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Her Hesitant Heart
On The Frontier Of A New Life...
Tired and hungry after two days of traveling, Susanna Hopkins is just about at the end of her tether when her train finally arrives in Cheyenne. She's bound for a new life in a Western garrison town. Then she discovers she doesn't even have enough money to pay for the stagecoach! Luckily for her, the compassionate Major Joseph Randolph is heading in the same direction.
As a military surgeon, Joe is used to keeping his professional distance. But, despite Susanna's understated beauty, he's drawn to this woman who carries loss and pain equal to his own and has a heart that is just as hesitant and wary...
Tired and hungry after two days of traveling, Susanna Hopkins is just about at the end of her tether when her train finally arrives in Cheyenne. She's bound for a new life in a Western garrison town. Then she discovers she doesn't even have enough money to pay for the stagecoach! Luckily for her, the compassionate Major Joseph Randolph is heading in the same direction.
As a military surgeon, Joe is used to keeping his professional distance. But, despite Susanna's understated beauty, he's drawn to this woman who carries loss and pain equal to his own and has a heart that is just as hesitant and wary...
281 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
136 people are currently reading
602 people want to read
About the author
Carla Kelly
137 books805 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Although Carla Kelly is well known among her readers as a writer of Regency romance, her main interest (and first writing success) is Western American fiction—more specifically, writing about America's Indian Wars. Although she had sold some of her work before, it was not until Carla began work in the National Park Service as a ranger/historian at Fort Laramie National Historic Site did she get serious about her writing career. (Or as she would be the first to admit, as serious as it gets.)
Carla wrote a series of what she now refers to as the "Fort Laramie stories," which are tales of the men, women and children of the Indian Wars era in Western history. Two of her stories, A Season for Heroes and Kathleen Flaherty's Long Winter, earned her Spur Awards from the Western Writers of America. She was the second woman to earn two Spurs from WWA (which, as everyone knows, is all you need to ride a horse). Her entire Indian Wars collection was published in 2003 as Here's to the Ladies: Stories of the Frontier Army. It remains her favorite work.
The mother of five children, Carla has always allowed her kids to earn their keep by appearing in her Regencies, most notably Marian's Christmas Wish, which is peopled by all kinds of relatives. Grown now, the Kelly kids are scattered here and there across the U.S. They continue to provide feedback, furnish fodder for stories and make frantic phone calls home during the holidays for recipes. (Carla Kelly is some cook.)
Carla's husband, Martin, is Director of Theatre at Valley City State University, in Valley City, North Dakota. Carla is currently overworked as a staff writer at the local daily newspaper. She also writes a weekly, award-winning column, "Prairie Lite."
Carla only started writing Regencies because of her interest in the Napoleonic Wars, which figures in many of her Regency novels and short stories. She specializes in writing about warfare at sea, and about the ordinary people of the British Isles who were, let's face it, far more numerous than lords and ladies.
Hobbies? She likes to crochet afghans, and read British crime fiction and history, principally military history. She's never happier than talking about the fur trade or Indian Wars with Park Service cronies. Her most recent gig with the National Park Service was at Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site on the Montana/North Dakota border.
Here's another side to this somewhat prosaic woman: She recently edited the fur trade journal of Swiss artist Rudolf F. Kurz (the 1851-1852 portion), and is gratified now and then to be asked to speak on scholarly subjects. She has also worked for the State Historical Society of North Dakota as a contract researcher. This has taken her to glamorous drudgery in several national archives and military history repositories. Gray archives boxes and old documents make her salivate.
Her mantra for writing comes from the subject of her thesis, Robert Utley, that dean of Indian Wars history. He told her the secret to writing is "to put your ass in the chair and keep it there until you're done." He's right, of course.
Her three favorite fictional works have remained constant through the years, although their rankings tend to shift: War and Peace, The Lawrenceville Stories, and A Town Like Alice. Favorite historical works are One Vast Winter Count, On the Border with Mackenzie and Crossing the Line. Favorite crime fiction authors are Michael Connelly, John Harvey and Peter Robinson.
And that's all she can think of that would interest anyone. Carla Kelly is quite ordinary, except when she is sometimes prevailed upon to sing a scurrilous song about lumberjacks, or warble "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" in Latin. Then you m
Although Carla Kelly is well known among her readers as a writer of Regency romance, her main interest (and first writing success) is Western American fiction—more specifically, writing about America's Indian Wars. Although she had sold some of her work before, it was not until Carla began work in the National Park Service as a ranger/historian at Fort Laramie National Historic Site did she get serious about her writing career. (Or as she would be the first to admit, as serious as it gets.)
Carla wrote a series of what she now refers to as the "Fort Laramie stories," which are tales of the men, women and children of the Indian Wars era in Western history. Two of her stories, A Season for Heroes and Kathleen Flaherty's Long Winter, earned her Spur Awards from the Western Writers of America. She was the second woman to earn two Spurs from WWA (which, as everyone knows, is all you need to ride a horse). Her entire Indian Wars collection was published in 2003 as Here's to the Ladies: Stories of the Frontier Army. It remains her favorite work.
The mother of five children, Carla has always allowed her kids to earn their keep by appearing in her Regencies, most notably Marian's Christmas Wish, which is peopled by all kinds of relatives. Grown now, the Kelly kids are scattered here and there across the U.S. They continue to provide feedback, furnish fodder for stories and make frantic phone calls home during the holidays for recipes. (Carla Kelly is some cook.)
Carla's husband, Martin, is Director of Theatre at Valley City State University, in Valley City, North Dakota. Carla is currently overworked as a staff writer at the local daily newspaper. She also writes a weekly, award-winning column, "Prairie Lite."
Carla only started writing Regencies because of her interest in the Napoleonic Wars, which figures in many of her Regency novels and short stories. She specializes in writing about warfare at sea, and about the ordinary people of the British Isles who were, let's face it, far more numerous than lords and ladies.
Hobbies? She likes to crochet afghans, and read British crime fiction and history, principally military history. She's never happier than talking about the fur trade or Indian Wars with Park Service cronies. Her most recent gig with the National Park Service was at Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site on the Montana/North Dakota border.
Here's another side to this somewhat prosaic woman: She recently edited the fur trade journal of Swiss artist Rudolf F. Kurz (the 1851-1852 portion), and is gratified now and then to be asked to speak on scholarly subjects. She has also worked for the State Historical Society of North Dakota as a contract researcher. This has taken her to glamorous drudgery in several national archives and military history repositories. Gray archives boxes and old documents make her salivate.
Her mantra for writing comes from the subject of her thesis, Robert Utley, that dean of Indian Wars history. He told her the secret to writing is "to put your ass in the chair and keep it there until you're done." He's right, of course.
Her three favorite fictional works have remained constant through the years, although their rankings tend to shift: War and Peace, The Lawrenceville Stories, and A Town Like Alice. Favorite historical works are One Vast Winter Count, On the Border with Mackenzie and Crossing the Line. Favorite crime fiction authors are Michael Connelly, John Harvey and Peter Robinson.
And that's all she can think of that would interest anyone. Carla Kelly is quite ordinary, except when she is sometimes prevailed upon to sing a scurrilous song about lumberjacks, or warble "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" in Latin. Then you m
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 142 reviews
October 24, 2015
Cover art is no biggie to me. I have read good stories that I have tagged 'shoot the cover'. I have also been mesmerized by awesome artwork on the outside but the story fell flat. This is one of those rare times when I can give a Harlequin five stars. And in this case the book cover was accurate window-dressing. The depiction of a proper young woman wiping her glasses at a train station was a good entrance to this romance.
HER HESITANT HEART is a gentle story with damaged characters that help each other by using their strengths to get over their unhappy pasts. Susanna Hopkins is a divorcee fleeing from an abusive husband. She is on her way to Fort Laramie in the Wyoming territory to stay with a cousin until she can earn enough money to retrieve her son. Her ex-husband was, outwardly, a respectable businessman. He was also a heavy drinker who abused his wife behind closed doors. When things took a turn for the worse, he badmouthed her as a mother and wife. He also bought off all the lawyers where they lived so she couldn't fight for custody.
Joseph Randolph was born in Virginia but fought for the Union during the Civil War. His family disowned him though he continued to pay the taxes on his family's property. He was a physician first, then a military man. Taking care of people was not only a duty but a passion. Unfortunately, he lost his beloved wife years before in an awful accident when he couldn't save her. It haunted him to this day. So when he first met Mrs. Hopkins he sensed a shy woman hiding a sadness. He was intrigued; he wanted to help her.
Carla Kelly paints with words. Her characters are imperfect. I liked the fact that neither the hero nor heroine was stunningly beautiful. Joseph was a big man with a mustache but I couldn't recall much other description. Susanna was petite and pretty but she also had a permanently droopy eye where her ex pushed her against a mantle.
The romance builds slowly. Friendship and support come first. Initially, Susanna has to fight town gossip. She learns that the military has a deeply-embedded social order that frowns upon the common soldier. Whole families are affected. Hired as a teacher, she has to fight it.
I enjoyed the smart dialog especially between the Major and Mrs. Hopkins. The author threw in real issues that people had to face back then; it was refreshing. Little was glossed over. There were humorous moments; the fictitious word 'erobitis' comes to mind.
The townspeople were an interesting sort. You had some kindhearted people, a mentally-challenged man and those that thrived on scandal. If I could say anything negative about the romance, it was that not all the citizens of Fort Laramie had closure. The setting took place during an actual time in history when Native Americans fought against the military for their homeland. Read this story if you enjoy character-driven romances with real issues and flawed individuals.
HER HESITANT HEART is a gentle story with damaged characters that help each other by using their strengths to get over their unhappy pasts. Susanna Hopkins is a divorcee fleeing from an abusive husband. She is on her way to Fort Laramie in the Wyoming territory to stay with a cousin until she can earn enough money to retrieve her son. Her ex-husband was, outwardly, a respectable businessman. He was also a heavy drinker who abused his wife behind closed doors. When things took a turn for the worse, he badmouthed her as a mother and wife. He also bought off all the lawyers where they lived so she couldn't fight for custody.
Joseph Randolph was born in Virginia but fought for the Union during the Civil War. His family disowned him though he continued to pay the taxes on his family's property. He was a physician first, then a military man. Taking care of people was not only a duty but a passion. Unfortunately, he lost his beloved wife years before in an awful accident when he couldn't save her. It haunted him to this day. So when he first met Mrs. Hopkins he sensed a shy woman hiding a sadness. He was intrigued; he wanted to help her.
Carla Kelly paints with words. Her characters are imperfect. I liked the fact that neither the hero nor heroine was stunningly beautiful. Joseph was a big man with a mustache but I couldn't recall much other description. Susanna was petite and pretty but she also had a permanently droopy eye where her ex pushed her against a mantle.
The romance builds slowly. Friendship and support come first. Initially, Susanna has to fight town gossip. She learns that the military has a deeply-embedded social order that frowns upon the common soldier. Whole families are affected. Hired as a teacher, she has to fight it.
I enjoyed the smart dialog especially between the Major and Mrs. Hopkins. The author threw in real issues that people had to face back then; it was refreshing. Little was glossed over. There were humorous moments; the fictitious word 'erobitis' comes to mind.
The townspeople were an interesting sort. You had some kindhearted people, a mentally-challenged man and those that thrived on scandal. If I could say anything negative about the romance, it was that not all the citizens of Fort Laramie had closure. The setting took place during an actual time in history when Native Americans fought against the military for their homeland. Read this story if you enjoy character-driven romances with real issues and flawed individuals.
September 3, 2017
Transpose Carla Kelly's British-set Regency/Napoleonic War books into a rather generic post-Civil War, American West setting and you'll have a pretty good grasp of what this one is all about. Sounds like a criticism. Perhaps it is. Unless you're an unashamed CK fangurl (*raises hand* *hair flick*), in which case you'll probably be glad to be back in the warm embrace of her reliably decent characters and comforting prose.
As with so many CK's we have a good-hearted slightly insecure doctor hero and an even gooder-hearted heroine. In this case she's a schoolteacher. And gosh, Susanna has been to hell and back and is carrying a serious burden. Joseph, our hero, has suffered too. They find their way to one another, they take care of one another and they fix one another (almost literally) and it's all lovely. There's no major ~dramaz~ between them, they are friends and then they are more than friends and then they are married lovers.
The drama of the plot is external to their love story. It's in the ongoing tragedy of a war and the every day frailties of life and the small mindedness of society. It all comes right in the end, of course, but on the journey CK has crafted a gut punching story about life's injustices. I continue to be amazed at her ability to pair dark with light and take nothing from either and still create a romance with all the uplifting feels.
It's four stars because I'll never read it again. It's a good book, but, for CK, it's generic. The setting isn't particularly well drawn western American and she's done this formula of H/h before and, in my opinion, better (and with slightly more explicit sex) - check out The Surgeon's Lady.
But, this wrapped itself around me and kept me warmly entertained for several hours and made me slightly emotional to boot. Lovely book.
As with so many CK's we have a good-hearted slightly insecure doctor hero and an even gooder-hearted heroine. In this case she's a schoolteacher. And gosh, Susanna has been to hell and back and is carrying a serious burden. Joseph, our hero, has suffered too. They find their way to one another, they take care of one another and they fix one another (almost literally) and it's all lovely. There's no major ~dramaz~ between them, they are friends and then they are more than friends and then they are married lovers.
The drama of the plot is external to their love story. It's in the ongoing tragedy of a war and the every day frailties of life and the small mindedness of society. It all comes right in the end, of course, but on the journey CK has crafted a gut punching story about life's injustices. I continue to be amazed at her ability to pair dark with light and take nothing from either and still create a romance with all the uplifting feels.
It's four stars because I'll never read it again. It's a good book, but, for CK, it's generic. The setting isn't particularly well drawn western American and she's done this formula of H/h before and, in my opinion, better (and with slightly more explicit sex) - check out The Surgeon's Lady.
But, this wrapped itself around me and kept me warmly entertained for several hours and made me slightly emotional to boot. Lovely book.
October 5, 2013
Setting: 1875 Wyoming Territory
3 1/2 stars
Now,what's better than a cowboy Hero? Of course a soldier Hero! Susanna Hopkins is a divorcee looking for a home and a second chance, which she hopes to find at Fort Laramie as the new school teacher. But,to save face her cousin lies and says that Susanna is a war widow. The only one who knows the truth is the fort's post surgeon, widower Major Joseph Randolph,who becomes her only friend and supporter. But..alas forts are like small towns, and lies are soon uncovered. Susanna loses her job, her hopes and almost her life (which I wont add anything here as it would spoil it too much :) But Hero Joe refuses to let her give up,and in saving her he saves himself. A delightful emotional, uplifting western romance about two wounded souls who find love and comfort in each other. The scenery described in Her Hesitant Heart felt very authentic and the author must have done her research to make the time period stand out so well. I always like my romances with just enough historical detail so that it dosent take away from the characters and their plight, and this one delivered as I found both the plot and the characters admirable and engrossing. Would have liked it a little more "steamy" shall we say, but overall a fast enjoyable read.
3 1/2 stars
Now,what's better than a cowboy Hero? Of course a soldier Hero! Susanna Hopkins is a divorcee looking for a home and a second chance, which she hopes to find at Fort Laramie as the new school teacher. But,to save face her cousin lies and says that Susanna is a war widow. The only one who knows the truth is the fort's post surgeon, widower Major Joseph Randolph,who becomes her only friend and supporter. But..alas forts are like small towns, and lies are soon uncovered. Susanna loses her job, her hopes and almost her life (which I wont add anything here as it would spoil it too much :) But Hero Joe refuses to let her give up,and in saving her he saves himself. A delightful emotional, uplifting western romance about two wounded souls who find love and comfort in each other. The scenery described in Her Hesitant Heart felt very authentic and the author must have done her research to make the time period stand out so well. I always like my romances with just enough historical detail so that it dosent take away from the characters and their plight, and this one delivered as I found both the plot and the characters admirable and engrossing. Would have liked it a little more "steamy" shall we say, but overall a fast enjoyable read.
June 25, 2025
Toxic couples with no idea how to communicate are my bread and butter, but every so often I enjoy a book where the MC are two mature individuals with trauma who are trying their best.
I devoured this book. I saw a Goodreads friend (Nabilah) rate it five stars and figured I would give it a shot.
Heroine is trying for a fresh start at a Wyoming fort as a teacher after fleeing her abusive ex husband. Hero is a weary, good-natured army surgeon with a heart of gold and a dead wife. The pace and content of this book made me think of A Substitute Wife for the prizefighter by Alice Coldbreath.
I’m obsessed with the hero. Kelly did a marvelous job creating him. He’s competent, compassionate, humble, and intelligent. He made it onto my favorite heroes shelf AND my very good man shelf.
Heroine was also great. She really went through it but kept picking herself up (sometimes with help from the hero)
I thought they had wonderful quiet chemistry. Their affection and regard for each other made me think of my own marriage.
I devoured this book. I saw a Goodreads friend (Nabilah) rate it five stars and figured I would give it a shot.
Heroine is trying for a fresh start at a Wyoming fort as a teacher after fleeing her abusive ex husband. Hero is a weary, good-natured army surgeon with a heart of gold and a dead wife. The pace and content of this book made me think of A Substitute Wife for the prizefighter by Alice Coldbreath.
I’m obsessed with the hero. Kelly did a marvelous job creating him. He’s competent, compassionate, humble, and intelligent. He made it onto my favorite heroes shelf AND my very good man shelf.
Heroine was also great. She really went through it but kept picking herself up (sometimes with help from the hero)
I thought they had wonderful quiet chemistry. Their affection and regard for each other made me think of my own marriage.
October 13, 2019
4,5 rounded to 5
Army surgeon Joe lost his wife years ago in a dreadful accident. Suzanna was beaten by her husband and had her son taken from her after she fled for help. Divorced, penniless, she went to Wyoming to stay with a cousin and teach the officer’s children in Fort Laramie.
Heart-broken, but unwilling to give up, this two sad souls find friendship, companionship and love together.
Great read!
Army surgeon Joe lost his wife years ago in a dreadful accident. Suzanna was beaten by her husband and had her son taken from her after she fled for help. Divorced, penniless, she went to Wyoming to stay with a cousin and teach the officer’s children in Fort Laramie.
Heart-broken, but unwilling to give up, this two sad souls find friendship, companionship and love together.
Great read!
September 23, 2021
I just love Carla Kelly. I haven't read this one since 2014 so I decided it was time for a reread. I apologize for the rambly review.
Susanna fled her home when her drunk and abusive husband almost killed her. (She came close to losing her eye and now only sees blurry images out of that eye). When she left, he barred the door and never let her back. She sued for divorce and he made sure that he kept all the power leaving her with nothing, including depriving her of her 11-year-old son. Susanna boards a train to Fort Laramie to become a teacher at the army base and get a new start.
Major Joseph Randolf is a widower and a veteran of the civil war. He is now the post surgeon at Fort Laramie. He gives Susanna a ride back to the fort where she will stay with her cousin. Joe knew right away there was something special about Susanna.
Carla Kelly is able to write such gentle stories with flawed characters who have been through extremely difficult situations and come out stronger. Both the H/h are good people who have been through things that have changed the way they view the world.
This book was a bit of a slow burn. It's obvious from the start that these two are perfect for each other, but they're not ready to take that step yet. The book focuses on army life in the west, life for a divorced woman, immigrants, snobs, even some "sporting women". The story doesn't shy away from the realities of life in the western frontier. The characters are well written and the secondary characters add to the story. I fell in love with them all!
The H/h take about 3/4 of the book to finally get together but once they did I was convinced of their love. They were so sweet together and you could tell they had a long-lasting love. I enjoyed the last part of the book with the H/h married and happy. There were some moments where things were tied up with a nice bow that felt rushed but I didn't mind. This was a great book!
Safety
Susanna fled her home when her drunk and abusive husband almost killed her. (She came close to losing her eye and now only sees blurry images out of that eye). When she left, he barred the door and never let her back. She sued for divorce and he made sure that he kept all the power leaving her with nothing, including depriving her of her 11-year-old son. Susanna boards a train to Fort Laramie to become a teacher at the army base and get a new start.
Major Joseph Randolf is a widower and a veteran of the civil war. He is now the post surgeon at Fort Laramie. He gives Susanna a ride back to the fort where she will stay with her cousin. Joe knew right away there was something special about Susanna.
Carla Kelly is able to write such gentle stories with flawed characters who have been through extremely difficult situations and come out stronger. Both the H/h are good people who have been through things that have changed the way they view the world.
This book was a bit of a slow burn. It's obvious from the start that these two are perfect for each other, but they're not ready to take that step yet. The book focuses on army life in the west, life for a divorced woman, immigrants, snobs, even some "sporting women". The story doesn't shy away from the realities of life in the western frontier. The characters are well written and the secondary characters add to the story. I fell in love with them all!
The H/h take about 3/4 of the book to finally get together but once they did I was convinced of their love. They were so sweet together and you could tell they had a long-lasting love. I enjoyed the last part of the book with the H/h married and happy. There were some moments where things were tied up with a nice bow that felt rushed but I didn't mind. This was a great book!
Safety
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 1, 2021
What a surprisingly beautiful and touching tale.
My first foray with Carla Kelly with its slightly off-putting Harlequinn styled book cover, and I was surprisingly very, very impressed. Set in post-Civil War America, Wyoming in a frontier garrison fort, Susanna Hopkins, a divorced school teacher looking for a second-lease in life, meets and befriends an overworked still grieving widow, Major Joseph Randolph, a kindly military surgeon who takes her under his wings.
Kelly perfectly captures the life of two damaged individuals, both having to survive traumatic pasts with a gritty realism of frontier and wartime daily life. I loved the natural feel of their relationship, from the foundation of true friendship to their eventual romance and HEA. Neither characters are the typical stars romances are written about, but their kind and resilient natures carried through to make an unconventionally poignant story of strength. There were actual moments when I actually teared up especially when Susanna reached her lowest point and couldn't see a way out on her own. Kelly created in Joseph a reliable and stalwart hero, whose support and care saves Susanna's life.
Simply portrayed with fleshed-out likable characters, Kelly did a wonderful job in capturing the essence of a Western romance.
Loved every second of reading!
My first foray with Carla Kelly with its slightly off-putting Harlequinn styled book cover, and I was surprisingly very, very impressed. Set in post-Civil War America, Wyoming in a frontier garrison fort, Susanna Hopkins, a divorced school teacher looking for a second-lease in life, meets and befriends an overworked still grieving widow, Major Joseph Randolph, a kindly military surgeon who takes her under his wings.
Kelly perfectly captures the life of two damaged individuals, both having to survive traumatic pasts with a gritty realism of frontier and wartime daily life. I loved the natural feel of their relationship, from the foundation of true friendship to their eventual romance and HEA. Neither characters are the typical stars romances are written about, but their kind and resilient natures carried through to make an unconventionally poignant story of strength. There were actual moments when I actually teared up especially when Susanna reached her lowest point and couldn't see a way out on her own. Kelly created in Joseph a reliable and stalwart hero, whose support and care saves Susanna's life.
Simply portrayed with fleshed-out likable characters, Kelly did a wonderful job in capturing the essence of a Western romance.
Loved every second of reading!
May 4, 2013
Why I love Carla Kelly--she shows you don't need to be a dominating alpha or a jerk to be a real man. This charming love story set in Fort Laramie during the Indian wars is about a woman who has divorced her abusive husband and attempts a new start as an Army schoolteacher, and the surgeon who takes her under his wing. There is an absolutely awesome supporting character, and several subplots that would make interesting books in themselves I suspect. The ending is kind of abrupt, but given the rest of the story it doesn't really matter.
June 7, 2016
If there is one consistent theme in Carla Kelly's books it is this: Everyone bends and we try not to break. Bending without breaking is a hard lesson, usually learned over and over and over in life. I am always grateful when the wind blows the other direction and reminds me, by the grace of God, I am more supple than I thought. Ms. Kelly's books feel like a rush of affirming wind for me.
Overall, the writing is excellent, the dialog genuine, and the narrative tenderly handled. Secondary characters are human, flaws and all, and worth the time spent on them. The sense of place and historical details are wonderful without info dumps or neglect of little things we forgot we knew. The friendships and romance was given time to develop and are laced with both humor and determination. This isn't a book for skimming, reading on a commute, or beginning late in the evening [unless you don't work the next day]. It is a put dinner in the crock pot, turn off the phone, and curl up read, definitely for the Keeper file.
This book touched me deeply, both in the crafting of the characters and the plot of the narrative. A divorced woman myself, with children now grown, I could easily imagine the relentless clawing of separation from a child that you not only knew was in danger, but had no legal or familiar resource to turn to for help. Ms. Kelly never lost sight of what abuse and judgment does to a woman's spirit and self-esteem. The energy and courage required to start over are perfectly captured here without spiraling in to maudlin or reality TV drama. Susanna grows to the realization that she is not only stronger than she knew but also softer, and that's all right. Her baby steps - that felt like giant leaps to her - in this regard are believable.
Her moment of decision was a bit "just add water" without the need of "rinse and repeat" of real life, but this IS a romance novel and not a psychological analysis of frontier life. She was definitely a woman of her times, but also a woman of gentler temperament and the fact she ran to save her life is probably the only out of character behavior she ever exhibited. I imagine readers with different temperaments or modern perspective will find her ... less than a heroine. That's all right, there are plenty of books with fiery, feisty, and bold women to read instead. Quite courage that plods along has its place in the world as well as romance land.
Joseph is a Kelly Hero and one of the many reasons I love her books. He had his own demons and doubts but he walked through the nightmare days and reached this side of numb by the time he met Susanna. His charming manners, stout humor and good-natured nagging is precisely how he did so. That, and a great deal of work with perhaps an extra helping of pride on those really bad days, kept him sane and functional. He would not make his sacrifices be for nothing or diminish his wife's worth by spiraling into despair. From concern to curiosity to attraction and then love; Joe did not rush his own emotions any more than he did Susanna's. I appreciate that respect for the reader as well as the characters.
As Susanna healed and learned to let go of hurts; Joe walked with her. Admitting his own weaknesses and strengths, taking those same steps because he wanted to be sure, not because he was compelled by the ache in his groin or the lust in his belly made him a believable hero for me. Their romance progressed from an emotional connection to physical attraction; from tentative friendship to earnest commitment and I think Ms. Kelly portrayed this very well.
Finally, mindful of spoilers, there are no dangling threads or forced march epilogue - Thank You So Much! The story does leave you certain that whatever the future brings, they will manage to live, and love, without hesitation.
You can read an expanded review of this and other books at Page Traveler E-Book Reviews
Overall, the writing is excellent, the dialog genuine, and the narrative tenderly handled. Secondary characters are human, flaws and all, and worth the time spent on them. The sense of place and historical details are wonderful without info dumps or neglect of little things we forgot we knew. The friendships and romance was given time to develop and are laced with both humor and determination. This isn't a book for skimming, reading on a commute, or beginning late in the evening [unless you don't work the next day]. It is a put dinner in the crock pot, turn off the phone, and curl up read, definitely for the Keeper file.
This book touched me deeply, both in the crafting of the characters and the plot of the narrative. A divorced woman myself, with children now grown, I could easily imagine the relentless clawing of separation from a child that you not only knew was in danger, but had no legal or familiar resource to turn to for help. Ms. Kelly never lost sight of what abuse and judgment does to a woman's spirit and self-esteem. The energy and courage required to start over are perfectly captured here without spiraling in to maudlin or reality TV drama. Susanna grows to the realization that she is not only stronger than she knew but also softer, and that's all right. Her baby steps - that felt like giant leaps to her - in this regard are believable.
Her moment of decision was a bit "just add water" without the need of "rinse and repeat" of real life, but this IS a romance novel and not a psychological analysis of frontier life. She was definitely a woman of her times, but also a woman of gentler temperament and the fact she ran to save her life is probably the only out of character behavior she ever exhibited. I imagine readers with different temperaments or modern perspective will find her ... less than a heroine. That's all right, there are plenty of books with fiery, feisty, and bold women to read instead. Quite courage that plods along has its place in the world as well as romance land.
Joseph is a Kelly Hero and one of the many reasons I love her books. He had his own demons and doubts but he walked through the nightmare days and reached this side of numb by the time he met Susanna. His charming manners, stout humor and good-natured nagging is precisely how he did so. That, and a great deal of work with perhaps an extra helping of pride on those really bad days, kept him sane and functional. He would not make his sacrifices be for nothing or diminish his wife's worth by spiraling into despair. From concern to curiosity to attraction and then love; Joe did not rush his own emotions any more than he did Susanna's. I appreciate that respect for the reader as well as the characters.
As Susanna healed and learned to let go of hurts; Joe walked with her. Admitting his own weaknesses and strengths, taking those same steps because he wanted to be sure, not because he was compelled by the ache in his groin or the lust in his belly made him a believable hero for me. Their romance progressed from an emotional connection to physical attraction; from tentative friendship to earnest commitment and I think Ms. Kelly portrayed this very well.
Finally, mindful of spoilers, there are no dangling threads or forced march epilogue - Thank You So Much! The story does leave you certain that whatever the future brings, they will manage to live, and love, without hesitation.
You can read an expanded review of this and other books at Page Traveler E-Book Reviews
June 16, 2013
A divorcee' who tries to start over teaching on a frontier army post and a widower army doctor with heart-broken pasts come together in this gentle romance against the backdrop of 1865 Ft. Laramie, Wyoming during the time of war on the plains leading up to Little Bighorn. Both are intrepid characters full of quiet strength that reveals itself as needed.
I love how Carla Kelly explores the life of the common people and how their stories are set against some of the most challenging times in history. In this case, poor Susannah Hopkins was forced to feel her home and her young son or face death at the hands of a drunk, abusive husband which makes her a social pariah even in her own family. Her shot at a second chance isn't grand, but its something. She goes west to an army post to teach the officer's children. Upon arrival, she is met by a kind man, Major Joe Randolph, chief surgeon at the post, who does his best to make her life a little easier even if its just small things. Now instead of praying for her son and mourning their separation, she has Joe and the other souls he brought into her sphere to think on.
Joe is taken from the start by the air of sadness and vulnerability around Mrs. Hopkins. He is well aware of the lady's past and only wants to help her get her fresh start. He pulls Susanna into the life of the fort and in so doing lets her into his own life. The Sioux are on the warpath and so are some of the posts' officer wives for Susanna, but Joe and some other souls she has befriended stick by her. If only she can weather the personal persecution and see her son safe and if only Joe can get past the death of his wife and learn to truly live again.
The story was slower paced and split its perspective between Joe and Susanna. I adored them both and loved following along with them as they went about their duties and especially when they were together. I loved getting snippets of the daily life of an army fort during those times too, but it was told in such a way that the story line wasn't overpowered. This is a gentle slow-to-build romance staying on the sweet side, but not fighting shy of physical relations.
Those who enjoy historical romance on the sweeter side set against an American Western frontier backdrop should definitely give this one a try.
I love how Carla Kelly explores the life of the common people and how their stories are set against some of the most challenging times in history. In this case, poor Susannah Hopkins was forced to feel her home and her young son or face death at the hands of a drunk, abusive husband which makes her a social pariah even in her own family. Her shot at a second chance isn't grand, but its something. She goes west to an army post to teach the officer's children. Upon arrival, she is met by a kind man, Major Joe Randolph, chief surgeon at the post, who does his best to make her life a little easier even if its just small things. Now instead of praying for her son and mourning their separation, she has Joe and the other souls he brought into her sphere to think on.
Joe is taken from the start by the air of sadness and vulnerability around Mrs. Hopkins. He is well aware of the lady's past and only wants to help her get her fresh start. He pulls Susanna into the life of the fort and in so doing lets her into his own life. The Sioux are on the warpath and so are some of the posts' officer wives for Susanna, but Joe and some other souls she has befriended stick by her. If only she can weather the personal persecution and see her son safe and if only Joe can get past the death of his wife and learn to truly live again.
The story was slower paced and split its perspective between Joe and Susanna. I adored them both and loved following along with them as they went about their duties and especially when they were together. I loved getting snippets of the daily life of an army fort during those times too, but it was told in such a way that the story line wasn't overpowered. This is a gentle slow-to-build romance staying on the sweet side, but not fighting shy of physical relations.
Those who enjoy historical romance on the sweeter side set against an American Western frontier backdrop should definitely give this one a try.
March 31, 2014
I've read just about everything that Carla Kelly has ever published. And I feel more than a little disloyal saying that her heroes and heroines are starting to sound the same to me. As any Kelly fan knows, historical setting is her forte. That's as true for My Hesitant Heart, as it is for her Peninsular-set Napoleonic Regencies. In this novel, Kelly moves to Fort Laramie, Wyoming, where the divorced heroine, Susanna, goes to start over.
Susanna is a classic Kelly heroine--she has been brutalized by life and she is frightened and untrusting. The support of a good man is what enables her to find her own strength to carry on. In this case, that good man is Joe Randolph, the fort surgeon. He is, like every Kelly hero that I can think of, a beta male. He wants to help, he's self-effacing, and he's nice.
About two-thirds of the way through this novel, I really lost interest. Because I know exactly what's going to happen. Although both Susanna and Joe are lovely, good people, they're also, well, boring.
Okay, there, I've said it.
I'm glad that Susanna and Joe get together. I'm glad that she's able to get over her distrust and conquer the small, nasty gossips of Fort Laramie. I'm glad that Joe finally lets go of his beloved first wife. I'm happy for them, really. Because they're both very nice.
But neither one is very interesting.
I recommend this book if you're in the mood for a sweet romance with a strong historical foundation. Or if you like Western romance. I think Kelly is spot on with her portrayal of the treatment of divorced women in the late 1800s and of the shame and humiliation such women probably felt. I also like her choice of a surgeon as hero, since I've enjoyed her depictions of surgeons in other books (e.g., The Surgeon's Lady ). But ultimately, this wasn't a keeper for me. I still like Marrying the Royal Marine best, and strongly recommend it if you like your romances gritty and historically accurate.
Susanna is a classic Kelly heroine--she has been brutalized by life and she is frightened and untrusting. The support of a good man is what enables her to find her own strength to carry on. In this case, that good man is Joe Randolph, the fort surgeon. He is, like every Kelly hero that I can think of, a beta male. He wants to help, he's self-effacing, and he's nice.
About two-thirds of the way through this novel, I really lost interest. Because I know exactly what's going to happen. Although both Susanna and Joe are lovely, good people, they're also, well, boring.
Okay, there, I've said it.
I'm glad that Susanna and Joe get together. I'm glad that she's able to get over her distrust and conquer the small, nasty gossips of Fort Laramie. I'm glad that Joe finally lets go of his beloved first wife. I'm happy for them, really. Because they're both very nice.
But neither one is very interesting.
I recommend this book if you're in the mood for a sweet romance with a strong historical foundation. Or if you like Western romance. I think Kelly is spot on with her portrayal of the treatment of divorced women in the late 1800s and of the shame and humiliation such women probably felt. I also like her choice of a surgeon as hero, since I've enjoyed her depictions of surgeons in other books (e.g., The Surgeon's Lady ). But ultimately, this wasn't a keeper for me. I still like Marrying the Royal Marine best, and strongly recommend it if you like your romances gritty and historically accurate.
April 30, 2013
3.5
As with all Carla Kelly books this is skillfully written and loaded with historical fact, this one centers around Fort Laramie during the times of the Great Sioux War and The romance revolves around an Army surgeon and a divorced teacher. Lots of really grim historical medical accounts and the ending is super ambiguous, not for Joe and Suzie who actually have quite a lovely HEA but for all
There's a really strong build up of the romance of Major Joseph Randolph and Susanna Hopkins which is good, they both needed it as their background stories were quite horrendous:
Kelly never holds back. She's really a stellar writer who can just sink you into history so you just feel like you're living in the reality of it. No rose coloured glasses here for the time period but the relationships and interactions are tremendously layered. No one is a hero and people are just people who make mistakes but who also find love and redemption where they can.
Always a great read with this author but the end was brutal. I guess it was better to stop things on the satisfying HEA note but it made it feel a bit unfinished for me.
As with all Carla Kelly books this is skillfully written and loaded with historical fact, this one centers around Fort Laramie during the times of the Great Sioux War and The romance revolves around an Army surgeon and a divorced teacher. Lots of really grim historical medical accounts and the ending is super ambiguous, not for Joe and Suzie who actually have quite a lovely HEA but for all
There's a really strong build up of the romance of Major Joseph Randolph and Susanna Hopkins which is good, they both needed it as their background stories were quite horrendous:
Kelly never holds back. She's really a stellar writer who can just sink you into history so you just feel like you're living in the reality of it. No rose coloured glasses here for the time period but the relationships and interactions are tremendously layered. No one is a hero and people are just people who make mistakes but who also find love and redemption where they can.
Always a great read with this author but the end was brutal. I guess it was better to stop things on the satisfying HEA note but it made it feel a bit unfinished for me.
December 16, 2016
I was expecting Her Hesitant Heart to be a sweet Western Romance, and it was. Sadly, it was also quite boring once the romance portion actually started. Susanna has left her life in Pennsylvania behind. Well, she's actually saving her life by leaving, since her husband is sure to kill her in his drunken stupor. Luckily, she has a cousin at Fort Laramie and a teaching position lined up for when she arrives. Unluckily, she can't afford the whole trip. But Joe is heading that way and invites Susanna to join him for the rest of the journey.
What I really liked about Her Hesitant Heart was that Susanna wasn't going to let society's double standards hold her back. She knows what people say about women who file for divorce. But she knows that she would have ended up dead if she stayed. She's not happy about leaving her son behind, but she also knows that her husband's true nature will show itself and she'll get her son back. But not everyone sees it that way. The cousin she's staying with decides to tell everyone that she's a war widow to avoid embarrassment, which is the driving drama force. I was glad that Joe knew the truth, so there wouldn't be a stupid fight over it later.
Other than that, I just wasn't that into Her Hesitant Heart. I felt like the romantic development was too subtle and almost completely in the background. A lot of the focus was on Susanna starting her life in this new place. While I liked seeing her stand up for herself, I wanted more out of her interactions with Joe. It's all very sweet and proper. He's her one ally in this town, because he's also an outsider. But I just never felt that moment where they fell in love. Suddenly they just are and then live happily every after.
Read more of my reviews at Pinkindle Reads & Reviews.
What I really liked about Her Hesitant Heart was that Susanna wasn't going to let society's double standards hold her back. She knows what people say about women who file for divorce. But she knows that she would have ended up dead if she stayed. She's not happy about leaving her son behind, but she also knows that her husband's true nature will show itself and she'll get her son back. But not everyone sees it that way. The cousin she's staying with decides to tell everyone that she's a war widow to avoid embarrassment, which is the driving drama force. I was glad that Joe knew the truth, so there wouldn't be a stupid fight over it later.
Other than that, I just wasn't that into Her Hesitant Heart. I felt like the romantic development was too subtle and almost completely in the background. A lot of the focus was on Susanna starting her life in this new place. While I liked seeing her stand up for herself, I wanted more out of her interactions with Joe. It's all very sweet and proper. He's her one ally in this town, because he's also an outsider. But I just never felt that moment where they fell in love. Suddenly they just are and then live happily every after.
Read more of my reviews at Pinkindle Reads & Reviews.
September 16, 2014
I like carla kelly but to me she has one flaw in her books. the men are always crying. in this book she has a 12 year old boy sit on his stepfather's lap and cry. I'm sorry but I don't know one 12year old boy that would sit on another man's lap. and I don't know one man who would let it happen. especially since they only knew each other a few days. bizarre. it makes me hesitate to buy her books when I know somewhere along the line the hero will burst out in tears.
October 31, 2018
(Maybe 2.5 stars) I have loved Carla Kelly's books for many, many years and never hesitate to buy a new one. This 2013 release is set in 1875 Fort Laramie and is a change from her usual English setting during the Napoleonic wars. This, unfortunately, is the only thing that sets this romance apart from her other novels.
Although in a different time and place, the characters were not outstanding. Our hero is a noble good guy doctor, an absolutely sterling character. That's good, but nothing sets him apart from any other noble Kelly hero. The heroine is a put-upon, suffering woman who has run away from her very abusive husband and left her 12-year-old son behind in her desperation. She reminded me quite a bit of the desperate widow of The Admiral's Penniless Bride (Harlequin Historical), although that widow had lost her son to death, not to a custody battle.
The conflict here is in the prejudice the heroine, who has arrived to be the Fort's schoolteacher, faces when the fact of her divorce and desertion of child becomes known, and the already-established prejudice the hero has been facing for (1) being a Virginian, and (2) his action during the Civil War of turning away from a dying Union soldier to help a Confederate soldier who could be saved.
Kelly supplies the usual varied cast of characters, some good, some not so good, some quirky, and a heartwarming story, yet my heart didn't warm as much as usual when reading a Kelly book. The characters seemed too bland and many of them were not fully fleshed out. Our heroine was almost too passive and the hero almost too good to be true. It's a realistically developing romance and, compared to many another author's romances, is admirable. However, compared to other Carla Kelly romances, I found it to be just OK.
Although in a different time and place, the characters were not outstanding. Our hero is a noble good guy doctor, an absolutely sterling character. That's good, but nothing sets him apart from any other noble Kelly hero. The heroine is a put-upon, suffering woman who has run away from her very abusive husband and left her 12-year-old son behind in her desperation. She reminded me quite a bit of the desperate widow of The Admiral's Penniless Bride (Harlequin Historical), although that widow had lost her son to death, not to a custody battle.
The conflict here is in the prejudice the heroine, who has arrived to be the Fort's schoolteacher, faces when the fact of her divorce and desertion of child becomes known, and the already-established prejudice the hero has been facing for (1) being a Virginian, and (2) his action during the Civil War of turning away from a dying Union soldier to help a Confederate soldier who could be saved.
Kelly supplies the usual varied cast of characters, some good, some not so good, some quirky, and a heartwarming story, yet my heart didn't warm as much as usual when reading a Kelly book. The characters seemed too bland and many of them were not fully fleshed out. Our heroine was almost too passive and the hero almost too good to be true. It's a realistically developing romance and, compared to many another author's romances, is admirable. However, compared to other Carla Kelly romances, I found it to be just OK.
January 2, 2015
Fantastic book. I was drawn into the story from the beginning. I really liked both Susanna and Joe as characters. Susanna has come to the West to start her life over. She fled her abusive husband who then divorced her accusing her of abandoning their son. Divorced women are not treated well during this time period and Susanna has a miserable time of it. She meets Joe when he gives her a ride back to the fort. Her cousin lives there too and has told people that Susanna is a widow not divorced which causes problems later.
I loved Susanna's strength. She had the courage to leave her husband when he nearly beat her to death. She had to leave her son behind and that constantly wears on her. She worries about his safety and misses his presence in her life. After her divorce she headed West to be a teacher. She is very cautious around men thanks to her husband. When she meets Joe she is struck by his kindness and gentleness. On the journey to Ft. Laramie she comes to like and trust him. Her arrival at the fort shows her the lie her cousin told and she has a feeling that it will cause problems but she doesn't know how to fix it. She discovers that fort society is even more judgmental than her hometown was. I really liked the way that she did not join in the snobbishness of her cousin. Susanna is the kind of person who is good all the way through. She spends a lot of time helping out in the hospital and with the women of the fort. I loved the way that her own troubles made her more empathetic with the ladies she made friends with. When her past became common knowledge and people were cruel to her she first started to give up, but thanks to Joe decided to live her life her way. I loved the way that she and Joe started out as friends and then their feelings began to grow into love. It is a gentle sort of love that grows, not one full of heat, but it is strong.
Joe had lost his wife in a horrendous accident and has closed off his heart ever since. He is a good doctor and a kind person. He recognizes Susanna as a kindred spirit who has known great loss and sorrow. He finds it very easy to be nice to her. He is aware of her past and it makes him understand what she has been through. I loved the way that he is there for her in small and large ways. He finds things for her to do that will keep her busy. He also introduces her to women that will not judge her and who become good friends to Susanna. I loved seeing the way that his feelings for her change and grow. They also help him come to terms with the loss of his first wife. Joe's life as the fort doctor is not an easy one, especially when he has to deal with a superior officer who has had it in for him since the Civil War.
The historical detail of what life was like in a western fort during the Indian wars was fantastic. I loved the way that Joe's activities were described and the details of what he had to do as the fort doctor were incorporated into the story. The realism of the way that divorced women were treated was well done and made Susanna an even more sympathetic character. I also liked the supporting cast and loved seeing the way that they related to both Susanna and Joe. I really liked the portrayal of the lives of the ordinary men and women of the fort. No one was perfect and everyone had things that they had to deal with.
I loved Susanna's strength. She had the courage to leave her husband when he nearly beat her to death. She had to leave her son behind and that constantly wears on her. She worries about his safety and misses his presence in her life. After her divorce she headed West to be a teacher. She is very cautious around men thanks to her husband. When she meets Joe she is struck by his kindness and gentleness. On the journey to Ft. Laramie she comes to like and trust him. Her arrival at the fort shows her the lie her cousin told and she has a feeling that it will cause problems but she doesn't know how to fix it. She discovers that fort society is even more judgmental than her hometown was. I really liked the way that she did not join in the snobbishness of her cousin. Susanna is the kind of person who is good all the way through. She spends a lot of time helping out in the hospital and with the women of the fort. I loved the way that her own troubles made her more empathetic with the ladies she made friends with. When her past became common knowledge and people were cruel to her she first started to give up, but thanks to Joe decided to live her life her way. I loved the way that she and Joe started out as friends and then their feelings began to grow into love. It is a gentle sort of love that grows, not one full of heat, but it is strong.
Joe had lost his wife in a horrendous accident and has closed off his heart ever since. He is a good doctor and a kind person. He recognizes Susanna as a kindred spirit who has known great loss and sorrow. He finds it very easy to be nice to her. He is aware of her past and it makes him understand what she has been through. I loved the way that he is there for her in small and large ways. He finds things for her to do that will keep her busy. He also introduces her to women that will not judge her and who become good friends to Susanna. I loved seeing the way that his feelings for her change and grow. They also help him come to terms with the loss of his first wife. Joe's life as the fort doctor is not an easy one, especially when he has to deal with a superior officer who has had it in for him since the Civil War.
The historical detail of what life was like in a western fort during the Indian wars was fantastic. I loved the way that Joe's activities were described and the details of what he had to do as the fort doctor were incorporated into the story. The realism of the way that divorced women were treated was well done and made Susanna an even more sympathetic character. I also liked the supporting cast and loved seeing the way that they related to both Susanna and Joe. I really liked the portrayal of the lives of the ordinary men and women of the fort. No one was perfect and everyone had things that they had to deal with.
October 7, 2013
If Her Hesitant Heart were by a Harlequin Historical author I hadn't heard of, and I'd found and read it at random, I'd feel pretty lucky. It's technically better written than most Harlequins I've read, the secondary characters actually feel like real people, and the romance is written against the grain of the overpowering-alpha-male-all-but-forces-the-heroine-into-love-with-him narrative that's still way too common in the genre.
But the author is Carla Kelly, and I've come to expect all that from her as a matter of course. This is the writer who's made me sob all over my Kindle, who makes me feel pleasantly curious about the Church of Latter-Day Saints, whose back-catalog I always look for in secondhand bookstores (and rarely find, as I think my high opinion is widely shared!). So. For a book by Carla Kelly, this felt pretty phoned-in.
What I appreciated: Sensitive portrayal of some ways that the 1870s were pretty miserable for women. The romance develops not through a series of contrived, internal obstacles, but through the hero and heroine supporting each other through external hardships. (The heroine is keeping a secret at the beginning; some authors would have had her keep it from the hero to provide a source of angst, but Kelly didn't bother with that at all. The hero knows the truth from the start and they have several conversations about whether it's better to keep the secret or not.)
This is very backhanded, but I appreciate how much, in a novel set at Fort Laramie in 1876, Kelly was able to keep war in the background. I don't mind grimness in my romance, and I know Kelly can write well about tragic events, but I simply don't want to read fiction by a white author about Custer's Last Stand, no matter how well researched. I don't think I would have started reading Her Hesitant Heart if the back-cover summary had been more specific about the historical context.
What I didn't like: The way the heroine's ex-husband's abuse was described as caused by his alcoholism. The relationship between alcohol abuse and domestic violence is not usually so simple. That every action of the mentally-ill minor character seemed calculated to advance the central characters' plot, and he didn't even get a resolution of his own story.
And overall, I simply didn't care as much about the hero and heroine of Her Hesitant Heart as I've cared about many other couples in Kelly's novels. Maybe I was in the wrong mood. More likely, I think, this one just didn't get as much heart put into it as some of Kelly's other work.
But the author is Carla Kelly, and I've come to expect all that from her as a matter of course. This is the writer who's made me sob all over my Kindle, who makes me feel pleasantly curious about the Church of Latter-Day Saints, whose back-catalog I always look for in secondhand bookstores (and rarely find, as I think my high opinion is widely shared!). So. For a book by Carla Kelly, this felt pretty phoned-in.
What I appreciated: Sensitive portrayal of some ways that the 1870s were pretty miserable for women. The romance develops not through a series of contrived, internal obstacles, but through the hero and heroine supporting each other through external hardships. (The heroine is keeping a secret at the beginning; some authors would have had her keep it from the hero to provide a source of angst, but Kelly didn't bother with that at all. The hero knows the truth from the start and they have several conversations about whether it's better to keep the secret or not.)
This is very backhanded, but I appreciate how much, in a novel set at Fort Laramie in 1876, Kelly was able to keep war in the background. I don't mind grimness in my romance, and I know Kelly can write well about tragic events, but I simply don't want to read fiction by a white author about Custer's Last Stand, no matter how well researched. I don't think I would have started reading Her Hesitant Heart if the back-cover summary had been more specific about the historical context.
What I didn't like: The way the heroine's ex-husband's abuse was described as caused by his alcoholism. The relationship between alcohol abuse and domestic violence is not usually so simple. That every action of the mentally-ill minor character seemed calculated to advance the central characters' plot, and he didn't even get a resolution of his own story.
And overall, I simply didn't care as much about the hero and heroine of Her Hesitant Heart as I've cared about many other couples in Kelly's novels. Maybe I was in the wrong mood. More likely, I think, this one just didn't get as much heart put into it as some of Kelly's other work.
February 15, 2015
Ok I have a few books by Carla Kelly, 8 to be exact. This book however was just ok. I am an adult and when I read a romance I want an author to write for an adult. It seems to me that Ms. Kelly wrote Her Hesitant Heart for a 15 year old and not a woman with over 30 years of romance readings.
I found nothing wrong with the story just the passion between the H and h, there was none. Long soulful looks and hand touching just is not believable when you have the two main characters in the story having been married before. Sorry but 2 1/2 stars is all I can give this one. Have to tell you if this was the first book I read of Ms. Kelly's I would not have purchased any others.
The premise of the story centers on Susanna Hopkins, a school teacher, coming out west to start a new life after a nightmare existence in Pa. Tired and hungry after two days of traveling, Susanna is just about at the end of her tether when her train finally arrives in Cheyenne. She's bound for a new life in a Western garrison town. Then she discovers she doesn't even have enough money to pay for the stagecoach! Luckily for her, the compassionate Major Joseph Randolph, a doctor, is heading in the same direction.
Sounds wonderful but don't be fooled. Story might be good, the characters believable but the love, passion and sizzle in this romance was non existent. I really wish they could have stated in Amazon when I purchased this romance "oh by the way passion and sizzle are holding hands and long soulful looks". Give me a break someone should explain the difference between adult and teenage reads to romance authors out there. Can not recommend this book.
I found nothing wrong with the story just the passion between the H and h, there was none. Long soulful looks and hand touching just is not believable when you have the two main characters in the story having been married before. Sorry but 2 1/2 stars is all I can give this one. Have to tell you if this was the first book I read of Ms. Kelly's I would not have purchased any others.
The premise of the story centers on Susanna Hopkins, a school teacher, coming out west to start a new life after a nightmare existence in Pa. Tired and hungry after two days of traveling, Susanna is just about at the end of her tether when her train finally arrives in Cheyenne. She's bound for a new life in a Western garrison town. Then she discovers she doesn't even have enough money to pay for the stagecoach! Luckily for her, the compassionate Major Joseph Randolph, a doctor, is heading in the same direction.
Sounds wonderful but don't be fooled. Story might be good, the characters believable but the love, passion and sizzle in this romance was non existent. I really wish they could have stated in Amazon when I purchased this romance "oh by the way passion and sizzle are holding hands and long soulful looks". Give me a break someone should explain the difference between adult and teenage reads to romance authors out there. Can not recommend this book.
March 31, 2023
4.5 Stars. This was my first book by this author and I enjoyed it very much. While I do not personally know if this accurately portrays the time and place in history, it certainly feels like a well-researched account of military life in and around Fort Laramie, Wyoming, at the end of the 19th century. The characters were lovingly delineated, with an eye to both the internal thoughts and feelings of the main characters as well as lots of interactions and dialogue between them. Their relationship was slowly and carefully built, and ended up feeling very authentic. I especially appreciate the individual growth of the characters, as each transcended hopelessness and pain to find laughter, connections, even joy in their lives and with each other.
Maybe I should have given this five stars. But would a 12-year-old boy REALLY run into the arms of a total stranger and crawl into his lap before the day was over? There were just too many too-good-to-be-true moments for my taste. Still, a wonderful book, and I would definitely read another by this author.
Maybe I should have given this five stars. But would a 12-year-old boy REALLY run into the arms of a total stranger and crawl into his lap before the day was over? There were just too many too-good-to-be-true moments for my taste. Still, a wonderful book, and I would definitely read another by this author.
August 27, 2016
This book reads a lot like The Surgeon's Lady by the same author, except set in Wyoming during the US Army's wars against the Native Americans as treaties were violated and the reservations were created. The heroine is fleeing a bad marriage (divorced this time instead of widowed) and he is a military surgeon here as well.
This is my first historical romance set in the US Army, and I loved all the details of life at a fort that were included. This was very well researched. I also liked how the conflict wasn't the hero and heroine fighting each other, but them together fighting against the situation. He was a big honorable man and I wanted to give him a hug. I'll be looking for more books set during this period. I find it quite fascinating.
This is my first historical romance set in the US Army, and I loved all the details of life at a fort that were included. This was very well researched. I also liked how the conflict wasn't the hero and heroine fighting each other, but them together fighting against the situation. He was a big honorable man and I wanted to give him a hug. I'll be looking for more books set during this period. I find it quite fascinating.
May 14, 2013
I never read romances set in the west, but this is Carla Kelly, so of course I had to read it. In this book, the romance is between the divorced Susanna Hopkins and the widowed Major Joseph Randolph, both with hesitant hearts because of the losses they have sustained. Kelly does a wonderful job showing how difficult it must have been for divorced women in that time and place. Susanna also suffers separation from the son she loves. Joe Randolph comes to care for Susanna very quickly, but the time has come for him to let go of the ghost of his dead wife. It isn't easy for either of them, living in a place where gossip travels very quickly.
There are some touching subplots involving a few of the other families at Ft. Laramie, where the story is set.
There are some touching subplots involving a few of the other families at Ft. Laramie, where the story is set.
August 27, 2013
I actually thought that this book was pretty good! I like a good old time westerny book BUT if you are looking for something that is fast-paced then this one is not the book to pick up! If you are looking for a slowly developing sweet story then by all means give this a whirl! Just don't expect to be on the edge of your seat! It really is just a book about a woman that builds her life from the ashes and finds love and happiness! Always fun! For my content aware peeps-there is about 3/4ths of a page of a love scene but it's pretty non-descriptive and between a husband and a wife on their honeymoon so I wasn't too shocked by it! If you are used to her newest Cedar Fort fiction just know that this is not published by them! Just so you are aware of that! :D All-in-all good!
May 8, 2013
I love the way Kelly writes a story. I love the added history and the settings of her books. But most of all I love the characters. They are well written and even tho they feel a little cookie cutter now that I have read more then 5. But I enjoy that cookie! So I keep reading and enjoying her books. There was a sex scene near the end of this book but it's easy to skip over is that is not your thing but overall her books are very well put together not like a typical Romance novel.
July 21, 2022
Carla Kelly's books always have so much historical detail in them -- this one focuses on an army garrison in Wyoming in the 1870's. She doesn't gloss over the harsh life or the realities of war, yet her stories are always full of hope. This one had more sexual references than her others that I've read (although the characters were married).
June 4, 2013
I felt like this story just dragged. Yes, I get it. She was sad, people were suffering, blah blah blah. I don't want to be depressed, make the book 100 pages shorter! With the exception of 2 or 3 sentences, this was a really clean book....so why put in those couple of sentences?
November 1, 2017
3.5/5; 4 stars; B+
This book has the feel of a 'classic Carla Kelly'. She does a great job creating the time and setting for this western adventure/romance. There is angst, there is salvation. While I enjoyed some of her other books more, this one was still a good read.
This book has the feel of a 'classic Carla Kelly'. She does a great job creating the time and setting for this western adventure/romance. There is angst, there is salvation. While I enjoyed some of her other books more, this one was still a good read.
February 10, 2014
A great read by Carla Kelly. She does an excellent job with her research and creating characters with multi-dimensions.
June 10, 2023
It was a little to long.
April 4, 2025
Lovely
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