Mark is kicking against his father's desire to pass his ranch on to his sister and him in equal shares. His calling is not in ranching but in keeping the town's library. His father is livid that he doesn't consider ranching to be the highest work he could do.

Rebecca is the first female court reporter in Montana and wants to be able to see justice done after she witnessed a murder and the wrongful conviction of an innocent man in that murder. Since she was just a child when the events happened, she was not considered credible. So now she has a strong desire to see the justice system work like it is supposed to.

Kate is Mark's sister and loves nothing more than she loves the ranch and the life it brings. She is newly married and her husband seems to be as excited as she is about the ranch.

Tracie Peterson and Kimberley Woodhouse have collaborated to bring this novel in the first of a series taking place in Kalispell, Montana. The parts I really liked centered around Mark's friendship with Rebecca that grew into a mutual love, the reconciliation between Mark and his father, and Kate's understanding nature. The parts I really didn't like involved the way the authors set up the bad guy in the very beginning of the novel and tried to weave it through the plot lines to create a tension that was supposed to keep the reader involved, but it came off to me as being very predictable and trite. I normally like the books I've read by Tracie Peterson and the books by Kimberley Woodhouse, but this one fell short of the mark for me. There are parts that are truly enjoyable and parts I wanted to skip over simply because I felt they added nothing to the plot. Three stars.

Bethany House Publishing provided the copy I read for this review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.

The Heart’s Choice is the first book in the Jewels of Kalispell series by Traci Peterson and Kimberly Woodhouse. This is a well written, easy to read and imagine story that takes place in 1904 in Montana. I especially enjoyed the characters and the suspense. The new Carnegie Library is opening and the director, Mark, is a man who grew up in and has family in the area. His father’s goal is to have Mark take over the ranch. Mark loves books and wants to be the librarian and not work the ranch. When a local attorney is in need of a stenographer, he hires Rebecca. She is the first female stenographer in Montana. She is a regular patron at the library.

This is an enjoyable Christian historical fiction story to read. I enjoyed the attorney and his wife. The attorney was helpful to Rebecca to help fulfill her dream. His wife appeared to be a nosy matchmaker. I especially enjoyed Rebecca’s character, she is so quick to want to help others. She is so supportive of Mark while he cares for his father and while events happen at the family farm. I enjoyed reading of their growing friendship.

I voluntarily received a copy of this story, this is my honest review.

Set in Montana, this historical novel features the opening of the Carnegie Library with Mark Andrews as library director. Rebecca McCutcheon, the first female stenographer in Montana loves books and learning. She and Mark become fast friends as Rebecca searches for answers about God and Mark tries to deal with disappointing his dad. Love the Ashburys! Highly Recommended! Eagerly waiting for the next in this series.

A new series for this pair of authors. I must admit that I especially wanted to read this because the main male character was a librarian. I liked both the hero and heroine of the story but I would also stay that the side characters of the Ashbury's were stand outs for me.

There were some laugh out loud moments like the incident with the dog, some faith filled moments and mystery/romance and family. Definitely keen to read the next book in the series/

I receive complimentary books for various sources including, Netgalley, Authors, and other such sources. I am not required to write a positive review and have not received compensation.

What a wonderful start to a great new series, and now I can't wait for the next book in this series.

Witnessing a horrible act and the results of it affect the choices of her life, and in the end the catalyst to Rebecca ending up in remote, but growing Montana.

This book touches your heart on so many levels, and yes, you will be page turning for answers, filled with emotions, with a bit of sweet romance, and wishing you had the power to bring to bring justice!

Be sure to read the author's notes!

I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Bethany House, and was not required to give a positive review.

THE HEART’S CHOICE is a beautifully written historical novel by TRACIE PETERSON and KIMBERLEY WOODHOUSE which will really stay with you long after you have finished the last page. Full of wonderful characters whose relationship with the Lord undergirds the story, and with the inevitable villain with his lies and betrayal, a slow moving romance, family love and friendship, you will find all you need for a most enjoyable and inspirational read.
In 1904, Mark Andrews, lover of books and education, obtains the position of a lifetime as head of the brand new Carnegie library in Montana, near the family ranch, which is his father’s pride and joy. Someone else who moves into the area to pursue her dream job as the first female court stenographer in the whole of Monrana, is Rebecca Whitman, also a lover of books.
I love old Angus Andrews, once he mellows, and Judge Milton Ashbury and his feisty wife Marvella who are like parents to Mark and pretty soon add Rebecca to their “family”.
Added to all this there is courtroom drama and a desperate race to save an innocent man’s life.
I cannot recommend The Heart’s Choice (such a fitting title by the way) strongly enough.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Bethany House Publishers. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

The Heart’s Choice
Tracie Peterson; Kimberley Woodhouse
Pub Date: May 16, 2023
Bethany House
Historical Christian Fiction
This is the first book in the series The Jewels of Kalispel
The story revolves around one of the Carnegie Libraries which was donated during the 1900’s. Mark Andrews returns to his hometown to manage the library.
Good clean novel with a deep faith message I recommend this novel if you like Christian fiction .
5 stars

I was interested in this book because of the Carnegie Libraries. Our library also has a male director so that was an interesting aspect too. This book also had humor with Mrs. Ashbury who's heart was always in the right place.
I am only giving it 4 stars however, because I don't enjoy reading about the women's suffragette movement.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley.

This was a wonderful story. I over the characters and the setting. It shoes just put your trust in faith In God and everything will work out the way it should. This book was approved by netgalley and the publisher for me to read and review

The Heart's Choice by Tracie Peterson and Kimberly Woodhouse is a historical fiction set in a small town in Montana.

The story revolves around one of the Carnegie Libraries which was donated during the 1900's Mark Andrews returns to his hometown to manage the Library much to his fathers dismay.

After witnessing a murder when she was a child, Rebecca Whitman's desire to learn about the law and court system leads her to become the first female court reporter in Montana. When something just doesn't seem right during a murder trial, the only one who listen is Mark. As they travel to unravel the evidence they need, Mark and Rebecca end up spending more time together which leads to a budding romance. Good clean novel with a deep faith message.

I received a complimentary ebook copy from the publisher, through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I am absolutely stunned by this book. At first, I was sad that it wasn't set in Alaska, but boy howdy, was I wrong. There are so many things that I love that I don't even know where to start. For one, I loved the law/court system aspect of the story. It's not an overdone theme and it was very enjoyable. Now add that slow burn romance between Rebecca and Mark and it's just all the hearts and love. Now, I would have to say that we can't give the bad guys such obviously bad guy names because I had him pegged the first time I saw that name. But... the crown jewel of this story, for me, was Marvella. That woman had me laughing from start to finish and her heart of gold was evident. I just want to know her and the Judge in real life because honestly, such wonderful human beings. If Marvella doesn't get her own POV in every book in the series I will be very sad.

The Heart’s Choice by Tracie Peterson and Kimberley Woodhouse is a delightful historical novel set in Montana at one of their Carnegie libraries. Peterson and Woodhouse are a dynamic duo who crafts a stirring story that allows readers to escape to the world of a court reporter and a librarian who find and grow their love of books and eventually each other. The plot does have a mystery element to it. I really like how Peterson and Woodhouse allowed the heroine to use her knowledge of mysteries to help uncover the mystery of an innocent man. I do like how Peterson and Woodhouse mirrored the past event in the heroine’s life and allowed it to guide her to solve the current mystery. The romance was not over the top. A little budding romance as they spent more time together. The setting was nicely described and displayed for the reader’s imagination. Overall, The Heart’s Choice by Tracie Peterson and Kimberley Woodhouse was a good escape novel to spend a little bit of time with. I am glad that this is a first book in a series. I will definitely want to see what else happens.

I received a complimentary copy of The Heart’s Choice by Tracie Peterson and Kimberley Woodhouse from Bethany House Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.