Not Until Forever

Hope Springs #1

by Valerie M. Bodden

She chose her career over him. He put his family before her. When they get a second chance, will they choose to put each other first?

As she climbs the corporate ladder, Sophie doesn’t let herself think about what she gave up when she declined Spencer’s proposal five years ago. So when she’s called home to say goodbye to her dying grandmother, she goes out of her way to avoid seeing him. Of course, that means he’s the first person she runs into. Much as she fights against it, being near him stirs up old feelings and makes her question old decisions.

Leaving college to help on the family farm cost Spencer the woman he loved. But he couldn’t turn his back on his family. Now that Sophie’s back in town, Spencer’s determined to protect his heart. Only he senses something new in Sophie—something that makes him think maybe they could have a second chance. But when his family needs him again, he feels like he’s repeating the past.

Only this time, he’s not sure what choice he should make.

Is God giving them a second chance? Or are the heartaches of the past too much to overcome?

Genres: Romance, Christian Fiction, Christian, Fiction, Christian Romance, Clean Romance, Contemporary

275 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 1, 2019

About the author

I have three great loves: Jesus, my family, and books. And chocolate (okay, four great loves). I write fast-paced, emotional Christian fiction that weaves real-life problems, real-life people, and real-life faith. My characters may (okay, will) experience some heartache along the way, but I promise I'll always give them a happy ending.

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Reviews

[aria ✧ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sophie looked away and wiped at her eyes. What had she done to deserve such amazing people in her life? Absolutely nothing and it kind of irritates me how easily they all forgave her but it is a Christian romance so…

i tried to read the rest of the series but i dnfed almost all the ones i tried. series dnf

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

*I'm updating this review for the audio version. Not Until Forever continues to be a wonderful second chance love story. I once again loved the connection and attraction that these two felt for each other even after five years apart. The narrator did a great job and made the story one that I really enjoyed listening to.*

What is it about second chance love stories that make them so wonderful? I guess, for me, it is the hope that they inspire that even things previously lost could be found again.

That was definitely the case in this beautiful story. Sophie and Spencer found that the love they had for each other while in college was still strong in their hearts. Whether it would be possible to have a future together remained the question throughout the story, as their lives were focused on different things. There was great romantic tension between these two and past heartache to overcome.

I liked that this story was a second chance not only for love, but for friendships, faith, and even for grief to finally be acknowledged that had been stuffed down for many years. The author did a wonderful job of making me feel the deep emotions of these characters and I am looking forward to reading more books in this series.

You can read this review on my blog:
https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.c...

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars.

Sweet, clean romance, with a nice message about forgiveness. I liked that there wasn't too much drama and that the MCs were both pretty realistic. However, the heroine's parents were a bit underdeveloped and the mother was like a caricature. The sudden resolution of everything was a bit hard to believe, but all in all, this was a decent story.

[Kyrié · Rating 3 out of 5]

HELLO I FINISHED THIS IN ONE DAY…

3.5⭐️- this book was so good! haven’t read a christian-romance before but definitely wasn’t disappointed! i hardly put this down cause i liked it so much, i am only giving it 3.5 stars because i didn’t feel that there was anything crazy abt the characters or anything connecting me to them

+ i DO NOT like third person but this story made it bearable ☺️

[Autumn · Rating 3 out of 5]

it was so good! i loved the romance, but there was way to many breakups. i feel like it was more like a third chance than a second chance and it was kind of tiring. but either way, i still loved it and the characters

[Vikki Vaught · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Musings

This is a sweet, clean and wholesome romance with endearing characters and a satisfying plot. I am so glad I found this series. Although I started is out of order, it's all good because the books can be read as a stand alone. Happy ☺reading 📚!

[Julie Holdsworth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unrealistic characters

While the author writes well and keeps your interest, her characters and story line are not very realistic. To not go home for 5 years to see your beloved grandmother, seems utterly ridiculous. Especially since she lives in a drivable distance. Many other similar things unrealistic things happen in this story.

[Rebekah Morris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable. I did get annoyed a bit with the characters at times, and the Christianity felt a bit shallow. But it was clean, which I appreciated, and things turned out right. It wasn’t the kind of book I’ll probably remember much about later, and I probably won’t read it again, but it was good for once through when life was a bit crazy.

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most of us enjoy love stories, especially second chance ones. There is so much more about this story I loved! It was so easy to envision these topics happening as many of us have experienced these things as well. I love the way Valerie holds to these true-to-life topics in her books! This deals with families, both healthy and fractured; friendships, ones that were unbroken and those who stood the test of being separated for years; loss of loved ones, both those dealt with at the time and those buried for years; expectations on us all, both those others set upon us and those we set on ourselves and of course romantic love, especially the second chance love! For me personally what stands out the most is the way Valerie shows that no matter what path we may choose God is always waiting with open arms for His children to come home to Him!! In this story I love the way it shows that God is working things in our lives to His perfect end for us even in those times we are not acknowledging Him in our daily walk! In spite of how we may try to set about protecting our hearts by closing ourselves off to any relationships with depth He is still waiting for us with a future better than we could ever imagine!
Thank you Valerie for the layers of depth in this beautifully written book!!

[Sonya Wasden · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a wonderful, clean, second chance romance. Sophie and Spencer were from the same small town and had dated in college. When Spencer surprised Sophie with a marriage proposal near the end of their college career, she wasn't sure that is what she wanted. She wanted to get out of the small town and live in the big city and have a super successful career. She got all that but didn't get Spencer.

Now, it is five years later and Sophie is back in their small town to visit her grandmother, who is dying. What if she runs into Spencer? What would she say or do? Are the best things in the life the things that the world doesn't think are signs of success? Is true love what matters most? Can Sophie's grandmother help her to see what is most important before it is too late?

I really enjoyed reading about Sophie and Spencer and the lessons they both had to learn before they could determine what they wanted most in life and the things that would bring them success and joy.

I was given an arc copy of this book and I willingly offer my honest review.

[Cindy Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I've read by Valerie M. Bodden. Two people in a college romance Sophie and Spencer. Sophie felt drawn to success and a big career. She left Spencer as he proposed to pursue that. Five years later she's back home at her dying grandmothers request. She bumps into Spencer at the hospital.
Such a wonderful story of showing us Gods unconditional love. This story is about Sophie learning that. Her and Spencer's second chance. Wow is about all I can say. Read, enjoy, blessings.

[Gaylen Matlock]

*I had this book in my kindle app. Guess I should see if I need to return it.

Life went sideways right after I started this book and I couldn't concentrate enough to read it. Consequently, I never really cared about the characters.

[Darla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great beginning of a series!

Bodden has woven a great story of life, love, and forgiveness. I look forward to the next book in the series.

[J. Gilmour · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful, moving love story! I can't wait to read the other books in this series!

[Rachel Myers · Rating 4 out of 5]

I felt like I was reading a Hallmark movie and of course that made me happy 😊 I think I’ll keep reading the series because I love all the love and sweetness 🥹

[Meghan Buchman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a refreshing read. Cute story, kept the pace up and absolutely no smut. Usually I like a little smut but this was so sweet, I didn't miss it.

[Terri · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it, but it's just too predictable for me. Thought I'd give a romance a try, but need suspense, I guess.
Good characters.

[Lisa Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book!

What a great book! And such a wonderful reminder that our worth is found in Christ. I can't wait to read the next book!

[Vickie Escalante · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don't miss the Not Until! Series!

Couldn't put this series down! The characters are all beautifully woven together from book to book. Found myself wanting to visit Hope Springs!

[Faith Posten · Rating 5 out of 5]

Uncondional Love

At the beginning of the book, Spenser asked her to marry him even though he had to drop out of college to go back home to help his Dad run the farm. But she said"No" even in spite of loving him. But five years later her Nana got very ill and she knows she isn't going to get well this time. She must go home to spend time with Nana who was the one who primarily raised her, especially after her brother Jordan's death. Spencer is still right there doing the same thing for the sake of his parents. His love is still for her. But her life is in Chicago now and she really must go back. However, her heart begins to shift more towards Spenser than it should. Why is life so hard sometimes? Why are her parents still living in the past? After all. It has been about fifteen years since he passed away. She can never please them even now.

A good story with great food for thought also. Highly recommended!

[Sandra Webb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow...lots of angst, love, more angst and lots more love. Great book!

[Valerie Bodden]

ABOUT THE HOPE SPRINGS SERIES
The Hope Springs series offers fast-paced, emotional Christian romance books that will tug at your heart, make you believe in true love, and remind you that God loves you eternally.

The books in the Hope Springs series each feature a different couple and can be read in any order but might be best enjoyed from the beginning. Check out all the books in the series here: viewbook.at/hopesprings

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Valerie Bodden has the ability to create a scene through her written words. Not Until Forever was the first Christian Romance book I've read as I usually read psychological thrillers. I did NOT want to put this book down. So well written and a beautiful love story. This story reminds me of the feelings I felt falling in love and it was great to feel those feelings all over again through this book. Make sure you have time to sit and read as you will not want to be interrupted!

[Chelsea Nicole · Rating 2 out of 5]

If At First You Don't Succeed

Not sure what to make of this to be honest. It was an okay read, but way too many useless characters. Not enough backstory on certain characters either. I would have liked to read more about Spencer and Tyler's history or even the Violet and Sophie arc. Everything moved way too fast and went way too swimmingly. Outside of the few mentions of prayer and God, I don't really see how this was a Christian romance.

[Carol Van · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book.

I love second chance love stories and this was delivers. What a great romance that blooms once again. I appreciate the story written from a Christian perspective. You still have all the romance in this wonderfully written story.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Sweet Story

Sophie and Spencer chose to go their separate ways when they were younger. Now they have a second chance at love. Great book!

[Christine DeLashmutt Beck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Started and finished in one night. I couldn’t put it down. Loved this book and the characters.

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sophie said goodbye the first time. When they are reunited years later who will say goodbye this time? Or will they finally reveal the truth and seek for a future together?

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got into this series by reading books 6 & 7 first, and I liked those so much that I decided to go back to the beginning and read book 1. I was afraid that I might not enjoy reading out of order, but I liked book 1 about Spencer and Sophie. Since I had read book 6 first about Spencer’s brother Tyler and his twin boys, it was fun to read about them in this book at an earlier age as “wild” toddlers. I’m not sure I would have enjoyed the book nearly as much without them in it. They added a lightheartedness that was really needed in this story. I loved Spencer, but it was sad hearing about him going through so much pain after Sophie broke his heart. I was not as fond of Sophie because of the way she had walked away from Spencer, her best friend Vi, and her Nana. I warmed up to Sophie more as the story progressed, but I had to remind myself more than once that she came from a pretty dysfunctional family, and she had lost her faith, so she couldn’t be expected to be as lovable or as selfless as Spencer. The pain and awkwardness of them running into each other, being thrown together on more than one occasion, and the sadness surrounding Nana’s death, all added up to make the story rather depressing until the last few chapters. Thankfully, Sophie and her parents experienced growth in their relationship and major changes in their lives because of Nana’s death and the journal she left behind, and that made it all worthwhile. Since Sophie began seeing things from a totally different perspective, her priorities began to change. It was refreshing to see her finally realize how important Spencer was to her and how much she loved him.

[Alice Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sweet clean Chrisitan romance following a young woman who tends to run away when life gets tough, and pursues her career above all else, this is why she left her boyfriend after a proposal not wanting to quit her job to go with him. Several years later, Sophie returns to "Hope springs"to visit a dying grandma.. only to bump into her ex , Spencer at the hospital. Is there a chance they can get back together again? And will Sophie see an example in her dying gran to turn back to the faith she's turned away from?
This book is heavily focused on romance, but it is all clean. But there is also themes of faith and family coming through. Although some readers might object to a man being drawn to a woman while she is not activly persuing God, it does end with two Chrsitians. Lots of twists and turns in this one., but i was pleased with the end. I wouldn't call the theology deep, but it;s sound and the author's faith clearly comes through. Reccomended.