The farm was supposed to stay in Gerrit's family forever, it broke his heart, but times were bad. He had to sell. What would he do? He had always been a farmer. Nothing is easy or familiar as Gerrit and his wife Hannie try to do life together. Gerrit had not been a part of his family's life for years, the farm needed him 24/7. He realized he had become an angry, grouchy old man who had to face the harsh reality that his children don't want to speak to him, and his wife has been on the verge of leaving him for years. What to do?

"Gerrit sat in his truck outside The Daisy Chain, feeling like a teenager too chicken to ring his crush's doorbell. He was a grown man, for crying out loud. He'd been married to Hannie for thirty-five years. But the thought of going in that shop made manure-scented sweat seep from his pores. This was a mistake….He would leave, but he'd seen her catch a glimpse of him through the window. She must have. She wouldn't have had that disturbed look on her face for anyone else."

Readers then meet sixteen-year-old Rae has (without permission) used Gerrit's barn as a refuge. "Rae had been following "The Plan" her whole life, and she was on track. She had the highest GPA in her class. She was a member of the National Honor Society. By senior year she would be its president. The tiles were all falling into place, tink, tink, tink – forming the shape of her future. All she had to do was hold on. Rae's arms jerked, but she couldn't get them to move where she wanted. To grip the wheel. To turn the car. It kept going, speeding out of control…." She cried out and woke up, heart pounding." Thank heavens it wasn't real. Rae was trying desperately to stick to the "Plan" but as the end of high school draws near things are becoming more difficult to justify the "plan".

Gerrit and Rae become unlikely friends. Rae gives Gerrit a peek at what he had missed with his children. Rae looks to Gerrit as she did her grandfather. Both are at a crossroads in life. Would they stay on the same path that had gotten them to their current location or would they be open to doing something new, pull up bitterroots, learning to forgive, and plant seeds of love that would change everything? It would not be easy but either was the position they found themselves in.

I enjoyed watching Gerritt and Hannie learn to love again. I liked watching Gerrit grow as he interacted with Rae giving encouragement to her and the other kids in the after-school program Rae dragged him to. I really enjoyed getting to know all the characters main and minor and the lessons they learned.

I loved how this author blends a natural spiritual thread into the characters' struggle, as they discovered new realities and how she masterfully pours in witty humor. There are parts in this story that made me belly laugh. Gerrit gets himself into some crazy situations I am still smiling about. This author gives readers a peek into the family life of a farmer and that of a young overachiever. In the author's notes, she says, "Thank you to all the men and women, who have dedicated their lives and their land to feeding the world. Long live the family farm."

This is a heart-felt, impressive debut novel. I look forward to reading more by this author. This book would work well for your next book club pick.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have 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 Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising"

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog www.bookfun.org

3 3/4 stars rounded up. This had a bit of "A Man Called Ove" feel to it. Grumpy old man Gerrit is miserable and not interested in overcoming his trials/mistakes/misunderstandings (family, farm, neighbors). Then there's Rae, a high school Junior, who is doing her best to follow "The Plan" that has been laid out for her from her parents. She is happy to be living this best life... until she isn't. What if there's more to life that what has been put forward for her? What if her priorities and interests have changed?

I also loved the side characters and how even though they weren't central to the story, they added a depth to our main characters. Overall a great story of redemption and finding the right path in life. A few parts of the story felt a little too nicely wrapped up at the end, but mostly it was an enjoyable journey. The Christian principles were there, but not overbearing, which I always appreciate in these books. It was clean and had a great moral. I would let any of my older kids read this.

Thank you NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I must say, I really enjoyed this story and the authors writing style. I usually don't go for Christian literature, as I don't like religion forced on me, but the story sounded good and I was pleasantly surprised with the subtle and effective influence of religion, which was something I could take as common sense.
This is a story about a lot of different people and things that they need to change in their lives and how they come about it, with the help of others.
Wonderful characters of different ages, social standing and wants in life and how each of them help each other realize their values, creating friendships, and overcoming old grudges, rocky marriages, alienated children and life's choices.
I look forward to seeing what the authors next book is like.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Bethany House Publishers for a copy of this book.

This is such a charming, inter-generational story about healing wounds and finding your purpose in life.

Rae Walters is a teenager with a plan. Or at least, her parents have a plan for her life. As Rae fits in as much study, volunteer time and gets everything perfect for the plan to become a lawyer, she struggles to put her heart in it, especially when she gets behind the wheel of a car. It might be the first time she has failed something, and it is set to derail her plan and her relationship with her parents. Gerrit has just sold his family farm. Generations in his family has ended and all his sacrifices - time with his wife and children - gone. Now, with little to do, Gerrit finds himself assessing his relationships, or lack of them, with his wife and grown children. He wants to do better, but isn't sure where to start.

I loved so much about this book. Mainly, I loved how relaxing it was to pick this book up and sink between the pages. Gerrit is hilarious (and he doesn't mean to be and he would absolutely hate me for finding him funny). His character is so clear and so strong. Katie Powner does a fantastic job of painting him as the grump, out-of-sorts, awkward farmer. He doesn't know how to talk to his children, wife, or neighbours. He continually denies any softness, especially about his wife's dog, Daisy. But despite his gruff exterior, he really does want to change. Being inside Gerrit's head, gives the reader an insight into his thoughts, crazy ideas and inner softy.

Rae is under a massive amount of pressure. A lot of this comes from her parents, especially her dad. Her relationship with them is really suffering. She isn't sure what she wants from her future and if everything she is working towards is worth it. She is also concerned about her feelings for a boy she has been forbidden to date (though she has been forbidden to date any boy) and struggling with her relationship with her best friend.

Despite the big age gap, Gerrit and Rae seem to get along really well. Of course, that have their disagreements and they don't really understand each other - at all. But together, they manage to nut their way through driving lessons, irritating neighbours, rescuing roosters, reuniting with family, and kindling or rekindling relationships.

I loved the elements that are brought to the story with Rae and Gerrit volunteering at the Community Hope Program, helping children and teenagers in need. The characters this introduced are really special and it is while volunteering that Gerrit and Rae start to work through so much of what is in their heads and hearts.

The publishers provided an advanced readers copy of this book for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.

I was not familiar with Katie Powner's work but received an ARC of The Sowing Season from NetGalley.

This is a story about a man who is at the end of his career as a farmer of dairy cows. Garrett has lived a life that up to this point he is not necessarily proud of because he has nothing to show for his years of hard work. He doesn't have a solid relationship with his wife and no relationship with his son and daughter.

Raye is a teenage girl who happens to unexpectedly cross paths with Garrett. You could say that Garrett and Raye become reluctant friends. Throw in a second teenager, Morgan, who has no strong positive male influence in his life.

This is a story of redemption, forgiveness, family, faith, friends and healing.

This was a nice unexpected break from some of the heavier books I have read recently. Bernard even gave me a laugh with his antics and Garretts responses to them.

This was a great first book by this author. Coming from a line of farmers, especially dairy farmers, everything rang so true about the time that must be invested into the cows. I loved that and I could really imagine how the family fell by the wayside.
I loved all of the characters and I was sad to have the book end, but I am hoping there will be a second installment. I think there is so much more there to mine. I enjoyed watching the growth of everyone. This is a book that you just feel good reading.

Gerrit ,the old farmer and Rae,the young teenager girl,they become friends and try to help each other by teaching and learning from each other! The Sowing Season by Katie Powner, is just the story to do this. The characters in this story from the very beginning have you wanting to know their story. Gerrit,he's a old farmer that has retired and has no clue what to do with the rest of his life and Rae,her life has been planned out since she was born and these two,who have nothing in common become friends and learn from each other. You have so many emotions coming through Miss Katie's writing they about jump off the pages. This story has laughter,crying and learning that you see throughout. Both of these learn a very important lesson from each other and as you read,you will see where the "sowing season" comes from. Grab some tissues ,you will need them and as soon as you cry,they have you laughing again. Such a warm feeling you have after you read this and you really would like the story to continue. I don't think you will be disappointed at all! Received from Net Gallery,and thank you so much for letting me read such a emotional well written story!!You will enjoy this book!

The Sowing Season is Katie Powner’s debut novel. Gerrit has kept the farm going alone, working from before sun up to past sun down and now he is forced to sell and split the proceed with his alcoholic brother. As he ponders his days he sees his brother and neighbor who, his father helped, while ignoring his requests. He deals with a lack of relationship with his wife and children.

Rae is working on a Plan for her life, get top grade, volunteer and eventually become a lawyer like her father. Her one get away from it all is sneaking into Gerrit’s barn. It is there the two meet and Gerrit is talked into volunteering with her.

This is an outstanding book that deals with topics such as guilt, mending relationship, retirement and starting over. I enjoyed the humor written in the story, starting from the first sentence. It is very evident that the author has deep knowledge of dairy farming and all that it takes. This story gives a very realistic look at what leaving a life long business is like and how one must find something to do to fill their days. I also like how the story show how faithful Rae is to her parent’s plan for her, even when she is wondering if it is still her plan.

I received an ebook copy of this story from Bethany House through NetGalley, this is my honest review.

The Sowing Season





Have you ever wished that you could do your life over? Gerrit did as he finished his last day at work before he sold the farm that had been passed down to him from his father.
He trudged home to his wife, Hannie who stood at the door with a suitcase in her hands and said that she felt alone, the farm had his heart, she was not important.
Gerrit tried to explain that he was not going back to the farm because he had sold it, he looked Hannie in the face and remembered the trials, joys and memories they'd had and Hattie put the suitcase down.
The next week, Gerrit's life changed, he saw a girl named Rae Walthers and her cat Whiskers in his barn. Rae was a fifteen year old girl whose family had something called "The Plan" mapped out for her life, she was to become a lawyer no matter what. Gerrit said she could come back to the barn to hang out.
Gerrit watched cooking shows and made his wife special dinners every night, he even suggested that they have a picnic get together with their kids Evi and Noah.
Rae is learning how to drive, and she is scared and when Gerrit lets her drive his truck she panics and wrecks the neighbors antique - car mailbox!
What will happen next - Gerrit takes in an angry rooster named Bernard!

THE SOWING SEASON - Katie Powner

Having received this from Net Galley to my Kindle for review was quite pleasurable. Quite an interesting story about two interesting people who though years apart in age facing the question of, "Who am I?"

Gerrit and Rae are our main characters and exhibit strong character themselves. As the story begins we see Gerrit forced into retirement from his lifelong job of farming and running a dairy. Rae, is a young woman who finds herself being pushed into a role she doesn't like but cannot change "the plan".

We follow the story along with these two characters and their impact on others as well as their impact on themselves. Family, values, love and commitment to do the right thing are strong sellers of this book.

Not a Hallmark ending but certainly a very real ending which brings a smile to your face after you have followed this story and found yourself wanting it to end well.

Slow moving, but beautifully written story of the paths of life, both taken and not taken. Rae is 15 and following "the plan" that her family expects her to follow. Gerrit is 63 and loses his family farm. A farm that he has devoted his life to. He doesn't know what to do with himself. Their unlikely relationship helps both of them come to understand life's decisions and expectations. Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy

I love this heartwarming story of hope and forgiveness. Gerrit Laninga spent years working the family dairy. The whole time he carried guilt. When he finally lets go of the farm, he's faced with what to do with his life. He loves his wife Hannie, but lots of mending needs to be done. In comes Rae Walters, a self-driven teenager who needs to stick with The Plan. These two go on a path that leads them to self-examination and discovery. Katie Powner's debut is beautiful. This is a great read as we go into the season of thanksgiving. I enjoyed the country setting and all the characters who matter to Gerrit and Rae. If you enjoy books with a redemptive thread and a family/community theme, you'll love The Sowing Season. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I hope the final draft of the ebook fixes the issues I had with it. Several times I had to use the "Go to"function to get all the story.

Regrets. Reconciliation. Redemption. Realistic goals. Those seem to be the themes of this book. It was a bit unrealistic, though. I find it hard to believe a 15 year old girl would trust a total stranger in his 60s enough to go with him in his truck. Yes, it turns out for the better for both of them, but really?

Otherwise, it s a pleasant read. Gerritt, a retired farmer, and Rae, a 15 year old girl, meet in his barn late one night. She has been using the unused barn as a refuge from her stressful life. He is checking out the barn he built to use a a pony shed for his daughter, but got too busy running a dairy farm to get the pony for her. Their chance meeting seems far fetched, but plausible. They develop a friendship that grows over time. She "helps" him out of his shyness around young people, he helps her learn how to drive.

We also meet his wife and two adult children. He was too busy for them, so he doesn't know his own wife, even though they've been married for 35 years.

Rae is the daughter of a lawyer. Her parents have a "Plan" for her life that she has been diligently following, even though it means not being a typical teenager.

The story line doesn't drag, and though it has the feel of a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie, it isn't as predictable. There are times when it feels like parts don't fit, such as Gerritt's rivalry with his neighbor, George, but these episodes work into the story line eventually.

It's an easy read that doesn't have the typical sappiness of many Christian novels.

The Sowing Season is Katie Powner's debut novel. Clearly this is an author with lots of talent and insight to share with the world. The book is written in such a way as to inspire both empathy and frustration with the main characters. Poor choices are not considered acceptable, but readers are given a chance to hope and root for the characters.

Gerrit Laninga is described so well that one can't help but love and pity the man. Powner has such a way with words that every bit of bone weariness felt by Laninga oozes through the text, and the reader will feel wrapped up in his world of harbored bitterness and be pained by his lack of purpose. His experiences as he comes to understand different things about himself and his family are eye opening and lend themselves to introspection.

Katie Powner brings to life a great many trials that people endure and helps readers appreciate the complexities of the human condition. All this is done in a story with characters that really draw on the emotions of the reader. It is refreshing to read a story that is not solely focused upon romance and lost loves. This is a book that has some of those elements, but more importantly, it is an interesting story about interesting people with real problems. The only negative was that the book seemed to end a bit too abruptly. At least an epilogue or something would have been nice. Hopefully there will be a companion book that covers some of this.

The Sowing Season

This was an enjoyable coming of age meets grumpy old man story. I loved Rae and was rooting for her to find her way. Garrit was a lot harder to love. Some of his antics were a little over the top, but he had the most growth as a character. I also loved all the animal characters that were in the story. They added a lot of fun.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher for the purpose of review.

Expectations. Gerrit was expected to be a farmer and Rae is expected to be a lawyer. Gerrit spent is life as a farmer but at such a high cost. He is a grumpy old man now. But he sees what is happening to Rae as her parents press her with "The Plan". The book is well done. It is not a fast moving story but takes the time to tell us the entire story tho slowly revealed. I did not feel drawn to the characters but I did like the story line.

Gerrit is 63 years old. Most of those years have been spent working the farm. First it was his father's place, than he and his two brothers were supposed to run it. Luke the older brother died. The younger brother hardly ever worked. He was to busy gambling and drinking.
Gerrit has sold the farm. Now he's home alone with the dog, Daisy. His wife owns and runs a flower shop. So she's busy.
Once Gartit is home he realizes that while he was busy milking the cows and running the farm, his two children grew up. Now they've moved away. He hasn't seen them in two years. His wife is half way out the door, she's tired of being lonely.
While running the farm, he list his family.
With the help of a sixteen year old girl, maybe he can get them back.
Great read. Heartwarming a book about life, family and forgiveness.

The Sowing Season by Katie Powner was a welcome surprise and an enjoyable read.  May well be listed under Christian Fiction.  Heart warming to think that there is good in most people.  The charcters show that we all have different views and different ways of processing the same information.  The characters are all well developed and believable.  I did think that the daughters anger toward her farmer father was a little over the top. As an adult I believe she should have attained a little more compassion. Thanks to Net Galley and Bethany House publishers for the opportunity to read this great book.

Wow!! I really liked this book! I didn't know what to expect but whatever I did expect, this was different. I was curious to read it as the plot is unique for a Christian fiction book. I was surprised but in a good way!

It begins the story from the point of view of a 63 year old farmer who has just sold the farm he had worked on his entire life. The farm is all he's ever known and now it's gone. He feels lost without it.
The next point of view is a fifteen year old girl who is living under the pressure to be perfect. She's always followed "The Plan" to be a lawyer like her father... she's never questioned it until now. Burt what if changing the plan divides her family?

I loved the characters in this book, especially Rae. She's mature and level-headed for her age but doesn't always fit in because she's smart and is focused on strictly following the plan her parent's have for her. She struggles with what she's always planned on and the uncertainty she feels about her future now. I could definitely relate with her fear of driving. I've been there. Her friendliness and vivaciousness made her a really lovable character.
Gerrit was a complex character. You can't help but laugh at him and cringe for him with second-hand embarrassment. But you also can't help but sympathize and feel deeply for him. I've never read a book from an older man's point of view. It was interesting to say the least.
Watching these characters grow was amazing. I loved watching Rae deal with her fears and relationships while watching Gerrit deal with his bitterness and memories then seeing them come together as friends, helping each other without even realizing it. An unusual duo for sure, but a fun one.
I really liked the side-characters in this book as well. I found myself actually interested in their stories, especially Morgan. He was one of my favorite characters in the whole book. I wanted to know more about him, get more of his story from the moment he entered the story.
Hannie was also a great character. Her patience with Gerrit was touching.

The plot was unique and fun. It is a more character driven story which I liked because I loved the characters. But
there's some action too.

There was some really great messages in this story. Forgiveness, moving on from the past, our plans for ourselves vs God's plan for us. It was well and subtly done. I even found myself tearing up at one point which I wasn't expecting. There were some moments with Gerrit I couldn't help myself. He was chained by his guilt and his unwillingness to forgive I love a good story about redemption and character development and this was a pretty great one!

One of the many reasons I love reading is because it allows me to see from the perspective of someone else, someone who maybe see's things differently than me. It allows me to understand people in a way I never would have otherwise. I found this especially true with this story. I loved getting the point of views of two totally different ages.

In the end, I really, really enjoyed this story in a way I didn't expect. It was funny and fun to read for sure. The rooster, Daisy, the cooking shows, the neighbor war. But it was also meaningful, and touching. And since it's spans so many ages, I think anyone could enjoy it. Whether you're fifteen or sixty-three, I think you'll get something from this. :)
I found myself not wanting it to end because I was so invested in the characters stories. I'm still very curious about what happens to Rae next as well Morgan.
It was a fantastic debut novel and I'm really excited to see what this author writes in the future!

*I would like to thank the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC of this book in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own.

I loved the characters of Rae and Gerritt. They really jump off the page, and both are relatable. I really loved their relationship, and how they encouraged each other to be better people. A story about not only learning to improve and love yourself, but also learning that your actions affect other people. Great debut novel.

"After he's forced 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.

Fifteen-year-old Rae Walters has growing doubts and fears about The Plan--the detailed blueprint for high school that will help her follow in her lawyer father's footsteps. She's always been committed to The Plan, but now that the pressure to succeed is building, what was supposed to unite her family in purpose, may end up tearing it apart.

When their paths cross just as they each need a friend the most, Gerrit's and Rae's lives begin to change in unexpected ways. Can they discover together what really matters in life and learn it's never too late for a second chance?"

Thanks to NetGalley for the free ARC in exchange for my honest review.