My Foolish Heart (Deep Haven)

Susan May Warren
Tyndale House Publishers (2011)
ISBN 9781414334820
Reviewed by Tiffany Schlarman for Reader Views (3/11)

 

Issy, who is traumatized from her parents’ fatal car crash, suffers from anxiety attacks which keep her locked inside her home. By day she is Deep Haven’s saddest reminder of the horrible tragedy those many years ago. By night, unknown to her town, she is Miss Foolish Heart, the nationally syndicated radio talk show host. Through her show, Issy gives advice on dating and love though her listeners are unaware she has no experience in either of them. When Boy Next Door calls in to Issy’s show, her declining ratings soar and Issy starts falling for her unknown caller. What she doesn’t realize is that the caller lives closer than she thinks.

When Caleb Knight left Iraq, he swore he’d fulfill his dreams of coaching football without the pity of his injury which disabled him. But, how can you coach football with a secret prosthetic leg? When Caleb arrives in Deep Haven, he knows this is where he is meant to be. Unfortunately, he is now in competition with home town hero, Seb Brewster, for the position of coach. In addition to all of this, Caleb is falling in love with his beautiful neighbor and Miss Foolish Heart, whom he called to seek advice in wooing his neighbor. Confused and hopeful, Caleb must decide who his perfect love in the midst of his own personal battles.

“My Foolish Heart” was an enjoyable, easy read. The story is full of small town charm. Issy’s personal tragedy has deeply affected the small town of Deep Haven and quite honestly, everyone needs healing. The characters are well developed, which is good because there are many to follow.

The first part of this book was a little overwhelming. There is a lot of drama and back story mixed with the introduction of quite a few key characters that bombard the reader. Once the necessary back story is told and introductions are made, the middle section of the book calms the story down and focuses on Issy and Caleb’s budding romance. The last section of the book picks right back up where the beginning left off and ties all the characters together, wrapping up the loose ends of the stories that began earlier in the book.

For having so much story and information the author does a wonderful job of clearly telling the story for the reader. However, the story was not realistic for me. It was like watching a “made for TV” Hallmark movie, the kind that suck you in and leave you with a goofy smile on your face by the end. Just as I do with the movies, I felt I should be able to tear myself away from this book, but instead found myself reading more to find out what happens to the characters in the end. In the end I was left with and enjoyable read, albeit a little corny, predictable and unrealistic. I did find myself rooting for the characters. Each has so much paid to overcome; you can’t help but wish the best for them.

Overall, the book had likeable characters, interesting story, small-town charm and football. It was predictable, enticing and a fairly average read. I would recommend this title for those looking for a lightweight, carefree read. “My Foolish Heart” has the ability to put that goofy smile on your face which is always good.

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