I had some issues with the author's lack of understanding of Australia There is, for example, no such thing as a "ranch" in Australia, and there never has been, nor ever will be, a place called "New Wales".

I wonder why the author chose to write set in a country she doesn't know or understand, and as an Australian, I found this difficult to read.

Sarah Whitaker came to Australia as a child and learned upon her arrival that her father had been killed two months prior. She stayed and eventually became a successful business woman living out her father's dream on the farm he had built, Sarah Hills. She had trust issues with the aborigine people and convicts that were hired after arriving on the convict ships. She had reason not to trust from some prior experiences.

Daniel Burton had been convicted of a crime in England and had been sentenced to die, but was granted a reprieve because of a wealthy relative who begged for leniency and paid his debts. He was treated well on the convict ship and upon arriving in Australia was able to buy a beautiful piece of property to begin farming and make something of himself. He felt guilt and shame because of his past deeds but was determined to use the chance given him to make something worthwhile. His farm was located next to Sarah Hills and when he met his new neighbor, he was intrigued but soon learned of her mistrust of convicts and didn't want that information to come out. As their relationship grew to friendship, he began to want something more but would he ever be able to have that with Sarah Whitaker? Would she ever be able to trust that his intentions were honorable and that he had changed? Or, would she hold to her old beliefs that people could never change?

I absolutely loved this book and the story that was told. It was a beautiful story about love, loss, trust and change. The story tugged at your heartstrings and made me want to cheer for character's success in overcoming their challenges. I have read other books by this author and have never been disappointed. I was given an complimentary copy of this book and happily leave my review.

I have always wanted to visit Australia and after reading this book I want to go even more!

Set in 19th century Australia, we meet Sarah who had lost both of her parents by the age of 10. After her father's death, she finds herself to be one of the wealthiest sheep farmers in the area. She had grown up with all the trust in the world for others around her. But different circumstances over the years have hardened her heart and has her realizing that you can't trust anyone.

After poor choices on his part that lands him in jail, Daniel finds himself in Australia with a second chance to get his life back on track. Determined to make things right, he sets out to help others around him and make their lives better.

While Sarah and Daniel didn't get off to the bests of starts, they were able to eventually put their judgments aside and get to know each other as friends. The more time they spent together, the stronger their feelings become. But all that is thrown away once Sarah discovers his past. There is no way they can be together now.

Trusting someone doesn't come easily for Sarah. The older she gets, the less she trusts. But she really thought she could trust Daniel. Hurt and broken she has to decide. Does she want to be alone and miserable for the rest of her life? Or will she be able to open her heart and let faith and hope heal all that has been broken.

I really enjoyed Sarah and Daniel's story. There were times that it was a bit slow for me and I found myself struggling to get through, but I'm glad I stuck it out. I'm definitely looking forward to reading Conall's story!

I have been a fan of Ms. Moore's since the very first book of hers I read. I can't wait to see what she has in store for us next!

4.5*

Oh how I love Jennifer Moore's historical novels! I love the characters and I love the different setting she chooses. I love the historical aspects and I even love the love stories. I will admit I got choked up a few times in this book. The pain and anguish of the lives of these characters, some their own choosing and some were choices placed upon them.

I think something I really love about Jennifer Moore's characters is the growth they have to experience. Every time I read her books, I can relate to the characters through either their struggles, their emotions, their desires, their sacrifices or their healing. Sarah Whitaker was a well written character! She looses her mother at a young age and when she finally gets the chance to be with her father in Australia on his farm, she arrives to find him murdered. She sure is a plucky young girl and steps right up to the challenge of continuing on her father's legacy despite the danger and the odds against her. I loved seeing her as a young girl at the beginning of the book and then seeing her as a grown young woman.

Daniel Burton is a character we got a little glimpse of in Miss Burton Unmasks a Prince. Daniel is the brother to Miss Burton. Unfortunately he has his own share of problems through choices he's made and soon finds himself in Australia. Trying to better himself and atone for his mistakes, he happens to cause problems from the lovely Miss Whitaker(unknowingly of course).

Two different characters with two very different views and opinions of the world must come together and reconcile their differences if they have any chance of future happiness together. I must say that it wouldn't be the easiest life to live and differences to reconcile but I loved watching the journey of these two characters. The experiences they have after meeting which also help to shape and mold their lives and choices.

Beautiful story! One I thoroughly enjoyed!

Content: Clean. Some moments of peril, fire, death but nothing graphic.

I received a copy from the publisher, Covenant Communications, via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.

Happy Reading!!!

I was interested in reading this story. My husband lived in Australia as a young adult and told me much of the current day culture, but also that they didn't talk much of their past. This novel was insightful as to the complexities of why. I felt that Ms. Moore did a beautiful job of describing the time period and all of the different cultures coming together. The historical aspects were well researched.
Our main and sub characters were likable and multi faceted.

Source: Netgalley

I have not finished reading this book and am not sure I will. The plot is very slow to develop and not keeping my interest. I will likely come back to this book and try to finish as I WANT to like this book because of the author.

Miss Whitaker Opens Her Heart was the first Jennifer Moore novel I chanced to pick up and I’m in no rush to repeat the experience. I respect there are a lot of readers who appreciate this kind of storytelling and I mean no offense to the author or her fans, but Moore’s writing is simply too light and predictable for my tastes.

The novel is set in Australia, but nothing about the text feels authentic to the Land Down Under. There are some superficial details about convicts and their treatment, but Moore never gets into the thick of it and the lack of atmospheric detail made it hard to imagine life on either Sarah or Daniel’s station. I was similarly disappointed with Moore’s treatment of the indigenous people, but meaty subject matter wasn’t Moore’s game so it should come as no surprise that she barely skimmed the surface of Australia’s weightier and less admirable history.

The romance Moore creates is sweet and while there is nothing wrong with that, I felt a distinct lack of chemistry between her leads. Both are Sarah and Danial are genuinely good people and while I appreciate the sentiment, such flawless personalities don’t exist in real life and I think their lack of individual flaw undermined their authenticity. Moore also has a tendency to tell more than she shows and omit character building scenes – Sarah’s embracing the role of station owner and/or Daniel’s crime and subsequent transport – that would have allowed readers to invest in the growth and experiences of her leads.

At the end of the day Miss Whitaker Opens Her Heart missed its mark. If anything, I’d consider the novel a good in-between read, but I’d have difficulty recommending the story or subject matter to fellow readers.

Romance, clean
Lovely, lush period setting in Australia. The conflict and the 'secret' that was in the story seemed to drag a bit, but loved the ranch life, the struggle to be human, the conflicts with character and integrity towards others. J.M. Definitely has a message she wants across with regard to the treatment of the people in Australia, whether indigenous, or convicts, and some of the characters were definitely caricatured to 'villianize' them. Sarah and the Daniel were lovely contrasts, and their fall and story sweet, conflicted, and beautiful. Some lovely side characters and the setting, wild, scenic and lovely. Their struggle to build and work for their dream was a lovely setting for this romance, and Daniel's redemption and will to become better and escape the mistakes of his past, a 'real' and honest part of this novel. Lovely read!

3.5 STARS.

Thanks for Netgalley and respective publishers.

"Every Saint had past, Every Sinner has future"

Jennifer Moore's Miss Whitaker Open Her Heart was enthusiastic and enthralling book.
Historical fiction about British colony, The Lady had let her heart fell with a former convict.

Good pace of story comprising some great instances which made their way to became one eventually.
Different kind of romantic book and peculiar piece of writing skills.

This is a lovely, clean romance that takes place in Australia. Daniel is sent to Australia to fill his 14 year term as a Convict. He is able to serve his term raising sheep on a ranch right next to Sarah Whitaker who has been running her father's sheep ranch since was 10 and had come to visit him but instead found he had been killed. She has lived a very solitary, loveless life where she couldn't trust anyone. Daniel is able to help her learn to trust again and find happiness. I thought it was an engaging setting and watching the relationship develop was gratifying.

Well worth a read.

Loved the simple story. Wish there was more to it. I enjoyed the way Sarah's emotions didn't change too rapidly.

I really enjoyed this book. The main characters were strong, sympathetic, believable, and well-developed. The writing style was quite lovely. The setting (a sheep ranch in Regency era Australia) was original and well-researched. It was very tame for a romance (nothing beyond a kiss!) which was too chaste for me, and the chemistry between hero and heroine wasn't as strong as I'd like, but I enjoyed it none the less and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys sweet romance in a historical setting.

I think what I like most about Jennifer Moore's books is that she takes a familiar time period (Regency era) and brings in a different location. It's so interesting to see what life was like in other parts of the world during that era. I also liked seeing how Sarah had become who she was--and also how she began to change. Another great book from Jennifer Moore.

This book was really pretty much just okay. It might be my fault for having expected more out of a vaguely religious regency romance, but alas. The characters weren't particularly interesting & the plot wasn't overly compelling. There wasn't anything exactly wrong with it-- it was just okay. I was hoping for more than passing references to it being set in colonial Australia-- beyond mentions of eucalyptus & a really quick side plot about Aboriginal people it really could have been set anywhere.
It was a fast read at the very least & I wouldn't have a problem recommending it to patrons who are interested in nice non-smutty romance novels.

I was intrigued by the premise of this story. We met the hero's sister in Miss Burton Unmasks a Prince. He is enjoying town too much and ends up in jail because of it. He is subsequently shipped to other side of the world to work off his crimes. Sarah came to the southern hemisphere to finally see her dad's sheep ranch. (I LOVE young Sarah. She is a wonderful character)
When life doesn't work out the way either of them expected, they have to open their minds and hearts to new possibilities.
I could relate to Sarah, but I was glad she finally opened her heart and mind. I could understand why she was so distrusting of people, but it was crushing her spirit. I loved that she was willing to make an effort to right the wrongs she inflicted on other people.
Not my favorite book by this author, but a good read.

I absolutely LOVED this book! It had so much depth. I loved the hero and heroine who both had to overcome obstacles. The love story was very sigh worthy and sweet. I would definitely recommend this book to my friends.

This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review. My thanks go to Jennifer Moore, Covenant Communications and Netgalley for the opportunity.

I've always had an interest in the population of Australia by the exiling of criminals during the 1800's - its application of trying to give criminals of less severe crimes a second chance via honest labour (or being used essentially as slave labour, depending on how you look at it) is something which feels both modern and archaic at the same time.

Jennifer Moore does a great job of setting the scene here; the rolling expanse of Sarah Fields seems to jump off the page. I also enjoyed the fullness of the supporting characters; Captain Thackery and the Hawkins family felt more like just plot devices. Their own stories were equally important.

Whilst I thought it was nice for Moore to include the native aboriginal people via Charrah and his family, however I did feel they were more clearly involved as a plot device at the service of the main characters than the others. In order for Sarah and Daniel to experience personal growth, they needed to be involved in the aboriginal's lives. Other than that, Charrah's inclusion brought nothing additional to the story.

This is, in all, a sweet tale of redemption and romance. If you like your reads with a historical twist then this is a definitely recommendation for you.

This is not your typical Regency romance! It has the requisite cast of characters. However, with Australia as the setting everything changes. Change is a theme of the story. Can people change and can others accept the change within them?
Sarah became an eleven year old orphan heiress upon her arrival in Australia and has had to learn to manage her father's farm while experiencing the violent betrayal of some of her convict employees. Her's is not the standard Regency upbringing.
Ten years later, Daniel, a felony convict who has been transported rather than be hanged becomes Sarah's neighbor. Thanks to the support of a wealthy English friend he's able to buy the land adjacent to Sarah's--that she had been wanting to purchase. No, it's not a good beginning for them. But, friction does make sparks. : )
I love that Jennifer Moore allows us to explore the greater reaches of the Regency world with the exotic locations of her books. The beginning of the Australian penal colony burgeons with story possibilities. I'm glad I got to read this one.

This is a really sweet and enjoyable book!
Sarah Whitaker is young, strong and independent. She is a successful farmer but being a woman means she has had to fight to gain respect and there have been times in which she was not taken seriously. Sarah doesn't let these bring her down, though. She wants to keep her father's legacy and will fight for it with everything in her. The only problem is, she's basically on her own.
Life hasn't been easy for her and has somewhat harden her heart.
The author was very sensible when writing Sarah's story. It was impossible not to want to hug her and affirm her and let her know everything will be all right.
Good thing the author put Daniel Burton in Sarah's life. There relationship grew in the perfect pace and had to overcome a few challenges. At times I wondered how would they ever grow romantic feelings towards one another, but their journey of letting go of their own pride and helping each other to see the truth and hold on to hope was heartwarming and absolutely believable.

One of the things that I most enjoy about Jennifer Moore's books are the settings. They are always unique and engaging. I had an absolute wonderful time following these characters' journey through a country that is so dear to me.