The Sweetest Gift

The McKaslin Clan: Series 1 #2

by Jillian Hart

He was the new pilot? When he'd first popped through the shrubbery, nurse Kirby McKaslin had found her new neighbor brazen and obnoxious. So she was more than surprised to find Sam Gardner volunteering to pilot an early-morning medical emergency flight... and fixing her fence, making her cocoa when she couldn't sleep, even cooking dinner.
But when Sam took Kirby's hand in his, she wasn't surprised to find herself falling for him...
Then he gently removed his hand, and closed his wounded heart to her. After he'd shown her that faith and kindness could exist in a man, could Kirby convince him that despite his past, love wasn't gone for him - forever?

Genres: Love Inspired, Christian Fiction, Romance, Christian, Christian Romance, Harlequin Heartwarming, Contemporary

256 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published March 1, 2004

About the author

Jillian Hart grew up on her family's homestead in Washington state, where she raised cattle, rode horses and scribbled stories in her spare time.
After earning her English degree from Whitman College, she worked in travel and advertising before selling her first novel.
When Jillian isn't working on her next story, she can be found puttering around her rose garden, curled up with a good book and spending quiet evenings at home with her family.

Reviews

[Englishrose · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book seemed to focus a lot on thoughts and feelings....almost to its detriment. There was very little in the way of events. The majority of the book was Kirby going over and over and over why Sam was or was not Mr Right. And Sam going over and over why he didn't want to lead her on. There is a history of pain from their pasts, but it just seemed like it took so long to figure out what had happened to either of them that their actions were confusing until you finally got around to hearing the whole stores. And they are very obsessed with their dogs. And if you're a pet person, I'm sure that's great and fun. I'm not, so it was a little weird for me. Side characters were almost non-existent which was sad since there was potential there. Sweet book though.

http://cleanromancereviews.blogspot.com

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Never really got into the plot of this book. Both main characters face very internal, very similar struggles. Basically the whole book goes like this:
Woman: I like/love this man and he fits my description of a perfect husband, but he will never love me.
Man: I like/ love this woman, but she would never love me and I don't believe in love anyway.
With the exception of aunt Ruth, all the supporting characters are so flat and contribute so little I couldn't even remember their names.
Back to historicals.

[Carol Malone · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm beginning to get a good feeling for the non-sex romance novels. They are cute especially this one. Kirby, the female heroine, uses lots of good interior monologue, thoughts, to tell the reader how she comes to feel about her hunky, dreamy good looking neighbor. I loved it.

[Tracie Sampson · Rating 2 out of 5]

30 pages in I did not think I could continue reading this . 50 pages in I thought that zero stars would be too high of a rating. I forced myself to keep reading just because 1) I'm not a quitter and 2) I wondered how bad it could truly get. It did get better, and I surprise myself for giving it 2 stars.

The main problem is that the author does not know how to develop a character AT ALL. The first 30 pages were so trite and cringy I just COULDN'T . Kirby thinks her new next door neighbor is hot. But he's not marriage material. And there's even a cringy line that tells you " He saw the way she looked him up and down as possible marriage material". Yeah, right. Ok. Because every successful single woman can't look at a man without accessing him as "marriage material". Then she went on to say how he seemed unreliable, not a good neighbor, even going as far as to say that the landlord promised no "single men" living there. Why did she think he was unreliable? The author gives no reason for her to think this. She basically starts being rude to him for no good reason. He is joking with her and she keeps retorting in a snarky way, and yet she is described as a friendly girl-next-door type.
The first cringy line in the book is "I guess you're not used to men bursting through your hedges". Honestly this made me laugh so hard I had to keep going. The snarky banter goes on for literally 30 pages. I could hardly stand it.
Also, the other thing that drove me nuts was that it was established that he was an army vet but it kept talking about his mission with SEALS. That's Navy there , Jillian. Different branch. Ugh.
The book DID get better like I promised though, with a little thrill and some cutesy romance . A happy ending. But you knew that was coming right from the start.

[Audrey Sadler · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m leaving this short. Very similar to last book, was ok. Very boring, very dull, no conflict at all, and too sappy making it unrealistic. The only conflict was the characters past and unable to move on from it and the scars it left. This author is not my style and but easy read and quick. She wraps up the ends so fast it feels rushed every time. I won’t be reading her books again.

[Leslie Lamb · Rating 4 out of 5]

They both thought they would never find love again. Kirby’s sister had died in a plane crash, so her heart was broken. Sam fought in battle had a wife he loved only to find out she never really loved him. Then tragedy happens to both of them and helps them see more clearly…

[Phylisha Stone · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good Series

[Chrissy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it :) the depth of emotion in both of them was perfect. It drew me in and kept me there :)

[Desiree reilly · Rating 5 out of 5]

well this book i got done in about 4 hr and it a great book the sitter s are still mourning
the older sister who was killed in accident and kirby who was in the plane could not do nothing about it
well kirby go to work at a clinic and become a nurse she is and wan her own place
she buys a house and the neighbor was such pest the owner kick the guy out and here come
a great looking guy. well kirby not married and she make a list what she see in a man
her sister tease here she in love with the guy next door the new guy won the airport and the chopper that she use to transport patient she does not now what she see in him but it is it true love you will have to read the book and see it a great story

[Brandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just LOVE Jillian Hart...She's done it again! This was such a (chocolaty) SWEET, heartwarming story. Perfect for a lazy day. Or a cold day, where you want to curl up on the couch, (or chair, with a cup of hot chocolate, tea, or cider. Your dog, in your lap. Just a sweet little book. And I've always LOVED Jillian's McKaslin family....LOVED Kirby's relationship with her sister's. Jessie & Leo (Kirby and Sam's dog's) were adorable.(LOVED the weekly board games.)....LOVED Kirby & Sam....Sam was just 'too-good-to be-true.'...Kinda reminded me of an adult FAIRYTALE...And another story I could EASILY see on the Hallmark channel :-) LOVED IT!

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

a man wounded to the core, from serving time in the war and being captured. to coming home and being hurt by a woman he basically lived to come home too. Feeling like he's not worth dreams, love, miracles. moves in next door to a woman who feels she's plain and has nothing to offer, and after being in a plane wreck, losing her sister being unable to save her. She feels she has let down God and will never find someone to love her as she is, completely. So when they find one another they fight it till something happens that makes them realize they've only got today.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read.

And instead of going through all the books by the dates published as I was I am going to continue with reading about the McKaslin's and then read the other books.

I enjoy series where people you met in a previous book are in other books and where the town is the same and you get the picture in your mind.

My other favorites series so far are Janet Tronstad's Dry Creek Series and Debra Clopton's Mule Hollow series.

Now unto Heart and Soul and Almost Heaven.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a wonderful, heartwarming story. The main characters are well developed, and the addition of their relationships with their dogs was delightful. If you want lots of action and adventure in your reading, this book may not be your favorite, although there are a couple of surprising events. The beauty of this one is exploring the thoughts and emotions of the characters, and the wholesomeness of a close-knit family life.

[Jan Mcleod · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an enjoyable story about Kirby McKaslin, beautiful, fragile, dedicated to helping people, and her rough looking neighbor, Sam Gardner. Both of them are full of pain, hurt, guilt, and feel unworthy of love. Unintentionally they help each other overcome these feelings, and through an accident, Sam finds his heart and is able to feel again.
Story is a bit different, but worth the reading.

[Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally published at THE SWEETEST GIFT, part of the McKaslin series. Oh boy, there's a list a mile long in this series and I enjoyed GIFTS FROM THE HEART so much I really want to read as many books in the series as I can. I'm not into Christian books as a rule but the sweetness of them can be a wonderful change of pace. I really liked GFTH a LOT - read it in one day.

[Olani Tobing · Rating 4 out of 5]

If u believe there is your soulmate, it will showed up in the right time,the right place,right relate to u..I really mean it. God already have planned it to u. this book inspired me to love our boyfriend in the misterious way.

[Nellie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story, great characters, and nice love story. Very clean, and romantic. Kirby figures she'll never the one for her, but dreams just the same. When a helicopter pilot moves in next door, she can only hope, but he makes it clear he will never love again.

[Nori · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been reading a lot of Christian fiction books lately, this one is contemporary, while usually I read more historical ones.

[Jodi · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favorite from the series

[terrance · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book, I loved the writing, I just wish not all her stories were the exact same ;) (aka same plot lines, same characteristics, same characters, etc etc)

[Harlequin Books]

Miniseries: Harlequin Heartwarming

[Veronica · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was very disappointed by this book. Within the last couple chapters it went from good to horribly unbelievable and sappy.

[Blu]

interseting

[Linda · Rating 2 out of 5]

Most of the book seemed like the same thing over and over again. I finally skipped to the last few chapters to wrap up the story and didn't feel like I missed anything.

[K · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn't realize it was inspirational romance when I got it. Didn't care for the religious shit, but it was a sweet story, and I'll give 3 stars.

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! Find me a Sam!!

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good book how ever I do wish the author had done more to make it more interesting. I look forward to reading more of this author's work.

[Lauri · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was good, but it seemed like the characters could have been more original