At first I didn't think I would have time to read the copy of "I'll Know You By Heart" that Valor Publishing sent me. Life as usual was crazy. However, once I opened the book it was very hard to put down.Kimberly Job in her debut novel about a woman escaping the chains of an abusive marriage and seeking the faith to love again, has managed to tell an eerily true tale of pain, despair, courage and true love.
I found that the story and characters were interesting and I didn't want to leave them hanging in uncertainty so I plowed through the pages rapidly.
In the novel, Stephanie finds the courage to stand up to her abusive husband and leave him to protect their children from his rage. In the course of caring for her children she meets a widower, Jared Wakefield, also a single parent. Circumstances bring them together often and through the story we get to see not only Stephanie and Jared and Mark work through their individual problems, but several important secondary characters as well.
The experiences in this story were so authentic I truly began to think about the author as much as the character. She has captured so much of the self doubt and inner courage of her main character that it made me wish to meet the author.
This novel is not for everyone. The scenes of domestic violence are tastefully crafted, but retain intense truth. For some the subject may be a tender one and those readers should be aware of the nature of the story.
Also the idealism and heroic qualities of the main characters are a very idyllic. The heroes are heroes. Don't expect to find many flaws in them.
The antagonist is more realistic. He is very complex and at times I even found glimpses of compassion for the jerk. Be prepared to meet a real flesh and blood vulnerable, irrational bad guy in this romance.
Overall, I enjoyed the story and feel that it is an important novel for the LDS fiction world. Spousal abuse is never an easy topic, but Kimberly has handled it well. Hope, faith, love and courage are all themes that radiate through the novel and may at times bring tears to your eyes as strong characters collide in the trials of their lives.
To get a copy of the book (click here)
