Beneath the Night Tree

Can I have a fourth helping? I love this trilogy on the life of Julia DeSmit. It's a beautiful story of growing up and coming of age; being an adult trying to make the best in a dysfunctional setting. It deals with acceptance and belonging, change and forgiveness, love, hope. The writing was poetic,......more

Single parent Julia DeSmit is defined by the roles she fills: mother, granddaughter, sister, student, worker…. Mothering her five-year-old son and her eleven-year-old brother is the great joy of her life, but also a huge burden. Although she shares the task with her aging grandmother, Julia still fe......more

Julia not only readily admits to being a part of a patchwork family but finds comfort in it. Julia, her grandmother, son and younger brother all live on a farm in Mason, Iowa. But she can feel her world slowly starting to crumble. Her ten-year-old brother is quickly becoming a teenager, still grievi......more

Enjoyed this trilogy so much. It was refreshing to see how Julia grew from the first book to the end. Her life wasn't perfect but she fought to hold her mismatched family together. A refreshing read. I must admit that I am sorry the story has come to an end. I would love to see how Julia, Simon and......more

I loved the way this book ended the series although I'm crying pretty hard because of some of the revelations. I think julia really grew into herself and into a strong woman. I do hope that Nicole Baart does follow up This trilogy will stay with me for a long time. Hopeful, realistic and a fun read.......more