Restoring Hope by Philippa Cleall
Series: Standalone
Publisher: Ark House Press (October 31, 2025)
REVIEW BY GWEN M. PLANO
In some ways, Restoring Hope is a familiar story. A young woman, Hope Elkins, escapes an abusive marriage and returns to her hometown to rebuild a family café and rediscovers herself. As the story unfolds, so do the foundational tenets of Christianity: faith, hope, and love. Townspeople reach out to help each other when a fire breaks out, when a homeless person needs a place to sleep, and when protection is required. A gathering point is the local church. The minister and his wife embody quiet strength and forgiving kindness. It is their wisdom that guides the community. When Hope’s estranged husband returns, the whole community responds.
…maybe genuine faith isn’t about unwritten rules and Sunday faces. Maybe it’s people actually being real. Having hands that help, a desire to understand, and hearts that wait to listen.
Philippa Cleall, Restoring Hope
It’s not just about walking away from the wrong path, it (repentance) begins with a moment of truth. That moves us to turn around with a heart that is sorry toward the One who is good, who is full of grace and truth, and who meets us with the power to heal and make us whole. Turning is … about having a change of heart, and making a choice to come home, to the loving Father who has been waiting for us all along.
Restoring Hope held my attention throughout. I appreciated how Cleall tackled complicated and delicate topics with sensitivity and understanding. Her approach was nonjudgmental and understated, both of which drew me into the story. I was intrigued by how she created community among her characters, incorporated faith, demonstrated our collective responsibility, and offered avenues for healing for those who are hurting. She managed all this and more with tenderness and beautifully descriptive prose.
This book earns five respectful fish from me. It is a story I will think about for quite some time.
I read Restoring Hope through Kindle.
The Well Read Fish 
Thank you Gwen for the thoughtful review of Cleall’s book. We need more novels that encourage the practical use of faith to tackle life’s challenges.
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Thank you, Grant. This book surprised me with its practical wisdom and underlying tenderness. It was a blessing much needed at the right time.
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You’re welcome, Gwen, and thank you for reinforcing the adage: writers can shape the lives of readers.
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I like the sound of this, Gwen. Community, repentance, healing, and faith in action. Your review is beautiful, and it sounds like the book is, too.
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Thank you, Priscilla. Reading this book took me on a journey of hope. I was greatly moved by how Cleal involved the community in a transformative way. It was a beautiful read.
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Going on the Want to read list ~ Rosie
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I’m pleased to know that, Rosie. It’s a tender read.
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I’m not familiar with this author, but Restoring Hope sounds like a thoughtful, uplifting read.
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I wasn’t familiar with her either, Kelly. I believe this is her first novel. She’s Australian, and I learned a few new words while reading–which was fun.
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What a thoughtful review, Gwen. I love it when a book impacts a reader so deeply. Thank you for sharing.
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Thank you, Staci. She has a lovely, gentle way of drawing the reader in. Wonderful read.
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I can’t imagine how to survive such an awful circumstance. I think this book provides the clues.
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It’s a beautiful story, Jacqui. The author is also a counselor, so I suspect she’s handled complicated situations like those in the story.
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A lovely review, Gwen. Stories about human dramas are the same in many ways. The difference is in the telling.
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So true, Robbie. The author is from Australia, and yet the story could take place anywhere.
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Yes, it’s the different details that bring the freshness to the story.
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This sounds like a great book. Thanks for the introduction and review, Gwen. 💗
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Thank you, Colleen. I really appreciated her approach to the story’s complicated themes.
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This sounds like a faith-filled read, Gwen. I especially like how the author draws on community to tell the story. Thank you for sharing!
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I loved the community aspect of the story, Mae, and I loved the role of the church. Thank you, Mae, for responding as you have.
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Thank you, Gwen for your review of Restoring Hope 💛 … my hope is that this story will reach the hearts and lives of readers who might find encouragement and healing in its pages. It’s also been written to share real insight into the journey of harmful relationships so those who walk alongside others who are hurting can be a loving source of community support and gently model through caring actions the real Hope we have in a Saviour.
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You’ve written a beautiful story, Philippa, and it was my privilege to write a strong review. I share your hope that the story reaches folks needing encouragement and healing. Blessings to you and yours….
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Thank you for sharing, Gwen. This sounds like a wonderfully warm story!
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It was as you described – “a wonderfully warm story.” Thank you, Jan.
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Writers walk a thin line when dealing with complicated issues without being judgemental, and it sounds like this author did a fantastic job, Gwen. Glad you enjoyed it!
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Thank you, Teri. You are so right, it is a thin line, and I’m happy to say that Cleall managed it well.
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Great Review, Gwen. This is one for the TBR list.
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