A Widow’s Hope

A sweet story Amish romance fans are sure to enjoy!

I’ll be honest, with all the Vannetta books I’ve read I’m having the hardest time letting go of Henry (The Amish Bishop Mysteries). He wove his way into my heart and I’m just attached. I don’t feel like his story is done like I do with some of her other series. That makes it harder to let go. So, I wasn’t sure about dipping my toes into a new series so soon. However, once again Chapman weaves her magic of storytelling and takes amazing people and crafts a story that steals my heart and makes me think. . .in a good way. And I’m hoping to see more of Hannah and Jacob through the rest of the Indiana Amish Brides series. The drawback of the Harlequin lines, including Love Inspired, is that they feel like shorter books. I don’t get as much time with the characters, less pages (over all), and sometimes less depth to the story. However, Vannetta even proved that all wrong. The right writer can shine with any number of pages. Yes, I still have less time with these people (and I read pretty fast so it feels even more so) but I do have an amazing story of depth and faith and love.

‘His scares as visible. Hers are hidden. . .’ That right there from the synopsis on the back of the book tells the story. Trust me here. Yes, it’s a book about two single people, her a widow with a young child (who happens to roll through life in a wheelchair) and him with visible scars of a past he hasn’t yet forgiven himself for, but it’s also about scars. All the scars. The scars of past hurts (their disastrous first and only near date as teens that they have mostly forgotten). The scars that come from helping others (financial troubles anyone?). The scars that come from lack of forgiveness (I mean they are both rocking those pretty hardcore). The literal scars from a fire rushed into and a fire escaped. Scars, both seen and unseen, are as much a part of creating the person we are as our success and failure, or learning and our experiencing. Everything changes us, everything creates scars. The difference is whether we embrace our scars, learn their lessons, feel the hurts, and move on. Or whether we settle in with our scars and let them own our futures. We all have scars, some visible and some hidden.

Let’s face it, Chapman gives us an amazing love story about a man who loves to work with wood. He does all the side jobs to make way for his true passion, custom playhouses for children with disabilities. She gives us this amazing love story about a young woman who has lost her husband in a terrible accident that permanently changed her child’s future. She gave us a story about forgiveness, and faith, and finding love. Of embracing a future instead of holding onto a past. And all I can think about are scars. I never promised to not be weird! 😀 I fell in love with this book, with these characters, and I’m beyond excited to see where this new series takes me. Vannetta has yet to write something I haven’t loved. This book is another perfect example of that. She gives life to characters who change you in ways you didn’t see coming.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by Love Inspired. I was not compensated for this review and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I was not required to write a positive review.

Beautiful Story

Two souls, each shouldering the weight of pain from their pasts, are connected by one special little boy. That is where the story begins. Where it goes from their is at times sad. Other times it’s painful. Then there are times that make you smile, laugh, or hold your breath. But through it all, the message of God’s love, grace, and forgiveness shine through.

Those are just a few of the qualities that make this such a great story. But there is one more thing that stood out for me, and that was the story of that special little boy. I don’t recall any of the books I’ve read ever dealing with the issue of a special needs child. However, the author very skillfully weaves and blends the topic into the story. She does so in a way that gives the reader insight into the love, dedication, challenges, and sometimes pain that all go along with having a special needs child, along with allowing you to see things from the viewpoint of the child. The child’s innocence and determination added an entirely different and refreshing dimension to the story.

A Widow’s Hope is a story of grace, letting go of the past, forgiveness, hope, trust, healing, and finding love. I absolutely loved this beautiful story and its endearing characters, and I think anyone who reads it will come away feeling the same way.

I love books like this one, ones you can’t put down, ones were you are cheering for and feeling for and wanting to give the character a good talking do. I loved this story of Hannah and Jacob, they both have had huge losses in their young lives. Hannah lost her husband in an accident that seriously hurt their son Mathew and Jacob tried to save his parents from a fire and suffered severe burns because of that (plus guilt). They come together to help each other and end up wondering if life could be good again. Thank you Vannetta Chapman for another great book!

An inspirational and encouraging story about accepting ourselves and the scars life has given us, some apparent some not, and finding the courage to the take the risk to live fully again after life has knocked us down.
There is something sweetly comforting and endearing about these Amish stories, that simple lifestyle, the caring for your neighbor, and helping to carry each other’s burdens and keeping each other accountable. In A Widow’s Hope, the characters are more integrated into the modern world than in some other Amish stories I have read, but the main core values, morals, and principals are firmly in place.
While Hannah is struggling with the economic burden of taking care of her son after the accident that killed her husband, the family and community hold her close and helps her find her place in life again. I loved Hannah’s spunk, her spirited attitude, and how no one tries to dial her down. She knows her strengths and she knows her struggles and is willing to challenge her boundaries to survive and protect her son.
For six years, Jacob has hidden behind the scars a fire that killed his parents left on his face. He is a talented carpenter with a kind and giving heart. He loves his family but carries the burden of guilt for not being able to rescue his parents. He is a humble and loyal man, so sweet and caring, loving towards the kids of the kin.
I loved the spark between Hannah and Jacob from the first moment they are reunited. The banter between them had me chuckling, the way they challenged each other to be the true and better version of themselves was admirable.
Within the adorable and lovely story, there are endearing life lessons embedded and learned. No one survives life without scars, visible or invisible to the human eye, without some sort of pain and suffering shaping us to be the people we are. But with time, hope, and faith, and with the support of our peers, we can overcome, we can learn to accept, and grow to be a honed version of our true selves.
An absorbing and heartening tale, filled with hope, kindness, goodness, and compassion.
~ Four Spoons with a teaspoon on the side

This is a tender story of redemption and restoration after an experience of great loss. Jacob’s scars are external, but Hannah’s scars are internal. Both struggle to trust God with their futures. Jacob does not feel worthy to have a family; Hannah must face the future as a single parent taking care of her disabled son. The storyline reveals their struggle to be independent and not lean on their family and faith for the support they desperately need.

The author has done a wonderful job telling their story. I so identified with Hannah’s struggle to give her child’s physical struggles to God and trust Him for the future. This book is more than just a great story. It’s a call to all of us to trust God in those times we can’t always see the next step we need to take. Thank you, Vannetta Chapman, for the encouragement found in this sweet story.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

What a beautiful story about tragedy, hope and love. I loved the theme in the book about scars. Some people have scars that are visible. People tend to stare at the scars and judge a person. Other scars are deep and emotional. You can’t see them but they are there.

Hannah is a good character and I liked how she dedicated her life to her four year old son in a wheelchair. She has had a hard time with
a loss and now must come to terms with her son’s disabilities. It must be so hard to see your child go from a vibrant person, to one who needs help with simple everyday things. My heart went out to Hannah. Some may think she is overprotective, but I could understand how she wanted to make sure he was happy and enjoyed his life.

Jacob is a welcome gift from God. At least that is how I saw him. He was humble but carried a great burden that holds him back from being happy. His business is in need of some help and Hannah is perfect for the job. Her accounting ability may help get Jacob out of trouble with the IRS. I did laugh as they started spending time together because I wasn’t sure who was the most stubborn.

The best part of the story for me was how a young boy named Mathew never saw himself as handicapped and never allowed Jacob’s scars to stop him from being his friend. Their bond was genuine and I loved how the author used that relationship to remind us that if we look past scars and disabilities, we see what God sees in people. Emotional scars may be hidden, but God will bring those out in order to heal. Matthew is a great character who taught this reader what it means to not judge, not be afraid and to never give up.

I received a copy of this book from the author The review is my own opinion.

Very sweet story of unexpected loss, devotion, trust, family and the possibility of finding love. How will the characters deal with what has happened in their lives? How will they continue on with memories of the past and continue toward a positive future? This story touches the heart. I enjoyed reading this novel. I received a copy and this is my honest opinion. No review was required.