The pleasing warmth of fresh-baked maple cookies . . . the sweet, buttery flakiness of a raspberry jam pastry. In 1913 Ohio, the Amish Charm Bakery is beloved by locals and visiting Englischer alike. And its understanding community always provides help, healing—and new chances for love . . . Secrets devastated Maryann Harding’s marriage to an Englischer—and took away her untrustworthy husband. … Englischer—and took away her untrustworthy husband. Now the young Amish widow has found contentment cooking up treats at the bakery, raising her little girl, and comforting her ailing mother. And when Andrew Wittmer asks her to marry him, Maryann is over the moon with happiness that she and the kind furniture maker will put down roots in her hometown . . .
Until Andrew’s uncle becomes ill, and Andrew must permanently take over his store in a town hours away. Though she would go anywhere to be Andrew’s fraa, Maryann can’t abandon her mother—or the family that depends on her so much. And when she discovers Andrew harbors secrets of his own, Maryann’s hard-won trust is shaken. Now, can she risk difficult choices and take a leap of faith into the loving, joyful future she longs for most?
more
Maryann and Andrew are a couple with a dilemma. They both have family obligations and they are not sure if they can leave their families to get married. I loved how this problem was solved in the end and how secrets were revealed. I love all the families in Charm and in Millersburg. Both Maryann and Andrew have to make decisions that could hurt each other and I really enjoyed how it all comes together. I hope there might be more books in this series. I do recommend the first three books in the series because they are great and you will understand some of this book better. I received a copy of this book from Celebratelit for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.
Maryann’s Hope, by Molly Jebber, is book four in the Amish Charm Bakery Series. This story takes place in 1913 in Ohio. As a young woman, Maryann left her clinging mother and Amish community to marry an Englisher. After his death, she returned home and is working at the bakery while raising her daughter and caring for her mother. She has a lot of pressure put on her to stay home for her mother’s sake.
Andrew’s parents have past away and he has moved to Charm to open a furniture store. But when his uncle becomes to ill to keep his business going, his uncle turns to Andrew for help. Andrew and Maryann have just become engaged and both have such heavy family responsibilities, their relationship is put on hold.
This is a sweet, quick to read story that shows the depth of family responsibility the Amish often have. While this is part of a series, I did not feel lost reading it at all. I enjoyed reading this story and look forward to going back and reading the previous stories in the series.
I received an ebook copy of this story from Celebrate Lit through NetGalley. This is my honest review.
Besides the wonderful story, I could gain lots of pounds just thinking about all the bakery and supper items listed! I even had chicken pot pie one night after reading about the family in the book enjoying it. A plus is the delicious recipes in the back that Maryann prepared in the bakery to sell.
I’ve visited this bakery before and got to know some of the friends that work there as well as the repeat customers. Maryann has met a nice man in Andrew and their courtship has flown by. Her family has approved of him and they begin to think about marriage. Life gets in the way however. Deaths, living locations, family needs and dreams for the future all play a part in what happens to their plans. All the characters were easy to get to know and enjoy. Being the year 1913, the illnesses described gave me a thought as to what might be wrong based on today’s medicine. Healing has come a long way since then. Amish living as they do, the year didn’t change the way they do things other than illness or travel. A trip that was nine and a half miles away took three hours in a horse and buggy. In today’s time they would have just hired a driver to take them that short distance in an automobile.
This was a sweet story of love and family. A little complicated at times but isn’t that real life? This is a don’t miss for those of us that enjoy Amish stories and the way they live.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher but was not required to write a review. All opinions are strictly my own.
Maryann’s Hope by Molly Jebber takes us back to 1913 in Charm, Ohio where Maryann Harding and Andrew Wittmer have begun courting. Maryann never thought she would find a man who would overlook her past. When Andrew proposes, Maryann is thrilled to accept. Andrew is a good man who loves her, adores her daughter, and openly communicates with her. She is glad they will be living in Charm because her mother could not handle it if they left town. Wedding plans have barely begun when Andrew receives a letter from his uncle who lives about ten miles away (over three hours away by buggy). His uncle is ill and would like Andrew to take over the furniture store. It is a dream come true for Andrew who has dreamed of having a store where he could sell the furniture he makes. But Andrew wonders how this will affect his relationship with Maryann. Andrew also worries about the secret he has yet to share with Maryann. She shared her secrets with him, but he held back despite knowing how important trust is to Maryann. Is there a chance for these star-crossed lovers? Maryann’s Hope is the 4th novel in The Amish Charm Bakery series. Each book in the series can be read on its own. We do, though, get to catch up with the characters from the other three books. I thought Maryann’s Hope was well-written with realistic characters. I like how the author incorporates historical events and interesting facts (with the sheriff and local doctor). The author delves into the topic of mental illness and how it affects a family. I thought it was handled nicely. Second chances, destructiveness of secrets, and importance of trust are the themes present throughout the book. Open communication is important for a couple. Keeping information from a partner can be damaging to a relationship. I like how the author handled these issues. Christian elements are nicely incorporated into the story. The importance of trusting God and knowing that he has a path laid out for each of us. Maryann’s Hope is a gently paced story that I enjoyed reading. I appreciated the epilogue at the end. Maryann’s Hope is a sweet Amish novel with tasty treats, stressful secrets, trouble trusting, a mentally ill mother, fine furniture, and romantic misfortunes.
Maryann’s Hope is the fourth installment from Molly Jebber’s series, The Amish Charm Bakery. I have adored the previous books of the series and was excited to have the opportunity to read this one. It is now my new favorite of the series. Even though it is part of a series, I believe it can be read as a stand alone. My heart ached for Maryann in the beginning and was happy when she met up with Andrew. The two had some of the sweetest scenes together that I just loved.
I am giving Maryann’s Hope a very well deserved five plus stars. I highly recommend it for readers who enjoy reading charming Amish fiction. They will be entertained with this one, as well as, the rest of The Amish Charm Bakery series.
I received Maryann’s Hope from the publisher. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.