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Hearts of the Midwest #1
Bluebird on the Prairie
A woman determined to hide. A joyful man with the heart of a wanderer. Nebraska, 1879 The Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away. For young widow Eloise, all she sees is the taking. Now content to find purpose in raising her baby nephew, Eloise hides from life. If she doesn’t open her heart, it won’t have any reason to break. When a lost traveler tumbles into her solitude, she’s forced to consider if God still has good things in store for her. Carefree Zeke James searches for fun and adventure. Act now, figure it out later. After weeks of lonely travel, a scandalous chance meeting throws him into the path of an enchanting and aloof woman. Despite his plans to pass through this Swedish town after earning a few dollars, Zeke’s choices tangle him further with the woman whose eyes beg for hope. When a misguided attempt to defend Eloise’s honor lands Zeke in trouble, he’s left to choose between dreams he’s carried since childhood and the chance to bring light to an aching heart. With sprinkles of humor and deep emotion, this Christian romance offers a picture of hope as a relentless God leads two drifting hearts home.
328 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 29, 2021
16 people are currently reading
83 people want to read
About the author
Tasha Hackett
7 books57 followersTasha’s still trying to decide what she wants to be when she grows up. In the meantime, she sings, paints, sews, dances in the kitchen, homeschools the kids, and often forgets to put away the laundry. Tasha writes with hope and humor to encourage and entertain. Her novels demonstrate a vision of romance between flawed characters loved by an unflawed God.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
February 22, 2024
I very much liked Ezekiel. He bumps this up from a three-star read to a four-star because he was such a lovable jester, and he loved to bake.
If you like stories with a lot of miscommunication in them, you will really enjoy this book because that plays a huge role in this plot not once but twice.
If you aren't irked by easy-to-remedy historical inaccuracies, you'll also like it a lot better than I did.
If you like stories with a lot of miscommunication in them, you will really enjoy this book because that plays a huge role in this plot not once but twice.
If you aren't irked by easy-to-remedy historical inaccuracies, you'll also like it a lot better than I did.
September 16, 2021
Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres. Although I am not really familiar with Nebraska history, I do feel that author, Tasha Hackett, did a thorough job of researching the time period. The characters in Bluebird on the Prairie are full of personality, humor (except the one grumpy young man), and fully human. There is a thread of Christian faith in the story, emphasizing the importance and freedom in a relationship with God through Jesus, as opposed to religion. Life in the small prairie town is never dull and the love story has a number of hiccups. A refreshing read with a sweet story, happiness, sadness, and some suspense is waiting for you.
August 14, 2021
I'm not even super into romance novels most of the time, but I loved this one. Admittedly, its one that drives the reader crazy while waiting for the characters to figure themselves out 😂 but I also love this kind of perspective.
I would feel 100% confident recommending this to everyone I know, for every age (that is able to read it... Most 8 year olds aren't ready for a chapter book this size, but it's so clean that the rare kid who can read it will be completely safe in Tasha's hands!)
You will laugh, you may cry, and you will enjoy it.
I would feel 100% confident recommending this to everyone I know, for every age (that is able to read it... Most 8 year olds aren't ready for a chapter book this size, but it's so clean that the rare kid who can read it will be completely safe in Tasha's hands!)
You will laugh, you may cry, and you will enjoy it.
January 16, 2023
This was a cute story! I enjoyed the storyline of Bluebird on the Prairie and the misunderstandings between the characters struck me as quite funny. This was a fun read for me, and I will definitely be on the lookout for more books by Tasha.
November 16, 2021
Eloise Davidson is young and widowed—and lonely. Zeke James is always trying to see beyond the next horizon, always eager to see new things—and he has no intentions of staying in Ockelbo, Nebraska.
Despite a rocky first encounter, Zeke and Eloise begin a tentative friendship that opens their eyes to truths they’ve never known about life, themselves, and love. A horse that refuses to mind, a salty soup, and a little boy bound to get into trouble forge them closer together, but a wedding ring and a misplaced letter lead to wrong assumptions that could drive them apart forever.
Can the past truly be set aside to make way for the future? And what if that future turns out to be entirely different than anything they had planned?
In Bluebird on the Prairie, Tasha Hackett weaves together a story of hope in the midst of grief, friendship grown out of loneliness, and humor mixed throughout. Each of her characters comes to life on the pages of her book, and as a warning, there is no such thing as a good stopping place in this book. Each section links right to the next one and made it a struggle for me to put down.
Ockelbo is a place you won’t want to leave, and the people who populate it made me laugh many times. A Swedish background adds to the town’s distinction, and I enjoyed the accents and Swedish sayings.
My only complaint with the book was that if Zeke truly believed Eloise was married, then he should have been more careful in his thoughts and how he dealt with her. What goes on in the mind is important to me as I believe that thoughts drive actions and that you can’t hold fire to your clothes and expect not to be burned.
Bluebird on the Prairie points to a message of redemption even in the midst of difficult situations, and to the fact that a man may make plans, but whether they come to pass or not depends on God. Tasha neatly ties off all the ends of the story as she brings the book to a satisfying close. And everyone loves a happily ever after, right?
Despite a rocky first encounter, Zeke and Eloise begin a tentative friendship that opens their eyes to truths they’ve never known about life, themselves, and love. A horse that refuses to mind, a salty soup, and a little boy bound to get into trouble forge them closer together, but a wedding ring and a misplaced letter lead to wrong assumptions that could drive them apart forever.
Can the past truly be set aside to make way for the future? And what if that future turns out to be entirely different than anything they had planned?
In Bluebird on the Prairie, Tasha Hackett weaves together a story of hope in the midst of grief, friendship grown out of loneliness, and humor mixed throughout. Each of her characters comes to life on the pages of her book, and as a warning, there is no such thing as a good stopping place in this book. Each section links right to the next one and made it a struggle for me to put down.
Ockelbo is a place you won’t want to leave, and the people who populate it made me laugh many times. A Swedish background adds to the town’s distinction, and I enjoyed the accents and Swedish sayings.
My only complaint with the book was that if Zeke truly believed Eloise was married, then he should have been more careful in his thoughts and how he dealt with her. What goes on in the mind is important to me as I believe that thoughts drive actions and that you can’t hold fire to your clothes and expect not to be burned.
Bluebird on the Prairie points to a message of redemption even in the midst of difficult situations, and to the fact that a man may make plans, but whether they come to pass or not depends on God. Tasha neatly ties off all the ends of the story as she brings the book to a satisfying close. And everyone loves a happily ever after, right?
May 28, 2022
Ratings are complicated things...
This book deserves 5 stars for being better written than many contemporary Christian novels I have had the misfortune of reading. I am looking at you in particular, un-named Big Name Christian Publishing House. It also deserves 5 stars for being well-researched and having a historically plausible plot. Again - looking at you, publishing house whose books I almost always don't even bother reading when I see the publisher's name. Kudos to this independent author for writing good realistic fiction.
My personal preference would rate the book 3 stars (which I consider an "average" rating), but this is not due to an inherent fault in the book itself. Christian historical romance is not my preferred genre, mainly because a large portion of the book is devoted tonavel gazing analyzing feelings rather than plot and action, which always makes me feel like the book is dragging. This book unfortunately was no exception to that rule.
However, I still cared enough about the characters and there was enough plot developed, that despite my bias against this type of novel, I still finished it. That's good writing. 5 stars it is.
This book deserves 5 stars for being better written than many contemporary Christian novels I have had the misfortune of reading. I am looking at you in particular, un-named Big Name Christian Publishing House. It also deserves 5 stars for being well-researched and having a historically plausible plot. Again - looking at you, publishing house whose books I almost always don't even bother reading when I see the publisher's name. Kudos to this independent author for writing good realistic fiction.
My personal preference would rate the book 3 stars (which I consider an "average" rating), but this is not due to an inherent fault in the book itself. Christian historical romance is not my preferred genre, mainly because a large portion of the book is devoted to
However, I still cared enough about the characters and there was enough plot developed, that despite my bias against this type of novel, I still finished it. That's good writing. 5 stars it is.
November 6, 2021
*I was given a complimentary copy of this book by the author, All opinions expressed are my own.*
Bluebird on the Prairie, a debut novel by this author.
Clean and crisp storytelling with characters that were wholesome and relatable. Embarrassing moments with a stranger thinking you'd never bump into them again...yeah right. We've all had those relatable moments...just maybe not standing in a stream in our wet under clothes. ;P
It did take a little while to get into the book, and sometimes I felt that there was maybe just a little bit too much dialogue or thought dialogue from the characters. But all in all the book was written well and it was a simple and easy read.
Bluebird on the Prairie, a debut novel by this author.
Clean and crisp storytelling with characters that were wholesome and relatable. Embarrassing moments with a stranger thinking you'd never bump into them again...yeah right. We've all had those relatable moments...just maybe not standing in a stream in our wet under clothes. ;P
It did take a little while to get into the book, and sometimes I felt that there was maybe just a little bit too much dialogue or thought dialogue from the characters. But all in all the book was written well and it was a simple and easy read.
January 30, 2022
I really stepped out of my comfort zone with this book as I normally do not enjoy “prairie based” books, but I am so glad I read this book! So many emotions. Would recommend to anyone. Can’t wait for the others to come out.
June 23, 2022
Lovely story
Great story line, realistic characters, fun to read. This book would be great for a book club read. Is this going to be a series?
Great story line, realistic characters, fun to read. This book would be great for a book club read. Is this going to be a series?
January 31, 2023
To be honest, I had a bit of a hard time with this book. It wasn't badly written, but I got confused a lot about what was happening - though that may have been purposeful to keep me reading. I think I also just didn't get the humor in the book. Sometimes I had to read a sentence a few times to figure out what it had to do with anything, only to realize it was supposed to be funny. So, I probably just have a different sense of humor. I wasn't really comfortable with Zeke continuing to hang out with Eloise even though he thinks she's married and he's attracted to her. I didn't understand why Eloise wasn't wearing mourning if she missed her husband so much or felt so guilty for his death. I might have missed the explanation though. It also seemed very out of character the first time Eloise randomly kissed Zeke. And I fully expected something more to happen with Simon, considering all the dark looks mentioned.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 12, 2022
Sincere, lovely, fun to read
I so adored these two characters that I sort of forgot they're fictional. If Eloise and Zeke were real they would 100% be a great couple. I hate it when authors throw people together who are not genuinely good for one another—not the case here.
Eloise, a young widow, has experienced real trials and still struggles with grief. (And, tiny spoiler, they don't magically all go away when she meets someone new!) Zeke has his own expectations and misconceptions to wrestle with, and he does so with beautiful integrity. Tobias and Luke are great side characters who deserve their own book (and, according to the author's Instagram, they're getting one).
The setting is lovely. The characters are flawed yet kind and easy to love. The story is far from formula. A genuinely wonderful read.
I so adored these two characters that I sort of forgot they're fictional. If Eloise and Zeke were real they would 100% be a great couple. I hate it when authors throw people together who are not genuinely good for one another—not the case here.
Eloise, a young widow, has experienced real trials and still struggles with grief. (And, tiny spoiler, they don't magically all go away when she meets someone new!) Zeke has his own expectations and misconceptions to wrestle with, and he does so with beautiful integrity. Tobias and Luke are great side characters who deserve their own book (and, according to the author's Instagram, they're getting one).
The setting is lovely. The characters are flawed yet kind and easy to love. The story is far from formula. A genuinely wonderful read.
May 28, 2022
Honestly, I was really uncomfortable with a Christian fiction novel relying on this particular trope for tension between the characters. The hero believes the heroine is married for well over half the book, but still doesn’t try to avoid her or the feelings she’s awakening inside of him. Then the roles switch, where she thinks he’s being unfaithful to a woman. I just didn’t find any of it endearing, even the hero’s clumsy ways. If they’d had a single clarifying, mature conversation, all misunderstandings would’ve disappeared.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 14, 2025
Totally satisfying read!
I started reading this story slowly, not quite into it at first. However, I was in the middle of moving out of my house so it could be renovated. Once my life settled back down, I really got into the story. I worried about the misunderstandings between the two main characters, recognizing the clever way the author turned the tables on them. I loved how one of the characters began to learn more about God by reading His Word, having been encouraged by to do so. This ended up being a totally satisfying read!
I started reading this story slowly, not quite into it at first. However, I was in the middle of moving out of my house so it could be renovated. Once my life settled back down, I really got into the story. I worried about the misunderstandings between the two main characters, recognizing the clever way the author turned the tables on them. I loved how one of the characters began to learn more about God by reading His Word, having been encouraged by to do so. This ended up being a totally satisfying read!
August 3, 2021
I've read this book through at least 12 times this year while working through the editing process... and I still cry and laugh in all the right places. ;-)
Eloise is a widow, living with her brother and helping care for her toddler nephew. Zeke is a lonely traveler searching for "home." They meet repeatedly under some awkward circumstances and he gets it stuck in his head that she's married!
I had so much fun writing this story and aim to bring a bit of hope and humor to all who read it.
Eloise is a widow, living with her brother and helping care for her toddler nephew. Zeke is a lonely traveler searching for "home." They meet repeatedly under some awkward circumstances and he gets it stuck in his head that she's married!
I had so much fun writing this story and aim to bring a bit of hope and humor to all who read it.
March 24, 2024
This book was easy for me to enjoy! I loved the banter and the sweetness on every page. It had been a while since I'd read a book with such a well-rounded cast of characters - I was invested not just in the blossoming romance, but in all the surrounding relationships! I loved the sassy and playful tone of the book; it kept a perfect balance of deep, emotional topics and wholesome puppy love. Lurved it. IT WAS SO SWEET.
October 25, 2025
I loved Zeke. He is such an unusual character. The way he talks to his horse, the way he thinks and deals with Eloise, is precious. Yes, they both have lots to learn, as they both seem to make the same mistake about assumptions without checking the facts. The 'snake' is well done too. Loved Tobias, he seems bigger than life. The whole township characters are lovely. I enjoyed the read, apart from the built-in frustrations. A good ending. Would like to read the next book too.
July 22, 2024
3½ stars
A lovely story, albeit a bit slow moving. Ending is rather sweet but abrupt. Would have definitely benefitted having an epilogue. Zeke is a very likable character. Eloise has had a tough time and it was nice to see her progress. While this was classified as 'Christian fiction', it is very subtle. Zeke being about the only one talking about the Lord.
A lovely story, albeit a bit slow moving. Ending is rather sweet but abrupt. Would have definitely benefitted having an epilogue. Zeke is a very likable character. Eloise has had a tough time and it was nice to see her progress. While this was classified as 'Christian fiction', it is very subtle. Zeke being about the only one talking about the Lord.
July 27, 2024
Zeke pretends he doesn’t have a care in the world, but that’s partly because he’s hiding his fear of rejection and mainly because he knows he has a Saviour who will never leave him. Eloise on the other hand carries burdens that aren’t hers to carry and has rejected the One who could help her.
Humor makes this book flow smoothly as both of them find that home is a place where you are loved.
Humor makes this book flow smoothly as both of them find that home is a place where you are loved.
March 25, 2025
Clever plot twists await in this wholesome romance novel by Miss Hackett. Zeke and Eloise try their best not to be a couple, and the reader can't help trying to nudge them along. A pleasant escape to a time when life was slow and sweet on the prairies of 19th century Nebraska. Well written by a talented author.
October 11, 2022
I absolutely loved this book! Learning about Eloise and Zeke made it hard to put it down at times. Both characters enchanted and infuriated me throughout the book, in a good way. I can’t wait for the second book to be available!
July 27, 2024
So good!
What a wealth of lessons all rolled up into this story! The heartache and loss Eloise goes through before she meets Zeke makes her doubt God has any hYand in life. Common doubts that the story deals with wonderfully! Great read!
What a wealth of lessons all rolled up into this story! The heartache and loss Eloise goes through before she meets Zeke makes her doubt God has any hYand in life. Common doubts that the story deals with wonderfully! Great read!
August 26, 2025
This was a fun read.
There were misunderstandings from both main characters. Although a simple conversation could have cleared them up, the situations that kept the characters in the dark were believable.
There were misunderstandings from both main characters. Although a simple conversation could have cleared them up, the situations that kept the characters in the dark were believable.
August 31, 2021
This book is funny, charming, and beautifully written. If you want a book to whisk you away to a happy place with precious friends, this is the one for you!
June 7, 2022
Picked this book up on a whim at a local coffee shop store. I really enjoyed it and can’t wait to read the next one. Well done!!
January 22, 2023
A sweet story of life in a small town on the prairie of Nebraska. A young widow who lives with her brother and toddler nephew. She meets a young man , Zeke. A quick read that was a sweet story.
July 11, 2025
Easy read. Interesting read liked alot
September 29, 2021
Eloise Davidson is a young widow who blames herself for her husbands death. As a result she figures everyone else does too and shuts herself off from everyone but her widowed brother and his son and her best friend.
Zeke James is headed west to see the ocean, in due time. First, he needs to find a town for a chance to make some money and have some real food again. His dreams of fried chicken are interrupted by a young lady bathing in a creek.
Through many misunderstandings and twists and turns can Zeke and Eloise put away their fears, and their pride and lean into each other?
This is a debut novel that doesn’t disappoint. There’s humor, truth, and love. Set in a Nebraska prairie town with a little Swedish flair you will love the town and the people in it and be cheering for Zeke and Eloise.
Zeke James is headed west to see the ocean, in due time. First, he needs to find a town for a chance to make some money and have some real food again. His dreams of fried chicken are interrupted by a young lady bathing in a creek.
Through many misunderstandings and twists and turns can Zeke and Eloise put away their fears, and their pride and lean into each other?
This is a debut novel that doesn’t disappoint. There’s humor, truth, and love. Set in a Nebraska prairie town with a little Swedish flair you will love the town and the people in it and be cheering for Zeke and Eloise.
December 1, 2024
I enjoy and write historical fiction, and found unique aspects to this story. That's a fun experience! Endearing Zeke had me grinning the entire time, and Eloise was an enigma. I couldn't figure her out. Tasha was wise to withhold a few pertinent bits of information from the reader and reveal them towards the end of the book. Well done, Tasha!
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews