princess71608's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
xakyr's review against another edition
2.0
This book put me through an emotional and spiritual wringer! It made me stop and consider my own relationship with God, as it spoke of a young woman trying to make her way into the Amish Faith and how she was supposed to uphold its tenants when asked to keep a secret that would be harmful to her hostess' standing in the community. The romance in it was very subtle, only supporting the quest of the main heroine, Jenny, and not overshadowing it. It was a unique story line, but where I was liking it somewhat, quickly soured when I realized that this book was a direct continuation of the author's Heritage of Lancaster County series, which I have not read. While the characters involved were not main characters, I found it distracting to have those characters so integral to this story when I hadn't read what happened before that. All things considered, it was an okay installment in a series that I'm not enjoying that well and would not recommend as good Amish reading.
kmdahlgran's review against another edition
4.0
I liked this book, especially how she tied it to another one of her short series (but if you haven't read those books, it's okay because she gives enough back story).
vivelarevolution's review against another edition
informative
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
This book was enjoyable despite... Well, everything. I'm not religious, and while I didn't mind the religious themes of the book, I can't help but wonder how ethically questionable it is to romanticize a group of people that are so patriarchal, homophobic, racist, etc, especially considering that while the book doesn't touch on homophobia or racism at all, it actively romanticizes the misogyny. Also, the main character felt like a paper doll with no real substance; she was just pushed around by plot. At no point did I understand what was going on in her mind; why did she want to join the Amish specifically, not just live on a farm somewhere? Why did she flip flop so dramatically, rapidly, and often between "oh this place is just perfect and I love this community and will be here forever" and "I'm failing to become Amish and I'll never be able to do this and I'm just struggling so much for unspecified reasons." Like, the only reason I could ever parse out for why she kept talking about how much she was struggling and why she eventually left the community was that she couldn't figure out how to bake bread properly or hitch a buggy. But those are skills, not character traits, and so obviously something she will eventually get better at.
All that said, I won't lie, I enjoyed reading this book and will probably read more by this author. It's just so nostalgic (I read so many of these books as a kid) and there's just something so calming to me about reading about people baking pies and gardening and walking to each other's houses and serving each other tea and hanging out at quilting bees. (Side note, I think my obsession with these books as a kid is what began my cottagecore obsession.) Also, the romance in this book doesn't violate my delicate lesbian sensibilities considering that it's so barely there that it doesn't even register. They're literally just friends the whole book; the most romantic thing that happens between them is a kiss on the hand and the marriage mentioned in the epilogue .
All that said, I won't lie, I enjoyed reading this book and will probably read more by this author. It's just so nostalgic (I read so many of these books as a kid) and there's just something so calming to me about reading about people baking pies and gardening and walking to each other's houses and serving each other tea and hanging out at quilting bees. (Side note, I think my obsession with these books as a kid is what began my cottagecore obsession.) Also, the romance in this book doesn't violate my delicate lesbian sensibilities considering that it's so barely there that it doesn't even register. They're literally just friends the whole book; the most romantic thing that happens between them is a kiss on the hand
booksforchristiangirls's review against another edition
4.0
About this book:
“With her love for all things old-fashioned, Jennifer Burns has often been told she's an "old soul," but no one is prepared for the young woman's decision to set aside her modern life in favor of the Old Order Amish world. Yet Jenny does exactly that, adopting Plain dress and settling in with Samuel and Rebecca Lapp while she works as a mother's helper for the bishop's wife--a far cry from her former job as an x-ray technician.
The people of Hickory Hollow are curious about the beautiful young seeker among them, one handsome Amishman in particular. But he is not the only man vying for Jenny's affections, and Jenny faces many challenges in the Proving time the brethren have set for her...challenges of the heart, as well as the spirit.
Will Jenny's secrets keep her from the peace she longs for? Or will they lead the way home?”
Series: “Home to Hickory Hollow” book #4 {#1 “The Fiddler” here, #2 “The Bridesmaid” here, and #3 “The Guardian” here!}
Spiritual Content- Psalm 37:4; Scriptures are quoted; Many prayers & Talks about God, His Will & Trusting Him; Blessings over food are said;
Negative Content- N/A
Sexual Content- One or two (not-detailed) kisses
-Jennifer Burns
-Rebecca Lapp
P.O.V. switches between them & Marnie
343 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre-Teens-
Three (and a half)
New & High School Teens-
Four
My Personal Rating-
Four
As someone who was thinking she could totally be Amish, (I now know I can’t as I feel The Lord telling me to be an Occupational Therapist. ;) ) I found this book incredibly interesting- definitely for those who are interested in the Amish and/or becoming Amish.
*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.
“With her love for all things old-fashioned, Jennifer Burns has often been told she's an "old soul," but no one is prepared for the young woman's decision to set aside her modern life in favor of the Old Order Amish world. Yet Jenny does exactly that, adopting Plain dress and settling in with Samuel and Rebecca Lapp while she works as a mother's helper for the bishop's wife--a far cry from her former job as an x-ray technician.
The people of Hickory Hollow are curious about the beautiful young seeker among them, one handsome Amishman in particular. But he is not the only man vying for Jenny's affections, and Jenny faces many challenges in the Proving time the brethren have set for her...challenges of the heart, as well as the spirit.
Will Jenny's secrets keep her from the peace she longs for? Or will they lead the way home?”
Series: “Home to Hickory Hollow” book #4 {#1 “The Fiddler” here, #2 “The Bridesmaid” here, and #3 “The Guardian” here!}
Spiritual Content- Psalm 37:4; Scriptures are quoted; Many prayers & Talks about God, His Will & Trusting Him; Blessings over food are said;
Negative Content- N/A
Sexual Content- One or two (not-detailed) kisses
-Jennifer Burns
-Rebecca Lapp
P.O.V. switches between them & Marnie
343 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre-Teens-
Three (and a half)
New & High School Teens-
Four
My Personal Rating-
Four
As someone who was thinking she could totally be Amish, (I now know I can’t as I feel The Lord telling me to be an Occupational Therapist. ;) ) I found this book incredibly interesting- definitely for those who are interested in the Amish and/or becoming Amish.
*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.
evamadera1's review against another edition
3.0
I was not as impressed by this book as the last one. (Impressed is the wrong word since neither book really stands out. I cannot think of a better word though.) Once again Beverly Lewis' narrative is decent. The characters are fairly well fleshed out. Plus, Lewis avoids most clichés of Christian fiction. That being said, I have the following issues with the book. First, the continued saga of the Lapps (first fleshed out in The Reckoning series) got a little tiring. Lewis keeps returning to the story and dragging out the resolution or lack thereof as it seems to keep cropping up in more of Lewis' books. Second, I have a hard time believing Jenny's motives for becoming Amish, leaving the community and then returning to the community. It is really hard to fathom.
honniker's review against another edition
2.0
The problem with Beverly Lewis' books is that I always feel like they are always trying to be interconnected, and they mention random people who I don't know and don't really care about. This was an okay read. Not great, not terrible. It wasn't one of my favorites. I found Jenny to be kind of annoying because every other page she's like "I will pass my Proving!" and then two lines later she would be like "I'll never make it!" even though she'd only been there a few days or weeks. These things take time, yo.
I also thought the way she just up and left was pointless and the resolution to everything was rather abrupt. Suddenly the bishop is okay with everything and all's good. I actually thought the book could've been a little longer to draw that out and come to a more satisfying conclusion.
I don't really recommend this one.
I don't really recommend this one.
tina_feaster's review against another edition
5.0
I received a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
This is the first Beverly Lewis book that I've read and I'm happy to say it definitely won't be the last! Ms. Lewis is a beautiful writer and draws readers in to this magnificent world. I've always had a fascination with learning more about the Amish. When I was younger, I read a Lurlene McDaniel book that had a few Amish characters, and I wanted to know more about their lifestyle. Then I recently found out about Beverly Lewis. This book describes how the Amish live plainly and what they believe. I think Jenny Burns is a very lovable character that everyone roots for. We see her struggle to join the plain world, trying to find herself and slowly falling in love. I really enjoyed reading this story and cannot wait to find more of Ms. Lewis'.
Pagesofcomfort.blogspot.com
This is the first Beverly Lewis book that I've read and I'm happy to say it definitely won't be the last! Ms. Lewis is a beautiful writer and draws readers in to this magnificent world. I've always had a fascination with learning more about the Amish. When I was younger, I read a Lurlene McDaniel book that had a few Amish characters, and I wanted to know more about their lifestyle. Then I recently found out about Beverly Lewis. This book describes how the Amish live plainly and what they believe. I think Jenny Burns is a very lovable character that everyone roots for. We see her struggle to join the plain world, trying to find herself and slowly falling in love. I really enjoyed reading this story and cannot wait to find more of Ms. Lewis'.
Pagesofcomfort.blogspot.com
librarydeb's review
5.0
Jennifer Burns, Jenny, has wanted to be Amish for years. She feels she was born in the wrong century. She detests the ritzy life her family lives in. She works in an antique store. Her family doesn't understand her.
She has plans. She met an Amish girl years ago when she was young and she now plans to move to Hickory Hollow and become Amish... join the church and everything.
Can Jenny do all that is required to pass her proving? Learn to cook, sew, do wash, and clean the Amish way. And harder still can she adapt to the attitudes and live the way that exemplifies the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ and the ministerial brethren.
And how about the residents of Hickory Hollow... some of our old friends. What about Rebecca Lapp and her visits to her banished daughter, Katie's home. She is just dying to see more of her grandchildren but it is forbidden. Will she get caught? What would Bishop Beiler do?? He has been soooooo strict with the banishment, is it because he was embarrassed when Katie left him at the alter and turned Fancy.
There are other problems in Hickory Hollow as well... but I don't want to ruin the whole story for you.
This was a wonderful book 4 in the Hickory Hollow series. I loved it. I love the people and the simplicity of life there... not that I want to give up my life and join the Amish church. It is to legalistic for my taste. But the country living and family working together on a farm sounds charming, though mighty hard work.
I don't know if Beverly Lewis is writing any more in the Home to Hickory Hollow series or not but I love her writing and have other books of her still to read.
She has plans. She met an Amish girl years ago when she was young and she now plans to move to Hickory Hollow and become Amish... join the church and everything.
Can Jenny do all that is required to pass her proving? Learn to cook, sew, do wash, and clean the Amish way. And harder still can she adapt to the attitudes and live the way that exemplifies the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ and the ministerial brethren.
And how about the residents of Hickory Hollow... some of our old friends. What about Rebecca Lapp and her visits to her banished daughter, Katie's home. She is just dying to see more of her grandchildren but it is forbidden. Will she get caught? What would Bishop Beiler do?? He has been soooooo strict with the banishment, is it because he was embarrassed when Katie left him at the alter and turned Fancy.
There are other problems in Hickory Hollow as well... but I don't want to ruin the whole story for you.
This was a wonderful book 4 in the Hickory Hollow series. I loved it. I love the people and the simplicity of life there... not that I want to give up my life and join the Amish church. It is to legalistic for my taste. But the country living and family working together on a farm sounds charming, though mighty hard work.
I don't know if Beverly Lewis is writing any more in the Home to Hickory Hollow series or not but I love her writing and have other books of her still to read.
kiora's review
2.0
I got this book by accident while searching for a book with the same title. It's an Amish romance.... and pretty much what I would expect from an Amish romance. I wish I would have just stopped reading when I discovered my mistake but it didn't take that long to get through and I have heard people mention beverly lewis before but I've never read anything by her.