Kim Vogel Sawyer provides an historic look at the Depression Era in rural Kentucky in her latest novel. Set in the mid-1930s, a young woman named Addie faces an unknown future when she can no longer attend her college, and joins the WPA Packhorse Librarian program in a small mountainous community filled with interesting people and their secret pasts. She and Emmett, a young man she met in college, end up in his hometown working together in the the program delivering reading materials to households in rural Kentucky via horseback. Addie tries to earn the trust of members of the isolated community, and learns more about trusting God to direct her future. Emmett loves his family and works hard to earn his father's respect for his career choice, while trying to avoid Bettina, a young woman with a troubled past, who is intent on "marryin" him.

The details of harsh living conditions in rural Depression Era life in Kentucky, combined with difficult family situations and local tension between families provide depth to the story. I felt the novel got off to a slower start, but I was drawn into the story and thought it came to a stop too soon. I felt I learned a lot about Addie, but did feel that the character of Emmett could have been stronger. Throughout, I kept remembering the title "Wonderland Creek" by Lynn Austin, who also had a novel about packhorse librarians. In the end, a great read and I would recommend this Kim Vogel Sawyer novel.

Addie Cowherd is desperate for a job to help her parents who have lost their home during the Depression while she was away at college, so when she is offered a WPA post delivering books to the hill people of Kentucky, she eagerly accepts. Addie quickly comes to care for her new community, even though the job is far more challenging than she had imagined, but will the people of Boone's Hollow ever accept her? Prejudice, suspicion, and hidden abuse create a charged atmosphere. When the truth is finally known, only grace and forgiveness can pave the way toward healing.

My Thoughts:
What a delightful novel! I picked this one up, excited to see another take on the horseback librarians. And it was a wonderful ride. Sawyer did a great job bringing the setting to life. The story evolved with ease. There was a surprising 3rd point of view character who stole my heart and gave the story a sense of depth and complexity. But I think Sawyer shines even greater with her well-thought-out gospel presentation. The spiritual content was nestled into the novel perfectly and didn't feel out of place or tacked on.

Rating and Recommendations: I'm giving The Librarian of Boone's Hollow 5 stars and recommending it to those who enjoy horseback librarians or Christian historical fiction.

~ I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley. All thoughts are my own. I was not compensated for this review or required to give a favorable one.

I had the distinct pleasure of receiving an advanced copy of Kim Vogel Sawyer's new book, The Librarian of Boone's Hollow that will release on September 15th. When I read that this book was about a traveling librarian in a coal mining town in Kentucky, I was intrigued.

What I found was a delightful story I didn't want to put down and was sad to see come to an end. I love the way the author captured the vernacular, the feel of the area as well as the time period. It's a book you'll definitely want to read. Be sure to pick up a copy when it releases.

~ While I received a free copy, I was under no obligation to write a favorable review. (2020)

I loved this story based on the Pack Horse Library project in 1930s in Kentucky. The book combines themes of jealousy and superstition along with love and forgiveness. The story reminded me of The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC copy to read in exchnage for my honest review.

This was the first book I have read by Ms. Sawyer and I will be looking for more by her. This title was rich in history and character development and I would love to read a sequel but felt satisfied by the conclusion. Our main character unexpectedly is in need of a job and finds what she thinks is the perfect job. The community and her co-workers are less than welcoming but she digs deep and meets the challenges with creative solutions. She also meets a young man and the chemistry between them is perfect. I recommend this book to anyone who likes historical fiction and clean romance! I look forward to reading Ms. Sawyer's previous titles and can't wait for new ones.

I loved this book. As a librarian, I liked the premise of a library in the time during The Great Depression, but it was the characters that I loved most. They were well-developed, likable, authentic. Although there was romance in the book, it wasn't a traditional romance as the town and its eccentric characters were the focus of the novel.
The story went at an easy but quick pace. I was sucked into the story and finished the book in one day.

I recommend this book to any historical fiction fan. I received this book in exchange for my review. My thoughts are my own.

An entertaining and well written inspirational romance. Great plot and character development. A really good historical book. I received an advance ebook from the publisher and this is my unbiased review.

The Librarian Of Boone’s Hollow – Kim Vogel Sawyer – 5 Stars
I loved this book I couldn’t put it down. I love reading everything by this author and this book did not disappoint. I’ve read another book about a librarian who delivers books by horse, but this book was very much different. It was also as interesting in a very different way. She puts a different slant on the subject, there is a love interest, conflict and jealousy. Really a fun read I do recommend it to everyone!

I received the book from WaterBrook & Multnomah through NetGalley.com in the Kindle format. I wasn’t required to write a review or paid to do so. The words above are my own and freely given.

Description as found on NetGalley:
A traveling librarian ventures into the mining towns of Kentucky on horseback—and learns to trust the One who truly pens her story—in this powerful novel from the best-selling author of A Silken Thread.

During the Great Depression, city-dweller Addie Cowherd dreams of becoming a novelist and offering readers the escape that books had given her during her tragic childhood. When her father loses his job, she is forced to take the only employment she can find—delivering books on horseback to poor coal-mining families in the hills of Kentucky.

But turning a new page will be nearly impossible in Boone's Hollow, where residents are steeped in superstitions and deeply suspicious of outsiders. Even local Emmett Tharp feels the sting of rejection after returning to the tiny mountain hamlet as the first in his family to graduate college. And as the crippled economy leaves many men jobless, he fears his degree won’t be worth much in a place where most men either work the coal mine or run moonshine.

As Addie also struggles to find her place, she’ll unearth the truth about a decades-old rivalry. But when someone sets out to sabotage the town’s library program, will the culprit chase Addie away or straight into the arms of the only person who can help her put a broken community back together?

*Got this one from Netgalley, sharing my true opinions here.

This is Christian historical fiction at its finest. Set in the 1930s, it addresses prejudices, stereotypes, life during the Great Depression, and the healing power of a ‘kill’em with kindness’ attitude.

As far as books about libraries and librarians go, having a library situated inside a former smokehouse that reeks of ham, was ingenious, and makes me hungry when I think of it.

I was blown away by the determination Addie showed in doing the right thing, the kind thing, no matter the difficulty or the odds of success. Her transformation from relatively care-free to responsible adult was beautiful.

Bettina was something else entirely, but as a product of her circumstances, totally believeable!

I can never resist a book about books, libraries or librarians. This is a charming, historical novel about a traveling librarian and it did not disappoint. This book is cozy and heartwarming, but also filled with faith. I loved the main character Addie. I really identified with her.

Another jewel from Kim Vogel Sawyer! Set in coal country in rural eastern Kentucky in 1936, this heartwarming, inspiring read combines jealousy, prejudice, ignorance, superstition, distrust, grudges, and abuse tempered with love, forgiveness, compassion, family bonds, and a little romance. This book caught my attention from the beginning and held it to the end. The plot flows at a steady pace with a few surprises here and there! The characters are engaging and believable. Although I enjoyed the main characters, Addie and Emmett, my favorite ones were Nanny Fay and Damarias with their strength, advice, and encouragement. I also loved the strong faith element that permeates the story especially how Addie lives out the Golden Rule. Ms. Sawyer’s research and descriptions of the historic WPA Packhorse Library Project and the people it helped, expressively reflect the spirit of the Great Depression Era. I thoroughly enjoyed this well-researched, well-crafted story and highly recommend it. I would love to see a sequel showcasing a spiritual journey and romance for Bettina.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via netgalley but am under no obligation to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

Loved this novel with some totally unexpected twists & turns. Such a reminder of God's hand on our lives.

I will never pass up the opportunity to read a book by Kim Vogel Sawyer! I have read the other packhorse librarian books that have been published in the past year and I've enjoyed all of them. This one was was great too! Kim always draws you right into her stories and I was immediately rooting for Addie and Emmett. The side characters of Nanny Fay, Bettina (Addie's co-worker) and Emmett's little brother Dusty also help make this a book you won't forget!

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review.

I've read several books by Kim Vogel Sawyer and this is my favorite so far! It describes people who love books in a way that the booklover in me can totally identify with.

Addie Cowherd has to table her plans to complete college and become an author in order to help support her parents. It is the middle of the depression and work is hard to find. Recent college graduate, Emmett Tharp is finding the same problem. Even with a degree, he ends up back home considering working in the mines with his father. Both Addie and Emmett end up in the backwoods of the Appalachians (it is Emmett's hometown).
I can't say much more without giving away the story, but they work together to solve problems and help the citizens of Boone's Hollow.

I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from the publisher. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

From Sawyer comes a novel full of humor, adventure, and romance. The story follows Addie Cowherd while she tries to find a job to support herself and her parents in the wake of the Great Depression. Her search leads her to Boone's Hollow, where she works delivering books to a town that hates newcomers.

I loved this book for Addie transformation throughout the novel, along with the comedy of following the perspective of Bettina, another book deliverer in Boone's Hollow. I found that all of the characters had strong voices, each distinct from another yet true to their motives. This is a Christian novel that would be a great read for fans of romance and humor.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC to review!
Rating (on a scale of 1 to 5, 5 being excellent)
Quality of writing: 5
Pace: 4
Plot development: 5
Characters: 5
Enjoyability: 5
Ease of Reading: 5

Overall rating: 5 out of 5

I have read many books by Kim Vogel Sawyer & have loved every one of them! She is an exceptional author. This book is set during the time of the Great Depression where money and jobs are hard to come by. Abigail is a student in college getting ready to take her final exams when she comes to find out that her parents haven't paid her tuition so she is basically kicked out of school and isn't allowed to take her finals. She also finds out her father has lost her job, her parents have lost their home & much more during this time. She works part-time at the library but is miraculously offered a full-time job delivering library books by horseback to mining families.

At the same time, Emmett is graduating from the same college with his degree but is having a particularly hard time finding a job to use his degree. He goes back home to his mining town but is treated pretty shabbily. Throughout the story, Emmett & Abigail get to know each other and overcome some obstacles, one of which is a girl who has set her eyes on Emmett & is determined she is going to marry him.

Thank you to the publisher, WaterBrook & Net Galley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book. This is my honest and unbiased opinion.

I read The Giver of Stars about seven months ago and I think it colored my perspective of this one because I really enjoyed Jojo Moyes' book. I didn't didn't realize going in that this is a very faith-focused book (and there is nothing wrong with that, I just didn't know based on the description). Maybe an updated description would be beneficial? I also wanted the romance between the main characters to build more than it did, or at the very least, not wait until the very end for a vague conclusion between them.

Kindly received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher and author for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this wonderful book! It takes place during the Great Depression era in the mountains and mining towns of Kentucky. There was a message of faith throughout this book that tells about the WPA program that delivered books and reading materials to all of the families.