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Wind River Hearts #4
The Homesteader's Sweetheart
To escape a dreaded arranged marriage, Penny Castlerock will face anything — even life on her grandfather's farm. But it isn't the rustic lifestyle that's got the Philadelphia socialite tied in knots. It's the handsome homesteader and his eight adopted children next door...
With seven boys and a girl to raise, transplanted farmer Jonas White could sure use some help. He just didn't expect it to come from the high-spirited, copper-haired beauty he's always admired from afar. But surely working the land is no life for a woman like Penny. Yet a threat to Jonas's farm just might show him how perfect Penny is for him after all.
With seven boys and a girl to raise, transplanted farmer Jonas White could sure use some help. He just didn't expect it to come from the high-spirited, copper-haired beauty he's always admired from afar. But surely working the land is no life for a woman like Penny. Yet a threat to Jonas's farm just might show him how perfect Penny is for him after all.
288 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published May 1, 2012
2310 people are currently reading
1054 people want to read
About the author
Lacy Williams
192 books1,285 followersLacy Williams wishes her writing career was more like what you see on Hallmark movies: dreamy brainstorming from a French chateau or a few minutes at the computer in a million-dollar New York City penthouse. In reality, she’s up before the sun, putting words on the page before her kids wake up for the day. Those early-morning and late-night writing sessions add up, and Lacy has published fifty books in almost a decade, first with a big five publisher and then as an indie author. When she needs to refill the well, you can find Lacy birdwatching, gardening, biking with the kiddos, or walking the dog. Find tons of bonus scenes and reader extras by becoming a VIP reader at www.lacywilliams.net/vip .
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 203 reviews
December 26, 2025
A new-to-me author. Perfunctory writing. The underlying story had some interest—pampered daughter interacts with a handsome but tongue-tied homesteader who gathers unwanted children under his roof because he, himself, was an unwanted child—but the execution was dry and dull and the pace was slow. Slooooowwwww. Every occurrence or conversation was followed by pages of each character’s thoughts, and those thoughts recycled frequently.
Worse, the tongue-tied homesteader with all the children was so lacking in feelings of self-worth that he would have walked away from the FMC without a qualm right up to the last page of the book, which made him a disappointing hero.
I resorted to skimming, but was still bored.
Worse, the tongue-tied homesteader with all the children was so lacking in feelings of self-worth that he would have walked away from the FMC without a qualm right up to the last page of the book, which made him a disappointing hero.
I resorted to skimming, but was still bored.
May 4, 2012
Cheaper by the Dozen Meets Love Comes Softly
To look at Penny Castlerock and her fine ways you wouldn’t think that some of the best years of her childhood were spent at her grandparents’ farm. The life she lives as a prosperous banker’s daughter has nearly erased those fond memories. But when an unwanted suitor makes a nuisance of himself, she sees a return to the Wyoming prairie as her only escape.
Jonas White could never forget the spoiled girl he watched while laying bricks next to her expensive school, and Penny can’t forget the scandal between him and one of her classmates. When their paths cross again, Jonas is the father of a motley crew of seven boys and a girl whose seizures have forced them into financial ruin. Desperately trying every remedy, Jonas will spend his last dime to find a cure.
Lacy Williams’ book is delightful. She gives us a quiet, humble hero in Jonas, and Penny charms in every scene. Add to that the raucous mischief eight meddling children can create and a creepy villain and you have a great story that remains with the reader long after the last page.
To look at Penny Castlerock and her fine ways you wouldn’t think that some of the best years of her childhood were spent at her grandparents’ farm. The life she lives as a prosperous banker’s daughter has nearly erased those fond memories. But when an unwanted suitor makes a nuisance of himself, she sees a return to the Wyoming prairie as her only escape.
Jonas White could never forget the spoiled girl he watched while laying bricks next to her expensive school, and Penny can’t forget the scandal between him and one of her classmates. When their paths cross again, Jonas is the father of a motley crew of seven boys and a girl whose seizures have forced them into financial ruin. Desperately trying every remedy, Jonas will spend his last dime to find a cure.
Lacy Williams’ book is delightful. She gives us a quiet, humble hero in Jonas, and Penny charms in every scene. Add to that the raucous mischief eight meddling children can create and a creepy villain and you have a great story that remains with the reader long after the last page.
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February 3, 2019🎁 FREE on Amazon today (2/3/2019)! 🎁
Blurb:
Pursued by an unwelcome suitor, banker's daughter Penny Castlerock will do anything to escape town and Mr. Abbott's advances-even visit her grandfather's homestead for an undetermined amount of time. Out of her element, she must rely on neighbor Jonas White and his brood of adopted children.
Scandal chased Jonas out of Philadelphia five years ago. A scandal that socialite Miss Castlerock knows about. Since then, Jonas has kept to himself, worked his homestead, and focused on raising his seven adopted boys and his daughter. The last thing he needs is to be reminded of the past and the young woman he once fancied-especially when she's so far out of his sphere...
As circumstances force the two to work together, their tentative friendship blossoms into something more. But can two people from such disparate backgrounds find true love with each other?
Blurb:
Pursued by an unwelcome suitor, banker's daughter Penny Castlerock will do anything to escape town and Mr. Abbott's advances-even visit her grandfather's homestead for an undetermined amount of time. Out of her element, she must rely on neighbor Jonas White and his brood of adopted children.
Scandal chased Jonas out of Philadelphia five years ago. A scandal that socialite Miss Castlerock knows about. Since then, Jonas has kept to himself, worked his homestead, and focused on raising his seven adopted boys and his daughter. The last thing he needs is to be reminded of the past and the young woman he once fancied-especially when she's so far out of his sphere...
As circumstances force the two to work together, their tentative friendship blossoms into something more. But can two people from such disparate backgrounds find true love with each other?
February 12, 2019
I loved this book. The characters are awesome, the book moves along at a good clip. Jonas and his family are endearing! I was so excited to find another author who writes well and offers a variety of material.
April 15, 2012
The Homesteader's Sweetheart is the second book I've read written by Lacy Williams. I liked it even better than her first book--and I liked that one a lot. The Homesteader's Sweetheart is the story of two people from different sides of the track. It is filled with a delightful cast of secondary characters that are sure to keep you smiling. There's plenty of excitement and a heart tugging romance that leaves you saying, "Ah...."
November 8, 2022
2.5 stars
If you like slow burns, this book is for you. I normally do, but not with this one. I couldn’t connect with either of the characters. I wasn’t a fan of Penny. She was wishy-washy. Jonas was alright. It must have been hard for a man in his position and everything that happened with Millie.
I don’t remember much of what was going on. I ended up skimming most of the second half. Maybe I just read this at the wrong time.
If you like slow burns, this book is for you. I normally do, but not with this one. I couldn’t connect with either of the characters. I wasn’t a fan of Penny. She was wishy-washy. Jonas was alright. It must have been hard for a man in his position and everything that happened with Millie.
I don’t remember much of what was going on. I ended up skimming most of the second half. Maybe I just read this at the wrong time.
February 18, 2019
Rating 2.5. I listened to the audio. This can sometimes work against a story such as a romance and I think it did work against this. First, I cannot listen as fast as I can read and consequently the story goes on forever. Second, romantic words read aloud sound cornier than when I read them quietly.
I thought it was unrealistic that Penny's father would have let Penny go and stay out of town in a place he didn't approve of so long, a place he had forbidden the family to go.
There was something about the framework of the story that didn't work for me. While Granddad needed a lot of help, very little time was dedicated to showing he was actually helped. I felt there were holes (or I had ADD moments while listening) as to how Jonas's family came together or how the whole false accusations about his daughter's situation. I felt the villain was such a caricature, just off the tracks crazy from the get go and that made Penny's dad seem like a caricature himself.
Normally, I enjoy Lacy’s novels but this one didn't click with me and I don't want to read on in the series.
I thought it was unrealistic that Penny's father would have let Penny go and stay out of town in a place he didn't approve of so long, a place he had forbidden the family to go.
There was something about the framework of the story that didn't work for me. While Granddad needed a lot of help, very little time was dedicated to showing he was actually helped. I felt there were holes (or I had ADD moments while listening) as to how Jonas's family came together or how the whole false accusations about his daughter's situation. I felt the villain was such a caricature, just off the tracks crazy from the get go and that made Penny's dad seem like a caricature himself.
Normally, I enjoy Lacy’s novels but this one didn't click with me and I don't want to read on in the series.
March 30, 2012
The first word that pops into my mind is AMAZING! I was lucky enough to get an advanced reading copy, and I'm so glad I was one who got to read it first. Lacy Williams did such a great job with this book - she captures your attention from the start and gives you both a hero and heroine to love. You'll laugh when they laugh, feel for them when things get tough, and have a permanent smile on your face by the time you reach the last page. At first I thought that Jonas having 8 kids was going to get confusing, but you learn to love each of them in their own special way, and Lacy does a great job keeping them all straight. WOW what a great read - I think I'll go back for seconds!
March 23, 2017
I adore Jonas White! What a big hearted, hard working, wonderful man! Penny is a compassionate lady and she definitely grew on me. All the children in this story are unique and endearing, no small task! I look forward to reading the entire series!
I received an audio book version of this title from the author. The opinions expressed are my own.
I received an audio book version of this title from the author. The opinions expressed are my own.
November 5, 2019
Faith-oriented readers will especially love this wholesome western story of an underdog who rises above his hardships to build an unusual and large frontier family, against all odds. Now he just needs to find a wife, but the only girl he's ever loved is a wealthy, high-society banker's daughter who doesn't even know him.
Author Lacy Williams has made us fall in love with young Jonas, the patriarch of the unique White family, and with Penelope, the banker's daughter from a nearby town. You won't want to put the book down until you know whether Jonas will ever succeed in finding someone who loves him as much as he truly deserves.
The country around Calvin, Wyoming, comes alive under the author's pen, and you'll be ready to move there by the time you finish reading. This clean, wholesome, engaging adventure is appropriate for all ages, and it portrays matters of faith in a positive manner without being judgmental or preachy.
I predict you'll be eager to move on to other books in this series, to find out what happens with all eight of Jonas White's fascinating children as they grow to adulthood and begin to establish their own homesteads and families.
Author Lacy Williams has made us fall in love with young Jonas, the patriarch of the unique White family, and with Penelope, the banker's daughter from a nearby town. You won't want to put the book down until you know whether Jonas will ever succeed in finding someone who loves him as much as he truly deserves.
The country around Calvin, Wyoming, comes alive under the author's pen, and you'll be ready to move there by the time you finish reading. This clean, wholesome, engaging adventure is appropriate for all ages, and it portrays matters of faith in a positive manner without being judgmental or preachy.
I predict you'll be eager to move on to other books in this series, to find out what happens with all eight of Jonas White's fascinating children as they grow to adulthood and begin to establish their own homesteads and families.
March 13, 2019
A wonderful story full of emotion. I don’t usually get completely absorbed in stories centered around kids, but I was hooked. The characters were great! Loved everything about it!
November 3, 2019
Absolutely loved this book. Can't wait to get to more.
January 24, 2024
Sweet, well written
February 18, 2025
Sweet
A very nice story about two very different people, a farmer and a debutante,who fall in love and the difficulties in their lives.
A very nice story about two very different people, a farmer and a debutante,who fall in love and the difficulties in their lives.
May 27, 2012
Thought I'd write a review for this since the author was the one who gave it to me. I don't really know how to write reviews but I'm going to try. I loved reading this book and I wasn't in a rush to finish it. I liked Penny and Jonas but they have got to loosen up. Lol kidding. Jonas because he's very kind and full of heart but sometimes he is confused. He has children that he loves and cares for by himself. Penny, is a caring lady and also has good manners. She is very helpful in the book but there's this one thing that she avoids. The reason why she's visiting her grandfather is because she's avoiding an arranged marriage.
The book was well written and it's also a very good story kind of like an old movie I watched. A little similar to it or maybe more. I would recommend this book to all the ladies. Including my pretty sister. You can borrow it if you want. ;)
The book was well written and it's also a very good story kind of like an old movie I watched. A little similar to it or maybe more. I would recommend this book to all the ladies. Including my pretty sister. You can borrow it if you want. ;)
April 1, 2012
Due out in May, this book was very sweet. Penny and her brother go to visit their ailing grandfather on his farm. Penny is trying to escape an unwanted suitor. She meets Jonas, the man next door with 8 adopted children. He teaches her some things about farming, like how not to set a kitchen on fire, and she teaches little life lessons to each of his children. Will they be able to look past their social standing differences and find a love that's true?
This was a quick read for me. It was fun and I loved Breanna, Jonas's little girl. I loved how fears were overcome and acceptance for who a person is and not their circumstances were big in the book.
This was a quick read for me. It was fun and I loved Breanna, Jonas's little girl. I loved how fears were overcome and acceptance for who a person is and not their circumstances were big in the book.
February 18, 2019
This novel was meh. The characters are okay. The antagonist was a bit of a sugar-coated psychopath. I guess the author didn’t want things to get super ugly. The conflicts are all very easily resolved. The plot flows slowly, and there are a lot of holes. The novel focuses mainly on everyday occurrences. Even when more exciting things happen it tends to skip over the action, just showing the before and the aftermath. That’s probably an okay thing as the action scene at the end was rather unsatisfying. Again, things are so very easily resolved. There are also a plethora of grammatical problems. It’s an okay story, just not much depth.
April 30, 2019
ebook version. I see there was an updated version in December. I read Jonas and Penny's story backwards so I knew the end result. Never the less it was good to go on the journey to meet Sam, Emily and the town of Calvin and know the sheriff was in an earlier story. The 7 boys and Breanna get their story told in a series with additions to the White family.
February 26, 2020
2.5 stars. There were some parts that were just too unbelievable.
August 14, 2020
I really like the Christian fiction genre, but this one was not my favorite. Probably a 2.5 read for me. I think she said the same thing 50 different times in just slightly different ways.
December 11, 2020
I loved this book - it was a sweet romance that I found myself smiling at while I was reading. You could not find two people on opposite spectrums as Jonas and Penny. Jonas came from a family that didn't want him to living in an orphanage that was crowded and he was bullied. Then he lived on the street until a brick layer took him in as his apprentice. He was working outside a girl's school and saw Penny and loved her from afar. One of the girls at the school got pregnant and the family did not want to be disgraced so they paid Jonas to take the baby and leave town. He heads to Wyoming and along the way picks up some other stray kids that have no home so now he has eight adopted children.
Penny comes from a well-to-do family where she lacks for nothing. She has fine dresses and loves to go to teas with her mother and enjoys her friends. But when Mr. Abbott (who is not a nice man) wants to marry her, she flees to the country to live with her grandfather who has been sick and needs some help. Her brother, Sam, goes with her. The first day there, Penny has to cook breakfast and she cooks eggs and starts a fire in the kitchen that burns a whole in the wall of the cabin. So his neighbor - Jonas - sends two of the boys to see what is wrong and they invite them to their ranch for breakfast. Penny is mortified because she has soot all over her dress and looks a mess. But they go anyways. Jonas can't believe Penny is in his home. He remembers Penny at first before she remembers where she has seen him.
Long story short - it was fun to read about how their worlds come together and they fall in love. Jonas can't understand how someone would want him after no one has loved him all his life. Penny falls in love with the seven boys and Brenna and then Jonas. Funny things happen as they bring themselves to admit their love for one another.
It was just a really good, clean romance set in the 1890's in Wyoming.
Penny comes from a well-to-do family where she lacks for nothing. She has fine dresses and loves to go to teas with her mother and enjoys her friends. But when Mr. Abbott (who is not a nice man) wants to marry her, she flees to the country to live with her grandfather who has been sick and needs some help. Her brother, Sam, goes with her. The first day there, Penny has to cook breakfast and she cooks eggs and starts a fire in the kitchen that burns a whole in the wall of the cabin. So his neighbor - Jonas - sends two of the boys to see what is wrong and they invite them to their ranch for breakfast. Penny is mortified because she has soot all over her dress and looks a mess. But they go anyways. Jonas can't believe Penny is in his home. He remembers Penny at first before she remembers where she has seen him.
Long story short - it was fun to read about how their worlds come together and they fall in love. Jonas can't understand how someone would want him after no one has loved him all his life. Penny falls in love with the seven boys and Brenna and then Jonas. Funny things happen as they bring themselves to admit their love for one another.
It was just a really good, clean romance set in the 1890's in Wyoming.
March 5, 2017
What a breath of fresh air this book is. Lacy Williams brings the old west to life with Jonas and Penny on their journey to love. Penny is from a wealthy family and her father is arranging her marriage to a man that she dislikes. Penny, to get away from the situation, takes advantage of the opportunity to go help her grandfather. She and her brother Sam ride there with Jonas, her grandfather's neighbor. We meet his daughter Briana, who has a seizure on the trip home and Jonas is impressed with Penny's compassion with his daughter. Over the next several weeks, we meet Jonas's 7 sons, learn of the heard work it takes to run things and see Penny acclimate to homestead living. Throughout her time there, Sam also has some growing that he does. Some disasters begin happening around the homestead that are devastating to Jonas and things deteriorated. I love the way Lacy Williams portrays this love story, how the relationship grows and changes, the interaction with all the boys(they we all so lovable, and their stories heart wrenching to heart warming!) and how when you find your soulmate, it doesn't matter where you come from.Lacy Williams has a winner.
As always, Laural Merlington gives a perfect narration. She was one of the first narrators I ever listened to and she can read any genre and entrench you into the story.
As always, Laural Merlington gives a perfect narration. She was one of the first narrators I ever listened to and she can read any genre and entrench you into the story.
March 24, 2019
There Are No Throwaway Kids
Jonas fell in love from afar and never dreamed the grandparents of the woman of his dreams would be his next door dear friends and closest neighbor. He looked at her as above him because of her rich family and his lack of any family since he was a little boy. He was a street urchin that sleep in doorways and alleys. He grew up alone and was abandoned by everyone in his life and because of this he took in children in the same circumstances. He had a house full of boys and 1girl and he was Pa to them all. He learned to farm, cook, parent and walk with God with the teachings of Penny's grandparents.
Penny was a young lady looking for love in a husband, wearing pretty dresses and working on charities and helping others. She ran to her Grandfathers with her brother Samuel to help him since Walt had been sick and also to escape the man her father was forcing her to marry. She couldn't stand being around him because he gave her a really bad feeling. She became really close to Jonas's children and they grew to care for her. They had no woman in their life since Walt's wife died so they were starved for a mother figure. This is a story of so many hurt and wounded people in one place that needed each other.
Jonas fell in love from afar and never dreamed the grandparents of the woman of his dreams would be his next door dear friends and closest neighbor. He looked at her as above him because of her rich family and his lack of any family since he was a little boy. He was a street urchin that sleep in doorways and alleys. He grew up alone and was abandoned by everyone in his life and because of this he took in children in the same circumstances. He had a house full of boys and 1girl and he was Pa to them all. He learned to farm, cook, parent and walk with God with the teachings of Penny's grandparents.
Penny was a young lady looking for love in a husband, wearing pretty dresses and working on charities and helping others. She ran to her Grandfathers with her brother Samuel to help him since Walt had been sick and also to escape the man her father was forcing her to marry. She couldn't stand being around him because he gave her a really bad feeling. She became really close to Jonas's children and they grew to care for her. They had no woman in their life since Walt's wife died so they were starved for a mother figure. This is a story of so many hurt and wounded people in one place that needed each other.
August 23, 2019
Much more than meets the eye!
I loved this book for so many reasons. It is well written and represents more than finding love; it is a social commentary on how things were among the rich and the very poor. In some countries, it is still happening today.
The characters are very well rounded. The each have something that you remember afterwards. The main characters, Jonas and Penny, have each in their own way, suffering hardship. You ask: Penny? But she is high society, which has hardship of it's own kind! I don't want to reveal them, because they are a main sub-story line.
I recommend you follow the link to more about Brenna. It will shake you but help you in future books.
I really think anyone 16 and over would enjoy this book. But I think parental guidance may be a good idea for 14 to 16 year olds.
Pardon me, I am starting the second book in the series. I came gone!
I loved this book for so many reasons. It is well written and represents more than finding love; it is a social commentary on how things were among the rich and the very poor. In some countries, it is still happening today.
The characters are very well rounded. The each have something that you remember afterwards. The main characters, Jonas and Penny, have each in their own way, suffering hardship. You ask: Penny? But she is high society, which has hardship of it's own kind! I don't want to reveal them, because they are a main sub-story line.
I recommend you follow the link to more about Brenna. It will shake you but help you in future books.
I really think anyone 16 and over would enjoy this book. But I think parental guidance may be a good idea for 14 to 16 year olds.
Pardon me, I am starting the second book in the series. I came gone!
January 8, 2026
First time reader of this author. Penny Castlerock did not want to marry the man that her father picked out for her. So she convinced her father that her grandfather was ill and really needed help with his farm. Her father agreed to send Penny and her brother to help Grandpa which lived miles away. Grandpa's neighbor, a young man that Penny had gotten acquainted with. Penny didn't know he was single and he had eight children, seven boys and one girl named Breanne that acted like a boy! This story involved Penny, her Grandpa, a single male neighbor and all eight children of all ages living on a farm. This is a well written story, all the characters came alive. Boys being boys always active, working hard, riding horses, playing games on each other and the little girl trying to keep up with them. Penny always giving a helping hand wherever needed. A wonderful story everyone will enjoy. This book was fun, interesting, containing some mysteries, light romance and very entertaining.
November 19, 2012
I hadn't realized that Lacy Williams had another book out, until I read a review of The Homesteader's Sweetheart on The Misadventures of Super Librarian. While I enjoyed Marrying Miss Marshal and could trust that the religious aspects of her newest book would be fairly light, I was a little leery of reading a romance with that many children in it. I'm not usually a fan of romance novel children.
As you can tell, I decided to give the book a shot anyway. I'm glad I did. Although I didn't like The Homesteader's Sweetheart as much as Marrying Miss Marshal, I still enjoyed it a lot.
Just like in Marrying Miss Marshal, the religious aspects in this book were lightly done. The characters went to church, read the bible, etc. All of it felt natural, particularly for the time period, and I didn't feel like I was being preached at.
Williams is fantastic at writing lonely characters who want to be loved but who aren't good at reading people or communicating their feelings. In this book, that character was Jonas. Jonas was used to taking care of himself and his family on his own. He expected Penny to look down on him and his sons and to be afraid of Breanna after she has a seizure, because those were the kinds of responses he'd faced his whole life. He and everyone else in his family had been abandoned at one time or another. From Jonas' and some of the children's perspectives, it seemed too much to expect someone as well-to-do as Penny to accept and love them all. At one point, Jonas thought to himself, “Will I ever be enough for someone to love?” (192), and I went all warm and fuzzy inside for him. I did get a little frustrated with how long it took Jonas to stop making assumptions about Penny and trust her, especially when she did so little to give him a reason to think she might not truly care for him and his family, but I could still understand his reaction.
I liked seeing Penny slowly get used to life in the country and become part of Jonas' family. It wasn't easy for her – she managed to light her grandfather's kitchen on fire the first time she tried to make a meal, and one of Jonas' sons really disliked her in the beginning – but that just made her later successes all that much more fun to read about. I laughed when Penny gave Jonas' boys advice on how to court girls – she was completely unaware of the uncomfortable position she put Jonas in, as his interest in her grew and he tried desperately to hide it. Penny and Jonas' romance was very sweet, and I enjoyed it a lot.
I've already mentioned that all those children made me a little wary about reading the book. Thankfully, they weren't usually annoyingly precious, although they did engage in a little matchmaking near the end. Eight children is a lot, though, and I found that I wasn't even able to remember the names of half of them, much less remember them all as individuals. Maxwell was probably my favorite out of the bunch – he was shy and sweet, with a very adorable crush.
I was not as much of a fan of Breanna, unfortunately. I didn't dislike her, but it did feel a little like her epilepsy was more of a plot device than an actual medical condition. She had one seizure in the whole book, near the beginning, and then nothing, and the end of the book felt like a bit of hand-waving to make the entire seizure problem just go away.
If I could have changed one thing about the book, it would have been the villain, who I felt was so villainish that he was kind of cartoony. While the dangerous elements in Marrying Miss Marshal fit, they seemed a little out of place in this book.
While I preferred Marrying Miss Marshal overall, this was still a good book that left me with a smile on my face. It had some weaknesses, but it was a strong book in the areas that counted for me the most. I liked both Jonas and Penny, I enjoyed reading about the progression of their romance, and I would totally read a YA romance that starred Maxwell.
One last thing, and then on to the read-alikes [see my original blog post, linked below, for the read-alikes]. Danna, the heroine of Marrying Miss Marshal, is mentioned in this book. She's the marshal of Calvin, the town where Penny's mother and father live. I wondered a little about where in the timeline The Homesteader's Sweetheart fell, because Danna is referred to as Danna Carpenter, not Danna O'Grady, which I'm assuming means she hasn't married Chas O'Grady yet. With the way I think the timelines work out, I think that means The Homesteader's Sweetheart must have take place right after Marrying Miss Marshal. Or maybe there's a bit of overlap between the events of the two books? I can't remember if the villain of this book appeared at all in Marrying Miss Marshal, and I can't find my copy of that book right now.
Well, it's not really that important, and if anyone reading this is now worried that you need to read Marrying Miss Marshal before reading The Homesteader's Sweetheart, you shouldn't be. The books stand alone just fine. It was just a little thing that caught my attention and made me wonder.
(Original review, with read-alikes, posted on A Library Girl's Familiar Diversions.)
As you can tell, I decided to give the book a shot anyway. I'm glad I did. Although I didn't like The Homesteader's Sweetheart as much as Marrying Miss Marshal, I still enjoyed it a lot.
Just like in Marrying Miss Marshal, the religious aspects in this book were lightly done. The characters went to church, read the bible, etc. All of it felt natural, particularly for the time period, and I didn't feel like I was being preached at.
Williams is fantastic at writing lonely characters who want to be loved but who aren't good at reading people or communicating their feelings. In this book, that character was Jonas. Jonas was used to taking care of himself and his family on his own. He expected Penny to look down on him and his sons and to be afraid of Breanna after she has a seizure, because those were the kinds of responses he'd faced his whole life. He and everyone else in his family had been abandoned at one time or another. From Jonas' and some of the children's perspectives, it seemed too much to expect someone as well-to-do as Penny to accept and love them all. At one point, Jonas thought to himself, “Will I ever be enough for someone to love?” (192), and I went all warm and fuzzy inside for him. I did get a little frustrated with how long it took Jonas to stop making assumptions about Penny and trust her, especially when she did so little to give him a reason to think she might not truly care for him and his family, but I could still understand his reaction.
I liked seeing Penny slowly get used to life in the country and become part of Jonas' family. It wasn't easy for her – she managed to light her grandfather's kitchen on fire the first time she tried to make a meal, and one of Jonas' sons really disliked her in the beginning – but that just made her later successes all that much more fun to read about. I laughed when Penny gave Jonas' boys advice on how to court girls – she was completely unaware of the uncomfortable position she put Jonas in, as his interest in her grew and he tried desperately to hide it. Penny and Jonas' romance was very sweet, and I enjoyed it a lot.
I've already mentioned that all those children made me a little wary about reading the book. Thankfully, they weren't usually annoyingly precious, although they did engage in a little matchmaking near the end. Eight children is a lot, though, and I found that I wasn't even able to remember the names of half of them, much less remember them all as individuals. Maxwell was probably my favorite out of the bunch – he was shy and sweet, with a very adorable crush.
I was not as much of a fan of Breanna, unfortunately. I didn't dislike her, but it did feel a little like her epilepsy was more of a plot device than an actual medical condition. She had one seizure in the whole book, near the beginning, and then nothing, and the end of the book felt like a bit of hand-waving to make the entire seizure problem just go away.
If I could have changed one thing about the book, it would have been the villain, who I felt was so villainish that he was kind of cartoony. While the dangerous elements in Marrying Miss Marshal fit, they seemed a little out of place in this book.
While I preferred Marrying Miss Marshal overall, this was still a good book that left me with a smile on my face. It had some weaknesses, but it was a strong book in the areas that counted for me the most. I liked both Jonas and Penny, I enjoyed reading about the progression of their romance, and I would totally read a YA romance that starred Maxwell.
One last thing, and then on to the read-alikes [see my original blog post, linked below, for the read-alikes]. Danna, the heroine of Marrying Miss Marshal, is mentioned in this book. She's the marshal of Calvin, the town where Penny's mother and father live. I wondered a little about where in the timeline The Homesteader's Sweetheart fell, because Danna is referred to as Danna Carpenter, not Danna O'Grady, which I'm assuming means she hasn't married Chas O'Grady yet. With the way I think the timelines work out, I think that means The Homesteader's Sweetheart must have take place right after Marrying Miss Marshal. Or maybe there's a bit of overlap between the events of the two books? I can't remember if the villain of this book appeared at all in Marrying Miss Marshal, and I can't find my copy of that book right now.
Well, it's not really that important, and if anyone reading this is now worried that you need to read Marrying Miss Marshal before reading The Homesteader's Sweetheart, you shouldn't be. The books stand alone just fine. It was just a little thing that caught my attention and made me wonder.
(Original review, with read-alikes, posted on A Library Girl's Familiar Diversions.)
December 6, 2020
Penny Castlerock will do anything to escape town and her suitor Mr. Abbott’s advances. She’s decided to visit her grandfather’s homestead where Jonas White is her neighbor.
Jonas White moved out of Philadelphia following a scandal that Penny is aware of. Since then he’s kept to himself, worked his homestead, and focused on raising his seven adopted boys and his daughter. The last thing he needs is a reminder of his past.
They both run into each other at Penny’s father’s house party in Calvin, Wyoming where Jonas has come to ask Mr. Castlerock who’s a banker for a loan. Also, Jonas is there to deliver a letter from Penny’s grandfather asking if they could send someone out to help him for a few days.
Penny considers traveling to her grandfather‘s homestead Bear Creek and sees this as a chance to put some distance between her and Herman Abbot, her father’s business partner.
Jonas White moved out of Philadelphia following a scandal that Penny is aware of. Since then he’s kept to himself, worked his homestead, and focused on raising his seven adopted boys and his daughter. The last thing he needs is a reminder of his past.
They both run into each other at Penny’s father’s house party in Calvin, Wyoming where Jonas has come to ask Mr. Castlerock who’s a banker for a loan. Also, Jonas is there to deliver a letter from Penny’s grandfather asking if they could send someone out to help him for a few days.
Penny considers traveling to her grandfather‘s homestead Bear Creek and sees this as a chance to put some distance between her and Herman Abbot, her father’s business partner.
February 16, 2021
4 stars
I purchased a copy of the clean historical western romance The Homesteader's Sweetheart (Wild Wyoming Hearts Book 4){Wind River Hearts book 4} by Lacy Williams and this review was given freely.
Snobbery, an attraction that spans years, blossoming teenage love, unconditional love, a vindictive suiter and a happy ending are combined in this story of finding true love and a family made by design rather than of blood.
Calvin, Wyoming's single father of eight adopted children, Jonas White, feels his life is full as he cares for his children, his farm, helps his elderly neighbor and worships the Lord until he tries get a loan to pay for his daughter Breanna's epilepsy treatment and is reunited with the woman he has secretly admired in Philadelphia as a teenager, the banker's daughter, Penny Castlerock.
I purchased a copy of the clean historical western romance The Homesteader's Sweetheart (Wild Wyoming Hearts Book 4){Wind River Hearts book 4} by Lacy Williams and this review was given freely.
Snobbery, an attraction that spans years, blossoming teenage love, unconditional love, a vindictive suiter and a happy ending are combined in this story of finding true love and a family made by design rather than of blood.
Calvin, Wyoming's single father of eight adopted children, Jonas White, feels his life is full as he cares for his children, his farm, helps his elderly neighbor and worships the Lord until he tries get a loan to pay for his daughter Breanna's epilepsy treatment and is reunited with the woman he has secretly admired in Philadelphia as a teenager, the banker's daughter, Penny Castlerock.
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December 24, 2020A Test of Life, Work, Wills, and Love
This was such a beautiful story of Jonas and Penny. I have enjoyed every book I have read by this author. The story contains great contrast of characters, location, and status in society. No one would have thought the two even belonged together. Learning from people in the past, both good and bad, teaches us ways of life. Jonas' compassion is bigger than the Wyoming country, and Penny's tenderness is deeper than the creek between Poppy and Jonas' property. The children show the hand of good upbringing, hard work, and Bible teaching. That is a combination for a good product. I received a complimentary copy of this book and have chosen on my own to write an honest review
This was such a beautiful story of Jonas and Penny. I have enjoyed every book I have read by this author. The story contains great contrast of characters, location, and status in society. No one would have thought the two even belonged together. Learning from people in the past, both good and bad, teaches us ways of life. Jonas' compassion is bigger than the Wyoming country, and Penny's tenderness is deeper than the creek between Poppy and Jonas' property. The children show the hand of good upbringing, hard work, and Bible teaching. That is a combination for a good product. I received a complimentary copy of this book and have chosen on my own to write an honest review
August 25, 2024
such a beautiful story of goodness and love
Do you have a book that you go back to if you want to feel good or renew your hope in love and goodness? This novel is one of mine!
We meet Penny in Marrying Miss Marshal (yes, go or actually run and grab that copy to live and breath historical small-town Wyoming!) but here she shines! Oh and Jonas! Uncertain, shy, reserved but steady, good, honorable, and worth of admiration! No wonder Penny falls in love - and maybe we, too just a little bit.
Truly, if you’re looking for a very clean and sweet historical romance set in a small town where evil is defeated , good is restored, hope is abundant, and love conquers all, this is your read.
Do you have a book that you go back to if you want to feel good or renew your hope in love and goodness? This novel is one of mine!
We meet Penny in Marrying Miss Marshal (yes, go or actually run and grab that copy to live and breath historical small-town Wyoming!) but here she shines! Oh and Jonas! Uncertain, shy, reserved but steady, good, honorable, and worth of admiration! No wonder Penny falls in love - and maybe we, too just a little bit.
Truly, if you’re looking for a very clean and sweet historical romance set in a small town where evil is defeated , good is restored, hope is abundant, and love conquers all, this is your read.
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