Hope Alone

Sola #3

by Ruth E. Meyer

Grace Neunaber may have everything she’s ever dreamed of, but sometimes it’s too much. With an infinite to-do list and not enough sleep, she can’t even get out of survival mode. Her struggles dim, however, in light of the challenges of her oldest daughter.

Thanks to a supportive family and boyfriend, Faith Williams is managing single motherhood on top of college plans. But when the father of her child re-enters her life, her carefully scheduled world is rocked. She can hardly blame him for wanting to spend time with their son, but making her boyfriend jealous and claiming to be Christian is going a bit far.

Despite Faith’s best intentions to keep everyone happy, disaster after disaster strikes, and school is suddenly the least of her worries. Grace must set aside her own difficulties so she can be there for her daughter. And in order to survive the uncertainties, Faith must loosen her grip on her grudges and cling to the hope that God is the only one in her life who hasn’t changed.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Romance

272 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 1, 2019

About the author

Ruth Meyer graduated from Concordia University in Ann Arbor, Michigan, with a degree in church music and no plans whatsoever to become an author. But a student of the week project for her son inspired "Our Faith From A to Z," a children's picture book. After that, it was only a matter of time before she caught the fiction bug. As both the daughter of and the wife of a pastor, Ruth has moved around a lot and had many experiences that provide ideas for her writing. Currently, she resides in rural Texas with her husband, their five children, and two dogs. It is her hope that through her writing, readers are assured of God's grace through His Son, Jesus.

Connect with Ruth on her website, ruthmeyerbooks.com, or follow her on Facebook under Ruth E. Meyer.

Reviews

[Abigayle Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars!!

I think this is my favorite in this series yet, probably because I've come to love Faith. I loved her personal life journey in this one. It was such a good balance for all the different roles she has at this stage of life. And yet again, the storyline that I thought would be predictable ... wasn't. But although it surprised me, I totally agree with the decisions and think the author handled things really well yet again. The suspense really picked up in the second half and I read it quickly! I'm amazed at the number of subplots the author can create for one family, but so far she's doing an excellent job. Looking forward to more as always.

Recommended for ages 15+ for some relationship drama and medical scares.

[Jes Drew · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the third book in the Sola series, and while I haven't had the opportunity to read the first book yet (which is really strange for me when it comes to a series), and continues to build on the series as the main family continues to grow and perform. This book took some serious twists and and turns I did not see coming.

And, wow, Spencer really changed. I tried so hard to stay team Aaron, but somehow Spencer matured without Aaron following suit, so while he was trying so hard to woo Faith, it was kind of like he was trying to woo me to into forgiving him.

Anyway, if you like family dramas, love triangles, realistic fiction, or second-chance romances, you'll enjoy this book.

I received a copy of this book from the author, and the opinions are my own.

[Ruth Meyer]

Done with my final proofread! The ending makes me smile every time. I hope y’all enjoy this one! (And you still have time to finish Faith Alone before Hope Alone launches on July 1!)

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I usually read books by this author in one sitting. They capture me and bring me into the story. This could be any family and any teenage mother dealing with the next steps in her life. It is also a story about second chances. Should she stay with the boyfriend who has stood beside her though not the father of her child? Or should she give the father another chance. He states he has changed and wants to prove it to her and their son. He sets out to do that through the summer. Does he prove he has changed or not? Read this book that will draw you in and find out for yourself. The writing is so compelling you feel like this is a true story, and it could be for many young women who find their self facing similar circumstances.

[Wendy Farley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surprises Laced With Inspiration

Ruth Myer weaves together so many of life's setbacks as well as the ways to recovering all that was lost and more. Faith at its best. I read this book as the bronze winner in the Christian Contemporary Romance Awards. I read with a critical eye since Season's Shadows fell in the next category. I am so glad I read it!

[Kellyn Roth]

No rating as I'd want to read it again with a focus on just enjoying the story before really rating it, but this is a good book. ;)

[Mary Moerbe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ah, the third installment of the Sola Series! It's another deep dive into the family we've come to love in the previous books. Each child is a little older. Each episodes seems to be just a little wilder and more emotionally fraught.

One can read this as a stand alone novel, although that might be a very different experience than those with the background of the previous books and character histories. 

There are some serious developments with this one, but listing them would be a spoiler. Topics include teenage pregnancy, single mother romance, church workers considering calls, fear of church judgment, sibling guilt, and more.

A question that wasn't quite addressed as clearly as I would have wished is, "What does it  mean to be a father?" Is it primarily biological? How can, or should, boyfriends understand their relationship with their girlfriend's family, both her parents and her children? How can modern Lutherans understand it? But the book certainly does honor family and fatherhood even if it doesn't probe into more abstract understanding.

Christianity continues to be an obvious element to the point of introducing a seemingly non-denominational church as supplemental to the Lutheran congregation. Neither are portrayed poorly. No worship war discussed, although the non-denom pastor seemed to have his Bible more readily available and Faith apparently does not know her Bible as well as one might expect. Granted, she converted as a teen. 

Now, if you're pregnant or trying to conceive, I did laugh a little at how overwhelming the babies were portrayed. Yes, infants are overwhelming. But part of the time the book was laying it on thick about how much is necessary for parenting while the other part made it seem absolutely easy-peasy to get babysitting! Ha! I just don't think infants need to be portrayed in quite such dire extremes. Although, certainly, many mothers will still be able to relate.

Enjoyable. Ups and downs. Satisfying to follow the characters.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel like the characters in Grace Alone, Faith Alone, and Hope Alone are people I’d like to know in real life. I have not yet read Grace Alone but I want to. Ruth Meyer has created very real people in the Williams - Neunaber family. They have their struggles but they love each other and in the end love wins over the difficulties.
As a person who has dealt with health issues, I really appreciated Ruth Meyer’s reminders that God is even in the bad stuff and will use it for our good.
I love how the characters from Faith Alone continue to grow and developed and become stronger in their faith in Hope Alone. I love all the forgiveness and redemption that happens in this story. There are several unexpected plot twists but then life is like that.
Without giving away the ending I will say I wondered the whole book where the title came from - you find out on the last page.
I loved this family so much - I hope there are more books to continue their story.

Area of potential concern
There are a couple of instances of drinking wine to unwind but it is not a major part of the story, I’m not sure I even consider it a minor part of the plot but it is there so I feel like I need to mention it.

These mentions probably wouldn’t keep me from placing the book in my k-12 Christian school library.

I want to thank Ruth Meyer and RABT Book Tours for the complimentary e-copy of Hope Alone.

[Deb Kunkel · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Hope Alone, we see deep character development of Grace’s oldest daughter. Faith struggles as a young single mother working to finish her education while raising her son. She faces emotional upheaval as Spencer, her son’s father, suddenly comes back into her life. Spencer has changed. He is repentant and lives in the Lord’s forgiveness, however it is difficult to convince Faith and the rest of the Williams family as well as Aaron. As Faith wrestles to understand her renewed relationship with Spencer, other issues arise, and she finds herself also dealing with personal guilt as well as a life-threatening health issue. In the midst of it all, God gives Faith and her estranged father a second chance to rebuild their relationship. Each member of the Williams family is affected in every trial. They struggle with real-life issues, but we see them trust in God’s love and find guidance as they turn to the truths of Scripture. Relying on God’s strength in their weakness, they learn to live in forgiveness, love and hope.

[Melissa Kwiatkowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book the best out of all three books so far. As a character, Faith has undergone so much in such a short amount of time and she’s a character that I have really grown to love. I feel like I could identify with the struggles that she was going through in the second book and in this one, and I really love the direction of her personal growth. She’s so strong and such an inspiration. Without spoiling anything, I will say that this story did not go the direction I thought it would. An overall great read!

[Kaitlyn S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the third book in the Sola Series and by far my favourite of the series. Once again, the strong theme of the sanctity of life was upheld, and other themes were added. Forgiveness, love, trust in the Father, and a strong belief in the sovereignty of God.

This was a hard book to read because the truth of some of the issues the Neunaber family faced was so hard hitting, yet dealt with honestly. It was a beautiful book because the truths found in Scripture were applied, and the lessons the family learned were needful.

The writing style took a bit to get into, but once I did . . . wow. The storyline was amazing, and I can think of three times when I *thought* I knew what was going to happen, and I was thrown a curveball.

I loved the relationships between all the characters, and watching them all grow and learn was emotional, to say the least. All the trials that the family faced made the book real to life, and the way that the whole family draws together is amazing to behold.

I love the interaction between family members and the loyalty the family displays towards one another, while still being willing to speak hard truths and keep each other accountable. That’s real love – when you can love someone enough to confront them about certain issues, and you love can love the person enough to be still and just listen to their concerns and take them to heart.

I would recommend this book for older readers (16+) because of the mentions of teen pregnancy. Nothing too detailed, but this is a continuation of the second book, so the same issues still remain.

All in all, a four star read, that I thoroughly enjoyed.

I received this book from RABT Book Tours in exchange for an honest review.
I was not required to like this book, only to give an honest opinion.

[Kaetheward · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had high hopes for the third novel in the Sola Series, Hope Alone, and Ruth Meyer did not disappoint! I was eager to continue to follow along with the Neunaber family. This book focuses more on the perspective of the characters that played smaller roles in the previous stories. Just like real family life--they have struggles and successes. I really enjoyed seeing the character development in Faith as well as those close to her as they are all in such pivotal times in life. Many of the sub-plots surprised me also and are very well researched. I'm so glad that this series will continue! (I did receive an Advanced Reader's Copy of this book, however all opinions are my own.)

[Jennifer Huppert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Each book in the Sola series gets better and better. I never expect the twists and turns it takes, but when I'm there I understand why. I admire the Neubauer family, even though they are not a perfect family, they highly regard their faith in the decisions that are made. I can't wait for the next one!

[Anthony Hessler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hope Alone is yet another superb piece of Christian fiction, following up Ruth’s first two Sola Series books, Grace Alone and Faith Alone. In true Meyer fashion, the exquisite writing make for yet another all-too-relatable story with intrigue, plot twists, and even some character and storyline decisions that will no doubt surprise and provoke the reader. It’s no wonder why this book earned two Readers’ Favorite awards. If you read and enjoyed the first two books of this series, be sure to read this one right away. You won’t be disappointed!

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tons of strong, solid faith content, and characters you really care about.