A Hope Undaunted -- Julie Lessman (Winds of Change, #1)

A Hope Undaunted
(Winds of Change, #1)
by Julie Lessman

Revell Publishing

Historical Romance







Back cover synopsis:

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?


What I thought:

Julie's latest release was at the tip-top of my Top 5 Most Anticipated Books for 2010 list.  I simply could not wait to get my hands on her newest 'passionate' creation so I could find out what the O'Connor family has been up to.  They have become like an extension of my own family, whom I love very much.

It was love at first sight *word* in my case.  I fell head-over-heels in love while reading A Passion Most Pure and couldn't read the rest of the series fast enough.  Julie's Daughters of Boston series has carved out their very own spot on my keeper shelf, and it looks like her Winds of Change series will have a spot to call their own as well.  While I can't say A Hope Undaunted is my favorite of Julie's books, A Passion Most Pure still holds that title, I did enjoy reading Katie's story.

As another blogger/reviewer pointed out in her review, Katie's story plays out a little too much like Faith's as far as the love-triangle aspect.  Even though it adds a hold-your-breath facet to the story, another thing I found to be similar was the drama that revolved around the "pillar" that holds the O'Connor family together -- their father, Patrick.  This being said, there were lots of new twists and turns to enjoy while Katie and Jack, along with Luke, find out what God's plans are for their lives.

The O'Connors acquire some new friends, one of which had me in stitches throughout the book -- Gabriella "Gabe" Smith.  She was the 'life of the party' anytime she played a part in Katie's story!  I also enjoyed meeting Allie Moser, who touched my heart with her tragic plight.  I sincerely hope we will be seeing more of her in Sean and Emma's story, A Heart Revealed.  Just from the brief glimpse, I think Allie would make a fabulous match for the youngest O'Connor son, Steven. *hint, hint*  ;)

If you haven't read Julie's Daughters of Boston series -- what are you waiting for?!?!  Get a move on, so you'll be all caught up and ready to start her new series, Winds of Change!

“Available September 2010 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

To find out more about Julie and/or her books, be sure to visit her in the various locations she can be found online:  her website -- blog -- Facebook -- Twitter.

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