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Seven Virtues Ranch #1

Gotta Have Faith

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A secret baby. A second chance at love. Can a small town cowgirl and a big time city boy find their happily ever after?

Faith Goodacre has worked her jeans-clad fanny off to make sure her little world is operating exactly the way she wants it. Seven Virtues Ranch is prospering, Daddy is finally back on his feet after his terrible tractor accident, and her daughter, Jasmine, is growing up just fine without the father she's never met. So when Faith's high school sweetheart, Cordell Overman, shows up out of the blue to win back her heart - oh, and he's bought the ranch next door - Faith's well-ordered world suddenly spins out of her control.

Cord is stunned when he comes face to face with the daughter he didn't know he had. But there's no denying those Overman eyes and the cleft in her chin that perfectly matches his own. Now he's got two women to woo, a rundown ranch to bring back to life, and a whole town to convince that this time around, he's here to stay. He's not the starry-eyed kid who left Plumwood Hollow all those years ago, no sir. He's ready to be the hero of his lady's heart, the champion of his daughter's world, and the rancher he's always wanted to be.

What was it his grandfather liked to say? Oh yeah. Man makes plans, and God laughs.

But Cordell Overman is determined to have the last laugh himself, and he's simply gotta have Faith to make his dreams come true.

For fans of Liz Isaacson, Debbie Macomber, and Carolyn Brown, this clean and wholesome cowboy romance series will be sure to win your heart.

Kindle Edition

Published March 1, 2020

391 people are currently reading
81 people want to read

About the author

Reba Doughty

4 books4 followers

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5 stars
104 (56%)
4 stars
51 (27%)
3 stars
26 (14%)
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2 (1%)
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1 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
Profile Image for Joleen.
2,661 reviews1,227 followers
February 19, 2021
Very well written story of a past mistake, a consequence, and an old flame returning to rekindle what he once had with Faith Goodacre — who is not about to go there again.

A little bit of language I’m not fond of, but I’m looking forward to the next two books in the series.
Profile Image for Julie Jobe.
259 reviews
September 1, 2018
I didn’t enjoy this book as much as I have Ms. Doughty's other books that I’ve read. It didn’t seem to have the same wonderful character development and growth that I’ve come to associate with her books. I don’t feel Faith ever really acknowledged how she could have done some things differently in the past. Nor did it seem like she admitted she made a mistake by delaying telling her daughter the truth. I felt like she should have accepted more of the blame for that and I didn’t care for how she treated Cord in the midst of all that. I also didn’t care for a decision Cord made toward the end-he did correct the decision, but he never should have made it to begin with. Neither character seemed to grow enough and get passed their issues in a genuine way for the relationship to seem like it was going to work out for them. It felt like they went from struggling to suddenly everything is okay and everyone's happy. I would have liked to seen more of the story of the struggle and the journey it took them to get there. That being said, I did enjoy getting to meet the Goodacre family and I am interested in seeing the development of the stories of the other sisters in the books. I also enjoyed reading about a family with 7 daughters because I also have 7 daughters! :) You don't often find fiction that is about a family with that many children.
1,263 reviews6 followers
August 13, 2018
I received a free copy and am voluntarily leaving my review.

Loved this book. Very well written. There are times I laughed and times I had a few tears.
Faith and Cord were high school sweethearts. Everyone thought Cord left Faith to raise the baby on her own. Faith never told Cord that she was pregnant and never told Jasmine about her dad. When Cord shows up unexpectedly and unannounced ten years later Faith is shocked to say the least. Cord says he came back for good and or Faith. He has bought his uncle's property next door where he used to work summers during high school. Before she has a chance to tell him about Jasmine he sees her in church. They have angry words in her truck in the church parking lot and then realize they are being watched by everyone including Jasmine. They leave to go talk and figure things out. Before Faith can tell Jasmine some bully kid at school tells her and when she finds out the whole family knew she refused to talk to anyone and decides that she hates Cord for not being around. Is there anything Cord can do the make things right? Will Faith turn away from Cord again or turn to him for help? Will they be able to work things out and be the family that Cord wants them to be?
Profile Image for Robin.
Author 3 books29 followers
May 5, 2021
A Pleasant Surprise

This story was a happy surprise. I wasn't sure what to expect as the author was new to me. But it was exactly as it was marketed to be...a clean, inspirational romance with relatable characters in real-life situations.

I love that the MCs had some real struggles to overcome. While the hero had money, that wasn't a big focus of the story. That was also a plus. The way the characters were described made them easy to picture in my imagination, too. I loved how normal they came across while each of them was clearly attracted to the other.

One thing that I'm not so certain about in an inspirational romance is the focus on momentary or fleeting attractions. This story had a little more emphasis on physical attraction than I usually like to see, but, like I mentioned, these characters come across as believable human beings. I think they were well-crafted, and that the plot was well-written.

If you enjoy inspirational romance with flawed characters who learn how to overcome obstacles, then I recommend you try this book.
Profile Image for Kelly.
444 reviews2 followers
August 16, 2018
It only took me a week to read this book because life has had me running at mach-speed, otherwise, I would have read it in just a couple of sittings. Such a good read. Cord and Faith are the perfect examples that we should not assume anything about anyone. You just never know the real story unless you speak to one another truthfully and fully. Thankfully our God is a God of second chances (and third and fourth and... so on!) and Cord and Faith got their second chance at love. Faith's spunkiness was fun. Cord's pursuit of Faith was so very endearing and sweet. I loved his one-liners professing his pursuit. And, Jasmine! So much like her Mama, yet you can see pieces of her Daddy, too, even before she knows who Daddy is. The rest of the family is endearing. I would have loved to have had family dinners like theirs! I can't wait to read their stories!
I highly recommend "Gotta Have Faith"!
Profile Image for Nancy Garbe.
468 reviews8 followers
August 30, 2018
Faith Goodacre is an accomplished rancher, having succeeded in revitalizing her family’s livestock business with the help of her six sisters and their father. She is also the single mother of 9 year old Jasmine who believes she is part fairy and therefore has no daddy, according to her mother.

Cordell Overman is Faith’s childhood sweetheart who left Plumwood Hollow ten years ago for a football scholarship and subsequent brief football careers. He is unaware that he has a daughter when he returns determined to pick up where he left off with Faith ten years earlier.

This is a well-written, inspirational romantic tale with great characters and a storyline that pulls you right into the the middle of the tensions - I laughed out loud at times and even found myself verbally criticizing and encouraging the characters. I highly recommend this book for anyone who believes that “family is everything”.
3,640 reviews17 followers
August 13, 2018
Faith Goodacre met and fell in love with Cordell Overman 10 years ago when he worked on his uncle’s ranch, but he had a football scholarship and dreams of a life outside of Plumwood Hollow so she sent him away refusing to leave her family farm Seven Virtues, her sisters, and her father. Before he left they consummated their relationship and he left more than a broken heart behind. I don’t blame her for being hurt and not telling him he was a father when she tried to see him at college and saw him kissing another woman only a few months after he left. I was surprised that he wouldn’t consider that her child was his since she is a single Christian woman and not someone who would sleep with someone if they weren’t married except for once with him and she has never married. They had to get past a lot of hurts, misconceptions, and needed the years between them to grow and discover what they wanted. Cord would have always wondered if he gave up football and Faith may never have converted to organic Dexter cows, which saved the family farm.
Profile Image for Janet Graham.
2,506 reviews11 followers
August 22, 2018
Wonderful Modern Cowboy Romance
I enjoyed this story more than any contemporary romance I have read in a long time. This is a clean, Christian second – chance romance that does not beat you over the head with the Bible. It is a modern cowboy story written by someone who obviously knows about real cattle operations, livestock breeds and rotational grazing. It was like reading about my own ranch! How refreshing this is! The ending is a little predictable, but it is the journey that holds all of the fun! The plot is well executed. All of the characters are real and believable. I will be reading the rest of this series and whatever else I can from this author. Great Job! I received this book for free and this is my honest review.
160 reviews4 followers
August 28, 2018
Faith has made Seven Virtues Ranch prosperous and has raised her daughter all on her own, now her high school sweetheart, Cordell returns. With his return Faith's world turns upside down. Cordell knows nothing of his daughter and wants Faith back. Miscommunication when he left for college has both of them hesitant but he's not one to give up. When he first sees Faith's daughter he knows instantly this is his daughter too. Now he has to get both women to give him a chance to make things right and be the family they both always wanted. A great story and the characters are wonderfully written. Highly recommend this book.
341 reviews
August 2, 2022
All the feels!

First of all, let me say that I love the whole setting of this series. Seven Virtues ranch and the 7 daughters named as such. Very cool!
Faith has had a rough life. Cord was her first and only love, and father of her daughter...only he knows nothing about Jasmine. When Cord comes back into Faith's life after being gone for almost a decade, there are SO MANY emotions! This book is very well written and I felt like I was right there feeling all the same things that were going on in the book.
If you love clean contemporary romance, grab this book!
Profile Image for Melissa.
1,191 reviews15 followers
September 2, 2018
I loved this book and am really looking forward to this new series. I loved Faith and Cord. They are both great people apart, but also great together. I went through so many emotions reading this book and had a hard time putting it down. My only complaint is the ending came too soon. I wish there had been more, especially in regard to Jasmine and Cord's relationship. Otherwise, I loved the whole thing.
Profile Image for Kira.
7 reviews1 follower
September 4, 2018
For me, the plot had a slow start and it took me a while to get into the book. For this reason, I did only give it 4 stars. However, that being said, once the story got moving I really enjoyed it and I couldn't put it down because I wanted to see what was going to happen next. I found my self cheering for the characters as they went through their struggles and tried to come out on top. I was excited to be able to read the next book in the series.
2 reviews
September 8, 2018
A must read for contemporary western romance lovers!!
This book kept me guessing and intrigued. I loved Cord and Faith as they reunited after 10 years, and worked their way through many revelations and secrets! I loved Faiths family too, and can't wait to read their stories as well. Faith let her fear overcome common sense a little bit, and there were some setbacks with her daughter because of it, but in the end Cord won both their affections and you gotta love a happy ending!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Nellie.
1,364 reviews23 followers
October 1, 2018
Romance

Awww, what an incredible story. I loved it! SO clean, and sweet. No cussing. This was an exciting story all the way through. Even though I get up at 4 am, I had to finish this one!
I loved all the characters, and story line.
Stayed interesting, and had a perfect pace.
I really got emotional at one part, and that rarely happens to me.
Great story teller, Becky Doughty. I'm looking for the next one as soon as I submit this review!! Loved it!
1,923 reviews5 followers
June 10, 2021
Gotta Have Faith

Faith is a young single mother who failed to tell her boyfriend she was expecting their child. Cord lived in a different part of the state but spent four summers on his Uncles ranch next door. He loved Faith but could not forget why he left town after summer was over and he had to return to his home and to the football team he had signed on with. This is my review and mine alone. Norma Gorrill
Profile Image for Alethia.
1,020 reviews16 followers
April 22, 2023
Gotta Have Faith

Through the ups, downs, and everything in between, Faith and Cord do not have an easy road. This book kept me reading, wanting to find out how it all worked out, hoping and praying right along with them. I’m rather excited to read about the rest of the sisters and their stories because now that I’ve met this family, I don’t want to move on from them for a good long while.
Profile Image for Brenda.
195 reviews10 followers
August 9, 2018
This book was fun to read this

Yes, there's drama, romance, even a little heartbreak. However, these characters are funny and real, with faults and flaws and love and humor. My favorite part is chapter 21, where Cord and Jasmine actually talk for the first time. I was laughing out loud at the precociousness of nine-year-old Jasmine. You'll love that girl!
4,519 reviews38 followers
August 16, 2018
I loved this clean romance. It was hard to put it down. I laughed and cried as I journeyed through this wonderful story. It is well written book with a lot of depth. I am eager to read about the next sister. These characters were vibrant and realistic. There are lessons to be learned about communication and not hiding from life. I highly recommend this book.
Profile Image for Donna.
Author 7 books33 followers
October 6, 2018
Gotta have Faith and Cord is determined to do just that. He has been gone for ten years and now is back to convince Faith he is the one for her. He is persistent. Faith has a big secret. In fact, the whole town has a big secret. Becky Doughty made the characters come alive and has written a story of a second chance for Cord and Faith. I recommend.
Profile Image for Chrissy Shaffer-McNeal.
875 reviews2 followers
March 17, 2020
This is my first time reading this author, but I really enjoyed getting to know this family of sisters. Cord, Faith and Jasmine come together after a decade of separation. so happy they found they're ever after. It had me in tears and also laughing. And I love that the books have faith in them. It really touched my heart ❤
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
1,146 reviews5 followers
May 21, 2020
Faith

What can one say? You have to have Faith. Faith is the eldest Goodacre daughter. Seven daughters raise in A Hollow of Kentucky. This is the story of Faith and Cord. Cord returns to The Hollow and the love of his life. Read this charming story to find out what happens between Cord and Faith.
590 reviews1 follower
September 23, 2021
How Cord was treated at times by Faith with her not telling him about his daughter, not including him. Also the protective community and people assuming he knew about his daughter and was not given a fair go by Jed when he tried to do the right thing were things that frustrated me about this story. It hooked me in from the start.
Profile Image for Laura.
Author 59 books279 followers
April 13, 2024
Love the title's play on the heroine's name. A great second chance romance, with lots of feel good scenes. Faith struggles to keep her ranch afloat. When Cordell, her high school sweetheart buys the ranch next door, can he achieve his first goal--winning her back? A sweet, small town, faith filled love story.
Profile Image for Samantha.
109 reviews
July 14, 2018
Amazingly sweet story

Can two people with a complicated past overcome all the odds for a future together? This story is a great start to this families series. I can't wait to see how the stories build on the other sisters stories.
Profile Image for Linda Rainey.
2,348 reviews21 followers
July 17, 2018
Beautiful Love Story

This was a beautiful love story about second chances.
I love the storyline and the endearing characters.
This book is recommended for those who love Christian romance.
Profile Image for Bonnijean Marley.
391 reviews10 followers
August 9, 2018
Gotta Have Faith is a sweet romance. The characters are realistic and their interactions are believable. A reader doesn't have to be a horse lover to enjoy this second chance romance with a couple trying to overcome past hurts.
Profile Image for Evonne Hutton.
1,342 reviews10 followers
August 11, 2018
A sweet romance in a small town and ranch setting.
Second chances are good and well but will he stand a chance with the girl he left behind and the daughter he never knew?
A well written story line with a center of faith, love and acceptance
28 reviews
August 14, 2018
Loved it!

This book is a enchanting read on life lessons and the folly of deceitful ness! I have already become a fan of this family, and look forward to my next journey into the seven virtues!
Profile Image for Quinn Fforde.
3,276 reviews15 followers
August 19, 2018
The writing was good, but I didn't love the way the plot worked out. There were some conversations that needed to be had that we missed out on. I will read more by this author, but this one wasn't great.
590 reviews2 followers
June 30, 2022
Entertaining

This is the story of love, of mistakes, of wrong decisions. It is the story of renewal and redemption when love gets a second chance. It is the story of life, love and a strong family.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews

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