They weren’t looking for love… until a four-legged friend came along.
After a devastating injury derails his military career, Logan Brock agrees to help his best friend run a dog rescue farm. When vet tech Virginia Chapman brings her defiant son, Tyler, on her rounds, things initially don’t go well. But the single mom appreciates Logan’s patience toward her child and recognizes an opportunity. Logan soon becomes the mentor Tyler needs as they all begin to bond over the care of a troubled stray dog. But will rehabbing and training Bravo be enough to help them overcome old wounds…and consider a new future together as a family?
From Love Inspired: Uplifting stories of faith, forgiveness and hope.
Ciara Knight is a USA Today bestselling and Maggie Award-winning author of heartwarming romance.
Her popular sweet romance series, Sweetwater County (rated for all audiences and enjoyed by over a million readers), is a small-town romance full of family trials, friendly competition, and community love.
I have read one other book by this author and loved it. This novel revolves around Logan Brock, Virginia Chapman and her son, Tyler. It also has several really good secondary characters. Two of those secondary characters being Ace Gatlin and Jolene Pearl. Another thing in this book that I really love are the dogs specifically Bear, the dog of Ace. There are many lessons that the reader could learn from in this plot. Several of those lessons come from the interactions between Logan and Tyler. This story was well-written and had so much heart. I found myself wanting to jump in the books several times to help the characters through different things. I highly recommend this book.
I received a complimentary copy from the author. The opinions in this review are my own.
HEALING A RESCUER’S HEART by Ciara Knight is the exceptional and compelling story of Logan Brock, a veteran trying to adjust to his injuries and life, and Virginia Chapman, a single mother of ten-year-old Tyler, as their lives entwine and find out what they are looking for just might be within each other.
Logan came out of his military service minus his two legs and with a whole lot of hurt. Unfortunately, his first source of comfort came out of a bottle costing him his marriage and custody of his daughter. He’s old CO offered him a place to stay and a purpose in life – working with rescue dogs rehabilitating them and finding them new homes. Now he just needs to realize he’s worthy of a second chance.
Virginia finally got out of a bad, volatile marriage with a fear of men and a big stack of bills. But she has Tyler and a good job with a recent promotion at a veterinary clinic and working hard to get out of debt. Maybe learning that God has her back and learning how to trust can change things – and more!
When Virginia, as vet tech, makes a call at the dog rescue farm, she’s accompanied by her son, who after a prank at school was sent home. She figures good punishment would be to work it off mucking stalls and such while she’s there. What started out as punishment, may ends up being the best thing for Tyler, Virginia and Logan.
Can Logan prove that not all men are made from the same mold? Can he possibly be the role model Tyler needs? Can Logan shed some light on God and faith to Virginia? While at the same time, can Virginia get Logan to believe he’s worthy of a second chance – at life and love? With Ace and Logan both being former military and knowing the scars that can be left behind, can a dog rescue farm become about helping and finding homes for both dogs and veterans? Can Logan patch up things with his ex-wife allowing him to have a contact with his daughter?
HEALING A RESCUER’S HEART is a magnificent, pull-at-the-heartstrings story that you will find impossible to put down. Ciara Knight gives us a touching story into the hard adjustments for a veteran, both physically and mentally, and showing that heartaches don’t always end with a divorce. She reminds us of the spirit of youth and their need to be shown, with love, the right path to take. Even a dog with little to no chance of survival, can soar when given pray, love and attention.
While HEALING A RESCUER’S HEART is the 43rd book in the K-9 Companions series, it, like all the fabulous books in the series, can be read as a standalone book.
I received an ARC of this book with no requirement or expectations of a review. All opinions are completely my own. #HealingaRescuersHeart #k9Companions #CiaraKnight #LoveInspired #InspirationalRomance
Healing a Rescuer’s Heart is the forty-first title in the ongoing K-9 Companions imprint. Some stories just hit me hard, for various reasons. Logan, Virginia, and Tyler’s story hits hard with realistic situations, the consequences of those decisions or events, and a lovely story of acceptance, redemption, faith, and love that absolutely everyone deserves. The fact that Logan lost both his legs in a military situation was definitely beyond his control… the way he reacted to that life change was very much within his control, and he lost that ability. Yes, his situation was devastating, life-changing, but finding solace in the bottom of a bottle didn’t do him much good either. In fact, it lost him a marriage and contact with his young daughter. His former CO offered him a hand up out of that desperation, a way to find his own acceptance of his life now, a way back to his faith, and the chance to prove he deserves contact with his beloved little girl by working with the dogs at the rescue farm as he recovers his life. It won’t be easy, but it will return him to a better place… and perhaps lead him to the woman and her son who can mend his heart and have him working toward a future once again.
Virginia is at her wits’ end with her defiant son, Tyler. Once again, he’s in trouble at school, acting out in unacceptable ways. She understands that his life has been upended, she’s divorced her abusive husband, taken Tyler far from the man’s influence, hoping to start fresh… but Tyler’s attitude is making that plan so difficult. She’s brought her son to the dog rescue farm today to check on a few dogs, making sure he knows he’s there to work off some of the punishment for his actions. She could never have imagined that meeting Logan there, and eventually a stray dog, Bravo, who needed help as much as any of the humans, would change her life, offer her a love that was solid, faith-based, and real, or that her son would bond with both Logan and Bravo in healing as well. Miracles do happen, as Virginia is about to discover.
I loved everything about Healing a Rescuer’s Heart. It’s a well-written romance full of emotions, decisions (not all wise), and the search for redemption and healing when it seems the world is against you. The story is character-driven, almost painfully realistic, with a message of forgiveness and healing that so many need to hear. Watching all the characters (yes, even Bravo) heal from the past and be ready to step into a different future was satisfying, emotional, and heartwarming. If that sounds like your kind of inspirational romance (with dogs), then you’ll love this one.
*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley, and I sincerely thank the author or publishing house for their trust. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*
This book carried the tenderness of Ecclesiastes 3:1, where healing, trust, forgiveness, and family each seemed to arrive in their appointed season. Logan, Virginia, Tyler, and Bravo all carried wounds that needed patience, steadiness, grace, and room to heal. I loved how this story allowed hope and belonging to unfold gently.
I loved these characters. Logan’s tenderness with Tyler, Virginia’s protective heart, and Bravo’s own need for patient care gave the story such a lovable, meaningful warmth.
The Christian faith content felt sincere because it was tied to actual need. Ace does not answer Logan’s shame with a polished pep talk. He answers with humility: “You said you weren’t deserving to be a father. I’m saying none of us are, but I hope the good Lord will bless me and Jolene with a child someday. And trust me, there isn’t a part of me that believes I could be a good dad without His word to guide me.”
Virginia’s question came from that raw place where suffering and the ache of wanting to trust presses close: “How does your faith work? How can you trust in a God that let so much happen to you?”
Logan’s answer gave the story spiritual weight: “God didn’t make those things happen. People did … But faith gave me the strength to heal – and to forgive, including myself.”
Beautifully written, deeply lovable, and faith-filled in a way that made me eager to read more from Ciara Knight.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley and a paperback copy via a special mailing. I am not required to write a positive review nor paid to do so. This is my honest and unbiased review. My thoughts and opinions expressed in this book review are my own. My review focuses on the writing and the story’s content, ensuring transparency and reliability.
This is my first book from this author and I will be reading more from her.
What a wonderful and heartwarming book. There is a lot of depth to the characters and it is very much rooted in real life and in faith. They have been through the toughest of times. Virginia escaped from a bad relationship with her son who survived watching what his father put his mother through. Logan lost his two legs in the military and has some healing to do of his own. Together they make the perfect solution to healing themselves and each other.
I loved that Logan is working at a dog rescue farm and that Tyler becomes his helper. Virginia is a vet tech who could have been a veterinarian that comes to make a call there and finds a whole lot more than she bargained for.
I fell in love with Bear and Bravo. I found myself rooting for Bravo and wanting so much for him to heal and find his happily ever after along with the main characters. If you are a dog lover and a romance lover, this is the book for you. It shows how powerful an animal's love can be in healing a human and how much a human's love can heal them in return.
This is an emotional story filled with well-developed characters, lovable dogs, second chances, inspiration and faith. I loved watching everyone heal from the past and look forward to a much brighter future.
This is such a touching and heartfelt story that evoked so many emotions including sadness, sympathy, anger, compassion and joy. The way Logan strove to build a life for himself after serving in the military was awe-inspiring and courageous. Virginia’s attempt to rebuild her and her son’s life after a very difficult marriage was both steadfast and encouraging. Each had many personal and emotional challenges that had to be overcome before they could proceed with anything more than friendship. It was heartwarming to see the positive changes in Virginia’s son Tyler over the course of the book and how his sweet dog, Bravo, played such an important role.The author painted a vivid picture of what it would be like to have a prosthetic leg as well as the emotional trauma suffered by veterans. While this can definitely be read as a stand alone, side characters who were featured in another book in the series were mentioned and now I want to read their stories.This is such a poignant story of perseverance, faith,and the healing power of animals that you don’t want to miss!
I received a complimentary copy as part of a giveaway. A positive review was not required and these are my own and honest opinions.
Rating - 4/5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Date Read - April 16, 2026 Publication Date - Available Now!
*I received a physical copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review* - Thank you @harlequinbooks and @hqn_shamelessromantics! [AD/PR]
Healing a Rescuer’s Heart is a short, sweet and inspiring closed door romance. I love Bravo, he is such a strong and brave dog! I made sure to give my dog extra snuggles after I finished reading because I know firsthand how healing the love of an animal companion is. While it’s easy to fall into the trap of comparison, I appreciate how this story emphasizes the fact that you don’t have to minimize your struggles just because other people have their own struggles and the idea that you can’t change your past mistakes but you can learn from them and grow to make different decisions moving forward. Faith is woven throughout the novel but you don't have to identify with a certain religion to enjoy the story. This Spring is the perfect time to read Healing a Rescuer’s Heart because it is full of hope and new beginnings, just like the season!
Get excited to read Healing a Rescuer’s Heart, available now! 🎉
Healing a Rescuer’s Heart is a deeply emotional and beautifully written story that draws you into the lives of its characters from the very beginning.
Set around veterans recovering from life-changing injuries, the story explores themes of healing, resilience, and second chances. The journey of the main characters is filled with vulnerability and strength, and every interaction between them feels genuine and meaningful. As their story unfolds, you experience every moment alongside them — from heartbreak and uncertainty to hope and growing connection.
Each chapter brings a powerful emotional response, whether it’s tears, happiness, anticipation, or sadness. The author’s writing makes it impossible not to feel completely invested in what the characters are going through.
This is more than just a romance — it’s a moving story of healing, trust, and emotional growth that stays with you long after you’ve finished reading.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Loagan may be on the right path now, but he’s had to lose his wife and daughter to make him pull himself away from the bottle. He’s a former veteran and lost both legs during his service. He’s still coming to terms with that, but his friend Ace is making things possible with his job and a place to live. When Virginia brings her son, Tyler, to the farm, Logan and Tyler don’t get off to a good start. Then, Bravo shows up and things may be turning around, as they befriend the skittish dog. I just have to say I loved Logan and how he turned to the Bible and his renewing faith on his journey to becoming a better man. I’m not going to leave any spoilers about the story, so do yourself a favor and see if Logan will get his second chance at love with Virginia and Tyler. I just love this author’s stories and I’m looking forward to reading the next one.
I received an advanced reader copy of this book and this is my voluntary and honest review.
An emotional and heartfelt lesson in healing! The next book in the K-9 Companions book from Ciara Knight is quick to hook and easy to enjoy. While a bit more spiritual than is generally portrayed in this series there was enough connection with the characters to make it be able to overlook the overdone preaching and let the message of the characters heart carry you through the story. I enjoyed the addition of her son Tyler and the dogs around the ranch. The main characters both have dealt with their share of grief and heartache, but find their way towards healing and happily ever after with the support of the other and the camaraderie of their friends. There are several powerful messages that endear the characters and make for a special story. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a character with faith and ability to learn to better themselves and the love they allow into their heart.
Healing a Rescuer’s Heart by Clara Knight is a poignant tale. I found the story to be well-written, featuring believable characters. I empathized with Logan, a veteran facing both mental and physical challenges. Experiencing emotions such as anger, depression, and hopelessness is common, particularly following a divorce and being unable to see one's daughter. Virginia’s son, Tyler, has the same feelings and is acting out. It has Virginia, Tyler’s mother, at her wits’ end. The three of them may be able to help each other along with a dog who needs some love as well. There are great secondary characters that include Ace, Jolene, and the lovable Bear. There are good life lessons in the story with my favorite about showing a child the right path to take by example. Caring and kind words are better than raised voices or hands. Healing a Rescuer’s Heart is a story that will tug at your heartstrings.
I liked how this book showed God's perfect timing for Logan, Virginia, and Tyler. The book was filled with hope, faith, and a second chance. It also showed the struggles of a veteran who had lost his legs, his hope, his dreams, and his family, as he turned to the bottle. I am so glad his buddy, Ace, who had served with him helped him and gave him a job with his rescue dogs. It turned out Logan rescued them but the dogs, especially one named Bravo rescued him. This was a beautiful, touching, heartfelt story of Healing a Rescuer's Heart through faith, friends, and love. I really liked how the story ended and that Virginia and Logan were able to overcome their pasts with help from each other, friends, and their faith. I received an advance copy of this book, and I willingly chose to write an honest review.
Each of these books is a stand alone, so jump in wherever you want. Healing a Rescuer’s Heart is quite different from the others. The mood is a bit darker, which is understandable. Our hero, Logan, has suffered an awful injury. Depression, hopelessness, and anger are the result. Virginia’s son, Tyler, deals with some of the same feelings and is acting out. Virginia just feels lost. But in the middle of it all is hope and friendship. And some dogs that need help.
The secondary characters are wonderful, as well. Ace and Jolene, and let’s not forget Bear, are warm and kind hearted. Yet don’t put up with any poor me attitudes.
If you enjoy Christian fiction with rescue dogs please do read this!
Ciara Knight has such a gift for writing stories that wrap you up emotionally from the very first page. I loved the gentle healing woven through this book — not just for the characters, but for the sweet K‑9 companion who plays such an important role. The small‑town setting, the tender moments, and the slow rebuilding of trust made this such a comforting and uplifting read.
If you enjoy inspirational romance with depth, warmth, and characters you can’t help but root for, this one is a beautiful choice.
I was able to read this title thanks to NetGalley. Healing a Rescuers Heart by Ciara Knight is a fantastic read. Logan is a recovering alcoholic, veteran and double amputee. He is helping his friend with running a dog rescue. Virginia is a Veterinarian Assistant with her son. While visiting the rescue, Tyler causes mischief that results in volunteering at the rescue. The book was a wonderful read with a true happy ending.
This book is so heartwarming and sweet, the plot a rescued dog a rescued Veteran , a rescued Veterinarian and a rescued boy. What else can make this the perfect read? The romance of course and the fast paced of the story. The book is also clean appropriate for any age , anybody can read it. I wholeheartedly recommended i. I receive a copy of this book from the author and this is my honest and voluntary review.
A heartwarming story of courage, healing and unshakable faith. There is so much to love about this amazing story... second chances, family, a dog rescue and an adorable four-legged match maker. I was hooked from the very beginning with the well written and wonderful story line. The characters are real, honest and engaging with so much emotion. This one definitely pulls the heart strings. I loved this uplifting story of faith, forgiveness, hope and found family. I highly recommend!
Logan was struggling with his new existence, a new home, a new job and new legs. When he meets a young boy that needs a mentor he finds a reason to try harder. It was sad reading about Logan but he has so much patience when he is with Tyler, even when Tyler is at his angriest. I enjoyed the story and I found all of the characters to be brave and compassionate.
All I can say is that this is one of the best stories I've read this year. It was heartwarming and very inspirational. This is part of the K-9 Companions series, and it is best to read the series. I read the book prior, and it continues into this story with the characters. You can read it alone, but you'll understand more about each character as the series progresses.
A story of faith and redemption through a K-9 rescue group and other people working there. The aftermath for a serving military man and how to deal with life and other people and problems are part of the book. A sweet story. I received an ARC from NetGalley and Harlequin and leaving a review by my own accord.
I know you're not supposed to judge a book by its cover but I freely admit I often choose a book for its cover and this one did not disappoint! A wonderful romance filled with faith, found family, forgiveness and healing.
The characters are so well written and very interesting and realistic. I needed the Kleenex hand all the way to 5he now to read the book before this one Happy reading
I enjoyed this book so much. The characters, the storyline, and it's so well written. Each character standing out as an important part of this book. I was teary eyed when this wonderful book ended, but in a good way. Recommend. JudyE
Very emotional story about accepting your mistakes and moving on
Logan is a veteran who is working at his former CO's animal rescue when Virginia comes to the rescue with her son Tyler who had gotten in trouble at school. Logan feels that he is not good enough for anyone because of what happened when he came home needing 2 leg prosthetics. Ace, his former CO, brings him to work with him. But can his work and his faith help him see his worth when he is not allowed to even see his little daughter? What about Virginia and Tyler? They are dealing with some previous trauma also? What about the stray dog Bravo who comes to Tyler and helps him in many ways? Can they all find themselves?
The pace is engrossing and the tone is uncertain yet hopeful with a character centered storyline that has a few kisses and one nature adventure. The characters are vibrant and endearing. The Christian ideals are woven into the story and really moves it forward. This story is the 3rd set in the same town, and the previous characters show up here as well. You really get pulled into the story with the vivid characters and the struggles they have. I did not read the first story, so I will be doing that next!
Part of an interconnected series with characters that overlap. Reading in order recommended but can be read as a standalone. He's struggling to overcome his past and accept his limitations. She's trying to rebuild a life for herself and her son now that they are safe. One's afraid to trust again, while the other's afraid of not being enough.
This is book forty three in The K-9 companion’s series and it is Logan and Virginia’s story and omg it is definitely a must read. Logan was in the military where he lost both of his legs on a assignment which then caused the downfall of his wife and daughter as Logan fell deeper into drink and depression but now he is on his way to his friend/buddy Ace who runs a animal rescue shelter and Logan is hoping that this will start a new chapter in his life while giving him something to live for. Virgina had gone through a traumatic divorce with her abusive ex husband and it had also effected her son Tyler as well and with her being a vet tech she is hoping that there new start in life will help them both especially as her son was constantly getting into trouble. When Logan and Virginia met there was a instant connection and when they started spending time together with Tyler after finding a injured dog which they called Bravo it brought them all closer together but Logan felt like he wasn’t worthy of a relationship after what had happened with his ex wife and daughter but Virginia was determined to show him that he was a man worthy of love as he was kind and had helped her so much by spending time with Tyler who was now a much better person but will it work or not, only time will tell what the future holds for them all. Wow this book will take you on a rollercoaster ride of so many different emotions and with everything that they had both gone through I loved how they found love, faith and forgiveness, healing and able to move forward with their lives. This book is so inspirational and I absolutely loved reading it so much that I look forward to reading more books in the future.
Yes, I was choked up sniffling at the end. What a heart wrenching life affirming inspirational read. Logan lost his career when he lost both legs. He lost his wife and daughter when he could not pull himself out of the bottle. He is learning to navigate his loss of legs, his spiraling mood swings and his faith while helping out at the ranch. We meet Virigina a vet tech and her 10-year-old son, Tyler. I don't want to give anything away, but we already know Tyer is being defiant and causing trouble from the blurb. This one touched on single motherhood, children, faith and so much more. Absolutely loved this and was fortunate to receive an advanced copy. I freely share my hones thoughts and opinions. If you love animals, strong wounded men, woman and children wrapped with the struggles and reality of faith, this book is for you. #HealingARescuersHeart #K-9Compaions #ClaraKnight #LoveInspired #Harelquin #NetGalley
This is a Christian, clean romance about redemption, second chances in life and finding love when least expected. After losing both legs in a mission, Logan Brock left the military a broken man. Turning to alcohol, and defiant, which in turn, caused him the lose of his wife and any connection to his young daughter. Thanks to the help of his former CO who offers him a job and a home, Logan turns his life around. Nowadays working in a dog rescue farm as he also rediscovered his faith. Virginia Chapman and her son Tyler , left her abusive husband and has worked hard to become a vet technician. Tyler has become defiant and after a scuffle at school is forced to go with Virginia to the rescue farm to treat a few of their dogs. When the pair first meets Logan, her son is disrespectful when he meets Logan. But as these two begin to work together in the rescue farm and find themselves treating and rehabilitating a dog, Logan shows Tyler the importance of being a good person and a man. But Logan’s past still haunts him . Will he ever be able to make amends with his ex and his child whom he loves from afar and misses? Will Logan help Virginia find God and her faith? In the end, will these three get a chance to become a family? This was a touching and thought provoking story about the effects war has on the troops, their families and those they love. As well as a story about finding hope, redemption and second chances. I was entrusted a copy of this book by Netgalley and Harlequin. The opinions expressed are solely my own.
Healing a Rescuer's Heart is exactly as described; an uplifting Christian romance by Ciara Knight. Logan Brock lost more than his legs during the war, though that was severe. He lost his identity, his family and all hope. God used friends and a dog rescue farm to help him find his way back. There he also found a sweet vet tech and her troubled son. This is their story. All needed hope, security and God’s guidance.
I will admit freely that I shed a few tears during a traumatic life-threatening moment in this story. When a book affects my emotions so strongly, I know it is a five-star story. This is one of those where I became invested in the characters and the outcome of their situation. Being faith-based only served to make it even better.