Prue Phillipson

Set at the start of the Restoration of Charles II, Hearts Restored follows Daniel Wilson Horden, the only male of his generation of the Horden family. On the day Charles II returns to London, Daniel and his parents meet up with some relations, where he is thrust into the path of three female cousins of marriageable age. Less than eager to be trapped into a marriage so soon, Daniel puts off his dream of joining the navy by following his father's wishes to enter the university. As a secondary story line, we follow Daniel's cousin Eunice who is raised by her widowed, Puritan father. Having a glimpse at the extravagant lifestyle of some of her Horden cousins, it clashes with the austere teachings of her father. Within five years, the characters are caught up in the war with the Dutch, the Great Plague, and the Great Fire raging through London.

I've always enjoyed stories set in the Napoleonic Wars and other military engagements around the time of the Regency, so the naval aspect of Hearts Restored. However, I was a little disappointed that There was not more of Daniel's live in the Navy. There was only a few chapters dedicated to it, and one major battle, but oh what a dramatic story in Daniel's life that battle creates.

It was an interesting juxtaposition between Eunice's life in a Puritan household, to Daniel's more (monetarily) comfortable life, and that of the wealthy Horden cousins. Most of my experience learning about the Puritans in history deals with those who immigrated to the American colonies. The information about Puritan England I found informative, and I thought Phillipson did a good job instilling some of the fear and horror over the plague and the Great Fire into her novel.

Hearts Restored has the romantic plottings one might expect in a novel set in the Romantic Era, but in this case the older women tend to focus more of their attentions on Daniel. They tease him, and try to force his opinions or attentions towards one of his cousins, and I found it unusual that these attentions were given so openly to a man. To be sure, they treat the young ladies in the same way, but for some they seem to have nothing better to do than tease Daniel about their schemings as well.

The relationship between Eunice and Daniel is sweet, but rather predictable, although that did not detract from the story for me. If anyone is looking for a clean read, this will work well for you, with exception of the naval battle. Overall, I would have liked a little something more for this to be a solid four star read for me. Aside from Eunice's father, all of the characters are of a fairly easy going temperment, so a little more of a fiesty or quarrelsome behavior could have lent a little more contrast to the characters.

3.5-4 stars. I recieved a copy from the publisher for review.… (plus d'informations)

I'm assuming Prue Phillipson is a woman's name, but I have to wonder if it's really a pseudonym for a male author, because I'm pretty sure that the person who wrote this book hates women. The story itself is fine, for the most part. Daniel and Eunice are cousins, but meet for the first time around the age of 15. It's not love at first sight, but each is a little interested in the other, and story follows them through the next few years of their lives as London is ravaged by the Plague, fire, and war.

At no point, did I consider putting the book down. It's a good story. My problem is that every woman in the story is whiny, selfish, and manipulative. With the exception of Eunice, and she's *this close* to crossing the line between humble and annoying. And the book is full of women: Daniel's mother, both of his grandmothers, his maternal aunt, his two French cousins, and Eunice's grandmother. Not one of them is likable or sympathetic. I wanted to throw them all into the Thames and be done with them.

It's hard for me to give a historical novel anything but a glowing review, but the annoying characters were a distraction from a good story idea.

I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.… (plus d'informations)

Every so often a book comes along that just stays with you. This was one of those books. I was up and down all through this book. I felt for both Daniel and Eunice. I detested the French sisters. They wanted Daniel for his title. They thought that they would be able to change him. He hated everything they stood for. I found it funny that he seemed to take great pleasure in letting them know he had a title but no money to go with it. His family was not all about the money like the aunt and grandmother were. I did enjoy seeing the transformation, however small, of the grandmother near the end of the book. I understood Eunice’s father to a certain extent. I think he was too harsh on Eunice when it came to men. He wanted to protect her from heartache. However, all of the moral values he taught her prepared her for later on. It made her stronger. All of Daniel’s relatives that kept trying to arrange a marriage for him irritated me to no end. I wanted to slap them all. I loved Daniel’s parents. It was obvious that their love was genuine. They wanted what was best for their son and they didn’t feel an arranged marriage was best for him. I could identify with Daniel’s mother as he joined the Navy. I read this book knowing that in just a few days my son will be deployed. The fear and heartache stay with you. There were so many obstacles thrown in Daniel and Eunice’s way. I loved Eunice’s integrity. I dare say if she had not had the upbringing her father gave her then she would not have been able to endure the hardships she had to go through. The thread of faith that flowed through the story was refreshing. I didn’t feel like I was being preached at. This has been a wonderful book to read and review and will make a great gift for several of my friends. I look forward to reading more books by this author.… (plus d'informations)