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Astrid
4.0 out of 5 stars Life is full of little moments that don’t matter a whole lot...
Reviewed in the United States on January 28, 2020
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...peppered by a few moments when everything is on the line.

Visiting with the Shipleys and going back to Sarina Bowen's Vermont is always a little bit like coming home. Everything feels familiar, cozy, warm.

In HEARTLAND we get to know Dylan better, the youngest Shipley brother, who is now twenty and in college. Chastity is also a familiar character - she is the girl Zach (KEEPSAKE) made out with which got him kicked out from the weirdo cult at Paradise Ranch. Chastity was also punished for her transgression - she was allowed to stay but was treated like a pariah. One day she escapred and found shelter with her cousin Leah and her husband Isaac, who are the Shipley's neighbors. She's now in college, the same one Dylan is in. You still with me? ;)

Dylan lives his best life in school. Random hookups? Check. Booze? Check. Commitment-phobe? Yes, sirree. So when he actually has a girlfriend everyone is surprised, most of all his best friend Chastity who has been carrying a torch for him since she met Dylan. He is the guy whose bad decisions make you feel really awkward and, not gonna lie, there were some situations that made me wince. Like having sex in the room next to your best friend and she can hear every little noise? Ugh. Letting said girlfriend talk trash about your best friend? Big no-no. It was clear that he cared deeply about Chastity so I didn't get it.
However, he wouldn't be a Shipley if he didn't have their inherent good-naturedness. He is the embodiment of sweetness and eventually makes up for his screw-ups big time. My favorite things about him were how he brought Chastity little treats, how he found joy in feeding her, how he was such a hard worker and so reliable. His bear hugs, loyalty and friendships. And he has goats and loves them!

Chastity is a little socially awkward - she is still adjusting to the life outside of the cult. I loved Sarina Bowen's portrayal of her - she had courage, was loyal and had this dichotomy of being sweetly innocent yet utterly sensual. She was tolerant of people's mistakes, very forgiving and super easy to love. Their feelings really snuck up on them - while Chastity yearned for a deeper connection with Dylan, he had a couple of hangups to overcome and he definitely didn't see his best friend coming until she was deep under his skin. Their slow-burn, sizzling love was exciting.

There were two things that I didn't quite connect with. Griffin is a real jerk in HEARTLAND. While we do know how he is quite a grump I thought that he was way too hard on Dylan and even a little hypocritical. There was a resolution to his conflict with Dylan so I was easily swayed and loved him again. Then there is Kaitlyn - her character development wasn't quite as believable. I hated her for the way she treated Chastity and I still couldn't muster any kind of positive feeling for her in the end even though the author tried.

HEARTLAND is the seventh installment in the True North series and I have enjoyed every single one. Sarina Bowen's writing is simply beautiful. I admit that this wasn't my favorite in this series but that doesn't mean it wasn't an awesome addition to it as my 4-star rating indicates. I loved Chastity and I swooned over Dylan and adored the friends-to-lovers romance. There is a side character I'd love to get a story about, so we'll see what the author has for us in store next time we return to Vermont.
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Stacey is Sassy
5.0 out of 5 stars I admit, I cried a time or two…
Reviewed in the United States on January 28, 2020
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I really, really enjoyed reading Heartland. I absolutely loved the way Sarina Bowen brought Chastity to life for me. Her strength and courage were admirable showing resilience to move on from her horrible past. Dylan was also a character I came to love. Honestly, he was a little hard to take at first, but like most men, there was an underlying reason why he was a little shallow and self-absorbed.

Again, I’m going to be honest with you… I wasn’t sure I was in the mood for a New Adult – College when I first started. In true Sarina Bowen fashion, she changed my mind and within a few chapters, I was loving it. Yes, there was the nasty girlfriend, too much alcohol and recklessness, but the characters were a good bunch, generally. Dylan was all about the partying but still returned home early on Saturday morning to help on the farm. Dylan’s friends weren’t trying to lead him astray (he did that to himself) and were supportive when he needed their help. I loved that it wasn’t all about the partying.

One of my very favourite things was how the author shared some of Chastity’s past. We get details without having to go back and “live” them. I know how she got out of the cult, what she had survived while living there, and how she ended up in Vermont. That is exactly how I like my backstory told to me.

The love story between Chastity and Dylan was not an easy one. Unrequited love is hard to witness, and I shed a tear or two as Chastity struggled with her feelings for Dylan. At the same time, besides Dylan’s fear of commitment, he also must be careful with Chastity because of her past. Her sexual innocence, lack of knowledge, and the brainwashing she previously faced means every step must be carefully considered. Communication was paramount to their success and Chastity’s willingness to learn helped as well.

I love the True North series and Heartland was an excellent addition. I have a feeling I know who is up next and I can’t wait. I really, REALLY need to know about his past, her past and their past. Fingers crossed I’m correct.

Stacey is Sassy, received an advanced copy of this story. The copy provided is not the final copy and may be subject to edits and changes.
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Top reviews from other countries

Debra McDonald
5.0 out of 5 stars Escaping the norm
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 27, 2020
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Dylan is a young farmer who is studying at college. Chastity is a 21year old, who escaped from a cult 2years previously and is his best friend from a neighbouring farm. Dylan helps Chastity with her algebra homework at least once a week as they both go to the same school. As these two are best friends they fight their attraction to each other until a power cut forced them to explore their red-hot chemistry. Dylan friend zones Chastity until doing so becomes impossible. These two are perfect together as they don't try to change each other and they both go with the flow of things. Such a beautiful story of young adult love and all its trials.
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loves to read
5.0 out of 5 stars Love this author.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 19, 2020
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Lovely story of starting over and friend becoming more. Lovely addition to previous books of this series. But you can read this without the others.
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Caroline Bailey
5.0 out of 5 stars Great
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 4, 2020
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For chastity to finally find herself and her man after all she had to go through was brilliant she took all she had to to make it out the other side and when she did she found Dylan who could ask for more great read thoroughly enjoyed
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jthorburn
5.0 out of 5 stars Love this series ❤️
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 31, 2020
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Loved this book, nothing like friends to lovers to make my heart sing. Liked Dylan more than Chasity but I am a sucker for a farm boy as I am a farm girl.
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sian29
5.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 29, 2020
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Really good story, great characters, what’s not to love about Dylan. Will be interesting to find read both Daphne and Rickys’ stories
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