I enjoyed reading this story so much. I pictured the setting and could see the old home Ms. Minerva lived in. I appreciated both the great description of the world in which she lived as well as the hardships she endured throughout her life. A realistic tale of keeping a promise made, but the turmoil it brought at times.

Recommend this book, for sure.

Disclaimer: I received a digital copy of this book through NetGalley from the publisher with no expectation in return. The comments above are my own honest thoughts about the book.

This is Where it Ends by Cindy K. Sproles ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

A Wife of 50 years makes a promise to her dying husband. Will she keep it? Would you? Would you ask someone to make a promise? This promise is causing lots over problems, not all good.
I want to grow up to be just like Minerva.

This was my first book from Cindy, definitely won't be my last. Hope you pre-order your copy Today or purchase after release day on June 27th. You will be glad you did.

I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley for my honest review.

In the end, this is a touching inter-generational story. Getting there was slow going, however. I felt the plot was more suited to a novella length. I admire Sproles adding enough character thought and repetitive memories and background material to make the novel the length it is.

The story takes place a century ago and Sproles has set the dialogue in deep vernacular, especially the main character, elderly Minerva. Even her thoughts are given in dialect but sometimes inconsistently. I am not very familiar with the dialect and was puzzled when Minerva thought about maters in one paragraph and then in the very next paragraph thought about going out to get some tomatoes. (1333/4175) Surely they weren't the same, then.

This is an interesting novel about growing old, maintaining secrets, exploring memories, enduring misunderstandings and having questionable experiences. It is also about change in character, most profoundly seen in the initially grouchy Minerva. I do wish there had been a more clearly presented faith message.

This is a novel for readers who like a narrative predominantly representing character ruminations. There is some suspense and a surprise villain. It is touching in its ultimate message of family solidarity.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

I enjoyed this book well enough to finish it, but can’t say I loved it.
To me it just seemed to go on longer than necessary.

I received this book from net galley in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.

This book deals with love, loss, acceptance of the things you cannot change, and courage to change the things you can. Still, I found myself barely tolerating the main character, Minerva. And about 60% in, I was longing for the book to end.

Many a chapter had me thinking with hope in my heart "this is where it ends", and whenever I turned the page I felt robbed.

I'm sure this book has it's audience. I was just not it.

I truly enjoyed this book. I guess it was because the main character reminded me of my mother-in-law. Minerva is 94 years old and lives in the mountains of Kentucky. My mother-in-law is 99 and lives in Alabama. But, that's where the similarities end. You will learn to love Minerva and her rough/tough ways.

Minerva is well-developed and easy to like. The other characters not so much except Del, he is fairly well developed. The story flows well and is easy to follow and understand. It is not a slow start and I was captivated right off. It is part a story of Minerva's life and part a mystery.

The genre is Christian fiction. I, personally, would not call it Christian in the normal sense. Yes, her faith is mentioned but mostly near the end of the book. It is definitely a clean story.

The biggest problem I had with the book, and again, it's my personal preference, was the way many of the words were written. For example, if the word was working it would be written workin instead of the more grammatically correct form of workin'. It's small and probably just me.

I give this book my rare 5-star review. I would definitely recommend this book. I was gifted this book through Netgalley via Revell Reads program. I am not required to leave a positive review and all thoughts are my own.

This novel was so good, and unlike others. It had mystery, secrets, laughter, wisdom and a good reminder that we cannot change or live by others actions. This novel follows a nonagenarian who has held her husbands promise and secret since the day he made her promise and that was decades ago. She has learned to survive and has gotten quite comfortable being alone up on the mountain, where her and her husband had made their life. He prepared her to be on her own and things have gone well until a reporter shows up and integrates himself into her life and the homestead she has created. Bound to prove he is only there to uncover a story and not anything else, he works on proving himself with fixing things up around there and not pushing for information when Minerva has had enough talking. As she learns to start trusting Del, she gets the itch to share her husbands secret, but little does she know Del has a secret of his own, and when another unexpected guest shows up things are not what they seem and Minerva once again has to question her promise to her husband and if it is worth keeping it to her grave. Such a great read! I loved Minerva's character and felt like I held my breath through the whole novel wanting to uncover this promise that was made. Thank you to the author and publisher for the free novel and allowing me to be a part of the launch team. I look forward to more of her novels. This review is of my own opinion and accord.

This is the second book I’ve read by Cindy K. Sproles now, and I’m not planning to let it be my last! What a good story! When I first got into this story, I remember wondering briefly, “How is it possible to make an entire book out of this?” I soon forgot that question, though, as I got to know sweet, feisty Miss Minerva, and loving, determined Delano. I’m not sure I’ve ever read a book with a main character who was 94, but I sure hope this won’t be the last—I adored the one in here, anyway!

This book oozes the love and spirit of the place and people of the Appalachian mountains—or, at least, what I imagine it is like there. It’s beautiful. Sproles took us into Minerva’s life and heart, and even now, several weeks after finishing the book, I’m having trouble categorizing the story in my mind. It’s deep, difficult, beautiful, sad, and ultimately heartwarming. If you enjoy redemptive stories about family, friendship, hope, and love, this could be an excellent choice for you. Don’t expect it to be fast-paced or exciting (although it has some of that, too)—this is the unveiling of a mountain woman’s heart and life. Occasionally slow, often steady and strong as the nature around her, this story reminded me of achingly beautiful poetry. It was a delight to read, I got through it way too fast, and I’m looking forward to whatever Sproles comes out with next.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book, and this is my honest opinion of it.

I enjoyed getting to know Minerva and Del and watching their relationship blossom. I wish I could sit on the front porch with Minerva and hear her stories!

That said, I found this book to be a sluggish read. By the time I was 2/3 done, I started skimming paragraphs to get to the end. This is a book that is meant to be read slowly as it's emotionally driven, but after a while I felt that some scenes were too redundant.

I was offered a free copy of this book by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I was excited to have the opportunity to be on the launch team for This is Where it Ends by Cindy K. Sproles. Though the author is a new-to-me author and the book isn’t my usual genre, the book sounded intriguing.

An elderly lady, Minerva Jane Jenkins, nearing the end of her life is living alone on a mountain in Kentucky in the early 1900’s. She had promised her husband that she would keep his secret when he passed away thirty years earlier. She’d kept the promise all these years, and then suddenly her life is invaded by a newspaper reporter, Del Rankin, who heard tales of stolen gold. She is determined to keep her promise to her dead husband, though she then wonders whether or not there really is gold. As she nears the end of her lonely life, she begins to get to know this young man who she isn’t sure she can really trust. Is he there for the story or the gold? Will she remain determined to keep this secret or will she decide it’s better to share what she knows, though she isn’t even sure exactly what she does know?

I loved getting to know Minerva and Del, along with Satchel who is Minerva’s dog and has been her companion on the lonely mountain for years. We learn more about Minerva’s past through her memories and things she tells Del (and what she doesn’t tell him). It was sweet to see their relationship evolve.

I admit I did start wondering what would be worse, breaking a promise to share what one knows or constantly lying and deceiving to keep a promise one is not sure one should have made in the first place.

I was drawn into the story right away, though I did wonder how much I would enjoy reading about this old woman living alone on a mountain. But the book kept my attention, especially when Del joined Minerva on the mountain. The interactions between the two were realistic and heartfelt, though they could be frustrating at times, but there was quite a bit of humor too. Plus God’s truths were shared and Minerva’s faith was real, along with the struggles and questions. She imparted wisdom in a quirky old-lady type of way. I also loved that intrigue and danger were brought into the story when it appeared that there might just be someone else trying to find the supposed gold.

What an amazing story. Be prepared though, you might just need to have those tissues handy. Definitely a book I highly recommend.

I was hoping to like this one more, and it was an interesting read and unique story concept. I just didn't connect with the story and characters as I would have liked...

I enjoyed the setting of this story, with it being in the mountains of Kentucky. The main character is a spunky, 90+ year old who has held on to the secret of her husband's, which has lead to years of loneliness. I love how things come together when a journalist stumbles into her life.

A Heartwarming Tale of Love, Loyalty, and Faith

<I>This is Where it Ends</i> is the story of 94-year-old Minerva Jane Jenkins and is set in the mountains of Kentucky in 1902. There are so many wonderful things I can say about this book and it’s hard to know where to begin.

Told in first-person from Minerva’s point of view, the story begins thirty years earlier when Minerva’s husband, Stately Jenkins dies. Before drawing his last breath, Stately makes her promise to keep a secret involving a box that many believe contains gold. In 1902, Minerva is an old woman, having outlived her husband by decades. When a young reporter, Delano Rankin, shows up at the mountain cabin Minerva calls home, he questions her about the supposed gold.

Skeptical at first, Minerva and Del form an unlikely friendship. She agrees for him to stay on the mountain for a few weeks. While Del questions her about the gold, she never breaks her promise to Stately. As Minerva uncovers answers that Stately was hiding things from her, her emotions run the gamut. Minerva is full of juice and vinegar. I really liked her character as well as Del’s.

The author’s descriptions of the setting are wonderful. I could picture the mountain, the river, the sunset, the vegetation (including the offending kudzu, and the fragrance of wisteria and honeysuckle. There is also a loyal old hound, Satchel. Whenever a devoted animal is part of a story, that’s a plus for me.

As Minerva’s life draws to a close, she reflects on her life on the mountain and recalls words of wisdom from both her father and mother. This is a story of faith, love, and forgiveness.

There are times when Minerva repeats herself, but that doesn’t make the story boring. This is a book you want to savor. You’ll laugh, and at times tears will come to your eyes. It’s my first time reading anything by this author, but it won’t be my last. A solid five stars from me.

Thanks to Revell and Net Galley for an advanced reader copy.

Once in a while there comes a book that is so beautifully written that I find pure joy in it. I want to read it out loud to someone that I know will appreciate the wit, the 'realness', the words themselves and the vision they give. This is the first book written by Cindy K. Sprole that I've read and I'm an instant fan. I received my advanced reader's copy from Greenleaf Book Group through NetGalley. This is my unsolicited opinion. I love this book and its characters.
When I started reading the thoughts and words of 94-year-old Minerva Jane Jenkins I was immediately caught up in her world. She is experiencing the sudden loss of her husband, Stately, who puts a tremendous burden on her shoulders when he makes her promise to keep his decades old secret. The secret and rumors around its possibilities bring strangers to her mountain and threats to her door.
Del is one of the strangers. He knows about the rumors. The treasure that may be on the mountain. He has secrets too.
I love Minerva, her quirks, her crankiness and the descriptions of life as a 94-year-old. I knew when I started to get to know her, she would make me cry. And she did.

First of all, can we talk about this gorgeous cover? I love it so much.

In addition to the cover, the premise really drew me in. As a native Appalachian, I appreciate good storytelling with this flavor, and Sproles is up to the task. Minerva is immediately engaging as she struggles with the loss of her husband of many years. It's intriguing when he asks her to keep his secret. Who can resist a story about gold? Things really pick up when a reporter starts asking questions...

This is a beautifully-written story with wise themes of love and forgiveness.

I look forward to more from this author.

Received complimentary copy from the publisher; all opinions are my own.

Minerva Jane Jenkins has spent her entire married life in the mountains of Kentucky, surviving but not thriving. Her husband Stately made her promise him to keep a secret and in keeping that secret, she has isolated herself from the rest of the world. Then a young reporter named Del Rankin comes along and turns her safe shelter upside down with his revelations about the past and his hope for her future. This is a book that left me emotionally drained as I identified with poor Minerva and her profound faith and determination to keep a promise no matter the cost to herself. The characters are fascinating and richly developed, with authentic dialogue from Appalachia and authentic details about survival there. This is a well-crafted story with multiple layers and a thought-provoking look at accepting and forgiving others. I really enjoyed the southern flavor of this tale and the down-home goodness of Minerva even when she was sorely wronged. As she is approaching what she knows will be the end of her days, she continues to keep her promise to her husband but she also finds a love that she never realized she had missed so much. The story is captivating, original and gut-wrenching at times as Minerva faces the truth of her past and grasps a future that is all too short because of her advanced age. I enjoyed the feel of community when the people rallied around her and I really liked the character of Del and what a dynamic person he was. He came for one purpose and stayed for another higher one, making him remarkable and believably lovable. I also liked the homestead itself that became like a character on its own, with its broken doors and kudzu vines that took over part of Minerva’s land. Finally, I liked getting to know the heart of Minerva and what made her keep a promise for so many years, how much she loved her dog Satchel and how much love she had to give to others. This story of redemption and hope is filled with inspiration and is an eye-opening look at how the elderly should be revered and cared for.
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. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

I received this book as an ARC with no expectation of a positive review. This story is about a Minerva Jane Jenkins. Minerva married Stately Jenkins when she was fourteen years old. Right after they were married, he moved her from her home in Lexington, KY to the mountains away from her family and her friends. After Stately died, Minerva lived on the mountain alone for forty years. During that time, she is plagued with questions about her life with Stately and a box of gold that belonged to Stately. He made her promise as he was dying that she would keep his secret. One day, Del Rankin shows up at her home. He came asking questions. This is a story of discovery. What is a secret worth? How long do you keep a secret? Is a person's word what makes a person's character. I really enjoyed this story. This is the first book of Ms. Sproles that I have read. I am sure it will not be my last.

My husband and I recently moved to the mountains of East Tennessee and have grown to love good Appalachian storytelling. Cindy Sproles does not disappoint with this tale of 94 year old, Minerva Jane Jenkins. Miss Minerva captured my heart on the first few pages as her husband of 50 years passes away in her arms. Instead of telling her how much he loved her, Stately Jenkins insists Minerva promise to keep his secret—a box he tells her contains gold. Thirty years pass and she holds on to that secret as she lives alone on the mountain. But when a young reporter arrives asking questions . . . everything changes.
This is Where it Ends is a beautifully written story of betrayal and brokenness but also of unexpected love and forgiveness. Without a doubt, readers will find gold in these pages.
I received a digital copy from the publisher with no expectation in return. The thoughts expressed above are my own.

A thoughtful, sad read. This slow moving tale of Minerva and her promise to her husband is beautifully written. Del's love and care for Minerva was touching as he sought out the truth about the box of gold. Loved Minerva's spunky personality and her ongoing dialogue with the Lord. The story was a little drawn out at times for me.

I truly did not want this story to end. This is one of the best stories I have ever read. Although I do not have family in the Appalachia area, many scenes made me think of my North Carolina "kin". The descriptions of people, places, actions, and emotions drew me in and kept me there. I cried, I laughed, I mourned. This is a book I will read again. Author Cindy K Sproles has touched the heart of this reader. I received a complimentary copy of the book from the publisher. No review was required.