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forestidylls's review against another edition
4.0
My least favorite of the three, it was still a good book. I appreciated seeing Sophie's transformation from a girl to a woman, and beginning to place others above herself. I wasn't thrilled at the ending, though it was a happily ever after. Why on earth did her sisters have to apologize to her? She was the one who ran off. She is the one who should have returned to them and apologized. And after all Reinholdt did, he greets them coldly and tells them they shouldn't have come - after he told them to come? That part didn't ring true for me. He should have been encouraging Sophie to make up with them.
theavidreaderandbibliophile's review against another edition
4.0
Searching for You by Jody Hedlund takes readers back to 1859. Sophie Neumann is seventeen years old and has been dating Danny Sullivan, a gang leader in the Bowery. After witnessing a shooting between two rival gangs with her friend Anna, they decide it would be in their best interest to leave town. Sophie has been caring for two orphans, Olivia and Nicholas and she will not abandon them. They head to Children’s Aid Society which has an orphan train heading for Illinois in two days. Sophie is hoping to find a family willing to take her and the children. When the train reaches Mayfield, Sophie is faced with a difficult decision. Reinhold Weiss has purchased a farm near Mayfield and is working hard to have a successful harvest. He is surprised when he goes to the Duff farm and finds Sophie. Reinhold knows that Sophie’s sisters have been diligently searching for her, but Sophie does not wish to be found. As time passes, Reinhold finds himself falling for Sophie. Reinhold, though, does not feel it is the right time to fall in love. But then Sophie needs his assistance and Reinhold cannot refuses her request. Find out how Sophie and Reinhold’s story plays out in Searching for You.
Searching for You is the third book in Orphan Train series. I find it beneficial to have read the books in order. Sophie’s story is a little darker than that of her sister’s, but it suits the character. Sophie is trying so hard to make a home for Nicholas and Olivia. Her actions are driven by her love for them as well as the shame she feels. It is this shame that prevents Sophie from reuniting with her older sisters. I thought Searching for You was well-written and it captured my attention. I enjoyed the author’s writing. She has created solid characters that are real. Jody Hedlund provides descriptions, but she is not overly descriptive (we are not bogged down with unnecessary details). You can feel the emotions of the characters. I thought the time period was captured with the attitudes of the people, the clothing, conveyances, the homes, goods available and the descriptions of the towns. Orphan trains were not always welcome and, unfortunately, not every child ended up in a good home. Sophie is high-spirited and determined young woman with a big heart. Euphemia Duff is a delightful character. She is a warm, loving woman with a large family (would love a book with Euphemia’s story). I like that she took Sophie into her home and treated her like a daughter. Some of the Christian elements mentioned are forgiveness of others and oneself, praying to God, and the God loves us and guides us. The Orphan Train series has an ending that will delight readers.
Searching for You is the third book in Orphan Train series. I find it beneficial to have read the books in order. Sophie’s story is a little darker than that of her sister’s, but it suits the character. Sophie is trying so hard to make a home for Nicholas and Olivia. Her actions are driven by her love for them as well as the shame she feels. It is this shame that prevents Sophie from reuniting with her older sisters. I thought Searching for You was well-written and it captured my attention. I enjoyed the author’s writing. She has created solid characters that are real. Jody Hedlund provides descriptions, but she is not overly descriptive (we are not bogged down with unnecessary details). You can feel the emotions of the characters. I thought the time period was captured with the attitudes of the people, the clothing, conveyances, the homes, goods available and the descriptions of the towns. Orphan trains were not always welcome and, unfortunately, not every child ended up in a good home. Sophie is high-spirited and determined young woman with a big heart. Euphemia Duff is a delightful character. She is a warm, loving woman with a large family (would love a book with Euphemia’s story). I like that she took Sophie into her home and treated her like a daughter. Some of the Christian elements mentioned are forgiveness of others and oneself, praying to God, and the God loves us and guides us. The Orphan Train series has an ending that will delight readers.
austin7's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.75
bluebell4's review against another edition
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
kristi518's review against another edition
4.0
Seems like I've been waiting on this book forever. I love this series and couldn't wait to read Sophie's story. Jody Hedlund didn't disappoint as she prepared readers for a goodbye to these characters.
Sophie's story seemed to have a different tone to it than the other two books in the series. The opening scene in New York City to the interactions between Sophie and Reinhold made this book a bit unique from the other two in the series. However, Sophie has a different personality than her sisters so I think this really suited her and let the reader into who Sophie was compared to her sisters. My favorite character was Euphemia and I would love to read more about her so could we possibly get a series about the Duff family?
As always the author's writing is fantastic and she has the ability to draw you right into the story and make you feel as if you are part of it. I felt the heat beating down and the freezing rain pelting me right along with the characters. Her writing makes the books effortless to read. And as always, I'm a bit sad to be leaving these characters but excited to see what the author has for readers next. I'm sure her fans won't be disappointed.
I definitely recommend this book to fans of historical fiction. I also recommend reading the series in order so you have the complete story and won't feel lost. This book is one for the keeper shelves!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley and was not required to post a review. All opinions are mine.
Sophie's story seemed to have a different tone to it than the other two books in the series. The opening scene in New York City to the interactions between Sophie and Reinhold made this book a bit unique from the other two in the series. However, Sophie has a different personality than her sisters so I think this really suited her and let the reader into who Sophie was compared to her sisters. My favorite character was Euphemia and I would love to read more about her so could we possibly get a series about the Duff family?
As always the author's writing is fantastic and she has the ability to draw you right into the story and make you feel as if you are part of it. I felt the heat beating down and the freezing rain pelting me right along with the characters. Her writing makes the books effortless to read. And as always, I'm a bit sad to be leaving these characters but excited to see what the author has for readers next. I'm sure her fans won't be disappointed.
I definitely recommend this book to fans of historical fiction. I also recommend reading the series in order so you have the complete story and won't feel lost. This book is one for the keeper shelves!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley and was not required to post a review. All opinions are mine.
farmfreshlisa's review against another edition
4.0
And excellent conclusion to the series—but book 2 is still my favorite because of the ending.😭
yehoshualover's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
melissasbookshelf's review against another edition
4.0
Loved this third book in the Orphan Train series! Jody Hedlund knows how to write a good clean romance. In this book, we get Sophie's story. She is a headstrong, stubborn girl who witnesses a murder. To escape and keep the children she has become a mother to safe, she decides to join the orphan train going West. They end up in a small town where Reinhold whom we know from previous books is struggling to make a success of his farm. There is definite chemistry between the two, but both have things they are running away from.
This is a quick enjoyable read, especially when Sophie meets up with Reinhold. There are times I wanted to shake both Reinhold and Sophie, but the angst in the story just makes it that much better. Highly recommend this series.
This is a quick enjoyable read, especially when Sophie meets up with Reinhold. There are times I wanted to shake both Reinhold and Sophie, but the angst in the story just makes it that much better. Highly recommend this series.
kyliegh_reads's review against another edition
3.0
I want to preface this by saying that Jody Hedlund is one of my favorite authors. This series was just not for me. The self loathing in this book was over the top and got old fast. Sophie was selfish and never really grew up.
klbaughn's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
amazing plot. loveable characters. didn't want book to end. cute banter, and love story