The Way Back to Hope

Aspen Valley Homecoming #3

by Carolyne Aarsen

Shelby was Klint’s first love.

And his first heartbreak.

Now he’s back in Aspen Valley, a widower determined to move on in his new business.

But Shelby needs Klint's help with the financial mess her parents left behind after their tragic death. Having to work so closely with Klint is confusing. She has younger twin sisters and a brother who depend on her, and a business to keep going. She has no space in her disorderly life for the old feelings Klint resurrects.

Klint feels he is supposed to be grieving the loss of his perfect wife, not thinking of Shelby, the spunky woman who has always held a corner of his heart and soul. They share a history of love long lost between them that Klint wants to leave in the past and Shelby doesn’t believe can be restored.

But Shelby’s matchmaking twin sisters have their own ideas to get them back together and scheme to make this happen.

Even if their plans succeed, can Klint forgive Shelby for past heartaches? Can Shelby let go of her reservations about love and trust Klint with the truth?

The Way Back to Hope is a sweet romance that will capture your heart and make you believe in the power of faith and love. Buy it today to continue your Aspen Valley journey

242 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 25, 2021

About the author

Even with over 1.5 million copies of my books in print, I still feel like I haven’t written the perfect story. From my office in the woods of Northern Alberta, I’ll keep trying. Inspired by spectacular sunrises, breathtaking Northern Lights and long walks through wooded trails, the stories keep coming. To find out more about my life and my writing, check out my website at www.carolyneaarsen.com

Reviews

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this sweet and clean romance. I have read the previous books in the series and enjoyed them as well. Ms. Aarsen is a talented author, and always keeps me engaged from start to finish with interesting and likable characters. This book drew me in as well, but Shelby’s little brother Jacob appeared to test everyone’s patience, including mine, and I was just the reader! Shelby’s situation of being responsible for the upbringing of her younger siblings reminded me a bit of my years as a single mother, where dating was always a challenge because of the fact that anyone serious about me had to accept that I too was part of a “package deal.” I was fortunate, like Shelby, to find a kind and patient man, willing to make the effort with my child. Many thanks to Ms. Aarsen for an advanced copy of this book, for an enjoyable read, and a happy ending. I recommend it highly, and look forward to the next book in the series.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shelby Prins had lost a lot in her life. First, she sent away the only man she ever really loved. Then, her parents died in a car accident. Finally, she gave up her apartment, moved back home to raise her younger siblings, and kept the family welding business going…alone. Losing more because no man wanted to take on a woman with so many responsibilities.
Klint Nelson is back in Aspen Valley. Moving away for college and then marrying and living in the city. After his wife’s death, the town was calling him back. He didn’t expect to see Shelby so soon, but he was an accountant…and she was a client. He didn’t expect to feel the same as he did all those years ago before she sent him packing.
Love all these stories. And if you cry easily, you may want to keep tissues nearby. Wonderful characters, the twins Roxie and RayAnn, are very humorous. The emotions of the characters jumped out to grab my heart.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this beautiful second chance romance between Shelby and Klint. They had dated in high school but when Klint moved away to go to college, Shelby ended the relationship with no reason. Then Klint got married. After his wife died he moved back to his hometown where Shelby lived. Shelby lost both parents and had custody of her twin sisters and her brother since her oldest five brothers and sisters had jobs and going to college away from home. Shelby took over her Dad's welding business and found out Klint was back when her accountant left town and Klint took over the job. The characters are great and the story moves along well. Klint learns why Shelby broke up the first time and problems with the younger children are resolved. I love a HEA ending and I highly recommend this book. I received an ARC and this is my voluntary and honest review.

[Marlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is proof that sometimes you can go back to your roots and home again. Klint as an only child, always loved the noise, chaos and joy of being around Shelby and her family. At one time, he planned to marry into that family and then everything changed. Her parents died, some of the siblings moved away, and, now she was the older one raising the twins and younger brother. This story is filled with hope, weight of responsibility, and, faith that all will work out. I loved the calmness of Klint as he moved home; and, I admired the drive Shelby had to make life filled with love and work ethic for the younger sisters and brother. I literally felt the heaviness in her everyday life and loved the author’s writing in this book.

[Ginny Rodenberg · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed Shelby and Klint's story, but I was disappointed. They were high school sweethearts that broke up when he went to college. He married another girl from their hometown who was the exact opposite of Shelby, a 'perfect woman". He moves back home to the country from the city after Helen passed away. I was tired of hearing about "Saint Helen" before the book had hardly started. I am sorry, but I felt Helen was spoiled and wanted things her own way, ignoring Klint's happiness. Meanwhile, Shelby lost her parents and took on the raising of her younger siblings, while the rest of her siblings went on with their own lives. Shelby was a great heroine. I was glad that Shelby and Klint got their HEA, but it seemed forced.

[Lori R · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story was so interesting. Shelby has been taking care of three of her siblings since her parents died three years ago. I found it interesting how each of them acted so differently. I really liked Shelby and her strength and faith. I also thought her relationships were realistic.
I enjoyed the faith in this book, all of the characters, and how Klint had shown up when he did. I found Helen's parents to be interesting. I also enjoyed the good times and the bad times for this family as they grew together. I received an advance copy of this book and I willingly chose to write an honest review.

[SJ Garrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved Shelby and Klint's story. Shelby was taking care of everyone, her parents when they were ready to call it quits, her younger siblings when their parents died. It's time she lets someone take care of her. Klint grew up loving Shelby's family, was best friends to her older brother and loved her, but she broke his heart. After all those years ago can they build a relationship. With a little brother acting up at every turn, it doesn't look good. I laughed and fussed throughout this book. If you like clean heartfelt books of second chances, you can't go wrong with 'The Way Back to Hope'. I highly recommend. I received this book from the publisher. The thoughts and comments are my own.

[Betty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought Shelby's dedication to raising her younger siblings after their parents death was more than admirable. That she struggled with her own shortcomings made it believable. Her belief that God was with her through the hard times stirred my heart. Her hope made it possible to hold a second chance with the man she has always loved, and I felt thankful that God never gives up on us.This is a beautifully written and moving book.
I received a copy from the author, who is one of my favorites, but my review is unbiased and honest.

[Frank]

When her parents are killed in an accident, Shelby becomes mom as well as breadwinner for her younger sister and brother. Her fiance broke up ;with her because he couldn't handle an instant family. When she seeks help from an accountant, the help comes in an old boyfriend, Klint Nelson. As time goes by, Shelby and Klint reconnect and find the still have feelings for each other. This is a sweet story of forgiveness that pulls you in and leaves you with a warm fuzzy feeling. This author's storys just keep getting better and better.

[Irene S · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Shelby's parents died three years ago, Shelby took charge of her younger siblings, the farm, and a family welding business. With sixteen year old twin sisters and a ten year old brother, Shelby doesn't have any time and needs help with the accounting. When Shelby is passed to the new accountant, Shelby is not expecting it to be her old boyfriend. Widower Klint has just returned to town and not sure how he feels about working with Shelby. I received a free copy of this ebook from the author. This is my honest and voluntarily given review. This is a sweet Christian second chance romance. Both Shelby and Klint are sweet and very likable characters. I love that her twin sisters are trying to play matchmakers. I also love that the story captures so much of Shelby's family life and that Klint's in-laws are part of the story. This is a good read.

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shelby loves her family and has taken on raising her younger siblings. Love has left her sad but not broken. Klint her first love is back in town and he has suffered loss in love. These two are made for each other and should have never parted. But they wouldn't be who they are if they hadn't. Her little brother has been through so much and while he can cause trouble my heart went out to him. Lot's happening but Klint will not give up not this time. Loved the ending.

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s always so satisfying when things work out well for a character who has bravely faced monumental adversity and done everything possible to look out for the welfare of others ahead of herself. Such was Shelby in this story. The author wove a believable story with well-formed, true-to-life characters and it was a pleasure to read—in fact, it kept me up turning pages all night! Highly recommend! I received an ARC from the author and this voluntary review contains my honest opinions.

[Vicki Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A touching and emotional story that will pull at your heartstrings as this couple tries to navigate through a new reality for each of them. A storyline that is faith based and touches on Letting Go and Letting God. As with earlier books in this series, the reader has glimpses of people from earlier stories. Great characters that just snuggle in and leave you smiling. Excellent stories that I would recommend.

I am an ARC reader for this author, but this my voluntary and honest review.

[Bernadette Cinkoske · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Way Back to Hope is a sweet, uplifting, heartwarming, second chance romance. I love all the characters - the young brother, the matchmaking twins, Dave's in-laws, Dave and Shelby. The characters are well portrayed and individually unique. I loved watching Shelby and Dave let go of the past and embrace the future in this well written book. Once I started reading, I could not put it down!

[Sharon Heaverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Way Back to Hope is the third book in the Aspen Valley Homecoming series by Carolyne Aarsen. I have read nearly all of Ms. Aarsen's books and I am always thrilled with the stories and her development of the characters. The stories are always clean, Christian romances. She writes many second chance stories which I also have come to love.

[Lavender · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick easy read. (Only 195 pages.) I was entertained but I don't think it will be memorable. In a couple of months I'll pick it up again and not realize I've already read it. But it is squeaky clean and a real feel good story.

[Norma Gorrill · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Way Back To Hope

This story is about a young woman whose parents died leaving her to raise her twin sisters and youngest brother all on her own as her older brothers and sisters were not living at home.

[Nancy Long · Rating 5 out of 5]

Klint and Sheby

A second chance romance with her taking care of her brother and sisters.. He's come back after his wife died a d she needs help with her accounting. Can they find their way back with God's help.

[Ruth Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful family

I loved how she took on responsibility for her younger sisters and brother but it was sad she had to put her life on hold to do it. I was happy with the ending.