About the Book

If any place on God’s earth was designed to help one heal, it is Meadowland. Surely here, at 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.

Dirk Meadows may have opened his home to his late brother’s widow and her girls, but he keeps his heart tightly closed. The roots of his pain run deep, and the evidence of it 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.

Bestselling author Ann H. Gabhart explores the tender places within the human heart in this character-driven story of trusting God to turn our burdens into something beautiful.

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In My Opinion

What happens when four hurting people—one who is ill, one who is grief struck, one who only wants the best for her family, and one who is misunderstood—end up living in the same home? This is what Ann H. Gabhart explores in When the Meadow Blooms.

This story starts out with Rose, Calla, Sienna, and Dirk all in the middle of their struggles. Life hasn’t been easy or simple for any of them, and it’s what drives both Rose and Calla to write to their relative. To his credit, Dirk doesn’t ignore the missives, but immediately goes to fetch his brother’s widow and daughters. The set up for the women to travel home with Dirk takes a good half of the book but gives readers a strong understanding of what each of them is dealing with.

Even when they arrive at Meadowland, all is not perfect and wonderful. Rose is still sick, Dirk is still closed off, and Calla and Sienna are struggling to be young and free again. There’s definitely tension in the home as the women tiptoe around Dirk.

Gabhart writes an excellent example of how painful healing can be, how being a Christian doesn’t exempt you from trials and heart-deep hurts. And while I would have liked way more development of the romance (perhaps both of them) in this book, When the Meadow Blooms was still worth the read.

Disclosure statement: I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.