How to Read Cindy Kay Stewart’s Books
Cindy Kay Stewart has captured the hearts of historical fiction fans with her deeply researched, faith-filled stories of courage and romance during World War II. For readers looking to dive into her catalog, the path is straightforward: she is best known for her signature series, the Circle of Hope. Because her novels follow the historical progression of the war, the recommended reading order is to follow the series in its publication sequence, which also serves as its chronological order.
The Circle of Hope Series in Order
The Circle of Hope series currently consists of two full-length novels, each focusing on a different couple navigating dangerous conditions in occupied Europe while relying on their faith in God to survive. Here is the recommended order to read them:
- Abounding Hope (2023)
- Unending Hope (2025)
Abounding Hope (2023)
In her debut novel, Stewart transports readers to the very beginning of the conflict in September 1939. The story is set in Poland, a front that is relatively underrepresented in mainstream World War II historical romance. The plot follows Irena Simmons, an American teacher working at a boarding school in Poland, who finds herself caught in the crosshairs of the German invasion. When the school is forced to close, Irena makes a perilous decision: she refuses to abandon her German students, who are now targets of local hostility, and resolves to get them to safety.
As she embarks on this dangerous journey, she crosses paths with Jonathan Huntwell, an American embassy worker who is attempting to escape the country. Together, they must navigate war-torn roads, evade Nazi patrols, and deal with their growing feelings for one another. The novel is celebrated for its slow-burn romance, spiritual depth, and detailed look at the harrowing early days of the Polish occupation. It was recognized as a finalist for several prestigious awards, including the 2024 Holt Medallion, the FHL Reader's Choice Award, and the Christian Market Book Award.
Unending Hope (2025)
The second installment in the series shifts focus northward to Scandinavia. Unending Hope begins in April 1940 as Nazi Germany launches its sudden invasion of Norway. The story introduces two new protagonists: David Jensen, an American Red Cross doctor, and Natalie Thompson, an American Red Cross worker. The two find themselves trapped in Norway as the country falls under German control.
Unlike the fresh acquaintances of the first book, David and Natalie share a complicated, painful past. They were once engaged, but Natalie broke off the relationship under difficult circumstances. Forced to work side-by-side to treat wounded civilians and allied soldiers while avoiding detection by Nazi forces, the two must rebuild their trust in each other and in God. The book masterfully blends tense medical drama, wilderness survival, and a second-chance romance against the rugged, snow-covered Norwegian landscape.
The Companion Collection: Escape (E-book)
In addition to her full-length novels, Stewart has compiled a non-fiction companion piece titled Escape: 20 True WWII Stories of Escape. As a former high school social studies and special education teacher with a career spanning over three decades, Stewart is a passionate historian who spends hours digging through archives to find remarkable, lesser-known accounts of wartime survival.
This e-book collection, which she offers as a gift to subscribers of her author newsletter, features true historical vignettes that inspired the themes of her fiction. It includes detailed accounts of underground escape networks like the famous Comet Line (which helped downed Allied airmen escape through occupied Belgium and France), daring escapes by Allied POWs, and miraculous flights to freedom from concentration camps like Auschwitz. While it is not a novel, reading this collection offers fascinating context on the real-life courage that forms the backbone of her fictional universes.
Publication Order vs. Chronological Order
Because the Circle of Hope series is still growing, tracking the timeline is simple. The publication order perfectly mirrors the chronological timeline of World War II:
- 1939: Abounding Hope takes place during the invasion and fall of Poland in the autumn of 1939.
- 1940: Unending Hope takes place during the invasion of Norway in the spring of 1940.
By reading the books in order of publication, you will experience the historical events of World War II as they unfolded across different countries in Europe.
What to Know Before You Start
Before you dive into Cindy Kay Stewart's books, here are a few practical tips to enhance your reading experience:
- Standalone Compatibility: Because each book in the Circle of Hope series follows a completely different couple in a different geographical theater of the war, they can technically be read as standalone novels without losing track of the plot. However, reading them in order helps you appreciate the shifting global scale of the war as the Nazi occupation expanded.
- Inspirational Tone: Stewart writes Christian historical fiction. The characters in her books struggle with real spiritual questions, and prayer and faith are central to how they process trauma, fear, and love. If you enjoy authors like Sarah Sundin, Roseanna M. White, or Elizabeth Camden, you will find her style very familiar.
- A Focus on Hidden History: As a retired history teacher, Stewart prides herself on historical accuracy. She intentionally writes about settings and historical operations that are less common in standard WWII fiction, such as the invasion of Norway and the specific struggles of civilians in early-war Poland.