Home isn’t just a place… Amish widow Ruth Mast wants nothing to do with the handsome man from her past who just returned to Cedar Grove. Ruth learned the hard way that Owen Mast’s restlessness always causes trouble. But when a little Amish girl appears on Owen’s porch, lost and afraid, Ruth has no choice but to help the man who only ever causes heartbreak… All Owen wanted was to make amends … was to make amends with Ruth and her family. He never imagined that little Grace–or the strange mystery surrounding her–would bring him closer to Ruth. Or that a tender and unexpected attraction would quickly take hold of them both. But even a wandering heart can grow roots…when there is hope for love.
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This pair have been on quite a journey and are just at the midpoint of their lives. The heartbreak and grief they have experienced in the past prevent them from easily allowing a deeper relationship to form. Ruth especially is antagonistic towards Owen in the beginning of the book, but over time and through the shared responsibility of the farm and Grace, she learns to let go of past hurts and see Owen for his good attributes. Owen’s choice to spend his life pursuing his missing sister is a noble one, but also leaves him without family and not much time with friends. It was gratifying to see his devotion to Grace and his determination to prove to Ruth that he can be depended on. There is some mystery and suspense as the answers to the question of who Grace is and where she came from slowly come to light. I enjoyed the detailed information about life on the farm, raising and shearing sheep, and Amish customs.
Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.
This is a great book, it has a lot of sad parts but Hope is the name and the book will give you it! I recommend this book to all who enjoy great writing, Amish themed books and those who will forever have Hope in their hearts!
I really got immersed in this read, how I loved being back in Cedar Grove, my second visit with these folks, and these books can be read alone.
A lost love, and moving on with your life, marrying, children, and then becoming a widow. Enter the lost love, and he is there to help, and you want nothing to do with him. Things do get interesting here with danger, arrival of a precocious three-year-old, new babies being born, and new feelings. Put all of these things together, along with a few chuckles, and you have a page turner story in your hands!
I am now hoping for more visits with these folks!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Harlequin, and was not required to give a positive review.
The Hope by Patricia Davids is the second novel in The Amish of Cedar Grove series. The Hope is a sweet story about second chances, hope, love and unexpected surprises. I thought The Hope was well-written and it moved along at a nice steady pace. There was a good flow between Owen and Ruth’s sections. I like that we get to see the situation from a woman and a man’s point-of-view. Ruth Mast is a strong woman who is a widow with two children. Her eldest, Ella has been married two months and is departing on her wedding trip. The couple will then move to Jamesport, Missouri. That leaves Ruth’s seventeen year old son, Faron at home who has wanderlust in his eyes. Owen’s stories about traveling around the country have inspired Faron to make a trip of his own, but he has yet to tell Ruth. Owen Mast became an orphan from a buggy accident as a child. Only himself and his three year old sister, Rebecca survived the accident. They were sent to live with two different relatives. Owen promised Rebecca they would get back together and he has been trying to find her since he became an adult. The Hope is a multifaceted novel. Owen finds little Grace and she clings to him. The child gives odd answers and has evidently had a rough life though it is obvious she had a loving mother. Owen and Ruth take care of Grace while the search for the child’s mother as well as answers. Grace is an endearing little girl who stole the show. I especially loved the scene with Grace and Polkadot, the sheep. It was interesting to learn about Icelandic sheep which Ruth raised on her farm (I am now going to seek out some of their wool). I was surprised that the sheep were not washed prior to shearing them. The story has romance and mystery mixed in with mending broken fences. There are wonderful messages in The Hope. The Hope can be read as a standalone if you have not had the time to read The Wish. I started The Hope and kept reading until I finished it. The ending was just delightful. My favorite line from the story is “…home is where your heart is happy.” The Hope is a captivating story that will tug at your heart.