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The Laramie Series #2
Waiting for Hope
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 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.
Hope leaves a sordid past behind and heads for Wyoming to take up homesteading. Never mind that she’s 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.
235 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 11, 2008
832 people are currently reading
761 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 107 reviews
April 3, 2018
This is the kind of book I refer to when I say "comfort reading", because the writing is pleasurable to read, it's not too intense, the love story is sweet, and the characters are strong. I really enjoyed Hope's journey and strength in this book; she has a strong personality and sticks to her commitments, though not at the risk of sacrificing people she loves. I would put a trigger warning with some of the violence/abuse in here; it gets real a little over halfway through with Hope and her abuser, and I was a little surprised, as the rest of the book wasn't that intense. I'll go back to this when I need something cozy to read and I'll definitely be watching for the rest of the series.
June 14, 2021
A feel-good story (romance) taking place in American prairies at the beginning of the XX century. Nicely written. A strong, determined heroine with a tragic past. A hard-working and caring hero (more alpha than beta).
But, as a whole, it was Hallmark-ish. Far from such masterpieces as These Is My Words: The Diary of Sarah Agnes Prine, 1881-1901 or The Winthrop Woman. Nonetheless, perhaps when I am in a mood, I will pick another part of The Laramie Series.
But, as a whole, it was Hallmark-ish. Far from such masterpieces as These Is My Words: The Diary of Sarah Agnes Prine, 1881-1901 or The Winthrop Woman. Nonetheless, perhaps when I am in a mood, I will pick another part of The Laramie Series.
April 2, 2019
This series was unique in that each subsequent book follows characters who were only tangentially related to the people in the book before, this one being one of the exceptions. However, historical fiction always fascinates me, and Hasley has done an excellent job describing these places as they were (I assume) during the early 1900s. I appreciate that the protagonists, or the people who surround them, have strong principles in the face of difficult/confusing/grey situations, and that her books always have a redemptive side. It is definitely predictable as far as romance goes, and the good guy/love interest always seems to appear at just the right time - though sometimes the girl doesn't need him to save her. Still an enjoyable read.
October 8, 2020
I love pioneer stories and I expected that a young woman homesteading alone would experience some hardships, but everything came pretty easy for her -- due in part to her blonde beauty, which meant she was surrounded by people who wanted to help out. This was more a historical romance than a genuine work of historical fiction.
October 12, 2015
Thoroughly enjoyed this story! This is my first read of the Davis family saga and now I'm going back to read book one. The author did a wonderful job with the historical details of the early 1900's. The characters are well drawn and it's easy to care about them - glad there are 6 books about this family!
October 14, 2015
Cute story, but too predictable.
It took a long time to get to the dramatic confrontation you knew was coming from the beginning of the book and the author kept repeating that the main character didn't know what a "real" family was...I get it...no need to repeat it every other chapter.
It took a long time to get to the dramatic confrontation you knew was coming from the beginning of the book and the author kept repeating that the main character didn't know what a "real" family was...I get it...no need to repeat it every other chapter.
June 14, 2017
Captivating story.
Very interesting character development. An interesting look at San Francisco at the turn of the century compared to Laramie Wyoming
Very interesting character development. An interesting look at San Francisco at the turn of the century compared to Laramie Wyoming
August 1, 2022
Another Winner
I almost stop decreasing when halfway through. I don't v want to spoil the story, but I will say I was disappointed non our heroine when she succumbs to blackmail! I wanted her to be stronger. Of course, I couldn't stop and the ending was gratefully satisfying. Another wonderful story.
I almost stop decreasing when halfway through. I don't v want to spoil the story, but I will say I was disappointed non our heroine when she succumbs to blackmail! I wanted her to be stronger. Of course, I couldn't stop and the ending was gratefully satisfying. Another wonderful story.
August 8, 2020
The second book in the series started out great. The first half kept me interested and I enjoyed the story of Hope's journey. About halfway through is when the book became super predictable and not as fun to read. It wasn't terrible, but it wasn't exciting or new either. It was the same old "broken girl from wrong side of the tracks meets handsome rich guy; they fall in love but don't want to acknowledge it; tragedy happens and they realize they can't live without each other." This type of story has been written time and time again.
If I hadn't wanted to read book 3, I probably wouldn't have finished book 2. It was nice to learn some of the things that happened between book 1 and 2 though; I enjoy reading about Lou's family.
If I hadn't wanted to read book 3, I probably wouldn't have finished book 2. It was nice to learn some of the things that happened between book 1 and 2 though; I enjoy reading about Lou's family.
May 28, 2016
This book was an easy read. Once you start it is hard to put down.
This book shows the strength of a young girl who lived with her mother who was a prostitute and how she had to stay hidden so no one knew she was there. Her mother got really sick and the last time she saw her mother, she gave her a deed to a Huge farm in Wyoming. She worked after her mother died for a couple and she saved most of her salary and when her employer died she went to Wyoming and started a new life. New adventures, New people and a new husband.
This book shows the strength of a young girl who lived with her mother who was a prostitute and how she had to stay hidden so no one knew she was there. Her mother got really sick and the last time she saw her mother, she gave her a deed to a Huge farm in Wyoming. She worked after her mother died for a couple and she saved most of her salary and when her employer died she went to Wyoming and started a new life. New adventures, New people and a new husband.
February 16, 2019
A romance set in Wyoming in the early 1900s. The setting and homesteading/ranching/small town elements are nicely described and developed. On the romance side, however, the characters are unbelievable. Their naïveté, stubbornness, willfulness, and ignorance are rather appalling. I think I wanted characters as complex and multi leveled as the landscape and the wild Wyoming history. It was an okay book, but nothing to write home about.
July 21, 2019
Not very exciting
I kept asking myself if I wanted to finish this book or just put it away. Because I like to finish my books, I did this one. I didn’t find it very interesting. Seemed to get a little better toward the end, but not enough so that I desire to read the rest of the series.
I kept asking myself if I wanted to finish this book or just put it away. Because I like to finish my books, I did this one. I didn’t find it very interesting. Seemed to get a little better toward the end, but not enough so that I desire to read the rest of the series.
September 19, 2017
Western romance
A little melodramatic and corny at times but a nice western romance with strong,determined and hardworking female characters. Interesting enough to want to read more in the series.
A little melodramatic and corny at times but a nice western romance with strong,determined and hardworking female characters. Interesting enough to want to read more in the series.
June 22, 2020
Waiting for Hope
While I didn’t read book 1, this was an easy read. The plot was fairly predictable but I will never understand why female characters aren’t honest to begin with; again fairly predictable plot.
While I didn’t read book 1, this was an easy read. The plot was fairly predictable but I will never understand why female characters aren’t honest to begin with; again fairly predictable plot.
July 26, 2015
The action does pick up a little. Nice little family saga, but I can only handle so much slow romance at a time. I'm sure I'll read the next in the series, because the characters do grow on you.
August 19, 2017
Nice story, a little simple.
A nice story, however too predictable and overly simple. It was an entertaining read, however just reading this book of the series was enough for me.
A nice story, however too predictable and overly simple. It was an entertaining read, however just reading this book of the series was enough for me.
May 18, 2021
I enjoyed this story and now want to read Book 1 so I can learn more about the Davis family. Well-written with interesting characters, although I had a feeling the main villain would find Hope. Hope and John Thomas are a good match, but her past growing up in a bordello with her mom has made her distrustful of men. There are several strong, good women in the story, including Hope. I did wonder why Hope would keep leaving her house unlocked, and not always remember to have her gun close to hand after the evil villain finds her, but then it would be hard to live your life that way. And I didn't agree with her decision not to tell anyone about the trouble he is causing her, even she did so because she was afraid that other people would be hurt or killed. I liked the descriptions of Laramie and San Francisco.
August 30, 2018
Escaping a tawdry life
A light but interesting love story set in turn-of-the century Wyoming. It has drama, mystery, and adventure told in the first person by our young heroine who was raised in a San Francisco bordello by her high- priced hooker mother. She overcomes her past and earns a place in a wonderful family, but not before a skunk of a man threatens her very existence. It will keep you turning the pages to see how she wins her place in what was then frontier Wyoming society.
A light but interesting love story set in turn-of-the century Wyoming. It has drama, mystery, and adventure told in the first person by our young heroine who was raised in a San Francisco bordello by her high- priced hooker mother. She overcomes her past and earns a place in a wonderful family, but not before a skunk of a man threatens her very existence. It will keep you turning the pages to see how she wins her place in what was then frontier Wyoming society.
June 20, 2020
Hope is a survivor
I thoroughly enjoyed Waiting for Hope. I couldn’t wait to see what was waiting for her, so I read straight through.
The plot, from Hope living in a bordello to surviving in the Wild West...the setting, 1905 Laramie, Wyoming...the characters, good new friends and bad from her past kept the pages turning for a great goodread.
This book 2, was a great escape and I’m looking for more,
book 1 in the Laramie Series is a must read for me next. Author, Karen J Hasley’s hints of things to come in other books of the series, sounds like more great reads.
I thoroughly enjoyed Waiting for Hope. I couldn’t wait to see what was waiting for her, so I read straight through.
The plot, from Hope living in a bordello to surviving in the Wild West...the setting, 1905 Laramie, Wyoming...the characters, good new friends and bad from her past kept the pages turning for a great goodread.
This book 2, was a great escape and I’m looking for more,
book 1 in the Laramie Series is a must read for me next. Author, Karen J Hasley’s hints of things to come in other books of the series, sounds like more great reads.
August 5, 2017
Beautifully written from start to finish.
Beautifully written from start to finish. I absolutely loved Hope she was so clear and honest I completely empathized with her from the start. This book is an excellent example of beauty in the face of tragedy. Even though it dealt with a prostitution house it was clean and never inappropriate you could feel comfortable with your teenage daughter reading this.
Beautifully written from start to finish. I absolutely loved Hope she was so clear and honest I completely empathized with her from the start. This book is an excellent example of beauty in the face of tragedy. Even though it dealt with a prostitution house it was clean and never inappropriate you could feel comfortable with your teenage daughter reading this.
August 16, 2017
I loved the vivid descriptions of the environment and culture in the early 1900's San Francisco and Wyoming. I loved the strong female characters and a story that makes you want to know more about
each one of them.
I started this series with book two not sure I wanted to read the whole series but by the time I finished reading this book I was hooked and bought book 1, "Lily's Sister" as soon as I finished "Waiting for Hope"!
each one of them.
I started this series with book two not sure I wanted to read the whole series but by the time I finished reading this book I was hooked and bought book 1, "Lily's Sister" as soon as I finished "Waiting for Hope"!
June 16, 2020
Larimie, Wyoming
Really enjoyed the book. Looked forward to reading and continuing to find out what was going to happen next. I enjoyed all of the little details in the story through out the book. I like reading about the old west and this did not disappoint. Only wish that the book was longer! This was the first book in the series that I read, I look forward to reading the whole series.
Really enjoyed the book. Looked forward to reading and continuing to find out what was going to happen next. I enjoyed all of the little details in the story through out the book. I like reading about the old west and this did not disappoint. Only wish that the book was longer! This was the first book in the series that I read, I look forward to reading the whole series.
February 14, 2021
I enjoyed this book, and had trouble putting it down. It was interesting to read about a young woman trying to make it on her own in early 1900s Wyoming. Of course, there was a love story involved that was well done. And there was danger lurking from the woman's past, plus a handful of warm friends for a girl who never had any close friends before. Character development and settings were well developed. I would recommend this book to others.
January 17, 2024
Such a Wonderful Story
So well written, I was enthralled from the beginning with Hope’s story. Her early life with her mother was handled honestly and with sensitivity. The impact on Hope regarding her independent spirit and willingness to work hard was understandable. Her spirit engendered caring, respect and love from the Davis’, Fergus, and most importantly, John Thomas. It was really a superb story.
So well written, I was enthralled from the beginning with Hope’s story. Her early life with her mother was handled honestly and with sensitivity. The impact on Hope regarding her independent spirit and willingness to work hard was understandable. Her spirit engendered caring, respect and love from the Davis’, Fergus, and most importantly, John Thomas. It was really a superb story.
October 3, 2017
Waiting for Hope
Another book I couldn’t put down, captivating from start to finish! I love the author’s descriptions of strong women and men, people of such character, in the Laramie Series. The setting in Wyoming also descriptive and captivating during the early 20th century, harsh yet beautiful winters, you can almost be there!
Another book I couldn’t put down, captivating from start to finish! I love the author’s descriptions of strong women and men, people of such character, in the Laramie Series. The setting in Wyoming also descriptive and captivating during the early 20th century, harsh yet beautiful winters, you can almost be there!
June 11, 2020
Great read
I really enjoyed Waiting for Hope. This story of a young girl who literally came from nothing and creates an incredible life for herself, by
herself, with no family or friends
in the wilds of Wyoming is really inspiring. Harvey weaves a good tale and I look forward to reading the other books in this series.
I really enjoyed Waiting for Hope. This story of a young girl who literally came from nothing and creates an incredible life for herself, by
herself, with no family or friends
in the wilds of Wyoming is really inspiring. Harvey weaves a good tale and I look forward to reading the other books in this series.
June 20, 2020
Inspiring
Hard for me to get involved in the story but grateful to have persevered. H strong, loyal and protective; h overcoming a difficult past that followed her to her new start. Inspiring to see her determination to start anew and her incorporation into a loving family at last.
Hard for me to get involved in the story but grateful to have persevered. H strong, loyal and protective; h overcoming a difficult past that followed her to her new start. Inspiring to see her determination to start anew and her incorporation into a loving family at last.
June 24, 2020
I didn't start off as a fan of this book. However, once I got into the writing style I was hooked. The back story played an important role for the woman that Hope became. Hope's journey into a new life, solo, and on the frontier was quite a story. I am going back to read book 1 and then on to read the rest of this series! Thank-you!!!
August 5, 2017
Has it all
Action, drama, romance in an old West setting. A window into the way of life often lived in the settling of the old West and it's pioneer families. Morals, personal and family values with forever lessons learned.
Action, drama, romance in an old West setting. A window into the way of life often lived in the settling of the old West and it's pioneer families. Morals, personal and family values with forever lessons learned.
August 29, 2017
Really enjoyed this book. If you haven't read Lily's sister which is #1 in this series, it is fine. The books don't have anything to do with each other. But I recommend both books. I will be reading the rest of this series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 107 reviews