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Summerhill Secrets #6-10
SummerHill Secrets
Set in Pennsylvania's Amish country, SummerHill Secrets follows fourteen-year-old Merry Hanson as she navigates the struggles and triumphs of life and faith. Volume Two contains House of Secrets, Echoes in the Wind, Hide Behind the Moon, Windows on the Hill, and Shadows Beyond the Gate.
544 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2007
94 people are currently reading
1000 people want to read
About the author
Beverly Lewis
259 books3,014 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Beverly Lewis, raised in Pennsylvania Amish country and both a schoolteacher and an accomplished musician, has been an award-winning author for over a dozen years. Her acclaimed novel, The Preacher's Daughter, was a 2006 Quill Book Award finalist in the romance category. Her books have appeared on numerous bestseller lists, including USA Today and The New York Times. She and her husband, David, live in Colorado."
Beverly Lewis, raised in Pennsylvania Amish country and both a schoolteacher and an accomplished musician, has been an award-winning author for over a dozen years. Her acclaimed novel, The Preacher's Daughter, was a 2006 Quill Book Award finalist in the romance category. Her books have appeared on numerous bestseller lists, including USA Today and The New York Times. She and her husband, David, live in Colorado."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
June 27, 2020
I really enjoyed the rest of this series! The first volume is my favorite but this one was still enjoyable.<3
June 13, 2010
The first one was good, this one fell flat on its face and further. I had to force myself to finish it.
First of all, I was very disappointed to see that Mrs. Lewis had run even further into the ridiculously impossible with her "normal" teenager. Merry does not live a normal life. She can't get past a school year or summer vacation without running into a myriad of problems that receive interesting and varied action from Merry and her pack of friends.
I was really angry that Levi didn't get Merry. He was ten times more interesting than Jon.
Practically all these stories were fake and contrived. I especially thought that whole thing with their neighbor's "mysterious" computer room and the tacky and utterly ludicrous falling-through-the-ice-and-forgetting-only-about-the-boys-she-was-puzzling-over episodes were very stupid. For pete's sake, if you can't come up with a better way to solve a boy problem than temporary forgetfulness, I think you need to take a break and refresh your mind.
Also, what in the world did both those boys see in Merry? She's nothing fantastic. In fact, she's really dull and quirky.
Another thing that really frustrated me was the fact that they brought that whole grief issue over Faithie back into this book. I thought that had been resolved in book no. 1. She did take that picture of her tears on the gravestone and gave up her grief in "Whispers Down the Lane", didn't she? So why put us all through that again? I didn't care about Faithie. I had never been introduced to her personally, so when she wallows so much in grief, I just roll my eyes and scan the page for the point when she stops.
The whole alliteration thing got me too. It's so tacky!
Enough said. I'm just glad there isn't a third one.
First of all, I was very disappointed to see that Mrs. Lewis had run even further into the ridiculously impossible with her "normal" teenager. Merry does not live a normal life. She can't get past a school year or summer vacation without running into a myriad of problems that receive interesting and varied action from Merry and her pack of friends.
I was really angry that Levi didn't get Merry. He was ten times more interesting than Jon.
Practically all these stories were fake and contrived. I especially thought that whole thing with their neighbor's "mysterious" computer room and the tacky and utterly ludicrous falling-through-the-ice-and-forgetting-only-about-the-boys-she-was-puzzling-over episodes were very stupid. For pete's sake, if you can't come up with a better way to solve a boy problem than temporary forgetfulness, I think you need to take a break and refresh your mind.
Also, what in the world did both those boys see in Merry? She's nothing fantastic. In fact, she's really dull and quirky.
Another thing that really frustrated me was the fact that they brought that whole grief issue over Faithie back into this book. I thought that had been resolved in book no. 1. She did take that picture of her tears on the gravestone and gave up her grief in "Whispers Down the Lane", didn't she? So why put us all through that again? I didn't care about Faithie. I had never been introduced to her personally, so when she wallows so much in grief, I just roll my eyes and scan the page for the point when she stops.
The whole alliteration thing got me too. It's so tacky!
Enough said. I'm just glad there isn't a third one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 15, 2010
This series of books was like riding a roller coaster. Sometimes the cart would take me up and above all so I could see everything that was happening, and then it took me down into a tunnel, and I became completely oblivious of the things around me. A part in this book made me want to cry and smash something, becuase it was so frustrating and I knew what was supposed to go on and the main character didn't have a clue-but she made an incredible turn around and I became content again. Merry Hanson goes through many challenges throughout these books, all coming together for a peaceful ending, one that I thought could be better, but was meaningful in a way, considering all that Merry had been through. And, like the roller coaster, it looped around and gave me butterflies, then came in to a sudden halt and it was over. And what good is a roller coaster if you don't go on it again and again?
January 12, 2013
First things first I was so hoping Merry would've chosen Levi! He was a great loyal friend for many years and Merry had also grown to love him in a romantic fashion. Whereas Jon dated Merry's friends frist which made it seem like Merry was nonexisitent to him. Overall I absolutely love this book. It was a page turner for sure. I loved Merry's character she was genuine selfless sensitve caring and a lover of Jesus. The amish neighbors, the Zook's and the englishers the hanson's both had an unbelievably cozy warm loving safe home environment. Although they had differences in their religious practice, the most common thread that they both shared was Jesus Christ. He was the core foundation in both households which in turn definitely help them whether through any storms of life that came thier way. Jesus brings unity as he did on summerhill lane.
June 26, 2019
The stories in the book are mostly Christianity moral lessons.
At some parts, I felt like the author was being biased. You know, wearing a short skirt and a thick make-up doesn't make someone lousy or bad. It was a cliché thing to do to make readers feel oooh that character's amoral. *poker face*
And no constancy in characterization.
Levi's character was like this:
rough, straightforward, naive, flirty.
and he goes on a trip and returns and turns out to be like this:
educated, gentle, nerdy, know-it-all.
and that just happened. He goes on a trip and returns *tadaaa* a completely different person.
At some parts, I felt like the author was being biased. You know, wearing a short skirt and a thick make-up doesn't make someone lousy or bad. It was a cliché thing to do to make readers feel oooh that character's amoral. *poker face*
And no constancy in characterization.
Levi's character was like this:
rough, straightforward, naive, flirty.
and he goes on a trip and returns and turns out to be like this:
educated, gentle, nerdy, know-it-all.
and that just happened. He goes on a trip and returns *tadaaa* a completely different person.
February 9, 2012
Oh my goodness, one of THE best books I have ever read. I loved Merry Hanson and felt that in the book you could really connect with her. The way that Merry was with her cats was absolutely adorable. Since I am a cat person also, I was on the edge of my seat until she found Abendigo. I really felt for Chelsea when her mom joined that cult. Beverly Lewis You are my newest fav author! :D
July 1, 2017
This novel is set in the eyes of a adolescent teenager as she begins to realize that not everything is always as it seems. This novel shows that even people, the one's that you trust, can betray you and there is nothing that you can do about the decisions that they make for themselves. Very moving and inspiring, makes me glad that I didn't face what she has had to deal with when I was her age.
March 13, 2023
I enjoyed this Young Adult series. The adventures of Merry Hanson, English girl and neighbor and friend to an Amish family, were very tame. But also very sweet. Merry’s faith in God grows throughout the series. I would recommend this book to perhaps a middle school girl.
June 3, 2010
I hated the ending Levi should have ended up with merry in my opinion.
Read
June 24, 2011It was a really good book. It gave a great view of God and Merry's belief. Definetly one I would reccomend for you to read :)
August 3, 2011
love it relly enjoyed definetly recommend..helped me view some of lives chalanes in a different way...worth the read!
December 31, 2022
Enjoyed. Wish there was more in the short stories. They wrap up quickly
May 26, 2023
I’d like an actual ending please
September 23, 2025
This series is so precious to me. I learned so much reading this as a kid. Merry was like a big sister to me. I will forever love and be grateful for these books. ་⁺₊♡་⁺₊
April 20, 2019
I agree with every reviewer who says that Levi was the better choice over Jon. However, if you stop to think about it for a second, was Merry the better choice for Levi? Levi was moving forward and growing up while Merry basically stood still for 2 years. Levi needed a wife, not a child. And it was obvious to me that Merry did not have feelings of romantic love for Levi. If anything, he caused her anxiety.
I felt like maybe the author was toying with a different ending for the series in "Echoes in the Wind" when Merry got amnesia. But after all of the insight Merry has during her amnesia, after everything she learns about lust, love and friendship, this insight is never revisited in any other story. Its almost as if it never happened. I think this is because there was no way to make Merry grow up enough to be the proper mate for Levi. So the author went a different way. The ending to the series was good with everybody being friends. This was the best thing to do for Merry who was still behaving as a child (not a woman) by the end of Volume 2.
Volume 2 was not as good as Volume 1. Here is why:
1. The alliteration game became annoying in addition to being a highly unlikely game between 16 year olds.
2. Jon's nickname for Merry was not endearing and it inhibited any real conversation between them.
3. Merry was supposedly 16 so she should have been having real conversations with her friends. Instead, the reader endures conversations full of non-sequiturs while Merry's feelings jump between offended and jealous. Felt like grade school.
4. At one point, Merry tells her friend to speak to Jon for her. Why can't she speak to Jon herself? I think the last time i asked a friend to talk to a boy for me was in the 7th grade.
5. Merry was judgmental throughout, but most of all in story 3 when dealing with Rachel. She could have been a friend for Rachel. Instead, Merry is scared of every little thing all of the time.
6. I almost didn't want to read the last story. I thought I had already read the Faithie story in Volume 1 but apparently we weren't done. (The last 2 stories were very boring).
7. And finally, the biggest problem with this book is that Merry did not grow. If anything she moved backward. Straight to grade school!
Despite all my complaining above, i would still recommend this book to 10-13 year olds. There were some good things to be learned in this book. Like how NOT to talk to your friends if you want them to like you. And more seriously, though Merry couldn't seem to communicate with her friends, she did a pretty good job of communicating with God. There were some important Christian values to glean from this book, in addition to learning about Old Order Amish people. All gut stuff.
I felt like maybe the author was toying with a different ending for the series in "Echoes in the Wind" when Merry got amnesia. But after all of the insight Merry has during her amnesia, after everything she learns about lust, love and friendship, this insight is never revisited in any other story. Its almost as if it never happened. I think this is because there was no way to make Merry grow up enough to be the proper mate for Levi. So the author went a different way. The ending to the series was good with everybody being friends. This was the best thing to do for Merry who was still behaving as a child (not a woman) by the end of Volume 2.
Volume 2 was not as good as Volume 1. Here is why:
1. The alliteration game became annoying in addition to being a highly unlikely game between 16 year olds.
2. Jon's nickname for Merry was not endearing and it inhibited any real conversation between them.
3. Merry was supposedly 16 so she should have been having real conversations with her friends. Instead, the reader endures conversations full of non-sequiturs while Merry's feelings jump between offended and jealous. Felt like grade school.
4. At one point, Merry tells her friend to speak to Jon for her. Why can't she speak to Jon herself? I think the last time i asked a friend to talk to a boy for me was in the 7th grade.
5. Merry was judgmental throughout, but most of all in story 3 when dealing with Rachel. She could have been a friend for Rachel. Instead, Merry is scared of every little thing all of the time.
6. I almost didn't want to read the last story. I thought I had already read the Faithie story in Volume 1 but apparently we weren't done. (The last 2 stories were very boring).
7. And finally, the biggest problem with this book is that Merry did not grow. If anything she moved backward. Straight to grade school!
Despite all my complaining above, i would still recommend this book to 10-13 year olds. There were some good things to be learned in this book. Like how NOT to talk to your friends if you want them to like you. And more seriously, though Merry couldn't seem to communicate with her friends, she did a pretty good job of communicating with God. There were some important Christian values to glean from this book, in addition to learning about Old Order Amish people. All gut stuff.
May 20, 2024
4.5 stars
(Content and triggers will be listed at the bottom.)
This was so good!! I liked it much better than volume one, even though some things were kind of random in this book. Like, the amnesia part and suddenly being sad about Faithie again.
ROMANCE:
A little bit of a love triangle, which I DONT LIKE AT ALL!! But Beverly managed to write a non annoying one. If there's anything that marks a good writer, its writing good love triangles. Really the only purpose of this one was to keep there from being any real romance for most of the book, but I didn't mind. I changed my mind about who I wanted Merry to end up with mid book, which really surprised me.
WRITING STYLE:
The writing style is great and smooth. A little bit of telling instead of showing, (that honestly really bugs me being a writer), but there wasn't enough to REALLY bug me. It's written in first person past tense.
CHARACTER ARCS
Merry has a satisfying character arc, and she learns to overcome her grief for Fathie. (With the help of her lamb friend, Jingle Bell, of course.) She also matures quite a bit in this book.
SCs:
All of the side characters, (except Ashley at times) were great. I don't like how *certain people* keep trying to keep Jon from her, (I won't say who to avoid spoilers), but I feel like that was just another way for Beverly to avoid any real romance. I already wrote about that earlier in the review, though, so I won't say anything more about it now. Lissa and Chelsea are really good friends, along with Levi. And Jon. Definitely Jon.
Overall, this was a pretty good book. I wasn't A HUGE fan of some seemingly random things that happen in the plot, but to be fair, they did help the plot move along.
CW: Remembering her twin sister who died, Merry gets amnesia, some light romance, hugs, hand holding, a SCs mom leaves, they stage a "kidnapping" to bring her back. That's all of the main content, and I'd recommend this book for girls 12+. Younger girls could enjoy this too, there's nothing inappropriate, but it could be slightly boring. (Even though merry is CONSTANTLY having some HUGE problem to the point where its almost unreal. Thanks for reading my entire really long review!! If you want to see my thoughts on Summerhill Secrets: Volume 1, check out my goodreads page.
(Content and triggers will be listed at the bottom.)
This was so good!! I liked it much better than volume one, even though some things were kind of random in this book. Like, the amnesia part and suddenly being sad about Faithie again.
ROMANCE:
A little bit of a love triangle, which I DONT LIKE AT ALL!! But Beverly managed to write a non annoying one. If there's anything that marks a good writer, its writing good love triangles. Really the only purpose of this one was to keep there from being any real romance for most of the book, but I didn't mind. I changed my mind about who I wanted Merry to end up with mid book, which really surprised me.
WRITING STYLE:
The writing style is great and smooth. A little bit of telling instead of showing, (that honestly really bugs me being a writer), but there wasn't enough to REALLY bug me. It's written in first person past tense.
CHARACTER ARCS
Merry has a satisfying character arc, and she learns to overcome her grief for Fathie. (With the help of her lamb friend, Jingle Bell, of course.) She also matures quite a bit in this book.
SCs:
All of the side characters, (except Ashley at times) were great. I don't like how *certain people* keep trying to keep Jon from her, (I won't say who to avoid spoilers), but I feel like that was just another way for Beverly to avoid any real romance. I already wrote about that earlier in the review, though, so I won't say anything more about it now. Lissa and Chelsea are really good friends, along with Levi. And Jon. Definitely Jon.
Overall, this was a pretty good book. I wasn't A HUGE fan of some seemingly random things that happen in the plot, but to be fair, they did help the plot move along.
CW: Remembering her twin sister who died, Merry gets amnesia, some light romance, hugs, hand holding, a SCs mom leaves, they stage a "kidnapping" to bring her back. That's all of the main content, and I'd recommend this book for girls 12+. Younger girls could enjoy this too, there's nothing inappropriate, but it could be slightly boring. (Even though merry is CONSTANTLY having some HUGE problem to the point where its almost unreal. Thanks for reading my entire really long review!! If you want to see my thoughts on Summerhill Secrets: Volume 1, check out my goodreads page.
October 19, 2012
Crunched for time in late 2012, so short review...
1. I would recommend reading the first volume before reading this one. In addition, please note that these volumes were originally released as small novellas, so this affects quite a few things--some mentioned below.
2. There were several parts during which I almost set the entire second volume down (never to return). I was simply bored--and with so much reading material available in the world, this will definitely drive some readers away.
3. The writing level fluctuates--in some sections, the writing is good (never great). In other sections, the writing is poor. Part of this is likely due to the fact that volumes were originally released as novellas.
4. Plot--To be fair to the author, she has quite a bit to juggle. However, some plots are overly-simplistic or overly-obvious. Others are handled poorly or left dangling.
5. In my opinion, the relationship between Levi and Merry drives the story--plus, the Amish characters add an excellent extra component to the stories. The relationship (or lack there-of) between Johnathan and Merry is an annoying distraction--not because many teenage girls are not fickle in real life (Boy, are they ever!), but because the author fails to develop Johnathan's character. This causes the reader to care little for their relationship or Merry's pining over him.
6. Do not get me started on "Alliteration-eze!"
7. For me, it is a disappointing ending, and the lack of an afterword is also disappointing!
1. I would recommend reading the first volume before reading this one. In addition, please note that these volumes were originally released as small novellas, so this affects quite a few things--some mentioned below.
2. There were several parts during which I almost set the entire second volume down (never to return). I was simply bored--and with so much reading material available in the world, this will definitely drive some readers away.
3. The writing level fluctuates--in some sections, the writing is good (never great). In other sections, the writing is poor. Part of this is likely due to the fact that volumes were originally released as novellas.
4. Plot--To be fair to the author, she has quite a bit to juggle. However, some plots are overly-simplistic or overly-obvious. Others are handled poorly or left dangling.
5. In my opinion, the relationship between Levi and Merry drives the story--plus, the Amish characters add an excellent extra component to the stories. The relationship (or lack there-of) between Johnathan and Merry is an annoying distraction--not because many teenage girls are not fickle in real life (Boy, are they ever!), but because the author fails to develop Johnathan's character. This causes the reader to care little for their relationship or Merry's pining over him.
6. Do not get me started on "Alliteration-eze!"
7. For me, it is a disappointing ending, and the lack of an afterword is also disappointing!
May 8, 2018
Merry Hanson, young, strong and living her life throughout the many difficulties it brings. A general summary of the book is Merry Hanson and the aid she gives to her friends that are in need; even though she struggles at times with her own personal life she still gives all she can to help those in need. The author Beverly Lewis does an amazing job showing the internal struggles and fights that goes on in the inside; and we're able to see these personal struggles due to the first person view. This book is a genuinely good read that remains encapturing from beginning to the end. I enjoyed the book very much because although long, I was able to laugh and enjoy the large story line about Merry and her many triumphs. One factor I believe that should have been altered was the inconsistency with some of the characters traits, for example Levi and his changes from start to finish. I would recommend this book to my friends because of it's great detail and intense stories.
May 16, 2017
I was an okay book. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone really, unless you love novels written about Amish folks or you love God. I did however enjoy the message of the book. No matter what happens in life God will always be there, pray and everything will be alright. I thought it was pretty boring at some parts and I wish Beverly Lewis would have had more story about *spoilers* Merry losing her memory, it was kinda forgotten and never mentioned again, I just wish there was more about that. But other than that, the book was pretty boring, I don't think I will be reading this book again, or any books written by Beverly Lewis.
August 16, 2016
First of all, I think Beverly Lewis is a gifted writer. She is talented with adding what I call "fluff".
I enjoyed the two-volume series of Summerhill Secrets, but I was VERY disappointed with the ending. I'm hoping that Beverly Lewis will write a third volume and give readers the end we were expecting and wanted. Both of my daughters read the series and have the same sentiments.
I'm thinking that perhaps the publishers didn't want her to write a third volume? We can only guess...
I would have given this book 5 stars, but the outcome was just too disappointing. :(
P.S. I enjoyed the alliteration game!
I enjoyed the two-volume series of Summerhill Secrets, but I was VERY disappointed with the ending. I'm hoping that Beverly Lewis will write a third volume and give readers the end we were expecting and wanted. Both of my daughters read the series and have the same sentiments.
I'm thinking that perhaps the publishers didn't want her to write a third volume? We can only guess...
I would have given this book 5 stars, but the outcome was just too disappointing. :(
P.S. I enjoyed the alliteration game!
September 5, 2021
I feel so sad right now haha! I cannot believe that I'm finally done with the Summerhill Secrets series. Reading 10 books goes by quite fast! I'm still in awe about how wonderfully written the stories were and how the author kept you on your toes about anything and everything that occurred in Summerhill. And you know? I really liked how it wasn't "preachy." It was more so lessons learned from God that tied into with the storyline, which I thought was a great approach. This was a super fun series and perfect for girls ages 12 and up! Would I re-read this series again? Totally!
July 27, 2016
The alliteration game, part of the never ending Jon or Levi question, drags down a couple of the books, as does the overdose of cat moments -- far too much of which is just filler. But the characters remain nice people to visit, and though the plots are generally devoid of interpersonal dramatic conflict, each novel leaves the reader feeling good. The best book by far in this collection is Hide Behind the Moon.
December 5, 2012
I really enjoyed the Summerhill Secrets series. Mary is an inspiring girl, because she has such a strong faith in God. The book is almost like a diary, with entries in Mary's point of view. I liked all of the short stories equally- some were funnerier than others, some more serious, but they were all great. As you read the different stories you can see that Mary is growing up and maturing. The Alliteration Game is a nice touch to the book.
April 3, 2014
Okay I really liked the first volume and I had really high hopes for this book. The author did a great job and I loved it. Except, !!SPOILER!! Levi and Merry don't end up together!! Nooooo!! I really loved them as a couple. While the author did do a good job of explaining why not and having Merry deal with it. I still wanted Levi and Merry Zook! So that's why this book gets a lower rating from me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 24, 2009
I probably should've read the first one first. A friend let me borrow this one, and it was alright, the plot moved along, but it failed to really engage me.
Merry is sixteen, or so the author says, but her preoccupation with boys is the only thing that makes her seem that old. If you left out all the references to age, she could pass for about thirteen.
Merry is sixteen, or so the author says, but her preoccupation with boys is the only thing that makes her seem that old. If you left out all the references to age, she could pass for about thirteen.
June 15, 2010
It's amazing! I have learned a lot about the Amish from this book. I also have learned a lot about God and faith and jumping back into life after a tragedy. It was hard for Merry to overcome her twin sister's death several years ago. But, she managed to have friends and love and be able to get through life. I love it so much and I wish there were more books to this series.
May 25, 2010
I liked this book. It's really 5 books in one, sort of a collection of the whole series. I plan on sharing it with a friend in h.s., as the main character is a high schooler. I'm glad I read it, but it's not my favorite. I couldn't relate to the main character as much as I could with other main characters in Beverly Lewis' series.
November 27, 2021
Spoilers Ahead for the End of the Series:
Ugh. This volume was doing very well until about halfway through. Let me say... Jon is a jerk. Merry shoulda chose Levi. It was almost my very favorite series when I was little except for that.
Even now, looking back on it, Levi was just so much better to her.
Ugh. This volume was doing very well until about halfway through. Let me say... Jon is a jerk. Merry shoulda chose Levi. It was almost my very favorite series when I was little except for that.
Even now, looking back on it, Levi was just so much better to her.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 20, 2014
Volume 2
Volume 2
Some say these books r just for young people but I did enjoy this series myself of course it didn't end the way I would have wanted it too. I like the way Merry kept her faith through very situation . for a young person that is a lot to say. sometimes I think these characters. are real people. that what likeability Beverly Lewis writing
.
Volume 2
Some say these books r just for young people but I did enjoy this series myself of course it didn't end the way I would have wanted it too. I like the way Merry kept her faith through very situation . for a young person that is a lot to say. sometimes I think these characters. are real people. that what likeability Beverly Lewis writing
.
August 5, 2019
This was a fun Amish/Mennonite book written about the activities of a teenager and her friends. Some of which were Amish, she herself and family were "English". There were 5 sediments to the book. Each one with a different incident but the characters were the same. There were 540 pages to this book so there was a lot of fun reading.
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