This is a book about family relationships and unlikely friendships. Gerrit Laninga sells his family farm and is at loose ends as to what to do with his new life. He has cut ties to his wife Hannie as well as their two children Evi and Noah. Rae is a fifteen year old precocious girl who hides in a shed on his property, just to get away and think about “The Plan” that her parents have for her life. Terrified of driving, she is convinced that she won’t go anywhere in life without learning that one basic skill. Through a series of happenstances, Gerrit and Rae become friends; she helps him decide how to live his life and he helps her learn to face hers. Gerrit has a lot of forgiveness to seek before he can continue with his new life as chief cook at home, and the story is about his willingness to humble himself and to become the man he should have been all along. Rae is willing to submit to the will of her parents but she knows that she will be happiest if she follows her own path. It is that path that she is trying to find in this novel. With tough themes about broken relationships and forgiveness, this novel is one not to be missed. Fans of Susie Finkbeiner and Erin Bartels will enjoy this sweeping story about an old man and a young girl and how they find their way in life by talking to each other.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

Cantankerous Gerrit, 63, sells his farm that has kept him busy from dawn to dusk. So now he tries to remake himself as a husband, father, and neighbor. He learns to cook, makes friends with his young neighbor, Rae, and sets about to make his neighbor, George, miserable. This is a delightful story about redemption, forgiveness, self-awareness, heartache, and love. Definitely a feel-good story. Thanks to NetGalley for my copy.

A poignant Christian fiction book about the consequences of making work a higher priority than relationships, the difficulty of forgiveness, conquering fear, and the power of love coupled with the power of prayer .

The Sowing Season—the story about a gruff old man who befriends a young teenage girl in a Hallmark movie kind of way—isn’t exactly my typical reading fare. But sometimes you just need something different and there was something that called to me about this particular book. And yes, while the book is a Hallmark movie in the making, and I generally find those types of movies and books sappy to no end, I never really felt that way with Katie Powner’s debut offering.

At its heart, The Sowing Season is about finding a new identity. Gerrit’s identity has been the farm. It’s been his life. It was supposed to be his legacy. When he’s forced to give it up, he has exactly zero idea where to go. He doesn’t know how to relate to his wife, who has her own career and is used to being an empty-nester farm-widow. He doesn’t know how to relate to his kids, grown and gone with little love for their absent father. He doesn’t any idea where to go. That’s when he meets Rae.

Rae’s a straight-A whiz-kid with a clear-cut, defined Plan. There’s only one problem: Driver’s Ed. Not only does her Driver’s Ed failure affect her socially, but it also affects The Plan. Because this is a graded class. This goes on a transcript. And Rae’s mind begins to swirl as she runs into (not quite literally) the first major roadblock in her life.

The two strike up an unlikely friendship and Gerrit finds a new part of himself as mentor, grandpa-by-proxy, and friend. The journey isn’t without its bumps and bruises, including a final act drama that didn’t really quite fit into the story’s context and is all-too-easily resolved. (Hallmark, remember?)

The Sowing Season is a feel-good story. It’s a warmhearted take on some pretty complicated issues. Selling the farm is a big deal. (Grandpa had to sell his farm. I’ve been there.) Marriage relationships change with retirement and an empty nest. For those for whom their identity is their job, retirement leaves them wondering not just what to do but who they are. This is contrasted with the other side of the identity question in Rae, who is struggling to discover who she is and dealing with the setbacks that will inevitably come. It packs a lot of deep meaning into an otherwise pretty easy read.

The flaws of the book—well, they may not be flaws if it’s what the author intends—but things resolve themselves a bit too easily. Some of the relationships fall into place (and out of place) with a paint-by-numbers mentality that shows how Powner was relying on a tried and true script for the novel. But it works. Powner pulls it off well. The Sowing Season is a solid debut novel, great for a lazy, easy read. I don’t watch Hallmark movies but, you know what, if The Sowing Season becomes one (and it should!) I’ll watch it.

This is a story where the lives of the two main characters become intertwined. While one is trying to rebuild his family, the other is trying to prevent her family from breaking apart. Moreover, each of these characters attempts this while dealing with their own personal issues. The question is: can their relationship provide what is needed to accomplish this?

I really enjoyed this story. It was engaging and thought-provoking with well-developed characters as well as a realistic storyline that gripped me. Whenever I put this book down, it stayed in my mind and I had to pick it up again to find out what would happen next. This story will stay in your mind long after you’ve read the last page. It would also be great for a book club as there are many discussion points presented.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book provided by the publisher and Net Galley but the thoughts expressed are my own.

The bar has been set high with this debut novel! From the opening pages, you are gripped by the high emotions and realism of the book. All of us can see at least bits and pieces of ourselves in both Gerrit and Rae making this novel really hit home.

Having grown up on a dairy farm myself, Gerrit’s story really resonates with me as it will anyone who has grown up or around a farm. The actual depiction of what it is like to be tied to the land especially one with dairy cattle was extremely accurate. I could picture my dad and childhood within her words and feel all the emotions it evokes.

I could also picture myself in the character of Rae. I believe we all of plans of how we think our lives should go and when things don’t go the way we thought, it can turn things upside down for us. The author does an excellent job of exploring the life and emotions of a teen struggling with life.

This book will go one my list of all time favorites! It is real, raw, and emotional. I look forward to seeing what Ms. Powner writes next!

I was given a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are completely my own.

Could possibly be the best book I have read this year! Gerrit Laninga is a somewhat crusty old man who has spent his whole life working the family farm. When he is forced to sell it and split the profit with his brother, Jakob, who never worked a day in his life on the farm, he becomes somewhat bitter. He has lost touch with his wife, Hannie, and his kids, Evi and Noah, because he spent his whole life working the farm and never had time for them. He also has a long-standing feud with his neighbor, George. Through a chance meeting with Rae, a 15 year old teenager, with problems of her own, he begins to see the world in a new light! Rae and her parents have a long standing "Plan" in place for her life where she is to focus on academics and her future. Rae also volunteers at a teen center helping other teenagers who are having problems with their schoolwork and also with life in general She volunteers Gerrit to help at the center and through his work at the center, his heart begins to soften. and he begins to change. He learns life lessons along with many of the other characters in the book.

Thank you to the publisher, Bethany House and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book. This is my honest and unbiased opinion. Amazing book that I had a hard time putting down! I can't wait to read more from this author!

Life as he knows it ends when Gerrit Laninga has to sell his family’s dairy farm. At 63, all he’s known (except for four years in college) is work from dawn to dark. Somewhere in there, he married a beautiful woman and had two children. Two children who now hate him. And a beautiful woman who has done life on her own for dozens of years.

When he walks in the house after dark on the first day of freedom from the farm, he meets his wife, Hannie, at the door. She has a suitcase in hand. This wake-up call launches Gerrit on a journey of discovery—about himself, his family, and the choices he has made.

Rae Walters has always succeeded at everything. An only child, she feels the pressure of her parents’ expectations for her—outlined in The Plan—a blueprint for her life and future. But with the stress of driver’s ed class and getting her license looming on the horizon, Rae starts to have doubts about The Plan.

For years she’s found refuge in an old barn back behind her house, and after a rough day, she goes to find solace in the quiet space only to have a grumpy old man barge in. Surprised at the intrusion, she discovers the old man owns the barn and the lonely-looking woman she sees through the window of the house is his wife.

When Rae and Gerrit meet, their lives will never be quite the same again.

Why I Loved this Book

This multigenerational story will make you laugh, think, and cry. Fifteen-year-old Rae personifies all our fears of failure and making the wrong choice—fears that follow us throughout our life.

Gerrit, a curmudgeon of epic proportions, has justified his decisions and choices all in the name of the farm and providing for his family. But when the farm no longer cracks a whip over his life, Gerrit slowly realizes he’s worked on the wrong things all his life. Readers facing mid-life questions will relate to Gerrit as he looks back at key moments in his life and the choices he made. They’ll cheer him on as he strives to change.

Although not a suspense novel, I found myself having the same reaction—I couldn’t put the book down. The author weaves in a thread about forgiveness and tragedy that pulls the reader deeper and deeper into the lives of Rae and Gerrit.

3.75 retired dairy farmer stars

Gerrit doesn’t know what to do with himself. After years of running a dairy farm, he’s just sold it. He still wakes early in a panic that he overslept, and the cows are waiting. Over those years though he put the farm first over his wife and (now adult) children and he’s now struggling to make his way back to them.

The other main storyline involves a bright teenage girl, Rae, who is an A student, following “the plan” that her parents have in mind for her. Those plans don’t involve a boyfriend though, what’s she supposed to do with her burgeoning feelings for David? She’s also panicked about learning how to drive – lookout mailboxes and curbs around town! This might be her one failure in life.

There are some hilarious moments as Gerrit watches cooking shows in order to teach himself how to cook, shopping at the mall to replace his horrible farming clothes, and all the great animals. I especially loved the rooster and the dog Daisy. There’s a great rivalry with his neighbor that threatens to spin out of control.

Rae and Gerrit meet in an unlikely place and soon begin a sweet friendship. They volunteer at a local church and are helping struggling students. This one has some Christian elements, but I didn’t find it preachy.

I liked the messaging in this one and it reminded me a bit of the dynamic of Kent Haruf novels.

I really enjoyed reading The Sowing Season, perhaps because I am married to a farmer. Poor Gerrit has spent so much time with his cows that he doesn’t know how to talk to people! He had me laughing at his crazy ideas. I’m just glad I don’t have a rooster on my farm! This book reminded me again how important honest communication and forgiveness are, whether it’s forgiving yourself or others. Katie Powner’s debut novel is an enjoyable read and I hope to read more from her.

I received an advanced readers copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I was quickly drawn in by the synopsis of this book:
"After he's fored to sell the family farm he's labored on his whole life, 63 year old Gerrit Laninga doesn't know what to do with himself. He sacrificed everything for the land--his time, his health, his family--with nothing to show for it but bitterness, regret, and two grown children who want nothing to do with him."

Gerrit crosses paths with 15 year old Rae Walters and an unlikely friendship blossoms.

I was drawn to several aspect of this story. The farm angle resonates because I live on a farm that's been in my husband's family for 150 years. While Gerrit's story is not my husband's story, I could certainly understand the struggle to keep a family farm. Gerrit pursued preserving the farm to the detriment of all his relationships--wife, sibling and children.

I am always here for an inter generational story. I love how these characters learned from each other and grew in their understanding of each other.

Rarely do we see ''mature' main characters and more rare when they aren't stereotypical caricatures. I felt the author portrayed grief, loss and change very realistically through Gerrit's character.

This was a sweet feel good read and much needed and appreciated by this reader.

Thanks to NetGalley, Bethany House Publishing and author Katie Pwner for the complementary copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

"The Sowing Season" was SUCH a rewarding book because of its substance and depth! Truly a change from my normal reading. It features an older grouchy gentleman with his problems and a teen-age girl (& some friends) with hers. I wondered for awhile how they would ever connect, but they did in a beautiful way that was fulfilling to both of them.

What I also loved is the fact that there was nothing objectionable in the way of language or sex. There is way too much of both in fiction nowadays, and I am uncomfortable reading it!

Thank you, Katie Powner, for a job so well done!

I enjoyed the character development and intertwined storylines. I really enjoy books that do not resott to foul language.

Thank you to NetGalley, Katie Powner, and Bethany House Publishers for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is an important book for our times, when people may be feeling down and not thinking life has much to offer. Well, once you spend some time with Bernard, the rooster, Daisy, the dog, and Mr. Whiskers, the cat, there is no way you won’t be happy. I’d love to be living in a town with these people, where their faith sees them thru most challenges. After selling his family farm, Gerrit, 63, is struggling to find meaning to his life and regain his relationships with his wife and grown children. Rae, 15, is struggling to please her parents by being number one in her class and become a lawyer. When Gerrit and Rae meet each other, the adventures and healing begin. I loved this book!

Ms. Powner has blown me away with her debut novel. This is definitely one of my favorite reads of 2020. This book gave me all the feels. It will make you smile and make you sad. But there is hope and forgiveness. The author did a wonderful job at weaving together each character's story and reminding us how our actions affect others. I highly recommend this book and look forward to more from this author.

A beautifully, different story! I loved that the two main POVs were a grumpy, old man and a fifteen year old girl. I loved following their character journeys as they worked through life and resolved conflicts. A great story!

A pretty decent offering from a first time author. The two main characters were a curmudgeonly retired farmer and an over-achieving teenage girl. Their relationship was fun to watch develop. However, sometimes, for me, boredom set in when he continually obsessed about his dead brother, while she constantly worried about pleasing her parents. Those were important aspects to their characters, but sometimes less is more. In any event, I had a few tears at the end, so that’s a good sign that the author achieved her goal.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read and review.

The story of a young girl following a plan set for her by her parents and an older man whose life plan as a dairy farmer has come to an end. The book has many subplots and themes, but the overarching message is that of hope for the future rather than life lived shackled by past mistakes and grievances.

This book moves quickly, but it has so many themes and subplots that the primary focus is sometimes lost. The author grew up on a dairy farm. It would be interesting to know whether her personal experience shaped her view of Gerrit, the old dairy farmer who sacrificed himself and his family to try to keep the farm going. Gerrit finds new meaning in life when the farm is sold and he is no longer responsible for the daily grind of caring for cattle. He befriends Rae, a fifteen year old girl who is growing on forty. She is obsessed The Plan, her parents' dreams for her to be a successful student and lawyer. They both find meaning in giving themselves to others.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

The Sowing Season is the debut novel by Katie Powner. I’m having problems writing my review because there were parts of the story that I thought were excellent. Other parts, not so much. I definitely could have done without being slammed over the head with the religious aspects that are thrown in here and there. I realize those same aspects may appeal to many readers, just not me. Unfortunately, I did not realize that this was in the Christian Fiction genre. My mistake.

The writing itself was somewhat uneven. The first ten or so chapters were rough but the writing smoothed out as the story progressed. The storyline itself was compelling which kept my attention through to the end.

The characters in this book were so real and talked and thought like me! it was easy to follow along and fall in love and root for them. I laughed, I may or may not have cried. Ok, I cried. And it made me question my life goals.