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Sisters & Friends #2
Buried Secrets
Overcome the past and any other obstacles that stand in the way of the future God has planned for you.
Three years after the accident that almost claimed her life, Emma Esh has recovered physically but has no memory of the year before the accident. When she moves to a new community to help her sister Lydia and brother-in-law, Caleb, prepare for the birth of twins, she falls for their neighbor Samuel.
But the twins’ premature birth, a visit from the Englischer Emma once dated, and the sudden return of her memory threaten Emma’s romance. After the secrets of her past are revealed, will love be able to overcome all obstacles?
Three years after the accident that almost claimed her life, Emma Esh has recovered physically but has no memory of the year before the accident. When she moves to a new community to help her sister Lydia and brother-in-law, Caleb, prepare for the birth of twins, she falls for their neighbor Samuel.
But the twins’ premature birth, a visit from the Englischer Emma once dated, and the sudden return of her memory threaten Emma’s romance. After the secrets of her past are revealed, will love be able to overcome all obstacles?
304 pages, Paperback
Published March 7, 2017
21 people are currently reading
138 people want to read
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April 18, 2017
Buried Secrets
Rachel J Good
Received from Netgalley
BURIED SECRETS is the second book in the Sisters & Friends series. I haven't read the first book and found the story easy to follow along with. Rachel uses the first few chapters to bring the reader up to speed with what happened in the previous book, and I never felt lost at all. But I am going to go back and read the first book, Change Of Heart just because I love Rachel J Good's writing. She hooked me from the very first page and never let go. Her characters weren't perfect and they all had faults which only made them more real and more endearing to me.
Emma stole my heart right away and while reading her story, I couldn't help but feel all of her emotions and anxiety. I just wanted to reach into the story and give her a big hug and help her try to remember her past. Emma was involved in an accident three years before and it almost killed her. While she healed physically, she couldn't remember anything that happened a year before the accident or the accident itself. BURIED SECRETS is exactly what her family tries to do with what happened to her and how she was acting right before the accident happened. The characters aren't your usual Amish folks and that will pull you in even more.
BURIED SECRETS is filled with happiness, love, loss, letting go, forgiveness, healing, and real heart break. I've always loved Amish fiction and the way they take their time falling in love. In most contemporary romance books, it's insta-love and to me, that isn't very realistic. Slow courtships and taking the time to get to know someone seems to work for the Amish and it will keep you flipping the pages trying to see if Emma ever remembers her accident and what led up to it. All the while she finds her feelings growing for Sam, her neighbor. Will he help her to remember? Will Emma ever figure out why her sister is intent on keeping Emma and Sam apart? I read BURIED SECRETS in two sittings. That's how emotionally invested I was in Emma's story. Once I started reading, it was very hard for me to put this wonderful story down.
Rachel J Good
Received from Netgalley
BURIED SECRETS is the second book in the Sisters & Friends series. I haven't read the first book and found the story easy to follow along with. Rachel uses the first few chapters to bring the reader up to speed with what happened in the previous book, and I never felt lost at all. But I am going to go back and read the first book, Change Of Heart just because I love Rachel J Good's writing. She hooked me from the very first page and never let go. Her characters weren't perfect and they all had faults which only made them more real and more endearing to me.
Emma stole my heart right away and while reading her story, I couldn't help but feel all of her emotions and anxiety. I just wanted to reach into the story and give her a big hug and help her try to remember her past. Emma was involved in an accident three years before and it almost killed her. While she healed physically, she couldn't remember anything that happened a year before the accident or the accident itself. BURIED SECRETS is exactly what her family tries to do with what happened to her and how she was acting right before the accident happened. The characters aren't your usual Amish folks and that will pull you in even more.
BURIED SECRETS is filled with happiness, love, loss, letting go, forgiveness, healing, and real heart break. I've always loved Amish fiction and the way they take their time falling in love. In most contemporary romance books, it's insta-love and to me, that isn't very realistic. Slow courtships and taking the time to get to know someone seems to work for the Amish and it will keep you flipping the pages trying to see if Emma ever remembers her accident and what led up to it. All the while she finds her feelings growing for Sam, her neighbor. Will he help her to remember? Will Emma ever figure out why her sister is intent on keeping Emma and Sam apart? I read BURIED SECRETS in two sittings. That's how emotionally invested I was in Emma's story. Once I started reading, it was very hard for me to put this wonderful story down.
March 27, 2017
If you were to do a quick internet search, you would find a slew of recent articles that attempt to explain why so many of today's readers are attracted to "Amish" fiction. Is it the nostalgia of a simpler time? Is it because readers need a reprieve from the "lusty busty" or "instalove" that appears to pop up in so many of our books today? Is it because readers are just fascinated to find a group of people who have chosen to live a different path in a 21st century world? Whatever the reason, Amish fiction is greatly sought after.
Buried Secrets is the follow up sequel to Change of Heart and readers can expect the story of Lydia and her sister, Emma to continue. I didn't have the chance to read book one last year, but the first number of chapters quickly bring readers up to speed. Family and community centric, slow courtships, faith infused( but never preachy) are all staples of the book. This is certainly a character driven story and Rachel Good does a terrific job of making us feel the anguish and worry that Lydia has over Emma's amnesia and Emma's struggle to move on from her accident.
I read the story in an afternoon and it was a really nice read, but I think I have finished my own personal journey with Amish fiction.
Thanks to NetGalley and Charisma House for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Buried Secrets is the follow up sequel to Change of Heart and readers can expect the story of Lydia and her sister, Emma to continue. I didn't have the chance to read book one last year, but the first number of chapters quickly bring readers up to speed. Family and community centric, slow courtships, faith infused( but never preachy) are all staples of the book. This is certainly a character driven story and Rachel Good does a terrific job of making us feel the anguish and worry that Lydia has over Emma's amnesia and Emma's struggle to move on from her accident.
I read the story in an afternoon and it was a really nice read, but I think I have finished my own personal journey with Amish fiction.
Thanks to NetGalley and Charisma House for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
March 20, 2017
Buried Secrets is one of the best-named books I’ve ever read. The title alone contains more subtleties than you suspect until you reach that last page. Rachel Good wrote a well-layered story of love, loss, growth, forgiveness, and redemption. She drew me into characters who weren’t your typical Amish folks and made me care about even the ones who made me want to slap them. That’s pretty impressive.
This book includes a lot you don’t expect from Amish fiction and most of it in a very good way. One of the primary characters didn’t grow up Amish. Let's face it. You don't see that every day. Another character did something so heinous, you’d never expect it of someone a part of a group known for “non-violence.” The characters are consistent, even when that consistency fits outside the normal expectations for the Amish. Unlike historical fiction where they often attribute modern ideals and ideas to historical characters, Buried Secrets shows people who keep themselves separate from “the world” still being impacted by that world. And that’s important to see.
And one of the best parts? LOVE that cover. I mean, look at it! They blended the Amish objection to being photographed with the modern preference for people on covers and did it without making that girl too made up and polished OR too raw and unappealing (because on covers "plain" photography can look rather amateurish. It's just a beautiful cover--even more so than the other book I saw by this author, A Change of Heart. After reading this one, I suspect I know what that's about! And, I will probably buy the book and read it.
As Amish fiction goes, I really loved Buried Secrets.
Buried SecretsIn the interest of full disclosure, however, sometimes showing that intrusion of modern life into a world that eschews most of that modern sometimes felt incongruous. I don’t know that they are. I want to be very careful not to say that Ms. Good is “wrong” about any of it, but a few things jerked me out of the story. The reference to the babies’ nursery… I just never picture the Amish with nurseries! Even if the author meant the bedroom the children would sleep in, I just see them calling it a bedroom or something like that. Nursery conjures up the idea of a rather trendy, “not plain,” thing.
She made references to not dating and having a girlfriend—again, they felt removed from what I’m accustomed to in Amish fiction. And again, I refuse to say she's "wrong" about it. However, that's one problem with very specific genre fiction. They tend to create expectations.
Revised: However, since discovering that some Old Order Amish DO have "nurseries" and it is common to "date" and have "girlfriends," I can't help but wonder if perhaps I SHOULD be jerked out of the story. I mean, if my understanding is severely outdated, isn't it an author's job to educate me? For example, the time period for one of my books called recipes "receipts." Some people were bothered by that. They thought I'd been caught by the spellcheck bug or something. I was just being accurate to the time period. And so is Ms. Good. So, I'm revising my opinion on this one. I think that's a pretty cool thing--learning something new that challenges your expectations!
On the other hand, a few of the Amish-isms got a little old. Okay, only one that really made a lasting impact now that I’m removed from the story a bit. I know that the Amish word for baby is boppli. And if I didn’t, by the time I got done reading this book, I would never be able to forget it. In speech, using that word makes so much sense, but in narrative, it really became a bit burdensome. It’s a bit nit-picky of me, but since it annoyed me, I thought I’d throw it out there for those who are also bothered by such things.
There was one thing though...
The thing that bothered me the most about the book were certain bits of repetitiveness. Sometimes the author would state something, and right away, state it again. I couldn’t tell if she rewrote it one way and then the other, only to forget to remove one or if she just wanted to make sure we really understood what she wanted us to take away from it. And honestly, this was big enough for me that she almost lost a star over it.
Buried Secrets is just a really great story with interesting characters and a rather unique plot for Amish fiction. If it were not Amish, most of my “complaints” would be moot. However, the big plot twist would not have had the same impact. Now... do you think we could talk her into an Amish archaeologist in Cairo... with a kappe and buggy?
This book includes a lot you don’t expect from Amish fiction and most of it in a very good way. One of the primary characters didn’t grow up Amish. Let's face it. You don't see that every day. Another character did something so heinous, you’d never expect it of someone a part of a group known for “non-violence.” The characters are consistent, even when that consistency fits outside the normal expectations for the Amish. Unlike historical fiction where they often attribute modern ideals and ideas to historical characters, Buried Secrets shows people who keep themselves separate from “the world” still being impacted by that world. And that’s important to see.
And one of the best parts? LOVE that cover. I mean, look at it! They blended the Amish objection to being photographed with the modern preference for people on covers and did it without making that girl too made up and polished OR too raw and unappealing (because on covers "plain" photography can look rather amateurish. It's just a beautiful cover--even more so than the other book I saw by this author, A Change of Heart. After reading this one, I suspect I know what that's about! And, I will probably buy the book and read it.
As Amish fiction goes, I really loved Buried Secrets.
Buried SecretsIn the interest of full disclosure, however, sometimes showing that intrusion of modern life into a world that eschews most of that modern sometimes felt incongruous. I don’t know that they are. I want to be very careful not to say that Ms. Good is “wrong” about any of it, but a few things jerked me out of the story. The reference to the babies’ nursery… I just never picture the Amish with nurseries! Even if the author meant the bedroom the children would sleep in, I just see them calling it a bedroom or something like that. Nursery conjures up the idea of a rather trendy, “not plain,” thing.
She made references to not dating and having a girlfriend—again, they felt removed from what I’m accustomed to in Amish fiction. And again, I refuse to say she's "wrong" about it. However, that's one problem with very specific genre fiction. They tend to create expectations.
Revised: However, since discovering that some Old Order Amish DO have "nurseries" and it is common to "date" and have "girlfriends," I can't help but wonder if perhaps I SHOULD be jerked out of the story. I mean, if my understanding is severely outdated, isn't it an author's job to educate me? For example, the time period for one of my books called recipes "receipts." Some people were bothered by that. They thought I'd been caught by the spellcheck bug or something. I was just being accurate to the time period. And so is Ms. Good. So, I'm revising my opinion on this one. I think that's a pretty cool thing--learning something new that challenges your expectations!
On the other hand, a few of the Amish-isms got a little old. Okay, only one that really made a lasting impact now that I’m removed from the story a bit. I know that the Amish word for baby is boppli. And if I didn’t, by the time I got done reading this book, I would never be able to forget it. In speech, using that word makes so much sense, but in narrative, it really became a bit burdensome. It’s a bit nit-picky of me, but since it annoyed me, I thought I’d throw it out there for those who are also bothered by such things.
There was one thing though...
The thing that bothered me the most about the book were certain bits of repetitiveness. Sometimes the author would state something, and right away, state it again. I couldn’t tell if she rewrote it one way and then the other, only to forget to remove one or if she just wanted to make sure we really understood what she wanted us to take away from it. And honestly, this was big enough for me that she almost lost a star over it.
Buried Secrets is just a really great story with interesting characters and a rather unique plot for Amish fiction. If it were not Amish, most of my “complaints” would be moot. However, the big plot twist would not have had the same impact. Now... do you think we could talk her into an Amish archaeologist in Cairo... with a kappe and buggy?
March 20, 2017
Buried Secrets by Rachel J Good is a delightful Amish romance and one that I devoured in just two sittings.
Buried Secrets has many themes including healing. A physical healing and a healing of hearts and spirits.
Linked to the theme of healing is that of fear. Fear can consume us. "Stuck in this prison of terror." Often "facing her fears was the last thing she wanted to do" but it is necessary for healing. Fear can affect not just our mental state but our physical body too. With love, care and compassion one can face ones fears and conquer them.
There are the themes of grace, forgiveness and guilt. Our guilt may be tied to the past. We cannot alter the past but we need to deal with it. We need to confess our sins and receive God's grace and forgiveness. We often find this hard to do. We believe God forgives others but not us. We disqualify ourselves but God forgives everyone. Likewise we need to forgive others because we are commanded to do so.
Trust is another theme. We need to trust others and we need to trust God. If we trust God, we do not need to worry. "I'm not trusting [God] if I'm worrying." We can trust God because He loves us enough to die for us.
Rejection rears its head. We never need fear rejection from God but rejection from others leaves us with questions.
There is the whole idea of rebirth and new beginnings. The motif of the garden illustrates this perfectly. Our lives may become chocked with weeds which need removing for us to flourish.
There is a wonderful charm about the whole novel. The main characters are kind and caring. Kindness permeates the novel. The reader 'feels' its reaches from the pages of the book. I 'felt' the emotions emanating from the main characters, I empathised and I loved them all.
Secrets can be all consuming with the power to hurt and destroy. The truth needs to come to light and release the burden and power of secrets.
I absolutely loved Buried Secrets. The whole novel 'spoke' to my heart. It was a wonderful read and I cannot wait to read more by Rachel Good. I love all her novels.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.
Buried Secrets has many themes including healing. A physical healing and a healing of hearts and spirits.
Linked to the theme of healing is that of fear. Fear can consume us. "Stuck in this prison of terror." Often "facing her fears was the last thing she wanted to do" but it is necessary for healing. Fear can affect not just our mental state but our physical body too. With love, care and compassion one can face ones fears and conquer them.
There are the themes of grace, forgiveness and guilt. Our guilt may be tied to the past. We cannot alter the past but we need to deal with it. We need to confess our sins and receive God's grace and forgiveness. We often find this hard to do. We believe God forgives others but not us. We disqualify ourselves but God forgives everyone. Likewise we need to forgive others because we are commanded to do so.
Trust is another theme. We need to trust others and we need to trust God. If we trust God, we do not need to worry. "I'm not trusting [God] if I'm worrying." We can trust God because He loves us enough to die for us.
Rejection rears its head. We never need fear rejection from God but rejection from others leaves us with questions.
There is the whole idea of rebirth and new beginnings. The motif of the garden illustrates this perfectly. Our lives may become chocked with weeds which need removing for us to flourish.
There is a wonderful charm about the whole novel. The main characters are kind and caring. Kindness permeates the novel. The reader 'feels' its reaches from the pages of the book. I 'felt' the emotions emanating from the main characters, I empathised and I loved them all.
Secrets can be all consuming with the power to hurt and destroy. The truth needs to come to light and release the burden and power of secrets.
I absolutely loved Buried Secrets. The whole novel 'spoke' to my heart. It was a wonderful read and I cannot wait to read more by Rachel Good. I love all her novels.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.
April 14, 2017
Book Two in the Sisters and Friends series. It reads wonderfully well as a standalone though. And it's pretty unique because the story will have a different kind of impact depending on whether you have read the first book, Change of Heart. That's because Emma has no memory of the months before and immediately after the accident that nearly killed her. So, if you haven't read the first book, you're as clueless as Emma and get to uncover buried secrets right along with her. But, if you have read the first book, you know exactly what happened to Emma and that makes for a very interesting reading perspective since you know more about the main character than she does! Very cool.
Emma is struggling to put her life back together but she's missing some key pieces. While she has the support of her family, she knows they are keeping secrets from her and they treat her as if she's sure to disappoint them. So it's a relief to move to a different community where no one knows her past -- just like her! Even though Lydia can be a bit of an overbearing older sister. (There were times I wanted to shake some sense into her, but I refrained because of her delicate condition.)
Though next door neighbour Samuel intrigues Emma, he makes her nervous too. They have a great first meet scene involving a rambunctious Irish Setter that endeared me to Samuel immediately. :-) A complicated 'non-courtship' ensues as both hero and heroine grapple with letting go of the past in order to reach out towards a future together.
There's plenty of drama -- breath-snatching scenes that left me gobsmacked -- tender ones that left me weak in the knees. And twisty plot turns that kept me reading long after lights out. An excellent addition to the Sisters and Friends series. I can't wait for Book Three's release!
Emma is struggling to put her life back together but she's missing some key pieces. While she has the support of her family, she knows they are keeping secrets from her and they treat her as if she's sure to disappoint them. So it's a relief to move to a different community where no one knows her past -- just like her! Even though Lydia can be a bit of an overbearing older sister. (There were times I wanted to shake some sense into her, but I refrained because of her delicate condition.)
Though next door neighbour Samuel intrigues Emma, he makes her nervous too. They have a great first meet scene involving a rambunctious Irish Setter that endeared me to Samuel immediately. :-) A complicated 'non-courtship' ensues as both hero and heroine grapple with letting go of the past in order to reach out towards a future together.
There's plenty of drama -- breath-snatching scenes that left me gobsmacked -- tender ones that left me weak in the knees. And twisty plot turns that kept me reading long after lights out. An excellent addition to the Sisters and Friends series. I can't wait for Book Three's release!
March 20, 2017
Buried Secrets is not your typical Amish Fiction novel. Rachel Good has outdone herself with this one. Book two in her Sisters and Friends series, Buried Secrets will have staying up all night to finish and then leave will leave you wanting more!!
It’s been three years since Emma Esh was in an accident that she almost didn’t make it out of alive. She has recovered physically but has suffered memory loss, in fact she has no recollection of the year before her accident. This is hard on Emma so she decides to move to a new community to help her sister and brother-in-law prepare for the birth of twins.
Emma meets Lydia’s neighbor Samuel, it isn’t long before Emma is falling in love. Things will begin to unravel: the twins are born prematurely, the sudden return of Emma’s memory along with a visit from the Englischer Emma once dated. All of Emma’s secrets from her past will be revealed. Will the love Emma and Samuel have be able to make it? Will love overcome the obstacles of life?
I received a copy of this book for free, a favorable review was not required of me. All opinions expressed are my own.
It’s been three years since Emma Esh was in an accident that she almost didn’t make it out of alive. She has recovered physically but has suffered memory loss, in fact she has no recollection of the year before her accident. This is hard on Emma so she decides to move to a new community to help her sister and brother-in-law prepare for the birth of twins.
Emma meets Lydia’s neighbor Samuel, it isn’t long before Emma is falling in love. Things will begin to unravel: the twins are born prematurely, the sudden return of Emma’s memory along with a visit from the Englischer Emma once dated. All of Emma’s secrets from her past will be revealed. Will the love Emma and Samuel have be able to make it? Will love overcome the obstacles of life?
I received a copy of this book for free, a favorable review was not required of me. All opinions expressed are my own.
March 12, 2017
This book picks up 3 years after Emma’s accident and watch her heal and learn more about herself with her sisters help. She has a lot to overcome. Emma’s memory loss was interesting to read about as she got bits and pieces and tried to put the puzzle together. In doing so she didn’t get mad or take it out on anyone else around her.
Sam was my favorite part in the way they took their friendship slow and easy and worked on Emma’s past. No rushing and that was refreshing.
Her panic attacks when Eli would come around or when someone would start talking about the past and stop. It kept me on the edge of my seat to know what was going on to find out the secret.
The author did a wonderful job.
March 22, 2017
Boy, does this one have plenty of surprises?!!! This novel threw a really big surprise for me. It was something that I honestly don't think I've ever read about in any Amish books previously. Amish fiction is definitely not new to me. I am an avid reader and Amish fiction is one of my absolute favorites. Rachel J. Good is a new author to me and I am very impressed with this novel. I did not read the first book in the series, but it did not interfere with my enjoyment of the book. I'm sure that reading book one in the series first would add some additional information that would make the story and characters continue on and become like family to the reader.
Emma and Sam were both highly likable characters. I could certainly feel the emotions of both of them. Family dynamics played a large part in the lives of Emma and her family. Emma and her sister, Lydia, have some issues from their past to resolve and these issues keep cropping up in their present day lives. Sam has been hurt by a girl once, and he doesn't care to be hurt like that again.
I highly recommend this book to readers! My star rating on this book is 5!
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit Book Tour. All opinions expressed are my own.
Emma and Sam were both highly likable characters. I could certainly feel the emotions of both of them. Family dynamics played a large part in the lives of Emma and her family. Emma and her sister, Lydia, have some issues from their past to resolve and these issues keep cropping up in their present day lives. Sam has been hurt by a girl once, and he doesn't care to be hurt like that again.
I highly recommend this book to readers! My star rating on this book is 5!
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit Book Tour. All opinions expressed are my own.
December 14, 2016
Buried Secrets – I have been given the honor of reading this ARC from Rachel Good and the only gratuity you receive is the enjoyment her works can bring. Buried Secrets is the second book and I do hope there is more to come. I must find out more about Emma and Sam. Every family has a past, present and future, even Amish families. The Esh family is a strong Amish family with flaws. Emma carries the burden of her past, she was a rebel during her Rumspringa and she paid a heavy price that affected many in her family. Emma tries to move on from her past by moving to her sister Lydia’s home to help with her growing family. During her time with Lydia she meets Sam and she is sure her past will change his feelings for her and makes her afraid of the feelings she is having for him. Until she can let go of the past, she cannot have a present with Sam or even see a future that she can move on to. In this book you will learn the less that you must forgive yourself before you can move on. Rachel has a way of bringing the characters to life and I just can’t wait for the next chapter to see where life leads Emma, Sam, Lydia, and Caleb. This book is very well written but I would recommend reading Change of Heart by Rachel J. Good first. I give this book 4.5 stars!
February 8, 2017
Annie has her chest from Sam, carved with the recipe she uses for making sponge cakes, how sweet and personal for her, and what a gift from Sam, who has turned his grief into blessings for others.
The power of our minds to help protect us, and that is exactly what Emma is experiencing, will she ever be able to remember the accident that changed her life.
I’ve had panic attacks, but never to the extent this poor girl has, and protection her family tries to surround her with, and yet you wonder if they are to protecting. Can’t imagine the fear of the unknown she is experiencing, and I had to chuckle at what she did to her neighbor Sam.
Will Emma ever remember, and if so, what was so terrible that happened to her, we are going to find out, and surprise after surprise is dropped. Then we wonder what is going to happen her to this poor young woman, will she stay with her sister, and will she be accepted by this Amish Community, will there be forgiveness?
This one is a page-turner as you want to chip away what caused all of Emma’s problems, and piece-by-piece the answers appear, and there are surprises that I didn’t see coming.
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Charisma House and was not required to give a positive review.
The power of our minds to help protect us, and that is exactly what Emma is experiencing, will she ever be able to remember the accident that changed her life.
I’ve had panic attacks, but never to the extent this poor girl has, and protection her family tries to surround her with, and yet you wonder if they are to protecting. Can’t imagine the fear of the unknown she is experiencing, and I had to chuckle at what she did to her neighbor Sam.
Will Emma ever remember, and if so, what was so terrible that happened to her, we are going to find out, and surprise after surprise is dropped. Then we wonder what is going to happen her to this poor young woman, will she stay with her sister, and will she be accepted by this Amish Community, will there be forgiveness?
This one is a page-turner as you want to chip away what caused all of Emma’s problems, and piece-by-piece the answers appear, and there are surprises that I didn’t see coming.
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Charisma House and was not required to give a positive review.
February 17, 2017
Rachel J. Good created an enthralling story with Buried Secrets. Emma Esh is currently living with her sister Lydia and brother-in-law, Caleb. This isn’t the perfect solution for her as Lydia was a little over protective. Then after Emma met their widower neighbor’s nephew, Samuel (Sam) Emma would find Caleb and Lydia talking quietly about the situation. Lydia just couldn’t allow Emma to get involved with Sam. However, Sam saw something in Emma similar to his rescued dog, Bolt, and he wanted to help her overcome her fears. Will Emma be allowed to see Sam for his assistance in learning to overcome her fear of being in a buggy?
There are under lying plots in Buried Secrets that definitely caused this book to be a page turner. Every family has secrets, but this one was totally a shock who actually knew the most kept secret of Emma’s life. A year of Emma’s life she could not remember, plus the fact it appeared some family members could not stand to communicate or be around her. When Emma discovered English clothes, in the closet of the soon to be nursery, Lydia was set on not explaining why and who they belonged when Emma enquired. However, Emma secretly kept a green sweater out of the sack as she felt a pull to it. Would she start remembering the past that Lydia feared for her?
When Emma seemed to be making progress overcoming her fear unexpected twists and turns happened with an unannounced visitor. What will happen between the visitor and Emma when Lydia goes into premature labor? The ending of this gripping story was astonishing. My heart was racing with various emotions as I read the final pages. Rachel J. Good’s stories reels you right in the moment of the story along with the characters’ emotions and actions.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing a complimentary copy of Buried Secrets. I was not required to write a positive review but have shared my honest thoughts.
There are under lying plots in Buried Secrets that definitely caused this book to be a page turner. Every family has secrets, but this one was totally a shock who actually knew the most kept secret of Emma’s life. A year of Emma’s life she could not remember, plus the fact it appeared some family members could not stand to communicate or be around her. When Emma discovered English clothes, in the closet of the soon to be nursery, Lydia was set on not explaining why and who they belonged when Emma enquired. However, Emma secretly kept a green sweater out of the sack as she felt a pull to it. Would she start remembering the past that Lydia feared for her?
When Emma seemed to be making progress overcoming her fear unexpected twists and turns happened with an unannounced visitor. What will happen between the visitor and Emma when Lydia goes into premature labor? The ending of this gripping story was astonishing. My heart was racing with various emotions as I read the final pages. Rachel J. Good’s stories reels you right in the moment of the story along with the characters’ emotions and actions.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing a complimentary copy of Buried Secrets. I was not required to write a positive review but have shared my honest thoughts.
October 7, 2017
This is the second book from the Sisters and Friends series. The story is continued on as Emma has recovered from the accident and now is staying with her sister Leah to await the arrival of Leah's bopplis ( babies -yes I love that word!) Her past is still a secret, even to herself. She only knows that she is afraid to be out after dark and is deathly afraid to ride in anything.
Sam her next door neighbor tries to help Emma get over her fears and
Amish books are such a good read. They take us to a simple world where faith and family come first. This book slowed my world down as I followed Emma in her world. In her peace, and yes even in her struggles to try to remember her past. She had a love from her past life... there were plenty of 'buried' secrets that you will want to uncover for yourself. It has just enough suspense to keep you wanting to turn the page.
I was a bit surprised to find the subject of abortion come up - but this just helps us to realize that Amish are human, just like all of us. Decisions are hard to make and sometimes they leave you feeling guilty and ill at ease for a long time.
Grab a cup of lemonade and jump into a slower pace of life as you read more about Emma and her family.
Sam her next door neighbor tries to help Emma get over her fears and
Amish books are such a good read. They take us to a simple world where faith and family come first. This book slowed my world down as I followed Emma in her world. In her peace, and yes even in her struggles to try to remember her past. She had a love from her past life... there were plenty of 'buried' secrets that you will want to uncover for yourself. It has just enough suspense to keep you wanting to turn the page.
I was a bit surprised to find the subject of abortion come up - but this just helps us to realize that Amish are human, just like all of us. Decisions are hard to make and sometimes they leave you feeling guilty and ill at ease for a long time.
Grab a cup of lemonade and jump into a slower pace of life as you read more about Emma and her family.
March 18, 2017
"Buried Secrets" by Rachel J Good is the second book in the (Sisters and Friends) series. The story was enjoyable as a standalone but personally I am glad I read the 1st book (Change Of Heart) to get the background story.
This story was about forgiveness and Healing. My favorite character in this story is Emma because she has a fear that is somewhat like a fear I have, ( mine is driving) and since this is an Amish story Emma's fear isn't of driving but of riding in a vehicle or being in the dark ( the why of this is explained in "Change Of Heart" ).
This is a story that shows that secrets eventually come to the light. In this case Emma has the secrets because of amnesia but her family doesn't want her to remember but holding them is keeping her from the healing she needs.
Rachel's stories are written so well that they tear at your heart's strings and I like the fact that even though her stories are about the Amish, the English can learn life lessons from them.
I Am giving "Buried Secrets" by Rachel J. Good five stars. I was given a complimentary copy by the author and Celebrate Lit. These opinions are my own.
This story was about forgiveness and Healing. My favorite character in this story is Emma because she has a fear that is somewhat like a fear I have, ( mine is driving) and since this is an Amish story Emma's fear isn't of driving but of riding in a vehicle or being in the dark ( the why of this is explained in "Change Of Heart" ).
This is a story that shows that secrets eventually come to the light. In this case Emma has the secrets because of amnesia but her family doesn't want her to remember but holding them is keeping her from the healing she needs.
Rachel's stories are written so well that they tear at your heart's strings and I like the fact that even though her stories are about the Amish, the English can learn life lessons from them.
I Am giving "Buried Secrets" by Rachel J. Good five stars. I was given a complimentary copy by the author and Celebrate Lit. These opinions are my own.
September 20, 2017
Buried Secrets is the sequel to Change of Heart, a book I thoroughly enjoyed. I was not disappointed by the sequel - another page turner. This story concentrates on Emma Esh, the sister of Lydia who was the main protagonist in Change of Heart. Emma is trying to come to terms with life after a serious car accident that has caused her to lose the memories of a whole year of her life. Moving to be with Lydia and her husband Caleb, Emma starts to make attempts to find out about her past and thus overcome the crippling fears that have stuck with her since she woke from her coma. Set once again in an Amish community, this is a beautifully told story about relationships, trust, healing, forgiveness and learning to love and know yourself. The whole piece has a great charm, partly coming from Rachel J Good's ability to bring all the characters to life and lift them off the pages of the book. I found it hard to put it down and finished it in three sittings - which, at a particularly difficult and busy time in my own life, says a lot for the power of the writing.
May 28, 2017
I have always been a fan of Amish fiction though sometimes they can be written too preach or too sweet. Not so with Buried Secrets. Good explored the path of recovery from past trauma. Emma's battle with anxiety and her fears was commendable and well done.
I didn't realize that this was a sequel when I picked it up, which I think actually added to my experience. Like Emma I had no inkling of what happened during her lost year and was waiting along with her for either for something to trigger her memory, or someone in her family explaining what was going on. The suspense was not overly done where I wanted to just get to the end to figure it out already, but when it did I was prepared for it and didn't feel like it was being added just for shock value.
I enjoyed reading this and would highly recommend it.
**I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.**
I didn't realize that this was a sequel when I picked it up, which I think actually added to my experience. Like Emma I had no inkling of what happened during her lost year and was waiting along with her for either for something to trigger her memory, or someone in her family explaining what was going on. The suspense was not overly done where I wanted to just get to the end to figure it out already, but when it did I was prepared for it and didn't feel like it was being added just for shock value.
I enjoyed reading this and would highly recommend it.
**I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.**
March 27, 2019
I can’t say enough about this series, Rachel J Good does such a great job with her research that you feel your at times your in a educational class as well as reading a Amish fiction book. I love this book Buried Secrets and I Hope at some time book three will come out in paperback form as well.
In this book we meet Emma from book one who has recovered from her injuries sustained in her accident, with the exception of her memory for several months before and after the accident. Now living with her sister Lydia and brother in law Caleb to help care from Lydia before and after the birth
Of their twins when she meets neighbor Samuel together they work towards helping Emma get over some of her fears.
Will Emma be able to get her memory back and if she does what will that mean? Do yourself a big favor and pick up this book this fantastic.
In this book we meet Emma from book one who has recovered from her injuries sustained in her accident, with the exception of her memory for several months before and after the accident. Now living with her sister Lydia and brother in law Caleb to help care from Lydia before and after the birth
Of their twins when she meets neighbor Samuel together they work towards helping Emma get over some of her fears.
Will Emma be able to get her memory back and if she does what will that mean? Do yourself a big favor and pick up this book this fantastic.
March 4, 2018
Buried Secrets by Rachel J. Good is the second book in the Sisters and Friends series. I can't even start to tell you how good this one is. I really liked Change of Heart (Book 1) but I enjoyed this one even more.
Still with no memory of the year before her accident, this book picks up 3 years later. Emma is now staying with her sister, Lydia and husband Caleb awaiting the arrival of their twins. Emma faces many challenges due to her lack of memories, fears and panic attacks. With the help of the neighbor's nephew, Sam, she starts to see a light at the end of the dark tunnel she's been in.
I can't wait for Gift from Above (book 3). This is a fantastic series! I highly recommend reading Change of Heart and then Buried Secrets!
Still with no memory of the year before her accident, this book picks up 3 years later. Emma is now staying with her sister, Lydia and husband Caleb awaiting the arrival of their twins. Emma faces many challenges due to her lack of memories, fears and panic attacks. With the help of the neighbor's nephew, Sam, she starts to see a light at the end of the dark tunnel she's been in.
I can't wait for Gift from Above (book 3). This is a fantastic series! I highly recommend reading Change of Heart and then Buried Secrets!
March 20, 2017
Buried Secrets by Rachel J. Good is an excellent read! After a long recovery from an accident, Emma Esh moves in with her sister Lydia, and brother-in-law Caleb. Caleb and Lydia are expecting twins, and Emma is going to help out. While there, Emma meets the neighbor’s nephew, Sam Troyer. Sam and Emma become friends and start spending time together. Lydia and Caleb discourage any kind of relationship beyond friendship with Sam. Why does it seem that Emma’s family knows more about the accident she was then they are telling her? Emma cannot remember the time around the accident, but she knows there are buried secrets in her past that she might now want to learn about. These secrets might forever change her future.
Rachel J. Good does a great job of bringing the characters to life. They experience circumstances that we can all relate to including frustration, hopelessness, faith and love. I highly recommend checking out this fast-paced wonderful story.
Rachel J. Good does a great job of bringing the characters to life. They experience circumstances that we can all relate to including frustration, hopelessness, faith and love. I highly recommend checking out this fast-paced wonderful story.
March 7, 2017
Buried Secrets by Rachel J. Good tells the story of Emma Esh who lost the memories of an entire year of her life after a vehicle accident. This is not my usual genre, but the storyline in Buried Secrets intrigued me and I am so glad that I read it. The mystery of Emma’s accident and what happened that year—it led to a fantastic story and a plot that moved at a great pace. I highly recommend this book! I cannot wait to read more from this author. I received a digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
March 19, 2017
Buried Secrets was a page-turner that kept you guessing as you read. From what I understood, this was the second book in the series, but I could read it as a stand-alone. I thought Emma and Sam were easy to relate to and the author dealt with amnesia in an interesting manner that seemed honest and true.
However, I was distracted by some formatting issues. There was head hopping with no scene breaks which gave me no clue that I was changing point of view until too late. Also, there were inconstancies with first and third person that could have been remedied by placing the first person in Italics to show that the person was talking to themselves as I have seen previously in fiction. These were both minor issues that took away from the readability of the book, but did not take away from the interesting plot development.
There was a sweet message of forgiveness and love in the story interwoven through secrets that could not remain buried in the past. It brought a different angle to the contemporary Amish lifestyle and dealt with some challenging cultural issues while remaining true to God’s Word.
I would give this book three stars. I was given a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest and fair review. All opinions are my own.
However, I was distracted by some formatting issues. There was head hopping with no scene breaks which gave me no clue that I was changing point of view until too late. Also, there were inconstancies with first and third person that could have been remedied by placing the first person in Italics to show that the person was talking to themselves as I have seen previously in fiction. These were both minor issues that took away from the readability of the book, but did not take away from the interesting plot development.
There was a sweet message of forgiveness and love in the story interwoven through secrets that could not remain buried in the past. It brought a different angle to the contemporary Amish lifestyle and dealt with some challenging cultural issues while remaining true to God’s Word.
I would give this book three stars. I was given a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest and fair review. All opinions are my own.
March 20, 2017
A INSPIRATIONAL STORY OF FACING THE PAST, SEEKING FORGIVENESS AND MOVING FORWARD! EMMA LEARNS SOME AMAZING LESSONS THAT WE ALL CAN RELATE TO. IT MAY NOT BE THE SAME AS WHAT SHE ENDURED. A BOOK THAT IS A GREAT READ! WITHIN ITS PAGES YOU'LL SEE HOW SECRETS CAN BE HURTFUL, YET YOU WILL ALSO SEE FORGIVENESS, LOVE AND DREAMS FULFILLED!
BLESSINGS, Karen Hadley Rating: 5* I received this book as a gift, all opinions are my own.
BLESSINGS, Karen Hadley Rating: 5* I received this book as a gift, all opinions are my own.
June 2, 2017
I really enjoyed this book once I figured out what was going on. This book is a sequel to CHANGE OF HEART. I had to buy the first book to understand what was going on in the second book. The first book was also excellent.
The book is about Emma who was in a car accident and doesn't remember the previous 3 years. Her sister is trying to protect her from her terrible memories.
These books are well worth the time to read and I can't wait for the next one to come out.
The book is about Emma who was in a car accident and doesn't remember the previous 3 years. Her sister is trying to protect her from her terrible memories.
These books are well worth the time to read and I can't wait for the next one to come out.
June 3, 2017
Thanks to Netgallery for this book. I have to say I knew this was a book set in Amish culture but I was hoping for something with a little more depth. It was a perfectly nice story about a young woman with a secret past who goes to live with her sister after an accident that she has no memory of. I found it a little frustrating that she didn't take her life by the unmentionables and just get on with it - but that's obviously not the Amish way. Unoffensive, just not groundbreaking
October 29, 2017
Buried Secrets is a great addition to this Amish series about the Esh sisters. Faded memories of Emma’s past as she continues to recover from a bad accident add difficulties to her newfound attraction to the handsome Sam. Her complicated relationship with her older sister Lydia, married now and ready to give birth, is still a big part of the story, as well. Again, several Amish recipes and a helpful glossary are a fun bonus to the story.
September 11, 2020
I enjoyed this second book in the Sisters & Friends, but not as much as the first one. Although I really loved seeing Emma overcome her panic attacks and the relationship that developed between her and Sam, I felt that this one was a little too strong in the judgment of Emma's past. For a Christian romance, I thought it went a little too overboard with the emphasis on Emma being someone no one would want to marry. I'm still trying to decide if I'll read the third book.
June 28, 2019
It's been quite a while since i last read Amish fiction, so this book has come as a refreshing change from what i usually read. I really enjoyed this book, although I was surprised to find that this is the second book in a series, An excellent story! I hope to read more books by this author and am pleased to see that some books are in Kindle Unlimited.
August 7, 2018
Picked up in a good spot, enough background given that you could pick it up and read from here if you often do that like I do.
Should they tell or should they just keep on keeping things buried. Slowly things start to come out and things must be dealt with carefully.
Should they tell or should they just keep on keeping things buried. Slowly things start to come out and things must be dealt with carefully.
October 19, 2021
Good book
Like the 1st book, this was a really great book. Makes you think about the Lord and forgiveness for others and yourself.
Like the 1st book, this was a really great book. Makes you think about the Lord and forgiveness for others and yourself.
March 9, 2017
After reading the book summary I was immediately intrigued. Memory loss is something I have a lot of interest in. I like hearing different ways people try to get their memories back and felt Emma's story was well written. To date I think it is one of my favorites! What I enjoyed most was the way her memories came to her. They were just tiny, mysterious puzzle pieces that didn't quite fit together, or so she thought. But what really caught my attention was Emma's attitude about the situation. Overall she didn't lash out at anyone about it, she just kept plugging along.
The blossoming relationship between Emma and Sam was a joy to read. Rather than immediately try to rush into a romance they chose to focus on friendship and getting to know each other. The author did a wonderful job of writing this storyline, especially the scenes where Sam was trying to help Emma. The emotions were real and raw, and I found myself sympathizing with Emma wishing that I could help her myself.
I found myself reading this book as quickly as I could so I could solve the mystery of Emma's past. The author was fantastic at grabbing your attention every time Lydia and Caleb started to mention something about the past but then stopped short. My frustrations grew with each moment, but in a good way. It just mean I needed to find out the truth about Emma's missing year. Great way to keep me hooked in the storyline! There was also a twist near the end that really tugged at my heart. Without giving any information away, I will just say the author obviously put a lot of thought and effort into writing those scenes. Warning - it may make you a little emotional!
I cannot say enough good things about this book and think you will thoroughly enjoy it. It was so fun to read! I received a complimentary copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The blossoming relationship between Emma and Sam was a joy to read. Rather than immediately try to rush into a romance they chose to focus on friendship and getting to know each other. The author did a wonderful job of writing this storyline, especially the scenes where Sam was trying to help Emma. The emotions were real and raw, and I found myself sympathizing with Emma wishing that I could help her myself.
I found myself reading this book as quickly as I could so I could solve the mystery of Emma's past. The author was fantastic at grabbing your attention every time Lydia and Caleb started to mention something about the past but then stopped short. My frustrations grew with each moment, but in a good way. It just mean I needed to find out the truth about Emma's missing year. Great way to keep me hooked in the storyline! There was also a twist near the end that really tugged at my heart. Without giving any information away, I will just say the author obviously put a lot of thought and effort into writing those scenes. Warning - it may make you a little emotional!
I cannot say enough good things about this book and think you will thoroughly enjoy it. It was so fun to read! I received a complimentary copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
March 16, 2017
Somehow, I have not read one of this author's books before. This book stood alone just fine, thought I do like to read everything in a series. Emma is one distressed young woman. She has major panic attacks. Having dealt with that some myself, and with many friends and family, that is not an easy thing to overcome. Emma has some buried secrets, and things that are hidden don't tend to stay that way forever. Emma's amnesia was not an easy thing either. It's hard to have missing memories. Emma has to trust that God knows what He is doing, and that she is on the right track and Sam, he has to figure out why he feels the need to rescue her. Emma and Sam have a lovely relationship that we get to watch grow in this book. I felt pretty close to Emma, and I liked the aspects of God's forgiveness showing through so clearly.
My copy came from Celebrate Lit. I have left this review because I choose to do so. Thoughts and opinions expressed herein are my own.
My copy came from Celebrate Lit. I have left this review because I choose to do so. Thoughts and opinions expressed herein are my own.
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