So Much of Life Ahead

Hearts of the Children #5

by Dean Hughes

In this concluding volume of Hearts of the Children, we come full circle to bid good-bye to the Thomas family. The characters we met in Children of the Promise, and their posterity in this sequel series, have filled our hearts for years. As four young cousins – Gene, Kathy, Diane, and Hans – find their own paths in life, they are propelled forward by their strong heritage and the power of faith. Hearts of the Children honestly portrays the explosive problems of the sixties and early seventies, but this concluding volume offers the hope that families can hold together and that good people, with the resources the Lord offers, can not only survive but prosper.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Lds Fiction, Lds, Fiction, Religion, Church, Historical

480 pages, Hardcover

First published September 9, 2005

About the author

Dean Hughes is the author of more than eighty books for young readers, including the popular sports series Angel Park All-Stars, the Scrappers series, the Nutty series, the widely acclaimed companion novels Family Pose and Team Picture, and Search and Destroy. Soldier Boys was selected for the 2001 New York Public Library Books for the Teen Age list. Dean Hughes and his wife, Kathleen, have three children and six grandchildren. They live in Midway, Utah.

Reviews

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

My wife and I have enjoyed thoroughly reading this series together and the one before it. I can honestly say it is uplifting, moving, and heart-wrenching at times. At the end, you feel like you know the Thomas's family so well they're part of your own. It's sad to have it come to an end, but I'm a better person for having read this series. My wife and I have loved it.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such an amazing book! They wrapped everone's story up perfectly, except for Diane's. The ending was very well done. From when everyone started visiting Al before he died to the end of the book, I was choking back tears. I was determined not to cry but it was so hard! It was all so very well done!

Dean Hughes made it seem as if their stories went on, so the book ended but it didn't at the same time. He made it feel like the characters were real people whoes stories continue past the series. This feeling drives me crazy but I like it at the same time! I wanted a nice ending but at the same time I didn't want the books to end. I feel like I'm being severly tortured by this feelign but I don't think I would have it any other way. The ending was fantastic!

I'm SO glad that Kathy and Marshall get married! Plus, Gene and Emily surive! YAY! He finally starts to get better! Diane's ending was disappointing, which is why I'm definately going to read Diane's Story. Over all it was, yes, WONDERFUL!

[Beth Given · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved both the Hearts of the Children series and its predecessor, Children of the Promise. This book was to be the capstone of the books, and I thought it was a great one.

I love Hughes’s writing — he uses lots of dialogue, which makes it fun and easy to fly through the pages. But, unlike so many other dialogue-packed stories, I feel like each of his characters has a unique personality — and he even avoids much of the temptation to turn the characters into simple stereotypes, allowing them to grow and change and become better.

I appreciated that the story wasn’t just gift-wrapped for us with a nice “and they lived happily ever after.” We have hope that the main characters do, indeed, live satisfied lives, but not all consequences of major decisions are not neatly forgotten about or resolved: while LaRue and Kathy finally find love, Diane is left a single mom and Gene, while he is improving as the book closes, may be haunted by the images of war for a long time to come.

I found myself enjoying this book even more than its predecessors. Somehow I was drawn in to each characters story. This hasn’t happened in the past (it’s hard for me to really get interested in the descriptions of war).

This was a great book — one for laughing out loud in places and for crying (okay, coming close to crying) in others. I think I’ll have to go back and read the whole series again (or both serieses!) so that I don’t miss the Thomases too much.

[Ann Baxter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stop me if I’ve said this before, but I think one of the reasons people liked the first Hughes series better than this one is the subject matter and the tone the author conveyed throughout each. Children of the Promise; set in World War II, aptly portrayed a family caught up in the times and events of an era that was at once was devastating, yet also warm and fuzzy in retrospect. In contrast the Hearts of the Children series, of which this is the final installment, dealt with a much less fondly remembered time period. The mood reading it was one of discomfort which was, I think, appropriate for this cold and prickly era.
Perhaps I’m giving Hughes too much credit. Perhaps the characters in this second series really did becoming annoyingly cliché. And perhaps I really didn’t care for the eventual ending when “all is well.” One of the things I appreciated about Hughes was his understanding that sometimes, it doesn’t all work out. So why he wrapped it all up so nicely this time is beyond me. Not bad, not great.

[Sadie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am reviewing not only this book but the overall series. I enjoyed this book as all of the stories started towards resolution. The characters that were starting to annoy have grown on me and I enjoyed them a lot better near the end. As far as the series goes, it was good, but a little too much of a variation on a theme with all of the characters stories. They were too close to their parents' storylines (if you read "The Children of the Promise" series). Overall it was enjoyable but I can't say that I've jumped on the LDS Fiction bandwagon. I thought he did a good job developing the characters and making their situations and their reactions to them realistic. It never felt preachy or too sugary-sweet as some LDS fiction can get. Again, if you like LDS fiction--and maybe some who don't---you will like this series.

[Cathi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I finally finished the HEARTS OF THE CHILDREN series, and it's a satisfying feeling to be done with the story of the Thomas family, next generation. This book is set in the 1960s and 1970s and is quite enjoyable and compelling in many ways. However, it's not nearly as good as the previous Hughes series, CHILDREN OF THE PROMISE, which is set during World War II. I'm not much for books in a series, but this was fun. I like Dean Hughes a lot, no matter what he writes.

Not that it matters, but I read the first book of the series years ago, while I was recovering from some surgery. I put that book on Good Reads back then. Frankly, I kind of forgot what was happening in the plot, so I re-read it to give myself a fresh start with the series. Fun!

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is better the second time through than it was the first time. I would be sorry it has ended, except that now I get to read the unofficial sixth volume, Promises to Keep: Diane's Story. Hughes has done such a great job of taking Gene, Kathy, and Hans to a point where you feel like you can see what the trajectory of their lives will be--the big open question is "What will happen to Diane?" and fortunately he followed up on that. He also ties up the stories of other characters in the books in a satisfying but not easy or pat way. I highly recommend this series and Hughes's "Children of the Promise" series.

[Dad · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful book and series. I had now read all five in Hearts of the Children and all five in Children of the Promise. Dean Hughes did a masterful job. The characters are so interesting and the plot so realistic to me. To have a novel that deals with my church that I belong to and played such a role in shaping my life and seeing how it plays out in another family and others' lives is a wonder to me.
I borrowed all five books in this series from my daughter rather than buy them myself. It saved money and gave me satisfaction to know we had read the same work. It gives us an added thing in common.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

These books were a lot of fun to read. I learned a lot about life in the 60's and 70's, my parents generation. They kept my interest and made me want to keep reading them every night. They had a great message!

[Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Hearts of the Children series, which follows the Thomas Baby-Boomer grandchildren through the 1960s and 1970s, concludes with "So Much of Life Ahead". This one covers Fall 1971 through Richard Nixon's resignation due to the Watergate scandal in 1974. Still great writing by author Hughes (even if the romantic relationships get a little too cheesy at times).

As in the other books, Gene, Kathy and Diane's stories all have lots of detail and character development. The story of their cousin, Hans Stoltz, in East Germany seems more like a footnote in the plot. I especially enjoyed the last three chapters. Sentimental readers will need to keep a box of tissues nearby. Hughes shares a good message that one needs to live up to one's heritage and not every life, relationship, or family has to be perfect to be favored in the eyes of God.

I've also added the "Children of the Promise" series (about this same fictional family in WWII) to my reading list.

[Rene' Riddle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really appreciate the glimpse this series gave me into life in the 1960s and 70s in the US. I had read other historical fiction about post war Germany, but I didn't really know that much about Vietnam. Following 4 teenagers into young adulthood, each characters storyline is heartbreaking at one point or another. In the first book I found the American teens obnoxious, each with a cringeworthy sense of entitlement - but Dean Hughes knew what he was doing. I certainly enjoyed the rest of the series as the characters get their own version of a wake up call. But now this review is just making me sound old, lol.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The struggles Diane, Gene, Kathy and Hans are having come full circle. Diane is a single mom raising Jenny; Gene has gotten help with his anger problems from the war and he and Emily have two children - Danny and Alexander; Kathy has finally married Marshall and settled in the tiny town of Heber and is expecting her first baby (her cousin LaRue married at 40 and has a baby also); and, Hans and Elli are married and expecting their first child and are leaders in the Church in the GDR. So many ups and downs but life comes full circle and it's a happy ever after ending.

[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

I gave all of the books in this series a low rating for several reasons, and yet I kept reading. At first it was because I was curious about Hans story in East Germany, but in this book I even grew a little tired of that. I think it’s just because it’s a little bit like a soap opera and you just want to know if Diane will ever leave her husband, if Cathy will calm down, if Gene will move beyond the war, if Hans will get put in prison again....

[Leslie Books and Socks Rock · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't believe its the end of the Thomas family. I loved following along and getting to know the grandkids and all their challenges they faced in the 60s and 70s. It was interesting about the history too. This book, being the last, I wish there was more to give everyone a HEA but I guess that's not how life works.

[Kendall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great conclusion to the series. Diane finally develops, Kathy is not annoying, gene actually has some issues to work through. There were some amazing emotional payoffs at the end of the book too

Overall the series was about one third as good as the original series, but it’s still worth reading. The main weakness was the characters.

[Hanna Waldram · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved! I am going to miss the Thomas’s so much! This was such a good way to close out the series! I love reading about the characters and getting furious about some of their choices but then looking at how I can be so much the same in my life. Dean Hughes, to me, is a master at writing real people and real experiences. LOVE!

[Charly Troff (JustaReadingMama) · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great ending to a great series. I actually liked the ending of the Children of the Promise series more, but it was still a good one. I loved where the characters ended up, it felt very realistic but still put them all in a good place and ready to move forward with their lives.

[Danni · Rating 4 out of 5]

good stuff.

[Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't get much sleep reading this series. I could hardly put the books down long enough to sleep.

[Jeff Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little disappointed with the ending.

[Sharyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hearts of the Children is a thorough depiction of the 60’s and 70’s in America. I enjoyed reading it.

[Doug · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the plot and was glad to see that everything wasn’t nearly tied out. But I was hope for closure in some areas that weren’t provided. Still a worthwhile series.

[Vickie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Because of what I know of history, I feel like there could be another set of books. Good education in reading these stories.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

My favorite part was Diane's experience at the singles dance because it was funny. The wedding advice at Hans wedding was beautiful - remember forever the way you look at each other now, so full of love you would never want to yell at or hurt each other. My least favorite part were the talks at the grandpa's funeral because the family members were all preaching about themselves to their kids, rather than talking about grandpa, which was weird. Also, the grandma seemed happy to be alone and looking forward to traveling with friends, immediately after her husband passed away. It would be more realistic if a little time had passed. It was super cheesy too.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh my goodness. This was FABULOUS! A superb wrap-up to the series that have hooked me since the beginning. It was very compelling and once I really picked it up, which was yesterday, I could not put it down!!!

The writing as simply sublime! I was so into it and following the story, there were times I skimmed political descriptions, and other things, but it hooked me right off.

It ended so well. I'm so glad that Kathy and Marshall finally got together! Oh, I have been rooting for them since the last book. They were so sweet. *sigh*

I'm very glad Gene is doing better. I really was getting sick of him, and sad that Emily had to leave for a time because of Gene's stupidity. I'm glad that Gene is still struggling a little, because it's realistic. With Gene, I've felt that his story is almost a repeat of his Dad's in Children of the Promise. But one thing that was different was the way that Gene overcame his struggles and I think that was good. But things are good for him and I'm so glad.

Diane. Oh Diane! I've always had a hard time with your story. From the start I knew Greg was going to be hard to deal with, but I'm so sad that you didn't get you love. I am so going to try and get my hands on Promises to Keep: Diane's Story if I can. I need a happy ending for her.

Hans and Elli are to cute. I'm glad they are doing good. I was a bit mad at him for his reoccurring stupidity, but that ended well. I'm sad there were less chapters of him. I had grown to love his story. But all's well that ends well.

I'm so glad this was a great series ender. It's sad when the ending isn't that great. An amazing back, I'm so glad to have read and journeyed with the Thomas family. I'll never regret the time spent with them. They've touched me and will join my growing pile of LDS fiction families. :D

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

This series had it's ups and downs for me. I really enjoy history, so historical novels are typically quite captivating for me, but at times I was wishing the author would move things along. I did like learning more about what was happening with the Berlin wall, all of the "movements", Nixon, Vietnam, etc. In fact, the sentiments expressed about Vietnam paralleled those for Iraq. It's really too bad we don't learn from our own history.

I also enjoy reading books with happy endings and closure. That may not be reality, but I don't read to get a good dose of reality. I want some fluff. Of course there has to be conflict (books are really bad without it), but this series had the characters (in general) making so many bad decisions that it hurt.

The worst decision to me was Diane marrying Greg. I could not believe that she went ahead with it, especially with her uneasy feelings and with others pointing out how bad he was. She grew from it, but I didn't think the series ended "happily" for her (or Gene).

It was frustrating that equal time wasn't given to each character. I really wanted to find out more about Diane, but I'd say the author did two chapters for Gene and Kathy to one of Diane (possibly Hans too).

Even with all it's "flaws" I did have a desire to keep reading to find out what would happen to the characters.

[Stan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think one of the best things about Dean Hughes' authorial style is that it's clean and transparent. The story pulls you in, but you're not constantly being reminded that you're *in* a story--that, to me, is a mark of a skilled author.

I had to laugh, a little, when I realised that after reading (well, listening to) "Far From home," and a few of the sequels, that I had become engrossed in what essentially amounts to and LDS literary soap opera. But Hughes has definitely done his homework, making the background and historicity of his novels very accurate and believable. His characters are also very compelling and 3-dimensional, and I guess there's just something in me that enjoys following the lives of a couple of families across several generations.

This is clean, easy reading that doesn't insult the readers' intelligence, and doesn't compromise any standards (at least not LDS standards). It's a good escape, reading-wise, and though it has the semi-meandering quality of any soap opera, the stories are ones that are good enough that you want to keep following them--even across consecutive series.

It's not great literature, necessarily (hence 4-star vs. 5-star), but Hughes makes for good reading that's engaging and entertaining. I'm going to recommend his books.

[Stan Crowe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think one of the best things about Dean Hughes' authorial style is that it's clean and transparent. The story pulls you in, but you're not constantly being reminded that you're *in* a story--that, to me, is a mark of a skilled author.

I had to laugh, a little, when I realised that after reading (well, listening to) several of the "Hearts of the Children" series that I had become engrossed in what essentially amounts to and LDS literary soap opera. But Hughes has definitely done his homework, making the background and historicity of his novels very accurate and believable. His characters are also very compelling and 3-dimensional, and I guess there's just something in me that enjoys following the lives of a couple of families across several generations.

This is clean, easy reading that doesn't insult the readers' intelligence, and doesn't compromise any standards (at least not LDS standards). It's a good escape, reading-wise, and though it has the semi-meandering quality of any soap opera, the stories are ones that are good enough that you want to keep following them--even across consecutive series.

It's not great literature, necessarily (hence 4-star vs. 5-star), but Hughes makes for good reading that's engaging and entertaining. I'm going to recommend his books.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

After LOVING the first series about the Thomas family in WWII era, I had high expectations of this one. It was disappointing ar first - but I stuck with it because I was very interested in the history of that time. By the 3rd book I was finally interested and by the end I really enjoyed it. The story of these people in the 60s and early 70s facinated me because of how little I really knew about the time. More than anything it gave me a greater appreciation for my parents and inlaws, who were right in the middle of all of these very struggles. I gained a real feel for what it felt like to be in this time and events. I love how Dean Hughes paints a well rounded view of how one might feel in the midst of the struggle for racial equality, inner turmoil over the Vietnam war, drastic cultural changes, debates over trusting the government and the changing climate of women's rights. I could look at each charachter and assign a name of someone I know today - then more fully grasp what experiences they had that shaped who they are now. At the same time, the author asks you to look into your life and heart to analyze the depth of your beliefs. A rough start for me but worth reading.

[Janice · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the first series so much, "The Children of The Promise", we bought all 5 volumes of "The Hearts of The Children". I loved these books because they seemed to be about real people, not perfect people. Just like you and me.

A comment by Dean Hughes that will give you an idea of how he thinks and writes:

"Before we have children, we think most of the parents sitting in sacrament meeting ought to “do something about their kids.” Once we have kids, we think everyone ought to be a lot more understanding about what we’re trying to survive during the meeting. And once our kids are grown, we think, “I never let my kids get away with that.” We really all need to chill out."
— Dean Hughes (All Moms Go To Heaven)