The First Love

by Beverly Lewis

It's the summer of 1951, and Maggie Esh is in need of some hope. Sweet-spirited and uncommonly pretty despite struggling with chronic illness, she is used to being treated kindly by the young men of her Old Order Amish church district. Yet Maggie wishes she were more like other courting-age girls so she could live a normal, healthy life.

To make matters more complicated, Dat has recently remarried, less than a year after her mother died. And while her stepmother is kind, Rachel is much younger than Mamm, and she simply doesn't understand Maggie or her illness the way Mamm did.

When tent revival meetings come to the area, Maggie is curious, and the words of the Mennonite preacher challenge her to reconsider what she knows about faith. Can she learn to trust God even when hope seems a distant dream?

Genres: Amish, Christian Fiction, Fiction, Amish Fiction, Romance, Historical Fiction, Christian

297 pages, Paperback

Published September 4, 2018

About the author

Librarian 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."

Reviews

[Deanne Patterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beverly Lewis was the first Amish writing author I read so many years ago when she first started publishing and all these years later I'm still happily reading her books. I have really learned a lot about the Amish culture through her books and have come away with a stronger faith base as well.
Her books have just gotten better and better over the years. There are very few books I've not read of hers including her nonfiction ones.
This book starts out with Maggie reminiscing about her younger years.
There is for sure a lot going on in this book. Maggie has juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and it affects her strength and how much she is able to do to help the family. She is about to join the church and longs for marriage and a family of her own but surely no one will want her with her limited mobility.
Maggie's father remarries shortly after his wife's death and his new wife puts all her hopes and dreams aside to please her new ready-made family as she keeps the memory alive of his past wife.
It was fun to read about the big tent revivals that Maggie and some of her cousins go to. These revivals become very important to her despite her father not approving of her going. Will this cause her to become part of the Englisher world?
Very sweet and enjoyable book with a strong faith filled message. It was a delight to see how much stronger Maggie's faith became during the book as she thirsted for spiritual food.
Pub Date: 04 Sep 2018
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House publishers through NetGalley. Thank you. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Tina Loves To Read · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an Amish Fiction. We follow Maggie who is Amish, and she has a chronic illness. My problem with the book is I did not understand what chronic illness she had because I have a kid with a chronic illness (CP-Cerebral palsy) it makes me mad to read a book what has a character with a chronic illness and that does not write the chronic illness well. All I read is that she had pain and cannot walk. I understand chronic illness can cause pain because my 6 years old has cried because his knees hurt, but there is so much more then the pain. I do not feel that book shows the whole picture of living with a chronic illness. I did like parts of the book, and that is the only reason I give it 3 stars. (*)

[Shirley Chapel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful heartfelt story about a teenaged Amish girl who lived with a debilitating Chronic Illness. Maggie Esh was limited in what she could do and lived with constant pain. She felt she wouldn’t be able to have a normal life with a husband and a family. Maggie’s siblings would grow up and leave home and have families of their own but she would never get to live her dreams because of her illness. She didn’t know that Jimmy Beiler wanted to court her. She felt he was just being kind to her or that he pitied her.

The First Love is Maggie Esh’s story. It takes place in Lancaster County in 1952 and ends in the mid 1990s. The story at times was heart breaking as Maggie struggled with her chronic illness. Maggie’s faith was strong and she constantly thanked God for her blessings. The book totally drew me in from the first page. Beverly Lewis is a gifted Author and I love all her books. This novel was so realistic and uplifting and I’m so glad I finally got to read it.

I strongly recommend this book to readers of Amish Fiction, Christian Fiction and fans of the Author. This book was released in 2018 and many of you may have already read it. Perhaps you would like to read it a second time.

I purchased my own copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed here in this review are my own.

[Lindsey (Books for Christian Girls) · Rating 3 out of 5]

About this book:

“It's the summer of 1951, and Maggie Esh is in need of some hope. Sweet-spirited and uncommonly pretty despite struggling with chronic illness, she is used to being treated kindly by the young men of her Old Order Amish church district. Yet Maggie wishes she were more like other courting-age girls so she could live a normal, healthy life.
To make matters more complicated, Dat has recently remarried, less than a year after her mother died. And while her stepmother is kind, Rachel is much younger than Mamm, and she simply doesn't understand Maggie or her illness the way Mamm did.
When tent revival meetings come to the area, Maggie is curious, and the words of the Mennonite preacher challenge her to reconsider what she knows about faith. Can she learn to trust God even when hope seems a distant dream?”


Series: As of now, no.


Spiritual Content- Scriptures are read, quoted, mentioned, thought over, & discussed in a sermon; Prayers; Going to revival meetings; Yearning to reading the Bible; Talks about God, His will, faiths, & healing; ‘H’s are capitalized when referring to God; Many mentions of God, His will, faiths, & healing; Many mentions of revival meetings, an evangelist, proclaiming one’s faith, testimonies, & singing; Many mentions of the Amish beliefs, church going, services, deacons/bishops, singing hymns, youth activities, & being baptized; Mentions of prayers, praying, & blessings over food; Mentions of Bibles & Bible reading; Mentions of those & events in the Bible; Mentions of Mennonites; Mentions of blessings & being blessed; A few mentions of Heaven; A few mentions of miracles; A few mentions of going to college to be a minister; A mention of a Billy Graham crusade;
*Note: A couple mentions of a “powwow doctor” that uses chants to cleanse people.


Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a form of ‘stupid’; Many mentions of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis & Maggie’s pain; Mentions of injuries, pain, blood/bleeding (barely-above-not-detailed); A mention of crime; A mention of tobacco; A mention of raising cows to slaughter;
*Note: [Not necessarily a negative point, but a trigger warning to those who have lost their mother: Mentions of a mother’s death & missing her;] A couple mentions of car brands & brand names.


Sexual Content- A married couple flirting, kissing, snuggling, & embracing (barely-above-not-detailed); A couple Touches & Nearness (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of dates & blushes; Mentions of crushes & puppy love; Mentions of being jilted; A few mentions of handsome young men; A couple mentions of wanting to have babies with your husband; A couple mentions of a boy dating more than one girl at a time; Very slight Love, falling in love, being in love, & the emotions (x2).

-Maggie Esh, age 17-18
-Rachel Esh
P.O.V. switches between them (1st person in the Prologue & Epilogue)
Set in 1951 (Prologue & Final Chapter in 1998)
296 pages

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- Two Stars
Early High School Teens- Three Stars
Older High School Teens- Four Stars
My personal Rating- Three Stars

Being an Amish book, while reading, I completely forgot that this book wasn’t set in contemporary days, but set in the 1950s. That was different but also not because of the lack of phones wasn’t noticeable. ;)

I would consider this book to be on the lighter side for the romance side—especially one tilted “The First Love”. (Though I think it’s more about Maggie’s relationship with Christ than a boy.) Because Maggie is around the age to start courting and getting married, it’s mentioned and a young man has her interest, but it’s definitely not a romance driven plot, which I found refreshing.

There was a lot of faith content in this book which I really liked seeing. It was a light read and very clean, though there were a few moments that had a harder time keeping my attention because it was an easier read. So that’s why I only gave it three stars personally, but it was a good, clean read. :)


Link to review:
Coming soon.


*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.

[Kristi · Rating 3 out of 5]

A longtime fan of Beverly Lewis, I am always excited when she has a new book out. Since she doesn't release books as often as other authors I always see her books as a treat and can't wait to start reading them. However, The First Love proved a bit of a difficult read for me.

There are several characters in this book and I found trying to keep who was who straightened out in my head a bit difficult. Not only is there Maggie and her family to get to know but then there are her aunt, cousins, and the tent revival preacher and family and it was just a bit too much. I did like Maggie and felt sorry for her due to her health issues. The author wrote of her issues in a respectful and realistic way which was nice.

I feel like there was a bit much going on in the story too. Not only is there Maggie and her attending the tent meetings but there is also the storyline of the family trying to get used to their new stepmother. These two storylines worked ok together but it seems like they could have been integrated better.

The thing that bothered me the most about the story was the slow pace. One of the reasons I like Amish fiction is the slower pace of their lives but this story just moved too slowly for the first half. During the second half the pace picked up slightly and I found it much quicker to read. I would have like to have had more scenes with Maggie and Jimmy, too.

All in all this is an ok read but not my favorite from this author. If you are a fan of Beverly Lewis you will probably like the story but if you aren't already a fan I would choose a different title from her to start with.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley and was not required to write a review. All opinions are mine.

[Shantelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed some aspects of The First Love, but felt frustrated by others. Overall, it was a nice read.

[Kav · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Remember to seek the Healer and not the healing. Whether you're ever healed or not, Christ Jesus is by far the most important gift." (p 147)

Definitely my favourite Beverly Lewis novel to date. Maggie's health issues mirror my own so I was quick to connect with her struggle to understand God's purpose in it all as well as her frustration at not being able to do the things she used to. A coming-of-age story that includes an incredible faith journey. I love how the revival meetings plays a role in her spiritual awakening and how she applies that new knowledge into her life, blessing those she loves in the process. So sweet and hope-filled.

Lewis also tells the story from Maggie's stepmother's point of view. Rachel struggles to fit into her new husband's family. It isn't easy since the children are still grieving over their mam's recent death. She faces everything from wary reserve to open hostility as she attempts to draw close to them.

This is Beverly Lewis at her best. There's such a gentle quality to her stories even though they deal with the grim realities we all have to face in this life. Opening one of her books is like listening to a traditional storyteller. The words just flow and soothe and I can actually hear the distinctive voice of each character as if I'm right there. A heartwarming, inspirational novel that gives voice to those of us who live with physical challenges.

"Honestly, I have to remind myself that physical limitations can actually be helpful -- even liberatin' -- when my deepest longing is to follow close after Christ. It sure teaches me to pray without ceasing." (p 273)

Book provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications Inc.

[Maureen Timerman · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a story the author has given us, one that affects many people, not always with the same illness, but we can put faces on this Amish family.
A young woman about to join her church and a longing for a family of her own, but with her limitations and days of non-movement, she is sure she will never wed and have her own family.
We also meet another woman who has given her heart to a man who is a widower and has a ready-made family, but she seems to put her wishes and desires aside to make his family happy.
I loved that we get to experience revival meetings, and our Amish girl is so in love with the Lord, and you want to be with her, but will her family and church allow her going to these meetings? Will she want to go out into the English world because of this?
This is a sweet read, and so many characters are brought to the fore front, and we get to meet and be with each of them and enjoy the time spent.
You will find this one a compelling page turner, and you won’t regret spending time here!

I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Bethany House and was not required to give a positive review.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not used to reading books that are spiritually driven and not romantically, but it was quite refreshing and I enjoyed it 😊 The romance was there at the end and it was a sweet, hopeful ending. This is my first Beverly Lewis novel and I really like her writing style, character development, and plot progression throughout the story. Sometimes it felt a little slow, but that's just because my attention span is as short as a goldfish's, so yeah 😅😅
Great book overall and the message about how we can trust God and His perfect will for our lives no matter what happens was very comforting and uplifting. It was a sweet story! 😊👍 that's the moral of this story, lol 😂

[Jennie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book did not hold my attention like most of Beverly Lewis' s books. It was a story about Maggie who was suffering from RA. It was a sad book in places because no one seemed interested in dating her, her mother had died, and her father had remarried.

[Cathy Cermele · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked that the book starts off with Maggie Esh reflecting on her life as she prepares to celebrate a milestone birthday. She’s taken back to 1951 when she’s a young girl. That was an interesting choice the author made in my opinion because we meet her siblings, Dat and stepmother and her Mennonite cousins who all play important roles in the storyline and shape her life throughout the years. It was nice to meet to them as younger characters before we see them in adulthood.

Maggie had to face a potentially crippling illness from a young age which made me feel so sorry for her, especially since she had the same dreams that every young woman has, a husband, children and a home to raise their family in. As much as I liked Maggie, I liked her stepmother,Rachel much more. I can’t imagine being a newlywed and an instant mother to kids that are still grieving the loss of their mother. Rachel did all she could to show her family how much she loved them and treated them with kindness and respect.

The tent revivals were interesting and made Maggie grow stronger in her faith which surprised me because I wasn’t sure how an Old Order Amish girl would fit in and enjoy a different way of worship and to meet people she wouldn’t normally encounter. I always find it interesting when people have preconceived notions of others that don’t share or express their beliefs in the same way we do.
The First Love is a sweet story that can be enjoyed by readers of all ages. It’s a relaxing and slower paced read that I found predictable but I liked that for a change.

I received a copy from the publisher through Netgalley and was under no obligation to give positive review. All opinions are my own.

[Angela (Kentuckybooklover) Brocato-Skaggs · Rating 4 out of 5]

1951: It's a summer of change and acceptance. Maggie is learning to deal with her chronic illness and help her younger siblings accept their new stepmom. A Mennonite tent revival has set up in town and Maggie attends at the urging of her Mennonite cousins. Will the meetings bring her closer to accepting her illness and accepting her stepmom or will the meetings take her away from her Amish faith?

I knew very little about Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis until reading Maggie's story. JRA sounds absolutely terrible not to know day to day when you wake up on how you are going to feel and if you are going to be able to move or not.

I applaud Lewis for her positive stepmom portrayal. So many times we read stories of a terrible stepmom who hates her step kids. Being a stepmom myself it made my heart sing to see the stepmom as loving and trying to keep their mom's memory alive. Yes, there are hard times but with love and patience hard times can be overcome.

My favorite story line was Maggie's spiritual awakening. The thirst for understanding and believing was beautiful. There were a lot of biblical stories mentioned that I was not completely familiar with and has made me interested to read more of my Bible.

Lewis has written another story that reminds you of the beauty in the world.

I received a complimentary copy from Bethany House through NetGalley. Any and all opinions expressed in the above review are entirely my own.

[Marilyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

The First Love set in 1951 and during one of the Mennonite Tent Revival in Lancaster County, PA was a tender story about Maggie Esh. Maggie was Amish and suffered from juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Maggie longed to be able to do chores like her sisters and a wife would, but there were days of great pain. Jimmy Beiler had his eyes on Maggie but she did not want him to be bound caring for an ill wife. When Maggie attended the tent revival with her Mennonite cousins, her love for God and His Word grew. Maybe there was more than a first love with a young man that Maggie would discover the summer of 1951. What’s the inner secret Jimmy and Maggie both discovered along with a miracle happening in the privacy of her Dat’s front room? There’s a strong faith message in this book by Beverly Lewis that will remain with readers. Just as Maggie discovered and cherished with the wooden plaque her loving Dad made her the summer she turned 18. “But godliness with contentment is great gain.” I Timothy 6:6.

I obtained this book from our library inter-loan services, thus a review was not required. All thoughts expressed are my sincere ones.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a sweet and uplifting read! I have been a long time fan of Beverly Lewis but it has been a few years since I read one of her books. This is one of her latest books and it did not disappoint! The characters came to life for me and even tho I am not Amish, I could identify and empathize with Maggie. Most of the book is set in the 1950's and it made me nostalgic for a time that I wasn't even born. One of the things that drew me to this book was the subject of healing. Maggie (heroine) was dealing with a difficult health issue and struggled to figure out God's plan. It was authentic and touched me deeply as my husband has been battling cancer for over 2 years. I highly recommend this deeply moving book.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The First Love is yet another great read by Beverly Lewis. She never fails to write a fabulous Amish tale and this one does not disappoint. I enjoyed Maggie and Esh's story of love, hope and inspiration. I loved the plot line and I found it to be unique, as well as, heartwarming.
I give The First Love a well deserved five plus stars. I highly recommend it for those who love faith filled Amish fiction.
I received this book from the publisher, but was not required to write a review. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This didn't have much romance in it. It was mostly about faith and family. The romance was sweet but quick. It didn't come into play until well after halfway. The faith and religion were relatable and enjoyable. I like the way the family came together in the end. It was nice to see how everyone changed.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet story of first love of an Amish girl.

[Erik · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book hit many emotional nerves for me with the recent passing of a pillar in our own family. It also gave me insight of some feelings and thoughts my own bride had since she too suffers from RA and chronic pain. I can say I had many tears fall while reading.

[Kristina Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The First Love by Beverly Lewis takes us to Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. It is the summer of 1998 when Maggie’s reminiscing takes her back in time to June of 1951. Maggie misses her mother every day and it is hard to see her father move on so quickly. Joseph, Maggie’s father, married Rachel just seven months after his wife’s death. Maggie has suffered from juvenile rheumatoid arthritis since she was eleven and the debilitating pain keeps her confined to bed many days. Maggie longs to be like the other women in her community, but she does not believe any man would want to be burdened by her. Maggie could talk to her mother about her concerns and she misses her warm, understanding presence. A tent revival meeting is coming to the area for six weeks and Maggie asks permission to attend. The minister’s messages are meaningful and have Maggie thinking about God and his saving grace. The future is filled with possibilities and hope. Join Maggie on her journey in The First Love.

I have read all of Beverly Lewis’s books and was looking forward to reading The First Love. I found The First Love to a slow paced story, though, it does pick up slightly in the second half. There are numerous characters in The First Love and it is hard to keep them all straight. Maggie comes from a large family with aunts, cousins, siblings plus there are her friends, the tent revival preacher, and so many more. There are two intertwining storylines in the book. At times, though, the book was disjointed (lacked a good flow). There is Maggie’s storyline plus her family adjusting to a new stepmother. I could understand what Maggie was going through with her painful disease. The pain gets to a person and affects their mood as well as outlook on life. It can be difficult to get up and do things during the day. I thought the author dealt with the topic respectfully and realistically. The ending wrapped up too quickly and felt unrealistic. It seemed the author had reached her word limit and quickly wrapped up Maggie’s story. The Christian elements are predominant. Relevant scripture verses are sprinkled throughout the story that help Maggie on her faith journey. We are also reminded the importance of prayer (anywhere and anytime), God’s grace, leaving our worries with God, reading the Bible, and having faith. I liked to see Maggie grow in her faith and become closer to God. I am giving The First Love 3 out of 5 stars. While this is not my favorite book by Beverly Lewis, I am still a fan of her work who looks forward to her next story.

[Pamela Pavkov · Rating 5 out of 5]

The First Love is an amazing novel written by Beverly Lewis. This story is set back in 1951 when Maggie Esh is trobled due to her illness and is in need of some hope to get her thru each day. The storyline grabs your attention from the prologue and is a definite page turn throughout the entire book. I enjoyed learning about the tent revivals and how they could encourage peoe to seek the Lord.

I enjoyed all the characters that the author has taken her time to develope. I really connected with Maggie Esh and her ailment. Her struggles shows the readers that you should never give up or loose hope. She is a very strong young lady and her family along with her community really adore her.

I did not receive a complimentary copy of this book to read and review. I was not approached by anyone to post a favorable review. I have rated this book with five stars for meeting my expectations of a wonderful story that I can highly recommend to all those who enjoy the Amish genre.

Congratulations to Beverly Lewis on writing such a heartwarming story of loss, love, family, and faith for her readers to enjoy. I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.

[Leslie McKee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve read just about every book by Lewis, so I was looking forward to her latest release. Unfortunately, I didn’t connect with it in the same way as I did many of her other books. I LOVE the fact that Maggie is dealing with a chronic health issue (something not commonly addressed in Amish fiction). Her struggles were realistic, and things were handled in a respectful way. There seemed to be more characters in this book than in past ones, making it was a bit hard to follow, at times. It also felt a bit disjointed in some parts. The pacing was too slow for the majority of the book, but it did pick up near the end. I would have liked to see more of Jimmy. While this wasn’t my favorite Lewis book, it was enjoyable, and it may cause the reader to reflect on their own first love.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy from the publisher and NetGalley, but I wasn’t required to leave a positive review.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maggie has an illness and she thinks she will never find love. Her mother has died and her dad remarried within months so the whole family is having to adjust to the new woman in the house. While she suffers, she attends some church revival meetings that give her a new outlook on faith.

[Smutty~ Vibes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book a really good read!!! I loved maggie and thought she was amazing!!! What i loved most about this book was how she fast forwarded life's so you knew what happened and how everyone was doing!!! Beverly Lewis is an amazing Author!!!

[Sylvia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book!! Great story!! Love this author's books!!!

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet book about having faith when life is hard.

[Christian Fiction Addiction · Rating 4 out of 5]

An uplifting story that will leave you pondering the goodness of God, Beverly Lewis' latest story "The First Love" is sure to please her many fans. Maggie's health struggles, and her longing for healing so that she can live the kind of life other girls her age are living, create a situation that will tug at your heart strings. All of us have struggles of our own that we experience, and so will be able to relate to Maggie's suffering. What I most appreciate about this story is the way that her pain turns Maggie to God and to seeking him out, including at a tent revival! Lewis delves back into the past in a fascinating way, into an era when tent revivalists were bringing the gospel near and wide. It was intriguing to consider how the Amish would encounter such a movement, and I enjoyed encountering it through Maggie's eyes.

"The First Love" moves at a gentle pace, much like the rolling hills of the countryside where the story is set, exploring themes of love and loss, grief and grace. While Maggie's story of her first love is a sweet one indeed, I also enjoyed the side stories of how her dad remarries after her mom has died, and how this impacts their family. As with all of Lewis' novels, she does a wonderful job at immersing the reader into the Amish culture until you feel like you are right there with them, enjoying their food, celebrating their traditions, and hearing the sound of the horse hooves and buggy wheels. Reading this novel left me feeling somewhat wistful and longing for that same Amish simplicity, away from the hustle and bustle of life that those of us in the mainstream culture can get swept up in.

Offering up a story that will warm your heart and remind you of true love in all its best forms, "The First Love" is another pleasing Amish novel from Beverly Lewis. I award this novel a solid rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can certainly understand Maggie's pain. My feet and legs hurt and swell everyday!! (I want new legs)!! No, I really am grateful for what I have. I thank the Lord Jesus everyday.
I remember my first love well.
I met him in my homeroom class in High school. He was a likeable fellow.
We dated off and on. I really thought he loved me but it wasn't to be so!
When my mom got him a truck driving job things went down and my dad run him off. He couldn't stand for me to be hurt.
This is the main reason I loved this story so much!!
Another thing I could relate to was the stepmother. Unlike Maggie, I hated my stepmother. Simply put, it was the way my dad introduced her.
I loved the fellowship of family. I really felt like I was there!!
Above all, I enjoyed the Bible verses and the prayers they did and put God first no matter what they did in their daily lives.
I talk to God everyday even at work. Especially at work!! Thems some definitely trying times!!
People think I'm talking to myself when I'm really talking to Jesus!
Thank you so very much for another wonderful story!! Please keep them coming!
I love reading your stories bc it reminds me of everyday people struggling with the same thing I have and by praying it helps relieve the stress of the day!!
I received a complementary copy from Netgalley.
No compensations were received and all our my honest opinions.

[Suzanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eh, it's a typical Beverly Lewis book, haha. These are quick reads because at this point in my reading history, everything is familiar about Beverly's stories. She has lost her touch a bit in character development and storyline, and seems to introduce so many characters and side-stories that the while book ends up feeling rushed and slightly unsatisfying. That said, it's a nice light read where I don't have to put much thought into it, and can let the winds of whatever Amish county we happen to be im carry me to the end. Hahaha

[Sarah Coller · Rating 2 out of 5]

After reading two great Lewis novels before this one, I was bummed but not super surprised to be "not a fan". I just haven't really enjoyed most of her things lately. This one was extremely slow-moving and very disjointed and clunky. It seemed strange to me that the traveling evangelists weren't a part of the entire story...and I just feel like that whole idea could have been so much better. I just don't think she really made it a part of the whole story. Disappointing...it could have been so much better.

[Tasha enderby · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just simply loved this book, I felt a bit lost in this book as it was meant to be a stand alone book. I miss the continuous story line and characters when she would write books in a series. It does know how to hold you in suspense though