Heartland (True North, #7)

by Sarina Bowen

An emotional friends to lovers romance full of risky secrets and late-night lessons in seduction.

Dylan is my best friend, and the only person in my life who understands me. He doesn’t mind my social awkwardness or my weird history. The only glitch? He doesn’t know that I’ve been hopelessly, desperately in love with him since the first day we picked apples together in his family’s orchard.

But I know better than to confess.

Now that I’ve joined him at college, I’m seeing a new side of him. This Dylan drinks and has a lot of sex. None of it with me.

Until the moment I foolishly ask him to tutor me in more than algebra…and he actually says yes.

One crazy night sets our friendship on fire. But now my heart lies in ashes, and nothing will ever be the same again.

Heartland is a standalone college romance set in the True North world. Expect: a young, broody farmer, a giant crush, tasty caramels, cute goats and late night confessions.

• ISBN10: 1942444982
• ISBN13: 9781942444985
• Publish Date: 27 January 2020
• Publish Status: Unknown
• Imprint: Tuxbury Publishing LLC
• Format: Paperback (US Trade)
• Pages: 296
• Language: English

Reviews

[Romance Schmomance]

I've been in a book slump for the last couple of weeks and thank goodness, Heartland brought me out of it! I stayed up way too late and devoured every single page between Dylan and Chasity. Heartland was the perfect friends-to-lovers read that I absolutely needed.
One of my favorite things about this one was the amazing friendship that Dylan and Chas had. It was just so sweet and endearing reading about their relationship. Obviously my heart was breaking for Chas because of her unrequited love with Dylan. But deep down, we alllll know that Dylan had feelings for Chasity, he was just never in the position to really think them over.

CHECK OUT THE REST OF MY REVIEW | HERE

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[thebookdisciple]

Head back to Vermont in Heartland by Sarina Bowen! This friends to lovers story will hit you in the feels for sure. First, I love characters who escape from a cult. Chastity is one of those characters and I loved her. She is awkward and unsure about the world around her. 

Dylan is clueless about Chastity's feelings. He is also kind of a manwhore who has horrible taste. But, he is sweet to Chastity. They start this caramel business together and they spend a lot of time together. The romance is slow burn; I think this was perfect for their story! Dylan needed some time to mature a bit from a narcissistic person to one who was honest and real with his feelings. Dylan has to tread carefully with Chastity due to her past. My heart hurt for Chastity at times because she wanted Dylan so badly and he was kind of oblivious. Also, Kaitlyn is a horrible person. However, I do know that girls like her exist at college and they seem to get self affirmation from tearing others down. I loved Chastity so much I wanted to throat punch Kaitlyn. Repeatedly. 

If you like the slow burn of a friends to lovers romance, Heartland will be your catnip! Bowen writes such wonderful characters that you feel they are your friends. I love this series and each story brings you something special. 

[whisperingchapters]

True North series will always be one of my favorites! I love the Shipley family so much. At this point, every time a new book comes out, it's like coming home.

Let's face it, this is how I'll always see Dylan--at a distance greater than I wish for.



We were introduced to Chastity in Keepsake as the girl who had kissed a boy and got punished for it. Because of this, no man in the compound wanted her. Thankfully, she was able to escape and made her way to Isaac and Leah's farm, neighbors to the Shipley family.

This is where she meets Dylan, who later becomes her best friend. What Dylan doesn't know is that Chastity likes him and it pains her to know the Dylan at college (very different to the Dylan at home). This college Dylan is all about the partying, girls, weed, booze, etc. And unfortunately, he sees her as a little girl who needs protecting from the world.

This friends-to-lovers story was so sweet! Being able to see Chastity slowly develop throughout the story was endearing. I loved that she came out of her shell and befriended quite a few people. I loved her determination to keep moving forward with her college classes, especially math.

Dylan was so oblivious when it came Chastity. Honestly, it was almost right there under his nose and he wouldn't pick it up. I wanted to kill him for his choice in the girl he was dating, because he could see how badly she treated Chastity and he still dated her. He needed a good smacking up the head.

I've always wanted Dylan. Always. I still want him, only now he knows about it.

Dylan was a character that despite his flaws, I loved. His devotion to his family is wonderful and his devotion to his goats is silly, but so cute and adorable!

Even though we know Chastity and Dylan are friends, I loved how the author introduced even more of their friendship to the story. We weren't just told they were friends, we were shown, and it was probably one of my favorite things of the story.

They decided to start a business together making caramel candy, and it's through this that they grow even closer together. Their friendship and business hit a bump, a very hot and sexy bump, but the way they resolved things was great. I do wish the ending hadn't been so rushed, or at least that's how it felt like to me.

In my heart I've always been a rebel. It's just that my infrequent attempts to stir things up usually end in disaster.

The romance between Dylan and Chastity flowed smoothly, which I was grateful for. It's during this that we see how much Dylan truly cares for Chastity, how loving and caring he is towards her.

Kissing her makes me feel wild.

Overall, Heartland is a very sweet and swoony romance and a great addition to this amazing series!

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[Linda]

*I received a free copy of Heartland. This has in no way influenced my voluntary review which is honest and unbiased.*

Bowen always, always manages to pull at my heartstrings - and the True North series does this even more than her other series! Heartland did that, and a lot more. The story is very well written, and Chastity just made my heart both gooey and achy at the same time.

FRC

[Rowena]

This was a cute romance. I adored Dylan and Chass. Goodness, I love this series!

[stacey_is_sassy]

I admit, I cried a time or two…

I’m in Australia and as you would know; the bushfires are really bad at the moment. People have died, been injured and lost their homes. A LOT of animals have died, and more will lose their lives and their habitat. There is even talk that some animals may become extinct. These are all things that are devastating.

BUT

They’re a step away from my reality. At the moment, I’m safely sitting in my house in suburbia with my air-conditioning keeping me cool. I feel guilty because my life is easy and I’m living my best life. Sure, I’ve donated my money to the cause, but it never feels like enough. People have died and I’m happily reading in comfort.

Reading Heartland gives me that same guilt for feeling happy in my life. Chastity’s character ran away from a cult that she was physically and mentally abused in. I know these things are happening out in the world and it’s devastating that we can’t stop it forever.

BUT

Again, they’re a step away from my reality.


**********************


I did not mean for this to be a gloomy review because I really, really enjoyed reading Heartland. I absolutely loved the way Sarina Bowen brought Chastity to life for me. Her strength and courage were admirable showing resilience to move on from her horrible past. Dylan was also a character I came to love. Honestly, he was a little hard to take at first, but like most men, there was an underlying reason why he was a little shallow and self-absorbed.

Again, I’m going to be honest with you… I wasn’t sure I was in the mood for a New Adult – College when I first started. In true Sarina Bowen fashion, she changed my mind and within a few chapters, I was loving it. Yes, there was the nasty girlfriend, too much alcohol and recklessness, but the characters were a good bunch, generally. Dylan was all about the partying but still returned home early on Saturday morning to help on the farm. Dylan’s friends weren’t trying to lead him astray (he did that to himself) and were supportive when he needed their help. I loved that it wasn’t all about the partying.

One of my very favourite things was how the author shared some of Chastity’s past. We get details without having to go back and “live” them. I know how she got out of the cult, what she had survived while living there, and how she ended up in Vermont. That is exactly how I like my backstory told to me.

The love story between Chastity and Dylan was not an easy one. Unrequited love is hard to witness, and I shed a tear or two as Chastity struggled with her feelings for Dylan. At the same time, besides Dylan’s fear of commitment, he also must be careful with Chastity because of her past. Her sexual innocence, lack of knowledge, and the brainwashing she previously faced means every step must be carefully considered. Communication was paramount to their success and Chastity’s willingness to learn helped as well.

I love the True North series and Heartland was an excellent addition. I have a feeling I know who is up next and I can’t wait. I really, REALLY need to know about his past, her past and their past. Fingers crossed I’m correct.

Stacey is Sassy, received an advanced copy of this story. The copy provided is not the final copy and may be subject to edits and changes.