About the book (from Amazon):

The story about a mother who risks everything to save a child not genetically hers . . .

The Past — Graduate student Beth Winslow was sure she was ready to navigate the challenges of becoming a surrogate. But when early tests indicate possible abnormalities with the baby, Beth is unprepared for the parents’ decision to end the pregnancy — and for the fierce love she feels for this unborn child. Desperate, she flees the city and seeks refuge at Hopen Haus, a home for unwed mothers deep in a Tennessee Mennonite community.

The Present — As head midwife of Hopen Haus, Rhoda Mummau delivers babies with a confident though stoic ease. Except in rare moments, not even those who work alongside her would guess that each newborn cry, each starry-eyed glance from mother to child, nearly renders a fault through Rhoda’s heart, reminding her of a past she has carefully concealed.

Past and present collide when a young woman named Amelia arrives in the sweeping countryside bearing secrets of her own. As Amelia’s due date draws near, Rhoda must face her regrets and those she left behind in order for the healing power of love and forgiveness to set them all free.

My thoughts:

The description had me really wanting to read this book, but I was honestly a bit disappointed with it. It unfortunately took me several months for me to get through, which really backed up my reading list. I think the biggest reason that I continuously put the book down, was because it was very depressing. There were really no happy parts to this book. I did think that it was very well written and did have a very interesting story. I cannot imagine going through all the things that Beth experienced and I really felt for her while I was reading. One thing that I struggled with was the constant shifting between past and present, which many books do that I am just not a big fan of. Overall, I think the book was fine, it was just not for me. I think that plenty of people will enjoy reading it, but it just never grabbed me. I give it three out of 5 stars.

Have any of you read this book? What are your thoughts?