I did not finish this book. I tried really hard to like it and ignore the content, but it was too much for me. There was a madwoman who poisons people, detailed descriptions of childbearing, many discussions with too much detail about marriage.
I could not connect with the characters at all. I felt like Darcie was complaining about living the Shaker life for most of the novel and attempting to figure out which Shakers did not like the lifestyle.
Honestly, the best part of this novel was Flynn's daughter. She was super sweet and full of energy and hope. We get to see a bit of Shaker life from the view of a seven-year-old child and that is priceless.
Due to the content, I will not be reading any more books by this author.

Rating: 1 Star
Content: 1 Star

*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. ( )

Odd . . . Odd . . . Odd . . . Weird! Which may be why it's taken me soooooooooooo long to finish.

***UPDATED WITH REAL REVIEW***
My Review:

Genre: Bologna.

My Rating: 1 star.

My Recommendation: None.

My Favorite Character/s: Me. I’m my favorite character because I stuck with it and finished this book.

My Verse for Me is Job 6:24 Teach me, and I will hold my tongue: and cause me to understand wherein I have erred. (King James Version.) (Yes, I erred in requesting this book.)

My Thoughts: I really only have the ability to do my thoughts right now because I’m in shock at the oddness of this book and the Shaker cult, (I researched it, in 2017 there were only 2 Shakers left in America, no wonder since it’s illegal for ‘religions’ to adopt and the Shakers are against the whole marriage thing of course since not everyone follows ‘the one path’ to live right there are plenty of people to convert to Shakerisam. *insert eyeroll and heavy heavy dose of sarcasm*) anyway, since this book is the oddest in history I really have no idea what to say other than; I don’t recommend this book.

And let’s not forget the whole woman poisoning her husband and getting away with it.

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review and am truly happy to provide it — all the thoughts are my own.

Experience life among the Shakers with Ann H. Gabhart’s The Refuge.

In need of refuge from cholera, Darcie Goodwin and her husband, Walter, join the Shakers of Harmony Hill. When he dies in an accident, she is left alone—and pregnant—in this strange community. Still, she is not without hope as the arrival of widower Flynn Keller and his young, vibrant daughter bring unexpected promise for the future.

I have no experience with the Shakers beyond Gabhart’s books, but she describes their world in vivid, fascinating detail. I could not help but be captivated by Darcie’s story with its interesting, emotional turns. I bet it will equally captivate other readers of historical fiction; I recommend it.

I received a complimentary copy of this book and the opportunity to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own. ( )

An author who can grab your attention in the first sentence usually is skilled enough to keep it. I found this especially true of Ann H. Gabhart in The Refuge, her latest about a young widow, Darcie, in a Shaker village. ”You can’t cheat death.” Immediately, the reader wants to know why the narrator, Darcie, feels like this. While life in a Shaker village could be monotonous and dreary, devoid of family and marital relations, Gabhart managed to keep me eagerly reading to see what would befall
anxious Darcie. Her experiences in Harmony Hill as Gabhart recounts them are far from boring.
For the founders of communes such as this (and we had one similar in our community, set up in 1930 by a woman, where marriage was “wrong”), the Bible speaks plainly against this type of community. First, the Bible is clear that marriage is to be revered, sacred, and ENJOYED. Secondly, God clearly states that one should not add to His Word. Both in the case of the Shakers and our local commune, the leader’s ideas were considered equal, if not above, God’s Word. Of course, this community also died out.
Gabhart has a great cast of three-dimensional characters. Flynn struggles with how to raise his daughter, Leatrice. Silas struggles with how to help Flynn. The answers they choose have far-reaching consequences. I wished we could have seen more of wise Granny Hatchell.
“A body shouldn’t be trying to change other folks just to make things more convenient for her.”
Overarching themes I saw are learning to trust God day by day and not borrow tomorrow’s troubles; taking that step of faith as we see God leading; learning from others and living peaceably with them even not being in total agreement. How much richer Darcie’s life was for her time with Sisters Genna, Ellie, Helene, and even Eldress Maria.
For those who will feel the ending was rushed: I believe circumstances in times like those often made it so. We need to stay true to history over having a “more satisfying ending” like we would plan.
Quotes:
“Marriage causes stressful living and not the peace and unity we seek here in our village.”
~ Mother Ann- founder of Shakers
“You prayed when my heart was too discouraged to hope.” ~Genna on answered prayer, showing the power of intercessory prayer for others. May this be said of me!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley. This did not affect my opinions, which are solely my own. ( )

This new book by Ann H. Gabhart shares a lot of the history of the Shakers, a religious community that was prominent in Kentucky in the 1800s but best of all, she gives readers a wonderful love story. Yes, there is a hint of a romantic love that might develop but the true love story involves parental love. Much of the plot revolves around the influence that the Sisters and Brothers of the Shaker community have on Darcie Goodwin's and Flynn Keller's commitment to their children. Darcie's love for her unborn baby and her determination to provide for it until she can find a real home after her husband's sudden death exemplifies the ultimate mother/child bond. There is also the love that widower Flynn Keller has for his young daughter. Flynn and his father-in-law are trying to raise Leatrice as she should be raised but this young girl definitely needs a woman's influence in her life. Choosing to join the Shakers may seem to to be answers for both of these parents but Darcie knows that she will never want to become a permanent member of this community; Flynn understands that Leatrice needs supervision but he also rejects the idea of choosing this way of life forever.

I really liked Darcie Goodwin and I enjoyed watching the friendship that developed between her and a few of the Sisters. I also liked how the author chose to share all of Darcie's thoughts and readers can see how she grows in confidence and in her faith in God. Flynn Keller is a worthy hero and I found myself hoping that his daughter's need for a mother would somehow lead to a relationship between him and Darcie.

The Refuge is a heartwarming story and it proves once again Gabhart's expertise in understanding and explaining the Shakers. Yes, I find it hard to understand their belief in celibacy and their forbiddance of marriage that ultimately led to their extinction but I have to admire their commitment to helping those in need and their "hands to work, hearts to God" motto.

*I received a copy of this book from the author and the publisher. These thoughts are mine alone. ( )