A Haven for Her Heart

By Susan Anne Mason

Book Overview

Homeless after being released from a women's reformatory in 1939
Toronto, Olivia Rosetti is taken in by an angel of mercy, Ruth Bennington. The two discover they share a painful past and together decide to open a maternity home for troubled women.

Despite the success of the home, Olivia is haunted by her inhumane treatment at the reformatory and the way her newborn son was taken from her. She feels undeserving of love--until she meets businessman Darius Reed. Although his attention makes her heart soar, he can never learn of her past.

Greek widower Darius Reed is determined to protect his daughter from the prejudice that killed her mother. He'll ensure her future by marrying a woman from a respected Toronto family. But when Darius meets Olivia, he's immediately drawn to her beauty and compassion.

Can love prove stronger than prejudice and past mistakes? Or will Olivia's secrets destroy any chance at a future together?

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0764235192
• ISBN13: 9780764235191
• Release Date: October 2020
• Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
• Length: 384 Pages
• Weight: 0.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 5.6" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Eye-opening historical fiction

"God wouldn't want you to remain a prisoner of your shame, Olivia. You are His beloved child, forgiven and redeemed. Be brave enough to claim the happiness He has in store for you." What a powerful book! Set in 1941 Toronto, the book addresses deep issues like racism, discrimination and social injustice while providing a heart-wrenching romantic thread between a broken young woman who feels unworthy of a future and a young widower whose goal is to better his station in life for his daughter. As an immigrant myself, I empathized with Olivia and Darius' life circumstances, family dynamics, and struggles that shape who they are. The setting is vivid; you'll feel transported to this city as Olivia and her mentor Ruth fight for their right to help those in need. The horrors that Olivia endured in The Reformatory are difficult to read about but they opened my eyes and helped me to appreciate the character of Olivia more. The writing is easy to read and the plot moves at a good pace and is well-developed. Darius and Olivia are both somewhat misguided in the beginning but their growing faith brings them back onto the good path. If you enjoy historical fiction, you will absolutely enjoy this inaugural book to Susan Anne Mason's Redemption's Light series. I received a copy of the book from Bethany House Publishers and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.