I love this beautiful story of redemption and restoration set in 1895 Texas. It is everything I have come to expect from this gifted storyteller. Beautifully created characters, who touched my heart and moved me to care what happened to them, drive the expertly plotted story. I greatly appreciate the strong faith thread emphasizing the worthiness of every individual since all are created in God’s image and seeking God’s will above our own. A memorable quote: “I’m so glad He sees what we can be instead of what we are.” I also appreciate the role that music plays in the story with lyrics of old hymns that inspire and bring back great memories. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and have added it to my Best Reads of the Year list. I recommend it as a must read for fans of Christian Historical Romance.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley with no obligation to write a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This is a beautifully written book that is full of emotions. It is full of God's grace and forgiveness. Once I started reading it I couldn't put it down. It's a *MUST READ*!!
I received a complimentary copy from WaterBrook & Multnomah via NetGalley and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

This book is about rescue and redemption. Isaiah and Ophelia Overly and their son Ephraim have a rescue ministry. They offer prostitutes a chance at a new life. This book explores that attempt at new lives. It is a very enjoyable book. I received an ARC copy and am leaving a review of my own choice.

Here is the link to the podcast episode that we did about this title!
https://open.spotify.com/episode/3Q2VN8T0EO6fuxJ52s3e9X?si=5b993434647f4ea2

3.5⭐️ I was a bit nervous that this book might be too heavy—I mean we are talking about a redemption story about prostitutes—but Kim Vogel Sawyer handled this sensitive topic beautifully❤️ The reminders of Scripture, God’s forgiveness, and hope in Christ were my favorite parts! I also loved the side story about Lida Holland.

I would have personally loved to have seen the romance bloom a bit more. I’m not talking about kisses or weird noticings 😉 We just get to watch their friendship bloom more from a distance, and the end felt a bit rushed to me. Godly romance that is super sweet and chaste is also beautiful and I love those stories! Ephraim was a fairly well developed character, but Birdie herself felt a bit flat to me.

The gospel is given in the story, but there were a few times where I was surprised at the way the leaders handled the girls… Obviously, they needed to see Christ, but, for example, pushing Birdie to sing for God when she wasn’t yet saved—and they knew it—seemed confusing (both for Birdie in her thoughts and me personally…almost like they were using her). No spoilers, but I also wondered about Olga.

So overall this was an (almost) light story, which seems a bit shocking for the background. Though not my favorite by the author, it had many good points. I probably won’t reread it, but I’m thankful for the good spiritual reminders I found in it!

Content: brothels more in mention than details, prostitution, abandonment,

When I want to read any historical novel, I look for one penned by this author. I know I will be caught up in the storyline, meet wonderful characters and most importantly, be thoroughly entertained without leaving my house.

I love the setting, the history and the sad reality faced by the people of Sourwood Mountain. The message of faith and integrity are woven together perfectly, making this an incredible read. Fans of both historical and Christian fiction will find this book well worth the read.
My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the copy. Opinions are my own.

In The Songbird of Hope Hill Kim Vogel Sawyer weaves an engaging, emotional story highlighting the power of faith in God and love put into action that offers life-changing restoration and new beginnings. The story is set in a Texas town in the late 1800’s where a Pastor and his wife and son have made it their life’s work to rescue women from brothels. The characters are rich and relatable. While Birdie struggles to find faith, Ephraim is learning to see if his faith will stand and make it fully his own. I truly enjoyed this well-written, heartwarming story of the redemptive power of God’s love. Thank you to NetGalley and Revell publishing for the opportunity to read for my honest review.

I'm so glad He (God) sees what we can be instead of what we are. ~Birdie

I've been a fan of Sawyer's books for a long time. I love how she tells stories of redemption, restoration and God making something new from the ashes of broken lives. This was just as good as I anticipated it would be!

I enjoyed getting to know Birdie, who was forced into a lifestyle not of her choosing. The guilt & shame she felt was palatable and connected me to her in a deep way. My heart rejoiced when both she & Olga decided to leave the brothel when preacher Isaiah Overly invited all the girls to a better life at Hope Hill. I was pleased to see how much they changed with tender loving care from Isaiah, his wife & the example of Christ they embodied.

Their son Ephraim followed in their footsteps with a heart for the downtrodden and ministered with his gift of music. He was patient, always kind, helpful and lent a hand in whatever needed done. His treatment of the girls that stayed at Hope Hill was a testament to his genuine character.

There were a few surprising twists & turns that were definitely heart-warming and made the story even better, in my opinion. This is a character driven, faith-filled book that kept me glued to the pages, I had a hard time putting it down! I love the theme of forgiveness (even for oneself), new life in Christ, broken dreams reshaped into something better and, of course, a happy ending for all. Sawyer knows how to pen a great story not only to entertain, but also feed your soul!

* Many thanks to Waterbrook/Multnomah publishers through NetGalley for a copy of this book. I wasn't obligated to write a review & all opinions here are my own. *

The Songbird of Hope Hill by Kim Vogel Sawyer is a story of second chances through faith and forgiveness. Meaningful conversation between Isaiah Overly the preacher “God’s ways aren’t our ways, but—” and Ephraim his son “His ways are always better” was truly the theme throughout this heartfelt fictional historical Christian novel.

The story centers around Birdie who is rescued from a house of ill repute by Pastor Overly. The Pastor along with his wife Ophelia founded Hope Hill, a haven to teach women how to read and write, and other skills necessary to ensure their future will be better than their past. All of the characters within the story have their own struggles, which weave together with Birdie’s as she journeys towards faith. At Hope Hill Birdie upon joining the choir finds that her gift of song was meant for singing praises to God. We also get to witness the most beautiful love story between Ephraim and Birdie as they slowly grow together in faith, friendship, and mutual love.

Sawyer with her masterful prose takes her readers on a journey that will forever resonate that even the most broken can find redemption in the loving embrace of God. She is unmatched in her ability to make the most realistic intricate characters and narrative to draw one’s attention from beginning to end. An impactful inspiring story, The Songbird of Hope Hill, touches one’s heart and will linger for long after the end.

I received a complimentary copy of this outstandingly beautiful book, The Songbird of Hope Hill, from WaterBrook & Multnomah via NetGalley. I was under no obligation to write a favorable review, and all opinions are my own.

The Songbird of Hope Hill is the first book I have read by author Kim Vogel Sawyer. Based on this reading experience, I can easily say that it will not be my last. The historical setting of 1800s Tulsey, Texas was just right for this story of living with purpose and finding one's true place in the world. Faith is not merely an element in this book, it is boldly central to the plot. I enjoyed the musical aspect of the story, and the themes of redemption through Christ vs. redeeming one's self, and that one's past doesn't have to determine one's future served to create a strong link between this historical story and today's world. While I did find certain points to be predictable, overall I enjoyed the book very much and will be seeking out other books by the author.

Thanks go to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Beautiful story. I loved seeing how Christ’s love and grace was presented in multiple characters and their individual circumstances.
The story is told from the perspectives of three characters- Birdie, a young woman who had been forced into prostitution, Ophelia, a reverend’s wife, and Ephraim, the reverend’s son. I thought it was well written and enjoyed insight into each of these main characters. I just wish the relationship between Birdie & Ephraim felt more developed, it felt lacking somehow to me.
I recommend this to anyone who is looking for a good Christian read!

Hope, grace and mercy definitely describe Sawyer's latest novel. Reality is not all happiness and perfect people, but instead what happens to them and how they overcome circumstances, or not. Birdie's life has been a tragic one but her future holds promise after she is rescued and brought to Hope Hill. The characters within are complex but the reader can't help but be drawn to them. I enjoyed this clean, Christian redemptive light romance. I intend to visit more of Sawyer's books as she is a creative storyteller.
Thanks to #NetGalley and Waterbrook and Multnomah publishers for this ARC.

I enjoyed this book and thought the storyline was beautiful. It tells the story of how God rescues and redeems and is always bringing beauty from ashes. Excellent!

The Songbird of Hope Hill, by Kim Vogel Sawyer is a wonderful story of how God forgives us for our past and offers us a new life. This is a well written story that is easy to read and to imagine. This is such an inspirational story to read. I just love the characters for their strength and love for helping others. I felt sorry for Birdie as she long for her remaining family and she worked so hard to get to them. I enjoyed the different tasks the Overly family had to help the women that chose to join their family and how they were able to help so many. 

This is a delightful story to read. I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this story, this is my honest review.

"The Songbird of Hope Hill" is a touching and uplifting novel that shows hope and belief are the possibility of redemption, showing us how love, faith, & forgiveness can bring healing.
I truly enjoyed reading this.
Thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for allowing me to read the eARC.

THE SONGBIRD OF HOPE HILL is everything I look for in a novel. Kim Vogel Sawyer continues to amaze me with her writing. Her characters come to life immediately, and I was invested in their journeys from page one.

The developing romance between Ephraim and Birdie is at once realistic and emotional. As Birdie considers what redemption really means, tears sprang to my eyes. The author does a wonderful job of addressing this theme without ever seeming preachy.

The side characters are also very realistic and entertaining.

Ultimately, this is a heartwarming story about hope.

I will always look forward to the next Kim Vogel Sawyer book.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance e-galley; all opinions are 100% my own.

A beautiful story of family, love, forgiveness, redemption and second chances. As with all of Kim's novels, her latest is heartwarming as expected.

The Songbird of Hope Hill is a heartwarming story set in 1895 Texas. It is .told from the perspective of three characters: Birdie, a young woman without nearby relatives working as a prostitute, Ephraim, a preacher's young adult son and Ophelia, a preacher's wife and Ephraim's mother.


Sawyer addressed the topic of prostitution with sensitivity and a wide variety of emotions and opinions through the POV’s from Birdie, Ephraim, and Ophelia. We are left knowing not one of us is without sin, and there is always grace and forgiveness available.

I appreciated the growth I saw in Birdie throughout the book, especially as she realized she needed to give her heart over to God completely.

It took me a few chapters to get into this book, but once I did, I was all the way in. The author created such a sweet story of redemption, love, and forgiveness, stretching over generations. There were so many emotionally charged moments in this book, but it does a masterful job of creating empathy in the reader. These poor girls who had lost their way and this family that took them in and treated them with dignity was just a lovely look at what it means to be Christ like.

The story between these pages, about forgiveness, redemption, and grace, was beautifully written and delivered.

The topic of prostitution might not be an easy topic for some readers, but the author addressed the struggles experienced in the 1800’s with sensitivity and a wide variety of emotions and opinions through the POV’s from Birdie, Ephraim, and Ophelia.

I enjoyed the growth I saw in Birdie, and how she only was able to completely forgive and move on after she gave her heart to God. Her struggles to overcome her shame were real even though she was taken advantage of when she only asked for help. Her compassionate heart for others and the empathy she showed was what made her a strong, loveable character.

Ophelia was a beautiful character who represented unconditional love tangibly.

Ephraim’s own journey to learn to find God’s will for his life under the shadow of his parents’ ministry also came across strongly. His internal struggles and questions, while trying to respect his parents, was something which made me connect with him so much more and made him feel more real to me.

The focus of this story was about new beginnings and faith in God, though there was also a subtle love story growing in the background.

Birdie is a talented young woman who finds herself in a desperate situation, trapped in a lifestyle she never wanted. So when she get's her chance to escape, she takes it, leaving with Reverend Overly to Hope Hill.

A heartwarming story of healing and forgiveness. Birdie struggles to let go of her tainted past and accept the new life offered to her, as she works with the other women at Hope Hill. Slow building story, but the characters grew on me as I got further in. I loved the solid themes of redemption and new beginnings.

Great relationship building through friendship and more, with a likeable heroine, and a full cast of characters. A little bit of romance, but mostly the story was about Birdie and her new life at Hope Hill, adjusting, and leaving her past behind. Heartwarming and touching.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.