About the Book

Book: A Worthy Heart

Author: Sara Beth Williams

Genre: Christian Contemporary Romance

Release date: January 9, 2019

Joel Bennett has always known Serena Hayes as his sister’s gregarious best friend. In the three years since Lacey began college, Serena became a regular houseguest, but lately, she’s absent more than not. When Joel discovers she’s in an abusive relationship, protectiveness from within roars to life.

With only a part-time job to support her and nowhere to go, Serena fears leaving her current relationship would jeopardize her chances of graduating college. After a brutal attack leaves her no choice, she courageously moves out. On her journey toward regaining confidence, self-worth, and independence, Joel falls in beside her, encouraging her. The way he emulates Godly love and compassion draws her close–not just to him, but to the God who can satisfy her longing for love better than any man,

Attraction sizzles between them, but events from their pasts cast shadows of doubt. When the unthinkable happens, can Serena open her heart to a second chance at love, or is she destined to be alone?

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About the Author

Sara Beth Williams is a wife, mother of two daughters, and temporary caretaker of a lovable old lady pit and a spunky Pomeranian-Shih Tzu mix. She lives in Northern California. When she’s not held hostage by the keyboard, she enjoys music, teaching, reading and spending time with her family. She is all about connecting with readers! Find her on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Goodreads, Bookbub and AllAuthor.

More from Sara Beth

Can I tell you a secret? When writing a new manuscript, book titles for me either come immediately, or they take years – literally – to develop into something catchy and strong. A Worthy Heart came to me almost immediately. I had no hesitation, because I knew what I wanted the story’s message to be.

Whereas the titles for my first and third book took over a year of going back and forth, with much indecision, A Worthy Heart resonated perfection.

What do you think makes a strong, unique title? I love titles with double meanings. I felt like A Worthy Heart truly captured both the romantic feel of the storyline, and the spiritual message of the storyline simultaneously. And I absolutely love when that happens!

I truly hope you enjoy Joel and Serena’s story, and I hope you can decipher both meanings in the title. More than that, I hope you take those three words to heart, because those three words are exactly what God believes about every single one of you.

Happy reading,

Sara Beth Williams

MY REVIEW

Serena is very focused on graduating from college and finding a job. Her boyfriend Chris seemed nice but deep down he is an angry person. I didn’t like him at all. When he emotionally and physically abuses her, I knew she needed to leave. Serena is afraid to tell anyone and that traps her in a relationship that is dangerous. I liked that the setting was campus life. It gives an insight to what college students go through. Serena has a full load and I think at times she was trying to overachieve. Deep down she is looking for approval and it causes her to make wrong choices.

When she shows up at her best friends place bruised and bloody that is the turning point in the story. I loved Lacey and her brother Joel. They are great for Serena and their compassion helps guide Serena to rethink her relationship. There is a good faith element in the story which illustrates the importance of listening to God. Joel was a good character but his anger is something that bothered me. He has carried around this attitude about his father for a long time. At some point Joel will have to face his father before he can really be happy.

This is not your typical feel good young adult story. It tackles tough subjects and the author does not hold back from showing the seriousness of abuse. People say all the time they don’t understand why the victim doesn’t leave. Sometimes they have no where to go, are afraid for their safety and have the idea that it will get better. Serena is an example of how God protects us and as we listen to Him, He directs our path. The lessons on forgiveness, trusting God and believing in yourself are fully represented in the story. I liked the ending and thought the author did a great job of directing readers to never give up.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.