“Rekindling the Widower's Heart” by Glynna Kaye

About The Book

A Future to Build On 

All widower Luke Hunter wants is to raise his three kids—and be left alone. When Delaney Marks arrives in town to oversee the youth group's house renovation project, Luke decides he must come out of hiding. He's worried she's too young to get the job done. He'll have to keep a close watch on her—and on his heart. Because being with the vibrant girl makes it easy to forget their age difference and to start hoping for a future he doesn't deserve. As tensions rise over project pressures, Delaney tries to make Luke see that some things are just out of his control—and that he is worthy of happiness…with her.

Please visit Glynna Kaye's website
*Please note that the site does appear out of date at the time of this posting*

Purchase "Rekindling the Widower's Heart" from Amazon
Purchase "Rekindling the Widower's Heart" from Barnes&Noble

Read more reviews on Goodreads

This book was released in October 2015
This book used to be reviewed was a library book that I was the first to read.

My Review

“Rekindling the Widower's Heart” by Glynna Kaye is the first book in her 'Hearts of Hunter Ridge' series and it is a wonderful start of a series as well. I think there are a few characters whose stories are still to come in this series and I look forward to seeing them, and this story I almost want to say let the reader in on a little bit of each of the Hunter family past.

I have to say that this really isn't the May-December relationship that the back hints at for I would say it is more of a July-September relationship. Though what is the actual age difference isn't something that I would have even blinked at eye at one does seem to have a problem with it, but I got a kick out how they each handled things. A lot of times when I have seen a age difference that seems to matter to one character more than the other, one character might be a little more immature while the other one is way more mature than most people their age, but this time it is not the case.

Delaney is a woman who has some dreams and she is taking time to reach those dreams, but she is not unrealistic as to think she is owed anything while she tries to reach her dreams. She has this positive outlook for nearly everything she does or is a part of. She is a woman who remembers what it is like to be young by continuing to live life to the fullest and having unplanned fun when the opportunity arises. Delaney is also a woman who shows a lot of determination and though she really doesn't explain at first why she is determined to do what she says she will do but once everything is out there it makes a lot of sense. She is a woman who tends to feel a lot while not allowing those feelings to rule her in a remarkable balanced way.

Luke is a man who is a bit too set in his ways it seems like. At times I became frustrated with him because of how set in his ways he was but yet when he interacted with his family there is something that really shows what is underneath all of his stern behaviors. As his whole story comes out, I saw him a completely different light. This is a man who only wants what is for the best for his family more than anything else even if that means doing something unpopular. He has a bit of a dark outlook on everything it seems but then again with what has gone on in his past, it is understandable why he is just this way.

Neither Luke or Delaney is too mature or immature for their age, which actually blended perfectly with who each one of them were. They seemed to balance each other out in the long run when they gave themselves a chance to work together. It seems as if there is a roller coaster of ups and downs with this relationship, if you even want to call it that, for it seems as if one or the other, for different reasons, pull away from the other. When they worked together it was something really special though that is for sure.

It seemed to me that the biggest theme in this story is compassion. Compassion offered to those that some don't believe deserving yet determination to offer the compassion none the less. This was a story that not only showed compassion but how offering compassion can lead to understanding and possibly forgiveness. Several times there was a soft and tender reminder about why no one should judge another without getting all the facts first for things are not what they always appear to be. Guilt is also another issue that is dealt with for one and/or more of the characters are dealing with their own guilt which is either fully or at least partially dealt with by the end of the story.

About the only thing I didn't really care about the story is the fact that it took place over a short period of time. I didn't get the feeling that there was really a deepening of the friendship between Luke and Delaney while they worked together but I didn't feel the attraction to each other from the start. I never felt that the feelings that they admitted were forced or anything but I have to wonder how they could be so sure of their feelings after the short period of time when they didn't know what all made them tick, though in one night secrets that has never been revealed to anyone else comes out. I might have missed something though I will admit in the relationship between Luke and Delaney.

As I said that was the only thing that I had issue with for this story was well written with a theme that seemed to be a perfect reminder to me at the moment. The conflict between Luke and Delaney was a nice blend to add to everything that was happening. Though I missed the deepening of friendship I found this story to be wonderful in all other aspects for the characters had their strengths and flaws and even their humorous moments. The writing of the story is done in such a way that it is hard to not allow your emotions through and I found it hard to put the book down period. This is a book I would highly recommend to all who are looking for a tender romance with a special message.