While this was not the easiest read I've shared with Mason, the amount of research, heart, and honesty make A Haven for Her Heart the most impactful and memorable.
Inspired by the story of a survivor of Ontario's former pregnancy laws and the Mercer Reformatory, Mason brings readers Olivia Rosetti, a young woman trying to find her way after being incarcerated, forced to give up her child, and the loss of those she loved due to becoming pregnant while unmarried in 1939 Canada.
Olivia is such an honest protagonist, Mason gives space for the character to fell her losses and her trauma in a way that felt true to what she had gone through. I know some who have unfortunately also been unable to raise their children in light of a broken system that still exists and Mason's capturing of Olivia's pain, grief, and helplessness is so present I would hesitate to recommend this book to some lest it bring back those feelings, much like Olivia faced with Abigail and Mrs. Linder.
On the other side, I was thrilled Mason wasn't content with a story of pain but gave Olivia a balance of qualities that endear her to readers as she seeks healing. Her passion and heart may have cemented her as one of my favourite characters of the year (yes, I know it's ridiculously early for such a statement but we'll see come December).
The plot itself around Olivia's story is one that drew me in instantly. Honestly, though Mason is conscientious with her words, this is still easily the darkest novel in her writings to date but only due to her honesty to the material and the horrors women suffered in the real Mercer Reformatory not that long ago. Living in Ontario and recognizing all the landmarks Olivia travelled, recognizing that Olivia's details actually happened to survivors within a generation instantly made the plot hit harder. It's Mason skill with giving her characters like Olivia, Ruth, and Darius flaws and heart, faith and pain that makes the story so engaging. Mason takes her research and breathes life, emotion, and relatability into it through the characters that build her story. Honestly, I know when Mason puts something out I'm going to get sucked into her characters but perhaps because of Mason's ability to delve into deeper topics the characters of A Haven for Her Heart feels like her strongest offering yet.
While not a light read, A Haven for Her Heart is definitely a worthwhile one.
4.5 out of 5 stars.
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