Until the Harvest (Appalachian Blessings #2) by Sarah Loudin Thomas

Title: Until the Harvest (Appalachian Blessings #2)

Author: Sarah Loudin Thomas

Pages: 304

Year: 2015

Genre: Historical (1976)

Publisher: Bethany House

Format: Paperback (also available in eBook)

Note: I received a free copy of this book through The Book Club Network in exchange for my honest opinion.

About the book:

     Take this journey of broken souls restored and tentative hearts brought fully to life.

     When family tragedy derails Henry Phillips’s college studies, he’s left unmoored and feeling abandoned. The only things that can tamp down his grief are the family farm, his fiddle, and an unexpected friendship with sweet but unusual preteen Mayfair Hoffman.

     Unfortunately, Mayfair’s older sister, Margaret, despite her spray of freckles and cute, turned-up nose, has a completely different effect. His grandmother’s caretaker, Margaret, is always around, ready to push his buttons, and it seems at first that she doesn’t care about his troubles.

     Henry soon realizes, though, that Margaret’s facing her own struggles. Mayfair’s health and unique gift sit at the heart of those worries. Henry and Margaret soon find themselves relying on each other as potential tragedy collides with growing hope in a warm story of family bonds and the surprising ways healing finds us all.

My review:

     This is a very simple small town story.

     I thoroughly enjoyed my return visit to Wise, West Virginia. Though this is book 2 in a series the story can be read and enjoyed even if you haven’t read the first book. Twenty years have passed but a number of the characters are still present, though obviously older. Any of the important details from the first book are explained at the appropriate time. If you have already read book one it only adds to the enjoyment of this one though.

     Margaret Hoffman carries a load of doubt as to her own worth from her childhood. This colors everything she does and her relationships with the people around her. It is wonderful to see how she grows over the course of the story.

     Henry Phillips’ whole world is turned topsy-turvy very early on in the story. Everything he thought was important is in a complete upheaval. He is sent on a journey to discover what he wants from life.

     Both of them are also trying to figure out who God is and does He care about them and what they do. They are surrounded with a number of very wise people to counsel them and help them find the direction that they need. Some of these sources of counsel are a heartwarming surprise.

     This book was a delight to read and the slow pace of life and the joy that many of the characters found in simple things was very refreshing. I am highly recommending this book. I have to give it a 5 star rating.