Heidi Hathaway is a successful real estate agent living in the fast lane. Literally. One of the characteristics she shares with her father is her penchant for fast driving. HEAVEN HELP HEIDI opens with Heidi driving on the San Diego Freeway, trying to speed her way past slow drivers while applying lipstick, brushing her hair, drinking coffee, and talking to clients on her Bluetooth. But then Heidi’s life as she knows it comes to a crashing halt when she is forced to veer off the road to avoid colliding with a semi in front of her.

Heidi wakes up in the hospital in excruciating pain. Physically, she is a mess and has a long road of recovery ahead of her. This was definitely not in the plans. At least not Heidi’s plans.

Fashion expert and personal shopper Piper Keyes is still grieving over the loss of her fiancé in Afghanistan. When Jared died, Piper thought her life was over. Her only saving grace was moving to the Casa de Vida cottages, where she is surrounded by supportive and loving friends, including Casa de Vida owner “Mama Liv” --- or “Saint Liv,” as the residents affectionately call her. There is no doubt that this is a place of healing, even though Piper sometimes wonders when her heart will completely heal from its brokenness.

"Author Sally John is known for her excellent storytelling abilities, and HEAVEN HELP HEIDI is no exception. If you pick up this book, it will likely leave you anticipating the next installment of this delightful series..."

A month after Heidi’s accident, her father drops her off at the Seaside Village Pier for some much needed quiet time and reflection. There, she runs into Piper, a woman she knows from Tellmann’s, where Piper worked her magic and transformed Heidi from a sweats and jeans kind of girl into a professional business woman. They strike up a conversation, and then walk to the Casa de Vida, where Heidi will wait for her dad to pick her up. She instantly falls in love with the quaint cottages.

Through a series of events, Heidi ends up renting one of the cottages. She had resisted moving at first, but couldn’t deny that her current three-story townhouse isn’t practical, especially with her inability to climb stairs at the moment due to the accident. Soon after moving in, she learns a surprising fact about Liv that affects her relationship with best friend and business partner Val, and Val’s brother, Adam, with whom Heidi has been close since college.

HEAVEN HELP HEIDI is a beautifully written story with lots of depth. Heidi has to learn how to slow down and come to grips with herself. The accident forces her to take a look at who she has been for the past several years and who she wants to become. Piper is learning to let go of her grief over losing the love of her life. When Heidi’s twin brother comes into Piper’s life, she begins to think she finally may be able to open her heart again.

I did not realize until after I read this book that it is the second installment in the Family of the Heart series. The first, BETWEEN US GIRLS, apparently introduces readers to Casa de Vida and a few of the characters in HEAVEN HELP HEIDI. Book two completely stands on its own, but now I can’t wait to go back and see how the series began and get more background on these wonderful and heartfelt characters.

Author Sally John is known for her excellent storytelling abilities, and HEAVEN HELP HEIDI is no exception. If you pick up this book, it will likely leave you anticipating the next installment of this delightful series so you can immerse yourself in the lives of the charming residents and the healing and scenic backdrop of Casa de Vida.