Book Review: 'A Child to Bind Them' by Donna Gartshore

Happy Saturday Bookworms!

I hope you are having a wonderful weekend so far! I am busy getting my house packed up and cleaned. We're getting photos ready to be taken and are hoping to have the house listed in the next week so things are gearing up quickly. I have very little downtime, but when I do, I am reaching for a book like the one I am featuring today.

I hope you enjoy my thoughts on this Inspirational Romance and don't forget to scroll to the bottom of this post and enter the amazing giveaway from JustRead Tours.

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for A Child to Bind Them by Donna Gartshore, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: A Child to Bind Them
Author: Donna Gartshore
Publisher: Love Inspired
Release Date: April 28, 2026
Genre: Inspirational Romance

Can one little girl…
Heal wounds from the past?

Landing a contractor job at New Hope Ranch finally allows Mitch Cooper to give his daughter, Gemma—who has a developmental delay—a stable home…if he can find reliable childcare. But when therapy horse trainer Aubrey Simpson eagerly offers to look after the three-year-old, Mitch finds himself hesitant to agree. Realizing Gemma is the baby she gave up for adoption, Aubrey will do anything to help the little girl—even spend time with her cautious father. But as unexpected feelings grow, will Aubrey reveal the truth…and risk her newfound family?

My Review

I am in the middle of getting my house ready to sell, so my schedule has been hectic to say the least. A Child to Bind Them was the perfect story to draw me in and allow me to unwind and escape the chaos in such a sweet way.

I could feel the pain emanating from Aubrey as she struggles to deal with past choices and the frustration from Mitch as he deals with a tainted family name and the challenges of raising a special needs child alone. My heart broke for both of them. My own child was diagnosed with developmental delays around the same age as Gemma, so I instantly identified with Mitch's situation on a deep level as I too had to traverse this unknown territory as a single parent.

Thank goodness for family, not only for me but for Mitch as well. It is admirable just how much Mitch is trying to be a loving and attentive presence in his daughter’s life. Aubrey also is a flawed character with heart, and seeing the two of them and little Gemma together were some of my favorite moments. The ending was such a beautiful culmination and so well earned and deserved. I loved it.

This was such a beautiful story of hope. I appreciate the descriptive writing, well-thought-out characters, and the descriptive writing that helped me escape into a lovely and touching story.

My Rating: ★★★★

Also Available

About the Author

Publishers Weekly best selling author Donna Gartshore lives in Saskatchewan, Canada. Donna is so grateful to be able to tell stories of faith, hope and second chances for Love Inspired. She also writes devotionals and the occasional poem or short story. Donna loves time with her family, personal and group Bible study, long chats with friends over dinner or coffee and engaging in discussions about books and writing with her local and online writing communities.

Connect with Donna on Facebook and Instagram.

Tour Giveaway

(3) winners will each receive a print copy of A Child to Bind Them and The Rancher's Prayer!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight April 28, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on May 5, 2026. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US/CAN only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!