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Hollow Hearts #1
Reverie
Orphaned at a young age Hetty is convinced that her circumstances make her unworthy of having a family of her own. When a job opportunity as a housekeeper presents itself Hetty accepts believing that working for Isaac Wheeler and his family is a welcome, if not temporary, surrogate for her own family dreams. As she’s faced with learning to trust she discovers that wanting a family and building a family are two very different things. Will she learn to see herself as worthy of God’s gifts? Or will she return to the solitary existence that defined so much of her life? Isaac Wheeler, successful furniture maker and dishonorable bachelor, finds Hetty’s presence in his home to be disturbing and a haunting reminder of his past sins. As he struggles with his growing and unwanted feelings, he can’t help but torment himself with mistakes from his past. Can he navigate the family tensions, infidelity, and sudden choices destined to keep them apart? Or can Isaac endure each struggle and seek forgiveness before discovering what truly makes a family?
221 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 24, 2014
17 people are currently reading
412 people want to read
About the author
Christina Yother
5 books37 followersChristina Yother writes historical and contemporary fiction. She has been involved with writing, blogging, and social media for several years and earned a PhD in 2012 by writing one of the first dissertations to explore how women build community through writing online. She lives in small-town Georgia with her husband and three children where she runs carpool, drinks too much coffee, and avoids wearing real pants.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
June 18, 2014
I loved this book. Hetty and Isaac were great characters that had me rooting for them from the beginning. There was romance, conflict, and drama. Christina Yother's descriptions were exquisite in detail without taking away from the story. I will definitely read more from this author.
October 30, 2021
This story has both Christian undertones, with the well used family Bible, dinner prayer, and church attendance while also being a bit sexier than a traditional Sweet story. The kissing scenes are quite intense and since the author is new to me, I thought it actually might leave the Sweet genre. But I enjoyed this indepth story of an orphan girl who finally finds love and family and self acceptance!
The narration was almost perfect! I loved her deeper voice.
There were a few sections where the lines were repeated, so the book needs that corrected, but I can't wait to read/listen to more in this series!
The narration was almost perfect! I loved her deeper voice.
There were a few sections where the lines were repeated, so the book needs that corrected, but I can't wait to read/listen to more in this series!
August 25, 2017
This book was an inspirational, Christian book that really delivered!
It was a sweet, wholesome, compelling read that keeps you turning and turning the pages looking for more. The characters were well developed and mostly likeable.
It was able to stand alone and deliver an HEA, which is a mighty important point for me.
So I would recommend it to anyone!
It was a sweet, wholesome, compelling read that keeps you turning and turning the pages looking for more. The characters were well developed and mostly likeable.
It was able to stand alone and deliver an HEA, which is a mighty important point for me.
So I would recommend it to anyone!
April 13, 2018
Sweet historical romance
A sweet historical Romance of an orphan who overcame her odds and found a love. I love that the main character was hard working and determined. Not a wimpy and weepy female who gushes and lushes after a man. I enjoyed this novel enough to get two others in the series to read. I love a good clean novel.
A sweet historical Romance of an orphan who overcame her odds and found a love. I love that the main character was hard working and determined. Not a wimpy and weepy female who gushes and lushes after a man. I enjoyed this novel enough to get two others in the series to read. I love a good clean novel.
May 7, 2018
A sweet Christian tale of an orphan who not only finds her true love but also her voice.
April 25, 2015
JD Says...
Reverie is a nice story, but it needs a lot of work.
I’ll focus on the plus side of my review. The story is sweet and would be categorized as Christian fiction. The era is appealing to faith-based readers.
Unfortunately, there is nothing fresh about this story line, it’s all been done before. The characters are not fleshed out and even get out of the “character” Yother was attempting to build for them. The author takes some liberties with historical dialogue, using terminology which had not yet been coined during the time frame of her story—a pet peeve that will always remove me from the story. Head hopping also takes me out of a scene and there was plenty of that to go around. Hetty and Lottie are a couple of the character’s names, which is fine until you get them in the same scene together. I will stop there.
I am providing 2.5 stars because I believe the author has talent and can only get better.
If there were less repetitive narrations, less head hopping, less swearing, tighter dialogue and story lines, I might have enjoyed where the author was trying to take me. I will give Christina Yother another book or two and see how far she’s come with her writing style before I check her out again. Who knows, I may become a fan someday, just not with Reverie.
Jan Says...
I love historical fiction, especially one with a Christian world view.
For me, the whole point of writing historical fiction is to put the reader in the time and place – making the reader feel they are immersed in it. As a reader I love reading about other times and the people that lived in the past.
Although Reverie is a sweet story with some good characters and plot line, I felt let down by the lack of some important elements, the first being I never got that sense of where the story was taking place or the time frame. At no time did I feel connected to the era, and I lacked anchoring through the setting.
I had great difficulty involving myself in the characters because of the ever changing points of view. One phrase was seen through the eyes of one character, and then all of a sudden I was in the head of another character. There are rules about “head hopping” in a scene, for good reason.
Hetty, the main character is a likable woman, with a noble dream and solid character.
That came through very clear, and I liked her. But I never got to know her as I wished I could. The same for all the other characters that seemed to come and go through the story with no feelings (other than those that were told to us by the narrator) or solid interaction. I will say, the author did a good job of adding conflict and created a welcomed change of heart for the love interest I rooted for.
The dialogue was a bit trite, and the action explained, not shown through revealing character emotions and motives. I would have appreciated the story more if more attention would have been paid to flow and depth of character believability.
I wanted to like the story more than I did, but two stars is all I can give Reverie.
Reverie is a nice story, but it needs a lot of work.
I’ll focus on the plus side of my review. The story is sweet and would be categorized as Christian fiction. The era is appealing to faith-based readers.
Unfortunately, there is nothing fresh about this story line, it’s all been done before. The characters are not fleshed out and even get out of the “character” Yother was attempting to build for them. The author takes some liberties with historical dialogue, using terminology which had not yet been coined during the time frame of her story—a pet peeve that will always remove me from the story. Head hopping also takes me out of a scene and there was plenty of that to go around. Hetty and Lottie are a couple of the character’s names, which is fine until you get them in the same scene together. I will stop there.
I am providing 2.5 stars because I believe the author has talent and can only get better.
If there were less repetitive narrations, less head hopping, less swearing, tighter dialogue and story lines, I might have enjoyed where the author was trying to take me. I will give Christina Yother another book or two and see how far she’s come with her writing style before I check her out again. Who knows, I may become a fan someday, just not with Reverie.
Jan Says...
I love historical fiction, especially one with a Christian world view.
For me, the whole point of writing historical fiction is to put the reader in the time and place – making the reader feel they are immersed in it. As a reader I love reading about other times and the people that lived in the past.
Although Reverie is a sweet story with some good characters and plot line, I felt let down by the lack of some important elements, the first being I never got that sense of where the story was taking place or the time frame. At no time did I feel connected to the era, and I lacked anchoring through the setting.
I had great difficulty involving myself in the characters because of the ever changing points of view. One phrase was seen through the eyes of one character, and then all of a sudden I was in the head of another character. There are rules about “head hopping” in a scene, for good reason.
Hetty, the main character is a likable woman, with a noble dream and solid character.
That came through very clear, and I liked her. But I never got to know her as I wished I could. The same for all the other characters that seemed to come and go through the story with no feelings (other than those that were told to us by the narrator) or solid interaction. I will say, the author did a good job of adding conflict and created a welcomed change of heart for the love interest I rooted for.
The dialogue was a bit trite, and the action explained, not shown through revealing character emotions and motives. I would have appreciated the story more if more attention would have been paid to flow and depth of character believability.
I wanted to like the story more than I did, but two stars is all I can give Reverie.
January 26, 2015
I varied between 3 and 4 stars with this one. To begin, I rarely read Inspirational Romance and so this isn't quite up my alley. My biggest issue: it's a novella stretched out to a full size novel, meaning there is far too much repetition and the first half is very slow. There's also too much name usage. We don't constantly use each others' names when we're talking and characters shouldn't, either.
Overall, Reverie is a nice sweet read that doesn't get too preachy, and I appreciate that. The characters are realistic and fun. The setting is described nicely. There is plenty of character growth. A good debut novel. I expect to see far more from this author in the future.
Overall, Reverie is a nice sweet read that doesn't get too preachy, and I appreciate that. The characters are realistic and fun. The setting is described nicely. There is plenty of character growth. A good debut novel. I expect to see far more from this author in the future.
October 12, 2014
Reverie (Hollow Hearts #1) by Christina Yother is a light, easy-read for those who enjoy Christian romance. Hetty is a young woman unsure of her place in this world. Desiring to experience the love and acceptance of a family, something she has never known but believes she does not deserve, serves as the catalyst for this story. A reminder that what is said and done to a young child has consequences well into adulthood. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and look forward to reading Reliance (Hollow Hearts #2).
July 29, 2014
Christina Yother connects with every selfless woman through the main character, Hetty. After losing both of her parents, Hetty finds herself in a group home, destined to have no future but of a caregiver. As Yother takes Hetty through trials and tribulations, the reader feels the emotions the character endures. As fate will have it, Hetty finds herself as a caregiver to a family with someone that makes her heart stutter! If you love a lazy Sunday afternoon read, this is it!
July 17, 2014
Historical Romance is a challenging genre for an author. Ms. Yother's style of writing deftly draws the reader into protagonist Hetty's world and unusual twists in the story keep the reader interested. It's not the typical romance in any way except that there is a happy ending! I surprised myself by reading this book in one sitting on a lazy Saturday and never enjoyed myself more.
November 5, 2014
I loved the characters and the way their lives centered so fully on family and community. Reading Reverie was a lovely exercise in traveling back to a simpler time, and yet the struggle of accepting yourself in order to accept love from others is timeless. I can't wait to read the second installment in this trilogy!
March 9, 2015
I read this book over a round trip flight and really enjoyed it. The characters were lovable and the historical setting added so much as well. I will definitely be buying the next book in the series!
October 11, 2014
Hetty feels she is destined to be a caregiver and never have a family of her own. She takes a job with a family and things begin to happen. A great inspirational romance. I recommend if you like good clean romance. I received a copy of this book for my honest review.
July 16, 2015
Heartwarming Love Story
The author makes you feel as if you are right there watching the characters. You sense their emotions and your drawn into their lives. The only negative is the lack of proofreading and editing. There were wrong words and misspellings.
The author makes you feel as if you are right there watching the characters. You sense their emotions and your drawn into their lives. The only negative is the lack of proofreading and editing. There were wrong words and misspellings.
March 3, 2016
A charming story, marred by sloppy editing. With a good scrub of the text, this would be a sweet historical Christian romance that will appeal to readers who loved These Happy Golden Years by Laura Ingalls Wilder and books in that vein.
November 6, 2020
This was an emotional journey through sadness, loneliness, adventure, doubt, trust, love, and a touch of mystery. The story was intriguing and the narration superb. If you enjoy western adventure and love, this one will be worth your time.
August 2, 2014
This is a sweet tale. Easy to read and interesting. Perfect beach read. I wanted to be Hetty's friend by the end and see what is next for her.
I'm impressed by Christina's first novel!
I'm impressed by Christina's first novel!
December 31, 2014
It was clean, predictable and a bit boring. Nothing to pull me in and keep me interested
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 4, 2014
Wonderful book. Heartwarming story of true love. I really enjoyed the strong Christian values demonstrated in the story. Cannot wait to read Christina's next book!
January 10, 2015
Sweet Story
Very wholesome and sweet. So nice and refreshing to read such an innocent story about love and community! Looking forward to book 2.
Very wholesome and sweet. So nice and refreshing to read such an innocent story about love and community! Looking forward to book 2.
February 14, 2015
I really enjoyed reading this book. I loved the characters. I look forward to reading more books by Christina Yother. I was given a copy of the book to read and review.
June 25, 2015
It is short, it is clean, it is done, it is deleted...can't find anything else positive to say about it.
July 8, 2015
Orphan girl finds true love.
This book kept my interest all the way through. A nice story with a happy ending. God watched over her.
This book kept my interest all the way through. A nice story with a happy ending. God watched over her.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews