Orphan Train: Together Forever (Series #2) (Hardcover)

Jody Hedlund's books are hands-down awesome. But this is actually the first non-young adult book by Jody Hedlund I've read..... and I absolutely loved it. The book is incredibly well-written with vivid descriptions of NYC and small towns of Illinois at the end of 1850s. The journey of the NYC orphans to their placement out West was detailed from beginning to end and I became invested in not only the main characters' lives but also in the various orphans' lives. Anyone who enjoys a historical romance that is realistic, well-researched, and heart-warming will love this book. I didn't read the first book in the series (With You Always) but didn't feel like I missed anything and this book can most certainly be read as a stand-alone. The main characters Marianne and Drew are so lovable and real....and so broken by their past mistakes. Marianne is a German immigrant who has lost track of her younger sister and is desperate to find her again. This drive helps her become a placement agent with the Children's Aid Society. She's only eighteen years old and somewhat young but has a big heart and loves the children whom she cares for during the placement. She matures quite a bit through the book and learns to embrace courage during the journey. Her discovery of who God has made her to be is a bittersweet process yet quite gratifying. Drew is a Southern gentleman with strong faith and endearing spontaneity that makes him oh-so-charming. He's running away from his misplaced sense of guilt and it catches up with him. Despite his faith, he still needs to learn to let go of the past and trust in Christ's forgiveness and accept unconditional love. This book took me on an emotional ride and I cried with their hurts and rejoiced with their victories. I truly liked the character of Reinhold....will there be a follow-up story about him, I wonder? The story also made me think deeply about the sanctity, joy, blessing and responsibility of parenthood. I received a copy of the book from the publisher through Celebrate Lit Tour. I was not obligated to post a review. Opinions expressed are solely my own and subjective.