Searching For You by Jody Hedlund

About the book:

For years, Sophie Neumann has been running from the orphanages of 1850s New York City. Tasked with caring for two younger children, she's determined not to let them be taken from her, and not to abandon them the same way her older sisters did her. But times are growing desperate, and when she falls in with the wrong crowd and witnesses a crime, she realizes fleeing the state is her only option.

Disappearing with her two young charges into a group of orphans heading west by train, Sophie hopes to find safety and a happy life. But when the train stops in Illinois, she faces an agonizing decision as the orphans will be placed in new homes. Afraid she'll lose them forever, she finds help in a familiar face she never expected to see so far from New York.

Reinhold Weiss has finally purchased his own small farm in Illinois. With mounting debts, a harvest to bring in, and past scars that still haunt him, Reinhold is in no position to give his heart away . . . but can he say no when his long-lost friend shows up on a nearby farm pleading for his help?

My thoughts:

Searching For You is the final installment in Jody Hedlund's Orphan Train series. The novel can be read as a stand alone story, but I recommend reading the books in order as knowing all the backstory makes this final novel so vibrant. Of the prequel novella and three full-length novels, Searching For You is my favorite.

Once I started reading Searching For You, I didn't want to put it down. Sophie's short time as a Bowery Girl fascinated me. She was a unique character and the well-written prose made me feel her pain as life changed. Once Sophie and Reinhold met, there was instant attraction, plenty of tension, and sizzling romance. Both characters developed as Sophie and Reinhold wrestled with their own issues and searched for a happy future. In short, the novel captivated me from beginning to end.

Undergirding the character development and story line, there were nuggets of spiritual wisdom. Some were forthright statements from the lovable Euphemia. Other lessons slowly appeared as the characters struggled, learned, and made better choices. These spiritual themes enhanced the story and encouraged me personally.

I recommend Searching For You by Jody Hedlund to historical romance readers who are looking for a moving tale about faith, love, and family relationships.

Read an excerpt from Searching For You by Jody Hedlund on the publisher's website!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."