I like lighthouses so the cover picture drew me to this book. Just as lighthouses are Beacons of Hope, this story is a beacon of hope. Emma Chambers gave up on God when her mother died and she has practically lost all hope of ever fulfilling her dream of a husband, a home, and children. After jumping into Lake Huron with her brother to escape a sinking steamboat one night and spending several hours in the frigid water trying to get to shore, she is suddenly pulled from the water by Patrick Garraty, the keeper of the Presque Isle Lighthouse. The ensuing story takes the reader on an interesting journey as Emma struggles to get a handle on cooking, taking care of a rambunctious, stubborn two-year-old, adjusting to being married to a stranger, and her desire to have a close female friend. Events transpire that bring hope only to see that hope slipping away, not only for Emma, but for Patrick and other characters in the story. The lighthouse was there to help ships avoid the rocky shoals and other dangers. The characters in the story also needed a Lighthouse to give them hope and to guide them to safety. The waves we encounter in life often rise and fall much like a roller coaster, causing our hope to rise and fall quite rapidly at times. The author depicts very beautifully how we need to cling to hope. I highly recommend this book for the interesting story and the sound guidance provided.

Could not put it down! Fascinating story, beautifully told, more than worth every minute of reading. Characters so real you'll think of them as old friends by the end of the book. My favorite Jody Hedlund book so far.

Emma Chambers wants a home of her own with a husband and a family to care for. But she's moving once again with her brother until their ship sinks into Lake Huron off the coast of Presque Isle. Pulled from the waters by handsome lighthouse keeper Patrick Garraty, Emma finds herself the unwelcome and unwanted guest of the only other woman at Burnham's Landing. When the circuit preacher suggests she marry the newly widowed Patrick Garraty and become mother to his young son Josiah, she agrees.

In spite of the fact that she can't cook and has absolutely no idea how to raise a child, Emma is thrilled with her new home. She's even getting used to the idea of being married to the taciturn stranger who spends most of his time either fishing or tending the light. His kindness stirs feelings she barely understands. But then she hears things - disturbing things - about his past. Just who did she marry? Is he the man she thinks he is? Or is he the man the rumors say?

Love Unexpected kept me turning the pages long after I shouldve been asleep, and I enjoyed every minute of reading it. Id definitely recommend this for fans of historical romance, particularly if youre into lighthouses, stories of redemption, marriage-of-convenience stories, and/or pirates.

I loved the emotional vulnerability of the characters because I thought it added a real poignancy as their relationship developed over the course of the story. Husband and wife each entered the marriage with insecurities arising from their past that caused them to doubt whether their new spouse could ever come to love them. Their fear of rejection makes it that much harder to reach out, but also that much more wonderful when they do. Definitely some sigh-worthy moments here as they get to know and trust each other. ☺

As if fear of rejection werent enough for a newlywed couple to deal with, Emma also has to figure out how to parent a two-year-old and cook without burning everything from biscuits to soup, while Patrick has to keep the arrival of an unsavory element from his past from jeopardizing his job and his relationship with Emma. Plot twists and turns, plus a bit of mystery serve to keep things interesting from beginning to end.

This is the first novel in Jody Hedlunds Beacons of Hope series, but theres also a lovely prequel novella called Out of the Storm that I reviewed at EIR a few months ago. Chronologically, the novella comes first, and its story comes up in this one as an example of hope, but honestly I think you could read them in either order without missing anything. Ive enjoyed both so far, and Im looking forward to the release of the second full novel in the series, Hearts Made Whole, coming in June.

Thank you to Bethany House for providing an electronic copy of this book via NetGalley for review purposes.

Goodness gracious, Ms. Hedlund just gets better with each book!

Emma Chambers and her brother Ryan are left to fend for themselves after their steamboat is sunk by pirates just off the shore of Presque Island.

Emma doesn't want to be a burden to her brother as he tries to provide for himself, so she accepts the proposal of the local lighthouse keeper, Patrick Garraty who recently lost his wife, and is struggling to care for his young son while balancing his duties in the lighthouse.

But Patrick has secrets from his past that threaten to rob him of happiness with his newfound family...

Set on the coast of Michigan, this book has it all, heartfelt heroes that you can't help but cheer for the whole way through, romance, mystery, secrets, pirates, an adorable little boy, and so much more!

I loved Emma and Patrick, they both made the best of the situation, and had their reasons to be hesitant, yet through it all they were dedicated to their marriage and learned from their mistakes. Patrick is perfect tortured hero, and served as a wonderful example of how one truly becomes a new creation in Christ.

Josiah was just so stinkin' cute! Even when he was being bad he captured my heart. I also really liked Ryan, Emma's brother, so imagine my excitement when I found out that he is going to be the subject of the next book in the series! Why can't it just be June already?

Overall, a compelling and heartfelt read, from the beginning to the very end. I loved everything about it! I can't wait to tell all my friends that this is the book that they need to be reading!

Thanks to Ms. Hedlund for the opportunity to read and review this fantastic book!

After anxiously awaiting the arrival of my advance readers copy I immediately dove into Emma and Patricks story of a gentle love. This is a must read as is all of Jodys books. This one though was different. The character and dialogue was strong but this book also had mystery that kept me reading and wondering what would happen next. I must admit that this story had me hooked in the beginning and kept me up a couple nights. If you love romance, mystery, and lighthouses then get your copy ASAP! Not only was the romance in this and it has Jody all over it, with right amount of passion but it had history. I will never look at a lighthouse the same way. Cannot say enough how much I highly recommend this book. Thanks Jody for always writing such stellar books.