There’s no one quite like Hope Ladley. A veritable dandelion in the wind, she blows from one farm to the next, roaming the Texas countryside as an itinerant cook. When she rides her mule, Hattie, onto the Stauffer farm, Hope knows this is the place the Lord wants her to be. Jakob Stauffer, though grateful for a cook to assist his pregnant sister and young daughter through harvest, is baffled by Hope’s unconventional methods as she gets things done around the farm. Yet he can’t deny the way her sunny disposition and unstinting love make changes of a different kind…even within his own heart. When harvest is over, will Hope return to her wandering ways or embrace the dream of forevermore?
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"This was a book that as I browsed through the NEW BOOKS section at the library, it caught my eye. I've been watching way too much TV and thought that it looked pretty good. It was. Think "Cold Mountain" and you'll understand the lingo of the main character Hope. She's got quite a mouth on her...in a good way of course. The story was fast moving and not too preachy at all. Just good. But I wish that there was more romance. Yeah, it's over 350 pages and I don't think that the two main characters noticed each other until about page 289 or so. Yuck! I'd like a little more development of THAT story line thank you very much."
— Christy (4 out of 5 stars)
" I really like this author's style. Fun, light-hearted reading...typical romance. It took me a few chapters to "bond" with the female character, but once I did, I really liked the book "
— Michelle, 1/26/2014" I liked this book and enjoyed the quirkiness of the heroine, the honorable hero and the secondary characters and their stories. My only complaint would be that I enjoy a little more spark and romance between the characters. I don't think the romance began until about 2/3 through and then it was over too fast. "
— Zette, 1/25/2014" Great easy cheerful read with beautiful lighthearted characters - mostly. :0) "
— Anny, 1/22/2014" I really enjoyed this book by Cathy Marie Hake. It is the third book that I've read by this author. It was lively and entertaining with characters that had depth. I look forward to reading another book from her! "
— Brooke, 1/19/2014" Listen to audio of this and reader was so good. Hope gave a broken family the strength and smiles they needed. So enjoyed. "
— Teresa, 1/18/2014" Loved this book. I found myself laughing out loud at some of the funny sayings Hope would come up with. These endeared me to her character. I love her positive attitude and her determination. Read it. "
— Kate, 12/2/2013" Part of the "only in Gooding" series. I loved the heroine Hope. She's illiterate and doesn't speak well but she's the kind of woman who you instantly take to and wish she was your friend. I loved this book! "
— Sherri, 9/26/2013" I had to force myself to finish it, but the price was right (free). "
— Kathy, 9/3/2013" This book was okay. The story was alittle weak but the faith the people in the book shared was inspiring. "
— Jessica, 8/29/2013" Good story, although the protagonist didn't make sense to me. She was an intelligent woman who spoke like an idiot. It irritated me. "
— Brenda, 8/24/2013" Loved it! It's old school book which I couldn't put done. Had humorous parts with hope messing up sayings but good light book to read. Makes you wonder what world would be like if we still lived like that. The characters showed a lot of faith in God. "
— Klsuess2, 8/17/2013" This novel was funny. The character, Hope was like Amelia Bedelia, but actually got stuff done. She endearingly always botches up cliches all the time since she can't read. She is amazing, she is able to get so much done. What a worker. This was a fun book. "
— Kristi, 8/15/2013" A free book I picked up, kindle-for-pc. First I think I've read by this author, easy read and probably predictable like a lot of Christian fiction but that's usually ok with me! "
— Gail, 7/17/2013" At first the character's grammar was getting on my nerves but once you got to know her you really liked her despite her faults. I really loved all the characters and kind of hope that Ms. Hake would have Annie and Phineas and Emmy Lou have their own story. It was a sweet book and read it in one day. "
— Sandy, 4/21/2013" such a fresh, feel good book! i hope the rest of this author's books are as uplifting. i will definitely add this book to my collection. "
— Heidi, 2/18/2013" a little slow and very predictable, but good read. "
— Stacy, 1/10/2013" Free on Kindle, not worth actual paying for. "
— Amanda, 1/7/2013" Not a favorite. It was a good light and fluffy read. The author writes a good story, but there isn't much depth. It's a very predictable story. Great for light reading at the beach. "
— Maid4life, 12/11/2012" Excellent, good humor and believeable characters. "
— Becky, 11/11/2012" This was a sweet Christian fiction. It had great characters and a good setting. The bad guy was taken care of too easily tho and I just could not get over the main character Hopes accent. Oh well. "
— Melissa, 1/24/2012" I tried. I did finish it. "
— Susan, 12/5/2011" I didn't know this was a #2 in a series. You could read it as its own story. I loved the characters, the drama and the comedy all in one. "
— Suzanne, 11/17/2011" Very good. I had trouble putting it down! "
— Abby, 11/7/2011" The character Hope is funny, quirky, and charming, and so makes for a good read. The conflict faced by the family and the resolution of the conflict are annoyingly disappointing and predictable. It almost could ruin the whole thing for a person, but overall the story was a good read. "
— Amanda, 9/28/2011" This book is such a sweet story! From the beginning I was pulled into Hope's crazy antics and sayings and Emmy-Lou's sweet love. The whole family has their unique characteristics that help them band together when trouble hits. This story is a great story and I definitely recommend it! "
— Ariel, 7/29/2011" A simple but fun read. The main character, Hope, was endearing in a sweet backwoods kind of way and I really admired her spunk & faith. It's not a book that I would read over and over, but it wasn't a waste of time either. It was an enjoyable story all in all. "
— Lori, 6/26/2011" This was a fun sweet read. I liked the contrast of the German heritage of the characters to the previous book in this series. I just wish the book had kept going! "
— Emily, 4/29/2011" Forevermore was cute and witty. Hope just had that personality that draws people into trusting her and Jakob was no exception. Do not let the title fool you this was no simple love story! "
— Hannah, 2/10/2011" This was a sweet Christian fiction. It had great characters and a good setting. The bad guy was taken care of too easily tho and I just could not get over the main character Hopes accent. Oh well. "
— Melissa, 1/15/2011" Free on Kindle, not worth actual paying for. "
— Amanda, 1/5/2011" such a fresh, feel good book! i hope the rest of this author's books are as uplifting. i will definitely add this book to my collection. "
— Heidi, 12/31/2010" Free Kindle book. Christian historical fiction. "
— Pamela, 12/6/2010" I had to force myself to finish it, but the price was right (free). "
— Kathy, 9/18/2010" Loved this book. I found myself laughing out loud at some of the funny sayings Hope would come up with. These endeared me to her character. I love her positive attitude and her determination. Read it. "
— Kate, 8/21/2010Cathy Marie Hake is the author of over twenty novels and a registered nurse who worked for many years in an oncology unit. In addition to writing inspirational love stories, Cathy adores classical music, romantic getaways, and Diet Pepsi. She lives with her husband, two children, and two rescue dogs in Anaheim, California.
Brooke Sanford Heldman can be heard as Vicki Byrne in the audio series Left Behind, The Kids, as well as various other audio spots with Left Behind, The Series, Focus on the Family, and WYLL. Brooke trained as an actress with Illinois Wesleyan University, The Audition Studio, Wheaton College, and various Meisner instructors. She is the drama director of Promiseland, the children’s ministry at Willow Creek Community Church.