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Brides of Lehigh Canal #2
Betsy's Return
Betsy Nelson can hardly accept her father’s retirement, but she knows his failing heart demands it. She leaves her life in the city and returns home to care for him. It hurts to see a new pastor taking her papa’s place, but Betsy didn’t expect Pastor William Covington to be so charming and handsome. The Covington family’s wealth and status in Buffalo hold no appeal for William. His greatest desire is to minister to others. He is delighted, then, when a church in Walnutport, Pennsylvania, calls him to be their pastor. Can he ever fill the shoes of Reverend Nelson, who has lovingly served this small canal community for years? When they clearly disagree on methods of ministry, can Betsy and William find common ground on which to work together for the better of the townspeople? After being left once before at the altar, William vowed to serve the Lord alone. But that was before Betsy’s return...
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First published December 12, 2007
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About the author
Wanda E. Brunstetter
220 books2,354 followersNew York Times bestselling and award-winning author, Wanda E. Brunstetter is one of the founders of the Amish fiction genre. She has written close to 90 books translated in four languages. With over 10 million copies sold, Wanda's stories consistently earn spots on the nations most prestigious bestseller lists and have received numerous awards.
Wanda’s ancestors were part of the Anabaptist faith, and her novels are based on personal research intended to accurately portray the Amish way of life. Her books are well-read and trusted by many Amish, who credit her for giving readers a deeper understanding of the people and their customs.
When Wanda visits her Amish friends, she finds herself drawn to their peaceful lifestyle, sincerity, and close family ties. Wanda enjoys photography, ventriloquism, gardening, bird-watching, beachcombing, and spending time with her family. She and her husband, Richard, have been blessed with two grown children, six grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
To learn more about Wanda, visit her website at www.wandabrunstetter.com.
Wanda’s ancestors were part of the Anabaptist faith, and her novels are based on personal research intended to accurately portray the Amish way of life. Her books are well-read and trusted by many Amish, who credit her for giving readers a deeper understanding of the people and their customs.
When Wanda visits her Amish friends, she finds herself drawn to their peaceful lifestyle, sincerity, and close family ties. Wanda enjoys photography, ventriloquism, gardening, bird-watching, beachcombing, and spending time with her family. She and her husband, Richard, have been blessed with two grown children, six grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
To learn more about Wanda, visit her website at www.wandabrunstetter.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews
September 5, 2020
Another great story! Really enjoyed the characters of bristle face and William! I didn't really care for Mrs brevens!
January 12, 2019
Another great book in this series by Wanda!! I'm glad everything worked out for Betsy in the end :)
December 18, 2020
A good story with sweet values.
October 25, 2010
This is the second book in the Brides of Lehigh Canal series, and I got to read it through NetGalley.
If you read my blog regularly you'll know that I reviewed the first book in the series yesterday. Click here to read that review before reading this one if you haven't done so already.
I didn't love the first book in the series but I did like Betsy's Return a lot more. I'm glad that I gave Wanda E. Brunstetter another chance.
Betsy's Return continues the story of Kelly's Chance except the main character is Betsy, one who was rather minor in the first novel.
Betsy had left for several years and had been working in New York City with the Salvation Army when she receives news that her father has fallen terribly ill and she makes the decision that she must return home to care for him.
Betsy's father has been the minister of the town for years but is forced to retire due to his quickly failing health, therefore a new minister must be found to take over the congregation. While Betsy understands she is also a bit sad to see her father replaced since he has done this job for so many years and loves it dearly.
Betsy is a bit surprised to find that the new minister, William Covington, is quite young and attractive, and also unmarried. However, embarrassed by her past actions when she threw herself at Kelly's now-husband, Mike, she has little interest in trying to pursue anything with Mike.
Furthermore, every other young woman or their parents are throwing their availability at Mike trying to match him up and get him married off.
Mike, however, having been left at the alter is jilted by love and has no interested in being married. He has decided instead that he would rather be a lifelong bachelor.
Betsy and William are pulled together as they both desire to minister to the town and do good works. Will they both stay single? Will they find their way together? Will Betsy return to New York City once she is done caring for her father? Will William marry someone else? What does God have in store for them? Read Betsy's Return to find out.
While this book was admittedly better than Kelly's Chance, it still wasn't amazing. I got through it quickly because it's really short. And it's also very predictable from the beginning.
It's a pretty decent story and I don't regret reading it, but it wasn't a memorable book.
My biggest criticism is similar to Kelly's Chance in that a character again has a sudden change of heart with virtually no explanation. I hate when a struggle is resolved in about one sentence in a book, I'd rather see a gradual transformation of someone's heart than read a sentence saying something about it being a good thing that character X had a change of heart because now things will work out. It makes me wonder how and why character X had a change of heart, but I never find out more than that. I wish Wanda E. Brunstetter would elaborate more so that her readers were left with fewer questions.
If you haven't read Kelly's Chance you can still read Betsy's Return, it by no means only makes sense if you've read the first book first. If you find a cheap or free copy it may be worth your time, but other than that I would give it only 3 out of 5 stars.
If you read my blog regularly you'll know that I reviewed the first book in the series yesterday. Click here to read that review before reading this one if you haven't done so already.
I didn't love the first book in the series but I did like Betsy's Return a lot more. I'm glad that I gave Wanda E. Brunstetter another chance.
Betsy's Return continues the story of Kelly's Chance except the main character is Betsy, one who was rather minor in the first novel.
Betsy had left for several years and had been working in New York City with the Salvation Army when she receives news that her father has fallen terribly ill and she makes the decision that she must return home to care for him.
Betsy's father has been the minister of the town for years but is forced to retire due to his quickly failing health, therefore a new minister must be found to take over the congregation. While Betsy understands she is also a bit sad to see her father replaced since he has done this job for so many years and loves it dearly.
Betsy is a bit surprised to find that the new minister, William Covington, is quite young and attractive, and also unmarried. However, embarrassed by her past actions when she threw herself at Kelly's now-husband, Mike, she has little interest in trying to pursue anything with Mike.
Furthermore, every other young woman or their parents are throwing their availability at Mike trying to match him up and get him married off.
Mike, however, having been left at the alter is jilted by love and has no interested in being married. He has decided instead that he would rather be a lifelong bachelor.
Betsy and William are pulled together as they both desire to minister to the town and do good works. Will they both stay single? Will they find their way together? Will Betsy return to New York City once she is done caring for her father? Will William marry someone else? What does God have in store for them? Read Betsy's Return to find out.
While this book was admittedly better than Kelly's Chance, it still wasn't amazing. I got through it quickly because it's really short. And it's also very predictable from the beginning.
It's a pretty decent story and I don't regret reading it, but it wasn't a memorable book.
My biggest criticism is similar to Kelly's Chance in that a character again has a sudden change of heart with virtually no explanation. I hate when a struggle is resolved in about one sentence in a book, I'd rather see a gradual transformation of someone's heart than read a sentence saying something about it being a good thing that character X had a change of heart because now things will work out. It makes me wonder how and why character X had a change of heart, but I never find out more than that. I wish Wanda E. Brunstetter would elaborate more so that her readers were left with fewer questions.
If you haven't read Kelly's Chance you can still read Betsy's Return, it by no means only makes sense if you've read the first book first. If you find a cheap or free copy it may be worth your time, but other than that I would give it only 3 out of 5 stars.
April 25, 2020
Betsy is enjoying her life in New York working for the salvation army. She never thought it would be something she would enjoy but when she is taken in by a worker from the salvation army after being robbed and beaten she came to realize just how much they cared and came to fully support the organization. When she receives word of her fathers heart attack she drops everything to rush home to nurse him back to health, only to discover a shell of a man that will never be able to preach again. The new pastor she doesnt want to like since hes replacing her father and taking over her home, but she has to admit that hes a great preacher and the fact that hes very handsome doesnt hurt matters. William comes to the church to answer Gods call but also to get away from the heartache he faced in Boston when his fiancee left him at the altar. He vowed to never fall for another woman again, but he cant seem to stop thinking about Betsy. Can the two of them get over their hurts and find each other?
This was one of the first or maybe even the first book by this author that I read that wasnt amish fiction. It was historical fiction so there were still similar values but this particular book seemed almost like a second thought. It was lacking in the detail her other books have had and seemed rather simple. The story itself felt more like a short story than an actual novel. This was the second book in the series and I haven't read the first so maybe that would make the difference.
This was one of the first or maybe even the first book by this author that I read that wasnt amish fiction. It was historical fiction so there were still similar values but this particular book seemed almost like a second thought. It was lacking in the detail her other books have had and seemed rather simple. The story itself felt more like a short story than an actual novel. This was the second book in the series and I haven't read the first so maybe that would make the difference.
October 3, 2020
I have enjoyed and loved Mrs Wanda Brunstetter's books. But this story I truly loved more.
When Betsy was younger she was a selfish, brat and thought she was superior than everyone. Daughter of the small town Preacher, Betsy was a "special" person to many. Until she understood that she had to do something for herself and moved to New York. There she worked at the salvation army ministering to the suffering and people that would go there. But when she receives a message telling her that her father had become ill she decides she must go home and take care of him.
Now Matured and Repented for how she was a a young girl, she arrives at the town only to discover that a New Pastor has arrived already. But to her surprise the Pastor is Young, Handsome and Single.
But there to look after her father, her devotion is to see him get well and help him once again take over the Preacher position. But as the days go by her father's heart grows weaker and her heart grows stronger for the Pastor, even though her mind and heart are set that she will grow into an Old maid. While the New Pastor holds a broken heart after being left at the alter by his bride to be. He vows to never to let a woman hurt him again and open his heart to love.
Together Betsy and William (the New Pastor) find that through pain, and hurt, Hope and Faith are the last things to let go. And open themselves to believe and Love again.
Sweet, amazing story and characters. You will love to read it and own it.
When Betsy was younger she was a selfish, brat and thought she was superior than everyone. Daughter of the small town Preacher, Betsy was a "special" person to many. Until she understood that she had to do something for herself and moved to New York. There she worked at the salvation army ministering to the suffering and people that would go there. But when she receives a message telling her that her father had become ill she decides she must go home and take care of him.
Now Matured and Repented for how she was a a young girl, she arrives at the town only to discover that a New Pastor has arrived already. But to her surprise the Pastor is Young, Handsome and Single.
But there to look after her father, her devotion is to see him get well and help him once again take over the Preacher position. But as the days go by her father's heart grows weaker and her heart grows stronger for the Pastor, even though her mind and heart are set that she will grow into an Old maid. While the New Pastor holds a broken heart after being left at the alter by his bride to be. He vows to never to let a woman hurt him again and open his heart to love.
Together Betsy and William (the New Pastor) find that through pain, and hurt, Hope and Faith are the last things to let go. And open themselves to believe and Love again.
Sweet, amazing story and characters. You will love to read it and own it.
May 23, 2024
3.5 stars
WHAT DIDN’T WORK
I like most tropes commonly found in romance novels, but there’s one that bothers me and it’s the third act miscommunication. This book has not one but two chances for miscommunication. First, he learns something about her that puts her in a bad light. What’s he do? He talks to her and asks her about it right away. Crisis averted. Second, she learns something about him. What’s she do? She runs away. Argh, this isn’t some Hallmark movie, which I love btw. It’s a book. Do not do that in a book.
WHAT DID WORK
As for everything else, this is a Christian romance and includes the predictable happy ending that this genre requires. There are Bible quotes. There’s no steamy makeout scenes. The book is short, just over 200 pages. There’s even a recipe at the end, which is a favorite trope of mine in cozies. This is the second book in a companion series, but it’s not necessary to read the first to enjoy the second.
WHAT DIDN’T WORK
I like most tropes commonly found in romance novels, but there’s one that bothers me and it’s the third act miscommunication. This book has not one but two chances for miscommunication. First, he learns something about her that puts her in a bad light. What’s he do? He talks to her and asks her about it right away. Crisis averted. Second, she learns something about him. What’s she do? She runs away. Argh, this isn’t some Hallmark movie, which I love btw. It’s a book. Do not do that in a book.
WHAT DID WORK
As for everything else, this is a Christian romance and includes the predictable happy ending that this genre requires. There are Bible quotes. There’s no steamy makeout scenes. The book is short, just over 200 pages. There’s even a recipe at the end, which is a favorite trope of mine in cozies. This is the second book in a companion series, but it’s not necessary to read the first to enjoy the second.
Read
January 11, 2023The Covington family's wealth and status in Buffalo hold no appeal for William. His greatest desire is to minister to others. He is delighted, then, when a church in Walnutport, Pennsylvania, call him to be their pastor. Can he ever fill the shoes of Reverend Nelson, who has lovingly served this small canal community for years? Betsy Nelson can hardly accept her father's retirement, but she knows his failing heart demands it. She leaves her life in the city and returns home to care for him. It hurts to see a new pastor taking her papa's place, but Betsy didn't expect Pastor William to be so charming and handsome. After being left once before at the altar, William vowed to serve the Lord alone. But that was before he met Betsy...
January 21, 2018
“Betsy’s Return” is the second book in the Brides of Lehigh Canal series. I did like the first book a little bit better, but book 2 was still great.
In “Betsy’s Return”, Betsy Nelson returns to her home along the Lehigh Canal in Pennsylvania, after her father has had a heart attack. Betsy’s father, the pastor of the small town church, has to resign because of his health. Meanwhile William Covington gets a job as pastor of the church where Betsy’s father used to be pastor of. The towns people are trying to matchmake for the nice, young preacher, but he has decided not to marry due to past heartache.
I enjoyed getting to know these characters and the storyline was enjoyable.
In “Betsy’s Return”, Betsy Nelson returns to her home along the Lehigh Canal in Pennsylvania, after her father has had a heart attack. Betsy’s father, the pastor of the small town church, has to resign because of his health. Meanwhile William Covington gets a job as pastor of the church where Betsy’s father used to be pastor of. The towns people are trying to matchmake for the nice, young preacher, but he has decided not to marry due to past heartache.
I enjoyed getting to know these characters and the storyline was enjoyable.
January 4, 2022
Betsy returns to her hometown after being away for a few year. She returns, a different person. She has matured and views life from a different perspective. Betsy is not looking for a husband like she did in the past and is unprepared for her reaction to the new minister. After a nasty breakup with his fiancé, William is not prepared to love again but life seems to have other plans for them both. A pleasant read.
March 9, 2024
Betsy comes back home after learning that her father had a heart attack and was forced to retire from the pulpit. William is looking for his first appointment has a minister. When William is hired to take over Betsy’s father’s church, will she give the new pastor a chance. And will love blossom between them?
July 10, 2017
Light,enjoyable read
This is a great read for 13 and older.at least I think so. Good values,sweet love story without all the unnecessary (details) so many writers think we want to read about. I highly recommend it
This is a great read for 13 and older.at least I think so. Good values,sweet love story without all the unnecessary (details) so many writers think we want to read about. I highly recommend it
January 4, 2022
In the first book I thought Betsy was a snob. But she definitely surprised me in this book. It definitely shows that people can change. Love the characters in the premise of this book. Although I still couldn't stand that Mrs bevin.
February 26, 2022
I loved this book!! Good story!! I’m glad that Betsy was able to return and be with her father and meet pastor William!! Did not like pastor William’s house keeper all she cared about was money!! Can’t wait to read the next book in the series!! Love this author’s books!!
May 24, 2023
Betsy sure has changed for the good. Book one had her as overpowering. Called home, after working missions and Salvation Army. She cares for her ailing dad. New preacher to take her dad’s position. How will she adjust?
June 30, 2017
I really enjoyed this book, its just a sweet good read.
March 25, 2018
I loved Betsy's growth as a person. It was an okay read.
November 13, 2018
I love this series! I normally don't like historical romance but this is just different.
January 16, 2021
Like Brunstetter's Amish writings.
March 11, 2021
Fantastic easy read :) super fun historical romantic fiction. Clean no bag language. No sexual anything. It was great!
May 16, 2021
Great read
This Amish story was a fast awesome interesting story. Can’t wait to read more by this author, highly recommend the book. I will share it with family and friends.
This Amish story was a fast awesome interesting story. Can’t wait to read more by this author, highly recommend the book. I will share it with family and friends.
September 11, 2022
A sweet story
July 23, 2023
I really enjoyed this book. I do feel that the ending was a bit rushed.
August 14, 2023
This set of books is surprising me. I’m enjoying listening to these while I work. It was fun to follow a new character that was mentioned in the first book in the set. Now I’m on to the 3rd!
April 8, 2024
Very basic story. She’s coming back to care for her fathers and falls in live with new preacher.
September 4, 2025
Enjoyed this sweet romance of William and Betsy. Many things to overcome. Very good.
November 10, 2025
I recommend this series!
February 22, 2026
Good book but it was like at the end, the story didn’t end right. Right at the beginning of a wedding & just stopped
March 10, 2017
Excellent story- must read
May 25, 2011
Betsy's Return by Wanda E. Brunstetter
This is the second book in the Brides of Lehigh Canal series, and I got to read it through NetGalley.
If you read my blog regularly you'll know that I reviewed the first book in the series yesterday. Click here to read that review before reading this one if you haven't done so already.
I didn't love the first book in the series but I did like Betsy's Return a lot more. I'm glad that I gave Wanda E. Brunstetter another chance.
Betsy's Return continues the story of Kelly's Chance except the main character is Betsy, one who was rather minor in the first novel.
Betsy had left for several years and had been working in New York City with the Salvation Army when she receives news that her father has fallen terribly ill and she makes the decision that she must return home to care for him.
Betsy's father has been the minister of the town for years but is forced to retire due to his quickly failing health, therefore a new minister must be found to take over the congregation. While Betsy understands she is also a bit sad to see her father replaced since he has done this job for so many years and loves it dearly.
Betsy is a bit surprised to find that the new minister, William Covington, is quite young and attractive, and also unmarried. However, embarrassed by her past actions when she threw herself at Kelly's now-husband, Mike, she has little interest in trying to pursue anything with Mike.
Furthermore, every other young woman or their parents are throwing their availability at Mike trying to match him up and get him married off.
Mike, however, having been left at the alter is jilted by love and has no interested in being married. He has decided instead that he would rather be a lifelong bachelor.
Betsy and William are pulled together as they both desire to minister to the town and do good works. Will they both stay single? Will they find their way together? Will Betsy return to New York City once she is done caring for her father? Will William marry someone else? What does God have in store for them? Read Betsy's Return to find out.
While this book was admittedly better than Kelly's Chance, it still wasn't amazing. I got through it quickly because it's really short. And it's also very predictable from the beginning.
It's a pretty decent story and I don't regret reading it, but it wasn't a memorable book.
My biggest criticism is similar to Kelly's Chance in that a character again has a sudden change of heart with virtually no explanation. I hate when a struggle is resolved in about one sentence in a book, I'd rather see a gradual transformation of someone's heart than read a sentence saying something about it being a good thing that character X had a change of heart because now things will work out. It makes me wonder how and why character X had a change of heart, but I never find out more than that. I wish Wanda E. Brunstetter would elaborate more so that her readers were left with fewer questions.
If you haven't read Kelly's Chance you can still read Betsy's Return, it by no means only makes sense if you've read the first book first. If you find a cheap or free copy it may be worth your time, but other than that I would give it only 3 out of 5 stars.
This is the second book in the Brides of Lehigh Canal series, and I got to read it through NetGalley.
If you read my blog regularly you'll know that I reviewed the first book in the series yesterday. Click here to read that review before reading this one if you haven't done so already.
I didn't love the first book in the series but I did like Betsy's Return a lot more. I'm glad that I gave Wanda E. Brunstetter another chance.
Betsy's Return continues the story of Kelly's Chance except the main character is Betsy, one who was rather minor in the first novel.
Betsy had left for several years and had been working in New York City with the Salvation Army when she receives news that her father has fallen terribly ill and she makes the decision that she must return home to care for him.
Betsy's father has been the minister of the town for years but is forced to retire due to his quickly failing health, therefore a new minister must be found to take over the congregation. While Betsy understands she is also a bit sad to see her father replaced since he has done this job for so many years and loves it dearly.
Betsy is a bit surprised to find that the new minister, William Covington, is quite young and attractive, and also unmarried. However, embarrassed by her past actions when she threw herself at Kelly's now-husband, Mike, she has little interest in trying to pursue anything with Mike.
Furthermore, every other young woman or their parents are throwing their availability at Mike trying to match him up and get him married off.
Mike, however, having been left at the alter is jilted by love and has no interested in being married. He has decided instead that he would rather be a lifelong bachelor.
Betsy and William are pulled together as they both desire to minister to the town and do good works. Will they both stay single? Will they find their way together? Will Betsy return to New York City once she is done caring for her father? Will William marry someone else? What does God have in store for them? Read Betsy's Return to find out.
While this book was admittedly better than Kelly's Chance, it still wasn't amazing. I got through it quickly because it's really short. And it's also very predictable from the beginning.
It's a pretty decent story and I don't regret reading it, but it wasn't a memorable book.
My biggest criticism is similar to Kelly's Chance in that a character again has a sudden change of heart with virtually no explanation. I hate when a struggle is resolved in about one sentence in a book, I'd rather see a gradual transformation of someone's heart than read a sentence saying something about it being a good thing that character X had a change of heart because now things will work out. It makes me wonder how and why character X had a change of heart, but I never find out more than that. I wish Wanda E. Brunstetter would elaborate more so that her readers were left with fewer questions.
If you haven't read Kelly's Chance you can still read Betsy's Return, it by no means only makes sense if you've read the first book first. If you find a cheap or free copy it may be worth your time, but other than that I would give it only 3 out of 5 stars.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews