Brave in Heart by Emma Barry – a Review

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Description:
Theodore Ward is a man of deep passions and strong principles—none of which he acts on. So Margaret Hampton ends their engagement, breaking both of their hearts in the process.

Years after their estrangement, ardent but frozen Theo attempts to reconnect with Margaret. She is no longer trusting of the idea of romantic love, having become pragmatic and wary during decades alone. But with the drumbeat of the early days of the Civil War in the background, how can she refuse?

The courtship that results is hasty, reckless, and intense, fueled by contradictions between Theo’s willingness finally to change and Margaret’s fears about the future. Two smart, stubborn, fiery people will need to overcome the hesitancies of their hearts and the perils of battle if they’re ever to find happiness.

Review:

Brave in Heart by Emma Barry is a short story that’s also a quick read. It takes place during the Civil War and the story between Margaret and Theodore revolves around it.  Upon reading the book’s little blurb I really thought it was something I’d enjoy in a story.  However, I found it wasn’t and because of that fact I find myself struggling as I write this review.  So please bear with me. 

Margaret is a female who knows what she wants and won’t settle for anything less.  Back in those days to break off an engagement and go your own way was basically unheard of, but Margaret knew she couldn’t marry Theodore.  She felt that as long as he was ‘stuck in a rut’ for lack of a better phrase, she just knew she couldn’t be happy in that life or marriage.  I do have to say I found Margaret to be a pretty good heroine, she’s brave and courageous and wasn’t afraid to stand up for herself and beliefs.  Thanks to Margaret and her strong personality, Theodore finally decides to make some changes to his life after years of being apart.

Theodore Ward for me is not typical hero material.  Frankly, he really did nothing to interest me.  He was too wishy washy at first, and then it’s like he’s on the fastest roller coaster in the world and doesn’t know how to stop.  He goes from being a man of no action, to a man of too much change to fast.  There were times he made my head ache from his sudden personality makeover.  I think this is where most of my problems with the book stem from, his character.  For some reason I just couldn’t connect to him at all.  Yes he truly loves Margaret and we see this throughout the story, especially in their wartime correspondences.  It just took him forever to see what she meant all those years ago.  I wanted to smack him in the head a few times is all. 

As for the rest of the story, the wartime correspondence between Theo and Margaret is nicely done. They really do love each other and it does shine through on the pages throughout the story.  Miss Barry does an excellent job of showcasing the Civil War and how it affected everyone at the time.  She made me feel like I was there and a part of the war well reading Theo and Margaret’s letters.  The characters are well written, I just wish the book were a little bit longer to better explore the characters and get to know them better.  I found at times because of the stories length I felt rushed through scenes and months of Theo and Margaret’s life.  They spend most of the book dealing with a long distance marriage well Theo is off at war, finally doing something he really believes.  The ending sorta fell short for me, I think so much more could have been said and done but it just ended.  Maybe an epilogue at the end to tie up everything and finalize everything that happened between Margaret and Theo during his time off at war, then coming home and re-adjusting to his everyday life again. I don’t know, I just felt like; that’s it, it’s done?  Okay, guess it is. 

As I said this one’s a short easy read, with a sweet love story.  If you are a fan of short stories, Civil War reads with a romance thrown in, then you will more then likely be a fan of this one.  Until next time, happy reading.

Reviewed by Marcie

Copy provided by Author