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Courting Hope
The Man Was No Stranger
When Hope Petersen looks up to see Sinclair Marsh standing in her office doorway, it brings back bittersweet memories. She can't forgive him for the terrible accident that changed both their lives. Now that her girlhood crush is the new pastor of the church she runs, Hope is forced to work with him—and her old feelings resurface. Sinclair seems determined to show her and their Michigan hometown that their minister is a changed man. Is Hope ready to move beyond the past and risk her future on the man she never stopped loving?
When Hope Petersen looks up to see Sinclair Marsh standing in her office doorway, it brings back bittersweet memories. She can't forgive him for the terrible accident that changed both their lives. Now that her girlhood crush is the new pastor of the church she runs, Hope is forced to work with him—and her old feelings resurface. Sinclair seems determined to show her and their Michigan hometown that their minister is a changed man. Is Hope ready to move beyond the past and risk her future on the man she never stopped loving?
224 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
9 people are currently reading
78 people want to read
About the author
Jenna Mindel
44 books88 followersI live in Northern Lower Michigan with my husband and our three adorable dogs. I enjoy the Great Lakes, anything outdoors, and a really strong cup of coffee.
My love of fairy tales as a kid paved the way for me to create my own happily-ever-after stories. My passion grew in writing flawed characters who realize their need to trust God before they can trust each other.
I love to hear from readers and can be reached through my website at www.jennamindel.com.
My love of fairy tales as a kid paved the way for me to create my own happily-ever-after stories. My passion grew in writing flawed characters who realize their need to trust God before they can trust each other.
I love to hear from readers and can be reached through my website at www.jennamindel.com.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
August 30, 2019
4.5* Quick and easy read...
April 15, 2013
This was such a wonderful book. It had a good learning lesson for the reader. It filled me with joy, happiness and sorrow. I had tears running down my face a few different times. Great book can't wait for the next one!
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December 29, 2014"Mindel's sympathetic characters demonstrate the powers of forgiveness and faith." RT Book Reviews, rated 4 stars
February 20, 2026
I want to like Mindel.
She writes about Michigan, after all.
But this was... just. NOT. GOOD. At all.
We have Hope, who has an education degree but works as a church secretary, because she wants to open a preschool in a church in the middle of a cornfield. Then the *NEW* pastor walks in, says he wants to open a teen center, and... "it's too far from town for that, nobody'll come out here for it"??? But they will for a preschool.
Really.
Also, new preacher is the guy that Hope and her parents blame for Hope's sister's death. Sara was driving up a steep hill, trying to carve her initial in the hay (???) and FLIPPED IT ON HERSELF, but somehow he's responsible?! ((How about personal choice and *NO*!!!!!))
I just couldn't. The whole thing didn't work for me. Sorry.
She writes about Michigan, after all.
But this was... just. NOT. GOOD. At all.
We have Hope, who has an education degree but works as a church secretary, because she wants to open a preschool in a church in the middle of a cornfield. Then the *NEW* pastor walks in, says he wants to open a teen center, and... "it's too far from town for that, nobody'll come out here for it"??? But they will for a preschool.
Really.
Also, new preacher is the guy that Hope and her parents blame for Hope's sister's death. Sara was driving up a steep hill, trying to carve her initial in the hay (???) and FLIPPED IT ON HERSELF, but somehow he's responsible?! ((How about personal choice and *NO*!!!!!))
I just couldn't. The whole thing didn't work for me. Sorry.
April 22, 2024
This was such a sweet and poignant story of forgiveness that I found it hard to put the book down. Sinclair Marsh had much to prove and to work through upon his return home from Haiti while Hope Petersen struggled with trust and overcoming past hurts. It was so heartwarming to read how their relationship progressed. While this can be read as a stand alone, I realized after I read it that there are two other books in a series, by this same author, that connect the Marsh siblings and would recommend starting with Season of Dreams first. Lovely inspirational story!
April 11, 2023
Wow, purely phenomenal writing techniques.... Excellent well-defined characters....this author did an excellent job of making me feel emotionally invested and love Sinclair and Hope. They lived in a community where everyone gave them an abundance of powerful and compassionate strengths.
The author found an amazingly and interesting ways of keeping her readers entice with excitement and curiosity, as to Sinclair intentions towards Hope and their personal relationship, after her sister, Sara, accidentally death. I love how the community unconditionally support both of them...
Highly recommended
The author found an amazingly and interesting ways of keeping her readers entice with excitement and curiosity, as to Sinclair intentions towards Hope and their personal relationship, after her sister, Sara, accidentally death. I love how the community unconditionally support both of them...
Highly recommended
June 23, 2013
I don't remember reading anything by this author before. It was GOOD! NOT excellent! I liked Hope Petersen. LOVED Pastor Sinclair Marsh!
Hope is working as the secretary/office manager at her church, when her friend/secret girlhood crush, Sinclair 'Sin' Marsh, who is tied to the accident that took the life of Hope's sister, shows up. All grown up. Reformed from his 'reckless' youth, as the church's new Pastor. A few problems....Hope is pushing for a MUCH needed Church Preschool/Summer program. Sinclair seems to be siding with church benefactor/underwriter for a youth center. Also, is Hope ready to move beyond the past and risk her future on the man she never stopped loving ? Can her parents forgive Sinclair for the death of their youngest daughter and give him their blessing to romance their older daughter.
Like I said, I enjoyed Sinclair and Hope. Although I liked Sinclair better. I gave 4 stars because their was a little TOO MUCH church politics for me with the preschool vs youth center. I think the fact that Sinclair was involved in Sarah's (Hope's sister's death) was enough obstacle?
Hope is working as the secretary/office manager at her church, when her friend/secret girlhood crush, Sinclair 'Sin' Marsh, who is tied to the accident that took the life of Hope's sister, shows up. All grown up. Reformed from his 'reckless' youth, as the church's new Pastor. A few problems....Hope is pushing for a MUCH needed Church Preschool/Summer program. Sinclair seems to be siding with church benefactor/underwriter for a youth center. Also, is Hope ready to move beyond the past and risk her future on the man she never stopped loving ? Can her parents forgive Sinclair for the death of their youngest daughter and give him their blessing to romance their older daughter.
Like I said, I enjoyed Sinclair and Hope. Although I liked Sinclair better. I gave 4 stars because their was a little TOO MUCH church politics for me with the preschool vs youth center. I think the fact that Sinclair was involved in Sarah's (Hope's sister's death) was enough obstacle?
June 20, 2013
Nothing ruins your day like learning your old flame is your new boss – and your new pastor. Especially when your old flame never returned the feelings – and was involved in your sister’s accidental death.
Hope Petersen would like nothing more than to quit and walk away, but if she does, she loses her chance of opening a Christian preschool. Sinclair Marsh would rather use the money to build a youth center for the teens.
Working side-by-side as pastor and secretary, they are thrown together far too often for comfort. Sinclair hardly recognizes his “buddy” from their teen years. Hope can’t trust Pastor Marsh isn’t the same reckless young man she knew as Sin.
Sparks fly from the first page in this rollicking and spirited romance. Plenty of twists to keep the reader turning the pages. I can highly recommend this book!
Hope Petersen would like nothing more than to quit and walk away, but if she does, she loses her chance of opening a Christian preschool. Sinclair Marsh would rather use the money to build a youth center for the teens.
Working side-by-side as pastor and secretary, they are thrown together far too often for comfort. Sinclair hardly recognizes his “buddy” from their teen years. Hope can’t trust Pastor Marsh isn’t the same reckless young man she knew as Sin.
Sparks fly from the first page in this rollicking and spirited romance. Plenty of twists to keep the reader turning the pages. I can highly recommend this book!
June 12, 2014
"Courting Hope" was absolutely phenomenal and is one of my favorite Love-Inspired novels! The storyline was fantastic and drew me right in from the first page. It was so entertaining that I finished the book in one day; it was that good. The main characters, and even secondary characters, were amazing. I loved Sinclair and Hope's story and I hope to read many more novels by the exceptionally talented Jenna Mindel.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews