The Hope

A story that will touch your heart

The Hope by Patricia Davids is the second novel in The Amish of Cedar Grove series. The Hope is a sweet story about second chances, hope, love and unexpected surprises. I thought The Hope was well-written and it moved along at a nice steady pace. There was a good flow between Owen and Ruth’s sections. I like that we get to see the situation from a woman and a man’s point-of-view. Ruth Mast is a strong woman who is a widow with two children. Her eldest, Ella has been married two months and is departing on her wedding trip. The couple will then move to Jamesport, Missouri. That leaves Ruth’s seventeen year old son, Faron at home who has wanderlust in his eyes. Owen’s stories about traveling around the country have inspired Faron to make a trip of his own, but he has yet to tell Ruth. Owen Mast became an orphan from a buggy accident as a child. Only himself and his three year old sister, Rebecca survived the accident. They were sent to live with two different relatives. Owen promised Rebecca they would get back together and he has been trying to find her since he became an adult. The Hope is a multifaceted novel. Owen finds little Grace and she clings to him. The child gives odd answers and has evidently had a rough life though it is obvious she had a loving mother. Owen and Ruth take care of Grace while the search for the child’s mother as well as answers. Grace is an endearing little girl who stole the show. I especially loved the scene with Grace and Polkadot, the sheep. It was interesting to learn about Icelandic sheep which Ruth raised on her farm (I am now going to seek out some of their wool). I was surprised that the sheep were not washed prior to shearing them. The story has romance and mystery mixed in with mending broken fences. There are wonderful messages in The Hope. The Hope can be read as a standalone if you have not had the time to read The Wish. I started The Hope and kept reading until I finished it. The ending was just delightful. My favorite line from the story is “…home is where your heart is happy.” The Hope is a captivating story that will tug at your heart.