The Journey to Forgiveness

by Vera Smetzer

He’s come home to face his mistakes…
Only to find an unforgettable gift

When Jake Madison left his Maine hometown, he was an angry, grieving kid. Now he’s all grown up, and with his beloved dog in tow, he’s back to make amends to his family…and the girl he left behind. But Maggie isn’t exactly eager to see him back in Sweet Springs. Widowed and left to raise her troubled son alone, Maggie only wants to transform the Madisons’ farm into a blooming flower business. Yet Jake and his dog, Hero, seem to be winning everyone over—including her son, Oliver. But will Jake stick around when he learns the secret that she’s been keeping for years?

From Love  Uplifting stories of faith, forgiveness and hope.

K-9 Companions

Book 1: Their Unbreakable Bond by Deb Kastner
Book 2: Finding Her Way Back by Lisa Carter
Book 3: The Veteran's Vow by Jill Lynn
Book 4: Her Easter Prayer by Lee Tobin McClain
Book 5: Earning Her Trust by Brenda Minton
Book 6: Guarding His Secret by Jill Kemerer
Book 7: An Unlikely Alliance by Toni Shiloh
Book 9: A Reason to Stay by Deb Kastner
Book 10: The Veteran's Holiday Home by Lee Tobin McClain
Book 11: An Alaskan Christmas Promise by Belle Calhoune
Book 12: A Steadfast Companion by Myra Johnson
Book 14: A Friend to Trust by Lee Tobin McClain
Book 15: Her Alaskan Companion by Heidi McCahan
Book 16: A Companion for Christmas by Lee Tobin McClain
Book 17: Her Christmas Healing by Mindy Obenhaus
Book 18: Finding Their Way Back by Jenna Mindel
Book 19: Their Inseparable Bond by Jill Weatherholt
Book 20: Bonding with the Babies by Deb Kastner
Book 21: Her Son's Faithful Companion by Jill Weatherholt
Book 22: Training the K-9 Companion by Jill Kemerer
Book 23: A Companion for His Son by Lee Tobin McClain
Book 24: Her Loyal Companion by Heidi Main
Book 25: A K-9 Christmas Reunion by Lisa Carter
Book 26: His Christmas Salvation by Lee Tobin McClain
Book 27: Guarding Her Christmas Secret by Jill Weatherholt
Book 28: A Faithful Guardian by Louise M. Gouge
Book 29: The Veteran's Valentine Helper by Lee Tobin McClain
Book 30: Rescue on the Farm by Allie Pleiter
Book 31: An Unexpected Companion by Mindy Obenhaus
Book 32: Earning the Veteran's Trust by Lisa Jordan
Book 33: Holding Onto Secrets by Lee Tobin McClain
Book 34: His New Companion by Jill Kemerer
Book 35: The Soldier's K-9 Companion by Belle Calhoune
Book 36: Her Surprise Neighbor by Lee Tobin McClain
Book 37: Healing the Veteran by Ciara Knight
Book 38: An Unexpected Christmas Helper by Lee Tobin McClain
Book 39: The Rancher's Christmas Gift by Jolene Navarro
Book 40: An Unexpected Texas Reunion by Heidi Main
Book 41: Training Her Alaskan K-9 by Teri Wilson
Book 42: A K-9 to Reunite Them by Jill Kemerer
Book 43: Healing a Rescuer's Heart by Ciara Knight
Book 44: Trusting the Veterinarian by Jolene Navarro
Book 45: His Daughter's Faithful Companion by Ciara Knight
Book 46: A K-9 Mountain Promise by Helena Smrcek
Book 47: The Journey to Forgiveness by Vera Smetzer
Book 48: An Alaskan K-9 Blessing by Teri Wilson
Book 49: A Very Merry Christmas K-9 by Lisa Carter

204 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 28, 2026

Reviews

[Sheila · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really dislike stories, where the baby momma, never tells daddy he has a kid til years later, in this case 11 years.

[Rosemarie Grainer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet and wonderful first story by an author I hope to see again soon!

Jake is back home in Maine with his dog Hero after a long time playing in a country rock band all over. Once home he finds his high school sweetheart Maggie who had married his younger brother shortly after he left and her son Oliver. Oliver is struggling with partial amnesia from the car accident he was in that killed his dad, followed by a terrifying fire that burned down their home while they had to escape. Jake's gramma, his sister Zoe and Maggie all work on the family flower farm that Maggie runs. Can Make find forgiveness for the way he left his family all those years ago? And will be be able to forgive what he finds out? Read this to find out!

The pace is engrossing and the tone is positive with a character centered storyline that has no steam. The characters are vibrant and endearing. The Christian ideals are central to the whole story and really no e it along. This is a wonderful first book and I hope to see many more from Vera Smetzer. Could we get a story for Zoe? She was a great secondary character! Enjoy this sweet Christian romance.

[Kay Garrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE JOURNEY TO FORGIVENESS by Vera Smetzer is the fabulous, heart-tugging story of Jake and Maggie. With Jake’s unexpected return to Sweet Springs with Hero, his 130-pound Bullmastiff, they need to find forgiveness for past events, figure out if there’s a possibility of a second chance or another heartbreaking separation, and how it all affects 11-year-old Oliver.

Jake, and siblings Zoe and Paul, had a rough childhood. After the death of their mother, their father took off leaving them to fend for themselves. Once Gram knew, she took them into her home and tended to their needs with great love. Jake’s physical abuse and feelings of abandonment eventually had him leaving, knowing Zoe and Paul were in good hands, to explore his love of music. He became a big hit in the band No Caution, but events necessary to succeed seemed to leave him unfulfilled. It was talking to the pastor of the church, that’d been open the night before where he’d prayed and slept on a pew, to see what he really needed to do - ask for forgiveness and make peace with his family. He headed back home.

Maggie found out she was pregnant with Jake’s child after he had left. It was Paul that stepped up and married Maggie raising Oliver as his own son. Paul’s job had moved them to North Carolina. When Oliver was 5, a tragic accident killed Paul leaving Maggie alone to raise Oliver. Then two years later, a horrific fire in their apartment left Maggie with severe burns and Oliver, who was hit with a beam as they were trying to get out, with partial amnesia. He doesn’t remember Paul and is fearful of storms. Returning to Sweet Springs, Gram took them in. Now it’s Maggie’s turn to help Gram by working hard to save the farm by making her flowers profitable. Maybe even later expanding out with a wedding venue.

Will Jake gain the forgiveness his heart longs for? Will Maggie find the nerve to tell Jake he’s Oliver’s father? Can past feelings bloom again? Dare Maggie open her heart though fearful that Jake will be leaving again? Can Hero help Oliver through some rough times? Is it possible that a temporary job as choir director at Gram’s church opens Jake’s eyes up to what he really wants in life? Can music be a common connection between Oliver and Jake? Can Jake make Maggie’s dreams come true?

THE JOURNEY TO FORGIVENESS is an amazing, heart-touching story that immediately pulls you in. Vera Smetzer gives us a story of family, home is where you heart is, healing, friendship, forgiveness, spiritual growth, second chances, a sweet K-9, romance and wraps it all in a wonderful thread of faith. THE JOURNEY TO FORGIVENESS is absolutely a FIVE-STAR book that I can highly recommend to everyone!

I received an ARC of this book with no requirement or expectations of a review. All opinions are completely my own.
#TheJourneytoForgiveness #VeraSmetzer #LoveInspired #InspirationalRomance

[Susan Simpson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed The Journey to Forgiveness by Vera Smetzer. How can you go wrong with strong, believable characters, a cute little boy, and a lovable dog?
Jake Madison returns home to Maine after making a name for himself as a musician. He has decided to leave the “rock” world behind and concentrate on Christian music and service. But will the people he left behind, especially Maggie, be glad to see him?
Maggie has experienced a lot of hardship. She lost her husband in a car accident, and lost her home in a fire. She and her son have returned to the Madison farm where she begins a flower business. She eventually warms up to Jake, but will he stay around when she reveals a secret she has been keeping from him?
If you enjoy sweet romance stories peppered with faith and characters who learn to trust and forgive, you will want to read this book. It is very well written and moves along quickly. Sit back and enjoy!!

[Renee Simmons · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such an enjoyable read. Jake Madison left his hometown as an angry young man, but while he was gone, his life changed and he now has his faith, his God and his faithful dog , Hero. He has returned home to make amends to his family and his girlfriend that ended up marrying his brother. Maggie is now widowed after Jake’s brother passed away. Maggie has a son who has been through some traumatic experiences and has issues with anxiety and he stutters. But what Jake finds out when he returns will change his life forever. He knows God has forgiven him, his family has forgiven him, but now he has to forgive himself. These characters are so amazing. Family is family whether by blood or by heart and working together can create relationships that will last forever. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Kate Vale · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another in the K-9 Companions series, in which single mother, Maggie, busy making her flower farm solvent.

When veterinarian Jake Madison comes home to make amends to his family members, Maggie isn't happy. After all, Jake dumped her back when they were in high school. Could she possibly still have good feelings for him after all these years? Maybe, but she doesn't want to, even when Jake bonds with her young son, who is much taken with the two dogs he lives with.

What will change her mind about Jake?

[Jeanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read, can't wait for more from this author