"Do the Next Thing”

What an unusual book! The title was intriguing and I initially envisioned a light-hearted story about baking and surface-level topics. I couldn’t have been farther from the truth!

☕📚 The initial pages brought me right into the pain, heartache, and disappointment of our main character, twenty-six-year-old Nikki, and others that Nikki’s father affected with his bad choices.

WHAT’S THERE TO LOVE? The way faith was woven seamlessly throughout as the only “recipe” to overcome life’s disappointments and emotions that follow. The real German recipes and anecdotes were amazing too. Wes and Aunt Emma were wonderful characters. I want to be Aunt Emma when I grow up! I also enjoyed seeing contemporary realistic issues dealt with realistically - not instantly, but with grace and growth. Oh, and how romance wasn’t the focus.

CAUSE FOR PAUSE? It got a little slow just past the middle of the story and a few of the sayings (not the German ones) were odd. But other than that, I have no complaints.

CONSIDER READING IF… you want a clean, light romance with a modern storyline rooted in nostalgia - longing for and understanding those in the past, and characters that pull you in, while subtly nudging your heart to be open to more grace and more forgiveness for yourself, and the ones that will inevitably disappoint us in this world. Oh, and if you love older women that speak their minds and say very quotable things that stick with you. 😀

☕📚 Thanks to Revell, Baker Publishing, & NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review.

Following her parents' divorce and her father's remarriage only a month later, teacher Nikki spends her summer break at her late grandmother's farmhouse. There she finds her great-grandmother's journal full of recipes and spiritual thoughts. Making the recipes and reading the thoughts moves Nikki toward letting go of her anger. A sweet hopeful story.

Having read and loved, "The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip" last year, I was very excited to read this new novel by Sara Brunsvold. Contemporary Christian Fiction is not my usual go-to genre (I prefer Historical CF). For this reason, I believe, I wasn't immediately drawn into the story. I did, however, enjoy the words of wisdom and recipes from Nikki's grandmother's notebook. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.

When I saw the title of Sara Brunsvold's second novel, The Divine Proverb of Streusel, I knew I had to read it. The title immediately drew me in, much like The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip did. Even if you've never heard of Ms. Brunsvold before, the title alone is enough reason to read this book. Trust me. You won't be disappointed.

When Nikki Werner's father remarries, it sends her into a tailspin of emotions. Suddenly, she can't trust the man she believes she is going to marry. Obviously, she can't trust her father, who destroyed their family, and so she seeks solace at the one place that seemed peaceful—her uncle's farm in Missouri. As she tries to pick up pieces of her life, she discovers a cookbook passed down through the women in the family and embarks on a journey she never expected.

My favourite line really made me stop and think: "Do you think we should look at people in light of their actions or in light of what they have suffered?” After reading this book, your answer to that question will probably change.

Brunsvold's sweeping prose captivated me with her scenic descriptions and bold storytelling. Touching on subjects of divorce, forgiveness, and faith, the author has wrapped her story around food to make this a delectable book you will want to keep on hand in your kitchen. Why? Because all the recipes Nikki uses are in there, along with words of wisdom, you will want to read them again and again.

I can see just the recipes in this book (along with the words of wisdom, of course) as a cookbook. I can even see myself reading a chapter or two, cooking one of the recipes, and serving it to my family with a healthy dose of faith, prayer, and, of course, butter.

If you like reading life-changing books, you will enjoy The Divine Proverb of Streusel. I highly recommend it.

I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Revell through NetGalley for my honest review.

What a fantastic book of generational family dynamics! Each generation seems to pass on their struggles and their hurt that they think they are burying when they aren't dealing with it. The author shows how much better things can be when you grow and learn from things. Great read!

What a heartwarming story of brokenness and forgiveness, I loved it and thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. From the first line "The message left little reason to believe Nikki Werner still held significance in her dad's life" to the last line, The Divine Proverb of Streusel is a redemptive story of broken people navigating life and learning to love and forgive from the One who has loved and forgiven us. Beautiful realistic story and honest feelings combine with an unforgettable faith journey.

Nikki Werner is devastated by her dad's affair and the fact that he walked away from her mother, herself and her sister. She has an amazing friend and mentor, and their "gab and grace sessions" have sustained her in her first year of teaching. At the end of the school year, when Nikki learns of her dad's new marriage, she takes off for the family farm on the other side of the state, and takes a complete break for the summer from everything. "Family roots pulled on every human heart, no matter how broken." Her Uncle Wes lets her stay in the farmhouse and help with renovations. He cares about his brother and wants him to be happy and whole. He sees the same bitterness in his niece that he sees in his brother. I LOVE Aunt Emma, she is a hoot. She's the kind of aunt you want in your corner! She encourages Wes to speak the truth in his gentle way to Nikki. He prays for God to go first in this situation.

Nikki begins a search to know her Grandmother better, and many come forward with stories to tell her. "Your Grandma Werner had a saying she loved. She'd say 'Do the next thing.'" This becomes her new mantra. Nikki finds an old cookbook with wisdom and scripture sprinkled within. "The wise listen to those who have already learned and lived." She begins to make these recipes weekly and share them with others. Joyce is her sweet culinary partner and guide.

I highly recommend this beautiful story by Sara Brunsvold!

Thank you to the publisher and Net Galley for allowing me to read an early ecopy. All opinions are my own. I can't wait for my preordered copy to arrive for my keeper shelf!

This story kept me captivated from the very first word until the last. Sara Brunsvold is a master at character development and, more specifically, the weaving together of characters' lives and experiences. The relationships feel so incredibly real. Like her debut novel, the Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs Kip, I fell in love with the characters -= especially the "older" ones (in this case, Aunt Emma), though each of the characters - especially Nikki, Emma,, Wes, and Joyce - are complex, relatable, broken, and endearing.

Full of wisdom, hope, and grace, (and recipes!), this tale of faith, fear, and forgiveness, and the people who populate it, will stay in your mind for a long time. Highly recommended.

With her parent's divorce, her father quickly marrying again, and her mother being forced to sell the family home and move into a basement apartment, Nikki Werner is filled with bitterness. As a teacher starting Summer Break, she ditches her boyfriend, friends and all her problems, and just starts driving. She ends up at her grandmother's farm where she spent so many fun summers years ago. Grandma has passed, but Uncle Wes is there to offer support while Nikki tries to heal. Nikki offers to remodel grandma's farmhouse as a Summer project. While cleaning out, she discovers old hymnals and an old cookbook. It is filled with recipes and words of wisdom that Nikki needs to hear. She decides to cook one recipe a week and Uncle Wes encourages her to invite locals over to share in the food and fellowship. Over the course of one Summer, Uncle Wes and Aunt Emma gently guide Nikki to a place of healing and forgiveness.

I enjoyed reading The Divine Proverb of Streusel. It is a soft and gentle story of forgiveness. If anyone has experienced trauma and is struggling to accept it and forgive someone who has wronged them, perhaps this story might help them heal.

The Divine Proverb of Streusel will be one of my top three books this year. It is Sara Brunsvold second novel, and it makes me want more of her moving stories soon.
Nikki Werner finds herself finished with her first year of teaching feeling like all that she knew and loved was failing around her. Her dad remarries after a surprise from her mother, teaching is rough and while she is hesitant about building a life with her long-time boyfriend. To take a break from everything, she starts off on an aimless car trip and ends up at her father’s family’s farm. With a summer free she stays with her Uncle Wes and helps him clean out boxes and remodel the old farmhouse. Many treasures of old are discovered while cleaning. Nikki becomes the student that summer as she gains advice from her lineage of women in the wisdom they shared on their recipes. She learns that life was not any easier for any of them.
The Divine Proverb of Streusel is a book about forgiveness, treasuring family and second chances. I will be buying a paper copy of the book to have all the recipes that it shares!
I received a complimentary copy of the book thanks to Revell Publishing and NetGalley, but all opinions are my own.

Sara Brunsvold does not disappoint with her sophomore novel. This book takes a look at family roots and how past experiences shape current choices. The characters struggle with real issues, and there aren't any quick, easy answers. However, there are real recipes to be made. And if the author wants to write a follow-up featuring Aunt Emma, I would be delighted.

This is Christian fiction so expect prayer, church, bible verses, and discussions about faith.

Family friendly and highly recommended.

"Do you think we should look at people in light of their actions or in light of what they have suffered?”

Answer now and then revisit this question after reading Brunsvold’s book.

Let Sara Brunsvold show you how, when accompanied with prayer, each crumble of our lives, like that of a streusel, could fall into place as Great-Grandma Lena Schoenborn’s divine proverb of streusel predicted. She’ll also prompt you to enrich your understanding of the heritage you have - in every sense of the word.

Oh. My. Goodness.

To think that I set this book down several times with no intention of finishing it …. I would have missed such a special book; one that touched my heart and caused me to refocus.

Nikki Werner’s dad walked out on the family 4 months ago, forcing her mom to pack up and leave the home where she’d raised two daughters and lived for 29 years. Nikki’s anger and bitterness bubbled over into her personal life, causing her to retreat and stew in unforgiveness. After closing up her classroom for the summer, twenty-six-year-old Nikki heads to her grandparents’ farm in Eddner, Missouri. She hopes that being at the farmhouse where her grandma’s life was shaped, would give Nikki hope that hers could be too. Once she feels the connection to the women who’d labored in the small galley kitchen before her, she begins to heal. It all begins with finding Great Grandma Lena’s German cookbook. You’ll have to read to find out if the cookbook’s wisdom can encourage Nikki to reunite with her dad.

Nikki’s great-grandma’s recipes were assembled to teach her 13-year-old daughter, Ann (Nikki’s grandma), the practicals of life and remind her about her German heritage. Great-grandma Lena wanted to do what every parent wants to do - share the pieces of themselves that could help their child the most. Pages from this recipe book are interspersed throughout the story giving it structure and richness.

Topics covered:

✔️Anger ✔️bitterness ✔️noble role of marriage ✔️pressures of assimilation ✔️fostering empathy ✔️hearing love in our actions ✔️forgiveness ✔️loving the unlovable✔️healing past wounds ✔️and how to move forward

Great-Grandma’s guideposts that resonated with me:

✔️“Do the next thing.”
✔️“Consider what good you can bring to a place.”
✔️“You can either look at what you don’t have and learn, or you can look at what you do have and give thanks.”
✔️“Sometimes we have to look back to discern the way forward.”

Things I absolutely loved:

❤️the pages with the recipes, German wisdom, and relating scripture from Proverbs
❤️encouragement to live out the proverb of haschee
❤️Bruised apple wisdom
❤️Why we forgive
❤️challenges of midlife
❤️second chances
❤️intergenerational story featuring familial love between an uncle and his niece
❤️Letter between Nikki and her dad titled “What you should know”
❤️Gift from her dad
❤️chapter 34 and the crumb cake recipe

One of the important lessons was about moving forward. Nikki’s mom had to step forward into a reimagined future and Nikki had to step back into the past to connect with women who’d found a way through heartache and come out refined. Nikki realized that they’d uncovered secrets to which she sought answers as well and she was relying on their revelations. There’s so much of this we can apply to our own lives.

What a power-packed story! Don’t pass on this fantastic read, Christian fiction lovers. This new-to-me author will be on my radar now.

I was gifted this copy by Revell and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

I'm so thankful for authors and publishers still willing to put out fiction with strong faith messages woven all throughout the story. Nikki is completely unmoored after the divorce of her parents and abandonment by her father and miserable and bitter, ends up on her uncle's doorstep, looking for a place to belong and process. I loved the relationship between Nikki and her uncle, and his relationship with his aunt. So many relationships are woven together in this story, including even ancestors who have passed away; each one an opportunity to bless and learn, and each one an opportunity to push away and harm. Sometimes the characters get it right, and sometimes they don't. The author does a beautiful job setting the scene and sorting through all the layers of the different relationships. Although we wish that Nikki - and her uncle - would "wake up" a little sooner, the portrayal of the time and process it takes to come to places of understanding and forgiveness of one another is accurate.
The author doesn't miss the opportunity to be clear about what's missing in the equation and show the different ways that the love of our Father directs our choices and the steps we take.
Fans of Mrs. Kip and other thoughtful Christian women's fiction will find Divine Proverb just as well-crafted, filling an important niche on the Christian Fiction shelves.

I read an ARC provided by the publishers and NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions are my own.

A thought provoking contemporary story with its roots in the past. One that lingers long after finishing.
"Sometimes we have to look back to discern a way forward."
Nikki was a character in conflict with a family in upheaval. I liked how the author had her work through her stress, running away to a safe place, and reconnecting with her family's past to try to make sense of things. Loved how the small community embraced her and filled in the blanks of her grandma's story. Using the notebook of recipes to understand her family history was a lovely way to bring heritage into the story too.
"May God be your Rock the rest of your days, and butter be your joy."
Uncle Wes and Aunt Emma were my favorites. It was inspiring how they patiently encouraged Nikki and helped her forgive her dad. Forgiveness was a big theme here, especially in the light of faith. Restoring what is broken and "doing the next thing" also worked well in how to get beyond a huge hurt, and move forward.
There is a romance that develops through friendship, and another on hold, but it isn't the focus.
Readers who enjoy a character driven story with some faith elements and a hint of romance, will like this one. 4.5 stars

This book came to me at just the right time as our family is in the midst of repeated losses. I read this book within 24 hours but it may be one of the few books that I reread as I would love to glean more of the wisdom from it.



I loved this book because I felt like Grandma Ann could have been my grandma imparting so much Biblical wisdom to me. Uncle Wes was a phenomenal character as well. He knew when to speak to those around him and when to keep quiet. Aunt Emma was another person that I would love to have in my corner. Her ability to find the humor in situations and her zest for life was insatiable. Last but not least were Joyce and Nikki. Despite the hard times that both characters had they kept doing the next thing .



I loved how the author included soamy recipes and had Nikki fumbling her way through them as well. I look forward to using the wisdom before the recipe as I prepare these recipes and future recipes.



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

I loved Sara Brunsvold’s first book, The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip, so much that I jumped at the opportunity to read her newest book. The Divine Proverb of Streusel follows Nikki as she searches for healing after repeated losses in her personal life. If you love characters with depth, small town settings, or exploring difficult family dynamics—you’ll love this book!

Wow! What a powerful and an emotional book that I won't soon forget.
Main theme? Forgiveness. Oh my! One of the toughest things in life to ever do and what Nikki needs to learn to finally give herself some peace at long last.
My heart really went out to her but at the same time I've come to admire her too.
This story will make you want to cry scream laugh and love. Family means everything along with keeping the faith even in the hard times. Its what makes us stronger in the end.
I really enjoyed this novel.
This author is truly magnificent in her storytelling bringing the best and sometimes worst out in her characters.
A quote I liked from the story from Tracey to Nikki;
“Sounds like you have gained quite a bit,” “More than I could have seen, which is exactly what you said would happen, you future teller.”“More like a life liver or an experience haver. We usually do find the right information when we need it most.”
Isn't this the truth? I think it's God's timing actually. He always has a plan for each one of us. We only have to find that true path at the right time.
This story is a gem. It reminds us to hold on to the ones we love while we can because you never know where or when things will happen.
I also loved this book for the yummy food. It will make you drool while reading it. It did me!
I just wanted to say again that I've really enjoyed this story! It's a very moving one to be sure. I have felt Nikki's pain, joy and the will to love again. So very good!
Some wonderful recipes through this novel too yummy! I'll have to try them!
A fantastic read and I highly recommend!
5 stars for excellent writing and for keeping me engaged.
My thanks for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

This is a sweet and heartwarming novel perfect for readers looking for their next "clean" read.

I love the author's focus on family, healing, and forgiveness. The inclusion of lost family recipes is an added bonus sure to delight readers.

Nikki is dealing with a lot, and we are with her along the way and cheering for her. I loved the scenes where she is cleaning up the old farmhouse. I also admired how the community began to be more involved in her life and how she made new friends over time.

The value and impact of human connections make this a memorable story.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a complimentary e-galley; all opinions in this review are 100% my own.

Nikki Werner has just found out her father has remarried via her step-mother on social media. Just as she is trying to absorb the news her Dad has divorced her mom. This kind of rocks her world and she doesn’t know how to tell her boyfriend, Isaac who is confused by Nikki’s obvious omission. She doesn’t know if she loves Isaac or it’s just infatuation. She is angry and confused on how to react to this situation. So she goes to Eddner where her Uncle Wes lives and her father grew up.

Her uncle is welcoming, allowing her to stay for the summer while she helps out at the farm. Her father would like to see her for Father’s Day but she isn't interested in seeing him any time soon. There are some things that Nikki doesn’t know about her father that may help her to better understand who her father is and the decision he has made for better or worse.

She discovers old recipes of her grandmother and she starts making them, and in turn, learns of her German ancestry and her family that her father didn’t share with her.

I really enjoyed The Divine Proverb of Streusel and though it’s not like Sara Brunvold’s previous, The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip, it’s rich in the depth of the story and characters. She delved into the pain of divorce on adult children, and its aftermath but looked at that pain as being redeeming. Nikki learns about her grandmother whom she only saw during Christmases, and her Uncle Wes whom she didn’t know either. I really connected with this aspect of not knowing one side of your family because of the pain that one of your parents experienced with them. This was about what the value of family had and still has. It was about a daughter trying to understand her father and being able to verbalize the pain she felt because of his actions. It was also one of reconciling these hurts and receiving the healing she needed and wanted. Excellent!

My gratitude to Netgalley and Revell. All opinions expressed are mine and honest.

I adored this story. Family, food, and forgiveness is the perfect combination for a pleasant, fulfilling read. Brunsvold has a way of dipping into the heart of the characters and creating a deep connection between the characters and the reader. Adult daughter, Nikki, is navigating her way through her parent's divorce. With the help of an uncle she barely knows and a recipe book filled with wisdom and deliciousness, she discovers hope and forgiveness in ways she never thought she would. I loved all the characters, but I enjoyed the role Joyce plays in this beautifully written story the most. I received a free copy with no expectations. Opinions are my own.

Have you read The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip? If the answer is yes, then go ahead and grab this book because you will love it. If your answer is no--well, make sure you read it as soon as you can. Because The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip ranks in my top 5 best books ever read--I have been early awaiting this newest novel by Sara Brunsvold.

The Divine Proverb of Streusel captured me from the moment I read the title. It had everything I love in a novel--deep and real characters, faith lessons, and emotional moments where you forget you are just the reader of the story. Did I mention LOTS of recipes??! My mouth was watering as I read each new additional. And the message that accompanies each recipe in the story are worth almost more than the story itself. As someone who loves to cook and uses it as my love language to my family, I really connected with those recipe proverbs. In fact, after starting the book, I've cooked more in two days than I usually do in a month!

This book is an exploration on how we are supposed to handle situations when we've been DEEPLY hurt by someone who has no regrets and no apologies. How do we forgive someone who has done something that seems (or is) unforgiveable? When they want to just move on yet we are drowning in our emotional ocean? when they want a relationship, yet we are angry. When they are trying to pretend nothing happened, yet our world exploded.

This is what gets explored in this novel and it's done so so well. I fell in love with Aunt Emma. <3

I really really loved this quote by her:

***But Chris has made his bed. He'll need to sleep init awhile yet. Hard as it is, we need to let him. The good news is God's not afraid of an attitude. That divine whack will come in due course--to all the skulls that need it.***

So. Much Yes. I could fill this review with passages I highlighted...because so many spoke to me. And I actually did reflection after this book because I saw areas I myself need to work on. This book is 100% a faith journey and I highly recommend it for anyone wanting a meaty Christian Fiction.

5 Stars.

* I received this as an ARC from the publishers and NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions are 100% my own.