This is the fifth installment in the 'Love Comes Softly' movie series, and once again the story jumps ahead a couple of years. I recall previously saying that the film was stronger than many people believed, but this time around, that wasn’t the case; it felt like a disappointment, particularly during the initial portion. Following her husband Willie’s death in the line of duty, Missie and her son Mattie return to live near her parents and begin life anew. The town has changed—there are fewer opportunities and increased competition for everything. Missie turns down her parents' offer of financial assistance, renting a small house with her son and managing to earn enough to support themselves. Then an orphan girl arrives and the story takes a new turn. > "I couldn't save Jenny... And you couldn't save Kathy. > But we can save Jacob." The first three films in the series were quite good, but I’ve noticed a gradual decline as subsequent movies have been released, especially after the previous one. While it was nice to introduce some interesting characters, those opportunities weren’t fully utilized. The second half of this film proved significantly better than the first, and the movie recovered some of its strength due to what unfolded later on. Otherwise, it would have been the weakest in the series, though it remains the least satisfying so far. The removal of Willie's character has faced criticism from many sources, suggesting that the film deviates from the book’s storyline. Perhaps adhering more closely to the source material might have done it justice. I won't draw any firm conclusions comparing the two versions, as I haven't read the book myself. It seems they may have intended changes to offer a fresh perspective for those familiar with the novel, but that approach didn't quite work out. The introduction of two new characters and their journey proved to be the most compelling aspect. Some of the issues explored felt rooted in real-world problems, which was positive from a societal viewpoint. It offered a change of pace from the usual storytelling elements—the ranch, school, and even deaths that have been present in previous films. Speaking of which, this is the first film in the series without any on-screen deaths; there’s only one mentioned prior to the story's start, presented as a memory or flashback. Overall, it was an acceptable offering, like always hoping for improvement in the next installment. 6½/10

Source on TMDB