The Bound Heart by Dawn Crandall

Meredyth Summercourt has known for six years what her future holds—marriage to Vance Everstone. Despite the fact that Vance has been out of the country for two years with no plans of returning, Meredyth is determined to make things right. And then Lawry Hampton, her best friend since childhood, kisses her, Meredyth’s future doesn’t feel so certain. With Lawry at her side, challenging her, comforting her, and listening to her, Meredyth realizes that she is in love with him, that she’s tired of pretending. But she doesn’t deserve him and she fights her attraction. Can Lawry’s love release her from her shame and guilt?

After reading The Hesitant Heiress, I felt like Meredyth and Lawry are already old friends of mine. It’s fun reading series because we get more depth into each character as they become the focus of a book. Meredyth wants to be noble and good but never believes she can achieve that so instead she sets her sights on atoning for her past. The additions of little orphan Wynn pulled on my heartstrings on more than one occasion (especially right before the wedding at the end). And Lawry’s persistence and consistency is sigh-worthy.

I think most people can relate to making a bad decision and living with the regret of that decision. Yes, some are more damaging than others but no one is perfect. Dawn Crandall excellently handles the topic of living with the regret and shame of a bad decision in The Bound Heart. Meredyth struggles with being worthy of the life she is living in the moment, being loved by Lawry Hampton. In the end, there is only one person who can release us from our past mistakes, and He is more than a man.

The Bound Heart (as well as the first book in the Everstone Chronicles) is available now. Book three is due out in April and you will definitely want to read these first.