Not Until Us

Hope Springs, Book 4

By: Valerie M. Bodden

Narrated by: Emily Norman

Everyone knows former bad girl Jade and local pastor Dan don’t belong together. But when what they know and what they feel are two different things, can they trust God to give them a second chance?

When Jade agrees to return to Hope Springs for the summer, it’s with the hope that she might finally be able to escape her reputation. The list of mistakes she’s made would stretch all the way from Hope Springs to California and back. And at the top of the list: leaving town without so much as a word of explanation to Dan, the only man she’s ever truly loved. It was for his own good, but that doesn’t mean he’s any more likely to forgive her.

The moment Jade comes waltzing back into town, Dan knows he needs to be careful. Newly appointed as head pastor of Hope Church to replace his retired father, he is under pressure to prove he’s up to the task. Dating the town’s former bad girl wouldn’t exactly make the best impression. And anyway, he doesn’t relish the thought of getting his heart broken by her again. But hard as he tries, Dan can’t deny that he still has feelings for her—and they’re growing stronger by the day.

When Jade learns a secret that could destroy both of their reputations, her first instinct is to push Dan away again. But this time, he has to be the one to decide: let her walk away, or trust God to give them a second chance?

©2019 Valerie M. Bodden (P)2025 Valerie M. Bodden

Inspiring story of forgiveness and second chances

Jade returns to Hope Springs for the summer at her sister’s request, to attend her bridal shower and wedding. She reconnects with Dan who is now the pastor there. He knows he must be careful, but is drawn to Jade despite her reputation. An unplanned pregnancy puts a damper on things until he realizes she has changed and he and the town must forgive her. An uplifting story of faith, trust, compassion, forgiveness, and second chances. The narrator did a fantastic job with this audiobook!

True-to-life storybook of forgiveness and love

I thoroughly enjoyed this story about forgiveness. There is nothing so bad that God cannot forgive. And we need to both forgive ourselves, and forgive others. It was very realistic, I thought. There were a few surprise twists. I appreciated the gospel being woven in. I was a little surprised that Dan would date a non-Christian, as it didn’t seem that Jade came to faith till later in the book. But I think the author meant to be ambiguous about Jade’s faith journey. Perhaps to show that Christians aren’t perfect? That our journey has highs and lows? The narration was great. I received a free copy of the audiobook, with no obligation.

Not until us

I have read the book quite a while ago but its so great to sit back and just relax and listen to the the story again. I always enjoy the emphasis this author puts on Gods guidance in our lives.

So Good

I loved this book. I fussed and cheered with each chapter. If you love stories of second chances,you can not go wrong with "Not Until Us". The narrator has a wonderful voice for this story telling. I highly recommend this book.