A Place for Hope

Three Rivers Romance™ #8

by Liz Isaacson

He’s the town’s most dependable cowboy with a heart longing for more. She’s a fiercely independent homesteader barely holding her world together. When Brandon shows up on Lenore's doorstep after she puts out a desperate plea for help, neither of them expects the spark to be quite so hot…or quite so promising.

Brandon Rhinehart has spent his whole life in Three Rivers, running Hidden Hills Ranch with his brothers and watching as their lives flourish while his own seems to stand still. He’s tired of waiting for God’s plan to reveal itself, and his optimism is beginning to falter. So when a desperate plea for a cowhand pops up on the town’s TwoCents app, Brandon decides to leave the familiarity of Hidden Hills behind for something new—a struggling homestead on the edge of town and a woman who’s as headstrong as she is beautiful.

Lenore Sawyer isn’t looking for a cowboy—or anyone, for that matter. After the death of her parents, she’s thrown everything she has into keeping their off-grid homestead alive, but the harsh Texas Panhandle weather and endless struggles have left her weary in body and soul. With no one else to turn to, she reluctantly hires Brandon and braces herself to keep the charming, broad-shouldered cowboy at arm’s length.

But when a sudden storm rips through the property, leaving Brandon without shelter and the homestead in tatters, the two find themselves forced together under one roof. As they rebuild her battered farm, Brandon calls on his brothers, friends, and faith to help Lenore see that she doesn’t have to struggle alone. And little by little, her grumpy exterior softens to the steady sunshine he brings into her life.

Both Brandon and Lenore have given up believing in happy endings—until now. Can they let go of their past pain and trust in God, and each other, enough to forge a new future together? Or will the storms of life prove too powerful to weather?


Filled with the heartache of redemption, the warmth of small-town camaraderie, and the power of a love built on faith, The Cowboy Who Believed Again is a story about discovering grace, rebuilding hope, and finding forever love in the most unexpected of places.

Genres: Contemporary

464 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 5, 2025

About the author

★ USA TODAY BESTSELLER, AMAZON BESTSELLING AUTHOR, and KINDLE ALL STAR! ★

Liz Isaacson writes inspirational cowboy romances. Her Three Rivers Ranch Romance series has multiple #1 bestsellers in half a dozen categories. She loves all things to do with contemporary cowboys, and will write romance in Texas, Montana, Vermont, Wyoming, and anywhere else she can find horses and mountains. Find out more at lizisaacson.com. Join her fandom by texting COWBOY to 801-618-2114 for exclusive sales and freebies.

Reviews

[Helen Fistler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Homestead!!

Love the whole community and how they take care of each other!!
Glad they finally did it! It takes a village!!

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love reading about the second generation in Three Rivers!! Brandon and Lenore’s romance is built on friendship and hard work and is so sweet. But because Brandon works for her on “her” homestead things get a little prickly. I loved reading about living off grid on a homestead. It made me appreciate just going in and having a hot shower whenever—and don’t even think about the other things you need water for! It was great to catch up with all of the other characters in this generation. This is a stand alone book but you will definitely want to read the other stories. (Mitch has always been one of my favorites and his wedding made me cry!) I loved being able to read the text string and see the photos! As usual, Liz weaves an inspirational story with friends (like family), family and faith that will leave you with a good feeling and a smile on your face. I’m ready for Wilder’s story!

[Connie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book by Liz Isaacson. Back to Three Rivers, back to the friends and family that make these books so endearing. Brandon is struggling with his place in life right now and has decided to take jobs off the family farm to give himself purpose and help to find what he feels he is lacking in himself. He answers an add for a 3 month stint on a homestead. When he goes for the interview he thinks it impossible but the Lord tells him this is where he needs to be so he takes the job. Lenore is desperate to hold on to her homestead, and it was desperation that made her place that help wanted add. Reading how these two work together, Brandon teaching and Lenore learning. How they push each other to be better and try harder to come up with solutions that work is heartwarming. There are many obstacles, a friend’s wedding and some real soul searching but this is a great book and I highly recommend it.

[Shelley Wahls · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lenore, (Lenny) Needs help A LOT of help on her homestead. She wants it to be off the grid and independent, but has far to go and doesn't have the skills or know how to go further. So Brandon answers her add and it is an answer to both of their desires and issues. They start as friends and we see their relationship develop and it is sweet and wonderful. It is not with out hardship or problems, but we get to go through them all and have front row seats. Will they make this homestead work? Will they find a way to get water? Can this relationship with stand all of this? Will his loud intrusive family be a turn off to her? What about his faith? Well, read this book to find out this and more. I for one gave this 5+ stars. Gave me all the feels!!!

[Denice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brandon and Lenore’s story is beautiful. Lenore has a homestead she is trying to get cleaned up but can’t do it herself, she advertises for a helper and Brandon answers it and agrees to work for almost nothing because he feels that is what the Lord wants him to do. She struggles to let anyone help her and wants no charity. I was so glad to see her grow and realize that it was ok to accept help and support. Brandon is so sweet and loving, a great book boyfriend. All the ranch friends are great, this series is one that I love, and I love hearing how the families are doing and growing. I highly recommend this wonderful story.

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

The more I read this series, the more I fall in love with all of the characters! I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of The Cowboy Who Believed Again. Beautiful, ambitious, stubborn Lenore was just the kind of woman it would take to make a homestead work and knowledgable, innovative, hard-working Brandon was the perfect man to have by her side. Their love story was slow burn in this Christian romance novel that kept it clean but definitely interesting. I also loved learning what it would be like to develop a raw piece of property—so challenging and exhausting but satisfying. Highly recommend! I received a complimentary copy of the book. All opinions expressed are completely my own.

[Rhonda Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brandon has a large, strong group of family and friends to support him. Lenore has no one, not even family to support her personally or help her with a homestead that doesn’t have electricity or water. “Lenore didn’t know how to keep living if she didn’t have dreams” but she can’t make them happen without help so she hires Brandon. And then the adventure begins with these two learning to work as partners with plenty of bumps in the road. Can they both “..strengthen your own trust in, and belief of, God’s power and timing.”?

[Sandra Hartzel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had an ARC for this book, but this is my voluntary and honest opinion. Brandon Rhinehart has dated lots of women, but has yet to find one he wants to marry. He wants a life of his own with his own ranch so he hires on with Lenore Sawyer to help bring her homestead to a place where it will support her. That means getting a source of water and electricity to the farm and pens for the animals she wants. Another interesting addition to the Three Rivers Saga which includes themes of working together, being open to change, and trust.

[Char K · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love how the Lord speaks to Brandon, and he actually listens! This was a great book to read. Not action packed, but at the same time, I couldn’t wait to see what happened next, and didn’t want to put it down. Once again, we get to catch up with the folks from around Three Rivers. Always so good to see what’s happening in their lives. I’ve never experienced life on a homestead, but it seems like we get a pretty good idea of all the backbreaking work that goes into running one. I highly recommend this book, and as always, I’m looking forward to the next book in the series.

[Bendi Linnell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Best Seller
Brandon wants his own place or at least his own cabin. While he loves his family, he is ready to branch out on his own.

Lenore needs desparate help on her homestead so she puts out a plea for help. Not really expecting anyone to come work for the low wages she can pay, plus no water or electricty is available at her homestead.

Brandon believes he was lead to help her and with his help and his family help they may just be able to help Lenny get her homestead back in workable conditions.

[Tracey Wert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Talk about having the weight of the world on your shoulders. Lenore was in a real predicament, trying to make her homestead sustainable, but it had fallen into complete disrepair. Enter Brandon, who was looking for a purpose and didn’t mind hard work or living off the grid.

What an amazing story of two souls working together towards a common goal. This author nails the family element perfectly! I think my favorite chapters were the ones containing the family text string. Pure chaos just as you would expect!

An incredible addition to an amazing series!

[Reading in the Heartland (Michaela) · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

This was such a unique Christian contemporary cowboy romance. Our cowboy MMC, Brandon, is the third of three sons on his family ranch and he’s looking to get work elsewhere. Lenore is attempting to get her homestead set up and desires for things to be self sufficient. However, she is suffering with dilapidated buildings, and no water or electricity. It was so much fun to learn about homesteading in this book. As our MCs worked to get her homestead functional, we get to see the good and the bad. In this workplace romance, the forced proximity causes Brandon to quickly drop his “female fast.” Our characters are very touchy-feely from early on, however, this is still a closed door, just kisses romance with an intimacy level on the low end of 3. I’m super excited to continue this series. 4.5 stars rounded up to 5.

I received an eARC of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Mary Jane McLeod · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely love this series

I absolutely loved Lenny and Brandon's story. This author has a way of writing that draws me into the story and makes me wish to be a part of it. I always love visiting Three Rivers and catching up with all the characters. Brandon wants a place of his own to call home and a family. When he drives onto Lenore's homestead, he has no clue what he's walking into. A wonderful Christian read that I couldn't put down.

[Paula Bond · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, how we love the folks of Three Rivers! What a wonderful story of sacrifice and love as the characters work towards making a different kind of life for themselves. Liz Isaacson never fails to deliver all the emotion, witty banter and sweet, sweet romance in each book she writes. Can’t wait for the next installment in this series.

[Abby Huffer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this one! Easily my favorite! I just adored Brandon & Lenore together. He was struggling to find a place to belong and she just needed someone to come alongside her-a beautiful love story! And as always, the ranchers meetings give all the catch up of past characters which is my favorite ever!

[wendy crane · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite stories from Liz. Two strong-willed, independent people learn to trust each other and that it’s ok to ask for help. So neat to see the development of the relationship between Brandon and Lenore as they find out how great it is when they can rely on each other. Highly recommend, even if you haven’t read other books in the series!

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful addition to the Three Rivers stories. It is always wonderful to catch up with old friends, and even better to meet new friends. Especially when love and romance enter the picture when least expected. Hardships on a homestead with no running water and no electricity create a unique atmosphere for falling in love.

[Annette Siemens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brandon and Lenora
Absolutely loved this book! Lenora is a woman after my own heart. Brandon her reliable constant. What these two accomplish is truly amazing. They are determined and loveable. I definitely will would recommend this book. Liz does such a great job with multi generational families, Woven like a detailed tapestry !

[Kylene · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved, loved this book!

Brandon and Lenore were wonderful to read about. I also love the family gatherings, so I can keep up with them. It was wonderful to put pictures with names and faces. Such a great idea. I never make a wrong choice by reading one of your books and as usual I always want to go back and read the last few chapters again. Highly recommend this book.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

another excellent book from Liz.

I really enjoyed reading this book. I felt like it was my story because of how Lenny struggled to fully trust again after having built so many walls around her heart after the loss of all her family.
Her journey to love wasn’t smooth but she got there eventually by asking God for directions and actually listening and obeying.

[Linde Skehan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Photos

I have enjoyed all of Liz's books, although some seemed to be a little rushed in the love and engagement department. I liked this one the best so far because of the strong but vulnerable characters. My favorite part, though, was the photos sent to other characters' phones. It made the story more realistic somehow.

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s a sweet and heartwarming read. It will completely consume you from start to finish as it gives you all the feels. I absolutely loved the characters, the witty banter and the flying sparks. It’s a beautiful well written story full of faith and God’s power that will pull at the heartstrings.

[Joy B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Could not put it down!

I love reading about Three Rivers, and I thoroughly enjoyed this book. In fact, I stayed up way later than I intended so that I could keep reading it, couldn’t put it down.

[Deb Traxinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

for the love of homesteading

Love Lenny and B story they are so cute together. Fun to watch them both blossom. Love how the community surrounds and helps each other such a picture of the body of Christ!

[Likes to Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I think its my favorite. It was really good to include pictures and group texts because that helped to move the story along. It makes the story come to life. I'm just disappointed that I have to wait to read the next book.

[Kathy Woods · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love gardening, so I was very interested in a homestead. Brandon and Lenore had to face their insecurities and learn how to accept help. I loved how they built their relationship and homestead through hard work and trust to become fruitful. 

[Dianna Detlefsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Wonderful Three Rivers Book

Loved this book!!! Liz Isaacson is a fantastic writer and I just keep finding more and more stories that I can’t put down!!! Thank you, Liz, for continuing to write stories I just love!

[Tricia Cox garrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Place for Hooe

This was a great book. He is looking for a place to belong, she needs help to keep her home. A perfect match. I think my favorite parts was reading the text message stream at Christmas and the end. Good clean romance.

[Norma Gorrill · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Place forHope

This story is about a young man who moves in with a group he knew and with friends he got along with guide well. He meets his girlfriend and more family who he bonds with and plans events with. This is my review and mine alone. Norma Gorrill

[Marianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a sweet story. Heartfelt and absolutely lovely.. Brandon is a treasure! I just love him.