Falling in love can only mean trouble for an Englisch girl and an Amish boy… unless there’s another way for them to listen to their hearts. Englischer Natalie Collins looks forward to Friday night suppers at Levi and Mary Shetler’s house every week: delicious food, wonderful conversation with her Amish friends, and, best of all, the presence of Levi’s older brother Lucas. Natalie and Lucas … Natalie and Lucas have become best friends despite their different backgrounds. They share a love of books, and he is teaching her about God in a way that she can understand.
But the closer they become, the more opinions everyone seems to have. Levi and Mary, Lucas’s family, and even Natalie’s mother–whose own life is a mess at the moment–have concerns about their relationship. Why can’t everyone understand that it’s possible to just be friends? Besides, they couldn’t be together even if they wanted to be. Lucas would never leave the Amish faith, and Natalie is Englisch and pursuing a degree in veterinary medicine.
But when a terrifying accident happens, Natalie and Lucas are forced to confront their true feelings and decide if they can stay true to themselves and each other.
This sweet Amish story is the second in the Amish Journeys series by bestselling author Beth Wiseman.
“I always find Beth Wiseman’s books to be both tenderly romantic and thought provoking. She has a way of setting a scene that makes me feel like I’m part of an Amish community and visiting for supper. I loved the title of this book, the message about faith and God, and the heartfelt romance between Lucas and Natalie. Listening to Love has everything I love in a Beth Wiseman novel–a strong faith message, a touching romance, and a beautiful sense of place. Beth is such an incredibly gifted storyteller.” –Shelley Shepard Gray
“Listening to Love is vintage Beth Wiseman…clear your calendar because you’re going to want to read this one in a single sitting.” –Vannetta Chapman, author of Shipshewana Amish Mystery Series
- Part of the Amish Journey series: Book One: Hearts in Harmony, Book Two: Listening to Love, Book Three: A Beautiful Arrangement
- Book length: approximately 85,000 words
- Includes discussion questions for book clubs
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I received an e-galley from the publisher through Netgalley.
Listening to Love is the second An Amish Journey Novel. It can be read on its own if you have not read Hearts in Harmony. I thought Listening to Love is well-written with developed characters and steady pacing. Natalie Collins loves animals and is pursuing a degree in veterinary medicine thanks to Mary and Levi Shetler. They sold the beautiful piano they inherited from Adeline and gave the money to her. There is a problem, though, preventing her from moving forward. She cannot give shots and the sight of blood sickens her. Natalie has developed a relationship with God thanks to Lucas. He has become her close friend. They meet each week at the library plus they have lunch dates and talk on the phone each evening. People do not understand that a man and woman can just be friends. Lucas has yet to be baptized, but he has never dreamed of leaving the Amish. As Lucas spends more time with Natalie, his feelings for her change. I could feel the struggle in Lucas and Natalie as well as their developing love. I like that each of them has a close relationship with God. Natalie’s mother, Cecelia is having a hard time after her divorce. She has gone through her divorce settlement, maxed out her credit cards and her mortgage is behind. Cecelia has been getting money from Natalie, but that is her college fund. After attending a housewarming party at Mary and Levi’s, she gets a job with Moses Schwartz, the Shetler’s neighbor. Cecelia’s dream job soon turns into a nightmare that disrupts the lives of those around her. I liked this addition to the story as it gave the story added depth and interest. I enjoyed seeing the changes in the characters as the story progressed especially in Cecelia and Helen. My favorite phrase is “Listen to God and follow His lead.” Listening to Love is an absorbing story about family, faith, friendship, and love.
I am so glad to have the honor of reading and reviewing a book that is an example of God’s love. The characters are wonderful and very east to relate to. Natalie is hungry to learn more about God and her best friend Lucas is guiding her through scriptures and his own experiences to help her. There is a little bump in their friendship as Natalie is English and Lucas is Amish.
I loved how the author shows the uneasiness that their family and friends have when the two seem to grow closer. Natalie is heartbroken when everyone steps in to break their relationship up. There is a reason for everything that happens in life. Natalie believes that God put Lucas in her life to help her grow her relationship with God. Now she wonders if that was all or is there more that God has planned for them?
The author also gives us a look into a broken relationship between mother and daughter. Natalie is bitter at times because her mother is taking the divorce from her father so hard. Having to continually give her financial support is causing a strain on her own finances. I loved reading how they each had to let God soften their hearts and understand that bitterness was destroying their relationship.
I have to mention Helen, Lucas’s mother. She is very protective of her family and has a dislike for Natalie and her mother. It was kind of funny to read about her using binoculars to spy on her neighbor. I won’t say why she was but it made me understand how we can push our views onto others and judge them. There were times I just wanted to tell Helen to stop interfering and let God handle the situation. How many times have we judged people? I did like how the author does give us a glimpse of the differences between English and Amish beliefs.
The story is such an emotional journey through compromise, forgiveness and acceptance.It explores what true love is and questions how to tell if you will have the kind of love for another person for a lifetime. It is never easy to know if a love will last. but I have learned that love between two people is a commitment that calls for patience, compromise and including God in the relationship.
One thing I found interesting is that Amish don’t believe in divorce so they just stay together and work things out. In society people walk away everyday from a marriage without trying to sit and talk it out. We sometimes don’t include God in our marriage and the enemy gladly takes that as an invitation to break up a family.
There is an unexpected twist in the story that causes chaos in several lives. The author took me by surprise and I loved how the twist leads to compassion and forgiveness. I have to say the author has surpassed my expectations in a story that reminds us to listen to God and the meaning of a love that never fails.
I received an arc copy of this book from the author. The review is my own opinion.
I really enjoyed this book! In the beginning I wasn’t sure that I would like the book because it seemed I might have needed to have read the previous book in the series, which I hadn’t, and I didn’t really relate to Natalie, the heroine, but it didn’t take long to get past both of those issues. After a few chapters I didn’t want to put the book down.
Natalie and Lucas were friends, good friends, which was concerning to those around them because Lucas was Amish and Natalie wasn’t. Even though I didn’t connect with Natalie, I enjoyed the storyline of Lucas and Natalie. In addition to their viewpoints in the book, we also read the storylines of Lucas’s mother, Helen, and Natalie’s mother, Cecelia which also kept me turning the pages.
If you like Amish fiction, I highly recommend this book.
This compelling story addresses many issues: including learning to know yourself better, relationships with those who differ from you, judging, taking advantage of others, compromising, being open to change, trusting, and love in families and between a woman and a man. Natalie Collins enjoy her conservative Amish friends but could never imagine herself living like they do. Among her close Amish friends is Lucas Shetler, who has helped her grow in her relationship with God. The two also love books and often meet at the library. The realistic characters and the complex story line with its challenges and surprises offer an enjoyable read. This is the second book in a series, but it can stand alone too. I received a copy from Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
I really enjoyed reading Listening to Love. I ended up reading it much faster than I expected to! It is the second book of the series, yet can be enjoyed on its own if you haven’t read book one, Hearts in Harmony. I enjoyed book one in the series, and it was fun to catch up with the main characters from that book, but I liked Listening to Love even more.
The premise of two people from different worlds, Amish and Englisch, falling in love and having trouble sorting out how they could ever have a life together is an intriguing concept and I have read other books with this plot that I have enjoyed. Yet, Listening to Love had some very unique twists on this plot and some other situations going on in the story that made for a tale that stood out as special to me. If you enjoy Amish novels, I highly recommend this one.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
This second in a series. Continuing to follow Lucas and Natalie as they find explore their feelings for each other. Natalie has changed a lot with the help of Lucas. He has opened her eyes to how much God loves her and she is eager to learn more. The challenges between the couple with much different backgrounds have their families questioning the couple and if the relationship will work. Mary and Levi, Cecelia, and Helen are all against this relationship. Cecelia (Natalies Mom) has her own issues going on with her ex and a new man in her life. Helen (Luscas’s mom) finds herself into some business that is none of her own.. With everyone against them will they be able to make a world of their own? This book was given to me by publisher for my honest review.
This book is well written The characters are very likeable and realistic. The storyline moves along at a great pace and kdeps the reader turning pages. I higy recommend this book to all readers who enjoy the Amish genre.
Listening to Love is the 2nd book in Beth Wiseman’s new series, An Amish Journey and what a journey she takes her readers on. I loved reconnecting with all of the characters in the first book but I was really curious to see what had planned for Natalie and Lucas.
The one thing that remains the same are the Friday night dinners that Natalie who is English shares with her three Amish friends, Mary, Levi and Lucas.
I loved how Lucas and Natalie grew closer through their love of books and most importantly with him teaching her about God in a way she could understand.
Just when I thought I knew what direction their relationship would go, something or someone would interfere and throw everything off but it was realistic for their family and friends to voice their concerns given the stark differences in their lives. They were both levelheaded by maintaining a close friendship and not automatically going the romantic route immediately which I totally respected.
Okay, I’m going to be honest here and say that I was completely caught off guard by Natalie’s mother and her storyline but I really enjoyed it. That is one of the many things that I have loved in this series, the relationships are believable and the characters are likable and genuine.
Ms. Wiseman continues to impress me with her writing with each and every book. One of the many qualities she possesses is her ability to make a story feel fresh to me even though I have read this genre for many years which is why she has become one of my must read and favorite authors.
Overall, this book has everything a reader could want, characters you will love, a perfectly paced storyline with surprises galore. Time flew by while I was reading this book because it is just that good.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed are my own.
LISTENING. TO LOVE. Beth Wiseman
When a young married couple invite 2 single people every Friday night, and then they start meeting at the library. What would think, they were matchmaking. In this case, one is a brother, the other is like a sister, and not Amish. Her plans are on being a vet, and now drives a car. When love happens, there is big opposition from families. She was also on a spiritual quest, and felt that wasn’t complete enough to think of marriage, and commitment. Interesting of following Natalie and how values changed the closer she learned about God, and want he wanted for her.
Given ARC for my voluntary review and my honest opinion by Net Galley and
Zondervan.
I was so glad to revisit the characters we met in Hearts in Harmony and to read how Natalie, an Englisher navigates her life. The story keeps you glued to your chair as you experience the many twists and turns it takes. It is a poignant tale of relationships between daughter and mother, Amish and English, man and woman, and some are difficult. I enjoyed watching the characters grow and develop and learn that life is about compromise to make relationships grow and develop into what God plans. The characters show flaws and deal with real life situations such as a parent going through divorce. Ms. Wiseman has a gift with the pen to draw us into the story and make us feel we know the characters on a personal level. An outstanding read that grips your heart. If you are new to Amish Fiction this series is a great place to start.
I received a complimentary copy from the author/publisher. The honest review and opinions are my own and were not required.
Wow, this book took a twist I NEVER expected. It was already a great book but the twist made it unforgettable.
A great example of forgiveness, humility and overcoming the many obstacles in life.
Levi and Natalie’s story will stay with me for a long time. Two vastly different worlds and they still became friends and so much more.
The Amish Journey’s series is a keeper for book collectors. You will want to revisit again and again.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher, Zondervan, through NetGalley. Any and all opinions expressed in the above review are entirely my own.
I was really enjoying this story, and being back with old friends, that I had previously been involved in.
Two of the characters Natalie, and Lucas are the main focus of this story, and the author has us torn as to what direction their lives will/should take. Then, don’t get two comfortable, the story seems to explode in more than one direction.
This read will keep your attention, and never saw most of it coming, my mind had been going in a completely different direction.
Don’t miss this one, you won’t be disappointed!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Zondervan, and was not required to give a positive review.
Since I was already acquainted with the characters of this book, after reading the first installment of this series, I was drawn quickly into the story. I thought Lucas and Natalie were a great couple. But, in true fashion of this sinful world, things do not come easily. Every time I would think I had this storyline figured out, Beth Wiseman would throw me a curveball and things would go in another direction. It was a treat to read this novel. It isn’t your typical Amish book in many ways. I think you’ll be happily surprised when you give it a read!
I received a copy of this book from the publisher and was under no obligation to post a review.
Listening to Love is the second book in Beth Wiseman’s An Amish Journey series, and it follows the story of Natalie and Lucas. Natalie is an English girl that we met in the first book, and she is a close friend of Levi and Mary. Lucas is Levi’s brother, and the four of them meet every Friday night at Levi and Mary’s house for dinner and fellowship. Natalie is drawn to Lucas because of his deep understanding of God and His Word, but they are starting to feel something more than friendship which worries everyone around them.
Eventually, these feelings do develop into something more, and then this story becomes one where you wonder which one is going to adapt to the other person’s world and lifestyle. There are a few times when their feelings almost run ahead of themselves because they long to be together, long to get married, but everything moves more quickly than they are prepared for.
There were times during this period in their relationship that I almost stopped reading! The pace was just so rushed! I know it was done purposefully so that Natalie and Lucas could both realize that they needed to stop and take a breath, but….mercy, it’s a little bit of a roller coaster!
This story was not just about Natalie and Lucas. Natalie’s mother also needed some TLC after a horrible divorce left her bitter and spiteful. A new job (which she desperately needed) gave her life some direction, but something about her new employer doesn’t sit right. She was in for a surprise that she didn’t expect, and this made for an excellent twist to this otherwise ordinary Amish story.
I truly love Beth Wiseman’s books! Every single one is different from the one before it, even if they are all set in the Amish culture. This one had an ending I didn’t expect, and made me anxious to read the last book in the series – A Beautiful Arrangement. It’s already sitting on my TBR stack, waiting for its turn.