Gathering the Threads by Cindy Woodsmall Book Review

Finally back in the Old Order Amish world she loves,
Will Ariana’s new perspectives draw her family closer together—
or completely rip them apart?

After months away in the Englisch world, Ariana Brenneman is overjoyed to be in the Old Order Amish home where she was raised. Yet her excitement is mixed with an unexpected apprehension as she reconciles all she’s learned from her biological parents with the uncompromising teachings of her Plain community. Although her childhood friend, ex-Amish Quill Schlabach, hopes to help her navigate her new role amongst her people, Ariana’s Daed doesn’t understand why his sweet daughter is suddenly questioning his authority. What will happen if she sows seeds of unrest and rebellion in the entire family? 

Meanwhile, Skylar Nash has finally found her place among the large Brenneman family, but Ariana’s arrival threatens to unravel Skylar’s new identity—and her sobriety. Both Ariana and Skylar must discover the true cords that bind a family and community together and grasp tight the One who holds their authentic identities close to His heart.  

My Thoughts:

I was given the opportunity to be a part of the launch team for Cindy Woodsmall's newest book, Gathering the Threads. After much anticipation for the third and final book in The Amish of Summer Grove series. I was eager to get started reading the book. I received an advanced copy of the book.

If you haven’t read the first two books in the series there is a synopsis at the beginning of the book. This could be read as a standalone story. However, I think you would appreciate the story in whole if you have read the other two books in the series.

Ariana and Skylar were accidentally switched at birth due to a fire at the birthing center where they born. Ariana grew up in the Amish world, while Skylar grew up in the English world.

Ariana learns more about the outside world and sees her leaders in a new light and sees that God may not be the driving force in their decisions.

This story begins when Ariana comes back home to her Amish family. She has formed a bond and respect for her English family that she didn’t expect. Due to the time spent together everyone has been changed in many ways from being with one another.

Skylar is finally clean of drugs and has decided to stay with her birth Amish family. This causes conflict with Skylar and she pulls a few ugly stunts to make herself look better to her Amish family. She starts to feel guilty for her actions as she sees the love this family has for one another despite her selfish actions. She finally comes clean with Ariana with what she did to her. Skylar finds herself again and knows what she wants to do with herself in the future.

Ariana is conflicted in some of her Amish upbringing and questions many of the decisions her community leaders do. This causes a lot of distress to her Amish family, community and her fiancée Rudy. 

I love the characters. Most of all I love the closure of this series. I was happy to see it fall in place. I’m not going to give away any spoilers so I recommend you get your own copy of Gathering the Threads when it is released on August 15, 2017!

I received a free copy of this product from Blogging for Books- Waterbrook in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions I have expressed are my own or those of my family. I am disclosing this information accordance with the FTC Regulations.