Amalia is appointed legal guardian after Ruthie's mother dies from cholera while on a ship to America. Amalia, twenty, is unmarried, and she can't imagine what awaits her at the boarding house Ruthie inherited in Iowa.

Determined, Amalia shows great love for Ruthie and strength and determination to do her best. Little does she know what awaits her. The characters are well-developed with flaws and strengths, and I enjoyed following their reactions to the numerous circumstances and obstacles they had to face. There were so many twists to the storyline that kept me guessing, and I couldn't put it down.

I enjoyed the setting, including the boardinghouse, farm life, Norwegian historical details, and close-knit community. The story is about trust, new beginnings, compassion, loss, and a willingness to follow God's prompting. The faith aspect was beautiful and enriched the story. I highly recommend it. There is so much depth to the storyline.

I received an ARC from the author; a positive review is not required. All opinions are my own.