Harold Jonquil and Sarah Sarvol had a teenage romance which came to nothing. When she returns from America six years later, she finds Harold aloof and distant, so she challenges him to a “vicar’s competition” to see who are best at helping parishioners. Harold is struggling with secret passions and interests not normally associated with a vicar, while Sarah has her very own problems keeping her from him.

The Heart of a Vicar is the sixth installment in The Jonquil Brothers series by Sarah M. Eden, published by Covenant Communications. The story is set in Nottinghamshire, England 1816 and is about Harold Jonquil, second youngest of the Jonquil brothers who each have their own books. He has secret passions and interests not associated with a vicar. He feels not up to the job and considers leaving the profession. Sarah Sarvol had a very close relationship with Harold as a teenager, but Harold ended it to go to Cambridge leaving them both heartbroken.
Six years later she has returned and they get to spend time together and rekindle their friendship, which opens both their eyes and their hearts.

Main character Harold Jonquil is secretly prone to a bit of silliness with a hobby of climbing and singing drinking shanties. He seems like a well rounded type of character who would fit in well in today’s society. I feel sorry for him when trying to present what he thinks is the perfect “vicar’s act”.

Supporting character Dowager Countess of Lambton, Mater, is Harold’s mother. She is a reoccurring character in all books in this series. She is wise, kind and caring. I find her impressive as she seems the perfect confidant and go-to person for anyone in need of advice. She is my favorite in this story.

I read The Heart of a Vicar as a standalone which worked perfectly. It was beautifully written in the signature bantering dialogue found in all books I have read by Sarah M. Eden. The character building was fabulous as Harold and Sarah felt like friends

Some major research must have been done to write the detailed descriptions of the climbing sport in the 1800s. I found it fascinating to learn about the thought process and feeling of climbing. With this story I learned more about what clerical duties really entail apart from sermons in church.

The part of the story I enjoyed the most was descriptions of the local village fair. Good natured entertainment with the purpose of raising money for charity.
My least favorite part was the descriptions of Sarah’s uncle Sarvol, who seemed a difficult and unkind person directing his anger towards innocent people.

Fans of Sarah M. Eden will love The Heart of a Vicar. As will readers of historical romance fiction because of the unique plot and the light hearted signature writing. Similar authors to explore might be Esther Hatch and Anita Stansfield.

Conclusion: This is another unique story in the beautiful and light hearted writing of Sarah M. Eden. Vicar Harold is charmingly different from his older brothers in both profession and character, which gives us an exciting and different story. I can’t wait to read the last installment in the series about the youngest Jonquil brother.

Rating: 5 stars/ 5
Main reasons: unique plot, light hearted writing, fabulous character building