I was a bit skeptical when I first met Eric Larson and eccentric Eunice Parker in Where the Blue Sky Begins, but was quickly captured by the story and characters. Katie Powner takes hard, real-life situations and weaves a story that will leave readers really glad they opened this book. The power of offering and receiving forgiveness stands out and left me challenged and hopeful. Powner paints a beautiful picture of rural Montana and the characters evolve and grow as you go. This was my first experience with the author and it will not be the last!

What another great story by Katie Powner. Part of me still can’t believe how much I can enjoy reading a book that isn’t a romance! But this is the third time I’ve been immediately hooked from the get-go. Once again I loved the smalltown Montana setting, but once again it was her characters who made this story so endearing to me. Powner really has a way of writing characters who stay with me long after I finish the last page. And Eunice Parker is definitely one of those characters I won’t forget anytime soon. I loved the combination of her dry wit and authentic vulnerability. Such a great story!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

'God? I'm scared.'

This was my first time reading a Katie Powner book and it was very moving. When Eric Larsen is sent to a very, very small town by his uncle to handle some things in one branch of the family business, he is horrified to find a town that the GPS can't even find. A town so small that there is not a decent cup of coffee to be had, and no health food. His next door neighbor is a seemingly curmudgeon of a woman who pounces on him and demands that he drive her to places so she can hopefully make things right with people she's offended. Eric is counting the days until his time is over in this place and he can leave. But what Eric doesn't understand is that he is about to embark on one of the most meaningful journeys of his life. A journey he didn't even expect in his wildest imaginations, but one that will change his entire life.

Powner brings together the folks of this town in such a way that it impacts the reader's heart fully. Sometimes we learn most when we think we are in a hard place. Her way of crafting these characters and their lives resounded within me so much. The character of Eunice is one I won't soon forget. And the ending is such a sweet surprise. Very moving and well written, this is one for the keeper shelf.

My thanks to Bethany House Publishers for a copy of this book via Net Galley. The opinion here is entirely my own.

A beautiful heartfelt story about learning life's lessons along the way. I loved this book from page one and I felt their emotions coming out from the pages if the book. Powner has done wonderful job with this story and I was kept engaged through the whole book in one day! The characters were very well rounded out and I loved the small town feel. I'm from a small town myself. Each if us has a journey that we must go through and Eric was no different. This was a good read and I highly recommend it! Definitely deserves 5 stars for a job well done! My thanks for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

This thought provoking story of forgiveness and reconciliation touched my heart and stirred my soul. The author does an amazing job of tapping into the emotions of her compelling characters. I could feel Eunice’s struggle as she dealt with the difficulties and humiliation caused by her medical condition. I could feel her anxiety and fear as she worked to fulfill her mission to “right a few wrongs” from her past; but, I could also feel the peace she experienced in knowing that her eternal destination was where the blue sky begins. Ms. Powner’s portrayal of small town life is spot on. Humor sprinkled here and there periodically relieves the emotional tension. I especially appreciate the strong spiritual truths consistently conveyed throughout the narrative--a poignant reminder of what's really important in life. I loved this wonderfully absorbing, emotionally charged story and highly recommend it especially for fans of contemporary Christian fiction. It is another Katie Powner book headed for my “best reads” list.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley with no obligation to write a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Small Montana town, ambitious finance advisor from Seattle, eccentric neighbor, and a crazy porch chicken - what could possibly go wrong? Or how could it all go very very right?

I have to confess - the descriptions of Katie Powner's books never catch my attention the first go round. But after two amazing, rich, unforgettable stories, I'm all in - I'll never turn down a Katie Powner book again. Between Eric, the nephew who's been sent to "fill in" in the small town branch, hoping to work his way to a tenth floor position in the Seattle office, to Eunice, desperate to make amends, but painfully private about why it's urgent, to Cinderella, the crazy chicken, and Chicken, the rescued turtle - the lives and stories of these small town characters teach such deep lessons, about faith and loving the folks around you through good times and bad. I love watching as those who are willing to reach out or listen are changed for the better, and can affect more than they even expected. Not everything turns out rosy, but there are lessons to be learned even in sorrow.

5 stars to this powerful novel about literally loving your neighbor.

I received a digital copy of this book, via NetGalley, from the publisher, in exchange for my honest review.

I loved this story! It was such a delightful visit to a small town as Eric is forced to evaluate his life's path, I highly recommend picking up this book!

I really liked "Where the Blue Sky Begins" by Katie Powner, even though it took a while for me to really begin to feel a connection with the main characters. The plot was interesting and the character arc of the main character was credible. In some ways, this book reminded me of "Have You Seen Luis Velez" by Catherine Ryan Hyde, but with a less powerful and memorable impact. I especially liked that there was an undercurrent of Christian themes in "Where the Blue Sky Begins" without the book being preachy. I would probably read another book set in this location and featuring these unique characters.

One of the best books I've reviewed this year! It's amazing - hope, love, friendship, forgiveness, maturing and growth, finding out what's important, and the grace in dying are all included.

Eric is a financial advisor sent to a small town in Montana by his boss, who is his uncle. He's promised a top floor executive position back in Seattle if he can make it through the summer. His first day in town, he nearly runs down a lady on a scooter - who is his new neighbor, Eunice. In return for not telling his uncle about the accident, she bribes Eric into helping her fulfill a sort of bucket list - folks she wants to make amends to before it's too late. Their friendship grows as she comes to depend on Eric more - and he grows up learning lessons from Eunice and the townsfolk. It's a unique storyline, but very compelling and it kept me reading to see how things end..

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for a temporary, digital ARC in return for my review. Don't miss this book!

I did not expect this book to knock the winds out of my system . I was holding on when it was done and I am immensely grateful to the publisher for my complimentary copy.

The book follows the charismatic Eric Larson who is sent to rural Montana by his uncle to work at the local branch there. There he encounters the eccentric Eunice who is suffering from a terminal illness and has a bucket list that is Eric's nightmare. It takes an accidental scooter mishap to bring them together. It was heartwarming watching two different people come together to respond to what matters in life. Everyone should read this!

Goodness, I loved this book. I did not want to put it down! This is the first book I have ever read that had a character with a urostomy and I so appreciate that being included. My brother has had something similar at certain points in his life and it is such a hidden and secret thing. I am so glad that Katie Powner had one of her main characters dealing with the reality of living with "Jojo". I also found it touching to see how a character dealt with a terminal diagnosis and chose to live the remaining time. My favorite part, however, was watching the unlikely friendship develop between Eric and Eunice. Their relationship was what kept me wanting to read way past my bedtime!!

Where the Blue Sky Begins by Katie Powder is a contemporary novel about friendship, reconciliation, and what’s really important in life. I was drawn in by the first sentence, “Eric Larson had never seen such a sorry excuse for a town.” From that point I was hooked.

Eric has been sent by his uncle to manage the family office in the small town of Tuckson, Montana, a far cry from his native Seattle. On his first day in town, he runs a lady off the road. This lady turns out to be his next door neighbor. After a prickly start, they develop a friendship.

This book will make you laugh, and it will make you cry. Beyond that, it will make you think, and will linger with you long after you have turned the last page.

Many thanks to Bethany House and Net Galley for an advance copy of this wonderful book. The opinions are my own.

I have read every book by this author! My review of her last book can be found here: https://kroosreadsandreviews.blogspot.com/2021/10/a-flicker-of-light-by-katie-powner.html

I continued to read this one even when my eyes were crossed and I was in desperate need of sleep!



Eric is sent for the summer to a small town in Montana in order to climb up the corporate ladder in his Uncle Hank's bank. Little does he know that there are many lessons that he will learn while there.



Eunice is a middle aged woman who knows her days are limited and has a bucket list of reconciliation with friends and family. She enlists Eric to drive her to seek forgiveness. These two unlikely friends show each other that it's not the outside that counts but instead what's on the inside.



This book has left a mark on me and I will be thinking about this story for quite some time!



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

This book was a slow start for me, but it was a sweet reminder about forgiveness and relationships and what truly matters.