Gathering Threads Book Review

I was excited that Gathering the Threads: A Novel (The Amish of Summer Grove) by Cindy Woodsmall was coming out.  I have read the first two books in the series and was excited to see where this series was going to go next.  I was a little sad to learn that it was the last book in the series but looking forward to a great ending.  I will be on the look out for the next series by this wonderful author.

Finally back in the Old Order Amish world she loves, Will Ariana’s new perspectives draw her family closer together—or completely rip them apart?  After months away in the Englisch world, Ariana Brenneman is overjoyed to be in the Old Order Amish home where she was raised. Yet her excitement is mixed with an unexpected apprehension as she reconciles all she’s learned from her biological parents with the uncompromising teachings of her Plain community. Although her childhood friend, ex-Amish Quill Schlabach, hopes to help her navigate her new role amongst her people, Ariana’s Daed doesn’t understand why his sweet daughter is suddenly questioning his authority. What will happen if she sows seeds of unrest and rebellion in the entire family? 

Meanwhile, Skylar Nash has finally found her place among the large Brenneman family, but Ariana’s arrival threatens to unravel Skylar’s new identity—and her sobriety. Both Ariana and Skylar must discover the true cords that bind a family and community together and grasp tight the One who holds their authentic identities close to His heart.  Gathering the Threads is the third and final novel in The Amish of Summer Grove series.


I loved the first two books in the series and couldn't wait for the third one although a little sad that this is the last one.  I loved finding out how Arianna was dealing with more changes in her life when she returns to her Amish family after living with her English family for three months.  She loved being home and living with her family but things take a terrible turn when the religious leaders decide that she is a bad influence on the rest of the small community and preach at Sunday service about her bad choices.  Arianna is changed from her time with her family and realizes that it is going to be impossible to submit to all of the things that they want her to do.  It is great to watch the path that she takes and see this book straight through until the end.  Quill is still helping people get out of bad situations and trying to save people who have no other means of escape.  The truth about Freida was finally explained after being hinted at in the first two books.  At the same time, Skylar is going through her own identity crisis because she was raised in the English world with lots of different advantages but she still feels like she belongs in her Amish home.  Skylar finally makes some decisions about what direction her life is going to take.  It was a great conclusion to a wonderful series which I hope that you check out for yourself.  I know that you will enjoy it as much as I did with this great conclusion to all of these characters stories!!

**I was provided a copy of the book to read for my review but all opinions here are my own and no positive opinion was required.