What do you think?
Rate this book
Journals from the Heart
Whispers from the Heart
Whispers: The heart's way of speaking...
Madison Ragnar is a high school English teacher determined to connect with her students, to finish the next running race with a respectable time, and to avoid ever falling in love again.
But life has other plans for Madison. A man named Michael shows himself in the most unexpected places, raising questions from her best friend, Olivia, and issues around Madison's last relationship.
In the classroom, the death of a student prompts her grieving ninth graders to depend on her for answers. They turn to journal writing as a form of understanding the weight of what's happened in the walls of their teenage existence.
When Madison meets Phil, who throws a wrench in her declaration to not fall in love, it seems that her escape through miles of running is the only real footing she has in life.
Will fate determine Madison's life? Or will she have a say in its outcome?
Madison Ragnar is a high school English teacher determined to connect with her students, to finish the next running race with a respectable time, and to avoid ever falling in love again.
But life has other plans for Madison. A man named Michael shows himself in the most unexpected places, raising questions from her best friend, Olivia, and issues around Madison's last relationship.
In the classroom, the death of a student prompts her grieving ninth graders to depend on her for answers. They turn to journal writing as a form of understanding the weight of what's happened in the walls of their teenage existence.
When Madison meets Phil, who throws a wrench in her declaration to not fall in love, it seems that her escape through miles of running is the only real footing she has in life.
Will fate determine Madison's life? Or will she have a say in its outcome?
250 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 12, 2008
About the author
Heather Hummel Gallagher
17 books84 followersHeather Hummel Gallagher is a New York Book Festival award-winning novelist of the Journals from the Heart Series.
A former high school English teacher turned novelist and ghostwriter, Heather followed her grandmother’s footsteps with the written word.
Born in Greenwich, CT, Heather soon left New England and spent her twenties and thirties traveling and living in every corner of the US. Eventually, she settled down and married for the first time in her early-fifties. She and her husband, Stephen, have two black labs, Sox and Lucy. They travel the country in their RV, where Heather satisfies her innate need for exploration.
As a ghostwriter, Heather has penned over a dozen books and counting. Her clients include corporations, politicians, philanthropists, dating coaches, real estate agents, public figures, and business leaders. With experience in both traditional and independent publishing, Heather's diverse background and knowledge of the industry appeals to many authors seeking a qualified ghostwriter.
By personal request from Arianna Huffington, Heather is a featured blogger in the Arts & Culture section of the Huffington Post. Her article titled "Why Agents Reject 96% of Author Submissions" gained remarkable attention in the industry, including ReTweets from Publishers Weekly and many quality literary agents.
Television, print, and radio coverage for her clients’ books include: The Today Show and other regional shows; Publishers Weekly, USA Today and the Washington Post; and in magazines that include: Health, Body & Soul, First, and Spry Living, a combined circulation of nearly 20 million in print alone. A contributing author in Successful eBook Publishing: The Complete How-to Guide for Creating and Launching Your Amazon Kindle eBook by David Wogahn, Heather shares her wisdom in a chapter on ghostwriting.
Heather's second career is as a land and seascape photographer. Her work is represented by Agora Gallery in the Chelsea District of New York City. A graduate with High Distinction from the University of Virginia, Heather holds a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies degree with concentrations in English and Secondary Education.
Awards
2009 Mature Media Awards, Merit Award: Gracefully
2009 New York Book Festival, Women's Literature: Whispers from the Heart
Noted as a top "Books for Grownups" by Publishers Weekly: Gracefully
Essays: Messages of Hope and Healing (Sunpiper Media, 2006) Blue Ridge Anthology (Cedar Creek, 2007)
A former high school English teacher turned novelist and ghostwriter, Heather followed her grandmother’s footsteps with the written word.
Born in Greenwich, CT, Heather soon left New England and spent her twenties and thirties traveling and living in every corner of the US. Eventually, she settled down and married for the first time in her early-fifties. She and her husband, Stephen, have two black labs, Sox and Lucy. They travel the country in their RV, where Heather satisfies her innate need for exploration.
As a ghostwriter, Heather has penned over a dozen books and counting. Her clients include corporations, politicians, philanthropists, dating coaches, real estate agents, public figures, and business leaders. With experience in both traditional and independent publishing, Heather's diverse background and knowledge of the industry appeals to many authors seeking a qualified ghostwriter.
By personal request from Arianna Huffington, Heather is a featured blogger in the Arts & Culture section of the Huffington Post. Her article titled "Why Agents Reject 96% of Author Submissions" gained remarkable attention in the industry, including ReTweets from Publishers Weekly and many quality literary agents.
Television, print, and radio coverage for her clients’ books include: The Today Show and other regional shows; Publishers Weekly, USA Today and the Washington Post; and in magazines that include: Health, Body & Soul, First, and Spry Living, a combined circulation of nearly 20 million in print alone. A contributing author in Successful eBook Publishing: The Complete How-to Guide for Creating and Launching Your Amazon Kindle eBook by David Wogahn, Heather shares her wisdom in a chapter on ghostwriting.
Heather's second career is as a land and seascape photographer. Her work is represented by Agora Gallery in the Chelsea District of New York City. A graduate with High Distinction from the University of Virginia, Heather holds a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies degree with concentrations in English and Secondary Education.
Awards
2009 Mature Media Awards, Merit Award: Gracefully
2009 New York Book Festival, Women's Literature: Whispers from the Heart
Noted as a top "Books for Grownups" by Publishers Weekly: Gracefully
Essays: Messages of Hope and Healing (Sunpiper Media, 2006) Blue Ridge Anthology (Cedar Creek, 2007)
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
March 11, 2023
This was a rather bland romance with an abrupt ending.
October 31, 2011
What would you do if you found yourself in an emotionally abusive relationship? Would you stick it out, or would you leave the relationship and start over? What if your spirit was so broken that you vowed never to fall in love again? Could you listen to the whispers from your heart and learn to heal and start living your life again? These are the questions that Madison Ragnar faced ... come along on her journey of healing and self-discovery ... let Whispers From The Heart show you the way ...
Madison Ragnar is in an emotionally abusive relationship with her boyfriend Rick. She makes the decision to leave him and the relationship behind. She leaves the home that they've shared in Carbondale, Colorado, and drives cross-country to Charlottesville, Virginia, where a new life and job as a ninth grade English teacher awaits her. Fast forward three years, Madison still has nightmares about her ex-boyfriend, and questions if he would ever find her. She has vowed to never fall in love again, and has stuck to that plan. Madison fills her days with teaching her high school students how to write a journal and to embrace reading To Kill A Mockingbird. Outside of the school environment, she works out at a gym and runs with her best friend, Olivia. She leads a solitary life ... that is until two men, Michael and Phil, come into her life in unexpected ways. The interactions with Michael and Phil, along with the tragic death of one of her students, has Madison questioning her life, and whether she should listen to the whispers from her heart ... and learn to trust herself and love again.
I absolutely loved Whispers From The Heart! The storyline is captivating, it had me enthralled from the start. I went along with Madison on her emotional journey of healing and self-discovery, and I held on while the roller coaster ride of emotions swept over me. This is a very thoughtful and beautifully written book that will tug at your heart strings. The characters are so engaging, you can't help but feel like you could step into the story and be friends with them. Madison's journey is one that is filled with all the emotions: sadness, fear, uncertainty, hope, healing and finally love. Author Heather Hummel has given the reader so much in this heartfelt book ... but the most important message she gives to her readers are truly lessons to be learned: find the light in your eyes and soul, believe in your convictions and most of all ... follow your heart!
Whispers From The Heart is the first novel in the Journal from the Heart series. The second novel, Write From The Heart is currently available, and the third novel in the series, Wisdom From The Heart will be released in early 2012.
RATING: 5 STARS *****
Disclaimer: At the request of the author, a Kindle edition of this book was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest review.
Virtual Book Tour Event: On Monday, October 31, 2011, in association with Chick Lit Plus, Heather Hummel participated in a virtual book tour event with an Author Interview on Jersey Girl Book Reviews.
http://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot...
http://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot...
Madison Ragnar is in an emotionally abusive relationship with her boyfriend Rick. She makes the decision to leave him and the relationship behind. She leaves the home that they've shared in Carbondale, Colorado, and drives cross-country to Charlottesville, Virginia, where a new life and job as a ninth grade English teacher awaits her. Fast forward three years, Madison still has nightmares about her ex-boyfriend, and questions if he would ever find her. She has vowed to never fall in love again, and has stuck to that plan. Madison fills her days with teaching her high school students how to write a journal and to embrace reading To Kill A Mockingbird. Outside of the school environment, she works out at a gym and runs with her best friend, Olivia. She leads a solitary life ... that is until two men, Michael and Phil, come into her life in unexpected ways. The interactions with Michael and Phil, along with the tragic death of one of her students, has Madison questioning her life, and whether she should listen to the whispers from her heart ... and learn to trust herself and love again.
I absolutely loved Whispers From The Heart! The storyline is captivating, it had me enthralled from the start. I went along with Madison on her emotional journey of healing and self-discovery, and I held on while the roller coaster ride of emotions swept over me. This is a very thoughtful and beautifully written book that will tug at your heart strings. The characters are so engaging, you can't help but feel like you could step into the story and be friends with them. Madison's journey is one that is filled with all the emotions: sadness, fear, uncertainty, hope, healing and finally love. Author Heather Hummel has given the reader so much in this heartfelt book ... but the most important message she gives to her readers are truly lessons to be learned: find the light in your eyes and soul, believe in your convictions and most of all ... follow your heart!
Whispers From The Heart is the first novel in the Journal from the Heart series. The second novel, Write From The Heart is currently available, and the third novel in the series, Wisdom From The Heart will be released in early 2012.
RATING: 5 STARS *****
Disclaimer: At the request of the author, a Kindle edition of this book was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest review.
Virtual Book Tour Event: On Monday, October 31, 2011, in association with Chick Lit Plus, Heather Hummel participated in a virtual book tour event with an Author Interview on Jersey Girl Book Reviews.
http://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot...
http://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot...
November 29, 2011
"Whispers from the Heart" by Heather Hummel is part one of the Journals from the Heart Series, and explores the aftermath of an emotionally disheartening relationship. Ms. Hummel writes a heartwarming and emotional novel. I felt as though I was right there with Madison as she went through several emotional roller coasters, including love, loss and heartache. She vividly portrays each character, and hooks you into the story right from the start. Her talent with words makes the story come alive. Through Madison's self discovery journey, we learn that trust is vital in any relationship, especially a romantic one. In addition to trusting your partner, you have to trust yourself.
I 100% relate to never wanting to fall in love again after a bad relationship. You know the expression "blinded by love?" This describes my two relationships before I found my husband, one where my boyfriend was an alcoholic, and the other where my boyfriend, when we were talking about getting married, put his family first instead of me.
I feel the story lacked flow in a couple of areas. I didn't see the correlation between the death of a student and the rest of the story line. It doesn't seem as if it belongs. That being said however, I admire how Madison dealt with the tragedy, learned more about herself, and how she helped her students cope by writing in their journals. I felt one of the big characters was taken out of the story too abruptly, especially since Madison lets her guard down and learns to love again in this relationship. However this being a short book (the first part of a three book series), I understand why it can't be that long.
I recommend this story to anyone, not just Chick Lit lovers. It's a perfect blend of romance, mystery, sadness, hope, and last, but definitely not least, love.
I 100% relate to never wanting to fall in love again after a bad relationship. You know the expression "blinded by love?" This describes my two relationships before I found my husband, one where my boyfriend was an alcoholic, and the other where my boyfriend, when we were talking about getting married, put his family first instead of me.
I feel the story lacked flow in a couple of areas. I didn't see the correlation between the death of a student and the rest of the story line. It doesn't seem as if it belongs. That being said however, I admire how Madison dealt with the tragedy, learned more about herself, and how she helped her students cope by writing in their journals. I felt one of the big characters was taken out of the story too abruptly, especially since Madison lets her guard down and learns to love again in this relationship. However this being a short book (the first part of a three book series), I understand why it can't be that long.
I recommend this story to anyone, not just Chick Lit lovers. It's a perfect blend of romance, mystery, sadness, hope, and last, but definitely not least, love.
October 28, 2011
I have to admit that this is a hard review for me to write up. I have started and re-started it numerous times over the last couple of days. There is so much I want to say and yet have to be very careful what I am saying so as not to spoil the book."Go read this book" doesn't do it the justice it deserves. Heather Hummel has wrote such a heartfelt and touching book. Madison Ragnar was such an intriguing character. One of those that made you want to hug her and tell her it is going to be okay.
I really loved that Madison's past was not delved too deeply into, just enough to let you know that there was a bad relationship and that Madison wasn't willing to put her heart into another situation where she could get hurt. I admit that I was very leery of Michael's presence and each time he showed up I kept waiting for a big bombshell. When it was finally revealed I have to honestly say I never expected it. And Phil...where in real life is a man like him? Because I am calling dibs on him! The swerve of the love story was handled so rationally. I don't know if I could have handled it that way, but I liked it.
The death of the student was handled delicately and it was heartbreaking. It showed so much strength in Madison to keep herself in control and not fall apart in front of the children in the classroom.
If you want a book that is going to pull at your heart in numerous directions, this is the book for you. I cried, I cheered for Madison to find herself, and I smiled as she learned to trust herself to love again. This is the first of a trilogy and I'm anxious to read the next book and find what Heather has in store for her readers.
I really loved that Madison's past was not delved too deeply into, just enough to let you know that there was a bad relationship and that Madison wasn't willing to put her heart into another situation where she could get hurt. I admit that I was very leery of Michael's presence and each time he showed up I kept waiting for a big bombshell. When it was finally revealed I have to honestly say I never expected it. And Phil...where in real life is a man like him? Because I am calling dibs on him! The swerve of the love story was handled so rationally. I don't know if I could have handled it that way, but I liked it.
The death of the student was handled delicately and it was heartbreaking. It showed so much strength in Madison to keep herself in control and not fall apart in front of the children in the classroom.
If you want a book that is going to pull at your heart in numerous directions, this is the book for you. I cried, I cheered for Madison to find herself, and I smiled as she learned to trust herself to love again. This is the first of a trilogy and I'm anxious to read the next book and find what Heather has in store for her readers.
March 10, 2012
I picked up this book from Amazon during one of their special offers. Amazon has some great offers and I was glad to get this book by Heather Hummel.
Synopsis:
Madison Ragnar leaves Colorado behind with her old life. She starts over in Charlottesville Virginia and starts teaching at the local high school. Olivia becomes one of her closest friends and helps to draw Madison out of her shell. All of the sudden a stranger makes his way into Madison’s life. This stranger seems to pop up on a regular basis. Olivia is convinced that this stranger is stalking Madison. Is he stalking her? Will Madison be able to set herself free from the past?
My Thoughts:
I really liked this book. I would definitely say this book is worth checking out. I loved how the author kept us guessing who this stranger is that seems to pop up in Madison’s life. We the audience knows that she has a past which is slowly revealed over the entire story. The only drawback for me is that this book is an eBook and I couldn’t jump ahead very well to find out what would happen next. She does also have paperback books too.
One focus in the story is about Madison’s first period English class.
I liked how this story line was woven into the story. I thought it helped move the story along. We also were introduced to some of her students. We are shown throughout the story how her students matured and how Madison was able to handle the events that occurred in her class. I also would have wanted to be one of her students.
As reviewed by Writer's Corner.
Synopsis:
Madison Ragnar leaves Colorado behind with her old life. She starts over in Charlottesville Virginia and starts teaching at the local high school. Olivia becomes one of her closest friends and helps to draw Madison out of her shell. All of the sudden a stranger makes his way into Madison’s life. This stranger seems to pop up on a regular basis. Olivia is convinced that this stranger is stalking Madison. Is he stalking her? Will Madison be able to set herself free from the past?
My Thoughts:
I really liked this book. I would definitely say this book is worth checking out. I loved how the author kept us guessing who this stranger is that seems to pop up in Madison’s life. We the audience knows that she has a past which is slowly revealed over the entire story. The only drawback for me is that this book is an eBook and I couldn’t jump ahead very well to find out what would happen next. She does also have paperback books too.
One focus in the story is about Madison’s first period English class.
I liked how this story line was woven into the story. I thought it helped move the story along. We also were introduced to some of her students. We are shown throughout the story how her students matured and how Madison was able to handle the events that occurred in her class. I also would have wanted to be one of her students.
As reviewed by Writer's Corner.
October 24, 2011
Heather Hummel is on tour with CLP Blog Tours and Whispers From the Heart. I really enjoyed this book. It was fun, fast, and heart-warming. The main character is Madison Ragnar, a high school English teacher who is trying to forget her past. She left a bad boyfriend for a fresh start, but continually worries he is going to find her. When a man around town seems to be stalking her, her friends grow concerned. When he turns out to have a tie from Madison’s past, she doesn’t know how to react, or what to think of the twist of news he brings. Meanwhile, a tragic event rocks her high school class, and Madison tries her best to connect with her students while giving them an education. Along with best friend Olivia, Madison realizes the importance of living everyday to its fullest, and for letting fate works its magic.
Like I said, Whispers From the Heart is a shorter book, about 250 pages. Sometimes with shorter stories it can be easy to feel cheated out of character development or the plot, but I didn’t find this to be the case. I immediately bonded with Madison, and was pulled into her world. The plot twist shocked me- definitely not what I expected, and Hummel really knows how to keep readers on their toes. It was really touching to see how Madison connected with her students as well. Overall, a solid read that I have to recommend! I can’t wait for book number two from this author!
Like I said, Whispers From the Heart is a shorter book, about 250 pages. Sometimes with shorter stories it can be easy to feel cheated out of character development or the plot, but I didn’t find this to be the case. I immediately bonded with Madison, and was pulled into her world. The plot twist shocked me- definitely not what I expected, and Hummel really knows how to keep readers on their toes. It was really touching to see how Madison connected with her students as well. Overall, a solid read that I have to recommend! I can’t wait for book number two from this author!
October 27, 2011
I loved this book! The author is a great writer and I loved the world that she put me in. Madison is a high school English teacher and I so wish I could be in her class. She is an awesome teacher and just a really nice person! Her students really admire and respect her.
Madison leaves a not-very-nice situation and as a reader, I was always on the edge of my comfy couch worrying when that bad element was going to show up in her life. The author did a great job with that suspense.
Madison has to go through some tough times but I was rooting for her all the way - I just wanted her to be happy in her life. I really cared about her - another kudo to the author's writing.
Whispers from the Heart is a great book and I highly recommend it! I am also very excited to see that Heather Hummel has written another story in this series and I will be reading that one very soon. She is an author I will be watching, to see what she writes in the future!
Madison leaves a not-very-nice situation and as a reader, I was always on the edge of my comfy couch worrying when that bad element was going to show up in her life. The author did a great job with that suspense.
Madison has to go through some tough times but I was rooting for her all the way - I just wanted her to be happy in her life. I really cared about her - another kudo to the author's writing.
Whispers from the Heart is a great book and I highly recommend it! I am also very excited to see that Heather Hummel has written another story in this series and I will be reading that one very soon. She is an author I will be watching, to see what she writes in the future!
October 22, 2011
Loved, loved, loved this book!! Heather Hummel has an amazing way of keeping the reader completely engulfed in the story from page 1.
Madison is a well-liked and totally relateable character from the first page. She's in a rocky marriage to start, which she immediately runs away from to start a better life for herself. Along the way, she encounters many challenges, including love, loss, and heartache.
How can you not love this book?? I found myself rarely able to put the book down, reading it in a matter of a few days. I recommend this book to anyone wanting to read a beautifully-written chick lit novel that will keep you turning pages eagerly. I can't wait to start Heather Hummel's next novel! :)
Madison is a well-liked and totally relateable character from the first page. She's in a rocky marriage to start, which she immediately runs away from to start a better life for herself. Along the way, she encounters many challenges, including love, loss, and heartache.
How can you not love this book?? I found myself rarely able to put the book down, reading it in a matter of a few days. I recommend this book to anyone wanting to read a beautifully-written chick lit novel that will keep you turning pages eagerly. I can't wait to start Heather Hummel's next novel! :)
March 15, 2012
Endearing, emotional, soul searching. This sums up Whispers from the Heart by Heather Hummel. This books takes you on one woman's journey to set her heart at ease and to learn to trust others again. Although I kept waiting for the climax that never came, the emotion that filled each page kept me reading and wanting more.
Received from Goodreads to review.
December 23, 2011
This book was a quick read with engaging characters. The descriptions the author used made the book come to life.
August 25, 2016
a beautiful & charming story that touches your heart & soul! a really great book that i hated to see end i wanted to keep reading on and on!
March 8, 2018
Sweet Story
This book has a bit of a Nicholas Sparks feel to it. Nice tension building, and teaches a good lesson on healing, and how fear doesn’t win if you don’t let it. The kind of book I’d tear through on a long plane or train ride. A romantic (sexy but not trashy) and kind perspective of human nature.
This book has a bit of a Nicholas Sparks feel to it. Nice tension building, and teaches a good lesson on healing, and how fear doesn’t win if you don’t let it. The kind of book I’d tear through on a long plane or train ride. A romantic (sexy but not trashy) and kind perspective of human nature.
January 22, 2021
Not even worth the free cost
There's so much wrong with this book. I don't know where to start.The main character is shallower than pee on a plate. She's a 9th grade English teacher who can manage fitting yard work, dating, and jogging all in the same weekend.
There's so much wrong with this book. I don't know where to start.The main character is shallower than pee on a plate. She's a 9th grade English teacher who can manage fitting yard work, dating, and jogging all in the same weekend.
January 30, 2021
Heartwarming
I love how all the characters fit together ... along with the dogs. I enjoyed this book very much and recommend it to anyone who just wants to curl up with a good book.
I love how all the characters fit together ... along with the dogs. I enjoyed this book very much and recommend it to anyone who just wants to curl up with a good book.
November 29, 2011
Madison dosen't trust men and hasn't since she left her ex Rick and moved halfway across the country. But she is still looking behind her back, scared he will come back to her life. So, she keeps to herself with her one close friend, teaching her classes, and running. But, there are people appearing in her life and it may be time to let things change and trust again. While figuring herself out we also follow Madison as she teaches and her students go through a tough time. One of her students commits suicide and Madison is there for her other students as she deals with that. She has lead them in journaling before and continues to use journal to help the students deal with what they are feeling.
The plot of this book really deals with some tough issues. Madison getting over the hurt and the emotions she has left from her past relationship and the emotional abuse she is getting over. Then there is teenage suicide and how that effects not only Madison, but the teens that she mentors. The plot follows how she helps them with their emotions. I think in helping her students deal with their lose and their journals Madison learns some about herself. She starts to let down her wall through it and in that starts to deal with her own emotions and who she lets into her life.
Read the rest of my review at: http://teaandscribblesbooks.blogspot.com...
I was provided a copy of the book for review, but the summary and thoughts on the book are mine.
The plot of this book really deals with some tough issues. Madison getting over the hurt and the emotions she has left from her past relationship and the emotional abuse she is getting over. Then there is teenage suicide and how that effects not only Madison, but the teens that she mentors. The plot follows how she helps them with their emotions. I think in helping her students deal with their lose and their journals Madison learns some about herself. She starts to let down her wall through it and in that starts to deal with her own emotions and who she lets into her life.
Read the rest of my review at: http://teaandscribblesbooks.blogspot.com...
I was provided a copy of the book for review, but the summary and thoughts on the book are mine.
December 12, 2022
I have to admit that I was a little thrown when I started reading Heather Hummel's Whispers from the Heart. Maybe it was because on my Nook I didn't have the beautiful cover that you now see. (I don't know what happened with that, but something didn't come through right.) Or maybe it was the shades of Sleeping with the Enemy that seemed to confuse me.
Madison Ragnar, a ninth grade English teacher, runs from Colorado to Virginia to escape her boyfriend Rick and the abusive relationship. Though I didn't consider Rick to be much more than neglectful, I think maybe there are some things that Heather knows about her characters that she just hinted at to us. The main thing in fiction and truth is that Madison *felt* that she was in a self-destructive relationship and needed to get out. And she does, fleeing with what she can fit into her car and never looking back again. But always looking over her shoulder.
See, Rick said he would always find her, and Madison was continually afraid, though not always able to admit it, that Rick would follow her.
Now, that's all I'm going to say about the story line because I don't want to spoil it. I will tell you this--there's a time in the book where pre-conceived notions fall away and the unexpected steps up, making this book unusual and charming. There are poignant lessons to be learned from Whispers from the Heart. Something to be said for the ties that connect us to each other regardless of distance or the fact that we may not know each other or even know that these ties exist. And that's what makes this book so special and definitely earns it the title of "gotta read".
Madison Ragnar, a ninth grade English teacher, runs from Colorado to Virginia to escape her boyfriend Rick and the abusive relationship. Though I didn't consider Rick to be much more than neglectful, I think maybe there are some things that Heather knows about her characters that she just hinted at to us. The main thing in fiction and truth is that Madison *felt* that she was in a self-destructive relationship and needed to get out. And she does, fleeing with what she can fit into her car and never looking back again. But always looking over her shoulder.
See, Rick said he would always find her, and Madison was continually afraid, though not always able to admit it, that Rick would follow her.
Now, that's all I'm going to say about the story line because I don't want to spoil it. I will tell you this--there's a time in the book where pre-conceived notions fall away and the unexpected steps up, making this book unusual and charming. There are poignant lessons to be learned from Whispers from the Heart. Something to be said for the ties that connect us to each other regardless of distance or the fact that we may not know each other or even know that these ties exist. And that's what makes this book so special and definitely earns it the title of "gotta read".
October 23, 2011
If your looking for a fun, light-hearted, romance with some heartfelt issues, then this novel is right up your alley.
Madison was a fun, relatable character, she has trust issues with men esp. because of her ex, Rick, who was borderline abusive and neglectiful of her, and who left her a bit scorned and bitter. This book deals with many important issues such as suicide and abusive relationships and for those issues that were discussed in the book, I really enjoyed the novel.
Now lets talk about the romantic aspect of this book, this for me was what lead to the three star rating. The whole story builds up budding relationship between Madison, and Phil. They both seem to have fallen hard for each other and three-quaters of the book builds up this relationship, yet there's this "weird, stalkerish" man who pops up everywhere throughout the story, wherever Madison is, so is he and within the last thirtyish pages of the book she drops "Good Guy" Phil and falls for the stalker? with little to no closure with Phil, it was just over and I didn't get it, it threw the whole story off for me.
There was a lot of things I really enjoyed about this book, in fact if Michael (the stalker) didn't exsist at all in the story I honestly think the book would have had a higher rating from me. I've read other reviews and nobody else mentioned this, so maybe the relationship dynamic was just a personal problem that didn't sit well with me, I would definitely give this book a try, esp. if your a fan of the Chick-Lit genre.
Madison was a fun, relatable character, she has trust issues with men esp. because of her ex, Rick, who was borderline abusive and neglectiful of her, and who left her a bit scorned and bitter. This book deals with many important issues such as suicide and abusive relationships and for those issues that were discussed in the book, I really enjoyed the novel.
Now lets talk about the romantic aspect of this book, this for me was what lead to the three star rating. The whole story builds up budding relationship between Madison, and Phil. They both seem to have fallen hard for each other and three-quaters of the book builds up this relationship, yet there's this "weird, stalkerish" man who pops up everywhere throughout the story, wherever Madison is, so is he and within the last thirtyish pages of the book she drops "Good Guy" Phil and falls for the stalker? with little to no closure with Phil, it was just over and I didn't get it, it threw the whole story off for me.
There was a lot of things I really enjoyed about this book, in fact if Michael (the stalker) didn't exsist at all in the story I honestly think the book would have had a higher rating from me. I've read other reviews and nobody else mentioned this, so maybe the relationship dynamic was just a personal problem that didn't sit well with me, I would definitely give this book a try, esp. if your a fan of the Chick-Lit genre.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 18, 2015
WARNING... SPOILER ALERT:
I hate to say it, but this book was actually boring. It started out good. I felt this would be a story of a woman learning to move on from past pain, learning to love again. It sort of was, but with lots and lots of boring parts in between. I felt highly disappointed. It was it hard for me to like Madison. She leads Phil on then breaks his heart, for a man everyone thought was stalking her. Even I felt creeped out by how Michael acted. It was definitely too much. I kept waiting for something bad to happen. I was highly disappointed in the way she broke things off with Phil. I felt he deserved more than that. For a woman who you're led to first believe is full or morals and deep thought, she doesn't seem like it by the end of the book. I really really didn't enjoy this.
I hate to say it, but this book was actually boring. It started out good. I felt this would be a story of a woman learning to move on from past pain, learning to love again. It sort of was, but with lots and lots of boring parts in between. I felt highly disappointed. It was it hard for me to like Madison. She leads Phil on then breaks his heart, for a man everyone thought was stalking her. Even I felt creeped out by how Michael acted. It was definitely too much. I kept waiting for something bad to happen. I was highly disappointed in the way she broke things off with Phil. I felt he deserved more than that. For a woman who you're led to first believe is full or morals and deep thought, she doesn't seem like it by the end of the book. I really really didn't enjoy this.
January 23, 2012
The first eighty percent of this book, I loved it. But then her boyfriend leaves for a work trip, and she suddenly is in love with a guy she spent the first eighty percent of the book being afraid of. I'm not sure how that even happened as there was zero percent chemistry between them. I had to stop reading the book at that point because I know women who act like that, and I think it's really sad. I went from really liking this character, to not caring for her at all. What a shame.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 5, 2012
Not my cup of tea. The creepy guy stayed creepy. I felt so sorry for the man she dogsat for.
July 13, 2013
I enjoyed the storyline, but felt that the story or the characters needed more development.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews