Widowed by war, Maura O’Connor has raised her son alone under the weight of poverty in the unforgiving slums of New York City. That harsh and difficult life has taken a toll on them both. Desperate to save her son from the misery around them, she moves them both to the tiny western town of Hope Springs, where her late husband’s family lives, hoping that the decade of silence between them does not mean she and Aidan will be rejected outright. Her son needs family, and she would endure anything to see him happy.
Ryan Callaghan has worked the land belonging to the late Granny Claire for years, dreaming of one day claiming it as his own. Living in his brother’s home affords him no freedom, no stability, no joy. The arrangement is even harder on his mother, whose health is quickly deteriorating. A risky investment in the land has finally begun to pay off, and he is at last in a position to secure a better future for them both. When use of the home is, without warning, offered to a newly arrived widow and her son, that future is entirely uncertain.
Both Maura and Ryan desperately need the Claire farm, for their own futures as well as those of the loved ones who depend on them. Neither can remain in Hope Springs without the house and land, but only one can claim it in the end.
| Size | 6 x 9 |
| Pages | 400 |
| ISBN | 9781947152298 |
| Published | Brigham Distributing 2018 |
This is another beautiful love story by Sarah Eden. Her characters always make me smile and their journey to find love always touches my heart. Ryan and Maura in this story were fantastic. Ryan is a dream man. So kind. So giving. So utterly perfect for dear Maura, who is strong, yet vulnerable because of her sickness. Her son, Aiden, is a fun character to watch grow and blossom during the plot. This is a great American frontier love story, and I loved learning about things such as brown lung, caused by working in the textile factories. The pieces of history woven into the fictional tale make it very edifying to read. I highly recommend this book. It’s part of a series of different characters in the town, but you don’t have to have read the others for this to be amazing. But knowing the backstory of other characters will make it more fun.
Sarah will always be one of my favorite authors. I have loved all of the Hope Springs Novel and this one did not disappoint. I love learning of the trials and hardships of a new nation and how people sacrificed to make a place for themselves. It gives me a good reminder to be grateful for everything I have. Maura's journey is no exception. I knew who I thought she would get together with, but I wasn't sure it was actually going to happen until the very end. The way things played out was so incredible. This is a wonderful novel for anyone who loves a bit of history with their romance and who loves the O'Conner family. They will teach one how to love, work together, stick together, and survive.
*I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an unbiased review.
If there was ever a historical place and group of people that I would want to go back and visit, Hope Springs would be that place. Yes, I know that the people are fictional, I know it's a story, but still, I would be there in a heartbeat if it were a possibility! I cannot begin to describe how much I loved this book. I adore the O'Connor family and feel like they are family. How can you not when you read the book and feel the love that radiates from them towards anyone they meet? They're family to me!
This series, oh, it pulls and tugs on your heart strings and elicits many emotions to come forth. I very freely admit that I cried while reading this book. Oh my heart. It's no secret that I feel emotions deeply and freely cry when those emotions arise, whether happy tears, sad tears...I cry. I'm probably a lot more emotional lately because the last couple years has brought about many goodbyes to dear friends and family members who have passed away. So I think my emotions are close to the surface already that it is pretty easy for them to come pouring out.
This book is Maura O'Connor's story. You don't have to have read the previous books to enjoy this one. Sarah Eden did a fabulous job writing for anyone to read and jump into the middle of the series if they wish. But, I'm going to say it...read all the books. Even if you read this one first, then go back and read the others, totally fine. But read all the books. It is a journey that I wouldn't want you to miss. If you've read the series then you know that Maura is a daughter in law to the main Mr. and Mrs. O'Connor. Her husband was killed in the Civil War many years before this book takes place. This is Maura and her son Aiden's journey in finding home and what home entails for them.
It is truly a beautiful story. There is so much possibility for anger and hurt and many more such feelings to be harbored by Maura but I loved being pleasantly surprised as she navigates what life continues to send her way. Not to mention her humor. Oh, what a fun refreshing sense of humor she had. And it was a welcome blessing to so many.
I know I'm not mentioning too many other characters in the book, especially the main male character, Ryan. I don't want to spoil this story. So the only thing I'll say about him is this...prepare to be surprised, amazed and fall in love with his character yourself. What a fabulous journey to be able to read about for so many characters. Plus, the added bonus of being able to see all the O'Connor family and other characters from Hope Springs that I've loved from the very first book and every book afterwards. I'm sure you know this already but, I love these characters and their stories of hardship, heartbreak, sorrow, but most importantly, forgiveness, healing and love.
Content: Clean
Happy Reading!!!
