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Seaside Chapel #1
His Longing Heart
He is a struggling violinist living in poverty. She is a billionairess violin collector with a trust fund. Living in two different worlds, will their unexpected romance last?
His Longing Heart is the first novel in USA Today bestselling author Jan Thompson’s Seaside Chapel Christian small-town beach romance series. This book is the updated second edition of the previously published Share with Me.
The musician…
Six years ago, Ivan McMillan was a budding crossover violinist on a world tour with his pianist sister. His career was cut short when Grandpa Otto died suddenly, leaving Grandma Yun saddled with enormous medical bills that ate up all their savings. In the midst of Ivan’s struggle to provide for his elderly grandmother and to save their family home from foreclosure, he finds himself falling in love with his billionairess friend, whose lifestyle he cannot afford.
The muse…
After Brinley Brooks’s ex-boyfriend abandons her due to her vow of purity, the twenty-something heiress goes home to St. Simon’s Island to spend time with her family and to accept her life as a single woman. At her sister’s birthday party, Brinley is mesmerized by a violinist friend, Ivan, when he plays one of Bach’s orchestral suites. Music therapy or not, her heart starts to seek its own second movement in her love life. Or is she just lonely? One thing leads to another, and Brinley enters Ivan’s world of material poverty and spiritual wealth.
The minuet of their lives…
When one of Ivan’s worst fears comes to pass, he feels obligated to show Brinley what it means to be a Christian living through adversity. However, trusting God is the last thing on his mind as the crisis affects his career, his life, his family, and his relationship with Brinley. Ivan cannot let her see how far he has sunk. What is a Christian man to do?
His Longing Heart is the first novel in USA Today bestselling author Jan Thompson’s Seaside Chapel Christian small-town beach romance series. This book is the updated second edition of the previously published Share with Me.
The musician…
Six years ago, Ivan McMillan was a budding crossover violinist on a world tour with his pianist sister. His career was cut short when Grandpa Otto died suddenly, leaving Grandma Yun saddled with enormous medical bills that ate up all their savings. In the midst of Ivan’s struggle to provide for his elderly grandmother and to save their family home from foreclosure, he finds himself falling in love with his billionairess friend, whose lifestyle he cannot afford.
The muse…
After Brinley Brooks’s ex-boyfriend abandons her due to her vow of purity, the twenty-something heiress goes home to St. Simon’s Island to spend time with her family and to accept her life as a single woman. At her sister’s birthday party, Brinley is mesmerized by a violinist friend, Ivan, when he plays one of Bach’s orchestral suites. Music therapy or not, her heart starts to seek its own second movement in her love life. Or is she just lonely? One thing leads to another, and Brinley enters Ivan’s world of material poverty and spiritual wealth.
The minuet of their lives…
When one of Ivan’s worst fears comes to pass, he feels obligated to show Brinley what it means to be a Christian living through adversity. However, trusting God is the last thing on his mind as the crisis affects his career, his life, his family, and his relationship with Brinley. Ivan cannot let her see how far he has sunk. What is a Christian man to do?
670 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 1, 2015
473 people are currently reading
203 people want to read
About the author
Jan Thompson
64 books144 followersUSA Today bestselling author Jan Thompson writes clean and wholesome multiethnic contemporary Christian coastal city and beach town romance with flavors of women’s fiction, Christian romantic suspense with elements of mystery, and inspirational international thrillers with threads of sweet Christian romance. Her books are for readers who love inspiring stories of faith, family, and friends.
Jan loves to hear from her readers. Join her mailing list to receive book publication news, sales and specials, cover reveals, and exclusive details and content.
Book News: JanThompson.com/newsletter
Author Website: JanThompson.com
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
Jan loves to hear from her readers. Join her mailing list to receive book publication news, sales and specials, cover reveals, and exclusive details and content.
Book News: JanThompson.com/newsletter
Author Website: JanThompson.com
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
April 8, 2024
When the characters of a book are so real, that days after the final page you still want to look in and see how they're doing, then the book is successful in my eyes. Although at times I felt like the drama and struggling was stretched out too long, it was still realistic in terms of the books' timeline. The way Ivan experienced and dealt with his problems is realistic for every Christian. Congratulations on a good book, Jan. I was invested in the characters and kept turning the pages.
August 17, 2015
Share With Me: A Christian Romance novel ( Seaside Chapel #1 )
By: Jan Thompson
“ Share With Me “ is book one in the Seaside Chapel series. Jan Thompson really did an awesome job of writing Share With Me. I really enjoyed the story and the characters. Once I started I did not want to put it down. This is a good clean contemporary romance novel. I am sure you will love it. Have your kleenex ready for this one. At times there was tears rolling down my face and I could not continue to read till i wipe my eyes. Brinley ( Brin ) is a twenty-something- billionaire and loves to help people. Ivan is a small-town violinist who falls on some hard times. Can a billionaire even want to have anything to do with a small-town guy like Ivan? I love the spiritual side of this story, which is based on Proverbs 3:5-6 Faith and Trusting God. Will Ivan and Brin learn to trust God and wait on him for their answers?
By: Jan Thompson
“ Share With Me “ is book one in the Seaside Chapel series. Jan Thompson really did an awesome job of writing Share With Me. I really enjoyed the story and the characters. Once I started I did not want to put it down. This is a good clean contemporary romance novel. I am sure you will love it. Have your kleenex ready for this one. At times there was tears rolling down my face and I could not continue to read till i wipe my eyes. Brinley ( Brin ) is a twenty-something- billionaire and loves to help people. Ivan is a small-town violinist who falls on some hard times. Can a billionaire even want to have anything to do with a small-town guy like Ivan? I love the spiritual side of this story, which is based on Proverbs 3:5-6 Faith and Trusting God. Will Ivan and Brin learn to trust God and wait on him for their answers?
June 29, 2015
Brin and Ivan meet again at her sister's birthday and a growing attraction between them develops as he plays Bach;s Air. Can billionaire heiress and small town up and coming poor violinist have a relationship.
Enter the pivital character of Grandma Yun, Ivan;s grandmother who leads Brin to the Lord.At the same time Ivan is pulling away from the Lord because six years of struggling to make it and helping Grandma Yun after hip surgery.
The Biblical premise of this book is the 4 steps to Proverbs 3:5-6.
1. Trust in the Lord with all your heart.
2. Don't depend on your own understanding
3. Acknowledge God at all times
4. He will direct your steps.
We also see salvation and redemption.
The characters of Grace Chapel Men and Women's Bible study groups are an inspiration.
My heart is full of God's love in this book and a good read for anyone that enjoys Christian romance.
I look forward to more books in this series.
Thank you Jan for a copy of this book and I am giving my honest opinion
Enter the pivital character of Grandma Yun, Ivan;s grandmother who leads Brin to the Lord.At the same time Ivan is pulling away from the Lord because six years of struggling to make it and helping Grandma Yun after hip surgery.
The Biblical premise of this book is the 4 steps to Proverbs 3:5-6.
1. Trust in the Lord with all your heart.
2. Don't depend on your own understanding
3. Acknowledge God at all times
4. He will direct your steps.
We also see salvation and redemption.
The characters of Grace Chapel Men and Women's Bible study groups are an inspiration.
My heart is full of God's love in this book and a good read for anyone that enjoys Christian romance.
I look forward to more books in this series.
Thank you Jan for a copy of this book and I am giving my honest opinion
August 21, 2015
Share with Me by Jan Edttii Thompson:
Brinley is an educated, strong woman who group up with family money. She worked hard to establish herself in the corporate world but always kept herself grounded by buying and flipping homes with her Dad. She believed that if she saw something that needed to be fixed...she should fix it.
Ivan grew up financially poor but was educated and played Concert Violin and many other instruments. He had a music school that was small but slowly getting off the ground.
They had met a social function a year ago and neither had truly understood the attraction but it is there. God would not have reunited them if they weren't meant to be together. Would he??
This book has 71 chapters which is a little longer than I normally read especially when I am reading to review but I really fell for Ivan and Brinley so it is definitely worth the read.
Brinley is an educated, strong woman who group up with family money. She worked hard to establish herself in the corporate world but always kept herself grounded by buying and flipping homes with her Dad. She believed that if she saw something that needed to be fixed...she should fix it.
Ivan grew up financially poor but was educated and played Concert Violin and many other instruments. He had a music school that was small but slowly getting off the ground.
They had met a social function a year ago and neither had truly understood the attraction but it is there. God would not have reunited them if they weren't meant to be together. Would he??
This book has 71 chapters which is a little longer than I normally read especially when I am reading to review but I really fell for Ivan and Brinley so it is definitely worth the read.
July 12, 2015
This author has written an awesome story using the principle of Proverbs 3:5-6 which is a favorite scripture of mine. I was drawn into the lives of the characters. I felt They learned when they leaned on God, He would direct their paths. I felt like I was right there living the lives of the characters as they learned to trust God. They had to learn to not trust in their own selves or lean to their own understanding. It is a wonderful combination of faith and romance that made for a wonderful read. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series. I was given a copy of this book in return for an honest review. I highly recommend this book and author!
July 7, 2015
This is another one from this author that I really did enjoy. I loved the characters and was drawn into their lives from the first pages of the book. The author leaves you feeling like you are there and watching their stories unfold first hand It is also another wonderful combination of faith and romance that made for a delightful read. I definitely look forward to reading the next book in the series. I was gifted with a copy of this book in return for an honest review, and it is another one from this author I very much recommend.
May 1, 2016
The story line was just okay. Good enough that I wanted to see how it turned out, but not good enough for me to ever want to read it again. The editing was absolutely terrible - both grammar and plot points had huge mistakes. It broke the continuity to have so many errors. The grammar issues were annoying, but the plot errors were the most frustrating.
June 6, 2015
Fun, engaging romance! Loved the vivid details and the finely-drawn characters, such as Grandma Yun. The music/violin theme was unusual and obviously thoroughly researched. Looking forward to reading the next-in-series story and following these characters.
July 15, 2015
A wonderful romance combined with faith. I enjoyed reading this book. I love how scripture, salvation and trusting God is woven throughout the story. I look forward to reading the next book in this series! I was given a copy of the book to read and to provide an honest review.
October 19, 2015
The book was a little long but the story was great. Loved the characters and there was a lot of good parts to this story.
Trust in God. Money vs Lack there of. Injury causing change of career. Belief in God and Jesus Christ. Just a few of the important parts of the story.
Trust in God. Money vs Lack there of. Injury causing change of career. Belief in God and Jesus Christ. Just a few of the important parts of the story.
December 5, 2025
The basic story in this is a nice one - a lady from a moneyed family falls for a struggling music artist. Both of them love violins and classical pieces. Unfortunately for everyone concerned, the musician is a total idiot with money. He has taken out extra mortgages on the creaking family home (to buy an iPhone and iPad, for instance) instead of clearing off the first one. He tries to impress or keep up with the rich folks, like that would ever work. The lady ends up having to pay for a plumber for him, buy his aged granny a wheelchair, cover a meal when his credit is declined and he's been stupid enough to order lobster to show off, etc. When he's injured and can't play violin for months, maybe he loses everything.
I would like this better if there wasn't so much obsession with teachings from the Bronze Age and Iron Age, and attending prayer meetings instead of learning skills that would actually help to earn money and bring in passive income. (Photography with that iPhone or producing music with that iPad, for instance.) Some of the verses quoted are so obscurely phrased as to mean anything the reader wants them to mean. Yet the message we're always told is that God knows and does everything so don't try doing anything. (This turns out to mean that other people do the work.) The author's attitude is quite insulting: "dating an unbeliever" and "she got saved" are two phrases used. No alternatives will do to her characters' version of religion and nobody who isn't in the club is welcome.
Must be nice to be able to buy entire buildings, warehouses, and renovate by giving orders. The rich lady demands work gets done for her today, never considering that someone else does not get their plumbing done because of her. Otherwise, it's a clean and relatively cheerful story. Set in a seaside town.
I read an e-ARC from the author on Kindle. This is an unbiased review.
I would like this better if there wasn't so much obsession with teachings from the Bronze Age and Iron Age, and attending prayer meetings instead of learning skills that would actually help to earn money and bring in passive income. (Photography with that iPhone or producing music with that iPad, for instance.) Some of the verses quoted are so obscurely phrased as to mean anything the reader wants them to mean. Yet the message we're always told is that God knows and does everything so don't try doing anything. (This turns out to mean that other people do the work.) The author's attitude is quite insulting: "dating an unbeliever" and "she got saved" are two phrases used. No alternatives will do to her characters' version of religion and nobody who isn't in the club is welcome.
Must be nice to be able to buy entire buildings, warehouses, and renovate by giving orders. The rich lady demands work gets done for her today, never considering that someone else does not get their plumbing done because of her. Otherwise, it's a clean and relatively cheerful story. Set in a seaside town.
I read an e-ARC from the author on Kindle. This is an unbiased review.
July 16, 2023
Good but too preachy
I'm a Christian so I like Christian romances. But this author was redundant in certain parts of the story. I didn't think the book would ever end, yet the actual plot wasn't that long. I'm glad that trusting in God played an important part in the story, but the author preached more than she wrote. Besides Grandma Yun's words of wisdom, pastors preached, men had Bible studies, women had them, Sunday School was attended. Not only did the author harp on every single aspect of studying the Bible, but she repeated many other things such as the endangered birds & Ivan's past education & musical tour. Apparently she thinks noone will remember her words if she only says it once.
The plot itself was an excellent one & I enjoyed seeing both Ivan's & Brinley's love grow & overcome all obstacles.
I'm a Christian so I like Christian romances. But this author was redundant in certain parts of the story. I didn't think the book would ever end, yet the actual plot wasn't that long. I'm glad that trusting in God played an important part in the story, but the author preached more than she wrote. Besides Grandma Yun's words of wisdom, pastors preached, men had Bible studies, women had them, Sunday School was attended. Not only did the author harp on every single aspect of studying the Bible, but she repeated many other things such as the endangered birds & Ivan's past education & musical tour. Apparently she thinks noone will remember her words if she only says it once.
The plot itself was an excellent one & I enjoyed seeing both Ivan's & Brinley's love grow & overcome all obstacles.
April 24, 2021
Good story
This is a good story about loses and learning to accept God’s will for our lives in the midst of heartache, pain, poverty, and unexpected loses. There is a sweet Christian theme, using many Bible verses to help the characters understand how blessed we are in Christ and what we have as Christians. “All things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28
This is a good story about loses and learning to accept God’s will for our lives in the midst of heartache, pain, poverty, and unexpected loses. There is a sweet Christian theme, using many Bible verses to help the characters understand how blessed we are in Christ and what we have as Christians. “All things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28
June 14, 2021
Beautiful Faith filled story
Have it ever faced a chronic illness or a serious accident requiring physical therapy? It can be hard to keep the faith that God has something better in store for your future. What a beautiful story of a man with family debt who felt totally inadequate to date a billionaire. This story has a message to help build your Faith as this couple works through so many hardships and challenges to their Faith.
Have it ever faced a chronic illness or a serious accident requiring physical therapy? It can be hard to keep the faith that God has something better in store for your future. What a beautiful story of a man with family debt who felt totally inadequate to date a billionaire. This story has a message to help build your Faith as this couple works through so many hardships and challenges to their Faith.
April 12, 2023
As with most romance stories, His Long Heart: Returning Home to St. Simon's Island was fairly easy to figure out how the ending would be. It was a wonderful journey through ups and downs as Ivan and Brinley learned to trust God and each other using many Bible verses to reach the wonderful climax of their story. I heartily recommend this book to all Believers and Non-Believers who need a guide towards their goal of learning to trust God in all of their endeavors.
July 11, 2020
This story was a beautiful story of love, trust, and forgiveness.
We all need to learn to trust God and not rely on our own strength. I loved how the author brought this message so simply and beautifully.
The story of Brin and Ivan will touch your heart.
Jan Thompson is a new author for me and I know I will be reading more of her books.
We all need to learn to trust God and not rely on our own strength. I loved how the author brought this message so simply and beautifully.
The story of Brin and Ivan will touch your heart.
Jan Thompson is a new author for me and I know I will be reading more of her books.
May 9, 2021
Our Song
Thank you for this wonderful story about Brinley and Ivan and their topsy-turvy romance. The storyline was very moving, especially about Yun. Life became very difficult, but with Brin and Ivan finally trusting and obeying God, they found their happily ever after. Lovely characters and story.
Thank you for this wonderful story about Brinley and Ivan and their topsy-turvy romance. The storyline was very moving, especially about Yun. Life became very difficult, but with Brin and Ivan finally trusting and obeying God, they found their happily ever after. Lovely characters and story.
June 28, 2021
Ivan needs to learn to trust God instead of himself.
Ivan has more problems than he can handle but he keeps trying his way instead of trusting God to lead the way. The characters in this story are so realistic and endearing as they face various challenges. Lots of twists and turns as a wonderful story unfolds.
Ivan has more problems than he can handle but he keeps trying his way instead of trusting God to lead the way. The characters in this story are so realistic and endearing as they face various challenges. Lots of twists and turns as a wonderful story unfolds.
July 20, 2023
Music to my ears
What a beautifully written contemporary Christian love story. She was a billionaire that worked for het families renovation company. He was a wonderfully gifted violinist that was extremely poor. He took care of his 97 year old grandmother. Many obstacles to be worked out for this love to go forth. A great read.
What a beautifully written contemporary Christian love story. She was a billionaire that worked for het families renovation company. He was a wonderfully gifted violinist that was extremely poor. He took care of his 97 year old grandmother. Many obstacles to be worked out for this love to go forth. A great read.
August 6, 2023
His Longing Heart
I loved this sweet Christian romance between Ivan and Brinley at St. Simon's Island, Georgia. Music brought them together and putting God first kept them together. I highly recommend this beautiful love story with great characters. This is my voluntary and honest review.
I loved this sweet Christian romance between Ivan and Brinley at St. Simon's Island, Georgia. Music brought them together and putting God first kept them together. I highly recommend this beautiful love story with great characters. This is my voluntary and honest review.
November 28, 2023
Decent
I debated giving this book a 3 or 4 star rating. It wasn’t bad overall and some of the loose ends did get tied up at the end of the book but it was very long and the relationship return felt very sudden and awkward. Some of the questions never got answered either. I’ve read other books by this author that I have really enjoyed but I just didn’t feel this one as much.
I debated giving this book a 3 or 4 star rating. It wasn’t bad overall and some of the loose ends did get tied up at the end of the book but it was very long and the relationship return felt very sudden and awkward. Some of the questions never got answered either. I’ve read other books by this author that I have really enjoyed but I just didn’t feel this one as much.
October 13, 2024
WHAT IT'S ABOUT
He is a struggling violinist living in poverty. She is a billionairess violin collector with a trust fund. Living in two different worlds, will their unexpected romance last?
MY TAKE
This was a sweet Christian romance. It takes a long time for Ivan and Brinley to get there but it's lovely when it all comes together.
4 1/2 stars
He is a struggling violinist living in poverty. She is a billionairess violin collector with a trust fund. Living in two different worlds, will their unexpected romance last?
MY TAKE
This was a sweet Christian romance. It takes a long time for Ivan and Brinley to get there but it's lovely when it all comes together.
4 1/2 stars
June 13, 2021
Wonderful story
The author wrote the story so that the characters became alive. I felt like I was right there in the midst of the story seeing the love unfolding between Ivan and Brinkley and seeing Christ’s ever-loving example leading their lives together.
The author wrote the story so that the characters became alive. I felt like I was right there in the midst of the story seeing the love unfolding between Ivan and Brinkley and seeing Christ’s ever-loving example leading their lives together.
January 21, 2022
Dreams lost
He seemed to have it all until a family tragedy necessitated that he cut his career short. She has been incredibly successful in her work for the family company, but without her relationship dreams coming true. He is struggling but she has ...almost all. Brilliant!
He seemed to have it all until a family tragedy necessitated that he cut his career short. She has been incredibly successful in her work for the family company, but without her relationship dreams coming true. He is struggling but she has ...almost all. Brilliant!
November 28, 2022
a contrast of values
Loved the families as they learned about love for others and God first. Most inspirational book I have read in a long time. Thanks to this wonderful authors words
Loved the families as they learned about love for others and God first. Most inspirational book I have read in a long time. Thanks to this wonderful authors words
February 7, 2023
where they belong
As always with her books, I love how the characters apply Scriptur to their situations. Ivan and Brinley both had a lot to learn. I loved reading about their journey.
As always with her books, I love how the characters apply Scriptur to their situations. Ivan and Brinley both had a lot to learn. I loved reading about their journey.
April 9, 2023
His Longing Heart
I really enjoyed reading this story. It had many twists and turns, causing me to wonder what would happen next. It was full of scripture and how Jesus and God's Word bring healing to lives!
I really enjoyed reading this story. It had many twists and turns, causing me to wonder what would happen next. It was full of scripture and how Jesus and God's Word bring healing to lives!
November 14, 2023
What a great book. Throughly enjoyed Brinkley and Ivan’s story. Ms. Thompson does a great job of using scripture to bring about spiritual growth in her characters. Just like God does in real life. Loved the people of Seaside Chapel.
January 18, 2022
Great book
March 10, 2022
This beautiful story had me bawling my eyes out at one point, and then smiling like the Cheshire cat at another. Such a wonderful read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews