What happens when the boy she loved to hate becomes the man she hates to love?
The 1920s are drawing to a close, and feisty Katie O'Connor is the epitome of the new woman--smart and sassy with goals for her future that include the perfect husband and a challenging career in law. Her boyfriend Jack fits all of her criteria for a husband--good-looking, well-connected, wealthy, and eating out of her hand. But when she is forced to spend the summer of 1929 with Luke McGee, the bane of her childhood existence, Katie comes face-to-face with a choice. Will she follow her well-laid plans to marry Jack? Or will she fall for the man she swore to despise forever?
Endorsements
"Lessman writes my favorite kind of book: the kind I can't put down--a book that has a heroine with unforgettable spunk, a romance with undeniable sparks, and a family that will remain in your heart long after you turn the last page."--Siri Mitchell, author of She Walks in Beauty
"Captivating characters, richly drawn, along with riveting and thought-provoking scenes--A Hope Undaunted will leave you breathless with anticipation. Julie Lessman has written a novel that resonates throughout with constant reminders of God's unconditional love."--Maggie Brendan, author of Heart of the West series
"Julie Lessman's passionate prose grabs your heart and doesn't let go! With deft plotting and sparkling, true-to-life characters, A Hope Undaunted delivers an emotionally intense, spiritually satisfying read that you will not forget. Truly a book destined for your keeper shelf!"--Laura Frantz, author of The Frontiersman's Daughter and Courting Morrow Little
"Julie Lessman has done it again! She has crafted yet another passionate romance with characters that touch every emotion. If you're looking for an awesome writer and a story charged with romance, you don't want to miss A Hope Undaunted."--Judith Miller, author of Somewhere to Belong, Daughters of Amana series
"I have been waiting feverishly for the next Julia Lessman book. I love her work, and this may be the best book yet. A Hope Undaunted contains a powerful message, wisdom, romance, and fun, all in one book."--Mary Connealy, author of Doctor in Petticoats and Wrangler in Petticoats
"A Hope Undaunted is everything I knew it would be. Ms. Lessman's exquisite talent for expressing the deep passions, joys, and torments of the soul will not only endear you to her characters but will keep you up late at night reading until the end. This book has it all. Another winner for Julie Lessman!"--MaryLu Tyndall, author of Surrender the Heart
Here is my review of this incredible novel:
First of all, I would like to extend a heartfelt “Thank you” to Julie Lessman and her publisher for sending me a copy of "A Hope Undaunted" to review for them. I am truly grateful for this generosity. I really appreciate the time, effort and expense it takes to make a reviewer copy available to me.
“A Hope Undaunted” by Julie Lessman is the first installment in the Wings of Change series. You may recall Katie O’Connor from Julie’s previous novels. Well, she is now grown up and dating an unsavory character. But, when a childhood nemesis of hers returns to the O’Connor household, will Katie stay true to her current beau or fall for the grown up Luke “Cluny” McGee?
Julie Lessman builds a story in such a way that you cannot put the book down! From the very first page, you will be invested in Katie’s story whether or not you are familiar with her from the other novels. Julie’s characters are colorful and rich. Her dialogue is so real that you can imagine hearing it in your own home. Her plot is intricate and precise and beautifully detailed. This series promises to be a new favorite of mine. I will be recommending this to all of my “book buddies”.
The 1920s are drawing to a close, and feisty Katie O'Connor is the epitome of the new woman--smart and sassy with goals for her future that include the perfect husband and a challenging career in law. Her boyfriend Jack fits all of her criteria for a husband--good-looking, well-connected, wealthy, and eating out of her hand. But when she is forced to spend the summer of 1929 with Luke McGee, the bane of her childhood existence, Katie comes face-to-face with a choice. Will she follow her well-laid plans to marry Jack? Or will she fall for the man she swore to despise forever?
Endorsements
"Lessman writes my favorite kind of book: the kind I can't put down--a book that has a heroine with unforgettable spunk, a romance with undeniable sparks, and a family that will remain in your heart long after you turn the last page."--Siri Mitchell, author of She Walks in Beauty
"Captivating characters, richly drawn, along with riveting and thought-provoking scenes--A Hope Undaunted will leave you breathless with anticipation. Julie Lessman has written a novel that resonates throughout with constant reminders of God's unconditional love."--Maggie Brendan, author of Heart of the West series
"Julie Lessman's passionate prose grabs your heart and doesn't let go! With deft plotting and sparkling, true-to-life characters, A Hope Undaunted delivers an emotionally intense, spiritually satisfying read that you will not forget. Truly a book destined for your keeper shelf!"--Laura Frantz, author of The Frontiersman's Daughter and Courting Morrow Little
"Julie Lessman has done it again! She has crafted yet another passionate romance with characters that touch every emotion. If you're looking for an awesome writer and a story charged with romance, you don't want to miss A Hope Undaunted."--Judith Miller, author of Somewhere to Belong, Daughters of Amana series
"I have been waiting feverishly for the next Julia Lessman book. I love her work, and this may be the best book yet. A Hope Undaunted contains a powerful message, wisdom, romance, and fun, all in one book."--Mary Connealy, author of Doctor in Petticoats and Wrangler in Petticoats
"A Hope Undaunted is everything I knew it would be. Ms. Lessman's exquisite talent for expressing the deep passions, joys, and torments of the soul will not only endear you to her characters but will keep you up late at night reading until the end. This book has it all. Another winner for Julie Lessman!"--MaryLu Tyndall, author of Surrender the Heart
Here is my review of this incredible novel:
First of all, I would like to extend a heartfelt “Thank you” to Julie Lessman and her publisher for sending me a copy of "A Hope Undaunted" to review for them. I am truly grateful for this generosity. I really appreciate the time, effort and expense it takes to make a reviewer copy available to me.
“A Hope Undaunted” by Julie Lessman is the first installment in the Wings of Change series. You may recall Katie O’Connor from Julie’s previous novels. Well, she is now grown up and dating an unsavory character. But, when a childhood nemesis of hers returns to the O’Connor household, will Katie stay true to her current beau or fall for the grown up Luke “Cluny” McGee?
Julie Lessman builds a story in such a way that you cannot put the book down! From the very first page, you will be invested in Katie’s story whether or not you are familiar with her from the other novels. Julie’s characters are colorful and rich. Her dialogue is so real that you can imagine hearing it in your own home. Her plot is intricate and precise and beautifully detailed. This series promises to be a new favorite of mine. I will be recommending this to all of my “book buddies”.
Comments
I found the characters to be fairly three dimensional and enjoyed the interaction between the two main characters, Katie and Luke - although at times I was surprised by Katie’s sudden abrupt turns. The O’Connor family is true to form in their larger-than-life sort of Irish personalities and entertaining as always.
I posted a more in-depth review of my own at
www.tracysbooknook.com.
-Tracy