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Courage Johnathan

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ARE YOU SURE JOHNATHAN?

Are you sure you'll be the same man without all the trappings of your ego for love?

WHAT WILL IT BE JOHNATHAN? THE BILLIONS OR YOUR SOUL MATE?

The luxury lifestyle, your business, the attention, your reputation - will Johnathan be able to give it all up for the love of his life? And if he does, can he remain the type of man that Caroline deserves?

262 pages, Paperback

Published March 22, 2021

8 people want to read

About the author

Heather Nadine Lenz

22 books54 followers
I believe in love at first sight, second chances, and the power of kindness. As a child growing up in Boise Idaho I loved the beautiful landscape and friendly people. I adore my family. I never planned on leaving. But sometimes life takes us where it wants to, especially if we follow our hearts. Mine took me all the way to Switzerland, where I have lived for years now with my Swiss husband. When I'm not writing or reading, you can find me teaching yoga, wellness coaching, enjoying time with my three children, swimming, or hiking.


https://www.ignitewellnessopentojoy.c...

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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
Profile Image for Julie Porter.
297 reviews20 followers
May 22, 2021
Spoilers: I have to hand it to Heather Nadine Lenz. She thought of one of the cutest ways to draw Readers into a second volume if they are unfamiliar with the first. Most authors have a prologue. Others put dabs of exposition throughout the book so they can pick up things as they go on. Others ignore it entirely and expect the Readers to catch up.
In Courage Jonathan, the previous novel, Courage Caroline is summarized in one overlong drunken monologue by a future groom on the day before his wedding.
Jonathan Arrozinni is in Bali ready to marry his fiancee Caroline but as he explains to a bartender, he has cold feet. He recalls the events of the previous book: That he is the son of a wealthy family who started an architectural firm with his brother. He fell in love with Caroline, a yoga instructor from a poor family. His family raised objections and threatened to cut him off. Through a series of romantic complications including both of their exes, Jonathan decides to go for love instead of money and asks Caroline to marry him.
In this opening chapter, the bartender is no doubt considering a career change as Jonathan rambles on and on but the Reader gets a sense of the kind of character that Jonathan is. He is foolish, prone to hasty decisions without thinking, helplessly idealistic, romantic, at times self-centered, entitled because he had spent his life with money, but ultimately good hearted. In this chapter we learn about Jonathan through this summary of the previous book.

Courage Jonathan is a funny and warm book. If Courage Caroline says that love conquers all and is worth taking the leap, then Courage Jonathan is the more rational friend holding their romantic idiot friend by the belt loops and saying "Whoa there, Love Birds, you might want to hold off and think about this for a while."
The trouble begins right before the wedding. Besides Jonathan's second thoughts, Caroline announces that she's pregnant, and Jonathan's brother makes a humiliating speech earning Caroline's embarrassment and Jonathan's fury. This angers Jonathan so much that not only does he refuse his family's money but he dissolves his partnership with Daniel and resolves to start his own firm. Well a year later, Jonathan is bankrupt, unemployed, and depressed and a fed up Caroline is ready to file for divorce and take their son, Leo with her.

The book has some romantic moments that reveal what a sweet couple Jonathan and Caroline actually are, the kind that are instantly likeable and we root for. In Bali, they observe a beautiful waterfall with the other members of Jonathan's family who before and sense are at each other's throats. That moment however brings them together as they observe this natural beauty.
Another moment is during their wedding over water. They have to be barefoot and of course Caroline and Jonathan slip and get wet. As they playfully splash each other, we see this is a couple that take great delight and joy in being together. Despite the family conflicts and Jonathan's concerned feelings at the beginning, the Reader needs these moments to see Jonathan and Caroline as a loving couple caught up in the haze of romance before reality sets in and sets and it does.

After the bankruptcy and the estrangement of Johnathan's family, we see what a life of privilege does to someone who is too used to it and the culture shock when someone has to get used to being on their own for the first time. Jonathan may have felt suffocated by the standards and questioned many of their dealings. He may have constantly tired of them controlling him but now that he has cut the strings, he is wondering what went wrong.
It's not a surprise that Johnathan's architectural firm goes under. He is without the contacts, the backing, and the promotion that his famous name provided. He's practically like a toddler trying to skip learning to walk and trying instead to run around the neighborhood only to fall flat on his face.

His depression when everything goes under is real enough to be understandable but also comic enough to make one want to shake him out of his funk and tell him to get over himself. It gets more dramatic as he contemplates suicide before he is rescued by a friend. This moment becomes a wake up call for Jonathan as he no longer loses himself to self pity and really takes positive steps to take charge of his life. Before when he broke from his family and started his own firm, he did it basically just to show them off like a pouty kid wanting to prove to his parents "See I did it myself!"
This time he restarts his life to become a better person on his own terms, so he can be a better worker, friend, husband, and father. He becomes a more well rounded person who takes pride in his work and cares for Caroline and Leo.

The ironic thing is at the exact moment when his new life is at its highest, his family are at their lowest. Jonathan may have successfully broken the patterns of entitlement and avarice, but they have not. They end up paying a price for their greed and expect money and a famous name means that they won't face punishment. At least in this book, they will. Jonathan looks on this with bemusement at their situation, relief that he got out, and a haunting thought of who he might have been and where he might have ended up if he stayed.

Courage Jonathan begins with a character who is so laughable that you want to slap him to make him see reality. It ended with him being slapped by life and becoming more real than ever.


Profile Image for Amina Thajudeen.
384 reviews28 followers
May 1, 2021
How often you will get the chance to immerse yourself in a story which portrays the depth of human emotions? Courage Johnathan is one of a kind novel. It is a slice of real life. Not all of us are figured out everything we want in our life. We often step into emotional dilemmas that we are not ready to face. One way or another, we all want to run away from our problems. But it is never the solution. The real solution will come only when we decide what we really want by upholding our ethics, integrity and emotions. Courage Johnathan is a beautiful story that reflects this message.

Johnathan is going to marry Caroline at the picturesque Bali. But he is unsure of his feelings. His family has put on huge pressure on him to choose between his fiancé or his trust fund and business. He worked day and night to build his company and he enjoys his job. He is not ready to give it up. But what will it cost him? He knows money can’t buy love and love can’t make money either. He has to make a decision that is true to his feelings and ethics.

Courage Johnathan is the second part of the Courage to Rise series by the author. I have read the first part of this series, Courage Caroline. It revolves around the life and decisions of Caroline. But in this part, the author has reversed the point of view. Here the whole story follows Johnathan and his strained relationships whether it is with his family or Caroline.

The author has used her exceptional storytelling skills to narrate this story with the right pace and concise dialogues. She has painted the emotional struggle of Johnathan and Caroline using very few words. We can literally feel their inner conflicts and indecisions. There is also a little bit of suspense and mystery in the middle, which makes the plot intriguing.

This realistic story is undoubtedly a perfect choice to uplift one's soul. Highly recommended.
Profile Image for Wendy Beckman.
Author 14 books32 followers
May 10, 2021
Courage Johnathan: An uplifting read set in Bali by Heather Nadine Lenz is an engaging book that gives us a glimpse into both a life some of us would give anything to have and a life where someone has given up everything he had. The main character in this novel is struggling through major decisions about his life and is reacting to strange signals from his family and mixed signals from his bride to be.

The book gets off to a very slow start, with Johnathan talking to a bartender and dumping a whole bunch of back story on the reader. Stick with it, though. The story picks up steam soon after.

One thing that the author struggles with is pacing and timing. Two consecutive paragraphs can be years apart with no clue that we've jumped in time. People break up with someone and then weeks later they're already proposing to someone else.

Some of the names are confusing, as well. Anna is Annie's mother. Dan and Daniel are two different characters. Ellen also goes by "Ellie" and helps keep an eye on Johnathan's kids. Ella (different person) was the first babysitter. Mat is spelled "Matt" in one usage, but that's a mistake. Mat is short for "Matilda."

This book would have benefitted from a copy editor or proofreader to catch things like the bartender offering a "refill" of a cocktail (you'd get a new one, not a refill), "starring at the empty lobby" or "going to lay down." These errors are mildly annoying, but don't get in the way of a good story.

I recommend it to women who like contemporary romance.
Profile Image for Jessica.
2,332 reviews23 followers
April 28, 2021
The second book in the Courage to Rise series by Heather Lenz, is about a new couple, that have a whole new set of problems to overcome. John and Caroline have solely been drifting apart, the more wealth John has amassed, the further it seems they are. Caroline does not want to lose her husband, but she is unwilling to be with the man he has become, always hounding after more money. John must make the decision; will he lose the marriage and woman of his dreams? Or will he let her go in his pursuit of the riches he can attain.
The synopsis is very brief; however, I enjoyed the first book in the series and wanted to continue. I am happy I did, this book continues in the same form, however, the tenderness of the 1st book is not quite here. Greed plays a bigger role here and how it can corrupt a person and make them lose sight of what’s important. I loved the ending and am glad I read it.
Profile Image for Pearl.
534 reviews7 followers
April 25, 2021
I can never deny the fact that Courage Johnathan: An uplifting read set in Bali by Heather Nadine Lenz is such an excellently written book. It's a tale of love that sets itself apart from many other romance books that I have read before. It teaches life lessons in different forms, but most especially the courage to take important decisions and choices.

My favorite thing about this book was the narration of Johnathan. I like his clever and smart personality that he mixes in with humor. I was totally entertained while he was talking to the bartender. With that monologue I felt like I knew his entire life. This was such a heart-rending novel that is also fun to read. The romance between Johnathan and Caroline, even if it was push and pull, was so interesting and full of depth. This is one of the many stories that I will never forget.
Profile Image for Agustina Sureda.
606 reviews13 followers
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July 13, 2021
Courage Johnathan: An uplifting read set in Bali written by Heather Nadine Lenz is a romance that presents Johnathan and Caroline two completely different people that encounter not always so smooth love that they hope for, and so Johnathan is parted between his family and his bride Caroline.
This book is an interesting one, with some jumps in time that are not very predictable, the story is a little bit slow but steady. The characters are very well-developed, and the Bali scenery is well-described. It made me feel upset and unsure about their romance at times, just as Johnathan was feeling so, Lenz does a great job with her writing. Greed could be quite easily another character, the villain, in the plot. It plays a big part in making Johnathan second guess everything and creating constant problems. I like the story very much and would gladly read another Lenz book.
Profile Image for Valery.
1,501 reviews57 followers
April 26, 2021
Courage Johnathan: An uplifting read set in Bali by Heather Nadine Lenz is a well-written romance. It involves the romance between Johnathan and Caroline which is sometimes kind of rocky. The tone is realistic, the dialogue is real as well, and the book's overall feel is positive. The romance between the two main characters is not always smooth and that lends credibility to the story. With plenty of twists and turns, the story holds your interest and even the supporting characters are well fleshed out and developed. Johnathan must make a difficult choice in this story, one that plays well and shows a lot of conviction and dealing with challenges. This is a well-put-together romance that is both serious and light, suitable reading for those looking for a clean story. Highly recommend.
Profile Image for Pegboard.
1,823 reviews9 followers
May 1, 2021
Courage Jonathan by Heather Nadine Lenz is a continuation of Courage Caroline or could be read alone. Jonathan has everything a man could wish for; lots of money, about to marry his beautiful fiancée, and a supportive family. Within a year he has none of it. At his lowest point in life, the tide turns and a friend puts him back on track to getting his life together. Just as Caroline is back in his life he is hit with something that rocks the fibers of his being. Does he have what it takes to keep his head above water, his family together, and his integrity?

I have loved this series by Heather Nadine Lenz as she adds layers of drama, deceit, and doubt throughout the plot. She keeps her readers glued to the pages as the story unfolds into a fascinating story.
Profile Image for Celeste.
995 reviews26 followers
July 8, 2021
“Courage Johnathan” is the second book I read from author Heather Nadine Lenz and I must say that I loved it as much as the first one. This time she tells readers Johnathan’s story. It is a beautiful and captivating romance story, but it is also so much more; it is a story of difficult choices, life changes and rediscoveries, of forgiveness and love.
This book is skillfully written, with vivid descriptions and powerful dialogues. The writer has created a dramatic, gripping plot with well-developed, very believable characters, letting us see into the lives and souls of a sensitive and strong woman and an honest and charming man.
I really loved this novel and I found myself binge reading. I wasn’t able to stop until I finished it. I highly recommend it.
Profile Image for Carol M..
246 reviews2 followers
July 11, 2021
Courage Johnathan is a captivating drama that combines love, suspense and some moving scenes. It explores the challenges that the marriage between Johnathan and Carolina find, especially Jonhathan’s ones as he has to choose between love and his fortune. I felt identified with the characters as all of us have to face difficult decisions and the result might not be convenient to others but we have to think what is best for us. Johnathan has some obstacles that prevent him from making a final decision. The plot is captivating, not to mention the unexpected twists that made this book impossible to put down. I must admit I couldn’t stop reading it until I found out about Jonhathan’s final choice.

Profile Image for Susan B.
495 reviews10 followers
July 12, 2021
Courage Johnathan by Heather Nadine Lenz is the second book in the Courage to Rise Series of books which names are all similar: Courage Caroline, Courage Johnathan and Courage Matilde. They all belong to the romance genre and they are great examples of it.
As the title suggests, the story is centered on Johnathan who is entangled between two options: being with his soulmate and love of his life or giving it all up for a luxury lifestyle and great reputation.
Even though the narrative revolves around a dilemma, the overall tone of the book is positive. The characters are greatly developed and the story is full of twists and turns but not such great mysteries or suspenseful sequences of events. Loved it!
Profile Image for Guadalupe Herrera.
250 reviews2 followers
July 14, 2021
“Courage Johnathan” by Heather Nadine Lenz was a marvellous read. I love how the author is able to create an interesting plot and develop the characters to where it feels like a natural progression. Johnathan is faced with a decision and his choice will irrevocably steer his life down a certain path depending on what he chooses. He and Caroline, his wife, are believable, relatable, and so is their relationship. Lenz’s style of writing kept me wanting to continue reading well into the night. The details were wonderful! It brought back to mind all the things I loved about “Courage Caroline” and how much I loved that story as well. Lenz is truly great at what she does. I would recommend this book to anyone!
Profile Image for Ivana S..
540 reviews10 followers
July 12, 2021
This one has got it all: drama, intrigue, and of course, plenty of passionate love. “Courage Johnathan” is the second book in the “Courage to Rise” series. This book is amazing down to the last page. In fact, it is easy to read and difficult to forget. It tells the story of Johnathan, who falls in love with Caroline, but in order to live his great love he must give up the life he knows: the luxuries, his business, the attention of other girls and much more. Is he going to leave everything for love?
I am planning to continue reading books of this series because it left me wanting more! I thoroughly recommend it.
Profile Image for Mia C..
1,090 reviews25 followers
July 13, 2021
Belonging to the Courage to Rise series, Courage Johnathan, the second part in this series, is about a very important decision the main character has to make. The author proposes to us to think together with Johnathan whether love will win over money. The plot of the book is really interesting and also well developed from beginning to end. Topics such as manipulation or resilience are explored here. But it is a book that has a bit of everything and as such, there’s humor too. I really liked the author’s writing style because I read for hours and did not feel tired or bored. It is certainly a story that I recommend reading.
Profile Image for Santiago Flores.
1,037 reviews11 followers
July 13, 2021
This story makes readers think about marriage and the doubts around that decision. Many who have gotten married may have had some but, in this case, Johnathan has a lot to think about, is love stronger than the lifestyle he desires? 

As a weak point of this book, I would mention the cover; it is not attractive and what really caught my attention to I read this book was the description of it. The author has a very interesting narrative that caught me and did not let me go until I finished the book. I finished it in a couple of sittings because I wanted to know how things would unfold and if my guesses were right. I recommend reading it! 
Profile Image for Liz.
1,386 reviews32 followers
July 10, 2021
"Courage Johnathan" is the second book in the Courage to Rise series. In this second book, we get to know Jonathan better. He is a young man who leads a luxurious lifestyle, but can he give up all these luxuries for Caroline, the love of his life? Or would he rather continue with his life?
Author Heather Nadine Lenz knows how to create a compelling plot. The twists and turns of this story left me super hooked. The scenes are very descriptive and the characters are exceptional. I really liked this book that's why I certainly recommend it.
Profile Image for Jimmy Jefferson.
1,043 reviews9 followers
May 5, 2021
Money, power, and love. Which is more intoxicating

Courage Johnathon is a story about a guy who had all the money and wealth anyone could want along with being the head of a very successful business. When his wealth begins to change him into something his wife doesn’t like, he will have to choose between the wealth and power or the love and life with Caroline. The story is well written and the journey is an adventure that will pull you along turning the pages to see where it will go next. Characters are well developed and the scenes are descriptive and make you feel like you are right there in the story. If you like suspense with a series of twists, this is the one for you. Check it out folks, it is worth the read.
Profile Image for Alfredo R.
603 reviews8 followers
July 12, 2021
Quality content reader

Adulthood equals decisions and decision-making. Most of these decisions often lead to dramatic changes in our adult life and inevitable consequences. Heather Lenz, in her book “Courage Johnathan”, knows how to get in touch with an adult and how to aim directly at our minds.

She does a fantastic job in describing topics that are real and modern: deceit, resilience, egocentrism and much more. I could easily relate to the plot, the characters and the main ideas in this book.

I was astonished at the settings described - visiting Bali is now in my bucket list - and I was spellbound at the author’s writing style.

“Courage Johnathan” is a book that surprised me in such a good way that I recommend it for adults who are looking for quality entertainment.
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