“It’s not about seeing the good right off. It’s about looking for the good, for the image of God in every person.”

This family saga packs a punch!

Set on the Wetherill Pickering’s Christmas Tree Farm and spanning fifty years beginning in 1940s in New Scrivelsby, Virginia, this story chronicles the intricacies of the Pickerings’ family life and the impact societal changes brought to their family dynamics. Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz claimed that ‘there’s no place like home’ and Cathy Gohlke shows us although this is true for those who can claim a family and home, there are those who’ve been fending for themselves, struggling without the support of a family or a place to feel loved and welcome. Her exploration of home and family made for a compelling read.

The strong matriarch in this family is a great aunt, 65-year-old Ginny Pickering Boyden. She’d been written out of her family’s will and life 50 years ago and was on the cusp of realizing her dreams for retirement when she received a letter about a family inheritance. She returns to Virginia with no expectations other than realizing that she’s considered the prodigal daughter who’d disappointed her entire family. Her plans included a quick sale and return to New Jersey. She didn’t plan on second chances and new beginnings.

I quickly became absorbed in the lives of the Pickering family and saw why Ginny referred to them as a family of prodigals. Gohlke’s rich storytelling made it easy to connect to her reimagining of the biblical story of the prodigal son. I appreciated the reminders that we are all at one time or another runaways from God, that we can’t change our past but we can change the trajectory of our future, that there’s danger in being judgemental, and that most of us are bent on grabbing our wants.

Arlo, Marley, and Cooper and their father, Mark, in addition to Bethany, Luke and Ginny nestled their way into my heart and I was sad to say goodbye. I was rooting for everyone in this family and hoping they broke free from the hurt and fear to receive the love and hope they were searching for. Gohlke adeptly used the canvas of this family saga to explore history and family dynamics, tying them tightly with threads of faith.

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

I just don't understand why and how people can be so mean even after death. Yes, I had sort of the same thing happened to me with my parents too so I can connect with this story.
I loved each and every one of the people in this story but my heart went out to mostly the children. Especially Arlo for being the oldest and trying to keep her siblings together.
I simply couldn't put this amazing family's story down. In this one, family's everything no matter how its put together. I really hated saying goodbye to them.
This is a story of love, healing and hope at the end of the tunnel.
I stayed up late last night to finish it. Y'all might want a box of tissues nearby.
I love this authors books but I think this one will be my favorite. Simply because its about family.I wanted to leave you all with a thought
“That’s true. God made it possible. He prepared the feast ahead of time—ahead of all of us. We just didn’t realize it. We only needed to walk through the door.”
5 stars for a beautiful love story of trying to keep family together even in the toughest of times and following where God may lead them.
I highly recommend!
My thanks for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine.

THIS PROMISED LAND by CATHY GOHLKE is a beautifully written story about the meaning of family, the importance ot belonging and working together. I particularly enjoy Ginny’s love of plants and flowers, and the way she teaches the children to collect and press interesting specimens. There is also a sense of making something beautiful out of something broken….
In 1992, at the age of sixty five, Ginny Dee Pickering Boyden is about to set off to the UK to pursue a lifelong dream, when she is shattered to find that she is the owner of her family’s debt-ridden Christmas Tree Farm. She finds that her deceased brother, Harold, lied to her, and that he promised his sons, Luke and Mark, equal shares in the farm as their inheritance…..
Upon arriving at her old home, with all its poignant memories, she finds some of the family members fit into the biblical story of the Prodigal Son, with Luke as the angry elder brother, Mark as the returning prodigal son, and herself as both the returning prodigal and the welcoming father!……..
The characters are wonderful, especially the children, in this emotional story of family relationships, second chances, unconditional love, and hope. There is a strong Christian message of God’s provision, of restoration and of overcoming evil with good…..
There is a grear deal more to the story but I am not going to tell you any more for fear of spoiling your read.
I cannot recommend this lovely and truly inspirational book highly enough.
I was given an ARC of the book by Tyndale House Publishers from NetGalley. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

Sweet, if predictable, story about a woman looking forward to fulfilling her dream of moving to England to garden after she retires. When she receives news that she's inherited her family's failing farm, she must deal with her two nephews and decide whether to try to save the farm or pursue her own goals at last.

Wow, what a delightful premise! You had me at Christmas tree farm, honestly! I'm thrilled that the execution lived up to the premise.

Gohlke is a wonderful writer who is not afraid to explore family secrets while maintaining a strong Christian worldview at the same time.

Bethany's story is compelling, and the author does a great job of weaving secrets throughout the narrative. The novel also paints a vivid and realistic picture of life on a Christmas tree farm. Ultimately this is an immensely enjoyable read about the importance of relationships.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance e-galley; all opinions in my review are 100% my own.

This story captured my heart and was a wonderful reminder of family and forgiveness. Living in community requires communication and compassion that is seen developing in the characters.

I loved this latest installment to Cathy Gohlke's books! Ginny such an interesting character to me, and I was curious and eager to read throughout the book. I can't put into words why I liked this book so much, which probably doesn't make the best review, but this book exceeded my expectations.

Mark, Arlo, Marley and Cooper were such an interesting family and I was desperate to know what would happen. Bethany and her story made me ache for her, and when I started to piece together bits of everyone's past, I really connected with the characters. I loved the Tree Farm dynamic and the family work ethic. I realized while reading this book that one of the reasons I love Cathy Gohlke is because her families are so close and they inspire me to put effort into the relationships around me.

All in all, this book was very well written and held me tight the whole way through.

I received a complimentary copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions express are my own.