Despite years on the run, Sophie Neumann is determined to care for two young children. She won’t abandon them the way she thinks her older sisters abandoned her. But times are growing desperate, and when she falls in with the wrong crowd and witnesses a crime, she realizes fleeing 1850s New York is her only option.
Disappearing with her two young charges into a group of orphans heading west by train, Sophie hopes to find safety and a happy life. When the train stops in Illinois for the first placement of orphans, Sophie faces the most difficult choice of her life.
Reinhold Weiss has finally purchased his own small farm. With mounting debts, a harvest to bring in, and past scars that haunt him, he’s in no position to give his heart away . . . but can he say no when his long-lost friend shows up on a nearby train pleading for his help?
Jody Hedlund is the author of over twenty historicals for both adults and teens and is the winner of numerous awards including the Christy, Carol, and Christian Book Award.
Jody lives in central Michigan with her husband, five busy children, and five spoiled cats. Although Jody prefers to experience daring and dangerous adventures through her characters rather than in real life, she’s learned that a calm existence is simply not meant to be (at least in this phase of her life!).
When she’s not penning another of her page-turning stories, she loves to spend her time reading, especially when it also involves consuming coffee and chocolate.
My Impressions:
Finally! Finally I know what happened to Elise and Marianne Neumann’s little sister Sophie and the two children she has vowed to care for. I have loved all the books in the Orphan Train Series, but I have to say that Hedlund saved the best for last. Searching for You exceeded my expectations with its wonderful characters and beautifully expressed truth. If you have been waiting (impatiently) like me, then you are in for a treat. If you haven’t read any of this series, you are in luck because they are all available for binge-worthy reading.
Sophie Neumann has been doing just about anything to survive. She loves her adopted children Nicholas and Olivia, but it soon becomes apparent that her life in New York is not the best for them or her. She embarks on an orphan train determined to make a new life for them all. What she finds might just break her heart.
Sophie is a wonderfully written character. She has a seed of faith deep down, but life has caused her to make compromises that trigger feelings of guilt and shame. Her determination to clean herself up is realistically portrayed. I’ve often heard those same sentiments (and have even felt the same). Reinhold Weiss is another relatable character. Anger issues keep him from wholly committing to relationships. Both Sophie and Reinhold do a lot of growing in Searching for You — in their relationship with each other and with God. While I loved both of these characters (and their sizzling romance 😉 ), it was secondary character Euphemia Duff that truly spoke to me. Maybe it’s because I am of an age with Euphemia, but her wit and wisdom was an inspiration. Her transparency about her past failings and God’s grace was beautiful. I loved how Euphemia’s life spoke to both Sophie and Reinhold. Searching for You is an historical novel and Hedlund did a wonderful job of making the time period come alive. From the mean streets of New York to the farmland of Illinois, the reader gets a real feel for what life was like in the mid-19th century. As I stated above there is plenty of romance for those who like swoony heroes and kissing scenes. But this is Christian fiction, so while realistically portrayed, there’s nothing graphic or inappropriate. (Your grandma would approve. LOL!)
For those looking for a book to sweep them up, I cannot recommend Searching for You enough. But remember, you really need to read books 1 and 2 first. Well worth it.
Highly Recommended.
Audience: adults.
To purchase, click HERE.
(Thanks to Bethany House for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)
Fabulous review! And, I agree. Sophie’s story is my favorite. It’s such a great book. 😀
Aw! Thanks!
Wonderful review. I also enjoyed this book very much. I did not read the first two however and plan to do that soon. I hope I am not disappointed, especially after saying this one was the best.
I don’t think you will be disappointed. They are all great.