Hope in My Heart by Alexis A. Goring

This book contains three short romances. The entire book is about the length of a novella so the stories are really short, about fifty pages each.

“Love Unexpected” finds two people unexpectedly brought together in an automobile crash. Chandra is a single career woman on her way to work when Sebastian, a hunk of a physical trainer, changes lanes – right into her passenger side door. When he later brings her flowers, hoping she'll not press him to pay for damages, he is smitten. Both experience love unexpected.

The remaining two stories are a little more complex in that there are three romances in each. In “The Best Gift,” Christina wants to lose ten pounds before her sister's wedding. Jordan has a mom who is pushing her toward marriage, even if there is no eligible man in the picture. Joshua was dazed when his girlfriend broke off their relationship, claiming he was too focused on himself.

And in “Peace and Love,” Elle is a freelance artist who needs to trust God for her future. Eric is a defense attorney in family law cases, hoping to settle bitter divorce disputes without destroying families, like his own was. And Kristine wants to find her birth mom before her quickly arriving wedding.

These are simple stories. Because they are short, there is not much character development. I missed descriptions of characters so it was hard for me to visualize them. There is also little description of surroundings, setting the location. The stories did not contain the typical romance plot line of some obstacle the characters need to overcome. In the last two stories, the author alternates telling the developing romances of the three people.

Those who enjoy heartwarming but simple romances related in a very short plot development will like these stories. There is a strong Christian message in a few of the stories.

I am taking part in a blog tour of this book. You can find links to other reviewers, find out more about the book, read an author guest post, and enter the giveaway here.

My rating: 3/5 stars.

Alexis A. Goring is a writer at heart and a journalist by profession. Hope in My Heart is her first book, initially released in 2013. It was re-released in 2015.

WestBow Press, 148 pages. You can buy the book here.

I received a complimentary digital copy of this book through Celebrate Lit for the purpose of an independent and honest review.