Book Review - The Divine Proverb of Streusel by Sara Brunsvold

My Review

Nikki Werner is still reeling from her parents' divorce when she discovers, via social media, that her father has unexpectedly remarried.  She is also wondering whether her boyfriend Isaac is the right man for her.  Since she is a teacher between school years, she goes to visit her Uncle Wes on his farm.  There she discovers her grandmother's old recipes and she begins to slowly learn about her family history ... and the truths her grandmother's memory teaches through her recipes and wisdom.

I wanted to read this book because I was interested in the mention of recipes and family food history.  The family's German heritage was also of interest to me.

The Divine Proverb of Streusel is a lovely read.  Nikki deals with some hard issues and learns about the power of grace and forgiveness.  Her wonderful grandmother, even in memory and old recipes and writing from the past, imparts strength and wisdom.

This novel is very well written.  I cared about Sara and her family in general  - especially Uncle Wes and Aunt Emma.  There is a strong faith message through the book.  I recommend this novel for fans of Christian fiction, women's fiction, and uplifting storytelling.

Book Synopsis

Shaken by her parents' divorce and discouraged by the growing chasm between herself and her serious boyfriend, Nikki Werner seeks solace at her uncle's farm in a small Missouri hamlet. She'll spend the summer there, picking up the pieces of her shattered present so she can plan a better future. But what awaits her at the ancestral farm is the past--one she barely knows.

Among her late grandmother's belongings, Nikki finds an old notebook filled with handwritten German recipes and wise sayings pulled from the book of Proverbs. With each recipe she makes, she invites locals to the family table to hear their stories about the town's history, her ancestors, and her estranged father.

What started as a cathartic way to connect to her heritage soon becomes the means through which she learns how the women before her endured--with the help of their cooking prowess and a healthy dollop of faith.

Author Bio

Sara Brunsvold is the author of The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip. She creates stories that speak hope, truth, and life. Influenced by humble women of God who find his fingerprints in the everyday, she does the same in her life and her storytelling. Sara's recognitions include the 2020 ACFW Genesis Award for Contemporary Fiction. She lives with her family in Kansas City, Missouri, where she can often be spotted writing at a park or library. Learn more at www.SaraBrunsvold.com.