Forever Friends

Hope Springs #3

by Lynne Hinton

Come Back to Hope Springs, Where Friendships Last a Lifetime The women of Hope Springs Community Church have weathered some pretty fierce storms. Now their friendships are tested again when one of their own is leaving. Join Louise, Jessie, Charlotte, Beatrice, and Margaret for a farewell that Hope Springs will never forget.

Genres: Fiction, Christian Fiction, Southern, Contemporary

240 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Lynne Hinton is the pastor of St. Paul's United Church of Christ in Rio Rancho, New Mexico. The author of numerous novels including Friendship Cake, Hope Springs, Forever Friends, Christmas Cake, and Wedding Cake, she lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Reviews

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the third book in Hope Springs series following Hope Springs. In this novel, the author revisits the ladies of Hope Springs Community Church in North Carolina. 

Each chapter begins with Aunt Dot's laundry advice column written for The Pilot News. 

Then, followed by a recent account of the personal struggles each of the main characters are experiencing: Charlotte Stewart, Margaret Peele, Beatrice Witherspoon, Jessie Jenkins, and Lana Jenkins. 

It has been a year since Margaret was diagnosed with breast cancer, and she has successfully completed her chemotherapy, and thankfully, her cancer is in remission 

Jessie and James Senior are still thriving as a married couple and are getting ready to take a two week vacation to Africa in order to fulfill a lifelong dream of discovering their ancestors.

Pastor Charlotte is yet again struggling with her faith in God and is still seeking help from Marion Gordon, a therapist.  Additionally, Peggy DuVaughn's grandson, Lamont, is in jail for a robbery charge, and she asks the Pastor if she would visit him in prison. 

Beatrice and Dick are having trust issues in their marriage due to Dick dealing with family secrets involving his brother and sister-in-law. 

Lana Jenkins is married to Wallace, Jesse and James' son, and is unhappy with being a young mother and wife and thinking of leaving Wallace and Hope, her daughter. 

I enjoyed catching up with the ladies of Hope Spring, but I have to admit the narrative for each of the main characters felt long and tedious.

Nevertheless, I do hope the remaining books in this series improve. 

[LInda L · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not in the same league as her previous one, FRIENDSHIP CAKE. It was OK, but almost too sickeningly sweet. Hope the rest are not like this one.

I re-read this book and liked it a lot better the second time around. Charlotte has difficulties of her own, which cause her to see a therapist. Jessie somewhat reluctantly travels to Africa, and the others have their own issues. I think this time around I would give it 4 stars.

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book about a small town in North Carolina and the group of women friends that have to deal with some difficult issues in their lives. This is not the first in the series, so I have some catching up to do. It was a very quick read, I read it in one day. I enjoyed seeing the way the characters interacted with each other in support of their different life situations. I plan to read the others in the series.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a woman in ministry, I enjoyed this story of a young woman pastor and older women in her congregation who loved her and each other and helped her to grow in ministry. There were times when it was easy to compare her life and ministry with mine, although I'm definitely older than she is - more the age of the "mature" women in the story. This is the 3rd in the series and I always enjoy having the opportunity to watch characters develop and grow.

[Lynne · Rating 3 out of 5]

The 2nd and 3rd volumes (this is the 3rd) could have benefited from the characters being re-introduced...reading them only a week apart, I easily forgot who was who...

This 3rd (and last?) of the series was very preachy.....

There were some decent endings for each character, but they seemed forced...

[Dawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the third book in the Hope Springs series. I did not enjoy this book as much as the first two. I did not enjoy the characters as much. The first book, Friendship Cake, was the best of this series.

[Georgia Herod · Rating 3 out of 5]

We join the same characters as those in Friendship Cake. The friendships of women is the dominant theme. A new reality enters their circle: one of their group is moving. How will this change affect them individually and collectively? An easy read.

[Dot · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lovely little morsel of a book. Full of wisdom and love..

[Gina Shupp · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like reading books that are in a series, but I felt this book sort of dragged in it story line.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story didn't seem to go much of anywhere. There were some really good moments and lively descriptive passages, but the plot seemed kind of stalled in this third episode.

[Rebecca Miller · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love these books and women! though I gave this 3 star because it didn’t flow as well as the first two. Still good!

[Meghan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good addition to the ongoing story. As usual, the characters support each other as they discover their own truths.

[Katy · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars. I really like these characters, and especially the friendship that binds them together. I just wish the plot had more that bound *it* together. A loose, uneven collection of stories of each woman separately, and a specific trial each is walking through. The story sings when the women interact with each other, walking with each other through fire, or at the least, through uncertainty, and this book needed more of that. At its best, the conversations these women have, open handed, open hearted, sharing joys and sorrows, and leaving room for grace and growth are what make me want to be a member of the Hope Springs group.

[Diane McKenzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Following the main characters through the ups and downs of life with an incredible ending summarizing how friends that are forever feel about their friendship. I am sending these pages to my Forever Friend as we were just talking about our friendship.

[Pamela Beugnot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just love following the group of women. Their friendship is special.

[Sandra Kent · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love these ladies! Their stories are enduring. I laughed and cried! Great read of unlikely friends.

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Five friends work through problems and give one another support-a simplistic cozy which sometimes has its place.

[Sarah Sammis · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is less melodramatic than the second book. It's not quite the page turner as the first one. Yet, I'm curious enough to read the next one.

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[Elaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

These Hope Springs books deal with much real life stuff. Difficult issues.

Charlotte is dealing with the way folks in the church are reacting toward a young man - the grandson of a couple in her church. She sees him as the prodigal son returning home. She sees many of the churchgoers as the other son in the prodigal son story. The one who is bitter and believes the prodigal doesn't deserve grace. (Who does?)

Wallace and Lana have their own stuff they're dealing with. Lana has been so unhappy.

Find out what's going on with Jessie and her husband. Margaret. Beatrice. Louise.

Oh to be treasured by friends!

This was beautiful!

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Life continues in Hope Springs. The ladies have to face that one of their own will leave Hope Springs. Is this how the author decides to close the series. Can the group maintain their close friendship without her? Change is a fact of life and nothing stays the same no matter how much you want it to. A good read.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

So far, this is my favorite book in the Hope Springs series. With each book, my attachment to the characters has deepened and my concern for the issues that face their lives has grown. This book, as is the series, is a great testament to the value of friendships.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The third in the Hope Springs series, I am enjoying this series because the problems dealt with seem realistic and I enjoy working through them with the characters. I especially appreciate the spiritual side of the discussions.

[Barbara Melosh · Rating 2 out of 5]

Promising set-up, drama of everyday life in small-town congregation led by woman pastor. But writing rarely gets off the ground…characters are static, dialogue stilted, and most of the action takes place off stage (reported rather than dramatized).

[Natalie548 · Rating 1 out of 5]

I liked the first 2 books, liked the characters. I did not like this book at all, and it wasn't just one thing. I got bored with Jessie and her vacation, bored with Lana, bored with Charlotte. So in summation, I was bored by this book. Not sure if I will read the remaining books in the series.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I have read the other books connected to this one and I had no trouble remembering the characters and their stories.

[Tama]

I enjoyed "The Things I Know Best" by Lynne Hinton, so I thought I would try another by her.

Well shoot - can't start this one yet, it's part of a series, have to read them in order!

[Colleen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ack! So sweet and sappy it would kill you! Gag me!

[Danny L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought it was a nice book. The author kept my attention with all that was going on. I kept wanting to come back to it.

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's good to read about real life struggles in a church family - and to have a chance to consider reactions and possible solutions.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A heartwarming story of friendship, God's love, & forgiveness.