I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by NetGalley. I was not compensated for this review and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I was not required to write a positive review.
Where We Belong by Kim Vogel Sawyer Published by PRH Christian Publishing on April 21, 2026
Genres: Fiction / Christian / Historical, Fiction / Christian / Romance / General, Fiction / Christian / Romance / Historical
Pages: 368
Format: ARC
Source: NetGalley
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Four lives from Kansas and New York cross paths in a joyful novel of love, determination, and the unbreakable bonds of family—from the beloved and bestselling author of Hope's Enduring Echo.
“A heartwarming, faith-filled historical novel that captured me from the first page. I highly recommend it!”—Carrie Turansky, author of A Token of Love and The Legacy of Longdale Manor
The life of Hester Haak, a widow with no children of her own, takes an unexpected turn when she opens her Kansas home to children from the bustling streets of New York City. The orphan asylum has entrusted her with two sisters and a young boy, and Hester is determined to provide a safe and loving environment for them. Despite the looming uncertainty of their stay, she rises to the challenge, embracing the opportunity to make a difference in their lives.
Meanwhile, Callum Holbrook is grappling with the loss of his wife and the despair that followed. Unable to provide for his family, he made the heart-wrenching decision to place his daughters in an orphanage, promising it was only temporary. Now, with a stable job and a renewed sense of purpose, Callum is horrified to learn that his daughters have been sent halfway across the country. Fueled by determination and love, he embarks on the difficult journey to bring them back.
Through their struggles and triumphs, Hester and Callum discover that family and love can be found in the most surprising places—and that the journey home is paved with hope.
Let’s talk for a minute about Kim Vogel Sawyer. It’s been a hot minute (just over 7 years!) since I read one of her books, and I have absolutely missed them. Yes, she writes historical fiction, which is a huge green check for me. She writes strongly from a Christian perspective in a way that is seamless and doesn’t feel forced . . . another green check. But it’s her writing style, her words, that truly bring me back to her again. Got a sassy teenager with a lot of resentment? The words are just the vessel to really let you feel the frustration and sass, but also know that there’s opportunity to resolve. She takes you into the tension that you can feel in the words, but then she does so in such a way that you expect the resolution. I can’t describe it, I just know that reading her books soothes me.
As I restart my reading journey, passion, if we are being real, I stumbled across this book almost on accident as I’m focusing mostly on backlist that I’ve missed. But the Orphan Train premise was a gimme. I’ve enjoyed a LOT of books specifically about the Orphan Trains. But this one was built different. Very different. Normally, you read mostly from the child’s perspective and the hardships they encounter. Here, there are many different perspectives told (including the children), which really gives a well-rounded story that was easy to engage in. Yes, here are hardships, but there’s a reason that is not tied to the adoptive family or their life as an adopted child.
While, for the most part, everyone is a bit too clean – to pristine – even sassy Evelyn, you can still feel and understand the tension. I think Uncle Scotty was a favorite, though, and I’d love a story about his backstory, his life. There’s a lot of living and adventures hinted into the words, and I literally need to know more. Sawyer also dove into a situation of an unwed pregnancy in this book with grace instead of judgement which is almost unheard of during this time in history. But big picture . . . what happens when some non-orphans get sent from New York to Kansas to be adopted as orphans, but their parent wants them back? That’s the bigger picture that brings along a lot of sass, stress, more stress, some worry, and the ultimate happy ending that Sawyer does so well.
About Kim Vogel Sawyer
Award-winning, bestselling author Kim Vogel Sawyer wears many hats. As a wife, mother, grandmother, song-singer, cat-petter, and active participant in her church’s music and women’s ministries, her life is happily full. But her passion lies in penning stories that share the hope we can all possess when we place our lives in God’s capable hands. She and her retired military hubby live on the beautiful plains of Kansas, the setting for many of Kim’s books. In her free time, she enjoys quilting, traveling with “The Hubs,” and spoiling her quiverful of granddarlings..
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