What do you think?
Rate this book
Women of the West #2
Julia's Last Hope
Julia Harrigan seems an unlikely candidate to help a town when the local mill closes, but she must find a way. A Woman of the West book.
208 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1990
141 people are currently reading
1333 people want to read
About the author
Janette Oke
347 books3,430 followersJanette Oke is a Canadian author known for her inspirational fiction, often set in a pioneer era and focused on female protagonists. Her debut novel, Love Comes Softly (1979), became the foundation for a successful series, followed by over 75 other novels. The first book in her Canadian West series, When Calls the Heart (1983), inspired the popular television series of the same name.
Born in Champion, Alberta, to farmers Fred and Amy (née Ruggles) Steeves during the Great Depression, Oke went on to graduate from Mountain View Bible College in Didsbury, Alberta, where she met her future husband, Edward Oke, who later became the president of the college. The couple has four children, including a daughter who has collaborated with Janette on several books.
A committed Evangelical Christian, Oke has authored numerous works exploring themes of faith. She has received various accolades for her contributions to Christian fiction, including the 1992 President's Award from the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association and the 1999 CBA Life Impact Award.
Born in Champion, Alberta, to farmers Fred and Amy (née Ruggles) Steeves during the Great Depression, Oke went on to graduate from Mountain View Bible College in Didsbury, Alberta, where she met her future husband, Edward Oke, who later became the president of the college. The couple has four children, including a daughter who has collaborated with Janette on several books.
A committed Evangelical Christian, Oke has authored numerous works exploring themes of faith. She has received various accolades for her contributions to Christian fiction, including the 1992 President's Award from the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association and the 1999 CBA Life Impact Award.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 129 reviews
September 9, 2021
I love Janette Oke's classic books that she wrote so many years ago. I'm intrigued with the way people lived in the late 1800 and early 1900s. My grandparents lived during these years and I enjoy reading these stories because it helps me to feel closer to them. Life was a lot simpler in those days but they did suffer set backs just like we do today. I find these books to be a very refreshing read.
John Harrigan was an overseer at a lumber mill in Calder Springs Canada. He built a fine home for his wife Julie and his twin daughters Felicity and Jennifer. Then unexpectedly he received the bad news that due to a shortage of trees the lumber mill would be closing. The men in town along with John would be losing their jobs with no hope of finding a new job in a town that depended solely on the lumber mill. Some of the families agree to stay and Julie strives to try to turn the town into a tourist attraction. Beautiful mountains graced the horizon around the town, with many nature trails for the tourist to enjoy. The ladies of the town worked hard to make crafts to sell in the abandoned shops in town. Some of the larger homes were opened up as places for the tourist to stay. John and Julie opened their beautiful home as well. Slowly people began to come to Calder Springs for a get away vacation. But soon the church closed and then the school closed. The tourists industry was very slow and the town's people who were left compensated by planting gardens and the men hunted for wild game. Would all of Julie's efforts be enough to keep the town together or would more people eventually leave ?
I would recommend this book to readers of Christian Fiction . It is suitable for family reading and for teenagers.
I borrowed a copy of this book from the Hoopla Library. My review is voluntary . All opinions expressed here are my own.
John Harrigan was an overseer at a lumber mill in Calder Springs Canada. He built a fine home for his wife Julie and his twin daughters Felicity and Jennifer. Then unexpectedly he received the bad news that due to a shortage of trees the lumber mill would be closing. The men in town along with John would be losing their jobs with no hope of finding a new job in a town that depended solely on the lumber mill. Some of the families agree to stay and Julie strives to try to turn the town into a tourist attraction. Beautiful mountains graced the horizon around the town, with many nature trails for the tourist to enjoy. The ladies of the town worked hard to make crafts to sell in the abandoned shops in town. Some of the larger homes were opened up as places for the tourist to stay. John and Julie opened their beautiful home as well. Slowly people began to come to Calder Springs for a get away vacation. But soon the church closed and then the school closed. The tourists industry was very slow and the town's people who were left compensated by planting gardens and the men hunted for wild game. Would all of Julie's efforts be enough to keep the town together or would more people eventually leave ?
I would recommend this book to readers of Christian Fiction . It is suitable for family reading and for teenagers.
I borrowed a copy of this book from the Hoopla Library. My review is voluntary . All opinions expressed here are my own.
June 8, 2016
Though slower paced, Julia's Last Hope was an enjoyable read for me. :)
Set in the early to mid 1900's (I'm guessing), this is a story about a family living in a mountain mining town. Julia Harrigan is living happily in a beautiful house with her husband and twin daughters when something happens that puts them all in a hard situation. The mine has closed, and the town will be abandoned. In an attempt to save the town, Julia and the families that decide to stay try to turn the place into a resort town.
It was kind of fun to see the different people who came to stay at the Harrigan's home. Some were rich and spoiled, some kept big secrets... It was kind of fun. Though some of the people! Ugh, they're terrible! :(
There were good lessons imparted i this book, such as telling your neighbors the gospel message and loving "sinners". :)
I liked Julia. She was a nice character, not perfect, but striving to do right. And her and John were sweet. :) Jennifer and Felicity were fun to read about too, and I liked Constance and Hettie too.
Anyhow, it was a pretty good book all in all! Historical, a tad bit mysterious, faith-filled, and even a little sweet. ;)
my reccomendation: I'm thinking this book is classified as adult, but it's obviously fine for younger ages too (since I read it :P). Maybe 13-15+? Probably the most "mature" theme is that someone who isn't married has a baby and doesn't want (her\him). Then the book is about a married couple and all, too.
Set in the early to mid 1900's (I'm guessing), this is a story about a family living in a mountain mining town. Julia Harrigan is living happily in a beautiful house with her husband and twin daughters when something happens that puts them all in a hard situation. The mine has closed, and the town will be abandoned. In an attempt to save the town, Julia and the families that decide to stay try to turn the place into a resort town.
It was kind of fun to see the different people who came to stay at the Harrigan's home. Some were rich and spoiled, some kept big secrets... It was kind of fun. Though some of the people! Ugh, they're terrible! :(
There were good lessons imparted i this book, such as telling your neighbors the gospel message and loving "sinners". :)
I liked Julia. She was a nice character, not perfect, but striving to do right. And her and John were sweet. :) Jennifer and Felicity were fun to read about too, and I liked Constance and Hettie too.
Anyhow, it was a pretty good book all in all! Historical, a tad bit mysterious, faith-filled, and even a little sweet. ;)
my reccomendation: I'm thinking this book is classified as adult, but it's obviously fine for younger ages too (since I read it :P). Maybe 13-15+? Probably the most "mature" theme is that someone who isn't married has a baby and doesn't want (her\him). Then the book is about a married couple and all, too.
January 24, 2023
I loved this! One of my favourites by Janette Oke :)
March 7, 2017
This didn't keep me interested, as I took very long breaks between reads, and I didn't even really like the ending. This is probably my least favorite Janette Oke book so far.
August 13, 2021
I’m sad to say that this book did not set right with me. It would’ve been a three star read if the ending was not what it was.
My problems with it:
——
• The ending. Read the ending and you’ll know what I mean. There was no reason for it to end that way, and with it ending that way, WHAT WAS THE POINT OF THE BOOK?!
• Julia & John. I didn’t necessarily have a problem with Julia nor John, individually. However, they did not feel like a married couple to me. They didn’t ever strike me as in love or SO caring for one another. It just put me off.
• Jennifer & Felicity’s names. I know this is nit picky, but it bothered throughout the entire book. Jennifer and Felicity just don’t sound like they would be sisters, much less twin sisters. Jennifer makes me think of a city girl who cowers at the mere thought of the country, and Felicity makes me think of a girl who loves horses despite her mother’s attempt at making her a true lady. They just don’t sound like sisters and it distracted and bothered me.
My enjoyment with it:
——
• Jennifer & Felicity’s banter. There were times that I would be laughing so hard that I was wheezing; their arguments were definitely my favorite part of the whole book.
• Julia’s determination. I like how determined Julia is as soon as she learns that the mill is shutting down. She could’ve been down and out and just said “guess we’ll have to move”, but she didn’t want to do that, so she became determined to save her town.
Would I recommend this book?
No. Maybe if you’re just looking for a quick read and don’t care about a good ending or anything, then maybe I would then, but that’s the only scenario in which I would recommend this book.
UPON REREAD:
Updated 2 star rating to 1.5** star rating.
I don’t know what about the ending I hated? Maybe I misread something or.. I don’t know, cause the ending was completely fine. The rest of the book, though, was the most boring thing I’ve ever read. It’s just so stale and boring. Nothing happens, nothing to make me care about these characters, nothing to instill the stakes of all that’s happening in me, nothing. It’s 204 pages of pure nothing, so I just have nothing good to say about it.
My problems with it:
——
• The ending. Read the ending and you’ll know what I mean. There was no reason for it to end that way, and with it ending that way, WHAT WAS THE POINT OF THE BOOK?!
• Julia & John. I didn’t necessarily have a problem with Julia nor John, individually. However, they did not feel like a married couple to me. They didn’t ever strike me as in love or SO caring for one another. It just put me off.
• Jennifer & Felicity’s names. I know this is nit picky, but it bothered throughout the entire book. Jennifer and Felicity just don’t sound like they would be sisters, much less twin sisters. Jennifer makes me think of a city girl who cowers at the mere thought of the country, and Felicity makes me think of a girl who loves horses despite her mother’s attempt at making her a true lady. They just don’t sound like sisters and it distracted and bothered me.
My enjoyment with it:
——
• Jennifer & Felicity’s banter. There were times that I would be laughing so hard that I was wheezing; their arguments were definitely my favorite part of the whole book.
• Julia’s determination. I like how determined Julia is as soon as she learns that the mill is shutting down. She could’ve been down and out and just said “guess we’ll have to move”, but she didn’t want to do that, so she became determined to save her town.
Would I recommend this book?
No. Maybe if you’re just looking for a quick read and don’t care about a good ending or anything, then maybe I would then, but that’s the only scenario in which I would recommend this book.
UPON REREAD:
Updated 2 star rating to 1.5** star rating.
I don’t know what about the ending I hated? Maybe I misread something or.. I don’t know, cause the ending was completely fine. The rest of the book, though, was the most boring thing I’ve ever read. It’s just so stale and boring. Nothing happens, nothing to make me care about these characters, nothing to instill the stakes of all that’s happening in me, nothing. It’s 204 pages of pure nothing, so I just have nothing good to say about it.
May 27, 2020
This series of books is so enjoyable. This is the second in the series, although they are really stand-alone books. They are Christian based.
February 8, 2018
When the timber mill closes in Calder springs, people are worried. The men who worked there don't have a job anymore. Julia has an idea to try and make Calder Springs a resort town. Some people do stay at Calder Springs for a little bit, but their neighbors start moving away. What is going to happen? What are they going to do? Read this fascinating book to find out!
I liked this book a lot!
I liked this book a lot!
March 4, 2019
Trusting God in hard times
Reminds us that we have trying times and are placed in those places for specific reasons. We have to stay close to God and wait for Him to show us what they are and bring us through the trials
Reminds us that we have trying times and are placed in those places for specific reasons. We have to stay close to God and wait for Him to show us what they are and bring us through the trials
March 9, 2016
Another enjoyable historical fiction yarn from this author.
December 20, 2024
I didn’t particularly enjoy this book because circumstances never got better for the Harrigan family – they just kept getting bleaker and bleaker until the resolution on the last two pages. That also frustrated me! All the ways the family struggled could’ve been avoided if John and Julia had one honest conversation with each other early on. (Yes, I do understand that by staying in town the Harrigan family was able to eternally influence friends and neighbors, which I don’t diminish).
I continue to enjoy Janette Oke’s writing but this is not a volume I plan to revisit.
I continue to enjoy Janette Oke’s writing but this is not a volume I plan to revisit.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 17, 2022
This one was so good! It felt like everything was hurriedly ended within the last chapter, but would definitely reread anyway. The family faces so many struggles, but ultimately trusted God to guide them, and he did, in his own ways and time. A great book! Definitely tops the 1st book in Women Of The West for me.
February 27, 2024
Janette oke never misses. I loved this one, the struggle of a pioneer family to stay alive and well was incredibly well done. The women of the west series is definitely my favourite of hers so far, mostly because of the difference in each of the stories.
April 16, 2018
Loved this book so much! Very highly recommend!
April 5, 2024
not my favourite of her books
November 18, 2021
This was a pretty fun book to read. The theme was very unusual, and I have never read anything like it, but I think the author did a good job working it into a story.
The twins’ relationship was so much fun to see blossom, and I couldn’t help but relate to the stern, more mature, and responsible one, aka the boring one. 😄 It was sweet to see that although they were so different, they still truly loved each other very much.
There were a few things like the ending that I believe could have been thought through a little bit more, which is why only three stars. I also thought that one of the situations should not have been included as the author didn’t give it enough room in the book to blossom. It just seemed a bit rushed in general in certain parts.
The twins’ relationship was so much fun to see blossom, and I couldn’t help but relate to the stern, more mature, and responsible one, aka the boring one. 😄 It was sweet to see that although they were so different, they still truly loved each other very much.
There were a few things like the ending that I believe could have been thought through a little bit more, which is why only three stars. I also thought that one of the situations should not have been included as the author didn’t give it enough room in the book to blossom. It just seemed a bit rushed in general in certain parts.
April 19, 2009
Janeete Oke is one of my favorite author's. I am not baptist but I love the religeous elements of her story. It also helps that they are historical fiction, my favorite! I always feel like I am part of her stories. This one was no exception!
June 1, 2009
This is one of my least favorite Janette Oke books because it's rather boring and not written as well as some. But it does have some sweetness.
June 18, 2013
Pleasant, easy reading. Good.
February 3, 2014
While I would not consider this one of Janette Oke's best, it still made a good read, and certianly one that those who love Janette Oke's books would enjoy.
March 25, 2021
This story by Janette Oke is such a sweet, heart-warming story. I enjoyed reading it each night, and I think you will, also, if you
like to read about the time before the internet and tv, when neighbors were Godly and kind to each other, and when
people helped each other when times were difficult.
The town's main source of income shuts down and moves to another city. Most of the residents pack up and move out, leaving
Calder City and turning it into a very quiet, deserted area. The families that stay rely on their God-given talents to create income and
a way to survive from year to year.
This story was fascinating to me, because it has been so long ago that people acted in such a way that showed strength of character,
compassion for their neighbor, and resourcefulness. The ways people pitched in
and helped each other to make ends meet. Julie, the mother, her reason for staying in the town was to
tell people how to be born again, and she did help some of them ask Jesus to save them.
Julia's Last Hope was so nice to read, and I enjoyed being "in" the story, in that time in America that was simpler,
yet more solid and reliable. Not so many empty distractions, like there are today.
The characters are believable, and their worries and concerns are what most people would be
thinking about if they were in that situation, decades ago. Their trust in God's faithfulness to provide all their needs was
a welcome exhortation. The overall attitude of awareness of Jesus and His love permeated the story line.
I recommend this book to anyone, even non-Christians. It will give you a good idea of what life was like when Americans
were still respectable and friendly. Romans 10:8-13; John 3:16-21
like to read about the time before the internet and tv, when neighbors were Godly and kind to each other, and when
people helped each other when times were difficult.
The town's main source of income shuts down and moves to another city. Most of the residents pack up and move out, leaving
Calder City and turning it into a very quiet, deserted area. The families that stay rely on their God-given talents to create income and
a way to survive from year to year.
This story was fascinating to me, because it has been so long ago that people acted in such a way that showed strength of character,
compassion for their neighbor, and resourcefulness. The ways people pitched in
and helped each other to make ends meet. Julie, the mother, her reason for staying in the town was to
tell people how to be born again, and she did help some of them ask Jesus to save them.
Julia's Last Hope was so nice to read, and I enjoyed being "in" the story, in that time in America that was simpler,
yet more solid and reliable. Not so many empty distractions, like there are today.
The characters are believable, and their worries and concerns are what most people would be
thinking about if they were in that situation, decades ago. Their trust in God's faithfulness to provide all their needs was
a welcome exhortation. The overall attitude of awareness of Jesus and His love permeated the story line.
I recommend this book to anyone, even non-Christians. It will give you a good idea of what life was like when Americans
were still respectable and friendly. Romans 10:8-13; John 3:16-21
June 18, 2019
4.5 if there were half stars.
Janette Oke is my favorite author. I loved this book, specifically how it started but I really did not enjoy the ending. It would have been worth it if the book was longer so readers could enjoy a more developed and satisfying ending. The ending screams sequel.
I absolutely loved Jennifer and Felicity. The book started with a balance between the perspectives of Julia, John, and Jennifer and Felicity, which was perfect but after a few chapters, John sort of lost screen time and so did Jennifer and Felicity.
The two daughters were such strong and interesting characters and the book could have been so much stronger if the story was told through their perspective. Their conversations, banter, and just general sisterly talk was so sweet and enjoyable; it would have been enough to carry the story. Now, I'm so disappointed because I would want to know how their lives continued after the events of this book. i.e. careers, marriages, children, did they move back to the west or become city girls? Etc.
Janette Oke's writing style is definitely for me so this was a good read!
Janette Oke is my favorite author. I loved this book, specifically how it started but I really did not enjoy the ending. It would have been worth it if the book was longer so readers could enjoy a more developed and satisfying ending. The ending screams sequel.
I absolutely loved Jennifer and Felicity. The book started with a balance between the perspectives of Julia, John, and Jennifer and Felicity, which was perfect but after a few chapters, John sort of lost screen time and so did Jennifer and Felicity.
The two daughters were such strong and interesting characters and the book could have been so much stronger if the story was told through their perspective. Their conversations, banter, and just general sisterly talk was so sweet and enjoyable; it would have been enough to carry the story. Now, I'm so disappointed because I would want to know how their lives continued after the events of this book. i.e. careers, marriages, children, did they move back to the west or become city girls? Etc.
Janette Oke's writing style is definitely for me so this was a good read!
September 16, 2023
I honestly looked through the whole book for what Julia's Last Hope was, and I honestly didn't see it. But at the baseline, Janette Oke again delivers a message that all of us need to hear. It isn't just the pastor's job to witness, help, or convert others. Quite often as in this book, the church closing may have been the best thing for the individuals in the community. Throughout Julia's faith shines through, but not communicating clearly with her husband about what is important to her was clearly a failing on her part, but at least 2 women came to know Christ because of her witness and work.
January 11, 2021
Julia's Last Hope by Janette Oke
Series: Yes Women of the West #2
Format: Large Print
Stars: 2
Recommend: No
Would Reread: No
I remember readings this book almost 20 years ago and I remember not really liking it then.
I've been having to down size so I thought I would reread it again to see if it got better with age.
It didn't. Its was as sad as I remember it. This is not one of Janette Oke's better books.
I give honest reviews and all my opinions are my own.
For more of my reviews go to Heavenly High Seas Books
https://heavenlyhighseasbooks.blogspo...
Series: Yes Women of the West #2
Format: Large Print
Stars: 2
Recommend: No
Would Reread: No
I remember readings this book almost 20 years ago and I remember not really liking it then.
I've been having to down size so I thought I would reread it again to see if it got better with age.
It didn't. Its was as sad as I remember it. This is not one of Janette Oke's better books.
I give honest reviews and all my opinions are my own.
For more of my reviews go to Heavenly High Seas Books
https://heavenlyhighseasbooks.blogspo...
June 17, 2023
Sometimes you luck out with random choices you pick up on the fly, but this wasn't one of those times. The storyline, of Julia trying to keep her home and the town going after the lumber mill closes down was a little to "folksy" for my taste. I don't even know if Hallmark would attempt this without having to issue warnings of possible "suger" overload to its' viewers.
There were undertones bordering on the story "Gift of the Magi" and a story taking place where women are under a mans thumb and cannot make any decisions on their own.
Enough said, read at your own risk.
There were undertones bordering on the story "Gift of the Magi" and a story taking place where women are under a mans thumb and cannot make any decisions on their own.
Enough said, read at your own risk.
September 2, 2024
I liked this book, but not as well as other classic Janette Oke books. I'm always fascinated by how people lived in the time-periods she writes about (late 1800's-early 1900's) and this book showcased how towns became ghost towns the second an industry (in this case lumber industry) shuts down and moves on to different areas. I've never thought about how that affected the people who live in those towns-- they had not choice but to rely on God and it was their faith and resourcefulness that got them through.
January 31, 2025
This story kind of reminds me of the tale about the husband and wife who were poor but trying to but each other a Christmas gift. She cut her hair and sold it to buy him a new chain for his pocket watch and he sold his pocket watch to buy her a really nice comb for her hair.
I wanted a different ending. I wanted everything to work out and Julia to be able to save her home. Unfortunately, it didn’t happen. That’s not how Janette Oke wrote it, but I was actually more satisfied with the way she tied things up than I thought I would be.
I wanted a different ending. I wanted everything to work out and Julia to be able to save her home. Unfortunately, it didn’t happen. That’s not how Janette Oke wrote it, but I was actually more satisfied with the way she tied things up than I thought I would be.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 12, 2019
This is the third book in this series that I’ve read and the only one I’ve liked. It was a nice change to read about hardships that a family faces together. The heroine was a strong woman but not in a feminist way.
April 17, 2020
Sweet quick read - story of a woman’s desire to save her town and home after the lumber mill that her husband and all the town’s men work at closes down. Her faith in God brings her through many challenges.
February 25, 2021
A wonderful book about facing adversity through out life and holding fast to faith in God. After many years in a small town with many friends, Julia must make changes when the wood mill closes and her husband looses his job.
February 26, 2022
Just a quiet, family drama novel. Nothing spectacular about this story but it does show how the main characters and supporting characters accept God in their own time which gives them the faith and strength to take their next steps in their lives.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 129 reviews