Review: Read with Your Heart by L.B. Dunbar (Heart #2)
Note: An advanced reader copy (ARC) was provided by the author via Wildfire Marketing Solutions.
I think it would be fair to say that this re-launched series of L.B. Dunbar's is quickly becoming a favorite of mine. Originally titled the Sensations collection, the Heart collection consists of five rebranded novels: Speak from the Heart (formerly Sound Advice), Read with Your Heart (formerly Sight Words), Look with Your Heart (formerly Taste Test), Fight from the Heart (formerly Fragrance Free), and View with Your Heart (formerly Touch Screen). Since I never read these titles when they were released a few years back, I cannot honestly tell you what, if any, changes were made between the covers. That being said, what I have read--i.e. the first two books--tells me a lot, and that's that Dunbar isn't just great at writing lighthearted romantic comedies with over-40 main characters, but also heavier stories with angst and diverse characters.
Read with Your Heart is the story of thirty-two-year-old Tricia Carter, a high school teacher who is separated from her abusive husband, and thirty-five-year-old Leon Ramirez, a mechanic who spent time in prison and formerly from Chicago. They're neighbors renting homes from the same landlady, both hoping for a fresh start in their respective lives in Elk Lake City--Tricia's hometown and a new town Leon hopes will be his new home. There's something between them that both are hesitant to explore. She's just coming out of a bad marriage, and he's an ex-convict who doesn't think he's good enough for someone like her. But just when they've formed a connection and are taking small steps to becoming a family unit of sorts with his two younger sisters, Tricia and Leon soon realize that the past has a way of coming back.
Read with Your Heart is the story of thirty-two-year-old Tricia Carter, a high school teacher who is separated from her abusive husband, and thirty-five-year-old Leon Ramirez, a mechanic who spent time in prison and formerly from Chicago. They're neighbors renting homes from the same landlady, both hoping for a fresh start in their respective lives in Elk Lake City--Tricia's hometown and a new town Leon hopes will be his new home. There's something between them that both are hesitant to explore. She's just coming out of a bad marriage, and he's an ex-convict who doesn't think he's good enough for someone like her. But just when they've formed a connection and are taking small steps to becoming a family unit of sorts with his two younger sisters, Tricia and Leon soon realize that the past has a way of coming back.
I really liked the series starter, Speak from the Heart, but there was something about this second one that really got to me. Maybe it was because I could relate to Tricia since she was a teacher. I know how easy it is to become entangled in the personal lives of your students out of care and concern. I loved how Tricia had no second thoughts about going above and beyond, highlighting how dedicated of an educator she was as well as how selfless a human being she showed herself to be. As for Leon, the guy may have been what many would consider rough around the edges, but how can you not love someone who wants to better himself and provide a good life for what remains of his family? Neither of them were perfect, but they balanced each other out, and their story was inspiring. I'm giving five stars to Read with Your Heart.
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Read my reviews for the Heart series:
Speak from the Heart (book one) - 4.5 stars - My Review
Read with Your Heart (book two) - five stars - My Review (posted above)
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Release Date: 03 September 2020
Date Read: 03 September 2020
Learn more about L.B. Dunbar.
Purchase Read with Your Heart on Amazon.
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