My Stubborn Heart in Transformational Fiction

Feb 07, 2013 Rebecca rated it it was amazing

This was my fifth time reading through this wonderful story. Still a five star read!!

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Mar 05, 2012 Dawn rated it it was amazing

Shelves: my-favorites

This was one of those books I had no doubt I would love from the very beginning. I literally began reading it the moment I received it in the mail.... even though I had weeks before I needed to write a review for the blog tour. I'd never heard of Becky Wade before Litfuse offered me the chance to be on the author's blog tour. I'd never heard of the book either, but something about it caught my attention from first sight. Perhaps it was the cover, which was done extremely well. Or perhaps it was This was one of those books I had no doubt I would love from the very beginning. I literally began reading it the moment I received it in the mail.... even though I had weeks before I needed to write a review for the blog tour. I'd never heard of Becky Wade before Litfuse offered me the chance to be on the author's blog tour. I'd never heard of the book either, but something about it caught my attention from first sight. Perhaps it was the cover, which was done extremely well. Or perhaps it was because it was about a rather hot, once-famous, wounded and brooding hockey legend hiding in his small hometown of Rosebud, PA working as a contractor just to stay busy. And btw, Rosebud is sincerely the cutest name of a town I have ever heard of. Oh, and the heroine is also as cute as a button, an Audrey Hepburn-look-alike with long red hair. Oh, and there's a two hundred year old elaborate mansion to be refinished, a seventy-something grandmother reconnecting with her school-hood friends-- and this gorgeous, silent man doing all of the renovations.
I wouldn't say that the book was divided 50/50 between the two main characters-- I think Kate's perspective took up more words than Matt's did-- and I have to say that I liked it. The reader got just enough of Matt's side of the story to understand what kind of torture he was going through.
I don't read a ton of contemporary romance-- mostly historical-- but I must say if there were more like this one, I would be eating them up. There was never a dull moment, and I just wanted to keep reading and reading and reading-- and I did so although I was sick with a head cold and really should have been getting my much-needed rest! I liked the title-- it described Kate to perfection-- though to her credit, she wasn't stubbornly seeking a romantic relationship with this broodingly handsome Adonis of men, but stubbornly offering him her friendship-- which ended up making all the difference. And I loved Matt's character. As a widower, still deeply disturbed by his young wife's death, Becky Wade did a masterful job in getting him through his grief and to a place where he could love again. He was so well-written!
I also have to say something about the prologue and the epilogue. They were written omnisciently about the two main characters and turned out to be the perfect thing for “book-ending” his book cover to cover. I am so looking very forward to seeing what's next from Becky Wade. I love finding new authors to follow!
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Jul 31, 2014 Toni Shiloh rated it it was amazing

My Stubborn Heart quickly became one of my favorite books after reading just a few chapters. Once I completed the book, I felt the need to reread it. It has now been a few months since I first read My Stubborn Heart and I still reread it at least once a month. Matt wove himself into my heart. His tale is a common one, yet the way it was written was in no way clichéd or trite. I completely sympathized with his character and wanted nothing but happiness for him. On the same token, Kate was the gir ...more

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Oct 08, 2019 Barb rated it liked it

Kate takes a sabbatical from her job, where she's burnt out working in social services for at-risk kids, to help her grandmother restore an old family home and inventory its collection of antiques. Their contractor, a former hockey pro grieving the loss of his wife, seems attracted to her, but is always holding back. Grandma and her friends lend comic relief to the story with their matchmaking attempts. It's a good read, if a shallow one (everyone's gorgeous, the contractor is super rich, the ol ...more

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Jun 04, 2016 Kirsty Pearce rated it it was amazing

My first experience with Becky Wade's writing, I was completely captivated from the rather unusual opening pages right up to the joyous conclusion. The proof: I read it cover-to-cover three times in two days, and loved it just as much each time. My Stubborn Heart has it all; relatable and realistic characters you wish were real, deep and profound spiritual struggles and victories, and a building love story with enough sparks and tension to light a bonfire.

(view spoiler) ...more

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Apr 14, 2018 Beverly rated it it was amazing

Shelves: contemporary, romance, young-adult, women-s-lit, christian-contemporary, christian-women, christian-ya, small-town-story

My Stubborn Heart was one of the sweetest romances I have read in a long time. Two hurting individuals meet while renovating an old home in the reclusive town of Redbud, Pennsylvania. Kate Donovan and her grandmother had arrived to renovate Gran's childhood home, Chapel Bluff, and return it to its old glory. It was a massive job, requiring them to hire a local contractor for the work. That's where Matt Jarreau came in. He specialized in working on old homes and restoring them.

Kate's first impre My Stubborn Heart was one of the sweetest romances I have read in a long time. Two hurting individuals meet while renovating an old home in the reclusive town of Redbud, Pennsylvania. Kate Donovan and her grandmother had arrived to renovate Gran's childhood home, Chapel Bluff, and return it to its old glory. It was a massive job, requiring them to hire a local contractor for the work. That's where Matt Jarreau came in. He specialized in working on old homes and restoring them.

Kate's first impression of Matt was that of tragedy. He had a heart-breaking story filled with sadness and bitterness. She could sense it. Matt was reclusive. He preferred working alone. He didn't socialize much. People in the small town knew who he was but left him alone. Matt was the local celebrity. He had been a world champion hockey player. He had married a sweet girl, an actual Miss America, but after being on top of the world as a married couple, his wife died of cancer. He was so ripped up about it, he left hockey behind. Kate didn't know this at first, but she could see that he needed a friend. She was determined to be that friend.

Kate lived in Dallas. She was a social worker. The job was demanding, but she loved it. That is, she did until one of her children she had worked closely with had committed suicide. It sucked the joy out of her life. She needed a break so that she could get her head on straight about her purpose in life. So she joined her grandmother in a journey up north to remodel Gran's old childhood home. The break was just what she needed. She loved antiques and old homes and this was just the therapy she needed. She joined Matt daily in taking down wallpaper, designing rooms, painting walls, and so on. Matt was reluctant to work with her, but she was persistent. Keeping everything on a friendly note, she knew God had a purpose for her to be there.

I love the simplicity of the story. It's not overly complicated. There are a few other subplots, but the story stays true to the major theme--renovation. Not just the home, but Matt's heart as well. It took a lot of time and patience, but eventually he started to warm up to her friendship. Kate didn't try for anything deeper than that. She had already set her heart on not reading anything personal in their relationship. She felt that God had sent her for only one thing...to bring Matt's heart alive again.

The part of the story I like best is the relationship Kate has with God. She prays and listens to Him. She tries hard not to insert her own personal interests in what she thinks God wants her to do. I really like her humble spirit and teachability. So many of us struggle with these character qualities. I felt encouraged in my own prayer life just by watching how Kate kept her expectations in line with what she felt God wanted her to do. Many of us try to do that, but often fail if we don't use the Bible as a guideline. We often want to read into situations things that aren't there because we fail to know and understand the God of the Bible as it teaches us. Kate demonstrated a good balance between knowledge and personal application. The author accomplished this in such a natural manner. There was no awkwardness, no preachiness, no finger wagging, no guilt trips. The issue of faith in God was not overtalked or forced. This was truly an enjoyable book to read. ...more

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Jun 02, 2012 Kame rated it it was amazing

Shelves: christian-fiction

Phenomenal Contemporary Christian Fiction!
Debut Novel by Becky Wade gets 5 stars and a fan waiting for her next book!
Kate Donovan is a 31 year old woman who has been praying to God to send her the man who is meant to be her husband since the fourth grade. She has had a few relationships, but nothing close to marriage material, she is beginning to think God intends her to be single. Most of her friends are married and her younger sister married three years ago. Kate works in Dallas, Texas as a ca Phenomenal Contemporary Christian Fiction!
Debut Novel by Becky Wade gets 5 stars and a fan waiting for her next book!
Kate Donovan is a 31 year old woman who has been praying to God to send her the man who is meant to be her husband since the fourth grade. She has had a few relationships, but nothing close to marriage material, she is beginning to think God intends her to be single. Most of her friends are married and her younger sister married three years ago. Kate works in Dallas, Texas as a case worker at the children’s home, she always thought social work was what God intended for her to do until a situation with one of the girls she is responsible for rocks her to her core. She takes a three month leave of absence and travels to Redbud, Pennsylvania with her grandmother, Beverly, to help refurbish Chapel Bluff.
Matt Jarreau is a 32 year old former NHL star. He entered the NHL at 18 and quickly took the league by storm. He was at the top of the world; he married a former Miss America. Then his whole world crashed. His wife, Beth, was diagnosed with brain cancer; within six months she lost her battle and Matt lost his will to play hockey. The sport he loved had no meaning after Beth’s death. Matt retreated to Redbud, his hometown. Being close to anyone anymore was too tough so he kept to himself, going to the gym and only visiting the grocery store when necessary. He renovated his family home and started doing other jobs not for money but for something to do. What little faith he had in God has been shaken by his wife’s death.
It was Fall when Kate and her grandmother arrived at Chapel Bluff in Redbud, Pennsylvania. Beverly’s childhood home. They had three months to bring it back to its glory – away from the 50’s era décor it was stuck in now. Prior to arriving Beverly hired Matt as their contractor. The first time Kate met Matt she was taken with the lost look in his eyes, he was holding back pain. Kate had an overwhelming feeling God brought her to Redbud to help her grandmother and Matt. Slowly thru persistence Kate and Matt start a friendship. Kate has a great sense of wanting God to help guide her life and “checks in” to make sure she is on the right path. When Kate’s heart hopes this friendship could move to something for a lifetime she hears God tell her he has other plans. Why does God want her to remain alone?
This is Becky Wade’s debut novel and it is incredible – her characters are strong, I felt a connection with Matt immediately. There are wonderful interactions between Kate, Matt and Beverly’s high school friends – known as the “seniors”. These old friends have a great bond. Becky’s writing style is very easy to read, her characters are real people trying to walk with God. From reading other reviews I gather some aspects of this book make some question the grouping of Christian Fiction. I think it is perfect Christian Fiction. There is a whole group of us Christians who love stories that are weaved with faith - we need more than Harlequin's Love Inspired series and Amish Fiction. Books with real world characters show us and the world that people in today's society can have a relationship with God.
I borrowed this book from my local library, which makes me sad, as I hate to bring it back. I think I will buy two copies – one for my bookshelf and one to pass to a friend! Becky Wade you are now on my favorite authors list!
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May 17, 2012 Brenda S Anderson rated it it was amazing

Shelves: contemporary, romance, favorite, debut-novel, completed-in-2012

This novel completely surprised me. When a novel is described as contemporary romance, I expect a nice, casual read, but this was so much more. I loved the unique prologue (for those of you who skip prologues, don't! My husband even enjoyed it). The characters were quirky, but not over the top, and the prose was musical. Against the backdrop of redeeming an old house, the message of redemption was demonstrated, not preached.

Author Becky Wade seems to have an innate understanding of the head/hear ...more

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Nov 24, 2014 Jennifer Rodewald rated it it was amazing

A fun, easy read with likable characters and entertaining dialogue. It was easy to get sucked into this story and I finished in one setting. Becky's voice is fresh and her style is endearing. ...more

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Jun 10, 2014 Wilani Wahl rated it it was amazing

Loved this story of Kate and Matt. I did not want it to end. They both had struggles and things to overcome in their lives. I loved that the message that God has not left even though they had left the Lord. Finally the Lord gets a hold of their hearts. I would love to have more of Kate and Matt

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Apr 19, 2024 Catherine Richmond added it

Kate's asked God for a husband and fallen in love with the man renovating her Grandma's house. He wants to take the relationship to the next level, but God says no. If you've ever been in a place with God of asking why or why not, this book is for you. ...more

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