Gazing around the room, I searched for Daniel. My father and mother were busy talking to Mr. and Mrs. Stowe along with two other couples, whom I didn’t have the pleasure of knowing. A young gentleman had been talking my ear off and I was in desperate need of fresh air.
Turning to him, I asked, “Will you please excuse me? I am in need of some fresh air.”
“Shall I join you?” he asked.
I quickly shook my head. “No. No, that will not be necessary. I have a slight headache and need some time alone.”
Nodding his head, he smiled and took a step back, giving me a quick bow. Returning the polite gesture, I began toward the kitchen. One look over my shoulder showed my mother watching me intently. I’m sure she was distressed at the idea of me wandering off and being late to sit down for dinner.
Somehow managing to find my way to the back gardens, I smiled and inhaled a deep breath. All I smelled were azaleas. I walked along the cobblestone pathway that intertwined among Magnolia trees and some of the most amazing flowers I’d ever seen. My mother would be green with envy were she to lay her eyes upon this colorful garden.
“It goes on forever,” I whispered.
“One can easily get lost back here.”
I stopped the moment I heard his voice. Closing my eyes, I placed my gloved hands on my stomach to calm the butterflies. Inhaling a deep breath through my nose, I slowly blew it out as I turned to face him.
Daniel. His eyes widened and he licked his lips. I raised the corner of my mouth and bowed slightly. Daniel walked up to me and smiled, causing my knees to shake. For a moment, it felt as if the earth was moving and I fought to stand upright.
He took a step closer to me as his eyes moved about my face. When they landed on my lips, I instinctively licked them. His eyes were ablaze with fire. I took a step back as he took another step forward. My breathing increased as I felt something I’d never felt before.
Desire.
Want.
Need.

Following the story of two couples, Daniel and Sophia in antebellum Savannah, and Gael and Ashlin in present day Savannah, Predestined Hearts weaves dual timelines into one story about the power of true love and the potential for destined love. 

I loved the way the two timelines were woven together. The journal giving Gael and Ashlin a window into Sophia and Daniel’s minds sent readers to that same place along with the characters. The flow between the stories was seamless and brilliant. I spent my time reading the present day scenes wondering what was going on in the past, and the past scenes wondering how Ashlin and Gael would react to the new information. And each timeline had me feeling such a wide range of emotion that I couldn’t help but keep turning the pages.

From the beginning Ashlin struck me as a woman stuck in a rut. When she shakes things up and finds herself in Savannah at the home of the aunt who practically raised her, she begins re-evaluating her choices and decisions, quickly moving to change the things that don’t lead her where she wants to be. In her quest to find herself again, she also meets a local man with whom she finds an instant connection. 

Sophia was a girl, on the edge of being a woman, who chafed at the things her mother wanted for her. When she determined to make her own path in life, she found happiness in Daniel, and began planning for their future. 

The men in the story? They were all perfect men. Gael and Daniel were both exactly what the women in their lives needed at the time they met. 

I enjoyed this story and was entertained by it. But the historical scenes at times struck me as contemporary romance dressed up in period costumes and language. When I was able to put aside my hope that the historical aspect of it read true, it no longer bothered me. It was clear that Daniel and Sophia were madly in love and their devotion grew quickly and overshadowed my early conflict about the authenticity.

I was gifted a copy in exchange for an honest review.

Kelly Elliott
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Kristin Mayer

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Kristin tries to live life to the fullest during every moment. She loves to travel and meet new people. She holds a degree in International Business and uses it daily in her job. Kristin now adds “author” on her list of jobs, and feels very blessed and thankful.