This is a book about second chances, that sometimes the person you need the most, is right next door. I enjoyed this book about two loners, who thought they didn't need anyone, but in the end found they needed each other more than they thought. Whether it be a crazy woman battling the last stages of cancer, or a young business man who is trying to navigate the corporate world. Or a chicken who thinks she is a princess. This was a great story and I enjoyed the banter between the two, how they grew to depend and love each other.

Where the Blue Skies Begins is a story of approaching heartache, but also about forgiveness, growth and making amends when given the chance.

Eunice with her stubborn no nonsense attitude and physical and emotional challenges through what life threw at her made for an emotional reading journey. I enjoyed how her, and Eric’s paths crossed and how they made an impact on each other, Eunice more on Eric.

Eunice’s lesson to Eric, that you can only worry about settling things on your side (what you can control) was thought-provoking.

Eric was a difficult character to love at the start, but at the end there were a few scenes which will soften readers’ hearts towards him.

The twist at the end wasn’t totally expected, but looking back I probably should have expected something in that line.

If you enjoy Women’s fiction, you should add this book, and this author’s other books to your TBR.

This is my first Katie Power novel and it didn't take me long to engage in the stories of Eunice and Eric whose lives are thrown together in the small Montana town of Tukston.

Powner shows us her home state with all its vast sparseness. Where the Blue Sky really is a dominating presence for all its residents. It reminded me of some great Australian authors who almost use the vastness of the land like it's a character itself.

Eunice is mid-40s and has been struggling with bladder cancer for a little while. She lives alone in a small house with a big yard. Eric accidentally runs her off the road when he arrives in town for, what he hopes, will be a short term stay. Lo and behold he discovers he's staying next door to Eunice.

What develops is an unusual friendship. He the 32 year-old city slicker from Seattle with the good looks and confident personality. Eunice, the loner, is very direct and has little time for the niceties of social interaction. But she's on a mission and needs Eric's help. To his credit, he obliges and through their interactions, they both learn a little about the other and a little about life.

I enjoyed meeting Eunice. Her story is a sad one, but she has this gumption about her that I found charming and fascinating to read. Eric's character arc is strong which I enjoyed, even though I found him to be too cliched. A bit Hallmark for me. However, I must appreciate that the world is full of Eric's and Powner is simply engaging us with a character that is very true to life.

Eric is continually challenged by the small town ethos and involvement residents have in each other's lives. He blows into the town hoping to make a big difference to the profitability and growth projections of the family financial services business, only to learn that there is a lot more to what constitutes a successful business.

The supporting cast of local characters are delightfully eclectic. And then we have two characters who only appear on the phone or via text: Eric's father and his Uncle Jack. I enjoyed the connection Eric and Jack had. To his credit, Jack let Eric learn the ropes of life in a small town rather than telling him what to do.

Eric's estranged from his father and I thought that could have been explored further. Eric's resistance to reconciliation, while understandable, was a great learning opportunity for him which Powner chooses not to explore.

But it's Eunice who lingers in my mind. Her lovely relationship with God was great to read and even though life had been tough on her, she still lived with the hope 'where the blue sky begins.'

I feel fortunate to have received an early ebook copy of the novel from Bethany House via Net Galley. But this had no bearing on my review.

I thought this book was really good. I liked how as Eric helped Eunice ask for forgiveness, he learned that human relationships are more important than any amount of money. I like seeing Eric and Eunice grow and heal on their journey together. This was a very well told story.

I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, and or authors.  A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.

Katie does it again--such a good, powerful, emotional story.

Eric Larson is cocky, confident and completely a city boy. He is sent to a small town in Montana to help out Larson Financial or that is what he thinks. I think his uncle might have other plans for him. He plans to bulldoze his way in and make a big profit and breeze out to the tenth floor office he is hoping is waiting for him. But slowly, through his forced relationship with Eunice, his next-door neighbor, he learns that there is more to life than money and himself.

Eunice is dying, but has a grasp on life that Eric needs. She encourages Eric to not wait until it's too late, to make things right while there is still time--and she doesn't mean Eric's relationship to his dad first.

And Winnie? Who can not love her, this 80-year-old fiesty retired receptionist.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and am already looking forward to her next book due out later this year. I received this book from Bethany House via NetGalley and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Where the Blue Sky Begins is the newest novel by Katie Powner. Eric Larson has been sent to a very small town in Montana to work at Larson Financials by his Uncle Jack. First impressions aren't kind when he first gets there and the GPS can't even find his rental house. Eunice Parker has been run off the road by someone in town she doesn't know. When she finally walks home, she realizes it's her new neighbor. With hardly anytime left (she has been diagnosed with a terminal disease) & her scooter out of commission, she comes up with a plan for Eric to drive her to see a few people she has on a list to seek forgiveness. Eric doesn't realize exactly what's in store for him. There will be misadventures along the way, but there will also be redemption and friendship. Katie Powner has wrote a beautiful novel. It will stay with you long after you're finished. I cried and I laughed. I fell in love with Eric & Eunice has their friendship developed. I also fell in love with the very small town in Montana & all its town people. I hope you will pick up this beautiful poignant story that will bring so many smiles to your face, but also so many tears. I was given a book by the publishing house, but all opinions are my very own.

To the rural town came Eric, to work for his uncle in one of the branches of his financial company, for few months. Eric met his new neighbour Eunice by causing her accident. Eunice threatened him that she would sue him if he won't be helping her in her bucket list mission. Reluctantly he decided to help her, and slowly they started to know each other and also learn about themselves.
It is good book, with great characters and live lessons, about forgiveness and priorities in life

This was a powerful powerful book! I knew what was going to happen at the end but that didn't stop me from bawling my eyes out.

Expect an intense story with character growth all over the place.
Eric and Eunice meet in an unfortunate circumstance, but being neighbours, they find an understanding that grows into a sweet friendship. Eric helps Eunice speak to the people she has unfinished business with before cancer takes her.
There were aspects I really enjoyed, but for me, romance for Eric would have made the story even better. It was slow paced, and I found that I didn't care what was going on a lot of the time. I was most interested in Eric and his lifestyle while living in this tiny town.
The last bit of the book was so good though. It almost made it 4 stars for me.
I would recommend it if you don't like romance in your books, and if you appreciate a character reflecting on their life and making amends before it's too late. And an unlikely friendship.

Did I have a crush on Eric this whole book? Yes, I did.

Thank you to the publisher for the free review copy! All opinions in this review are honest.

“Faith is the certainty of things hoped for and the proof of things we’ve not yet seen.”
“She said that in heaven, the sky is bluer than we can imagine.”

What would you do if you were given a certain amount of time to live after being diagnosed with a terminal illness? Would you try completing a bucket list to write all the mistakes that you’ve made?

Eunice Parker is near the end and wants to make peace with those from her past in order to accept her terminal illness. In this process, she encounters, businessman, Eric Larson, and this unlikely pair will form a special bond after an accident brings them together. Eric comes to her small town for a promise of a promotion in a different location. He starts out rather brash because he’s not used to the small town life that he encounters. The eccentric Eunice brings him out of his shell and leads him on a special journey that will change him for the good. I really enjoyed Eunice’s quirky personality. I caught myself laughing a few times. I especially enjoyed the chicken, Cinderella.

Katie Powner, wow, you absolutely blew me away with this story. At first when I heard that this story was about loss and cancer I really wanted to read it because I lost my dad to cancer when I was seventeen and I can relate to it. But I didn’t know if I could read it when it came up for review without being really emotional. See I lost my older brother to colorectal cancer unexpectedly on 7/21/22. When my SIL called and said he was gone, I was shocked because I didn’t know that he was sick. It came on rather quickly and he told my SIL that he didn’t want to tell me or my younger brother until he had the results from his biopsy. But it was too late. I hadn’t seen him in a year because he lived three hours away. I kicked myself because I felt guilty for not keeping in touch sorta like Eunice in a way. And a month or so before he passed my spirit was telling me to call him to just catch up but I didn’t. I should’ve listened because your spirit is always right. I just wanna say that this book really touched me in a special way and I’m so blessed to have been an early reader for this book. I totally recommend it to those that are going through something similar. This book is full of hope, forgiveness, and faith. I’m thankful to the author for writing it. Someday I’ll see him again where the blue sky begins.

I received an advanced copy from Bethany House and NetGalley. I was under no obligation to leave a positive review. All opinions stated here are my own.

Eric Larson is a financial advisor from Seattle temporarily sent to Tukston, Montana to help work in the branch office. When he first arrives in this small town he meets eccentric Eunice Parker in an unexpected accident. These two form the most unlikely of friendships and they each learn a thing or two from each other along the way. As Eric gets to know Eunice and the rest of the town he is challenged to see others differently.

Where the Blue Sky Begins is a touching story that will pull at your heartstrings. The residents of Tukston are funny, warm, and endearing. Powner shows what it is like to live side by side in a community and accept help from others. We watch the characters wrestle with what it means to forgive others and love your neighbor as yourself. This story and its characters truly come alive with every page making it a hard book to put down.

This won’t be my last Katie Powner book. If you loved A Man Called Ove or The Brilliant Life of Eudora Honeysett you may enjoy Where the Blue Sky Begins.

As you read Where Blue Skies Begins, you may find yourself reaching towards the tissue box. Especially as you read about Eunice and her struggles facing a terminal illness. On the other hand you will experience satisfaction as you follow Eric’s transformation as he learns to think about the welfare of others instead of himself. But to give him credit, he is trying to adjust moving from a metro city to a hick town. Plus feeling he will only be here for a few weeks so he can’t wait to leave. Loved reading of the characters in this small town and the understanding of real problems that life has dealt each of them…..Thanks to the author and the publisher for a chance to read and review this book.

What a beautiful story, sad as well. Eunice and Eric meet under very sad circumstances. Will there be a romance between them in this short time. Heartwarming.

This book is such an interesting and emotional one. Eunice Parker and Eric Larson forge an unlikely and an unwanted relationship, at least as far as Eric is concerned.
My heart went out to Eunice, she became real to me and I shed a few tears while reading this memorable novel.

I received a copy from the publisher through Netgalley. Opinions are my own.

Didn't love this one but I don't regret reading it. It was worth the read. It was also a fast read I finished it in one day.

Oh. My. Goodness! There are so many words to express just how good Where The Blue Sky Begins by Katie Powner is. But of course, this is one review where I will struggle to get them all out. Here are a few — beautifully written and plotted, quirky characters you will love, a setting that feels like home, and a message that resonated deep in my heart. This general fiction offering is probably the best book I have read all year!

Eric Larson is sent by his uncle to a small Montana town to work in his company’s local financial services business. Eric, bless his heart, believes he has it all to make the office successful and to win his position on the 10th floor of the corporate headquarters. Eunice ( pronounced You-Niece and that’s important) is the next door neighbor who blackmails him into driving her to make peace with those she believes she has wronged. Eric believes he is doing the eccentric woman a favor, but Eunice is who helps shape him into the man he becomes by the book’s end. Along the way there’s a crazy chicken, some wise home health nurses, an octogenarian receptionist, some clients in need of financial help, and a thrift store owner that impart important lessons to both Eric and Eunice. This book made me laugh and laugh and then cry and then laugh again. Powner creates a wonderful balance between life’s joys, absurdities, and grief. It is wise and deeply moving. And I regretted turning the last page.

Where The Blue Sky Begins will be on my best of 2022 list, and will be on yours as well as soon as you read it. 😉 What are you waiting for?

Very Highly Recommended.

Audience: adults.

This book was an absolutely compelling journey! so buckle up for a fantastic ride. Eric was such a dynamic character, breezing into a little town he didn't want to be in any longer than he had to, but I feel like he learned so much along the way in a very short time. Through meeting Eunice and being obliged to chauffer her around (and go Eunice for that slick way of making that happen for you, girl!), he eventually came to terms with the value of every life, of every moment we get, and making peace with the mistakes we make along the way. I cannot begin to express the joy I got just from being in the company of Eric and Eunice, Max, Winnie, Uncle Jack, Benson, and the folks around Tukston. The quintessential small-town-come-to-life but the impact these folks leave is larger than life. This is not a love story, and yet it is, and I loved every word. I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher and was under no obligation to write a positive review.

This book is very thought provoking. It is serious with some witty humor sprinkled throughout. I really enjoyed reading this! The characters were deep and interesting. Set in the picturesque state of Montana, a story of an unlikely friendship takes place. Eric is spending the summer in Tukston hoping for a better position in the family business. Eunice is dying from a terminal illness and she's seeking forgiveness from people thar she'd hurt. As Eric accompanies Eunice on her quest, he starts to look inside himself and seek answers to some hard questions. " How did anyone ever know if they were on the right path or if they were meant for something else."

Where the Blue Sky Begins by Katie Powner really impacted me in such an emotional way ya’ll. 4.5 stars. I truly enjoyed my time with this book and will be picking up more by this author as it was my first read by her. I laughed, I cried – just an emotional rollercoaster with an incredible impact.

This book is centered about 2 characters – Eric Larson and Eunice Parker. Eric is 32 years old, and his Uncle Jack sends him to a small rural town in Montana to help with a branch of the family financial company during the summer. He is determined to do very well with this new challenge, but the moment he gets there, things aren’t exactly what he expected.

Then we have 46 year old, Eunice Parker. Eunice has come to terms with her terminal illness and given herself a goal to make a point to apologize to everyone on her “forgiveness bucket list” before she dies. She has cancer and very few months to live. She is going through all the emotions from the diagnosis, but in the end, she knows where she is going and talks to God often in this book about how she feels.

Eric is driving through the small town when he speeds by Eunice and knocks her off her scooter, her only transportation at that time, and breaks it. Eunice realizes Eric is her new neighbor and threatens him by saying “You ran me off the road, broke my scooter – I am calling the cops unless you drive me around to everyone on my list that I need to talk to.” The story takes off from here as Eunice and Eric form an unlikely friendship and each gain something from one another along their journey.

So I really enjoyed my time with this book ya’ll. It was so close to being a 5 star read for me but there were just a couple of things keeping it from being a 5 star. Either way, let’s get in to what I loved so much.

Eric starts off being this arrogant guy, has a flighty “relationship” back home and looks down on everything about this small town and his circumstances. Once he meets Eunice, everything changes. Her perspective on life – her illness – her life story – he realizes what matters most in life.

He really goes out of his way to help Eunice in every circumstance, and she becomes his best friend. It truly touched my heart, and I was CRYING at the end. And the reason this is called Where the blue sky begins…..WOW. JUST BEAUTIFUL.

My only complaint is I could have done without Tiffani’s parts and I wish we had more faith growth with Eric so that kept it from being a 5 star but it was just so good either way! It really impacted me and it makes you think about all the things we put off, harboring hard feelings, not forgiving others, letting things sit until its too late. My heart.

“In the end, it only matters where you stand with one person ---to get to the other side.”

Thank you to Baker Publishing and NetGalley for a copy to honestly read and review. I will post my review on Amazon and talk about this on my YouTube channel, BookLoverAmanda.

*Trigger Warnings – this book has (not a spoiler) with a character who has a terminal illness, cancer, and only has months to live.*

Where the Blue Sky Begins is a story of unlikely friendship and learning to value what really matters in life. I loved the small-town Montana setting much more than Eric did when he first showed up in Tukston! He wasn't an especially likable character at first, but he grew on me as the town and its charming residents grew on him. The growth shown in his life as he comes to care for Eunice is poignant and moving. Their friendship grows as he sees her at her worst and continues to help her complete her mission without expecting anything in return. Both Eric and Eunice will tug on your heartstrings and stick with you after the final page!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.