New Augsburg, Book 3

By: Christa Petzold

Narrated by: Sarah Kramer

"Just because something can't be undone doesn't mean it can't be redeemed."

The year is 2122, and Zachary Barrett has made a habit of running from the disgrace of his family legacy. When offered the opportunity to regain a leadership role and restore his sullied reputation back home in New Augsburg, the temptation is too great to resist. But forces conspire against him. The stain of his own misdeeds, his father’s unexpected release from federal prison, and once-in-a-generation natural disasters threaten to interfere with his dreams of a fresh start.

Nearly four years into married life, Lydia Schaeffer thought she’d learned to trust God’s timing, but the unfulfilled desire to start a family leaves an ache in her heart. When her former nemesis returns to town and begins to spend time with one of Lydia’s dearest friends, past wounds and unforgiveness threaten to compound her grief.

As the residents of New Augsburg reckon with the sins of generations past and present, the challenges of a hostile government, and the unpredictable forces of nature, they must extend Christ-like grace to one another, facing the consequences of the past no matter the cost to the future.

©2025 Christa Petzold (P)2025 Christa Petzold

Amazing Redemption story

If you want a realistic Christian story about redemption and forgiveness. This is it. It's set in the future but feels very present.

Beautiful story of redemption

This may have been my favorite of the trilogy! Wonderful performance and beautiful storytelling, focused on redemption and forgiveness. This whole trilogy made me feel like I was wrapped up in a cozy blanket, sipping of mug of hot cocoa while sitting by the fire, surrounded by loving friends and family - in other words, happy, content, and full of peace. The story was convicting and thought provoking with a satisfying ending. I'm sad to have finished listening to this trilogy, but so so glad to have gone on the New Augsburg journey. ❤️

Redemption

When this third novel of the trilogy started, I was straight up angry that it was telling Zach’s story. Petzold successfully turned him into a villain, a truly and fully hated character, in her first two books, and I was not interested in hearing his story.
However, Petzold masterfully wove a story of sin, repentance, forgiveness, and redemption in such a way that not only was I crying for the villain, but I was cheering him on, too. It was a truly beautiful end to the story of New Augsburg.

A great end to the trilogy!

"Just because something can't be undone doesn't mean it can't be redeemed." This was a quote that stood out to me in this book and goes along with the theme: Christ's redeeming love. This book was a wonderful end to the trilogy! Book three focuses on Zach's story. I didn't think a book written about a character like Zach could move me to tears, but it did!

Christa writes in a way that allows the reader to feel the struggle when a character is facing trials and celebrate as the characters experience joyful times. Christa tackled some really hard subjects and it helped me understand what it would be like to be faced with all of those trials and blessings. The characters have already been so well developed in the first two books and this book digs even deeper into their complex lives, personalities, and relationships.

This was my favorite of the three books! I couldn't put the book down, especially in the second half. I highly recommend it. The narrator does a great job continuing to give so much personality to all of the characters. Reading the book was great but listening to the book made me feel like I knew the characters and was a part of the New Augsburg community.

Love a redemption arc

I love a redeeming character in anything, tv series, movie but especially a good book. Our MMC gets his that’s been coming for him over the course of this trilogy and I am so here for it! I think book III may just be my favorite of this series. Another great listen on audible as well.