Review: Honor before Heart by Heather McCorkle

Print Length:

Publisher: Lyrical Press (March 21, 2017)

From Goodreads.com: Risking it all for love and valor . . .

When Corporal Sean MacBranian awakens after being injured in battle, he is sure the luck o’ the Irish has run out on him. Or that he’s died and gone to Heaven. There can be no other explanation for the blond-haired, blue-eyed angel standing before him. But his “angel” is a truehearted lass named Ashlinn, and she wears a nurse’s uniform. Her tender ministrations have brought him back from the brink of death—and have given him a new reason for living.

Ashlinn knows their parting is inevitable; her handsome hero must return to the 69th infantry of the Union army, and there are no guarantees of his safe return. With most of her family already destroyed by the war ravaging America, she is sure she cannot survive another loss. Yet she feels powerless against the draw of Sean’s strong and steady heart. Neither time nor distance nor the danger of battle seems to lessen their bond. But when their secret letters are intercepted, the devoted nurse’s love will face the ultimate test . . .

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My Rating: 4 stars out of 5

Let me begin by talking about something I don't usually discuss in my reviews. Mostly due to the fact that they can always be changed, however, I do not feel as though the cover of this story does it any kind of justice. In fact, there is only one time Ashlinn even wears a green dress, and it is certainly nothing like that. In fact, she spends most of the story in either a nurses uniform or in breeches and a shirt like a man. And I will admit, had Ia just looked at the title and cover and not read the description? I probably would have passed it over myself. 

That being said, I'm glad I didn't! I very much enjoyed Sean and Ashlinn's story, and I felt the author did a good job at bringing to light a very real (and often overlooked) aspect of war-time stories. It is war. It isn't pretty, and there is always that fear that your loved one won't make it back to you. I also felt that giving Ashlinn an Irish Wolfhound for a "companion" was a wonderful addition, it isn't often you read about a dog period, much less one that was so vital to the story as this one was. 

I do feel like the ending of this story was a little too rushed feeling for my tastes, but overall, this was a well-written and romantic story that I feel will appeal to those who enjoy historical romance. 

DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.

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                           Honor Before Heart is available from Amazon.com