Laura Frantz's books never fail to capture me heart and soul. And in A Heart Adrift, Esme and Henri have done it again. This second chance love story after being apart for a decade is set in York and Williamsburg, Va. in 1755 as a war with the French threatens.
The vivid descriptions of the towns, Indigo Island, the lighthouse, the cottage and sometimes on a ship the high seas put me right there. I learned about a time in history I knew little, about privateering and piracy, smallpox, almshouses and women's roles then. All of which were fascinating.
This novel revolves around life choices and their effects on the future. It is full of heartaches and the richness of love all underlined with hope and faith.
I lived in this book for days and read slowly to prolong the journey through these peoples' lives and this period in history. I absolutely did not want to leave it.
I recommend it highly.
Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this book. The opinions are entirely my own.

A Heart Adrift is a great story of Esmee, a chocolatier that once was in love with a man that was a sailor, who chose to go to sea rather than marry and stay on their island. Henri left, but for ten years she remained his only love. When he returns, ten years later, things are awkward between them. She thinks if she can become the lighthouse keeper, she might be able to win him back, And she does, He soon asks her to marry him even though he must go back to the sea, but they become betrothed, ready to marry as soon as he returns. Excellent story I greatly enjoyed reading!

4.5*  Lush descriptive writing brought alive the sights, sounds, smells, and tastes of colonial Virginia in this emotive story.  The plight of so many strata of the population were explored and the human interest side was compelling. The eventual resolution of the conflict was satisfying and well deserved.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are completely my own.

A thoroughly enjoyable book, that captured my attention. Such a reminder that we need to know our values and hold fast to them as we journey through life. The author encourages you to know and seek your dreams.

Readers who love chocolate will enjoy this story set in the 1850s in York, Virginia. It was an interesting tale about how the colonists became to enjoy their chocolate drink. Slowly told at times, this story gives readers a glimpse into the past. Recommended to readers who love the colonial time period.

I enjoy reading Laura Frantz. She has such an expert way of crafting her characters. It is almost as if they could just jump off of the page, sit down and talk to you. When growing up we would vacation at Virginia beach. Reading A Heart Adrift toke me right back there. This novel is full of love, gentle romance, faith and family.
I want to thank Revell Publishing through NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book. The opinions in the review are my own.
I enjoy reading Laura Frantz. She has such an expert way of crafting her characters. It is almost as if they could just jump off of the page, sit down and talk to you. When growing up we would vacation at Virginia beach. Reading A Heart Adrift toke me right back there. This novel is full of love, gentle romance, faith and family.
I want to thank Revell Publishing through NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book. The opinions in the review are my own.

I reviewed this book for Historical Novels Review magazine, the magazine of the Historical Novel Society. Per their policy, I cannot put the review online until February 1st when the review appears on their website.

Laura Frantz is such a talented writer. She can transport you to the time period of the story and draw you in like you are there. The descriptions are beautiful and it is almost like reading a lyrical poem. I love her books every time and cannot wait until they come out. This one was no different. This is an excellent read! The pace is perfect and the sweet romance will leave you swooning. This one left me with all the feelings. It is a must read.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Reading Laura Frantz is always such a delight. ‘A Heart Adrift’ brings to life coastal Virginia in 1755, on the brink of war between the colonies and France. It’s a tale of second-chance love, a la ‘Persuasion’, and the resemblance doesn’t end there, with the seafaring life at the heart of the novel.

It begins with a glimpse into a failed love affair between Esmee Shaw, chocolatier (don’t read this when you’re craving chocolate!), and Captain Henri Lennox, privateer, thrown together again unwillingly (or is it?) after a decade apart — years parted by angry words and the lure of the sea. While admittedly the story drags a bit at times, it gains momentum when Esmee takes a bold stand to pursue her own dream of being a lighthouse keeper, a dream that involves Henri both past and present. I loved the description of life on Indigo Island: salty sea air, stone cottages, tending the lighthouse, homemade hot chocolate by the fireside, the cozy camaraderie between the women, Esmee and Henri rediscovering each other and what about them has changed or stayed the same in ten years’ time.

The course is not perfectly smooth and tragedy and turmoil strike very close to home, but the story is redemptive in the end, with Laura Frantz’ lyrical writing gently woven throughout.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Laura Frantz is, as ever, such a lyrical and wonderfully skilled writer. A Heart Adrift has all the attention to detail, gentle romance, and loveliness I've come to expect from this author's storytelling. Plus, I'm always a sucker for a second-chance romance. Also, how gorgeous is this cover?!

First off, the gorgeous book cover and title made this novel impossible to resist! Then, inside, the words of talented Laura Frantz transported me to Colonial America and engaged all my senses. I truly enjoyed experiencing and learning about a Colonial confectioner and how much chocolate was enjoyed back then. (Some things never change, lol.) I highly recommend this romance which takes the reader through the joys and sorrows of life with the Lord as our strength.

(Thank you for the opportunity to read and review A Heart Adrift! I have posted my review on Goodreads and will post to Amazon, B&N, and Christianbooks upon the book's release.)

Emphatic 5 Star Read!
Set in 1755 along the cold Virginia Coast, Captain Henri Lennox, an old love returns from the sea hoping to avoid chocolatier Esmee Shaw. Circumstances throw them back together and we are swept up in chocolate making, merchant ships, a private coastal island, officials in white periwigs seeking their own gain, social engagements of the upper crust, and ill-treatment of those in the almshouse.

“Chocolate’s becoming the beverage of choice for colonists,” Esmee said, “if for no other reason than the crown’s infernal tax on tea.”

“Dear Lord, let it be our earnest prayer to serve Thee better day by day as we grow in grace and trust Thee for our wants in soul and body. For these and all Thy blessings, God’s holy name be praised for Christ’s sake. Amen.”

This story is so rich in detail, prayer, love, action, and more. The cover is stunning and I highly recommend it. Laura Frantz is a master craftswoman with the written word.

I appreciate the gifted book I received from the author and publisher. All opinions are my own without compensation or expectation.

Reviews to be posted on: My Blog, Amazon, Goodreads (done), Barnes and Noble (done), BooksAMillion, Google Play Books (done), Pinterest, IG, Kobo (all closer to publication date unless otherwise noted).

A lovely story from Laura Frantz! A Heart Adrift gives readers an amazing journey to 1755 Virginia, including a chocolatier heroine.

Frantz’s prose is beautiful. I felt like I was right there with the characters, seeing and feeling everything they were. It was so difficult to put this book down when I had to. I really liked Henri’s character, and Esmée was a great heroine. Some parts were a bit repetitive and I wish there had been an epilogue, but overall I greatly enjoyed this story! I can’t wait for more from Frantz. 4.5/5 stars

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This was such an enjoyable read, and it quickly became a page turner! What an amazing job the author did writing this, you never see what is coming around the next corner.

We are gifted with a romance that has been broken, a family that is there for each other, then we throw in pirates! There is sadly a pandemic and few are except.

I loved how the main character has such heart for her fellow, less fortunate, man. She goes above and beyond, and we walk in her shoes.

This read has a great conclusion, you don't want to miss, especially, the grieving widow!

I received this book through the Publisher Revell, and was not required to give a positive review.

A very satisfying read! Beware that reading all about the making of chocolate in colonial Virginia may send you hunting for some chocolate to eat or drink! The history is fascinating, the characters come alive, and I didn’t want the book to end. I was 75% through when things were going so well, I knew something bad had to happen before the end. Frantz did a good job on the suspense, as what does happen totally surprised me.

I like the way the title applies to more than just the two main characters, and all of those are adrift in different ways. They must each find their way to a place of trust and security, and learn that God is the only one who doesn’t disappoint.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
#AHeartAdrift #NetGalley

Frantz has written a complex tale that weaves together second chance romance, pandemics of the past, women's liberation, piracy and privateering, and colonial era history. The characters pull you in, with their relatable life questions and choices, and the settings are so vividly described that - particularly if you've ever visited them, such as Williamsburg - you are literally placed into the story. With all her highs and lows, her challenges from within and from others' issues, Esmee is a protagonist you can't help but root for and love!

Expertly crafted by Laura Frantz, A Heart Adrift abounds with creativity, detail and, well-researched historical fiction. The fascinating history of chocolate-making in colonial times both educates and delights. With whispers to Jane Austen's Persuasion, my personal favorite, AHA entertains and intrigues with loads of action until the final page.

I received a complimentary copy of the book without obligation. This review is my opinion.

'Her fervent prayers went the way of her hopes and became floating wreckage. As the years passed, it hardly seemed to matter.'

Laura Frantz is a very particular favorite of mine and her books occupy serious real estate on my shelves. I love history and her historicals are the absolute best. Her research is impeccable, and she always gives me at least two words to research their meanings. I love it!

Reading one of Frantz's books is like sitting down to a full, rich banquet. You love everything you see and you just can't stop at the bounty before you. Her words flow over the page like water over a waterfall, so beautiful and refreshing. Her vivid descriptions take the reader far away into the story and we leave the world behind as we linger there indefinitely, saddened at the ending of such a treasure. She leaves me so enchanted that I want to meander the roads and forest in her magnificent tales. Reality fades away into the background as I read. Bravo! I can without reservation highly recommend not only this book, but this author.

My thanks to Revell Publishing for a copy of this book via Net Galley. The opinion in this review is expressly my own.

I am never disappointed with a Laura Frantz book, and A Heart Adrift confirms that opinion.

Set in colonial York, Virginia, we meet Esmée Shaw, a chocolatier who has devoted her life to helping the poor and running a chocolate shop her deceased mother started. We also meet Henri Lennox, a sea captain who had a falling out with Esmée. Both are still in love with each other, and both are reluctant to rekindle something that might fall apart again.

The author has outdone herself with a moving story that immediately captures your attention. While a long book (over 400 pages), you do not notice it as the chapters are short and riveting. There is romance, but also intrigue and danger. Frantz has presented a history of the era that brings the characters to life and allows the reader to walk in Colonial Virginia.

The faith element in this book is beautiful. The transformation of Eliza (Esmée's sister) is so moving I think she deserves her own book. I want to know what happens to her.

If you love historical romance, you will love this book. I highly recommend it!

I have been a fan a fan of Laura Frantz forever! She never disappoints me. Ever!
This book has all the ingredients for a super read and I was all in from the beginning and to tell you the truth this book will make your mouth water for the chocolate.
I loved living in 1755 Virginia and in a lighthouse no less! These are my favorite stories.
Frantz keeps you eagerly turning page after page to see what happens next. I do love that about her.
Her stories are so unique that they have you thinking about the characters long after the book is finished and she also makes you want more stories!
Henri and Esmee are two such characters. They are perfect for each other even if they don't think so!
I just adored them! Because they stood by in what they believed in.
I loved every minute of this book! It was awesome!
5 stars for the excellent writing!
I highly recommend this book.
I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.