nearly assaulted. She never talks to anyone about the incident, and on the one occasion that she thinks about it, she dismisses the thought easily. While women definitely did not get the support in this time period that they do today after an attempted rape occurs—especially when the man concerned was of a higher social standing—I couldn’t help but wish that this issue hadn’t been brushed away so quickly. Regardless of the time period, it’s not easy to just get over such an incident. I felt this situation could have been dealt with more sensitively.

While Caddy and Neal didn’t engage me quite as much as the characters in the previous Great Exhibition novel, the historical accuracy and realism in this novel made for a compelling read. Although B&H are discontinuing their Fiction line after April 2014, I do hope that Kaye Dacus gets the chance to continue this series.

Review title provided by B&H.

[Ellen White · Rating 4 out of 5]

With the Great Exhibition going on in London, Caddy with her seamstress
shop has been busy. Women wanting new dresses for the occasion. She seems to have the patience of bringing them the expensive dresses that they wanted, By them choosing the patterns and material then to so lightly said no to them. The character of Neal really didn’t have that big of a secret, but he was shown as having a giving personality. Nice flowing story that was easier to get into then the first book I thought.The setting was good and gives an idea of that time in history.

[Johnny Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another solid entry in the Christian Chick Lit category. The way she intertwines An Honest Heart with Follow the Heart makes it so that you can read either book as a stand alone but together they make one story even more complete. Seems like something the Hallmark channel would grab and turn into a TV series.

[moonlightscrawls · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating: 2.5

To be honest I was truly expecting more. The love triangle dynamic between Oliver, Caddy, and Neal would be interesting if their characters were fleshed out enough.

It was still a great read, but again, my expectations were not met.

[Lynn Joyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

An honest heart

Xcvb n m,, nhgfdd cfghh kooky gift for Nikon has road in 6th the way I see how much you.

[Jo May · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love always wins

I have enjoyed this series. I look forward to reading more books by Kate Dacus. I have always been interested in the London Exibition. I would like to read more.

[❝Nina❞]

If you like revolutionary romance, this is the book for you. I adore this book, it is one of my comfort go to's.

[Kaye · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the hardest book for me to write---I'd sold the Great Exhibition series solely for money to live on. I had almost no passion for this story from the moment of conception to the moment I finally forced myself to finish writing it so I could turn the manuscript in. Although I was unemployed and relying on the money at the time I signed the contract, by the time I had to start writing it, I was already working full-time in my new career in higher education. So what I lacked in passion for it when I conceived the idea, became a resentment of it when I had to start (and continue) writing it.

But write it I did. And finish it.

And the only time I ever saw it after turning in the manuscript was when I received the line edits back. I went through and looked only at the editor's comments, making the suggested changes to scenes and characters. But I never read all the way through the manuscript again. I was finished with it. Done.

Then, the publisher announced, a couple of months before the release of this book, that they were discontinuing their retail fiction line. I was let out of my contractual obligation for the planned third book in the series. WHAT A RELIEF! Because if I resented this second book, I hated everything about the third one.

Because of the layoff of the fiction editorial staff and the transition in personnel, I never got to see a galley of this book---which means that I never had the opportunity to read it in its final form.

Until now.

First, let me say that my copy editor, Kathy Ide, is probably the best editor working today. This was the cleanest text I've read in . . . ever, and that includes all of my other books and everyone else's that I read. And that's one of the primary reasons that I never went back and reread this manuscript in the editing stage---because I knew how wonderful she is and that she'd make the prose shine. Thanks, Kathy!

Second, let me be perfectly honest and say that I completely agree with everyone who has expressed disappointment that the Great Exhibition doesn't have more prominence in this (or the previous) story. I'd done so much research on it and was continually doing more---especially about how the Australians formed their committee and got their goods to London for display at the GE---that I felt like it had more of a front-and-center presence in the story. But, now, going back after more than 18 months and having "fresh eyes" to see it through, I realize just how much I left out and how much more I could have included.

I also felt like I was really mean to Edith in the ending---yet when I re-read it, I felt like I let her off too easily. Hmmm . . . again, probably my perception of what I was thinking versus what I actually put in words on the page.

Even though I don't plan on revisiting this storyworld or these characters any time soon, there are several characters I would like to go back and revisit someday. Maybe.

That said, I'm so glad I re-read this because aside from all of my emotional and mental baggage associated with the writing of this book, I'd forgotten just how much I'd come to love Caddy and Neal, and it was fun, even as their creator, to be able to come back to their story after forgetting as much of it as I was able, and experience them falling in love all over again.

[Victor Gentile · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kaye Dacus in her new book, “An Honest Heart” Book Two in The Great Exhibition series published by B&H Books introduces us to Cadence “Caddy” Bainbridge.

From the back cover: Courtship . . . cunning . . . candor. Who possesses an honest heart?

Set during the Industrial Revolution and the Great Exhibition of 1851, An Honest Heart is a “sitting-room romance” with the feel of a Regency-era novel but the fashions and technological advances of the mid-Victorian age.

Featuring dual romance stories, the main plot involves seamstress Caddy Bainbridge and the choice she must make between two men: one from the aristocracy, the other from the working class. Award-nominated author Kaye Dacus pinpoints the theme of honesty—both men in this love triangle have deep secrets to hide, and Caddy’s choice will be based on which of them can be honest with her.

Kaye Dacus really knows how to write a wonderful story. Once again Ms. Dacus has filled the pages of “An Honest Heart” with high drama, wonderful romance and fascinating characters. Two worlds: the Upper Class and The Middle Class; Two suitors: One secretive, one sinister, an ill mother and a successful dressmaker shop these are just some of the ingredients in this fascinating adventure. And, of course, there are the moments that you laugh out loud. “An Honest Heart” is a lot of fun and I recommend this book highly. I am greatly looking forward to Ms. Dacus’ next book.

If you missed the interview for “A Case For Love”, a different series from Kaye Dacus, and would like to listen to it and/or interviews with other authors and professionals please go to Kingdom Highlights where they are available On Demand.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from B&H Books. 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.”

[Dana Kamstra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this novel quite a bit more than the novel that comes before it in The Great Exhibition series, Follow the Heart. Caddy is a wonderful heroine. She is successful and independent, but wouldn’t mind to find someone to love. The two men who vie for her intentions are wonderful. One is a bit of a cad from the get-go and you can’t help but wonder if he can eventually redeem himself, while the other is quite honorable, but he might have a questionable past. While I wanted to see the honorable man win Caddy’s heart, I found the other man to make an interesting competitor in the novel.

The novel was full of unexpected moments and characters. For one, I certainly didn’t expect Edith Buchanan, from Follow the Heart, to have a voice in this one. But sure enough, she did. She added an interesting personality to the narrative and she made me anxious to see what might become of her in a future novel.

I also found the placement of this novel in the overall timeline quite interesting. While most sequels tend to take place after the first novel, this one occurs alongside of it. Some of the events that happen to Kate Dearing in Follow the Heart happen again in this novel. However, we are seeing it from a different perspective. I enjoyed this aspect quite a bit as it gave a whole new look to a couple of scenes from the first novel, and again, gave a bit more depth to the character of Edith Buchanan.

If like me, you like a “messy” or complicated love story, Kaye Dacus might be an author to turn to. Her characters come across with authentic feelings and the two novels I have read so far, have elements of faith in them without being a sermon, and all wrapped up in a story that keeps me turning pages quickly. I’m looking forward to reading more from Kaye Dacus in the future.

**I received a free copy of this book from B&H Publishing Group in exchange for my honest review**

[Jalynn Patterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Review:

Caddy Bainbridge runs a small seamstress shop on the edge of town. She has made dress for some of the biggest names in her town. Headed to one of her main buyers, she can't but worry if the woman is going to like the designs and is her elderly mother is okay. Upon arriving she and her apprentice are taken up to the lady's room but run in to her son. Oliver Carmichael, takes Caddie a back, he being so dreamy. But she carries on with her work and walks right past the man and straight into the buyers dressing room. The woman nit-picks each dress until she finds the one she likes and it still needs to be fixed to her preference but they are soon headed back to the shop. But soon is given a surprise.

Dr. Neal Stradbroke had carried Caddy's mother all the way to the shop from the grocer. But Caddy wasn't what he expected, she was really pretty and nice. He had promised that he wouldn't get involved with anyone in this new town, he's had enough problems at his last place. But something about Caddy just made him want to learn more. He had offered to take a look at her mother and see what was wrong, but he doesn't know really how to handle his feelings.

Oliver Carmichael had no clue that his mother's seamstress was so good-looking and couldn't believe his eyes when he first saw her. She acted as if he didn't even faze her, which was un-like most women. He had to find out more about her, she would want him, why wouldn't she. He had all the money a bachelor could have even though it was his parents and he still lived with them. But he still had the looks woman loved and men wanted.



**Disclosure** This book was sent to me free of charge for my honest review from CFBA.

[Caitlyn Santi · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading and enjoying the first book in this series earlier this year, I was eagerly anticipating Caddy's story! I am thrilled to say that I loved this book even more than the first one! I loved Caddy and Neal was an amazing hero! It was really interesting that this book took place at the same time as book one, just from different characters perspectives!!! Many times in this book I was convinced that I had everything figured out and every time I was surprised by yet another twist in the story!!! This was a great read and the only things I didn't like about it were, 1. There were a couple of questions that didn't seem like they were answered-but they were just minor details so it wasn't a big deal. And 2. I felt like the ending was just a tiny bit abrupt, I actually wouldn't have minded seeing this book be a little longer- but this wasn't really a big deal either and probably the only reason I felt this way was because I didn't want the book to end! 

Overall, I loved this book! It didn't disappoint. I definitely anticipate re-reading it in the future!  I highly recommend An Honest Heart but I think you may want to read Follow The Heart first!


I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via CFBA in exchange for an honest review. The above is my honest opinion. All thoughts and opinions are one hundred percent my own.

[Karen R · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fans of Regency fiction will enjoy this story set near Oxford, England in 1851, at the time of the Great Exhibition. The focus is on Cadence Bainbridge, a sought after dressmaker for both the middle class and gentry. She's an independent business woman with a sickly mother and a busy shop to run, with no time for love, but through various circumstances is forced to choose between two men: one secretive, and one sinister. Honesty is very important to Cadence, however, and seeks the truth from both.
The author does a wonderful job describing the scenes of shop, town and manor home, along with the beautiful clothes of the period. You could almost hear the rustle of the silk and feel the scratchy wool. This is more of a romance though than an historical fiction account of the Great Exhibition. Issues of prejudice, gossip, justice and mercy are explored. I loved the character of Dr. Neal and how gently he dealt with people, especially Cadence's mother and "the least of these".
The book could easily have been much longer, with all the many story threads running through it. Sometimes it felt a bit shallow for that reason, but overall, it was well written and a satisfying read. I'm looking forward to reading more by this author.

[Thank you to the author for the complimentary book! This review is my honest, unsolicited opinion.]

[Beverly Morton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a joy to read, being along the lines of Georgette Heyer, but without all the flowery language! The characters are real and likeable (even the unlikeable ones!) and the story kept my interest from beginning to end. This was a first reads giveaway book, and I was very impressed with the letter the author sent along with the book. She is extremely approachable and eager to connect with her readers. This book is the second in a series, but I did not suffer for not having read the first book. In fact, I enjoyed this book so much I have just ordered the first one!

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was looking forward to reading this book, not only because I found our seamstress interesting and looked forward to getting to know her better, but because I wanted to hear more about our characters from book 1. We got a closer view of Edith and her manipulating selfish ways. Who knows but book 3 may focus on her and her quest for real love.

I loved meeting the Dr as well and getting a different take on Australia which was happening in this point in England's history.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. I haven't read the first book in the series, but I didn't feel like I was missing anything. There was a lot going on in this story. Mystery, romance, and intrigue all worked together to keep the story moving. I really liked Caddy & Neal's characters. I will look for more by this author.
language: clean, heat level: mild

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to give this four stars, but I felt like I was rereading the first book from a different perspective with a subplot. I wish there wouldn't have been so much of the first storyline. Otherwise, I enjoyed the characters and story.

[GJ S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Christian book

This is a wonderful story and the 2nd in the series. It had some historical parts that were interesting. The characters were easier to connect with. Thanks to the author for no sexual content. I recommend this book and author

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was really enjoying this book and how it was happening simultaneously to the first of the series, but then suddenly the ending rushed in and felt haphazard. There weren't necessarily loose ends; the quality seemed to just fall off somehow.

[Cheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love historical fiction and even though I didn't read the first book, I think the author did a great job of filling in, so that I didn't feel like I was missing some of the story.

[Bonnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I truly enjoyed this book. It's the first time I read Kaye Dacus's books and I liked her style of writing. I enjoy historical romances and I'm sure I'll be reading more of hers.

[Tansonju · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet, Historical Romance

[Caitlyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full review HERE!

[Mackenzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 2 of 3
*Great! Love Kaye Dacus.