Six years ago, a shocking secret sent Agnes Pratt running in search of a new start. She found it in Penance, a rugged town of miners and lumberjacks in the Dakota Territory, where she became Miss Aggie, respected schoolteacher and confirmed old maid. But the past has a way of catching up with people.
When childhood friend and former sweetheart James Harris accepts a position as the town doctor, … town doctor, Aggie’s pleasantly predictable days suddenly become anything but. James wants to know why Agnes left behind the life they had dreamed of creating for themselves–but he is the one person who can never know.
In the shadows of the Black Hills, can a healing light be shed on the past? Or will the secret Agnes can’t seem to outrun destroy her chance at happiness?
Fan-favorite Rachel Fordham brings to life the dusty streets of an 1880s frontier town in this story that affirms where you come from matters far less than where you’re going.
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This is another gentle and sweet tale of true love and becoming who we are meant to be. From the very beginning Aggie has a secret that she is convinced that is the most horrible thing in the world that she leaves everything she knows to become a teacher out in the west. Even leaving the man she loves and whom she intended to marry, James.
Six years later Aggie has settled into her life intent on staying a teacher for life. No marriage or family for her. Her students and their families will need to be enough. But James has never gotten over Aggie leaving with no good-bye or explanation. I so enjoyed his character. He has matured since last he and Aggie saw each other and now he is a doctor. Something he chose for himself against his parent’s wishes.
James has come to the town to not only be a doctor but also to regain Aggie and find out the answers that has so haunted him. James was a sweet man, who was often mischievous, but he had deep hurts. As I read the story and understood due to the times why Aggie left, I was very happy that James came for her. To woo her and show his love in spite of everything. I think he has become one of my favorite book heroes.
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.
What a great story! I have come to really love Rachel’s stories. I have read all three of them and they are just wonderful solid Historical Christian Fiction stories. I particularly loved the characters in this one. Aggie, James and the town of Penance made for a satisfying read. The story itself was very well done and kept me invested in the characters lives-so much so that I hope we see more of them(and one character in particular!)again. The ending was good and overall I enjoyed the book very much. Looking forward to more historical adventures with Rachel’s stories.
I received this book from the publisher and was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts are my own.
What a sweet story of acceptance and love. Aggie Pratt left behind the big city life with her station and wealth when life took a big swing after her lifelong friend proposed marriage. Aggie is all settled into her new small town life, where she’s gained the love and respect of her fellow residents when James appears out of nowhere. He’s got himself a new career and is looking to reconnect with Aggie and get some answers about why she left like she did. The relationship between James and Aggie was quite enjoyable! I loved their banter, friendship, and comradery! I also really enjoyed the secondary characters of the townspeople! Aggie’s relationship with them and their love for her was such a joy to read. I enjoyed this story from beginning to end!
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.
A Life Once Dreamed by Rachel Fordham carries the beautiful tune of simpler days — even though none of the heart-wrenching issues the author tackles can be described as simple!
Set in 1880 in the Dakota territory, A Life Once Dreamed sweeps the reader into Penance, a close community with the grit to thrive in the West. The author’s writing style stirred fond memories of Catherine Marshall’s Christy and any number of Janette Oke’s stories — the kind of writing that warms you from the inside out!
You can’t help but root for James and Agnes’ second chance at love! Very romantic! Their journey makes up the primary story, but the author included another character that I’m hoping will the hero of his own tale one day! While the author emphasizes that where a person is going in life is more important that where they came from in James and Agnes’ romantic story of reconciliation, the author achieves this through the character’s heart-tugging choices to love. Without giving away the plot, each of the characters has to make the choice to love, a choice that may not be convenient, safe, or without sacrifice. Additionally, the author tackles the emotionally-charged topic of unwanted, illegitimate children. Amidst poverty, class prejudice, and a scarlet fever outbreak, the fatherly heart of God shines like a beacon of love in A Life Once Dreamed, a love story that is more than apropos for such a time as this!
Four Stars ~ A Life Once Dreamed by Rachel Fordham is beautiful story of love! A Life Once Dreamed is a standalone, but the author has other stories in her backlist for readers to enjoy!
Disclaimer ~ In accordance with FTC regulations, I received a copy of this book from the publisher. I was not compensated, nor was a positive review required. All opinions expressed are my own.
Aggie’s coming to the town of Penance turned her into the woman she was always meant to be. Her leaving home was complicated and sad, she left timid, young and inexperienced, but in the town of Penance she became a new woman. The situations she found in Penance brought out the beautiful virtues that had been lying dormant in her. I loved the sparks that flew between her and James. Their friendship was one of the most heartwarming parts of the book to me. Aggie’s heart and love for people was her most endearing virtue to me. Her love and heart shone through the pages of this book. The way she vehemently protected people others despised was just so heart touching. I couldn’t help but laugh at the antics of the school children she taught especially over zealous Tommy. That boy was just a darling. He made me laugh out on one occasion. I loved Aggie’s friendship with Hannah. Everyone needs a friend and friendship like that.
I admired the fact that even though the rift between Aggie and himself was her fault, Joshua sort to fix things. I loved how they both complemented each other. He had a lot to learn from her and vice versa. It was admirable and wise of him to forge his own path despite his family background.
This one was a story of love lost and found. I loved the people they both grew into before they finally got to be together. Before that would have been a disaster. I love next-door-love stories like this one.
I received a copy of this book and this is my honest opinion.
A Life Once Dreamed by Rachel Fordham is an excellent historical fiction and romance that is a wonderful journey through the lives, hardships, and relationships of those forging their way in The Dakota Territory in the late 1800s,
In this book we follow along with the lives of Agnes Pratt (Aggie) and James Harris. Both knew each other while they lived in Buffalo, NY. They are one another’s first and only loves. Because of misunderstandings, societal rules/expectations/classes their potential betrothal is unexpectedly ended by Aggie. Feeling as if she has no other choice, she flees James and everything she knows and become a teacher in the small western town of Penance. Here she creates a new life full of independence, strength, friendships, and purpose. The town is endearing and so are its people. James becomes a physician and finds out where she has escaped to, and takes up a practice in the town hoping to win the love of his life back from her abrupt and mysterious departure.
Both find one another again and through reintroduction, time, and maturity the are finally able to find one another again.
This book is so beautiful in so many ways. I love the complexity, rawness, and strength of Agnes and James. I love seeing them change and come into their own. I also adore second-chance relationships and happy endings. It isn’t easy to get there, though. The western territories are a different animal altogether. Through leaning on one another within the town, everyone becomes closer, each finding they have a purpose, a role, and are needed. I loved reading about the town, the events, and the full cast of secondary characters. I also enjoyed reading a bit about Sam. I really think he would be an excellent character in which to create a new novel.
An excellent, romantic, and endearing read that has a wonderful plot, characters, development, and of course, ending.
5/5 stars
Thank you NetGalley and Revell for this copy and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.
I am posting this review to my GR, Bookbub, Instagram, Amazon, and B&N accounts immediately.
1880, Buffalo
Agnes Pratt lives with her parents, a good life.
Suddenly she decided to leave and accept a teacher job in the West, Penance, DAkota Territory.
She didn’t say goodbye to her best friend and wealthy neighboor, james Harry, that loves her deaply.
In Penance, life is hard, about all because she is a woman alone, that she has no relatives nearby, nor a husband or brother,
she must support herself.
Adventure, curios, lovely story, set in the West, with minery, loggers, harworking and simple people. love it!
Oh wow!! This book is going as one of my favorites this year!! This was my first by Rachel Fordham and now I must own all of them and she needs to write more. The characters are so relatable and she transports you to the town of Penance and you feel like you are there and part of these people’s lives.
I really loved Agnes Pratt who leaves her life in New York and the love of her life to become a teacher in the Dakota territory. She does this to protect her intended from being held back because of something she finds out about herself. She makes a life for herself in Penance and perfectly content in being a teacher and denies herself from having any relationships that would end up in marriage as she is not interested in that. She really blossomed from a shy socialite to an outspoken woman who holds back nothing and tries to help everyone.
James loves Aggie and can’t quite understand why she ever left him without an explanation. He becomes a doctor and answers the ad to become the doctor in Penance. He is not only wanting to pursue his career but really he is there looking for Aggie.
I love the banter and relationship between Agnes and James! You can tell right away that she is completely in love with him and that he is absolutely smitten with him. The way he teases her is endearing and so sweet. At times it really makes you chuckle. He knows her so very well but he is hurt that she won’t confide in him on why she left.
I definitely don’t want to spoil the book for you because you really should go and get it but this book deals with the topic of illegitimate children and I thought it was so well done. It truly touches at your heartstrings. I know that stigma is not as prevalent as it was back then but I think as with anything there is still that look we as humans tend to give to the fatherless/motherless and as Christians we need to do a better job at taking care of those that are. Whether its through adoption, fostering or even adopting that family unit as part of yours… its definitely something we should pray and keep in our hearts as a way to help. This story just hit my heart and spoke to me.
The only sad part for me was that there was an epilogue because it closed out the story but I am a greedy reader and I want more! I want to know what happens to some of the other characters like Sam and know more about Hannah, Minnie and overall the whole town of Penance!
I received a copy of this book through the Revell. I was not required to post a positive review. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
Agnes Pratt fled her wealthy neighborhood in Buffalo, New York after the happiest time in her life turned tragic. She left behind James Harris, her childhood neighbor, best friend, and only love. He was brokenhearted and confused.
A Life Once Dreamed is a second-chance romance that, six years later, brings Aggie and James back together in the little mining town of Penance thanks to her late mother.
I liked Aggie right away but had to warm up to James. Once I did, I was thoroughly on his side. She struggles to keep him in the dark and at arm’s length. He struggles to understand why and pull her closer.
The story started a bit slow for me but when James hit town, it picked up and became a page turner with an ultimate commentary about judgements and the theme of it not mattering where you came from but where you’re going.
I’m pleased to give the sweet story A Life Once Dreamed 4.8 stars.
I received this book from the publisher. My opinions are my own.
A Life Once Dreamed was a beautiful and uplifting second chance love story that I enjoyed from the first page to the last! It was the first book that I have read by this author and I am looking forward to reading her other novels.
Aggie and James were characters that I couldn’t help but love. There were secrets and hurt between them, and I felt especially sorry for James as he struggled to find out from Aggie the reason that she left him and their dreams of marriage six years earlier.
I loved that there were so many interesting secondary characters in this book. The author did a great job of creating a town populated with people I came to care for, such as Hannah and her family, Sam, and baby Fred. A few of Aggie’s students brought humor to the pages with their questions about all kinds of things! This story was a delight to read from start to finish.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
This is Rachel’s most recent novel. It just came out on August 4th. I have read both of her previous books and loved them. Before winning this book from the author, I had read the prologue and first chapter in her publisher’s Instagram stories and was hooked. Agnes Pratt runs from her past only for her past to follow her to her new town six years later. James Harris doesn’t understand what happened that caused Agnes to leave him without even saying goodbye, but he comes to Penance to find out. “A Life Once Dreamed” is an amazing novel that lets you see the many facets of life and also shows you that people can react many different ways to the same experience. It shows you how a person can have compassion for those around them and how contagious that can be. If you are looking for a book that shows you all is not lost in the world, then this is the book for you.
Agnes starts over in the Dakota Territories, taking a teaching position, away from the Boston society that she grew up in. She blossoms away from the bright lights of the city, but when a face from the past resurfaces, Agnes finds herself at a crossroads. Will the past taint the life she’s made for herself, or be the key to the happiness that’s always been out of reach?
Agnes has learned a lot since leaving her life of privilege behind, making many new friends who come to love and respect her. I loved her empathy, and passion for the children. She grows and is stretched by the new experiences that she faces in Dakota, I loved how she comes into her own, taking pride in the person that she has become.
I admired Sam’s honesty, and how he is willing to lend a hand when needed. James is a skilled doctor, and I loved seeing him find his calling and see the difference that he made in the community. Hannah is a wonderful friend, welcoming Agnes from the very beginning.
An engaging prairie romance of second chances, with compelling characters, and a well-developed small town community. I loved the friendships, relationship dynamics, and character interactions. Heartwarming, with a convincing plotline, I loved how all the pieces came together and how Agnes fell in love with her new home in the Dakotas. This author just keeps getting better and better, this one is my favorite so far, full of heart, great characters, and second chances. Highly recommend!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
A Life Once Dreamed. I have been seeing this book on Facebook book groups and Instagram. I wished with all my heart that I could get a copy and when the opportunity came through Revell Reads Blogger Program, it was an answer to my prayer. Thanks, Revell.
“I suppose we’re all beautiful in our own way”.
” Sometimes the hardest things are the very best things”. I love these quotes.
Sweet Agnes. Her personality wrapped me into the book. She always have the proper words to say to her school children. I am a trained teacher and I must confess, I learnt a lot from Agnes’s teaching methods. That’s the beauty of reading books, you get to learn new things.
I noticed some chapters had time of the year opening it. It felt cool stepping into history even if it is fictional.
I like the little town, Penance.
James, dear James. I already liked him before I met him at a certain chapter in the plot.
This is the first book by Rachel Fordham I am reading and I love her writing style.
I like the character ” Sam“. His story touched my heart.
The people of Penance are such a tight knitted community I wanted to feel like a member.
There are lots of themes to glean from in this novel.
Rachel Fordham writes amazingly well.
This is a sweet book that got me emotional. I am giving it 5 stars.
I received a complimentary Copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are mine.
With a cast of engaging, well-crafted characters and tender messages of forgiveness and the worth of a soul, Rachel Fordham takes us from Buffalo, New York to Penance, South Dakota Territory in 1880 for a wonderful story of second chances. Agnes Pratt is an independent, spunky, compassionate heroine and a well-respected schoolteacher in the small town of Penance. James Harris is a doctor with a wealthy, privileged background who comes to Penance to find his childhood sweetheart, Agnes. Together, they find what the most important things in life are.
Lots of plot twists and turns kept me engrossed in this lovely tale, although there were a couple of times that I wanted to bonk some of the characters’ heads together. All in all, it’s a sweet story with an uplifting and thought-provoking message. I’ve enjoyed all of Fordham’s historical novels, and I’m looking forward to more of her books in the future. 4.5 stars
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from the author/Revell. All opinions are my own.
A Life Once Dreamed by Rachel Fordham was a beautiful story about searching for acceptance and learning a pure, Christ-like, love.
I absolutely adored this story and could hardly put the book down. Between the witty banter between Aggie and James to the unending, socially awkward questions of little Tommy, I fell in love with Penance and all it’s residents.
Aggie and James’s love story is beautiful, rich, and bittersweet. I loved their history together, and their automatic familiarity–the ease of their company and comfort of their conversations. The way their love matured through the years with them made their story full of warm fuzzy moments.
Aggie is a town favorite for a reason. Her big heart and easy smile make it easy to love her. I had a great respect for her courage to share her secret with others, knowing the risks.
James. Sigh. A charmer from the get go, I loved how he unashamedly pursued Aggie. He was a bit ornery in his teasing, but his antics had me laughing repeatedly. And you just can’t help love a man with so much compassion for helping others. Get ready to add his name to your favorite heroes list!
I would highly recommend this book. Any fan of Christian historical fiction will love this book!
I was given a copy of this book by the publisher with no expectation of a positive review. All opinions.
A Life Once Dreamed by Rachel Fordham is a charming Christian historical novel set in 1880.
This is a time of exploration and putting down roots. The reader sees this physically and spiritually. The town of Penance is a pioneering settlement. The town grows both physically and its members grow spiritually.
It is also a time when disease is rife. Diseases we can cure today claimed lives. The town is balanced on a knife edge as new practices work side by side with the traditional.
We all have roots. Where we come from does not have to dictate where we are going. Our past is gone. We can all have a different future.
There is the theme of illegitimacy. It is a stigma that follows a child through life but it does not have to be. Every child is a gift from God, no matter what the circumstances of their conception. Hearts and minds need to be educated to see the potential of new lives and not tainted by their parent’s choices.
There is a wonderful community atmosphere throughout the novel. Where there are needs, they are met. It is small town living at its finest.
I absolutely loved A Life Once Dreamed. I could not put it down. It has left me with a wonderful feeling of love and hope.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.
A beautiful and touching story!
My rating is 4.5 stars
By the time I was finished reading, I had a tear or two in my eyes from the sweetness of this lovely story told through letters, journal entries, and beautiful narrative.
As much as I love boy-next-door stories, I especially love historical boy-next-door-stories! Not only is A Life Once Dreamed exactly that, and it has the added bonus that Agnes and James were best friends who knew they loved each other and planned to marry. Until a secret sent Agnes running – with James’ best interests at heart.
James was everything the boys on my street growing up were not. 🙂 He was considerate, compassionate, loved spending time with Aggie, wasn’t afraid to cry. I can just picture him pushing her on the swing when they were very young, carrying her books home from school, tugging her pigtails to make her mad, rescuing kittens with her, and kissing her over the picket fence separating their yards. Sigh.
Throw into this wonderful combination of plot elements a love triangle and the recipe for a perfect story is complete. Enter Sam, the gentle logger with a broken heart. He was skilled with hammer and saw and was able to make the much-needed repairs around the schoolhouse. And just happened to be in the right place at the right time to rescue Aggie – more than once!
When Aggie’s heart led her to doing something that costs her job and then tragedy struck the town, she stuck to her convictions and did not allow prejudice to overpower love. No matter the cost.
The small town of Penance is home to a cast of delightful characters. I even liked prickly Minnie! She wasn’t afraid of speaking her mind although she might have done well to hold her tongue until she had more information. She did speak out of good motives, though, and cared for Aggie deeply. My favorite secondary character was little Tommy. His precocious questions were adorable and it was so sweet how he latched on to Dr. Harris and went to him with the questions no one else would answer.
A certain, yet subtle, faith element runs through the story as Aggie, James, and Sam turn to the Lord for solace and help. Their faith is lived more than spoken and yet it remains strong.
If you enjoy historical fiction that warms your heart, you’ll want to read A Life Once Dreamed.
Read my review of A Life Once Dreamed by Rachel Fordham at AmongTheReads.net
I was given a copy of this book. I was not required to give a favorable review nor was any money received for this review. All comments and opinions are my own.
I loved everything about A Life Once Dreamed, the beautiful cover, the fantastic characters but most of all I loved the beautiful and heartfelt story within the pages of this book. Ms. Fordham crafts such delightful characters that it’s hard to pick a favorite but I have to admit that one of the younger children, Tommy with all of is questions was quite adorable.
I absolutely loved Agnes and James and thanks to them I kept saying to myself. “just one more chapter”, until sadly there were no more chapters. I loved the ending but was still felt sad to say goodbye to the wonderful people in the town of Penance. I’m excited to see what the author has in store for her readers next because I know it’s going to be another compelling read.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
This is Rachel Fordham’s third book and she still astounds me! They all get better and better!
This is a sweet story of impossible love, love against all odds, sacrificial and selfless love, and love thriumphant over prejudices, labels and judgement of who you are by where you come from!
Agnes Pratt flees from a comfortable life in Buffalo and a promise of marriage and forever love from her childhood secret after discovering a devastating secret that shatters her world. She decides to travel west to Southern Dakota to a small town named Penance, where they need a school teacher. She knows she can teach Penance’s children, but how to survive on her own, she’s not too sure. But Penance is a welcoming town, and with her kindness she slowly wins everyone’s heart. Her contract doesn’t allow her to be married, and she loves her job and children, so she convinced herself she doesn’t mind to remainder a spinster…,
That is, until James Harris, the childhood sweetheart she so desperately left without an explanation, arrives in Penance as the new so needed town doctor! James wants to know why Aggie left, his heart is still attached to hers, but Aggie can’t tell him her secret. It would only hurt him and put him in the most difficult position of choosing between her and his family, and she doesn’t want him to lose his family, position in society, etc. I don’t want to reveal any spoilers… This secret is part of the intrigue that will keep you captivated until the end. What could have happened that could make Aggie leave the love and dreams of her life? Is it a secret so big and shameful that James wouldn’t really be able to overcome?
The story flows with the never boring life in Penance, full of unexpected events that will keep them occupied, while they sort out what their new realationship should be… I really couldn’t stop reading and kept wishing I had enough leisure time to finish the book in one sitting! That could not be, but still, I enjoyed it all the more and was eager to get my hands on this beauty of the book again and again.
The characters are wonderful: Aggie is a selfless and kind woman with a heart of gold, and James is just her match, so loving, patient (most of the time) and with a big heart that slowly comes to love this dusty town and unique people. I loved his devotion to helping others and to do his best to save lives. Aggie was his best supporter, and she was always ready to help too.
There were some secondary characters that made the story more engaging: Mc Henry with his elderly wisdom, Tommy with his endless and hilarious questions, and orphaned Baby Freddie with his babbles…
It’s a very complete story, and so well described that you feel right there among them! I loved the name of the town by the way!
I can’t recommend this book enough! It left me with a sigh and wanting to know more of their story and other characters of the town… There should be another book based on Sam in my opinion. That’s another sweet and kind character that melted my heart…
Don’t miss on this treasure of a book! It’s full of inspiring messages, especially about being loved by who you are, and not where you come from, and about knowing that if God loves you as you are, and that He loves our heart above anything, others should do the same, because our worth is not given by our earthly origin, but by how God sees us, and by what we treasure in our heart.
This is an excellent story! Fans of When Calls the Heart will really enjoy this story.
Ms Fordham has a way with story telling containing sensitive topics that bring a deeper level of love and acceptance. Her stories leave me evaluating how I love and accept those around me-every time.
This is a tender must read!
Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books for review from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including Netgalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.