Return to the Canadian West: The Company Trilogy to the When Calls the Heart Tv Show
- MommaSaurus
- Dec 25, 2025
- 6 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
Return to the Canadian West Trilogy by Janette Oke and Laurel Oke Logan
Quick Summary:
Genre: Historical Romance
Recommended Age: Adults
Possibly Concerning Content* (details below)
🤬 Language: Level 1
❤️ Romance: Level 2
🛡️Violence: Level 2
Jump to:
Book 1 Where Courage Calls
Book 2 Where Truth Lies
Book 3 Where Hope Prevails
Review
For those familiar with the Hallmark Television show, When Calls the Heart, this trilogy is the official "companion story" to the tv series!
The main character is named Elizabeth (goes by Beth) and she accepts a position teaching in a pool hall (once saloon) in Coal Valley. She boards with Ms. Molly and her young charges and spends her time trying to help improve the lives of those around her, not just the children but their families (specifically the widows whose husbands died in a mine accident before Beth arrives) and the new Italian miners who are being ostracized by the town. She eventually meets a Mountie named Jack Thornton (whose full name is Jarrick) but the romance takes a back seat to the rest of the plot. Those who love the show may be disappointed by the lack of familiar characters and storyline but I, personally, preferred the story in this book to the tv show, but preferred the romance between Jack and Elizabeth in the show over the book. It's a really good read with a bit of light peril toward the end.
In the second book in the trilogy Beth and her sisters and mother embark on a cruise of the East Coast of America and Canada. Along the way, they make new friends and come to some startling realizations about one another. This story is much more about Beth's relationships with the women in her family, though she does wrestle with her feelings for Jarrick (Jack Thorton) who is back in the West hoping she will return for another year of teaching. It was a really good cozy travel book about family until the end. The ending took me by surprise with its sudden dark turn (See PCC). I was happy for the happy ending and even happier for the amount of Jarrick in this book (even though most of their interactions are through phone calls and letters).
In the final book, Beth is back in Coal Valley with Jarrick and the others, planning for an upcoming event and wrestling with the new teacher the mine hired to 'help' her now that the town is growing bigger. I DNF this book due to PCC (See below).
“The compass needle tells the truth, Beth, even in a storm. And then one must adjust the rest of one’s circumstances in accordance—even though sometimes it feels amiss. It reminds me that the Bible is like that too. It tells us the truth, and then we must adjust our thinking, our actions, to match.” ― Janette Oke, Where Courage Calls
If you love
Westerns (Canadian)
Christian author
Verses and prayer throughout
Clean romance
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Small town stories
Some humor
The When Calls the Heart tv series
Books in Series
Book 1: Where Courage Calls
Blurb
"Her courage and her heart will be tested in ways she never expected...
Beth Thatcher has spent her entire life in the safe, comfortable world of her family, her friends, and the social outings her father's wealth provides. But Beth is about to leave it all behind to accept a teaching position in the rugged foothills of western Canada. Inspired by her aunt Elizabeth, who went west to teach school several years ago, and gently encouraged by her father, Beth resolves to put her trust in God and bravely face any challenge that comes her way.
But the conditions in Coal Valley are even worse than she'd feared. A recent mining accident has left the town grieving and at the mercy of the mining company. The children have had very little prior education, and many of the locals don't even speak English. There isn't even a proper schoolhouse. In addition, Beth's heart is torn between two young men--both Mounties, one a lifelong friend and the other a kind, quiet man who comes to her aid more than once.
Despite the many challenges, Beth is determined to make a difference in the rustic frontier town. But when her sister visits from the East, reminding her of all the luxuries she's had to give up, will Beth decide to return to her privileged life as soon as the school year is over?" - From Amazon
Possibly Concerning Content
Click on the dropdown icon for details. May contain spoilers.
🤬 Language Level 1
None,
❤️ Romance Level 1
Kisses only
🛡️ Violence Level 1
A man threatens to harm a woman
‼️ Heads Up
There is prejudices against the Italian mine workers because of the language barrier.
Grab a copy on Amazon*
Grab a copy on Bookshop.org*
Book 2: Where Trust Lies
Blurb
"Her courage and her heart will be tested in ways she never expected...
Beth Thatcher returns home from her first year as a schoolteacher in the mining town of Coal Valley and steps into a whole different world. Her life back among her wealthy Eastern family is a stark contrast to her primitive life in the West, and Beth isn't sure where she belongs anymore.
She barely has time to settle in before her mother announces plans for a family holiday--a luxurious steamship tour along the eastern coast of Canada and the U.S. Wishing to reconnect with her mother and sister, Beth agrees to go but quickly finds herself at odds with her mother's expectations. After enjoying complete freedom in the western wilds, Beth isn't sure what to make of her mother's ongoing efforts to direct her life--and her heart.
Beth keeps in touch with her Mountie beau, Jarrick, even as young men more of her station catch her eye. Is she ready to fully give her heart to Jarrick, knowing it will mean saying good-bye to her family and her life of privilege once again? And when Beth trusts the wrong person, will Jarrick be able to help her despite the distance between them?"
Possibly Concerning Content
Click on the dropdown icon for details. May contain spoilers.
🤬 Language Level 1
None,
❤️ Romance Level 1
Kisses only
🛡️ Violence Level 1
A man threatens to harm a woman
‼️ Heads Up
A character is kidnapped. It is the main plot of the entire third act. The kidnappers plan to sell the character into slavery. It is stopped in time. The entire experience is off page but the main character experiences the terror and fear that comes with not knowing if they will ever see this person again. If that is something you do not want to read, maybe give this one a skip.
It's mentioned via letter that someone attempted suicide but was not successful..
Grab a copy on Amazon*
Grab a copy on Bookshop.org*
Book 3: Where Hope Prevails
📍Note: I did not finish this book (See head's up). The Possible Concerning Content is only up to Chapter 19 and I cannot speak for the rest of the book.
Blurb
When Beth Thatcher returns to Coal Valley, she has much to be excited about. She anticipates Jarrick's proposal of marriage and perhaps a spring wedding. The mine is expanding, and there are more schoolchildren than ever.
But the town's rapid growth brings many challenges. A second teacher is assigned, and Beth finds herself going head-to-head with a very different philosophy of education--one that dismisses religion and rejects God. Fearful for the children who sit under the influence of Robert Harris Hughes, Beth struggles to know how to respond.
At the same time, Beth wonders if Jarrick is considering a position at her father's company simply for her sake. Should she admit her feelings on the matter? Or keep silent and allow Jarrick to make up his own mind?
Possibly Concerning Content
Click on the dropdown icon for details. May contain spoilers.
🤬 Language Level 1
None,
❤️ Romance Level 1
Kisses only
🛡️ Violence Level 1
None
‼️ Heads Up
There is a relationship between a fifteen year old and twenty year old. This is why I DNF this book.
📍*Possibly Concerning Content Disclaimer: I try my best to include all relevant content notes, or possibly concerning content, but I may not catch everything and/or you may feel things are concerning that I do not. Please research individually if you’re sensitive to specific topics/subjects! 📍
Have you seen the show? Did you prefer the show or the movie?
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