*Out Kept Hearts* by Tennille Marie offers a poignant glimpse into the lives of three young children navigating the challenges of 1950s Arkansas. The story centers on nine-year-old Hazel McKay, who is left to care for her little sister Ruthie after their mother abandons them. Their father’s frequent absences for work leave the girls alone in their small house in the woods, where they encounter more than just the natural world around them.

Parallel to Hazel and Ruthie’s story is that of ten-year-old Joel, who lives nearby with his abusive, alcoholic father. Joel’s difficult home life fuels his curiosity about the McKay sisters, leading him to discover a friendship and sense of belonging that he desperately needs.

Marie effectively captures the innocence and resilience of childhood through Hazel, Ruthie, and Joel’s experiences. The narrative unfolds against the backdrop of a world grappling with the fear of nuclear war, adding a layer of tension to their everyday struggles. The author’s depiction of school dances, first loves, and the simplicity of rural life is heartfelt and evocative, painting a vivid picture of the era.

As the story progresses, the trio faces significant trials, including heartbreak and tragedy, which test their bond and force them to confront painful truths. The climax of the novel revolves around a deep secret that threatens to unravel everything they hold dear, presenting them with a difficult choice between preserving their happiness and facing potential ruin.

Overall, *Out Kept Hearts* is a touching exploration of friendship, love, and the enduring strength of the human spirit in the face of adversity. Tennille Marie's novel is a heartfelt portrayal of how children can find hope and resilience even in the most challenging circumstances.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for an advanced copy to review for my honest opinion.

This was a sweet story of kids from childhood realizing that they are soulmates. It starts off the main characters mom leaving them and having to be on their own. Their neighbor Joel has been in love with Hazel since he was a boy. The story goes through their lives until the age of 19 and what is next for them

Title: Our Kept Hearts
Author: Tennille Marie
Publisher: Purple Iris Printing, LLC
Pub date: 11/30/2023

This is the first book in the Waldron Hearts series that takes place in the 1950s -1960s. You will be taken on the journey of sisters, Hazel and Ruthie, along with their neighbor Joel. They meet as young children and form bonds that help them to grow and deal with the cards they’ve been dealt. Our Kept Hearts is also a small town America story filled with youthful innocence and family drama.

This book broke my heart, made me laugh and filled me with hope that people still believe in friendships that feel like family and the importance of family bonds to overcome that which might just break us.

Thank you #NetGalley and #PurpleIrisPrinting for the opportunity to read such a moving story.

A heartwarming coming-of-age debut novel that transports the reader to 1953 Arkansas. The story tugs at your heart, celebrates the human spirit and reminds us that love and connection endure.
Many thanks to Purple Iris and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

This was a perfect book to read on a snowy January day. One feels compassion for the teenager growing up in Arkansas in the 1950s and 60s. The characters show some real grit for surviving what life has given them and enjoying what they can. The emotions and storytelling were not subtle and a bit over the top, but a good story when you are in the right mood.

What a pleasant surprise this was! I absolutely loved this coming of age story and found myself eager to pick it back up and continue reading.

We start with Hazel and Ruthie as their mother leaves them on her quest for "more". Hazel knows it's not right for little girls to grow up without a mother. Meanwhile, Joel, the neighbor is living in a nightmare thanks to his drunk father. After a chance encounter these three characters grow to become family and we follow along as they navigate elementary, middle and high school. What will come after?

This is set in the 50's and 60's which is one of my favorite time periods to read about. Although there were some devastating circumstances, I found this book to be heartwarming and I devoured the whole thing. I seriously don't know how I'm going to be able to wait until November for the second book to come out!

This book has already been released and is also on Kindle Unlimited! Thank you NetGalley for my copy!

A lovely book that almost feels incomplete? I have so many questions about the history of the older characters. It felt like the entire book was leading up to a dramatic reveal but there was just nothing. I’m so confused and unsatisfied. I need to know everything!

What a story! I think high schoolers may well like this one. I found it remarkable in that some who suffered severe childhood abuse and another whose trauma came from a mother, were able to overcome despite the odds, scars, and mental anguish. I feel that this story sends a very positive message of hope and courage and of one that could help heal, although its not meant to be a counseling or therapy guide, I don't think. A very sweet romance infuses this work of fiction and has good, clean fun coupled with a faith-in-God based element. Also of note, this is a first in a series called the Waldron hearts Series.

~ Eunice C., Reviewer/Blogger ~

September 2023



Disclaimer: This is my honest opinion based on the complimentary review copy sent by NetGalley and the publisher.

I received an arc copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for my honest opinion of it. I so enjoyed this book and I can't wait to read more by this author. The book starts off with two sisters (Hazel and Ruthie) watching their mom get in her car and leave them. They grew up with their dad and soon made friends with Joel. The book is told in parts by Hazel, Ruthie and Joel as they were growing up. I really enjoyed it and highly recommend.

3.75

I received this from Netgalley.com.

A very sweet and tender coming of age story set in the U.S post WW2. Appropriate for young teens.

Coming-of-age stories are one of my favorite types to read, and Our Kept Hearts was no exception. The characters really tugged at my heartstrings. I am so glad to see this is the first in a series. I will be eagerly waiting to read the next one. Thanks to NetGalley, Purple Iris Printing and the author for an advance copy to read and review.

Thanks to Netgalley for a preview of this book. I would give 4.5 stars. It’s heartwarming light read, which was what the doctor ordered. The characters were compelling and the plot was good. I think the one thing that it could’ve benefitted from was a little more historical grounding. Some of it came later on with details of the Cold War. I loved that and wanted more of that.

Wow! This book is stunning. Well written, this book makes you feel. Hazel and Ruthie, 9 and 7, are trying to cope after their mother leaves. Up the hill from their house is Joel's house, who is 10 years old, is trying to survive his alcoholic father who is physically abusive. Read to find out how their lives intersect. This is a coming of age book. I highly recommend! 5 stars! Coming out Nov. 30, 2023.

Many thanks to Net Galley and Purple Iris Printing LLC for an audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Set in small town Arkansas in the 1950s, this is a story with a big heart. When their mother leaves young Hazel and her younger sister Ruthie in search of something better, 9 year old Hazel is especially devastated, knowing that this will be a bitter blow for the two of them to overcome.

Meanwhile, Joel struggles to survive life with his unpredictable father, who has alcohol problems. Curious about the two little girls living in the woods, who are so often left to fend for themselves while their father is out working, the three children eventually establish an unbreakable bond.

Set over a decade against the background of the Cuban Missile Crisis, this is a story memorable for its emotion and authenticity. We accompany the characters through seminal events in their lives, including the stirrings of first love, as well as the other challenges of growing up with unstable or absent parents. Definitely worth a read for those who enjoy coming of stories, in particular. It gets 3.5 stars.

Our Kept Hearts is the debut book by Tennille Marie and is book one in a series. This is a historical story that feels mostly slice of life with a few dramatic moments and a sweet romance woven through.

This follows Hazel and Ruthie, two sisters that have recently had their mother walk out on them. Left with only their father, the two have to learn how to grow up without a mother figure. The neighbor kid, Joel, stumbles upon them one day and the three grow into close friends. We follow them as they grow into young adults.

This story was very enchanting. I think the writing style made it feel very immersive. The late fifties/early sixties vibes gave the characters such a quaint feeling. All three children have to learn how to grow up in a heartbreaking way but especially Joel. My heart hurt for him at the beginning. I loved watching the characters grow over time. We get snapshots of them as they get older and it was always nice to see them doing well.

There are some suspenseful moments sprinkled through the book that help with the pace and it never felt slow. I’m excited to see where this series goes from here! This is a book that would make an excellent palette cleanser after something heavy or if you just want something that feels wholesome. This book felt like going to an old style ice cream bar and listening to some fifties music while enjoying a vanilla cone.

Oh My! This book is absolutely amazing. I did not want to put it down once I started reading it, but unfortunately I had to work. Tennille Marie is a new to me author and I will definitely be on the lookout for more of her books. I give it 5+ stars for sure and recommend it to other readers.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. All words are my own.

I received this book as a Netgalley read from the publisher. I absolutely loved this coming of age story by Tennille Marie. It was one of those beautiful stories written with so much heart and love. Her characters were so honest and real. I was totally memorized right from the beginning. She did an amazing job of making her characters relatable to everyday life, yet also giving each one of them incredible depth. It was an unforgettable story about friendship, family, and everlasting love. I would recommend it to anyone who loves a heartfelt story about first and forever love.

A really captivating coming of age in the deep south tale. The characters were fleshed out and felt real. Cant wait for the next book