The Highest of Hopes

Fabulous book. Could. Not. Put. It. Down.
A very talented author. You get to fully know the lead characters and why they do the things they do. Usually as stories go along I try to think things through for them and try to problem solve for them. Many times it's obvious. With this story you simply feel like there is nothing else that you would have done in their place.

Emma was orphaned as a baby, taken in and raised by her Grandparents. When they both die she discovers that her father is not dead as she had been told. He lives in Canada, so she sells everything her Grandfather had left to her in order to go and find him. This girl burns bridges. She's strongly focused, blind to anything else. Jonathan, who is her best friend, sacrifices everything to help her. But will it ever be enough for her? A great story of making mistakes for love, looking in all the wrong places. Good message of faith. It's interesting that the timeline runs concurrently with the previous book in this series. It's not necessary to read that first, but you'll be glad if you do. Here's hoping for another!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher and NetGalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

A wonderful book touching on some very real, very hard and heart-breaking issues!

I really enjoyed reading Jonathan and Emmaline’s story and traveling with them through their travels and struggles. I also thought it was very fun to read more about early collegiate life, especially for Emma and Corrine. And Marianne may have been one of my fave characters—she was so spunky and caring!! ❤️

Emma was also a great character, complete with flaws—she has an incredibly tender and kind heart, along with a heaping scoop of impulsiveness! 😂

Jonathan was a kind, generous, thoughtful, and very self-sacrificial person. His love for Emma was strong, and the way he cared for her so selflessly was such a beautiful thing!!

Best friends Emma and Jonathan have always been there for each other, but when Jonathan’s feelings begin to change toward his dearest friend, and Emma’s careful life is turned upside down, everything changes....

Susan Mason did a wonderful job weaving a story of hope, second chances, and love. She dealt with the issues of PTSD (in a time when it wasn’t understood or treated well), abandonment, and loss in a very sensitive, heartfelt way.

An excellent read—highly recommended!!

I felt the story started out a little slow but not to bad, and things got pretty interesting a few chapters in...and kept you on your toes off and on through out it.
I loved Emma even though she was a bit pushy! And Jonathan!! I loved him! The story itself was very interesting...not sure I've read one like it!
Great read!! I highly recommend

I received this book for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

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I read The Highest of Hopes while Husband and I were on our cruise which means I had the opportunity to keep reading. I basically finished it within a day or two. For me these days, this is rare. I just don't often have the opportunity to read a book from start to finish with very little interruption. I say all of that because I've found that the length of time it takes for me to finish a book can really factor into my enjoyment of the book. And I can 100% say that I believe if I'd been faced with my normal day to day interruptions while reading The Highest of Hopes I might have enjoyed it less than I did.

Emma was a struggle for me in some ways. I could understand her burning desire for love and acceptance from her father. She thought he was dead for so long--her entire life. And she can't really fathom that she might not be a welcome presence in his life. What bothered me about her was her inability to heed sound advice. It was like she appreciated Jonathan for his sound mind and good advice, yet she never actually listened to him. She was stubborn, rash, and prone to following her emotions without giving anything considerable thought. Yet, I also felt sorry for her at times too.

In some ways, I wondered why Jonathan was in love with Emma. It's obvious that their proximity growing up influenced them both considerably. But Emma's rashness was so opposite to his balanced and methodical nature. Opposites attract though, I guess. I liked him a lot as a person and a character--perhaps because he was more like myself than Emma was.

I found myself feeling the same things that Jonathan felt concerning Emma's priorities. It's hard for me to root for a relationship when one of the characters hasn't made the other their number one priority. But I ended up really liking how Susan Anne Mason handled this. Actually, I give her kudos for even addressing it in the first place.

Favorite quote:
-There's no place for ego in marriage.

Ultimately, The Highest of Hopes wasn't a perfect read for me. I didn't love Emma's character, but this is kind of a clash of personalities rather than a writing flaw. I do think my opportunity to read straight through helped me to enjoy this book more than I might have under other circumstances. The Highest of Hopes gets 3 Stars. Have you read The Highest of Hopes? What did you think? Let me know!

Really sweet historical romance fiction. This is the second in a series but it’s not at all necessary to have read the first one ahead of time. Interesting plot and characters and a sweet romance.

This is book two in the Canadian Crossings series, however I would say it is a stand alone, since I did not read book one and had no trouble keeping up with what was going on.

Emma and Jonathan embark on quite an adventure. Emma is a spontaneous, beautiful girl, her best friend, Jonathan, balances her well. They both have things to learn about themself and each other.

When Emma is determined to find acceptance from a father she has never met, she is in for a world of surprises. There is adventure, humor, friendship, heartache and more in this book. If you enjoy historical romance books you will enjoy this one.

Susan Anne Mason has a wonderful talent for writing and her characters seem realistic. You can feel the angst, grief, fear and genuine affection of the characters as they faced trials in their relationships.  You will fall in love with Emma and Jonathan, the main characters who are best friends but Jonathan wants more than friendship from Emma. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Historical Romance. Mason kept my interest the whole time, and I couldn’t wait to see what happened next. This book is a great stand alone, even though it is book two in the series. I also enjoyed the personal acknowledgment at the end of the story, detailing how some of the book was part of the author’s own history............. I received a copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers via NetGalley and was in no way required to post a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

After reading the first book, I was not sure where this next book would pick up. I was pleasantly surprised to see that the author is going to tell the stories of three individuals that met by chance on their ocean voyage from England to Canada. The first book, The Best of Intentions, tells the story of Grace Abernathy, and this book, The Highest of Hopes, tells the story of Emmaline Moore.
I thought it was a good story and found the mystery surrounding Emma's mom and dad interesting. What truly happened when she was born, and why would a father abandon a newborn? There was a lot of tension throughout this whole story between Emma, her father's family, and also at times with Jonathan. Emma's character is a bit on the reckless side rushing ahead of sound advice to do whatever her heart dictates. She seems like one of those people that has to learn things the hard way. Her best friend Jonathan is definitely more level-headed, but struggles to share his true feelings for Emma. The reader is left to wonder whether they will ever get together. Throughout the story, both of these character have a lot to learn about love and acceptance not just from each other, but especially how God sees them too.
I would suggest that the series be read in order since the characters do appear in all three of these books.
***I received a complimentary e-book from Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

More than one character has high hopes in this novel. Emma travels to Canada with high hopes that she can have a relationship with her father and Jonathan hopes that he can have a romantic relationship with Emma.

This book is a reminder that we cannot control the people around us because of a wish or desire. Each has to trust in God and know that we can find happiness in less than ideal situations.

The book explores the concepts of forgiveness, unconditional love, and sacrifice.

This is the first book I have read in the series. It had it's own unique story and can be a stand-alone.

The Highest Of Hopes by Susan Anne Mason is a most charming Christian historical novel and the second book in the Canadian Crossings series. It can be read as a stand-alone.
Susan Anne Mason has created a wonderful set of characters who will warm the reader’s heart. There are cameo appearances from characters from book one which enhances the feeling of familiarity for the reader.
The year is 1919. The leading lady is searching for her father in a quest to belong and be loved. What she fails to realise is that God, her perfect Father, already loves her and has given her a home in Him. The family she searches for are flawed, they have their own agendas. Our true family is not always found in blood relatives but in the arms of those who love us.
World War I left its scars. Some are physical, others are mental. “Nobody really won in a war… It ate at your soul long after the gunfire had faded.” Shell shock was just beginning to be known and treated. “The horrors in his head were something he might never be able to erase.” There are some sights we can never ‘unsee’, but we can learn to manage the effects.
When fear rules lives, it immobilises. Sometimes we just have to ‘do it afraid.’ We need to master our fears especially if they affect the health of others. The reader witnesses a mother’s fear for her daughter in case she has a relapse of Polio if she pushes too hard.
The world was on the brink of change. The old order of marriage alliances for wealth and power was being challenged by the younger generation who wanted to marry for love.
Love is the greatest force. We are urged to love as seen in 1 Corinthians 13. Love has no room for self. It puts others first. God loves each of us completely as we are His unique masterpieces.
I am adoring Susan Anne Mason’s stories. They are full of love and care with godly lessons for us all.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.

A friends-to-something-more trope is among my top favorites. So when I saw what was happening between Emmaline and Jonathan, I gave a little cheer. There also seems to be a bit of unrequited love at the beginning, which I enjoyed watching unfold. Their love story helped push things along, and though Emmaline can be stubborn, it was easy to see her deep struggle with needing to be loved. The story is well-written, and the powerful need to find her father and earn his love is Emmaline's driving force. She wants to be loved. This allows for a deep spiritual message on how loved we are by our heavenly father.
I enjoyed this jaunt into history. It was a bit of a slow start but grew on me with each page. I will read more by this author.
I received a copy of this book through NetGalley. I was not required to leave a positive review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.