This was an awesome book and I zipped through the second half of the book, seeing what would happen next. I was especially interested in Laura's story and what would happen with her drinking. I loved Theo and her role in helping Laura through her alcoholism. I enjoyed Jane's story and the secret that she had kept, as well as taking care of a husband with ALS. I thought that these characters were people I could relate to, with all their feelings and the stuff that they go through. I was sad to see this book and this series end. Definitely a book well worth reading.

Rating: 5 out of 5

I received this book from NetGalley and Tyndale House Publishing in exchange for a review.

How wonderful to send the year of 2021 off with a bang by reading this novel! Because it is a wonderful read after a string of bland ones - warm yet realistic, intelligent and engaging, full of heart, yet fully acknowledging the harsh season of life. And full of hope. A gem within not only the realm of Christian literature.

This is a third book in the series. I recommend to read the previous installments before this one (they are wonderful, too).

This series focuses on Jane Darling and her marriage, as well as her daughters Amy and Laura; while staying in touch with all of the Darlings!
I like Jane’s story very much - she is facing an enormous crisis because of serious illness within the family, as well as her hidden past. Wholesome Jane has a past, you say? Yes. And I applaud the authoress on not saving the matriarch of the family from the need to look some things straight in the eye. Not saying more here - but my heart breaks for her sister Ellen. I wish that she could get her happy ending, too (and by happy ending I do not mean the traditional romance, but a peace for her, and a warm embrace from God and the people around. Seeing her backstory, I can not help but think that she was treated a bit harshly, even if her choices were her own.).

Amy is a pure sunshine and her romance is gold.
Jaded Laura’s demons are not covered in-depth here (I would love to explore that!), but her story is not sugar-coated and I am thankful for that. Christian literature can offer certain naivete at times, but Laura’s story is not that in the slughtest and can offer a look into the less-traditional happy-go-lucky churchgoers. We are humans instead of idealized versions of us, and Laura’s arc is very good to ponder upon, to try to look more deeply on people.

All in all, the authoress goes to my auto-read list because of this series. This quality of understanding the human heart is rare.