
Member Reviews

Oh, Kizzie.
I think she might be my favorite. I love a good redemption story. And this one does not disappoint!
Watching Kizzie come to faith, and then grow in her faith. Watching Noah stand up to his brother, and love unconditionally no matter Kizzie’s past or any other obstacles and challenges that came along the way. What a picture of true love, along with God’s love for His children!
I’ve been delighted with the number of books recently that have tackled the guilt of sexual sin. The love of Christ that can be shown through these books has touched my heart! And Pepper did an amazing job in Kizzie’s story touching on the guilt and the shame and finding new life in Christ!

Historical fiction about a young woman cast out from her family after falling pregnant by her employer's son. The story was sweet and engaging, but marred for me by some modern-day phrases ("true that" and "control the narrative").

This book started off extremely slow for me. I really didn’t like the name Kizzie and the whole first 100ish pages were treacherous to get into. But once I found Noah (like a lot of reviews point to), things started to heat up.
This book follows Kizzie through the hardest time in her life until her hard worked for, happily ever after. Along the way she has many trials and then finally some triumphs. Some very well deserved triumphs.
Although this book was hard to keep engaged with, the ending wrapped up nicely and even brought a few happy tears.
*ARC kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest and truthful review.
Review will be posted on Goodreads and Amazon.

Kizzie's story is here and it is a wonderful one! Set in the late 1910's, we first see Kizzie pregnant and alone and then follow her and her choices as she grows and realizes her worth in God. Beautifully told and a story that is hard to put down. We meet Charles and his mother and a few others including Charles' cousin Cole, Jonah, Bella and kids as well as Noah, Victoria, George, Gayle, Molly, Taylor and a few others after she moves 20 miles away. Kizzie has learned to endure and thrive while helping other women with similar situations as her while she's with Gayle, as well as remembering she's been redeemed when her thoughts take her to her past. Loved this story and the closing of the McAdams family's story arch.
A complimentary copy was provided by Barbour via NetGalley. A review was not required and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

I've spent the last week immersed in the McAdams family when I read Pepper Basham's "My Heart Belongs in the Blue Ridge" series ("Laurel's Dream", "The Heart of the Mountains" and "Hope Like Wildflowers") back to back.
"Hope Like Wildflowers" is the third book in the series about Kizzie McAdams, a broken young lady we finally get to meet after having heard all about her from her siblings in the previous two books.
The title says it all: it's a redemptive love story filled with hope. Yes, there's romance in it, but this novel is first and foremost about the Father's unconditional love for us.
I've read several of Ms Basham's books (and loved every one of them!), but this story differed from the others I've read. Like the first two books in the series, it's a little grittier and filled with "real-life" heaviness. The reality of Kizzie's life is bleak, at best, from the first chapter, but as she learns about God's goodness and mercy, we see His light shining through the darkness.
Kizzie's a remarkable young woman despite all the hard knocks she sustained over and over again. And her darling little bubby. 😍
I enjoyed meeting new people, although every time Kizzie thought of her family, I did too. Having spent two books with them, I missed them, but knowing the timeline in their books vs Kizzie's story... it needed to go back a few years to catch up on all we missed. I knew it had to be this way even if the separation was hard!
The Epilogue was perfection and exactly what I needed and hoped for, particularly after the events in book two. Thank you, Ms Basham, for ending the book the way you did. ❤️
NB I received an ARC of this novel from NetGalley and Barbour Publishing. Thank you. 🥰

This is a beautiful story of redemption. Kizzie gets into the wrong kind of relationship and ends up pregnant. Rejected by her family, She has to learn how to fend for herself.
I love that this story is filled with so much hope. Yes, things do look pretty bleary for Kizzie at times, but with the help of wise friends, she gets her focus back on God and what's really true.
The romance is slower getting started in this book, but it's not missed because Kizzie does a lot of growing so she can be ready for the right kind of relationship. And when the romance does happen, it's so sweet. 🫠
I recommend you read this if you love historical, soul-touching stories with romance and even a little dash of mystery.

October 1917, Oak Plains, N C. Imagine a young unmarried pregnant girl who has just been disowned by her father in the middle of the night. She was afraid of the coyotes howling as well as other wild animals. She had taken a job in a fancy manor and believed that her employer loved and planned to marry her. She ends up finding solace in another town where she was treated better and introduced to the Lord. It was there that she met the man she ultimately married but she also had many struggles. Will this end in a happily ever after? This is another great story Pepper D. Basham and I thank NetGalley for the ARC. I was under no obligation to give a good review. All opinions are my own.

A beautifully written and moving story of God’s turning ashes into beauty when we confess and turn to him.
The story of Kizzie and Noah spoke to me. Kizzie McAdams turned to God after being cast from her family for becoming pregnant out of wedlock. A single mom alone with her newborn and ostracized from her family and community, Kizzie meets godly people on her way who inspire her to seek Him and confess her past. Noah Lewis is a hardworking mill owner, but as the second son, he has to bow to his tyrannical older brother while fighting for the rights of his workers. He is determined to care for the people who work for them and fight to keep their family company running despite the losses they are taking.
One blizzardy day, Kizzie and Noah cross paths as she helps him after his carriage overturns. He admires her spunk and resilience; she sees his kindness and strength. Despite their class differences, they forge a friendship of mutual respect, which deepens into something more.
As forces press in on them—social expectations, their pasts, and an uncertain future—Kizzie and Noah discover that with God’s grace, the future will be bright and filled with hope.
Hope Like Wildflower by Pepper Basham is a poignantly written story of forgiveness, redemption, and enduring love. I love how Kizzie and Noah’s respect and friendship blossoms into more. Noah sees beyond her stained past to her business smarts and compassion. Kizzie learns that though he is wealthy, he is humble and gentle but strong when it counts.
While you can read Hope Like Wildflowers as a stand-alone book, it is most rewarding to read it after reading the first two.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

"Hope Like Wildflowers" by Pepper Basham is another wonderful book by an author that quickly became one of my favorites in the last year. This book is the end of a trilogy which I happened to read out of order and was able to pick up the story right away without the full backstory. Kizzie, our main female character is mentioned in the first two books but this really could be a standalone book. It also perfectly wraps up the series as well if you've read the other two books - Laurel's Dream and Heart of the Mountain.
Kizzie is a young woman who became pregnant by her employer. Cast out by her family, she finds care in the least likely places. This book had me crying and rejoicing with Kizzie as she struggles to become the woman she's meant to be. This is a true story of redemption and forgiveness, the type of redemption that can only be found in our creator God. I love how faith filled this book is and how the author shows that someone broken can heal through God's grace.
I can't recommend this book and series enough. Thank you Pepper for writing this book!
Thank you to Netgalley and Barbour Publishing for a chance to read an ARC of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

Pepper Basham has done it again - another masterpiece!
I came at this book as a standalone, having not read the others in this series. Kizzie's story immediately caught me and I found myself unable to put the book down. I definitely need to go read the others now!
Hope Like Wildflowers is a beautiful story of God's love and redemptive mercy. The book has a wonderful Christian tone running through it, more so than many of the Christian fiction books I have read and I loved it more for that.
The romantic elements of the story were also well written and I loved the historical aspects from the story being set in 1910 which I learnt a lot from.
Another brilliant read from the author and a story that will stay with me for a long time.

Wow, just wow!! Pepper Basham's writing just keeps blooming to more robust, more lovely bouquets of words with every story I read of hers. Hope Like Wildflowers, the third book in her My Heart Belongs in the Blue Ridge series, was an incredibly heartwarming story of faith and God's love overcoming shame and regret. And family love was celebrated which is always one of my favorites in a story. This series has become a preferred series to me. Truly!!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The opinions expressed are completely my own.

Lizzie McAdams hasn’t made the best choices. After giving birth to her son Charlie, who was conceived out of wedlock, she discovers Gods forgiveness and love. Will she find a new home and a community who will accept her- tainted past and all?
I love the story of redemption in this book. The references to the Christian life and God’s abundant grace are beautiful!
However, the writing is what I would call “obvious.” Too much telling. The romance comes on quickly and just doesn’t seem believable to me. I also kept feeling confused about the setting, particularly the time period. I’m not sure that’s ever well described. Seems like World War II, but the only reference to the war is when a woman is shunned for marrying a German.
Overall, it’s an easy, cute read!

Book 3 of 3 - A touching story of Kizzie McAdams. An unplanned pregnancy changes her life in many ways. She receives no support from her far and is left to figure life out for her own. Great story. I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley. This review is my feelings towards the book.

I loved this book and the characters in it! Basham continues to amaze me with her stories and the depth of her characters. There were so many characters that I loved in this novel but a few of my favorites were Kizzie, Noah and Charlie. I enjoyed the depth of faith that Kizzie has despite having a past. So many great things to love in this story, I did not want the story to end.
Thanks to netgalley and Barbour Publishing. The opinions are my own. The review will be posted on my blog not prior to 30 days before publication.

Set in the early 1900s in the Appalachian region. This book is about second chances, redemption, a mother's love for her child and newfound love. This is my first book by the author and I haven't read books 1 or 2 from the series yet. I usually always read a series in order but I really enjoyed Kizzie's story and I didn't feel like I missed anything by reading book 3 first. I definitely plan to go back and read the other books in the series.

Kizzie was pregnant and running for her life in the wild country of Oak Plains, N.C. in the year 1917.
She screamed "help me" as she was being chased by coyotes, then she heard a shot and she felt something wet ran between her legs.
Joshua carried her into the house to his wife, Nella and she soon was in a bed giving birth!
Little Charlie was small but strong,but Kizzie was an unwed mother and she learned a lot about caring for newborns from Nelle.
Kizzie loved Charles, the baby's father, but he only wanted a "kept woman" to have children with and not a wife.
Kizzie found God and her world turned upside down!

I really enjoyed Laurel’s Dream and The Heart of the Mountains by Pepper Basham. Book 3 chronicles Kizzie’s story, and is a wonderful addition to the series.
Rejected and sent away by her father, Kizzie is a young unwed mother with unrealistic hopes that her baby’s father will marry her. Kizzie’s journey to find acceptance and a place to call home leads her to a newfound faith in God and ultimately the knowledge that true acceptance comes from Him. I loved watching her character growth as the novel progressed.
The love story that blossoms between Kizzie and Noah is sweet and satisfying. Will they overcome the hurdles on their path to a happily ever after?
I received a review copy of the book from the publisher through Netgalley. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This book is worth the read; it's worth pre-ordering. This book deserves a space on everyone's shelf.
Kizzie's story is a tale of second chances, brokenness, and redemption that spans from 1917 to 1920, overlapping with the stories of Laurel's Dream and The Heart of the Mountains. It serves as a satisfying wrap-up to the series but is also easy to read as a stand-alone... Kizzie's journey is one that many can relate to - dealing with the shame of her past, moving forward, and trusting in God... Your heartstrings will be tugged by Kizzie's challenging journey. You will feel sad and angry at times but also inspired.
A strong faith element is included, with the characters learning to trust God and that He will be there for them through everything. I loved seeing Kizzie and Noah grow and realize what is important over time. Kizzie realizes she is much stronger than she ever thought and, with God's help, can handle whatever comes her way.
"If the Lord loves us in all our brokenness and creates good for us even when we're not, then don't you think He is also able to create a man to love you in your brokenness too?"
This book is amazing. The writing is sharp and insightful - and at times just charming. Well-developed characters with believable charming romance....Releases on October 1st.
Thank you NetGalley and Publisher for the eARC.

Another great book set in Appalachia from Pepper Basham!
Kizzie's story is powerful -- unwed, pregnant and disowned by her father, she heads back to the father of her baby only to find out he's unwilling to marry her and sticks her in a house as a kept woman. However, she finds love and acceptance from her neighbors that help her through her pregnancy and after. They help her find a new direction in life, where she finds true love. Set in Appalachia, it's a beautiful setting and the characters are so well crafted and the storyline is deep and powerful.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for a temporary, digital ARC in return for my review.

4.5 stars rounded to 5
I really enjoyed this book! This was my first book that I read from Pepper Basham, so everything was new. The character development was great as well as how the Kizzie grew closer to God. It was a clean Christian romance. The reason for the half star was because in the middle it started to lag a bit and it got boring. The ending was very sweet though!
Thank you to NetGalley and Pepper Basham for letting me read the book before it gets published!