It’s 1905 and the new century overflows with opportunities for the smart, the strong, the confident, and the determined. All words that describe Hope Birdwell to a T. Her first twenty years had their share of trouble and torment, but she’s certain the next twenty hold only promise.
Hope leaves a sordid past behind and heads for Wyoming to take up homesteading. Never mind that she’s alone in … alone in the world and has never known a real home in her whole life. Her name is Hope, after all, so what could possibly go wrong?
Well, maybe the long reach of perverted violence from a brute she would rather forget could get in the way of her dreams. Maybe the warmly distracting appeal of friends and community could compromise her independence. Maybe the loving attention of a handsome young man with the unnerving ability to change her opinions about true freedom could cause her to falter. Maybe.
Hope Birdwell knows she is poised at the edge of a bright future, if only she can protect herself and the people she’s grown to love from the dark and deadly menace of her past. Maybe that means she’ll have to risk everything she’s dreamed about and planned for and maybe she won’t succeed. Maybe she’s gone too long without the truth. Maybe.
Hope Birdwell will discover some surprising truths in the wilds of Wyoming. That there’s danger in deception, freedom in sacrifice, and a cost to love. Hard and painful lessons, every one of them, for a modern, single-minded girl. But she’s not one to give up on her dreams no matter what—and her name is Hope, after all.
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The author does a great job developing the characters of the story. I read this book first and then “Where Home Is” and enjoyed both books immensely.
This was a good but predictable read. Hope, a young girl who had a tragic past, has the strength to push forward and eventually make a good life for herself with the help of friends.
Kept my interest from page 1 !
Loved this book – didn’t want to put it down. Great story. Hope was very admirable and brave and made wonderful friends.
I enjoyed this book. Well written and characters are very real.
An engaging story that is both interesting and relaxing for the reader. An easy read book.
I enjoyed reading this book – I loved the character Hope. Well rounded and flawed like all good characters should be. Well worth reading.
Hope never gives up in the face of adversity!
This was a wonderful story,Sad,happy,hopeful,I could hardly wait to read it then I
was sorry when I finished it.
I loved this book and had to get the next one and couldn’t put it down! Can’t wait to read the next one!
The title says it all. A compelling story of a young woman born into a hopeless situation, but matures into a hope filled young woman with a beautiful future.
Wonderful story
Really enjoyed this book! I loved how the author wrote it as first person and I felt transported back in time to 1900s Wyoming. Loved the characters too!
Good story and no yukky sex.
I was entertained and liked the story and the characters.
I enjoyed this book. The people portrayed would be great to know.
Endearing story with insights into some of life’s realities in an earlier, more rugged time and place. The author crafts the story effectively . . . quality of writing exceptional.
Interesting location and historical detail.
This was a great read for me and I so enjoyed the unpredictability of what would happen next. It kept me reading every evening until I finished it.
This book is well-written and the main character has a lot of spunk. But the violence gave me nightmares. I found myself quickly skimming over these parts and was happy when I managed to get through it. At least it did end well.