The Songbird of Hope Hill by Kim Vogel Sawyer is a story of second chances through faith and forgiveness. Meaningful conversation between Isaiah Overly the preacher “God’s ways aren’t our ways, but—” and Ephraim his son “His ways are always better” was truly the theme throughout this heartfelt fictional historical Christian novel.

The story centers around Birdie who is rescued from a house of ill repute by Pastor Overly. The Pastor along with his wife Ophelia founded Hope Hill, a haven to teach women how to read and write, and other skills necessary to ensure their future will be better than their past. All of the characters within the story have their own struggles, which weave together with Birdie’s as she journeys towards faith. At Hope Hill Birdie upon joining the choir finds that her gift of song was meant for singing praises to God. We also get to witness the most beautiful love story between Ephraim and Birdie as they slowly grow together in faith, friendship, and mutual love.

Sawyer with her masterful prose takes her readers on a journey that will forever resonate that even the most broken can find redemption in the loving embrace of God. She is unmatched in her ability to make the most realistic intricate characters and narrative to draw one’s attention from beginning to end. An impactful inspiring story, The Songbird of Hope Hill, touches one’s heart and will linger for long after the end.

I received a complimentary copy of this outstandingly beautiful book, The Songbird of Hope Hill, from WaterBrook & Multnomah via NetGalley. I was under no obligation to write a favorable review, and all opinions are my own.

The Songbird of Hope Hill is the first book I have read by author Kim Vogel Sawyer. Based on this reading experience, I can easily say that it will not be my last. The historical setting of 1800s Tulsey, Texas was just right for this story of living with purpose and finding one's true place in the world. Faith is not merely an element in this book, it is boldly central to the plot. I enjoyed the musical aspect of the story, and the themes of redemption through Christ vs. redeeming one's self, and that one's past doesn't have to determine one's future served to create a strong link between this historical story and today's world. While I did find certain points to be predictable, overall I enjoyed the book very much and will be seeking out other books by the author.

Thanks go to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Beautiful story. I loved seeing how Christ’s love and grace was presented in multiple characters and their individual circumstances.
The story is told from the perspectives of three characters- Birdie, a young woman who had been forced into prostitution, Ophelia, a reverend’s wife, and Ephraim, the reverend’s son. I thought it was well written and enjoyed insight into each of these main characters. I just wish the relationship between Birdie & Ephraim felt more developed, it felt lacking somehow to me.
I recommend this to anyone who is looking for a good Christian read!

Hope, grace and mercy definitely describe Sawyer's latest novel. Reality is not all happiness and perfect people, but instead what happens to them and how they overcome circumstances, or not. Birdie's life has been a tragic one but her future holds promise after she is rescued and brought to Hope Hill. The characters within are complex but the reader can't help but be drawn to them. I enjoyed this clean, Christian redemptive light romance. I intend to visit more of Sawyer's books as she is a creative storyteller.
Thanks to #NetGalley and Waterbrook and Multnomah publishers for this ARC.

I enjoyed this book and thought the storyline was beautiful. It tells the story of how God rescues and redeems and is always bringing beauty from ashes. Excellent!

The Songbird of Hope Hill, by Kim Vogel Sawyer is a wonderful story of how God forgives us for our past and offers us a new life. This is a well written story that is easy to read and to imagine. This is such an inspirational story to read. I just love the characters for their strength and love for helping others. I felt sorry for Birdie as she long for her remaining family and she worked so hard to get to them. I enjoyed the different tasks the Overly family had to help the women that chose to join their family and how they were able to help so many. 

This is a delightful story to read. I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this story, this is my honest review.

"The Songbird of Hope Hill" is a touching and uplifting novel that shows hope and belief are the possibility of redemption, showing us how love, faith, & forgiveness can bring healing.
I truly enjoyed reading this.
Thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for allowing me to read the eARC.

THE SONGBIRD OF HOPE HILL is everything I look for in a novel. Kim Vogel Sawyer continues to amaze me with her writing. Her characters come to life immediately, and I was invested in their journeys from page one.

The developing romance between Ephraim and Birdie is at once realistic and emotional. As Birdie considers what redemption really means, tears sprang to my eyes. The author does a wonderful job of addressing this theme without ever seeming preachy.

The side characters are also very realistic and entertaining.

Ultimately, this is a heartwarming story about hope.

I will always look forward to the next Kim Vogel Sawyer book.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance e-galley; all opinions are 100% my own.

A beautiful story of family, love, forgiveness, redemption and second chances. As with all of Kim's novels, her latest is heartwarming as expected.

The Songbird of Hope Hill is a heartwarming story set in 1895 Texas. It is .told from the perspective of three characters: Birdie, a young woman without nearby relatives working as a prostitute, Ephraim, a preacher's young adult son and Ophelia, a preacher's wife and Ephraim's mother.


Sawyer addressed the topic of prostitution with sensitivity and a wide variety of emotions and opinions through the POV’s from Birdie, Ephraim, and Ophelia. We are left knowing not one of us is without sin, and there is always grace and forgiveness available.

I appreciated the growth I saw in Birdie throughout the book, especially as she realized she needed to give her heart over to God completely.

It took me a few chapters to get into this book, but once I did, I was all the way in. The author created such a sweet story of redemption, love, and forgiveness, stretching over generations. There were so many emotionally charged moments in this book, but it does a masterful job of creating empathy in the reader. These poor girls who had lost their way and this family that took them in and treated them with dignity was just a lovely look at what it means to be Christ like.

The story between these pages, about forgiveness, redemption, and grace, was beautifully written and delivered.

The topic of prostitution might not be an easy topic for some readers, but the author addressed the struggles experienced in the 1800’s with sensitivity and a wide variety of emotions and opinions through the POV’s from Birdie, Ephraim, and Ophelia.

I enjoyed the growth I saw in Birdie, and how she only was able to completely forgive and move on after she gave her heart to God. Her struggles to overcome her shame were real even though she was taken advantage of when she only asked for help. Her compassionate heart for others and the empathy she showed was what made her a strong, loveable character.

Ophelia was a beautiful character who represented unconditional love tangibly.

Ephraim’s own journey to learn to find God’s will for his life under the shadow of his parents’ ministry also came across strongly. His internal struggles and questions, while trying to respect his parents, was something which made me connect with him so much more and made him feel more real to me.

The focus of this story was about new beginnings and faith in God, though there was also a subtle love story growing in the background.

Birdie is a talented young woman who finds herself in a desperate situation, trapped in a lifestyle she never wanted. So when she get's her chance to escape, she takes it, leaving with Reverend Overly to Hope Hill.

A heartwarming story of healing and forgiveness. Birdie struggles to let go of her tainted past and accept the new life offered to her, as she works with the other women at Hope Hill. Slow building story, but the characters grew on me as I got further in. I loved the solid themes of redemption and new beginnings.

Great relationship building through friendship and more, with a likeable heroine, and a full cast of characters. A little bit of romance, but mostly the story was about Birdie and her new life at Hope Hill, adjusting, and leaving her past behind. Heartwarming and touching.

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

This story delves into the harsh realities of the 1800s, highlighting the limited opportunities for a young woman without family support to earn a living honestly. Birdie, left destitute by her mother, turns to her mom's friend Lida, who runs the local brothel. Despite her reluctance, Birdie feels she has no other choice. However, a glimmer of hope emerges when a preacher and his son offer her a chance at a better life at Hope Hill. It's a tale of redemption and the boundless love of God, reminding us that no one is beyond His reach.

It beautifully illustrates God's forgiveness, embracing individuals regardless of their past sins, whether outward like prostitution or inward like unforgiveness. God's love knows no bounds.

I loved the dynamics between the different characters and watching each of them grow in different ways. This was an entertaining and heartwarming story. I expect nothing less from this author.

I would like to thank the publisher for the opportunity to read this book. I was under no obligation to provide a review. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Kim Vogel Sawyer just released The Songbird of Hope Hill, and it’s a sweet tale of redemption and hope that you’re sure to enjoy. While you can’t get much deeper than prostitution and the hate with which people take sides over it, Sawyer’s story shows the redeeming qualities of God’s love. Hope is threaded through the story as Birdie learns just how much Jesus loves her.

I enjoyed trying to figure out the story’s twists and turns before Sawyer revealed them, and she got me with several. Trying to figure out the backstory of each character and just where they might be headed was fun.

I think this novel could prompt great discussions for book clubs. It can definitely prompt digging into the theology of the story. If you like sweet stories with unforgettable characters and a strong moral lesson, The Songbird of Hope Hill is definitely the book for you.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Set in 1895 Tulsey Texas, The Songbird of Hope Hill is a five star historical fiction novel that will rest in readers' hearts for long after the last page is read. It is a story of hope, healing, forgiveness, and restoration. It is also a story of living sacrificially, putting God and His kingdom first. Kim Vogel Sawyer has written characters who realize and demonstrate that we are all sinners for whom Christ died, and one sin is not any more or any less forgivable than another. Readers will also be encouraged to persist in prayers for the lost, relying on God's timing.

I highly recommend The Songbird of Hope Hill to those who enjoy historical fiction, to those who think they are beyond hope of redemption, and to those who have a passion for praying for the lost, and for those who just love a well-written, thought-provoking story. I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of this book from WaterBrook & Multnomah via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Great story about God's redeeming grace and forgiveness. Great reminder that God loves and forgives us all if we just ask.

This book had me from the beginning. It’s a sweet story of redemption and forgiveness from one of my favorite authors.
When Ephraim Overly and his father rescued Birdie from a brothel, he was shocked to learn that she sang with the voice of an angel. As she began to learn more about this awesome God she sang about, she began to question, “Could God really forgive all sins? Even hers?”
This book is beautifully written. I nearly wept several times as God’s love drew Birdie. One of my favorite aspects of The Songbird of Hope Hill was the clear presentation of the gospel. Kim Vogel Sawyer always does an amazing job of showing the Savior in her books.
This is a sweet, gentle read, but it has a few surprises along the way that you’ll love!
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Thanks to Netgalley for my review copy.

When I read the blurb of this book I was intrigued. The premise is different to other books I have read and I wanted to know more. I am so glad I had an opportunity to read the latest book by Kim vogel Sawyer.

We meet Birdie who has ended up in a place she never thought she would be. A brothel. Her father passed away a few years back and her mother abandoned her and she went for help from her mothers friend. She is unhappy and is struggling. We then meet the reverend Isaiah and Ophelia Overly and there son Ephraim. They run Hope Hill a home where they rescue working girls giving them an education and the skills to live a better life. Teaching them about the one true God.

Birdie accepts the invitation to leave the brothel and goes to Hope Hill. They also have a women's choir and we see Birdie excel with her beautiful voice. She is most at peace when singing and has a true gift. We see her struggle with how God could forgive her for what she has done and how can she forgive herself.

This book has so much in it. We see the impact on the girls where they are loved and accepted. We also see change and hope. There is so much I want to talk about but it would give to much away. There are many surprises in the story both good and bad. But I do love how the book plays out. This book gives hope and reminds us in God's eyes things we think are unforgivable he can forgive.

This book is Historical fiction with a light romantic thread and a strong faith element.

The Songbird of Hope Hill by Kim Vogel Sawyer is a beautiful story of God's grace. Redemption comes in many forms for many of the characters, showing how God lavishes his love on us.
Birdie finds freedom from a life of sin when Isaiah Overly offers her sanctuary at Hope Hill. As Birdie turns to Jesus and learns to trust Him, love unfolds between her and the preacher's son. Their story is immensely satisfying.
It's not often that villains are given such a robust treatment. Abused by a man she should have been able to trust, Lida turned to prostitution out of desperation. As time goes on, she owns her own brothel, trapping others in her web. But through the relentless pursuit of a loving Gd, even Lida finds redemption.
Beautifully written. God's extravagant love shines through. #TheSongbirdofHopeHill #NetGalley
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Songbird of Hope Hill is a wonderful Christian story of helping others find their way into a place of safety and into God’s forgiveness. I was quite taken by the depth of the characters concern and love for the women in this historical story. Wonderful character development in a plot that shows how to live, speaking the truth in love. There are also some twists that were extremely surprising but it did explain how the Reverend and Mrs. Overly’s ministry came to be a calling from God. Birdie Clarkson’s story is just as interesting if heartbreaking at times. Still she found her way with the Overlys help, finding love on the way too.

Kim Vogel Sawyer is not a new author for me to read her books but this by far my favorite. I highly recommend this book.