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I really enjoyed this book. I liked the fact that there was an autistic child in the book that was not pumped up on medication.

Maddie is a widow who's husband was a minster that was very strict with rules. Jessie is a youth minster that is going threw a rough patch.

I recommend this title it is an enjoyable read that takes you away and reminds you other people also have problems.

Youth Pastor Jesse Parker meets Maddie and her son, Noah, in the grocery store. As it turns out Jesse's grandmother is Maddie's boss at the quilt store. He instantly hits it off with Noah, who has autism, and people tend to stay away from him, but Jesse instantly befriends him.

Jesse works at Wrangler Ranch, close to where Maddie and Noah live. Wrangler Ranch ministers to troubled youth, and Noah really enjoys spending time there with Jesse.

Can God heal three broken hearts to make a family?

Maddie is a great mom, and has a strong faith, she does what she can to help Noah, and appreciates all the time that Jesse has spent with him. She wants Noah to have a normal childhood, and to help him break free of the list of rules that her late husband had for them. I loved her devotion to her son, while trying to rebuild their lives. Jesse's grandmother is a great friend to her, and encourages her along the way.

Jesse is a great youth pastor, but a tragedy has him questioning his calling. He knows just the right thing to say to everyone but to himself. He admires Maddie's strengths and her determination to overcome hardships and an abusive past. He is great with Noah, and enjoys getting to know Maddie and her son.

Noah is a dear child, with a unique way of saying things that makes me smile. There are great touches of humor throughout the book, and good dialog. Maddie was my favorite character, she was so strong after everything she has gone through, and I just wanted her to find happiness. An enjoyable read.

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A Cowboy, Easter and Family Romance... Could there be anything better? This book is sweet and just what I needed today!

A touching tale of life, love, parenting, and growing in faith and learning to trust in God.
Mixed in the tender and sweet story of getting a second chance in love the author has skillfully, in a heartfelt way, inserted a poignant sermon of trusting in God with every aspect of our lives, and what that means in praxis. With an inspiring and uplifting manner, by using encouraging examples of the characters lives, the author manages to touch many questions most of the people might struggle with when it comes to their faith in God.
I liked the instant connection that was formed between Jesse Parker and Maddie McGregor and Noah. They were on the same wavelength, they shared the same concerns, they had the same goals, and they all loved Granny Emma, and were willing to do anything to help her out. The romance and attraction grew much slower and later and was set on a fitting timeframe considering rest of the plot.
Jesse, Maddie, and Noah were all broken souls and had issues of their own they were struggling with. Leaning on each other, sharing their wisdom, listening to each other, and helping with the everyday matters, they all experienced a remarkable character development through the story, as people and with their faith in God.
I don't know enough about autism to be able to say anything about Noah's condition and the changes with it. I found the events in a story a source of joy, and will not question if it would be medically possible to happen to an autistic child.
Love Inspired stories from Harlequin are Christian faith-based stories about life and love and families. Few times I have commented on the stories that I wished the opportunities for the characters to share their faith and struggles with it, would have been used more. But with this story that wasn't a case at all, as the author boldly and beautifully intertwined every aspect of the story back to the character's faith in God.
A story filled with life and faith lessons, many great points made, and several issues left on the back burner to simmer a bit more, as I digest the message of the tale. Truly an inspirational and thought-provoking story.
~ Four Spoons with a teaspoon on the side