Sara Brunsvold

The Divine Proverb of Streusel by Sara Brunsvold is going to be one of my favorite books of 2024. I know we aren’t that far into the year, but when you read a book that touches you this deeply, you know the story isn’t going to leave your mind or your heart any time soon.

Things I love about Sara’s writing and this story in particular:
She reveals the best and worst in her characters through godly wisdom and the trials of life, being honest about pain as well as healing.
Her characters are incredibly genuine and vivid. They could be people in your hometown, or they could resonate most with you. But they always hold an element of familiarity, like you’re visiting long-time friends.
A deep faith is woven through her stories. It doesn’t sit in the background or the foreground, it ebbs and flows along with the characters' growth. I absolutely love a Christian fiction novel that challenges my faith and makes me ask questions of my own heart. And Sara does this beautifully.
The recipes combined with the proverbs. This is a mouthwatering read, folks! But it’s sprinkled with wisdom and love. Be prepared to start buying multiple packs of butter, and enjoy learning about Nikki’s German heritage.
Joyce. What a mature heart for God. What a woman of grace, and I’m not just speaking of her poise. Her self-sacrificing love for others, and the way she didn’t just speak goodness but consistently did good for those around her was truly inspiring.
The location! I’m from a little town in NW MO, and I felt the peace of the farmhouse to my core.
There are so many things I could say about this book, but the easiest to express is this: buy it and read it!! You’ll want to get copies for your friends, too.

I was given a copy of this book by the publisher with no expectations of a positive review. All opinions are my own.… (altro)

After her world is shaken up, Nikki Werner goes in search of her roots in The Divine Proverb of Streusel by Sara Brunsvold. And this is a search where you want to tag along.

While readers get Nikki’s and Wes’s points of view, there are so many more stories happening in this book. Stories of rising above or rooting around in bitterness, stories of the past, and stories that are being written as you read along.

Over two months, Nikki learns not only about her grandmothers, but about baking, community, family, and trust. She’s been hurt, as have the people who have gone before her. Through a notebook she finds at her grandmother’s farmhouse full of recipes, Nikki grows in her faith, in her character, and in her relationships.

And then there’s Wes. A quiet and stand-up man of wisdom and counsel who maybe holds himself back a little bit too (which really, just made him a flawed human).
Brunsvold’s sophomore novel is filled with emotions, healing, and family history.

Disclosure statement: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a positive or negative review. All opinions are my own.… (altro)

I really liked how the author used her own life experiences as inspiration for this book, and the authenticity of the emotions of the characters shines through despite it being a fictional novel. I think the author did a great job of deep diving into the complex thoughts and feelings a person faces when their parents get divorced, but she also sprinkles fun humor and recipes in the book that lightens the tone a bit. This story made me laugh and it made me cry and I loved how I felt like I got to know Nikki so well. And Uncle Wes quickly became my favorite character with his genuine kindness. The information Nikki gleans about her family history is interesting, and the tidbits of wisdom she discovers are applicable to readers’ lives. Overall, I enjoyed this story and recommend it to those who like contemporary fiction.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell Publishing. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.… (altro)