Agnes Pratt, a beloved school teacher in Penance, South Dakota, had a secret past. Years earlier, on the verge of being engaged to the son of some wealthy neighbors in Buffalo, New York, Agnes learned of some devastating history in her own family. Determined not to force her young man to have to choose between his family and herself, Agnes fled to South Dakota to teach and forget her heartaches.

Dr. James Harris, fresh out of medical school, was focused on one goal: Find out why Agnes Pratt had left him with a broken heart years ago. When James shows up in Penance in answer to an ad for a doctor, Agnes once again is confronted with the choice she made to flee her family and her one true love.

Will James learn why Agnes left him? Will Agnes have the courage to tell James the secrets of her past? Find out in this heartwarming tale of romance in a small town on the American Frontier. This would be a worthy addition to any romantic historical fiction collection.

A solid 3 stars.

First, what I liked: despite being a western, the story kept me reading and turning the pages to the end. The setting was well-done and the cast of characters was interesting and well rounded. This was the first book I read by this author and the writing is capable.

Second, what I didn't like: I understood why Agnes left NY, but leaving without saying goodbye to her best friend was beyond me. Once James showed up, I really didn't understand why she kept the reason of her leaving from him. It made no sense in their current setting and social standing to not tell him why, especially once he was clear she was the reason he came.

I also don't understand why the author included Sam's POV. It had no bearing whatsoever since he's not a main character. In fact, his POV is completely expendable and it only slowed down the story.

Fans of the author and western historicals will certainly love this book and its message about one's worth.

I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

I was thrilled to read another book by Rachel Fordham. “A Life Once Dreamed” is an absolutely delightful book. The characters are charming and the plot is captivating. I highly recommend this lovely, quick read.

I enjoyed this read, and it kept me up reading for answers.
There are surprise secrets that come to light here, and yes, I wasn't expecting them, but loved how the author wove and meshed this story.
A young woman ends up in Penance ND, and begins teaching and making a life for herself, she has friends and her cat, and no plans to change her status and marry, there have been lots of proposals. Life is relatively good, and she is doing well, until, her next door neighbor from Buffalo NY arrives.
He is now a Doctor, and very much needed, but she wants nothing to do with him, her heart is trying to heal, and we watch how these two go about their lives in this rural area.
God seems to have a hand in bring these two together, if they follow his will, and also a young baby, I love how this is all woven together.
Archaic laws are presented, and wow, I am glad changes have been made, talk about discrimination.
Once you pick this one up you won't be able to put it down.
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Revell, and was not required to give a positive review.

A Life Once Dreamed is a sweet and clean inspirational western. It took me a quick minute to get into it, but once I did I really enjoyed it. The ending is super sweet. I love endings like this one. I recommend to anyone who likes a sweet easy read with a happily ever after.
3.5/4 stars

Once again Fordham has brought us a heartwarming story that I'm sure all reader will love! I know I did!
I love her stories!
This story is special to me. When I say special, what I mean is what Aggie has gone through as a child, I felt like I was reading my story all over again. I felt Aggie's pain because I understood her. I felt like she was me. I feel like we're kindred spirits.
What I really liked was the love and support the town had for each other. I often think what would happen if we had that for our towns in today's world what that would be like. In some ways, small towns are special.
I grew up in two small towns and it was ok. One was mostly family. And the other, well I sort of miss it. It was all I knew until I moved to Winchester, Ky.
I like Fordham's writing style. Her ability to tell a story that sends us back in time is amazing! I didn't want to return.
Each character has brought their own special gift to the story. My heart went out to Hannah and Joshua. I cried with them as Hannah told her story. Hannah and Joshua in my opinion are a special couple with lots of love to give.
Sam I felt was my friend. We all need a Sam in our lives. I hope that he finds happiness. He deserves it. I will be rooting for him.
Another character that made me smile was Old McHenry lol! His stories reminded me of the ones my grandfather would tell me as I was growing up.
One character that particularly got on my nerves was Minnie. Oh, she meant well but well you know how it is with people like that.
The book was so good that I finished it in one afternoon. It is a book that I hope will continue on because I love being with the characters. I feel that they are my friends.
This was such a good story that I highly recommend it.
My thanks for a complimentary copy of this book. It was a real pleasure to read it.
I was NOT required to write a positive review and all opinions are my own.

A Life Once Dreamed
by Rachel Fordham
Back of 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.”
Impressions: This was a sweet and clean romance with a lesson of love and acceptance.
Liked: I enjoyed the characters and the whole story. It drove me crazy trying to imagine what Agnes’ secret might be.
Disliked: I was surprised the couple didn’t need to be chaperoned and that they were encouraged to be alone. I didn’t dislike this I just thought it was contrary to what might have been. I also question how James' reaction to being hurt by Agnes was patience and not anger. I suppose I just wonder if that is the most natural reaction.
Learned: “They may not have old money or grand mansions, but they matter. You remember this when you look in their eyes.”
Quotes: “Bed just because something is hard doesn’t mean we should give up. Sometimes the hardest things are the very best things.”
“Sorrow is not a cake or a pot of oats. It doesn’t run out just because one of us took a hefty serving. There is endless sorrow to go around.”
“I realized we are all alike despite our upbringings. Same hurts, same joys. I listened to his story and felt less alone.
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Aaahhh, big sigh. This book was just wonderful. I fell in love with everything about--the setting, the characters, the messages, and more. Aggie is great--she's sweet but also strong and has her feisty moments. James, with his love for Aggie and his confusion about why she left him, just made me smile. Other characters--from little Freddie to Tommy (who asks the most embarrassing questions) to Sam and more--all just stole my heart. They all seemed real. I love reading characters who seem like real people with real problems that they have to work through, and Rachel Fordham is terrific at writing that type of character. The storyline moved along well, with serious moments balanced with laugh-out-loud moments, and the messages--of hope, of God taking the bad and following it with something good, of learning to look at people for who they are--were definitely ones that spoke to my heart. They were woven into the story in a way that didn't make them overbearing; they just felt right and good and uplifting. I seriously just loved everything about this book--including what is perhaps the best love letter I've ever read! This is easily one of my picks for the best books of 2020!
5 stars.

I read an ARC provided by the publisher.

A Life Once Dreamed by Rachel Fordham looked like a good book. The cover is beautiful and the description seems like it would be a very enjoyable Christian Historical Fiction book.
This is the 1st book I've read by Rachel Fordham and I was looking forward to it.
However, I was disappointed. The book took place in the 1880's. The beginning seemed intriguing, it looked like a romance with a secret known only to Agnes (Aggie), and not her almost fiance James Harris. Aggie takes off from the high class life in Buffalo, NY to the frontier life of the Dakota territories to become a teacher.... without telling James where she is going. He ends up showing up 6 years later much to her surprise and a long series of flirting, begging for answers (can't say I blame James for wanting them), more flirting, and finally telling of the secret. This was a little anticlimactic we already know she'll end up with James.
The secret does become predictable about halfway through, however it left me guessing for awhile, I did enjoy being kept on my toes!
Another man (Sam), is thrown in as a possible beau, but he was kind of an unnecessary character because of the time spent with James and the history between James and Aggie, we know from almost the moment he shows up, he will end up with Aggie. I did enjoy Sam's character, he was a good man and I wish she would've paid more attention to him instead of giving him the brush off most of the time. However, he was a good sport about it.
The historical part of this book is good, the descriptions of the way the town runs, the occupations, the medicine practiced and the way life was lived was well described.
I love reading about the 1800's and imaging what is was going on, the descriptions in the book painted a beautiful picture of the scenery, people and places described in the book. I did really love that!
I would not call this Christian Historical Fiction however. They talked about God and praying only when things were bad, church is briefly mentioned, but not actually going to church, and they only say grace once before they eat. I've read more about God, and faith in other romance novels that were not labeled as Christian. I'd label this as only Historical Fiction.
I don't want to seem like I didn't enjoy the entire book, there were parts I enjoyed, the imagery was good, description of characters as well (I just felt the main characters ended up falling a little flat when so many dramatic events kept happening), I could picture the characters in my head, especially little Tommy with his inquisitive nature, busybody Minnie, and sweet Hannah.
I do wish Rachel Fordham had not dragged the book out so much, less drama (poor Aggie it seemed like something dramatic was always happening to her or around her!), and less predictability. I will read more from Rachel Fordham in hopes of a better book! I believe she really does have potential!
I'd like to thank NetGalley and Revell Publishing for an advanced copy of this book. I chose this book from the description of it and the design on the cover. It intrigued me. I have voluntarily read this book and reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Miss Agnes is the confirmed spinster schoolteacher in a small Dakota mining town called Penance. She's kept the secret that caused her to reject all thought of marriage for the past 6 years, but when Dr. James Harris arrives in town, he is determined to learn why his childhood sweetheart ran away after promising to marry him years earlier. When an orphaned infant is left in Miss Agnes' care, she realizes she is willing to do anything to keep him, even confess her long held secret. The charming premise of A Life Once Dreamed reminds readers that our past does not define us.

Enjoyable and relaxing read, perhaps too relaxing. Seemed formulaic and dull at times. It was a sweet story, and mousy Agnes Pratt did gain much confidence after arriving in Penance in the Dakotas to start anew and become a teacher. When her old friend and childhood sweetheart James Harris shows up in the same town to open a medical practice, she Is re-acquainted with her inner mouse, and hems and haws about a past secret so much I’m surprised things worked out as well as she did. I did enjoy reading about the Frontier history and how people lived during that time.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

This was the best book I have read in a while. The main character moved away suddenly, leaving her boyfriend behind. Six years later, he comes to town as the new doctor. She is the school teacher at school and the author does a remarkable job of not making you hate her, because you have to wait to find the real reason she left home. This is a book I would reccomend to all of my friends and would indeed be a good book club book.

We all have great hopes for our lives but things doesn't happen like
we want sometimes.

Agnes has always been described as reserved and timid as a child. At eighteen
she leaves her city to become a teacher in Penance. Her life in Penance
transforms her into a bold woman, open and carrying about others.

When James Harris the man she should have married six years ago
arrives in Penance her life is turned upside down. She never told James the real
reason for breaking their engagement... And he wants to know the truth.
James is the new doctor a kind and funny man, he comes from a wealthy familly but life in
Penance is going to transform his way of thinking...

This story is well written, the author is very talented, it is the first
book of Rachel Fordham that I read. However I struggle with Agnes character
especially her reluctance to say the truth to James who seems to be the
perfect man for her. Even if the truth is hard to tell it is better to be
honest.

In the end where we come from doesn't really matter the most important
is what we become. When you are surrounded by good people they accept you as you
are, they see you as God sees you and they can be an instrument to enter into
this life God wants for you and the life you dream of.

I received a copy of this book and this is an honest review.

A Life Once Dreamed by Rachel Fordham is a sweet romance. If it was set in modern time, it would have definitely been labeled as a contemporary romance with the completely predictable ending and plot line. Even though, the story has been done a ton of times, the story mainly my attention until the end when Fordham gave the hero and the heroine the predictable ending. I, for once, would have loved to seen something else happen to the couples besides knowing they are the ones for each other and deciding to spend the rest of their lives together. Fordham does a wonderful job at crafting this story. I believe fans of westerns would enjoy this novel. Fans of Misty Beller, Regina Jennings, and Melissa Jaguers might enjoy this novel too. Not that it was a bad book. Just a little dry for my personal taste.

I received a complimentary copy of A Life Once Dreamed by Rachel Fordham from Revell Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.

I really liked the premise of this book and the cover is beautiful. It has historical elements, a second-change romance and period specific prejudices at the core of the conflict and yet, it seemed to have nothing. Unfortunately, I found the story and the characters very boring. The book didn’t seem to focus on anything in particular. Agnes seemed to constantly be troubled over one thing or another, but the way the book was written made me unable to feel empathy towards her. I also felt like the main conflict with James dragged on too long and that Sam’s character was pointless. Overall, the story was a predictable and plain. Not my cup of tea.

I wish to thank Net Galley and Revell Publishing for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book. I have voluntarily read and reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This is a wonderful historical romance fiction so it hits on a lot of fun cylinders. It is a book that I simply read cover to cover and did not want to put it down. I loved the characters and the 1800’s small town Dakota Territory setting.
A young woman runs away from her wealthy past in Buffalo New York and heads west to be a teacher in a tiny mining and lumber town. She is happy and well respected in her new life until the town hires a young doctor and he arrives. Only then does her past collide with her present when she recognizes the doctor as her lifelong friend. The story is light and fun to read and I highly recommend it as escape reading. There is nothing heavy here and it is a delight.

Author Rachel Fordham has written another heart stirring tale in her latest novel, A Life Once Dreamed. Set in the 1880’s frontier this is a Christian historical romance that is simply beautiful. There is so much to love in this inspirational book.

This is the story of Agnes (Aggie) Pratt of Boston. She and her childhood sweetheart, James, were planning to marry when Agnes leaves town because of a secret. Since she does not want James to know anything, she secretly slips away. That was six years ago. Now Agnes is teaching school in the small town of Penance in the Dakota Territory.

I love the style in which author Fordham writes. Her vivid imagination creates the most unique stories, settings, and characters. Even the secondary characters are noteworthy, and I found myself cheering for many of them. I enjoyed the schoolchildren and all of the residents of Penance. Through her deft pen the author gave me many new friends.

The life lessons and faith messages are encouraging in this captivating book. The humor is light but welcomed. There is a sweet yet tormented romance because of social differences, and a sweet fella waiting in the wings. I learned historical information about life and medicine in a frontier town, disease, social standing, and true love. The spiritual message of trusting God, listening to His guidance, His love, and believing that He made you equal to others is encouraging.

I highly recommend this fascinating novel on faith, family, acceptance, belonging, and love to everyone. It grabbed my attention early and kept me invested the entire time. It definitely would make a great book club choice. There is no doubt that it deserves a 5 out of 5 star rating.

I received a copy from NetGalley, but these are my honest words.

What a sweet story! James and Agnes have been friends for all of their lives, since they were next door neighbors growing up. As young people, they fell in love and planned to be married. Then, Agnes learned a terrible secret and could not marry James, even though she loved him dearly. So she left. She didn't tell him good bye, or even where she would be going. She certainly didn't tell him why. She moves west to become a teacher, and lives there for six years. A new doctor moves to town, and guess who it is? James has gone to school and has become a doctor. Will he discover her reason for leaving so long ago? Excellently written story I greatly enjoyed!

#A Life Once Dreamed " by Rachel Fordham is an historical romance Christian book. Rachel Fordham has written two other historical fiction books. Her characters are very personal and make a difference in their world. The story takes place in the Dakota territory in Penance. Penance is a logging and mining town. The town is small and the people all know each other. Agnes Pratt is school teacher in Penance . She cares for each student in a personal and caring way. She is very devoted. to her students. The characters and setting are well described. People in the town of Penance take time for each other. The story takes place during the time of horrible scarlet fever pandemic era.. Agnes or Miss. Agnes takes a key part in helping the people through this difficult time. The story is beautiful, rich, and stands for good Christian principles and character. Thank you to the author, netgalley, the publisher for allowing me to read and review this book. I highly recommend this book. I hope it is a huge success.

Some of the most wonderful characters that make you feel at home. This story engages the readers heart and holds it captive. The author does a fantastic job of pulling emotions from the reader and leaving them vulnerable to the story being told. A beautiful close knit community that has felt loss but helps each other through the ups and downs. A love that never died but a secret that is big enough to keep them apart. So much to love about this story that teaches a lesson of love and not worldly possessions that the heart yearns for. A truly fantastic story that will wrap around your heart and keep you flying through the pages!
Was given a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.