Book Review: "Where Hope Prevails" by Oke and Logan

Description

Where Hope Prevails (Return to the Canadian West #3)

by Janette Oke and Laurel Oke Logan

Synopsis from Goodreads:

When Beth Thatcher returns to Coal Valley, she has much to be excited about. She anticipates Jarrick's proposal of marriage and perhaps a spring wedding. The mine is expanding, and there are more schoolchildren than ever. 

But the town's rapid growth brings many challenges. A second teacher is assigned, and Beth finds herself going head-to-head with a very different philosophy of education--one that dismisses religion and rejects God. Fearful for the children who sit under the influence of Robert Harris Hughes, Beth struggles to know how to respond. 

At the same time, Beth wonders if Jarrick is considering a position at her father's company simply for her sake. Should she admit her feelings on the matter? Or keep silent and allow Jarrick to make up his own mind?

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Review

Beth returns to Coal Valley planning for a year of teaching and a wedding in the spring. But she doesn’t expect the many changes that have happened while she has been gone all summer. The town has expanded, many trees cut down, and a second teacher hired to accommodate all the new children—a man who does not hold the same beliefs in God and who has moved into her previous home, forcing her to relocate.

Where Hope Prevails is the third and final book in the Return to the Canadian West series by Janette Oke and Laurel Oke Logan. It is a sweet story of growth for Beth, her fiancé, and the many people in her beloved town. Much of the story focuses on Beth as she comes to terms with the changes happening in Coal Valley, especially with the other teacher who she consistently tries to thwart rather than showing him God’s love. The story is rich in historical detail, growing relationships, and sometimes-funny misunderstandings. Beth faces some of her insecurities and learns a little more of what it will mean to be a wife, including facing overbearing in-laws and talking to her partner in a way that is truthful and respectful. Through Beth’s relationship with the other teacher, she struggled with trusting him to teach the children the truth though she believed in God and Creation and he believed in Atheism and Evolution. The most memorable parts of the story truly did focus on the growth of the different characters, and it was very well done.

I enjoyed this book immensely and recommend it to those who love sweet, historical romance.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.