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Kings Meadow Romance #1

Love Without End

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Chet and Kimberly have both failed when it comes to love. Will they risk their hearts to love again?

Chet Leonard's life was forever changed when his seventeen year old son died and then, soon after, his wife walked out on their family. Over two years later, all he wants to do is hold onto his horse ranch and raise his remaining sons to be honorable men.

Kimberly Welch, widowed mother of Tara, a rebellious fifteen-year-old, has reached the end of her finances and nearly the end of her rope. She and Tara come to King's Meadow to try to piece their lives back together again. Kimberly has no intention of become involved with the residents of this remote mountain community and certainly not with any man.

When 84-year-old Anna McKenna returns to King's Meadow and to the Leonard ranch, she becomes an agent of change and healing for the two hurting families. With her help, Kimberly and Chet's families at last discover a love without end.

320 pages, Paperback

First published November 11, 2014

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About the author

Robin Lee Hatcher

121 books2,857 followers
Robin Lee Hatcher is the author of 90 novels and novellas with over five million copies of her books in print. She is known for her heartwarming and emotionally charged stories of faith, courage, and love. Her numerous awards include the RITA® Award, Christy Award, Carol Award, HOLT Medallion, National Reader’s Choice Award, and the Faith, Hope & Love Reader’s Choice Award, and she is also the recipient of prestigious Lifetime Achievement Awards from both American Christian Fiction Writers and Romance Writers of America®. When not writing, she enjoys being with her family, spending time in the beautiful Idaho outdoors, Bible art journaling, reading books that make her cry, watching romantic movies, and decorative planning. A mother and grandmother, Robin makes her home on the outskirts of Boise, sharing it with a demanding Papillon dog and a persnickety tuxedo cat.

Be sure to follow Robin on BookBub so you'll receive new book and special deal alerts:
https://www.bookbub.com/profile/robin...

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5 stars
407 (39%)
4 stars
398 (38%)
3 stars
184 (17%)
2 stars
22 (2%)
1 star
16 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 148 reviews
Profile Image for ANNETTE.
892 reviews5 followers
May 1, 2024
This was a quick read that was a tad bit slow yet , pleasant and predictable. I loved Nana-Anna and wanted more wisdom from her. The story was about hope ,faith and acceptance.
Profile Image for Carole Jarvis.
831 reviews49 followers
December 8, 2014
Reviewed at The Power of Words: http://tinyurl.com/n7ncm69

In Love Without End, Robin returns to Kings Meadow, Idaho, the setting that I fell in love with in her previous novel, A Promise Kept. If you look at the cover and decide to pass, assuming this is just another typical "city-girl-meets-handsome-cowboy" romance, you will be mistaken and miss out on a moving story.

In Love Without End, Robin skillfully pens a narrative with deep emotion and a maturity that has to have come out of life experiences. She writes of the brokenness of life, of broken people, of loss, and how we handle the unexpected.

And that "unexpected" even becomes a second chance at love, born out of a seeking and surrender to God's will, for two characters could hardly be more wrong for each other on the surface. I found Chet and Kimberly to be appealing and realistic, easy to relate to through their losses and struggles.

Single parent Chet loved Kings Meadow, the close community, the land, and the Leonard Quarter Horse Ranch that had been in his family for generations - yet he felt he had let his family and God down. Prior to personal and financial losses, Kimberly had lived a rather shallow, surface-level life: "Once she'd been the stay-at-home wife of a prosperous businessman and the mother of a bright and popular daughter. Now she was a financially struggling widow, unable to find employment after too many years out of the job market, and mother to a hurting, sometimes sulky teenager whom Kimberly hardly recognized as the joyful child she'd raised."

And then there's the beloved 84-year-old Anna McKenna, whose story is seamlessly interwoven from 1944 to the present day, adding much richness through the insight into Chet's family heritage and her never-failing faith. I love it when an elderly character is featured in a story, and the fact that my grandmother and I were very close not only deepens my connection to Love Without End, but takes it to another level.

Chet's boys, Sam and Pete, and Kimberly's daughter, Tara, also feature prominently in this story, and I hope we see more of them. I especially delighted in Tara's love for horses and the way she blossoms through the Leonard family and the Kings Meadow environment.

I expect Christian fiction to not only entertain, but to inspire, challenge, or move me in some way, and Love Without End did exactly that. The beauty of a setting that felt like a main character, Anna's life journey, the support of the Kings Meadow community, and the welcoming acceptance the Leonard family offered all combined into a poignant and heartwarming read. I'd like to end with one of my favorite quotes, spoken by Anna to Chet: "Some folks say God never gives us more than we can handle. I don't believe that's true. He doesn't give us more than He can handle. The battle belongs to the Lord. Let Him fight it for you."

Love Without End is a story that touched me. A 5-star rating for that touch.

Thank you to Litfuse Publicity for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Profile Image for Emilee.
519 reviews107 followers
November 19, 2016
This was a good book. I enjoyed the relationships. It was fun to read a romance about a couple in their forties with teenagers. Although there was very little romance. The ranch life was a small part of this story. I always like to read about horses. It brings back memories of when I was young and able to ride and spend time with horses. I have the other two books in this series and plan to read them in the future.
Profile Image for Andrea Cox.
Author 3 books1,695 followers
December 14, 2019
Charming little ranch story! I like how the ranch was intrinsic to the plot. That definitely made this book find my happy place.

Triggers: miscarriage

Content: expletive, replacement profanity, teen smoking, alcohol
Profile Image for Marlene.
466 reviews117 followers
September 11, 2015
Love Without End is first in the Kings Meadow Romance series by Robin Lee Hatcher. This is a contemporary Christian romance blended with short chapters that take place in the past, as early as 1944.

The hero, likable rancher Chet Leonard, was first seen going through tough times as a secondary character in A Promise Kept, which is listed on Hatcher's website as being a stand alone women's fiction. Chet is now focused on running his ranch and raising his two teenage boys, Sam and Pete.

The heroine Kimberly Welch is new on the scene, recently widowed and penniless. She has moved to King's Meadow with her teenage daughter Tara to accept the help of her best friend until she can support herself financially.

We also have honorary grandma "Nana Anna," who has recently returned to King's Meadow to live with the Leonards. We see her back story interspersed throughout the novel. Anna was many reviewers' favorite character!

What I liked

*Robin Lee Hatcher does a great job of incorporating aspects of Christian faith into her story. I've found this to be the norm for Hatcher!
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*The characters are all very likable.

*I enjoy contemporary novels that don't feel overly contemporary. The story was very clean and managed to feel a bit old-fashioned. If I didn't find contemporaries like this, I'd never read contemporary fiction.

What I didn't like

*I felt that the romance was a bit slow. Natural, yes, but slow. This is the only reason I'm giving it four stars rather than five, because I thought the story itself was great. I really think that a romance needs a bit more interaction between the main characters.

I would always recommend a Christian novel by Robin Lee Hatcher! This book would be a good one for teens, as it's clean and three of the secondary characters are teens.
Profile Image for Jaquelyn Scroggie.
380 reviews6 followers
May 18, 2016
Hatcher writes an amazing story that keeps you turning the pages anxious to see what is going to happen next. Chet and Kimberly have been through some of the hardest things that you can imagine, but both are still doing the best they can. The last thing either of them want to do is fall in love again. Especially when Kimberly wants to live in the city, and Chet can’t live anywhere but at his ranch. They both have their own kids to worry about, and don’t need any more complications. But God often has a better plan for our lives than we could ever imagine. This story bounces back and forth from current times to some of Chet’s Nana Anna’s past. Nana Anna was one of my favorite people in the book. I loved how throughout the story we got too see bits and pieces of what makes Anna who she is. You can’t help but love her, and want to be a lot like her when you are her age.

Kimberly’s daughter Tara is a teenager that has had her life uprooted since her father died. She is very self centered, like any teenager is. When she is given a horse, her life changes for the better. She has wanted one forever, and barely holds on to the hope that she will get to keep it. When Chet steps in to help her learn the ropes she blossoms. Her dreams are finally coming true. How will she get along with Chet’s sons Sam and Pete? What would she do if she is forced to leave the place she loves?

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction along with Contemporary fiction. Hatcher is an awesome author who makes you love the characters and want them for friends in real life. A must read! I received a copy of this book from Thomas Nelson and Net Galley for my honest opinion. All opinions expressed are my own.

Profile Image for Cara.
110 reviews21 followers
August 24, 2017
Quick read. Predictable but sweet story. I did feel it was a little flat. No real conflict, except in their own minds, and not enough of the romance for my taste. I like it clean, but this felt almost nonexistent. I mean, the fist kiss was mentioned as part of a very brief memory of the night before. Come on.
Profile Image for Kate.
1,640 reviews51 followers
August 25, 2023
(Even though it's 'technically' not part of the series, I'm glad I read 'A Promise Kept' before reading this story. It helped provide context for what Chet had gone through with the loss of his eldest son and the abandonment of his ex wife.)
I enjoyed this story. I liked that both Chet and Kimberly were able (with the help of good and Godly friends and family) to work through their traumas related to their first marriages, and learn to trust that God had good plans for them in unexpected directions.
Though she was not technically a main character, my favourite character was Anna. I loved the little glimpses we got of her own journey towards trusting God despite difficult circumstances!
3.5 stars
Profile Image for Hannah.
2,562 reviews1,392 followers
December 28, 2019
The more I read Hatcher’s novels, the more I love how she writes. There’s just so much heart and depth to her stories and she keeps solidifying her place as one of my top favorite authors, especially in her contemporary and split-time novels (I’m intrigued by those genres, but find quality stories hard to come by in them, especially in contemporary). This one’s an endearing contemporary set in Idaho and deals with slightly older singles who have seen some sadness in life and are overcoming it. Again, exactly the sort of story I love and have a hard time finding very many of (so many are young, first-time-married singles). Delightful story with a heartfelt Christian message included.
Profile Image for Tiffany.
53 reviews1 follower
January 13, 2018
Mrs. Hatcher has done it again people. I literally can not get enough of her books. They give me all the feels. The setting of Kings Meadow was perfection and Nana Anna made this book amazing.
Profile Image for Tracey.
194 reviews9 followers
July 13, 2017
After all the murder and mayhem I read, I needed this sweet read. Totally loved it!
Profile Image for Brittany .
2,447 reviews170 followers
December 3, 2014
I had such a good time reading this book. I enjoyed it from start to finish and felt very connected to the characters and the beautiful setting of King’s Meadow, Idaho.

Both Kimberly Welch and Chet Leonard have known heartbreaking loss in their lives. Both have lost loved ones and are working through the hurt in their own ways. Kimberly is also trying to get back on her feet financially and worries about how her teenage daughter is handling the trials they have both endured.

I enjoyed reading about the way Kimberly grew throughout this story. From her realization that she had begun to live a relatively shallow life that was dominated by luxury before her husband passed, to the way she started to understand as time passed, that she needed to give all of her hurts and questions over to God and trust in Him to provide the answers.

Chet grew throughout the story as well. His faith was strong and he relied on God to get him through the days, but he worried about the possibility of starting a new relationship and if it was worth the potential for heartache. Learning to give those fears to God was an important step in his life.

The beautiful setting of King’s Meadow and Chet’s horse farm made for such nice reading. I felt like I was there, in the midst of the beautiful mountains and majestic horses. Absolutely lovely!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher, through Litfuse Publicity, in exchange for an honest review, which I have given.

You can read this review on my blog at:
https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.c...
Profile Image for Hallie (Hallie Reads).
1,555 reviews138 followers
August 26, 2016
This review is also posted on Book by Book.

Before Love Without End, I had only read Robin Lee Hatcher’s historical fiction, which I definitely enjoyed, but I was excited to experience a bit of her contemporary fiction. Although the time period was different, Hatcher still creates a cast of lovable, relatable, welcoming characters and sets them against a beautiful small-town Idaho background. As the characters worked to overcome hurts, hardships, losses of the past and embrace the possibilities of the future, I really enjoyed joining the family for the duration of the story. Love Without End is a well-developed story and a quick read, and I think fans of Robin Lee Hatcher will enjoy it. It’s a heartwarming read.

Thanks to LitFuse Publicity Group, I received a copy of Love Without End and the opportunity to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own.
129 reviews1 follower
March 19, 2016
I loved Chet and Kimberly's story! I love Robin Lee Hatcher's romances! She just has a way of telling them that makes you love them, and want to see the people in her stories live happily ever after! But in this book like all of hers I've read, she is real with her romances, too. There were issues this couple had to over come, past loves they had to get over. Both had been married and both were hurt in there marriages, so they had to learn to trust one another.

This story also weaves in the story of a family friend, who was more like family, she had been a part of Chet's family since before he was born. Her name is Anna. Anna is so precious! Her love for the Lord shined through, and her love and encouragement was wonderful and it helped this couple and there children so much!

If you love a good clean Christian romance, where the love of the Lord shines through, I totally would recommend this book! I look forward to reading book 2 in this series!
Profile Image for Heidi Robbins (Heidi Reads...).
1,592 reviews541 followers
March 10, 2016
The pace of this book is as leisurely as the stroll depicted on the cover. It really gave me time to get a feel for each of the characters as well as the setting. I totally appreciated that the romance between Chet and Kimberly was not of the whirlwind variety. The progress of their friendship and relationship was also slow-moving, interspersed with flashbacks from pivotal moments in Anna's life. Both Kimberly and Chet have issues to work through along the way, and with Anna providing profound insights and some teenage kids to liven things up, this is an enjoyable book to read. My favorite quote from Anna is "God doesn't need me to pretend, and He isn't afraid of my questions. You go right on and pour out your feelings to Him. Don't hold back. He'll listen, and then He'll comfort. You see if He doesn't."
645 reviews39 followers
February 23, 2016
In many ways, Chet and Kimberly are very different; she, from the city, and he an Idaho rancher. But they have both experienced extraordinary loss. They meet when Kimberly comes to the area to stay with her best friend because she believes she has nowhere else to go. Can they make a life together? And will they make that choice?

This book is rich in characters and the stuff life is made of. It is real and down to earth, and not a glossy romantic love story--but a love story, just the same. I am looking forward to reading the other books in the Series.
Profile Image for Lyn.
Author 115 books573 followers
January 16, 2015
I truly enjoyed Love Without End. This, the first book in the King's Meadow romance series, entwines two beautiful and heartfelt romances--one in the past and one in the present. Together they make this a special read. I'm so glad Robin wrote a love story for Chet who suffered so much in A Promise Kept (January 2014). Kimberly, so wrong for him, becomes so right. Not your run-of-the-mill cowboy romance--enriched with deft writing and deep emotion.
Profile Image for Courtney.
335 reviews4 followers
February 8, 2015
I just could not get into this book. I must be the only person out there that doesn't want to live in King's Meadow. I also don't like horses. Seems to be a prerequisite to bonding with this book.
Profile Image for Loraine.
3,155 reviews
June 9, 2022
Sweet ranch romance with a widowed heroine who has a teenage daughter and has lost everything due to her husband's overspending and poor choices. The hero owns a large horse ranch in Idaho and is divorced with two teenage boys. When Kimberly's daughter, Tara, takes riding lessons at the ranch, both Tara and Kimberly become involved with the ranch family.

I especially like Nana Anna and her feistiness and wisdom. The slowly developing relationship between Kimberley and Chet was wonderful to watch along with the friendship between Tara and Chet's two boys, Sam and Pete.

Enjoyable western romance. I look forward to reading more of this series.
457 reviews6 followers
May 24, 2017
I enjoyed this story. Actually it is two stories in one. It alternates between the present with two main characters and the past which is about the past of another character in the present story. The only thing I don't care for about this style is that you know how her story ends. The characters are likeable and though they think they are not a good fit, they don't fight their attraction to one another too much like in some stories. You know they end up together, but that's OK as I like happily ever after stories.
Profile Image for Jenna.
1,906 reviews23 followers
February 13, 2020
CHALLENGE # 16-JUST WALK AWAY

Even though the fiction shelves were alphabetical, I must have been near the "christian romance" genre selections. I didn't realize that when i chose this book but whatever...

However, the religious aspects of this story weren't highlighted. It was mostly references to praying and looking to God in the beauty of the nature surrounding them.

It was a nice story but it moved a little slowly. It took too long for Kimberly & Chet to get together.
But a pleasant ending that wasn't too sugary sweet.


Profile Image for Cindi.
687 reviews1 follower
August 26, 2020
A sweet story that alternated from present to past. Anna's story was most interesting to me. Coming to find out how she ended up at the ranch and how her life unfolded certainly had its ups and downs. It was nice to see that she relied on God through the good and the bad.

The modern story was very predictable and shallow. Sorry, that's how it came across to me. I never really connected with these characters. If it weren't for Anna I don't think I would have finished the book.

If you like predictable romance with everything wrapping up in a pretty little bow, you'll like this book.
189 reviews3 followers
October 20, 2023
A truly encouraging, thought provoking, thoughtful, beautiful read. I loved the character development and getting glimpses into Anna's backstory through special chapters throughout the story. The romance didn't feel forced either and I appreciated the faith aspect applied, especially the encouragement Chet received from his friend when he had voiced his concerns.

Descriptive text done beautifully. Enough to truly be able to paint a picture in your head, but not so much that it felt overdone.

Overall a great book. I can barely wait to dive into it's sequel.
September 9, 2020
God's efficiency

God works all situations out for His purposes. This book allows the reader to see how God orchestrates the situations of our lives and we choose to follow or disobey. The good news is we get more than one opportunity.
50 reviews
January 21, 2022
Sweet

I really loved this story! The characters weren't perfect but they were sooo likeable. Their problems were realistic and I couldn't guess how they we're going to solve them. I'm definitely going to read the next book in the series.
Profile Image for Carmen.
Author 15 books146 followers
May 9, 2023
This was a sweet, slow-burn romance. I enjoyed Chet and Kimberly's stories of change, grief, hope, and love. The location is somewhere I'd love to live! And the family ties, troubles, and growth rang true and loving. This was a feel-good romance filled with faith and hope.
Profile Image for Kristi Lewis.
519 reviews
February 25, 2024
I love a good romance and this author delivered with this book. It was a great story of second chances, finding new love and family.
After losing her husband, home and a lot more and having a daughter that is a sullen teen, Kimberly moves them to Kings Meadow.
A sweet second chance romance.
Profile Image for JanetW.
45 reviews2 followers
June 4, 2017
Robin is one of my favorite authors ... another well done & very enjoyable book. Love Nana Anna & her quiet wisdom :)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 148 reviews

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