'Hope's Enduring Echo' is a refreshingly sweet and easy-to-read tale that follows 3 POVs: a 17-year-old artist named Jennie, Jennie's compassionate mother, and a paleontology student named Leo. I was particularly intrigued by the setting: the Rocky Mountain foothills in the summer of 1915. The Ward family's work and the search for fossils provided an engaging backdrop for the growth of these dynamic characters. I particularly enjoyed the themes of selfless service, reliance on God for restoration, and believers demonstrating God's love and grace to all people.

If you enjoy wholesome historical romance, I highly recommend this book! Before discovering it on NetGalley, I hadn't heard of Kim Vogel Sawyer, but I am now eager to explore more of her work.

Special thanks to the publisher, WaterBrook & Multnomah, and NetGalley for providing a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

"Hope's Enduring Echo" by Kim Vogel Sawyer is another wonderful book by this author. The author does a great job with this historical novel set in Colorado alongside a water pipeline and train tracks. The history in this book with paleontology and how the water pipeline was inspected was really interesting. I've read a few books with Creation theology and paleontology but this was a first with the water pipeline and how that worked in the early 1900's.

This book focuses on 17 year old Jennie, who walks the 14 miles of pipeline 5 days a week on behalf of her father who is struggling with major mental health issues. Those issues and the emotions Jennie and her mother Etta experience are a large focus in the book. The book also has Leo, who sees Jennie carrying a dinosaur bone from the train one day bringing his love of paleontology into Jennie's life. These two become quickly enamored with one another and Jennie feels that his friendship and the timing of him coming into her life is an answered prayer.

I liked many of the supporting characters, especially the little pup Rags whose entrance in the book provides a heartwarming innocence only a pet can bring to the lives of those struggling.

This book is a Christian Historical Romance book and I really liked how much faith content is in the book. This is incredibly faith-filled and a wonderful book for fans of this genre. Someone not wanting to read a book with Christian faith elements would probably not enjoy the book because of the faith content. The mental health portrayal is done in a caring manner and the struggles seemed very real, though for someone who struggles with depression in their life, this book may be a difficult read for them.

Thank you to Waterbrook & Multnomah and NetGalley for an opportunity to read an ARC of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

I enjoyed this book.
Can you imagine the highlight of your day would be waving at the train?
It would be very challenging to walk the pipe and check for leaks at any age. Did not realize this
was something that was once done.
The relationship between Jennie and Leo was very special.
Thank you to NetGalley for sending me the arc.

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." - James 1:2-4 NIV.

This verse is the theme of Hope's Enduring Echo. Faith almost lost, regained, strengthened, tested, endurance tested, patience tested. Kim Vogel Sawyer has masterfully dealt with deep, tough, questions with a sensitive, light touch and finesse that speaks of her craft.

The budding of clean, loving, strengthening friendships that are a rarity, a tender love story, a paleontological dig site, dinosaur bones, creationism, honouring God as Lord, the agony of slow mental illness, family strength, love and unity -- these are some of the unifying, underlying themes in this lovely, hard to put down novel.

Buy the book, read it and savour God's goodness and faithfulness in your life.

I was given an ARC for my enjoyment. The opinions expressed herein are my own.

As the title indicates this book is full of hope!

First, I have to say how much I enjoyed Etta’s POV. Her ability to keep her faith and hope amidst their trials was amazing. Her faithful love of and support of her husband while he fights his mental issues, oh my!

Jennie was such a sweet girl. She definitely had some struggles but seeing her spiritual growth was fantastic. Her friendship with Leo was fun to watch too. I loved that she prayed for a friend and God provided. Leo was a young man trying to prove himself to his family. I loved all of the biblical counsel he was able to give. It was fun to see his search for dinosaur bones as well.

Two quotes I loved:
He pointed with his chin in the direction of the end of the pipeline. “Lead on, mountain goat.” She choked out a laugh. “Mountain goat?” He grinned. “You call me ‘college boy.’ I have to call you something.”

Suddenly Leo cupped his hands beside his mouth. “Jennie!” She hollered back, “What?” “Remember … hold on to hope!” Tears stung. She’d promised him weeks ago she would do so. He’d been a good friend to her—she wouldn’t break her vow.

This ARC was provided by NetGalley and the publisher. I was not required to give a positive review, rating and opinions are my own.

Kim Vogel Sawyer has written such a compelling story in “Hope’s Enduring Echo.” Haven’t we all been there at some point in our lives, clinging to hope? Looking for hope somewhere as we travel through a dark path in our lives? I absolutely love the sweet friendship Leo brings to Jenny’s life in this story, I love the faithfulness of Jenny’s mama, Etta, both to God and to her dear husband. Leo, with his steady, calm, personality is just the person the Ward family needed to come to their mountain. In this story, Leo shares some good wisdom and Truth from God’s word which encourages Jenny and Etta, but it also encourages the reader, too! I highly recommend this story. It is an interesting story with paleontology from right here in North America and history of how mountain towns got their water supplies. It gives readers a glimpse into the beginnings of mental health treatments. And, it gives little nuggets of encouraging wisdom for the reader to apply to life today.

This is a beautiful story of a young girl who steps up to do her Dad's job after he's injured and doesn't fully recover. Jennie has been praying for friends, opportunity to go back to school and for her Dad to get better and walk the pipeline again. Jennie and her Mom are struggling with seemingly unanswered prayers, are wondering if God even hears them anymore. Then comes in "college boy" Leo and his preacher dad not supporting his wanted profession of paleontology. I loved how Leo encouraged Jennie and her Mom with Bible verses and more. How Leo and even his parents were also praying for Jennie and her parents. I love how relatable the characters are and how transparent some of their struggles are even with believing God is hearing their prayers, which is something we all struggle with at one point or another. I loved how biblical paleontology was talked about and I also learned about a job from the times I didn't even know existed. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves Christian historical fiction! ❤️❤️ It is a kind of romance but very low-key, no touching until towards the end and most definitely closed door.

I did receive a free copy of this book thanks NetGalley and publisher. I am voluntarily leaving my review.

A beautiful story of hope in the midst of heartbreak. Jennie is determined not to become bitter as her father refuses to “get well.” She wants to go to school but dutifully respects her father and mother and works he father’s job since he can’t do it. Jennie confesses to Leo that her hope is gone, and he advises her to stand in the echo of her mother’s hope. Her father is trapped in depression, and no one sees a way forward. A lovely and encouraging novel.

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

Endearing story about the struggle a young woman has between the love and respect for her ill, depressed father and the desire to follow her own dreams. I loved the descriptive way the author talked about the wooden pipeline that Jennie so faithfully walked daily in order to keep her father from losing his job. She discovers a fossilized bone which leads to a geology student, Leo, spotting her carrying it while he’s on the nearby train. Their tale of discovery of additional bones stimulates Jennie’s ambitions to get out in the world. “Patience-hope-prayer-patience-hope-prayer” became their mantra, relying on God to give them peace in her tough decisions. I received a copy through NetGalley and all comments are my own.

Near Canon City, Colorado
1915

Jenny Ward is the main breadwinner since her father had an accident and hasn’t been able to return to work. It’s cut her off from being with people her age and being able to attend school. She prays for a friend and Leo is the answer to this prayer.

Leo Day is a paleontology student who has decided to not follow in his father’s footsteps of being in ministry. He wants to prove to his father that this is the right decision. He wants his approval.

As per usual anything written by Kim Vogel Sawyer goes at its own pace, but it’s endearing to the plot, and the characters, and each word is satisfying to the very end. The themes of family, faithfulness to God, loyalty, and friendship were handled with clarity and a gentleness that felt like a warm welcome each time I went back to this story. Recommended!

My gratitude to Netgalley, WaterBrook and Multnomah. All opinions expressed are mine and honest.

This is my 2nd book by Kim Vogel Sawyer and it's been several years since I read her book, so this was a lovely reunion. This faith based historical fictional story is set in Cannon city, Colorado in 1915. It centers around the Ward family-dad Claude, mom Etta and 17 year old Jeannie who has taken over her dad's job since he was injured 2 years ago. There is an underlying fear of being discovered doing her father job and the bigger consequence of Jeannie's inability to go to school or make friends. Leo Day, a college student of paleontology sees Jeannie waving a bone while walking the water pipe, follows up with her and the family, wanting to search for more fossils. The story is told from the Walters family view point and deals with depression, paleontology and faith, family ties and relationships, growing clean romance and threading everything together is, their faith in God. There is great tension that grows with various situations that kept me interested and wanting to know what happened next and I learned several historic events for the time that were very interesting.
If you are looking for an intriguing faith based book, with great character development, spiritual growing moments that inspire and interesting historical background, I highly recommend this book.
A big thank you to NetGalley and publisher WaterBrook for the privilege of an ARC, all opinions expressed were my own.

A lovely story about a family and a young paleontologist. There's a strong suggestion of romance between Leo and Jennie, but it's not the only element of the story and it's very chaste. We also get the POV of her mom Etta and see how Etta longs for her husband's purpose in life to be restored, as he's been trapped in crippling melancholia for years.

I especially appreciated how Leo wishes to find anthropology that supports the Biblical narrative and that there's a clear message that Christians don't need to fear going to work in sciences that may be viewed as unfriendly to Christianity--because if we follow God, true science won't contradict His word. It's a bold and truthful point to make, and I loved it.

Excellent story that will be suitable for all ages.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free reading copy. A favorable review was not required.

A charming historical romance about two young people whose discovery of fossilized bones leads to a love that echoes through the ages—from the bestselling author of The Songbird of Hope Hill. No matter what, hope is the best thing a man can get.

I have read many books by Ms Sawyer, and really enjoy her Christian Fiction.
This is a story that deals with some tough subjects, but Jennie and her mother step up to help her dad after his accident. Things have not gotten better, and we are with Jennie as she goes about the job of walking the water wooden pipeline. We are there as the seventeen year old goes about her miles of searching for leaks, and we hear her prayer for a friend.
As she is praying Leo Day, a paleontology student, arrives on the scene, and life will never be the same for either of them.
I loved how the questions of evolution, and Christianity come up here, and the author did a great job with it.
This became a page turner for me, and I wondered how would Jennie be able to finish high school and go to college?
The answers come, some very unexpected, but do wish there was an epilogue, I wanted to know more!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher WaterBrook, and was not required to give a positive review.

One of my favorite quotes in Hope's Enduring Echo by Kim Vogel Sawyer is as follows:

Jennie: "I think hope is Mama's domain. I'm pretty well empty"
Leo: "Then stand in her echo until you catch some of it."

So many inspirational moments throughout the novel. Strong characters, struggles in family relationships, illness, reliance on God's healing, steadfastness, and answers to prayers (in His time and way). Loved, loved, loved it!

Releases Mar. 25th. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This is only the second book I have read by Kim Vogel Sawyer and just like the first I enjoyed Hope’s Enduring Echo very much. Her writing style is smooth and doesn’t slow down. I find myself always wanting to know what happens next. This story flowed well. The characters were easy to like.

Thank you NetGalley & WaterBrook for giving me the opportunity to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

NetGalley describes “Hope’s Enduring Echo” as “ A charming historical romance about two young people whose discovery of fossilized bones leads to a love that echoes through the ages.” Author Kim Vogel Sawyer is a highly acclaimed author with more than 1.5 million books in print. She has written 80 books. How did I miss this author? Well, at least I have many good books of hers to enjoy!

“Hopes Enduring Echo” takes place in Colorado around the year 1915. Jennie is 17 and lives with her parents in a little cabin, alone in the wilderness. They are a loving Christian family. Her father was the inspector of the water pipe to the nearest town, Canon City, until he was injured on the job. He never fully recovered and seemed to slip into melancholia. Jenny took over his position. One day while “walking the pipe” she prayed for a friend. Soon, she met a young man, Leo, as he jumped off the train near the water pipe. He was there to search for dinosaur bones.

So begins a lovely summer of Jennie and Leo searching for bones together. He, too, is a strong Christian, and a sweet and caring friend. But storms come into their life and it takes prayers from many people to give healing to Jennie and her family. Can God bring them a happy ending?

I so enjoyed this entertaining and encouraging book. The characters are warm and loving, and the historical aspects to the book are fascinating. I highly recommend it. Thanks to NetGalley for an advance review copy. This is my honest review.

This story takes place in Colorado in the summer of 1915. It is mostly a sweet romance, but it is also a story about faith and mental health. I liked the way this book ended. It has a happy ending, and everything is wrapped up.

I love Kim Vogel Sawyer's books and I'm always quick to pick them up. This one was different from the other ones, in talking about evolutionism vs creationism (and standing by the biblical creationism), and also mental health issues back in history. I loved Jennie's character, and also Leo's, and while I normally don't mind slower-paced novels, this one really, really dragged for me. I found myself skimming a few sections to get to the end and figure out the solution. I love the themes of finding hope in the strength of others (like how Jennie leans on her mama), but I couldn't really resonate with the characters or get a strong sense of the stakes. It's a solid read, but it didn't hold my attention the way Sawyer's books usually do, which is disappointing to me.

I LOVE KIM VOGEL Sawyer's Books!! I love reading about the people of this town or mountain side? Kim manages to write real characters with real issues and feelings and even though they are set years ago in the past those people are facing things that we still face today. She weaves romance, and God's goodness all together in a beautifully written book. Her books always give you something to awww over but also something spiritual to think about.