Love's Fortress by Jennifer Uhlarik Review

 Happy Friday Friends :)

I pray today finds you all doing well, and I want to thank you all for joining me for another book review here on The Preppy Book Princess.

If you've followed my blog much the past year, then you'd probably be well aware of my love for the Doors to the Past series.

This multi author series has been such a pleasant surprise for me, and I've honestly enjoyed each title I've read from it.

In today's review I'm going to be sharing with you all my thoughts and opinions of the upcoming seventh book in the series. So stay tuned and keep reading below for my full review.

Love's Fortress by Jennifer Uhlarik:

Source: Publisher via NetGalley

Publisher: Barbour

Publication Date: March 1st, 2022

Genre: Christian Fiction/Historical Fiction/Contemporary/Timeslip

Series: Doors to the Past

Synopsis:

An Epic Love Story From the Past Brings Closure to Dani’s Fractured Family Roots

​Walk through Doors to the Past via a series of historical stories of romance and adventure.

Upon receiving word that her long-estranged father has passed away, Dani Sango inherits the former art forger’s entire estate. Among his many pieces of artwork are a series of obviously Native American drawings and paintings, which lead her to research St. Augustine of 1875. White Elk is transported to Florida to join other Cheyenne braves already being held in Fort Marion. Sally Jo Harris is at the fort teaching the Indians. When a friendship develops between them and false accusations fly, it could cost them their lives. Can Dani discover how their story ends and how it shaped her own father’s life?

(synopsis from goodreads)

My Review:

I have to be honest that when I first started reading Love's Fortress, I hesitantly thought it was going to be the rare title from the Doors to the Past series that I wasn't going to love. Jennifer Uhlarik was a new to me author, and I just couldn't seem to get invested into the developing story. However, as the story moved forward, I was proven wrong. I ended up adoring this heartfelt tale that speaks of past tragedies and present grace, and found it truly unlike anything I'd ever read before.

I was most impressed with how character driven the entire story was, and even when I struggled with not finding the plot too interesting at the beginning of the story, the characters kept bringing me back for more. In the past, Broken Bow, Luke and Sally Jo form a beautiful friendship as the three navigate treacherous waters amidst horrific conditions that have brought them all together in the first place. Broken Bow's faith journey is truly heart wrenching, and one of the most touching parts of the entire story. In the present day, Dani has recently lost her estranged father, and she's struggling to come to terms with all her feelings and the many things he's left behind. When a rare art find puts her into contact with a local museum curator, she finds her heart yearning for something more. As Dani and Brad navigate the situation her father left behind, and the custody situation facing Brad's niece Brynn who he's determined to give a better life than the one she's had so far, they'll soon discover that our Heavenly Father is always walking situations with us, no matter how hard they may seem.

While I honestly enjoyed all of the main characters and the growth and maturity they show throughout the story, my absolute favorite was Matty. As a chaplain to a local church and the best friend of her deceased father, Dani's at first hesitant to trust him, but that soon changes. I absolutely loved his overexuberant love for Jesus, and the way he goes to extreme lengths to help anyone in need he possibly can. He truly shown such a light for the Lord, and his character made this beautiful story even better.

I can't conclude my review of this one without mentioning how much the ending of the story blew me away. The plot twisted in ways I never saw coming, and demonstrated just how talented of a storyteller Jennifer Uhlarik truly is. 

Final Rating: 4/5.

Another wonderful installment from the Doors to the Past series, and a great first experience for me from this author.

Thanks so much to Barbour Publishing for allowing me to advance read and review this!

I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary advance reader copy of this novel from the publisher (Barbour) via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to give a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thanks so much for reading guys! Have a great weekend :)