A Life Once Dreamed

Posted August 4, 2020 by thebeccafiles in / 4 Comments

Title: A Life Once Dreamed

Author: Rachel Fordham

Genre: Historical Romance

Publisher: Revell

Publishing Date: Aug 4, 2020

Length: 336 Pages

About the Book:

Six years ago, a shocking secret sent Agnes Pratt running in search of a new start. She found it in Penance, a rugged town of miners and lumberjacks in the Dakota Territory, where she became Miss Aggie, respected schoolteacher and confirmed old maid. But the past has a way of catching up with people.

When childhood friend and former sweetheart James Harris accepts a position as the town doctor, Aggie’s pleasantly predictable days suddenly become anything but. James wants to know why Agnes left behind the life they had dreamed of creating for themselves–but he is the one person who can never know.

In the shadows of the Black Hills, can a healing light be shed on the past? Or will the secret Agnes can’t seem to outrun destroy her chance at happiness?

Fan-favorite Rachel Fordham brings to life the dusty streets of an 1880s frontier town in this story that affirms where you come from matters far less than where you’re going.

My Review:

Another winner from Rachel Fordham! I absolutely adored this story, and although it had a satisfying ending, I still wasn’t ready to let go of the characters in the end. I loved James and Aggie’s relationship with all it’s history and complexity. I loved that they weren’t only former sweethearts, but also childhood best friends. I appreciated that even though they had a lot to work through between secrets and hurts, they still had that underlying friendship that helped carry them through even the most difficult moments.

A powerful question this story asked was what makes a person worthy? Who decides what makes a person worth another’s love and what deems them untouchable? How far is one willing to go for the ones they love? This was beautifully weaved into the story in a masterful way that demanded answers.

A small thing that put a smile on my face was the Easter eggs to the author’s other novels. If you haven’t read them you’d just miss the moment but if you have, then they’re a sweet addition.

If I didn’t love The Hope of Azure Springs so much this would be a much easier decision but I’m not so sure which one is my favorite anymore! I LOVED this story so much and am sad it had to come to and end. I can’t wait to see what the author comes up with next!

*I received a copy of this book from Revell Books. Thoughts and opinions expressed are mine alone.