Scent of Lilacs by Ann H. Gabhart ~ review

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Revell (May 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0800730801
• ISBN-13: 978-0800730802

Before Ann H. Gabhart became well-known for her much-loved Shaker novels, she wrote three poignant novels centered on the loveable Jocie Brooke and her family, who lived in 1960s small-town Kentucky. Once named as one of "Booklist"'s Top Ten Christian Novels and now featuring a brand new cover, "Scent of Lilacs" is poised to capture the hearts of new readers everywhere. Life-changing events rarely happen here, and when they do, they are few and far between. But for Jocie Brooke and her family, they happen all at once. Jocie has questions that need answers. As she digs into her family's past, she finds a whirlwind of discoveries, and everything begins to change. In the end, will Jocie find the answers everyone so desperately needs, or will her questions lead to truths that were better left uncovered? 
Combining unforgettable characters, true-to-life struggles, and the perfect dose of humor and nostalgia, this riveting story takes readers through the universal experiences of true love, new life, and renewed faith. With a beautiful new cover, "Scent of Lilacs" is poised to capture the hearts of readers everywhere.

My take on this book:

It's the summer of 1964 in the tiny town of Hollyhill, Kentucky. David Brooke's first calling is as a preacher, and he hopes to land the interim pastor position at the Mt. Pleasant Church  His day job is working at t he Hollyhill Banner, so that he can earn money to take care of his family. Thing is it had been seven years ago that his wife Adrienne left and taken his oldest daughter Tabitha with her, leaving their youngest daughter Jocie for him. The summer of 1964 sees several changes taking place in the Brooke family when his daughter Tabitha who is now twenty returns home. With questions that she want's answered Jocie decides to the only way to get those answers is to dig into a past that just might be better left alone. Will Jocie get the answers she needs and will it strengthen the Brooke family, or tear them apart?

I really enjoyed the way the author switched perspectives allowing us to see things unfold thru the eyes of Jocie as well as David. I really enjoyed the voice of Jocie, and her unwavering faith in God. I loved that she prayed to get a dog and she got Zebedee, a dog she said that no one would want. I could easily understand why Jocie would have questions about her sister,and the fact that she prayed that her sister would come home seemed so realistic. I really enjoyed the secondary characters in this story, their unique voices really kept the story moving along for me. Overall, this was a story that drew me in and wouldn't let me go. I love historical fiction, and when it's peppered with bits of humor, an inspirational message along with true to life characters I always hate seeing the story end. Fortunately this is just the beginning of  The Heart of Hollyhill series and I for one can't wait to read the rest of the series.

A complimentary copy of this book was provided in exchange for an honest review.

"Available March 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group."