When the Soul Mends...Review

About the book:
Rumors and lies left Hannah’s life in tatters; can the truth possibly stitch it back together?

Having fled in disgrace more than two years earlier, Hannah finally has found happiness in the Englischer world, as well as love with Martin Palmer, a man with whom she can safely entrust her heart. But almost immediately after her arrival in Owl’s Perch, the disapproval of those who ostracized her reopens old wounds.

As Hannah encounters former fiancë Paul Waddell, truths unknown to her surface about the events during her absence and she faces an agonizing decision. Will she choose the Englischer world and the man who restored her hope, or will she return to the Plain Life-and perhaps her first love?

The concluding book to the Sisters of the Quilt series, this picks up literally at the end of the second one, When the Morning Comes. After receiving a troubling phone call from her sister, Hannah returns to Owl's Perch to find her dear friend Matthew injured in a fire and his brother dead. She finds that belief in the rumors and lies which drove her away still lingers in the hearts of some of her people. She can see her sister suffering from mental illness and her father in denial of that illness. Hannah, now a nurse, is thrown together with her former fiance Paul, now a family counselor, as they try and get her sister the help she needs.

As Hannah reconnects with Paul, will she find that her love for him has never dimmed, or will she choose to return to Martin and the English life to which she has adapted? Will her father ever accept her? Can they all find forgiveness as lies and the circumstances under which Hannah left are exposed?

Cindy Woodsmall has crafted a terrific conclusion to her trilogy. The characters continue to be compelling and you really care about them. I think she's done a terrific job of detailing the Old Order Amish, Mennonite and English worlds, and how they can and cannot mesh. Although the ending was somewhat predictable, I found it satisfying how everything worked out and who ended up with whom.

I found it interesting that the quilt of the series title isn't a more substantial part of the books. The "Past and Present" quilt that Hannah starts in the first book is mentioned in all of the books and finally comes full circle in the end, but almost as an afterthought. I would have thought the quilt would find more prominence throughout the story.

An easy, enthralling read.

I read my own, personal copy. You can purchase your own here.

Read 10/08

* * * *
4/5 Stars

Comments

  1. I saw this book and thought about picking it up, but had no idea it was a trilogy. glad I didn't...lol! I'd want to read the first book first.

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