A Hope Undaunted (Winds of Change, #1) in Transformational Fiction

May 11, 2015 Jessica White rated it it was amazing

This book is 505 pages of wonderful romantic tension. I spent every waking hour I could reading it and finished it in 3 days. This book will stretch your understanding of love, romance and marriage.
I've read several poor reviews that said the males had too much power over the women and that at times it felt coercive. I admit I struggled through the beginning chapters a bit because I've been in one of those controlling smothering relationships and because I've worked with domestic violence victi This book is 505 pages of wonderful romantic tension. I spent every waking hour I could reading it and finished it in 3 days. This book will stretch your understanding of love, romance and marriage.
I've read several poor reviews that said the males had too much power over the women and that at times it felt coercive. I admit I struggled through the beginning chapters a bit because I've been in one of those controlling smothering relationships and because I've worked with domestic violence victims and I can see 'possessiveness' a mile away. That being said, I'm a strong believer that the bible has a clear directive that men are to lead and love their wives as Christ leads and loves the Church.

Just as Jesus doesn't lose his personhood when He submitted and gave himself for us, women don't lose themselves when they submit and give themselves to their husbands. In fact, if the relationship is one of mutuality, they bring honor to one another. Julie does a beautiful job of showing that truth in all its complexity through the numerous relationships in this story. There are definitely times when relationships are controlling and possessive (Katie over Jack, Luke at times over Katie, Mitch at times over Charity). In the end, the light of God's love is shown on all the relationships and everyone is put into perspective of His way. I really appreciated how the story ended. I appreciate Katie coming to terms with her father's strong guidance and with the complicated twists and turns that her and Luke go through in order to come to a place where their relationship is truly based on a God given love.

More than any of that though, I appreciate how none of the characters are perfect or make perfect decisions. Collin's neglect of his daughters while taking care of Evelyn's son is just one example. I also loved Brady and Parker's strong faith and how Julie managed to show how powerful one can be in the hand of God when they follow His lead (Brady) and how God's calling never ceases (Parker). This book is littered with lessons and moments when you want to get in the story and open people's eyes to the truth they are so blind to. I look forward to reading the rest of the series and more work by the lovely Julie Lessman. ...more

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Oct 20, 2010 Catherine Richmond added it

Ah, sink into a Julie Lessman book!
Youngest daughter Katie butts head with her father, defying him in every way. She's dating Jack, who checks every item on her list, but doesn't do much for her heart. Her father forces to her volunteer at the Children's Aid Society, working under her childhood nemesis, Cluny McGee. Cluny's grown into an amazing man - now known as Luke, a lawyer and advocate for neglected children.
But wait, there's more! Why is Collin spending so much time with his new employee? ...more

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Sep 15, 2010 Myra Johnson rated it it was amazing

Shelves: inspy-romance-historical

Julie Lessman has crafted another riveting romance in the continuing saga of the O'Connor family of Boston. A HOPE UNDAUNTED begins Lessman's new series, Winds of Change, and is set during the uncertain times as the 1920s draw to an end. History and romance are deftly woven together in this emotion-driven story of Katie O'Connor, the youngest of the O'Connor sisters and perhaps the feistiest. Katie knows what she wants (or at least thinks she does), and she has the courage to go after it. But as ...more

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Sep 03, 2010 Andi Tubbs rated it it was amazing

Little Katydid is all grown up, has her own mind, dreams and aspirations, and quite the spunk! I really didn't think anyone could come close to Charity in the spunk department, yet Katie comes awful close. Katie's biggest obstacle is her father Patrick. She wants to go out with her boyfriend, Jack and come home when she wants, instead her father has "rules" and Katie must come home at curfew, when she misses her curfew yet again she is informed she will be "volunteering" at The Boston Children's ...more

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Mar 27, 2017 Caryl rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2017-challenge

SIGH! I loved meeting the O'Connor family. I enjoyed watching as the sparks flew between Katie and Luke. I admired the friendship that was forged between Luke, Parker and Betty through harsh circumstances. I so appreciate the strong Christian values that are interwoven in this story. I highly recommend this book. ...more

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Mar 22, 2013 Rebecca rated it it was amazing

Wow! Is that an appropriate response to a book? I sincerely hope so, because "A Hope Undaunted" is a "page tuner"; from the front to the back and from the back to the front. Yes; you read that sentence correctly; I kept reading ahead and coming back, as if to assure myself that this story was going to have a satisfactory conclusion Lessman wove a tale of brilliant twists and turns from the very beginning; involving well developed characters within a family that all of her readers would love to m ...more

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