Book Blurb:
An Appalachian Girl Seeks a Place to Belong
Return to the mountains of 1910s Appalachia with beloved author Pepper Basham to discover Kizzie McAdams's story.
Kizzie McAdams spent her childhood longing to see beyond the mountains of home, but when her job as a servant in a landowner’s house results in an unplanned pregnancy, her world tips into uncertainty and heartbreak. Disowned by her father, she seeks comfort in the arms of the man who promises to take care of her, but his support is conditional and inconsistent. She finds acceptance in the home of a nearby family who not only offer Kizzie friendship but point her to a deeper understanding of God’s love.
Despite her change of heart, her status as a social outcast brings with it continued threats and alienation so she flees her past in hopes of starting over in a nearby town. But her new world carries many of the same prejudices as the old. It also brings the unexpected friendship of businessman Noah Lewis, a man who lives with the same desire as Kizzie for helping the marginalized.
Unfortunately, Kizzie and Noah’s attempts to help those in need pit them against Noah’s elder brother, a powerful mill owner who holds control of the family finances. Is Kizzie and Noah’s growing romance strong enough to battle family power, social expectations, and Kizzie’s past to capture their happy ending? And when Kizzie’s first love returns to claim her, which future will she choose?
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
A beautifully written and moving story of God’s turning ashes into beauty when we confess and turn to him.
The story of Kizzie and Noah spoke to me. Kizzie McAdams turned to God after being cast from her family for becoming pregnant out of wedlock. A single mom alone with her newborn and ostracized from her family and community, Kizzie meets godly people on her way who inspire her to seek Him and confess her past. Noah Lewis is a hardworking mill owner, but as the second son, he has to bow to his tyrannical older brother while fighting for the rights of his workers. He is determined to care for the people who work for them and fight to keep their family company running despite the losses they are taking.
One blizzardy day, Kizzie and Noah cross paths as she helps him after his carriage overturns. He admires her spunk and resilience; she sees his kindness and strength. Despite their class differences, they forge a friendship of mutual respect, which deepens into something more.
As forces press in on them—social expectations, their pasts, and an uncertain future—Kizzie and Noah discover that with God’s grace, the future will be bright and filled with hope.
Hope Like Wildflowers by Pepper Basham is a poignantly written story of forgiveness, redemption, and enduring love. I love how Kizzie and Noah’s respect and friendship blossoms into more. Noah sees beyond her stained past to her business smarts and compassion. Kizzie learns that though he is wealthy, he is humble and gentle but strong when it counts.
Request Hope Like Wildflowers at your local library, preorder it at most retailers, or find it for sale on Amazon.
While you can read Hope Like Wildflowers as a stand-alone book, it is most rewarding to read it after reading the first two.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Comments