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28 of 30 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Absolutely Fantastic!, August 30, 2010
This review is from: A Hope Undaunted: A Novel (Winds of Change) (Paperback)
Yes, it's official, with this book Julie Lessman's books have ALL earned permanent spots on my keeper shelf. Not only does A Hope Undaunted have the passion and strong Christian message that are Ms. Lessman's trademarks but it also has some terrific plot twists! I can usually predict how a story is going to end, especially romances since I've read so many, but there were some curveballs in this I wasn't expecting at all! If you've come to love the O'Connor family as much as I have through her Daughters of Boston series you will love all the interactions between the family members that are included throughout this book including the introduction of some new characters like little Gabriella aka Gabe who will really worm her way into your heart. We are reunited with Cluny who we met briefly in A Passion Denied as a little boy who is now all grown up but still giving Katie, the youngest O'Connot fits. Luke is sure to make all the ladies who read this sigh. What a hunk! I loved this book and I'm sure you will too. It can be read as a stand alone but I highly recommend reading the entire Daughters of Boston series first so you can get to know the entire O'Connor clan a little bit better!
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13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Julie Lessman's books are the best!, September 25, 2010
This review is from: A Hope Undaunted: A Novel (Winds of Change) (Paperback)
Once again, Julie Lessman has written a book with so many twists and turns, I couldn't stop reading! My favorite part is how she draws you closer to God - we need to have PASSION for God - not just the man in our life. I love how Katie questioned her faith and worked it out herself - she didn't just believe b/c her parents did...this is so much better than just reading a romance novel that sweeps you away for a few hours - it truly is a book that caused me to look at how I treat my husband and children - am I being a godly wife and a godly example to my 3 girls of what true, unconditional LOVE really is? please keep writing Julie - I just wish I had another book to read, although it's probably good I don't have one right now - I get nothing else done when I have one of her books in my hands! My daughter is the one who got me hooked on these great books - my husband laughed the one night when he realized that my daughter and I were both reading the same book! and yes, I bought 2 books, cuz I couldn't wait until my daughter was done reading hers to start my own!! Revell really needs to consider publishing her books faster!! I'm telling you, the reader would buy them!! Nov 2010
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Got the ending I wanted, but didn't like how I got it!, January 4, 2011
This review is from: A Hope Undaunted: A Novel (Winds of Change) (Paperback)
I really wanted to give this a 3.5 stars, but could only choose 3. It definitely kept me reading, but I found myself very frustrated @ times. Katie, as you've read in other reviews was a little spoiled, but that didn't bother me. She just needed to do a little growing up. There were also times that her dad seemed fine, but others when he seemed very hard and very judgemental w/ no mercy whatsoever. I know it was a Christian book, but I also felt frustrated that Luke was willing to be such a martyr when it came to love and marriage! This is no way to handle a lifelong commitment as serious as marriage. Sex was handled w/ discretion in this book. However, it really bothered me how quickly Luke was willing to move on in this area when it seemed he wouldn't get who he wanted, especially when he kept being given an out if he wanted it. I found myself not liking him so much in that moment! Especially when Betty, whom I liked for the most part, tries again and again to let him out of the situation they find themselves in. I don't want to give too much of the story away. Betty is a long-time friend from his past that is very much a part of the book, and you do find yourself pulling for her, but I just didn't like how Lessman handled what happend to her and then her relationship afterwards w/ Luke. I guessed what would eventually happen in this situation, but would have like it much better if I had been wrong and Lessman had handled this differently. Then I was frustrated w/ Katie and Parker, and how they moved on. I guess I eventually got the ending that I wanted, but I really didn't like how I got it. I finished the book feeling frustrated rather than satisfied. I also was very bothered by the situation w/ Collin, Faith and Evelyn. I for one would not have been nearly as understanding as she was in this situation. She trusted him completely, but yet he did not trust her w/ the truth @ all until he had to. When he finally made his revelation, I didn't understand that a situation of this gravity was resolved so quickly considering all that he had kept from her during their subplot. It would not have been resolved nearly so quickly in my house! It was a good read, and I do recommend it. I may even go back and read some of the other books about the O'Connors. I know life doesn't always work out perfectly, but I think she could have worked things out in a better way that left the reader more satisfied @ the end. I did think for the most part her characters were real and had real emotions. That I appreciated. I was even convicted a time or two, which was really a good thing too. Okay, I think I've gotten out most of my frustrations. It was still a pretty good read, and ultimately, I recommend it.
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