When her father dies suddenly and her mother remarries, spoiled and manipulative Jessica DuBois finds herself at the primitive Fort Bridger in Wyoming. Used to getting whatever she wants using her notable beauty and conniving nature, Jessica struggles to fit in with her new family. After a short time in Fort Bridger, Jessica decides what she wants is itinerant preacher Clay Cole. Clay wants nothing to do with the selfish newcomer, and continually fights his attraction to her. When tragedy brings them together, will he learn to look past Jessica's facade and truly understand her? Will Jessica's new friends and family finally teach her to think of others?
Colleen Coble's The Heart Answers takes readers back for another interesting look at western life of the 1860s. Both the characters and plot of this novel are infinitely more believable than those of Coble's To Love a Stranger. The strengths and weaknesses of both main characters add a compelling level of complexity. While the plot and characters grow and develop at a natural rate, the conclusion of the story comes rather abruptly. What seem like insurmountable problems solve themselves almost magically, and readers find themselves suddenly at the last page. Showing a bit more of Clay and Jessica interacting positively with one another would have made for a much more satisfying end.
I received a copy of this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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