Taking Heart (Healing Harts, #2)

by T. J. Kline

[kimbacaffeinate]

Taking Heart works wonderfully as a standalone and it appears each book focuses on a Hart sibling. Julia Hart trains therapy dogs a career that is helping her overcome her own issues. Dylan is a former solider, who suffers from PTSD, and has been living with his younger brother since his discharge. Between recovering from his scars, overcoming a pain medication addiction, and dealing with his flashbacks, Dylan is in a bad place. For his brother’s sake, he agrees to give dog therapy a chance, and what he finds may give him the life he thought he had lost.

While at times this was a little insta-lovey, Kline had me connecting to both Julia and Dylan. You could feel the sparks between them, and I loved the way they opened up and shared about their past. I felt the author did a fine job of highlighting the effects of PTSD and the helplessness iof the victim and those around them. I am glad the author drew attention to the use of animals for therapy and the impact they have on the patient. Kline weaves humor, banter and delicious heat into their story and I quickly became caught up in wanting them to get their happily-ever-after.

Taking Heart also delivers some suspense as Julia’s past brings danger making Taking Heart a romantic suspense. It accomplished a few things such as driving the two together and forcing both of them to face their issues head on. All of which pulled at my heartstrings. The last one-third of the book had me flipping the pages at a maddening rate as the outside world melted away.

The dogs in the story had a strong presence and added tender moments and humor from hogging the bed to alerting them to danger. Kline did such a great job of sharing how these dogs aid PTSD victims, assist in finding missing persons and why everyone should own a furry friend. I love that they made me laugh. Kline obviously has pets because she nailed the humor of daily life with animals.

We meet other Hart siblings in Taking Heart, and I love the family interaction. After meeting the couple from Heart's Desire, I know I will need to go back and read their story, just as I know I will pick up Close to Heart, next book in the Healing Harts series.

Copy provided publisher. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Book Reviewer