A Life Once Dreamed

 

A Life Once Dreamed by Rachel Fordham

4 stars.  Thank you to Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, for sending me this book to review and read.  I've read back to back books that take place in the "pioneer's West".  I enjoyed the setting of this book, Penance, South Dakota Territory 1880.  

Agnes Pratt is the single school teacher who in her 6 years of living in Penance has gained the respect of her students and is a valuable member of the community.  Many in the town wonder if Aggie will end up a spinster as she's shown no interest in being courted by any of the single men, mainly miners, in the town.  Enter the new town doctor- James Harris.  He, like Aggie, is from the East coast, actually the same home town of Aggie- Buffalo, NY.  This is not coincidence for Aggie and James grew up next door neighbors, childhood friends which led into childhood sweethearts and a proposal from James over 6 years ago.  

Something made Aggie flee that engagement to her best friend.  She ran away to Penance to start a new life and try to forget the love of her life, while she figured he would move on and marry and start a family.  His appearance in her town of Penance throws her off her game.  The reason why she left suddenly all those years ago is discovered by the end, and I can say I loved the twist/reason behind her departure.  It brought to light a subject I haven't spent much time thinking about, but I think it is one that still today can affect the lives of children who then grow to be adults.

This was a great read with many great characters and I liked where the author took the story.