Healing Hearts

by Violet McBride

She ran from her past to survive.
He buried his heart to keep breathing.
Neither expected love to find them in a storm.

Theresa “Terry” Dofter arrives in the quiet town of Rooseville to start over. After years of loss, sacrifice, and carrying burdens no one ever saw, opening her small café is her last chance at stability. She’s determined to stand on her own, no matter the cost.

Dr. Daniel Davidson has spent years holding his world together with steady hands and sleepless nights. A widowed father and the town’s respected clinic director, he’s known for his sharp edges and guarded heart.

When a devastating storm forces them together, sparks fly—but not the easy kind.
Yet beneath the tension is something neither can deny.

When Terry’s past threatens to resurface and Daniel’s fears of loss return, they must decide whether healing means standing alone—or daring to trust again.

Because sometimes the strongest hearts aren’t the ones that never break…
They’re the ones brave enough to love after they do.

Healing Hearts is a clean and sweet small-town romance featuring an enemies-to-lovers journey, a devoted single dad hero, and a resilient heroine.

165 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 28, 2026

Reviews

[Rachel Munro]

I was blessed to get to read this as an ARC! I have always enjoyed a single dad given a second chance at love and this was so cute. The FMC and MMC both deserved each other for certain and even though he may have saved her physically, she saved him in every other way and just was the missing puzzle piece to their little family. I do wish the story would’ve expanded on the accident and who caused it to see if it was intentional/related to the loan shark or if it just happened to an accident accident.

[Diane]

I voluntarily reviewed "HEALING HEARTS" The author did an amazing job pulling you into this short interesting, intriguing, emotional story you can't out down.
Theresa & Daniel both have had broken hearts not ready to trust again just yet, both different but still making them closed off to anyone new.
Daniel is a small town Dr. grumpy most of the time with his son & work with no room for anything else.
Theresa lost both her parents starting over she opens a cafe sparks fly between her Daniel & his son Marshall to adorable the relationship between him & Theresa is so sweet, after a horrible storm taking the café & where she lives it's heartwrenching, having to stay with Mr. Grumpy hopefully things will go better.
Will Theresa & Daniel be strong enough to get the past be & hopefully get a second chance at love it's a must read you won't be disappointed that's for sure you'll need tissue.

[Linda J.]

3.5 STARS - ROUNDED UP

Everything happens at lightning speed, which isn't my favorite. The H bails out the h twice when they hardly know each other. He knew the h was special to him but hadn't put a name on his attraction.

There's a side story about the h's past, and the person informs the H all. That was something that surprised me.

There's a woman in the H's life that you knew they didn't fit. Thankfully, they both realized it, and both found people who made them happy.

Something happens to the h and she ends up in the hospital. Was it carelessness on her part, or someone responsible, that was never answered.

The H's son acts and thinks so much older than a 7-year-old. He was a nice added touch to the story. No cheating, no cliffhanger, HEA, no romance, clean story with barely kisses.

I can't improve on the blurb, just giving you extra tidbits to decide whether to purchase. I received an ARC and all opinions are my own and freely given. (ljb)

[Barbara]

Terry Dofter has struggled to make something of her life. She lost both parents and made some bad decisions in her life, but she finally thought things were going her way. Daniel Davidson is a widower, clinic director and doctor. He works long hours to provide a stable home for his 7-year-old son, Marshall.

Thrown together as a result of a storm, the two try get along until Terry can get back to her own home, business, and life. She had a previous encounter with Daniel that didn’t go well but she’s hopeful they can make this temporary arrangement work. She has no other choice.

A story about hope, second chances, new beginnings, healing hearts, and more!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Deb]

This story has depth beyond what one would expect for a short read. Daniel and Terry are forced together due to the devastation of a hurricane that destroyed her cafe and her residence.

Both are struggling with the burdens of their past. Their losses were described so vividly I shed tears related to my own past. Grief never really leaves, we just learn to live with it.

Despite the odds, these souls found each other and found a way to share their burdens. I loved these characters and Daniel’s son Marshall who has wisdom beyond his years. There are many supporting characters who prove that life repays kindness.

This is very much a heartwarming read that brings Hallmark style energy.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Rachelle]

This was a cute short story that shows what can happen when you open your heart to others. Terry is a kind, sweet café owner who is trying to reopen her story after it is destroyed. She meets a snarky doctor, and sparks fly.

I liked Terry. She and Daniel both had a lot of issues to work through, but I like that they had great rapport with each other. Marshall is so sweet, and I loved his relationship with Terry. There wasn’t a ton of conflict, or major issues between them. Even the big secret that Terry is hiding isn’t a big deal in the end. I liked this short story, and I’d read more from this author.

[Angee Owens]

Violet McBride can tell a story and make it her own. This story is no exception. It’s a great story about hope between Terry and Daniel. Both MCs have been through a lot and are scared by their past. Daniel has “baggage”. A sweet son, Marshall. Terry was reopening café after it was destroyed. She meets Daniel, a snarky doctor, and sparks fly. Terry turns out to be the missing piece of Daniel and Marshall’s puzzle to become a family. They deserve their HEA. Great characters, engaging story with all the feels, and a HEA. Another great story by Violet!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Debdutch]

“Healing Hearts” by Violet McBride

-A touching small-town romance about widowed doctor Daniel and Terry, a woman trying to rebuild her life after loss. Forced together after a devastating storm, their slow friendship grows into a tender second-chance love that also brings warmth to Daniel’s young son.

I received a free copy and am voluntarily sharing my honest thoughts. Emotional, heartfelt, and hopeful, this short story beautifully explores grief, healing, and the quiet strength of finding family again.

[Debi Williams]

This was a well written, emotional book. You will have a lot of emotions of crying, laughing, rejoicing and a little bit of mystery to it. Terry lost both of her parents. Daniel lost his wife. A story that will keep you turning the pages and being involved as much as possible in the book. No disappointments as enemies become lovers. A happy ending.

I received this as an arc and I am leaving my honest review

[Kathleen]

What asweet story.
Terry is a woman who has had to rely on herself for as long as she could remember. Asking for help is something she doesn't like to do.
Daniel has his work and his son. This is his world. No one in, just keep the walls up.
When these two meet it turns their world on axis.
This story flows well. These are two people who weren't looking for anyone but stumbled upon each other.

[Sheri Jelinek]

I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book for free, and this is my honest review.

Another great read by Violet McBride. I truly enjoyed the story of Theresa and Daniel. Two hearts that were definitely closed off for different reasons that found each other and allowed their hearts to open and find love with each other.

[Kaylynn Michael]

Omg 🥹 this love story had a hold on me from the very beginning. This was shows there’s always a light at the end of the tunnel while dealing with Grief. It shows that’s okay to ask for help and you don’t always have to do everything on your own.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jane Culbertson]

This is absolutely a great story. The. Author has taken the main characters to a new level of bantering. During a bad storm that takes the roof off of her business and ruins her apartment, she is not ready for this rude Doctor. A HEA romance is not in their radar at their first meeting.

[Ruby Tate]

I received this ARC in trade for an honest review. Let me tell ya…I couldn’t put it down!! I was captivated from the very beginning of the story. I love a good enemy-to-lovers story. Definitely a must read! I can’t wait to read more from her!!

[Nichoel Wickham]

Rate - 5/5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Suspense - 2/5 🤯🤯
Spice - 1/5 🌶️

This was the perfect enemies to lovers, small town doctor vs small town bakery owner in a forced proximity romance. I really enjoyed this book and do recommend this to anyone that loves a small town light romance.

[Emma Gregston]

A sweet, quick love story

So just know that the spice level of this book is zero if you’re used to super spicy reads, but don’t let that stop you because the warmth and love is off the charts! This was the perfect cozy, rainy day story.

[Donna M Wetzel]

Great

I love books that capture me and keep me until the very end. This is a book to warm your heart and make you remember all the very special moments in your own life and grateful to God that you were alive to have them.

[Brenda Blair]

I really enjoyed this book. I couldn't put it down. It kept me engaged and wanting more. Sweet and heart tugging.

[Misty Salazar]

This was a cozy read for me. I didn't want to put it down. From start to finish, so good.

[T.Albada]

This author i love.
Her writing style is so good,it is like you expierence the story yourself.
And the small town community heart you feel.

[Nicola “Shortbookthyme”]

✅My thoughts:

❤️New beginnings + second chances= healing hearts❤️

Healing Hearts….what emotion didn’t I feel reading this book????
This was an all around sweet story that I enjoyed reading.

Author Violet McBride delivers stories that pull me in from the first pages to the last. I have enjoyed each book I have read from her. You get sweet, clean, enemies to lovers romances with reading her books.

[Tiffany Lindsay]

I waited too long to write this review, but the stars are from when I finished it. I love this author and series, so I have no doubt that I enjoyed this story! Give it a try!

[Felicia Pijoan]

(I received this as an ARC)

I loved this story so so much!!

Daniel and Terry meet during uncertain, stressful circumstances, and what unfolds between them isn’t loud or dramatic; it’s steady, intentional, and deeply human. Through quiet banter and shared brokenness, their friendship slowly grows into something more, and it feels completely earned.

What made this story stand out to me was Daniel’s presence. He didn’t try to fix everything or swoop in with grand gestures. He simply stayed… giving space, offering grace, and showing up consistently. Terry understood his heart in the quiet ways that mattered most.

For a short read, this carried surprising emotional weight. It felt powerful and grounding in a way that doesn’t happen often with novellas. I did wish it had been longer their journey easily could have filled 300 pages but it still flowed naturally and never felt rushed.

A beautifully told story about healing, presence, and the kind of steady love that feels safe. 🥹💜