Can Lydia and Samuel find love in their marriage of convenience?Lydia still can’t believe that she is Mrs. Samuel Bontrager. Or that she is seventeen with a six-month-old daughter. As Baby Mattie grows fussier by the day, Lydia wonders how she will survive a lifetime of marriage to a man she doesn’t love—at least not in the way she wants.Samuel knows that he and Lydia did the right thing by … did the right thing by marrying when Lydia became pregnant. He has even grown to love Lydia, though he never seems able to say the words out loud. What if she doesn’t love him back? After all, she pushes him away whenever he tries to draw closer.
When Lydia and Samuel introduce their mutual friends Beverly and Joseph to each other, they are as envious as they are delighted to watch their friends fall in love. But just as Samuel thinks Lydia might be softening to him, she gets involved in investigating the mysterious past of a local homeless woman—a curiosity that threatens to drive the couple further apart.
The third and final novel in the Amish Journeys series by bestselling author Beth Wiseman explores how wounds from the past must come to light before they can hope to heal.
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This is the final book in the Amish Journey series but turns out to be my favorite. From the beautiful cover to the poignant story between the pages you will feel blessed when finished. It is a journey of finding your way to love after a forced marriage and to me paints a picture of God’s love for us. He woos us and shows patience to bring us into His plan for our lives. Lydia and Samuel are wonderful characters and I also enjoyed the lesser characters of Beverly and Joseph. Throw in a homeless woman and the secrets of her past and you have a wonderful story tied up in a beautiful arrangement with a big red bow. Beth Wiseman is the queen of Amish Fiction as she has a penchant for well developed characters and interesting storylines that are well paced and developed. Sweet romance, Faith, family, forgiveness, and acceptance blend together to create a sweet smelling aroma. Make time for this one as it is a must read.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher/author. The honest review and opinions are my own and were not required.
Amish village- Montgomery
Lydia and Samuel are a couple, they have a beautiful daughter Mattie, but also some problems.
“you can’t make people fall in love. It either happens or it doesn’t”.
Lovely, realistic story about family issue, choice, struggles, hopes.
A Beautiful Arrangement By Beth Wiseman is a beautifully well written Amish tale full of suspense.
I could understand Lydia’s attitude in her marriage but I am thankful for Joseph and Beverly presence in her life.
I love the delicacies described in this book. I really wanted to taste the garlic bread Lydia made for her husband. They eat so much good food!
I was amused at Joseph and Beverly plan to have 10 kids. Like 10 kids? How amusing!
Some scenes were emotional. My heart cried literally.
The author sure knows how to write well. This is an emotional but attention grabbing book with an Amish setting.
I read this book on a rainy day with a cold wind in the environment and this book ,my sweater and blanket kept me company. You can imagine how cool it was?
Theme of forgiveness,kindness and compassion were buttressed well in the plot.
This is a beautiful book that will leave you in tears and gratitude to God.
I finally understood why the book is titled “A Beautiful Arrangement“.
I am thankful for this book. Everything works beautiful in God’s time.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Zondervan through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Thanks goes the publisher and Net-Galley for granting a complimentary copy for the purpose of reading and reviewing A Beautiful Arrangement by Beth Wiseman. An Amish fiction novel of mistakes and recovery. My opinions are my own and are not influenced in any way.
A Beautiful Arrangement is an emotional love story of a couple who in a moment of teenage passion, create a baby. They are rushed to the baptism and the altar by their parents and bishop. The story starts when their daughter is six months old, and their marriage is one in name only.
Ms. Wiseman’s writing pulled me into the story from the start, and I remained so until the end. Her pacing matches the ebb and flow of the plot. The descriptive writing is enough to paint the setting without becoming too detailed.
Lydia Bontrager’s character is a fine example of an Amish female with the values of her faith. She’s a housewife and a loving mother. Although, she has regrets for her choices that led to her giving into teenage passions. I enjoyed her internal struggle as she deals with the consequences of her decisions.
Samuel Bontrager is a great hero. As a man of his faith, he does the honorable thing and marries Lydia, then tries to make the best of his life with her. He longs for a true marriage but can’t discover the way to a true love for them as a couple. I enjoyed his determination to find a happy ending for them.
The romance is sweet and shows their love growing from a seed to a deep and abiding marriage between Lydia and Samuel. There’s a sub-plot regarding Beverly and Joseph’s love story. Both romances are fulfilling, and one doesn’t take away from the other.
If you enjoy Amish fiction with endearing characters and an emotionally charged plot, one that has more substance, then you will love A Beautiful Arrangement as much as I. Ms. Wiseman is one of my favorite Amish authors and is an auto-buy. Happy reading!
A moving story that leaves tears in your eyes as you close the book.
Lydia and Samuel’s story teaches us how even the littlest lies can turn into a bigger problem that can tear lives apart. At times I would get frustrated at Lydia then I had to remind myself that she is only seventeen. No matter her upbringing, being a mom and wife at seventeen has to be extremely hard. She is just learning herself as an adult instead of a kid. Her maturity by the end of the book was absolutely amazing. A lot of love and understanding can go a long way.
A Beautiful Arrangement talks about unwed pregnancy, young marriage, dementia/mental illness and community. A book that I would share with an older teen on up. A clean read with no sex scenes, no foul language, and no violence.
I am sad to see this series end. It has been a beautiful series to read.
I received a complimentary copy of the book from the publisher, Zondervan, through NetGalley. Any and all opinions expressed in the above review are entirely my own.
A Beautiful Arrangement by Beth Wiseman is the third An Amish Journey Novel. Lydia Bontrager is seventeen years old and married to Samuel with a six-month-old daughter. Lydia and Samuel were forced to marry by their parents after she became pregnant. They went from lust to marriage skipping the courtship stage of the relationship. Lydia wants romance and a chance to fall in love with the husband she hardly knows. Samuel and Lydia are asked to introduce Joe, a co-worker of Samuel’s to Beverly, a friend of Lydia’s. The foursome have a lively dinner together and then a picnic. Lydia and Samuel like watching their friends fall in love. It gives Samuel the idea to court Lydia. Just when they are getting to know each other, Lydia and Beverly begin looking into the local homeless woman with a mysterious past. Samuel wants Lydia to avoid the woman, but Lydia wants to help her. Will Lydia and Samuel get the chance to have a traditional marriage? While A Beautiful Arrangement is the third book in An Amish Journey series, it can be read as a standalone. I have enjoyed all three novels and I recommend reading Hearts in Harmony and Listening to Love. I thought A Beautiful Arrangement was well-written with realistic characters. Lydia is a seventeen-year-old who is unready for marriage especially to a man she hardly knows. Her six-month-old daughter, Maddie has been crying each day and Lydia does not why. She feels like a bad mother (I know that feeling). Lydia and Samuel want to improve their marriage, but they do not share these thoughts we each other. They both have fears, regrets, and hopes. When they introduce Beverly and Joe to each other, they get to join them on a couple of dates. It gives Samuel and Lydia a chance to get to know each other. They are each afraid to make the first move, though, for fear of rejection. Samuel is also worried about his elderly parents. His father has heart problems and his mother is unable to care for him like she used to. Beverly and Joe were delightful additions to the story. Joe is a lively man with a humorous side. I liked the addition of the mystery involving the homeless Amish woman. It added more depth and interest to this engaging Amish novel. I quickly found myself engrossed in this appealing story. A Beautiful Arrangement is a poignant tale with regrets, friendship, faith, family, fear, hopefulness, and romance.
There are a few authors that I can always count on to write stories that move me. They are able to penetrate my heart with words of hope and give me a deeper understanding of God. The author of this book is one of those who can dig deep into a character’s emotions and bring them through darkness.
Lydia is far older in wisdom than most seventeen year olds. She made a mistake and finds herself married and with a baby. One bad decision changed her life but I loved how she has embraced the path God has taken her. There is much to learn from Lydia as she struggles in her marriage. One very important aspect of any marriage is communication. Without sharing things with your spouse it can cause a way for the enemy to slither in and whisper lies to tear the union apart.
Samuel was a good character and it was easy to see how frustrated he was in his marriage. When he married Lydia he had hopes of a good marriage including intimacy. In his mind he felt like a Lydia was withholding intimacy from him because she was angry. It was so special to read how these two young adults were faithful and turned to God to heal their marriage.
One of the lessons in the story is forgiveness. The author lets us see through the hearts of several characters how important forgiveness is. I really liked Joseph and Beverly’s story and how the author explores the destruction a lie can cause in a relationship. Beverly has kept a secret from everyone that has burdened her. Lies always get exposed and when they do, the mistrust comes in. Joseph is a good man but at some point he has to turn to God to help him with forgiveness. This part of the story is powerful and will have a lasting impact on me.
The character I loved the most was the homeless woman. The loneliness and rejection this woman has endured broke my heart. This part of the story had me shaking because I so wanted someone to reach out to her and show her love. I couldn’t help but want to push someone toward her and share God’s love with her. I won’t give this part of the story away because it is a great example of being God’s hands and feet. To look past the outside and see the broken heart inside is what each of us should be doing. Life is short and we need to make the most of every day. When you see someone hurting , go to them and offer compassion.
The story is a masterpiece of emotions and a realistic look at forgiveness, sharing God’s Word, communication and loving unconditionally.
I received a copy of this book from the author. The review is my own opinion.
A Beautiful Arrangement is the third and final novel in Beth Wiseman’s An Amish Journey series. Though part of a series, it reads well as a standalone.
Lydia and Samuel were forced to marry by their families and religious tradition because she got pregnant. Being a wife and mother at the tender age of seventeen is difficult, especially when you don’t really know your mate, because you became intimate before you even dated. The Bontragers, Samuel and Lydia, watch the friends they introduced fall in love knowing they haven’t shared those feelings with each other, although they do feel them. How will they open up to each other and learn to love and show love?
A Beautiful Arrangement is just as the title implies. It’s a story of love and forgiveness. It is a testament to the renewal of life and love. The characters are strong and vibrant. The storyline and unexpected plot twists engage the reader throughout. I rate this novel 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it to all readers of chaste romance, especially Amish romance.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Zondervan through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
A Beautiful Arrangement written by Beth Wiseman is the third book in An Amish Journey. I have loved this series so much and am sad to see it end. Having said that, this is an outstanding addition to the series and is easily one of my favorite novels penned by Ms. Wiseman.
The journey she takes Samuel and Lydia is an emotional one filled with self-doubt and being unsure of each other’s true feelings. Feelings of inadequacy and uncertainty surface as Lydia desperately wants a loving and successful marriage but at times it seems hopeless since Samuel is having problems expressing his feelings. The situation they found themselves in seemed realistic due to their ages, the circumstances of their marriage and their strict beliefs. The couple could have had an easier start to their lives together if they would have communicated their feelings, hopes and dream for the future but sometimes that’s easier said than done, right?
The secondary characters have a storyline that was as interesting as the main characters which I really enjoyed. I liked the friendships and the addition of the mysterious homeless woman was perfect touch in this heart-stirring story. This can be read as a standalone but since the first two books in the series are just as incredible as this one, I recommend reading them in order.
I received a copy from the publisher. All opinions expressed are completely my own.
Lydia Bontrager is a young wife and mother at the age of seventeen. She and her husband, Samuel, married young because of an unplanned pregnancy, and since marriage have struggled to relate to each other. They work together to help out two of their friend make a match, while rekindling their love.
Lydia is very young and had to grow up fast as a result of her marriage and motherhood, and she has matured from the teenager that she was in Hearts in Harmony. She has settled into domestic life and running her own household well, and I admired her newfound maturity.
Joseph and Beverly are adorable together, and made for a great side plot. I loved their instant chemistry and love of children and shared dream of a big family.
Samuel is a hardworking man, who loves his family, but struggles to communicate with his wife, he has trouble expressing himself.
Overall, this was a sweet heartwarming romance, and I like how Lydia was challenged by meeting Margaret, and how it helped her grow and mature. Entertaining, full of heart, misunderstandings, and sweet moments. Very enjoyable.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
This book follows the story of the marriage of Samuel and Lydia, a young couple we met in the second book of this “Amish Journey” series. Lydia realizes that at the young age of 16, that she’s pregnant. To honor their parents and keep a good standing for their families to the Amish community, Lydia and Samuel are hastily joined in marriage. Samuel accepts the fact that they sinned and takes seriously his responsibility to care of his little family. Lydia is struggling with marrying at such an early age. However, they both adore their baby daughter, Maddie. Lydia and Samuel are both at a loss as to how to establish their relationship now that they are married. Because they married so swiftly, they missed the courting process so common among the Amish, and neither is exactly sure where to begin to try to get to know each other.
The story also follows the courtship of Beverly and Joseph, and their courtship does not run smoothly. Both couples have to struggle with honesty and forgiveness, and learn that God can redeem mistakes of the past. I enjoyed reading this heart-touching book by Beth Wiseman, and look forward to her next series.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
The author gives us two Amish couples to focus on, and we get to be part of their lives, and things may look wonderful on the outside, but not so in reality.
The married couple are very young, the wife being only 17 and already have a child, but they skipped an important part of their life together, and we are witnesses to their attempts to make it right.
The other couple meet as a result of the first married parents, but we are with them as they journey to be with one another. What a bumpy ride you are about to experience as they travel towards life long commitments.
There is so much compassion offered here for the less fortunate, made me want to become friends and know them personally.
Some things are not how we perceive them to be and there are many examples offered here, but answers are forthcoming, and this is a book that you will get lost in and not want to put down until you know what happens!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Zondervan, and was not required to give a positive review.
Beth Wiseman has changed the narrative of Amish Christian fiction for me.
I loved, loved, loved reading this book. The story gripped my heart from the first pages till the last. Very unpredictable but enjoyable. The characters were wonderful and relatable. This book is not your usual Amish story. It’s peculiarity has gained it a class of its own.
Filled with love, dedication, sacrifice, kindness A Beautiful Arrangement will fill your heart with this message: God makes everything beautiful that is committed into His hands.
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and this is my honest opinion
This is number 3 in her Amish Journey Series.I enjoyed this as well as the other tow books in the series.
This is the story of of Lydia and Samuel Bontrager. They were forced to get married when they were intimate and she became pregnant.She is 17 and has a 6 month old daughter.Since they married so quickly after their parents forced them them to they are discovering they know very little about each other. So they decide to work on that.
They introduce their mutual friends Beverley and Joseph and watch as they fall in love.Lydia and Beverley try to find the mystery of a homeless woman and the men become involved as well.
We also hear about the characters in the other books as well and find out what happens with them.
This book offers a great deal. You get four stories for the price of one. Beth has done an awesome job of telling four different stories and having them intertwine with the main character and her story. We see that many people are struggling and yet they put their problems aside to be there for each other. This book is inspirational as we watch the characters learn their lessons and try to be better human being for those around them. This is a book that will be read many times by me when I need a true pick me up. Such a talented author to be able to keep the characters straight and have them grow throughout the book. This is one I would recommend whole heatedly.
Samuel and Lydia’s story has been in the background for the entire Amish Journeys series, and A Beautiful Arrangement finally gave me the opportunity to explore it further. Getting pregnant before marriage, much less before baptism in the Amish faith is unheard of, and Samuel and Lydia’s parents all force them to marry before their baby is born and before they really know each other as well as they should.
Also included is the story of their friends Beverly and Joseph, how their courtship begins, and their joke with each other about someday wanting to have a family of ten children. (More power to them, I say!) What is not expected is that Beverly has a secret that she has been keeping from Joseph, and she is afraid that if she reveals it, he will end their relationship.
And yet, one more story is present – that of crazy Margaret Keim, an old lady who lives in a ragged blue truck. While it is not the Amish way to openly minister to outsiders, Lydia believes she is being called by God to reach out to this women who so clearly needs help.
Multiple storylines, but all of them were tied together in a beautiful way. Each one revealed that honesty is so important in the foundations of a new relationship, and that even lying by omission can damage trust that is slowly being restored. When you’re as young as Samuel and Lydia, it’s hard to learn these lessons while also navigating a brand new marriage that neither of them were fully prepared for. They never had the chance to experience falling in love like their friends were doing, but they both have a fierce love for the daughter they share. Among all the bumps and bruises, they slowly find their way to show each other the love they’ve been holding inside.
Beth Wiseman will always be one of my favorite authors for the Amish fiction genre as her stories are multi-faceted and her characters endearing. I’m sad to see this series come to an end, but love the journey it took me on.