Quick story review: One reason Maggie Montgomery leaves Ireland for the United States is to avoid her former fiancé. She and her brother, Gabe, arrive in New York to stay with their brother and his wife, who run an orphanage.
During their stay, Maggie and Gabe each meet someone who affects their lives and their hearts. Meanwhile, Maggie’s nemesis turns up in New York, with progressively threatening plans that affect not only her, but also those dear to her.
Although Gabe’s love interest returns his affections, her family does not approve. There is much of social standing in this novel.
A Worthy Heart is primarily a double romance between these two couples, but it includes the backdrop of unrest, epidemic and rumblings of war in Europe. It is also a story of faith, forgiveness and the truth that social status does not affect God’s love for his people.
I think the characters are well developed, and fairly well managed. This cannot have been a simple task because of the number of family members and minor characters involved. The plot is interesting and not without unexpected conflicts to keep it moving. I did find the two romantic sub-plots fairly similar in development, but still interesting. And the book has a lovely cover.
The first book in this series, Irish Meadows, featured another member of the O’Leary family, who is briefly present in this second book as a secondary character. I’m sure the intertwining of families will keep this series attractive to readers.