In My Opinion…
While The Hope of Azure Springs pulled me in from the first page, the story tended to get bogged down in places. There is a lot to learn about Em. The young woman has lived a difficult life and experienced heart-wrenching loss.
Throughout the book, Em is focused on finding Lucy—the sister she hasn’t seen in seven years—but it almost takes too long to get to the actual search.
There are many pieces to this story that sometimes felt disjointed to me. And let’s talk about how aggravated Caleb made me at the social (good thing he redeemed himself quickly).
Em didn’t quite get the ending I was hoping for, but Rachel Fordham made certain everything came full circle.
A solid debut by Fordham with a heroine you can’t help but root for. As a lover of stories, Em deserves a fairy tale ending.
Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
About the Book
Seven years ago, orphaned and alone, Em finally arrived at a new home in Iowa after riding the orphan train. But secrets from her past haunt her, and her new life in the Western wilderness is a rough one. When her guardian is shot and killed, Em, now nineteen, finally has the chance to search for her long-lost sister, but she won’t be able to do it alone.
For Azure Springs Sheriff Caleb Reynolds, securing justice for the waifish and injured Em is just part of his job. He’s determined to solve every case put before him in order to impress his parents and make a name for himself. Caleb expects to succeed. What he doesn’t expect is the hold this strange young woman will have on his heart.
Debut author Rachel Fordham invites historical romance readers to the charming town of Azure Springs, Iowa, where the people care deeply for one another and, sometimes, even fall in love.
Purchase: Amazon // B&N // Book Depository // CBD // Goodreads
Giveaway
I recently read Kingdom of Ruins by DC Marino and really enjoyed it.
Oh, that’s on my TBR list for this upcoming week. Glad to hear it was good!