Wildflowers from Winter - a Waterbrook Multnomah review

It's not too often that I read something emotional that doesn't leave me disheartened. I don't like novels that have horrific loss, grief, pain. Real life has enough of that, and I prefer to lose myself in something light . . . and hopeful. Wildflowers from Winter, written by Katie Ganshert, is one of those books that has grief and loss. The difference with this book, though, is that the characters feel real, and Katie doesn't write the grief so that you feel like you've had your heart ripped from your chest. Thank you!

Iowa native Bethany Quinn has made her life in Chicago as an architect, leaving her painful past behind her. But when her mother calls to tell her that her once-best friend has had a loss in her life, Bethany painfully makes her way back to Peaks, Iowa. Staying with her grandfather on his farm (who happens to have farm hand Evan Price living with him) while she pays her respects, Bethany vows to not stay long. Her job is demanding, and problems wait for her in Chicago. However, when she suddenly inherits the farm and Evan inherits the farmhouse, things become more complicated. Evan wants the land, but she wants to sell and have her own business. Meanwhile, Bethany struggles with her past and issues in Chicago. Torn emotionally, Bethany has to make several decisions and determine where she stands with God.

The characters in this story feel so real. No put-ons, no dramatic flair, just real-feeling people dealing with their problems. And while this book has romance in it, it's not one of those novels that is empty romance (or what my husband calls "fluff puff"). This is a great first novel by Katie, and I look forward to reading more from her!

I highly recommend that you visit this link at her website, where you will find the first three chapters of the book as well as background information on the novel!

I received Wildflowers from Winter as a complimentary gift in exchange for review from Waterbrook Multnomah Publishers. My comments and opinions are my own.