This is a wonderful historical romance!

I love the whole cast of main characters. They are an incredibly diverse group of people. I liked finding out the stories of how each of them came to be in San Francisco. I didn’t expect to find so many of them but I can’t even start to leave any out. There are Abigail, Neville, Sam, Cookie, and a few others. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing how much scripture is quoted and how the Lord is relied on.

The plot kept my attention as I saw Abigail’s journey into being a truly mature young woman. It amazes me to think about the fact that most of us consider ourselves adults long before we are truly ready to make mature decisions for our lives.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher, through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All of the opinions expressed are my own.

I love historical fiction and am fascinated by this era in American history. This was a fun read, not too taxing and I"m not sure how chronologically accurate it was, yet I enjoyed it all the same. I can imagine the characters who travelled west during the gold rush and those who sought the likes of Abby's hand in marriage. This was an interesting read and fun too. I enjoyed ie.

I'm a lot late with this but I've had a lot going on too.
I thought this book was ok. I like Thompson's style of writing. I try not to miss any of her books. I enjoy her that much.
When this story first started out I felt sorry for Neville Abbys butler. She's so spoiled rotten but I do like her style of doing things on a whim.
I loved Neville. His personality was wonderful! I liked him right from the start.
To me, that's what makes life more exciting. I don't blame her for wanting to find her mother.
I enjoyed learning life's lessons with Abby along the way.
It's why I love Christian historical fiction!
I also enjoyed learning about San Francisco.
I can certainly relate to Samuel on one thing. I don't like Kentucky at all!
I'm hoping to leave someday if it's God's will I will be able too. I'm ready for an adventure myself! So I can't blame Samuel at all!!
I have enjoyed reading this series and I hope to see more in the future!
I highly recommend it
My thanks to Netgalley. NO compensations were received and all opinions are my own.

This book was easy to enter and it kept me anticipating the next thing. She is involved in a trip west in this historical fiction to find her Mom and bring her home. The intended direction for her original plan is inaccessible so she decides to not turn back but instead keep on. She lands herself out in San Francisco where trouble abounds. This author paints quite a picture of an early look at what San Francisco was like... in the time period of the gold rush and greed. Should she stay or go? You'll have to read it like I did to find out what happens.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This was a difficult read for me, because I had a hard time believing the plot. I didn't think it was realistic for 22 yrs old Abby to be travelling across the country to convince her mother to come home, but ended up in San Francisco instead. I didn't like how immature Abby was, and how she made things more difficult for her long suffering butler, Neville. Neville is a very proper English butler, and he brings humor while trying to maintain his proper ways in the rustic San Francisco.

I did like how Cookie took Abby under her wing and taught her things about life, and has a Bible verse for everything.

I thought Abby was really hard to like because she seemed superficial, and it was hard to believe her relationship with Sam as they didn't talk to each other much. I felt like there more telling than showing, and alot of the plot movements happened in their heads and didn't translate to real life. I did like many of the side characters, but this book wasn't for me. I really tried to enjoy it, and I usually love books by this author, but this one just didn't do it for me personally.

This book didn't really hook me, but I did enjoy reading about early San Francisco. All in all, a sweet romance but nothing extraordinary.

I have enjoyed this "My Heart Belongs in...." series and this one is no exception. Samuel and Abby are a bit of an odd pair but it was fun to watch them overcome preconceived notions and fall in love. I'm a sucker for a good romance and this one was great. If you like history, faith, and romance, you'll enjoy this book!

Fantastic historical read! Ms. Thompson never fails to create a 4 star worthy novel and she didn't fail with this one either. I was instantly captivated and pulled to the heart of the story. Each page turn brought the reader something new and I am glad to say that this is a keeper!

~Guest Reviewer at Cafinated Reads
~Cafinated Reads was provided a copy of this book by the publisher via Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are our own.

It seems that I can't resist this author when she comes up in a long running series that I've been reading, despite the fact that I know I don't care for how she writes a novel. This book was no exception, though it was my first time reading a historical romance of hers, so I was invested in sticking with it for that point alone, if not for the fact that I had also set a goal of reading the entire My Heart Belongs in... series!

I have to say the setting was easy to envision, despite the scarcity of details. Perhaps it was set in the very early founding of San Francisco, but I had always envisioned it to be a town of more than just one street, even in its early days!

Sam was a good character, but I thought that he would hold his tongue a little too much when it came to Marcus. Likewise, Abby was a good character, if a little too naive at times. The problem was, I didn't really see much of an actual romance blooming between them. Deep friendship, sure, but not enough to warrant the "I love you"s at the end of the story.

I also didn't care for the way the author felt that everyone had to be paired off at the end of the book. It seemed like by the end of things, all the characters we had gotten to know in the story had been paired off with someone else and everyone had a Happily Ever After! Just didn't seem believable to me.

Unfortunately, not the greatest book in the series for me, and one I struggled through. It has renewed my desire to avoid this author's works, save for the occasional book she slips into a bigger series that I want to read.

I have read some of the other stories in the “My Heart Belongs in…” series and have enjoyed them. They are fun to read and carry a good message about faith and hope with them, which I love to find when escaping to other realms. This is the first one I have read that made me actually look for more though! I have read the others when I came across them. Now I have actually pursued the others, all from this story. I don’t believe I have ever read anything by the author before now, but Thompson did a great job. I was captivated from the beginning. I love historical fiction and the gold rush was a fascinating time. This story explores so much from then while giving the reader an adventure in love and loyalty.
When Abby decides to travel from Philadelphia to Oregon to try and persuade her wandering mother to come home, she has no idea she will end up in San Francisco due to road problems. She and Neville, her family butler, arrive at the Gold Rush Inn, which is run by Sam Harris. They meet Cookie, Jin, Lesley, and a host of others who show them that God can work anywhere, even in a rowdy place like San Francisco. Along the way, they find love and joy in the most unlikely places.
I truly recommend this book to lovers of historical romance. You will not be disappointed! Thank you to Janice Thompson for sharing your story with me! I received a free copy of this story for my honest opinion. All opinions expressed are my own.

My Heart Belongs in San Francisco, California by Janice Thompson is a historical fiction novel set in the time of the gold rush. An English socialite finds herself alone in the middle of the gold rush. Soon, her money is gone as she searches for her mother. Ms Thompson does an excellent job of creating the historical setting of this novel, from the descriptions to the manner of speech. I definitely recommend this book to readers who love fiction from this time period. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher. These opinions are entirely my own.

This was one of those books that made you smile and laugh and yes... there was a tear! What an adventure and well developed characters. I want to read more of their stories! If I read books twice this book would be on my list! Loved it!

I'm a suCKER for historical fiction (which is probably why I read so much Christian fiction when I don't necessarily like it all the way), so I was excited to read this series that is solely based around different cities. I also heard a lot of good things about Janice Thompson, so I was also excited to read this book written by her. Did this book meet my expectations? Yes, and no.

My Heart Belongs in San Francisco, California reminded me a lot of the plotless historical fiction I used to read in middle school, plus a heavy dose of [mostly clean] romance.

Abby and her butler are travelling to Oregon when they are diverted to San Francisco, which is filled with 49-ers mining for gold. The details that go into describing the city and the circumstances that happened there are accurate (as far as I can tell), and the story was very cute.

Rich English Abby gets to San Francisco having not worked a day in her life, but quickly begins to work in the restaurant alongside the cook, who makes amazing food (that made me hungry). And as expected, falls in love with the main guy. What surprised me, though, was the other fallings-in-love that happened, and all the ploT twists that happened in that department. All the characters I enjoyed reading: they were all distinct in their own way and had their own flair!

I'm not sure what the directed audience of the book is, because the writing was rather simplistic, but had a surprisingly large amount of (albeit, clean) kissing going on, especially at the end. The story generally flowed pretty well, and ended happily (although it DID follow the setting, building, climax, end formula really well so there's also that).

Overall, it was a cute historical fiction book that I'll read the rest of the series for, but it wasn't anything particularly spectacular. The faith content in it was really good, and I enjoyed reading it!

My Rating-
7/10

Things liked-
the butler!
aw it was so sweet
okay but I want some of Cookie's pie
A+ Chinese dude representation. He was amazing and hilarious
saSSY comments though
yay for happy ending
faith content

Things disliked-
why so kissey????
mentions of saloon girls and their [buSINESS]
simplistic writing style

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a free e-copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinions. I was not required to write a positive review.

This review first appeared on: https://rockandminerals4him.wordpress.com/2018/03/07/book-review-my-heart-belongs-in-san-francisco-california-historical-fiction/

I enjoy reading all of the My Heart Belongs series of books. This one takes place in San Fran after Abby and her butler travel there by train. What I really enjoy is learning the historical aspects of the different cities from this time period. There are historical nuggets in these books waiting to be discovered that you would not find in a novel not focusing on the different cities. I especially liked the info the author added to the back of the book detailing facts about the 49ers during the Gold Rush. The cast of character were fun and some a bit quirky like Cookie, the cook who sees herself as a caring mother figure to Abby. Abby is in search of her mother who travels around the country on a whim and Abby is saddened by this wishing her mother were more caring and nurturing. Turns out her mother is searching for something missing in her marriage. When her husband finds her and talks to her hurts are healed and it's all in God's own timing.
Pub Date 01 Mar 2018
I received a complimentary cop of this book from Barbour Publishing through NetGalley. Thank you. All opinions are my own.

My Heart Belongs To San Francisco, California is a wonderful book of romances - Yup you read me right I said romances - plural - awesome isn't it? There is the main characters but also other people of different ages and nationalities - cool eh? This book is authentically historical. It has a great story to the romances and you just find yourself smiling without even realizing it because you are enjoying it that much. If you want to put a smile on your face pick this one up and join me.

Another great story, this one set in San Francisco in the mid 1850’s. The story starts out with Abby and Neville travelling to Oregon City, Oregon. Travel plans change and they wind up in San Francisco. What follows is their acclimation to the area and the rowdies that live there. A wonderful cast of characters are introduced, including Cookie, Sam, Les, Jin and Marcus primarily along with a few others. Dig your feet in for an engaging plot with relatable characters and a town that grows on you.
A copy of the book was provided through Barbour Publishing via NetGalley. No review was required and opinions are my own.

This is the second book in the series "My Heart Belongs in..." which I have tried. I picked it up as I have enjoyed Janice Thompson's writing before and here, the writing is just as good. I couldn't get into the story though. The pace is slow with lots of character building and scene setting. Finding the lead's mother is the driving force of her arrival in town but 25% and we were no closer to finding out anything about the mother or her whereabouts. I've decided this series just isn't for me but, it may be for you so do give it a try! The characters are interesting and well-written!

Abby Effingham, a British socialite by way of Philadelphia is on a journey to Oregon City to find her wandering mother and bring her home. On the train, Abby meets Jimmy Blodgett, who enamors her with stories of the gold rush and San Francisco.
After discovering the roads to Oregon City are washed out, Abby chooses to travel on to San Francisco instead of turning back, dragging her poor loyal butler, Neville, along. But, the testosterone-loaded, bullet-flying, whisky-flowing, bursting-at-the-seems town is far from the fair city she expected.

When the price gouging begins to dwindle her limited resources, Abby has to make a choice. She can telegram Daddy and ask for more money, she can marry one of the filthy gold diggers suggesting marriage on a regular basis, or she can take a job working in the kitchen of the Gold Rush Inn… only she’s never done a day of manual labor in her life. she chooses the later, and despite aching muscles perseveres, waiting and hoping for her brilliant plan to unfold.

Samuel Harris hates San Francisco but feels a responsibility to his father and the failing hotel. When Abby arrives in town, he is at once attracted and tries to protect her from the debauchery around every corner, if only she wasn’t so independent and stubborn.

I enjoyed Abby and Sam’s story. It was a sweet romance full of witty humor and lovable characters. And, it involves not one love story, not two, but three! I guarantee one of them, you’ll never see coming!

One of my absolute favorite characters was Cookie, the cook at the Gold Rush Inn. This woman can bake amazing cherry pies and quote a verse for every situation.

She’s got an enthusiastic sense of humor and is faithful to the Lord and the Harris family.

There is one scene towards the end that I feel I must warn you about. It has its place in the story, but it is suggestive and promiscuous. Otherwise, this was a fun, enjoyable read.

The main lesson learned through this book is contentment where ever God has placed you in this season of your life. This is something I am still learning. God has a purpose and a plan to your current location and we should be content in whatever “state” we are in.

Janice Thompson is an amazing author & storyteller. MY HEART BELONGS IN SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA is a delightful story. Her characters are real and their journeys are believable. Treat yourself to an enjoyable read. You'll be glad that you did.

My Heart Belongs In San Francisco, California Abby's Prospects is one of the My Heart Belongs series. I like this series because they are sweet, clean romance stories. They are usually a quick, light read. This book on San Francisco is during the gold rush era of 1853. Janice Thompson surely did a lot of research on this time period and California location. I think she did an excellent job of taking us back, so we can experience San Francisco during it's beginnings. I have a very small negative statement. I was not totally sold on the character Abby Effingham. I expected her to be naive but her lack of judgment sometimes seemed a little unbelievable. She complained a lot about being treated like a child but she kept proving over and over that she was not capable of taking care of herself. She was not my favorite. Maybe because I loved Cookie, the cook. She always had a positive attitude, was very encouraging and quoted a lot of scripture. I felt that was very true for that time period. I know there are a few who may find that off-putting, put I loved it. Neville, Abby's butler was another favorite of mine. He saw San Francisco for what it was, a city of debauchery. He tried to talk Abby into going back to Philadelphia. The longer Neville stayed there he started loosening up. He had a wonderful dry sense of humor. He too was a very caring person, especially for Abby. I enjoyed this book and would recommend it. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Books through NetGalley, Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.