'What would he be doing with his life right now if he had an ounce of her tenacity?' David Kingsman has arrived in Teaville, sent by his Father to ready their business interests to make a good sale. On his arrival David encounters Miss Evelyn Wisely. Advocate for the poor and those living an unsavory existence in the red light district of town, her charitable endeavors catches his eye. Who is this mysterious woman in blue, making her way around an area she obviously has no place in.

Second in Melissa Jagears series 'Teaville Moral Society' we return to the charitable efforts of those that care to make a difference. Even if that difference is to just one person. Nicholas & Lydia return with plenty of minor character involvement and we get to see how their initial efforts are making a change. There is however a lot more to be done, hearts to change and many mysteries left uncovered.

David is impressed by Evelyn's determination, yet flustered by her short and impenetrable personality. He cannot figure her out, yet he can clearly see she is focused on her goal to not only help the women of the district and their innocent children physically. He also recognizes her efforts to bring them to Christ, to give them their feeling of value and worth.

I enjoyed being back in Teaville. David is a likable character, which is necessary as Evelyn comes across extremely prickly at first. I really started to enjoy this story when David & Evelyn are brought together out of necessity to save one of the children, struck down by smallpox. Not only do you start to understand David, Evelyn begins to soften too.

Looking forward to more from Melissa. She tackles this challenging yet historically accurate issue of prostitution head on. Emotionally you are drawn into the plight of those less fortunate, and the never ending cycle of those who once part of the trade, now trapped despite potential opportunities for escape. Reputation once destroyed was never given a chance to be repaired.

Thank you to Melissa Jagears for the complimentary copy - and to Netgalley for a eARC. This is my honest review.

A Love So True

by Melissa Jagears

Bethany House

Bethany House Publishers
Christian

Pub Date 02 May 2017

I am reviewing A Love So True through Bethany House Publishers and Netgalley:

This book transports us back in time to 1908 in Southeast Kansas. David Kingsmen came to Teaville from Kansas City to help with one of his Father's companies located there.

Evelyn Wisely has a heart for the children of Teaville especially the neglected children n the red light district.

Evelyn's desire to help isn't strictly just with the Orphans. She wants to help women out of prostitution.

When a twelve year old boy looses his Mother to small pox, and falls sick himself Evelyn finds herself and David Kingsmen nursing the boy back to health.

Will Evelyn and David be able to help these women and children?

Will they allow themselves to admit they're in love, despite everything that is stacked a against them? Find out in A Love So True.

Five out of five stars!

Happy Reading.

A wonderful return to Teaville, Kansas 1908. I'll say this first in case anyone is wondering, this book is part of a series but it can easily be read as a stand alone. Next, let me say, I loved this book! There is so much that I want to say about this book but can't, I don't want to spoil anything for anyone else. I was very touched that David Kingsman was so willing to help a woman and boy he had only just met a few times. We really get to know him during this time. David was attracted to Evelyn but she would not let him past the very high walls around her heart.Slowly a friendship develops. I was frustrated with Evelyn, but she has a secret that no one knows, she will not allow herself to have a happy personal life. Her work with her parents at the orphanage and helping the children of the red-light district will have to be enough for her. With help from David, she is able to gain the support from other businessmen that Nicholas Lowe (the richest man in town and her boss) requires, for building a shelter for women who want to escape life in the district. It will take longer than Evelyn expects, years perhaps.
The storytelling in this book is fantastic! Every character is well developed, even the children. Of course, we get to visit with the ladies of the Teaville Moral Society. I loved the revelation of Evelyn's long-held secret, it was not what I expected. The conclusion is a nice surprise too.

Evelyn Wisely absolutely loves her work ministering to the orphans and prostitutes of Teaville, Missouri. Though her friends and family regularly try to convince her to court a number of eligible men in town and start a family of her own, Evelyn has always managed to push them away. When the dashing David Kingsman arrives in the small town to manage one of his father's businesses for a few months, though, Evelyn lets her guard down. Assuming that the handsome and charming younger man would never fall for a passed-over spinster, Evelyn allows herself to befriend David and accept his offered help with her various ministries during his stay in Teaville. When it becomes apparent that they have fallen in love with one another-- despite their best intentions-- will David be able to stand up to his father and properly court Evelyn? Will a closely guarded secret from Evelyn's past drive David away even before he has a chance?

Melissa Jaguars tells yet another lovely story of grace, forgiveness, and love in A Love so True. Neither David nor Evelyn are typical, run-of-the-mill historical fiction protagonists, and I loved them for it. David's complaisance, need to be well-regarded, and overwhelming desire to please his demanding father made him particularly compelling and complex, and I loved watching him develop and evolve as a character. Similarly, Evelyn's big secret was not at all what I expected, and added a believable twist to an enjoyable love story. While it would be tough to top A Heart Most Certain as far as I'm concerned, I still thoroughly enjoyed this latest installment of Jagears's Teaville Moral Society series.