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annag77's review
2.0
2-2.5 Stars.
I had a really hard time liking Sophie. She could be so manipulative and self centered. I actually found myself wanting to know more of Anna’s story.
Overall I liked the series and will try reading another of the author’s books!
I had a really hard time liking Sophie. She could be so manipulative and self centered. I actually found myself wanting to know more of Anna’s story.
Spoiler
especially with how the whole marriage went down. It never occurred to Sophie that Reinholdt wouldn’t want to marry her. Oh no. He naturally wanted to take on Olivia and Nicholas even though he was barely making it himself. And if Reinholdt didn’t like it...well, she’d just leave! Reinholdt was my favorite character in this series. I just wish we’d have seen more of a relationship form with his brother. Usually he just treated Jakob like his employee.Overall I liked the series and will try reading another of the author’s books!
livefrommylibrary's review against another edition
4.0
Even though I thoroughly enjoyed books 1 & 2, I found myself hesitant to start #3. I'm not sure what it is that I didn't expect to connect with Sophie. But I did. I loved the friends and community that surrounded her in this story. Her determined, independent spirit may have presented challenges, but it also made for a wonderful, heart-warming story. Mrs. Duff is a treasure. I would love to see her pop up again in another story, though I'm not holding my breath. This was a great conclusion to the series, even as it does leave me curious about what the future holds for some members of this little community.
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.
sincerelylatisha's review against another edition
4.0
This is the 3rd book in Hedlund's Orphan Train series and I enjoyed finding out what happens to everyone.
I loved many parts of the book and the sacrifices the main character was willing to go to in order cling to the children she loves.
My two biggest issues were:
1. Repetitive phrases. I lost count of how many times we were told Sophie was no longer a child, but now had a "womanly figure". There were many other repeated phrases that seemed a bit excessive.
2. The sexual tension and make out sessions between the characters was a bit much for a Christian fiction book IMHO.
Otherwise, the storyline was great and a nice wrap-up to the series.
I loved many parts of the book and the sacrifices the main character was willing to go to in order cling to the children she loves.
My two biggest issues were:
1. Repetitive phrases. I lost count of how many times we were told Sophie was no longer a child, but now had a "womanly figure". There were many other repeated phrases that seemed a bit excessive.
2. The sexual tension and make out sessions between the characters was a bit much for a Christian fiction book IMHO.
Otherwise, the storyline was great and a nice wrap-up to the series.
lmbartelt's review against another edition
5.0
This was my favorite of the three books in this series. Sophie's chance at a redeemed life is a literal page-turner and I loved all the secondary characters in the story.
I read an advance copy of the book compliments of the publisher. Review reflects my honest opinion.
I read an advance copy of the book compliments of the publisher. Review reflects my honest opinion.
brittsbooknook's review against another edition
5.0
Loved this series! This was by far my favorite book of the series.
booksaprilreads's review against another edition
5.0
Searching For You is the third and final book in Jody Hedlund’s Orphan Train series. In this final installation, we learn more about Sophie Neumann’s story. We also find out whether or not Sophie is reunited with her sisters Elise and Marianne.
The story begins in New York with Sophie involved with a gang member and still caring for Olivia and Nicholas. For those not familiar with the series, Olivia and Nicholas are two orphans that the Neumann sisters began caring for in book one. Sophie and her friend Anna are witnesses to a crime and must leave the area. They decide to take advantage of the orphan placement program through the Children’s Aid Society, and find themselves in Illinois.
Sophie, Anna, Olivia and Nicholas end up with different families, and Sophie begins the process of trying to reunite Olivia and Nicolas with her, regardless of the danger or personal cost. Along the way, she and Anna are also reunited. We watch Sophie grow in so many ways and learn all of the ways she had to grow up faster than any child should in order to survive with two little ones in tow.
The twists and turns in this story were unexpected to an extent and yet I must applaud Ms. Hedlund for a job well done. I imagine weaving history and fiction is not an easy thing to do, and showing less pleasant sides to situations must pose even more challenges. Ms. Hedlund did all of the above and concluded this series in such a heartfelt way that she has yet again made it so hard for me to pick a favorite series or book by her. This book could be read by itself, but I truly feel that to appreciate it and all of the story lines that are concluded, reading the series in order is the best way to go about reading any of them. I was sad to have to say goodbye to these characters, but cannot wait to see what journey Ms. Hedlund takes her readers on next.
The story begins in New York with Sophie involved with a gang member and still caring for Olivia and Nicholas. For those not familiar with the series, Olivia and Nicholas are two orphans that the Neumann sisters began caring for in book one. Sophie and her friend Anna are witnesses to a crime and must leave the area. They decide to take advantage of the orphan placement program through the Children’s Aid Society, and find themselves in Illinois.
Sophie, Anna, Olivia and Nicholas end up with different families, and Sophie begins the process of trying to reunite Olivia and Nicolas with her, regardless of the danger or personal cost. Along the way, she and Anna are also reunited. We watch Sophie grow in so many ways and learn all of the ways she had to grow up faster than any child should in order to survive with two little ones in tow.
The twists and turns in this story were unexpected to an extent and yet I must applaud Ms. Hedlund for a job well done. I imagine weaving history and fiction is not an easy thing to do, and showing less pleasant sides to situations must pose even more challenges. Ms. Hedlund did all of the above and concluded this series in such a heartfelt way that she has yet again made it so hard for me to pick a favorite series or book by her. This book could be read by itself, but I truly feel that to appreciate it and all of the story lines that are concluded, reading the series in order is the best way to go about reading any of them. I was sad to have to say goodbye to these characters, but cannot wait to see what journey Ms. Hedlund takes her readers on next.
lilac_cottage_library's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
cctblog's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book (and series) so much! While I was curious about what happened to Sophie Neumann, what I really wanted was for Reinhold Weiss to find love ... and he did!
Sophie, though just 18, is the only mother Nicholas and Olivia have ever known. When she and her friend Anna are caught up in a gang fight that turns fatal, Sophie realizes she needs to flee New York ... and the only solution she can think of is to join an Orphan Train. They end up in a small Illinois town, and that town also happens to be the adopted home of Reinhold Weiss, a man Sophie knew as a young girl.
Sophie is horribly ashamed of what she did to provide for Nicholas and Olivia prior to fleeing the city. Reinhold is terrified of becoming an angry bully like his father. Yet they form a tentative partnership in an effort to save Nicholas and Olivia, and as they spend time together, they begin to fall in love.
Of the three Neumann sisters, Sophie started out as my least favorite, but her love story is the one I enjoyed the most. I also appreciated this look at the darker side of the Orphan Trains: some of the characters ended up in abusive situations; not every family was as good as the one that took Sophie in.
The book ends with a glimpse into both Elise and Marianne's lives; it's a great wrap-up to the series!
Disclosure of material connection: I received this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review, and the opinions expressed are my own.
Sophie, though just 18, is the only mother Nicholas and Olivia have ever known. When she and her friend Anna are caught up in a gang fight that turns fatal, Sophie realizes she needs to flee New York ... and the only solution she can think of is to join an Orphan Train. They end up in a small Illinois town, and that town also happens to be the adopted home of Reinhold Weiss, a man Sophie knew as a young girl.
Sophie is horribly ashamed of what she did to provide for Nicholas and Olivia prior to fleeing the city. Reinhold is terrified of becoming an angry bully like his father. Yet they form a tentative partnership in an effort to save Nicholas and Olivia, and as they spend time together, they begin to fall in love.
Of the three Neumann sisters, Sophie started out as my least favorite, but her love story is the one I enjoyed the most. I also appreciated this look at the darker side of the Orphan Trains: some of the characters ended up in abusive situations; not every family was as good as the one that took Sophie in.
The book ends with a glimpse into both Elise and Marianne's lives; it's a great wrap-up to the series!
Disclosure of material connection: I received this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review, and the opinions expressed are my own.
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.