Until the Harvest by Sarah Loudin Thomas + A Linkup

Take this journey of broken souls restored and tentative hearts brought fully to life.

When family tragedy derails Henry Phillips’s college studies, he’s left unmoored and feeling abandoned. The only things that can tamp down his grief are the family farm, his fiddle, and an unexpected friendship with sweet but unusual preteen Mayfair Hoffman.

Unfortunately, Mayfair’s older sister, Margaret, despite her spray of freckles and cute, turned-up nose, has a completely different effect. His grandmother’s helper, she’s always around, ready to push his buttons, and it seems at first the she doesn’t care about his troubles.

Henry soon realizes, though, that Margaret’s facing her own struggles. Mayfair’s health and unique gift sit at the heart of those worries. Henry and Margaret soon find themselves relying on each other as potential tragedy collides with growing hope in a warm story of family bonds and the surprising ways healing finds us all.

Until the Harvest is the second book in Sarah Loudin Thomas’ Appalachian Blessings series, coming after Miracle in a Dry Season. I really enjoyed the first book in the series, so I was super excited to read this second installment. I was really disappointed through the first few chapters of this book, but not because it didn’t meet my expectations. I was disappointed because the “family tragedy” that is mentioned in the above description was something I definitely did not see coming, and something I was very, very upset about. I can’t tell you what it is, otherwise that would spoil a decent amount of the plotline, but let me tell you, if you enjoy the first book, you will absolutely have a few issues with the beginning of this book. But, you will soon become caught up in Henry, Margaret, and Mayfair’s story, just like I did, and you will be able to forgive Sarah for writing the plotline that way.

Henry Phillips is a wonderful character. Well, once you get past his somewhat shady actions in the beginning. He has a bit of a rocky start after the “family tragedy” turns his life upside down, but through it all, his true colors still show. He is kind, caring, and full of compassion, and at the end of the day, he just might have a good head on his shoulders. He gets a little lost along the way, but that is part of what makes him so lovable. He isn’t perfect. But he is perfect for Margaret, and that’s what really matters.

Margaret Hoffman loves her sister Mayfair, and all she wants to do is protect her, especially from their not-so-loving parents. That is by far my favorite thing about her. Margaret has been burned enough by their mother and her “efforts” to raise her children right—or at least right in her eyes—but all she cares about is helping her sister. Even though that will make things harder on her, Margaret’s only worry is for Mayfair and her welfare, and I couldn’t help but admire that.

All in all, I really enjoyed this story, and I cannot wait for the third book—A Tapestry of Secrets—to finally come out next month. I’m definitely giving Until the Harvest all five bookshelves, as I completely devoured it, and I know that Sarah is for sure one of my new favorite authors!

And now on to the linkup!

This is the first ever Grace and Lace linkup!! My sister, Sarah, who is hosting with me, and I are super excited about this new adventure, and we're greatly anticipating how it will grow in the weeks to come! In the future, we will each feature two of our favorite posts from the previous week's linkup, but since there isn't a previous week yet, I'll just have to let you know to look forward to it next week! And who knows! Maybe your post will be one of the ones featured! So lets get to it!
Here are the rules. We've tried to keep them as few and simple as possible, so hopefully you should be through with them in a moment and can get on to linking up your post! The rules are:

-Link back to Spreading His Grace, Bows and Clothes, or both

-Subscribe to both blogs and follow each of us on at least one social media

Mackenzie: Blog| Instagram | Pinterest | Twitter

Sarah: Blog | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest | Bloglovin'

-This linkup has no theme so we encourage you to link any of your recent posts. Also note that we have the right to delete your link if it isn't appropriate. However, we are super excited to read about your passions and are so glad that you've decided to join us!

An InLinkz Link-up