Despite years on the run, Sophie Neumann is determined to care for two young children. She won’t abandon them the way she thinks her older sisters abandoned her. But times are growing desperate, and when she falls in with the wrong crowd and witnesses a crime, she realizes fleeing 1850s New York is her only option.Disappearing with her two young charges into a group of orphans heading west by … west by train, Sophie hopes to find safety and a happy life. When the train stops in Illinois for the first placement of orphans, Sophie faces the most difficult choice of her life.
Reinhold Weiss has finally purchased his own small farm. With mounting debts, a harvest to bring in, and past scars that haunt him, he’s in no position to give his heart away . . . but can he say no when his long-lost friend shows up on a nearby train pleading for his help?
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Loved this conclusion to this amazing series. Emotional and sweet, these characters gave this story depth and heart. Perfect historical romance.
Oh, how I loved Sophie’s story! I have thoroughly enjoyed learning about the plight of orphaned and homeless children during the orphan train movement, and Hedlund has done an excellent job of bringing their stories to life. Heart-wrenching and hopeful, Searching for You is a compelling tale and a wonderful conclusion to the Orphan Train series. While this novel can stand alone, I highly recommend reading the entire series!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. No review was required, and all thoughts expressed are my own.
So many emotions in one book! Heart wrenching at the thought that the Children’s Aid Society was real and there were orphan trains. This beautiful story brings to light a history of America as gritty and heartbreaking as it is lovely and loving with God as our savior. Sophie has hard choices and only wants the best for Nicholas and Olivia. You feel the hardships Reinhold is going through and you just want to reach through the book and help him! The author has depicted farm life as real as it gets – hard and many ups and downs. This is a fabulous story that I wanted to last forever! I predict rereading this one (as well as the whole series) many more times!
I voluntarily reviewed this book from the publisher. I was not required to give one.
Searching For You is the final installment in Jody Hedlund’s Orphan Train series. The novel can be read as a stand alone story, but I recommend reading the books in order as knowing all the backstory makes this final novel so vibrant. Of the prequel novella and three full-length novels, Searching For You is my favorite.
Once I started reading Searching For You, I didn’t want to put it down. Sophie’s short time as a Bowery Girl fascinated me. She was a unique character and the well-written prose made me feel her pain as life changed. Once Sophie and Reinhold met, there was instant attraction, plenty of tension, and sizzling romance. Both characters developed as Sophie and Reinhold wrestled with their own issues and searched for a happy future. In short, the novel captivated me from beginning to end.
Undergirding the character development and story line, there were nuggets of spiritual wisdom. Some were forthright statements from the lovable Euphemia. Other lessons slowly appeared as the characters struggled, learned, and made better choices. These spiritual themes enhanced the story and encouraged me personally.
I recommend Searching For You by Jody Hedlund to historical romance readers who are looking for a moving tale about faith, love, and family relationships.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
This book is a fast read. The book is about Sophie and her Journey with Olivia, Nicholas, and Anna west to on the orphan train. In the process Sophie reconnects with an old friend and it changes her life for the better. You’ll have to read the book to find out what happens.
Reaching the final book of a series is always bittersweet for me. It’s exciting because I get to revisit places and people I’ve book-traveled to and with, yet sad because I know the journey will soon end.
Jody Hedlund has created a wonderfully touching orphan train series. I loved Elise and Thornton’s growth in With You Always (book 1) and how Andrew and Marianne’s friendship became more in Together Forever (book 2.) And now, I’m totally satisfied in the conclusion, Searching For You, in which the youngest sister’s story unfolds.
I love Sophie’s story. Her spunk is admirable, her growth is tremendous, and I easily sympathized with her. She makes mistakes, sacrifices, and difficult choices, and becomes stronger because of them.
Perhaps the main reason this story is my favorite of the series (though each are exceptional in their own way) is Reinhold. I enjoyed his progression throughout the story, and connected with his struggle through the past and search for future peace.
I will truly miss the Neumann sisters and their friends and loves. This series is enlightening, inspiring, and memorable. Wonderful storytelling!
Cover Love
Author: Jody Hedlund
Publisher: Bethany House
Series: Orphan Train Book 3
Pages: 352
Opening Line: Sophie Neumann nuzzled her nose against Danny’s chest.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Sophie Neumann struggles to take care of young Nicholas and Olivia on the streets of New York City, going from place to place. Sophie finds herself in a risky relationship, and the witness to a brutal crime, so she and the children take the quickest way out of the city, on the Orphan Train headed west.
Reinhold Weiss has been fighting to keep his small farm afloat, and even with his brother Jakob by his side, he wonders if they will last. Reinhold is shocked to see Sophie again after so many years, she has grown into a beautiful woman, not the little girl that he remembered. Sophie and Reinhold’s shared past draws them together, they must fight their doubts and feelings of unworthiness to trust God and find home.
I’ve been waiting for Sophie’s story for a long time, but I was even more thrilled when I learned that it would also be Reinhold’s story, as he has long been one of my favorite characters.
Seeing everything through Sophie’s eyes, helped make more sense of why she made the choices that she did in the past. She has a big heart, and loves Nicholas and Olivia fiercely, she is willing to sacrifice her own happiness for them. Sophie doubts that her sisters will forgive her in the light of how far she had fallen living on the streets, and she struggles to accept the undeserved kindness shown to her.
I absolutely loved Euphemia Duff, she holds the dairy farming Duff household together, and takes Sophie under her wing. Euphemia has an enormous heart, caring tirelessly for her large brood of boys, while also finding time to lend a hand and look in on her neighbors. She is an exemplary wife, mother, Christian, friend, her honesty, kindness, and flaws show a genuine heart following hard after Christ.
Reinhold is a hardworking man, fighting to make his dream of making a living for himself as a farmer and providing for his family come true. Yet demons of doubt haunt him, making him wonder if he has escaped the shadow of his father. He has grown so much over the course of this series, and he is possibly one of my favorite characters of the series because of that fact.
Overall, a fitting, and thoroughly satisfying conclusion to this series, I have immensely enjoyed reading about the Neumann sisters as they make their way in the world. I could not put this book down, and I’m gonna say that it is my favorite of the series. I just loved how everything came together, the chemistry between Sophie and Reinhold, and how we finally get to see Sophie’s side of the story. Strong themes of grace, compelling characters, and heartfelt storytelling. HIGHLY recommend!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and testimonials in Advertising.”
She is amazing. In this beautiful conclusion to the Orphan Train series, author Jody Hedlund uses her pen to create a story that brings out amazing depth of feeling. I felt all of the uncertainty, the desperation, and the despair, love, joy and passion that Sophie Neumann felt throughout the book. And the passion!! Hedlund describes the physical desire between Sophie and Reinhold in a very believable way, but always keeps it clean.
This book can be read as a stand-alone, but it was especially wonderful to have read it as a part of the series. I recommend it for fans of historical romance, and for those who have an interest in the orphan trains that began in the 1850s.
I received a copy from the publisher, Bethany House, for review purposes. The thoughts expressed here are my own.
What a wonderful story and a beautiful wrap up to the Orphan Train series. I have read every book in this series, including the prequel novella, yet I believe that Searching for You could be read and enjoyed by someone who had not read the other books that precede it.
These two main characters were ones that I really connected with and longed for them to receive their happily-ever-afters. Sophie made some mistakes in judgment through the years, doing what she could to provide for two orphaned children that she loved as if she was their own mother. Her journey was quite a trying one.
I was so happy to see things begin to work out for Reinhold, and to watch him grow to understand that he was not the same as his father. He was actually a very kind man, who cared deeply. I loved the way Sophie and Reinhold ended up thrown together in this story and the way it all played out!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
What a wonderful wrap-up to the Orphan Train series by Jody Hedlund! I’ve loved meeting all these characters and learning more about the history of the orphan trains and their part in our nation’s history. The richly painted settings in both New York City and Illinois in the 1850s intrigued me and made vivid backdrops for the story. Both the main characters and the secondary ones in this series were masterfully created and came alive in my mind.
Hedlund added just the right touches of intrigue, suspense, romance, and inspiration to keep me turning pages and entrenched in the book, while the sweet messages of redemption, forgiveness, and mercy added another dimension to the story. Although the main characters in this story were Sophie and Reinhold, appearances of characters from the other books in the series gave a glimpse of what was going on in their lives and were a fun addition.
Hedlund’s distinctive historical detail and brilliant story-telling have earned these books a place on my keeper shelf. I’m looking forward to another great series in the future.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from the publisher/NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Searching For You by Jody Hedlund is the third book in the Orphan Train Series.
I highly recommend that you read this whole series as a group for an enjoyable, educational experience.
This book focuses on Sophie Neumann, the youngest sister of the Neumann family. It also deals with what happened to orphans after they were placed in a home in the 1850’s.
The journey is a long one for Sophie. She has experienced all kinds of hardship after her sisters have left New York City. She has fought to keep two small children, Olivia and Nicholas from the evils of harsh city life. Sophie is the only mother they have known since they became orphans.
The “searching” means different things to each character. Sophie’ sisters, Elise and Marianne are searching for her. Sophie is searching for peace and security for the children and herself. Rienhold is searching for a way to be self sufficient and a way to break free of the stigma of memories of his father’s temper. They are all searching for what God has for them. Can they trust that God has everything under control and that He knows best?
This is a fitting conclusion to the Orphan Train trilogy. You can count on Jody Hedlund for a sweeping storyline and great historical detail. She pens characters with flaws that we can identify with. The faith element is such that all can reap the spiritual truths in her books.
The romantic matchups exhibit the uncertainty and lack of confidence that can creep into relationships. Ms. Hedlund shows that honesty is something to be sought in any family connection and that reliance on God is a key to harmony.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher on behalf of the author. I was not required to give a favorable review. All opinions are my own.*
Can’t wait for book three.
Once I start I can’t put these books down.
Excellent ending to the series! I really enjoy when an author can mix fiction with history and Ms Hedlund does a great job doing just that. Three cheers for the orphan train series. I loved reading about each fictional sister.
Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books for review from publishers, publicists,
and/or authors, including Netgalley. I am not 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.
Searching for You is the third installment from Jody Hedlund’s Orphan Train series. This is by far my favorite in the series, as well as, within my top three written by her. I absolutely love Sophie and Reinhold. The romance is so sweet.
Searching for You is a perfect conclusion to the Orphan Train series. It give me yet another reason why I highly recommend Jody’s books. I would give this one 100 stars if I could.
Highly, highly recommend for readers who love beautifully well written and clean historical romance.
I read this book slowly. I savored every single word. I was so sad to see the Orphan Train Series end and I will miss the characters. But I can revisit them anytime I want to by picking up any of the three in the series. But I was very satisfied with how the author concluded the stories.
Young Sophie Neumann, age 19, had taken on so much in her life already. I really felt for her. She had such a low opinion of herself because of the things she had to do to survive. Living on the streets of New York City in 1859, stealing food, lying, sleeping in cardboard boxes all for two young charges that she had taken care of since they were babies. She was very strong and determined and would not let anyone separate the brother and sister. She had run away from her two older sisters and did not want them to find her because she was embarrassed and ashamed of all she had done.
Reinhold Weiss was a man to admire also. He worked hard on a farm he had purchased and built from the ground up. He was responsible for his younger brother who also helped with the farm work. But Reinhold too was ashamed over some of the things he had done. He tried very hard to control his temper unlike his deceased father. But sometimes that was hard.
These two broken people had strayed from their beliefs taught to them by their respective mothers.
How do they get their lives straightened out and realize God has never left them?
This is a journey you’ll want to take with them as I did. It’s well worth the trip!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher but was not required to write a review positive or otherwise.
Searching for you is a historical fiction written by Jody Hedlund. This book is a story written based on the period during the orphan trains. This is a well written story that shows you the horror, but also the kindness of what happened during this period of time. There are many sad and touching moments in this book, which show you the evil of mankind, but also the kindness which touches everyone.
This book follows the journey of a girl named Sophie Neumann. She is the youngest sister of Elsie Neumann and Marianne Neumann, whom you meet in the previous books. Sophie has been living off the streets and in and out of orphanages since she ran away to find two children. Sophie is now living with a friend and with the two children she was looking for, Olivia and Nicholas.
Sophie has long ago cut off God from her life, believing that she has done too many horrible things and that God will no longer love her. But God has not given up on her. God brings people into Sophie’s life that show her that God is still there.
Sophie is on the run again, but this time she is running out of places to go. She thought she had finally found a place to call to stay, it wasn’t a home, but it would have worked. She had plans, she was finally getting her life together, but God has a way of shaking our lives up, so that we will see Him. Sophie is stubborn and instead of running towards God, she tries to run away; looking for answers that she herself can give. But God shows her that no matter how far she runs, He will always find her.
Certain circumstances, lead to Sophie having to find a new home in the courtyard, the last place she ever wanted to be. Sophie and her siblings end up once again on a orphan train, except this time they choose to be on this train. They find themselves in a small town where Olivia and Nicholas are taken into a home and Sophie is also taken into a home. God is still in control even though Sophie and her siblings are put into separate homes, because she finds herself in the home of a kind woman named Euphemia.
Euphemia is the one who reminds Sophie that even though we have been through so much and we have down awful things God still loves us. One of the quotes I love from this book is spoken by Euphemia. Euphemia says, “I thank the good Lord that He never treats us as our sins deserve.” God is so much kinder to us then we deserve.
In this book you will see the devastation of sin, but also the mercy and grace of God. Sophie finds herself at the end of the road and all she can do is look to God. What will happen when she finally submits herself to an all powerful and merciful God?
I really enjoyed this book, even though it touched on hard subjects it reminders us that God is still in control. Even when things start to fall apart, God is there waiting for us to run to Him. All we have to do is respond. My favorite line from this book is another line spoken by Euphemia. Euphemia says, “We’re human. We break things. It’s what we do with the brokenness that counts.”
*** I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review***
This is the conclusion to the Orphan Train series, bud sadly to say I didn’t get to read the first two. However I had no problem reading it as a stand-alone, but because it was so very good I definitely want to read the first two. What a beautiful story of loss, not just material loss but loss of innocence, because of circumstances and choices. Choices made out of desperation and survival but without the One that could help most. It is a story of hope, restoration, forgiveness and a beautiful and tender love story that this author is an expert at crafting. Wonderful characters that are easy to identify with and the word descriptions make you feel like you have been on the streets of New York or amid the fields of Illinois. I highly recommend this book to move to your must read pile. Orphan books hold a special place in my heart, as my mom was raised in an orphanage.
I received a complimentary copy from the author/publisher. The honest review and opinions are my own and were not required.
‘Was there a chance that God could make something of the messes she’d made?’
Jody Hedlund ends her Orphan Train series with this novel and in my opinion, it’s the best yet! What a great finale. This one concerns the youngest Neumann daughter, Sophie. She has been on the run in 1850s New York for a while now. She continues to care for the two younger orphans, Nicholas and Olivia, determined to keep them with her. When she gets involved with a gang member and things turn sideways, Sophie must leave town immediately or something horrible may happen to her.
She disappears with Nicholas and Olivia on an orphan train heading west, but can she find a safe and happy life there? She faces an impossible situation in Illinois when the orphans will be placed in new homes. But she also discovers a familiar face she never expected to see.
Reinhold Weiss, formerly from New York, has finally bought his own farm in Illinois, but his debts are many and he works from sunup to sundown to make it. Reinhold also has a past that haunts him daily. He is not ready to give his heart away to anyone, but will he say no to a long lost friend who desperately needs his help?
The blurb on the back cover reads in part: ‘Her search for a place to call home leads her to the last place she ever expected.’ That resonates within me because, as believers, God often does things in our lives that we least expect, but always brings the best results. I’ve experienced it in my own life and it’s wonderful. Sophie never expected things to go the way they did in this book; she expected something entirely different. She never thought her life would be anything but a constant hardship. But God had other plans for her.
Jody Hedlund has definitely ended this series in the absolute best way. You can see God’s hand all over the pages of this book. I was captivated. Some of her very best work is here. Highly recommended.
*My thanks to the publisher and author for a copy of this book. All opinion stated here are entirely my own.
“Sometimes God allows us to sink down in our own misery until we reach a low place where we’re finally ready to look up and reach out for Him.”
Sophie Neumann had sunk to new depths already in her very young life. Orphaned, abandoned, determined to care for two young souls whom she considered her own, Sophie almost made the worst decision of her life. Terrified after witnessing cold blooded murder, she hops on an orphan train headed west, determined to escape those who would stop at nothing to inflict harm on her and her two wards. But what she didn’t know yet was that, “The good Lord never treats us as our sins deserve”.
Reinhold Weiss is stunned to see his childhood friend working as a domestic helper over on his neighbor’s farm. Little Sophie Neumann had certainly shed her kid sister appearance and was doing a fine job of donning the persona of a beautiful woman. Her sisters had searched everywhere for her. What was she doing in Mayfield, Illinois? And how could he possibly turn down her plea for help, even though it came at a very high price?
“Searching for You” weaves together several loose story threads in the author’s outstanding Orphan Train series, reminding its readers that the Lord above truly can “do exceeding abundantly above all that we can ask or think”, even through the lives of broken, battered, confused, and yes, (as Sophie would admit) selfish characters.
I received a copy of this book from the author and publisher. The opinions stated are entirely my own.
Searching for You was more than a story of sisters searching for their lost sister. It was more than a girl searching for a safe haven. It was more than a man searching to escape his past. Searching For You is about our quest to allow GOD into our lives.
We search for answers. We look in the wrong places. We make mistakes. We make a mess of things. But GOD sees through that. He looks beyond our mistakes. He accepts us. He loved us. He has plans for us. He only asks that we open the door to him. Allow him in. Let him heal us. Let him love us…..we are broken but he is the only one that can make us whole.
I loved this book. It was Book 3 of the Orphan Train Series. Sophie had to find her own way. Reinhold was lost. He was convinced that he was destined to be just like his father. Both lives changed when Our Heavenly Father was let in.
I received this free to review as an influencer for Jody Hedlund.
I highly recommend this book as well as everything Ms. Hedlund writes. Great story. Inspirational.