Review: When the Soul Mends by Cindy Woodsmall

paperback 354 pages $13.99

When the Soul Mends by Cindy Woodsmall is the 3rd and final book in the Sisters of the Quilt series (When the Heart Cries and When the Morning Comes are books one and two.)  Hannah receives a desperate call from her sister and has to return to Owl's Perch the Old Order Amish community that she fled in disgrace two years ago.  She has finally found her place in the Englischer world with a wealthy man that she loves, his adorable niece and nephew, and her dream of being a part of the medical community is about to come true.  Her return to Owl's Perch reopens all of her old wounds.  She is forced to work for her sister;s mental health with her former fiance Paul Waddell.  After being gone for two years and reuniting with friends and family, her old community begins to pull at her.  She also finds out that things were not all that they seemed when she fled, there were many deceptions, and all was not what she thought it was.  Will Hannah choose the Englischer world and the man that restored her hope, or will she return to the Plain Community and even back to her first love?

I chose this book because I have really enjoyed other books by Cindy Woodsmall.  I knew that it was the 3rd book in the series and I was hoping to get my hands on the first two before I read it, but I did not.  It is very possible to read this book and enjoy it on its own without having read the other two.  There is enough background within the story for you to understand the events that have already happened and get to know the characters quite well.   It was not what I consider to be a typical light hearted Amish fiction.  The book deals with some heavy topics and you will shed a tear or two.   It is an amazing story of love and forgiveness and a great example of the Lord working all things for the good for those who love Him.  The characters were real, believable, and genuine and the plot was great even though the ending was a bit predictable.  This is definitely my favorite book by this author so far.

Even though it is possible to read and enjoy When The Soul Mends without having read the other two in the series, I do wish that I had read them all.  I enjoyed the book so much it would be great to have the whole picture.  I still may go back and read the other two.

I received a complimentary copy of  When the Soul Mends from Waterbrook Multnomah for the purpose of writing a fair and honest review.  I received no other compensation.