Room for Hope is the kind of book that I love to read, review and
recommend. It’s a beautifully-written
story about finding hope in the middle of heartache, and redemption and forgiveness
in the face of anger. While I love to read a good Christian romance, sometimes
I like something a little different. Room for Hope is one of those books that
really gives you pause and makes you think about things a different way. What if you were faced with repercussions
from someone else’s sin? Could you find
the power to move on and forgive the person who never even asked for your
forgiveness? That’s the situation that
faces Neva Shilling in this book.
Neva and her two children, twins
Bud and Belle, live in Buffalo Creek, Kansas, during the Great Depression. They run a general store there while her
husband, Warren, travels around selling goods from his wagon. He returns home to them about once a month to
restock the store and spend time with his family. One night while awaiting his return, the family
hears a wagon pull up outside. They rush
out, thinking Warren is home, only to find a sheriff’s deputy hauling a
wagonload of furniture and three strange children. Deputy Jesse Caudel informs Neva that her “brother,”
Warren Shilling, and his wife have passed away and asked that their children,
Charley, Cassie and Adeline, be sent to “Aunt Neva” to care for them. Neva is shocked, and shattered. Since Neva herself grew up in an orphanage,
she’s determined not to send the children to the same fate. But keeping them turns out to be harder than
she ever imagined. Bud is resentful of
his new siblings, and Neva cannot find any affection for them. When the whole town turns against them, Neva
fears losing her livelihood in Buffalo Creek, and must decide whether it’s time
to move away. But one man wants to
convince her to stay. Can Neva, Bud and
Charley find forgiveness and learn to trust again? Is there room for hope in the midst of their
despair?
Room for Hope is one of my favorite reads so far this year. Kim Vogel Sawyer writes wonderfully
unexpected, yet believable characters. I
love how she used unusual situations to point out grace and forgiveness. Warren Shilling created a terrible mess in
his lifetime, that others were forced to deal with after his death. But instead of allowing bitterness to fester
in her spirit, Neva chose to let go of the past, and move forward. Through her kindness and generosity, others
in Buffalo Creek experienced heart changes as well. She demonstrates that forgiveness is a choice,
and choosing it can change everything. I
hope to see more of these characters in future books.
Why it’s a must-read:
This book conveys such a
wonderful message. Sometimes things
happen to us in life that we are not responsible for, but we still must suffer
the consequences. How we choose to deal
with these situations, and how we let them affect us makes all the
difference. I doubt many of us will face
the issue of a husband with a secret, second family, but we will inevitably
encounter difficulties that we would not choose for ourselves. Room
for Hope is a great reminder that God is there with us and for us, to
provide the strength to find forgiveness, love and even, hope for the future.
Happy Reading!
Lyndsie
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for
this review. All opinions are my
own.
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