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Leap of Faith: Wildflower Valley Book One
When Abby Bryant's husband Josh tells her he wants to move to West Virginia to homestead, she's disbelieving... and worried. Josh has had some pretty out-there ideas before, but this one takes the cake! They have a perfectly nice life in suburban New Jersey, even if it's as busy and frantic as everyone else's. And while Josh is his typically eager self, ready to start hammering nails, planting corn, and whatever else he's meant to do according to those YouTube videos he's been watching, Abby is a lot more cautious. Binge-watching Alone doesn't mean you're ready to go off-grid, and they like their life in the suburbs... don't they?
But then their kids get involved... sixteen-year-old Bethany, fourteen-year-old William, eleven-year-old Jack, and six-year-old Rose are all more on board than Abby could have ever expected, even if all little Rose really just wants a cat. Abby starts to suspect she's the only one dragging her feet... but for how long? When their suburban life starts to come off the rails in all sorts of ways, Abby realizes something has to change. But is homesteading really the answer, especially when they're such untested newbies? With the help of her family, can Abby take that leap of faith?
The heartwarming start to a brand-new series by multimillion-selling author Kate Hewitt, Wildflower Valley will introduce you to a wonderful community of quirky characters as you follow the Bryants on their homesteading adventure. For fans of Little House on the Prairie, The Pioneer Woman, and anyone who has dreamed of having their own little corner of land.
WHAT READERS HAVE SAID ABOUT KATE HEWITT'S
"Gripping, emotional, amazing... I can always depend on Kate Hewitt for a great read." --Goodreads Review
"Wonderful... I was completely immersed in the story, and the ending was heartbreaking and hopeful." --Reader Review
"I loved this book... it was a perfect, feel-good read." --Reader Review
"A truly fantastic read... Emotional. Beautiful." -Goodreads Review
They say there is a spender and a saver in every marriage, but that’s just a nicer way of saying one person is sensible, and one person… isn’t.
At least that’s what I’m thinking when my husband Josh comes bounding into the kitchen one gray February afternoon, a look of excited determination on his face. It’s a look I know well, and it usually means I need to brace myself.
“Abby,” he says. “I have an idea.”
My husband has a lot of ideas. After nineteen years of marriage, I’ve learned to listen to them with a mostly undisturbed equilibrium because often these ideas peter out without too much fanfare or fuss, although occasionally they’ve sputtered on longer than they should have, which takes another, more stalwart kind of patience.
“Okay,” I say as I start slicing some mushrooms for the casserole we’re having for dinner, even though two out of my four children don’t like mushrooms. I like them. I glance into the adjoining family room, to see if any of our four kids is sprawled there, listening with a silent, wide-eyed alertness, because they have the unfortunate tendency of either reacting with melodramatic horror to Josh’s idea (moving to the Falkland Islands) or unfettered excitement (buying a school bus and tricking it out like a camper van to travel the country) and neither is helpful when it comes to the notions that can occasionally grip Josh like a fever.
But then their kids get involved... sixteen-year-old Bethany, fourteen-year-old William, eleven-year-old Jack, and six-year-old Rose are all more on board than Abby could have ever expected, even if all little Rose really just wants a cat. Abby starts to suspect she's the only one dragging her feet... but for how long? When their suburban life starts to come off the rails in all sorts of ways, Abby realizes something has to change. But is homesteading really the answer, especially when they're such untested newbies? With the help of her family, can Abby take that leap of faith?
The heartwarming start to a brand-new series by multimillion-selling author Kate Hewitt, Wildflower Valley will introduce you to a wonderful community of quirky characters as you follow the Bryants on their homesteading adventure. For fans of Little House on the Prairie, The Pioneer Woman, and anyone who has dreamed of having their own little corner of land.
WHAT READERS HAVE SAID ABOUT KATE HEWITT'S
"Gripping, emotional, amazing... I can always depend on Kate Hewitt for a great read." --Goodreads Review
"Wonderful... I was completely immersed in the story, and the ending was heartbreaking and hopeful." --Reader Review
"I loved this book... it was a perfect, feel-good read." --Reader Review
"A truly fantastic read... Emotional. Beautiful." -Goodreads Review
They say there is a spender and a saver in every marriage, but that’s just a nicer way of saying one person is sensible, and one person… isn’t.
At least that’s what I’m thinking when my husband Josh comes bounding into the kitchen one gray February afternoon, a look of excited determination on his face. It’s a look I know well, and it usually means I need to brace myself.
“Abby,” he says. “I have an idea.”
My husband has a lot of ideas. After nineteen years of marriage, I’ve learned to listen to them with a mostly undisturbed equilibrium because often these ideas peter out without too much fanfare or fuss, although occasionally they’ve sputtered on longer than they should have, which takes another, more stalwart kind of patience.
“Okay,” I say as I start slicing some mushrooms for the casserole we’re having for dinner, even though two out of my four children don’t like mushrooms. I like them. I glance into the adjoining family room, to see if any of our four kids is sprawled there, listening with a silent, wide-eyed alertness, because they have the unfortunate tendency of either reacting with melodramatic horror to Josh’s idea (moving to the Falkland Islands) or unfettered excitement (buying a school bus and tricking it out like a camper van to travel the country) and neither is helpful when it comes to the notions that can occasionally grip Josh like a fever.
193 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 17, 2025
418 people are currently reading
103 people want to read
About the author
Kate Hewitt
877 books1,702 followersKate is the USA Today-bsetselling author of many books of both historical and contemporary fiction. Under the name Katharine Swartz, she is the author of the Tales from Goswell books, a series of time-slip novels set in the village of Goswell.
She likes to read women's fiction, mystery and thrillers, as well as historical novels. She particularly enjoys reading about well-drawn characters and avoids high-concept plots.
Having lived in both New York City and a tiny village on the windswept northwest coast of England, she now resides in a market town in Wales with her husband, five children, and two Golden Retrievers.
She likes to read women's fiction, mystery and thrillers, as well as historical novels. She particularly enjoys reading about well-drawn characters and avoids high-concept plots.
Having lived in both New York City and a tiny village on the windswept northwest coast of England, she now resides in a market town in Wales with her husband, five children, and two Golden Retrievers.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
May 13, 2025
Wildflower valley #1
I expected the book to move along a little faster. The background info is going to be important to the overall series, I think. I'll kero reading to find out.
I expected the book to move along a little faster. The background info is going to be important to the overall series, I think. I'll kero reading to find out.
May 15, 2025
This book… When I say it hit so close to home it hit close to home. I picked this book as a born and raised West Virginia I thought it would be a nice simple read. My son’s name shares their last name. So why not, that’s cool right? Only to start reading and seeing myself in Abby, and my husband in Josh. We also have 4 kids, around the same age as the characters. My husband is carefree and adventurous and also just recently started talking of moving to land we have on my families farm. I recently started my own “concrete” garden of a couple fruits and veggies too see how I would do and like it. I’m always the cautious one, needing a plan, and asking the what ifs. I almost certainly believe me and Abby Bryant could sit down for coffee and talk for hours. I can’t wait for the next book. And I feel like I need to ask Kate all the homesteading questions!
July 17, 2025
Leap of Faith
A remarkable story that get you to think about how we live our lives. The characters are complex, always going through the motions and not really enjoyed their lives or work. An uplifting, and emotional story that full of possibilities and fears of what ifs. Happy reading.
A remarkable story that get you to think about how we live our lives. The characters are complex, always going through the motions and not really enjoyed their lives or work. An uplifting, and emotional story that full of possibilities and fears of what ifs. Happy reading.
March 12, 2025
I love Kate Hewitt's books! Another joyful yet honest portrayal of marriage, parenting and the pleasures and challenges of daily life, as we interact with our own families and communities.
March 19, 2025
Very thought provoking ,
March 28, 2025
I loved the portrayal of Abby and Josh's relationship with each other and with their children. This is a lovely, cozy character study.
May 19, 2025
comfort
Not an easy decision, but it happened. I’m sure they’ll be the next Walker family. Time will tell, of course.
Not an easy decision, but it happened. I’m sure they’ll be the next Walker family. Time will tell, of course.
June 17, 2025
Would you change your lifestyle to step back and enjoy ?
A fun read, anxious to get into the next book!
A fun read, anxious to get into the next book!
June 18, 2025
Great story!
Loved this book. It was great seeing the family as they move towards healing and a life changing decision. Can't wait to see what happens next!
Loved this book. It was great seeing the family as they move towards healing and a life changing decision. Can't wait to see what happens next!
September 28, 2025
Very slow moving! I most likely will not continue with the rest of the series
December 2, 2025
Wonderful way to examine your own world
Enjoyed the journey! Now its time to examine my own world and make my own small steps towards amore meaningful life.
Enjoyed the journey! Now its time to examine my own world and make my own small steps towards amore meaningful life.
October 6, 2025
I liked this book! Made me think more than I expected.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews