I hate the word "damaged" when referring to a person who is struggling with their grief, but I know the romance world likes to label Alec as the "damaged hero". Personally, I wouldn't label him at all. It was compelling to see him and Charlotte find love with each other but more so that their love helped to heal them both.

I was slightly lost in the beginning because I realized that there was more the story than I thought. I gather that this a sequel to a previous book; however, I did not find reading this book first to be a major issue in grasping the full plot of the story and the dynamic of the characters. In fact, it made me want to go back and read the first book.

All in all, a great read with strong characters that find solace and peace within each other's hearts.

ARC provided by Covenant Communications via NetGalley, and I have given my honest and voluntary review.

This was a beautifully written book with strong characters who have to learn to open up and trust in each other after they both endure hard things. It also has a theme of trusting the Lord and His Grace to bear us up in our darkest hours.

Such a beautiful well written story! I really enjoyed reading this book . Kimball created strong characters with a lot of strengths but also some flaws that made them very relatable.

From the moment Lady Charlotte and Dr. Alec Galloway there are fireworks! I loved the banter and arguments between them but also really loved watching that antagonism turn into love.

This is a story full of compassion, self forgiveness, and renewed faith. I highly recommend this book. It really touched my heart!

This author wrote something amazing. This story pulls at your heart and stirs up deep feelings.
These characters are ones I fell in love with and hurt with as they healed from their pasts and pains.
If you want a story that resonates and showcases the beauty after the pain, this is a great story for that.
The romance is beautiful.

"A Not-So-Distant Love" is a romance set in 1835 in Pittsburgh. Alec publicly insulted Charlotte when they first met, and they constantly argued for weeks after that. But Charlotte liked that he didn't try shut her up when she talked about things like politics, and she wanted to to heal his hurting heart. She's careless of her reputation. She pushed a passionate kiss on him when alone in his house and intensely kissed him in public spots where they could be seen. She's certain God brought her across an ocean because Alec's her soul mate, even when Alec wasn't falling in line with her desires. Several people gave the advice of basically 'don't hold back, enjoy falling in love!' even when Alec had no intention of leaving Pittsburgh. Bad advice, in my opinion.

Alec felt so strongly that he was supposed to be a doctor in Pittsburgh that he ignored his wife's strong desire to stay in her hometown. When she died, he felt such guilt over not being a better husband that he decided to never marry again. He knew that marriage took effort and love could end in a broken heart due to sudden illness or accident. He tried to control his life so he'd never face heartbreak and guilt again. He learned to give his fears to God instead.

The historical setting was more of a backdrop than realistic. For example, it never made sense that Alec acted like the pig he injured was his to do with as he wished (to eat or make into a pet) when it belonged to someone else. He would have known how important a pig could be in terms of food or income. While there were several detailed scenes of Charlotte and Alec intensely kissing, there were no sex scenes. There was no bad language.

I enjoyed this story - the characters were so believable. I enjoyed reading about Charlotte and Alec's journey to love. This story is not the first in the series but Kimball does an excellent job of allowing the readers to read this story by providing enough of the background details. I enjoyed seeing how each of the characters learned to find a place in their lives and heart for each other. I also like the way Kimball allowed the character's battle of personalities to contribute to the story. I feel like it made the story more interesting. I also like the way she kept Charlotte connected to her family even though she had left them to go explore and gain some freedom in her life. I also like the way she led Alec to overcome his previous hurts and help him heal so he could at last find love.

Thanks to Net Galley and Covenant Communications for a reader's galley in return for an honest review of this book.

This was just an amazing book! I read it in one day! A Not-So-Distant Love is written by Heidi Kimball and it is a companion novel to Heart in the Highlands. I have to admit that I have not read Heart in the Highlands yet but I still loved this book.
Charlotte and Alec were just the sweetest together and I loved how they brought out the fire of each other. They were both dealing with different things as they tried to work through the hurts of their pasts. It was fun to read about Charlotte and Alec together, as they verbally spared and as they learned to truly see each other.
Charlotte was trying to figure out more of life as she traveled to America with her cousin. I really liked Charlotte, she was such a fun character. She was strong but she was also willing to listen to others. Alec was also a sweetheart but he was really struggling. He was holding himself away from others and trying to bury himself in work. Alec had to learn to let others in and to work through his grief.
I loved the connection between Alec and Charlotte and the side characters. The side characters were so much fun and it was cool to read about them all interacting. This story drew me in from the beginning. I connected with the characters and the story was engaging. I am hoping that some of the other characters will get their own books.
A Not-So Distant-Love is a must read! I loved everything about it and it had me hooked from the beginning. Kimball wove together a stunning story that will tug at your heart strings. I would definitely recommend this book! A Not-So Distant-Love is a clean historical romance, it can be read standalone.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher through Netgalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion, a positive review was not required.

Charlotte was the daughter of Callum and Kate in Heart in the Highland. In this book she is 23 and accompanies her cousin Tavish to America. I love how Charlotte grows as she discovers ways she can make a difference with her title and influence. Alec comes across pretty harsh at first. I enjoyed reading how his friends stand by him and help him. Overall this is a well written story that I can’t say enough good about. I highly recommend it.

Oh, what a beautiful story. I enjoyed getting to know the grown-up version of Charlotte. This book is a companion to Heart in the Highlands, which is the story of Charlotte‘s parents. I would strongly recommend reading itt first, you won’t be sorry. Charlotte has grown into a strong capable woman. But after a disastrous first season, she has hidden her self away. When she learns that her dearest cousin is embarking on a voyage to America, she has a strong desire to go with him. This story has so much compassion, intrigue, and sweet romance. The instant dislike between Dr. Alec Galloway and Charlotte sets up the story of how powerful, true love can be. I loved their banter and arguments, and a realization that you must put your faith in God. There was so much going on in the story, I could not put it down, I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Heidi Kimball has done it again. She is so good at creating a world with characters that I love and are so human. This story pulled me in from the beginning and I loved the romance of the grumpy doctor vs the sunshine Scottish Lady.
I definitely recommend you give this book a read! You will not be disappointed

What a delightful book. The story to Lady Charolette and Dr. Alec Galloway is so rocky in the start, but so tender and sweet as they get to know each other and cannot resist falling in love. Such an delightful sequel to Heart in the Highland.

“I was never there for the pig.”

This may not seem like the quote to represent such an emotionally driven book, but it totally did for me.

Charlotte wants to leave the safety of her Scottish Highlands to travel to America with her cousin Tavish. What she finds there affects her future in unexpected ways and I was completely there for all of it.

Alec is burying his grief in endless work doctoring his patients and removing himself from society. When Charlotte enters that society his life gets thrown in greater turmoil.

This story stands alone, but I strongly encourage the reader to also indulge in Heart in the Highlands. It’s like a full circle of love. So lovely.

Alec tore my heart out. I wanted to stitch him back together with threads of love and peace. And I’m going to admit that blacksmith arms on a doctor is now my jam.

Charlotte is a fiery determined sort, but everything she did was a deliberate choice to embrace her future. I adored her. I was inspired by her to be a little better and see others with more grace.

Why the pig quote? Well it’s funny. And there is humor laced through this story. But I also thought it represented how the characters connected and their inner strength in the most unlikely of circumstances. Not to mention pig headedness was low key swoony.

I can’t say enough good things about the book except you need it in your life. We all need a life filled with faith and hope and love.

Can Alec find peace through all his pain and grief? Will love be trapped in ice or bloom like a new spring leaf?

Thanks to the author and Covenant Communications for the ARC of this wonderful book. I’m not sure of future plans for this author but oh how I’d love more stories with some of the supporting characters!

When Lady Charlotte Darrington’s father allows her to travel across the Atlantic to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, she knows that this will be her last chance at freedom. Destined to marry and one day inherit her father’s Scottish dukedom, she is excited by the adventure and finds the American people all welcoming except for Dr. Galloway. While she is intrigued by him, she finds his disapproval of her, unfathomable. On first meeting her, he makes it clear of his disapproval of Britain’s archaic peerage system and dismisses her instantaneously. Yet Charlotte is persistent and in understanding his past, offers her friendship. Soon, Alec is aware that he must face his past fears or lose Charlotte forever.
I found the transformation in Alec, from his gruff manner to one where he is captivated by Charlotte, thoroughly enjoyable. Through Charlotte’s determination to win Alec over, we see him throw off the past to find happiness. At the beginning, Charlotte is eager to find adventure much to her parents’ concern, but it soon becomes apparent that she is a mature and wise woman. Having experienced betrayal and overcome this, she is someone who has a great awareness of others. It is this sensitivity that shines through the many chapters, as hers and Alec’s romance blossoms. A wonderful read.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A Not-So-Distant Love was exquisite, a charming and excellent reading experience. I loved it! 5 Stars!

I became a fan of Heidi Kimball after reading Heart in the Highlands. I was thrilled when I discovered she had a new book coming out. I was especially pleased when I read it was to be a continuation of young Charlotte's story after she'd grown up.

Charlotte and Alec's story had all the elements I look for in a first-class historical romance. The characters were authentic, the conflict was believable, and the inclusion of some humorous events made it all around perfect.

My favorite lines from a letter to Charlotte from her mother,
"It is in the crevasses of uncertainty, on the steepest, most winding trails, that our hearts are bent, broken, and reshaped into something capable of great love. And when we've proven ourselves capable of enduring such, the vistas come."
This quote is one of the reasons I love Christian fiction so much. A reader can be entertained, and all the while be growing in wisdom and understanding at the same time. I appreciate Covenant Communications making a copy available for review. All thoughts and opinions are my very own.

I loved Callum and Katie's love story in "Heart in the Highlands," so I couldn't wait to read their daughter Charlotte's story in this new book. I loved Charlotte's story even more! It's not necessary to read

Here are some of the things I loved the most...
- Enemies to lovers
- The setting. Pittsburgh was a fascinating town during this time.
- The Kisses. They were perfectly swoony.
- The faith in God was seamlessly tied into the story.
- The portrayals of the slow path to healing and redemption were beautifully written.

This is definitely a book I'll be adding to my shelf to enjoy again someday!

Thank you to NetGalley, Covenant Communications, and Heidi Kimball for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest opinions.

What a beautiful story! It has all the themes of love, loss, sacrifice, perseverance and redemption.

Heidi Kimball does such a wonderful job of creating strong characters with all their strengths and flaws. As their stories and hearts are revealed we come to know and love them. It’s her ability to get our minds and hearts involved that make her stories so rich and deep. You feel the highs and lows right along with them. Yes, I admit to shedding a few tears.

This is an inspiring tale that will tug at your heartstrings and leave you breathless. I highly recommend this to all who enjoy an immersive experience in heartfelt fiction.

Do you believe in fate? If not, you will after reading this story. Why else did Lady Charlotte Darrington follow her cousin from Scottland to not at all fashionable Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on the other side of the big Antlantic? Yes, she wanted a little freedom from her staked-out life as a Duchess-to-be, but something bigger was working here, for sure.

As intreeged as she was when she first laid eyes on Dr Alec Galloway, as disgusted is he about anyone in high society without even having met them and Charlotte is no difference. Try as he might to follow the road he has made out for himself, fate has it's own way of changing one's mind though (in this case with quite some help from Charlotte herself!) and he is fighting in wain.

But is love enough to hold two lonely and broken heart together, when their lives is so very different? Well, in the best of worlds it is and this is one of the very best stories, written by an author who is a master at creating real human beings out of characters on a page and stories and intreeges that is as natural as the world in wich we live every day. You will never read a Heidi Kimball story and feel that you have been given a story just because there should be another book in this world, but every story from her hand is a master piece from a genuine heart and mind, and A not-so-distant love is another of those very best of stories.

Charlotte feels a distinct pull to visit America, and it's an adventure to follow along on the journey. A well written romance that will keep you wanting to learn more about the characters and what makes them who they are. I hope for more of this series!

A NOT-SO-DISTANT LOVE by HEIDI KIMBALL is a besutifully written love story which takes place in 1835 in Edinbane, Scotland, the home of Charlotte Darrington, marchioness of Rowand and her family, and in Pittsburgh in the United States at the home of Martin and Alice Magann.
Charlotte, who suffered ridicule at court three years ago, has kept to herself, her younger sister Iseabel and her cousins, who are like brothers to her, and her beloved animals, and has not ventured back to London for another season.
When her cousin Tavish announces that he is going to join his friend Liam Magann in Pittsburgh to be part of a joint busines venture, Charlotte, who feels that there is something missing in her life, after many hours spent on her knees, feels that God wants her to go with Tavish …
Dr Alec Galloway is a broken man, blaming himself for his wife’s death from cholera three years previously and has turned away from people, except for his patients, and from God…....
This is a story of forgiveness and redemption, with interesting characters whose struggles are brought alive to us. This time in history is also well described.
This is the first novel I have read by Heidi Kimball and it most certainly will not be the last!
I highly recommend A Not-So-Distant-Love for the great story and strong Christian message,
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Covenant Communications. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

This is a sweet romance that if I had to pick one word for the feel of the story I would choose 'gentle'. Not that everything that happened in it was gentle by any means since this is an enemies to love trope. Many arguments happened and even a punch to the face (not between the love interests) so I obviously wouldn't call that gentle. Still the overall feel of the book was.
There are Christian themes in the book but those are gently woven into the story and fit very well with the characters and the plot.
I can see how reading the first in the series might be preferable but honestly, I didn't feel like it was necessary for understanding this book. There was one element from the first book that I'm curious about but not knowing the details doesn't make this book more difficult to follow. This one is a bit of a spoiler though, if you want to read the first one after reading this.
I was happy to see Alec and Char get their happily ever after.

Potential trigger: loss of spouse, grief
Some Christian themes
Sex: no
Language: no
Violence: just a little
*I received a complimentary ARC through NetGalley and voluntarily chose to review it.