A Heart Most Worthy

A Heart Most Worthy. Siri Mitchell. 2011. Bethany House. 384 pages.

On May 2, 1918, a short article appeared in the Boston Globe. It was only three sentences long; not an article really. Just a mention. It appeared on page twenty-four on the outside column, where most people hold onto a newspaper. I'm sure you wouldn't be very surprised to know that few people noticed it as they read the paper that morning and several people smeared jam on it as they turned the page. Only a very few read it. 

A Heart Most Worthy is the story of four women whose lives touch in Madame Fortier's dress shop. There is Madame Fortier herself, a woman with more than a few secrets. Then there are her three Italian assistants: each one quite different from the others.

Julietta Giordano, a young woman attracted to bad boys, a woman who should know better, but is content to live life in the moment--and oh the fun moments that can be stolen when she's away from her parents' watchful eyes. Her bad boy of the moment is Angelo Moretti, but he may be more than she can handle. 

Annamaria Rossi, a dutiful oldest daughter, a woman as obedient as can be on the outside, but on the inside she's longing to rebel. For what Annamaria wants more than anything is a life of her own, a family of her own. She's been told, been taught, that she cannot marry until her parents have died. For as the oldest, it is her job, her duty, her privilege, to care for her parents as long as they live. Why does she have to be the only responsible one in the family? So when she falls in love--with the boy from the wrong side of the street--she'll have a difficult choice to make!

Luciana Conti offers the most drama perhaps. For her father was murdered, and she knows his murderer, and he too has settled in Boston! Her life could be at danger if he discovers that she is there. She finds refuge in her work--for it is the first time she's had to work--what she didn't expect was to fall in love with one of the client's sons!

I loved this one. I just absolutely LOVED it. I loved each of our heroines. I enjoyed the three young narrators very much. While there were some dramatic moments, there were plenty of lighter moments as well. Moments that were sweet and satisfying and oh-so-right. (Personally, I loved Annamaria's romance the best. I loved how she fell for the boy on the wrong side of the street, a Sicilian shopkeeper's son, Rafaello Zanfini. I loved watching this romance blossom. It was just wonderful!!!) I also enjoyed learning more about Madame Fortier--a woman with a sad past doing the best she can.

I thought the book worked really well. I found it fascinating and satisfying. I would definitely recommend this one!!!

© 2011 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews