Recently widowed Annalisa Werner finds herself struggling to hold on to hope as she tries to keep her farm going.  An immigrant from Germany, Annalisa hopes to secure a future for her daughter and the child she is expecting by becoming a landowner–something that was impossible in her home country.  However, the loan on her farm is coming due, and, in addition to the loss of her husband, Annalisa discovers that her dearly departed has gambled away all of the money they had saved, leaving her and her children destitute.

As the plot of A Noble Groom, by Judy Hedlund, progresses, readers discover just how much Annalisa has lost–not just her husband, but her hope of love and kindness.  Her husband was not a kind man, but all Annalisa’s heart desires is to be loved.  Her father decides that Annalisa must have a new husband and writes to his brother in Germany to send someone suitable for Annalisa, and she agrees, praying that this husband will at least not beat her or gamble their profits away.

Before the promised groom arrives, however, another man, Carl Richards, arrives from Germany to help her keep up the farm until her relative shows up.  Surprised by both his lack of skill and his kindness (something Annalisa is not used to finding in men), Annalisa finds herself drawn to the stranger. She never thought to hope that such a man existed–someone who would actually like to talk with her and be kind to her children.

Over time, as the two work the farm together, Annalisa finds herself more and more drawn to the handsome stranger, even though she suspects he is hiding a secret.  When her real groom arrives, the secret is out, and Annalisa is forced to choose between her father’s path and her heart’s.

Although I found some parts of the book hard to swallow from my modern day perspective (I kept thinking this woman should stand up for herself!), A Noble Groom kept my attention from the start.  Judy Hedlund not only keeps readers interested, but teaches us something God, forgiveness, and love.

**I received a free copy of this book from Bethany House in exchange for my honest review.**