I have enjoyed this whole series and this one was no exception. I think what may have been missing for me is a little more angst which is weird because I'm usually an angst hater! I loved their chemistry though and enjoyed seeing the rest of the family again.

This book was different than most books I read. I also have not read any of the books in the series. I do love the chemistry of Trevor and Morgan. I love that this is a second chance romance for Morgan. If you are not a fan of books with curse words this is really not a book for you. For me the cursing just made the the characters as they all had difficult childhoods they were overcoming

I’m sorry but this book just didn’t work out for me. I was a bit off put with the various family members constantly cussing during general conversation and even in thought and it just cheapened their character in my head. I wasn’t connecting to them and just decided to put the book down at 10%. Thanks for the o-plrtunity to read and review this nonetheless. I’ll remove it from my shelves and not post a negative review as a courtesy. Best wishes though.

This story, like the ones preceding it in this series, held that thread of unconditional love in it I've come to really connect with in Nicole Jacquelyn's writing. I fell in love with this series from the first two books and Jacquelyn once again provided a uniquely structured tale with distinctly different circumstances surround the characters. It was wonderful catching up with this family and getting Trevor's story.

And Trevor, for me, is really the epicenter of connection to this story. He's charming and innately kind, forgiving, appreciative, and compassionate. His unwavering faith in his family and their bond to each other is so welcoming and cozy. The sort of taboo shade his story takes on makes it all the more interesting to see how this collected, confident reacts. He did not disappoint. Morgan Riley's introduction to this story came as an overwhelming surprise to Trevor and his family in the midst of muddles feelings from heartbreak and loss. She's independent and steadfast in her loyalty and giving nature. She's admirable in many parts of the book.

Told from the first person points of view of both characters, the connection between these two took me a while to feel. I was emotional over them, their struggles and guilt, their hesitation. But the connection between took longer if that makes sense. I got everything from Trevor but not the same from Morgan in a sense. Her resistance I understood just as I did his but with her it felt disconnected somehow and then became a bit mean. It wasn't an overwhelming blast of emotions like I got throughout the first two books. Some of the magic was missing from these two when it came to the emotional vulnerability of the angst.

Overall, Nicole Jacquelyn still has my utmost loyalty to this series and this family. I love the dynamics. I love that anything goes and I love the bonds that have been created and continually flourish with each new book. Jacquelyn's writing and storytelling tethers me to the stories beautifully. Heart of Glass will leave you feeling all the feels for these characters and their journey.

As I’m sure you can tell from my star rating, I was pretty disappointed in Heart of Glass. All the things I loved about Unbreak My Heart and Change of Heart were missing in this third book of the Fostering Love series. Both of these books are among my favorites for all the things that they shared: strong family ties, passion, angst, and characters that I not only related to, but would love to know in real life. I cried big, ugly tears reading both Unbreak My Heart and Change of Heart. I wanted so badly to say the same thing about Heart of Glass, but truthfully it’s a shell of the previous two books.

Picking up shortly after Change of Heart and the tragedy that defined it, we find the Harris and Evans families dealing with the aftermath of Henry’s death. They’re mourning, but also rejoicing in the knowledge that Henry had a child, despite the fact that he knowingly abandoned that child. As the oldest of the brothers/cousins of the extended family and his heart breaking with the loss of his brother, Trevor heads down to California from Oregon to make first contact with his niece, Etta, and her mother, Morgan.

There’s a lot of emotional baggage with this storyline, which in the earlier books Jacquelyn handled beautifully. Not so much with Heart of Glass. All the pieces and parts are there: grieving family, growing romance between Trevor and Morgan, concern over the inappropriateness of Trevor being in a relationship with his dead brother’s former lover, and a new layer to the relationship between Trevor and his mother, Elle. Sadly, none of these things resonated with me.

Whereas in books one and two the romance between the main characters carried the story, here in Heart of Glass the love story fell flat. I never felt like I got to know Trevor or Morgan. I know what they told me about each other, but their scenes together were few and far apart and lacked passion. Trevor, in particular was boring. Unbreak My Heart and Change of Heart had two very strong, alpha male leads. Trevor, on the other hand, was a self-professed “mama’s boy” who wouldn’t have won the girl in the end if it wasn’t for his cousins pushing him into it. And, Morgan was really quite unlikable the way she was written. I never believed they were a love match, instead it felt like a response to their grief over Henry.

The other thing that has stood out in this series is the strong family storyline. Centered on an extended family that was made up of foster children, this series struck a chord with me as it showcased how love, not biology, can define family. This too was missing in Heart of Glass. While I should have been sympathetic to Elle’s grieving over the loss of her son, I was instead caught up in how horrible she was behaving. I understood where her behavior was coming from, but it never resonated with me until the final pages of the book.

Finally, there’s a subplot that’s thrown in, centered on Morgan’s sister that really felt like the setup for another book rather than anything that was important to this book. Honestly, the entire book felt very choppy and unsettled.

HEART OF GLASS – Nicole Jacquelyn
Fostering Love Series – Book 3
Forever
ISBN: 978-1-538-71185-9 Paperback
ISBN: 978-1-538-71184-2 E-book
ASIN: B0776RXFH1
July 2018
Contemporary Romance
Oregon & California - The Present
Henry Harris couldn’t be a father. He knew it, even though Morgan Riley had had his baby. Still, he wouldn’t be a man who totally ignored his duty towards his child. As a soldier in training, he changed his life insurance to ensure both Morgan and their child would not be destitute if something happened to him.

Through an insurance policy Trevor Harris learns his recently deceased younger brother left a child. The news of Henry’s death devastated their parents, Ellie and Mike Harris. Because his parents could not have children of their own, they had become foster parents and adopted some of the children in their care. Trevor has remained close to his parents in Oregon, even to building a house on the back of their property. Now he decides to go to California to see Morgan and Henry’s two-year-old daughter to discover if the Harris family can be part of this child's life. At one time his parents had fostered Morgan, but he still didn't expect Morgan’s gracious acceptance of him. Nor did he expect his strong attraction to his niece’s mother. How could he have a relationship with the mother of his brother's child? It seems so wrong.

When she was a child, Morgan’s mother died from drug usage, and her father was in prison. Both Morgan and her younger sister Miranda landed in foster care. Their placements separated the sisters, and they both bounced between foster families until their father reclaimed them. That time changed both girls. Morgan is now fiercely independent although the handsome Trevor makes her feel things she never felt with his brother. However, she resists her emotional reaction to him knowing she needs control of her life. It is the best way for her to survive.

In HEART OF GLASS each chapter is given in Trevor's or Morgan's viewpoint. All of the drama in the story is emotional and driven by their choices. Trevor's relationship with his family can be both a blessing and a curse. Although tall and strong, he is a momma’s boy with a strong desire to please. His other family members offer him a tangle of advice. Morgan runs hot and cold, troubling him even more. Yet, when Morgan faces trouble, he is the one she reaches out to for help. Trevor’s journey to convince Morgan and his mother of the rightness of his love will follow a twisted path, if he has the courage to follow it. For Morgan, her heart is like a glass window, a hard surface letting emotion slide off like rain. She is afraid anything too strong will shatter it.

Heart of Glass is the third book in The Fostering Love Series and follows the story of Morgan and Trevor. While this book is the third in its series, it can be read and enjoyed as a stand-alone novel. When I first picked up this book, I was floored by the prologue. I wanted to know more about Henry and the reason he stayed away from his daughter. To then find out he was killed in action....well, lets just say I was shocked. Then we meet Morgan, and we see that she's struggling. She's trying to do the best that she can with the cards life has dealt her, but it's not easy. And when Trevor shows up, he is a complication that Morgan just doesn't need. Trevor wants to right all the wrongs his brother committed, but truthfully, I think Morgan would be happy if he stayed away. As time goes on, Morgan and Trevor start develop feelings for one another. Feelings that seem so wrong, but just can't be ignored....

Overall, I thought this book was an ok read. It was definitely a quick one and I was able to finish it in just a few short hours. When I first started reading this book, I was hooked right off the bat. I was intrigued by the story-line and wanted to know more. Morgan wasn't the easiest character to love or connect with for me. But, I did appreciate her determination, strength and independence, even if she was stubborn most of the time. And Trevor...well, he was impossible to not fall in love with. He is a total family man--nothing is more important to him. He's devoted, sweet, understanding and just totally perfect. Together, I thought these two made an interesting pair, especially with their history.

I also really enjoyed the family drama and dynamics. You could tell that Morgan loved Etta more than anything in the world and that there is nothing she wouldn't do for her. You could also tell that she was very protective of her other family members and would try to help them out of any situation. And Trevor's family, while they weren't perfect, they meant well and you could tell just how much family meant to them.

I did have some issues with this series. As much as I enjoyed Trevor and Morgan together, I was left wanting more from them. Their situation was definitely one of insta-love and for me, it just didn't work. For their type of story, I needed more emotion. I need more build up. I wanted to really see them fall and fight for each other. Don't get me wrong, there was some romance and sexy good times, but for the most part, it was light on the romance. This story was definitely more family centered, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, it just wasn't what I was expecting to be the focus. My only other issue was the angst, or the lack there of. I really, really missed the angst. It was pretty much nonexistent and that is one of the things that I have come to know and love from this author. 

Overall, I thought this book was an ok read. I liked the overall theme of family and how important it is to have them around/in your life. Heart of Glass is sweet story, but just left me wanting more. And while it's not my favorite in this series, but I'm still glad I checked it out.

After reading the first 2 books in this series, I could not wait to get my hands on Heart of Glass. Not only because I loved Trevor, but needed to know what would happen after that Henry bomb was dropped.

Trevor and Morgan have both experienced loss in their lives. It's a different kind of loss, but loss all the same. When Trevor learns that his foster brother Henry had a child, he knows he needs to meet her, to make sure she's okay and hopefully be able to be a part of her life. What he never expected was Morgan. To be honest, the last thing Morgan expected was someone like Trevor to walk into her life. Morgan is a single-mom doing the best she can. She's never had it easy in life but always worked hard. Trevor and Morgan connect straight away when they meet. It was a bit of insta-like, but the romance between Trevor and Morgan was definitely more of a slow burn.

What made Heart of Glass so different than the others in this series is the hero. Trevor is a stand-up guy, and dare I say he's damn near perfect. When the first few heroes in this series were... for lack of a better word...assholes- it was kind of nice to see a different kind of hero. Trevor was fantastic and my favorite part of this book. I loved how he was with Morgan, and Etta as well. Even though his relationship with his mom is super important to him, I loved that he stood up for his relationship over all else.

Nicole Jacquelyn writes the best emotionally angsty books. This book had a lot less angst than some of the others IMO, but still gave me all the feels I needed. I do wish that the couple had more time together, that is always a peeve of mine in books, but overall, this was a solid addition to this series of stand-alones and I enjoyed reading it a lot. The familial aspect always makes my heart happy and I love these are always a bit messy romances. I also just really love Jacqueline's writing. She always hooks me. Now, please please please bring on Alex's book next! I'm still waiting!!!

Heart of Glass is the third book in the Fostering Love series by author Nicole Jacquelyn. We definitely recommend reading Unbreak my Heart and Change of Heart, because they were both really good stories as well and the storylines tie in together.
Well we did enjoy this book, it wasn't as good to us as the first two in the series. We felt like it lacked any angst or drama to keep us hooked. It was an okay plot, but something felt like it was missing.
However we completely enjoy Nicole Jacquelyn's writing and books and will continue to recommend and read whatever she writes.

HEART OF GLASS was a beautiful 3rd book in this series by Nicole Jacquelyn. UNBREAK MY HEART will always be my favorite but I simply adored Trevor, the hero in this latest novel.

And now I already have to start digging into my issues with the story. Issue number 1: The heroine. In my humble opinion, it's vital for a good romance to like and be able to relate to the main characters. If I dislike one or even both of them, it makes for a reason to DNF a book. In HEART OF GLASS, I had to differentiate between not liking the heroine and not being able to relate to her. Because I wanted to love the book, seen as I had a soft spot as big as Texas for the hero. And so I tried to convince myself that I DIDN'T HAVE TO agree with the heroine, as long as I didn't start hating her. And I managed that much at least. Yes, the story was a unique one and the heroine's actions weren't all ludacris but most of them were not in the least logical to me and I thought I saw a completely different hero than she did. But ok.

The story itself was adorable, it had the trademark angst and push and pull I'm used to by Nicole Jacquelyn. Well, not too extremely this time. Just the right blend of it here and there.

Another thing I have to mention that there was a little too much insta going on. Insta-lust, insta-love, insta-father. No idea if it was only my personal feeling because the heroine was so 'difficult' and the hero was such a sweetheart but he gave off all the lovey-dovey vibes really early on.

Whereas a psychologist probably would have a field day with the heroine and everything was complicated and on and on, all their problems have been solved a little too fast and too easily nearing the end. Insta-solution to complement the insta-everything else, I guess.

Now, this all may sound like I didn't even like the book but it's quite the contrary. I loved the writing. I loved seeing previous characters again, I loved the family dynamics, I loved the hero and the little daughter. I even loved the slightly forbidden vibe there was to it all. But I just wasn't able to relate to the heroine and that was a pity as well as a deal-breaker for me.

All in all, I can only wholeheartedly RECOMMEND Nicole Jacquelyn and hope that there will be more books to come in this incredible series.

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Review will be posted on the release day

3.5 Stars

Books one and two in this series (but especially book one) have become some of my favorite books of all time. All time, people.

ESPECIALLY book one. Oops, I said that already...but anyway...

Book one blew me away with the story, the character depth and complexity, the character to character interactions, and - above all - the supreme level of delicious angst.

Book two did not quite tip the angst scales as much as book one, but still...It had me at hello.

Book three was entertaining enough, but I'll be frank: it just didn't have me spellbound like the previous two books. There was pretty much ZERO angst and what angst was present...? Took place mostly between Trevor and his mother and not Morgan aka the love interest....Eh.

So yeah, this one just didn't have me clamoring to turn the page like the previous two books. Plus, although Trevor and Morgan had amazing chemistry, I wanted MORE of them. They spend the majority of the book apart and they fall in love over the course of what seemed like only a handle of interactions which lasted mere days in length each.

It's actually a huge credit to Jacquleyn's writing skill that she was able to make me believe in the bond between these two what with how little they really did interact. In person. On page.

Speaking of Jacquelyn's writing skill, I am unendingly impressed by her talent. For real. Her stories are just so fucking good. And it's not just the plots and the characters, it's the quality and depth of them. Jacquelyn has her finger on the pulse of what is the human condition for so many. She writes layered characters that are realistically fraught with emotional baggage and scars and sometimes you want to punch them in the face while still rooting for them at the same time.

All that said, while this wasn't my favorite of Jacqulelyn's books, in my opinion, it's still head and shoulders above the vast majority of books out there in this genre.

In short, I enjoyed it immensely and will read this series for as long as Jacquleyn writes it and I will read whatever she writes for as long as she writes, period.

Upon picking this book up I was expecting a light, easy romance that would keep me smiling from beginning to end (but not without some drama, right?). Instead a found a book that, while it did have romance it was more than just light romance; there was a wonderful relationship between a mother and her child, a relationship between two people that "shouldn't" fall in love and then the whole concept of what makes family.
Overall this book was more than what I was expecting but in the best way possible!

4.5 Stars!!!



Right off the bat, I need to say that Nicole Jacquelyn is one of my top favorite authors! If you haven’t read her before, you need to remedy that ASAP (you will thank me later)! Heart of Glass is the third installment in the Fostering Love series- all of these books are standalones, but I highly encourage everyone to start from the beginning because I LOVED the first two novels (fan-freaking-tastic)!

Trevor along with parents and siblings were heartbroken when his brother, Henry, was killed while serving our country in the Marines. What they didn’t anticipate was to learn was that Henry was a father of a 2 year old daughter, Etta! What was more shocking is that Etta’s mom, Morgan, has been raising the toddler all on her own. Trevor is determined to get to know his niece and help out her mother in any way he can. Showing up at her house unannounced wasn’t something Morgan ever expected...and may just be what she’s always needed!!!!

It’s been a little bit since I read book 2 in this series and I wasn’t sure if I should do a re-read to refresh myself, but the families/characters in this series were so memorable I was able to dive right in—love that! Trevor was a man with so much heart and dignity you really can’t help but swoon and fall in love with him. Morgan seemed cold(ish) at first, but once you learn her backstory everything made sense and I ended up a huge fan of hers by the end. The storyline was paced perfectly and I really enjoyed the twists and turns (that I never saw coming)! I am keeping my fingers crossed that their will be many more installments (hoping for Miranda and Frank’s story next) in this fabulous series!!!!

3.5 STARS

Several things stand out when I try to describe this wholly unforgettable series of standalone romances. First, they're usually heavy with angst and heartache... And I LOVE that. The emotion and complicated dynamics in each of these books make for a heart stopping, breathtaking reading experience. Second, they're all layered and woven together meticulously. The characters all have such rich history that kind of comes full circle in their adulthood. Their dynamics change, they evolve from everything they once were into something entirely different and it's so DELICIOUS as it happens. And third, and most importantly, each story is a powerful testament to what it means to be a family, what it truly means to make a family that has nothing to do with blood but rather the people who step up and claim you as theirs with zero expectations or conditions. It's a beautiful undercurrent running through each story, and there's nothing redundant about any of them. Each book is a must read, refreshing story of love and familial bonds and I can't get enough of them.

But here's the thing. I feel this intense need to go back and reread this book because I feel like I missed something important. Heart of Glass felt a bit instalove-ish, like the fall into love came out of nowhere, and I feel like that stems from the fact that I don't feel like I got to know these characters well enough. There was something notably absent from the build up of their relationship that I can't pinpoint but it was pivotal. There's a lot going on in this book though. There's familial drama and a whole lot of backstory and there's drama with side characters and there's a ton of push and pull between Trevor and Morgan. So the integral part of their romance might've taken a backseat. This was still a great story, it was just missing something.

Morgan is not an easy character to figure out. She is sometimes so stubborn and difficult that it makes her unlikable. But I also totally got her. Her life hasn't been easy, she's taken care of herself and then her daughter alone for so long, she doesn't roll over easily to let anyone get close. Trevor is the opposite. He's so sweet, the eternal protector, the mama's boy that's always there whenever anyone needs him. He's open and honest with his feelings whereas Morgan is pretty closed off. I almost wanted him to make Morgan grovel for not appreciating him a little more. I wanted to see some Shane come out in him. But that's just not Trevor and as much as I was frustrated by how easily he rolled with the punches, I also very much appreciated that he was never going to be the guy that did or said something out of line in the heat of that frustration. He's solid and Morgan needed solid. Their entire dynamic was a refreshing one and as much as I missed the angst and fiery passion of Unbreak My Heart, I could also appreciate the author's decision not to give her readers a repeat of the story that's already been written.

This was a really cute story at the end of the day. Heart of Glass is a slow burning romance that evolves from something tragic but becomes something full of hope. It definitely lacks the fire and angst that the first two standalone novels of this series brimmed with but it's not a super light story by any means.  I can't lie and say that I didn't miss the angst a bit but there's a lot that this story has going for it. Heart of Glass has a decidedly different vibe but it's a romantic page turner full of emotion and I really did enjoy it.

Sadly I just couldn't get into the story. I couldn't relate to the characters and the story just couldn't hold my attention.