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Reviewed by Jennifer Senick for Readers' Favorite
How does one woman find purpose after heartbreak? This question is at the heart of The Cold Heart of War by Juliann Dorell. The story begins just before the Civil War, and centers on Beatrice Bradley, a strong-willed, thoughtful woman dealing with personal loss while the country edges toward conflict. As tensions over slavery rise, she and her sister Kathryn become associated with a group that helps travelers heading toward Canada. The novel traces key moments in the sisters’ lives, from family changes to relationships, illness, and rising unrest. Along the way, readers meet a range of characters, like Tessa, the Bradleys’ cousin, local healers, Mary and her son Tom, and the new town doctor, Bradford Phillips, all affected in different ways by the changing times. When the war between the states begins and unfolds, life on both the battlefield and the home front shows how people are shaped by loss, duty, and survival. Will the choices Beatrice makes lead her toward healing or more heartbreak? And will she ever find lasting love?
Once I began reading The Cold Heart of War by Juliann Dorell, I couldn’t put it down until I was finished. I was quickly pulled in by the character of Beatrice. I truly admired how she remained strong even after all she went through. The writing is steady and easy to understand. The quiet moments, like Mary helping someone heal, balanced well with the more chaotic ones. The other people in the novel felt real, and it was easy to connect to them. Some parts of the story were heavy, but they added depth and meaning. Overall, this was a very enjoyable read. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a historical novel, especially one set during the Civil War. Abraham Lincoln once said, “In the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.” And that’s the theme that shapes this wonderful tale.
