I appreciated this story so much. I was engaged right from the start. Pepper Basham writes characters that are so relatable. She isn't afraid to show us real life through them. I like how redemptive this story is especially through Kizzie's eyes. I loved the relationship building and how compassionate the other characters were to Kizzie's plight and how she overcame her circumstances.

Even though this is the third book in a series, I didn't feel lost at all. I think it's alright as a standalone too. I would like to go back and read the series now, though. :-) This is one book that I will probable re-read, it was that good.

Thank you to Netgalley and Barbour Publishing for allowing me to read the e-arc of this book. This is my honest review.

I read this book while driving through the (Canadian) Appalachian Mountains and boy, did that set the atmosphere for the story!
Absolutely loved this book. Such real, raw characters and incredible faith! Honestly I have nothing to say that other reviewers haven't already said. I loved this atmospheric, country redemption story so much. Highly recommend!

Content Notes: This book features an unmarried woman who has a child with a man and stays as his mistress for part of the story. As there are scenes that discuss topics of this nature, I would not recommend to a younger audience.

4.5 stars

Such a beautiful story of love, friendship, belonging, and finding strength to love oneself. This story was beautifully written and made me laugh and cry. I fell in love with the some characters and wanted others to receive so much karma. This was such a sweet and wonderful read! @pepperbasham never disappoints and I love the stories she shares with us. 5 🌟’s!

Kizzie McAdams is a likable character, and I found myself sympathizing with her when she slowly realized that she had an unplanned pregnancy with someone who seemed to care for her more than he really did. Set in the Appalachians in the 1910's, Kizzie' father disowns her. I was so glad when other caring people were introduced., caring for her and showing her God's love. She later meets Noah, who shares her dreams of helping others in need. However, Noah's influential father does not approve of this match. This author is so capable to using historical settings to make it easy to care for the characters and situations that I do not want to miss anything she writes! I highly recommend this book!

Kizzie’s Story is Finally Told!!

Having read Laurel’s Dream and The Heart of the Mountains, I have been waiting to find out what happened to Kizzie McAdams. The story of Pepper Basham’s relative held me captive as this series of Appalachian folk, family life and hardships, culture and beliefs finally unveiled her story.

This book has such a beautiful, redemptive spiritual thread. Kizzie begins to understand that God knew her in all her sin, and yet He still called her by name. He loved her anyway, as He does each of us. As Kizzie begins to believe, she steps into a second chance at life and sees the future God has been waiting to give her.

Hope Like Wildflowers- “Winter pansies. A simple little wildflower and yet, the way it rose toward the light despite the snow and wind captured a part of her doubts and wouldn’t let go. Like. . .hope.”

Along with the exceptional writing, I think this story has the longest and best epilogue I have ever read. That said, this book can be read as a stand alone but don’t do it. Read the whole series and you will understand. You’re welcome.

This book is suitable for teens and older with no inappropriate intimate scenes and no bad language. I received this book from the author/publisher free of charge, with no expectation of a positive review. I also purchased a print copy of this book.

Phenomenal! 'Hope Like Wildflowers' is redemptive 1910s-era novel set in Appalachia. I was blown away by Nella's discipleship of Kizzie in the beginning of this story! It encourages me how to deeply love women I know who are struggling and need God. Thank you, Pepper Basham, for adding these rich Christian elements into your wonderfully written stories!

If you enjoy reading Christian romance novels, then I recommend this book to you! I hadn't yet read the first 2 books in the series and still thoroughly enjoyed this story.

Special thanks to the Publisher, Barbour Publishing, and Net Galley for a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I've loved a lot of Pepper Basham books but wow! Hope Like Wildflowers is amazing and truly shows the heart of God. Kizzie and Noah are such sweet characters who have both had loss in their lives, along with some bad choices that Kizzie made. It was lovely watching her coming into understanding of God's love for her. Noah was such a gentleman and showed Kizzie what real love looked like too.

I heartily recommend Pepper's latest love story... I admit I had a few tears at times, but it was so good!

I read/listened to the audio. Kate Forbes did a wonderful job narrating.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review. All opinions are my own.

Publication date: 1 October 2024

This is my first time reading from this author so I didn’t know what to expect. This book was written so well that I couldn’t put it down. I will be reading from this author again. I highly recommend this book.

A story of redemption in a young girl's life and the wholeness one can find in God and not people. It was slow for me at times, the living in sin out of wedlock a little drawn out, slow paced story.

I enjoyed this one. This was an excellent story of redemption. I really enjoyed this one. The characters were so realistic! I love how this author writes! Definitely a winner in my opinion.

I received a copy of the book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

4.5 stars!

“God tends to do things like that, doesn’t He? Work out life’s tangles into a better plan than we could ever make.”

What a precious book by author, Pepper Basham! Replete with so many loving, forgiving characters—and a few you'd like to throttle, lol . . . this story will fill your heart with joy and hope (like wildflowers), in case yours happens to be running a bit low lately.

Kizzie McAdams is flattered by the attentions of a wealthy landowner, whose opulent home she's a servant in. Thinking he's in love with her, Kizzie gives her all, only to find herself living in shame and carrying a load of guilt. As she runs away to another town, will she find the hope and forgiveness she so desperately longs for in the most unlikely places . . . like wildflowers popping out of the snow-laden turf? Or are people the same everywhere?

'Hope Like Wildflowers' is truly a tender, unforgettable story of a young woman's quest to not only discover love, but self-forgiveness as well. Highly recommend!

*I received a complimentary ARC of this book from Barbour publishing via NetGalley and was not required to write a positive review.*

It’s the early 1900’s. We’re in the Appalachian mountains. It’s gorgeous. But the people aren’t always friendly. And choices you make will haunt you for life.

I love wildflowers. They’re so pretty. They’re so resilient. It seems like they can grow anywhere. I’ve seen dandelions in sidewalk cracks.

This is the third book in a series. While you could read this as a stand-alone novel you should read all of them in order. They’re best that way.

Kizzie has a baby. She doesn’t have a husband. She thought she’d found someone who would love and protect her but he’s not what she thought. So she moves to try to find somewhere easier to live. Without all the stigma and such. But it’s the same everywhere. There is such prejudice against single unwed mothers. I’d like to say that there isn’t anymore in our day and age, but there is.

Enter Noah. He’s got a heart for the downtrodden. He wants to help those who can’t seem to help themselves because of things beyond their control.

It’s a wonderful novel. The characters are amazing and really reach out to you and grab you so that you can’t stop reading. I loved meeting new characters and seeing old ones from the other books.

I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from Celebrate Lit. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.

This was my first book by Pepper Basham and it won’t be the last. I really enjoyed this story. It was simple and low-key yet kept my attention. I appreciated the aspects of redemption that wove into the book. This book left me wanting to hear the next chapter of Kizzie’s story. Highly recommend this sweet story!

I received a copy of this ebook from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was a heartfelt story of one woman's journey to finding herself and the One who loves her more than anything. Kizzie has been abandoned by her father after finding out she is pregnant. Kizzie has also been abandoned by the father of her child, even though he keeps coming around. What she discovers is true friendship with her neighbors who help set her on the road to forgiveness and accepting of herself. When Kizzy realizes, nothing is going to change for her and her son, she decides to set off to a new town and life.

This book seems to be in two parts. The first part, Kizzy growing up in wisdom and grace and the second in her life choices. She meets a man by the name of Noah Lewis who proves time and time again that he is not like the other men in her life, that expect her to be good or just good for them. Their journey to love is also wrought with challenges, however through Kizzy's change of heart towards God, she learns she will never be alone.

The author's notes are very enlightening on this story. Especially since this is loosely based on a true story.

I was provided a copy of this novel from the publisher. I was not required to post a positive review, and all views and opinions are my own.

If you ever want a glimpse of what Appalachia was like back in the day. Pick up a Pepper Basham book. In Hope Like Wildflowers readers are transported back to 1910. We are introduced to Kizzie McAdams.

Kizzie has been working as a servant in a landowner’s house. She finds herself in an unplanned pregnancy situation. She finds herself disowned by her father and the one that promised to love her isn’t following through.

She finds solace in a nearby family and she’s learning to heal, and trust God. The author has done such an amazing job writing in the reminder that no matter what we’ve done God can heal us. He’s got a plan for all of us.

I will admit this book had me teary-eyed several times. I didn’t want to put it down. The book is well written and the storyline is engaging. We met Kizzy in a previous book so it was amazing to hear her story.

Thank you the author, publisher and Celebrate Lit for allowing me to read a copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.

Oh, how I love a heartwarming second chance story! “Hope Like Wildflowers” checks all the boxes, with a gorgeous cover, wonderful characters, and powerful themes of trust, forgiveness, hope, and redemption. Kizzie and Noah are my two favorite characters, although others warmed my heart as well.

I haven’t read the previous book in the series, but didn’t feel lost or like I was missing anything. The Appalachian Mountain setting is wonderful, offering a warmth to this tender, heartwarming story that I’ve grown to expect from Pepper Basham. She’s such a gifted storyteller that brings characters to life and messages of hope and faith that lingers long after I’ve finished the book.

If you enjoy authentic, uplifting stories that show how we are seen from God’s eyes, then don’t miss this one. I can’t wait to go back and read the first book! I’ve no doubt it’ll be as memorable as this one.

First Line: A high-pitched howl split through the shadowed dusk, echoing against the towering pines of the forest.
Series: My Heart Belongs in the Blue Ridge
Genre: Christian Historical Fiction
Author: Pepper Basham
Page Count: 320

#CoverLoverBookReview received a complimentary copy of this book.
Opinions are 100% mine.

Hope Like Wildflowers, the third book in Pepper Basham‘s My Heart Belongs in The Blue Ridge series, is a sweet romance. The characters are real and relatable, and this reader could not help cheering them on towards their HEA! And like others of Basham’s novels, this book does not shy away from showing life in all of its messiness including the follies and flaws of its characters. The overarching message of God’s truth, love, and care shines like a beacon and reminded me yet again how good God is. Main character Kizzie is young and naive and looked for love, attention, and affirmation in the wrong place. Her mistake is costly as she finds herself pregnant and abandoned by her family. This may be shocking to modern readers, but the setting is early 1900s Appalachia, so her circumstances ring true. The first chapters of the book really are heartbreaking, but Kizzie soon discovers what real love looks like. Kizzie is a formidable character — her vulnerability and weakness are strengthened by her faith and hope. Yes, hope is a strong theme in the novel — something unseen but knowable in its certainty. As Kizzie grows in her faith and finds a place of purpose and belonging, she finds that God is a true provider, father, friend, and husband. A hefty dose of suspense kept the pages turning as well.

While Hope Like Wildflowers is a standalone novel, I really want to visit the first two books in the series. My heart yearns for more of that Blue Ridge experience!

Recommended.

Audience: Adults.

Hope like Wildflowers

This book kept my attention throughout the story. I love Kizzie. She was so loving, brave and smart. So many great characters in the story. I love how Kizzie and Noah meet. The story was set in the early 1900’s where they rode on horses and drove carriages. I love stories about this time period. I really enjoyed reading this book.

I received an advanced copy of the book from NetGalley. This book review is my own opinion.

As with most characters created by Pepper Basham, Kizzie quickly became someone I wish I could meet face to face. Kizzie is dogged by past moral failures that resulted in an out-of-wedlock pregnancy, a social taboo in the 1910s. Even worse, Kizzie succumbs repeatedly to the charms of the wealthy Charles Morgan, father of her baby and son of Kizzie's employer. Not only is Kizzie shunned by her family and society, but she also views herself as unredeemable. With guidance from neighbor and treasured friend Nella, Kizzie begins to learn about God's grace and accept the new identity she has as a child of God. But although Kizzie is confident in her newfound identity, societal pressures persist, even in the place she has looked to for a fresh start.

I enjoyed getting to know Kizzie and the other characters. I appreciated that Kizzie accepted responsibility for her own sinful choices, though she was, understandably, placed in a difficult position by a person in a position of power.

I received an ARC through NetGalley. The opinion expressed here is my own.

By focusing on Kizzie MacAdams's life and the events surrounding her redemption, Pepper Basham crafts a lovely narrative. Throughout her story, Kizzie's journey is a powerful reminder of the importance of seeking God's perspective on love, acceptance, and worth in the face of a shameful past and misunderstandings about these virtues. If you or someone you know has ever doubted God or our identity as His creation, you will find great encouragement in Kizzie's faith in the Lord and His miraculous will.