Gathering the Threads by Cindy Woodsmall

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. 


Gathering the Threads is the third and final novel in The Amish of Summer Grove series.

Available on Amazon

Read and excerpt HERE

  Meet Cindy Woodsmall:

She is the New York Times and CBA best-selling author of nineteen works of fiction and non-fiction with more than a million copies sold. Her connection with the Amish community has been featured in national media outlets such as ABC’s Nightline, the Wall Street Journal, and a National Geographic documentary on Amish life. Cindy and her husband reside near the foothills of the North Georgia Mountains.

Learn more about Cindy on her website.

My take:
I loved this series!! Not only is the cover of this book eye-catching, but the content is soul-catching! I was sad to see the series come to an end. I read the whole series in less than a week. Once I began book one, I couldn't stop until I got through book three. I am so glad, I had the privilege of reading them back to back. I am not sure I could have waited months for the release of the next book. 

Cindy wrapped the series up so nicely with this book. I was so glad to see a happy ending. She had me a little worried there for a while. In this book, Ariana, is really struggling. Since she returned home from living in the English world with her other family, nothing seems like it used to be. She doesn't feel like she really knows who she is. There are so many ideas floating in her head. Her Amish family is also having a hard time adjusting to the fact that she has changed. Ariana is not sure how to find a balance between the two worlds. She is not longer the girl set in her Amish ways that left. Being on her own, and studying the Bible and history has opened her eyes to a whole new world of ideas, not all bad. She is still strong in her faith, only not necessarily the way her parents or community leaders had hoped. As her parents, the Amish leaders and Rudy, her boyfriend, try to mold her to their will, she continues to remain true to God and self.

What I enjoyed most about this book was Ariana's confidence in God and in her ability to think for herself. I enjoyed watching her grow as a woman and spiritually. She compared the ideas presented to Scripture and gained her strength from following God, not just blindly being led by those around her. She was not willingly stirring up strife, but it certainly seemed to follow her. She was also willing to submit to the authority of her parents, but not blindly so. I also enjoyed watching the other characters in the book change and grow. 

This book was so moving. I felt like I knew each of the characters and was part of their lives. When they hurt, I hurt. When they celebrated, so did I. I hated to say goodbye. 

I was blessed with a free copy of this book courtesy of Blogging for Books. All opinions are my own and I was not asked to review positively.