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.

I had heard a lot of good things from author friends about this debut novel, so I decided to give it a try. I am so glad I did! This poignant, heart-warming story drew me in and kept me attentive from beginning to end. The characters are well-crafted, memorable, and so realistic! The author’s clear, concise style; excellent storytelling skill; and vivid imagery allowed me to feel the emotions that the characters experienced—fear, frustration, guilt, failure, uncertainty. The steadily moving plot with its twists, turns, and surprises unfolds a beautiful narrative of friendship, forgiveness, and reconciliation with both light-hearted humor and heart-wrenching seriousness. The strong faith element delivers inspiring cross-generational life lessons. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it. I will definitely be watching for more books by Ms. Powner.

I received a copy of this book in e-book form from the publisher via netgalley but am under no obligation to write a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Sowing Season is a gentle story about a cantankerous, workaholic dairy farmer forced into retirement and his perfectionist neighbor girl as they try to find a livable path forward. Katie Powner manages to realistically tackle tough topics like abuse and revenge while still sparkling hope. If you like Susie Finkbeiner or Jan Karon, you might like this book.

What an amazing debut novel by author Katie Powner! I was immediately drawn into the story, the characters leap off the pages and I'm totally serious when I say that I'd love to read more about them! I think this was just the beginning and each one could have their own story. You know the saying to "Be kind, you never know what someone is going through"? Well, you could apply that to everyone we meet in The Sowing Season. I love that in some way each one learns the lesson: "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." And there is enough humor to balance the difficulties. I loved the two unlikely friends young and older, helping each other navigate these seasons in their lives!

Here are some of my favorite quotes or scenes:
1) "Sometimes it's the little things that make the biggest difference."
2) "Hannie's phone had all sorts of fancy buttons on the screen that could perform all sorts of wizardry, while he only used his for making calls. as far as he was concerned, that was what a phone was supposed to be for. Alexander Graham Bell would roll over in his grave if he could see the newfangled devices these days. Ha! "
3) I cracked up over Gerrit's excursion to Macy's
4) "He was a grown man. He could not-would not-allow a four-legged fur ball to dictate his decisions. "

I highly recommend The Sowing Season by author Katie Powner, and I look forward to her next story!

Thank you to Net Galley for letting me read an e-book copy of this beautiful story. All opinions are my own.

I received an ARC from Bethany House Publishers through NetGalley and this is my honest review. Rae was 15 and in high school and Gerrit was 63 and was forced to sell the family farm. Rae had been using his barn for refuge because she lived behind his farm but seems he was never home before he didn't know it.
After Gerrit retired, he didn't know what to do with himself. His wife had a suitcase by the front door and his 2 kids didn't want anything to do with him. Rae was feeling the pressure of the Plan, and all her parents expected of her.
As the friendship grows between the two, they begin to change. Most of us have gone down the wrong path once or twice, so I could relate to Garrit when he figured out he had been down the wrong path for a long time and wanted to correct it. The author does an amazing job writing about that, sometimes I could feel his pain so strong, others I laughed, but he and Rae helped each other along the way.
He told Rae to stay on the right path. The adventures of figuring things out were amazing. This was Katie Powner's debut novel and I hope she continues to write books because this had so much heart, feelings, and teenagers and retired people can teach each other so much.

Thanks to Bethany House for the free review copy. All opinions are my own.

This was such a unique story. I don't read about friendships that happen between teens and those in retirement years often, so I really liked that about this story. Rae and Gerrit both had things to teach each other even though there was such a vast age difference between them. This book is filled with so many emotions that the author wrote so well. I could feel Rae's anxiety about driving and the Plan. I walked in Gerrit's unforgiveness and stubbornness with him. I also appreciated how these issues plagued the characters throughout the whole book.
The author took her time in showing how the characters grew and changed throughout this story, and it felt so realistic. I also found myself laughing out loud during certain parts of this book, especially where Bernard was concerned - you'll just have to read it and see what I'm talking about.

The only thing I wish there was more of was some scenes towards the ending, especially the decision about The Plan that was made with her parents. With this taking up so much of the book, I was hoping that the reader would've been able to see this resolution in action.
This was a fantastic debut, and I can't wait to read more of her work.


The Sowing Season by.Katie Powwner is a much needed reminder of what we sow, we reap.
Yet God’s grace covers a multitude of sins when a dairy farmer retires and has to face the family he provided for, yet emotionally neglected for many years.
This is definitely thought provoking and an excellent book to read.

Powner had me laughing and crying in her debut contemporary novel. My kids were wondering what was so funny. I made my husband listen to my favorite lines and he couldn’t help but laugh with me.

The Sowing Season is a tale of redemption and forgiveness. Of family and restoration.

And of friends, on their own journey to healing, becoming like family.

This line was amongst my favorites:

Gerrit gripped the rail, staring down at the land at the bottom of the hill, wondering how one place could hold so much joy and pain.
– THE SOWING SEASON by Katie Powner

Joy and pain. This depicts The Sowing Season to a T. There was pain. But then there was so much laughter. It’s a deeply moving story with Katie’s quick wit to surprise you even in the serious moments. Pretty sure I laughed so hard I cried, and cried again in the sad parts, and again when beautiful reconciliation scenes moved me to more tears. Only a well written story can provoke this much emotion.

Katie brought her A game with her debut. She has an innate ability to bring her setting and characters to life on the page . . . the human ones and the animals too. Confession: while many will choose Bernard as their favorite animal in the book, I choose Daisy. Don’t hate me.

It's five stars from me! I can't wait to read more from Katie Powner.

This book was just what I needed today!

The story gave me some laughs and filled my heart with hope and love.

The characters of Gerrit and Rae are just perfect. Gerrit is a grumpy older fella and Rae is in high school feeling so much pressure. A great friendship forms in the midst of the storms of life.

Thanks so much to netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book. The opinions are my own

Gerrit Laninga was a curmudgeon. He didn't start out that way, he let life's circumstances and guilt take the joy and promise of tomorrow and mold him into a bitter man. When he retires from farming he finds he doesn't like who he has become. He is a stranger to his wife and his grown kids. It seems like a miracle is the only thing that is going to help him change. They don't always occur instantly, sometimes they happen over time.
Gerrit has a chance encounter with a young lady named Rae Walters. Somehow, she gets Gerrit to volunteer at an after school program. Through helping there, he gets to know some of the kids and he begins to let down his guard and begin to care.

I found the part of the book where he goes shopping to be extremely funny, while other parts of the story were sad as you see that Gerrit realizes he could have been a better husband, a better father. I was compelled to continue reading to see how the book would end. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and think you will enjoy it too. '

Thank you to Net Galley for providing me with a free copy of this book. I was not required to write this review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I will be highly recommending this book to friends! The Sowing Season is both thoughtful and playful. From grumpy Gerrit to conscientious Rae to faithful Daisy, the characters are memorable, and the unexpected roles they play in each other's lives make for an interesting and touching read. I appreciated the complexity of the relationships and the themes of hope and redemption. I recieved this book free from the publisher but was under no obligation to leave a review. I've shared my honest opinions. And I like this book so much I bought a copy to give away, too!

This is a one of a kind story!

I wasn't really sure what to expect from this debut author, but I picked up "The Sowing Season" because of the cover alone. Yes, I'm not sorry, but I judge a book by the cover. *ques shocked gasps* And, I don't regret it. I wasn't going to willingly read a book that focuses a lot on a girl who has a plan and is working towards college like Rae, only because it would annoy me and I wouldn't agree.

BUT! I am so glad I did, the main characters, Rae, and Gerrit are not your normal hero and heroine. No, they are quite different in a good way! I loved getting to see how they both grew and changed, and just learned from the past and others' mistakes.

I find myself very sad to have finished reading "The Sowing Season" and am looking forward to following Katie Powner to see what she comes up with after this thought-provokingly different book.

I voluntarily received and reviewed a complimentary e/copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

The humor kept me engaged as I turned the pages of one riped life and one young soul. It's hard to imagine this in a big city but in small town I can see how Gerrit and Rae could connect in this messy world. My hard aches for Gerrit who is now 'reaping' what he sowed or rather the lack of time he invested with his wife and children as they grew up. It's so easy to get caught up in this busy life but it's never to late to change our course of life and I love that Gerrit tries with the help of Rae who has her own real battles. I was sad to see it end.

With a debut like The Sowing Season, I absolutely cannot wait to see Katie Powner does next! She tells this unique story with the skills of a seasoned author, I never would have expected it was her first novel!

In this story, we meet Gerrit and Rae. Gerrit is a 63-year-old farmer who has just sold his family farm, and finds himself uncertain of his future. Rae is a 15-year-old girl whose life has been planned out for as long as she can remember- get perfect grades, graduate at the top of her class, attend Columbia and become a lawyer just like her father. But is The Plan what she really wants for her life? Despite their very different personalities and stages in life, they find themselves forming a rather unlikely friendship.

Not only is it a story about their friendship and their search to discover what they want... but it is also about their family relationships and healing as well. It was beautifully told in a way that is both dramatic and heartfelt... but also quite humorous as well. There is a delightfully mischievous rooster that keeps things lighthearted and fun. The great descriptions of Gerrit's awkward moments and Rae's questionable driving also added some humor and helped to make the characters all the more endearing too.

Overall, this was a great read with beautiful messages that fans of Christian fiction are sure to enjoy!

**I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for consideration. All thoughts are my own.

As I close this book, and lay it down, I’m left sitting here in awe and amazement. I’ll be honest, I only chose to read this book because I kept hearing glowing recommendations. The cover…well, it just didn’t really grab me. The book synopsis, though, did have appeal.
Anyway…I am SO glad I decided to read it. It’s a debut novel, but it really just blew me away. Katie Powner completely managed to capture some excellent character voices. A sixty something, slightly crusty old man, a fifteen year old girl, and their unlikely friendship.
I suppose one reason this story really gripped me is because of my own marriage. My hubby and I have been married almost twenty years. Once you’ve been married for a long time, you just really realize the ups and downs that are in every marriage. You’ve got to determine to be in it for the long haul, no matter what, or escape is likely inevitable.
Gerritt and his wife Hannie obviously have had some marriage issues. Lack of communication, almost no time together, and of course, there’s more. Gerritt is such a realistic, and completely relatable character. Even though I almost didn’t like him at the beginning, I really appreciated seeing things from his viewpoint, because it made me a lot more sympathetic to his side of the story. At times I just wanted to shake him! His character did make some impressive strides in growth throughout this story.
I also loved reading about farming. Not because I know so much about it, but because it is a career that is dear to my own hubby’s heart, and also because it’s not one that we hear much about anymore. Sadly, it seems to be a dying career. All the hardworking men that put in so many very hard and unappreciated hours of labor, just trying to eek out a living with farming. And yes, this still happens in America today. Something that is taken way too much for granted.
To summarize it all, this book is poignant and sad, yet offering hope in the midst of despair and darkness. In spite of the deep and gripping underlying sadness of this story, it ends with a ray of hope. And I just love that. The author weaves in bits and pieces of faith, and shows us how God really is there in the midst of hard times, if we just choose to look for Him.
This might not be a story that will appeal to younger readers, but I was really blessed and challenged by it. I’ve now added Katie Powner to my list of ‘must-read’ authors!
Disclaimer: I receive complimentary books from various sources, including, publishers, publicists, authors, and/or NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review, and have not received any compensation. The opinions shared here are my own entirely. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

This book was like breath of fresh air. I fell in love with Gerrit and was rooting for him the whole time. This is one of the few books I’ve read that made me smile and laugh out loud!! I sure hope they’ll be a sequel!!

The Sowing Season
A Novel
by Katie Powner
Bethany House
Bethany House Publishers
Christian
Pub Date 13 Oct 2020



I am reviewing a copy of The Sowing Season through Bethany House Publishers and Netgalley:







63-year-old Gerrit Laninga doesn't know what to do with himself, he has been forced to sell his family farm. The land he had sacrificed everything for including his health and his family and now he has nothing to show for all he sacrificed.





Rae Walters is fifteen years old and is having doubts about the plan, the detailed, which is the detailed blueprint for high-school that is to help her follow in her Father’s footprints. She has always wanted to follow 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.




Gerrit and Raes paths cross when they each need a friend the most. There lives begin to change in unexpected ways.



Will they discover together what really matters in life and learn that it is never to late for a second chance?




I give The Sowing Season by five out of five stars!



Happy Reading!

I loved this debut novel. It is the type of book that deserves to be savored. These characters were so real and relatable and felt like people I could truly know. Gerrit is this crusty old guy who counts his life by the dollars he has left to care for his wife, who loves deeply, but struggles so hard to show it...he had me laughing (and cringing for him) when his well-intention...lol and not so well intentioned attempts to right wrongs and injustices he saw in the world). Daisy the dog was just a gem, and Gerrit's growing relationship with him was so sweet. Rae and the fears and real and imagined pressures she faces was so easy to identify with. Loved watching the love, healing, and understanding unfold with the various characters

I could go on and on about the little things that I loved about this story, but it was such a tender, bittersweet story of finding your way back to love and learning what it is to cherish the things you have in life while you still have them. Don't miss it!

Powner has crafted a strong debut with this emotional, heartfelt story. The characters and what they go through are realistic and relatable. I enjoyed reading about the community program for teens.

Key themes of second chances, loneliness, forgiveness, and redemption will likely resonate with many readers. The faith element is woven throughout, but it's not overwhelming.