This portrayal of the prodigal son hit home in many ways. It shows the pain and suffering caused by our soldiers going to war and coming back as different people. It talks about families with long time rifts that need to be healed. And it shows how God can help with the healing. Cathy Gohlke did a great job creating in-depth characters with lives I wanted to know about.

My gratitude to the publisher for a complimentary e-copy of the novel. I was not required to post a review and all opinions expressed are my own.

Ginny Mae Pickering Boyden has finally reached retirement age. Her disappointing adult life is ready for a new chapter and she has arranged an internship at the family's ancestral village in the UK. It is quite a coup for a retirement-age person to gain the internship. As she packs up to leave, she is advised of her brother's death and must take a few days to attend to his estate.
The turn of events brings news and angst to Ginny as she struggles with the decisions to be made.
This is a story, in modern telling, of all the characters of the Biblical prodigal son story. Ginny herself can picture different phases of her own life as the wayward son, the unforgiving brother and the amazingly welcoming father. I plan to use this book with my women's book club.

When Ginny Dee finds out she has inherited the farm she left as a teenager, she has no intentions of staying. She arrives to find the land that had been promised to her is occupied by family she didn’t know she had. But instead of a warm welcome, Ginny Dee is greeted with suspicion and nephews who don’t get along, as well as 2 young grand nieces and a grand nephew who have escaped the foster system and have been living in a truck with their father. As each family member learns to grow in forgiveness and trust, they begin to appreciate the gift of family they have been given. But the farm is deep in debt, and it seems there is no way to keep the farm that has come to serve as a haven of hope not just for the family but for the community. Just as they have come together, it appears they will be separated.

I know an author has created realistic characters when I find myself wanting to pray them through their hardships! Gohlke has written a complex family drama that shows the beauty and strength of family bonds that are healed through love and forgiveness.

“We all make mistakes, but we don’t have to live in them forever.”

This Promised Land by talented author Cathy Gohlke, is a beautiful story of redemption, forgiveness, and the importance of family. Reminiscent of the parable of the Prodigal Son, this tale features Ginny Pickering Boyden who has long been estranged from her family. As she gets ready to retire and move to England, she receives a letter informing her that she has inherited the family tree farm. She travels to the farm in the Blue Ridge Mountains and encounters her nephews who are counting on running the farm. The characters are beautifully-drawn with all their own flaws and strengths. I especially enjoyed the three children and their relationship with their new-found family. Strong faith elements give a depth of meaning to the story.

Cathy Gohlke is one of my favorite Christian Fiction authors, and this book is definitely one for the keeper shelf.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from Tyndale through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I have long been a fan of Cathy Gohlke’s historical fiction, so I was eager to read her first (someone correct me if I’m wrong about that) contemporary novel, This Promised Land. Ohhhhhh, y’all. This is such a moving story of family, redemption, and restoration. I didn’t want to put it down, soaking in the characters and the grace notes like rays of sunshine after a month of rain.

The novel takes place in the early 1990s (with impacts from as far back as WW2 and the Vietnam War) and follows the perspectives of 3 separate generations of women in what’s left of the Pickering family: 65-year-old Ginny Pickering Boyden, her nephew Luke’s wife Bethany, and her nephew Mark’s oldest daughter Arlo (aged 9, almost 10). There are so many years of dysfunction and estrangement that have kept them separated, but a stunning surprise after Ginny’s brother dies brings them all together at the family’s struggling Christmas tree farm. Where a few more surprises are in store, like the truth about what prevented Ginny from coming home all these years and the harsh reality that may scatter everyone once more. The layers to the Pickerings’ story are so tenderly told that This Promised Land is a book that will stay with me for a long while.

Ginny, Bethany, and Arlo are all broken when we meet them, and so are Luke and Mark… and so was Ginny’s brother. But I saw a little of myself in each of them, and a lot of myself in a couple of them. This is truly a family of prodigals, and oh how I loved the lessons Gohlke weaves into their story. Namely, that we all have the chance to be any of the characters in the parable of the Prodigal Son, and it’s never too late to become like the running father. This at no time feels preachy or like it was forced into the plot, but instead these truths warmly wrap around the reader like a tight hug from someone who refuses to give up on you. To watch their healing unfold is truly touching, and I enjoyed catching the subtle plot devices the author uses to show this gradual progression as much as I did the more overt evidence we can see in the characters themselves.

Bottom Line: This Promised Land by Cathy Gohlke is a gorgeously-written family saga that brims with heart and hope and multidimensional characters who feel like friends. Her masterful storytelling, familiar to fans of her historical fiction, is ideal for this genre too. And honestly, Gohlke has outdone herself when it comes to the transformative character growth in each of the main players (including the kids) and the ever-evolving healing that takes place in the family dynamic as a whole. The redemption, grace, and restoration reflected here so beautifully beckon us to close the final page different than we were when we opened the first one. From the Blue Ridge Mountain setting to the precocious kids, the riveting subplots, and the meaningful layers, This Promised Land is not to be missed.

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

This was a work of true Christian Fiction, featuring rich portrayals of gospel themes (forgiveness, second chances, and redemption) and incorporating genuine faith practices (church attendance, the body of believers, and prayer). Those elements I really loved and it was refreshing to find in a fiction read.
The main character has a love for gardening and good food, and using both to care for and build family bonds.

The characters themselves were compelling, but it seemed like we just scratched the surface of the depth potential they had. The three POVs helped to build a slightly better picture of the whole story, but I still felt like there were large swaths of the past and how it affected the characters’ future that were left vague and underdeveloped. I also, admittedly, got lost in the legal jargon and tax difficulties that were a main thrust of the plot.

I would’ve loved to read this as a dual timeline; I think it would’ve helped to explain each character more and build a better connection for the reader.

😇: Christian publisher (Tyndale); rich gospel themes, faith in practice
😍: small threads of a sweet developing romance
🤐: no language
⛔️: miscarriage referenced, alcohol & drug abuse, mention of ptsd war trauma

Thank you to netgalley & Tyndale Publishing for the complimentary ebook in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

I loved everything about this book--the setting, the characters, and the plot. This will be one of my favorites, if not favorite, books of the year. It will live in my head rent free for quite some time. The plot and characters are based on the story of the prodigal son as told by Jesus in the Bible. All the characters are in need of healing from the past. I highly recommend this book,

The storytelling in This Promised Land grabs you right from the start and doesn’t let go. What struck me most was how the novel offered a fresh and powerful take on the Prodigal Son story. Rather than a straightforward retelling, it felt like an invitation—a reminder that we’re all searching for home, belonging, and redemption in our own way. That thread runs through every character, making their journeys feel personal and real.

The story touches on tough issues but never feels heavy, instead offering a beautiful mix of hope and healing. If you’re looking for a book that’s both thought-provoking and heartwarming, this one’s for you.

Readers who enjoy family drama will love this beautifully written story. Each character has a backstory that gradually comes to light to tie a hurting family together as they struggle with life. Post traumatic stress, anger and alcoholism all play a big part in this emotionally driven story. Loved Skippy, as the kids called him with all his down to earth to earth advice. The prodigals come home… Highly Recommended!

This is early in the year, and I have already found my second book that seems a likely candidate for my top five reads of the year! This Promised Land is an emotional story of loss: loss of hope, love, family, self-respect, identity, and dreams. It is also a story of redemption, forgiveness, and restoration. The story is populated by realistic characters, coping with situations that are unfortunately also realistic. The story points out that we all at some time in our life can be any one of the characters in the story of the prodigal son. It also points out that we don't have to remain in that role.

This Promised Land is very well-written. Cathy Gohlke is a gifted writer who balances emotions not leaving her readers without hope as her characters tackle weighty life circumstances. She points the characters toward a loving God in a winsome way. She has done just that in this story, making it easy for readers to put themselves in her characters' places, and to put the lessons the characters learn to use in their own lives. I most highly recommend This Promised Land and am grateful to have received a complimentary copy from Tyndale via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.

The Promised Land - Cathy Gohlke
A gentle read in the hands of a master story teller that plumbs the depths of human emotions and complexity. Cathy Gohlke, a new to me author, left me feeling the story was complete and yet not in a sacchrine, unrealistic HEA manner.

It's a tale of sibling rivalries, jealousies and insecurity that spills into deception, manipulation and control affecting four generations, depriving those affected of love, security, a home and an inheritance.

Cathy Gohlke's novel offers a secure net of hope, love, joy, family, a home and an inheritance into the lives of the children and adults.

You see the church community truly be the hands and feet of Jesus. There are a few rather unrealistic moments, but when you consider that God is in the business of miracles...

I enjoyed this gentle read more than I thought I would. It captured my attention and slowly wove it's magic around my soul. I received an ARC for my reading pleasure, but the opinions are my own.

This Promised Land is another gentle gem from Cathy Gohlke ❤️

She has a gift for tackling heavy subjects in a way that doesn’t *feel* heavy, but hopeful. I believe one aspect of her method is her inclusion of a child’s perspective; that childhood innocence and simplicity might be what I love best about her novels (at least of the few I’ve read so far).

(Is this a spoiler alert?) There were portions of the plot that seemed too far-fetched to be believed; but at the same time, there were still griefs present in the still happy ending that kept the story true to life.

The perspective of a child (and a spunky one, at that!); the incorporation of life’s small joys into the storyline; and the overall comforting tone of this novel are a few of the reasons I will recommend it. It reminded me of the verse in 1 Thessalonians where believers are called to live a quiet life and work with their hands…a calming truth in a chaotic world.

Thank you to NetGalley for granting me access to this advanced reader’s copy!

3.75 ⭐️

"We're made for hard things."

Cathy Gohlke's masterpiece starts out with seemingly irreparable family dynamics, broken dreams, terrible losses and grief and blossoms into a beautifully redemptive tale of family, home, and belonging. Set in 1992 Virginia, Ginny is a weary soul looking forward to retirement and months to be spent abroad with her beloved flowers. Though life has beaten her down, she still has seeds of hope within her heart that are watered and tended by the most unlikely people in her life. I really enjoyed the multi-generational third person voices in the book - Ginny was the central character but Bethany and Arlo's unique voices gave depth and layer to the plot.
The men in the book were equally unique. Will, Mark, and Luke brought different angles, emotions, and baggage to the story and made the plot fuller and richer. I particularly enjoyed the faith threads that focused on forgiveness, grace, and mercy.

If you enjoy women's fiction, this book is definitely for you. I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Tyndale House Publishers via Interviews and Reviews and NetGalley and was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are my own.

“This Promised Land” by Cathy Gohlke is a good book about family restoration and forgiveness. It is a story that is like the prodigal son story in the Bible. Lots of emotions are evoked in this book and it makes you wonder how you would react in the same situation. Cathy does a great job with her character development and the novel is well written.

Ginny Dee the main character left home at a young age against her parents wishes. Years later she returns home, when she finds out that she has inherited the family farm. There is a lot of resentment from family members over the will and secrets kept and lies told. Can there be healing, restoration and forgiveness for this family? We can’t change the past but we can learn from it and change how we do things in the future.

I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone. Thank you NetGalley and Tyndale House Publishers for an advanced copy of this book.

Cathy Gohlke has become a favorite author of mine, and this beautiful book is my favorite one yet. This sweet story is full of family drama as the Pickering family learns to come together to save their Christmas tree farm despite their history, prodigals, and secrets uncovered along the way. I absolutely loved these characters! While there was plenty of drama and trials, overall it had the cozy feel of farmhouses, cookie baking, and family - the perfect mix of tension and comfort. Spanning several months, it could be read any time of year, but I think it would make a great holiday read, as it ends at Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Thank you so much to @netgalley and @tyndalehouse for this advanced reader copy. This Promised Land publishes on April 8, but preorders are open now!

📖 Christian fiction. No language. Clean romance. Alcoholism, miscarriage.

This prodigal/coming home story drew me in right from the beginning and absolutely captivated me. The way that brokenness, restoration, and forgiveness leaves an imprint on the characters touched my very soul. Highly recommend this heartwarming story!

*A big thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this story. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Promised Land by Cathy Gohlke is a stand alone story dual time line story that takes place in 1940 and 1992. Curtis came into Ginny’s family to help them and the two eventually married, just prior to him leaving to fight in WWII. He came home so mentally changed it became her life to take care of him and then pay for the care she couldn’t give him. Now she is ready to retire and fulfill her dream of touring European gardens before working at the greenhouse of her ancestral home. Until, a letter arrives that sends her home to Virginia to find out her brother lied to everyone about the truth behind the family’s Christmas tree farm.

This is such a good story. It is so well written it is easy to imagine the confusion Ginny and her nephews might be dealing with. This story is so powerful that I found myself reading it just to see how it would end. The characters are so realistic in how their reactions are to the lies her brother has told. I found it so discouraging that one person could so negatively affect Ginny and her mother’s lives. I found it inspirations to see how the brothers learn to work together, how Ginny and her nephews wife take over caring for the children while the men work and how the community comes together to help the families when someone destroys the trees. This story has it all. It has family drama, touches of budding romance, suspense and mystery surrounding the farm and inspiration.

I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this story, this is my honest review.

This book has a depth in the plot that really makes the reader think. Ginnie Dee has found out that she has inherited the family Christmas tree farm. Her nephews were thinking that they had inherited it, but her mother had willed it only to her. Her brother had kept her from seeing their mother out of pure spitefulness. He raised his sons to think that the farm was theirs when he passes away. Luke is the son who stayed around to work the farm and Mark went out, served in Viet Nam, got married, had three children, delved into alcoholism, and came back to the farm because he was homeless. The truth of the of the matter is the farm is in serious danger of going to the bank to be sold to the highest bidder. The family needs a stellar profit year in order to save the farm. It will take all of them working together to make it work.

Of course, there are obstacles, bad guys, vindictive people, and mayhem included in the book; but not in a slapstick way. This Promised Land is a serious look at life in the eighties that brings home the difficulties of a family who have been through some tough times. They do come out on top and even thrive in spite of their difficulties. The church comes together to help them out and keep them around. It is a picture of God's love in action and one of the things that make the plot and main characters endearing. Cathy Gohlke has done a masterful job of bringing the characters to life on the page and to connect the characters to the reader. She has painted a picture with her words of life in a small southern town--the town gossip, the judgmental biddies, the older men who want to feel useful again, and the people who help from the depths of their hearts.

This is a five star book, with two thumbs up, and a decorated Christmas tree for a shut-in.

Tyndale House provided the copy I read for this review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.

What a beautiful story that I savored reading! I could not put this captivating book down. You do not want to miss this tale of family, brokenness, prodigals returning home, trying to save a family and a family farm, forgiveness, and grace. Author Cathy Gohlke is a beautiful storyteller, and This Promised Land delivers a home run. Her books are on my must read list.

On the cusp of retirement and finally being able to pursue life-long dreams, Ginny Pickering Boyden is shocked to receive a letter asking her to return home, a place she hasn't been in 50 years. She has no idea she inherited her family Christmas Tree farm after being cut off from her family for decades. The two nephews she didn't know existed, were led to believe it was theirs to inherit after their father (her brother) passed away. The story is captivating, the characters are real and endearing, the setting is beautiful, and it all comes alive under the talented pen of the author. (It would make a fantastic movie!) Highly recommend!

Thank you to the publisher (Tyndale Fiction) and Net Galley for allowing me to read an early copy. All opinions are my own.

Provocative, inspiring, and hopeful, This Promised Land by Cathy Gohlke is a masterfully written novel that integrates themes of family, forgiveness, and restoration into a riveting tale that resounds in the heart of the reader far beyond the end of the story.

Set during the early 1990’s in the small town of New Scrivelsby, Virginia, This Promised Land is a family saga of redemption, grace, and mercy as exhibited in the parable of the prodigal son in Luke 15:11-32. Main character Ginny Pickering Boyden has recently retired and is anticipating relocating to England where she plans to fulfill her long cherished dream of touring England and where she plans to work as a garden apprentice at her family ancestral manor house bearing a botanical garden. As Ginny is preparing to relocate, she unexpectedly receives a letter from a law office in her hometown of New Scrivelsby, informing her of the death of her older brother and her inheritance of the family farm. Ginny has mixed feelings about returning to the farm, as she has stayed away for over 30 years, thinking herself exiled from the family following a harsh decision she made in her youth. She warily returns, hoping to sell the property, only to find that residing on the farm holds the one thing she has desired for many years, and that is family. What she believes to be a temporary stay to prepare the farm to sale, turns into more than she anticipated, when she learns of her oldest nephew and his wife living on the property, as well as the abrupt arrival of her youngest nephew and his three young children to the farm. A slew of events takes place that remind Ginny, as well as the others, of the importance of family. These events also serve to restore past failures, hurts, and disappointments that they have experienced in their lives that threaten to dismantle the family and family business. The story remarkably emphasizes the divine wisdom of the Lord portrayed in His perfect plan for our lives, as well as the importance of trusting in His plan despite our limited understanding.

“Aren’t we all runaways from God in one way or another, at some time or another? Haven’t we all deserted Him, broken His heart, demanded our inheritance-bent on grabbing our wants?” -This Promised Land.

In This Promised Land, author Cathy Gohlke exhibits her profound skill at writing astounding, God centered stories as she effortlessly draws the reader into this storyline with dynamic characters and a plot that boasts of inspiration and hope in the face of affliction. The plot brimmed with wonderful Christian faith content and is a well-paced page-turning story that illustrates the blessing of family. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel, and I highly recommend it to others.