From the striking cover to the unusual setting and characters, Mary Connealy has crafted a fantastic start to her new series, Brides of Hope Mountain. The setting in the wilds of the Colorado Mountains in 1873 got my attention, and the thoughts of three sisters existing on Hope Mountain by themselves—away from civilization with only their pioneering skills to keep them alive—captured my imagination.

In classic Connealy style, the characters are colorful, unique, and so intriguing. Jo Nordegren, the heroine of Aiming for Love, has serious tracking and shooting skills. She’s feisty, competent, and quite sure of herself until she comes up against the Wardens—a family that has had to escape to her mountain. David Warden is a fabulous hero. I love his heart for his family and his care of others. A superb cast of secondary characters makes the story shine. I especially loved Ma Warden with her gutsy outlook on life, her wisdom, and her love of others. Themes of family, helping others, and faith run through the tale and give an added dimension to it.

All in all, it’s a fun and satisfying read with the usual Connealy humor and wit. Be aware, though, that the ending leaves a few loose threads to be continued into the next tale in the series. I’m looking forward to Ilsa’s story and a continuation of the Nordegren sisters’ books.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from Bethany House and NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

This book is cute and I love the descriptions of nature especially in the beginning of the book. I believe I'd be really good for younger girls maybe 10-13 since I feel that s the age displayed by the main character in the writing style. I loved the message. I want to thank Bethany publishing for sending me the book I enjoyed it.

What a fantastic introduction to a new series. With true Mary Connealy flair this story unfolds with dynamic characters, rich faith, and a splash of quirky humor. Set in the rugged beauty of the wild Colorado mountains, nature and terrain take on an important role in the story. Once of both breathtaking beauty and harsh reality. The characters are unique and show great potential for further grown as the series progresses.

Josephine and her sisters are quite an enigma. Raised in seclusion, with a grandmother fearful of the outside world, they have rather unique ideas about things. Proficient with the forest and the natural world around them, yet remarkably guileless and naive when it comes to things most people take for granted.

When the Warden family are driven into hiding, two worlds collide and the very thing that had long been feared is on the sisters’ doorstep. Will curiosity of the unknown or the overpowering fear of the outside world win the raging internal battle? Will the sisters rely on their faith and forge ahead, welcoming this new experience? Or will fear take-hold and send them hastily rushing deeper into hiding?

I enjoyed my time reading this story and getting to know both the Nordegren sisters and the Warden family. I’m looking forward to reading the next book and finding out what happens next!

(I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including Netgalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own.)

Jo and her sisters have lived in isolation on Hope Mountain in Colorado for their entire lives. They live off the land and what Jo can hunt down. The sisters rely on each other and love each other fiercely. But their quiet existence is shaken up when Dave Warden comes onto their mountain looking for pasture lands for their cows, and then the rest of his family joins him after being driven off of their land. Jo and Dave have a quick connection, but Jo’s sisters, especially the oldest, Ursula, are more leery of the new folks. And when sickness comes, Ursula is determined to isolate herself. Meanwhile, Jo and Dave’s interest grows into love. But can their love survive the fears that Jo and her sisters have lived with their entire lives?

This was my first Mary Connealy book, and I really wanted to like it. The story line was unique and intriguing. The characters were not deep, but they were fun and interesting. However, it was too fast-paced, which led to shallow characters and situations, but at the same time the book was repetitive in that I read the same explanations over and over again. I also had a hard time with believability as, among other things, I’m not sure that three teenage girls could really survive on the mountain and while I get that they are isolated, their ignorance on the ways of the world were, at times, a bit much. I enjoyed Dave and Jo’s relationship, and Dave’s Ma was a delight. Ilsa, Jo’s sister, was also a wonderful character and I would have like to have read more about her—perhaps in a future book in the series. It will be interesting to see how everything pans out. I just wish there had been more to this story, but I still enjoyed reading it and I’m grateful for the chance to review it.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This was a powerful story that I really enjoyed. It also had great people in the story too. Jo and her two sisters all on their own had lived quite the unusual life. And they had lived on their own for at least a decade. The outside world was just that, outside. The three sisters depended on each other and their skills to survive in a harsh world that they loved. Ursula, the oldest sister mainly kept things in their home safe. That doesn't mean that she didn't have any skills outside the home though. It's just that they each had their specialties. The youngest sister, Ilsa's specialty is being like a medicine woman. She's no slouch in the woods either though. Jo was the hunter who kept them stocked with meat. It was interesting to read how attuned these three women were to nature and how they had pretty much run wild on that mountain top.
When Dave and his family show up, they add a whole good but different dimension to the story. So does the attraction that grows between Dave and Jo. This is a clean story with no love scenes but a deep abiding respect for God in both families.
I gave this book a 5 STAR rating even though not all of the problems are solved. There is a lot of action going on that keeps things interesting. There is also a few threads left hanging but the story was so rich I just couldn't give it any other rating. A couple of those things not resolved yet had to do with recovering the Warden ranch, Wax Mosby, and Ursula to mention a few. I have to say that I'm really interested in finding out more about how Wax Mosby is going to figure in. Why? Because it seem that this famous gunslinger has some things changing inside him. And I want to see how that plays out.

“I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”

I feel conflicted on this story.

I enjoyed the plot dealing with the family and the sisters isolation. I did not enjoy the "romance". There wasn't anything there really. I mean they kind of went on horse back rides for two weeks getting to know each other but he was basically the first man she has ever met.

I would consider reading more in the series just to find out what becomes of the Warden farm but it almost sounds like they are all just moving up the mountain. It was a quick read so maybe the next books will be quick as well and we can see what happens.

First in Mary Connealy’s new Brides of Hope Mountain trilogy, Aiming for Love introduces two families but centers on the middle Nordegren sister, Josephine, and the younger Warden son, Dave. When these two people and their families are forced together by the actions of dangerous men, they are all challenged in different ways. And aside from the perilous situations, that is where the fun comes in.

The Nordegren sisters live by the skills and a strict set of rules that have helped them to survive. But living apart from the world on their mountain, their beliefs and behaviors are strange to the newly arrived, practical Wardens. Most endearingly, their strong but slightly off kilter faith.

The Wardens are established ranchers and Dave is very much a younger son. His attraction to Jo is adorably challenging to him and works so well with Connealy’s trademark humor. And while the mountain-wood-fairy-ness of Jo and her sisters is sometimes a bit cloying, they are also a delight. Well, perhaps not oldest sister Ursula, though I suspect her story will turn out to be my favorite of the trilogy.

Recommended for those who enjoy historical fiction filled with faith, humor, cowboys, danger, and slightly but delightfully over the top heroines with mad hunting skills.

This review refers to a digital galley read through NetGalley, courtesy of the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.

I read "Aiming for Love" by Mary Connealy and it was good! 4⭐. This is the first book in her new series Brides of Hope Mountain, and I can't wait for book 2! The ending just came to quick. Thank you #netgalley and Bethany House Publishing for the advance read.

Great start to a new series by Mary Connealy. The Nordegren sisters have lived alone in the Colorado mountains for several years since their grandfather's death. When the Warden family intrudes into their mountain territory, the sisters have to learn how to trust outsiders as the sisters use their survival skills to help the Warden family. Romance develops, friendships deepen, and action intertwined together in this wonderful historical fiction.

What do you do when your greatest fear—the outside world—suddenly comes crashing in? That’s the question Jo and her two sisters must answer when rancher Dave and his herd appear on their mountain home’s doorstep. When danger follows Dave, will Jo face her fears and reach out to the newcomers? Or will she and her sisters disappear higher into the mountains they call home?
Connealy does a beautiful job with her characters, especially the three sisters, contrasting their knowledge of all things wild with all that they do not know of the outside world—often with a touch of humor.
I’m assuming this is the first in a series of three—one book for each of the three sisters. And while the romance between Jo and Dave blooms sweetly, I would love to have seen a bit more depth to their relationship. Note that this is not a standalone book as many of the threads are left dangling at the end, which is not a bad thing—it just leaves me eager for the next installment. Aiming for Love is a sweet, weekend read.
My thanks to Bethany House Publishers for a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

The start of a new series is always exciting; especially by authors I already love. So when I picked up the newest release by Mary Connealy I was expecting a fun story.
I did get a fun story, but I struggled to like the heroine. Granted, the author did a wonderful job of bringing the reader into the isolated home of three orphaned sisters who had learned to survive on their own by living off the land. They’d been raised by grandparents who had suffered great loss and instilled a strongly rooted fear of anything beyond their mountain top home. They’d taught them how to hunt, scavenge for food and look for healing plants. The three girls had lost their parents (or at least it was thought they died somewhere below the mountain) and didn’t remember a time when they had been anywhere else.
Our heroine, Jo, is curious, but quite uninformed of life in general. She seemed more like a child than the grown woman of 20 she was supposed to be. Again, I had to remind myself she’d been sheltered her entire life as some of the things she said or did really made no sense. I grew annoyed with her at some points, but could see her sincerity and appetite to learn. The author did a great job with Jo’s point of view, showing the readers Jo’s train of thought in some circumstances.
The Warden family who intrude on the girls’ solitude are a loveable bunch, and reflective of the author’s ability to create likeable and memorable characters. They were a breath of fresh air to Jo’s awkwardness.
The story started out slow for me, but once Mitch Warden entered the scene, the action picked up. His story, I hope, will be featured in the second instalment of The Brides of Hope Mountain, because I really just want to know what he’s all about, and who the two strangers are who showed up at the Warden’s abandoned ranch…
I received an ecopy from the Publisher through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

Plot: It was really good! I liked the premise of Jo, Ilsa, and Ursula living up on the mountain their whole lives, and getting to read their reactions to things that were so different to them but normal to the rest of the characters. I appreciated the fact that the book went right into the story, and didn't have a lot of filler before the story really began. I also liked getting glimpses at what the plot (I assume) of the next two books will be.

Characters: Jo was a really good main character! I liked Dave, and his family. I also look forward to reading a book with Ilsa as the main character.

The cover: I like it!

Overall: I really enjoyed reading this book! It was a really good beginning to a new series, and I look forward to reading the next book! I highly recommend this book!

Aiming for Love by Mary Connealy Reviewed by Bettie Boswell
I enjoyed this rollicking tale about a frontier family of women who live in a world of their own. Mary Connealy is a master a crafting fun stories set in the west and this is the first book for her latest adventure. True to form, Aiming for Love was a page turner which kept me wondering what could possibly happen next. I look forward to reading the other volumes in the series.

Three sisters have existed on their own for years. They've had no contact with the outside world that swallowed up their parents, either in death or desertion. The sisters live in fear of contact with other people. However, fears do not extend to daily life in their tiny part of the frontier. They are masters at hunting with arrows and living in the natural world. .Each sister has a unique personality and set of skills that make them reliant on each other.

Then one day trouble and blessings show up when a family of ranchers enter the sister's territory. That's when the fun and romance begins. Aiming for love is devoted to Jo (Josephine,) whose curious nature causes her to break the barrier to the outside world.

The book was enjoyable despite a few proof reading errors that someone missed. But, the energy flowing out of the plot kept me engaged enough to skip over those bumps in the road. There was an interesting 'aha' moment when an important historic setting is revealed as a key element of the plot.

If you love a clean western romance with comic relief, you will enjoy this gem.

Jo and her two sisters live alone on top of a mountain. They haven’t seen another human for many years. So when Jo sees Dave Warden and his men on her mountain, she’s drawn like a moth to flame. It reminded me of Mowgli when he sees people for the first time in “Jungle Book.” Jo is very curious and wants to learn all she can about these people.
I really enjoyed the premise of this book. I liked Jo’s adventurous spirit. Her sister, Ilsa, reminded me of a fairy, flying through the trees. Ursula was a little harder to warm up to as she was so afraid and angry most of the time. I’m sure she’ll come around eventually. While this book wasn’t as funny as some of Connealy’s books, there was humor as two cultures clashed and both found out unexpected things about the other.
I appreciated Ma’s wisdom and kindness. She understands how the girls are feeling and has a gentle way about her. I would dearly love to taste her pancakes.
This book sets up the series well. I was immediately drawn into the story. It was hard to put the book down. I’d recommend it.
Thank you to Bethany House for providing me with a free e-copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
#AimingForLove #Netgalley

I enjoyed this book, I really did. The plot and storyline were very unique and entertaining to read. I just wish I could have liked it more.

The characters I felt were a but dull at points and I had a rather hard time relating to them. I really like all the characters but I felt that their development could have gone deeper than what it did.

I had to continue to remind myself that the girls were very sheltered as I was reading this because I found myself growing annoyed at parts, lol. It's not the authors fault or anything, this was just me wanting to shake a few characters. I like Jo's and Isla's characters a lot. I am hoping that we get to see them grow more in the future books.

The faith content was there and it was subtly which was prefect for this book. I cannot wait to see some of the characters, hopefully, come around from some of their views. I am hoping that they change in the future books.

Dave and Jo's romance seemed very rushed and not very well paced. I felt just a tiny bit of chemistry at one point and then a whole bunch of chemistry a few chapters later. I liked their relationship though. I thought that they were cute and made for each other. I enjoyed seeing their romance blossom, I just wish it could have been better paced.

I felt like the middle of this book was rather rushed in a whole as well. The first part was okay but then everything felt rushed and then the book was over. I feel like this book could have easily have been longer.

I will definitely be reading the second book because I want to find out what happens next with the Walden's ranch. The suspense is actually really good. I almost feel like the second book can be better than the first if Ms. Connealy can nail down the action and suspense that I feel building up.

Overall, I enjoyed this book. Sure, it was not a favorite but I am still going to read the next books and maybe some of the author's other work.

*FTC: I received this book from Bethany House thought Netgalley and Celebrate Lit in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review. All thoughts are my own.*

Immersed in a world of loneliness and frontier life, three sisters are confronted with the dangerous world outside their sheltered life on a mountain. This world was both forbidden and feared by the grandparents who raised them. However, a man is wounded and his family, ranch hands and livestock have invaded the secluded land. Two of the sisters rush to help, but the oldest flees to more seclusion.

Mary Connealy again builds a world and characters that draw readers from the first page. You imagine stepping foot on this quiet land and wonder what isolation and confrontation would be like for this family.

No doubt the remaining two books of the Hope Mountain Brides series will be just as adventurous, poignant and enjoyable. The fate of the families and evil men after them must reach its full conclusion.

I received a copy of the book without obligation. This review is my opinion.

Aiming for Love is the first book in the Brides of Hope Mountain series by Mary Connealy. You can notice this is not Mary’s first book, as you just fly through the pages with excellent pacing, there isn’t a dull moment. For me, it was a very fast read too.

The story is very original, and it had me chuckle out loud quite a few times. We follow Jo, one of the three sisters who have been raised in isolation by their grandparents, having no contact with the outside world at all, as grandmom claimed that was extremely dangerous. As the grandparents passed away, the girls have fended for themself rather remarkably, managing to get food on the table and roaming the lands. Jo especially is quite the roamer, she hunts and even has her own made camouflage suit. As you can imagine, in ways she is both very naive and very wise. And the naive moments make you chuckle and want to wrap her in a big hug tbh.

Then we have the Warden family, their home brutally taken away, with no other choice but to climb this mountain, finding it occupied already. And the handsome Dave might just be what Jo needs, and vice versa. But this book isn’t about romance really, it’s about family, and how family can be stronger together. It’s a book about sisterhood, too. There were many themes I really liked (like how faith can overcome fear), and the story itself is rich, with a lot of side stories. Though it gives the story the oomph it needs, for me was also the only element I didn’t like: because so much was left unresolved, the ending didn’t feel like an ending at all, it felt like it was cut off in the middle. I’m sure future novels will set this right, but it felt a bit unsatisfying. But the characters are well formed and amazing, and we already have amazing character growth that feels deep and profound.

But all in all, I really liked this whimsical story with quite the unique premiss.

I’ve got an e-arc from Bethany House and Netgalley, for which I’m very grateful. It has not influenced my opinions on this book. I will post my reviews on other sites closer to the release date.

Aiming for Love was written by Mary Connealy, and is book one in the Brides of Hope Mountain series.
Summary: Josephine Nordegren knows little of the outside world. Well, she knows plenty about the forest surrounding her Colorado mountain home-how to hunt for food, take care of animals and plants, and survive the bleak winters. But as far as other people, she has only her two sisters for company-as well as the dire warnings handed down to them from their long-since-past grandparents.
So, when cattlemen move their herds up into the mountains close to the sisters’ home, Jo is more than curious about these new strangers. She feels drawn to learn as much as possible about the outside world.
But have the newcomers brought trouble with them? Will Jo and her sisters remain safe, or were their late grandparents right after all, and outsiders only bring death and destruction?
My Thoughts: This was a fun book. The author did a really good job portraying characters that had not been exposed to people outside of their small circle-down to the finest details about how they would act.
The sisters have some pretty unique mannerisms from their sheltered life that cause plenty of misunderstandings on both sides. This made for a very interesting and entertaining story, and I am definitely looking forward to reading the rest of the series!
Oh, and can I just say-how gorgeous is this cover? So, so beautiful, and I think it really captures the essence of this book.
I would like to thank Bethany House for providing me with a free digital copy of this book in exchange for my review. Thank you!

Mary Connealy kicks off her newest series with her usual style: plenty of action, plenty of lovable characters, and enough mystery to make you keep reading.
The romance did feel a bit rushed for me, but considering all the characters had been through --gunshot wounds, disease, a runaway sister-- I could understand a bond growing between Jo and Dave rather quickly. So that was something I was able to set aside. I do wish Jo's views on the book of fables were rectified before the end, though. I can only assume Connealy plans on addressing that later in the series, but I felt like that was an important issue to address before any thoughts of a wedding.
Overall, Mary Connealy has crafted an entertaining, fast-paced read that will definitely keep you enthralled. I'm excited to read the rest of the books in the Brides of Hope Mountain series and see what becomes of Jo's two sisters.

(My review will go live on the blog on Sept. 20 at 5:00 PM)

Aiming for love
By Mary Connealy
The more I read and reflect on books the more critical I feel I am becoming. Before this I would have read this book and just accepted what took place without much thought. The book was well written and easy to read. That said I had more doubts in the characters stories and was not impressed with how things transpired. The idea felt unlikely and far-fetched. Some of the characters were believable and others were stretched for a story. I don’t know that young girls could have been left to the wilderness for years alone but if they were, I don’t know if they would be as the story portrayed. Jo was so open off the bat. Ursula’s reaction to outsiders seemed the most genuine as did her fear. Ilsa was a mystery in a way. I can’t see Isla swinging through trees. It was odd too that she was so versed with medicine but that they never got sick. It was odd that they were so wild living off the land but their surroundings were so undiscovered until the Wardens showed up. The Wardens were another set of questions. The timing of Mitch coming home and being able to find the family was far to convenient. The controversy of this story was far from unresolved. There were just too many things that were off to say it was a good read for me.
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.