More Than Meets the Eye

Patchwork Family #1

by Karen Witemeyer

When her family is threatened, she doesn't expect falling in love to be their best defense

Many consider Evangeline Hamilton cursed. Orphaned at a young age and possessing a pair of mismatched eyes—one bright blue, the other dark brown—Evangeline has fought to find her way in a world that constantly rejects her. Yet the support of even one person can help overcome the world's judgments, and Evangeline has two—Seth and Zach, fellow orphans she now counts as brothers.

Seeking justice against the man who stole his birthright and destroyed his family, Logan Fowler arrives in 1880s Pecan Gap, Texas, to confront Zach Hamilton, the hardened criminal responsible for his father's death. Only instead of finding a solitary ruthless gambler, he discovers a man not much older than himself with an unusual family. And when Hamilton's unique sister, Evangeline, insists on dousing Logan with sunshine every time they cross paths, Logan finds his quest completely derailed. Who is truly responsible for his lost legacy, and will restoring the past satisfy if it means forfeiting a future with Evangeline?

Genres: Christian Fiction, Historical Fiction, Romance, Historical, Christian, Westerns, Historical Romance

346 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2018

About the author

For those who love to smile as they read, bestselling author Karen Witemeyer offers warmhearted historical romance with a flair for humor, feisty heroines, and swoon-worthy Texas heroes. Voted #1 Readers' Favorite Christian Historical Author in 2023 by Family Fiction Magazine, Karen is a multiple award-winning author and a firm believer in the power of happy endings. She is an avid cross-stitcher, tea drinker, and family board game player who makes her home in Abilene, TX with her heroic husband who vanquishes laundry dragons and dirty dish villains whenever she's on deadline.

Karen also loves to reward her readers. Every month she gives away two inspirational historical novels to someone from her newsletter list and offers substantial bonus content on her website. To learn more about Karen and her books, or to join her subscriber list, please visit www.karenwitemeyer.com.

Reviews

[Lindsey (Books for Christian Girls) · Rating 3 out of 5]

About this book:

“Many consider Evangeline Hamilton cursed. Orphaned at a young age and possessing a pair of mismatched eyes--one bright blue, the other dark brown--Eva has fought to find her way in a world that constantly rejects her. Yet the support of even one person can help overcome the world's judgments, and Eva has two--Seth and Zach, two former orphans she now counts as brothers.
Seeking justice against the man who stole his birthright and destroyed his family, Logan Fowler arrives in 1880s Pecan Gap, Texas, to confront Zach Hamilton, the hardened criminal responsible for his father's death. Only instead of finding a solitary ruthless gambler, he discovers a man not much older than himself with an unusual family. When Zach's sister, Evangeline, insists on dousing Logan with sunshine every time their paths cross, Logan finds his quest completely derailed. Who is truly responsible for his lost legacy, and will restoring the past satisfy if it means forfeiting a future with Evangeline?”


Series: Book #1 in the “Patchwork Family” series.


Spiritual Content- Ephesians 4:31-32 at the beginning; Scriptures are read, quoted, & remembered; Prayers & Thanking God; Church going & a sermon; Talks about God & those in the Bible; ‘H’s are not capital when referring to God; Mentions of God; Mentions of prayers & praying; Mentions of those in the Bible; Mentions of faiths & discussing; Mentions of churches, church going, services, worship, pastors, sermons, hymns, & tithing; Mentions of a sinner & sins; A few mentions of thanking God; A few mentions of God’s creatures; A few mentions of Bibles & hymnals; A few mentions of Heaven; A few mentions of blessings & being blessed; A couple mentions of godly direction; A couple mentions of spiritual callings; A couple mentions of miracles; A mention of a missionary committee;
*Note: Mentions of superstitions & thinking a “witch” is cursing you (and all the other mean and ridiculous comments Evie has gotten over the years); A mention of a devilish quip; A mention of personal demons.


Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘heck’, a ‘screwed up’, a ‘sheesh’, a ‘shucks’, a ‘what the devil’, a ‘wimpy’, four ‘stupid’s, six ‘shoot’s, and eight forms of ‘idiot’; Sarcasm & Eye rolling; A train accident, injuries, blood/bleeding, & a death (up to semi-detailed); Gunfire, being shot at, pain, blood, & seeing someone die (up to semi-detailed); A tiny bit of sipping alcohol; Many mentions of gambling, gamblers (including Logan, though he doesn’t like it), & cheating; Mentions of Logan’s father who committed suicide & his mother finding the body (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of an attempted murder, physical abuse, & bruises; Mentions of a train wreck, injuries, pain, blood/bleeding, & a death (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of gunfire, being shot at, seeing others shot, injuries/wounds, & blood/bleeding (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of a scar, fights, & hitting (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of threatening & threats of killing people; Mentions of criminals, crimes, & stealing; Mentions of con-men & thieves; Mentions of an explosion; Mentions of beatings & being slapped; Mentions of hatred & revenge; Mentions of embezzlement; Mentions of illegal alcohol, saloons, bootleggers, drinking, & drunks; Mentions of lies, lying, & liars; Mentions of rumors & gossip; Mentions of hunters & shooting animals for food; A few mentions of an illness & a death; A few mentions of people drowning animals; A few mentions of a privy & the smell; A couple mentions of hanging; A couple mentions of a shooting & death; A couple mentions of gunfights & knives; A mention of cigarettes.


Sexual Content- a cheek kiss, two forehead/head kisses, three semi-detailed kisses, and a detailed kiss; Remembering a kiss (semi-detailed); Staring at someone’s lips (up to semi-detailed); Wanting to kiss someone & Thinking about it (up to semi-detailed); Touches, Embraces, Warmth, & Nearness (up to semi-detailed); Noticing (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of wedding nights & hits of having babies; Mentions of kisses & kissing; Mentions of touches & touching; Mentions of blushes & winks; A few mentions of finding a couple kissing enthusiastically (twice); A few mentions of a saloon girl (it’s hinted that she may also be a prostitute as times); A few mentions of flirting; A few mentions of reputations; Love, falling in love, & the emotions;
*Note: Logan is hit in his groin; A couple mentions of going for a man’s groin to cause pain & why not to do it; A couple mentions of a woman’s dress that left little to imagine.

-Evangeline Pearson Hamilton, age 19
-Logan Fowler, age 23
P.O.V. switches between them
Set in 1894 {Prologue in 1879, Epilogue in 1895}
346 pages

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star
Early High School Teens- Two Stars
Older High School Teens- Three Stars
My personal Rating- Three Stars
When I first heard the premise of this book, I was interesting. Many of y’all may know that adoption advocating and orphan care are topics very near to my heart. I knew ahead of times that it would be a hard read because of the great loss that adoption is borne from and reading our main girl’s backstory. The prologue hurt my heart in that way and I found myself tearing up.
Shortly into the book, I realized how much I liked Evangeline. I enjoyed her sass and overall bright personality. I can’t say I liked Logan as much, but he was pretty decent. ;) I loved all of the faith content and while I was hopeful about giving this book a four-star rating, with all the kissing, I can’t really do that. The plot and the extra romance added was all very interesting, but because of the pretty heavy romance and kissing, it lowered my ratings. I’m giving “More Than Meets the Eye” a three-star rating on the caution that there is quite a bit of kissing and such, but I have to say that I enjoyed many other parts of the story.


Link to review:
https://booksforchristiangirls.blogsp...


*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
*I received this book for free from the Publisher (Bethany House) for this honest review.

[Tricia Mingerink · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is SO GOOD!!!!! The beginning prologue is absolutely heartwrenching (I was tearing up, and I rarely do that). Then the rest of the book is so hilarious with plenty of action thrown in the mix. At this point, Karen Witemeyer has perfected her style of humor and action, a style I can't seem to get enough of. Even the characters' inner thoughts are worded very cleverly to create humor at points.

I loved the main characters, but I think my favorite character was Zach. I'm so excited that (through some Goodreads stalking) I found where the author confirmed the next book is going to be about Zach!!!!! Yay!!!!!!! I can't wait!

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

More Than Meets the Eye was another A+ read from Karen Witemeyer. I loved the characters right away and the first scene made me really feel for the heroine.

The romance was great. I liked how he came there for revenge, not love, so a romance wasn't something for which he was looking. The brothers were awesome and I loved how protective they were of Eva.

All in all, More Than Meets the Eye was a wonderful read and I definitely recommend it. I loved the story and cannot wait to read the next book when it releases.

*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/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and 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.*

[Staci · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the start of this novel that brought three orphans together to create a patchwork family.

Evangeline is reluctant to be seen in town due to her two different colored eyes and the way that many see her as evil or odd. I loved her pet Hezekiah, a boar.

A little action, a little humor and a good story line. Another good novel by Karen Witemeyer.

[Kellyn Roth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I actually finished this two or three days ago, but haven't been able to take a moment.

THAT WAS sOOOOOOOO GOOOD THOUGH!!!! I want to own it in paperback and have the next book in the series NOW please!!!!!!! <3

Also, the MC guys. #aspiretobeEva

[Cara Putman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful romp but with lots of heart and depth. I adored the heroine. And the hero grew into the man she thought he could be. The development of the story and characters was so enjoyable.

[Alysha (For The Love of Christian Fiction) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Karen, oh Karen, oh Karen.
I'm tellin' y'all, be prepared to cry! Whether it's from laughing or from being kicked in the feels. Karen BROUGHT IT with this book.

The prologue was a perfect set-up to an amazing story. We meet Evangeline when she's just 4 years old and constantly being looked over because of her mismatched eyes. Tragedy forces 3 orphans to build a patchwork family and try to survive on their own. HOW SAD IS THAT?!

Evangeline was such a spunky, kind of chaotic character that instantly brought a smile to everyone's face. She always saw the best even people, even if it was buried WAAAYY down deep inside. I loved her attitude and how she took on life. She took her past traumas and past insecurities and harnessed them, using them to help other people! And she had a pet hog...she was AWESOME!

Logan's drive to seek vengeance quickly became an afterthought once he met and started spending time with Evangeline. Yes he might have set off to use her, but he quickly fell under the spell that was "Evie Hamilton" . I loved seeing the affect she had on him, how she challenged his reasons for vengeance and just made him a better man.

There is always some sort of mystery tied into Karen's stories, and this one was great! AND TOTALLY UNEXPECTED.

The puns and banter in this book brought me SO MUCH joy!! It felt like I was right there in the middle of this odd patchwork family and I loved every minute of it. I loved seeing Seth and Zach's protectiveness over Evangeline. It really just solidified that they were a family of the heart.

There was so much hope and encouragement in this story, you could see God moving in their lives. One of my favorite things is being to SEE the change in characters. Where they learned to FULLY trust God.

So many memorable moments and laughs. I rated this a 5/5 stars. I adored this story and cannot wait for Zach's story. 😉

*I received this book from the author in exchange for my honest review**I was not required to give a positive review**All opinions are my own*

[Joanne | wellreadcoffeeaddict · Rating 5 out of 5]

2025 reread

I haven’t been reading much lately but this feel-good book was just what I needed!

✨2021 reread✨

Ahhh I really do love this story! I go back and forth determining which one I love more, this book or More than Words Can Say. I just love anything Karen writes!

Evangeline is one of my favourite Witemeyer characters. She shines - outwardly and inwardly. That doesn't mean her life was easy. But she doesn't let the past hardships define who she is. Eva and Logan are complete opposites in that regard. Eva unashamedly admits to her brokenness, Logan spends his entire life hiding his. That's such a strong message that really hit home the first time I read her story.

That prologue! I almost cried reading it, and this is definitely not my first time reading the story! The protectiveness of Zach (wow he is a force to reckon with) and Seth and how they made themselves a family - just awwwww! The banter and wit throughout every page is amazing, and really shows how much of a soul bond this patchwork family shares.

Even though I've already reread Zach's story once this year, I may have to read it again because 😭I can't stand leaving his story unfinished. (read the book. you'll know.)

This story has a lot of heart and joy in it, even with the somewhat darker themes. I highly recommend!

[Amanda Tero · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my second book to read by Witemeyer and I enjoyed it just as immensely.

The orphan train in the beginning immediately gripped me. I loved this patchwork family—their diversities, their struggles, their secrets, and their needs. Then add Logan into the mix with his own problems, and I found a fantastic array of characters.

I thought the spiritual content was a decent balance. It strengthened more as the story progressed, and held a powerful punch at the climax. I appreciated that the characters weren’t perfect but had areas in which to grow spiritually—people to call them out and challenge them about how they’re following God.

The romance was believably progressed. Quite a few mentions of feelings and desires (noticing the brawn and handsomeness, the beauty and physical build), a few semi-detailed kisses, and, in the end, masked comments about marriage intimacy. I would recommend this content for girls 18+.

There was also a bit of violence in here with murders or attempted murders and descriptions to go with both. They fit the story, but some readers might want to be notified of such.

*I received this book from Bethany House and happily provided my honest review*

[Jaye Knight · Rating 5 out of 5]

A new Karen Witemeyer book is something I always look forward to with great anticipation. It’s hard to pick favorites with Karen’s books, but More Than Meets the Eye is definitely high up on my list. And Evangeline is one of my favorite of Karen’s female characters, which is a big deal because I have trouble finding female protagonists I like. But Evangeline is just so happy and sweet you can’t help but like her. One of my favorite things about this book is the sibling relationship. I LOVE sibling relationships (even when they are not blood siblings). The way the book started out was so tragic and sad! But there were so many lovely, lighthearted moments throughout the story to make up for it. And, as many readers, I can hardly wait to read Zach’s story next! You gotta love tough, broody characters like that with hearts of gold. Do yourself a favor and get reading Karen’s books if you haven’t already.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was super cute. I loved Evangeline and her positive outlook. I also loved her brothers. And Logan. Let's just say that he has a lot of issues to work through, but I love how he works through them.

I'm hoping for a story about Zach.

I received a copy from the author to help promote. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a great book, with witty scenes, incredibly likable characters, and a story line full of the kind of redemption that only God can pull off. This is only my second book by this author, but I just love the way her books are filled with charm and faith. Looking forward to the second book in the series, which features Zach, who I absolutely adored! Also, I listened to this on audiobook and the narrator is my absolute favorite-Stephanie Cozart. Definitely recommend the audiobook since shes the narrator.

[Joleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pecan Gap, TX - 1894
Main characters:
Evangeline Hamilton: Zach and Seth's "sister", one brown eye, one blue eye
Logan Fowler: Seeking revenge for father's losses
Zach Hamilton: "Won" deed to Logan's father's homestead in a card game
Seth Hamilton: Evie and Zach's brother (has asthma)
Kristie Gilliam: Rescued from drowning by Logan and Evie

I hadn’t realized I'd read the second book in this series earlier in the year until I looked for it after I finished this book. I'm so glad I read this one without realizing it, as I wasn’t as fond of that book as this one.

More than Meets the Eye was simply a delightful book.

Evie was just plain fun. Her hardship was her two different colored eyes which some claimed were a sign of evil. Instead of withdrawing within herself because of the cruel treatment she received from townsfolk, she flourished under the love and protection of her brothers who had been orphaned years before.

Aware there was a man who seemed to be squatting on property bordering theirs, she set out to investigate. What she didn’t know was he was there to enact revenge on her elder brother, Zach, for having cheated in a card game that caused the loss of his family home and father's suicide shortly after. Evie was unwittingly a pawn in Logan's ultimate plan.

As much as I wanted to dislike Logan, his kindness toward and acceptance of Evie showed the true inner person, a very likable one...not simply someone bent on revenge.

The storyline included some intense plot twists, a mystery of who tried to kill a young woman and why, two budding sweet relationships and a faith arc that was genuine and well written.

I have to say, this story is one I can recommend to anyone teen through adult. Very good book.

[Alyssa · Rating 3 out of 5]

A new Karen Witemeyer book....
















04/10/2018- I just saw the cover today and I am sorely disappointed. This is such a far departure from previous Witemeyer novels and just sub-par for Bethany House in general. Mrs. Witemeyer's novels deserve better covers than this.










6/14/2018 UPDATE: 3.5 stars.

[Gretchen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, Karen whitemeyer has done it again! This book was absolutely adorable. A quick and very recommended read.

By the end of the first chapter I had already been drawn in by the characters and their humor. My favorite part was watching the two main characters battle through different hardships, their total trust in God through it all, and the development of their character along the way. I found the characters to be very elaborate and well thought through, very real. I especially loved Evangeline’s very positive outlook on life. The suspense and mystery throughout the book was also a highlight. It was such a cute read and I can’t wait to read more by her!

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was simply a lot of fun! Liked the mystery and the family dynamics just as much as I enjoyed watching the hero and heroine banter their way to true love.

16+ because there were a whole bunch of kisses in this one.

I’ll try to come back later and link to the full review.

[Malia Saldaña · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first book by Karen Witemeyer and it didn’t disappoint. Eva was so sweet and spunky. Logan and Eva were perfect for each other. I liked how the characters grew from their mistakes. I loved the ending. I loved her brothers and how close and loving her family is. Zach was one of my favorite characters,and I’m so excited to read his book. I’m happy to say I’ll be reading more books from this author in the future.😊

[Lylah · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Nothing like having Jesus call her a hypocrite to slap down her indignation over Logan's infractions."

"More Than Meets the Eye" by Karen Witemeyer is the first book in the "A Patchwork Family" series. This novel was thoroughly thought-provoking and deeply moving. It shows the beauty of family being more than just a relationship of blood. The story pushes you to ponder the differences between justice and revenge.

Overall I enjoyed this book and highly recommend it!

[Abigail McKenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love stayed. Even when things became messy and unpleasant, love stayed.

I've been meaning to pick up a Karen Witemeyer book for a good long while now, and I'm so glad this was my first! Based on the first prologue, I didn't expect to laugh out loud quite as much as I did. There were definitely harder moments (and an attempted-murder plot line which was a delightful surprise), but there's so much joy in the story.

I think that was my favorite part, tbh. So often in Christian fiction, the lead character is someone who's struggling in their faith, and that storyline is important. We get that with Logan. But Evangeline is full of the joy of the Lord, and lets it spill over into her life over and over again. And it's really nice to see that represented.

I loved Witemeyer's writing style, and this definitely won't be the last book of hers I pick up. It gets 4.5 stars from me!

[Heidi Robbins (Heidi Reads...) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love when an author can draw me right into the story and setting and make me feel like I'm there! Evie's background as an orphan on the orphan train is tragic, yet she uses her trials to strengthen her faith and stays optimistic. She has such a fun and funny personality, it was a pleasure to read about her mannerisms and special way of warming up even the most recalcitrant cowboy. Her insecurities about her eyes and the way many of the townspeople respond to her difference sharply contrasts with the young woman that Logan gets to know, and he provides encouragement and support. Logan has his own spiritual journey as he struggles with the concepts of justice and vengeance, and his blossoming relationship with Evie. I liked seeing the interactions between Logan and Evie's overprotective brothers and the way they slowly began to trust each other. The discovery of an abused young woman shakes up the plot and adds mystery and danger as Logan and the siblings protect her and themselves against a ruthless and conniving villain. Secrets, family loyalty, and romance all complicate the decisions Logan and Evie have in front of them, and I was completely immersed in the story the whole time. Highly recommend!

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

[Kaytlin Phillips · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a nice read. Unique...but me over here keeps focusing on the fact that I wanted to see Logan get his scar...wanted a poker game written out...wanted one of the MCs to get hurt...can you tell I'm an action writer? Lol...
The romance was sweet....overall this was a really good book I just have this craving for action that can only be accounted for as too many John Wayne movies and having two older brothers.
Not as much highstakes as I would like for the MC but, regardless of that a very fun book. Though, Christy being deaf intruiged me and I wanted her and Seth to have their own story!

[Andrea Boyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was great, but my heart called out for more about Zack and the book wasn't about him. When I got to the ending... I wanted to strangle somebody. I immediately checked the internet and I see his story is saved. And so is Karen Witemeyer. Lol
Seriously, there were some heart wrenching parts to this book. It was good, but I'm really looking forward to the next one. And it's a marriage of convenience too! Swoon!

[Tamara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so cute! Evie was a firecracker of a character, her brothers Seth and Zach were overprotective brothers and they made up a great story to tell. I'm looking forward to reading Zach's story, in book two in Patchwork Family.

[Madison · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars
More Than Meets The Eye is a delightful historical Christian romance, with a touch of mystery, plenty of suspense, and a warm heart that celebrates family and belonging. From the gorgeous cover to the heartwarming story where family is the people you choose, More Than Meets The Eye was wonderful from start to finish.

Evangeline Hamilton knows the cost of heartbreak. Yet she chooses to remain optimistic, celebrating the family God gave her and the simply joys in life. When a stranger purchases the land adjoining her brothers’ land, she intends to discover his true intentions, and if she shows him a little happiness and kindness along the way, all the better. Logan never intended to entwine Evie in his quest for revenge on her brother, but the Hamilton family is not what he expected. Evie and Logan must face the truth of the past and the dangers and mystery of the present if they are to have a future together.

Karen Witemeyer writes such excellent romance, and More Than Meets The Eye was certainly no exception. Logan and Evie’s connection is undeniable, tangible and so much fun to revel in. But Logan’s secrets and his plan for justice threaten the foundation of their growing friendship and romance.

Evie is a strong, stubborn and resilient character. Her joy seeps from the page - no wonder Logan falls under her spell so quickly. From the prologue, it is clear that Evie has faced many challenges in her life. But she, Seth and Zach forged together a wonderful little family. Their bonds, gentle teasing, and genuine sibling banter are such a delightful part of this book.

Along with romance and family bonds, More Than Meets The Eye also contains mystery and suspense, both in Logan’s quest and an unrelated mystery that falls into their laps. Shoot-out, ambushes, fights, and clues that need to be uncovered all add drama and excitement to the story, as well as an extra romance plot line, which is very sweet.

I thoroughly enjoyed More Than Meets The Eye. This book is the first instalment in the Patchwork Family series, which means there will be a sequel!!!! I cannot wait to read Zach’s story. My heart broke for his grief, the burdens he carries and the kindness and love he shows Evie and Seth, in his own reserved way. I just know that his story will be as wonderful as More Than Meets The Eye.

The publishers provided an advanced readers copy of this book for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.

Find more reviews, reading age guides, content advisory, and recommendations on my blog Madison's Library

[Nicole Williamson · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️! A super cute Christian romance with some exciting Western action, a good mystery, and wonderful sibling dynamics. Book 2 is still my favorite, but this was very enjoyable.

Content: kisses only, some brief violence

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Karen Witemeyer’s first book in the Patchwork Family series is a winner. The author grabs your attention with a tear-jerking prologue and hangs on to it all the way to the HEA epilogue. The spiritual lesson contained in this novel is presented in a way that is thought-provoking, but not preachy. It flows as a natural part of the story.
Evangeline has every reason to be bitter about the life card she has been dealt, but her temperament is just the opposite. She is loving, sweet, and grateful for all that life has to offer. She cares for those around her and spreads her love and joy to others.
Logan has lived the latter part of his life seeking revenge from the person he believes is responsible for the loss of his father and his home, Evangeline’s “brother,” Zach. When he meets and gets to know the unique neighbor, what will happen to his quest for vengeance?
Karen Witemeyer has written an historical romance with touches of humor and suspense guaranteed to keep you reading long past your bedtime!
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to give a positive review.

[Andrea Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

Patchwork families are some of my favorite stories to read. This book carried that expectation well. The familial love imprinted upon every page made my heart sing. The Hamilton siblings were amazing and came alive from page one. It was fun following their journey in this first Patchwork Family book. The gut-wrenching opening made me cry, so I knew I was in for a keeper. I love how deafness and heterochromia (having two different eye colors) played significant roles with both characterization and plot. The mystery was creative and unpredictable to me, which kept the chapters zooming. The themes of overcoming one’s past and creating for one’s family a brighter future were spot-on and delivered beautifully.

As a bonus, it was fun to see Bonham, Texas, featured in the opening scene. I used to live mere miles away from that town and would visit there quite often as it was the closest town with a grocery store in the 1990s when I small. It’s always a delight to see real-life small towns show up in the pages of books.

Content: one expletive, one sexual phrase, saloons, gambling, suicide (off-page), alcohol

[Gina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Totally adored this book!

I loved Evangeline! Her personality just made you smile every time she spoke, she was a bleeding heart for the underdog but also was a little spitfire! It was so fun to get to know the whole family with each of their unique personalities. They are a Patchwork family—a group of misfits that found each other. Such a sweet concept. I grew attached to everyone!

The story was both lighthearted while also having a lot of depth. I really liked that. It drove home some hard truths and was really spiritually sound. Looking forward to reading the next one, I hear it’s even better!

One of the best lines I’ve ever read came out of this book … “Love stayed. Even when things became messy and unpleasant, love stayed…”
How true. ♥️

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

It pains me to say it, but they just released this book cover art and it is, hands down, THE WORST Karen Witemeyer cover I have ever seen! In fact, it is one of the worst Bethany House covers I have ever seen. What's happening??? BHP used to be celebrated for their stunning, original, beautiful covers. Lately, they all look like cheap, homemade self-published covers from the early 1990s. Why have their designs become so amateurish? VERY disappointing... especially for an author as wonderful as Karen! 😩

[Sarita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not only does this story have the banter, fun and humour I've come to love about Karen Witemeyer, but I there was also loss and emotional baggage the characters had to work through. The opening of this story was heartbreaking.

I loved that this story included characters with imperfections - not only emotional but some endured physical challenges as well. Evie was such a strong character, remaining positive about life even after all the heartbreaks and rejections she experienced. I adored her pet pig Hezzie and how Evie even managed to get a smile out of serious Zach.

“No matter how many people reject or betray you,” she said, her voice soft yet intense, “if you have even one person in your life that you can count on—really, truly count on—you can overcome any obstacle.” She stepped closer to him. “Trusting the wrong person might lead to temporary heartache, but trusting the right one provides a strength that can fuel you for a lifetime.”

The character growth developed well in this story, with Logan learning about true forgiveness and leaving justice to God. But the antics of Evie made for a fun read and the added mystery/suspense thread was quite the adventure.

The romance was sweet and not overwhelming to the rest of the series and we were spoiled with two romance stories.

I loved all of the characters, but I loved Zach the most and looking forward to his story - I just have a feeling there is a lot more to this serious, "dangerous" man who gave up everything to protect his family.

God saw me. He cared about me. And he was showing me how to leave the darkness behind and enjoy beauty once again.