I've read many books by this author, and I've always enjoyed them. This wasn't one of my favorites, but it was still an enjoyable book overall.

I haven't read a number of books set in Kansas, so I liked that. I also liked the fact that the story was told from multiple viewpoints (four, in fact). It helps the reader see the full picture. The pace was a bit slower than I generally prefer. The story is nicely detailed, and the characters are well developed and realistic. The dialogue, at times, felt a bit stiff and preachy. But, the reader is able to see how God is able to make beauty from the ashes.

have been reading this author’s books for a long time. She pulls on the heartstrings here with a story that shows God’s incredible love and care for Hus children.

My thanks to the publisher for a copy of this book via Net Galley.

Jace takes a job in Kansas as a youth minister. He took the job because his fiancé died in a car crash. Even though Jace is a youth minister, he has lost his faith. Lori and Kenzie work together at the quilt shop. Lori has an outgoing personality. She has issues with herself and food. Kenzie left the Amish community but still misses her family. I enjoyed the story but wished the ending was more. This book touches on faith, scriptures, and forgiveness. Bonus: Kenzie chocolate brownie recipe. Thank you to NetGalley and Waterbrook & Multnomah for the E-ARC. This is my own opinion.

This was a unique read set in an area (Kansas) I haven't read too much about. Told from four different viewpoints, it sometimes made for slower pacing than I would have liked, but I enjoyed getting to know the characters and could certainly relate to both the teens in the church and Lori. Sawyer captures small-town and church life vividly, accurately, and humorously in this novel.

I received an eARC from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I struggled to like this book. Part of it drew me in (a good storyline and plot, characters that make you interested in them), but there was something that weirded me out just a little. At times the characters felt a bit preachy, other times the language the characters used reminded me of my super conservative religious upbringing (calling people in the church Brother and Sister, greeting each other with a “holy hug,” etc). It is possible that the “culture” and context (thus audience?) of this book was meant to be very narrow, and if that’s the case, then the book is well done. If that was not the intent, then I fear that this book will only appeal to a narrow subset of people and/or will weird people out about Christianity and Christian culture in general. On the positive side, the author does touch on real-life issues and real concerns in the life of the Christian. However, much of the book felt too “pat” and some questions or side-plots the book created were never wrapped up.

I thoroughly enjoyed "From this Moment" from start to finish. Charming, everyday, down to earth characters flawed and sinners like every one of us yet still they sought to listen to and follow the Lord. They, like us, had doubts and struggles but our God was ever faithful to them through their struggles, fears, and misgivings. Life is not easy for anyone but if we hold hard and fast to the One who created us He will see us through. Merlin Kraft's wise words are gifts to us all to take to heart and remember on those days when we are in the clouds.

This story was so touching to me. It gave me so many things to think about in my own walk with the Lord. Plus I was so excited to find the recipe for the brownies, that made my mouth water throughout the book, at the end!

Jase is a young youth minister who had his plans made with his fiance until she is tragically killed in a car accident. He takes a new job in Kansas and is surrounded by people who care about him including Brother and Sister Kraft, Kenzie and Lori.

The story intertwines so much hope in the losses of life.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the arc. The opinions are my own.

From This Moment by Kim Vogel Sawyer

This book truly shows the readers “God’s ability to make beauty out of ashes”
The three main characters are Jase, Lori and Kenzie.

Jase is the new youth pastor at Beech Street Bible Fellowship Church in Kansas. He has just lost his fiancé Rachel in a deadly car accident and is very angry with God.

Lori works at the local fabric store and attends Beech Street Bible Fellowship Church.

Kenzie also works at the fabric store and attends the same church; she is best friends with Lori and left her Amish faith when she learned that Gods Grace can save her not all the rules the Amish follow

As we go deeper into the book, we learn about each character’s insecurities and ways that God will help them overcome

This book spoke right to my heart, so many of the characters insecurities are my insecurities and I think I went thru more then one box of tissues by the time I finished the book

Thank you, Kim, for a truly touching read. I Loved this book!!!
I would like to thank Net Galley and WaterBrook Publishers for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

This is the first book I have read by Kim Vogel Sawyer but it's for sure not the last! I have already two more books by her and can't get enough! This book was a little bit of a slow start for me, getting used to the pace of several different characters perspectives took some time, but once I got the flow of it I couldn't put it down! I even screenshotted a few parts of the bible verses and biblical truths to share in a devotional! This book had it all! Heart, romance, humor and the goodness of God.

From This Moment is a very charming story with strong individual characters and story arcs which are woven together really well.

The plot is a very interesting blend of perspectives from three main characters with very different backgrounds. The author gently and artfully manoeuvres their journeys in grief, love and friendship. I especially enjoyed Kenzie’s character. One element that seemed a little abrupt, however, is the romance between Lori and Jase. It is a little unconvincing - because although Lori obviously has a crush from Page 1, there aren’t enough ‘pivot’ moments indicating love is brewing for Jase as well.

This book gets a solid 4 stars from me. Thanks to WaterBrook & Multnomah and Ms. Sawyer for a complimentary copy via NetGalley. These opinions are mine.

This was my first book by Kim Vogel Sawyer and I can 100% guarantee it won’t be my last. I loved every part of this book! The characters are perfectly flawed in the best ways, the Gospel thread woven throughout the book was amazing, and the way these characters were connected was definitely a wonderful act of God. I highly recommend this read!

4 stars
From This Moment by Kim Vogel Sawyer
This is just a phenomenal book! This is the first book I have read by this author but it will not be the last! The book starts off a bit slow but, oh wow does it get good. Have a tissue or two handy because you will need them to finish this book.
The characters are so real, the plotline is solid and I truly hope this book is the first in a new series because I would love to read more about them.
I highly recommend this book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Jase Edgar has taken a position as a youth pastor in Kansas. Trying to make a new start after the tragic death of his fiance. Struggling with doubts about God, he questions whether he should be ministering to the youth.

Lori Fowler and Kenzie Stetler are friends. Lori's insecurities puts her always looking to food or people to fill the void that only God can fill. Kenzie was raised Amish, but rejected the life style when she learned that she could not earn her salvation. Only by accepting Jesus and the grace of God.
I found the story moved slow. This story was clean Christian fiction, learning to recover from loss and trust again. It is a gentle story of hope. Although not an Amish novel, those who enjoy Amish stories might find this one enjoyable.

Thank you NetGalley and publishers WaterBrook & Multnomah for providing an ecopy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Kim Vogel Sawyer has produced yet another riveting novel about Jesus's grace and God's great plan for our lives. As a Christian, I love reading edifying novels that truly relate the gospel to the truth of our lives, and Sawyer holds nothing back.

I loved each character in this novel in different ways. Even though I may not struggle with the same issues as Kenzie or Lori, I love that Sawyer was able to make their struggles with God relatable--and she ultimately demonstrated how faithful God is. I don't know how many times I've wondered if God was calling me to do something or how many times I've wondered if God truly could love me if he could let me go through such pain, but in the end, God reveals His majesty and Sawyer didn't let the reader down in this fictional (but all too real) tale.

The characters were a little dull at times, but their internal relationships with God really added the depth that was needed. I liked the plot, though it did drag a little at times when the story was moving too slow. However, the build-up and climax was everything that it should be and more. This won't be my favorite book by Sawyer, but it's definitely up there in the top five!

From This Moment by Kim Vogel Sawyer is a very enjoyable read. A book of friendship and faith that will pull you in and hold your interest until the very end. Thank you NetGalley and publishers WaterBrook & Multnomah for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was a sweet, nice story of recovering from loss, moving on and seeing real beauty. It was slow moving for me and was very 'religious'. I read a lot of Christian fiction but am not an Amish fiction fan. I think this felt like an Amish fiction story and would appeal to those who love that genre. It was a story that centered around the church.
Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this book. The opinions are entirely my own.

An insightful contemporary tale with characters from all walks of life.
Friendship, faith and a hint of romance round out this touching story told from four different perspectives. It effectively delivers a gospel message through people who have suffered loss and struggle with moving on, showing the power of honest prayer and resiliency of faith. Some of them are dealing with family issues and health problems.
I like how the author lets the reader in on what people are thinking, and how they overcome difficulties with the help of friends who care enough to step into their mess. It was a good reminder to not judge others, and remember that everyone struggles in some way to find acceptance and to be loved. It made me want to be a better listener and friend.
Recommend to readers who enjoy faith based fiction dealing with flawed people. 4.5 stars

I have read quite a few books by Kim Vogel Sawyer and I have loved every single one of them. One of the things I appreciate about her as an author, is that no two books are the same. She is a very creative and talented writer. I have read a lot of books and quite a few books from the Amish perspective. But, this is the first book that I can recall having ever read that has a character who was once Amish and now lives in the English world. It was really interesting to see how Kenzie was in the English world and how being raised in the Amish faith shaped her. It a lot of ways it also really flipped my perception of how the Amish are raised and their spiritual walk.
Jase was great. He was as real as we all should be. He knew he was doubting God, but he continued to show up and do what he was called to do. It was not easy and he truly struggled, but he set a great example of how questioning your faith can lead to the answers you seek. I also love that he was a success story of being raised in foster care.
Lori got on my nerves a little bit, especially when Jase first came to the church. She was crushing on him hard and making a small fool out of herself. On the other hand, you love her and relate to her in so many ways as well. She really does have a good heart and at times just let her insecurities get to her, and who hasn't done that before? We can also relate to looking to food or people to fill the void that only God can fill.
All three of these main characters had struggles, as did several other supporting characters that showed up frequently. The overarching theme to all these characters is that despite all the difficulties they faced, there is still hope. They can still depend on that God that sometimes seems silent. They can depend on Him when they are struggling with their identity, and with all the chaos going on, isn't that something that we can all relate to?? What a relevant book for such a time as this. (I can't decide between 4 or 5 stars, so we will go with 4.5, although I will mark it a 5).
Thank you to Waterbrook Press and Net Galley for the opportunity to read this incredible book. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.

I finished this one over the weekend and have mixed feelings. It wasn't as engaging as I had hoped - I wasn't drawn to any of the characters in particular. I did appreciate the premise of the story, but felt some issues were forced and others were rushed. In it all, however, is a sweet love story with threads of hope, redemption, and faith restored set in a friendly, welcoming church community amongst people who want to seek God's will even as they struggle with their own human frailties.

What I like best about Kim's books, She always weaves a thread of faith and hope through out her novels. Her latest book “From This Moment” was delightful. I related to so many things in the story. I found myself laughing one moment and crying the next. As always I fell in love with the characters in this book. If I believed in “Book Boyfriends,” Jase would be my newest one. LOL Loved this book and couldn't put it down. I received a copy of this book from Waterbrook Press through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.