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A Hope Undaunted (Winds of Change #1)

by Julie Lessman (Goodreads Author)

4.0 of 5 stars 4.00 · rating details · 1,327 ratings · 202 reviews

What happens when the boy she loved to hate becomes the man she hates to love?

The 1920s are drawing to a close, and feisty Katie O'Connor is the epitome of the new woman--smart and sassy with goals for her future that include the perfect husband and a challenging career in law. Her boyfriend Jack fits all of her criteria for a husband--good-looking, well-connected, wealthy

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Paperback, 505 pages

Published September 1st 2010 by Revell Books (first published 2010)

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Sep 26, 2010 Renee rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorite-christian-fiction

Where there are sisters there's bound to be trouble especially when those sisters go by the last name of O'Connor. Once again Julie Lessman delivers the dramatic, emotional rollercoaster of an edgy inspirational story that is definitely her trademark. You thought A Passion Most Pure had some great twists and turns well in the words of the 70s band, Bachman-Turner Overdrive, "Baby you ain't seen nothin' yet!" Like I said where there is an O'Connor there's bound to be something interesting going d...more

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Feb 13, 2012 Jocelyn Green rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: christian-fiction

Warning: if you have work to do, and you are reading this book, you may not get your work done until you turn the last page! This is the best book I have read (in the Christian fiction category) since A Distant Melody by Sarah Sundin. This is not one that I keep on my nightstand to pick up if I need to wind down the day with something. Oh no. This book is one that I literally carried around the house with me, so if I had any spare moments in any given room, I could pick it up. So hard to put it...more

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Dec 29, 2010 Ashley rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: reviewed

Oh My Word!!! I can't believe I finally have Julie's new book in my 'lil hands! I swear when I opened the package from Revell, I heard a heavenly fan fair. I LOVED A Passion Denied and I was sure to love this newest one just as much. A Hope Undaunted centers on the littlest O'Connor, Katie Rose. Katie was a spunky little 11 years old, but now at 18 Katie, is a modern woman on a mission. To become a laywer, with the perfect husband, and fight for womens' rights. Queue Luke McGee; the bane of Kat...more Oh My Word!!! I can't believe I finally have Julie's new book in my 'lil hands! I swear when I opened the package from Revell, I heard a heavenly fan fair. I LOVED A Passion Denied and I was sure to love this newest one just as much. A Hope Undaunted centers on the littlest O'Connor, Katie Rose. Katie was a spunky little 11 years old, but now at 18 Katie, is a modern woman on a mission. To become a laywer, with the perfect husband, and fight for womens' rights. Queue Luke McGee; the bane of Katie's existence and the man who has captured her heart.

I absolutely LOVE Luke. He is dashing, dangerous and has is fiercely devoted to family and has a passion for God that shines brighter then the sequins on a flapper's dress. Katie is just the opposite. She wants a neat and stable life without any surprises, and list for everything. If it’s not on the list, than it ain't important to Katie, and unfortunately God isn't on it.

Julie Lessman's books once again, take me on an emotional roller coaster with loops of passion and corkscrew intensity. Reading A Hope Undaunted was like coming back from summer camp: You had fun while you were there, but that there is nothing quite like coming home.
Julie fills her books to the brim with historical detail that transports you right into the Roaring 20's and God's undeniable truths. Katie struggles with letting God take control, but both she and Luke both learn that when we try to do things our way, they don't go the way we think they will. And that God has something beyond our comprehension for our future, if we just trust in Him.
A Hope Undaunted is the BEST BOOK so far this year, and if you haven't had the chance to read it yet, I'm telling you, you just gotta! Even if it means shoplifting from B&N (okay, not really, but you get the idea).
I would definitely recommend any and all of Julie's books, especially this one.

*Many thanks to Donna Hauler @Revell for sending me a review copy of A Hope Undaunted. This review is my honest opinion of this book and I am in no any compensation for a good review from the publisher and/or the author.*

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May 03, 2013 Deanna rated it 5 of 5 stars

Rebellion begins as a seed and if not stopped, it will fest and grow until it is out of control. Perhaps, you might recall a rebellious stage you, a sibling, or someone you know has gone through. Can you recall the circumstances surrounding it? Did a parent or person with authority step in and do something about it? What was the outcome? In A Hope Undaunted, we find one rebellious Katie O’Connor who is keen on rebelling against authority. Katie experiences many things within herself as her paren...more

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Mar 06, 2013 Tahmina rated it 3 of 5 stars

I recently read this book and well i really like it though parts of the book weren't so much to my liking. Not being christian its a bit too religious and at times very sexiest but the underlying story of the love story. This book is also supposed to be a historical novel and though the sexiest views do fit the era nothing else really does. I feel like most of the book is something that could actually happen today and most of it was very unbelievable for that time of history.

This story follows a...more

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Feb 18, 2013 Amy rated it 3 of 5 stars

I mean... the relationships were very interesting, the characters themselves not always so much. The plot had a few nice turns, well, the turns themselves weren't always "nice", but perhaps you know what I mean?
I had two main issues, one was that for a Christian novel, she sure does toe the line. I've never met a group of characters that were all so... actively intimate, and while she never shared any details, I kept feeling like a peeping tom looking in someone's bedroom window. I mean, intima...more

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Feb 12, 2013 Rachel rated it 1 of 5 stars

This is my first Julie Lessman novel and I only write this review so that prospective readers need not waste their time and energy. My biggest problem with this book was its unrealistic take on what being a Christian implies. Sexist, masochistic men. Heroines who are all talk but no walk. Panting, heaving men and women who somehow got out of a Harlequin bodice ripper. One of the most shallow portrayals of emotional infidelity in marriage as well as in relationships and its consequences in the li...more

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Jan 28, 2013 Patrice rated it 1 of 5 stars

I was really excited to read this book, thinking it looked like a nice easy historical romance. Unfortunately, it really left me with a bad taste in my mouth. What struck me the most about this book, and what I didn't expect to find, is that it was incredible sexist and offensive. The main character is a strong willed young woman eager to attend law school and contribute to the womens' rights movement. While that sounds promising, it is clearly communicated throughout the book that Katie is just...more I was really excited to read this book, thinking it looked like a nice easy historical romance. Unfortunately, it really left me with a bad taste in my mouth. What struck me the most about this book, and what I didn't expect to find, is that it was incredible sexist and offensive. The main character is a strong willed young woman eager to attend law school and contribute to the womens' rights movement. While that sounds promising, it is clearly communicated throughout the book that Katie is just a "headstrong" young women who needs to be disciplined by male authority figures. When Katie tells her mother that in the last decade women have "broken free of from Victorian dictates to forge their own morality" her mother drops this gem:"You mean their own promiscuity." So apparently giving women rights over their own bodies turns them into "sluts"....? Her mother continues along this strain saying "You and I have all the freedom we need, young lady- your father provides us with a comfortable life, and we would do well to remember that." Well, good think you have a nice controlling father Katie, or you might just end up a street hooker!

All of the female characters prescribe to this female = submissive to husband role. Her older sister tells her that they have a duty to respect the authority god places over them, this being their fathers of husbands, who are the "head of the household", and if they disagree with their husbands they need to work out this "problem" with God. As for the male characters, they are all domineering jerks. Her father is ultra controlling, which is somehow portrayed in some parts of the book as endearing. The love interest, Luke, seems to like violently revenge kissing women after they have slapped him in the face for kissing them in the first place. He also constantly refers to Katie as a "little brat" which not only sounds like he is infantilizing her but also leads into my next major complaint: poor, often repetitive, writing. It really made me want to scratch my eyes out every time Luke calls Katie a little brat (37 times in case you were wondering) or she calls him a little beggar. The dialogue was awkward and there were so many characters introduced at once, I couldn't really distinguish one from the other. Also, I can't imagine why she set this in the 1920's, as there was hardly anything "historical" about the novel. When the stock market crashes, they have fewer big family dinners... and then a year later everything is fine. Overall, a lazy, condescendingly Christian book and not my piece of cake.(less)

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May 04, 2012 Nicole rated it 1 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. If Christian romance is your thing, this book might be for you. But Christian romance is not my thing and this book definitely was not for me.

Having worked in a library for several years I am able usually able to spot Christian and LDS fiction from quite a distance. And I usually avoid it because I know it's not my thing... This title, however, was able to fall through the cracks and into my 'to-read' pile, I think mainly because I got it as an e-book and therefore missed the opportunity to see...more If Christian romance is your thing, this book might be for you. But Christian romance is not my thing and this book definitely was not for me.

Having worked in a library for several years I am able usually able to spot Christian and LDS fiction from quite a distance. And I usually avoid it because I know it's not my thing... This title, however, was able to fall through the cracks and into my 'to-read' pile, I think mainly because I got it as an e-book and therefore missed the opportunity to see the tell-tale binding. Also, it's cover art and the synopsis blurb do not quite follow the mold of most other Christian fiction, so there wasn't much, initially, to give it away as Christian fiction.

Very sly on your part, little book. Very sly.

I decided to give it a try, though, to put my judgments and opinions to the test to see if maybe this book didn't deserve the generalizations I have attributed to its fellows.

Unfortunately, no. This book did not converted me (no pun intended) to Christian fiction. I remain unimpressed and unlikely to test my judgments again for some time.

But there was more going on than just its genre that led me to put this book down halfway through:

While this is the first book in the Winds of Change series, the series itself is a companion of sorts to the Daughters of Boston series. Not that coming into it at this point made me feel like I was missing huge chunks of the story that left me unable to piece things together, but I did feel like I was coming in part way and that a lot of the characterizations and relationships had been established in those other books. So, that's just a warning to those who may be considering this book: you may want to check out those others first to get some background info.

For me, this book read very much like a soap opera. The synopsis blurb gave me the impression the plot was going to be about Katie O'Connor. Of course it is about her, seeing as how she made it to the coveted back-cover-blurb spot. But there are all these side- and inter-related stories going on that are covered in semi-depth; all these sub-plots involving characters that were introduced in those other books. And there are several stories to keep track of: that of Katie's her parents, her 3 sisters and their husbands, the antagonist/love interest, etc. It's not that the transitions between the plots and sub-plots of all these stories is choppy or anything, it's just that there are so many to keep track of and they're all pretty dramatic.

Finally, for a Christian-themed romance novel (which status, had I realized it from the get-go, would have prevented me from reading it, but that's my own fault) I felt like there were a lot of instances of "romance" that were pretty unnecessary and borderline abusive. I don't know how best to describe it. Let's just say that I found it annoying that every interaction between married or love-interest characters ended with semi-suggestive language. Nothing explicit, mind you - it is religious romance, after all, not Harlequin - but more that I imagined a Christian novel would include. And there were several instances, even though it may have simply been the star-crossed lovers fulfilling their roles, that made me question whether or not I would actually want a relationship as described in this book. Yes, there appears to be some love, but also lots of lust, and expectation of subservience and actions that, star-crossed-lovers or not, just don't need to happen.(less)

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Feb 06, 2012 Laura rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: older teens and adults

Shelves: 2012, christian-fiction

*I just looked to see what other books Julie Lessman wrote because I enjoyed this one so much. I learned that the reason the O'Connor family plays such a prominent role in the story is because the Daughters of Boston series is about them too! That explains why things about the the older sisters' lives were alluded too but not described in detail. I'll have to read the other books to get those details! Now it makes sense. "Hope Undaunted" is book four in a series about the O'Connor family, even t...more

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Jan 29, 2012 April rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Free Nook ebook.

I've read Julie Lessman before — it was A Passion Most Pure, which I didn't like because of the love triangles involving sisters and womanizers, because of the head hopping and the bad editing, and because of the unending preaching which only made the whole thing seem hypocritical. I try not to hold a bad book against an author, though. The writing was good, and from what I learned in other reviews, it was the author's first book. So when I came upon A Hope Undaunted among the fr...more Free Nook ebook.

I've read Julie Lessman before — it was A Passion Most Pure, which I didn't like because of the love triangles involving sisters and womanizers, because of the head hopping and the bad editing, and because of the unending preaching which only made the whole thing seem hypocritical. I try not to hold a bad book against an author, though. The writing was good, and from what I learned in other reviews, it was the author's first book. So when I came upon A Hope Undaunted among the freebies after getting my Nook set up, I downloaded it and then later read it, hoping to see that the author has grown and further developed her craft.

It was actually pretty good — a big improvement over the other book. There's a better sense of family here. The heroine's family clearly love each other, despite everyone's faults, and they only want the best for each other, however hard they may seem to each other. There isn't that unrealistic sibling rivalry that was present in the author's first book. There's no fighting over beaus or sneaking around with their sisters' fiancés.

The time period is different. It's the 1920s, on the cusp of the stock market crash, and the heroine comes out of a privileged upbringing. The hero is from an underprivileged background, but because the heroine's older brother believed in him and gave him the love and support he needed, he grew up to be an up and coming lawyer, a young man with the goal to give back in spades by working to help other children.

Now these are characters I can root for. The heroine is spoiled and naive having grown up the youngest and well provided for, but the foundation for good is there, so that you can tell she'll be a good match for the hero eventually.

What I didn't like of the book is the hero's overdeveloped sense of duty. Don't read on if you don't want to read any spoilers, but (view spoiler) this is just too much noblesse oblige for me, especially since this is after he has admitted to himself how he feels for the heroine and after she has declared her own love for him. There were other solutions available. There was no need for him to do what he did.

Another reason I do not like that turn in the story — the author and the reader must then completely rely on "God" or the author's plotting to somehow get the hero and heroine back together again ... because clearly they belong together. Presented with a choice, the hero chooses life without the heroine, though it's killing him, and we're supposed to believe things will right themselves later somehow. (view spoiler) One word for that kind of ending? Contrived.

(view spoiler) I would have preferred if that best friend angle never happened — if she had never been attacked by her ex and never presented the hero with that awful kind of choice to begin with.(less)

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Nov 24, 2011 Rachel Thompson rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical, romance

I downloaded this book for free at one point from Sony's ebook store, so this is the first I've read from this author. It was difficult for me to choose between 3 and 4 stars because overall I enjoyed this book. At times, I had trouble putting it down.

Katie is determined to get her own way and thinks she has it all figured out. She's set her sights on Jack, a man who dotes on her and gives her everything she could ever want. Her plans include law school and fighting for women's rights after grow...more I downloaded this book for free at one point from Sony's ebook store, so this is the first I've read from this author. It was difficult for me to choose between 3 and 4 stars because overall I enjoyed this book. At times, I had trouble putting it down.

Katie is determined to get her own way and thinks she has it all figured out. She's set her sights on Jack, a man who dotes on her and gives her everything she could ever want. Her plans include law school and fighting for women's rights after growing up under the oppressive rules of her father. She's willful and headstrong and constantly butting heads with her father (who I just saw as trying to be a good parent -- he didn't expect anything too extreme). This book took place in the latter part of the 1920s, so even though Katie is eighteen, she still has a curfew and her father expects her to behave with decency, but finally he's had enough. For the summer before Katie is set to begin law school, he puts her under house confinement. No more seeing Jack, and she has to work for a non-profit organization five days a week, helping orphaned children. Unfortunately for Katie, Cluny McGee, her childhood nemesis, also works there, although he's grown into a handsome man who goes by Luke now. (A personal pet peeve of mine: so many romance novels have heroes named Luke. It's starting to drive me crazy.)

The slow change between hatred and love is entertaining, but the author felt the need to throw Katie's whole family in there. As a reader who's never enjoyed any other books based on these characters, I was a bit overwhelmed at first, trying to keep all the names straight. It was a struggle to remember who was married to who and how everyone was related to one another. This book also went off on tangents that didn't add to the overall story. Instead of focusing on the main characters, Katie and Luke, we also got subplots mostly concerning Katie's sister, Faith, as well as Katie's parents. This slowed the whole pace of the book down and made it a lot longer than it really needed to be.

The characters could also get annoying from time to time. Everyone seemed to have the same hairstyle (adding to character confusion), Katie often refused to listen to reason, insisting that her ideas were always right, plus the way she constantly lifts her chin in the air makes her seem conceited and selfish, which are unlikable traits. Luke is stubborn to a fault, which just made me want to whack him upside the head at times. (view spoiler)

Another huge complaint I had was with the character's chosen favorite phrases, which honestly generally didn't make much sense. Examples: the way a character slacked a hip, butted the door, hiked a brow, or hiked her chin. There are more, but these are the ones off the top of my head.

Finally, I found this book a bit on the preachy side. I don't generally have a hard time reading Christian romance books, but this one was way over the top as everyone around Katie is a firm believer, and it almost seemed like everyone wanted to convert her, sometimes beating her over the head with the word of God.(less)

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Nov 15, 2011 Stephanie rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-fiction, romance

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. For the most part, I enjoyed this book, but there were several of the character's traits that really bothered me, both involving the two main characters utter refusal to pursue the one they love. First, Katie, pursuing the man who fits her "plan", but is obnoxious over the one who stirs her and who she cares about greatly. Then, Luke, who throws it all away for a misplaced sense of duty to a woman he views as his blood (which is a little weird, especially since he seems to see her as a sister, a...more

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Oct 09, 2011 Lola4 rated it 3 of 5 stars

Overall, I almost thought this was a great book--but I had two problems with it. The more minor problem is that the love quadrangle plot was just too much like the love triangle plot in A Passion Most Pure; I really would have liked a little more originality. The major problem was that I really hated the subplot about Faith wimping into a doormat as Collin lies, sneaks, and commits emotional adultery on her and the children. You can say it turns out that he had a good excuse, but he didn't find...more Overall, I almost thought this was a great book--but I had two problems with it. The more minor problem is that the love quadrangle plot was just too much like the love triangle plot in A Passion Most Pure; I really would have liked a little more originality. The major problem was that I really hated the subplot about Faith wimping into a doormat as Collin lies, sneaks, and commits emotional adultery on her and the children. You can say it turns out that he had a good excuse, but he didn't find that excuse until AFTER being a total sleazebag to his family. Aargh, weak, sicko subplot. In real life I doubt it would be a Betty who ends up in the abusive relationship, it would probably be an emotionally-crippled spineless jellyfish like Faith--oh, right, she did end up in an abusive marriage, emotionally abusive rather than physically abusive. She showed a little spine at first and then deteriorated into a limp dishrag and didn't even have the moxie to take a stand for her children's well-being. It was only a small subplot, but Faith's idiocy in dealing with her husband's infidelity left me with a very unpleasant aftertaste from this book. In real life, I doubt if things would have suddenly made a magical reversal as they did in this book--I just don't buy that God rewards spousal neglect and infidelity, and there are more kinds of infidelity than the physical kind. On the plus side, I am glad that Patrick finally found a tiny bit of his spine to confront Marcie on her vicious passive-aggressive games to turn the children and grandchildren against Patrick so she can feel that they love her more than him--she was starting to get on my nerves--but at least the problem was finally effectively addressed. I know a "sweet" woman just like Marcie--her children all turned out badly and are paying a terrible price. I think I am still really, really angry with Ms. Lessman and Faith for ruining this otherwise great book for me with Faith's spineless enabling of Collin's infidelity. These couples may be big on loooove, but they are mighty short on respect.(less)

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Oct 06, 2011 Robin Prater rated it 5 of 5 stars

Katie O'Connor is a young, spoiled, wealthy girl who is growing up in the 1920's. She has this idea of what the new woman shall be and that is exactly who she is seeking to be. The woman of the world. Nothing holding her back. Dreams that reach the sky. She has this attitude that everything should be her way. She is out to look for that perfect husband as she is dreaming of her career. Changes are coming to Katie. Life is not all packaged with a pretty bow attached. Her father is a strong figure...more Katie O'Connor is a young, spoiled, wealthy girl who is growing up in the 1920's. She has this idea of what the new woman shall be and that is exactly who she is seeking to be. The woman of the world. Nothing holding her back. Dreams that reach the sky. She has this attitude that everything should be her way. She is out to look for that perfect husband as she is dreaming of her career. Changes are coming to Katie. Life is not all packaged with a pretty bow attached. Her father is a strong figure in her life and he is wanting to see changes come to Katie to make her the woman she has been called to be. Not the woman the world is calling. We get a great picture of Katie's family and friends surrounding her. As Katie is wanting to experience life as she wants, Jack is her dream man. Or is he? He is that boy that always seems to find trouble, but to Katie he is exciting. He has all the connections Katie will need. Until Luke McGee comes into her life again from a childhood of past. Luke McGee was that young boy who created meanness and an ornery boy who just had the opposite life of Katie. Luke came from nothing and sees life as it really is. Luke is wanting to help others who grew up with nothing and watch them turn their lives into something special. Katie was determined to despise Luke forever, but something is happening. Luke is spinning her in circles and her heart is changing fast. But more changes are coming and more choices. Luke has another in his life that also has a place in his heart and another will enter into Katie's that she was not prepared for. Life seems to keep spinning for these young people. As the world is changing, their hearts are learning what not only happiness is, but disappointment. This book is filled with many characters and many lessons about life, love, forgiveness and redemption. These pages are filled with faith and growth. This book could easily be turned into a movie. Really, it's that good! It was one I didn't want to put down. Katie is filled with spunk and a jest for life. She is a determined girl, but God has other plans for Katie. Come along on this adventure in the 1920's and watch this amazing group of family and friends come even closer and grow from the lessons that touch their hearts.

This book was a gift from Revell for it's review.
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Sep 28, 2011 Helen Wakefield rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: christian, historical-fiction, romance-fiction

`A Hope Undaunted" is the first instalment of Julie's "Winds of Change" series, the second of which is currently a new release ("A Heart Revealed"). This series is actually a follow on from her first series, "The Daughters of Boston". This book is set late in the roaring 1920s. It is the story of Katie - the youngest of the six O'Connor children. Katie is a headstrong and defiant character, with lofty ambitions for herself and for the women's cause. She thinks she has everything for her life sor...more

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Aug 19, 2011 Megan rated it 5 of 5 stars

I loved A Hope Undaunted by Julie Lessman!! It was my first book by this incredible author, and I look forward to reading her Daughters of Boston series that precedes this one!
Here is the description from amazon.com:

The 1920s are drawing to a close, and feisty Katie O'Connor is the epitome of the new woman--smart and sassy with goals for her future that include the perfect husband and a challenging career in law. Her boyfriend Jack fits all of her criteria for a husband--good-looking, well-conne...more

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May 01, 2011 Tamara rated it 3 of 5 stars

A HOPE UNDAUNTED had more highs than lows.

Katie O’Connor is strong-willed and determined to get her own way. The perfect husband-to-be in Jack Worthington, the wealth he can offer, and law school. Her future is set. That is until Luke “Cluny” McGee shows up and sets her world on edge. A childhood nemesis, Luke is determined to prove to Katie he is the only man for her. What ensues for Katie is an emotional tug-of-war that tests her will, her loyalty, and challenges her to allow God to lead in h...more

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Mar 22, 2011 Christy rated it 4 of 5 stars

I have been anticipating A Hope Undaunted for well over a year now, and before I even cracked the spine, I knew I would be in for a rollercoaster ride of passion and drama. In that respect, A Hope Undaunted did not disappoint one bit. But I have to confess that while Julie Lessman is on my favorite authors list right under Francine Rivers, I just did not love this book. I know I'm probably one of the few in that category, but I have to be honest. I liked it, but I didn't love it...there really i...more I have been anticipating A Hope Undaunted for well over a year now, and before I even cracked the spine, I knew I would be in for a rollercoaster ride of passion and drama. In that respect, A Hope Undaunted did not disappoint one bit. But I have to confess that while Julie Lessman is on my favorite authors list right under Francine Rivers, I just did not love this book. I know I'm probably one of the few in that category, but I have to be honest. I liked it, but I didn't love it...there really is a difference.

Having gotten to know young Katie O'Connor in the Daughters of Boston series, I knew her personality wouldn't have changed much from childhood to an older teenager. She was a spoiled brat in the first series, and she was a spoiled brat through about the first half of this book. I couldn't seem to get past her selfish nature that popped up all over the place. And the other half of the time, she couldn't seem to make up her mind which I chalked up to immaturity and wanting to be free from her father's strict rules. Another thing that bothered me in regards to Katie was that she was eighteen years old, and in between two guys with lots of emotions flying all over the place. In spite of her father's summer plans to keep her away from bad boy Jack, she still managed to get into, what I thought were, compromising situations with Luke at the Boston Children's Aid Society. Now, her parents really liked Luke over Jack, as did I, but I think if they knew what was happening between Katie and Luke in the workplace, that whole situation would've been nipped in the bud quicker than a blink. All that aside, how Katie responded to all of her emotions was completely normal for someone her age. She wanted so badly to exercise her freedom that she sometimes made unwise decisions regarding her feelings, not to mention that both Luke and Jack were on the receiving end of her emotional decisions.

Julie is known for writing edgy, romantic, Christian fiction, and every bit of that was present in this book. But compared to her 3 previous novels, the edginess was actually toned down in this book. There was more focus on the relationships between the characters, especially Faith and Collin and Marcy and Patrick. Even though I wasn't a fan of Katie as a whole, the romance, and especially the kissing scenes, between her and Luke were explosive! I don't think Julie will ever lose her touch in that department! Between the edginess and the romance, you'd think there'd barely be enough space for anything else, but the Christian elements in this book were simply perfect. And if you're not careful, Julie may just step on your toes a bit with more Biblical truths than your Sunday morning preacher.

Even though A Hope Undaunted was my least favorite book featuring the O'Connor clan, I will never grow tired of getting my O'Connor fix just like Karen Kingsbury fans have to get their Baxter family fix. I hope the wait won't be long between A Hope Undaunted and her next book, A Heart Revealed, which will tell the story of Sean and Emma. I have loved Emma's quiet nature from the moment she was first introduced in the Daughters of Boston series. There's no doubt in my mind that their story will be a good one. :o)

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Sep 25, 2010 Linda rated it 5 of 5 stars

My first recommendation is that you read the Daughters of Boston series first, which includes A Passion Most Pure, A Passion Redeemed, and A Passion Denied, in that order.

In A Hope Undaunted, Katie O’Connor is the last daughter of Patrick and Marcy O’Connor, and the ‘baby’ of the family, who knows what she wants out of life. She’s spunky, sassy, strong-willed, spoiled, and sours under the authority of a man. She has her life plans all laid out: marry a rich man, go to college to be a lawyer, and...more

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Sep 24, 2010 April rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: inspirational-historical-romance

A HOPE UNDAUNTED by Julie Lessman is a inspirational historical fiction set in 1929 Boston, Massachusetts.It is Book One in the Winds of Change series..It is well written with depth, details, fast paced and a page turner. It has romance, change, faith, wisdom, passion, joy, sorrows,and hope undaunted. This is a continence story of the O'Connor clan from the Daughters of Boston series, which was set from 1916 until 1929 and was about the three eldest daughters of the O'Connor clan.This story is a...more

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Sep 22, 2010 Cafelilybookreviews rated it 4 of 5 stars

A Hope Undaunted is the first book in Julie Lessman’s new series, The Winds of Change coming from Revell Books this September.

This was a fun book to read and moved at the perfect pace for me. Katie O’Connor is a spit-fire of a woman who is used to men falling all over her and giving in to her every whim. She likes the power she has over her rich fiancée whom she has wrapped around her little finger.

When fate brings a childhood nemesis back into her life, Katie is stunned to discover that the v...more

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Sep 20, 2010 Brenda Casto rated it 5 of 5 stars

I have never read anything written by Julie Lessman before and I am totally blown away by her ability to draw us into a novel making us feel as if we know the characters personally. The authors writing style captures your attention from the beginning with a story that flows so easily that your totally engrossed and unable to stop reading till the conclusion.

The roaring twenties are coming to an end and Katie O'Connor knows exactly what she is going to do with her life. She is fresh out of high s...more

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Sep 20, 2010 Debra Ullrick rated it 5 of 5 stars

Wow, this one had more roller coaster rides than a theme park. An Undaunted Love, by Julie Lessman had me turning the pages almost faster than I could read them. As a huge fan of Julie’s stories, I definitely wasn’t disappointed. An Undaunted Love, is as good if not better than her others. Filled with her usual sweet, poetic romance and much, much more.

One thing I loved about, An Undaunted Love, was, just when I thought things were going to go one way, Julie yanked me another direction. When th...more

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Sep 20, 2010 Lisa rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: inspirational-novels

A Hope Undaunted
by Julie Lessman
Winds of Change series
ISBN: 978-0-8007-3415-2
Available September 2010; $14.99

My review:

A Hope Undaunted is a Boston romance that takes place at the end of the roaring twenties. Katie O’Connor is set to enter law school in the fall of 1929, except for one little problem: her father, who’s footing the bill, is also putting his foot down on her curfew-breaking unapologetic playtime with her friends. In exchange for her tuition, she must not see her boyfriend or galli...more A Hope Undaunted
by Julie Lessman
Winds of Change series
ISBN: 978-0-8007-3415-2
Available September 2010; $14.99

My review:

A Hope Undaunted is a Boston romance that takes place at the end of the roaring twenties. Katie O’Connor is set to enter law school in the fall of 1929, except for one little problem: her father, who’s footing the bill, is also putting his foot down on her curfew-breaking unapologetic playtime with her friends. In exchange for her tuition, she must not see her boyfriend or gallivant with her girlfriends over the summer. Instead, she will give her days to the Boston Children’s Aid Society as a volunteer. Her almost-fiancé, wealthy, socially and politically-connected Jack Worthington, has little regard for following the rules although he lets Katie ride all over him. Can she respect such a man? Katie’s goals of independence for women, a career in politics, and a family are in jeopardy when her childhood nemesis turns out to be the assistant director of the children’s aid society. Although both Katie and Luke are grown up now, they find they still know how to push each other’s hot buttons in all the worst ways. Love triangles web up A Hope Undaunted from the beginning to the end as we weave through Katie’s sisters and brothers and their life and problems, to runaway orphans, to Luke’s past catching up with him, to Katie and Jack and Luke’s boss, Parker…to Katie and Parker and God. It will take a careful reader to keep all the strands of this 500-page story untangled.

In the early chapters I appreciated the depth of detail Lessman laid out in her settings and characters. After a while, though, I got out the old machete and hacked my way through the lush jungle of constant blushes and flushes and endless discussion about how Luke bothered Katie and vice versa. I’m sure I whacked a few orchids in my skimming, however, and for that I’m sorry. The lengthy chapters had plenty of action, lots of hugging and kissing, remorse and retrospect, prayers and soul-searching. Readers of historic fiction will certainly love Lessman’s attention to the era and her delicious romantic characters.

Available September 2010 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
(less)

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Sep 19, 2010 Cheryl rated it 5 of 5 stars

The year is 1929.

Katie O’Connor, her boyfriend, Jack and some of there friends are hanging out at a restaurant. It is almost 10 pm. Katie is hungry. Jack hollers for the soda jerk to come take their order. The guy is not intimidated by Katie or her boyfriend. Katie has shocked as she has never met anyone who did not bow down to her every wish. Katie is so mad but to make her evening worse, she comes home past her curfew. Her father puts his foot down and tells Katie that for her punishment, she...more

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Sep 18, 2010 Angie Lippard rated it 5 of 5 stars

The opening line sets the tone of the book "Now this is how love should be - nice and neat." Katie has her life all planned out - from who she is going to marry, where she will go to school and even how many children she will have with her future husband. These are not dreams or a wish list. These are hard and fast plans that she sticks to even when it seems ridiculously clear that she should change her plans. But nooooo, not stubborn Katie Rose.

Katie has grown into a young woman working her way...more The opening line sets the tone of the book "Now this is how love should be - nice and neat." Katie has her life all planned out - from who she is going to marry, where she will go to school and even how many children she will have with her future husband. These are not dreams or a wish list. These are hard and fast plans that she sticks to even when it seems ridiculously clear that she should change her plans. But nooooo, not stubborn Katie Rose.

Katie has grown into a young woman working her way toward a career as a lawyer. She is living in the "roaring 20's" and has strong beliefs about women's rights and activism. The financial struggles and stress in the book are eerily similar to what has happened with our current economy. She definitely reflects the "modern woman" attitude.

Hotness factor: 5 star (Did you think Julie was going to get less than 5 stars? Really now?) The character who has changed the most is Cluny Mcgee. My, oh my, Cluny has grown up into a very nice looking man...six foot three, tanned, blonde hair and muscles to spare. I feel bad for Collin. I was so in love with him from before but now he's been relegated to the back burner. (Especially with what he pulls in this book!) It seems Cluny is a chick magnet for every woman on the planet except one - Katie. The heat and chemistry is there from the beginning. I might even venture to say that it was even a little hotter than her other books.

(He) ...blocked her, hand to her arm with a wicked grin on his face. He prodded her to the wall with a lift of his brown. "One measly compliment, Katie Rose, and if Life Savers were money, you'd be a wealthy woman." It was meant no more than a tease, a game from their past to get her mind off the present, but all at once his heart started pounding and his mouth went dry....He was a friend that wanted to be a lover, and for the first time in weeks, the desire was so strong, he had to physically pull away. He took a step back. God help me, what I wouldn't give...She stared at him then with a lump in her throat, and her eyes met his piercing gaze with a soggy one of her own. "I'm already a wealthy woman,: she whispered, her voice so low he had to strain to hear it. "Cluny McGee is the best friend I've ever had."

Overall Rating: 5 stars Everything was churning along nicely until around page 420, when I said out loud, "You're killing me here, Julie!" Then by page 436, I was having a full blown conversation with her "Oh no, no, no! You're not going to go down this road, are you? Yep, she's going to do this." Good thing everyone in the house was asleep as I talked out loud...

At around page 458, I wanted to cry. I just couldn't take it anymore. Cluny was just so stubborn and couldn't give in to his heart and let go of his past. Page 462, *gasp* and jaw drop, as well as, relief. Oh, thank goodness!

Christianity: 5 stars Chapter 22, had me in its clutches. Seeing John 15:13 in action made me rethink my own view of the verse and its implications. "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends" is lived out in black and white and is a beautiful example of Godly and brotherly love. Faith in Christ is never an afterthought in Julie's books. In "A Hope Undaunted," you see how all of the characters are in different places in their walk with Christ. Some struggling, some completely reliant and others just learning to trust but all realistic and encouraging.

One thing that surprised me about the book was the orphanage/foster care theme. It really appealed to me because I used to work in children's emergency shelters (one of them being a runaway home) and had a foster child for three years. When he came to live with us, he was 10 and looked like he was 7 or 8. He came to our home with a black trash bag that had all his possessions in the world tucked inside. Our foster son reminded me a lot of Cluny Mcgee - scared, hurt, alone, full of anger and mistrust. I can commiserate with the struggles in the book of the foster children, foster parents and the organization trying to help.

All the other characters are richly developed including Faith/Collin, Charity/Mitch, Lizzie/Brady and Marcy/Patrick. We learn much more about Sean and Steven in this book and I can't wait to fall in love with both of them in the next two books.

Now this is how a hot Christian romance should be - NOT so nice and neat but one that you will fall in love with again and again! (less)

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Sep 15, 2010 Cindy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Katie O'Connor, an eighteen year old young woman, on the brink of womanhood, right in the midst of changing times. Women's rights are a passion of hers, and she is determined to go to law school, and to marry rich. Katie has always been a strong willed child and as she nears adulthood, instead of it being easier on her parents, she kicks and fights all the rules. Causing her father to make a drastic move. Confining her for her summer, making her volunteer in an office, with a young man who was t...more

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Sep 09, 2010 Laura rated it 4 of 5 stars

Title: A HOPE UNDAUNTED
Author: Julie Lessman
Publisher: Revell
September 2010
ISBN: 978-0-8007-3415-2
Genre: Inspirational/historical

Katie O’Connor is the spoiled youngest daughter, used to getting whatever she wants. She dreams of becoming a lawyer, after all, she is a woman and women were rising above the beaten down, worthless lot that she believes her ancestors were, and becoming self sufficient, and campaigning for the right to vote.

While out with her friends, they go into a diner where Katie’...more

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Feb 29, 2012 Anne Osterlund rated it 4 of 5 stars

When it comes to her future, Katie O’Connor has a plan.
And it does not include Cluny McGee—the street kid who used to torture her when she was ten.
Her plan includes law school and Jack and upward momentum.
Did I mention it does NOT include Cluny—now calling himself Luke—McGee.
No, her plan includes independence and fighting for women’s rights and freedom from her father’s rules.
Which she has a tendency to break.
And his punishments.
Which land her in purgatory.
Working for the children’s aid society....more

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About Julie Lessman

Julie Lessman is an award-winning author whose tagline of “Passion With a Purpose” underscores her intense passion for both God and romance. American Christian Fiction Writers 2009 Debut Author of the Year and winner of 14 RWA awards, Julie Lessman was voted #1 Romance Author of the year in Family Fiction magazine’s 2012 and 2011 Readers Choice Awards, #1 Historical Fiction Author, #3 Author, #4 N...more

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Books by Julie Lessman

A Passion Most Pure (Daughters of Boston, #1)

A Passion Redeemed (Daughters of Boston, #2)

A Passion Denied (Daughters of Boston, #3)

A Love Surrendered (Winds of Change, #3)

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Quotes from A Hope Undaunted

“He's waiting to love you like you've never been loved before.” — 13 people liked it

“I've barely ever thought about Him. ... That doesn't mean he hasn't thought about you. You own a piece of God's heart, like a piece of puzzle that's missing. A piece nobody else can fill.” — 8 people liked it

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A Hope Undaunted (Winds of Change #1)

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