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This was my second read through and I think I enjoyed it more than the first time. It had been long enough I remembered the main storyline but not all the details. I'd just purchased the second book at a summer sale and was very excited to read it but first needed a refresher. I think Katie is one of my top 20 heroines. She's strong, hardworking, stubborn, she's lost everything but keeps living and surviving. She isn't afraid to call people out when they are in the wrong nor is she afraid to change when she is wrong. She is overly compassionate (in a very good way) and puts everyone above herself. She's clever and funny, humble and very loving. What a difference a very well written and lovable, flawed, humble character makes in a story.

Katie carries the burden of all the hardships her family endured during the potato famine in Ireland. Her brothers leaving one by to free up food for everyone. The tragedy of her sister and being left by her father to be a servant. It's incredible the weight from all the sorrow that weighs down on her shoulders. Yet she stares it in the face and tries not to look back.

As she enters the town of Hope Springs, out in the middle of nowhere Wyoming, determined to earn the last bit of money to return home buy the family farm and something for her sister she comes to realize it isn't going to be as easy as it sounded.

Katie feels she is selfish and a burden to everyone but she comes to learn that as she allows them into her life they can help lift her and ease her burdens just as she can do the same for them.

Hope Springs has a long standing grudge between the Irish group and the non-Irish, otherwise known as the Reds. It has been allowed to fester and grow for years on end with the only person who can calm it being Joseph Archer, the man who owns all the land and is leasing it out to members of both factions. He is torn and looking for peace and healing for he and his two daughters after the death of his wife. Joseph hires Katie as his housekeeper without knowing she is Irish. He has remained neutral but by employing another Irish he is unfortunately adding fuel once again to the fire and the Reds will not stand by being idyl.

Katie meets two different men, Joseph Archer and Tavish O'Conner. Both are taken by Katie and she by them. At the end of the first book she is showing preference to one but unsure of what her heart and the other two truly feel and want.

I really enjoyed the story and was excited to continue on with the story in the book.

Happy Reading!!!