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Threads of Change #3

Beneath the Night Tree

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Do I have a child? Julia DeSmit knew she would face the question eventually, but she didn’t expect it now. At twenty-four, she is finally content with the way her life has unfolded. A single mother to her son and young brother, she works at the local grocery store while chipping away at a two-year degree. All her free time is spent with her unorthodox family—her boys, her grandmother, and her boyfriend of five years. It’s not perfect, but Julia is happier than ever.

So when she receives the cryptic e-mail from her son’s father, Julia’s world is turned upside down. She hasn’t heard from Parker since he left her in a college parking lot nearly six years ago. But one look at her son—the spitting image of his father—is enough to convince her that, for better or worse, Parker is a part of their story. Faced with this new reality and an unexpected tragedy, Julia begins a tightrope walk between what was and what is, what she hopes for and what will be.

400 pages, Paperback

First published January 24, 2011

43 people are currently reading
758 people want to read

About the author

Nicole Baart

17 books1,569 followers
Nicole Baart is the author of eleven novels, including Everything We Didn’t Say (an October 2021 Book of the Month selection and Amazon Editor's pick) and The Long Way Back. Best known for her “race-to-the-finish family dramas” (People), Baart is also the cofounder of a nonprofit and mother of five. She lives in Iowa with her family.

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/nicolebaart/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/NicoleBaart/
Twitter https://twitter.com/NicoleLynnBaart

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5 stars
329 (38%)
4 stars
330 (38%)
3 stars
160 (18%)
2 stars
30 (3%)
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12 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 120 reviews
Profile Image for Nenette.
865 reviews62 followers
October 28, 2013
Can I have a fourth helping? I love this trilogy on the life of Julia DeSmit. It's a beautiful story of growing up and coming of age; being an adult trying to make the best in a dysfunctional setting. It deals with acceptance and belonging, change and forgiveness, love, hope.

The writing was poetic, but not overdone; the messages and life lessons were laid out but not preachy. It tugged at the heart, and it prompted one to rethink. It made me cry, but it also put a smile on my face.

Nicole Baart is the latest in my list of authors whose books I will seek out.
Profile Image for Jan Drexler.
Author 31 books343 followers
August 13, 2011
Single parent Julia DeSmit is defined by the roles she fills: mother, granddaughter, sister, student, worker…. Mothering her five-year-old son and her eleven-year-old brother is the great joy of her life, but also a huge burden. Although she shares the task with her aging grandmother, Julia still feels the weight of her responsibilities. Her long time boyfriend, Michael, seems to hold the promise for a better life – security, love, shared responsibilities – but while he is in school miles away those promises remain elusive. The biggest problem that Julia faces, though, is how to maintain the closeness and love she feels with her small, unusual family once Michael becomes a permanent part of her life. Will his love hold the key to the normal life she hopes awaits her? Then without warning Julia is contacted by the last person she ever expected to hear from again – the father of her five-year-old son. With his single question - “Do I have a child?” - Julia’s well-ordered life is gone. What takes its place is the answer to the prayer that she didn't hope to pray - a prayer answered beneath the night tree.

Nicole Baart’s writing is a joy. Even though the story constantly beckoned me to turn the pages quickly, I found myself rereading paragraphs in order to savor her lyrical prose. I will certainly look for her previous books, After the Leaves Fall, Summer Snow and A Moment Between, and I look forward to her next offering.

Tyndale House Publishers provided a free copy of this book for my review.
Profile Image for Amber French.
49 reviews3 followers
March 30, 2011
Julia not only readily admits to being a part of a patchwork family but finds comfort in it. Julia, her grandmother, son and younger brother all live on a farm in Mason, Iowa. But she can feel her world slowly starting to crumble. Her ten-year-old brother is quickly becoming a teenager, still grieving his mother walking out on him over five years ago. Her grandmother isn’t getting younger and the fact that she will one day be gone scares Julia. She loves her five-year-old son but wonders if she’s doing enough? She and her boyfriend have been dating for five years but she wants more. With him living six hours away, time together is limited. When he finally proposes, Julia wants to be excited but finds herself feeling as if something’s missing. Complicating things further is the entrance of her son’s father. She hasn’t seen him since she told him she was pregnant. What could he want? Why is he coming into her life now?

I give this book five stars! I’ve not read any other books by Baart but I’m definitely adding her to my “to read” list. She writes in such a way that I’m able to instantly identify with Julia and experience her highs and lows with her. The story moved at such a pace to keep me interested, wondering what would happen next. I really liked Parker, Daniel’s father. He was introduced in such a way that I wasn’t sure if he’d be a “bad guy” or not but his role soon became apparent. I enjoyed Baart’s sense of humor and I now want to make my own night tree :-).
Profile Image for Margaret Metz.
415 reviews9 followers
February 7, 2011
The first word that comes to mind when I think of this book is beautiful. The author's writing is almost poetic. She uses words in a unique way.


She also tells the story of a broken family - in more ways than one. She shows you all the little pieces and how sharp and painful the edges are - how they rub up against the characters and cut them just when all seemed to be peaceful and "safe" again. For a while they've been in the business of ignoring those broken pieces. Like a bunch of broken glass, whenever someone is cut, then all those pieces get swept under the rug with the hope they won't slip out and cut anyone again.


None of them truly believe that's the best way to deal with it, they just don't want the pain of trying to gather all of them up and face the probability of getting cut by more than one piece at a time. They are all just holding it together and fear that if anything changes - it won't work anymore. Change comes for them whether they like it or not.


This book had romance in it but it was more a powerful story about life and how the choices we make shape us and our families. It was about forgiveness, grace, choosing to live without fear and not settling for what is expected and safe because we think we aren't worth anything more. It's also about faith but in a subtle way and without being the least bit preachy.

I enjoyed it very much and need to thank Tyndale for providing my copy in return for my unbiased review.
Profile Image for Amanda.
168 reviews
June 9, 2011
I read the first book in this trilogy back in February because it was free on the Kindle at that time. I fell in love with Julia DeSmit because I could relate to her so easily. My friend Hannah got me this book off of my Amazon.com wish list for my birthday and I was thrilled to get back into the story. I enjoyed this continuation but was hugely disappointed when I realized I mistakenly skipped the second book, Summer Snow. I am still disappointed that the story is over; there is so much more to know about Julia, Daniel, Simon and Parker. I'm sad that I'm left to make up my own happy ending.

The great thing about these books is that even though they're part of a trilogy, you can really pick up at any point. Nicole Baart makes it easy to understand what's going on without having read the books in order. I appreciate that. Sometimes you don't want to get wrapped up in a parade of books that you have to read in order from beginning to end, but you're still interested in the story. Even though I skipped the second book by mistake, I didn't feel out of the loop and it was easy to follow along.
Profile Image for Nana.
652 reviews
December 26, 2018
A broken family discovers healing through the commitment of an unexpected individual. Desertion, an unplanned pregnancy, and the saving grace of a loving grandmother bind these individuals together over difficult times and heartache. Someone from the past makes an appearance in the lives of this family, and creates chaos in the balance of Julia's relationships with her boyfriend, and uncertainty in her son's life. Julia's plans appear to be taking an unplanned turn that could affect her entire family's future. I fell in love with this family and the dynamics which make them unique. Their devotion to one another is a beautiful example. The third in a series of three books, this book easily stands on its own merits. I highly recommend!
Profile Image for Michelle.
422 reviews14 followers
June 30, 2012
I ended up really enjoying this trio of books by Nicole Bart. . .so nice to have an author who writes a good clean story!
Profile Image for Amanda R.
131 reviews
April 16, 2021
I've been getting into the habit of randomly grabbing books at the library - just picking a shelf and taking one of the books off, committing to read it no matter what - no reading the blurb, no judging the cover. This was one of those books and can I say how happy I am that this one ended up in my hands?

When I got home and added it to my Goodreads, I discovered it was actually book 3 of a trilogy. Fortunately I was able to find books 1 & 2 on my Overdrive, so I started with them first. I had no idea I would fall so in love with the story of Julia DeSmit. Book 1 takes her from being a little girl dealing with feelings of abandonment by her mother, and dealing with the pangs of first love on into college where she is experiencing new things and ultimately makes a choice that changes her life forever. Book 2 follows up immediately after as she returns home at the age of 19, dealing with the repercussions. Her life changes again when her mother returns after years of being gone, and she meets her half-brother for the first time. Book 3 is the final chapter in her story and finds her as a single Mom still living with her grandmother, raising both her son and half-brother.

I was fully immersed in Nicole Baart's beautiful writing and found myself thinking of Julia, Simon, Thomas, Parker, Grandma, and Daniel even when I wasn't reading. The story gripped me and I loved how raw Julia was. I loved her struggles with her life and her faith, with holding onto past hurts and ultimately releasing them. I loved Baart's message of forgiveness and showing how people can actually change. I feel like that goes against what current society tells us, but it does show how God can really work in someone's life.

All in all, I loved this series, love this author, and am so glad I picked it up! Random book picking - I tell you! You can find some real gems that way!
Profile Image for Julie.
20 reviews2 followers
May 19, 2019
Enjoyed this trilogy so much. It was refreshing to see how Julia grew from the first book to the end. Her life wasn't perfect but she fought to hold her mismatched family together. A refreshing read. I must admit that I am sorry the story has come to an end. I would love to see how Julia, Simon and Daniel continue to grow. Maybe Nicole Baart will take into consideration that there is more story to tell about this lovely family.
Profile Image for Marisa.
1,353 reviews112 followers
April 20, 2017
I loved the way this book ended the series although I'm crying pretty hard because of some of the revelations. I think julia really grew into herself and into a strong woman. I do hope that Nicole Baart does follow up

This trilogy will stay with me for a long time. Hopeful, realistic and a fun read. I loved it.
Profile Image for Wendy.
33 reviews
May 19, 2021
I LOVED this book, it pulled everything together. Julia's search for love and belonging, her grandmother's godly (though quiet and unobtrusive) influence. Was so cool to see how she matured and was able to slow down and listen for God's guidance. I also reviewed the first book and like I said it was kinda hard to get through but soooo worth it.
Profile Image for Tiffany.
190 reviews18 followers
May 12, 2011
Julia’s world is thrown off center when she opens her email to find a letter from the past. Unprepared for its effect on her future, the short note “I have thought about you every day for the past five years”, the apology “I’m sorry” and the question “Do I have a child?” are crippling to Julia as she is finally content with the way her life has turned out. Her heart torn by the email from her son’s father, Julia prepares to deal with Parker and his effect on their lives. Regardless of the outcome Daniel is the spitting image of his father, making Parker undeniably part of their story for better or worse. Julia’s unorthodox family is about to feel the effects of Parker on all their lives and it just might not be as bad as Julia fears.

Beneath the night tree is a heart wrenching yet triumphant novel that captures the essence of a mother’s love in the midst of her own fear and uncertainty. Julia’s story is truly poignant, bringing about a novel that is sincere of live, love and personal transformation. Julia, who has had a truly unorthodox life by many standards, is not all that different from many people in our world today. As she battles her insecurities and fears, Julia turns to those whom she loves and respects, letting them enable her to discover what is right for her. The novel is honest, brutal and sweet. It had me captivated from beginning to end; leaving me with mixed yet satisfied emotions.

Nicole Baart is an amazing writer. Her style is flawless, proven by the way she captivates her reader. Beneath the night tree felt so real, I often forgot I was reading a book. The author does a wonderful job of captivating the emotions and thoughts of each character, especially Julia as she deals with life changing decisions and events. The novel is categorized as Christian fiction but felt authentically human in nature. It mentions prayer as Julia Questions and pleas with God for guidance and understanding, however, it is done in a manner that makes the reader feel even a non-believer might do the same thing in the same situation. I highly recommend this novel to readers of all genres. It is moving and unexpected. I was very glad I read it and I look forward to reading more from Ms. Baart.

Reviewed for ReaderViews and posted on http://acozyreaderscorner.blogspot.com
Profile Image for Ellen.
204 reviews11 followers
February 3, 2011
What a refreshing story found in Beneath the Night Tree by Niclole Baart. It is not only a 'boy meets girl' story, but poses the question about what makes a family.

Julia, in her early 20's, is a single mom to her son and a substitute mom for her younger brother. They all live with her grandmother who is the wise, spiritual leader of the family. As Julia learns and lives the difficulties of single parenting, she dreams of marrying her boyfriend, Michael, a med school student.

One click of her email opens up the world of the unknown. Her son's father, Parker, has contacted her, and after learning of his child, desires to meet him and be a part of his life - if Julia allows. As she wrestles with this, she agrees to the meeting.

How is she to relate to Parker? How will his intrusion into her life affect her future with Michael? And why, after 5 years of dating, doesn't Michael try to bond with her boys, yet Parker becomes the male role model their young lives?

And in the end, what does constitute a family?

I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading her other books After the Leaves Fall and Summer Snow.
My rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Amy.
1,075 reviews91 followers
March 9, 2011
This is another one of those books that deserves an extra half star because it was a good book...it just didn't deserve my four star rating. When I first heard that Nicole Baart was going to wrap up the character of Julia in her 3rd and final book in the series, I was very glad. I looked forward to the book coming out. The only problem was this: It had been so long since I had read the other two, I couldn't remember all the necessary details that would have helped my transition to the 3rd book. I think there was too much time between her 2nd and 3rd books in this series.

I would have liked to have seen her develop the character of Parker further. We never knew what was going through his mind and I think it would have been interesting for Baart to bounce between the two characters in perspective. Yet, she is the author and there may have been an underlying reason why she chose to write from just a single character's perspective in the 3 books.

While I only gave the book 3 stars, I will always look forward to reading what Nicole Baart writes. She is a recurring readable author for me.
Profile Image for jaimedannie.
266 reviews7 followers
July 20, 2024
About halfway through this book I really didn't want to finish it because it felt like it was being far too drawn out, but I stuck with it. The ending was slightly predictable but nevertheless it was satisfying to finally get there. As far as a trilogy goes I may read it again in spite of the fact that it is predictable.
Unfortunately the author decided to change the character and integrity of Michael who is introduced in the second book. It made no sense to me, as a reader you want her to end up with him.
my ratings:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐: Loved it. Couldn't put it down. I will probably read it again and it has a place in my library.
⭐⭐⭐⭐: Enjoyed it. Good characters, great story. if nonfiction, great information, interesting topic.
⭐⭐⭐: Liked it. Glad I read it, but won't read again.
⭐⭐: okay, I won't read it again, it will not be kept for my library.
⭐: I didn't like it, don't recommend it.
21 reviews
August 2, 2018
​Life's unexpected paths give unimagined blessings

Julia is anticipating a future with the man she's been dating for five years, but the question he asks her is not the one she was hoping for. While contemplating what to do in response, her life stays busy with her family - five-year-old son Daniel, half-brother Simon and her mother. The following weeks and months bring more surprises for the family - including an email from Daniel's long-gone father. It's about learning to embrace what happens in life and not wasting time wishing for things that did not.

A fun and heartwarming novel, perfect for a summer afternoon. (Or night, if you can't put it down...! :-)
992 reviews4 followers
February 9, 2021
This was a very beautifully written story. I didn’t realize when I picked it up at a used bookstore that it was the third in a series. But it seemed to stand alone just fine. Michael and his mother really irritated me, riding over a Julia like she had no choices of her own (and she let them!). But she finally woke up and realized he wasn’t right for her little family. I did wish we had learned how Daniel (and Simon, too) reacted when they found out that Parker is Daniel’s birth father.
Profile Image for Scalingv scaling.
28 reviews1 follower
April 15, 2020
want to give 3 1/2 stars!!! really good, feel good book! I picked this book up at the thrift store not knowing anything about it or the author. I would definitely read this author again! I also discovered this was book 3 of a trilogy. I wish I would have read the first 2, but I still enjoyed the 3 rd and was able to catch up really quickly!
68 reviews2 followers
May 27, 2020
Wish they would have given a little more background about her and Michael so I could've gotten to know his character a little more. If they had done that then maybe I would have been surprised when she chose parker. I feel like they gave a lot of detail on Parker so it made you want to fall in love with him. Overall a great book wish Nellie could have seen parker and her get married.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
1,185 reviews5 followers
June 23, 2022
This was the perfect sweet story of a mother, brother, son and grandmother all living under one roof. We watch the sensitively written drama of what really makes an assorted group of folks with more than their share of issues and drama into FAMILY.
I found it a pleasant change from some of the heavy novels I'd lately chosen for myself!
Profile Image for L..
237 reviews1 follower
August 19, 2023
Great story and easy to follow. Definitely worth reading and I love how the author was showing us through this book that often times we can get off track trying to live our life through others and not relying on God's plan for us. This was a sweet story of love, of endurance, of a family hanging on to each other through the good and bad times. I loved it!
Profile Image for Lucy.
286 reviews4 followers
October 3, 2023
4 and a half stars, for all the books in this series. Loved it! This last book is a wonderful finish, and hope shines bright! A favorite quote:
"I prayed for wisdom, for guidance, but God seemed tight-lipped. Or maybe He was just biding His time, following a schedule that I couldn't access no matter how earnestly I begged to catch a glimpse of His agenda."
Profile Image for Katie C.
85 reviews
June 26, 2018
I actually liked this third book best out of this series. I felt like all the books were a little slow, but this one wasn't as depressing as the others and seemed to move at a little quicker pace at least.
1,260 reviews6 followers
April 4, 2019
The last of the three-part "Julia" series has an interesting twist, but mostly I enjoyed seeing how Julia had grown up, and learned about family and love and being together.

Well-written and it is even more fun to have so many Midwestern things thrown in!
Profile Image for Brooke.
2,533 reviews29 followers
March 17, 2020
After an initial big surprise, this book was incredibly predictable, but the lack of saccharine setup in books one and two made it a nice ending to the series instead of gross, even tho it's the too perfect everything that it seemed books one and two were setting out to avoid.
81 reviews1 follower
January 28, 2022
Tender Story

A wonderful finale to Julia's story. The narrative reminds
me of how God pursues us and works in our lives. There are always difficulties, but he is there through them all as Julia and other characters come to recognize.
243 reviews1 follower
June 11, 2025
By far the best book of the trilogy this book got me right in the feels. There were still points that made me want to shake Julia but her character growth greatly enhanced the story. Nicole Baart certainly knows how to spin words together to make an enjoyable reading experience.
Profile Image for Debi De Jager.
5 reviews
May 9, 2017
This Author takes my breath away. I find myself in tears, not because it's sad but because of it's beauty. Love her insight into the human condition and are drawn into her world instantly. I love it!
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