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Believing in Blessings: Amish Hearts in Hopewell Book One

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In the heart of Hopewell, Indiana, Gabriel Miller, a young farmer, finds his life forever altered after unexpected circumstances thrust him into the role of guardian for three orphaned children. Struggling to adapt to this responsibility, Gabriel, with the assistance of Anna Burkholder, the caring younger sister of his friend Isaac, attempts to create a stable home for the children amidst his humble farming life.

Despite Anna's willingness to help and harboring a long-standing affection for Gabriel, he grapples with doubts. With Anna's support and Gabriel's growing affection for both her and the children, he realizes his profound love for Anna goes beyond mere obligation or friendship. Torn between his feelings and the fear of pressuring Anna into an instant family, Gabriel hesitates to express his emotions, especially when a past romantic interest resurfaces.

Will their burgeoning romance withstand the tests of responsibility and past entanglements? Join Gabriel and Anna on a journey of resilience, sacrifice, and the transformative power of love as they navigate the challenges of building an unconventional family.

Believing in Blessings is the first book in the Amish Hearts of Hopewell series. Each book is a stand-alone read, but to make the most of the series, you should consider reading them in order.

199 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 13, 2024

152 people are currently reading
21 people want to read

About the author

Sylvia Price

94 books103 followers
Now an Amazon bestselling author, Sylvia Price is an author of Amish and contemporary romance and women’s fiction. She especially loves writing uplifting stories about second chances!

Sylvia was inspired to write about the Amish as a result of the enduring legacy of Mennonite missionaries in her life. While living with them for three weeks, they got her a library card and encouraged her to start reading to cope with the loss of television and radio, giving Sylvia a new-found appreciation for books.

Although raised in the cosmopolitan city of Montréal, Sylvia spent her adolescent and young adult years in Nova Scotia, and the beautiful countryside landscapes and ocean views serve as the backdrop to her contemporary novels.

After meeting and falling in love with an American while living abroad, Sylvia now resides in the US. She spends her days writing, hoping to inspire the next generation to read more stories. When she’s not writing, Sylvia stays busy making sure her three young children are alive and well-fed.

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5 stars
118 (69%)
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34 (20%)
3 stars
13 (7%)
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3 (1%)
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
131 reviews
February 12, 2025
happy ever after

This book teaches you that you can find love in the way a person kindness and their understanding. Finding love through the heart beats not actually seeing their heart.
747 reviews4 followers
February 9, 2024
Believing in Blessings is the first book in the Amish Hearts in Hopewell series. The story is about Gabriel, a young Amish farmer, who becomes responsible for his cousin Martha’s three orphaned children, when Martha unexpectedly passes. Gabriel’s family had passed away a few years prior due to an epidemic that wiped out many in their community, so he did not have any family members to help him. He doesn’t know how to care for the children because he was an only child, so he didn’t learn by helping siblings as is typical with Amish families. Gabriel struggles balancing the care of the children with working on his farm, but he gets by with the help from his neighbors, who happen to be the family of his best friend Isaac. Anna, Isaac’s little sister, is four years younger and has had a crush on Gabriel for a long time. Anna is delighted to help with the care of the children and the upkeep of the home. Gabriel comes to realize he cares for Anna and wants to court her, with the hopes of making her part of his unconventional family.

Believing in Blessings is a sweet story about the emotional journey this young family makes as they begin to bond with each other. The children and Gabriel, the children with Anna, and Gabriel and Anna. I enjoyed the characters and getting to know more about them. The book is a short read with an enjoyable plot. This was a great book and I would recommend this book to readers who are fans of Amish stories, young love, and the power of prayer.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Gwen Chester.
595 reviews10 followers
February 3, 2024
Gabriel Miller 23 got custody of his cousin's kids 2 girls and a boy, Abagail 3 1/2, Rachel 5 and Mark 7. His cousin passed away and Gabriel was her only living relative. Gabriel knew nothing of taking care of children as he was an only child and had never taken care of any other kids. Maybe Anna would teach him as she had siblings that she helped care for.
Anna who lived on a neighboring farm with her family. Her brother, Isaac is Gabriel's best friend. She has offered to help Gabriel with the kids when he needed her. Anna has loved Gabriel from afar for years and prayed that one day he would return her feelings.
Gabriel had been seeing another girl from the community with the intention of marriage after the courtship, but when he got the kids, she backed out of the relationship saying a "readymade family" was just too much for her.
After a while he started to see Anna and how beautiful she is not just see her as Issac's little sister. His feelings toward Anna are getting stronger each day. What will happen next? Will Anna not like the idea of Gabriel with his new instant family? This book is good, and I know you will like finding all of the answers to your questions....I did.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
1,607 reviews19 followers
February 7, 2024
“Believing in Blessings” (Amish Hearts in Hopewell Book 1) – by Sylvia Price
A Good Start
This is a good sweet clean Amish serial story. If you like serialized stories you most likely will love this series. But, I am not the most patient of readers; thus this story is not my ‘cup of tea’, so to speak. Wishing you. Happy Reading ! !
Note: This review expresses my honest opinion.

Note to Author: To me this is not a series story but a serial story aka vella stories, etc. which are rather like going to a play and only seeing one or two scenes and having to go back to the theater next week/month to see the next one or two scenes. Since I am not the most patient of readers; I prefer seeing the whole play.
My idea of a series is a group of stories (whole plays) that are related to each other but each story has its very own primary characters with possible visits from characters from other stories in the series.
Profile Image for JoAnne.
3,162 reviews32 followers
February 13, 2024
A continuation of the Amish Hearts in Hopewell series, Believing in Blessings held my interest from the first page to the last. I look forward to reading the rest of this series with heartwarming plots and endearing characters.

I liked the characters of Gabe and Anna both independently and together. They have strong beliefs and have hearts of gold especially when caring for Gabe's deceased cousin's three young children whom he didn't even know. There are loving moments throughout as the children start to trust Gabe.

There are multiple storylines and some unexpected twists to the story. The descriptions were vivid and I could feel the cold and the hard work of the chores. I liked the conclusion of this book and where we can anticipate its direction but it ended abruptly.

Ms. Price is an author whose books I enjoy in several genres. I always look forward to her next book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
232 reviews11 followers
February 5, 2024
This book centers around Gabriel and Anna. Gabriel has become the guardian of his cousin's 3 children after she passes away at a young age. Gabriel is a bachelor who farms for a living. He needs someone to help him take care of the children so he can continue to work his farm and earn a living. Anna is the younger sister of Gabriel's best friend. Anna has loved Gabriel for a long time unbeknownst to him. She offers to help with the children. As time passes, Gabriel realizes he is falling in love with Anna and wants to court her. Anna accepts his offer to court her. We will see what the next book brings. This is a good series. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
823 reviews18 followers
February 16, 2024
3.5 stars
After giving the prequel a resounding 5 star rating, I can only give Book 1 3.5 stars due to the extremely slow-moving storyline initially and the unnecessary and continued repetition throughout the first half of the book ☹. Recalling the main points of the story for readers who may not have read the prequel is easily accepted, but to give the reader the same details and characters’ thoughts so frequently becomes annoying!
The second half of the book was enjoyable with good plot development: Gabriel and Anna are both being more assertive and decisive, and the children, Mark especially, are beginning to display their personalities.
I received an advance review copy via StoryOrigin and this is my honest opinion.
Profile Image for MaryEllen.
2,939 reviews30 followers
January 31, 2024
Anna steps in to mind the children that Gabriel has suddenly become guardian over while he does the outdoor work around his farm. She's just his friend's little sister. That's all... but she'd make a great wife and mother someday. Not for him, though. She's just his friend's little sister. Right?

The story didn't seem very long, but it wasn't rushed either. The kids were adorable, and realistically afraid of being apart. The young adults spent a lot of time in their own heads, but they were noticing important things about the other's character and even things about themselves.

This is my voluntary review of a copy I received from Booksprout.
77 reviews3 followers
February 7, 2024
This is a charming book about an Amish young bachelor who unexpectedly becomes a father to his deceased cousin's three young children. His neighbor, Anna, steps in to help during the day so Gabriel can do his farm work. Gabriel is worried he will not be able to raise the children on his own. The story brings up events that would be very possible in a real situation of this kind. I am excited to see where this series takes Gabriel, Anna and the three children. It is a clean story and I feel anyone who likes Amish, or even just clean Christian type stories, would enjoy.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
78 reviews3 followers
February 13, 2024
This story is growing in a relationship because two people care for three young children. He took on raising his cousin's three young children because there was no other family and the children refused to be separated. His best friend's younger sister offered to help him by looking after them so he could do the farm chores. This is a story that caused me to want to read and know more about the characters and what was happening. It is worth reading and is a relaxing use of time.
I did receive an advanced reader's copy and do recommend that you read it... suggesting you read the prequel book first.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Malgorzata.
371 reviews8 followers
February 13, 2024
I enjoyed reading this story which is encouraging and inspiring. Gabriel is learning to take good care for children for whom he is the only relative. He is struggling between his work on farm and spending his time with children. With help of neighbour Anna he is learning how to be a father. In the process he sees that it would to be difficult to take care for children alone but he is wondering if he would be able to find a wife who would like to enter into family where already are three children. And Anna, who is helping Gabriel is waiting for Gabriel to notice her, not only as his neighbour or his best friend's sister but as a woman, who is good candidate for wife.
882 reviews12 followers
February 13, 2024
A wonderful, heartwarming story of family and faith. Gabriel already has his hands full running the family farm alone when he finds out that he is the sole relative of 3 orphaned children. Even though he doesn’t feel qualified to take them, he steps forward in faith. Anna, his neighbor, comes to help out so he can continue to work the farm. A beautiful story with wonderful descriptions. So many feelings in this one! I can’t wait for the next book!
I received an advance copy of this book from the author, however, I voluntarily wrote an honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.
158 reviews5 followers
February 13, 2024
This touching book is about Gabriel, a young Amish bachelor who unexpectedly is required to care for his deceased cousin's three young children. He is rightly concerned about how he can raise these children and still run his farm. The brother of his best friend and neighbour, Anna, steps in to help, and they start to see each other in a new light. The story realistically portrays the difficulties such a major life change would bring. A nice read.
I received an ARC from the author, but my review is given voluntarily.
69 reviews2 followers
February 14, 2024
Join Gabriel and the kinner as they struggle through the first couple of weeks as a family. Thankfully Anna was there to lend a helping hand. Gabriel begins to see Anna in a different light due to her consistency to their needs. Sylvia Price paints a beautiful picture of the Amish community and how they rally around their own. Your heart will be touched as she brings to life Mark's struggles as the older brother, Gabriel's fear of not being good enough, and Anna's desire for a family of her own.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Katherine Hayward Pérez .
1,692 reviews78 followers
February 21, 2024
I loved the Prequel and already felt like I wanted to get to know Anna and Gabriel then. Believing in Blessings gave me the chance to start to get to know them. The background from the prequel stole my heart, and I was keen to find out how they and the children were doing.

How fast is Gabriel willing to go with everything if he doesn't want to make Anna feel overwhelmed?

Can't wait for the next book!

Thanks to Sylvia Price

5 stars

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

1,688 reviews28 followers
February 4, 2024
Gabriel Miller had the responsibility of taking care of his dead cousin Martha’s three children Mark, Rachel and Abigail. Anna Burkholder was helping him with the children. He soon realizes about the person her wants to spend his life with. A great read. I enjoyed this ARC copy which I received via booksprouts and leave a honest review. I recommend this book to other readers.
Profile Image for Tami Willard.
2,449 reviews15 followers
February 12, 2024
Gabriel's story from the prequel continues in this book. As he tries to adjust to being responsible for 3 kids now, his feelings for Anna start to change. Anna is helping during the day with watching the children so he can get work done outside. Will they become a family? How do the children handle all the changes?.

I received a copy of this book from the author. Review voluntarily given.
1,839 reviews12 followers
February 14, 2024
Gabriel does his best with his new charges but only knows about the hard work of caring for his farm. The children struggle with feeling accepted and wanted. Anna knows how to care for them, and does a good job but It's Gabriel's love they are craving. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Ann.
2,652 reviews3 followers
February 13, 2024
This is a sweet heartwarming story that is full of emotions. Anna and Gabriel's story will keep you turning the pages to see what happens next.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
345 reviews2 followers
February 14, 2024
Gifted author, fantastic plot, engaging characters. I loved this story and look forward to the next in series. I recommend this book for all ages. I was given this book by the author and am leaving my review freely.
Profile Image for Linda Lavoie.
1,193 reviews11 followers
March 29, 2024
marvellous story

This first book in this series promise to be really sweet and it does, Gabriel’s struggles has the whole village rally around him, especially Anna who help him with the kids. Fall in love with all the characters, I know I did, O can’t wait to read book 2.
Profile Image for MileHighSunshine.
373 reviews2 followers
April 29, 2024
Lovely start to a new series

You can’t help but relax with this book. The faith and love of family shine through and gives you a lift every time you pick it up!

This is a new author for me and I’ve already downloaded book 2. Enjoy!!
37 reviews
January 14, 2025
I got the prequel for free, and I liked it. Therefore, I bought this book. I was disappointed to see that many sentences from the one book were duplicated in the other. It was almost as if the author had used AI to write one or the other.
Profile Image for Deborah C. Fidderman.
523 reviews2 followers
June 4, 2024
Great beginning story!

I loved book one and can't wait to read book two. This seems to be the beginning of a great series. I recommend this series to everyone.
1,038 reviews4 followers
February 13, 2024
We found out in the prequel that Gabriel became guardian to his cousin's three young children when she died. At 23, he was trying to figure out how he could do everything that needed to be done around the farm with the children under foot. He knew he couldn't leave them in the house by themselves. His best friend's (Isaac) younger sister (Anna) steps in to help with the children.

She has loved Gabriel many years. Now she can be around him more. Will he ever see her as more than his best friend's younger sister?

I received a free ARC, and this is my honest opinion.
763 reviews14 followers
March 14, 2024
As we learned in the first book Gabriel is responsible for his siblings and although he tries it is just too much for him to take care of the farm and the children all day. So in talking to his best friend who helps him as much as he can he finds that Issac has a sister that is more than willing to help during the day.
She will come and take care of the children, manage the household and help Gabriel where ever he needs. What Gabriel does not know is that Anna has been in love with him since she was a child and hopes that by being close to him and showing him who she is he will see that she would make a great wife and mother to the children.
As the story continues Gabriel's girlfriend breaks up with him even though he thought she would come help him and tells him that she doesn't want to start a ready made family. Now he depends on Anna even more.
As time goes on we see how they are growing closer and the children love her too. How long will it take for Gabriel to realize GOD works in mysterious ways and many times puts the answers to your prayers right in front of you.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
51 reviews
July 19, 2024
What drew my attention to this book was the front cover.
A great story. The title suits this book well. I do not want to spoil the story.
This book is a great read.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews

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