Unyielding Hope

Title: Unyielding Hope
Author: Janette Oke and Laurel Oke Logan
Series: When Hope Calls, book 1
Major Themes: Adoption, Christian Fiction, Books for Women, Inspirational Fiction, Canada
Synopsis: Lilian’s adoptive mother recently died, and she is ready to leave for Europe with her father—and then she hears that her sister may still be alive.

I remember reading Janette Oke’s books some 30 years ago. I enjoyed them at that time, but never revisited them until recently. I was browsing through a list of books available to review a week or two ago, and Unyielding Hope caught my eye. Because I recognized the author, I looked closer, and liked the sound of this book. It even sounded like maybe it wasn’t a romance, which appealed to me; I get tired of every book having a romance in it.

Lilian had a happy girlhood, with loving parents who had adopted her after she was left alone in the world. Now, though, her mother has died. As they struggle to come to terms with their loss, Lilian and her father plan a trip to Wales to visit his family. Then, a lawyer appears on their doorstep with the startling news that Lilian may still have a sister living. She certainly can’t go to Wales with her father, knowing that if she stays home she may be able to find her long-lost sister!

When Lilian finds Grace, she is surprised to find that Grace has a “family.” Grace has made a home for several children who were brought to Canada from England to be adopted, but the children’s new families sent them back. Lilian knows she wants to help Grace with the children—but how? And then, they find Lemuel. This young boy, too, has been hurt by the adoption scheme, and needs help and a family. How can all these young people, who know what it is like to be alone, help each other?

I really enjoyed Unyielding Hope. I’ve read a few books now about this child immigration scheme. It did seem that, for some of the children, things fell into place for them a little too easily to be believed. I appreciated Grace’s faith in God and how she shared her faith with Lilian, and I could too easily identify with Lilian’s struggles to trust God. There was a little bit of romance in the story; it wasn’t a lot, but I would have enjoyed the book just as much if it hadn’t been in there at all. My biggest frustration with the book, though, was the last sentence. Obviously, the story is not finished yet—I sure hope there will be a sequel to clear things up!

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley, and these are my honest thoughts about it.

No warnings!

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