Once in a while you read a book that grips your heart because you want to feel the love of sisters, kindness of others and caring of friends, that might be missing in your life. This story of Eden, Colorado, 1880, is a book that bring awareness of how wonderful it can be with love of family, as well as, love of that special person in your life. The lives of five sisters and the intensity of a man named Blake, will have you crying by Chapter 16. This storyline brings out innocence in young women along with the strength and stubbornness of their deceased father. At 71% of my kindle, I said, “my God this is a great book” and kept on reading. This book starts a new series and it is fantastic. I absolutely loved it!

Review: Heart of Eden is one of the best western historical reads that I’ve read in a while and rated a 5 star review. Fyffe is an author whose books I have read a time or two but they were a long time ago. I will be adding more of her books to my always growing TBR pile so I can rectify that in the future. I look forward to reading more books in the Colorado Hearts series and seeing how the lives unfold of the five Brinkman sisters and other characters I grew fond of.

When the story begins we are in Colorado in the 1880’s and it sets the stage of what is to come. We then switch to Philadelphia learning about the lives of the Brinkman sisters who live with their guardians whom we find out have been evil over the years even when their mother was alive and it only got worse once she died. When their mother took them from their father’s ranch many years before he always hoped that they would one day return and love the land as much as he does. Their lives were hard living with their guardians and they had no idea they had a loving father and a home back on their ranch in Colorado. As we get to know each of the sisters, little by little, we learn their personalities, their quirks and how they seem to be settling for what they have or are they? The characters have a depth to them that we learn a little bit at a time.

When they arrive in Colorado, due to the terms of their father’s will, things get interesting fast. It’s not all good since they are on the Colorado frontier with ranches, cowboys, lawlessness, small town life, small town businesses, horses and lots of doubts about what they’re doing there and whether they will return to Philadelphia or not. Blake, their new partner, is a font of knowledge about their lives but especially their father who they realize they never really knew from what little was said back home. None of them can get enough and neither could I. Blake and Belle hit it off since they are working together on the ranch but is it just friendship or is it more? She does have an almost fiance back in Philadelphia who was wimpy but also controlling and seemed to have his own agenda.

There are a lot of twists and turns to the story with multiple stories going on that tie nicely together as they are interwoven throughout. There are sad moments along with happy ones and lots of hard living. The descriptions of the land, the mountains, the town, the people, the businesses, the ranch and the animals were vivid and made me feel that I was there. There was some closure and a happily-ever-after in the offing but since this is the first book in Fyffe’s new series I know I’ll be back for more. I for one can’t wait!

I received an arc from Netgalley. I enjoyed this book immensely. Nice easy read with a HEA ending.

The five Brinkmann sisters were raised in Philadelphia when their mother carried them away from their father in Colorado. All their lives, they had believed that their father was a monster and wanted nothing to do with them. The Brinkmann's guardians had stolen the money that had been sent for their care and the letters their father had written and convinced them that he was no good and they wanted nothing to do with him. But, upon his death, they were invited to Eden, Colorado, for the reading of his will. They learned that no only was he not a monster, but he had great wealth that he only wanted to share with them and his foreman, Blake, who had been like a son to him for eighteen years.

There was a love story or two in the book, especially Belle and Blake's, that was endearing and sweet. There was drama, suspense, a kidnapping, several attempts at murder, but over all of that there was love and romance. This story was clean and sweet with no foul language and descriptions of sex. It was a beautiful story told with strong characters and beautiful scenery.

I was given an arc copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A wonderful start to a new series! I loved everything about it, from the characters that pop up from the page to the plot and pace. But what really stands out is the setting of this town of Eden and the wilds of Colorado.

The first happily ever after was that of Belle and Blake, and it was fun, engaging and sweet.

I am really looking forward to getting to know all the sisters and the men that will catch their heart.

Caroline Fyfe, bring them on!

Melanie for b2b

I never tire of going back in time with this author’s 1800 stories. This time we travel to Eden, Colorado and meet the Brinkman sisters. Their mother took them away from the Five Sisters Ranch and their father when they were very small. Now they are grown, and their father has died. In order to inherit his large cattle ranch and his other holdings in town, the 5 sisters must live on the ranch for at least six months. When they return to Eden they become reacquainted with Blake Harding, their father’s right had man, whom he always treated like a son. As they try to adapt to a place that is foreign to them they have to decide if they want to stay; however, there is evil people who want them gone.

I love the beginning of a new series, as it is so intriguing to learn the new characters, the town, and the beauty of a new setting. It is so exciting to get to know each character and their personalities and what they bring to the story. As you read you can envision the shops, streets and the people of Colorado, you can feel the heat as well as the cold, see the mountains, rives and even the windmills on the ranch as the author’s descriptions are so vivid. As the author lays down a new plot, the reader can feel with excitement the other stories that will come out of the first one. I fell in love with Blake right away as his character was open, honest and he didn’t “beat around the bush” with what was on his mind. He was strong, loyal and very protective of those he cared about. He was definitely a man’s man. All the sisters had my attention as it was fun getting to know each one and how they would grow from this experience. Heart of Eden was such a great story. The plot was really interesting, getting you turning pages to see what was going to happen next. Along with the romance and friendships there are some bad guys thrown in to make things a little a scary for the sisters! I thoroughly enjoyed Heart of Eden and look forward to the others in this series. Another hit for Mrs. Fyffe.

Thrilled with the start to this new series!!! The story line sucked me right in. Such a sweet premise. I adore each of the sisters and enjoy watching them learn and grow. Belle and Blake are perfect for each other. I enjoyed watching their relationship grow as they faced the trials dealt to them. I am looking forward to future books and can't wait to learn more about the people in Eden.

Heart of Eden is the first book in the Colorado Hearts series. Learning of the death of their estranged father, they had to leave Philadelphia to go to Eden, Colorado. When they get there they learn that what they told growing up was a lie. Now to inherit the ranch, they all have to live their for six months. Blake was their father's foreman, and he sees something in Belle. When danger comes knocking, will they be able to survive it and stay on the ranch? I really enjoyed this story, and I look forward to more in the series.

My first book by this author. Not the usual type of book i go for but it sounded interesting.

I really enjoyed the whole storyline and the era it was set in. The female characters were all good strong women. It has left me wondering how the other sisters stories go.

In this new series from Caroline Fyffe, the five Brinkman sisters travel from Philadelphia to Eden, Colorado for the reading of their father's last will and testament. It's a much different environment than Philadelphia, to say the least.

This story focuses on Belle Brinkman. Even though it would appear her future is in Philadelphia with her almost-betrothed, she's intrigued by what she finds in Colorado, and that includes her father's foreman, Blake. She's ready to take over the ranch and Blake is going to help her -- willingly or not.

I read quite a bit of contemporary romance and there are times I'm looking for something a bit different and I loved the historical content in this story. Heart of Eden does a good job of setting up the world for the future books in the series and I'm looking forward to the other sister's stories.

There were a few slow spots for me in this as well as some confusing point of view changes which kept me from ranking this book higher, but it was still an enjoyable read, especially if you are looking for something with an old western flare.

An ARC was provided for review.

Sandy M’s review of Heart of Eden (Colorado Hearts, Book 1) by Caroline Fyffe
Historical Romance published by Montlake Publishing 23 Jan 18

The American frontier is always truly portrayed when in the hands of Caroline Fyffe. She begins a new series with this book, giving readers characters who once again paved the way for those who came after them. While the real pioneers blazed trails, settled homesteads, and tamed the wild west, they were also made of sterner stuff to get through the adventurous and often difficult times ahead, passing such characteristics down to future generations. The Brinkman sisters are exactly like you would imagine any of your ancestors who came west were, when there were no guarantees for what they would find once their journey ended, only for a new one to begin.


Blake Harding is now part owner of the Five Sisters Ranch with the passing of his mentor and friend, John Brinkman. The five sisters were taken back East by their mother when they were all children, that journey coming under a number of misunderstandings and later deception that kept the sisters in Philadelphia until now. He’s a bit put out with them that they never even tried to contact their father as the years went on. However, he has to put that behind him and deal with them for the next six months, as John’s will dictates, before they can then decide how they’ll eventually get their inheritance.

Aside from the ranch, each sister is also given a business their father owned in Eden. Belle Brinkman is determined to put in her time and then head back home so she can marry her soon-to-be fiance. The other sisters are divided on what they’ll do in the end, but in the meantime they all hunker down and make the best of their current situation. Belle is the first to begin work on the ranch, and as her father before her, she falls in love with the land and little by little her heart begins to feel Eden is home. Especially now that she and her sisters know the truth about their father that was kept from them all their lives.

There’s a bit of a mystery that befalls a couple of the sisters, and Blake and Belle work together to figure it out. As they spend time together and learn more about one another, their attraction can no longer be denied. While I enjoyed this story, it doesn’t quite have the emotional heart that I’ve come to expect in Ms. Fyffe’s books. I do feel for the sisters and how they never knew their father, I admire their spunk and attitude when figuring out life in the West, but never felt quite as invested as have I been in her characters in other series. There is a lot of internal dialogue in this book, which is a bit distracting for me. Being in a character’s POV already shouldn’t need the added look at so many inner thoughts on top of it. I’m hoping that’s a one-time thing in this series.

But this is a very good start for historical western romance fans. The feel of the west and its beauties and pitfalls are wonderfully done, as well as the residents of Eden and their curiosity about the sisters. I do look forward to the next book, which is out later this year.

Grade: B

Wonderful start to what I'm sure is going to be an amazing series. This author always brings us a great story line that is full of emotion, hard work, learning and discovery. The characters have hard times along the way but also good times, This is Belle's journey and is a fantastic read. Loved it and look forward to more from the Brinkman sisters.

I felt that this book just plodded along. I wanted something that moved quicker, got to the point. I was also furious that there was no resolution with the girls "guardians". I hated how the sisters were taken advantage of. That said, I stuck it out because I liked the characters from Blake and Bell to the sisters and Henry.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Thank you.

This was a terrific kick-off to a new series by Caroline Fyffe. Belle and her four sisters have just learned that their estranged father has died and they must travel to Eden, Colorado for a reading of the will. When they arrive they find that nothing that they believed about their father or Eden is true. Plus they now stand to inherit half of a very successful ranch and multiple businesses if they stay in Eden. Belle is almost engaged to Leslie and has to decide if her future lies in Philadelphia or with her past in Eden with Blake and the ranch. Filled with heartwarming characters, this clean western romance sets the stage for a great series as each of the sisters must make their own decisions in Eden.

The five Brinkman sisters return to Eden, Colorado when they receive a letter informing them that their estranged Father John, has died. For many years they have lived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with friends of their Mother, the Crowdaire's who took them in after they left their Father who they were led to believe was a cruel and violent man. Unfortunately their Mother was taken ill and died and the girls were left to work for their keep in the one room the Crowdaire's housed them in, and even though it wasn't the best of accommodations, at least they were all together and not on the streets.

But now they must return for the reading of the Will and for the two elder girls who have memories of Eden, their eyes are opened to new possibilities of a life that just may be what they all need and for Belle, the second eldest, reacquainting herself with Blake Harding and the family ranch is proving to be more of a distraction from her fiancé and her life back in Philadelphia than she could ever have thought.

This is the first book in the Colorado Hearts series and I must say it is the beginning of a wonderful Historical series that I am sure is going to be very addictive.

Belle and Blake's story is enchanting and I expect the other sisters stories will be just as engaging.

Absolutely enjoyed every word and will definitely be reading the rest of the series.

Thanks to Netgalley and Montlake Romance for the opportunity to read and give an honest review of this book.

What a lovely beginning for a very promising new Western romance series! The premise of five sisters raised in Philadelphia in the late 19th century, then transplanted to a small town in the wilds of Colorado to oversee the inheritance of a cattle ranch, a tannery, logging mill and other businesses their deceased father left them is novel and extremely creative.
The story does feel just a bit disjointed a few times when the chapters suddenly jump from one character to another right in the middle of a scene and the climatic ending is a little melodramatic. Still, the overall journey is an absolute delight. So much so that those small draw-backs are quickly overshadowed by the sheer joy of the journey!

I have been looking forward to this new series and characters for a while now and I was not disappointed. Caroline Fyffe has once again created a setting that is so vivid and descriptive I could see myself sitting atop a horse looking over the vast valleys and cattle. New characters became almost instant family while reading. Their heartaches, fears, strengths and surprises were heartfelt and so real that I had to keep reading to find out more. The mystery that was kept up had me guessing and I never had a clue who it was! I was shocked and surprised and that's hard to do.

Five sisters away from their father their whole lives. Across the country they travel for the reading of his will. Along with Blake, the right hand man of their father for years and years. But trust doesn't come easy, especially when things come out that shatter the girls and make Blake feel a sense of pity for their plight. Now with a decision to stay for a while in Eden and the ranch things must be learned and taught. But danger abounds and with fear pushing at the girls will they leave and take from the ranch or will they stick it out? 

Belle is headstrong and feisty. But also tenderhearted. She has to be strong for her sisters but in those quiet times with just her and Blake his memories of her father consume her. How could they have not known?? And what are these feelings she keeps feeling for Blake? She's practically engaged to Lesley. As the dangers escalate and fears become more, will they be able to work through all the misunderstanding and find their true hearts in Eden?