This book had me highlighting and screenshotting so many pages and passages. It's best described as a patchwork of stories all united under the theme of Jesus's Sacred Heart and His love for us.

I appreciate how Goldstein took care to discuss a diverse set of people who lived across centuries and came from all walks of life, from well-known Saints like Augustine to the story of Servant of God Julia Greeley, a Black American woman who lived in the late 19th century. For every person who I was familiar with, there was one whose life I knew nothing about (and I am saying this as a lifelong Catholic who now works in the church).

In this short but powerful book, Dawn Eden Goldstein presents an introduction to the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus that is both thorough and beautiful for a longtime devotee of the practice or for a newcomer. She approaches this devotion by following approximately 12 holy people over the course of 8 chapters and their own devotions to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Ms. Goldstein’s study of the devotion of the Sacred Heart is at once historically situated while also deeply personal. I truly appreciated how she placed each holy person contextually within their historical period to give a deeper understanding of how their understanding of the devotion fit into the greater development of the devotion within the Catholic Church. At the same time, each person she covered also felt very real and I learned a great deal of new things about the holy people – many of whom are Saints – I thought I already knew quite well.

This is a book that I would certainly recommend to any person who is looking to gain deeper understanding of the history of and the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Many thanks to Dawn Eden Goldstein, Loyola Press, and NetGalley for an ARC copy of this novel. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

A necessary read for anyone devoted to The Sacred Heart.

This book was a fairly quick read, although I read it in portions to be able to reflect on each chapter. As someone who has had a devotion to the Sacred Heart, I was still able to obtain a lot of information and reflection out of this book. From the history of the devotion before the time of St. Margaret Mary to even present day devotees, the devotion and what it has meant in Saints, Blesseds and everyday Lay people is explored.

The Sacred Heart by Dawn Eden Goldstein is a book that explores the devotion of the Sacred Heart and the saints and figures who displayed this love through their own lives.

Each chapter looks at the contributions of many saints and figures within the Catholic Church to the devotion of the Sacred Heart and how we can best practice what they taught in our own lives. I wasn't familiar with some of these figures, so I found the book to be very insightful. Feeling the love of Jesus and how it transforms the lives of many is the focus of this book. Inspirational and heartfelt, a good book for those needing to be reminded of the power of love.

The Sacred Heart is an insightful and inspirational read. Dawn Eden Goldstein explores the history of the Sacred Heart. Rather than a dry recitation of historical facts, she recounts the history through the lives of various saints. I really enjoyed the insightful, personal reflections through their eyes. I found it to be practical, relatable, and memorable. It was easy enough to understand on first pass and deep enough to encourage return reads and thoughtful processing.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher and all opinions expressed are solely my own, freely given.

I have been fascinated by the Sacred Heart of Jesus for a long time. The devotion has captured my imagination and I try to devote the month of June to prayer to appeal to Jesus' heart.

Dr. Dawn Eden Goldstein, a former rock 'n' roll journalist, has presented an exquisite portrait of this beloved devotion in her new book, The Sacred Heart: A Love for All Times.

Dr. Goldstein offers a fresh look at the Sacred Heart, drawing on insights from saints ranging from St. Margaret Mary Alocoque to St. Faustina Kowalska. Her musings make me want to devote myself even more fervently to Jesus' heart.

The author offers these encouraging words to her readers:

"As you read this book, my prayer is that, whatever you may feel or not feel, you will discover that, in the words Lucia of Fatima reported hearing from an angel, 'the Hearts of Jesus and Mary are attentive to your supplications.'"

If you long for a closer relationship to the Lord, please consider adding The Sacred Heart: A Love for All Times to your bookshelf. You may just be amazed at the transformations in your life when you devote yourself to the Sacred Heart.

This was a great book! I found it to be very informative. The writing was easy to read and you can tell the author really researched everything. I learned a lot! A big thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the arc!

A wonderful book for anyone looking to connect to Jesus. As a Christian, the importance of spiritual aids to further your journey and connection is imperative! This definitely helped me grow closer into my spirituality and devotion.