This book tackles two very delicate and hard-to-address subjects--faithfulness in the face of abuse, and emotional adultery. Pride, anger, and violence are also met head-on. I read this book as much for information as enjoyment, since I'm working on a novel with a very similar main theme. The pacing is well done and characters are believably, painfully flawed, but the grace of our loving God overshadows throughout. Some religious views I didn't agree with since I'm not Catholic, but the main principles you come away with are grounded in the Scripture.

My favorite things about this book:
The hero has an obsession with and smells like Snickers candy bars. :)
The heroine struggles with seeing herself as lovable, but is never whiny.
The big, fiercely-loyal closeness of the O'Conner clan.

Would recommend to ages 21 and older. ( )

I just loved this second book in the Winds of Change trilogy by Julie Lessman. This book tells the story of Sean O'Connor and also keeps up with the rest of the O'Connor family as well. I am eager to read the next book. I can't seem to put these books down once I start reading them. Thankful to be retired so I can devote time to my love of reading. ( )

"A Heart Revealed" is the story of Sean O'Connor, oldest son of the O'Connor family - from Julie Lessman's Daughters of Boston and Winds of Change series. The novel opens in 1931 Boston at the wedding of Sean's youngest sister Katie, in which sister Charity's best friend Emma Malloy is a bridesmaid.

Emma had fled Dublin ten years prior, running for her life and leaving behind a painful past. When Emma and Sean become more than family friends, violent and abusive secretive pasts and prior vows, threaten to destroy the life of each, and the only true love Emma has ever known. Other O'Connor family personal struggles and tragedies add additional drama, deception, passion, revelations, and human emotions - to an already powerful story of people embracing love and seeking to honor God.

"A Heart Revealed" is another passion-filled masterpiece from the writing genius of the "Queen of Romance" - one of her finest and most suspenseful, yet interspersed with the obstinate and sweet charms of children that will make you laugh and steal your heart!! Once again, Julie Lessman uses the fear, shame, pain, and guilt, of the characters - two of her most kind and gentle - to show the restorative powers that only a loving God can provide!! ( )

NCLA Review: A HEART REVEALED is the fifth book which chronicles the life of the O’Connor family of Boston. The first three were in The Daughters of Boston series. I would recommend that readers read the previous books in both series for the richest reading experience, although this book can stand alone. The setting is Boston during the depression era of the 1930s. Emma Malloy fled Dublin more than a decade before as a battered woman. Scarred in both mind and body, Emma finds refuge with her best friend Charity and the O’Connor family. She is drawn to Sean O’Connor, another wounded soul. Emma and Sean’s budding relationship will touch your heart and enrich your soul. Both Emma and Sean need the forgiveness that only God can bestow. Will they find it? Will they be able to heal? Will they discover true love? Will two hearts be revealed? This is a beautiful love story, and a beautiful family story. But it is also a story about salvation, redemption and forgiveness. Julie Lessman’s prose and character development is masterful. Although more than five hundred pages in length, the book is a surprisingly quick and enjoyable read. Rating: 4 —MF ( )

Since the first time I read about Emma Malloy, I have wanted to see her with a happy ending and I am glad to say it has finally come! The story didn't end the way I expected, but it was exceptional! I loved how the story included sub-stories with Charity & her husband and newlyweds Katie & her husband - since Charity is my favorite character this made it extra special.

I always wanted Emma and Sean to get together, ever since their first meeting I felt a spark between them, but because the ring on her hand belongs to another man that was never a possibility.

The trials Emma has gone through are heart-breaking and I learned in this book that Sean has gone through many of his own too. I knew of Emma's abusive husband before I read this book, but this story goes into much more of the details of that abuse - nothing too graphic, but you see how crazed with unfounded jealousy he was.

'A Heart Revealed' is Julie's best work to date - though my personal favorite is still 'A Passion Redeemed'. Julie just keeps getting better and better as an author and I can't wait to read her next book - which sadly is going to be the last book in this series. I highly recommend this book, but since all her books to date are about the same family, be sure that you read all three books in the 'Daughters of Boston' series and then book one in the 'Winds of Change' series first - so you won't spoil any of it for yourself. ( )