Hope Springs

Hope Springs #2

by Lynne Hinton

Make friends in Hope Springs

Pull up a chair and discover the strength and sustenance of friendship with Jessie, Margaret, Louise, Beatrice, and Charlotte, as the unique bond forged between these five remarkable women is put to the test when one of their own is stricken with a deadly illness. Filled with the mystery and wonder that make life worthwhile, Hope Springs will lift your spirits and warm your heart.


Originally published under the title "Garden of Faith"

Genres: Fiction, Christian Fiction, Romance, Southern, Novels

225 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 4 out of 5]

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

Each chapter begins with the Hope Springs Community Garden Club Newsletter Bea's Botanical Bits written by Beatrice Witherspoon. Then, followed by a recent account of the personal struggles each of the main characters are experiencing: Nadine Klenner, Margaret Peele, Jessie Jenkins, Charlotte Stewart, Louise Fisher, and Beatrice Witherspoon. 

Nadine's daughter, Brittany, died in a terrible car accident. As a result, Nadine is tormented with guilt and has attempted suicide three times. In her first attempt, she overdoses on wine and sleeping pills. Next, in her second attempt, she slices her wrists.  Finally, in her latest attempt, she steps off a curb and into oncoming traffic and, is struck by a taxi. Consequently, after she recovers from her injuries, she will then be moved to the psychiatric unit at the hospital. Hopefully, Nadine will eventually receive the help she badly needs with dealing with her grief. 

Margaret's doctor discovers a lump in her breast.  Unfortunately, further tests confirm that she has breast cancer. She decides to go ahead with the mastectomy with the possibility of chemotherapy afterwards. 

Jessie is the only African American woman in the group. James Senior, her estranged husband, has recently returned to Hope Springs and back into Jessie's life. Alas, he is becoming restless once again and wants to move to California. Jessie is excited about the idea of moving, but she dislikes the idea of leaving her friends. 

Pastor Charlotte is struggling with her faith in God. She decides to seek help from Marion Gordon, a therapist who specializes in childhood trauma and abuse. 

Louise never married, but she loved her friend Roxie very much. After she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's, Louise took care of her during her final days. Sadly, she is still grieving the loss of her dear friend. 

Beatrice is newly married to her second husband, Dick. She is excited to share her pictures from her honeymoon cruise to all her friends. 

I enjoyed catching up with the ladies of Hope Springs. But, I have to admit the subject matter in this story is more serious than the previous one (i.e. suicide attempt, cancer,...)  Nevertheless, I do look forward to reading the other books in this series. 

[Katy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed returning to the women and their friendships, but the magic dust that made the first book sparkle was oversprinkled on this book. The first book shared its wisdom softly, deftly. Here, the lessons felt shoved down the reader's throat in every chapter. Where did the subtlety go? I appreciated the way the author explored her characters dealing with a cancer diagnosis, the stigma of therapy, and the difficulty of grief and suicide... but this time it felt like it bit off more than it could chew. Still, women are wondrously strong, and that is celebrated in spades.

[Diane McKenzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly enjoyed another book about Hope Springs and such a wonderful title as we all need to feel that there is hope during the daily ins and outs of life as well as when life feels overwhelming due to medical conditions, relationship changes, death, mental issues etc. AND might I add that having friends support you through the ups and downs of life is such a blessing for our characters. Also, must add that Bea's Botanical Bits at the beginning of each chapter were full of knowledge and good for the soul to read.

[Dona R. Gant · Rating 5 out of 5]

The friendship of women

I throughly enjoy this book and look forward to reading her others. The characters are real and authentic as well as the situations current to what we all face in the changing landscape of the world we live in.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was excited to read this sequel to Friendship Cake and find out what happened next in the lives of these five ladies. The beginning of the book seemed to move pretty slowly. A lot if time was spent on Nadine, a minor character from the first book, yet her storyline was one of my favorites. Unlike Friendship Cake, the end of Hope Springs seemed tied up a little more neatly, a bit unbelievably so. Still, I enjoyed revisiting the characters and look forward to getting book #3.

[Pamela Beugnot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet friends on their journey through life. An easy read that can be done anywhere.

[Avid Series Reader · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hope Springs by Lynne Hinton is the second book of the Hope Springs series set in a contemporary small Southern town. Originally published as Garden of Faith, Hope Springs follows the lives of the women introduced in Friendship Cake. They finished the church cookbook, but still enjoy meeting regularly. Beatrice enjoys writing; she pens a Hope Springs Gardening Newsletter. Each chapter of the book starts with a tip from Bea's Botanical Bits.

Nadine periodically suffers from suicidal depression. She's on the brink of release from treatment.
Hope Springs preacher Charlotte is suffering a crisis of faith. Louise mourns the death of her beloved friend Roxie, whom she nursed in the final months. Jessie is coping well on her own, raising her children. When long-gone husband James returns, their reunion is not entirely joyous; he wants Jessie to give up her current life and friends and move with him to Oakland CA. Margaret's life is happy, on an even keel - until a diagnosis of breast cancer. The group rallies around Margaret to support her through treatment; Beatrice inspires them all with her bold action of friendship and love.

[Elaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jessie, Margaret, Louise, Beatrice, Charlotte. These women all share their hearts with one another. You can "feel" their friendship. How they react when one of them tells of her plans to move and another is facing a huge obstacle in her life. Still another is having trouble with faith. A friend of theirs is struggling with the loss of a young loved one. They share the pain and rejoice with one another when rejoicing is called for.

Learning to let go and live is the theme in this second installment of Hope Springs.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Friendship Cake, we were introduced to five women of different ages and races, who were put together to create a cookbook which could be used for fundraising purposes at the church. The ladies develop close friendships and decide to keep meeting. When one of the ladies is diagnosed with breast cancer, the others rally around her to offer support. Will this experience hurt the group or make them stronger?

[Linda T · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is part of a trilogy. I had read the first book some years ago and enjoyed it as best as i could remember. So I was glad to find the other books. Hope springs is second of the trilogy. I was quite disappointed and found it to be very depressing. Have not read the third book yet.
The Wedding Cake which I read later was much better.

[Sarah Sammis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cancer and suicidal thoughts and an extended analogy to gardening.

It's all so wholesomely grim dark. I wanted to lose myself into the characters like I had twice with the first book. I just couldn't. The direction the story was taken was obvious, though, I can say it does manage to pull off a happy-ish ending.

http://pussreboots.com/blog/2023/comm...

[Rosemary · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this because I am OCD when it comes to books and this is the second in a series. I did not love the first one and did not love this one so I am not going to keep reading, but I can see the charm. I was just not able to fall in love with the characters.

[Holly Lazzaro · Rating 3 out of 5]

second in the series from friendship cake. nice continuation of the story of friends going through life and all it throws at you. i found this one to be a little trite, not as meaty as the first, but still good.

[Wanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book not only made me laugh out loud but it also made me cry. This book is a very touching story of just how true friendships can endure life's struggles and disappointments. I would recommend this book as a gift to your best friend.

[Dawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good continuation to the first book, but I thought Friendship Cake was much better.

[Glo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book about friendship.

I loved the entire series and will definitely read them again.

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a good testament to the value of friendship. It further develops the characters that are introduced in Friendship Cake, the first book in the Hope Springs series.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book deals with some heavy issues: depression and suicide, breast cancer, loss of faith. For all of the heaviness, it still is uplifting as the friends deal with each other.

[Martha Savage · Rating 3 out of 5]

not as good as Friendship Cake.

[Elizabeth]

Not great, not bad. Somewhat repetitive in its themes.

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm enjoying following these women and their challenges.

[Natalie548 · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fast read because I liked the characters and didn't want to put the book down.

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lynne under the name of Jackie Lynn, that mysterious woman!

[Holly · Rating 2 out of 5]

I might have liked these better if I'd read the first book of the trilogy - woops!

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story of the bond of friendship these ladies in Hope Springs.

[Barbara]

pretty good book about the power of female friendships