You can’t always pick who you fall for… Her orchard. His heart.Can they successfully heal both? When her family’s apple orchard is damaged by a storm, single mom Libby Creighton knows the harvest she’s depending on is in jeopardy. Though he prefers a solitary life, Jax McClaren has the skills to revive Libby’s orchard–and her guarded heart. But he’ll have to overcome the secrets of his past … secrets of his past if he and Libby are going to have a fruitful future together.
Golden Grove
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I really enjoyed this Love-Inspired Romance. I voluntarily chose to review this story and I’ve given it a 5* rating. It’s apple season and this story weaves through this, while the hero and heroine work together almost like a family to deal with the many issues that come up. It was inspiring with a lot of feels.
A hope-filled novel that accurately portrays the struggles of caring for a loved one with dementia. A single mom in the “sandwich” generation finds love in the midst of giving her ailing grandfather one last perfect harvest. A war-weary soldier finds peace, healing, purpose and the forever home he longs for. Great read. —Lisa Carter, author of Stranded for the Holidays
When I pick up a Ruth Logan Herne book, I know I’ll be in for a heartwarming, delicious read. A Hopeful Harvest fit right in with those expectations. The setting at an apple orchard and the cast of realistic, caring, and engaging characters set the tone for a delightful, uplifting story. Libby Creighton and Jax McClaren were both suffering from events in their pasts, and I was rooting for them to find healing and happiness. I loved Jax’s caring, compassionate tenderness with Libby and her struggles. He was a true hero and was able to step in and help her with exactly what she needed.
Herne knows how to depict small-town living at its best and the feeling of community it can have with everyone chipping in to help those who are in need. She also is an expert at depicting people with flaws and real issues and bringing them hope and healing. This is the first in Herne’s Golden Grove series, and I’m looking forward to reading more about this enchanting town. I would recommend this book to those who enjoy realistic, charming, and uplifting stories.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
A Hopeful Harvest captured me from the beginning with Liberty (Libby) Creighton facing several challenges that are relevant in lives today. She had returned to the small town of Golden Grove to assist her elderly grandparents with their apple orchard. Her fortitude and faith to remain strong for her Alzheimer’s grandpa brought challenges, especially when devastation from a storm complicated how to harvest the bounty in the orchard. Jax McClaren appearance was unbelievable along with how well he related to Cleve “Gramps”. The beauty found within the pages of this delightful tale is what small communities members do—they assist those who need a hand without expecting their kindness to be returned. There are several messages of hope, faith, peace and love that will connect readers to situations they may face.
Ruth Logan Herne never fails to pen a story that is centered on family, children, small towns, faith and love of God shining through. Five year old CeeCee brought smiles and admiration to her insight even though her young life hadn’t always been easy. The hero and heroine’s past was totally different but they faced similar challenges with dementia loved ones that gave way to understanding, trust, and seeing a different future than anticipated.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author and publisher. I was under no obligation to write a positive review. I have shared my own opinion and look forward to reading every book that Ruth Logan Herne releases in the future as they are filled with lovable children, caring family members, faith, God’s love and issues that are faced in this journey we call life on earth.
I simply LOVED this story, set in the small town of Golden Grove, Washington…..a place where hearts are healed….by faith and love.
With a broken childhood and a hard marriage behind her, Libby Creighton returns to Golden Grove with her young daughter. Her grandmother’s last request was for Libby to return to the struggling family apple orchard and to care for Gramps who has Alzheimer’s.
Ex-soldier Jax McClaren is haunted by past events which have left him with guilt and regrets. As he follows his protective nature to help other people, he finds himself falling for the strong woman trying desperately to do everything for those she loves. But there are obstacles along the way for this couple….trust being a major issue.
So many things touched my heart through this book! Since my family has experienced Alzheimer’s, I appreciate writers shining light on this disease and the challenges care givers face. I admire both the hero and heroine as strong people willing to work hard for their dreams and for what is the right thing to do. Responsibility! As in all Ruth Logan Herne books, I love the small town compassion extended to neighbors. All the characters sparkle, especially sweet little CeeCee and the other children. And this author is the master of sprinkling many “takeaway” messages throughout the pages which make my heart smile thinking of people living faith-filled lives.
A Hopeful Harvest is truly filled with hope….hope after dysfunctional childhoods, hope after traumatic events, hope through caring for loved ones with debilitating diseases and hope for love when a happily-ever-after seems impossible. And concerning the romance…..WOW! The ending left me with tears of joy!
Favorite quote: “Folks go through a lot of things,” she whispered. “It’s how we handle the aftermath that makes us who we are.”
*I was given a copy of this book with no requirement to write a review. I’m honored to offer my honest opinion.
‘She could put the whole thing squarely where it belonged, in God’s hands. He’d gotten her this far.’
Libby Creighton is back on her grandparents’ farm and apple orchard to help out now that her grandmother has passed and her grandfather has Alzheimer’s. But devastating circumstances threaten to ruin everything until Jax McClaren pulls up in the yard with the skills necessary to save the orchard. Both he and Libby have secrets, but will they allow God to guide them through to a successful harvest, both materially and personally?
Ruth Logan Herne writes with her soul and this reader feels it each time she opens a book by Herne. Her characters are real with real issues, not some fairy land setting, and I love how she shares the love of God in her stories. And…she creates the most precious child characters! Five-year old CeCe purely stole my heart in this one. Recommended.
*My thanks to the publisher and author for a copy of this book. The opinions stated here are entirely my own.