Book REview: A Heart's Hope by Penny Zeller

She’s from high society. He’s a humble rancher. Can an unorthodox marriage lead to love?

To what lengths will one woman go to rescue her sister? Desperate to save her sister from a deadly situation, McKenzie Chesterton takes matters into her own hands. If saving her sister means becoming a mail-order bride, then that is exactly what she would do. Even if it means traveling to the Montana Territory from the safety and comfort of her family’s Boston home. What McKenzie doesn’t count on is the risk of falling in love with her new husband.

Noah Sawyer just wants two things: to raise his son well and run his ranch. That’s why he allows a well-meaning busybody to talk him into placing a mail-order bride ad. While this is an unusual way of meeting one’s future spouse, Noah has faith that the Lord will bring just the right woman into his life. What he doesn’t count on is McKenzie Chesterton and the secret she brings with her.

What happens when truths are disclosed, and McKenzie’s real reason for answering Noah’s advertisement comes to light? Will the fragile love that has begun to grow between McKenzie and Noah survive the truth? Can God take an unconventional situation and bring two lonely hearts together?

A Heart’s Hope is a heartwarming, faith-filled, marriage-of-convenience love story that shows that God truly is the Changer of hearts.

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MY REVIEW

​Penny has done it again! She has created characters that grab you from the start and don't let go. I love to visit the small towns that she creates and learn to love the people in them. Pine Haven, Montana Territory is no exception.

A Heart’s Hope was such heartwarming read. The characters were so simple in many ways but had such depth. The story builds each day to a very climactic ending. As McKenzie becomes more a part of life with Noah, she wonders if she really can bring herself to leave once she finds her sister.

The book starts out with McKenzie living in Boston. She lives a life where servants are there for every need and is filled with social engagements. She gets a letter from her sister that sounds more than desperate. She starts trying to figure out a way to rescue her sister from the clutches of her abusive, outlaw husband without telling her parents. She has to find a way to Montana Territory and a place to stay while she looks for her sister.

Noah is in Pine Haven doing his best to raise his son and run his ranch well. He is surrounded by people who care about him, including the town's "know-it-all," Lucille. If there is something to know, she will find it out and/or share it. When she suggests that a mail-order-bride might be the best thing for him and his son, he considers it AFTER several minutes of persuasive discussion. As he sends the ad to several papers, he prays for guidance in doing the right thing. Prayer is a constant for him throughout the book. I love that!

​McKenzie sees his ad and decides to write to him. They write back and forth for a time, and she goes to Pine Haven to marry Noah. She doesn't plan to stay and feels guilty for that, but she has to save her sister. It is all she can think about.

She is shocked at first at how different things are there. Living without servants and having to do things for herself is new to her. I really liked seeing that part because she grew up a certain way and didn't know any different. She is a kind person, and she really works hard to learn how things work and even learns new skills. She makes real friends and becomes an active part of the community.

Noah is a man of honor and seeks Godly counsel in the best way to handle different situations. There are some hard things that come up and he doesn't always do the right thing at first. He is human and young. He is fortunate that he has those who tell him like it is to help him get back on track. McKenzie has found that for herself, as well.

I loved how their relationship grew as each day passed. All the things they did in their day to day lives. Including with their son, Davy. The little things added up to a beautiful life together. McKenzie is learning how to truly love and be loved while Noah is trusting God to help him be the husband he needs to be. You'll have to read A Heart’s Hope to find out how he handles things when everything he thought he knew is turned upside down.

This is a wonderful story of trusting God with your story and watching Him provide even more than you expected.

I have to admit that I wish book two was out as soon as I finished reading this one! I'm not sure how I am going to stand waiting to find out how her sister's happy ending comes about.

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​Penny Zeller is known for her heartfelt stories of faith-filled happily ever afters and her passion to impact lives for Christ through fiction. Her books feature tender romance, steady doses of humor, and memorable characters that stay with you long after the last page.

While she has had a love for writing since childhood, Penny began her adult writing career penning articles for national and regional publications on a wide variety of topics. Today Penny is a multi-published author of over two dozen books and is represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of the Steve Laube Agency. She is also a fitness instructor, loves the outdoors, and is a flower gardening addict. In her spare time, she enjoys camping, hiking, kayaking, biking, birdwatching, reading, running, and playing volleyball.

Penny resides with her husband and two daughters in small-town America and loves to connect with her readers at her website, her blog, and her Facebook page at where she posts faith, funnies, writing updates, and encouragement. All of her socials can be found at https://linktr.ee/pennyzeller.