Gloved Heart

I was delighted to have the chance to review this regency romance. So thank you Charlotte for emailing me and asking me to review.
Gloved Heart is not a difficult book to get into, it had me hooked by the first few pages needing to find out where the story was going. Amy has had a troubled start to motherhood but it is lovely to see her blossom as she discovers motherhood despite all of the set ways of the times trying to stop her. There is something truly lovely about a regency romance and Henry Russell loves Amy with all his heart and we see that by Charlotte Brentwood giving us his view point in her writing as this story is written from both Amy's and Henry's viewpoints. While reading you can often see moments when they should have had the courage to say things to each other but the politeness of the times gets in the way, but it makes for a brilliant love story.
This lovely romance set in regency times is perfect for fans of this genre. I adored this story.

Thanks to the publisher for an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

This is a new author, and I was very impressed with the skill level of her writing. The character development is excellent, and the pacing is also excellent, much better in fact than other authors who have been published for years. Charlotte Brentwood definitely has a bright future as an author.

I have always loved Regency romance stories, but this book was quite different. I wasn't sure what to make of it when I read that the heroine is a farmer’s daughter. The book also opens with a terrifying nightmare, a radical departure from standard Regency formula. At one point, I wondered if it was not all just a little too much. Would there really be so many secrets, so much drama, in a small village? Then I thought about the small towns I know, and smiled as I thought: Oh yes, that’s possible.

Not being a typical Regency romance is actually a good thing in an already over-saturated genre. You will remember these characters, because they seem so real, some more than others, of course. What stays in your mind is not what they wear or how they look, but what they DO. The actions a person takes, and the consequences of those actions are what determine a person’s true character. Take that a step farther to determine if someone really loves you. Acts of selflessness say much more than mere words or superficial charm could ever do.

A good story is a microcosm of society. But here, there are no characters who are permanently, irretrievably, evil. You may think that’s simply not possible here. A person may do something extremely wicked, and it may take time for healing. But if that person expresses true remorse, proves it by their actions, then redemption is possible.

The “gloved heart” mentioned in the title is a symbol of Amy’s heart. Hers contains great love yet great hate as well, which is only natural after what happened. But if she wants to get past her fear of intimacy, she needs to take the “glove” off. Her friend Cici tells her that if she wants to know real love, she will have to expose her feelings, give her whole heart. Amy needs her heart to be at peace in order to heal. How to first overcone her fear? Is it really something she can do alone?

Healing peace in one’s heart demands forgiveness. This is never spoken outloud, it’s simply demonstrated by the characters. That’s the extraordinary lesson here: Even the basest sinner can be redeemed. If a person admits wrongdoing, asks forgiveness, and, if necessary, makes restitution, there can be healing. As in the real world, not everyone here is ready or willing to forgive, but those who are, and do, show character and a capacity for real, unconditional love, with their whole heart.

I feel that I have not done a very good job here. Reading my review could never supplant reading the book itself. So do read it, and you’ll see what I’ve been trying so unsuccessfully to say. This is a book about love, and a little baby who changes a great many hearts.