Summary: The Heart of a Vicar (The Jonquil Brothers #6) by Sarah M. Eden
Young love is all too fleeting, as
Harold Jonquil painfully discovered years ago when Sarah Sarvol, the niece of a
neighboring landowner, captured his heart. After an idyllic few weeks in the
throes of blossoming love, reality intervened. They could have no future.
Following their disastrous parting, Harold attempted to push aside thoughts of
love and regret, but Sarah has never left his heart. Now, years later, he has
achieved his lifelong aspiration of becoming the local vicar. However, the role
proves more difficult than he imagined. He feels hollow and uninspired—until
the most important person in his past returns, challenging him as no one ever
has.
When Sarah’s ailing uncle summons her back to
the family estate in England, there is only one person from her past she is
reluctant to see again: Harold Jonquil, the only man who has ever claimed her
heart. But when she comes face-to-face with her former beau, she hardly
recognizes the aloof and dull man before her. She is determined to help Harold
rediscover the passion he once felt toward his chosen profession. Soon, despite
their exasperation with each other, they cannot deny the stirring of feelings
long buried—but is it too late for second chances? (from Goodreads).
My thoughts about this book
Harold Jonquil and Sarah Sarvol had a teenage romance
which came to nothing. When she returns from America six years later, she finds
Harold aloof and distant, so she challenges him to a “vicar’s competition” to
see who are best at helping parishioners. Harold is struggling with secret
passions and interests not normally associated with a vicar, while Sarah has
her very own problems keeping her from him.
The
Heart of a Vicar is the sixth installment in The
Jonquil Brothers series by Sarah
M. Eden, published by Covenant Communications. The story is set in Nottinghamshire, England 1816 and is about
Harold Jonquil, second youngest of the Jonquil brothers who each have their own
books. He has secret passions and interests not associated with a vicar. He feels
not up to the job and considers leaving the profession. Sarah Sarvol had a very
close relationship with Harold as a teenager, but Harold ended it to go to
Cambridge leaving them both heartbroken.
Six years later she has returned and they get to spend time together and rekindle their friendship, which opens both their eyes and their hearts.
Main character Harold Jonquil is secretly prone to a bit of silliness with a hobby of climbing and singing drinking shanties. He seems like a well rounded type of character who would fit in well in today’s society. I feel sorry for him when trying to present what he thinks is the perfect “vicar’s act”.
Supporting character Dowager Countess of Lambton,
Mater, is Harold’s mother. She is a reoccurring character in all books in this
series. She is wise, kind and caring. I find her impressive as she seems the
perfect confidant and go-to person for anyone in need of advice. She is my favorite
in this story.
I read The
Heart of a Vicar as a standalone which worked perfectly. It was beautifully
written in the signature bantering dialogue
found in all books I have read by Sarah
M. Eden. The character building was fabulous
as Harold and Sarah felt like friends.
Some major research must have been done to write
the detailed descriptions of the climbing sport in the 1800s. I found it fascinating
to learn about the thought process and feeling of climbing. With this story I learned
more about what clerical duties really entail apart from sermons in church.
The part of the story I enjoyed the most was
descriptions of the local village fair. Good natured entertainment with the
purpose of raising money for charity.
My least favorite part was the descriptions of Sarah’s
uncle Sarvol, who seemed a difficult and unkind person directing his anger towards
innocent people.
Fans of Sarah M. Eden will love The Heart of a Vicar. As will readers of historical romance fiction because of the unique plot and the light hearted signature writing. Similar authors to explore might be Esther Hatch and Anita Stansfield.
Conclusion: This is another unique story in the beautiful and light hearted writing of Sarah M. Eden. Vicar Harold is charmingly different from his older brothers in both profession and character, which gives us an exciting and different story. I can’t wait to read the last installment in the series about the youngest Jonquil brother.
Rating: 5 stars/ 5
Main reasons:
unique plot, light hearted writing, fabulous character building
Get your copy here
Book Details
Paperback: 280 pages
Publisher: Covenant Communications (June 1, 2019)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1524408611
ISBN-13: 978-1524408619
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