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Brides of Amish Country #4
The Farmer Next Door
Adrian Lapp had taken that vow after losing his wife and son. But the newest resident of the Amish community of Hope Springs captivates him from their first meeting. Widow Faith Martin is strong, courageous and determined to make her farmstead profitable. Her fight to raise her six-year-old orphaned nephew in the Amish community brings her closer to the members of Hope Springs…and Adrian. Now if only Adrian can open his heart to the possibility of love again….
288 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published June 21, 2011
49 people are currently reading
373 people want to read
About the author
Patricia Davids
142 books404 followersI was born and raised in Northcentral Kansas. I'm a farmer's daughter, but I now make my home in the city of Wichita. I'm an RN. Neonatal nursing has been the main focus of my career. What can I say? I love babies. I was invited to the highschool graduation of a baby I took care of. Talk about making me feel old!
In June of 2011 I became a widow after my husband of 36 years and 11 months died from multiple brain tumors. It was a very sad time, but thanks to the three f's, my faith, my family and my friends, life is moving forward. I have four brothers, one daughter and two grandchildren who all work at making me feel loved.
I'm the author of more than 30 books and I'm currently writing a series called The Brides of Amish Country for Love Inspired.
In June of 2011 I became a widow after my husband of 36 years and 11 months died from multiple brain tumors. It was a very sad time, but thanks to the three f's, my faith, my family and my friends, life is moving forward. I have four brothers, one daughter and two grandchildren who all work at making me feel loved.
I'm the author of more than 30 books and I'm currently writing a series called The Brides of Amish Country for Love Inspired.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
June 22, 2011
Amish romances are plentiful these days so it takes a special one to catch my eye. Patricia Davids’s new book, The Farmer Next Door, is a gem that sparkled from the moment I picked it up. The author’s humor, compassion, deep insights, and relevant plot make the Amish widow and widower theme fresh and exciting. The hero and heroine are imperfect human beings navigating between two worlds with unspoken longing for companionship and respect for their community. Unexpected plot twists jumped off the pages I was turning as quickly as I could read them. I found myself laughing at the antics of widow Faith Martin’s alpacas and drawn into the struggles of widower neighbor Adrian Lapp. The emotional twists and turns of their romance left me sighing, smiling, and tearful. Their fears and spiritual struggles are described in a way guaranteed to ring true to readers who can learn much from their story of old lives set aside and new beginnings found. From the alpacas raised by the Amish heroine to the interactions with the Zooks, The Farmer Next Door is a delightful keeper.
June 24, 2017
A lovely clean romance about a little boy who becomes an orphan, a woman who has suffered more than anyone ever should at the hands of men and a man who was living until he died. And how God uses each of them to heal the other. Sweet baby animal added to mix and a judge who I'd like to meet.
December 2, 2022
Absolutely fantastic book about love, living, and alpacas.
Faith was an abused wife. She's lost her husband, home, and brother (in Texas)... but God is good. He's given her an abandoned farmstead, the opportunity to adopt her nephew, and a lively herd of alpaca to spin yarn from for an income.
She's also been blessed with a gruff but kindly widower neighbor who is helping her fix up her place - mostly because he believes she can't make a go of it, and he intends to buy it, so it's just work he'd do on the place, anyhow.
The story isn't dramatic for drama's sake, which is a HUGE relief. There is Aidan's faltered faith that needs addressing, Kyle (nephew)'s transition from being Englisch to Amish, and the acceptance into a new community. Truth is, I kind of *wanted* a little more drama - Faith's easy acceptance of Aidan as a formerly beaten wife was too easy for me. Also, she's disabled, and for a good half of the book it doesn't factor - and it doesn't even come UP in their relationship.
But for all that, the story is light-hearted considering the heavy load of problems, and I've even given it to my boys to read. Definitely a keeper!!
PS: Someone was complaining about the short time from application to adoption in the book. Since this can only be a 180-ish page romance novel, brevity was necessary. It's understandable. The only way that could've been handled better was if the story starts four months after Faith moves in, and she had been working on the house, noticing little improvements on the farm, but too wrapped up in spinning up a sizeable amount of skeins to have seen what was going on. Which... okay, that could've been even cuter, but I'm still really good with how it was done.
Definitely one of your best, Pat. ;)
Faith was an abused wife. She's lost her husband, home, and brother (in Texas)... but God is good. He's given her an abandoned farmstead, the opportunity to adopt her nephew, and a lively herd of alpaca to spin yarn from for an income.
She's also been blessed with a gruff but kindly widower neighbor who is helping her fix up her place - mostly because he believes she can't make a go of it, and he intends to buy it, so it's just work he'd do on the place, anyhow.
The story isn't dramatic for drama's sake, which is a HUGE relief. There is Aidan's faltered faith that needs addressing, Kyle (nephew)'s transition from being Englisch to Amish, and the acceptance into a new community. Truth is, I kind of *wanted* a little more drama - Faith's easy acceptance of Aidan as a formerly beaten wife was too easy for me. Also, she's disabled, and for a good half of the book it doesn't factor - and it doesn't even come UP in their relationship.
But for all that, the story is light-hearted considering the heavy load of problems, and I've even given it to my boys to read. Definitely a keeper!!
PS: Someone was complaining about the short time from application to adoption in the book. Since this can only be a 180-ish page romance novel, brevity was necessary. It's understandable. The only way that could've been handled better was if the story starts four months after Faith moves in, and she had been working on the house, noticing little improvements on the farm, but too wrapped up in spinning up a sizeable amount of skeins to have seen what was going on. Which... okay, that could've been even cuter, but I'm still really good with how it was done.
Definitely one of your best, Pat. ;)
January 19, 2021
This is a new author for me and I really liked it! Faith is Amish and new in town. She is widowed - her abusive husband was killed when a car rams their buggy and has a home her husband inherited . She needs a new start and hopes to adopt her dead brothers child but has to make the house livable and get some money coming in. She raises llamas and spins their wool. Adrian is her next door neighbor and is a sad man. He lost his wife and son. He is intrigued by faith and begins to help her get her house in shape, introduces her to others in the community and is a huge help and role model when the little nephew comes. It was a good story. Believable and fast paced!
July 29, 2022
Second chances in an Amish Pennsylvania Dutch town. Faith Martin has moved to Hope Springs to start an alpaca/llama farm, using the wool to create yarns and knitted goods. She's also hoping to adopt her nephew, Kyle. Faith's brother left the Amish ways, and he and his wife recently passed away. And next door to Faith's farm is farmer Adrian Lapp, who's been dealing with the loss of his wife and child. Nice story, and interesting about how a child not brought up in the Amish lifestyle has to adapt.
June 21, 2022
It’s a rare book that gives you such a hard time deciding which character is your favorite! I really loved both Adrian AND Faith - they’d both been through so much pain and suffering, and had so little personal hope for their futures. Glad God had more in store for them than they expected! I thought Adrian’s cemetery visits were precious. And Faith’s desperation to be a mother…glad she ultimately didn’t have to pay that price! A wonderful book from a new-to-me author.
December 24, 2022
While there is much past heartbreak that affects Faith, her nephew Kyle and their neighbor Adrian in this story the Amish Christian faith and their generosity of spirit really touched my heart. Patricia Davids’ portrayal of Amish life is very appealing, especially in this day and age. Kyle is a precocious little boy who brings joy to both neighbors and Adrian’s budding romance with Faith is heartwarming and quite appealing but it’s Faith’s alpaca friends that stole my heart. Myrtle spitting at Adrian and the bishop’s wife made me laugh out loud and all of the animal’s antics and their personalities have convinced me to add a visit to an alpaca farm to my bucket list. I’m truly enamored with all of the stories from this delightful series.
March 3, 2022
Community
What Faith needs is a good community to support her. Recently inherited farms can be dilapidated and no matter the scrubbing may hold many secrets. Neighbors who come to help at every turn are needed, but Adrian cuts a bargain almost as hard as his heart. Faith and Adrian truly are two very lonely people who are further brought together by a child who needs their love.
What Faith needs is a good community to support her. Recently inherited farms can be dilapidated and no matter the scrubbing may hold many secrets. Neighbors who come to help at every turn are needed, but Adrian cuts a bargain almost as hard as his heart. Faith and Adrian truly are two very lonely people who are further brought together by a child who needs their love.
January 7, 2017
Another great Amish book. I like the variety of Patricias story lines. An English boy comes to live with his Amish aunt who raises alpacas. The fact that alpacas spit gives a fun twist to the story. A must read.
July 1, 2021
Patricia Davids wrote another wonderful book, which anyone that has dealt with personal loss or tragedy, will appreciate. The characters are real and exhibit strong emotions, that are genuine. I highly recommend the series and this installment! I wish I lived in such a supportive community.
July 9, 2023
Love this Series. An Amish Widower and Amish Widow meet over wandering Alpacas . Both hurting from past loss .He can't get over Loss of wife and Son. She is Trying to Adopt Her Orphaned Nephew Raised English But as these neighbors become friendly, With Faith and a whole Amish Community coming together. Love and Family is the End result.☺️☺️☺️
June 8, 2017
This was a great read, particularly the outlining of the restrictions by the Amish.
Very heartfelt story.
Very heartfelt story.
July 20, 2017
This was a very good story.
November 6, 2017
I enjoy easy reading Amish books. This did not disappoint. They often have predictable endings, but I enjoyed the plot and development of the character's lives throughout.
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July 15, 2021Loved reading about the Alpacas. Very refreshing and entertaining to reading in these crazy times. Fell in love with the characters. Needed this happily ever after!
November 8, 2022
Great story
May 10, 2023
A review to follow
August 14, 2023
Great read!
September 30, 2023
One of the best I've read unique and heartwarming would recommend
October 8, 2024
Loved this story. I couldn’t put it down until I had finished it I love the whole series
May 7, 2025
light, faith heavy easy breezy read
May 17, 2025
this series has been absolutely wonderful so far, watching Faith and Adrian overcome their struggles and be able to adopt the child is just so heartwarming
January 28, 2012
Title: THE FARMER NEXT DOOR
Author: Patricia Davids
Publisher: Love Inspired
July 2011
ISBN: 978-0-373-81557-9
Genre: Inspirational/Amish
Adrian Lapp has lost his wife shortly after childbirth, and his young son a few years later when he was hit by a car. He swears he’ll never marry again. But that is until Faith Martin moves in next door. Faith also lost her husband and twin daughters, but she had an unhappy marriage and she doesn’t want to be beat by a man again.
Faith raises alpacas for their wool to spin into yarn. But when they get into Adrian’s beans he is less than happy. Still, he offers to help Faith get the animals properly enclosed so they don’t escape and eat up his beans.
Faith’s English brother died and she hopes to adopt his son as hers but the social worker is less than enthusiastic about letting an Amish woman adopt an English boy. Faith is the boy’s only living relative so she has to give her a chance but she keeps finding things to knit-pick about, including the fact that she is Plain. Will Faith get to keep her nephew and find love in the process? Or will she lose both the boy and Adrian?
THE FARMER NEXT DOOR is part of Ms. Davids Brides of Amish Country series. It is kind of simplistic and gives a lot of information that avid readers of Amish fiction already know, but if someone is new to the genre then the information is good to have. I enjoyed reading this sweet romance and getting to know Faith and Adrian and learning more about alpacas (which are kind of like llamas). This was an interesting book and it held my attention, though I think that not all the adoption facts are accurate. I didn't research though, so I don't know. I hoped both Adrian and Faith would find happiness and that Faith would be able to keep her nephew. Discussion questions are included at the end of the book. $6.50. 280 pages.
Author: Patricia Davids
Publisher: Love Inspired
July 2011
ISBN: 978-0-373-81557-9
Genre: Inspirational/Amish
Adrian Lapp has lost his wife shortly after childbirth, and his young son a few years later when he was hit by a car. He swears he’ll never marry again. But that is until Faith Martin moves in next door. Faith also lost her husband and twin daughters, but she had an unhappy marriage and she doesn’t want to be beat by a man again.
Faith raises alpacas for their wool to spin into yarn. But when they get into Adrian’s beans he is less than happy. Still, he offers to help Faith get the animals properly enclosed so they don’t escape and eat up his beans.
Faith’s English brother died and she hopes to adopt his son as hers but the social worker is less than enthusiastic about letting an Amish woman adopt an English boy. Faith is the boy’s only living relative so she has to give her a chance but she keeps finding things to knit-pick about, including the fact that she is Plain. Will Faith get to keep her nephew and find love in the process? Or will she lose both the boy and Adrian?
THE FARMER NEXT DOOR is part of Ms. Davids Brides of Amish Country series. It is kind of simplistic and gives a lot of information that avid readers of Amish fiction already know, but if someone is new to the genre then the information is good to have. I enjoyed reading this sweet romance and getting to know Faith and Adrian and learning more about alpacas (which are kind of like llamas). This was an interesting book and it held my attention, though I think that not all the adoption facts are accurate. I didn't research though, so I don't know. I hoped both Adrian and Faith would find happiness and that Faith would be able to keep her nephew. Discussion questions are included at the end of the book. $6.50. 280 pages.
May 23, 2012
This story is about a widow Faith that moved after her husband died to a farm she inherited after his death. When she gets there she meets her neighbor, who had secretly been wanting to buy her farm for years. He has a hard time in life because he lost his wife and son. Both Faith and the farmer vow never to marry again. Faith is also trying to adop her brother's son as his mom and dad died in an accident. Her brother was not Amish and that left a lot of problems to bring a boy used to tv and such into the Plain life. Faith also raises Alpacas.
i really enjoyed this story. I learned a lot about alpacas. I thought that made the book really interesting. the adpotion was also intersting and a topic I have not read a lot about with the Amish except babies.
I have enjoyed this whole series but what is great about it is that you really do not have to read them in order to enjoy them. They all stand alone so well, with just a hint of characters from previous books in the series. I read some people complin about the research this author did on adpotin and that it would not be realistic to adopt a boy in that amount of time. This never crosse my mind as the story was just so good!
i really enjoyed this story. I learned a lot about alpacas. I thought that made the book really interesting. the adpotion was also intersting and a topic I have not read a lot about with the Amish except babies.
I have enjoyed this whole series but what is great about it is that you really do not have to read them in order to enjoy them. They all stand alone so well, with just a hint of characters from previous books in the series. I read some people complin about the research this author did on adpotin and that it would not be realistic to adopt a boy in that amount of time. This never crosse my mind as the story was just so good!
September 30, 2011
Adrian Lapp, an Amish widower, vowed he would never marry again after losing his wife and son, but a new member of the community catches his eye. Faith Martin is an Amish widow who was a victim in an abusive marriage. She is in the process of fixing up a dilapidated farm, getting into the business of spinning and selling yarn from her herd of alpacas and trying to adopt her late brother's son and raise him in the Amish faith.
I was pleasantly surprised by this novel; it had much more substance to it than I was expecting. I liked that it touched on issues not usually part of the plot of Amish stories, such as domestic abuse; (yes, it happens in their communities too.) It had some unexpected twists in the plot, and it was also very interesting to learn something about alpacas and their antics were an amusing part of the story.
There were a few cheesy lines, but the romance between Faith and Adrian felt very real.
I was pleasantly surprised by this novel; it had much more substance to it than I was expecting. I liked that it touched on issues not usually part of the plot of Amish stories, such as domestic abuse; (yes, it happens in their communities too.) It had some unexpected twists in the plot, and it was also very interesting to learn something about alpacas and their antics were an amusing part of the story.
There were a few cheesy lines, but the romance between Faith and Adrian felt very real.
October 15, 2011
This was a nice story but I think the author needs to work on her research. This was a problem in a previous book as well. While I'm no expert in Ohio adoption law, I'm fairly certain it takes more than six weeks to finalize an adoption, especially when the child's state of residence isn't Ohio, but Texas. And add in that the adoptive parent moved into the state the same week the process begins?
Perhaps instead of spending her time researching alpacas, the author should have taken a few minutes to google Ohio adoption laws. A quick search revealed that it takes a minimum of six months after a child is placed in the home before adoptions are final.
Again it's a nice story, but sloppy research is a major flaw in a writer and shows a lack of respect for the story and the readers.
Perhaps instead of spending her time researching alpacas, the author should have taken a few minutes to google Ohio adoption laws. A quick search revealed that it takes a minimum of six months after a child is placed in the home before adoptions are final.
Again it's a nice story, but sloppy research is a major flaw in a writer and shows a lack of respect for the story and the readers.
August 29, 2013
I love a good story about love, forgiveness, learning to trust again, and reconnecting with God. This book is about all of them.
This book is a fast read and one that I picked up as often as I could. I loved all the characters in this book including an animal named Myrtle! The main characters Adrian Lapp and Widow Faith Martin will steal your hearts. When you place two hurting people together something is bound to happen. Both have vowed never to marry again.
This was just a delightful read for me. I found myself laughing out loud when it came to Myrtle. I know you will too! The ending of this story had me crying. It just touched my heart so much as I'm sure it will yours.
I have read five of this author's books so far. I am about to start on number six.
This book is a fast read and one that I picked up as often as I could. I loved all the characters in this book including an animal named Myrtle! The main characters Adrian Lapp and Widow Faith Martin will steal your hearts. When you place two hurting people together something is bound to happen. Both have vowed never to marry again.
This was just a delightful read for me. I found myself laughing out loud when it came to Myrtle. I know you will too! The ending of this story had me crying. It just touched my heart so much as I'm sure it will yours.
I have read five of this author's books so far. I am about to start on number six.
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December 24, 2014"The author paints a beautiful and gentle picture of Amish life and the story is set in Ohio's beautiful Amish country. The descriptions are so realistic that you are transported there.
There is such humour, and compassion throughout the book and Adrian has some deep insights into life." From a review posted by an eHarlequin.com member, to read more, go here.
There is such humour, and compassion throughout the book and Adrian has some deep insights into life." From a review posted by an eHarlequin.com member, to read more, go here.
November 16, 2014
This had so many tragedies; Faith was a widow and former domestic abuse victim, Adrian was a widow and had lost his son, Kyle had lost his parents. This book was about grief and overcoming it, but I really appreciated it also allowing for Adrian and Kyle to express their anger toward God for the loss of their loved ones. I liked seeing the slow renewal in Adrian, and I have to say I have read a lot of Amish novels and not one had alpacas, much less a spitting one.
November 22, 2016
Adrian and Faith have both lost others, and have no plans to marry again. But sometimes things like this will bring you closer.
Faith needs lots of help to get her place together to be able to adopt her brother's little one. Adrian knows she can't do it by herself, so starts out as a neighbor helping neighbor. But can this lead to more and they overcome hurt from the past?
Easy to read, and would recommend to others.
Faith needs lots of help to get her place together to be able to adopt her brother's little one. Adrian knows she can't do it by herself, so starts out as a neighbor helping neighbor. But can this lead to more and they overcome hurt from the past?
Easy to read, and would recommend to others.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews