“Loved this story! Luckily I got it on a weekend, as I couldn’t put it down.” -KarenTown bad girl + local pastor = a match made in heaven?When Jade agrees to return to Hope Springs for the summer, it’s with the hope that she might finally be able to escape her past. But small towns have long memories—and Jade knows she deserves every one of the judgmental looks the townspeople direct her way. … judgmental looks the townspeople direct her way. What she doesn’t understand is the handful of people who see past her reputation, including her ex-almost-boyfriend Dan, whom she left without so much as a word of explanation eight years ago.
Newly appointed as head pastor of Hope Church to replace his deceased father, Dan is under pressure to prove he’s up to the task. He doesn’t need any distractions. Not newcomer Grace, who on paper would make a perfect pastor’s wife, and especially not Jade—who, well, wouldn’t.
But as Dan and Jade get to know one another again, they can’t deny that their relationship has grown from childhood crush to once-in-a-lifetime connection. When Jade learns a secret that could destroy both of their reputations, they have to decide: Trust God to see them through this, or walk away again?
A fast-paced, emotional story of love, forgiveness, and second chances, Not Until Us is a clean Christian romance that will touch your heart and leave you feeling uplifted and filled with hope.
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“It’s easy to fall in love with Dan and Jade. You’ll find yourself rooting for them, failures and all.” -BookBub reviewer
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While the books in the Hope Springs series are linked, each features a complete romance about a different couple and can be read in any order.
Hope Springs Series
Not Until Forever
Not Until This Moment
Not Until You
Not Until Us
more
Hmmmm…. I can tell you right now…. my first impression of Leah is, she needs to get a life, mind her own business and leave her brother alone. However, Dan needs to man up and tell his sister to step aside. And maybe, just maybe, Leah needs to practice what she preaches and be more concerned about her own relationships … or rather lack of.
Now that I’ve got that out of my system. This is a storyline about two people who ‘should’ not be together. Jade has a wild side. Dan is secure and stable. Jade has made more than one bad choice. Dan tries to live up to expectations. After his Pastor Dad’s death, he has BIG shoes to fill. Jade sees herself as a failure. She hasn’t been in a church in eight years until now.
Both have needs. Both need each other to help fill those needs. They both need to understand just what happened eight years earlier. And as the book progresses, the characters do too. One only can questions themselves for so long until they finally give up and give in. They finally let go and let God.
OBSERVATIONS:
As the book progresses, it’s easy to fall in love with Dan and Jade. You’ll find yourself rooting for them, failures and all.
Dan had a choice to make. Do you choose to follow your heart or do you choose to do what others expect of you?
Jade constantly lives in the past. It’s almost like her security blanket. Letting it go would mean changing and accepting herself. No longer could she always use her past to protect her from getting hurt in the present.
Of course Jade has reinforcements maintaining her thoughts with all the judgmental hypocrites that sit in the pews each Sunday. Maybe they should pick up their Bibles more often so they can actually read some scripture such as ‘Judge not least ye be judged by the same judgments’.
Leah is interesting. She’s a protective sister and meddles when she shouldn’t…. but also meddles when she should.
I was provided an ARC to read and review. I really enjoy redemption storylines and this one did not disappoint.
Not Until us was a very nice book to read, it’s al about love and hope and couldn’t stop reading. I’m curious about the next book to read
I loved this second chance romance! Not Until Us dealt with some very heavy issues and the consequences of decisions made. But even more so, it highlighted the importance of God’s grace and forgiveness for us, as well as the way we should also show forgiveness to others.
I really enjoyed the romance that blossomed between Dan and Jade, even as they both tried to resist it. I thought that the complexity of Dan’s reaction to a couple of key events in the story was very realistic. This was a heart-tugging story from start to finish, and even though it is the fourth book in the Hope Springs series, it stands nicely on its own, too.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Book four in the Hope Springs series a well written story, I will say keep the Kleenex handy as you will need it. A great storyline with a story that flows smoothly across the pages. A second chance story for former bad girl Jade and head pastor of Hope Church Dan. I recommend this story. I received it as an Arc copy but once I read I also had to buy it.
I love second chance romances and “Not Until Us:” did not disappoint. What I really like about this story is the twist from bad boy/good girl to bad girl/good guy. From page one you feel for Jade the bad girl, hating her bad girl ways. Jade and Dan the pastor, made for an unlikely pair, but love is a strange thing, it chooses who it wants. Grab some tissues as you read this wonderful book about hope, love and forgiveness. This is the first book I have read of Valerie Bodden, but it will not be the last. I can’t wait to read the other books in this series.
I really loved reading this book. The emotions were real and raw at times. It didn’t shy away from difficult topics but the best takeaway was the power of forgiveness and love.
Jade and Dan had “dated” in high school. Actually, they key their budding relationship secret until Jade just disappeared one day with only a note for Dan with no real explanation. Now, eight years later, Jade is back in Hope Springs for the summer before her sister, Violet’s wedding. Violet is her only family and she feels that she owes to her to be there for her.
Being back in Hope Springs brings back a lot of difficult and wonderful memories. One of those is Dan, who is now the new pastor since his dad’s death. Is it possible for Jade and Dan to find the love they both had or is someone else better suited as a pastor’s wife. Jade has a lot of secrets and one of them is bound to destroy any possibility for a happy ever after for she and Dan. But, love is powerful and forgiveness is freeing. In Hope Springs, anything is possible.
I was given an arc copy of this book and I willingly offer my honest review.
What an amazing story of hope, love, self-discovery, and redemption. Beautifully written with such realistic and emotional characters. This book truly speaks to anyone who has made poor choices in their past and struggled to forgive themselves. Highly recommend this romantic and inspirational story.
I received this book as an ARC and have chosen to give my honest review.
In this clean romance, the author introduces us to Jade and Dan and their life journey. It’s full of surprises, bumps in the road, big challenges, and romance. I like the way the story develops over time – without being too pat or cookie cutter. It is faith-based without being “preachy” and I was encouraged in my own faith walk. As you read, you will get pulled into the characters’ lives, as you wonder how things will all turn out. Enjoy the journey!
A past forgiven but not without lasting consequences. Jade left Dan years ago with a broken heart. Little does he know her heart was broken too. I love books that show that we can be forgiven by the Lord while dealing with the consequences. It seems harder for people to forgive and move past their own sin as well as others. Dan is a pastor now but can he deal with Jade’s past and present? While we may get upset with how he initially handled everything, I thought the author showed a realistic view of how we truly react. Ultimately if we have been forgiven by the only One who can truly forgive, we can forgive others. The ending was so sweet but would have loved a further down the road epilogue – but not a cliffhanger. I still think about this book.
Will there ever be an ‘US’? A pastor – who was a friend from childhood. A young woman who has no sense of self-worth and allows men whatever. How can there ever be an US??? REALLY A GREAT BOOK!!!
Wow! What an intense, second chance romance story this is. I got nothing else done until I finished Not Until Us! This is a wonderful story about faith, redemption, moving past your mistakes, forgiveness, living up to your potential and love – for family as well as romantic love The book has well developed characters who experience heart rending situations. The story is believable and sucked me into Hope Falls in chapter one. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys an inspiration, Christian romance.
This is a wonderful story that deals with difficult topics in a realistic and honest way. It is a story of making mistakes, healing, forgiveness and love on many levels. Also included with all of that is romance!
I was provided an ARC of this book to voluntarily read and review.
This is a beautifully written clean second chance romance with strong well developed characters in Jade and Dan. The author does a fantastic job developing the story and pulls you in with all the gut wrenching emotions that flow through the pages. The characters are described in detail as are the scenes,bringing a realistic and believable story that captured and held me from start to finish. The struggles these two face are heartbreaking. Being told in the dual POV shows the depths of their thoughts and feelings making this an inspirational romantic love story that touched my heart. I can’t recommend this book highly enough. Warning: you may need a few tissues with this one.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.
When Jade left Hope Springs eight years ago, she left crying and broken hearted. She left behind sister and Dan, her almost boyfriend. Now she is returning to help her sister with her upcoming wedding. One of the first people she bumps into is Dan, who is now the pastor of his late father’s church. Will she be able to avoid him and keep her past in the past? Or will she have to face that past when a new soul crushing event hits her in the face?
This novel is a true love story and filled with grace and forgiveness. What a great night’s entertainment it is!
I received this book from the author and the opinion expressed is my own.
I loved this story. The characters where so real and emotions so raw. I pulled for Jade to take a chance for a good life, even when she thought she didn’t deserve anything good. If you love clean stories with purpose I highly recommend ‘Not Until Us’!
Valerie M. Bodden is a new author for me and I am hooked. I can’t wait to read more books by this author. This inspirational story is SO good! It is a story of hope, forgiveness, faith and love. It was tender and romantic yet touched on real life struggles and emotions. It is a testament that with faith you can overcome all obstacles no matter how insurmountable they may seem. This story will truly touch your heart.
WOW so many emotions this book brought out in me. Heartbreaking, heartwarming, shock, a little anger at a couple people, laughter, happiness, love you name it. Such a wonderful story. The characters are amazing. I want to be a part of this group. Valerie Bodden is a very gifted author and I am so happy that I found her books. I highly recommend this series it is amazing.
Oh this book! No spoilers here ~ you must read it! I love second chance romance but this is special because of the way faith plays into the story of Jade and Dan. This book is very well-written and ushers us into their lives as if we were friends with the characters. And I want to be right there in the mix, learning the hard lessons and walking their walk. I truly love this group of friends! On to the next in this wonderful series.