When The Meadow Blooms by Ann H. Gabhart ⭐⭐⭐

This is my first book by Ann, so I didn't know what to expect.

Slow burn and never picked up its pace, I almost DNF but kept reading it. Glad that I did. It was eye opening to our foster care system and orphanages around the world. It needs to change. These kids are our future generations and will one day run the world. Wake up America........

I received an advanced copy of the book for my honest review from NetGalley.

Widowed and stricken with tuberculosis, Rose Meadows must leave her two daughters at the orphanage during her prescribed care. Months turn into years and Rose is longing to have her daughters back with her. But, due to her weakened state, on the help of her long-lost brother-in-law can save them. Dirk, though, is a loner who was scarred by a lost love and literally scarred in a barn fire. Looked upon with misunderstanding, Dirk learns to lead a solitary life. Is there room for partnership to bring the scattered family back together?

I had trouble getting through this book. It started out slow and, in my opinion, never picked up. The main character, Rose, has TB and has to put her daughters in an orphanage while she goes to a sanitarium. Then we find out that the girls are mistreated. Rose contacts her brother in law to see if he can help. I thought the book might pick up there. But I was still bored. It did have a happy ever after ending.

I have read books by this author previously and enjoyed them. This one not so much.

I was given this book by Revell Publishing via NetGalley for an honest review. I was not compensated in any way.

Rose Meadows, a widow in a sanitorium for tuberculosis, longs to get her two girls back from the orphanage she had to leave them in. Her daughters, Calla and Sienna, struggle being apart from Rose. Rose seeks out her brother-in-law, Dirk, who has been scarred from a barn fire, and is mostly living a solitary life.

The story is a slow build, but is about overcoming and how Christians still face trials in life. There is fear and hearts being closed, healing from past secrets. Very much a character driven story.

I received a complimentary ebook copy from the publisher, through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Ann H. Gabhart is fast becoming one of my favorite authors! This is the second book I have read by her, and it was just wonderful! I really liked the characters-they were so believable, and I felt like I was right there with them. I also liked the setting-the meadow and the farm just sounded like a beautiful place. The story was just so heartwarming with a lot of reliance on the goodness of the Lord and how he watches over us. I highly recommend this book. I want to read all of Ann H. Gabhart's books!
Thank you to the publisher for the chance to read and review this book. The opinions expressed are my own.

What a gorgeous story!! I loved the whole thing- all the characters were so believable, the circumstances in which they found themselves were also believable, which is a rarity nowadays in books. So much suspension of belief is usually required to enjoy a story, but not with this one. It was really great!!

The truth of the foster care system/orphanages, even ones run by Christian organizations needs to be known. Very often these types of ministries/organizations attract those wanting control. It is unfortunate that so many children are left at the mercy of people who do not truly love them, but just want the prestige of 'caring for orphans'. It is so sad.

The rescue portion of the story, how God heals hearts in different ways, and brings people together, is so true!! We never know what He may use to not only affect our lives, but ways He may want to use us to help heal others. He always knows what we need, and can bring about the perfect circumstances to make it possible. It is always wonderful to see how God works in the lives of people.

This book was such a blessing. I truly enjoyed all of it, and would highly recommend this author to other people, and this book specifically. So, so good!

When the Meadow Blooms is a heartwarming story that will lift you up and inspire you. It is a wonderful and easy read and I recommend it for all ages. This is my first Ann H. Gabhart book. I enjoyed it so much I will be reading her backlist.
*I was given a copy of this book by the publisher and this is my honest opinion .

I have said it before, and I’ll say it again: Ann Gabhart has an amazing ability to write across multiple genres, and When the Meadow Blooms is no exception. She also has an incredible, uncanny capacity to immerse you in a story, making you feel as if you're a part of the narrative.

When I read When the Meadow Blooms, I felt a wide range of emotions that ran the gamut, from deep despair, fear and loneliness, to relief, redemption and freedom, to mention just a few. I was quickly invested in the people and personalities.

I grew to care so deeply about the main characters that I dreaded the book's conclusion. Gabhart has written in such a true-to-life way that one feels as if they know Rose and her daughters, Calla and Sienna, as well as Dirk, the girls' uncle.

The crows, in particular, were a fantastic touch to the drama and one I especially liked. I had read about crows making friends with humans, and this wonderful addition beautifully demonstrated that.

When the Meadow Blooms is a novel you don't want to miss because it is both heartbreakingly brilliant and breathtakingly uplifting and optimistic.

I received an advanced review copy of this book from NetGalley. All opinions are my own and I am voluntarily leaving this review.

Sienna and Calla find shelter at their uncle’s farm with their mother. After two years in a sanatorium because of tuberculosis Rose Meadows is reunited with her daughters. Her husband died years ago and she was not very closed from his familly but Dirk Meadows is the only person who could help them. Dirk is a man with his secrets, reminiscing his past especially a failed relationship before the incident…

It’s a beautiful story, the way God orchestrated the reunion with Dirk was touching. I liked Calla’s confidence in God. Dirk is a broken man running away from God and afraid to open his heart to love. But gently God help him to realized how he needed to leave the past behind him, let go of his guilt to enjoy his new family.
It’s a story of healing and restoration and very well written. It’s my first book from this author but I will check out her other books.

"When we love, when we care, we can be hurt, but trust me, Calla, giving and receiving love is worth more than whatever hurt might come".

Ann H. Gabhart has been always been a favorite author of mine and this book is so heart touching. You need to keep your hanky near. A widowed woman in the TB sanitorium for two years who had to place her two girls in an orphanage because she had no family or friends who could care for them. There they suffered mistreatment and abuse. Now she is finally somewhat better and hopes to claim her children. But she needs help for she has no place for them to go….Then we have Dirk who is a bitter recluse. His face is horribly scarred from a fire but he is also scarred emotionally and wants to be totally left alone. Rose, is his sister in law and the girls are his nieces. He feels he should take them in for his dead brother’s memory but he wants to live apart from them. No interaction save written instructions on what they should do and not do. But love and kindness has a way. Little by little, the sweetness of the children touches his heart, also the faith that Rose has in believing that God will always make a way…. Loss and restoration, heartbreak and redemption, you’ll find it all within these pages. Ann Gabhart has written a winner in “When the Meadow Blooms.” You will not be able to put this one down. I appreciate Revell Publishing making a copy of When the Meadows Bloom available for review. All thoughts and opinions are my very own.

This is sweet historical Christian fiction and it was quite an intriguing story. The beginning is what really grabbed my attention, the orphanage and the sanitarium. I had to know if Rose would be reunited with her girls. The way the girls were treated at the orphanage had me cringing and I wanted justice for them. I admired Calla’s bravery and Dirk’s desire to do what was right by his family. Rose was gentle and I loved her steady and wise outlook on life. Sienna brought a smile to my face and I felt like she was such a beautiful spirit. The author does a wonderful job making the characters real to the reader. I felt like I knew them. An absolutely beautiful and bittersweet story of love and forgiveness, healing and hope. When the Meadow Blooms has the perfect gentle weave of faith.
I received a copy of this book for free; all thoughts and opinions are my own.

When the Meadow Blooms is technically a romance. But more than that, it's a story of family. 


Rose Meadows is a widow with two young daughters; Calla and Sienna. Rose, who's been in a sanitorium for her tuberculosis, is receiving letters from her daughters who have been waiting for her to heal--while living in an orphanage. 

Rose is realizing that her girls may not be telling her just how bad things are--she can only read between the lines of the letters she's been getting for the two years she's been ill. And she's missing her girls, terribly. 

Dirk is a bachelor who once loved a woman but now likes to live his life in solitude after half of his face was burned in a fire several years prior. 

When he simultaneously receives letters from both Rose and Calla--he knows he needs to help his brother's widow and his nieces--even if it means opening his home and losing that solitude he's loved so much. 

While there is some romance in this story--it is overshadowed by the story of how a man can open his heart and home to family. 

There are also some Biblical messages in this one. But, don't fear, if that's not your cup of tea, it's very minimal and not so overwhelming that it feels preachy. 

I absolutely loved this story and found myself tearing up more than once.

5 stars for this lovely book, y'all!

"When The Meadow Blooms" is a great story about family, faith, hope, second chances, and the life-changing power of forgiveness.

Rose Meadows, a young mother and widow, is recovering from a two year battle with tuberculosis. She hopes to find a safe place to bring her young daughters home to from the orphanage they've been in while she was so very ill.

Unbeknownst to Rose, the girls are not treated well at the orphanage. The headmistress is cruel and heartless, and seems to greatly enjoy giving out harsh and unreasonable punishments for minimal or imaginary offences. She keeps the girls on edge with rigid rules and schedules with no time for play, joy or fun. Calla, the older sister hopes and prays for her mother to come and rescue them soon so they can be free and happy again together.

Her prayers are answered in the form of their Uncle Dirk, a dedicated farmer, scientist, freelance writer, and bachelor.

Dirk Meadows' farm is aptly named Meadowland, and is a lovely place with acres of wildflowers, fertile fields and wildlife for Rose and the girls to recuperate with. And they just might help heal his broken heart in the process.

This was my first book by Ann Gabhart, but her writing style reminded me of Susie Finkbeiner, author of "Stories That Bind Us". I loved it, and I also loved that this book was set in the era of the 1920's. I'm pleased to say it is completely free of any foul language or vulgar imagery that is commonly found in some books with a 20's theme.

Thank you to the author and Netgalley for the complimentary e-copy of this book.
A positive review was not required, and the thoughts and opinions above are my own.

Another great read by Ann H Gabhart. I think When the Meadow Blooms has to be the sweetest book, she has written that I’ve read. I have to say Sienna was my favorite character there was just something about her child like Faith. And of course, her “friendship” with two crows bought back childhood memories of my own.


But Calla was the character I related the most too because I am also a big sister. And there just something ingrained that makes us want to protect our younger siblings. And Calla at 15 had it more than most because of all she’d been through. And I loved the faith content that Gabhart continues to weave through her stories. I laughed and I cried and more importantly I rejoiced with the characters. I can’t wait for the next Gabhart book.



I received a copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher as part of a blog tour I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

When the Meadow Blooms by Ann H. Gabhart was a treat to read. Rose Meadows is a widow with two daughters. Her husband dies during the 1918 flu pandemic. She had to leave her children at an orphan’s home when she was diagnosed with tuberculosis and was in a sanitarium for a while recuperating from the disease.

Meadowland is a farm belonging to her brother-in-law. He is a recluse of sorts because of being injured in a fire years ago. Rose contacts him to ask if she could stay on the farm with her daughters until she is fully recuperated. Dirk has closed himself off from others because of his scars and because he was abandoned by the woman he loved.

He reluctantly takes in his sister-in-law and her children. They try to stay out of his way as much as possible but also try to help around the farm to repay him for his kindness.

Rose and the children come to love Dirk and bring life back to his solitary existence. Both he and Rose heal their sorrows as they come to love each other.

I found this a delightful story

When the Meadow Blooms by Ann H. Gabhart is a wonderfully written, heartwarming story that takes place in the early 1900’s. Rose has been through so much yet she continues to cling to hope. While she recovers in a sanatorium, her daughters are in an orphanage that threatens to take her younger’s spirit. At the same time she and her older daughter reach out to her husbands brother, whom she have no contact with.

I just love how Dirk, Rose’s brother-in-law, is so quick to respond and develop feelings for Rose and her girls. He has had many years of struggles after his accident but has found a way to support himself without going out in public. He has dealt with unsolved issues. Yet, he’s very generous to others and helped them while letting them feel they were the ones helping him.

I especially enjoyed Rose’s older daughter, Cala most of all. She is so caring and helpful. She is constantly putting the needs of others before her own. She is so genuine. She hates going into the basement, but for the sake of other’s she does. She finds time in her day to care for her mother, do the daily chores and still spend time with her sister and neighbor boy.

I enjoyed reading this book. The story has good strong characters and the message of helping others, hope, faith, and forgiveness. I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley, this is my honest review.

TB was such a hopeless disease once upon a time. So contagious and difficult to treat. Rose has TB and goes to a Sanitarium for treatment and her daughters are sent to an orphan home for girls as there is no one to take care of them. Rose, having lost her husband, thinks she will only be gone for three weeks. The story opens after two years. She has no idea the treatment her girls have received and Calla is getting too old to continue to stay there. Independently Calla and Rose reach out to Dirk, Rose's husband's brother. Against his nature he follows through and the family is able to be reunited.

This story is a beautiful story of healing and faith. The healing happens in any ways. Woven in the text is a mystery that is heartbreaking but brings healing and closure.

I was drawn in and found myself attached to these beautiful characters in this beautiful story, The writing and imagery was rich and felt like a comfortable friend.

I received an early copy from the publisher through netgalley and this is my honest review.

When the Meadow Blooms was the first book I've read by this author, and I will definitely be on the lookout for more of her work!

Rose was forced to leave her daughters at an orphanage so she could recover in a sanitarium after contracting tuberculosis. Unfortunately, her stay at the sanitarium lasted much longer than anticipated, and harsh conditions at the orphanage have left her girls also in need of healing. She's never contacted her late husband's brother-in-law but when she finds herself unable to stop thinking of the beautiful farm he calls Meadowland, Rose finally decides it's time to ask for help and a place to heal. Dirk has hidden from the world since the accident that left his face scarred and his heart shattered. Is it too late for him to find what his soul has longed for? Can Rose and her girls find hope and healing at Meadowland?

I can't say too much about this one without giving spoilers, so I'll just say that this is one amazing book. Ann H. Gabhart is a new author for me, but she is clearly incredibly talented and I cannot wait to read more of her novels. This story drew me in and had me completely into the plot. I couldn't put it down! The characters were realistic and I could feel their pain (and joy) throughout the pages. I also appreciated the strong faith throughout the story.

If you enjoy historical fiction, you won't want to miss When The Meadow Blooms!

*I received a complimentary copy of When the Meadow Blooms through the publisher and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. My positive review is not required.

Ann H. Gabhart delivers tale of wounds and their healing in her new release, When The Meadow Blooms. We open to find the Meadows sisters, Calla and Sienna, still struggling to adjust to life in the home for girls where their mother left them two years ago. Mama is also struggling at the sanitarium, fighting the tuberculosis that has already robbed her of so much time with her beloved girls. In an act of desperation, Mama writes to her brother-in-law to request his assistance. Not knowing if her mother will ever recover enough to take them home, Calla leaps at the opportunity to write to her uncle after she stumbles across his contact information in a scientific article he has written.

Dirk Meadows has spent the majority of his adult life hiding the scars on his body and on his heart from the world. The fire that took his beloved Anneliese left him with daily reminders of his love and loss that cause him to limit his interactions with the outside world. Within the family farm, however, Dirk is free to study the flora and fauna that surround him and write about them. Though his estranged brother left the family farm behind, Dirk finds himself begrudgingly agreeing to bring Frank’s widow and two girls to Meadowland, a move which is not intended to interfere with his lonely bachelorhood. In spite of everyone’s best laid plans to maintain distance, Frank’s girls knead at the scars on his heart and leads to healing.

Gabhart writes with great heart and historical clarity, delivering characters who are relatable, some of whom are downright lovable. This tale of hurting and healing is well crafted, easy to read, and speaks right to the heart.

Thank you to the author and publisher for allowing me a copy to read and review. All opinions expressed here are my own and are completely genuine.

When the Meadow Blooms
by Ann H. Gabhart
Pub Date 03 May 2022
Revell
Christian | Historical Fiction




I am reviewing a copy of When the Meadow Blooms through Revell and Netgalley:




If there’s a place on the earth that allows one to heal, certainly it is Meadowland. Meadowland is her brother-in-law’s Kentucky farm, Rose and her daughters can recover from the events of the recent past the loss of her husband during the 1918 influenza epidemic, her struggle with tuberculosis that required a stay at a sanatorium, and her girls' experience in an orphanage during her illness. At Meadowland, hope blooms as their past troubles become rich soil in which their faith can grow.



Though Dirk Meadows opened his home to his brother widow and her girls, he keeps himself tightly closed. His pain and it’s roots run deep, and the evidence of this is written across his face. Badly scarred by a fire and abandoned by the woman he loved, Dirk fiercely guards his heart from being hurt again. But it may be that his visitors will bring light back into his world and unlock the secret to true healing.


Once again Ann Gabhart, weaves a story that draws you in from the moment it begins and doesn’t let go.



I give When the Meadow Blooms five out of five stars!



Happy Reading!