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Something New (Plains City Bridesmaids #2)

by Dianne Christner (Goodreads Author)

4.3 of 5 stars 4.30 · rating details · 46 ratings · 22 reviews

Return to Plain City, Ohio, where lifelong goals open paths to something new. Lil Landis aspires to become a head chef…a far cry from her Conservative Mennonite upbringing. But as she chases after her dream, problems seem to hinder her every move—from her mother’s depression to her family’s failing farm. Veterinary student Fletch Stauffer comes to the Landis farm with some...more

Paperback, 320 pages

Published February 1st 2012 by Barbour Books

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Aug 24, 2012 Melanie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: christian-fiction, mennonite-fiction

In book one of the Plain City Bridesmaids we met Katy, Megan and Lil. Promised to be best friends always. In Something Old we read how Katy's life unfolded and God's plan for her. In Something New we follow Lil, the spunky one of the three.

Lil has always been one to press the boundaries of her conservative Mennonite faith. Removing her head covering, wearing shorts, and longing for a career as a head chef. The girls in book one share the Doddy house and enjoy the time with each other. Once Katy...more

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Jun 02, 2012 Ibjoy1953 rated it 5 of 5 stars

I was introduced to Dianne Christner’s when I read her first book in this series, “Something Old,” and I knew then I had found a new author to follow. I was anxiously awaiting for “Something New” to be released so I could read and review it as well. And I wasn’t disappointed.

This book is the story of Lil Landis. She is not happy with her life during this time because she had to move back to the farm to take care of her mother who was dealing with depression. Lil would much rather be rooming with...more

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Mar 01, 2012 Rhonda rated it 4 of 5 stars

Something New by Dianne Christner
4 STARS
Something New is a Christian fiction novel about a Mennonites family. I was caught up into the book till 2:00 AM. Their is no sex scenes and show people trying to be better.
Lil is a conservative Mennonites as is her whole family except Matt. She has moved back home, to take care of her mom who is in a bad depression and stays in bed. Lil is working in a restraunt and one day she wants to be a chef.
One day late for work she backed up her car into a lot fan...more

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Feb 28, 2012 IrenesChristianReviews rated it 4 of 5 stars

Something New, written by Dianne Christner, is book two in The Plain City Bridesmaids series. You do not have to read the others in the series to enjoy this book.

Lil Landis does not like living on the family farm. She would rather be a successful head chef. Her family needs her help as they go through some difficult times but helping them is hindering her ability to follow her dream.

When Lil literally runs into Fletch Stauffer she does not realize how much that encounter will change her life. Fl...more

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Oct 24, 2011 Tillie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: netgalley-review, amish-fiction

I loved that this book started with a backstory on the three characters that I grew to enjoy in Book 1. It was pretty cool to see where Lil's obsession with becoming a chef came from and seeing her journey of faith unfold right in front of us. It was a fantastic journey and soul searching type of book.
That said, the romance was pretty predictable, but had some unexpected twists and turns. Fletch was a pretty dynamic character who struggled with finding who he wanted to be and honestly, I wasn't...more

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Jun 08, 2012 Janie R. rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: amish-books-read

This is a beautiful,sweet love story of a girl that belong to the Darby Conservative Mennonite church, and a young man who is Mennonite,but not conservative.I loved Fletcher's character-intelligent,considerate of others,goal-minded,but sensitive to others in his life,his great sense of humor,and his beautiful love and respect for Lil' and for all the animals he took care of as a vet.They both searched to find, and discovered what was really important in their relationship.
I also enjoy the other...more

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Feb 21, 2012 Nikole Hahn rated it 5 of 5 stars

In Book One of Plain City Bridesmaids we fall in love with Katy and Jake in Something Old. In Book Two, Something New, Katy and Jake are on their honeymoon while Lillian has moved back home to the farm.

Lillian hates farm life. If all works well, Katy and Jake will move out of the Doddy House and Lillian and Meg will move in like they have talked about since they were all children, but things have become more difficult for Lillian. Her mother has fallen into a deep depression, and her father and...more In Book One of Plain City Bridesmaids we fall in love with Katy and Jake in Something Old. In Book Two, Something New, Katy and Jake are on their honeymoon while Lillian has moved back home to the farm.

Lillian hates farm life. If all works well, Katy and Jake will move out of the Doddy House and Lillian and Meg will move in like they have talked about since they were all children, but things have become more difficult for Lillian. Her mother has fallen into a deep depression, and her father and brothers have antiquated ideas about a woman's place. As the stress builds in the Landis household, Lillian meets Fletch.

Fletch is a new veternarian with a soft nature. His parents are brilliant missionaries and Fletch has hardly seen them these last few years. Fletch encounters trouble of a different sort in Plain City. One of his parent's most loyal donors helped Fletch get an intern position with a good friend. The loyal donor, Marshall pressures Fletch to take videos of sick animals on the Amish farms in order to get footage to help bring revenue to the struggling, rescue animal shelter.

Fletch doesn't want to hurt the trust a veternarian works hard to hold onto, but he feels pressured because Marshall has donated so much money towards his parent's missionary efforts. So what if he did take some videos of some sick pigs? The farm wasn't going to be named in the video, but it so happened that the farm in question belonged to the Landis family.

Dianne Christner takes Amish fiction to a new level by introducing more complex layers to a typical Amish romance. In the first novel, Something Old, Christner explores a very judgemental Katy. In Something New, there's a lot of gray and Fletch is easily pursuaded to bend his ethics a little in order to not offend anyone. Lillian has dreams, but in a place where men make the decisions and women get married and have children, she fights family tradition in order to be with the man she loves and hold on to the dream of being a chef.

Something New is another wonderful work of fiction that explores everyday struggles in a strict society without the naive innocence so common in Amish romance.

*book was given by publisher to review. (less)

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May 07, 2013 April Suter rated it 3 of 5 stars

It is Lil's turn. Jake and Katy are married and now living in the three girls' cottage the three friends grew up wanting to live together. Lil is back home helping with her family since her mother is having a tough time with depression. She is working hard at restaurant with dreams of being head chef. Fletch is finishing vet school and is sure he doesn't want to be a missionary like his parents. God may just have different plans for both.

This book was better than the first one in this series.
318...more

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Jan 16, 2012 Tammy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Lil Landis had dreams. She wanted to live in the doddy house with her best friend and be the Head Chef of a restaurant. Both were things that weren't common for a Conservative Mennonite. Young Women stayed home with their parents until they were married and they also didn't hold jobs outside the home. Lil was getting closer to living out her dreams when her mother became depressed. Lil was working at a restaurant as a cook. She was also living with her friend, Megan Weaver, when she was asked to...more Lil Landis had dreams. She wanted to live in the doddy house with her best friend and be the Head Chef of a restaurant. Both were things that weren't common for a Conservative Mennonite. Young Women stayed home with their parents until they were married and they also didn't hold jobs outside the home. Lil was getting closer to living out her dreams when her mother became depressed. Lil was working at a restaurant as a cook. She was also living with her friend, Megan Weaver, when she was asked to go home to help with her mother. To make matters worse, her father confided in her that they may lose their farm.

One day, Lil accidentally backed into the car Fletch Staufffer was driving. Fletch was going to school to be a Veterinarian. He also was Mennonite, but went to a more liberal church. They both felt an instant attraction to one another. One day Fletch showed up with Lil's brother, Matt, for a family get together. They began to date, against her father's wishes. The biggest obstacle in their relationship was the difference in their beliefs

Fletch was the child of missionaries. His father had always seemed too busy to have a father-son relationship with him. A contributor to the missions, Marshall Lewis, stepped in as a father figure to Fletch. Marshall asked Fletch to do something that was unethical. Fletch could jeopardize his veterinary career if he chose to please Marshall. With Marshall paying for his schooling he felt pressure to do it. Fletch would have to let down either Marshall or Lil and her family with his actions.

Somebody was let down by Fletch's choice, besides Fletch himself. Who does Fletch hurt with his decision? Does Lil ever fully achieve her dreams? Do Lil and Fletch work out their differences? Read Something New to find out.

This is a clean, inspirational book so I was a little surprised that there were things such as, how Fletch seemed obsessed with Lil's waist and referring to Lil, "She smiled seductively" in it. I also wasn't sure of the ages of Lil and her friends. Lil seemed a little immature, she was always calling her cousin "Chump." I thought the ending was a little abrupt, there needed to be something more between the last two chapters. All that aside, I enjoyed the book. I found myself pulling for Fletch. Like most people in a questionable situation, he didn't realize he had choices. Lil seemed to be a little spoiled. She didn't like wearing Plain clothes, she couldn't stand living on a farm. By the end of the book Lil realized that she wasn't trusting God with her life and His plans for her. The main theme of this book is forgiveness. Each character needed forgiveness or to offer forgiveness in one form or another. It reminds us that we all need to have forgiveness in our own lives. I look forward to reading the other books in this series.

Plain City Bridesmaids Series
Something Old #1
Something New #2
Something Borrowed #3 (out 8/12)

I received a free copy of this e-book from NetGalley for my honest review.(less)

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Oct 16, 2012 Aislynn (Stitch Read Cook) rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc-s-to-review, ebook, netgalley-to-read, contemporary-romance, netgalley-read, read-in-2012, inspirational, christian

We once again return to Plain City, the “doddy” house and best friends Katy, Lil and Meghan. Now that Katy and Jake are married, they have are living in the “doddy” house that originally she and Lil were living in; Lil’s moved home to help her family and lend a hand while her mother is ill.

Working, helping at home and keeping the peace is taking it’s toll on Lil. She desperately wants to become a head chef and live her own life, but things don’t seem to be going in her favor. As her mother’s de...more

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May 02, 2012 Abbie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012, barbour-books, netgalley-read, blog-reviewed, christian-contemporary-fiction, amish-fiction

4.5 Stars

Lil had to move back home after living on her own for a while to help take care of her mom who is struggling with depression. Lil really wants to be a head chief some day but feels torn between her family and her dream. Meeting Fletch only adds to her confusion.

Fletch is in Plain City to work for a vet so he can graduate. He meets Lil by chance and soon finds himself falling for her but he makes a choice that could end any chance between them. Will these two over come their difference...more

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Feb 05, 2012 Iola rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: amish, contemporary-romance, kindle, netgalley

Lillian Mae Landis considers herself a plain woman in every aspect – birth, upbringing, church, clothes and looks. She has always dreamed of being something more, specifically, being head chef at a restaurant, despite the teaching of her Conservative Mennonite church that married women don’t work outside the home, and that such ambitions are prideful and therefore sinful. There are also problems at home – the family farm is almost bankrupt, her brother has left their Conservative church, and her...more Lillian Mae Landis considers herself a plain woman in every aspect – birth, upbringing, church, clothes and looks. She has always dreamed of being something more, specifically, being head chef at a restaurant, despite the teaching of her Conservative Mennonite church that married women don’t work outside the home, and that such ambitions are prideful and therefore sinful. There are also problems at home – the family farm is almost bankrupt, her brother has left their Conservative church, and her mother is experiencing depression, which has (in their Conservative circles) a stigma of personal and spiritual failure.

Fletch Stauffer is also a Mennonite, but from a more progressive sect. He is a missionary kid, now training to be a vet at the advice of Marshall, a long-term financial contributor to his parents’ mission. His dream is to be ordinary, because living in Africa as a child meant he’d always been different from everyone else. Lily and Fletch meet after she backs into his car in the parking lot of the restaurant where she works. They are quickly attracted to each other, and get the opportunity to spend time together when Fletch’s vet internship brings him to the Landis pig farm.

Conflict arrives when Fletch is asked to undertake some voluntary work at an animal shelter, then makes an error of judgement that loses him the trust of the Landis family, including Lily. He then has to work through what he should have done, and make amends. Meanwhile, Lily is facing her own challenges, including what to do if her relationship with Fletch progresses, as she can’t imagine him joining her church, yet she knows it would hurt her family if she were to leave.

The story was initially confusing, as it started with three ten-year-old Mennonite girls at summer camp, then skipped forward several years without making clear exactly how old the friends now were. My initial reaction was that I’d accidentally stumbled on a Young Adult novel, which was not what I was expecting (while I have no objection to reading YA, I like to know in advance). While it soon became apparent that the three friends are now adults (as one had just married), parts of the novel still had a rather YA feel to them. I’m not sure if that was because of the young age and level of maturity of the protagonists (early 20’s, I think), because of a lack of worldliness in the Conservative Mennonite Church, or because of my personal views on the scriptural basis for some of the church rules, but it did mean that it took me a while to get into it. I also found the ending a bit abrupt, almost as though the last chapter was deleted to make room for the epilogue.

Something New follows on from Something Old (the story of Kate and Jake), so I’m guessing the next in the series will be Something Borrowed (the story of Mercy, the last of the three friends), possibly followed by Something Blue? They don’t have to be read in order, although many people do prefer to read in order to avoid spoilers. However, it’s a romance, which, by definition has to have a ‘happy ever after’. How much more of a spoiler could there be? I did enjoy Something New, but it was not, for me, a great novel. I would read more novels by Dianne Christner, but she won’t be one of those authors I read or buy automatically.

Thanks to Barbour Publishing and NetGalley for providing a free ebook to review. This review also appears on my blog, www.christianreads.blogspot.com. (less)

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Jan 19, 2012 pam rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: amish, netgalley

i did like this book not as good as book one. It is about a girl name Lillian she wants to be a chef in a fancy restauant she meets a guy name Fletch he is going to vet school and is working for a vet in plain city. it was kinna fun how they met Lillian was late for work and she was pulling out of the parking spot and hit Fletch's car but the car was really his bosses she gave him her insurance card that had her number on it if they would need it. then he lost her number and could not get a hol...more

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Nov 17, 2011 Dani Moore rated it 5 of 5 stars

Lil is a conservative Mennonite with dreams of being a head chef, Fletch is the son of liberal Mennonite missionaries who never wants to be like them. They both think they know what they want, but neither is ready for where God takes them. From pig farms to fancy Italian restaurants but things don't stop there. You will be surprised where then end up..and so are they! A fun read with nice people you would like to know better.

ISBN# 978-1-61626-232-7

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Oct 11, 2011 Nicole rated it 5 of 5 stars

The Something New is real love. Not to be confused with true love. real love is messy and doesn't fit in a box. Part of becoming an adult is reexamining the fairy-tale version of life you envisioned for yourself. Re-adjusting to fit into God's will for you. Something New is an enjoyable read with endearing characters.

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Jan 14, 2012 Linda marked it as to-read

Loved Dianne Christner's first book...'Something Old'.......and I look forward to reading her new book....'Something New' that comes out soon...can't hardly wait....a very awesome writer....a very devoted fan of Dianne Christner's too

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Feb 03, 2012 Anna rated it 2 of 5 stars

This book obviously didn't have a proof reader. A lot of misspelled words. Good story though. I gave it the low rating because it was poorly written. Capitalization is the wrong place and the further along I got the more misspelled words.

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Mar 31, 2012 Sherri Meinke rated it 4 of 5 stars

Good book, started off slow but in the middle it picked up momentum. I liked the recipes in the back of the book as well as the characters struggles. Great ending too!

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Feb 21, 2012 Gail rated it 5 of 5 stars

I loved this story & really enjoy this series,too!!! I'm glad things worked out in the story & I can't wait to read next book in this series!!!

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Apr 10, 2012 Nikki rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: first-reads, read-in-2012

I won this in a Goodreads giveaway. Overall, I enjoyed this book, up until the end. I really wanted Fletcher and Lillian to end up together throughout most of the book, but by the end I was just over how they treated each other and didn't really care how they ended up.

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Aug 13, 2012 Dazzle.ll rated it 5 of 5 stars

Loved it!

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Aug 21, 2012 Tina rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012-read

Something New book 2 in Plain City Bridemaids by Dianne Christner and it can be read as a stand alone.

EXCELLENT book. Main characters are tested about trust, faith, hardship, trials, and goals throughout the book, but can LOVE survive? Can LOVE conquer all?

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Shelves: first-reads

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About Dianne Christner

Dianne Christner's writing has evolved into what she calls the dramatic romantic comedy. Her current series falls in the Amish fiction sub-genre. Raised in the Mennonite church, she brings authenticity to "The Plain City Bridesmaids" series. While Christner addresses the joys and struggles of the Mennonite lifestyle, she tosses in plenty of humor to entertain.

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Something New (Plains City Bridesmaids #2)

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