Set in 1755 colonial York, Virginia, A Heart Adrift follows Esmée Shaw, a 28-year-old chocolatier who has quietly accepted spinsterhood after a heartbreaking broken engagement ten years earlier. Esmee Shaw’s broken heart hasn’t dimmed her kind and selfless nature — she busies herself with the family chocolate shop and the local almshouse. But when her first love, Captain Henri Lennox, sails back into her life, old wounds and unexpected sparks collide.

Their slow-burn second-chance romance is such a tender story. Esmée and Henri aren’t impulsive young lovers; they carry real regret, growth, and life experience, which makes their reconnection feel deeply satisfying and believable. The lighthouse theme is special to me as it represents hope, guidance through storms, and rebuilding something meaningful together. I couldn’t get enough of the coastal atmosphere: the sea air, the chocolate shop scents mingling with salt, and the ever-present tension of the approaching French and Indian War.

Laura Frantz’s writing is elegant and immersive. She brings colonial Virginia to life with rich historical details. The faith elements are woven in beautifully and naturally, adding warmth and depth to the characters’ journeys of forgiveness and purpose. This return-to-first-love story was delightful, and the colonial setting kept me constantly wondering what would happen next! The pacing is perfect for a cozy yet emotionally moving read, and gentle enough to savor, with enough stakes from war threats and personal healing to keep the pages turning.

This book left me with that wonderful, hopeful feeling long after I finished. (I’m still thinking of it months later!) Laura Frantz weaves history, faith, resilience, and tender romance into a clean, unforgettable tale. The sweet second-chance romance, the craftsmanship of the chocolate-making, the seaside setting, and especially the lighthouse dreams make this one of my top favorite historical romances ever! It’s a story about second chances, forgiveness, purpose, and finding your way home – both literally and figuratively.