How to ever heal from the past hurts? How to recognize that one should grow more?

Warm and tender-hearted story, full of heart - and I am meaning it literally here. This is not a perfect book, but it touches and changes your heart - and this is what is important, after all.

Magdalena Serida and her 5-year-old sister Anna are Chechen refugees in the US. Lena bears her hard life with dignity, hard-working attitude and with always putting the needs of her sister above her. That's why she accepts the help of a stranger when her tire goes out - and Mitch is smitten immediately. Lena is beautiful, but what attracts him is more than her beauty - it is her depth. Lena goes deeper than most and has values - and Mitch is inspired to be a better man because of her. And his instincts are right, because Lena is exceptional - but what he does not know is her suffering in the past, what was done to her and what she did, too. Can he truly see her?

This novel is full of warmth, and also of inspiration. It teaches us not to judge, not to get lazy in the comforts of our homes, not to stop being human - but to recognize the (sometimes simple) needs of others, the suffering of the world, the scars that the others bear and to help - and to grow, to rise above the common Christianity to become truer, more loving follower of the Living God.

I also want to applaud the authoress to shine a light to the Chechnya situation. Being an European from the post-communist country, this topic is somehow more personal to me. Even if I think that the migrant crisis is complicated and there are risks, too, I very much thank the authoress to show the readers that there are various conflicts going on within the world and the suffering is not limited to the detain countries/regions.
It is also important to speak about the suffering of women in these regions.

OK, and time to be honest has come - while I truly applaud the authoress for not taking the easy path with her heroine and let her suffer horribly - I don't think that a victim of such violence would let an unknown man, however nice and attractive, into the life of her - and of her young sister, even! - so easily. Mitch won Lena's trust too easily, in my opinion.
I would also not stop the friendship with Dee. However shallow she might be, Mitch is in no position to judge her, without Lena he would be at the same place. And in my eyes she tried to help him, however clumsily.
But thumbs up for the hilarious name of her boyfriend - Joaquin Banderas! LOL.

Having said all that - this novel has warmed my heart. It also inspired me to grow, to not stay comfortable in my own supposedly well-lived life, but to really go out from the box of my selfishness and to try to lead by example (or even to live that example).
Thank you, Ms Logan Herne, much needed message.

Recommended read.

Refuge of the Heart is a wake-up call for those of us who live comfortable, insulated lives. How easy it is for us to forget the suffering of those who live in war zones, suffering through atrocities many of us will never know - sexual assault, corruption, violence, poverty, hunger.

Magdalena, Mitchell, and little Anna are all well-drawn, likable characters. Their affection for one another and the way in which each brings the other closer to becoming who he/she should be in Christ is heartwarming.

It's refreshing to read about Catholic characters in Christian fiction. In some respects, Magdalena's prayers and devotions seemed somewhat Protestant in nature, while the rosary and sacramental life are mentioned in passing. It also seemed odd that both the priest and nun were often referred to without the titles of "Father" or "Sister."

Minor quibbles aside, Refuge of the Heart is an engaging, heart-warming romance that will prick your conscience in the best way.