This Heart of Mine

Whiskey Creek #8

by Brenda Novak

www.BrendaNovak.com

First love. Second chance?  

As the daughter of a hoarder, Phoenix Fuller had a tough childhood. So when the handsome, popular Riley Stinson became her boyfriend in high school, she finally felt as though she had something to be proud of. Phoenix was desperate not to lose him�especially once she found out she was pregnant. Yes, she might have acted a bit obsessive when he broke up with her. But she did not run down the girl he started dating next. 

Unfortunately, there was no way to prove her innocence. Now, after serving her time in prison, Phoenix has been released. All she wants to do is return to Whiskey Creek and get to know her son. But Jacob's father isn't exactly welcoming. 

Riley doesn't trust Phoenix, doesn't want her in Jacob's life. He is, however, ready to find someone to love. And he wants a good mother for his son. He has no idea that he's about to find both!

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Second Chance, Contemporary, Second Chance Romance, Fiction, Audiobook

393 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 31, 2015

About the author

It was a shocking experience that jump-started Brenda Novak’s bestselling author career.

“I caught my day-care provider drugging my children with cough syrup and Tylenol to get them to sleep while I was away,” Brenda says. “It was then that I decided that I needed to do something from home.”

However, writing was the last profession she expected to undertake. In fact, Brenda swears she didn’t have a creative bone in her body. In school, math and science were her best subjects, and when it came time to pick a major in college, she chose business.

Abandoning her academic scholarship to Brigham Young University at the age of 20 in order to get married and start a family, Brenda dabbled in commercial real estate, then became a loan officer.

“When I first got the idea to become a novelist, it took me five years to teach myself the craft and finish my first book,” Brenda admits. “I learned how to write by reading what others have written. The best advice for any would-be author: read, read, read….”

Brenda sold her first book, and the rest is history. Now a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, she continues to publish two or three novels a year, in a variety of genres.

Brenda and her husband, Ted, live in Sacramento and are the proud parents of five children—three girls and two boys. Now that they are empty-nesters, she spends her free time babysitting her two grandchildren.

When she’s not with her family or writing, Brenda is usually raising money for diabetes research. To date, she's raised almost $2.6 million. Her youngest son, Thad, has diabetes, and Brenda is determined to help him and others like him. She also enjoys traveling, watching sporting events and biking--she rides an amazing 20 miles every day!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-...

Reviews

[Carol [Goodreads Addict] · Rating 4 out of 5]

This Heart of Mine is book #8 in the Whiskey Creek series by Brenda Novak. I have not read any of the previous books in this series and it did not take away in the least from being able to understand and enjoy this book. It did make me want to go back and get to know some of the other residents of Whiskey Creek, though!

Phoenix Fuller is NOT who Riley Stinson’s parents want him to date! They are seventeen years old and seniors in high school. Phoenix is not in what you might consider the “in” crowd. Her mother is morbidly obese, house bound, and is a hoarder. There is no father in the picture. Phoenix does the best she can with what she has but dresses in dark clothing, wears a little too much eye make-up, and keeps to herself. So when Riley showed interest in her, she couldn’t believe her luck. Maybe her life was beginning to turn around. They proclaimed their love for one another but Riley was continually pressured by his parents and others that she was not an appropriate girl-friend for him. So after six weeks, he gave in and broke up with her.

Phoenix was heart-broken, and soon discovered she was pregnant. She may have called Riley several times, trying to get him back, may have driven past his house a few times. But then Phoenix’s life changed forever. The girl that Riley was now dating was struck and killed by the car that Phoenix was driving. Phoenix never stood a chance, with no money for a defense, no support from the town, she was convicted of murder and served seventeen years in prison.



Riley found himself a father at eighteen years old. He worked hard and raised his son well. He did what he thought was best and kept contact at a minimum with Phoenix. Jake is a well-adjusted young man, the star pitcher of the school baseball team with colleges interested in him. Now her sentence is over and Phoenix is coming home and she wants to meet her son, have a relationship with him. Is this a good thing for Jake or should he not allow it?



Phoenix just wants a relationship with her son. She is determined not to do anything that will jeopardize that which includes making sure Riley knows she only wants to get to know her son, that she has no designs on Riley at all. The town, though, especially the family of the girl that died, does not want Phoenix back in town and makes her return very difficult.



All along, both seventeen years ago at the trial and now, Phoenix has continually proclaimed her innocence, that it was the other girl in the car that yanked the wheel causing the accident. But Phoenix served her sentence. She just wants to move forward and have a relationship with her almost adult son. While she was in prison she began making leather bracelets and selling them on line. Her bracelets are gaining popularity and her business is making a profit. She is building a new life back in Whiskey Creek, trying to help her mother and getting to know her son. But no matter how hard she and Riley try, the more time they spend together, that old connection is still there. She does everything she can to keep her distance but sometimes that kind of chemistry just can’t be denied.

“He didn’t understand what going seventeen years without that kind of touch did to someone. She was so…empty, so lonely. She didn’t want to end up doing exactly what she’d promised she wouldn’t do—crave his touch.”



This was such a sweet story of a woman that suffered so much the first half of her life. Could she allow herself to hope that in the second half she might get to experience both the love of her son and his father? That she could actually have a happy life here? Would the town’s people ever accept her? Phoenix was one determined woman. She used an old bicycle for transportation and worked hard to build up her business and to clean out the dilapidated trailer on her mother’s property so she could both live there and hope that her son would hopefully want to spend time with her there.



Will Riley’s parents and the family of the girl that died ruin her chances to build a life here? Can she ever truly trust Riley’s feelings and accept his help and his affection? This was a story of second chances, both in life and in love. Phoenix was an inspiration to never give up hope and to always keep forgiveness in your heart.

[Patty ~ Wrapped Up In Reading Book Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

*****4.5 STARS*****
{ARC Generously Provided by Author in Exchange for an Honest Review}






I am officially a fan of Brenda Novak, after having finished this book. I'm so very happy that she graciously offered me this ARC. I have to say when I get messages from authors that I am not familiar with, offering me their arc, I am very hesitant to accept them because there have been quite a few that were huge disappointments. Well I promise you, that I am being completely honest when I say, I really did LOVE this story.



Phoenix Fuller has just returned home to Whiskey Creek, after having served a 17 year prison sentence for vehicular manslaughter of a girl she went to High School with. The victim was dating Phoenix's ex-boyfriend, Riley Stinson. He was Phoenix's first love and when he had broken up with her, she was devastated. She also was pregnant with his baby. But, Phoenix was actually innocent of the crime. Her friend who was in the car with her actually grabbed the steering wheel and made the car veer in the direction of the victim.



Phoenix has had such a tough life. Growing up without a father and stuck with a morbidly obese mother, who is a hoarder, didn't exactly make her the most popular girl in town. Being with Riley back when she was 17 years old, was the only happy time in her life. She was madly in love with him and when he broke up with her after being pressured to do so by his parents, she was destroyed. Riley was also quick to assume her guilt as did the rest of the town and his testimony at her hearing, helped to convict her of the murder she never committed.




So 17 years later Phoenix is released from prison, is back at Whiskey Creek, and her main objective is to build a relationship with her son, Jacob. This woman went through unimaginable things in jail and you'd think she would be holding on to hatred or at least resentment for Riley, but she doesn't fault him for anything that happened in the past. She is so self loathing throughout the book, that I really wished I could shake some sense in to her. This is definitely not the path I expected this story line to take. I looked at the book cover and definitely thought it was going to be a light hearted romance. There was so much sadness surrounding the heroine. I felt so badly for Phoenix, but I also admired her bravery to come back to a place where she was basically hated by most, just to be near her child.



I loved Jacob and how he wanted to spend time with his mom and even became protective of her. And Riley, I was definitely loving this man. He was a kid when he made all those mistakes with Phoenix, and so it was easy for me to forgive him. He definitely realized that he still had deep feelings for her, but he had his work cut out for him with regards to rekindling a romance with her. He really did rip her heart out and she was afraid that he'd do it again. It didn't help that her mother basically told her every chance she got that he'd use her and throw her away again.



The sexual tension was killing me. It took quite a while before these two get together and I have to say this book is definitely light on the schmexy times, but it didn't bother me one bit. I still freaking LOVED this book. I was rooting the entire time for Phoenix to have a close relationship with her son, and to finally have the HEA she so deserved with the only man she ever loved.



We meet a lot of Riley's close friends in the story and I am so anxious to get his best friend Kyle's book!! Every book is about one of the friends, and well, now I am hooked. So I plan on reading the entire series.


Book one, "When Lightning Strikes", is currently FREE on Amazon till March 25th!!


http://www.amazon.com/Lightning-Strik...

[Geri Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars!

I haven't read any of the previous books in the series before but I've read enough reviews to know that a lot of readers weren't happy with some of the sub-plots running through the last two books. I had no expectations regarding this book. I loved the blurb and I thought it was going to be an emotional read.

I was right.

Phoenix Fuller has spent the better part of her life in jail for a crime she didn't commit. She came from the wrong side of the tracks, with a hoarder of a mother, when she fell in love with the town's golden boy Riley Stinson. When Riley broke up with her, she became desperate especially when she found out she's pregnant but she never killed anyone.

Now Phoenix is back, and all she wanted to do was to continue to live in Whisper Creek in order to spend time with her grown son. People weren't welcoming of her especially Riley. But she's determined to live her life in Whiskey Creek.

Riley Stinson wasn't sure Phoenix coming back to Whiskey Creek is a good idea. He's still wasn't sure about her story 17 years ago. But the more he got to know the woman she's become, the more Riley remembered why he fell in love with her all those years ago.

This book just about slayed me. The residual angst between Riley and Phoenix is palpable throughout the book but it wasn't what made this emotional for me. It was the way the author completely wrote the character of Phoenix. She was the epitome of a BROKEN woman.

Gah! While she was already an outcast before and suffered insecurities, she still had some fight in her but after spending 16 years in prison for a crime she didn't commit changed her. This was the most heartbreaking part of the book.

If it had been any other heroine with less than horrible circumstances, I would have been annoyed by how she was on herself or how insecure she was or how she skewed her perspective was. But the author did a great job in writing that aspect of her personality, clearly outlining the reasons why she's acting the way she is. And I can't help but feel for her.

I also appreciated the fact that the author focused on just one couple this time. Riley and Phoenix had a lot to work through. Riley had to grovel and win back Phoenix trust and the way he did it made me swoon. I really loved how Riley have also grown as a character. The moment he realized that Phoenix was it for him was just heart-wrenching.

My minor quibble was that after it was revealed who really killed Riley's girlfriend that night, there were no repercussions for the family who made it their mission to destroy Phoenix. It was just left open-ended. I wanted to know how Riley's family plan to make it up to Phoenix for the way they treated her. Heck, I wanted them to apologize. Despite my issues with that, I was satisfied with how this one was wrapped up.

Overall, this was an emotional, character driven, second-chance at romance read with a very satisfying HEA.

ARC provided by Harlequin in exchange for an honest review.

[Lana ❇✾DG Romance❇✾ · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Stars

She'd wanted him so badly seventeen years ago. And now that he wanted her, regardless of what anyone said, she wouldn't come near him.

This book. This wonderfully written, poignant, emotional and beautiful book. This Heart Of Mine reminded me exactly what made me fall in love with contemporary romance in the first place. I cannot believe that I am just not discovering this fantastic author and 8 books into a series no less. And I'm sure some of my OCD friends are twitching right now over the fact that I started with book 8 in a series. But breathe easy, concerned friends, because this book was easily read as a standalone and I am not planning on going back and reading the 7 books that came before it.

Phoenix Fuller grew up on the wrong side of the tracks. A daughter to an overweight hoarder, she's never had an easy life, so when handsome and popular Riley Stinson becomes her boyfriend, she thought her life was finally starting to look up...until he broke up with her. Being young and having no support, she didn't know how to deal with her heartbreak. Her extreme behavior after the breakup led her to be incarcerated for a crime she was innocent of simply because she was the most likely suspect.

Now after spending the past 17 years in prison, Phoenix is back to the small town of Whiskey Creek with a new outlook on life. She wants to help take care of her mother and she wants to get to know her son, a son she had with the boy that stole her heart all those years ago and then ripped it to shreds.

Don't let your pride stand between you and the things you need, Phoenix."
"Pride? All I have left is my self-respect. You want to take that away, too?"

I think that Phoenix was probably one of the best heroines I have read in quite a long while. You would think that going through what she's gone through, she'd be angry at the world, cynical and bitter. But she was none of those things. She had this charmingly unassuming quality to her that made her both vulnerable and yet strong. She's broken in a way that she no longer believes herself worthy of love or kindness of others. She's accepted that about herself and she doesn't blame anyone or holds any animosity towards the people that have done her wrong. She simply takes it for what it is and tries to live her life and provide for her son even if his father isn't exactly welcoming and she has to live on her last cents just so she can go to bed at night knowing that she gave something to him.

Riley is still trying to set his feelings in order now that Phoenix is back. He loved her when he was 18, but he was too immature to truly recognize it for what it was and not give into the pressure of his family about being too good for the town's trailer trash. The unanswered questions still burn between Riley and Phoenix, as well as the lack of closure for their failed relationship makes for some angst. The author did such an incredible job writing these two characters that you can't help but feel every emotion they feel. Riley is definitely a man that feels guilt and he doesn't know what to do with it. He knows that he's one of the many that has wronged Phoenix, but as much as he wants to right it he also knows he may never get her forgiveness. This was just so incredibly palpable the story practically vibrated with it. I can't even begin to describe in words all the feels that this book brought out in me.

It's not fair, I know. I don't understand why everything went the way it did. But since you came home it feels...it feels as if you're what I've been waiting for.

Phoenix was by all accounts a heroine that I probably would have hated in any other book. Her insecurities and her experiences truly made for a broken woman, and yet...she wasn't. There was always just something so endearing about her that you can't help but have your heart break for her and everything that she's been through.

I fell in love with Riley and Phoenix, and even more so with their son Jake. This was not the typical teenager that you'd expect to read about. He was wise beyond his years, so down to earth and kind. I just adored him and how he was always this part that kind of filled in the holes between Riley and Phoenix and made them whole. I loved all the secondary characters as well.

While this book wasn't very steamy, I never even found myself missing it. I loved the story so much that I think anything more than what it had would have been too much. The budding relationship between Riley and Phoenix was realistic. Brenda Novak did a great job building it around everything that they've been through and giving both their experiences justice without taking anything away.

I'm happy to do all the fighting, for both of us. But I have to have YOU on my side. I have to know I'm fighting for something I can actually win."

My only minor complaint is how a few things wrapped up. I guess I wanted apologies and repercussions. But at the same time, it was realistic and played true to the story and the characters. So as much as I would have loved to have something...more, I understood why it was the way it was. I also would have loved an extended epilogue, but again, the ending was satisfying enough that I didn't focus on that too much.

The mere fact that I was so thoroughly engrossed in the story I couldn't bear to put it down for even a second. If that's not a 5 star read, I don't know what is. If you're a fan of chick lit, second chance romance, and amazingly written characters with a poignant story, this book is an absolute must read. I can't recommend it enough.

ARC courtesy of publisher in exchange for an honest review

For more reviews visit

[NMmomof4 · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 Stars

Overall Opinion: This is a tough one to rate. The first 25ish% = definitely at least a 4 star read. I was sucked into the uniqueness of the story and the feelings it provoked in me. I felt for this woman and the struggles she was going through, and I was deeply curious as to what had and was going to happen with the H. The rest of the book? Meh. It just fizzled out for me. It seemed kind of redundant for the most part. Yes, we get it. She is poor because she has been in prison for 17 years. Yes, we get it. She super sweet doesn't want to tarnish anyone's reputations or relationships. Yes, we get it! The H's and the girl that died's family hates the h and are out to make her life miserable...etc, etc. I'm really bummed that this didn't continue on the path that it started out on. I actually splurged in how much my cheap butt paid for this, and that was mainly because of the sample and how the story started. I was going to do 3 stars, but after that (non)ending (see closure section) -- I'm going with 2.5.

Brief Summary of the Storyline: This is Phoenix and Riley's story. They dated in high school. When Riley breaks up with Phoenix suddenly and moves on to someone else, she doesn't take it so well -- especially when she finds out she is pregnant. She gets convicted of running down and murdering Riley's new girlfriend, and serves 17 years in prison. The story starts when they are reunited, and she is meeting her 16 year old son who she hadn't seen since she gave birth to him. Phoenix has an uphill battle since they live in a small town, and everyone has their own strong opinions about what she did. After the h and H spend more and more time together, some feelings start to come back and they cannot deny their connection and fall in love. They get a HFN ending.

POV: This alternated between focusing on Phoenix and Riley in 3rd person narrative.

Overall Pace of Story: Ok. It moved slow at times, and at others way too quickly. The end was abrupt, and even though I was ready for it to be over -- I felt like we needed some time with them as an actual couple in the real world, because we never get that! I never skimmed though.

Instalove: No, but I think they both had residual feelings from the past when they were reunited.

H rating: 2 stars. Riley. He needed a freaking backbone when he was younger, and he needed to communicate better with the h he never tells her why he broke up with her in high school (his parents threatened his college tuition)! Why?!? I'm not sure. I think it would've made her understand and maybe trust him a little better than just keeping her thinking that he just dumped her because he didn't care.

h rating: 3 stars. Phoenix. I liked how she was sweet and caring, but her constant martyr behavior got on my nerves.

Sadness level: Low/moderate. I teared up a few times at the beginning, but I never needed tissues.

Push/Pull: Yes The h doesn't trust the H at all (which is understandable after their past). She pushes him away in a "you deserve better" way. The H pursues her.

Heat level: Low. Low intimacy, and they take what seems like forever to get there.

Descriptive sex: Not really. It starts up that way, and then it skips the main parts...so not really fade to black, but something close.

Safe sex: Yes and no. Mention of condoms and then the "withdrawal method". No mentions of the H's past practices.

OW/OM drama: Kind of See below cheating spoiler

Sex scene with OW or OM: No

Cheating: Not technically, but some might get irritated -- I did! After the H decides that he was to pursue the h romantically after they are reunited, the h declines a trip to a cabin for the H's birthday with his friends. He has his friend bring him a date instead. The h ends up going anyways, and finds out that it is a couples trip and she had been replaced. The OW is all over him, and he kept on making comments about not disrespecting the OW. He was all about getting the h to trust him again, and that's what he does?!? He should've said no to his friend if he was seriously wanting to pursue the h!! And tell the OW to back off! Who cares about her feelings? Sorry...that really ticked me off.

Separation: Yes The H breaks up with the h when they are teenagers because of his parents, and then they are reunited 17 years later after she served time in prison. The H had other partners during their separation (but claimed to never love anyone else), and the h had no other partners (and was a virgin when she got with the H in high school).

Possible Triggers: Yes Wrongful imprisonment, verbal abuse, and mentions of drug use for side character.

Closure: This had ok closure. Not nearly enough for me! After a longer book of them dancing around each other, I was really disappointed with the overall lack of an ending. The h writes a letter to friend from prison telling her she's happy. All she says is that the H says that he's going to marry her, but that she's still unsure...no major commitments

How I got it: I paid the $6.82 for it on Amazon. I decided to splurge since this is a good bit more than my typical ebook, and I'm a little disappointed that I did :/

Safety: I'd say it is Safe for most readers, but might be Safe with Exceptions for others

- Does Not have cheating
- Does Not have a descriptive sex scene with OW/OM
- Does have the H pushing the h away and then the h pushing the H away when reunited
- Does have a ~17 year separation between the h and H
- Does have verbal abuse
- Does Not have OTT sad parts
- Does Not have a HEA ending

[Kristina · Rating 1 out of 5]

Riley was a coward. His parents were also assholes.

She was better off without any of these vindictive nasty prejudiced people.

She should've told them all to go fuck themselves taken her son and left for a better life than stay with the loser that allowed her to rot in prison for 17 years. The fact he finally helped her after living HIS life freely for 17 years was a joke. It's the very least he could do, and what overnight he loves her.

Oh yeah, he dumped his pregnant girlfriend who was only 18 for another more acceptable girl because his parents told him too. Loser. Then this frightened young girl with no one to help her was bulldozed into prison for 17 years with the help of HIS parents and he kept quiet because he chose not to look into it deeper. Fucking coward. He deserved a punch in the face. He did NOT deserve even a little of this woman. She ended up being a pathetic martyr in the end.

This was beyond stupid!!!

[Lady Vigilante (Feifei)]

DNF at 25%

As much as I wanted to read this book because of its amazing second chance romance premise, I also knew to go in with some reservation. I had previously read two books from this author - one that was so-so for me and another that was a DNF - so I knew that I might struggle with her writing style.

And I did.

What was sorely missing in this first quarter of the book I read were details. It was all meat, no bones supporting the story so while it was fast-paced, there was no sense of flow.

The heroine and her son where the only characters I cared about. The hero Riley was a HUGE asshole who I thought could redeem himself by the end, and I was willing to suffer through his actions if it meant redemption and a beautiful second chance romance.

But I can't. I just...CAN'T!

Seriously?!?!? His reasoning for breaking up with Phoenix in the past because of his parents was the shittiest reason ever! And now that he's a grown man he STILL relies on his parents' judgment about people and doesn't think for himself.

In other words:



The part that finally made me throw my hands in the air and DNF was when the heroine's enemy comes blazing behind her with his car and the idiot girl got out of her son's car because she didn't want him involved and OF COURSE the guy runs into her but oh wait, she only got knocked on her head and NO ONE thinks of calling the police first. Instead, the son cries for his dad Riley and Phoenix is like whatever.

I can't even.

This is probably why I can't read books that are set in a small town where everyone and their mother is a judgmental freak, hold grudges for the rest of their life, and only believe one side of a story (and it's the wrong side!).

I just know that I will continue to struggle with the writing style along with the frustrating characters so I'm DNF-ing before I get a heart attack.

[Rachel L · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars!

So I found this book when perusing an angst list on Lana's blog. It's a great list and if you enjoy angst it's very helpful. Having never read this author before I checked out the book from my local library. When I picked this book up I couldn't put it down!!!

This Heart of Mine is the story of Phoenix and Riley. When Phoenix was seventeen she and Riley were in love until he unexpectedly broke up with her, leaving her pregnant and confused. After a series of immature pranks, Phoenix is convicted for killing the next girl Riley dated even though she's innocent. But her past actions cause the community to not believe her and she spends the next seventeen years in prison for a crime she didn't commit.

Now she's out and she wants to get to know her son. Riley is opposed at first, but time and time again Phoenix proves she is worthy of her son's time and affection. Now it's up to the Riley and others to believe her claims of being an innocent person.



Picking this book up I fell in love with it almost right away. I love misunderstood heroines and second chance romance and this was a mix of both. I felt Phoenix was a great complex character and I loved reading how her mind and logic worked. I read the first 200+ pages in a matter of a few hours and when I wasn't reading, I wanted to get back to it so badly.

Being a "paperback romance" I am surprised I loved it as much as I did, but it just goes to show yet again not to judge a book by its cover. This is a powerful story that many kinds of readers will enjoy and I hope others will give this a chance like I did.

What made this not a full 5 stars was fade to black sex, a very rapid resolution and I wish Riley had been stronger in his convictions when it came to his parents. But those could easily be overlooked, I am just a very picky reader (you should all know this by now).

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 tender mercies stars

"I seem to have the most stubborn heart in history, because I can’t stop loving him.”

This Heart of Mine is such a beautiful-heartwarming story about second chances in love and in life. Every one deserves a second chance, especially Phoenix. She has had nothing but disappointment, judgment and herself to rely on. There has only been two good things that happened in her life, the day she fell in love with Riley and the day she met her son. For seventeen years she was locked away for a crime she didn't commit, and instead of coming out of prison with hate and revenge, she focuses on nothing but getting to know her son. Taking a chance at coming back into a town where she is hated, a mother who is dysfunctional and a man who still makes her heart skip a beat. Protecting herself and those around her she makes it clear from the beginning that she isn't here to cause trouble or make waves, she just wants to quietly get to know Jacob.

Riley held her heart in his hand because he controlled what she wanted most—a relationship with Jacob.

Her genuine nature, strength, maturity and determination, set her apart. Drawing more attention to the woman she is now, bringing in champions on her side, willing to take the risk. “Sometimes you have to do what you think is right regardless of the fallout.” The fear and love they see in her eyes are enough to call on the protective instinct of any man, at least any man of worth. Jacob and Riley and his friend Kyle, all look into helping her get back to her feet, and standing up for her to make up for the past when she had no-one on her corner.

People might assume the wrong thing.”

“Which would be…?”

“That you care.”

“Maybe I do,” he said with a boyish grin.

This Heart of Mine is a wonderful up-lifting story, full of hope and love. It was a somber read, empathizing with Pheonix and the cards shes been dealt, but I had so much respect for the women she became. As much as their past saddened me, I was able to understand the whys, regardless of who wrong it was. Riley may have let her down in the past, but he more than made up for it in the future. Jacob was such a loving boy, wanting his mothers love, and understanding that she need them as much as they need her. Kyle was another amazing man, and I'll have to check back at the books if I missed his story or if it is something that I can look forward to. This is a stand alone read, the first of the series I read, and now I can look forward to the rest, starting from the beginning.

ARC kindly provided by the author, in exchange for an honest review.

***Quotes above are taken from the ARC version of the book and may differ upon publication.

[Mo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this one. Phoenix, away for 17 years, returns to Whiskey Creek. I'm afraid the marching bands are not out to meet her.


She moves into a trailer next door to her mother, who is a bit of a hoarder, to say the least.


She wants to form a relationship with her son Jacob, the son she's never even met.


I really liked Jacob.
Liked Riley also. He had issues he had to overcome but his attraction to Phoenix is very real.


I really felt for Phoenix. She just wanted to live her life and get to know her son but memories are long.


A sweet read and I will be checking out more by this author.

If you are looking for hot sex scenes you won't find them but I didn't mind.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Heart of Mine by Brenda Novak is a 2015 MIRA publication.



This is a powerful story of love, forgiveness, second chances, and redemption. After reading the first chapter, my heart was already breaking for Phoenix, a woman who has endured so much in her life and must now start all over again with little or nothing in a very hostile environment. But, Phoenix is more than willing to face the hostility if it means she might be able to forge a relationship with her son, Jake.

When Phoenix was eighteen, she was accused of murdering a popular student by running her down with her car. She was tried, convicted, and sent to prison. Now after sixteen years in prison, Phoenix has returned to her hometown, a place that never embraced her due to her mother's issues, which included morbid obesity and hoarding.

Sixteen years ago, Riley Stinson abruptly broke things off with Phoenix and she did not take the breakup well. When she is convicted of murder it is revealed she was pregnant. So, Riley became the sole provider for his son and Phoenix was never given any sort of access to him in all these years.

But now that she is free, she and Jake are going to meet for the first time and of course his father will be there with him. This scene sets the tone for the book and I have to say, I had a huge lump in my throat as I witnessed the long overdue reunion of a mother and son robbed of sixteen vital years with one another. While Jake seems ready to give Phoenix a chance, Riley is uncertain. Did she really intentionally murder a girl out of jealously over him? Or was it like Phoenix always claimed- that the passenger in the car that day was the responsible party?

The characters in this book are so well drawn I felt like I was living the story along side them. This is a very emotional story, but also a truly uplifting one as well. Phoenix has nothing but her self respect and pride. I mean nothing. The trailer she lives in is over run with her mother's junk, she has hardly any money, she lives with a mentally and physically disabled parent who is one of the most negative people in the world, but Phoenix is one resilient woman and the one thing that drives her is the love a mother has for her child.


This story has many layers and makes some thought provoking points, some of which were familial interference, judging people by their circumstances, forgiveness, positive thinking over negative thinking, and leading by example. Some may roll their eyes here, but I also thought the story confirmed my absolute belief in transcending power of love- whether it was parent-child, friendship or romantic love- that was the force that overpowered the haters, the doubters, and led to the the truth, to forgiveness, peace, hope, and healing.

Excellent read!

[Natasha is a Book Junkie · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Not many people could offer you less than I could.”

Everyone knows that second chance romances are my ultimate weakness, but very few such stories are capable of bulldozing my heart to a point where it becomes a physical ache. Well, this book gave my poor heart the equivalent of a back-alley beating. I was stunned by how quickly I connected with the characters, how invested I had become in their story in a matter of seconds, but what shocked me the most were the silent tears that just kept falling page after page, scene after scene, making this quite possibly one of the most emotional reading experiences of my life. A truly splendid story that I am recommending without reservation, one that I just know I will be revisiting time and time again as my heart takes up residence in Whiskey Creek.

Continue reading this review...

[✮ rach ✮ · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a little confusing for me and I can only think it's because I didn't read the previous books in the series. For the life of me, I couldn't understand Phoenix's hero worshipping of Riley. Maybe he saved her life three times over or something in a previous book or when they were kids, because the lack of hurt and anger didn't make sense to me. For someone who has been in prison for seventeen years, one would think there would be a hell of a lot of resentment (or even just a little?) But there was nothing but bending over backwards to make it easier for everyone else.
The confrontation that the Mansfield family instigate was unbelievable. No repercussions, no apologies, no nothing. The ending was a letdown. Not at any time during this book did I think the hero redeemed himself. He testified against her, kept her son away from her even though she did what she could to help financially contribute, despite being in prison. He and his family treat her horribly and no one ever says sorry? Yeah, I don't buy it. I know he believed her maybe half way through the book, but it seemed other people had to start the process of sticking up for Phoenix before Riley would actually do something. Like Jake sticking up for his mum. And Kyle for wanting to do something sweet for her. Had those two not done the things they did, I doubt Riley would have the balls to do it on his own.
I wanted...no, I needed Phoenix to get mad, to be pissed that she had been locked up for 17 years (did I say that already? Because 17 years if a freakin' long time!), that Riley was able to enjoy his life with their son while she was locked up for something she didn't even do. And when it all came out? NOTHING came about it. What would have been a great ending is Phoenix had told Riley, his family and the Mansfields to eff off and hook up with Kyle (the only decent man, besides Jake, in this book).
Speaking of Jake, he made this book worthwhile for me. He didn't greet Phoenix with open arms but he gave her a chance, despite what everyone had told him. And he made his own mind up to get to know his mother and I enjoyed how their relationship developed.

[Jackie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Another anti-feminist romance from Booklist's Top 10 Romances of 2015. Wrong-side-of-the-tracks Phoenix Fuller has spent the past decade and a half in prison, serving time for running down the girl for whom her former boyfriend, town golden boy Riley Stinson, dumped her when they were teens. Oh, and she was also pregnant with his baby at the time. The novel opens with Phoenix's return to Whiskey Creek, when she's going to meet her son, Jacob, for the first time since giving birth to him. Phoenix has only come back to her hometown to try and connect with her son, and to take care of her psychologically challenged mother, not to try and reconcile with Riley. But of course, since they were both the loves of each others' lives, the two end up being drawn back together.

Because of course Phoenix really didn't do it. Riley's attraction to Phoenix lies in her ability to be self-effacing and grateful for any crumb of kindness, and to demand nothing for herself. And of course, for not being angry or bitter that she had to spend years and years in jail. Some key quotes:

"And with time, he'd managed to forget the incredible chemistry they'd shared, how unassuming and real she could be, how delighted she was with the smallest kindness" (138-39).

"Most people in your situation would have let resentment and bitterness eat them alive. But you've managed to avoid that. As far as I'm concerned, someone like you will win out in the end" (283).

"And you are the most forgiving, unassuming, generous person I've ever met. What man wouldn't be happy with someone like you?" (333)

What man wouldn't be happy with a doormat? Quite a few of my acquaintance, I'd argue.

A book for women who conform to stereotypical gender norms, and who feel like martyrs, and who want to be celebrated for both. Definitely not for me...

[Sharon ∞❥ is an emotional book junkie ❥∞ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 ★'s

Another book that I've had on my "angsty" list for a while and my first book by Brenda Novak. I haven't read the other Whiskey Creek books but I could definitely tell the other couples stories would be quite interesting.

I never have the right term when I'm describing this book to friends. I always say "old timey" - that doesn't really fit but let me explain. The romances are more old fashion and it's definitely not erotica. In fact, the sex scenes (if you can call them that) are basically nonexistent and definitely not descriptive but for some reason, it doesn't really matter. It's the romance that matters.

Riley and Phoenix met in high school and had a quick six week relationship. It was short but intense. Unfortunately, Riley listened to his friends and family instead of to his heart and broke off things with Phoenix. She was heartbroken and wasn't ready to let him go especially when she found out she was pregnant.

There was a tragic accident that she was blamed for and literally turned her life upside down. I had a bit of a problem with this because it was quite excessive and over the top. I also didn't care for how Riley treated her during time.



The good news is that Phoenix is back and ready to have a relationship with her son and to try to make things right. She tries way too hard...almost to a fault and definitely a bit of overkill. But it does endear her to almost everyone.

I really enjoyed all the mother and son bonding. Jake was amazing right from the start and that made things really special. I loved how protective he was of her.

I did like Riley...I liked that he was trying to make things right and it was funny how he dealt with his feelings for Phoenix. But my heart went out to Phoenix...having to be so guarded with everyone in her small town, over and over again. It was stressful to read about it. But thank goodness for Riley's friend, Kyle. I think he turned a lot of things around. (and his story is so sad too...I was happy that the next book is his!)

Events do come to a head and basically end up the way you would hope. I think it was necessary for Riley to step up the way he did.

The ending and epilogue were a bit of let down for me. It was way too rushed and I didn't care for the letter format...I wanted to read about more happy times. Still, it was a wonderful story and I definitely recommend it.

[Didi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was good, had me tearing up in parts, smiling in others. To be honest, it wasn't as awesome as I expected, though. Why? Not quite sure, but there were a couple things. It was touching, sweet and had a nice second chance vibe going on, but it also lacked 'oomph' if that makes sense. I felt awful for Phoenix. She went thorough so much crap and wasted so many years over a crime she never committed. The strength of this plot, lay in that aspect in my opinion. I felt the turmoil going through Phoenix's mind. Her insecurity and complete lack of faith in anyone was evident and completely realistically portrayed.
Riley had to work extra hard to convince Phoenix that he'd changed and matured. I get what he went through back then as well, the weight of expectation from everyone around him.

I also really liked Jacob. What a wonderful young man. But despite all that, I felt a little underwhelmed with Phoenix's and Riley's relationship. I couldn't feel the connection despite really wanting too. And then the way Riley and Kyle, his best friend, spoke, seemed a little too in touch with their feelings. Just little things like that ultimately made things unconvincing, like Riley being able to tell there was too much baking soda in a chocolate chip cookie? Possibly, sure. But highly unlikely with his characterization.

Anyways, this was still sweet and saw justice being served even if on a personal level. I wished for a different epilogue, it still ends very nicely, but maybe in the next book we get to see how Phoenix and Riley are some more time down the road. I hadn't read the previous books in this series but never felt out of the loop, so this also worked as a standalone.

[Ella **Booking it to the library** Roberts · Rating 1 out of 5]

So admittedly I read this book years ago and this review is after a re-read and I adjusted the rating from 3 stars to 1.

The writing was decent. As in there weren't a whole lot of editing issues and the author knew how to build characters, however this seems to be one of those authors that believes that women should be doormats.

This heroine NEVER found a backbone. She went from being pregnant and dumped to a woman in jail whose baby daddy refused to let her have contact with her child. Then if that wasn't bad enough she had no hard feelings towards the man who took her child, declared her a murder after having loved her and then tried to move on like he should be able to.

Then she takes him back. No screaming matches that he stole her child and her ability to raise her child. Nope, just was all hugs and smiles after being imprisoned for 17 years for a crime she didn't commit. He then has the balls to say it "changed her for the better" like she needed 17 years in prison to be a decent human being. So she was jealous and upset after he dumped her. Most people are. But those are not attributes that need jail time to straighten out.

Also, let's not forget that this guy is also partially responsible for the entire murder. He dumps his girlfriend who clearly loves him and he loves her and then he jumps right into it with another girl while his ex-girlfriend is pregnant. Not that I condone murder but HE SHOULD HAVE FELT AT LEAST PARTIALLY AT FAULT.

Women authors please do your gender a favor by portraying us realistically. I don't know what damage you have but I think most women wouldn't have just accepted him and still loved him after all the crap he put her through. Maybe you can write that if it's a few months maybe a year max, but 17 years later shes still holding a torch for a guy who called her a murder and stole her child? I don't think so.

[Vintage · Rating 2 out of 5]

Given all the other reviews, I wonder why I bother, but

This book made me cry or close to it. The h is railroaded into a 17, SEVENTEEN, year prison sentence over a crime she did not commit. She doesn't try and excuse herself, explain etc. Let's face it, who would believe her?

Betrayal on every level from an unsupportive mother, nonexistent brothers, a contemptous small town, this heroine endures it all.

[Tadiana ✩Night Owl☽ · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's not like I don't already have a boatload of books on my TBR list. Plus a couple of bookshelves worth of books I own that are still waiting to be read, PLUS several unread library books that have due dates. But I received this book as an ARC (was it only yesterday? *checks email* Yes, it was yesterday) and there's just something so alluring and seductive about a shiny new ARC. Also I'd just finished reading a couple of heavier books so, based on my handy-dandy Theory of Literary Palate Cleansing, I opened up this contemporary romance to, I told myself, just take a look at the first few chapters . . . and surfaced a few hours later having read the whole book.

So this one wins points for totally sucking me in because I was all, how can these two ex-lovers ever work out their problems and find happiness in spite of their painful past and, not incidentally, with the entire town of Whiskey Creek set against our heroine? Okay, yes, it's a romance novel so I wasn't really WORRIED worried, but don't distract me with that fact because I am having a moment here with our beleaguered heroine.

Phoenix, our main character, has just been released from a 17 year prison term as the story begins. She was convicted at age 18 of vehicular homicide, hitting and killing her ex-boyfriend's new girlfriend after he got Phoenix pregnant and dumped her. Her friend in the passenger seat testified at her trial that it was intentional. Phoenix swears that her friend actually grabbed the wheel and steered it at the girl to give her a good scare, but given the circumstances, no one believed her. So after 17 years, Phoenix comes back to her hometown, determined to rise from the ashes as best she can, and at least try to get to know her 16 year old son who's been raised by Riley, her ex.

Phoenix is a sweet, honorable woman but definitely a damaged person, and she's dealing with a terrible set of circumstances. She's a bit of a martyred soul, and between her angst (totally understandable, but still) and her aversion to accepting any help at all from others, I was tempted to ding her points as a frustrating main character. But overall these issues were offset by her grace under pressure and her determination to make the best of her circumstances. Phoenix refuses to blame others for her problems. She does try to wall herself off from being hurt any further by Riley, but the more he's around her the more he begins to wonder if he and the town have treated her unfairly, and the more their old attraction resurfaces, though they both try to fight it, especially Phoenix.

Apparently if you've read earlier books in this author's Whiskey Creek series you'll be familiar with the background of this story and with some of the secondary characters, but I thought this worked fine as a stand-alone novel. I didn't get the feeling that I was missing key parts of the story by not having read the prior books.

Overall this is an enjoyable romance that tugs at your heartstrings. Readers who like stories of star-crossed lovers should enjoy this one, especially those who like characters who are a little bit older.

Content advisory: Mildly explicit sex scenes and some language, including two or three F-bombs. Not for clean romance only readers.

ARC received from the author in exchange for an honest review.

[Nikki ღ Navareus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Re-read 4-27-2025
This story was just so sad. My heart broke for poor Phoenix all over again. 💔




I loved, loved, LOVED this story so hard!! Thank you AJ for recommending this baby to me! Poor Phoenix had such a shit life her whole life, and then she was sent to prison at such a very young age. She was terrified, pregnant and pretty much all alone in her ordeal. But Phoenix grew so much over the years and found the strength and courage she needed to return to her town so she could finally get to meet the son she missed out on seeing grow up. I really thought that Riley would be a very cruel hero, crapping all over Phoenix along with the rest of her haters in their home town, but he truly wasn't. Riley was a really good guy, and deep down he was a sweetheart. My heart broke for Phoenix who had never had anything good in her life, and after being released from prison, she believed she didn't deserve anything good. Phoenix and Riley were both such lovely people. I adored both of their characters, and I was so happy when they finally came together as a couple. This story had all the feels I could want and more, and wrapped up perfectly with a nice HEA.

[Carole (Carole's Random Life) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review can also be found at Carole's Random Life.

4.5 Stars

I just fell in love with this story. I am always looking for a story that is a little different than anything else that I have read and this book delivered. The set up of this story was completely unlike any other book that I have picked up and I really liked the characters. I really want to smack myself because when I was first approached by Brenda Novak with the offer of her book, I almost ignored her message. I decided to go ahead and give her book a try after a little bit of thought and I am so glad that I did.

This book reads perfectly well as a stand alone novel which worked out perfectly for me since I had never read anything by Brenda Novak before this book. This story focuses on Phoenix, Riley, and Jacob. Phoenix has just been released from prison after serving a 17 year sentence. She has never had the chance to see her son, Jacob, and she wants to get to know him more than anything. Phoenix knows that coming back to Whiskey Creek will be very difficult but she needs to be near her son and be able to help her mother.

Riley is Jacob's father. Once Phoenix returns to town, Riley starts to wonder what really happened. He is just as attracted to Phoenix as he was when he was a teenager but he is old enough now that he will not let other people influence his decisions. Riley has really changed just as much as Phoenix has over the years.

I really liked the characters a lot. Phoenix wasn't bitter and tried really hard not to ask anyone to help her. She was determined to take care of things on her own as much as possible. Phoenix would rather do without than ask for something. She never made any demands and was willing to only take what was offered in terms of relationships. Riley was a good guy kind of hero. He helped out even when he wasn't given any credit. His life up to this point has been focused on raising his son instead of dating.

The chemistry between Phoenix and Riley was wonderful. The way they danced around each other worked well in this story. I loved watching them get to know each other again. The writing was fantastic. I really had a hard time putting this book down and found myself thinking about Phoenix anytime I was away from the book. I only wish that I could be half as forgiving as Phoenix is in this story.

I would highly recommend this book to fans of contemporary romance. This is the first book by Brenda Novak that I have had a chance to read but I will be reading other works very soon starting with the earlier works in this series.

I received a copy of this book from author for the purpose of providing an honest review.

[Bindi Boo · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars

What an amazing second chance romance. Probably one of my favourite second chance romances now.
An intense, grip- you- hard, made-my-gut-twist, angsty read. LOVED the emotions! Really tugged at my heartstrings and my heart broke so many times over. I got super invested in this book just after reading the blurb.

Pheonix Fuller, an unpopular, lone 18 year old whose family lives in a trailer park meets rich, handsome Riley Stinson and when he chooses her, she feels like the luckiest girl on earth.

The day he came into her life everything had changed; it'd been like feeling the sun on her face for the first time. But only after six weeks of an intense affair, he'd suddenly broken up with her. As rocky as her life had been, she'd never felt pain to equal that

Sadly, he breaks her heart and all hell breaks loose. She gets convicted for manslaughter after running his current girlfriend over and ends up in jail for 17 (yes, SEVENTEEN) years. She finds out she is pregnant, has the baby then hands it over to Riley. The story picks up 17 years later as Phoenix tries to reconnect with her now 16 year old son, Jacob. And with that, comes Riley- the only man who had her heart. She knows she needs to stay away from them, maybe move away some place else as no one should be associated with an ex-con, but her love for her son is so unyielding she can't give him up.

I LOVED Phoenix. As much as life sucked for her, she remained positive, resilient and kept her chin up. Everyone hated her- although she pleaded her innocence, the whole town hated that she came back home and sure showed it often. My heart broke so many times for this woman. As much as life kicked her down, she just stood back up again. I loved Jacob- he stood by her and gave her all the comfort and support she needed. Riley- although partly to blame and harboured so much guilt for his role in Phoenix's incarceration also played an important role in giving Phoenix back much needed confidence and love. SO GLAD he was on her side and fought every fight for her.

This is my first book by Brenda Novak. It is part of a series but can be read as a standalone. We meet many characters i assume are from her previous books. Will be checking out her Whiskey Creek series for sure. This heart wrenching story about forgiveness, love and family is a definite recommendation!

[Jonetta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Originally posted on The Book Nympho

Quick summary
It's been 17 years and Phoenix Fuller is now released from prison after serving time for vehicular manslaughter. She was 16, pregnant and alone at the time so Riley Stinson, the baby's father, raised their son with his parents' assistance. Phoenix wants a chance to have a relationship with Jacob now that she's free.

About Phoenix
She's nothing like the impression I formed from the books leading up to this one. It never occurred to me that she might be innocent and I thought she was going to give Riley a hard time about their son once released. I ended up having the utmost admiration for her.

About Riley
He was a fairly blank slate for me going into the story. While I landed in a good place about him by the end, I wanted to scream at him from time to time for how he handled Phoenix 17 years ago.

Gotta love family?
Talk about being between a rock and a hard place for both Phoenix and Riley. Her mother and his parents left a lot to be desired. They showed love in very selfish ways and their children turned out well in spite of them.

How about the group?
Gotta give them credit this time for stepping up and supporting Riley in the way he needed if instead of their typical judgmental way. I was proud of them, especially Kyle! I've not been a big fan but he's definitely learned his lessons.

Who'd you love?
Phoenix because of her indomitable spirit that was never broken; Jacob, her son, for giving his mother the benefit of the doubt and being a great kid; and, Kyle for just being a GREAT friend.

Break your heart much?
I was in tears from the very beginning. My heart could barely handle this story. The cruelty of Lori Mansfield's family was tough to take. But, I also cried when Phoenix rose above it.

Best moments?
Kyle and Riley shopping for Phoenix and the baked cookies. Funniest moments ever!

Low points
Definitely the Mansfield family's attitude (as well as Riley's mother's) about harassing Phoenix. How can you condone criminal activity after having lost a child the way they did? It made them even more wrong than the perpetrator of that crime.

Thumbs up or down?
BIG thumbs up! It ranks as one of my favorites. I'm primed, now, for Kyle's HEA.

(I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review)

[Alba Turunen · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Estrellitas. He quedado muy satisfecha con ésta novela. Hace cosa de un año que estaba en mi estantería, pero confieso cierta pereza a la hora de leer harlequines contemporáneos, porque los hay buenos, malos y normaluchos. Por suerte éste ha sido de los buenos.

Éste es el primer libro que leo de Brenda Novak, me da pena decir que es el 8° libro de la serie, con lo que soy yo, que tengo que leerme las series por orden, pero me fue imposible leer la serie Whiskey Creek desde el principio porque "En mi corazón" lo tengo en papel y los demás no. Al menos he quedado lo suficientemente satisfecha como para darles una oportunidad a sus otros libros de ésta serie o de otra.

"En mi corazón" es el 8° libro de la serie Whiskey Creek, nombre del pueblo californiano donde ocurre el libro. La sinopsis nos cuenta que los protagonistas se conocían de toda la vida. Riley era un chico bueno de buena familia, mientras que Phoenix venía de una familia desestructurada y con una madre marginada por la población. Durante el instituto fueron novios, pero algo ocurrió, pues Riley rompió de repente con Phoenix y ella no se lo tomó bien. Riley comenzó a salir con otra chica que murió atropellada por el coche que conducía Phoenix.

Pero Phoenix siempre insistió en su inocencia, ella no fue la que atropelló a Lori, si no la chica que iba con ella en el coche y dio un volantazo. Debido a sus acciones pasadas, nadie creyó en la inocencia de Phoenix, y mucho menos Riley. Y eso no fue lo peor de todo, pues Phoenix se había quedado embarazada de Riley justo antes de que éste la dejara. Así que con dieciocho años, sola y embarazada Phoenix fue a prisión, donde ha permanecido diecisiete años hasta que cumple su condena.

Por otro lado Riley quedó destrozado, no es que estuviera muy enamorado de Lori, pero sí lo estuvo de Phoenix, y sus padres insistieron en que lo dejara con ella ¿qué iba a saber del amor un chico con dieciocho años? Lo peor fue que Phoenix supuestamente matase a su novia, que por ello fuese encarcelada y además embarazada. Llegado el momento, Phoenix dio a luz un hijo, Jacob, que fue entregado a su padre, y que durante dieciséis años ha crecido bien y sano en manos de sus abuelos y su padre.

El libro empieza cuando Phoenix sale de la cárcel y vuelve a Whiskey Creek. Otra persona en su lugar no habría vuelto, pero Phoenix tiene poderosas razones para hacerlo, primero conocer a su hijo, a quien no ha visto desde el momento en que nació, también, ocuparse de su madre, medio inválida, e intentar rehacer su vida. Pero sobre todo, lo que no quiere Phoenix es causar problemas, quiere una existencia pacífica, conocer a su hijo, si su padre lo permite y comenzar un negocio con honradez.

Pero la vuelta de Phoenix no va a ser fácil. Su hijo sí que quiere conocerla, pero Riley no puede evitar sentir rechazo y frustración por lo que Phoenix hizo. Además, el resto del pueblo no parece aceptarla, sobre todo la familia de Lori, que no cejarán hasta que Phoenix siga pagando por lo que hizo

Aunque parece una historia muy miserable, lo cierto es que es un bonito libro de esperanza y redención. Un libro con unos muy buenos personajes, Phoenix me ha gustado mucho, muchísimo, es una mujer digna y discreta, muy fuerte por todo lo que ha pasado y realmente admirable por la entereza con que ha llevado su situación. Riley me ha ido gustando conforme pasaban los capítulos, pues está muy resentido con Phoenix, pero poco a poco sus sentimientos irán cambiando, conforme vayan despertando los sentimientos del pasado y empiece a confiar en Phoenix. Y por supuesto, quien también me ha gustado mucho es Jacob, aunque solo tiene dieciséis años es un chico muy tierno y maduro que aceptará sin dudarlo a su madre y no le importará estar con ella pese a que las condiciones de subsistencia de ésta no sean las mejores.

Me ha convencido y me ha gustado mucho. El libro engancha prácticamente desde el principio y ha tenido una historia de amor muy bonita y tierna. Como es el 8° de la serie, he ido algo perdida respecto al resto de personajes y parejas de libros anteriores, pues todos son un grupo de amigos del pueblo; pero no ha importado, Brenda Novak nos ha regalado una guía de personajes al principio del libro para presentarnos a todos. En mi caso ha funcionado y estoy segura de que volveré a leer más libros de ella.

[Jacqueline J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second review: Just as nice the second time around!

I've been waiting a long time for Riley and Phoenix's story. I'm happy to say it was worth the wait. Phoenix was a wonderful character, well written as a woman who didn't let the massive adversity in her life make her bitter. She is just getting out of prison for a crime she didn't commit. Throughout the series we have met Riley but never Phoenix. So we thought all along that she was guilty. She was well written as a woman who would do anything to connect with the son she had while first in prison and had never met. Her son Jake was also stellar as a teenager with an open heart who was willing to meet his mother more than halfway. Riley was a little more problematic. He didn't come off too well in this book. He seemed weak or maybe just that he had been weak as a young man and had let others convince him to break up with Phoenix even though he loved her. He did fall in love again with her pretty rapidly and spend the book helping her, chasing her and protecting her from the disapproval of others. I guess for me, I would have liked a little something in his POV before she came home to see where his head was/had been all those years while she was in prison. I know it was covered later in the book but it would have been more believable as a current feeling that we could watch change rather than just his regretful thoughts later about how he should have done things differently. I think that others might think that Phoenix's continual bending over backwards to accomodate Jake and Riley might get old but I thought it was realistic. After all she had been in prison 17 years. That's a lot to overcome in a couple of months.

All in all I loved it. Now we should be getting Kyle's book. And that scares me because I think he is the last one and I am so not ready to say goodbye to Whiskey Creek!

[Beeg Panda · Rating 1 out of 5]

I wonder if the author based this female MC on someone the author hated…🤨
Maybe she needed to pen her feelings of loathing and disgust of someone as a sort of…cleansing of the spirit…and did it in the form of this female MC…🧐

She certainly doesn’t LOVE this MC

I mean, there’s downtrodden and then there’s this heroine

[Irene · Rating 5 out of 5]

For Readathon 2017: 46/52
In the category "A book with a transport on the cover"

Yep, still a favorite the second time around.

"This heart of mine" is the first book of Brenda Novak's I've read and it totally hooked me on the author. It is also the only book I've ever read that has me tearing up from the first pages (not an easy task my friends). Phoenix is a unique heroine. Her heart is so big, so forgiving, so loving that must be the size of the sun.

I can't say much about the story because I fear I won't be just about the feelings that it brings to the reader but I can testify that the emotions are very powerful. This book is one of the best contemporary romances out there and I recommend it blindly to all my friends.

[Veronica WordsAreMyDrinkOfChoice]

Your telling em this woman goes to prison for 17 years, and holds no ill will tot he am who did not fight for her and let her rot, the man who kept her son from her? Then he does not even grovel? What is wrong with these authors?

[Dali · Rating 4 out of 5]

This Heart of Mine is a poignant story about a strong, determined woman looking to put her sad past behind and work hard and hope for a better future.

Phoenix Fuller spent the past seventeen years behind bars for a crime she didn’t commit but without support or resources was unable to prove otherwise. She spent those years unable to know her son, much less raise him and be there for him like she would have liked.

But now that she’s out, she’ll brave the town that was harsh and unforgiving for her and ultimately condemned her. Because she will not give up on her mother or the chance to be close to her son Jacob.

Riley has locked up tight and put away everything to do with Phoenix. His only concern is his son’s welfare and now that Phoenix is out he wants nothing more than to have her as far away as possible. Can she convince him that she’s a worthy mother? Will her presence bring back old memories of first love?

“Since you came home it feels…it feels as if you’re what I’ve been waiting for.”

I admired Phoenix’s dedication, selflessness and generosity. She avoided bitterness and resentment, and forged ahead. She didn’t take anything or anyone for granted and made do with what she had. She used rusty old bike for transportation, made her living space clean, saved every penny and worked hard. Since she was in prison she started selling handmade bracelets, sending most of her income to her son, Jake. Her loyalty and love towards her mother and son was lovely.

It broke my heart that she tried not to expect anything from any one and it was impossible not to feel bad for the hand she was dealt. Not just her prison sentence, but before that, the stigma of being daughter to an odd recluse hoarder almost immobile because of her obesity. It was for those reasons why Riley’s parents, friends and even teachers prompted him to end his relationship with Phoenix in the first place.


Which brings me to Riley. I had a very hard time at the beginning of the story liking him. I could understand how his young self was fickle and so easily swayed into taking Phoenix’s character at face value by the people closest to him instead of looking deep into her tender heart.

“It was much easier to malign someone who wasn’t around. Now that he’d seen the contrast between the real Phoenix and the monster they’d created in their minds, he understood that everyone’s negative comments and opinions had fueled fears in him that might not be well founded.”

But the fact that Jacob could clearly see what his father couldn’t, that Phoenix’s innocence hung on the statement of person with questionable integrity is something that as an adult he should’ve questioned. It bothered me how he didn’t want to deal with the doubts her return would cause. It rubbed me the wrong way that he wanted to take the easy road, judge her and continue with the status quo. Because thinking that she was wrongly punished and he had a hand in it was too much of a responsibility to bare.

Eventually though, Phoenix’s beauty, honesty, humility and honorable intentions were impossible to ignore, as well as the fact that the attraction and connection Riley and Phoenix had all those years ago was very real. Even though it took a huge leap of faith for Phoenix to come to trust Riley.

“The past seventeen years hadn’t wiped away what he’d felt for her; they’d merely put it on pause. The truth was, he felt even more attracted to her than before.”

I loved watching the mother-son relationship blossom, and even though the tenor of the story was mostly heartrending, I loved watching how this stubborn, strong woman had the chance to have everything she ever dream of but was afraid to ever hope for.

This Heart of Mine is book 8 in the Whiskey Creek series by Brenda Novak. Told from both points of view, it can be read as a standalone with interconnected characters.

Amazon US -> http://amzn.to/1BkzPnH

* I was given an ARC of this book courtesy of the author via Love Between The Sheets. The excerpts are from that copy. *

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[Ian · Rating 5 out of 5]

After serving 17 years in prison for murder, all Phoenix wants is to have a relationship with the son she hasn't seen since he was born. With that hope she returns to Whiskey Creek, the scene of the crime where the parents of the victim and her ex-boyfriend and father of her child still live. She knows there is no happy ending for someone like her –– all she wants is to be left alone, to get her life together and maybe spend a little time with her son.

When Phoenix was tried for murder, Riley was a witness for the prosecution. While she sat in the dock he hammered the nails in that left nobody in any doubt of her guilt. Now she is out and what he has been avoiding can't be avoided any more. But it's not long before he starts to wonder is she is the vicious murderer the whole town thinks she is.


This Heart of Mine is great contemporary romance. The Whiskey Creek series has been a little up and down for me, some that have been mind blowingly good, others not so much. This is definitely one of the shining lights and I think it can take the title of my favorite in the series.

It will also work as a stand alone so no need to read the other seven just to read this.