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Bird-in-Hand Brides #1
Trusting Her Amish Rival: An Uplifting Inspirational Romance
She could never forgive her childhood bully
…but what if he’s changed?
Everyone in Lancaster County has forgiven Silas Riehl for his wild past—except Amish baker Leah Fisher. When he offers her a business proposition that could benefit them both, Leah doesn’t know if she can turn the other cheek. Yes, he’s become a kind, hardworking man. But the only thing more dangerous than trusting Silas is falling for him…
From Love Uplifting stories of faith, forgiveness and hope.
Bird-in-Hand Brides
Book 1: Trusting Her Amish Rival
…but what if he’s changed?
Everyone in Lancaster County has forgiven Silas Riehl for his wild past—except Amish baker Leah Fisher. When he offers her a business proposition that could benefit them both, Leah doesn’t know if she can turn the other cheek. Yes, he’s become a kind, hardworking man. But the only thing more dangerous than trusting Silas is falling for him…
From Love Uplifting stories of faith, forgiveness and hope.
Bird-in-Hand Brides
Book 1: Trusting Her Amish Rival
288 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Published September 26, 2023
About the author
Jackie Stef
13 books26 followersPublisher's Weekly best-selling author Jackie Stef began immersing herself in Amish culture at a young age and wrote her first Amish story at the age of eleven. When she’s not busy writing, she enjoys photographing the countryside, playing with her pets, and exploring the backroads of Lancaster County. She lives in rural Pennsylvania and loves to spend time in nature. Look for her on Facebook at Jackie Stef's Plain & Fancy.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
March 22, 2024
Trusting Her Amish Rival by Jackie Stef is the first book in her Bird-in-Hand Brides series. Jackie is a new author to me, and I enjoyed this Amish story dealing with the themes of trust and forgiveness.
July 16, 2024
I LOVED this story! If you like Enemies to Lovers Tropes /Second Chances this is the story for you!
Leah runs her own business, Leah's Countryside Cupboard. She loves what she does, it brings her joy and relaxes her. But all that changes when Silas walks into her establishment. HE is the one person she struggled to forgive and wants nothing to do with. So when he brings a business proposition that means everyday his company takes a tour to HER shop... it is an overwhelming arrangement for Leah. She doesn't trust him, he makes her nervous, and yet, Silas remains patient, continually apologizes and tries everything in his power to change her mind about him.
He was the young boy that picked on her continuously as a child. She cried many days from his tormenting. And a lot of her anxiety was started then during that period in her life.
But now... its all too confusing. He is still the same person and yet he's changed. Leah wants to push him away, but he's growing on her and it's scaring her. He's trying to win her over, but he can sense she is unsure of him and it breaks his heart continuously. Can they ever leave the past in the past and give each other a second chance... at friendship, and maybe more?!
I loved this story and it was especially fun hearing about Bird in Hand over and over. We travel their every few years and it had me wishing there was a Leah's Countryside Cupboard and a Riehl's Buggy Rides that I could visit. But I'll settle for a some Mint Chocolate Whoopie Pies instead!
*I can't wait to read the next book in this series!
Leah runs her own business, Leah's Countryside Cupboard. She loves what she does, it brings her joy and relaxes her. But all that changes when Silas walks into her establishment. HE is the one person she struggled to forgive and wants nothing to do with. So when he brings a business proposition that means everyday his company takes a tour to HER shop... it is an overwhelming arrangement for Leah. She doesn't trust him, he makes her nervous, and yet, Silas remains patient, continually apologizes and tries everything in his power to change her mind about him.
He was the young boy that picked on her continuously as a child. She cried many days from his tormenting. And a lot of her anxiety was started then during that period in her life.
But now... its all too confusing. He is still the same person and yet he's changed. Leah wants to push him away, but he's growing on her and it's scaring her. He's trying to win her over, but he can sense she is unsure of him and it breaks his heart continuously. Can they ever leave the past in the past and give each other a second chance... at friendship, and maybe more?!
I loved this story and it was especially fun hearing about Bird in Hand over and over. We travel their every few years and it had me wishing there was a Leah's Countryside Cupboard and a Riehl's Buggy Rides that I could visit. But I'll settle for a some Mint Chocolate Whoopie Pies instead!
*I can't wait to read the next book in this series!
October 13, 2023
This is a very good book. I loved it!!!
November 16, 2024
What a wonderful story
August 26, 2023
This was a really fun read! The twists and turns in the plot kept me interested
May 21, 2025
very good book
September 15, 2025
I loved this book. A very heartfelt read
August 2, 2025
This is such a sweet reminder to be willing to forgive and accept God’s plan. Leah Fisher is proud to be an Amish woman who owns her own business, but when Silas Riehl approaches her about combining their businesses, she is shocked and wants nothing to do with Silas. He bullied her so much in school, that she never wanted to see him again. Even if they become friends, she will never trust him enough to allow him into her life, but he has other plans and maybe God does as well.
March 4, 2026
Not my typical genre (atheist, deviant, etc.), but it caught my eye at the library. This was sometimes sweet, sometimes amusing (in a way not always intentioned), and sometimes infuriating. I really didn't like that the onus is on the FMC to immediately and completely forgive the MMC the second he apologizes (after teasing her for like a decade and meaningfully impacting her anxiety even into adulthood), but most of the other aspects of this book were alright.
November 3, 2023
Jackie Stef is become a new author that I really enjoy reading. This book is definitely worth the read if you enjoy Amish fiction.
Can Leah ever forgive Silas for being childhood bully? It sure doesn't seem like it. But Silas is determined to show her he's changed. Or has he? Read it to find out!
Can Leah ever forgive Silas for being childhood bully? It sure doesn't seem like it. But Silas is determined to show her he's changed. Or has he? Read it to find out!
November 12, 2023
Forgiveness
This is a very sweet and enjoyable story that drives home the message of forgiveness.
Book Quotes:
"There's no need to fuss over what can't be undone."
"It's gut and very important to pray, but you also need to move your feet so Gott can direct your steps."
"Bitterness has a way of hurting the person who holds it."
This is a very sweet and enjoyable story that drives home the message of forgiveness.
Book Quotes:
"There's no need to fuss over what can't be undone."
"It's gut and very important to pray, but you also need to move your feet so Gott can direct your steps."
"Bitterness has a way of hurting the person who holds it."
August 24, 2023
Fantastic book
Read
September 2, 2023Inspirational Romance, Contemporary Romance, Amish & Mennonite, Wholesome Romance
Miniseries
Bird-in-Hand Brides (Book #1)
Miniseries
Bird-in-Hand Brides (Book #1)
Read
September 2, 2023Inspirational Romance, Contemporary Romance, Amish & Mennonite, Wholesome Romance
Miniseries
Bird-in-Hand Brides (Book #1)
Miniseries
Bird-in-Hand Brides (Book #1)
October 8, 2023
Another fantastic book from Jackie Stef! So many twists kept me guessing the whole time! Please come out with another book soon!
Want to Read
March 27, 2026O
October 8, 2023
This is the best book I’ve read in a long time. I loved Silas’s and Leah’s story.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews