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These Moments Between Us: A Contemporary Small-Town Christian Novel
Stay-at-home wife, homeschool mom and gardening enthusiast, Franny Ancrumb finds herself embarking on new life adventures. Not only is she dealing with her new identity of entering her middle age years, but she is also trying her best to keep her coming-of-age daughter, Lindsey, from flying the coop too soon. Surprised with a very energetic border collie puppy on her birthday, she thinks she has found the perfect solution to help her daughter see that summers are for fun, not studies.
Lindsey Ancrumb just wants her mom to understand she is ready to make something of herself. She knows God has given her the dream of becoming a doctor like her father for a reason. Meanwhile she is dealing with the competition of both a know-it-all younger sister, and a best friend who is graduating a year early to start her college career. To make matters worse, a trouble-making puppy has entered the equation and is taking up a lot of the family’s time, making Lindsey feel invisible and causing further strife between mother and daughter.
Can this mother-daughter duo find common ground and remember that these moments between them are to be cherished as a gift from God?
Lindsey Ancrumb just wants her mom to understand she is ready to make something of herself. She knows God has given her the dream of becoming a doctor like her father for a reason. Meanwhile she is dealing with the competition of both a know-it-all younger sister, and a best friend who is graduating a year early to start her college career. To make matters worse, a trouble-making puppy has entered the equation and is taking up a lot of the family’s time, making Lindsey feel invisible and causing further strife between mother and daughter.
Can this mother-daughter duo find common ground and remember that these moments between them are to be cherished as a gift from God?
320 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 2, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
April 2, 2026
Loved this debut novel by author Schlabach.
This is a heartwarming, faith filled story I’d the privilege to read and loved. A great story I was able to relate to in many ways.
In the story we can see or experience everyday life of a family, the Ancrumb family, and the normal circumstances a family faces while raising their three children. Their lovely family ties and dynamics will pull you in making you feel part of their family. And I loved the growing and bonding the family had throughout the year, specially the mother and daughter, Franny and Lindsey.
The thing I liked the most is that I was able to relate to the story in various ways. Some of the things I’d relate to were, motherhood; homeschooling; 4-H; pets; driving lessons; graduations; college tours, etc. They’re all part of life and raising our children, but at the same time, even in the mundane we’re creating memories we’ll cherish even when our children are grown and “flown out of the nest”.
And I can’t forget the beloved Skye! All the adventures with the rambunctious border collie puppy added many humorous moments to the story. Loved it!
If you like contemporary, clean family stories with dual pov and an adorable puppy, you may enjoy this read.
*I received an eArc from the author but a positive review was not required. All opinions expressed are solely my own.*
This is a heartwarming, faith filled story I’d the privilege to read and loved. A great story I was able to relate to in many ways.
In the story we can see or experience everyday life of a family, the Ancrumb family, and the normal circumstances a family faces while raising their three children. Their lovely family ties and dynamics will pull you in making you feel part of their family. And I loved the growing and bonding the family had throughout the year, specially the mother and daughter, Franny and Lindsey.
The thing I liked the most is that I was able to relate to the story in various ways. Some of the things I’d relate to were, motherhood; homeschooling; 4-H; pets; driving lessons; graduations; college tours, etc. They’re all part of life and raising our children, but at the same time, even in the mundane we’re creating memories we’ll cherish even when our children are grown and “flown out of the nest”.
And I can’t forget the beloved Skye! All the adventures with the rambunctious border collie puppy added many humorous moments to the story. Loved it!
If you like contemporary, clean family stories with dual pov and an adorable puppy, you may enjoy this read.
*I received an eArc from the author but a positive review was not required. All opinions expressed are solely my own.*
April 7, 2026
These Moments Between Us by Grace Schlabach is the perfect story. This coming-of-age, dual point of view story that follows a homeschool mom of three, Franny, and her 15-year-old daughter, Lindsey, who is ready to follow her big dreams. Lindsey wants to graduate from high school early, to become a doctor like her dad, and get her driver’s license. Franny is just trying to hold on to her daughter’s childhood a little bit longer. Franny and Lindsey find their relationship a little strained as they work through it. Franny has a friend who is a little farther ahead in her motherhood journey and is in the process of one daughter getting married and the other graduating high school early. She helps encourage Franny not to fight it, but helps encourage her daughter. During this period, Franny receives a brand-new border collie puppy, which takes a lot of time and effort to train. Lindsey was against it from the beginning. This puts a little strain on their relationship, but it is a great learning opportunity.
I love that this story met me right where I am at, or about to be at, in the next few years. It was encouraging and a great reminder of things to work on and think about in my own relationship as a mother. I loved that faith was intertwined throughout the story.
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, which I received from the author. A positive review was not required. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
I love that this story met me right where I am at, or about to be at, in the next few years. It was encouraging and a great reminder of things to work on and think about in my own relationship as a mother. I loved that faith was intertwined throughout the story.
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, which I received from the author. A positive review was not required. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
Review of advance copy received from Author
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I truly, wholeheartedly enjoyed These Moments Between Us by Grace Schlabach. This story touched my heart in such a special way, especially because I found myself relating so deeply to Franny. Being a mom and knowing that a season like this is ever so near made her journey feel incredibly real and personal to me.
The mother-daughter relationship between Franny and Lindsey was beautifully written—full of tension, love, growth, and grace. It gently reminds us how easy it is to get caught up in our own perspectives, while missing the precious moments God has placed right in front of us. I loved how the story highlights the struggles of letting go as a parent, while also honoring the dreams God places on our children’s hearts.
The faith woven throughout this book was one of my favorite parts. It never felt forced, but instead flowed naturally through the characters’ lives, reminding me that God is present in both the big transitions and the small, everyday moments.
This story is a sweet and meaningful reminder to slow down, cherish the season you’re in, and trust God with both your journey and your children’s paths. It’s heartfelt, relatable, and filled with warmth.
I would definitely recommend this to anyone who enjoys faith-filled stories about family, growth, and the beauty of life’s in-between moments. 💛
Thank you @gracelynnivylove.1
For choosing me to be a part of your ARC team and for allowing me the honor of reading your book💖
This quote touched me:
💖"Even through those sleepless nights of newborn Lindsey, when she and Mark felt like clueless parents, times when she broke a bone or was fighting a fever and had Franny up all night watching her restlessly sleeping, when Lindsey proudly learned to ride a bicycle all by herself, or when she won a first place ribbon in track at the local gym. These moments between them, the good and the bad, they were all moments that shaped who Lindsey—and Franny—had become."💖
I truly, wholeheartedly enjoyed These Moments Between Us by Grace Schlabach. This story touched my heart in such a special way, especially because I found myself relating so deeply to Franny. Being a mom and knowing that a season like this is ever so near made her journey feel incredibly real and personal to me.
The mother-daughter relationship between Franny and Lindsey was beautifully written—full of tension, love, growth, and grace. It gently reminds us how easy it is to get caught up in our own perspectives, while missing the precious moments God has placed right in front of us. I loved how the story highlights the struggles of letting go as a parent, while also honoring the dreams God places on our children’s hearts.
The faith woven throughout this book was one of my favorite parts. It never felt forced, but instead flowed naturally through the characters’ lives, reminding me that God is present in both the big transitions and the small, everyday moments.
This story is a sweet and meaningful reminder to slow down, cherish the season you’re in, and trust God with both your journey and your children’s paths. It’s heartfelt, relatable, and filled with warmth.
I would definitely recommend this to anyone who enjoys faith-filled stories about family, growth, and the beauty of life’s in-between moments. 💛
Thank you @gracelynnivylove.1
For choosing me to be a part of your ARC team and for allowing me the honor of reading your book💖
This quote touched me:
💖"Even through those sleepless nights of newborn Lindsey, when she and Mark felt like clueless parents, times when she broke a bone or was fighting a fever and had Franny up all night watching her restlessly sleeping, when Lindsey proudly learned to ride a bicycle all by herself, or when she won a first place ribbon in track at the local gym. These moments between them, the good and the bad, they were all moments that shaped who Lindsey—and Franny—had become."💖
April 10, 2026
This debut novel, by Grace Schlabach, was a sweet story mainly about the developing relationship between a mother and daughter as she moves toward leaving the nest.
Unfortunately, for me, the story was almost too sweet at times, probably because I could not personally relate to most of the characters, as I did not grow up in a Christian home. Also, I didn't feel there wasn't much tension between mother and daughter, which made their growth arcs less pronounced and satisfying. Skye, the dog was a cute addition to the story, but there were times I couldn't tell if the story was about the dog or the family. Again, this was a sweet story but I didn't find it all that satisfying.
Read if you like:
Mother / daughter relationships
Christian family / world view
Cute dogs
Homeschooling rep
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Unfortunately, for me, the story was almost too sweet at times, probably because I could not personally relate to most of the characters, as I did not grow up in a Christian home. Also, I didn't feel there wasn't much tension between mother and daughter, which made their growth arcs less pronounced and satisfying. Skye, the dog was a cute addition to the story, but there were times I couldn't tell if the story was about the dog or the family. Again, this was a sweet story but I didn't find it all that satisfying.
Read if you like:
Mother / daughter relationships
Christian family / world view
Cute dogs
Homeschooling rep
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Hi guys 👋
I'm the author, and I hope you enjoy this debut novel. God has laid it on my heart to write clean stories that can be read by the whole family. Cozy was my goal, but also to add lots of tender moments, family dynamics, growth and a dash of humor. I wanted it to feel real, like daily life. Thank you for giving my debut a chance. God bless. 🩷
Book One: "These Moments Between Us" Franny Ancrumb and Lindsey Ancrumb. (Mother Daughter bond)
Book Two: "The Moments That Lead Us." Edith Ancrumb and Austin Saunders (rivals to more)
Book Three: Stay Tuned. Caleb Ancrumb and? 😊
I'm the author, and I hope you enjoy this debut novel. God has laid it on my heart to write clean stories that can be read by the whole family. Cozy was my goal, but also to add lots of tender moments, family dynamics, growth and a dash of humor. I wanted it to feel real, like daily life. Thank you for giving my debut a chance. God bless. 🩷
Book One: "These Moments Between Us" Franny Ancrumb and Lindsey Ancrumb. (Mother Daughter bond)
Book Two: "The Moments That Lead Us." Edith Ancrumb and Austin Saunders (rivals to more)
Book Three: Stay Tuned. Caleb Ancrumb and? 😊
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews