Paper Hearts Paperback – January 1, 2015

I fell in love with Courtney's storytelling with her Sweethaven series (if you haven't read them, oh are you missing out!) So when I found her new novel was coming, I put it on every wish list I had, and bought my copy on release day!Yay me!"Paper Hearts" did not disappoint. The story was emotionally powerful and the characters easy to love. Well, with one exception. I wanted to give Kelly a good old smack...in Jesus' name. She got on my last nerve and then some.Abigail and Jacob are so broken, which is sad but makes them so appealing to the reader. They both are searching for something, and it's the tradition of the paper hearts that ultimately brings them together.I felt for Abigail. Being wounded by love is so painful, but to be doubly wounded is tragic. Her heart is so closed off, but she has so much to offer. She's invited...or coerced...into joining the most unique group: The Valentine Volunteers. What a bunch! And what strong personalities!Plus, can you imagine growing up with a mother named "Teensy"? Sure, it's a nickname that stuck, but ohmyword....Jacob is a martyr extraordinaire, and with good reason as we find out later in the book. His daughter Junie is a delightful character, and thank God for his sister Kate. She comes with her own issues, but she plays a huge part in Abigail's life, as well as Jacob's.I absolutely loved this book! It's release is just in time for Valentine's Day (NOW!), and it's sure to warm your heart in this cold, cold winter! I'm so glad I got my copy, and "Paper Hearts" is going on my keeper shelf! Highly recommended.

I'm really torn between a 4 or a 5 star rating. I struggled with the first 100 pages of the book. There were so many characters and so much story building that I felt overwhelmed. Disconnected. Just wanting the story to move forward. Somewhere toward the middle of the book everything started falling in place. The connection took hold.I had similar feelings about the two main characters, Jacob and Abigail. I just wanted to tell Jacob to man up; Abigail to stop living in the past and feeling sorry for herself. But, they both pulled it together in the end. They made an adorable couple --- putting each other first. Trusting God.The secondary characters were great - with the exception of that Kelly creature. She was horrible! <as the author intended her to be> The older ladies were great. Loved Ursula.The ending, while good, was not perfect. It was an assumed happily-ever-after. An epilogue, with a glimpse into the future, would have been preferable.All in all, it was a good book. Recommended. I guess my biggest compliant would be that it reads more like a screen play - details playing a major role - than a book. I prefer less details and more story. And a happily-ever-after, including an epilogue. Therefore, I'm going with a 4 star rating ****

I absolutely love the cover on this book. It is very visually appealing and made me excited to pick up this book to read. I know they say not to judge a book by its cover, but if it doesn't have a pretty cover then I'm not as excited to read it. I'm not for sure why that is.Of course, being a booklover (obviously), I enjoyed the setting of this book. Abigail owns a bookstore/coffee shop. Seriously. What book lover can't relate to this setting?! The two go hand-in-hand. Abigail has dreams of expanding and thinks that's possible at first. However, she quickly is let down when she sees a handsome man, although she hates to admit it, looking at the building. Jacob has come looking for a new start and just might have found it. This is how Abigail and Jacob's story begins to weave together with each other.My favorite parts had to be when Abigail's mother intervenes in her dating life. Being from a small town, I can relate! I also liked the town natives, in general. They all had a huge interest in Abigail and wanted to see that girl married off!Paper Hearts, the first book in this series, reminds us that we all make plans for our lives. We have the best intentions, but God ultimately knows the whole story of where we should be going in life and what we should be doing. It reminds us that we are to hold the reins loosely in our own lives and be willing to go and do whatever. It's a story of love and moving through the ugly in the past.__________________I received this book free from Tyndale Publishers in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

Abigail's life in a romance town is hard. Being single and the descendant of the ultimate love story is something she wishes she could separate herself from. Since her failed romance, she's found her identity in her book store. When the building gets sold from under her, she sees her dreams coming to an end, but she doesn't want to see it go.Jacob is in Loves Park to start over. The death of his wife turned his life upside down and left him with a heartbroken little girl. As a doctor, he blames himself for failing when it really mattered but has been persuaded to open up a new practice. His business manager was a friend of his late wife's, but as time goes by, he begins to wonder if he's made the wrong choice.Jacob buys the building where Abigail's shop is, and the war is on. It was very reminiscent of You've Got Mail in that respect, and the bit with the paper hearts only reinforced that. The story is sweet and I liked the way it went. You really need to be in the mood for a straight-up romance when reading this one, it was borderline cheesy a couple times, but I did like it. The characters were well developed, and I liked the author's writing style.There's another book in the series called Change of Heart. It revolves around a minor character in this book, so it might be okay to read these alone or out of order.

This is an amazing, wonderful, inspiring book. Full of sadness, pain, heartbreaking... And full of love, friendship, grace and second chances. Love it. I have read almost all of mrs. Walsh's books. All are wonderfully written and beautiful. Looking for more of Love Park.

loved this story of Abigail (not Abby) and the new Doctor in town, Jacob. Both have issues with love but through a lot of ups and downs, well meaning people and just a mean person they will solve those issues and come together. The main lesson here is to remember God is in charge and you just have to have faith! (and a bunch of match making women). I just love the paper hearts idea.

The personal plans of the two main characters are set against their growing feelings for each other in this gentle story of community spirit and personal emotion in a small town. Though the ending was predictable from early in the tale, the twists and turns it took to get there were gripping. The Christian faith aspect of the book was not as overt as in Courtney's previous books, but was nevertheless a factor in the storyline. A book that drew you in and was hard to put down, causing several late nights!

This reminded me so much of the movie Letters to Juliet that I love. The story focuses on two people, one trying to move on from a difficult past and the change is being forced upon the other. As the story moves along you get hints to the event that happened in the past that is haunting the hero, but it isn't until very near the end you find out what exactly happened. I liked not getting the whole story right at the beginning, I liked trying to figure out what had happened just from the hints. Surrounding the hero and heroine are people who meddle in their lives, thinking they are doing what's best for them. These people and their quirks really add humor to the story. I loved the whole premise of the paper hearts, sharing your love with those around you. I would read this again.

Paper Hearts wasn't love at first sight for me, but as I kept reading, I slowly fell in love with all the characters - even Ursula! I liked how Ms. Walsh showed the vulnerabilities in Abigail and Jacob. In the beginning it was a hindrance, but as the story unfolded it was their weaknesses that proved to be their strength. It was a sweet love story of two people who had wounds to hide, but in the end, they were able to see that God always has something better than we could ever imagined ourselves.