Mending Hearts

Second Chances #2

by Kimberly Krey

Logan's Story

Candice is through with married life and all it entailed:
infertility, an adoption gone wrong, and the death of
her husband’s twin brother. Now that they’ve been
separated for nearly a year, Candice is finally ready
to set Logan free. But when he steps back into her life,
Candice begins to have second thoughts. Even
though she hasn’t fully healed from the heartache
she endured over their married years, she can't
fathom the thought of losing him a second time.
Can Candice let go of past hurts and give Logan a
second chance, or will her fears keep them apart?

Logan has spent the months of separation giving
Candice the space she needed. But when he
discovers that Candice is about to file for a divorce,
he decides he better take action quick. He didn’t spend
the best years of his life with this woman, only to let her
slip away. Yet just when the opportunity comes
again – his chance to finally make things right –
an entirely new force threatens to tear them apart.
Will opposition keep the heart-broken couple from
getting back together or will they have the strength
to break through the barriers, no matter
what their future might bring?

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Clean Romance, Westerns, Chick Lit, Fiction

304 pages, Paperback

First published September 7, 2015

About the author

USA Today Bestselling author Kimberly Krey is known as the Queen of Steamy Clean Romance. She's a fervent lover of God, family, and cheese platters, as well as the ultimate hater of laundry. Her readers count on faith-filled romance novels that stay clean without losing the steam.

* 2021 USA Today Bestselling Author

* 2020 RONE Award Winner

* THREE-TIME SWOONY Award Winner

* KINDLE All-Star Author Award Winner

* KINDLE All-Star Book Award Winner

* TWO-TIME RONE Award Finalist

To stay connected, and receive a FREE book, subscribe to her newsletter: https://bit.ly/2A2nu31 Confirm to receive your freebie. To follow her author page on FB @: https://www.facebook.com/kimberlykrey... For a printable PDF of her work (listed by series) see her website @ https://www.kimberlykrey.com

Reviews

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another hit!

I'm never disappointed when I pick up a Kimberly Krey book. She has definitely been added to me go-to author list.

Candice and Logan have been married for ten years, after suffering through a lot of trials they've decided to separate. To be honest, I was a little upset with Candice at first, but I grew to like her as the book progressed and having experienced some of the things she went through, I could understand why she put up the walls she did. Logan was great! He is deeply in love with Candice and will do whatever it takes to win her back. They really do have a sweet relationship, I liked that it took time to build things back up and that they had to do some self discovery and didn't rush things.

Overall, this was an enjoyable read, didn't want to put it down. It's the second book in the series, but stands well on it's own. Another thing I love about Krey's books, the characters overlap a bit, but each book stands really well on its own. I am really looking forward to the next book!

Content
Romance: Clean, mild innuendo and closed door intimacy
Language: Mild
Violence: None
Religious: None

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[Aimee (Getting Your Read On) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm always over the moon when a new book from Kimberly Krey comes out. Usually I grab it up right away and read it no matter how far away in my review schedule it is. I couldn't do that this time and this book sat there, taunting me, every single day. It was such a happy day when I finally, finally got to settle in to enjoy it.

I'm loving this series because it's all about second chances. In this book, Candice and Logan are married but have separated because Candice needed some space. She had a lot of emotional things to work through and decided that it would be easier to do apart. (bad choice, Candice) Logan is ready to give things another go. He is not letting Candice go without a fight but after a year apart, it's hard to find the common ground once again.

I loved Logan's fight. I loved how deeply he cared and how he tried in both the big things and the little things. Candice doesn't always give Logan any good reason to continue fighting. In fact, even I thought Logan should walk away several times. But, he doesn't. He just stays and keeps trying. How's that for a knight in shining armor?

This book tackles many real issues that people face today. The struggles are real and I felt like this book portrayed them well. The emotion was there and I felt it. Frustration, heartbreak, discouragement, loneliness, hope and happiness.

Above all though, this is a love story. And I love the second chance at love theme. Kimberly Krey is one of my favorites!

Content: Some instances of mild swearing. Steamy clean kissing and some talk of the intimate relationship between a married couple. Sex is behind closed doors between a married couple with no details.

[Irshad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never did I expect myself to be the type of person who'd appreciate romance novels. I always assumed romance novels to be heavily loaded with sexual references and written to turn on the reader and boy was I wrong!

This book, "Mending Hearts" was perfect. It kept me engaged in the plot and I genuinely felt a movie was being played in my mind, with Bradley Cooper and Emma Stone as the leads. If I'm able to have a perfect mental image of the story, I know it's a good book. The story began with Logan & Candice, the main characters, having had parted their ways for almost a year. That must have been rough! After their separation, they decided to give it another shot. A redemption at love.

I expected a happy ending and that is what I got! The plot did have twists and had explanations on the reasons why their marriage did not work out and their struggles of raising a child. I am truly glad to have read this book. The book wasn't heavily loaded with sex and it had the perfect balance. The emotions that were displayed seemed to be real; like how we humans displayed our emotions. I learnt that one must live in the present and not be worried of how uncertain the future is if you want the present to be enjoyable. Everyone has difficulties in their lives but living in the moment somehow can make it all go away.

The only thing that disappointed me was the fact that there were jumps in time frame whereby 5 months would go by or 2 weeks would go by without any description of what had happened. This occurred more frequently towards the end. But the disappointments were made up by unexpected twists which allowed the plot to develop more so I didn't really mind it.

I would definitely recommend this book to everyone! The plot was suttle and the impacts it had on me was perfect. Can't wait to read the next part!

[Katie (Hiding in the Pages) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember briefly meeting Logan and Candice in Rough Edges and was excited to learn more about their story. Why exactly are they separated?

I love a good romance and love to see the way a couple meets and falls in love, so I wasn't sure if I would enjoy one where the couple has already been married for 10 years, separated for one, and on the brink of divorce. Oh, I was so wrong!

Kimberly Krey tackles a very difficult subject for many married couples--infertility and adoption. I never personally suffered things to the extent that Logan and Candice did, but I could relate to how those troubles could cause difficulty in a marriage. Ms. Krey does a fantastic job in portraying feelings and reactions. I understood where the characters were coming from and the reasons behind their actions. There's nothing fun about having to schedule things and tossing spontaneity out the window.

Logan and Candice must decide whether to give their marriage one more chance or to cut their losses and move on. I loved the discoveries made along the journey, the strength the characters developed, and the steamy clean romance. There were a few surprises, which I loved and hated, but this story really captured my attention and had me rooting for two amazing people. I love these people, their extended families (especially because of the bowl), and I love their story!

Content: some mild language; no violence or religious elements; steamy clean romance (kissing/making out, talk of intimate relations between a married couple with no details after the kissing--all behind closed doors, glimpse of topless woman--not descriptive). Clean for an older reader!

*I received a copy from the author in exchange for an honest review*

[Alisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love reading a story where two people do what it takes to fix a broken marriage. Overall, I really liked this story, but there were parts that bugged me...

Let me start by saying we've been through infertility and we had a baby for 3 months (we got her straight from the hospital) and we thought she was ours and that we were going to adopt her, and instead they took her from our home and gave her to the family that had adopted her half-brother. So I totally understand the heartbreak that Candice is going through. Thankfully I turned to my husband instead of away from him so my story was completely different. But what really bugged me about Candice was how she took Lana's advice over everyone else's... Lana who is a mess and has never had a successful relationship. At the beginning of the story Candice seemed really close to her sister Shelly and her mother, but then they kind of dropped out of the story when Candice could really use some great advice.

Logan was an amazing character with unbelievable patience. I wish Candice had stepped it up or that they had given flashbacks to better times when Candice was there for Logan because it felt one-sided and I never found myself rooting for Candice. But I wanted them together because I wanted Logan to be happy!

Content: Cleanish, innuendo between estranged married couple, PG-13
Source: Review copy (opinion is 100% my own)

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall a great read about giving marriage a second chance. Stayed up til 2 a.m. to finish and it's been a long time since I've done that. I loved Logan.
Content: Steamy clean - mild language, closed door, fade to black sex between a married couple, innuendo
Source: Kindle unlimited

[Chantele Sedgwick]

Another wonderful book by Kimberly Krey! I loved Logan and Candice's story. Complicated, full of emotion and romance. So many real life couples struggle with some of the same things they struggled with in the book and I think Kimberly did an excellent job with it. Both characters were realistic and flawed, but I loved them both. Can't wait for book three in this awesome series.

[Julie Carpenter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a well written book about a married couple getting a second chance and being able to heal from past hurts. I picked it up as I started out on a long road trip and loved it! I had many moments of laughing out loud, even some crying.

Oh the heartaches that Logan and Candice have faced and add to all that a friend whom I wanted to reach through the book and slap(yes I did-I'm normally not like that but man alive she got on my nerves). If Candice could have seen through this friend's charade so many misunderstandings could possibly have been avoided.

After 10 years of marriage, a miscarriage and failed adoption attempts Candice is thinking it's time to call it quits. She believes this will bring peace to her and will help her set aside the pain and desire of wanting children. Her and Logan have been separated for about a year and through scheming relatives they have another chance. Logan isn't going to let that chance pass him by, will Candice feel and do the same? Will they be able to mend their hearts and find fulfillment in their lives without children or will it all end?

This book showed both sides of a couple and their different feelings and struggles as they try to cope with the loss of a great desire. I loved Logan's patience and persistence in helping Candice. I felt for Candice in her fears and insecurities. Yet I loved watching them work through the "little slips of paper" from her aunt and uncle. :-) you'll have to read to understand but reminded me in a way of the movie Fireproof (love that movie by the way)! Healing and a healthy relationship takes both members to truly heal and move forward. Neither person in a relationship is completely innocent when troubles come but misunderstandings and misperceptions definitely can add to the struggle. I loved watching these two talk and LISTEN to each other.

I loved the ending and kept hoping throughout the book that it would end that way and it did! :-)

Great read! Definitely a steamy read with lots of kisses from mild to steamy between a married couple. Mild innuendos and fade to black scenes with a married couple. A couple mild swear words scattered throughout. Some talk about God but more in the sense of offering silent prayers for help. I would recommend this for mature readers due to the married relationship content. I would say it's a clean read, but steamy.

I bought a copy from Amazon (it is $0.99 right now but I'm unsure how long that will last).

Happy Reading!!!

[Jo-Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not your typical romance since it's about a couple who have been married for ten years and separated for one year. They badly want children but remain childless. This is devastating for the wife, Candice, making her feel like she was a failure to her husband because she could not give him the family she thought she should be able to provide. When their attempts to get pregnant weren't successful, they tried adoption. When that failed too, Candice believed she had to divorce her husband, Logan, so he could find someone who could give him children.

After being apart for a year, they decided to give their marriage another try. Logan especially wanted to make Candice see how much he loved her, with or without children.

This is a very emotional story that makes you think about relationships and how marriage can be so hard. It shows how important communication is between couples. It's much easier to go through hard times when you have someone you know you can rely on and talk to.

Logan is a very patient man and quite likable however Candice wasn't. I have enjoyed Kimberly Krey's books so I was surprised when I didn't understand why they separated until well into the book. Candice's aunt and uncle where great additions to the story. Their bowl filled with slips of paper each telling them to do something together was a unique idea. They said If the couple followed the instructions on the slips, their love would grow again. There's always gotta be a bad guy and I was surprised to see who it was.

I received a copy of Mending Hearts from Inspired Kathy in exchange for an honest review.

[The Flipped Page (Susan K) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Romance, sensual, but 'clean'
In fair disclosure, I received a copy of this in exchange for a fair review.
This was a little steamier for me than what I consider really clean read for romance. The couple was married, and nothing intimate was described, but it was more than just desire. Just as fair warning to those who are looking for a truly clean read.
Candice and Logan have been married for over 10 years but are separated. They have been dealing with infertility, and after a failed adoption, they have gone through some miscommunications, and hurts that have led them to live separately after moving back to their hometown.
Candice's mother's marriage leads to her getting a place of her own, and eventually to her moving into Logan's house to pursue adoption again.
As they learn to communicate their feelings better, and resolve some of their unspoken emotions from the failed adoption, healing comes to their marriage.
Their emotions, feelings and devotion for each other are confused at first, but as they resolve their past and build their future together, work at their relationship, and mend their hurts, they start building for their future. Sweet and tender feelings are in this book, some desire, but mostly learning to express love and caring in daily living. Learning to be loyal to each other and starting habits of expressing their deepest desires and emotions made for a fun read. Definitely a HEA!

[Kimberly Krey]

Logan and Candice Emerson will hold a place in my heart forever.
I have to say, writing this book was a journey for me. I really enjoyed discovering just what Candice and Logan had gone through over the years, and learning how they overcame some of the difficulties that tore them apart. Unlike the other novels I've written, Mending Hearts involves aspects like marital separation, infertility, and adoption too. As with any pursuit of happiness, many obstacles come into play, but this couple shows admirable levels of strength and a sincere and lasting love for one another. Of course, as with any of my books, there will be plenty of steamy clean romance along the way.

[Fay Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Star rating can be tricky. Are you rating the content, the technical style or the story itself? According to Amazon 5 stars simply means "I loved it", so despite the fact that rating a romance novel as 5 stars kind of went against my natural inclinations (I'm a five star snob normally and rate all components of a novel - my last 5 star was The Road) I loved this and had to give it 5 stars.

When the reviews were appearing bandying about words like "clean" and "sweet" I was wary of even starting. I was envisioning Mills and Boons circa 1980 (I do enjoy them and you'd have to yank my 80's Nora Roberts out of my hands, but I wasn't really in the mood for something along those lines....). What I got instead was a story of true emotions, dealing with modern themes and not shying away from the pain and suffering that a marriage can become and that married people can unwittingly cause each other.

Candice and Logan have been married for 10 years and dated through high school and college as well. After obtaining their degrees they left their hometown in Montana and built a life in Colorado as a teacher (Candice) and a vet (Logan). Long working hours and been so far away from family makes them turn to new friends for support as they struggle through the heartbreak that comes when they discover that they have fertility issues. After suffering a miscarriage they explore adoption but when they are successfully chosen by a birth mother, and the birth mother changes her mind whilst in labor, the marriage crumbles under the weight of the pain they both carry.

The couple return to Montana following bereavements in their families, but Candice insists that they live apart. Almost a year on new changes in family circumstances force the couple to communicate and decide once and for all if they are divorcing or making the marriage work.

Kimberley Krey paints an intimate picture of a marriage in crisis, never shying away from things either party has done wrong. Although it's not going to win a Pulitzer, Krey has a nice style and can string a sentence together. She is able to evoke emotions skilfully and there were plenty of times I welled up. Written in the third person and switching view points between Logan and Candice gives us a chance to accurately see things from all sides. Krey also fills the protagonists lives with fully fleshed peripheral characters in the form of family and friends.

The novel is steamy as well! There are a lot of intimate moments between the couple which rely on the emotions of the characters to create some heat, but there are no graphic scenes.

I hadn't heard of Kimberley Krey before this novel and I'm really looking forward to reading more. This book itself is the second in a series but although I haven't read the first one it didn't make any difference. A great book for women who want a bit more meat to their romance.

[Melissa Nichols · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mending Hearts is another amazing story by Kimberly Krey. This one is a little different and I was afraid I would not find it interesting. I saw it was about a couple thinking of divorce and trying to decide if they wanted to fight for their marriage or end it. I trusted that Kimberly Krey would make the story worth my read and I am so glad that I did. I loved reading Logan and Candice’s story because it was the story of two people who really love each other trying to figure out if they want to work through issues in their marriage to make things work or just give up. Logan is all for working for his marriage and really wants to make things work. His heart is broken and he is still in love with his wife. He just has to figure out how to show her that he still loves her and that they can make things work. Candice isn’t so sure she wants to stay married. She is just in survival mode and doesn’t know what to think about life. Mending Hearts follows Logan and Candice as they learn to love and trust each other again. They have to learn to rely on each other and not on others around them in order to make things work. It is a good lesson for all to learn and remember! I highly recommend reading this book and can’t wait for the next one to come out!
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Tressa (Wishful Endings) · Rating 4 out of 5]

MENDING HEARTS is possibly my favorite release from this author to date, or at least tied for favorite with Cassie's Cowboy Crave. There is a lot of depth to the story as the characters struggle to repair their marriage, or fight against repairing it in some cases. The characters felt authentic and consistent. I loved the way they were surrounded by family. I felt for their struggles with fertility and the strain that had on their marriage. The doubts and the fears of not being enough for each other. The romance was full of chemistry, sweet moments, and humor. I loved Logan and how he tried to romance and court his wife - how he didn't want to let her go. I loved that in the end they learned to trust and lean on each other. The author did a fabulous job in letting her characters struggle, hope, dream, and love. She also did so well with creating plenty of romance without pushing the line on content. This was a sweet romance with plenty of sparks. The ending was especially sweet and I'm hoping for more to come in this series!

Content: Some suggestive content due to the book context and subject matter, but clean for the genre.
Source: I received a complimentary copy through ebooksforreview.com, which did not affect my review in any way.

[Lisa (Bookworm Lisa) · Rating 4 out of 5]

First thing that captured my attention about this book was the cover. It is perfect! I loved the scene of Logan and Candice running through a field of flowers. They are a couple who got lost in the fog of infertility. Their lives and romance were hi-jacked by their inability to have a baby.

This is the second book in Kimberly Krey's Second Chances trilogy. The book focuses on Logan and Candice trying to overcome past hurts and disappointments to give their marriage another chance. This book can be read without reading Rough Edges Allie's Story.

Logan was my favorite character of the book. His love is unconditional, he just doesn't know how to convince his wife of the fact. He tried to play by her rules, but realized that he needed to change the rules in order to keep her.

The book is about hope. It is about rediscovering dormant love and struggling to make a marriage work.

Kimberly Krey knows how to make the romance steamy while keeping it in the clean category. The physical attraction is strong, the kissing intense, but everything else is alluded to and behind closed doors.

[Julia Lance · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this second chance series. Sometimes there are things worth fighting for. Candice and Logan had a rough time in their 10 year marriage. They got caught up in trying to have a baby and they forgot that keeping their relationship with each other is just as important as one you would want with your child. Even if you don’t have a struggling marriage it is important to remember to be there for each other. You should always keep the lines of communication open. You should not be afraid to share your feelings with one another. That is everything that this book covers. I love the way Kimberly has them build their relationship and trust back up with each other. She is able to write about romantic moments without smut and when she is writing a love scene she does it tastefully. I love all of Kimberly’s book and can’t wait for the next one!
Note: I was given an advanced copy of this book by the Author, in exchange for an honest review.

[Hanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Warning: Spoiler alert

Cons:This book was hard for me because of the subject matter. From the beginning of the book, they talk about saving their marriage by adopting a baby. Having a baby to save a marriage is never a good idea, fiction or not. It's also annoying to me that in most books, not just this one, the couple adopts and then gets pregnant. While this does happen, it only happens to like 3 percent of couples.

While still a "clean" book, I could have done without so much detail. And the situation with Lana seeming to magically sort itself out felt unresolved to me.

Pros:This was a sweet love story. I liked that Candice and Logan took the time to get to know and love each other again. They were committed and worked through all of their issues together. By the end of the book I was happy that they were able to experience being parents together.

[Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in the series and this one is Candice and Logans story. They are separated after being married for 10 years. They seem to have forgotten what is important in a relationship besides trying to have a baby. They have had a lot of rough patches in their marriage. I am glad to see that realized their marriage was worth fighting for and decided to give it a second chance. This book will make you laugh and cry. A great romance story of love and second chances.

[Peggy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Raw emotion felt on every page. Was very hard to finish this book, wasn't because of the author's ability to write or the book in general. The topics that were hit on felt like I was reliving my life. But to say that, I also must say that this book was able to help me overcome some of those things as well. To understand that there is more to life than what is thrown at you. That so much can be overcome! Thank you Kimberly Krey for an amazing book!


*Received for an honest review*

[Ruth Josse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! With their heartbreaking past, Logan and Candice had a lot of issues to get through. I loved the different take on this romance because they were married and had history together and had to figure out if loving each other was enough. I was rooting for them until the very end! Perfect addition to this series and can't wait for the next one. :)

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mending Hearts is a wondrously exquisite and deeply freeing journey of learning how to live without borrowing worry and to allow our dreams to take shape in their own time. How incredibly liberating it is when we finally realize that even when we don’t achieve our dreams in our desired timeline that it doesn’t make them any less meaningful or precious when they finally do arrive. Wrestling these types of demons may be the hardest ones that I think humans have ever had to deal with. We don’t deal well with waiting especially when we think we have everything ready and in place. It’s what we don’t have ready and in place that could cause our dreams to disintegrate and die if we were to receive them when we want them. Maybe, just maybe, the Plan behind our plan is one that is even better then what our finite minds can think up. After all the Creator behind that Plan is the very one who made us, our world, and the universe that surrounds us. Wouldn’t that Plan be even more to our benefit then our own hastily thought out dream?

Candice has watched her most beloved dreams burn and fade away before her eyes. Her heart can’t take anymore, so she asks her husband Logan for a separation. While unwilling to let her go, Logan agrees in order to not lose her completely. During this time, Candice thinks her heart has finally started to mend on its own, and she’s sure that leaving Logan for good is exactly what she needs in order to move on. Logan is a reminder of a past that has torn her spirit to shreds, and she can’t handle anymore hurt or disappointment. At the first sign that Candice is considering a divorce, Logan jumps back into her life begging for one last chance. He knows he can’t live without her any longer, and he refuses to let her go without having a chance to show her just how much she means to him. Will Logan’s determination and patience prove to be his undoing, or will Candice be able to work past her fear in order to see and claim everything that she could lose forever?

My heart hurt so much watching these two beautifully broken souls trudge through life while going through the motion of living. I almost couldn’t finish reading this book due to the intense and bone-searing pain and disappointment that permeated the pages of this book. While life isn’t filled with flowers and sunshine 24/7, it is also not continuously inundated in regret, fear, and worry each day. There is a healthy balance to living this life, and once that balance is found, it will bring you more joy and peace than you could ever imagine. Candice and Logan needed and deserved to find this balance, and that is what kept me coming back for more. I loved the sweet and sincerely loving interactions that these two had with their family and friends which gave them the courage to turn their life around and rekindle their beautiful marriage. Even though marriage is probably the hardest thing you will ever undertake in your life besides having and raising children, it will bring you more love and fulfillment than you ever thought possible.

Kimberly Krey has shown me yet another reason why I adore her creative talent and could never get enough of her magnificent heart. She knows how to touch the heart and show us that while life is hard, it is so worth each and every effort we can put into making it exactly what we want. The best things in life are worth the wait, and on the same hand, they are worth the fight in order to get it and keep it. The heart always knows what it wants. It’s just trying to convince the mind that throws us into a painful whirlwind that forces us to confront what is holding us back and learn how to conquer it. This latest fantastic work of art is a perfect new addition to her outstanding library. If you aren’t familiar with her mastery of both the written word and the beautiful mystery called the heart, then I encourage you to check out her stunning collection that will leave you breathless and wanting more.

[Mylissa Demeyere · Rating 5 out of 5]

Candice and Logan have been married over a decade, and have known many problems in their marriage. After the death of Logan’s twin brother they move back to Montana, and decide to seperate.

One year into the seperation they must decide if they want to make the break final, or give their marriage a final chance.

What follows is a sweet, touching story of second chances, of trying, of forgiving, of moving forward and falling in love again.

I had a hard time with Candice. I found myself understanding where she was coming from, yet having difficulty accepting her behaviour. She has this amazing man, willing to fight for her, her marriage, willing to do what needs to be done to make it work, and she was just so stubborn.

Logan is such a great guy, honestly he is every woman’s wish come true. He is understanding, hard-working, patient, and easy on the eyes. I loved his part in this book, and he was the real winner for me.

This whole book had a great feel to it. Too often we see people giving up on marriage, letting go because it just is too hard, or they are not willing to go to the core of the problem and work it out. This book gives such a great insight into how people can grow apart without there being too big of an issue. Candice and Logan had problems, real problems, but nothing that was insurmountable. Yet they were willing at one point to give up. Then, with a push in the right direction, and a right attitude, they were able to spin it all around, and fight for what was truly important, each other. And at the end, the came out of it so much stronger. It was such a sweet, touching story.

As I already said, Kimberly writes such a sizzling, clean, passionate read, you find yourself sucked in from the very first page, and feel completely upset once you finish the final words on the last page.

I loved getting to see the cast from past books, and meeting new, interesting people in this read. They add such an extra dynamic and richness to this read. I must say I really am looking forward to Book 3 in the series!
Read the full feature on http://www.mylissasreviewsandbookthou...

[Claire Sayan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got this review copy free in exchange for an honest review.
2.5-3 stars

Candice and Logan have been married for 10 years. Childhood sweethearts that have been plagued with infertility their entire married life. The lack of a child and the lengths they go through to try and achieve one finally drives them apart. They have been separated for a year, living separately and not speaking but won't get a divorce until their time on the adoption list is up. Logan still loves Candice but has been biding his time to make his move in getting her back, scared it would drive her further away. A family gathering sees Logan being invited to support Candice which he does by taking her up to see his new home. They end up having an 'almost' kiss and Logan decides its time to show his hand. Logan asks Candice to move back in with him, in separate rooms and try again at their marriage.

Candice confides in her best friend Lana who is shocked that her friend is rushing to try again with the man she's been slagging off for the last year plus. Lana advises Candice to take things slower than slow if she must give Logan another chance.

Candice and Logan slowly fall back in love with each other with the help of 'the jar' - a jar filled with bits of paper advising them to do things like 'lie with you had on your partner lap and talk about things you wish had been done differently' and such like. Things are starting to look up despite Lana warning Candice away from Logan many times, and Candice and Logan decide that they will make thing official again and sleep together. Things are perfect until the morning after when Lana shows up for 'a visit'.

I won't go on because i don't want to spoil the whole book!

I found this a little bit slow to begin with but eventually go into it. Slightly predictable as most romance books are and i don't mind that at all. I wasn't sure who i believed when it came to Lana, Candice or Logan - so good job with that. Editing- no errors spotted. All in all - it was an ok read.

[Dawn Pearson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Note: I received a complimentary copy for an honest review.

Logan and Candice have been through about as much personal tragedy as any couple could ever manage and still be married - although just barely. As the story begins, they are separated, yet staying married because they think they're still on the adoption agency list for a while longer. What they don't realize is that they had not been active on the list for almost 2 years. This comes to light as Logan starts to try to win his wife back. He's not willing to give up, but can he convince her to give their marriage a second chance?

This book really packs a lot in. It covers the topics of infertility, adoption, scheming friends, and the ever present fear of failure and rejection.

Fortunately, Candice has an aunt and uncle who have a solution. They send them home with a bowl that contains slips of paper with activities on them. Whatever the activity is, they have to agree to do it. This forces them to talk - talk about the deeper held emotions, fears, and regrets thus bringing them closer together.

However, every story must have a villain and that plays out in the character of Candice's friend, Lana. Lana is the type who manipulates and plays one person against another in an effort to get her own way. When her devious ways come to light, what will happen? Will she destroy all their hopes and dreams?

All in all, I appreciate this author because she writes stories that support marriage and the family. This book should be an encouragement to any couple who are struggling - not just in the area of fertility, but in general - that if both parties are willing to try and be open to the other, healing can occur and the end result is stronger than the beginning. I have read her previous books and highly recommend them. However, I think that if you read them in order, you'll tend to agree that with each book, she continues to grow and improve as an author. Each one gets better.

Romance - PG - kisses and closed door romance between married couple
Language - clean

My rating - 5 stars

[Melinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first book that I have read from this author, but I was not disappointed because I was able to understand the story quickly, and was engaged from the very beginning. Looking forward to reading more books by this author.

Candice and Logan are separated, and need to work through the process of resolving their conflicts with each other. They both have suffered loss, drifted apart, and needed to see if they could get back together or get a divorce and move on. I believe all married couples go through trials at some point in their marriages. This couple was no different, but they took the time to work through their struggles to mend their hearts back to each other, and seemed stronger at the end for going through the process. Mending Hearts tells the story of how the couple learns to love and trust each other again. They are awarded with unexpected news at the end of the story.

At the end of the story, Candice remembers a quote that really is true to life and in this story by Alice Morse Earle "Yesterday is history. Today is a gift. That's why they call it a present." You can not let the past haunt or consume you or wish for something more in the future that might not be reached today. It is important to live in the moment because that is where your treasure is.

I also enjoyed that this story was a clean romance not filled with affairs and steamy sex throughout.

I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to read a story about dealing with the hardships of life, and working through the difficulties to get back to a loving and trusting relationship once again.

Received complimentary copy from I Am A Reader for a honest review.

[Penny · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read every book Kimberly has written and I have absolutely, positively and irrevocably fallen in love with this big wonderful family.

They are not the most perfect, well mannered, richest or flashiest family but they are perfect just the way they are. LoL They are all strong charters. You can really get to know them and feel as if you are right there with them all in the books.

Logan and Candice story took me on a journey of love. They had so many problems to work on with their marriage to make it work.

Logan was not giving up without a fight while Candice thought he deserved a better life than what she could give him and was willing to give him up so he could find it. (want to say more but hate spoiler's) :)

I really love the Bowl. :) What a great idea for a struggling or even not struggling couple.

It was great fun to catch up with the rest of this family and read about what has been going on in their lives as well since the last book. In my last review I said that I can't wait for Mending Hearts to be released Squeal!! NOW it's time to say it about the next book. I can't wait for Fresh Starts. Squeal!!

Kimberly Krey writes a complete story she doesn't leave you hanging with what if questions or did they ever? I think I love this most of all about all of her books. I have yet to read one I could put down without getting mad that I to close it for whatever reason. Man sometimes work and husbands just get in the way of a great time. :0)

Thanks for the awesome read again!!!! I'll say it again I can't wait for Fresh Starts. Squeal!!

[Kristina Applegate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Immersed in pain, Candice is counting down the days that her name and Logan’s are removed from the adoption list. Once that period of their life has come and gone, she can finally complete the divorce papers, putting an end to their marriage. Separated from his wife, Logan wants nothing more than to have her back, and he means to fight for her. Through patience, perseverance, and through love this couple will see if they have what it takes to save their marriage.

Immediately I was hooked to this book. Every couple has their ups and downs, marriages fail, and trials happen. It’s what makes us stronger, but some trials are too hard and they break us or our loved ones. Candice wanted so badly to be a mom, but wanted to give her husband the opportunity to be a Dad and she felt like she failed them both. Unable to pull out of the hurt and depression, she felt the only option was separation. Logan was left with so many questions of what he could have done better to save his marriage. Logan decided to woo his wife, and help her fall in love all over again. I cheered these two on they began courting each other all over again: during the snow ball fights, the flirting jabs at one another, and the hot smoldering looks and kisses they shared. Kimberly Krey wrote a fabulous story. I can’t wait to try the other books in the series.

I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Erika Cluff · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was a little worried about the genre of this book simply because my favorite part of a romance novel is the whole hero and heroine meet, they fall in love, then there is some obstacle and then everything wraps up nicely. But in this book, the hero/heroine have been married for 10 years but separated for a year. I was skeptical as to how this would play out and if it would be a book that would pull me in. But I love Kimberly Krey's books, having read all of them, so I knew I would likely not be disappointed.
And I wasn't! This book is wonderful. It's all about how forgiveness, imperfectness, and overcoming selfish desires in an attempt to make a marriage work is worth it. In today's society it seems like the media portrays marriage as not necessarily something to fight for. If you can't fix it, then get a divorce. So I was drawn in to the characters and their deep desire to make it work and find their way back. There is humor, some good romantic scenes, and a great group of background characters. I love the steam of Kimberly's books but without anything explicit. And the epilogue had me in tears - everything wrapped up nicely and I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it.

[A. R. · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you love happy, tidy endings - this book is for you.

"Mending Hearts" follows Logan and Candice as they try to spark life back into their marriage and relationship after a year long separation.

I thought that the conflict in the marriage was well presented. The conversations between Logan and Candice were believable and heart felt. When an Uncle gives them some exercises to do to help with their reconciliation, I found myself wishing that the author had included and appendix at the end with the complete list of prompts! Imagine how beneficial that could be to all marriages...even the happy ones!

The writing was pretty clean. The characters well portrayed. I did get tired of reading about Logan's "warm brown eyes." That particular phrase was repeated...a lot! It's also not hard to see how the end of this story will turn out right from the beginning. But the journey is fun. And if that's what you're looking for in a clean contemporary romance, you'll love this book!

[Gayle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved that this was a story about an estranged married couple who decide to focus on re-building their marriage relationship -- not something you see very much when it comes to fictional relationships. I could relate to some of their infertility struggles and I was glad to see that topic addressed. Logan and Candice have gone through a lot of heartbreak and trials and I liked seeing how they decided to communicate and work towards strengthening their relationship instead of just giving up.
I admit that I had a hard time with Candice at times. She came across as kind of selfish and I didn't always understand her motivations nor where she turned for advice. I also struggled with the idea that they were separated but if an adoption happened to come along, everything would magically be just fine.
Overall, I really enjoyed this story about re-connecting and re-committing to a spouse despite hardships.
I received a free e-book copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.