Still My Forever is a Christian historical romance novel by Kim Vogel Sawyer.

Gilbert Baty returns home to Falke from NYC in self-imposed shame. His former sweetheart, Ava Flaming, is still unwed and living with her parents, though four years have passed. Is there any way for him to win her heart again?

Kim Vogel Sawyer’s biblical knowledge and family heritage are front and center in this novel. She lends authenticity and historical accuracy to the story with the details gleaned from her family heritage and her devoted research. There is some literary license taken in order to fit the storyline.

The story is revealed through the alternating viewpoints of the main characters using appropriate chapter and section headers. The characters and plot are fully-developed and believable. The inspirational plot completely engages the reader. I give Still My Forever 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it to readers who enjoy inspirational Christian romance.

My thanks to WaterBrook & Multnomah and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book. However, the opinions expressed in this review are 100% mine and mine alone.

Gilbert Baty left Falke Kansas for four years to become a composer. He is now returning to write music but does not want anyone to know about his time in New York City. He feels he was a failure. He sees Ava Flaming who he was once engaged to but left Kansas to be a composer and Ava could not leave her mother who was sick. Gilbert starts a young band after a child wanted to play with the adult band. Ava always baked for her fathers band and now bakes and deliveries the treats when the children practice. This is a beautiful story of two people that loved each other trying not to fall back in love again. I loved the characters and the story line in this book. Kim Vogel Sawyer can draw you in her books. Hard to put down to you read it all.

I can always count on a clean, sweet story from Kim Vogel Sawyer. This is another great example of her work. Living in a small Kansas Mennonite community, Gilbert Baty decides to set off for New York. He wants to pursue his career as a composer and song writer. He recently has asked Ava Flaming to marry him and she has excepted. When he tells her his plans she has to refuse to go with him. Her mother is very ill and she can not leave her and her father. The story picks up 4 years later when Gil has returned to town. I found this to be an interesting novel with a very sweet love story of not only the couple, but about family and true friendships. I want to thank Waterbrook Press and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book. The opinions expressed in this review are totally my own.

STILL MY FOREVER by KIM VOGEL SAWYER is a beautifully written Christian romance novel which is set in a Mennonite community in Falke, Kansas in 1905.
When Gilbert Baty comes back from four disastrous years in New York trying to make a name for himself in the music world, Ava Fleming, his one time fiancee, feels she needs to protect herself from being hurt again by this man that she still loves.
We see how she tries to avoid him but, when he not only takes over the men’s band but also starts a boy’s band, at both of which she provides the treats, she finds she cannot escape her feelings.
I love to see Gil’s friendship with Ava’s parents and his kindness towards Roald Willems and the boys in the band. He is seen as a hero by everyone in the community except his cousin Joseph, who has been trying to court Ava since Gil left, and his bitter aunt who has her own reasons for disliking him.
How long will Gil stay in Falke? Will he disappoint everyone by leaving again for the big city? Is Ava really going to give up her dreams because she feels obliged to care for her parents?…….
I am not going to tell you!
I highly recommend Still My Forever as a most enjoyable and inspirational read with a great Christian message.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from WaterBrook & Multnomah. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

This was another beautiful novel from a master storyteller! Kim Vogel Sawyer has created a touching love story, and introduced a wonderful cast of small town characters that make the reader want more. The growth and faith of the characters is very encouraging. I highly recommend!

A thoroughly enjoyable Christian romance novel set in an atypical culture for this genre. Sawyer did a great job of helping the reader understand the Mennonite culture of this era without making her characters stereotypical. Their real-life situations and desire to honor God despite their human frailties gave the characters depth and kept the plot from being predictable. Would definitely recommend!

Still My Forever is a clean, sweet story that takes place in a Mennonite community. Ava has been content living with her parents, with her mother being sickly since she had been ill years before. All is well until her ex fiance comes back to town after four years. Gilbert has come back, thinking it was going to be temporary, until the end of summer when he would then return to New York. While home in this community, he begins to direct the men's band, and soon starts a boys' band, then deals with the jealousy of his cousin. But can Ava and Gilbert still obtain the sweet relationship they once had? Or is is gone forever? Excellent story!

Still My Forever
by Kim Vogel Sawyer
Pub Date: September 6, 2022
Waterbrook Press
Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC of this book.
Can a frustrated composer find new inspiration with the woman who once made his heart sing? From the bestselling author of Freedom's Song comes a charming romance inspired by a real historical figure.
Readers of Rachel Fordham, Suzanne Woods Fisher, Beverly Lewis, and Liz Tolsma would enjoy this author's work.
There are references to the prodigal son parable with a few twists. Looking for guidance in big decisions brings up the importance of prayer, as the main characters look for purpose in their lives and grow in faith through difficult circumstances.
I recommend this book and will be buying it for our library.
4 stars

I really enjoyed the book. Gil a music teacher came back from New Yprk to see what life could bring him. Ava who never left stayed and took care of her family especially her mother. It was a touching story how Gil helped teach music to the men and even music to the boys of the town. I love how a song brought Ava and Gil together too. If you like stories that show how people feel from the heart then this is the book for you.

Still My Forever by Kim Vogel Sawyer

One hot summer day Ava Flaming looks out the window of her parents’ house to see Gilbert Baty (Gil) returning from New York to their small Mennonite town of Falke. Gil has been gone for four years and before he left, he asked Ava to marry him but she could not leave her parents side, especially as they lost her two brothers after a terrible illness went thru their town which left Ava’s mother very weak. Now Gil is back in town but says he will only stay fir three months. How can Ava stop herself from falling in love with him again?
This book is written from two points of view; Gil and Ava.
This book teaches us to not worry about our life but leave all our worries at Gods feet and He who knows what is the best path for us will reveal His will to us.

Thank you, Kim, for a truly touching read. I Loved this book!!!
I would like to thank Net Galley and WaterBrook & Multnomah Publishers for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

A heart tugging historical with a focus on family, faith and a sweet, tender romance. Readers who enjoy a prairie town setting in the early 1900's will love this story set in Kansas. The kids are delightful as they get together to form a band under a hometown favorite son newly returned from New York. There are references to the prodigal son parable with a few twists. Looking for guidance in big decisions brings up the importance of prayer, as the main characters look for purpose in their lives and grow in faith through difficult circumstances.
A coming of age story with a lot of heart and faith, a clean romance with a satisfying conclusion. A good read for teens and up. It would be nice to revisit the town in another book. A stand alone read for now though.
4.5 stars

A truly compassionate story about family and community. A reminder of how much the people around you are your support, in good and bad times.

Thank you to Net galley and Waterbrook & Multnomah Waterbrook for the chance to read and review this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
I can always count on a good Christian story from Kim Vogel Sawyer. She is a master at writing Christian fiction! This story is about composer Gilbert Baty, who went to New York to try to make it big. Unfortunately, he failed and returned home to Falke, Kansas. He uses his musical skills to help the people back home. One of the most important people is young Ava Flaming. Even though Gilbert and Ava had previously been sweethearts, are those romantic feelings still there? Lots of memorable, sweet characters and lots of references to the Lord and how he controls our lives. A delightful story that I highly recommend!

I love Kim Vogel Sawyer's stories and Still My Forever is no different. I loved it and am giving it five plus stars.

"Winning is grand, but it can make one full of himself. Losing hurts and can be discouraging. " "I don't want either. "
I thought this a great quote and a simple reminder from the Lord to lean on Him always no matter what happens.
I always love this author's books and once again she's hit this novel out of the ball park with gusto. I'm never disappointed in what she writes.
The story is told between Gil and Ava but Sawyer does it so smoothly that where one leaves off the other picks up like it's all one novel instead of two different points of view if that makes sense.
I took two days to savor this story because I didn't want to see it end. I loved every minute of it.
I'm a musician so this particular story spoke to my heart. I love music but have never tried to compose it only play it.
I play the viola and it speaks to my heart. Music soothes the soul as they say and it truly does.
I loved Gil and somewhere along the line he became my hero. Not sure how or when but he did.
Ava and her family became my family
My thanks for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review.
All opinions are my own.

Still My Forever by award-winning author Kim Vogel Sawyer, is a beautiful Christian historical romance with heartwarming side stories. Set in early 1900’s, it is centered in the fictional town of Falke, Kansas. a Mennonite community. These people have a Russian heritage and speak Plautdietsch or Low German language. It is the first time I have encountered that in my reading, and I loved learning something new.

This is the story of Gil Baty. He is a musician and composer who left Falke to follow his dreams in New York. It is also the tale of Ava Flaming, the beautiful young woman and baker that he left behind. Gil returns to his community after a few years and finds a few things different.

Author Sawyer has written a poignant story of love, grace, redemption, and forgiveness. She has woven a few side stories into the main one and tied them together beautifully with threads of spiritual lessons. I was captivated by this emotionally charged novel and was drawn to its unique characters. It is a page-turner!

There is so much to like in this book. I found timeless life lessons, children who stole my heart, caring people, hurt people, music, and even kittens. At the back of the book are discussion questions and author notes. Don’t miss the notes. They are interesting. I highly recommend this book and give it a 5 star rating. I received a copy of this book from NetGalley, but these are my honest words.

Gil. returns to his hometown after being in New York City for 4 years while he attempted to pursue his musical career. Ava rejected Gil's marriage proposal and request to move to New York City and has remained at home with her parents.

Ava and Gil are quickly reunited upon his return but Ava's heart is still hurting after his perceived rejection of her four years earlier. Gil begins to help with the men's band and the young boy's band and befriends the extremely adorable Timmy. Gil becomes an asset to the community and is such a loveable character. Will he be able to hear the music in the small town or is the big city where he belongs?

Thanks so much to netgalley and the publisher for the arc. The opinions are my own.