A brooding man hiding out, a little boy with anxieties so big he doesn’t fully live life, and a mother who brings them together are just a few things to love about A Mother’s Strength.

Allie Pleiter welcomes readers back to Wander Canyon with some familiar faces and places, but the best part of this book is the relationships formed between Sawyer and Zach and Sawyer and Molly. The bond that quickly forms between Sawyer and Zach—two humans who are scarred and hurting—is heartwarming and proves right off that beneath Sawyer’s mysterious person and his preference to be alone, his true desire is connection.

Molly’s willingness to try something crazy to help her son is admirable. Her ability to put Zach first in everything while also wishing she could fix him is genuine. But her incessant cheerfulness is something that would definitely take some getting used to if you aren’t used to it or are trying to avoid it.

And then there’s Zach. This little boy is written so well, my heart hurt for him. I wanted him to learn that life serves up its disappointments, but it also includes such joy along the way, he didn’t want to miss it.

Readers of the other books in the series will enjoy the cameos by some of the Walkers and a few other Wander Canyon residents, but if your new to Pleiter’s books, you can pick up A Mother’s Strength and follow along without feeling like you’re missing something. I am also happy to hear this won’t be my last visit to Wander Canyon.

Disclosure statement: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own. ( )