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    Hopeful: Return to Sugarcreek, Book One
    Hopeful: Return to Sugarcreek, Book One
    Hopeful: Return to Sugarcreek, Book One
    Audiobook6 hours

    Hopeful: Return to Sugarcreek, Book One

    Written by Shelley Shepard Gray

    Narrated by Robynn Rodriguez

    4.5/5

    ()

    About this audiobook

    In the Amish town of Sugarcreek, love comes in many forms. But will it come at all for Miriam?

    Miriam Zehr has worked at the Sugarcreek Inn longer than she cares to admit. The restaurant is a favorite of town residents as well as the many tourists who come to taste the famous Amish fare. Though she always tries to have a smile for every customer, deep down Miriam knows something's missing: a family of her own.

    Miriam has never felt particularly beautiful, especially because she's always been a bit heavier than other girls her age. When Junior, the man she's pined for all her life, suddenly seeks her out, she's thrilled to be noticed . . . until she realizes he's only asking her to help get the attention of Mary Kathryn Hershberger, her pretty friend.

    If Miriam helps Junior court Mary Kathryn, she'll get to spend a lot of time with him, but she might lose him in the process. Are these few stolen moments worth a lifetime of sacrifice? Is Miriam right to even hope for the life she dreams of?

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherHarperAudio
    Release dateFeb 4, 2014
    ISBN9780062308580
    Hopeful: Return to Sugarcreek, Book One
    Author

    Shelley Shepard Gray

    Shelley Shepard Gray is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, a finalist for the American Christian Fiction Writers prestigious Carol Award, and a two-time HOLT Medallion winner. She lives in southern Ohio, where she writes full-time, bakes too much, and can often be found walking her dachshunds on her town’s bike trail.

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    Reviews for Hopeful

    4.5/5

    52 ratings11 reviews

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    Review must be at least 10 words

    • 5/5
      A sweet story of friendship and love. There are a few unsettling things that happen along the way ! Great characters and story line !
    • 5/5
      This was a very good book, telling us to trust others & to not fear.
    • 5/5
      Great book. She can write more clean books like this one. Christian books
    • 4/5
      Miriam Zehr is in a quandary: she knows what she ought to do, but it really isn’t what she wants to do. She has been in love with Junior Beiler for several years, though Junior hardly knows she is alive. Junior, who became the head of the household when both his parent died, seemed to have no time to court. Finally, he seeks out patiently waiting Miriam, but to her dismay, it was not to court her but to ask for her help in courting a friend of hers. The end of the novel is pretty much evident from the beginning, but road to that destination is not. There are a few twists and turns along the way and some unexpected events. An interesting tale and a quick and entertaining read, peopled with believable and caring characters.
    • 5/5
      This is another in the Sugarcreek series of novels about the Amish culture. I liked the realism of this one, of characters struggling with life problems and disappointments. Some of the Amish novels are too sweet and make the culture seem perfect. Amish people have the same problems that other humans have, maybe in different ways. I have read other novels in the series and enjoyed seeing the same characters return. Story line seemed consistent and pulled together, with a theme and underlying moral apparent, but not preachy or overt.
    • 5/5
      Hopeful: Return to Sugarcreek, Book OneShelley Shepard GrayBook Summary: In the Amish town of Sugarcreek, love comes in many forms. But will it come at all for Miriam? Miriam Zehr has worked at the Sugarcreek Inn longer than she cares to admit. The restaurant is a favorite of town residents as well as the many tourists who come to taste the famous Amish fare. Though she always tries to have a smile for every customer, deep down Miriam knows something's missing: a family of her own. Miriam has never felt particularly beautiful, especially because she's always been a bit heavier than other girls her age. When Junior, the man she's pined for all her life, suddenly seeks her out, she's thrilled to be noticed . . . until she realizes he's only asking her to help get the attention of Mary Kathryn Hershberger, her pretty friend. If Miriam helps Junior court Mary Kathryn, she'll get to spend a lot of time with him, but she might lose him in the process. Are these few stolen moments worth a lifetime of sacrifice? Is Miriam right to even hope for the life she dreams of?Review: I really loved this story line. I found Miriam and Junior to be well written and believable characters that you could be empathetic to while rooting for Miriam to have her hero at the end no matter what happened. I found the plot and the other characters to be just as enjoyable. I could not believe how quick it was to read. There were no surprised yet it was a great book. I believe that the strong characters and a well written story to be the key to this book Shelley Shepard Gray did an amazing job writing this story! Every book she writes just seems to get better and better.I would like to thank Edelweiss -Above the Treeline and Avon Inspire for allowing me to read and review this book in return for a free copy and I was never asked to write a favorable review by anyone.
    • 4/5
      Another great novel by Shelley Shepard Gray! This book takes us back to Sugarcreek, Ohio. Well written (as usual) with bits of humor, I fell in love with the characters. Miriam had been in love with Junior since, well, forever. Of course he has never given her a second glance, at least until the day he asks if he can drop by her house for a visit. Miriam and her parents think he has come courting but he actually wants to talk to ask Miriam for her help in courting her best friend. In fact, Junior has been very vocal to his siblings that Miriam is "not the prettiest girl in town."
    • 4/5
      Hopeful: Return to Sugarcreek, Book One Although the characters are Amish in this book their issues and struggles are universal. I just loved this read. Miriam is a hard working women who has yet to win the heart of a guy she likes. For years her and junior have lived, worked and resided into the same community and town without him noticing her until she becomes friends with Mary Kate. He calls on her several times giving her and her family the wrong impression. Only to find out he is interested in her new friend. Mary Kate could not be more distant and less interested in Junior. They all try to be friends together without hurt, jealousy and let down. Until, a twist of fear comes when Mary Kate's past comes to stalk and harm her in her new home. They all must come together to help her and keep her safe. I would say this book is a great one for beginners. It has a love interest, action and great moral characteristics.I gave this book ★★★★★!
    • 5/5
      It seems that no matter our age and circumstance, most young girls, especially those of us that have grown up in homes teaching Christian virtues, do not see themselves as having any beauty, and yet look on their peers as having more than they do. Miriam is a typical young girl in this way. It does not help the situation when the young men, in looking for someone to marry judge others also by this criteria, and thus the conflict. The novel Hopeful reminds us all that not only is beauty only skin deep, it is also in the eye of the beholder.Shelley has the talent to bring her novels to the reader in such a way that we feel like we see life through the main characters, and the scenes come alive in her choice of vivid images. This novel is the first one in the Return to Sugarcreek, and I look forward to the next one continuing the saga of those I met this time.I received this book free from Amy and Chris at Litfuse Publicity Group and HarperCollins Publishers in exchange for an honest review. A positive critique was not required. The opinions are my own.
    • 5/5
      A story of hope in so many ways. All her life Miriam hoped Junior would notice her. Junior had lost both his parents and was raising his brothers and sisters. Kaylene, his youngest sister, was struggling with reading and school. The school teacher, Mary Kathryn, was running from an abusive relationship. All she wanted was free to live her life.Miriam gave up hope of ever having a relationship with Junior and was working to move on. But as she did, life changed. Dreams happened. Life became complete.Mary Kathryn was about to run again when her life turned upside down. She got her chance to move on.Judith finds life and happiness after overcoming grief of a miscarriage and being told she could not have children.You will renew your hope and courage to be yourself through reading this book.
    • 5/5
      I enjoyed this book, and we are returning to Sugarcreek, with a brand new series.This story brings to light that people don't realize what they have, until it is taken away. We take things so easily for granted. Also we have a story of fear, stalking, and no one believing.Can you imagine having a secret so scary, that you cannot tell anyone. Even your parents don't really believe you? That is what the new teacher Mary Kate is dealing with. I can't even imagine, but know this goes on in all cultures, not just Amish.We have a delightful, kind, and there for you person in Miriam Zehr. She has one person on her mind, know since they were kinner, and what does Junior Beiler do?? He asks her for help getting to know another woman. Kind and loving Miriam, tries!!! Oh my!You are going to love Junior's family, especially the little one. Their parents have passed on and we see what problems, and yet a lot of love that holds this family together. Loved the banter between the siblings, and although they, kind of, get Junior in trouble, it can be funny.You won't want to leave here, and there is also a side story in this community, that affects a lot of Amish/English Woman, and we hope the Doctor is wrong.You will not regret picking this one up! Enjoy!I received this book through Litfuse Publicity Book Tours, and was not required to give a positive review.