My Stubborn Heart by Becky Wade

Back Cover: Kate Donovan is burned out on work, worn down by her dating relationships, and in need of an adventure. When her grandmother asks her to accompany her to Redbud, Pennsylvania to restore the grand old house she grew up in, Kate jumps at the chance.

Upon her arrival at Redbud, Kate meets Matt Jarreau, the man hired to renovate the house. Kate can't help being attracted to him, drawn by both his good looks and something else she can't quite put her finger on. He's clearly wounded - hiding from people, from God, and from his past. Yet Kate sets her stubborn heart on bringing him out of the dark and back into the light... whether he likes it or not.

When the stilted, uncomfortable interactions between Kate and Matt slowly shift into something more, is God finally answering the longing of her heart? Or will Kate be required to give up more than she ever dreamed?


Review: It was a pleasure to read 'My Stubborn Heart', and I will certainly be keeping my ear to the ground for news on Becky Wade's next release. Her debut novel was an easy and enjoyable read filled with natural flowing dialogue and a modern, relaxed style.

I have to admit though, any book with an NHL player is going to automatically bias me into loving it. Being Canadian, it's in my genetics to swoon over any guy with a hockey stick! Undoubtedly, the dark, brooding, destructively-good looking, NHL player Matt Jarreau is a heart breaker. As rough and bitter as Matt is, Kate is conversely kind and sweet. It seems highly unlikely, while reading the first half of the book, that Kate will ever get through to the closed-off Matt let alone fall in love, but persistence and faith pay off and miracles do happen.

Kate's doubts about whether or not she will ever find the Mr Right are penned so realistically. She has her career, been through three not-so-good boyfriends, and is above the big 30 y.o. mark. Her friends are married and her grandmother can't understand why Kate isn't. Despite her resolve to wait for the right guy, Kate is also starting to wonder if God does have anyone waiting in the wings for her? Despite her discouragement on the romantic front, Kate persists in living her life cheerfully and faithfully trusting God to do with her as He sees fit. When Matt enters the picture, she doesn't chase after him but focuses on just being his friend, and when the time comes, she stands firm by her morals and her faith even when it appears to cost her everything. I really appreciate the topics that Becky Wade covered in this novel. What girl doesn't wonder who she'll marry? And when she starts getting older, IF she'll marry at all? Time and desperation can lead to less-than-ideal decision making which can end up having horrific results. Kate stood by her faith, and God showed her that His plan is always the best.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group"