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Forever After Retellings #3
The Steadfast Heart
A broken sailor looking for a purpose, a jilted lady longing for the past, and a chance at happiness neither expected.
After losing his foot in battle, Lieutenant Robert Brenton can't find his place in the navy or society, where he fears he is seen only as a cripple. He retires to his small estate to find peace, not anticipating the distraction awaiting him.
Holly Addison has the world at her feet, until her prized beau cancels their engagement and ruins her reputation. Banished to Cornwall, she finds herself a guest in Robert's run-down manor by the sea. She writes repeatedly to her former love, trying to persuade him to take her back to society. But Robert's charm and simple life make her consider what she really wants—a life of excess, or a life of meaning.
As time runs out on their chance to be together, both are forced to examine their hearts and uncover a strength neither knew they had.
After losing his foot in battle, Lieutenant Robert Brenton can't find his place in the navy or society, where he fears he is seen only as a cripple. He retires to his small estate to find peace, not anticipating the distraction awaiting him.
Holly Addison has the world at her feet, until her prized beau cancels their engagement and ruins her reputation. Banished to Cornwall, she finds herself a guest in Robert's run-down manor by the sea. She writes repeatedly to her former love, trying to persuade him to take her back to society. But Robert's charm and simple life make her consider what she really wants—a life of excess, or a life of meaning.
As time runs out on their chance to be together, both are forced to examine their hearts and uncover a strength neither knew they had.
128 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 27, 2019
About the author
Arlem Hawks
12 books465 followersArlem Hawks began making up stories before she could write. Living all over the Western United States and traveling around the world gave her a love of cultures and people, and the stories they have to tell. She graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in communications and emphasis in print journalism, and now lives in Utah with her husband and four children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 155 reviews
September 27, 2024
The third book in this series was a new to me author, and we will surely meet again, Arlem Hawks!
Holly was about to get married, which she was very excited about, but her fiancé broke the engagement accusing her of bad behavior. Now with her reputation in shambles, she ends up in the countryside, coincidentally in the same house as Robert, her brother’s friend, who lost a foot in the war.
I loved the way Holly’s character developed. She turned from a shallow society miss to a very likable heroine and I rooted for her. There’s material for a full length novel here, but the novella worked for me too.
4,5 stars, this series is so much fun!
Holly was about to get married, which she was very excited about, but her fiancé broke the engagement accusing her of bad behavior. Now with her reputation in shambles, she ends up in the countryside, coincidentally in the same house as Robert, her brother’s friend, who lost a foot in the war.
I loved the way Holly’s character developed. She turned from a shallow society miss to a very likable heroine and I rooted for her. There’s material for a full length novel here, but the novella worked for me too.
4,5 stars, this series is so much fun!
February 26, 2024
3.5/4 stars. Clean regency romance with minor innuendoes for that time period and no language.
I was in the mood for a palate cleanser from all the fantasy books I’ve read lately, so I decided to see about a short regency. I wasn’t familiar with this fairytale story (The Steadfast Tin Solider) at all so I looked it up and ouch. My heart. I honestly do wonder how Hans Christian Andersen and the Brothers Grimm and all the other classic fairytale writers out there ended up the way they did with the stories they wrote.
Holly thinks too highly of herself, but when life comes crashing down, she gets better. Well, we have to get there first. She acts like a spoiled brat for a while. But eventually—eventually—she gets better. I do think she wanted to kiss him a bit too soon after a traumatic event, but oh well, it was a short novella anyway. It did feel a bit rushed at times & I would have liked a bit more at the end, but it was overall really cute.
Robert was a dear. That’s all I can say. Bless him. I really liked him.
They’re technically cousins? Her father’s half-sister is his stepmother. But since they weren’t raised as or grew up as cousins (he refers to her that way twice to rile her up), it really didn’t bother me? Hmm.
There was a third-act problem that entered in that I didn’t like & a man kissing Holly (which she stands there and let’s him “have his fill”) that I also didn’t care for. Else wise, this was just a really cute novella. I’ve decided that this is going to be an author I am going to watch and check out her other books after enjoying this novella and this “Georgana’s Secret” by her last month.
Main Content-
Mentions of prayer, prayers, & a prayer of thanks (not said to Who the prayers are directed towards); A mention of a vicar.
No major language, instead words like “blasted”, “blast it”, “confound it”, “Heavens”, “idiot”, “stupid”, “who the blazes” and are used. A couple mentions of curses (by Robert, said, but not written).
Robert recalls the battle that caused him to lose his foot & has signs of PTSD during a thunderstorm (up to semi-detailed); Robert says he is “a broken man” and a “cripple” & unable to wish for anything good.
Holly aims to be the envy of others & tries to remember “the warmth of radiance” of being the envy of everyone at a ball; Holly’s family was very poor prior to inheriting a fortune and that’s why she wants others to find her as “someone worth knowing” and that then they would love her.
Pain, Injuries, & Almost drowning (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of war, battles, injuries, pain, & the amputation of Robert’s foot (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of almost drownings; Mentions of wine & people drinking at a dinner (while Holly has a glass, she does not drink it due to nerves); Mentions of jealousy; Mentions of gossip & rumors; A few mentions of grief (Robert for his mother); A couple mentions of a pump room (bar/saloon).
Robert sees Holly and her fiancé share a kiss & thinks that he’s not judging a pair of livers for a stolen kiss because he knows he’s seen worse in his navy days; Robert accidentally attempts to climb into a bed that Holly is in (not realizing she was there and she screams; Holly is glad that she was still dressed in more than just her nightclothes or it would have been more embarrassing; The scene is definitely embarrassing rather than sexual tension filled); Holly writes letters to her betrothed saying that she misses him embracing her & reminds him of their last kiss (barely-above-not-detailed); Robert teases Holly about her bed being cold & him knowing “one gentleman that could fix that” and then brings up her betrothed (she is irradiated at this); Robert sneaks into Holly’s bedroom to wake her up (but stays in the hallway so it’s not as improper); Robert teases Holly about him helping with with sea bathing (which isn’t proper for the time period); Holly’s betrothed forcefully keeps her in his embrace/arms; Robert pulls Holly into his lap.
An almost kiss (semi-detailed), a barely-above-not-detailed kiss, three semi-detailed kisses (one being where Holly lets her betrothed have “his fill” of kissing her), and a border-line semi-detailed // detailed kiss; Wanting to kiss (barely-above-not-detailed); Touches, Embraces, Dancing, Hand holding, Nearness, & Smelling (up to semi-detailed); Blushes; Noticing (barely-above-not-detailed); Many mentions of reputations, being ruined, & gossip that a woman is unfaithful to her betrothed; Mentions of flirting & flirts; Mentions of kisses, kissing, & stolen kisses; A few mentions of jealousy; A few mentions of attractive men & a young Holly fainting after seeing two attractive men; A mention of Robert recalling his father boasting about his “good fortune” to not having any daughters; A mention of an accused téte-à-téte.
I was in the mood for a palate cleanser from all the fantasy books I’ve read lately, so I decided to see about a short regency. I wasn’t familiar with this fairytale story (The Steadfast Tin Solider) at all so I looked it up and ouch. My heart. I honestly do wonder how Hans Christian Andersen and the Brothers Grimm and all the other classic fairytale writers out there ended up the way they did with the stories they wrote.
Holly thinks too highly of herself, but when life comes crashing down, she gets better. Well, we have to get there first. She acts like a spoiled brat for a while. But eventually—eventually—she gets better. I do think she wanted to kiss him a bit too soon after a traumatic event, but oh well, it was a short novella anyway. It did feel a bit rushed at times & I would have liked a bit more at the end, but it was overall really cute.
Robert was a dear. That’s all I can say. Bless him. I really liked him.
They’re technically cousins? Her father’s half-sister is his stepmother. But since they weren’t raised as or grew up as cousins (he refers to her that way twice to rile her up), it really didn’t bother me? Hmm.
There was a third-act problem that entered in that I didn’t like & a man kissing Holly (which she stands there and let’s him “have his fill”) that I also didn’t care for. Else wise, this was just a really cute novella. I’ve decided that this is going to be an author I am going to watch and check out her other books after enjoying this novella and this “Georgana’s Secret” by her last month.
Main Content-
Mentions of prayer, prayers, & a prayer of thanks (not said to Who the prayers are directed towards); A mention of a vicar.
No major language, instead words like “blasted”, “blast it”, “confound it”, “Heavens”, “idiot”, “stupid”, “who the blazes” and are used. A couple mentions of curses (by Robert, said, but not written).
Robert recalls the battle that caused him to lose his foot & has signs of PTSD during a thunderstorm (up to semi-detailed); Robert says he is “a broken man” and a “cripple” & unable to wish for anything good.
Holly aims to be the envy of others & tries to remember “the warmth of radiance” of being the envy of everyone at a ball; Holly’s family was very poor prior to inheriting a fortune and that’s why she wants others to find her as “someone worth knowing” and that then they would love her.
Pain, Injuries, & Almost drowning (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of war, battles, injuries, pain, & the amputation of Robert’s foot (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of almost drownings; Mentions of wine & people drinking at a dinner (while Holly has a glass, she does not drink it due to nerves); Mentions of jealousy; Mentions of gossip & rumors; A few mentions of grief (Robert for his mother); A couple mentions of a pump room (bar/saloon).
Robert sees Holly and her fiancé share a kiss & thinks that he’s not judging a pair of livers for a stolen kiss because he knows he’s seen worse in his navy days; Robert accidentally attempts to climb into a bed that Holly is in (not realizing she was there and she screams; Holly is glad that she was still dressed in more than just her nightclothes or it would have been more embarrassing; The scene is definitely embarrassing rather than sexual tension filled); Holly writes letters to her betrothed saying that she misses him embracing her & reminds him of their last kiss (barely-above-not-detailed); Robert teases Holly about her bed being cold & him knowing “one gentleman that could fix that” and then brings up her betrothed (she is irradiated at this); Robert sneaks into Holly’s bedroom to wake her up (but stays in the hallway so it’s not as improper); Robert teases Holly about him helping with with sea bathing (which isn’t proper for the time period); Holly’s betrothed forcefully keeps her in his embrace/arms; Robert pulls Holly into his lap.
An almost kiss (semi-detailed), a barely-above-not-detailed kiss, three semi-detailed kisses (one being where Holly lets her betrothed have “his fill” of kissing her), and a border-line semi-detailed // detailed kiss; Wanting to kiss (barely-above-not-detailed); Touches, Embraces, Dancing, Hand holding, Nearness, & Smelling (up to semi-detailed); Blushes; Noticing (barely-above-not-detailed); Many mentions of reputations, being ruined, & gossip that a woman is unfaithful to her betrothed; Mentions of flirting & flirts; Mentions of kisses, kissing, & stolen kisses; A few mentions of jealousy; A few mentions of attractive men & a young Holly fainting after seeing two attractive men; A mention of Robert recalling his father boasting about his “good fortune” to not having any daughters; A mention of an accused téte-à-téte.
October 6, 2024
3.5⭐️ A sweet and well thought out novella of The Steadfast Tin Soldier. Ironically, the novella is four times the length of the original, and takes place 30 years earlier than when it was written. Is any of that relevant? Not the teensiest bit. Just sayin.’
Holly made a bad first impression. “Spoiled brat” sprung to mind a couple of times, but Hawks filled in enough backstory to make her into more of a misunderstood Joan Crawford type. Robert was, well a lonely guy, but also steadfast for Holly 😍. They definitely had enough chemistry to have me cheering for them.
The story’s conclusion was a tad hasty. I mean, three more pages could have earned it a sigh worthy HEA. Instead It felt more like the author stamped the last page with “Mission Accomplished” in invisible ink.
Fulfills bingo square N° 22 ➛ ~𝟷𝟻𝟶 ᴘᴀɢᴇ ʙᴏᴏᴋ
【⭕️】【02】【03】 【⭕️】【05】
【06】【⭕️】【08】 【09】【10】
【⭕️】【12】 【🎰】【⭕】【⭕】
【16】 【17】 【18】 【19】 【⭕️】
【21】 【⭕️】【23】 【⭕️】【25】
Holly made a bad first impression. “Spoiled brat” sprung to mind a couple of times, but Hawks filled in enough backstory to make her into more of a misunderstood Joan Crawford type. Robert was, well a lonely guy, but also steadfast for Holly 😍. They definitely had enough chemistry to have me cheering for them.
The story’s conclusion was a tad hasty. I mean, three more pages could have earned it a sigh worthy HEA. Instead It felt more like the author stamped the last page with “Mission Accomplished” in invisible ink.
Fulfills bingo square N° 22 ➛ ~𝟷𝟻𝟶 ᴘᴀɢᴇ ʙᴏᴏᴋ
【⭕️】【02】【03】 【⭕️】【05】
【06】【⭕️】【08】 【09】【10】
【⭕️】【12】 【🎰】【⭕】【⭕】
【16】 【17】 【18】 【19】 【⭕️】
【21】 【⭕️】【23】 【⭕️】【25】
September 30, 2024
New author to me, and based on this story I would definitely read another work by her.
When writing a romance novella involving characters who are meeting for the first time, an author has two choices: things move fast, or there are major time jumps in the narrative. Things move fast here. Considering that, the author did a credible job building a convincing romance and even included, as a bonus, character growth for the heroine.
And boy, did she have room to grow. This book opened with Holly dripping haughtiness all over Robert when she was introduced to him by her brother, who served with him in the navy. The little snot even hoped that perhaps some desperate girl would overlook his missing lower leg so he wouldn’t have to be alone forever…although she doubted it. I felt zero sympathy for her when her fiancé cruelly ended their engagement and she was banished from society. She deserved it and more.
Banished, coincidentally, to the exact same house Robert had retired to in the country, where she starts to see Robert—and herself—in a different light.
I whacked off a star because Holly should have seen the light far quicker than she did—the evidence was rather overwhelming—but I give her credit for seeing the light on her own.
When writing a romance novella involving characters who are meeting for the first time, an author has two choices: things move fast, or there are major time jumps in the narrative. Things move fast here. Considering that, the author did a credible job building a convincing romance and even included, as a bonus, character growth for the heroine.
And boy, did she have room to grow. This book opened with Holly dripping haughtiness all over Robert when she was introduced to him by her brother, who served with him in the navy. The little snot even hoped that perhaps some desperate girl would overlook his missing lower leg so he wouldn’t have to be alone forever…although she doubted it. I felt zero sympathy for her when her fiancé cruelly ended their engagement and she was banished from society. She deserved it and more.
Banished, coincidentally, to the exact same house Robert had retired to in the country, where she starts to see Robert—and herself—in a different light.
I whacked off a star because Holly should have seen the light far quicker than she did—the evidence was rather overwhelming—but I give her credit for seeing the light on her own.
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January 25, 2026read for Patreon
April 8, 2021
Good introduction to a new to me author. Love the cover!
August 7, 2024
Really loved Robert especially! Holly took a bit to become likeable, but I did really love the ending and the usage of the tin heart from the original fairytale.
February 26, 2019
I did not know this fairy tale at all and had to read a synopsis of it to have any idea of it. But in reading that I could see little elements in The Steadfast Heart that were drawn from the original tale of The Steadfast Tin Soldier. It isn't the same story but Ms. Hawks obviously drew from it to write her own tale.
I thought this tale was well written. I loved Robert and how he worked so hard to keep smiling in difficult circumstances. Initially Holly was pretty haughty and seemed spoiled despite being raised in poverty. But then seemingly pretty suddenly her heart is softened and she is kind to Robert. She is kind of wishy-washy for a bit but gets stronger as the story goes on. And then the reader can love her as much as Robert.
I might have enjoyed more of a confrontation between Robert and Mr. Pelham allowing others to see his true character but perhaps the author is not as vindictive as I.
I have enjoyed each novella in this series so far and I look forward to reading more from this author. Well done.
Sex: no. some kisses
Language: no
Violence: Necklace is ripped from Holly's neck.
*I received an advanced copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.
I thought this tale was well written. I loved Robert and how he worked so hard to keep smiling in difficult circumstances. Initially Holly was pretty haughty and seemed spoiled despite being raised in poverty. But then seemingly pretty suddenly her heart is softened and she is kind to Robert. She is kind of wishy-washy for a bit but gets stronger as the story goes on. And then the reader can love her as much as Robert.
I might have enjoyed more of a confrontation between Robert and Mr. Pelham allowing others to see his true character but perhaps the author is not as vindictive as I.
I have enjoyed each novella in this series so far and I look forward to reading more from this author. Well done.
Sex: no. some kisses
Language: no
Violence: Necklace is ripped from Holly's neck.
*I received an advanced copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.
February 18, 2020
Romance, clean, period;
Sweet romance, clean. Interesting perspective with the wounded naval lieutenant.
Sweet romance, clean. Interesting perspective with the wounded naval lieutenant.
February 26, 2019
Very good story. I had never heard of the Tin Soldier fairytale so I can not compare, but I enjoyed the story very much. Well written and very moving. A giddy young debutant and a wounded soldier. She helps him to overcome his handicap and his wounded pride. A good clean and wholesome book, I recommend it.
April 23, 2025
4.5 stars!
This was a very sweet story and I really enjoyed it.
This was a very sweet story and I really enjoyed it.
February 25, 2019
A spoiled woman whose intended breaks their betrothal is sent away to stay with an aunt. Little does she know her brother's maimed friend is there. They did not get off on a good footing. But they start to grow closer until her betrothed comes back. Is this what she really wants or the man she has grown to love? Sometimes what we think is best turns out to be the thing that can make us miserable. I received a complimentary copy and I am voluntarily reviewing.
February 25, 2019
Oh, how I hated that haughty ballerina, but what a dear the steadfast tin soldier! Fantastic to see that haughtiness melt away in this retelling of the old fairytale.
Ms. Hawks does a good job translating the fairy tale of a tin soldier and a paper doll ballerina into this regency-era novella with rounded characters.
Ms. Hawks does a good job translating the fairy tale of a tin soldier and a paper doll ballerina into this regency-era novella with rounded characters.
October 26, 2020
I'm not a fan of novella's. This was no exception I find them underdeveloped in plot and character development. It's like going to a 5 star restaurant and only ordering a salad.
I didn't realize this was a novella when I purchased it.
I didn't realize this was a novella when I purchased it.
March 1, 2019
Be still my heart!
I absolutely loved the swoony, heartwarming moments throughout the book.
Admittedly I wasn't rooting for Holly for a few chapters because she came off very arrogant and self-centered. However, it was interesting to see her grow and mature in the short pages we had.
Brenton, "had me at hello," or rather his first glower. I enjoyed reading how his confidence increased from the first pages to the last when facing others who notice his missing foot for the first time.
The romance was sweet and engaging. On a steaminess level I would rate this a pleasant PG.
I absolutely loved the swoony, heartwarming moments throughout the book.
Admittedly I wasn't rooting for Holly for a few chapters because she came off very arrogant and self-centered. However, it was interesting to see her grow and mature in the short pages we had.
Brenton, "had me at hello," or rather his first glower. I enjoyed reading how his confidence increased from the first pages to the last when facing others who notice his missing foot for the first time.
The romance was sweet and engaging. On a steaminess level I would rate this a pleasant PG.
February 26, 2019
I'm really enjoying this whole series - great authors, and great retellings of more obscure stories. This one is just as good as the other two (they are stand alone and can be read in any order). I felt it was the perfect length - sometimes novellas can seem too short and abrupt to me, but this author did a good job of character development that I felt I got the whole story. I loved the main characters, and their insecurities and courage and responses to each other. This was a new author to me, but I'll be checking out anything else she writes.
February 23, 2019
I loved this book! I have never heard of this fairy tale so this story was new to me. I did not like Holly at first. I loved watching her grow and discover what will really make her happy. Robert was an amazing character from the beginning. He had true strength of character. I highly recommend this book!
February 28, 2019
I’ve never read an adaptation of The Steadfast Tin Soldier and this one was lovely, especially considering it’s set in the Regency era. Aspects from the original fairy tale were woven masterfully in while still making the story unique; I especially loved how the author used the tin heart.
After Holly’s fiancé breaks off their engagement, she’s sent to live with her Aunt, where her brother’s friend Robert is also staying. Robert is a soldier who lost his leg during the war a few years before, and he provides an unwanted distraction for Holly as she repeatedly writes her ex-fiancé in order to convince him to rekindle their relationship. As she and Robert are continuously thrown together, their rough relationship develops first into friendship, then into love as they help one another overcome their individual heartaches.
I loved witnessing Holly character growth as her circumstances and Robert gradually soften her and her haughtiness and she learns what’s truly important. Robert possessed an incredible strength of character; I admired how he continues to smile and move forward, despite the handicap of his missing leg. Their relationship developed gradually as their developing feelings healed both of them; I particularly liked the scene when Holly teaches Robert to dance again. Overall, this was a charming and enjoyable story.
After Holly’s fiancé breaks off their engagement, she’s sent to live with her Aunt, where her brother’s friend Robert is also staying. Robert is a soldier who lost his leg during the war a few years before, and he provides an unwanted distraction for Holly as she repeatedly writes her ex-fiancé in order to convince him to rekindle their relationship. As she and Robert are continuously thrown together, their rough relationship develops first into friendship, then into love as they help one another overcome their individual heartaches.
I loved witnessing Holly character growth as her circumstances and Robert gradually soften her and her haughtiness and she learns what’s truly important. Robert possessed an incredible strength of character; I admired how he continues to smile and move forward, despite the handicap of his missing leg. Their relationship developed gradually as their developing feelings healed both of them; I particularly liked the scene when Holly teaches Robert to dance again. Overall, this was a charming and enjoyable story.
March 2, 2019
This is the first time I have read a book by this author & I quite enjoyed it. I’ve enjoyed the whole series so far & I am looking forward to the next one for it.
Although initially I had a hard time liking the heroine & thought the hero a bit star struck to be almost infatuated with her before knowing her character both grew on me & by the end I was entirely satisfied. I really like the character development for these ones - especially considering how I wasn’t so sure when it first started whether I was going to enjoy this book or not.
I can happily recommend this as a clean read with a feel good, happy ending.
Although initially I had a hard time liking the heroine & thought the hero a bit star struck to be almost infatuated with her before knowing her character both grew on me & by the end I was entirely satisfied. I really like the character development for these ones - especially considering how I wasn’t so sure when it first started whether I was going to enjoy this book or not.
I can happily recommend this as a clean read with a feel good, happy ending.
February 28, 2019
What a lovely novella! I am not normally a romance reader, but I enjoyed this clean tale. I received an advanced copy and am delighted to have read it. The writing is beautiful, and the characters are sweet. I would have enjoyed more explanations at the end--Robert confronting Mr. Pelham or hearing Spencer's pleas to his father or details of the wedding--but the story really was lovely. For Netflix friends, I would say this is reminiscent of Poldark with a touch of When Calls the Heart.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 28, 2019
This was a good retelling of "The Steadfast Tin Soldier". Our steadfast soldier soldier is actually a sailor, and his beautiful ballerina is a society miss who loves to dance. This was a short novella and yet the characters were well developed and I was drawn to them through their growth. This was a sweet story with a much happier ending than the version of Steadfast Tin Soldier that I grew up with.
February 25, 2019
Loved this novella! I didn’t want to put it down and read it in less than a day! Sometimes with novellas I feel like the love story is rushed and underdeveloped but I didn’t feel that way at all with this book. My only complaint would be that I wish it was a full book so I could have enjoyed it longer! Great clean historical romance, can’t wait to read the authors future books.
December 29, 2019
1.5 stars.
I didn’t like the h in this one at all. She was very selfish and spoiled, never ever thanking her aunt for letting her stay in her small house. I was glad she changed but it was only after hearing her whine and complain quite a bit.
All the stars are for the H. He was a beautiful character.
I didn’t like the h in this one at all. She was very selfish and spoiled, never ever thanking her aunt for letting her stay in her small house. I was glad she changed but it was only after hearing her whine and complain quite a bit.
All the stars are for the H. He was a beautiful character.
April 10, 2023
3.5 ⭐️
Short & sweet enemies-to-lovers(esqe) story!
The relationship felt a bit rushed (due to story length) but the tender themes were beautifully executed!
Short & sweet enemies-to-lovers(esqe) story!
The relationship felt a bit rushed (due to story length) but the tender themes were beautifully executed!
February 28, 2019
SETTING: 2 years after the battle of Trafalgar, Robert, a Naval Lieutenant is trying to make a new life for himself after having lost his foot during the battle. While sitting on the sidelines during a ball, a beautiful young lady catches his eye. It turns out she is a sister to a man he saved during his service, as he finds out when he is introduced to Holly by Spencer, her brother. Holly is engaged to a glamorous man from a prominent family, and feels she has the world by the tail. Out of the blue, her world crumbles when her fiancé suddenly calls off the engagement for “Your unguarded interactions, your shameless flirtations”, contrived reasons to cover his more selfish plan. Her world falls apart, and her parents send her to an Aunt to escape the gossip sure to come with the engagement called off.
CRITIQUE: A touching short story, that reflects the emotional trauma of a soldier returning from war a cripple and that of a young woman rejected by a fiancé. They each struggle to overcome their heartaches. The storyline is interesting and the characters well drawn. This clean story will be enjoyed by readers of all ages.
CRITIQUE: A touching short story, that reflects the emotional trauma of a soldier returning from war a cripple and that of a young woman rejected by a fiancé. They each struggle to overcome their heartaches. The storyline is interesting and the characters well drawn. This clean story will be enjoyed by readers of all ages.
March 1, 2019
Wonderful Retelling of The Steadfast Tin Soldier
In Arlem Hawks debut book, A Steadfast Heart, a retelling of The Steadfast Tin Soldier, she masterfully tells a tale of a love that transcends societal expectations. Robert, a former Navy Lieutenant, who lost both his leg and his hope in a war, never thought love was possible. Holly, a woman trying to rise above the poverty of her past, finds a love with Robert that is more than she ever expected. I loved following Robert and Holly as they found their HAE and highly recommend A Steadfast Heart!
I received an advanced readers copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
In Arlem Hawks debut book, A Steadfast Heart, a retelling of The Steadfast Tin Soldier, she masterfully tells a tale of a love that transcends societal expectations. Robert, a former Navy Lieutenant, who lost both his leg and his hope in a war, never thought love was possible. Holly, a woman trying to rise above the poverty of her past, finds a love with Robert that is more than she ever expected. I loved following Robert and Holly as they found their HAE and highly recommend A Steadfast Heart!
I received an advanced readers copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
September 28, 2022
At first, I didn’t think I was going to like Holly. She seemed to be the typical spoiled debutant at the height of Society. When the man she is engaged to breaks off the engagement and ruins her reputation, she is sent to Cornwall.
I didn’t think there for a long time I would like Holly but I did end up liking her. The story was good. I kind of hoped for a little bit more in the end when it came to Mr. Pelhem and what happens to him. He was a drat scoundrel for sure. But a good quick read.
I didn’t think there for a long time I would like Holly but I did end up liking her. The story was good. I kind of hoped for a little bit more in the end when it came to Mr. Pelhem and what happens to him. He was a drat scoundrel for sure. But a good quick read.
April 14, 2019
Tender Love Story
This was a love story about a man who felt his life was all but over and a popular young woman whose values were at first misplaced. I enjoyed the characters. The portrayed the disappoints and self-doubts well, she also wrote of a harrowing incident I thought she handled well.
This was a love story about a man who felt his life was all but over and a popular young woman whose values were at first misplaced. I enjoyed the characters. The portrayed the disappoints and self-doubts well, she also wrote of a harrowing incident I thought she handled well.
February 28, 2019
I enjoyed this story very much. Wonderful characters! I have never heard of this particular fairytale (The Steadfast Tin Soldier), so I don’t know how well the retelling is, but it definitely makes me want to find it and read it. This series just keeps getting better with each new retelling!
Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books for review from publishers, publicists,
and/or authors, including Netgalley. I am not required to write positive
reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this
in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.
Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books for review from publishers, publicists,
and/or authors, including Netgalley. I am not required to write positive
reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this
in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.
April 11, 2020
This retelling of The Steadfast Tin Soldier struck my heart just so. There's such earnestness and resignation contrasted with vapidness and concern for appearances. This novella had believable character change and in all was a satisfying, sweet story.
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