With autumn’s golden glow, marriage season comes to Southern Maryland’s Amish country. But is such joy meant for all? . . . Malinda Stauffer is happy that her gut frienden Phoebe Yoder may soon be married. Of course, Malinda can’t help wondering about her own future. She hopes someday to find the same contentment as a wife and mother that she has helping her own mamm care for Malinda’s father … her own mamm care for Malinda’s father and five brothers. But a challenging health issue has her convinced no man wants the burden of a fraa who needs rest when there are farms to tend and businesses to run. Adding to her stress is the unwanted attention of an aggressive big city doctor smitten by her—an unsettling distraction she has kept to herself.
Timothy Brenneman works alongside Malinda’s brother, Sam, handcrafting the finest Amish furniture in St. Mary’s County. He can’t recall when Sam’s little schweschder blossomed into a beautiful young woman—but he would do anything to hold Malinda close and soothe the sad yearning in her eyes. Sensing her unease at the mention of her doctor only confirms his desire to protect her. Healing, however, is in Gott’s hands, and a hard lesson in the true meaning of love may soon bless them both in ways they never imagined . . .
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This book was my first one I read by this author and I loved it. I found it different than other Amish books I read and enjoyed it very much. I am looking forward to more of this story. This book kept me interested from the beginning to the end and I felt it had some interesting turns. If you love Amish books you will certainly enjoy this one. Thank You NetGalley allowing me to read for a honest review.
The Mending brought moments of laughter with the teasing by Malinda Stauffer’s brothers along with tears for her with her chronic health problem of Crohn’s Disease. There was never a dull moment in this story. I really wanted someone to report the unprofessional behavior of Dr. Todd McWilliams, who had treated Malinda in the hospital while she was in Ohio caring for her ailing aunt. Malinda struggled with being home and believing no one would want her as a fraa with her illness, except for one persistent doctor that didn’t understand her no to him. Malinda had no desire to leave her Amish home and was baptized into the church after her return home. She was determined to carry her load of household chores even when she felt ill. Malinda found it was a struggle to be around the community at times as her boyfriend had found someone else while she was in Ohio. The hero in this story, Timothy Brenneman, had cared for her since she tagged along with him and her older brother Sam. The unexpected tragic that transpired while Timothy and Sam was working at the woodwork shop may bring a new awareness to her to accept that she was a loveable individual despite her chronic illness. I appreciated the strong family ties in the Stauffer’s family and the deep concern and care of young Timothy. Readers will enjoy this story more by reading book one, The Promise, since there’s mention of characters from that and all they had endured before finding their partner for life in The Mending.
I received this book from a friend and not the author. I was not required to write a review but have shared my own personal thoughts.
This is my first book to read by Author Susan Lantz Simpson. The Mending’s plot is well-developed and well-written. It kept my interest and the fantastic storyline, I never knew what would happened next. I really enjoyed this book and will read more of Author Susan Lantz Simpson’s books. The Mending is a magnificent book.
I received a copy from the author, but was not required to review it. This review is one hundred percent my opinion.
The author has given us a story that affects so many people, and many have the same decisions, but this one has a twist the patient is Amish, and she has the same wants and desires that most young Amish woman have, to be a wife and mother.
Add a young man who has secretly cared for her for most of his life, and you will think a quick romance, nope, we wonder right to the end if these two can overcome the obstacles to ever being together.
I loved that we are reunited and updated with some the characters from the first book in this series, The Promise, and yes this one can be read alone, and yet there is another one to come, and I personally cannot wait!
I did find this story a bit scary at times, and wondered what was going to happen, some people just won’t take “no” for an answer.
You don’t want to miss this one!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Zebra, and was not required to give a positive review
Timothy and Malinda’s love story is sweet and a bit drawn out. Malinda has health issues she wasn’t want to saddle anyone else with. Timothy is determined to show her he loves her and will be there for her not matter what. There is a bit of suspense in the story but in the end it was anticlimactic and a bit disappointing. I’m not a fan of too much suspense but if it’s built up and then ends the way this one did, it leaves you feeling as though the story was left me a bit deflated. Overall I liked the sweet love story but it was clear the author couldn’t decide whether direction she wanted this book to go.
The Mending by Susan Lantz Simpson takes us to St. Mary’s County, Maryland. Malinda Stauffer is finally heading home after helping her Aunt Mary recover and then suffering a relapse of her Crohn’s disease that ended up with her hospitalized. Her physician, Dr. Todd McWilliams flirted with her, but Malinda did not encourage him, and she hopes the doctor took the hint that she is not interested in him in a romantic way. Malinda’s best friend, Phoebe Yoder is engaged to Ben Miller and will soon be getting married. Isaac was interested in courting Malinda before she departed, and she hopes he has not changed his mind. However, one glimpse of Isaac with Becky, Malinda knows it is too late. Malinda yearns for a normal life like the other young women in her district, but she feels her illness will keep men at bay. There is one man, though, that Malinda cannot keep away from her. Dr. McWilliams is persistent, and the added stress is causing her Crohn’s disease to flare up. Plus, someone is not happy with Dr. McWilliams interest in Malinda and they are sending her threatening notes.
Timothy Brenneman works at the local furniture shop with Malinda’s brother, Sam. Timothy noticed the lovely young woman Malinda has become, but he thought it was too late when he saw her with Isaac. Now that Isaac is courting Becky, Timothy wastes no time in letting Malinda know that he wishes to court her. The problem is convincing Malinda that he loves her and that her disease is not a burden. Follow Timothy and Malinda on their journey in The Mending.
The Mending is the second book in this series and follow The Promise (Phoebe’s story). The Mending can be read as a standalone, but I found it helpful to have read The Promise first. I thought The Mending contained good writing, but the pace was slow in some areas. I sympathized with Malinda who must deal with Crohn’s disease. However, I quickly tired of the lengthy pity party. I kept hoping someone would give her a good, long lecture (a reality check). I enjoyed the descriptions of St. Mary’s County and the daily life of the Amish. I cannot imagine living without a regular washing machine and dryer (or without air conditioning). I felt the situation with Dr. McWilliams was serious, but it felt overly dramatic. I never understood why Malinda would not talk with her parents or someone in authority (I know it is part of the story, but it did not feel realistic). For someone who wishes to marry and have children, Malinda failed to act like an adult. The resolution came about abruptly, and it seemed too easy. I thought the romance between Timothy and Malinda progressed at a realistic pace. However, the back and forth with Malinda saying she would be a burden and Timothy saying he loved her (and wants to marry her) and her condition was not a burden became tiresome. Malinda needed to learn that she is not defined by her illness. I felt that Malinda needed to grow as a person as her relationship with Timothy developed. A few tweaks would have made a difference in the story. Some of the Christian themes present are trusting in the Lord, the power of prayer, have faith in God, and that His grace is sufficient. My rating for The Mending is 3 out of 5 stars. For those readers who enjoy a sweet Amish romance, then come along to St. Mary’s County, Maryland in The Mending. There is a preview of The Reconciliation at the end of the book which will be Atlee’s story.
Malinda Stauffer wants more than anything to be a wife and have many children, as that is what’s expected of the Amish. But, she has Crohn’s disease and worries no man will ever want to take on the responsibilities that comes with her illness. How could she possible run a household during a flare up? Then, there’s the expense of her medications.
She traveled to Ohio to help care for an aunt who had broken her hip. While there, Malinda, had such a horrible flare up that it put her in the hospital. Her doctor, Dr. Todd McWilliams, took a liking to her. He made his feelings known to Malinda, and she made her feelings known to him. She did not share his interest. I felt he behaved in ‘stalking’ and psycho behaviors, as he wouldn’t take ‘no’ for an answer and even showed up at her parents home, once she returned there. He also wrote her letters. It just all seemed too unbelievable. I think I could have given five stars if the entire scene with the doctor having feelings for her had been omitted.
Then, there is Timothy, who works with Malinda’s brother, Sam, making furniture. Malinda was so wrong in thinking that he only saw her as her brothers little sister.
Can Malinda ever get past thinking she’ll never marry? That her illness is something that will keep her single for life? That she’ll have to learn to be content to being an aunt to her brothers children?
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Kensington through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.