The Secret Keeper by Beverly Lewis

Jenny Burns has always felt misplaced, like she was born in the wrong time period. Yearning for a simpler life brings her back to Lancaster County after corresponding with an Amish girl she befriended while visiting. She plans on joining the Amish church if she's able to making it through her proving time, but does she have what it takes? She's not the only one who feels misplaced, though. Everyone in Hickory Hollow has some type of secret to keep from someone else, but as with secrets, the truth always finds a way of escaping.

This book was a very enjoyable read and had an interesting concept of an Englisher wanting to join the Amish church. The surrounding theme of the intricacy of keeping secrets was a universal concept that everyone should be able to relate to and worked well as the hub of various sub-plots. While there was not an abundance in action to move the plot along, Beverly Lewis did a nice job making the chapters flow smoothly with more subtle events. All the events used had a particular purpose, and I didn't find any parts to drag on.

This book was reviewed for Bethany House Publishers.

A Simple Change by Judith Miller

When Jancey's mother's health continues to decline, she and her husband decide to move back to the Amana Colonies where they grew up, back to a simpler time. Jancey agrees to go with them because she wants to be by her mother's side and cherish the time they have left, however long it may be. Jancey's boyfriend, Nathan, does not want her to go. He doesn't see the appeal in this simple life. Moving to Amana means she will have to give up teaching because women are not allowed to be teachers in Amana. How will she decide which life she is better suited for?

This was an enjoyable read. The characters were relatable, and there was enough tension and uncertainty to carry the characters through each problem that arose. I was not familiar with the Amana Colonies before reading this book, so it was interesting to learn about this group's lifestyle during this time period. It would have been helpful if the author included an author's note at the end of the book to give additional background information on this group of people or where this idea came from.

This book was reviewed for Bethany House Publishers.

The Guardian by Beverly Lewis

While housesitting for her cousin in Lancaster County, Jodi goes for a run and finds a young Amish girl alone on the road. Little Sarah speaks no English, so the two are unable to communicate, but they build an incredible bond when Jodi is able to return Sarah to her family. Jodi begins to learn why people are so drawn to the Amish, but will an outsider truly be accepted by this group?

Usually I'm a fan of the books written by Beverly Lewis, but this book did not do it for me. I liked the concept, but my background knowledge got in the way. I live in Lancaster County, so I'm surrounded by the Amish. I was a little irritated by the fascination Jodi had with the Amish family. It's so typical, and I guess that makes it realistic, but it can be frustrating for me when people flock to see the Amish. They're people. It's not like they're aliens. It's almost as though there's too much attention brought to them, and I have seen enough of that in my day to day life that it wasn't enjoyable reading about it.

The sub plots in this book were also very predictable. I did not find there to be twists and turns along the way.

The book was reviewed for Bethany House Publishers.

Unrivaled by Siri Mitchell

When Lucy Kendall returns from her trip on the Continent, she finds that her father's candy business is struggling. So is his health. She wants to do anything she can to save both, and she won't let anyone get in her way.

Charlie Clarke comes to help his father's candy company, which is Lucy's father's biggest competition. He wants to leave everything behind him from Chicago where he fell in with a rough crowd in order to provide money for his family after his father left them. He now has a chance to reconnect with his father and enter into an entirely new way of life.

While Charlie and Lucy meet without knowing who the other is, how will they respond and interact when they know the truth? How can Lucy possibly save her father's business when Charlie and his father have developed ways to sabotage it?

When I first started reading this book I didn't think I would enjoy it because it felt like there wasn't much happening other than the discussion of candy and the family business. It took me about halfway through the book before I could finally get into it. While the growing relationship between Lucy and Charlie is very predictable, I like how the author used the concept of the candy and family business. That made a cliche story a little more unique. One thing I really enjoyed about this book was the use of historical context. The division of class was evident, and I liked how Lucy didn't want to succumb to the pressures of being like the women of this time period. She had a dream, and that was what she wanted to go after, so I liked her determination and passion. Each chapter is told from either the perspective of Lucy or Charlie, which is helpful for the reader to get into both their heads. This certainly wasn't my favorite book, but there were some redeeming qualities.

This book was reviewed for Bethany House Publishers.

Firefly Island by Lisa Wingate

Life changes drastically when Mallory leaves Capitol Hill for a small town in Texas with her new husband and stepson. Mallory finds herself out of her element living on a ranch and learning how to be a wife and a mother to people she hasn't known for a long time. Her husband's new boss, Jack West, makes her uneasy, like there is something he's hiding. Mallory finds that she'll risk everything to keep her home and family safe.

The beginning of this book unfolds quickly, which keeps the story moving along. The first-person perspective is appropriate, and the humor of the narrator makes the story very conversational. She has a lot of thoughts going through her head. I like how this book didn't make the romance between Mallory and Daniel seem perfect. They were like a normal couple, full of ups and downs. While the ending of this story is conclusive, it was not as satisfying as I expected. It seemed more abrupt than expected.

This book was reviewed for Bethany House Publishers.

To Honor and Trust by Tracie Peterson and Judith Miller

Callie is a young governess working for the Bridgeport family. She travels with them to Bridal Veil Island where they vacation for the winter. The three young children are drawn to her, and she enjoys this more laid back family, but she has many things on her mind. What is the next step going to be in her life? Her parents are missionaries in Africa and would love for her to join them. Is that the way God is leading her? Or should she continue the job in front of her?

Honesty is very important to Callie, and when she starts spending more time with Wesley Townsend, one of the children's golf instructors, she begins to care for him. But will she allow him to take more of her heart when she finds out the truth about who he really is? Will she be able to let go of her past and allow herself to be cared for by someone in return?

For a historical fiction piece, it read very much like a modern story. Near the end of the book is when more of the history of the early 1900s started appearing. The characters were enjoyable to get to know, and the author kept surprises coming, which kept you on your feet.

This book was reviewed for Bethany House Publishers.

Courting Cate by Leslie Gould

 
There's a new guy in town, Pete Treger. He's looking for something better in Lancaster County. What he are a couple attractive girls, two sisters. Betsy, the younger sister, is the calmer, sweeter, and some may say more attractive of the two. Her older sister Cate calls things like they are, not afraid of stepping on anyone's toes along the way.

Betsy has one man in particular looking to court her, but her father has come up with a rule that she is not allowed to court until Cate gets married. This seems to be impossible. After all, who wants to be with the more dominant of the two sisters? People try to get Pete to court Cate so Betsy can continue with her life, but is he willing to go for someone who gives him more attitude than anything?

This was an enjoyable read. It was easy to get into, and the characters were relatable and realistic, not always perfect. The relationship that developed between Cate and Pete was interesting to see unfold, and it didn't happen as I expected. I thought the events in the middle of the book were  going to be the end, so it was interesting to see how the dynamic changed between these two people as the author changed their circumstances. 

All Things New by Lynn Austin

War changes everything. Josephine and her family experience that first hand when they return home to Virginia after the Civil War. Nothing is the way it was. The servants that filled their plantation are now free. Her dad and brother have been killed, and another brother returns home completely changed. How are they going to put together the pieces of their broken lives?

This book had a very hard time keeping my attention. I felt like it started slowly, and I couldn’t relate to the characters. However, I did like that this story wasn’t from the perspective of just one character. I was able to understand each main character. Usually I enjoy historical fiction, but this is not a book I will revisit in the future. There was a lot of description throughout this book, and I felt like that got in the way of some of the storyline. It did not live up to my expectations. There was a good message to this story, though: learning to make the most of the way things are and to trust God through uncertainties.