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Review: Love Pact with the Hero - Heroes of Freedom Ridge #2

Love Pact with the Hero book cover on blue background

After finishing the first book in the Heroes of Freedom Ridge series, I immediately started Liwen Y. Ho's book, Love Pact with the Hero, and have enjoyed it as much as all of her other amazing books.

Book Synopsis

Two best friends. One little girl’s prayers. And a love pact that may be the answer to all of their Christmas wishes.

Haven Alexander used to believe in happy ever afters—before she lost her husband and became a single mom. These days, she keeps herself busy as the event planner at Freedom Ridge Lodge, helping to make other couples’ dreams come true. Her other job? Humoring Miah, her spunky three-year-old daughter, who has a dream of her own: finding herself a daddy. This task proves challenging, though, when Miah sets her sights on Haven’s childhood friend who comes home for a visit.

Jeremiah Gilbert left Freedom a dozen years ago with a bad reputation and an even worse regret: not confessing his love for his best friend, Haven. He has returned, however, older and wiser, and ready to rekindle their friendship—and more. There’s a promise on the line, one they made in high school, that he longs to fulfill. Winning over her daughter, Miah, is easy, but helping to heal Haven’s broken heart proves to be nearly impossible.

When Miah gets into a dangerous situation, these old friends must put the past behind them and find new ways to trust in each other and in the One able to meet their deepest needs.

Source: Amazon

Book Thoughts

This book has all the tropes (best friend's brother, love pact, second chances), but weaves them together in such a redemptive and sweet story that has been developing in the characters' lives since junior high school. The premise of receiving future-dated promises is the catalyst for a life-changing journey for Jeremiah and Haven (and Miah!). The element of faith in Love Pact with the Hero is touching, with characters going through what it looks like to trust in God when life brings valleys and peaks. I appreciated the persistent nature of the hero, who in a way exemplifies God's love and patience towards us. It is ironic that Jeremiah exhibits so much grace toward Haven, yet doesn't see that he needs the same message himself. Seeing these two characters better understand themselves and who God is makes this book richly rewarding to read.

One of the other things I have appreciated about Liwen's writing is just how well she captures emotions as vividly as she does. This makes her characters extremely relatable and easy to empathize with when reading, even from a three-year old or a military hero's perspective. The way she can get into each character's mind is astounding and is something that I look forward to in all of her novels. (And just for fun, I think there's a cameo in there from her family 🐶!)

Book Summary

  • Format of book: 📱
  • Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
  • Recommendation: 👍

Book Quotes

As she was about to stand up, though, an urge pricked her heart and made her gasp. How could she have forgotten to pray? There was nothing more important than asking God for help. She may have lived for years without acknowledging Him, but not anymore.
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