Katie Powner pens a powerful story of second chances after a lifetime of regret. After reading the description I knew I would enjoy this story, but was totally unprepared for the way Garrit found a place into my heart.
Told from the perspective of two narrators, that of a grumpy 63 year-old retired farmer and a teen neighbor girl, this story of life choices, those we make as well as those made for us, is compelling. While Garrit is trying to overcome the distance that grew between him and his family over a lifetime of hardwork that is shadowed by guilt and regret, Rae is overwhelmed by the expectations of others.

This story is full of heart, moments that will make you laugh out loud as well as those that will tug at your heart strings, but the overwhelming message of hope and family will make you smile as you turn the last page. Wonderful debut!

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher. I was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

This story had all the ingredients you need for a wonderful book. Well written with good research a fine story that made the characters come alive.

It's been a while since I've read a general fiction book and I didn't realize how much I had missed that until I read this book. I enjoyed grumpy Gerrit. Maybe because he reminded me a bit of my dad. Like Gerrit, he was of the generation that worked hard for their family and didn't reveal emotion easily. I particularly liked watching Gerrit learn to connect with his wife again upon his retirement. Their relationship blossoming after years of neglect is a testament to long marriages everywhere - that unwillingness to just walk away. I have to admit that Bernard was fantastic - I loved his role in the book as comedic relief. And Daisy was written so clearly I could picture her head tilts and the look in her eyes. How refreshing that the larger theme of making a difference and leaving a legacy wasn't specific to just one age group in this novel - each character, regardless of age felt that tug. And I loved the multi-generational aspect of this novel and seeing those generations connect in unexpected ways. It warmed my heart seeing those relationships form. A wonderful debut for Katie Powner. I look forward to her next book!

The Sowing Season is so full of real life and the issues and heartache that come with it.

This book follows the lives of two unlikely friends: Rae, a high school career student who just wants to please her parents by followimg the "plan" they have set before her, and Garrett, a retired farmer who has completely neglected his family in the name of working hard to provide for them.

These are the stories of heartache, unfulfilling plans, misunderstandings, and lack of trust. They are filled with some hilarious moments as well as some moments that will have you trying to hold back the tears.

Very well written novel, very relatable characters, very real issues that will have you searching the depths of your heart!

Thank you to NetGalley and the author & publisher for providing me with a complimentary copy in exchange for my honest review.

What a way to step in to your calling Katie!

I loved this book it. It dealt with several problems many people face today; losing a job, broken relationships, fear, troubled home life and the loss of a loved one.

Gerrit worked his whole life on his family farm, but the times have changed and he is forced to sell it. Gerrit knew the cows more than he knew his family. He is now learning that just because you provided financially for your family, doesn't excuse you for being the husband and father you should have been.

Rae is a teenager has had a plan for her life ever since she was a very small. "The Plan," consumed all of her time and left room for her being a kid, a teenager, a friend and even from herself.

I love how Katie brought these two people together over the use of a shed and a young girls fear of learning to drive.

Truths must be confronted in order to heal. Who said that it would be easy? Truthfully, nothing ever really is and everyone must learn this.

I laughed (you will too, especially when you read of Gerrit and his revenge plans) and teared up reading this book, it was such a joy to read.

I look forward to reading more from Katie.

This was definitely a departure from my usual reads but one that really made me aware of priorities in life and how easy it is to get caught up in life’s distractions. Family is what is important and our children need our time and need to know they are loved. Katie’s characters are so well written. I could feel their frustration, and fear, pain and sorrow and most of all love. Real people, real life situations, thank you Katie. This is a definite 5 star book.

The Sowing Season resonated with me personally. We are in our sixties and operate a farm. Gerrit is 63 years old. He has put his life into the farm. He missed his children’s lives. They now have grown up and moved away. Gerrit is forced to sell his farm due to financial difficulties. As he figures out his place in retirement, he realizes just how much of life he has missed. Rae is fifteen years old. Her life is planned out for her by her parents. In fact, they call it The Plan. She will be the best at everything she does. She will have the highest grades possible. She will attend Columbia like her father did. She will become an attorney like her father.
Rae and Gerrit find a way to connect. They are each trying new things with some success but some failure. They help each other find what they are missing.
I was sorry to see the book end. There were a couple of things that I either missed or weren’t wrapped up. Nothing that takes away from the book though. It is one that I will read again – if I ever get through my to be read list.

Gerrit, a recently retired dairy farmer, needs to find his new place in life. He sold the farm and split the proceeds, equally, between himself, his brother's widow, and his younger, living brother. This upsets him; it eats at him. As a new retiree, Gerrit is adrift. His wife lets him know she won't stand for more of the same and threatens to leave him. He vows to change and win back his wife, along with his estranged, grown children.

A teenage neighbor, Rae, becomes his unlikely friend. They end up working together at an after school tutoring center. Gerrit needs to atone for all the time he missed with his own children and the tutoring center seems like a reasonable place to help someone else.

I really enjoyed The Sowing Season by Katie Powner, as unlikely characters bonded together, and empowered each other to be their best selves. This book was wonderfully told, putting a hopeful, positive spin on mistakes, regrets, and poor circumstance. A lovely, heartwarming story of second chances. Thank you NetGalley, author and publisher for the e-reader for review. All opinions are my own.

I loved this book and wanted to read it slowly so I could savor each page. The characters were so realistic and likable and I loved Daisy. It is about second chances for anyone and about friendship. Rae and Gerrit have different stories and problems, but they find each other and form a friendship. This was a wonderful debut.
Many thanks to Bethany House Publishing and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

The tittle best describes the book.
Wonderful characters in different phases of life facing their own challenges was so relatable and comforting. Wonderful lessons to be learnt and lived.
The story plot started slow at first but picked up.

Life long lessons of life.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and this is my honest opinion.

What a wonderful story! Truthfully, when I began reading this book, I wasn’t sure it was the book for me. I at first couldn’t see how the different stories of a sixteen year old girl (Rae) and a 63 year old man (Gerrit) could come together, but the author did a masterful job of bringing their stories to life and connecting them in such a positive way. Gerrit starts out being a very crusty character, but as we get to know him in the book and he begins to have a different view of his life, I came to respect and admire him. Rae is a teenager with a big heart that cares for others. She gives this story it’s heart, and I found myself just as wrapped up in what was happening with her as I was with a Gerrit.

There’s some beautiful themes of love, forgiveness, and new beginnings all throughout this story. By the time I finished the book, I realized as was going to miss these characters. That’s always the sign of a good book.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Engaging debut!

The two main characters are quite an unlikely pair! 63 year old Gerritt Laninga has just given up on running the farm that has been in his family for as long as he can remember. 15 year old Rae Walters is laser focused on getting into Columbia Law School. As their paths converge, it's clear they can learn from each other and add value to their lives.

The two parts I loved most were: Corgi Daisy and Community Hope Center. There were so many comical moments with Gerritt and his "wife's dog" Daisy. It was clear he began to love her, but definitely wouldn't admit it. The Community Hope Center was a wonderful place for at risk youth to gather and for volunteers to make a difference.

I look forward to what the author will write next. This debut is definitely recommended!

Unfortunately, I did not book download this book in time so therefore I could not review it. I’m giving it 3 stars since it won’t allow me to submit this without adding a choice.

A terrific debut. Beautiful story, identifiable characters/situations and well written. Enjoyed it and recommend it.

I received a complimentary digital copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review.

With no one left to work the family farm, 63 year old Garrit Laninga is forced to sell the farm which has been in his family for years. Unfortunately, it seems he spent more time working the field and the cattle to be involved with his wife and 2 children. Reality hits home when he sees his wife Hennie holding a suitcase.

Garrit wasn’t expecting all the changes and milestones he missed because he put his work before the family. He had grown estranged from his 2 adult children and barely knew Hennie anymore. Slowly, his crusty exterior begins to soften as he accepts his role in deterioration of his relationships with his family. Hennie is patient but unyielding with his expectations and disappointment of the years he “missed.” Garrit finds ways to occupy himself with his open schedule.

He eventually crosses paths with Rae Walters a 15 yr old with “The Plan” which maps out her steps to a successful future to follow in her lawyer father’s footsteps. The Plan didn’t allow much recreational time for the young teen. She would often seek refuge in Garrit’s barn with her cat Mr Whiskers. The barn was rarely used since his kids moved away and stored memories of his brother Luke.

Rae and Garrit form an unlikely bond which helps them both learn what really matters in life and the opportunity for seconds chances. It’s a heartwarming story of family, forgiveness, reconciliation and new beginnings.

I didn’t know what to expect when I read The Sowing Season, by Katie Powner, but I was drawn in from the very beginning.

Gerrit Laninga (check spelling) was forced to retire from the only line of work he’s ever known: being a dairy farmer. He comes home to realize his family has moved on without him. His job as a dairy farmer consumed all of who he was, and now that he doesn’t have that, he’s trying to figure out what life looks like.

When he happens upon Rae Walters, a young teenaged girl, using his barn as a refuge, a surprising friendship develops. They do some unexpected things together, including buying a rambunctious rooster, and they talk about life. Gerrit and Rae stretch each other’s ideas of family and relationships through their conversations.

Powner’s characters are diverse and well-rounded, from the loner boy Gerrit and Rae meet when helping at a homework center, to the neighbor Gerrit has held a grudge against for decades. I liked how each character had flaws. They said things the wrong way, and at times, did things that disappointed those they loved.

I enjoyed the small town in which they live. And the dialogue as the characters go through life together made me smile, and at times, tear up.

Themes of forgiveness and being honest in relationships added depth to this story. As I read, I was eager to learn what picture the threads of this story would weave as I turned each page. This is a great story for readers who enjoy relational stories with depth and heart set in small towns. The humor and genuineness of the writing made this story beautiful.

**I received a copy of this book from NetGalley with no obligation to review. All opinions are my own.

This was a beautiful story by an author I have enjoyed in the past. This story was a wonderful example of how it's never too late to grow, change, and even save relationships if we are willing to invest in them. This story was about a man who was a farmer for many years, working a family farm that he felt obligated and responsible to save. He experienced family loss that devastated and hardened him thru the years, so much so that the resentment he felt almost caused him to lose his wife and children, as well as his one remaining brother.. Thru the eventual loss of his farm, he discovered the things in life that truly matter.

I absolutely loved how Gerrit never gave up on his marriage, or on putting forth the work to win back his adult children. He learned about how to love and forgive thru his new relationships with young people from his community. Gerrit clearly had severe anger and resentment issues that spilled all over the place; including with his neighbors and his brother.

Rae was a 15 year old girl with her own struggles with the relationships within her family. As Rae and Gerrit met thru an unexpected way, they taught each other many valuable lessons. Rae even led Gerrit to volunteering with other young individuals in ways that truly changed many of his outlooks on his own past relationships with his children. He discovered that he had the ability to alter the paths that other young people followed simply thru investing the time and care into them.

Ultimately, this unlikely friendship led to both of their lives taking very different paths than either expected going in. I loved the unexpected twists and turns thru this story, and I especially loved the beauty of the ending. Ms. Powner wove a beautiful story that I will not soon forget!


I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I was given this book to read and review through Netgalley. The review is my own opinion and a good review is not required. The book was an advanced reader edition and I will take that into account in my review.
First, as an advanced copy, I didn't expect the editing to be perfect but this book needs a lot of work.
Second, the story was original and I liked the concept. I did not find it very realistic, though.
Third, I thought this was a Christian book but there wasn't too much along that line. I guess that would be a plus for many people, but I was disappointed.
Last, the characters were fairly well developed but I didn't feel that all the issues were well resolved. Maybe there will be a second book to help.
Over-all I did enjoy the book. I give it a 3 out of 5 rating.

This is the story of two very unlikely friends: a goal-driven 15-year-old girl and a cranky retired dairy farmer, each working through their own troubled past. They both come to grips with their pasts, their own expectations, the expectations of others, and their futures. Through their friendship, they gain insights into their relationships with other family members, bringing about much-needed changes.

I enjoyed the story, and I don’t want to give away any of the book. But in light of rampant exploitation, I found some of Rae’s decisions to be unwise and potentially dangerous. Nothing untoward happens, but I still wouldn’t advise anyone to copy some of her actions. There were also vague references to a couple of potentially abusive home environments. But overall, the book was very clean and sweet.

I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received through Netgalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.