A Heart Adrift
In 1755 York, Virginia, 28-year-old chocolatier Esmée Shaw has never quite gotten over her former fiancé, Captain Henri Lennox, although it has been ten years. Now considered a spinster and determined to forget him, she is running her mother’s chocolate shop and working on new recipes. When Henri returns to complete a lighthouse in Chesapeake Bay, a former dream of theirs, Esmée is more shaken than she lets on. As war with the French seems more and more likely, will Esmée and Henri find a new peace of their own?
This is a well-written historical romance, and the dialogue rings true to the period. Bitter stings of lost love and hope of a new start are complicated even more by news of impending war. The writing is beautiful, but the plot moves slowly at times. It does pick up in the second half of the story. The history of the time is well researched. The technique of chocolate making in colonial times is fascinating, and I found myself craving chocolate while Esmée was creating her confections. Esmée is a very strong and accomplished woman for the time period, and the book is better for it. The politics, treachery, and conflicts of that era are well portrayed. There is a Christian theme of trusting God’s plan. Fans of historical romance and U.S. history will enjoy this book.
