"The Divine Proverb of Streusel" by Sara Brunsvold

Young teacher Nikki Werner is reeling after her parents' divorce. Feeling shaken, she turns to answers within her family tree and visits her grandparents' farm in northeastern Missouri. Though her grandparents have both been gone for years, her uncle Wes welcomes her and sets her up at the farmhouse.

As Nikki helps Uncle Wes go through their ancestors' belongings in preparation of renovating the old home, she's drawn to some German books and a notebook filled with recipes and wisdom that were clearly written with care. When Nikki chooses to spend her summer vacation on the farm, she decides to go recipe by recipe through the book, cooking and absorbing the proverbs of her mothers before her.

This story is full of small town, down home charm, as well as the intricacies of family relationships. As Nikki questions both her past and her future—after all, if her parents' marriage didn't survive, how could she think of entering the state of holy matrimony herself?—she is continually pointed to the Lord by Uncle Wes and others she meets. 

I enjoyed this story, which while delving into deep topics is also gentle and calming. The writing style reminded me strongly of Cynthia Herron and her Welcome To Ruby series. My only small complaint about the book is that sometimes going no-contact with relatives really is the healthy and even loving thing to do. When it comes to dysfunctional families, each person must prayerfully decide what is the best course for themselves. If it's healthy for relationships to be restored, that is indeed cause for rejoicing, but it is not possible for everyone.

I'd recommend this for any fan of general or women's inspirational fiction.

I received my copy of this book from the author. All thoughts in this review are my own.