There are so many things I like about reading a Robin Lee Hatcher novel. She always gives us well crafted characters that you will not soon forget. She has a special way of crafted life lessons throughout her story. I believe both Tyler Murphy and Olivia Ward are two of my favorites. Olivia is such a strong women who has been beaten down by life more than once, but she keeps getting up. Tyler is the type of guy you pray your daughter will meet and marry. I found him to be the perfect book boyfriend.
I loved the idea of finding a historical diary, but I found I often was lost in reading when the diary just appears with no introduction or explanation. Even so, I really enjoyed Like The Wind.
I want to thank Thomas Nelson along with NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book. The opinions in this review are my own.

A sweet romance with characters of depth, I enjoyed Like the Wind for how it handled tragedy, grief, renewable relationships, love, and gentle reminders that God is always with you. I liked the interspersed diary entries from the 1930s and how they captured Emma's imagination and sparked a friendship with a retired teacher in her community. I appreciated how Tyler was patient with Olivia and let their love grow, and was determined to work through what could have kept them apart. It is a very satisfying read.

I like Robin Lee Hatchers books. Her storytelling really draws you in.
It’s a dual timeline with journal entries from the Great Depression era, lots of heartbreak and hard lives for most.
Olivia’s daughter comes to live with her after years of no relationship and a journal is found by Emma that’s she can’t put down and this starts the dual timeline of two worlds not so different. Great read, highly recommend. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC for a honest review!

Olivia has started over after a terribly rough divorce and has not had much contact with her daughter Emma since the separation. All of that changes when Emma's father and Olivia's ex-husband is tragically killed. Olivia's life immediately begins to whirlwind around her with regaining physical custody of her daughter, dealing with her daughters thoughts and feelings of unhappiness.

Tyler has moved into the area recently and is starting over in a new location. Tyler begins to investigate Olivia however ends up falling for her as well. This is a cute romance novel that intertwines two different time lines beautifully!

This is a story within a story following a single mother still trying to move on from her painful divorce as she becomes reacquainted with her estranged daughter after tragedy strikes, with the other story told through journal entries by a young married woman living during the Great Depression. This is great book those looking for stories about people struggling with real-life issues without easy solutions. Book is about learning to move on, have hope, working through it, letting people in, and above all relying on your Faith throughout the process.

Like the Wind by Robin Lee Hatcher is a dual timeline story. The historical part is told completely through diary entries, which I really liked. I always know I’m going to enjoy Ms. Hatcher’s stories. She can be counted on to have a wonderful faith thread that’s runs throughout the story and her characters are always likable and easy to root for.

I felt for Olivia and all she had been through because of her ex-husband. The relationship between Olivia and her daughter Emma grew naturally and seemed very realistic. I felt Tyler was the perfect match for Olivia. Normally, a main character keeping a secret would bother me, but in this case I saw why he had to and I was glad it didn’t become a huge issue in the story.

I loved the diary entries and the faith message that was within. My favorite quote from this story is the following:

“I am not alone. No matter how I feel, no matter what storms buffet me, I am not alone. Jesus is in the boat with me. He cares.”

Such a needed, peace inducing reminder! If you’re looking for a sweet romance with a strong faith thread, this is the story for you.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own. The faith thread is medium. 4 stars.

While I love that Robin Lee Hatcher's books are inspirational and have a sweet romantic storyline, here lately they haven't been keeping my attention and it's be a struggle to finish them.

Like the Wind
by Robin Lee Hatcher
Pub Date: November 29, 2022
Thomas Nelson
Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC of this book.
Our readers here, really like the wholesome. well-written stories that Hatcher writes. She is known for her heartwarming and emotionally charged stories of faith, courage, and love. Her numerous awards include the RITA® Award, Christy Award, Carol Award, HOLT Medallion, National Reader’s Choice Award, and the Faith, Hope & Love Reader’s Choice Award, and she is also the recipient of prestigious Lifetime Achievement Awards from both American Christian Fiction Writers and Romance Writers of America®.
This is another good one!
In this latest novel from award-winning author Robin Lee Hatcher, an antique diary, a family-fueled investigation, and unexpected feelings collide to create a promise that’s worth fighting for.
336 pages, Paperback
I really enjoyed reading this one. Fans of Denise Hunter would like this book. 5 stars

This is an interesting read. I was thrown off at first about diary entries thrown in suddenly. I wish I could have learned more about the diary author’s life after her one diary was completed and before she was very old.
The storyline is a good one. We live in a time of broken families and abusive situations. It is a problem that many do not handle in a godly way.
Read about Olivia’s heartbreak and how live unfolds for her.

Olivia Ward came to Bethlehem Springs, ID when her rich ex-husband took custody of their daughter and left her with nothing. She has been gradually making a life for herself over the years but suddenly her daughter is returned to her after her ex-husband is killed in a traffic accident. The girl is unhappy because she had been told her mother didn't want her and she had been in an exclusive boarding school Now she is in a small town with no friends and with a mother she doesn't know well.

Tyler Murphy is an investigator that lives in Bethlehem Springs and was hired to look into Olivia's life on behalf of her ex-husband's estranged father. Tyler falls for Olivia immediately and is then in a quandry because he can't reveal his job to Olivia who is a little gunshy where men are concerned anyway.

This is an enjoyable read with great characters!

I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book that I received from NetGalley. All views expressed are only my own honest I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book that I received from NetGalley. All views expressed are only my own honest opinion.opinion.

I always love a book by Robin Lee Hatcher and this one was really good. it has a duel timeline, the characters are likeable, good book

I usually enjoy dual-time line stories, but I thought this one wasn't entirely successful. The earlier story in the timeline didn't seem fully developed. It seemed like it was just a prop to advance the modern-day story, and not a story in its own right.

Olivia had endured a difficult marriage with a controlling husband. Her husband won custody of their daughter even though he really didn't want it. He did is as punishment for Olivia leaving a bad marriage. Daniel, Olivia's Ex-husband, dies unexpectedly and Olivia gains custody of her daughter after his death. Unfortunately, Daniel left nothing for their daughter, Emma. In the interim between gaining custody and the present, Daniel has fed Emma lies about her mother and Emma does not feel she is wanted by her mother. They learn to bond again as they spend more time with other. There is a love interest for Olivia who has come into her life due to concerns for her daughter. Olivia not only gets her biggest wish, she also finds someone who will love and respect her.

As a bonus, there is a secondary story that shows the ups and downs of marriage. It shows how if both parties are willing to work for the marriage, you can overcome the struggles and obstacles. This is an uplifting story that you will really enjoy.

Robin Lee Hatcher is an excellent Christian author, and she has written yet anther excellent book. "Like the Wind" centers on Olivia, a woman whose ex-husband has cruelly taken her little girl from her. After his unfortunate death, the little girl (now a teenager) comes to live with Olivia, and she has to figure out how to rebuild their relationship. Not only is she growing that relationship, but another man, Tyler, is expressing interest in her. She has to decide if these relationships are worth risking her heart again.

I appreciate Hatcher's ability to weave faith into the storyline without becoming "preachy." This was a cute, sweet read and I really enjoyed it! Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

I never hesitate to recommend a book by Robin Lee Hatcher, mainly because my heart is usually involved as soon as the first page. This time, it is the plight of Olivia Ward that touches me. She returns to her hometown after a devastating divorce where she lost custody of her nine-year old daughter, Emma to her wealthy, powerful husband, Daniel. He even admits it’s not because he wants to spend more time with Emma, which is evidenced by shipping her off to an exclusive boarding school in another state. He admitted his motivation to take Emma away is to hurt Olivia. He is quite successful in that endeavor.

Six years go by, and Olivia has somewhat put her life back together. She started a web design business, however, she keeps pretty much to herself, although she has a few friends, and occasionally attends church. She’s not had much contact with Emma and few visits over the years. Emma has got caught up in her fancy boarding school, wealthy friends and the privileged lifestyle provided by her father. What a shock to both Olivia and Emma that Daniel is killed in an automobile accident, leaving no provision for Emma.

As expected, Olivia brings Emma back to the small town in Idaho where she lives. Emma is angry about just about everything and not only is there a wall between mother and daughter, but they also feel like strangers.

In between the struggles facing Olivia and Emma, there is a diary that is written beginning in 1931 by a young bride of 20 years old who is married with 2 young children. The pages of this diary appear between some of the chapters, which at first seemed unusual, with no explanation. Eventually through unusual circumstances, the actual diary that is now nearly 100 years old falls into the hands of Emma. The struggles written about in the diary are real and chronicles the writer life over a period of years. This look inside of another’s life all those years ago cause an unexpected change in Emma.

I read this beautifully written, captivating story straight through all-in-one day because I simply could not put it down. The characters are strong, there are secrets that come to light, a bit of romance, and there is a message of hope. Through the ups and down we all encounter, it is apparent that God truly does care about every aspect of our lives.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Publishing. All comments and opinions are my own.

LIKE THE WIND by ROBIN LEE HATCHER is a time split novel in which Millie in the 1930’s, and Olivia Ward and her formerly estranged daughter Emma in present time, are asking the age old question, “God do You really care about me and what I am going through?” Millie’s old journal, in which she has written down her feelings and prayers, really speaks to Emma in her situation.
When Olivia’s controlling ex husband Daniel dies in a car crash leaving Emma destitute, Olivia’s dream of having her fifteen year old daughter back in her life is brought to pass, but not without tension, due to the lies Daniel has told Emma about her mother not wanting her. Things change for the better when Emma, who is passionate about acting, is invited to join the Bethlehem Springs Mountain Theater group and makes some friends, who also attend Cornerstone church.
Tyler Murphy, who went from one bad foster home to another, works as an investigator for a law firm where he looks into situations where children could end up being abused, or who are already being abused. Peter Ward, Daniel’s father, employs Tyler to find our all about Olivia to see if she is the unfit mother his son made her out to be…….
This is a story about rejection, family dynamics and hardship, where the characters come to see that Christ is our only security, and, as we see in Mark chapter four, He is in the boat with us as we cross to the other side.
I really enjoyed Like the Wind for the relevant scriptures on which the story is based and the way the author takes us into the very real emotions of her unforgettable characters. I cannot recommend the book highly enough.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Thomas Nelson. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

I've read Robin Lee Hatcher books for a long time. I worked in a used book store for fifteen years where I was first introduced to her secular writings. She's always had a way with words, and now, she has worked faith into her stories seamlessly.

Olivia has moved to Bethlehem Springs, Idaho, after a rather bitter divorce in which her ex-husband used his wealth and power to wrest custody of their daughter from her. Now he is dead and he has left no resources for their daughter, Emma. Olivia has had to go to Florida and bring Emma back to Idaho. Emma hates Olivia, hates her circumstances, hates the small town life, hates being away from her friends (who turn out to be fair-weather friends), and hates her life, in general. Part of the issue is that her father poisoned her mind against her mother and mislead her about her mother's feelings toward her. The one thing she did find palatable in Bethlehem Springs is the theater group.

Tyler Murphy has been hired to investigate Olivia and Emma for Emma's paternal grandfather. Tyler doesn't anticipate falling for the woman he's been scoping out. He is involved in the theater company as a technician, so he had a front row seat to the dynamic between Olivia and Emma.

One of the driving factors in this novel is a diary written by a local woman in the 1930s during the height of the Great Depression. It also held the key to the reparation of Olivia's and Emma's relationship.

I've read a very similar stories using a diary to describe what life was like in another period of history. It seems that when a plot device is new, every author starts using it and then it becomes a trope. It makes the story predictable and to a certain degree less enjoyable because of the predictability. While Robin did an admirable job using the diary, it wasn't until deep into the novel the reason for the diary being included was explained. The use of the boy meets girl, boy gets girl, boy loses girl, boy gets girl back formula was another factor in the predictability of the story. I still appreciate Robin's writings and will probably still pick up her books when they are offered. Four Stars.

Thomas Nelson Fiction provided the copy I read for this review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.

A sweet and gentle story about two mature people falling in love is interwoven with the diary of a young woman and her family struggling through the Great Depression in “Like the Wind”, by Robin Lee Hatcher (Thomas Nelson).
What I really liked about this book is the very tentative and slow process of the main characters, Tyler and Olivia, falling in love. Both their backstories are fascinating and add to the progress, nuances and restraint in their involvement.
Tyler could be a hero tortured by his past, but no, he’s steady and tranquil, even if sometimes sad memories and guilt haunt him. I liked that he’s solid, yet also a little bit broken.
Olivia’s emotional and psychological scars are of another kind, yet heartbreaking. She’s such a strong woman despite everything she went through.
The relationship between Olivia and Emma is also engrossing, full of reserve and wariness (from the teen) in the beginning. The mother’s pain is palpable.
The author’s religious beliefs and faith play an important role in both the past and present stories.
I liked how the story of Millie and Harry and their family’s struggles during the Great Depression connected to the contemporary characters through Emma’s motivation.
I thought Tyler took too much time telling Olivia the truth and was a bit indulgent about it.
There’s a small town atmosphere and a tight-knit community feeling in the mountain town of Bethlehem Springs that are appealing.

Like the Wind was a sweet novel about the rekindling of a mother/daughter relationship. Emma moved to Florida with her dad after her parents’ divorced. After having an estranged relationship with her mom for years, Emma is forced to live with her after her dad dies suddenly. Emma learns to love and trust again through the people of Bethlehem Springs and a 100 year old journal that she found and read. A little slower paced at times, but overall it was good.

Like the Wind by Robin Lee Hatcher is a stunning, beautiful read. I enjoyed the book with likeable characters and a great story! Five stars!