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Hope Springs #5
Long Journey Home
From Sarah M. Eden, the USA Today Bestselling author of the Longing for Home series, LONG JOURNEY HOME is a new romance novel set in the beloved world of Hope Springs.
Widowed by war, Maura O’Connor has raised her son alone under the weight of poverty in the unforgiving slums of New York City. That harsh and difficult life has taken a toll on them both. Desperate to save her son from the misery around them, she moves them both to the tiny western town of Hope Springs, where her late husband’s family lives, hoping that the decade of silence between them does not mean she and Aidan will be rejected outright. Her son needs family, and she would endure anything to see him happy.
Ryan Callaghan has worked the land belonging to the late Granny Claire for years, dreaming of one day claiming it as his own. Living in his brother’s home affords him no freedom, no stability, no joy. The arrangement is even harder on his mother, whose health is quickly deteriorating. A risky investment in the land has finally begun to pay off, and he is at last in a position to secure a better future for them both. When use of the home is, without warning, offered to a newly arrived widow and her son, that future is entirely uncertain.
Both Maura and Ryan desperately need the Claire farm, for their own futures as well as those of the loved ones who depend on them. Neither can remain in Hope Springs without the house and land, but only one can claim it in the end.
Other Books in the Hope Springs Series:
Longing for Home
Hope Springs
Love Remains
My Dearest Love
Long Journey Home
Regency Romances:
The Kiss of a Stranger
Glimmer of Hope
An Unlikely Match
For Elise
All Regency Collection
British Isles Collection
The Jonquil Brothers series:
Friends and Foes
Drops of Gold
As You Are
A Fine Gentleman
The Lancaster Family series:
Seeking Persephone
Courting Miss Lancaster
Romancing Daphne
Timeless Romance Anthologies:
Winter Collection
Spring Vacation Collection
European Collection
Summer Wedding Collection
Love Letter Collection
Historical Westerns:
The Sheriffs of Savage Wells
Old West Collection
Mail Order Bride Collection
Timeless Regency Collections:
Summer House Party
A Night in Grosvenor Square
Widowed by war, Maura O’Connor has raised her son alone under the weight of poverty in the unforgiving slums of New York City. That harsh and difficult life has taken a toll on them both. Desperate to save her son from the misery around them, she moves them both to the tiny western town of Hope Springs, where her late husband’s family lives, hoping that the decade of silence between them does not mean she and Aidan will be rejected outright. Her son needs family, and she would endure anything to see him happy.
Ryan Callaghan has worked the land belonging to the late Granny Claire for years, dreaming of one day claiming it as his own. Living in his brother’s home affords him no freedom, no stability, no joy. The arrangement is even harder on his mother, whose health is quickly deteriorating. A risky investment in the land has finally begun to pay off, and he is at last in a position to secure a better future for them both. When use of the home is, without warning, offered to a newly arrived widow and her son, that future is entirely uncertain.
Both Maura and Ryan desperately need the Claire farm, for their own futures as well as those of the loved ones who depend on them. Neither can remain in Hope Springs without the house and land, but only one can claim it in the end.
Other Books in the Hope Springs Series:
Longing for Home
Hope Springs
Love Remains
My Dearest Love
Long Journey Home
Regency Romances:
The Kiss of a Stranger
Glimmer of Hope
An Unlikely Match
For Elise
All Regency Collection
British Isles Collection
The Jonquil Brothers series:
Friends and Foes
Drops of Gold
As You Are
A Fine Gentleman
The Lancaster Family series:
Seeking Persephone
Courting Miss Lancaster
Romancing Daphne
Timeless Romance Anthologies:
Winter Collection
Spring Vacation Collection
European Collection
Summer Wedding Collection
Love Letter Collection
Historical Westerns:
The Sheriffs of Savage Wells
Old West Collection
Mail Order Bride Collection
Timeless Regency Collections:
Summer House Party
A Night in Grosvenor Square
372 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 4, 2018
128 people are currently reading
1141 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 209 reviews
September 4, 2018
If there was ever a historical place and group of people that I would want to go back and visit, Hope Springs would be that place. Yes, I know that the people are fictional, I know it's a story, but still, I would be there in a heartbeat if it were a possibility! I cannot begin to describe how much I loved this book. I adore the O'Connor family and feel like they are family. How can you not when you read the book and feel the love that radiates from them towards anyone they meet? They're family to me!
This series, oh, it pulls and tugs on your heart strings and elicits many emotions to come forth. I very freely admit that I cried while reading this book. Oh my heart. It's no secret that I feel emotions deeply and freely cry when those emotions arise, whether happy tears, sad tears...I cry. I'm probably a lot more emotional lately because the last couple years has brought about many goodbyes to dear friends and family members who have passed away. So I think my emotions are close to the surface already that it is pretty easy for them to come pouring out.
This book is Maura O'Connor's story. You don't have to have read the previous books to enjoy this one. Sarah Eden did a fabulous job writing for anyone to read and jump into the middle of the series if they wish. But, I'm going to say it...read all the books. Even if you read this one first, then go back and read the others, totally fine. But read all the books. It is a journey that I wouldn't want you to miss. If you've read the series then you know that Maura is a daughter in law to the main Mr. and Mrs. O'Connor. Her husband was killed in the Civil War many years before this book takes place. This is Maura and her son Aiden's journey in finding home and what home entails for them.
It is truly a beautiful story. There is so much possibility for anger and hurt and many more such feelings to be harbored by Maura but I loved being pleasantly surprised as she navigates what life continues to send her way. Not to mention her humor. Oh, what a fun refreshing sense of humor she had. And it was a welcome blessing to so many.
I know I'm not mentioning too many other characters in the book, especially the main male character, Ryan. I don't want to spoil this story. So the only thing I'll say about him is this...prepare to be surprised, amazed and fall in love with his character yourself. What a fabulous journey to be able to read about for so many characters. Plus, the added bonus of being able to see all the O'Connor family and other characters from Hope Springs that I've loved from the very first book and every book afterwards. I'm sure you know this already but, I love these characters and their stories of hardship, heartbreak, sorrow, but most importantly, forgiveness, healing and love.
Content: Clean
I received a copy from the publisher. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.
Happy Reading!!!
This series, oh, it pulls and tugs on your heart strings and elicits many emotions to come forth. I very freely admit that I cried while reading this book. Oh my heart. It's no secret that I feel emotions deeply and freely cry when those emotions arise, whether happy tears, sad tears...I cry. I'm probably a lot more emotional lately because the last couple years has brought about many goodbyes to dear friends and family members who have passed away. So I think my emotions are close to the surface already that it is pretty easy for them to come pouring out.
This book is Maura O'Connor's story. You don't have to have read the previous books to enjoy this one. Sarah Eden did a fabulous job writing for anyone to read and jump into the middle of the series if they wish. But, I'm going to say it...read all the books. Even if you read this one first, then go back and read the others, totally fine. But read all the books. It is a journey that I wouldn't want you to miss. If you've read the series then you know that Maura is a daughter in law to the main Mr. and Mrs. O'Connor. Her husband was killed in the Civil War many years before this book takes place. This is Maura and her son Aiden's journey in finding home and what home entails for them.
It is truly a beautiful story. There is so much possibility for anger and hurt and many more such feelings to be harbored by Maura but I loved being pleasantly surprised as she navigates what life continues to send her way. Not to mention her humor. Oh, what a fun refreshing sense of humor she had. And it was a welcome blessing to so many.
I know I'm not mentioning too many other characters in the book, especially the main male character, Ryan. I don't want to spoil this story. So the only thing I'll say about him is this...prepare to be surprised, amazed and fall in love with his character yourself. What a fabulous journey to be able to read about for so many characters. Plus, the added bonus of being able to see all the O'Connor family and other characters from Hope Springs that I've loved from the very first book and every book afterwards. I'm sure you know this already but, I love these characters and their stories of hardship, heartbreak, sorrow, but most importantly, forgiveness, healing and love.
Content: Clean
I received a copy from the publisher. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.
Happy Reading!!!
October 9, 2018
This is fourth in a series and two couples from previous books figure here. I'm not sure how much you need the first two to understand this one. Eden did a pretty good job of not making me feel like I'm missing anything.
I'm dnfing this at 65%, and it all comes down to a single issue. The story is well written and the characters are engaging and the setting is vividly drawn. The thing is that I hate the conflict between the main couple and feel like it's being manipulated to draw it out. Which is too bad because Eden does a good job crafting a frontier romance that I didn't mind inhabiting. So even though there is tragedy and drama, it fits the characters and I'm interested in their progress and love to see them making connections and finding community/family.
Which makes it somewhat tragic that the problem feels like author manipulation. I just don't buy that
Anyway, I can't take that sense of authorial manipulation. And since I like them both and things are headed the right direction I'm going to stop now and write the ending in my head. I'll rate this 2½ stars and round up on the strength of Eden's skill, the evocative setting, and a cast of characters it was a joy getting to know.
I'm dnfing this at 65%, and it all comes down to a single issue. The story is well written and the characters are engaging and the setting is vividly drawn. The thing is that I hate the conflict between the main couple and feel like it's being manipulated to draw it out. Which is too bad because Eden does a good job crafting a frontier romance that I didn't mind inhabiting. So even though there is tragedy and drama, it fits the characters and I'm interested in their progress and love to see them making connections and finding community/family.
Which makes it somewhat tragic that the problem feels like author manipulation. I just don't buy that
Anyway, I can't take that sense of authorial manipulation. And since I like them both and things are headed the right direction I'm going to stop now and write the ending in my head. I'll rate this 2½ stars and round up on the strength of Eden's skill, the evocative setting, and a cast of characters it was a joy getting to know.
September 5, 2018
Yet another series of Sarah M. Eden's that I'm behind on, but who in their right mind would turn down an opportunity to read one of her books. This is the fourth book in the Longing for Home series, and though I've only read My Dearest Love, which is kind of like an introduction to the O'Connor family, I wasn't lost because a lot of the characters in My Dearest Love are in Long Journey Home. I had questions about what happened to Finbarr and Katie but they didn't hinder the pleasure I felt reading this book.
Maura O'Connor lives in NYC far away from the rest of her husband's family who moved to Hope Springs, WY over a decade ago. It's been almost as long since her husband, Grady, was killed in the war. Her mother and sister have also died since she and Grady made the decision not to move to Wyoming. The only family she has left is her teenage son, Aidan, whose soul is slowly dying from living in the crowded city and their poverty. After selling her most prized possession she has to choose between using the money for medical care for herself (she has "brown lung" from working in the factory), or moving them out West to live with relatives she no longer really knows and Aidan doesn't remember.
Ryan Callaghan shares a too small home with his mother, brother and his family in Hope Springs, WY. It's not a good arrangement--there's not enough room and the stress of the close quarters and lack of privacy and freedom are affecting his mother's health, not to mention their relationships with each other, but Ryan's got a plan to buy the land he's been working for the past 5 years. There's a bit of a problem--the house and land that Ryan wants to buy is owned by Tavish and Cecily O'Connor, and that's the home the family's letting Maura and Aidan live in.
Maura is a strong, determined, stubborn and proud woman trying to raise a son alone. She's lost everyone she cares about--her husband, mother and sister. She has the same illness that took her mother and sister's lives so she moves across the country so her son can be with family to care for him when she's gone. She doesn't want anyone's pity or handouts and thus keeps her diagnosis to herself for most of the book, although she's not fooling anyone who has eyes and ears.
Not only was Maura raising a son alone, dealing with her illness, trying to learn to live on a farm and all that entails, but she was weighed down with guilt that she was the one who kept Grady (her husband) from moving to Hope Springs with the rest of his family all those years ago. The "if only" ate away at her. If only they'd moved Grady wouldn't have gone to war, she wouldn't have had to work in the factory and wouldn't be sick, etc.
Sometimes I got aggravated by Maura's pride and stubbornness. "She, however, had wrapped her stubbornness around herself like a battle cloak and told him she would do precisely what she felt she ought, and he'd best have nothing contrary to say about it." Having been a single parent at one time I understand somewhat the burdens she had placed upon her, but when you have family around who can and want to help, then you swallow your pride and allow them to help you. You get the help and support you need and they get the satisfaction and blessing of being able to help.
Ryan was a great character. He was a hard worker and a caring man--you could tell by how he took care of his mother, and taught Aidan how to do things. He was always willing to lend a hand even when it took time away from work he needed to do. On the other hand, his brother James irritated me to no end. "Trying to appease him was like juggling cats: precarious, exhausting, and arguably pointless." What a perfect description. One of my favorite parts of the book is in one of the last few chapters when Maura tells him off. " She raised her chin, mouth pulled in a straight line as she continued glaring James into an early grave." I loved it!!
I loved the humor and teasing in this large Irish family. They all have their own trials, but band together to help each other out. I loved Mrs. O'Connor's advice to Maura "Do not wait for life to give you permission to love. Let love give you permission to live."
I love how Sarah Eden makes me care about the characters in her books. I get upset with thoughts that go through their heads, decisions they make, worry they'll die, etc. The only thing I wondered about that wasn't explained in the book was why Maura and the O'Connors didn't communicate all those years? I know they were building a new life in Wyoming which was far from easy, and it cost precious money to send a letter from Wyoming to NYC but it's hard for me to understand how they went 10 years without communicating.
I can't wait to catch up with the rest of the books in this series and wonder whose story is going to be next? Finbarr's?
Maura O'Connor lives in NYC far away from the rest of her husband's family who moved to Hope Springs, WY over a decade ago. It's been almost as long since her husband, Grady, was killed in the war. Her mother and sister have also died since she and Grady made the decision not to move to Wyoming. The only family she has left is her teenage son, Aidan, whose soul is slowly dying from living in the crowded city and their poverty. After selling her most prized possession she has to choose between using the money for medical care for herself (she has "brown lung" from working in the factory), or moving them out West to live with relatives she no longer really knows and Aidan doesn't remember.
Ryan Callaghan shares a too small home with his mother, brother and his family in Hope Springs, WY. It's not a good arrangement--there's not enough room and the stress of the close quarters and lack of privacy and freedom are affecting his mother's health, not to mention their relationships with each other, but Ryan's got a plan to buy the land he's been working for the past 5 years. There's a bit of a problem--the house and land that Ryan wants to buy is owned by Tavish and Cecily O'Connor, and that's the home the family's letting Maura and Aidan live in.
Maura is a strong, determined, stubborn and proud woman trying to raise a son alone. She's lost everyone she cares about--her husband, mother and sister. She has the same illness that took her mother and sister's lives so she moves across the country so her son can be with family to care for him when she's gone. She doesn't want anyone's pity or handouts and thus keeps her diagnosis to herself for most of the book, although she's not fooling anyone who has eyes and ears.
Not only was Maura raising a son alone, dealing with her illness, trying to learn to live on a farm and all that entails, but she was weighed down with guilt that she was the one who kept Grady (her husband) from moving to Hope Springs with the rest of his family all those years ago. The "if only" ate away at her. If only they'd moved Grady wouldn't have gone to war, she wouldn't have had to work in the factory and wouldn't be sick, etc.
Sometimes I got aggravated by Maura's pride and stubbornness. "She, however, had wrapped her stubbornness around herself like a battle cloak and told him she would do precisely what she felt she ought, and he'd best have nothing contrary to say about it." Having been a single parent at one time I understand somewhat the burdens she had placed upon her, but when you have family around who can and want to help, then you swallow your pride and allow them to help you. You get the help and support you need and they get the satisfaction and blessing of being able to help.
Ryan was a great character. He was a hard worker and a caring man--you could tell by how he took care of his mother, and taught Aidan how to do things. He was always willing to lend a hand even when it took time away from work he needed to do. On the other hand, his brother James irritated me to no end. "Trying to appease him was like juggling cats: precarious, exhausting, and arguably pointless." What a perfect description. One of my favorite parts of the book is in one of the last few chapters when Maura tells him off. " She raised her chin, mouth pulled in a straight line as she continued glaring James into an early grave." I loved it!!
I loved the humor and teasing in this large Irish family. They all have their own trials, but band together to help each other out. I loved Mrs. O'Connor's advice to Maura "Do not wait for life to give you permission to love. Let love give you permission to live."
I love how Sarah Eden makes me care about the characters in her books. I get upset with thoughts that go through their heads, decisions they make, worry they'll die, etc. The only thing I wondered about that wasn't explained in the book was why Maura and the O'Connors didn't communicate all those years? I know they were building a new life in Wyoming which was far from easy, and it cost precious money to send a letter from Wyoming to NYC but it's hard for me to understand how they went 10 years without communicating.
I can't wait to catch up with the rest of the books in this series and wonder whose story is going to be next? Finbarr's?
September 11, 2018
Man, I should not have read two Eden books in a row. Her books tend to have a sad feel to them and after reading about a woman who was forced to live in an Asylum in 1900's it was not a good idea to read about Grady's widow who suffered alone for years and is now sick. UHG! So sad! I love this whole series so it was a little heartbreaking to read this one. The first half of the book was a little to much for me, I almost gave this 3 stars, it seemed to drag and there was a bit of repetition in the desolate nature of everyone's feelings. I was seriously loosing hope, and then a romance started to blossom and the O'Connors started showing up in more pages and this got much better:} Loved the whole half end of this so much I just couldn't give it 3 stars. This is a chaste romance with a little talk of praying. There is not much violence, someone gets beat up but it is not described. There is a lot of hardship and sadness.
September 10, 2018
Long Journey Home is another masterpiece from beloved author Sarah M. Eden. I truly love this series of books and Long Journey Home is a perfect addition to the series. Maura and Ryan were wonderful characters. I enjoyed the plot and the conflict the characters had between wanting to be friends and remaining rivals on who keeps the farm each person desperately needs. Maura is keeping a secret, and when Ryan finds out, he can't help but feel for her. I loved the connection with the wonderful O'Connor family. They brighten up every page they are on. I enjoyed their continued story through these characters. I laughed, I cried, and when the story ended, I had a big smile.
September 13, 2018
Another amazing addition to the series! I think each book just gets better and better as we come to know the O'Connor family and their community in Hope Springs even more. I loved the way the author incorporated the main characters from previous books in meaningful ways, not just appearances for the sake of having their names in the book. Also, without doing a plot rehash of the previous books. These can be read out of order, but meeting them Long Journey Home will definitely make you want to go back and read the stories of the other characters.
It took me a little bit to get a feel for Maura, but I grew to love her and understand her as she allows herself to open up to her O'Connor family and accept their unconditional love and support in the midst of her hardships and theirs. Ryan is someone who is easy to admire with his compassion for his mother, strong work ethic, and service to his community. I loved seeing Maura and Ryan develop a friendship in spite of their conflicting goals, and the way they sacrificed for each other. The sweet romance between them grew slowly and naturally, and their special moments together are even more so because of that wait. Maura's son Aiden was also an important member of this story and I thought he was realistically portrayed and enjoyed seeing him blossom in Hope Springs. There are strong themes of family, service, sacrifice, and community. I thoroughly enjoyed every page of this wonderful book!
(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)
It took me a little bit to get a feel for Maura, but I grew to love her and understand her as she allows herself to open up to her O'Connor family and accept their unconditional love and support in the midst of her hardships and theirs. Ryan is someone who is easy to admire with his compassion for his mother, strong work ethic, and service to his community. I loved seeing Maura and Ryan develop a friendship in spite of their conflicting goals, and the way they sacrificed for each other. The sweet romance between them grew slowly and naturally, and their special moments together are even more so because of that wait. Maura's son Aiden was also an important member of this story and I thought he was realistically portrayed and enjoyed seeing him blossom in Hope Springs. There are strong themes of family, service, sacrifice, and community. I thoroughly enjoyed every page of this wonderful book!
(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)
September 20, 2018
The Longing for Home series by Sarah M Eden is one of my all time favorites. I just love the way she's written her characters. They are some that I think of often, almost as dear friends. And the setting of the little town of Hope Springs, Wyoming is just as great as her characters. This series is a must read in my book, but you must start at the beginning with Longing for Home . You could read these out of order, but there are so many details, I think you'd be confused.
Long Journey Home is the newest book in the Longing for Home series. This one features Maura, she's the widow of one of the older O'Connor boys. I loved her character. She's a single mom in 1800's New York City. She has to work so hard to support herself and her son Aidan. But even in the face of her poverty, Maura is always looking out for someone else before herself. Many of other widows in the tenement building she lives in owe her a great debt of gratitude. Maura is sick though, she's got brown lung from working in the factory like many of the Irish in the 1800's did. She doesn't want Aidan to know. And she can't leave him alone when she dies, so they head to be with the rest of the family in Hope Springs.
That's where things get so fun! We get to see the O'Connor family again. All of them. I just love this family so much. They are the epitome of kindness and caring. They're always watching out for themselves and for anyone else in the community that needs something. We don't see any of the story from their perspective, but having them in the story makes it that much better in my opinion.
In Hope Springs is also Ryan Callaghan. Ryan is a great character as well. He's been living with his brother and his brother's wife as well as Ryan's own mother. Homes then were not big and this situation isn't ideal for any of them. Ryan is hoping to buy the home on the property that he works that belongs to Tavish O'Connor and his wife. When that home is given to Maura and Aidan, Ryan isn't sure what to do.
At first Maura and Ryan kind of see each other as enemies. But as they get to know each other, they know that they like the other too much to treat them as an enemy. I loved that about both of these characters, they're both so unselfish. Things were bound to be hard, but they make everything work.
I loved everything about this book. The pictures each and every word painted in my head as I read it made this seem more like a movie than a book. I can't wait to read more about this family and the town of Hope Springs!
Long Journey Home is the newest book in the Longing for Home series. This one features Maura, she's the widow of one of the older O'Connor boys. I loved her character. She's a single mom in 1800's New York City. She has to work so hard to support herself and her son Aidan. But even in the face of her poverty, Maura is always looking out for someone else before herself. Many of other widows in the tenement building she lives in owe her a great debt of gratitude. Maura is sick though, she's got brown lung from working in the factory like many of the Irish in the 1800's did. She doesn't want Aidan to know. And she can't leave him alone when she dies, so they head to be with the rest of the family in Hope Springs.
That's where things get so fun! We get to see the O'Connor family again. All of them. I just love this family so much. They are the epitome of kindness and caring. They're always watching out for themselves and for anyone else in the community that needs something. We don't see any of the story from their perspective, but having them in the story makes it that much better in my opinion.
In Hope Springs is also Ryan Callaghan. Ryan is a great character as well. He's been living with his brother and his brother's wife as well as Ryan's own mother. Homes then were not big and this situation isn't ideal for any of them. Ryan is hoping to buy the home on the property that he works that belongs to Tavish O'Connor and his wife. When that home is given to Maura and Aidan, Ryan isn't sure what to do.
At first Maura and Ryan kind of see each other as enemies. But as they get to know each other, they know that they like the other too much to treat them as an enemy. I loved that about both of these characters, they're both so unselfish. Things were bound to be hard, but they make everything work.
I loved everything about this book. The pictures each and every word painted in my head as I read it made this seem more like a movie than a book. I can't wait to read more about this family and the town of Hope Springs!
December 27, 2018
As always with this series we get lots of love mixed with heartache but it all works out in the end. The O'Connor's are such a lovely family. Can't wait to read more about them and the rest of the town!
November 2, 2024
JUST. WOW. OMG. OHHH MY GOSH THIS WAS SO GOODDDD!!!! first of all, angst was peak, son was peak, relationship was peak, characters were peak, and the buildup ughhhhh…. ryan and maura for life…Just perfect romance, and ryan is the standard and his personality was just perfect!!!!
September 14, 2018
This is probably one of my all time favorite book series ever. I can't tell you how much I love these people and these stories. I don't know why it resonates so deeply with me, but it does. Every single time I pick up a new book, I am transported to Hope Springs to reunite with a family that have become so real and vibrant in my mind.
Sarah Eden is masterful at writing people who feel so real to me. I get to know them through her words. Their strengths and weaknesses, likes and dislikes, hopes and dreams all become a part of me too. I just love it. These books are most definitely character driven with several characters always playing a large role in whatever is happening. Each books sets up books to come and after reading this one, I know of at least three books that I cannot wait to read!
I loved both Ryan and Maura- so, so much. They are two people with exceptional hearts of kindness. Maura has a mother's fierce heart- one that makes the hard decisions to protect her child. She is a thinker and she makes things happen. She cares for all around her often at her own expense. And Ryan? Ooh. He's such a good man. The way he cares for his mama? That right there was enough for me to fall in love with him. But then come all the other things and seriously, I'm telling you, he's the perfect male lead for this book and Maura.
Love. Love, love, love.
Content: clean romance, no content warnings
Sarah Eden is masterful at writing people who feel so real to me. I get to know them through her words. Their strengths and weaknesses, likes and dislikes, hopes and dreams all become a part of me too. I just love it. These books are most definitely character driven with several characters always playing a large role in whatever is happening. Each books sets up books to come and after reading this one, I know of at least three books that I cannot wait to read!
I loved both Ryan and Maura- so, so much. They are two people with exceptional hearts of kindness. Maura has a mother's fierce heart- one that makes the hard decisions to protect her child. She is a thinker and she makes things happen. She cares for all around her often at her own expense. And Ryan? Ooh. He's such a good man. The way he cares for his mama? That right there was enough for me to fall in love with him. But then come all the other things and seriously, I'm telling you, he's the perfect male lead for this book and Maura.
Love. Love, love, love.
Content: clean romance, no content warnings
September 12, 2018
This is another beautiful love story by Sarah Eden. Her characters always make me smile and their journey to find love always touches my heart. Ryan and Maura in this story were fantastic. Ryan is a dream man. So kind. So giving. So utterly perfect for dear Maura, who is strong, yet vulnerable because of her sickness. Her son, Aiden, is a fun character to watch grow and blossom during the plot. This is a great American frontier love story, and I loved learning about things such as brown lung, caused by working in the textile factories. The pieces of history woven into the fictional tale make it very edifying to read. I highly recommend this book. It’s part of a series of different characters in the town, but you don’t have to have read the others for this to be amazing. But knowing the backstory of other characters will make it more fun. ***I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review
September 1, 2018
I love the Hope Springs series. The writing is so well done that I feel like I have been transported to the small town of Hope Springs Wyoming Territory and am hearing the tales of my friends, neighbors, and family. The characters are so well developed that I feel as if I know them. I care what happens to them. I can’t wait to hear Patrick’s story.
September 11, 2018
When I saw that Sarah Eden had a new book coming out in her Hope Springs series, I could hardly wait to get my hands on it. I think this is one of my very favorite series. (If you recall, I was totally on Team Tavish for the first few books. Love him!)
This book takes us back to Hope Springs and it's a little like coming home. There is a lot of interaction with characters from previous books and it's like getting to visit with them once again and see how their lives are going!
In Long Journey Home, we're introduced to Maura, who was married to Grady O'Connor, but he passed away in the Civil War. She's tried to raise her son on her own for the last ten years, but things have changed and she needs a place to go, so she reaches out to her husband's family and they invite her to Hope Springs.
When Maura arrives, she is given a home that Tavish has inherited, but she doesn't realize that the man who had been working the land for the O'Connor's, Ryan Callaghan, has had his eye on owning the vacant home as well. He is trying to provide for his ailing mother and isn't pleased to see Maura and her son possibly snatching away all the dreams he'd had.
And thus begins the story of family and connections and what it truly means to sacrifice for someone you love. I loved how multi-layered the story was and how every emotional beat made me love the characters even more. The slow burn relationship between Ryan and Maura was so beautiful and sweet, it pulled at all my heartstrings. The setting is one that is easy to envision and the carefully researched realities of life in that time period are really showcased with the different ailments people suffered and worries that were at the forefront if you were trying to make a life in the West.
Sarah Eden is an incredibly talented writer and it's books like these that really show her skill in drawing readers in and keeping them spellbound until the very end. Loved this one!
Originally reviewed on http://ldswritermom.blogspot.com
This book takes us back to Hope Springs and it's a little like coming home. There is a lot of interaction with characters from previous books and it's like getting to visit with them once again and see how their lives are going!
In Long Journey Home, we're introduced to Maura, who was married to Grady O'Connor, but he passed away in the Civil War. She's tried to raise her son on her own for the last ten years, but things have changed and she needs a place to go, so she reaches out to her husband's family and they invite her to Hope Springs.
When Maura arrives, she is given a home that Tavish has inherited, but she doesn't realize that the man who had been working the land for the O'Connor's, Ryan Callaghan, has had his eye on owning the vacant home as well. He is trying to provide for his ailing mother and isn't pleased to see Maura and her son possibly snatching away all the dreams he'd had.
And thus begins the story of family and connections and what it truly means to sacrifice for someone you love. I loved how multi-layered the story was and how every emotional beat made me love the characters even more. The slow burn relationship between Ryan and Maura was so beautiful and sweet, it pulled at all my heartstrings. The setting is one that is easy to envision and the carefully researched realities of life in that time period are really showcased with the different ailments people suffered and worries that were at the forefront if you were trying to make a life in the West.
Sarah Eden is an incredibly talented writer and it's books like these that really show her skill in drawing readers in and keeping them spellbound until the very end. Loved this one!
Originally reviewed on http://ldswritermom.blogspot.com
May 3, 2020
2.5 rounded up because the author truly is a fabulous writer, even if I didn’t like the story, itself.
I have absolutely adored this series up until this point, so it was doubly disappointing that this installment fell so short for me. Unfortunately, it was just a really depressing read! In the previous books in this series, the hardships have been just as serious and the troubles that faced Irish immigrants in the 19th century just as deftly shown. BUT, the characters gave those stories heart and made the reader love and cheer for them to succeed.
Not so much with this book. Maura is the most miserable, morose, negative heroine I have read in a very long time! Good grief!! She saw nothing good from anything, held herself apart from everyone - even her family and those who were showing her kindness - and she didn’t change or grow through 99% of the book! Add to that the health issues/death elephant that permeates every scene, THEN, the fact that the hero - while a much kinder, sympathetic character, also spent the entirety of the book with little hope. THEN, THEN, add in the plot device that pitted these two against each other in order for their very survival. Yeesh!! Misery times ten with no hope to be seen in the entire book!!
Again, I reiterate, the hardships were many in all the books before, the difference, however, is within the characters and our ability to connect and love them. Maura’s character, with her sullen, offish, doomsday attitude that permeated every page, made it impossible to enjoy.
Plus... there was one huge thread that hung over the entire book that was never answered. Part of the reason Maura was so stand-offish was because the O’Conners hadn’t written or tried to contact her in over 10 years. The questions of why hung in the air every single time they were on the page together... but nothing was ever resolved. One more depressing point to add to this morose read.
I have absolutely adored this series up until this point, so it was doubly disappointing that this installment fell so short for me. Unfortunately, it was just a really depressing read! In the previous books in this series, the hardships have been just as serious and the troubles that faced Irish immigrants in the 19th century just as deftly shown. BUT, the characters gave those stories heart and made the reader love and cheer for them to succeed.
Not so much with this book. Maura is the most miserable, morose, negative heroine I have read in a very long time! Good grief!! She saw nothing good from anything, held herself apart from everyone - even her family and those who were showing her kindness - and she didn’t change or grow through 99% of the book! Add to that the health issues/death elephant that permeates every scene, THEN, the fact that the hero - while a much kinder, sympathetic character, also spent the entirety of the book with little hope. THEN, THEN, add in the plot device that pitted these two against each other in order for their very survival. Yeesh!! Misery times ten with no hope to be seen in the entire book!!
Again, I reiterate, the hardships were many in all the books before, the difference, however, is within the characters and our ability to connect and love them. Maura’s character, with her sullen, offish, doomsday attitude that permeated every page, made it impossible to enjoy.
Plus... there was one huge thread that hung over the entire book that was never answered. Part of the reason Maura was so stand-offish was because the O’Conners hadn’t written or tried to contact her in over 10 years. The questions of why hung in the air every single time they were on the page together... but nothing was ever resolved. One more depressing point to add to this morose read.
September 3, 2018
Romance, clean; period; series, but stand alone read
While this is a series, and characters from other novels appear in the novel, this is a stand alone read, you can easily read this without reading the other novels/novella.
Maura and Aiden's journey to family is a compelling, heartfelt read. This novel set in the fictional town of Hope Springs, is a beautiful journey of healing and hope for the family and characters in the novel. Lots of obstacles, just in the struggle to survive, to be healthy, to live, and to heal a families. Many characters from other novels appear, but are wonderful supporting characters in this novel of finding place, returning home, and healing hearts (in many different ways). Births, harvests, family frictions, struggles, and community gatherings make for a wonderful setting and back story to Maura and Aiden's journey to finding 'home' and family again, and also finding a place for her heart.
Ryan and his mother's health and hurts, the house saga, the land, it all binds the hearts together as they build their dreams and home over the course of the novel. Beautiful story of finding home, healing, finding hope, healing and of course, a beautiful binding of hearts. Lovely read, highly recommend. By far, my favorite novel of this series. If you only choose one of these to read, choose this one.
While this is a series, and characters from other novels appear in the novel, this is a stand alone read, you can easily read this without reading the other novels/novella.
Maura and Aiden's journey to family is a compelling, heartfelt read. This novel set in the fictional town of Hope Springs, is a beautiful journey of healing and hope for the family and characters in the novel. Lots of obstacles, just in the struggle to survive, to be healthy, to live, and to heal a families. Many characters from other novels appear, but are wonderful supporting characters in this novel of finding place, returning home, and healing hearts (in many different ways). Births, harvests, family frictions, struggles, and community gatherings make for a wonderful setting and back story to Maura and Aiden's journey to finding 'home' and family again, and also finding a place for her heart.
Ryan and his mother's health and hurts, the house saga, the land, it all binds the hearts together as they build their dreams and home over the course of the novel. Beautiful story of finding home, healing, finding hope, healing and of course, a beautiful binding of hearts. Lovely read, highly recommend. By far, my favorite novel of this series. If you only choose one of these to read, choose this one.
September 6, 2018
I love this book! I love this whole series!! Hope Springs is a special place with real characters and stories that always pull at my heart. There are struggles, there is heartache, and there is so much love and joy.
Maura is a wonderful mother that will do anything to help her son. She is kind, giving, brave and quite stubborn. Ryan is as good a guy as you will ever find. He is full of strength and has such a big heart. I loved watching the love between them grow.
There is something very special about the O’Connor family. The way they love and care for each other is inspiring. They were a great blessing to Maura and Aiden and the reverse was true, as well. I hope we get to be back in Hope Springs with all of them soon!
I received a complimentary copy of the book, which I voluntarily reviewed. I have given my honest opinion.
Maura is a wonderful mother that will do anything to help her son. She is kind, giving, brave and quite stubborn. Ryan is as good a guy as you will ever find. He is full of strength and has such a big heart. I loved watching the love between them grow.
There is something very special about the O’Connor family. The way they love and care for each other is inspiring. They were a great blessing to Maura and Aiden and the reverse was true, as well. I hope we get to be back in Hope Springs with all of them soon!
I received a complimentary copy of the book, which I voluntarily reviewed. I have given my honest opinion.
July 2, 2018
Beautiful story that had me far too emotionally involved. I love Hope Springs!
September 16, 2018
Reading another book from the Longing For Home Series is coming home to family. This has become one of my favorite series because of the characters that I've grown to love. I know that this book could be read as a stand alone, but...it will be a more rich, reading experience if you read these books from the beginning. You will have a deeper understanding of the characters, and their motivations behind their actions.
Long Journey Home is Maura O'Connor, Grady O'Connor's widow and her son Aiden's story. Also included is the story of Ryan Callaghan and how his life crashes with Maura's. You may think my word choice is interesting, but once you read the story you'll realize it's applicable. I love Maura and her determination to raise her son as a single mom. Unless you've done it, you'll never realize how truly hard it is to be a single mom. I also think it would have been even harder back in this time period than it is for me now. As always, I love the path that Maura travels in growing and learning and letting other's help her and love her.
Ryan is a great man. He is taking care of so many people while still trying to grab onto his own dreams. I love how he takes care of him mom. He is a much better son than Ryan's brother James. I felt James was very selfish and not being fair to his brother in his actions. I feel like I'm being very cryptic in my review, but I don't want to share any spoilers that would ruin the story for potential readers.
This book generates so many emotions: sadness, worry, excitement, forgiveness, hope, happiness, and of course that feeling called love. You definitely experience it all right along with the characters. It was nice to be back in Hope Springs with so many familiar characters. This book is a must read for fans of Sarah Eden and if you've never read a book by her before, now would be a good time to start. You are always guaranteed a heart warming story full of beloved characters that will make you laugh, cry, and stay with you a long time.
Long Journey Home is Maura O'Connor, Grady O'Connor's widow and her son Aiden's story. Also included is the story of Ryan Callaghan and how his life crashes with Maura's. You may think my word choice is interesting, but once you read the story you'll realize it's applicable. I love Maura and her determination to raise her son as a single mom. Unless you've done it, you'll never realize how truly hard it is to be a single mom. I also think it would have been even harder back in this time period than it is for me now. As always, I love the path that Maura travels in growing and learning and letting other's help her and love her.
Ryan is a great man. He is taking care of so many people while still trying to grab onto his own dreams. I love how he takes care of him mom. He is a much better son than Ryan's brother James. I felt James was very selfish and not being fair to his brother in his actions. I feel like I'm being very cryptic in my review, but I don't want to share any spoilers that would ruin the story for potential readers.
This book generates so many emotions: sadness, worry, excitement, forgiveness, hope, happiness, and of course that feeling called love. You definitely experience it all right along with the characters. It was nice to be back in Hope Springs with so many familiar characters. This book is a must read for fans of Sarah Eden and if you've never read a book by her before, now would be a good time to start. You are always guaranteed a heart warming story full of beloved characters that will make you laugh, cry, and stay with you a long time.
September 15, 2018
Another wonderful read from Eden in this Longing for Home series, set in Hope Springs, Wyoming. This adventure began with Katie, but we have gradually been taken into the lives of the O’Connor’s. Stalwart Irish family who seen the backbone of the local community.
Maura was married to their son Grady, but didn’t follow the family from New York. Desperate to stay close to her own family, her & Grady stayed behind. Now 13 years on her is devoid of any family, save her son Aiden. Having lost Grady tragically in Gettysburg - she has forged a path forward for her and her boy all these years with no contact between her and his family out West. There is trouble, an unhappy son and a major decision to be made. Leaving New York and heading west to find the only family Aiden has left is frightening, daunting and could put her very life in the balance. As bravely as a mother does, she selflessly puts her sons happiness at the forefront.
Ryan Callaghan has worked the Claire land in Wyoming for years. He has plans and his future is all mapped out. He has hopes for a future family, but more pressing seems to be the need to get his Ma out of their family home. Despite multiple investment from the 3 of them, his brother James, already married with a child and one on the way, has gradually claimed the house and land for himself. Ma is relegated to life in the corner to put it mildly, and Ryan is anxious to give her a home of her own again. However, one of his premonitions is set in play, and all of that - his plans and hopes, are about to be turned on their head.
For some readers there is likely frustration at the amount of conflict that exists between so many of the residents of Hope Springs. This is no ‘town war’ like we saw in the first 2 books by any means. However, so much antagony between family members, has been a thread throughout this series. The last one saw plenty of prejudice towards Cecily. At times it can even make you feel a little uncomfortable. There is Finbarr’s continuing struggle to find his place. Ryan’s brother James is a selfish sort. Even Maura herself tends to stubbornly make plenty of assumptions about the O’Connors. But, instead of allowing this to frustrate, take this for the depth it adds to this whole Hope Springs tale. It creates a story so genuine. In real life there are misunderstandings, irritations. Words said we wish we could take back. Forgiveness and humility needed at times. Relationships are complex. Strong extended family dynamics regardless of blood relation or by marriage, are complex. For success over the years it requires a willingness to give as well as take. To open the mind and hearts. This story has all of those elements. In addition there are twists and surprises, and a giddy feeling that Sarah Eden is not done yet with this family or the town!
Thanks to Wholesome Romance for the complimentary eARC. This is my honest review.
Maura was married to their son Grady, but didn’t follow the family from New York. Desperate to stay close to her own family, her & Grady stayed behind. Now 13 years on her is devoid of any family, save her son Aiden. Having lost Grady tragically in Gettysburg - she has forged a path forward for her and her boy all these years with no contact between her and his family out West. There is trouble, an unhappy son and a major decision to be made. Leaving New York and heading west to find the only family Aiden has left is frightening, daunting and could put her very life in the balance. As bravely as a mother does, she selflessly puts her sons happiness at the forefront.
Ryan Callaghan has worked the Claire land in Wyoming for years. He has plans and his future is all mapped out. He has hopes for a future family, but more pressing seems to be the need to get his Ma out of their family home. Despite multiple investment from the 3 of them, his brother James, already married with a child and one on the way, has gradually claimed the house and land for himself. Ma is relegated to life in the corner to put it mildly, and Ryan is anxious to give her a home of her own again. However, one of his premonitions is set in play, and all of that - his plans and hopes, are about to be turned on their head.
For some readers there is likely frustration at the amount of conflict that exists between so many of the residents of Hope Springs. This is no ‘town war’ like we saw in the first 2 books by any means. However, so much antagony between family members, has been a thread throughout this series. The last one saw plenty of prejudice towards Cecily. At times it can even make you feel a little uncomfortable. There is Finbarr’s continuing struggle to find his place. Ryan’s brother James is a selfish sort. Even Maura herself tends to stubbornly make plenty of assumptions about the O’Connors. But, instead of allowing this to frustrate, take this for the depth it adds to this whole Hope Springs tale. It creates a story so genuine. In real life there are misunderstandings, irritations. Words said we wish we could take back. Forgiveness and humility needed at times. Relationships are complex. Strong extended family dynamics regardless of blood relation or by marriage, are complex. For success over the years it requires a willingness to give as well as take. To open the mind and hearts. This story has all of those elements. In addition there are twists and surprises, and a giddy feeling that Sarah Eden is not done yet with this family or the town!
Thanks to Wholesome Romance for the complimentary eARC. This is my honest review.
September 17, 2018
Sarah M. Eden has written another page turning and heartwarming novel in her Hope Springs Series. Long Journey Home, book four in the series, is a well narrated story that readers will delight in from page one. Along with the return of the beloved town Hope Springs, Eden brings to life captivating characters and a story that will touch the heart of readers. A favorite among many readers, once again, Eden charms them with the masterpiece of her adored Irish stories. Filled with characters that strive on the love and strength of family and friendship, readers hearts will become emotionally entangled in this beautiful and endearing story that will leave them contemplating on their own relationships with others and just life in general.
Series: Hope Springs
Genre: historical, romance, European Literature, Irish Literature
Publisher: Mirror Press
Publication date: September 4, 2018
Number of pages: 320
Other books in the series:
0.5-My Dearest Love
1-Longing for Home
2-Hope Springs
3-Love Remains
An ARC e-review copy of this book was provided by the publisher. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are my own.
Series: Hope Springs
Genre: historical, romance, European Literature, Irish Literature
Publisher: Mirror Press
Publication date: September 4, 2018
Number of pages: 320
Other books in the series:
0.5-My Dearest Love
1-Longing for Home
2-Hope Springs
3-Love Remains
An ARC e-review copy of this book was provided by the publisher. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are my own.
October 6, 2020
Oh I really enjoyed this one! Ryan is one of my favorites so far, and his earnest desire for a home and family just tugged at my heart. And Maura and Aiden are so sweet!
I love getting to continue to see the O’Conner family grow throughout these books. Super fun!
Plus, the historical aspects are always astounding and so interesting!
I love getting to continue to see the O’Conner family grow throughout these books. Super fun!
Plus, the historical aspects are always astounding and so interesting!
no-way-jose
November 18, 2022This actually seemed to be very well-written and interesting. But, it struck me as a bit too depressing for my tastes. Extreme poverty, terminal illness (I don't know if it actually turned out to be terminal, but it was alluded to in the first chapter), then the heroine had a teenage son, which puts her at being maybe mid-thirties to forty? Nothing wrong with that, but I got the impression that the hero was much younger and that's just not my fav trope. And from other reviews, the heroine is described as being very stubborn and stand-offish to her new neighbors trying to help.
November 8, 2018
Long Journey Home is a great read! I would love to read the rest of the series in the near future. I give it five plus stars.
Highly recommended.
I received this book from the publisher, but was not required to write a review. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.
Highly recommended.
I received this book from the publisher, but was not required to write a review. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.
March 7, 2019
I love Sarah's books, but I didn't connect with this one of the Hope Springs series. Maybe cause Maura wasn't really apart of the previous novels. Great to catch up with the other family members.
July 22, 2024
It was not my favorite. Maura irritated me. I really wanted to like it. I love the other books in the series, but I just didn't feel the chemistry between her and Ryan and felt like the relationship was almost forced. I gave it four stars because it was well written and flowed well just didn't enjoy the main characters as well.
August 30, 2018
I didn’t enjoy this quite as much as the other Hope Springs books, I think because I wasn’t familiar with the main characters from the previous books (or maybe they were there and I just hadn’t paid attention).
It was still good and I liked seeing the characters I’ve known and loved throughout the series. I hope Finbarr’s story is next...
It was still good and I liked seeing the characters I’ve known and loved throughout the series. I hope Finbarr’s story is next...
September 20, 2018
3.5 Star rating. This was a hard book for me to rate. It is well written, yet it’s incredibly sad.
February 23, 2019
Long Journey Home
I loved visiting Hope Springs again. I love the tight knit community and the never failing support of family that the O'Connors have. I enjoyed getting to know more about the O'Connors and the Archers. I can't wait to read more of the Hope Springs community in the future.
I loved visiting Hope Springs again. I love the tight knit community and the never failing support of family that the O'Connors have. I enjoyed getting to know more about the O'Connors and the Archers. I can't wait to read more of the Hope Springs community in the future.
September 4, 2018
As an impoverished widow, Maura O'Connor has done her best to care for her son Aidan, working and living in the slums of New York City. Realizing that Aidan is miserable and that she has the dreaded "brown lung" from working in a factory, Maura decides to join her deceased husband's family out west in Hope Springs. Maura has been estranged from the O'Connors for years, but she hopes that the family will welcome them at least a little and that they'll be a family to Aidan when she dies. Arriving in Hope Springs, Maura is amazed and delighted that the O'Connors give her a home to stay in.
Ryan Callaghan has been working Granny Claire's land for years, planning that soon he'll be able to buy it outright and move his mother from the cramped home they share with his brother's family. Before he has the chance, though, Maura O'Connor arrives and is given use of the home, thoroughly upsetting the plans. Ryan needs the home for himself and his mother, but he also can't be the one to put out a widow and her son, especially as he comes to know them better.
Do you ever read a book and then because it was so good, you just want to bask in it rather than moving onto one of the many other books on your to-read list? This is one of those books. I finished it in the morning and had a lot of time during the day when I could have picked up another book, but I just couldn't do it because I had to hold onto this one. I love, love, love it. It's fantastic.
What makes it so great? Well, for starters, the O'Connor family. I think if I could pick a book family to be mine, I would pick the O'Connors. I just love them. Next, Sarah Eden is the BEST at character development. Her characters are so terrific--she really knows them and their personalities and quirks and stuff and that comes through to the reader. I love that, because the characters are consistent, which in turn makes them extra-lovable. (Drives me nuts when I read a book and the characters are all over the place and I can't really get a feel for who they are.) I loved Maura and Ryan from the get-go--both strong, good people that you can't help but root for. (And with the addition of some new characters, I'm excited for the possibility of books about them in the future!) The plot was fresh and interesting, and the setting is terrific--you feel like you're right in Hope Springs, wrapped up in the Irish culture there.
So, I have to say, I was a little afraid I wouldn't love this book--because I loved the third book in the series so much. Tavish, the main character in that one, is my favorite and I was worried the series would peak with his story. However, I'm happy to report that this book is just as awesome. I loved everything about. This is one of my picks for the best books of 2018! Emphatic 5 stars.
I read a copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
Ryan Callaghan has been working Granny Claire's land for years, planning that soon he'll be able to buy it outright and move his mother from the cramped home they share with his brother's family. Before he has the chance, though, Maura O'Connor arrives and is given use of the home, thoroughly upsetting the plans. Ryan needs the home for himself and his mother, but he also can't be the one to put out a widow and her son, especially as he comes to know them better.
Do you ever read a book and then because it was so good, you just want to bask in it rather than moving onto one of the many other books on your to-read list? This is one of those books. I finished it in the morning and had a lot of time during the day when I could have picked up another book, but I just couldn't do it because I had to hold onto this one. I love, love, love it. It's fantastic.
What makes it so great? Well, for starters, the O'Connor family. I think if I could pick a book family to be mine, I would pick the O'Connors. I just love them. Next, Sarah Eden is the BEST at character development. Her characters are so terrific--she really knows them and their personalities and quirks and stuff and that comes through to the reader. I love that, because the characters are consistent, which in turn makes them extra-lovable. (Drives me nuts when I read a book and the characters are all over the place and I can't really get a feel for who they are.) I loved Maura and Ryan from the get-go--both strong, good people that you can't help but root for. (And with the addition of some new characters, I'm excited for the possibility of books about them in the future!) The plot was fresh and interesting, and the setting is terrific--you feel like you're right in Hope Springs, wrapped up in the Irish culture there.
So, I have to say, I was a little afraid I wouldn't love this book--because I loved the third book in the series so much. Tavish, the main character in that one, is my favorite and I was worried the series would peak with his story. However, I'm happy to report that this book is just as awesome. I loved everything about. This is one of my picks for the best books of 2018! Emphatic 5 stars.
I read a copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
February 3, 2021
What a book!
If you take a look of the reviews that I have written regarding this author you might think me crazy, the stars ranging between 2 and 5 stars. But the truth is, that's the way this author is. One time she will a masterpiece and the next something that could be described as boring.
This book, thankfully, falls in the category of the Amazing ones this author has come up with.
The plot, the characters, the background of each one, the setting, the love story, EVERYTHING felt right, well-placed and meaningful.
~The characters
In this book we are introduced to one of the most interesting personalities one can find in historical romance. This woman, Maura, is one that has seen many dark days and little hope is left in her life. She was neglected and quite forgotten, trying to survive with her son in New York's slums.
When you begin reading about her life you start actually listing what you want to happen.
First thing in, I would think, everyone's list is for her to make her family see that they forgot her, to make them say sorry for what she had gone through. You expect for them to be kind of cruel so she can emerge from utter darkness and make them see their flaws.
This is the normal thing to expect and this thought gets even stronger as the heroine keeps repeating that particular thought about being forgotten and not fitting in. AND YET something like that never happens. It actually gets forgotten in all the other things happening. But I do not think it was a mistake from the author's part since I have spied a similar behaviour in her other heroines. I think this is the way the author is. The heroines are kind hearted, they are not looking for revenge, they don't want to be the right ones all the time, the damsels in distress. Her heroines are above that.
This one, has accepted her fate and gives all the love she can give, to anybody that requires it. She doesn't hold grudges, she doesn't ask for them to apologise. AND SUDDENLY you feel bad about thinking that she should. I actually felt ashamed for wanting everyone to understand their wrong doings. Every character in this book was a true human being, with flaws, with hopes and dissapointments. But everyone in this book managed to give you a lesson, that your life will always have its struggles, you cannot always give up or hide in your corner of pity. You have to face life as it is and appreciate each and every moment you are given.
The hero in this book was a special one too, even though he was a little bit overshadowed by the importance of the heroine's personality. He was simply kind hearted, ready to help where he was needed, ready to give what was his to someone that didn't have it. I really liked his thoughts, you don't see that kind of MC every day. It was refreshing finding someone that thought of marriage and didn't cry out in fright. Because REALLY NOW, in every single Regency novel there is that hero that always wants to remain a bachelor. It has gotten tiring.
Yet, this hero actually wanted a family of his own, it was one of his dreams, to have kids and a wife, a home of their own and I really liked it. He had his own flaws, his insecurities but those were what made him approachable.
I would also like to talk about the family. In the previous book, I must admit, I didn't like them, especially the parents. In this book though I really liked them. (Especially Tavis and Cecilee if that's how its written. I was so happy to see how their story went on. Cecily (If that's how it's written) was one of my favorite characters and I really, really liked her role and her circumstances in this book.) In this book the one that shone among all else was Emma and Finbar. WHEN WILL WE SEE FINBAR'S STORY? Ivy also was interesting. And Aidan. But noone can compete with Tavis and Cecily so my judgement may not be objective.
~The plot and the setting
Niice . I like Hope Springs, It makes me want to migrate and go live in the Wild West, forget all about how is life in a city and live as a villager. You feel the warmth of the connection between neighbors and family and it's touching. Having experienced life in the village I can see it happening, neighbors bringing you food when they think you need some, others offering you treats from their harvest, others sharing their meal and their coffee. It makes life in a city seem so meaningless and void of caring. In a village you may be poor but you are not alone (Well in most cases and considering that the villagers are actually kind hearted people).
This book's plot was actually amazing. It twirled around the sickness of the heroine and how it is for her to be facing death with a determination the healthiest people could never master. It was about kindness, caring and admitting that you need help without feeling ashamed of it. Everyone is weak at some point. One cannot survive in this world without the help of others and this book admitted as much. The themes were strong and meaningful.
There were TWO things I didn't like in this book.
~1~
Alright, this must be a little bit of exageration but it had me pondering up until the very last page.
This woman said at some point that she was married to her husbant for 2 years when he left to fight. She has a 14 years old son. And despite that information she says that she has been TEN YEARS A WIDOW while raising her kid alone for EIGHT YEARS. She said in the beginning something of the lines "She had been raising her son alone for the eight years of the ten she had been a widow". How can she be a widow for 10 years, have a son of 14, having raised him along for the 8 years and for her husband to have lived with her only 2 years?
If he lived with her for 2 years, say they had a baby in the first year. So when he left the baby was almost 2. Then she had to raise the kid alone. So if she raised their kid alone for 8 years that means the kid is 10 years old. HOW CAN SHE BE A WIDOW FOR 10 YEARS? Well, I suppose this could work if by 'raising on her own' she means that the father is not alive. So if that is what it means, that she has to bring the money home, that means she has been raising a son alone for the time when the husbant was dead. I DONT KNOW, shouldn't the numbers be the same or something like that? If someone can see what I am missing in all of this please let me know. (This is a nice idea for a math problem, for you teachers out there).
~2~
The repetition. There were some thoughts and words that kept on being repeated, not only in different chapters but in one single paragraph. In other books of this author (*cough*The kiss of a stranger*cough*) this might be irritating, but in this one it was acceptable. I didn't mind it all that much.
ALL I HAVE TO SAY IS READ THIS BOOK. It's worthy, it is a book that should be more widely known for the messages that it represents should be heard.
If you take a look of the reviews that I have written regarding this author you might think me crazy, the stars ranging between 2 and 5 stars. But the truth is, that's the way this author is. One time she will a masterpiece and the next something that could be described as boring.
This book, thankfully, falls in the category of the Amazing ones this author has come up with.
The plot, the characters, the background of each one, the setting, the love story, EVERYTHING felt right, well-placed and meaningful.
~The characters
In this book we are introduced to one of the most interesting personalities one can find in historical romance. This woman, Maura, is one that has seen many dark days and little hope is left in her life. She was neglected and quite forgotten, trying to survive with her son in New York's slums.
When you begin reading about her life you start actually listing what you want to happen.
First thing in, I would think, everyone's list is for her to make her family see that they forgot her, to make them say sorry for what she had gone through. You expect for them to be kind of cruel so she can emerge from utter darkness and make them see their flaws.
This is the normal thing to expect and this thought gets even stronger as the heroine keeps repeating that particular thought about being forgotten and not fitting in. AND YET something like that never happens. It actually gets forgotten in all the other things happening. But I do not think it was a mistake from the author's part since I have spied a similar behaviour in her other heroines. I think this is the way the author is. The heroines are kind hearted, they are not looking for revenge, they don't want to be the right ones all the time, the damsels in distress. Her heroines are above that.
This one, has accepted her fate and gives all the love she can give, to anybody that requires it. She doesn't hold grudges, she doesn't ask for them to apologise. AND SUDDENLY you feel bad about thinking that she should. I actually felt ashamed for wanting everyone to understand their wrong doings. Every character in this book was a true human being, with flaws, with hopes and dissapointments. But everyone in this book managed to give you a lesson, that your life will always have its struggles, you cannot always give up or hide in your corner of pity. You have to face life as it is and appreciate each and every moment you are given.
The hero in this book was a special one too, even though he was a little bit overshadowed by the importance of the heroine's personality. He was simply kind hearted, ready to help where he was needed, ready to give what was his to someone that didn't have it. I really liked his thoughts, you don't see that kind of MC every day. It was refreshing finding someone that thought of marriage and didn't cry out in fright. Because REALLY NOW, in every single Regency novel there is that hero that always wants to remain a bachelor. It has gotten tiring.
Yet, this hero actually wanted a family of his own, it was one of his dreams, to have kids and a wife, a home of their own and I really liked it. He had his own flaws, his insecurities but those were what made him approachable.
I would also like to talk about the family. In the previous book, I must admit, I didn't like them, especially the parents. In this book though I really liked them. (Especially Tavis and Cecilee if that's how its written. I was so happy to see how their story went on. Cecily (If that's how it's written) was one of my favorite characters and I really, really liked her role and her circumstances in this book.) In this book the one that shone among all else was Emma and Finbar. WHEN WILL WE SEE FINBAR'S STORY? Ivy also was interesting. And Aidan. But noone can compete with Tavis and Cecily so my judgement may not be objective.
~The plot and the setting
Niice . I like Hope Springs, It makes me want to migrate and go live in the Wild West, forget all about how is life in a city and live as a villager. You feel the warmth of the connection between neighbors and family and it's touching. Having experienced life in the village I can see it happening, neighbors bringing you food when they think you need some, others offering you treats from their harvest, others sharing their meal and their coffee. It makes life in a city seem so meaningless and void of caring. In a village you may be poor but you are not alone (Well in most cases and considering that the villagers are actually kind hearted people).
This book's plot was actually amazing. It twirled around the sickness of the heroine and how it is for her to be facing death with a determination the healthiest people could never master. It was about kindness, caring and admitting that you need help without feeling ashamed of it. Everyone is weak at some point. One cannot survive in this world without the help of others and this book admitted as much. The themes were strong and meaningful.
There were TWO things I didn't like in this book.
~1~
Alright, this must be a little bit of exageration but it had me pondering up until the very last page.
This woman said at some point that she was married to her husbant for 2 years when he left to fight. She has a 14 years old son. And despite that information she says that she has been TEN YEARS A WIDOW while raising her kid alone for EIGHT YEARS. She said in the beginning something of the lines "She had been raising her son alone for the eight years of the ten she had been a widow". How can she be a widow for 10 years, have a son of 14, having raised him along for the 8 years and for her husband to have lived with her only 2 years?
If he lived with her for 2 years, say they had a baby in the first year. So when he left the baby was almost 2. Then she had to raise the kid alone. So if she raised their kid alone for 8 years that means the kid is 10 years old. HOW CAN SHE BE A WIDOW FOR 10 YEARS? Well, I suppose this could work if by 'raising on her own' she means that the father is not alive. So if that is what it means, that she has to bring the money home, that means she has been raising a son alone for the time when the husbant was dead. I DONT KNOW, shouldn't the numbers be the same or something like that? If someone can see what I am missing in all of this please let me know. (This is a nice idea for a math problem, for you teachers out there).
~2~
The repetition. There were some thoughts and words that kept on being repeated, not only in different chapters but in one single paragraph. In other books of this author (*cough*The kiss of a stranger*cough*) this might be irritating, but in this one it was acceptable. I didn't mind it all that much.
ALL I HAVE TO SAY IS READ THIS BOOK. It's worthy, it is a book that should be more widely known for the messages that it represents should be heard.
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