Author Rosalind Lauer weaves a patchwork quilt of life and love in the Pennsylvania Amish community of Joyful River, where new beginnings and old ways meet with faith, hope, and compassion . . . Essie Lapp’s birthday is doubly blessed. There’s a delicious meal to savor with her family, and the sweet gift of time spent with her beau, Harlan. Over two years they’ve forged a bond as strong and … they’ve forged a bond as strong and hopeful as a tree reaching for the sky. To practical-minded Essie, there’s comfort in knowing exactly what her future will bring. Yet Gott has his plan, and it soon turns her family’s world upside down . . .
Essie’s widowed English uncle has brought his troubled teenage daughters back to their mother’s Amish community, convinced it’s the fresh start they need. Essie strives to welcome her cousins, but adapting to plain living won’t be easy, even if the rewards are great. As cultures clash and hearts collide, Essie feels the first stirrings of doubt about Harlan’s commitment to her. Yet as the seasons change, and the heat of summer gives way to crisp, ripe autumn, this homecoming might mean a bountiful beginning . . .
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An Amish Homecoming by Rosalind Lauer is the beginning of the Joyful River series. I enjoyed reading this unique Amish novel. We get to see three Englisch young women adapt to living on an Amish farm. Megan, Serena, and Grace are brought to the Lapp’s dairy farm by their father, Sully. Sully’s deceased wife, Sarah was Miriam Lapp’s sister and she passed away from cancer a year ago. The three girls miss their mother and are acting out. Sully is a police officer working the night shift which leaves his daughter’s with too much time unsupervised. Sully needs to work to provide for his children, so he asks Miriam and Alvin Lapp to care for the girls for the next year. An Amish Homecoming allows us to see the differences between an Amish and Englisch world. The three sisters are not forced to be Amish nor give up their individuality. The Lapp family provides a safe, loving home for the three sisters where they can work to overcome their sorrow and be themselves. I thought An Amish Homecoming was well-written with an interesting cast of characters. Essie is the same age as two of her cousins, but she comes across as more responsible and mature. Essie is hoping to marry her beau, Harlan soon. Megan wants to finish high school and attend college while her twin, Serena is unsure of what the future holds for her. Grace, the youngest, misses her home and father. The point-of-view alternates between Miriam, Essie, and Serena. I liked getting to see the different perspectives. Each woman is at a different stage in their life. Reading An Amish Homecoming is a lovely way to wile away an afternoon. An Amish Homecoming is a heartwarming and inspiring story that showcases love, faith, and family.
Essie Lapp is turning 18. She looks forward to her quiet content life. Keeping company with Harlan, Essie expects to be wed soon. However, life takes an unexpected turn when her three English cousins come to stay. Her widowed English Uncle thinks that his girls need a fresh start since their mother died. Trying to help them settle in, Essie finds that her ordered life seems to be unraveling. Will she be able to keep on track? Or will her cousins bring an different for her?
I love how this story brings a clash between the Amish and English worlds. Often these worlds collide. This shows that love can bring family together no matter what the problems. I look forward to the next story. I received a copy through Netgalley. A review was not required.
This story was an enjoyable Amish romance. This story revolved about three Amish teenage girls whose formerly Amish mother had passed away. As their father struggled between his police work and raising 3 girls who definitely needed their mother, he decides to take them to his sister-in-law to stay for a year.
It was a surprise to their Amish family as they suddenly appear. It was a story of learning about one another’s cultures and lifestyle. A story of learning to understand, to serve and to help each other when help was needed. It was a story of personal growth and love.
I enjoyed this story, which was sweet, clean and a fun read, with some twists and turns, to remind us that all things are still in God’s hands.
I received a copy of this book from the author. All thoughts are my own.
Book One in Author Rosalind Lauer’s new series is set in the fictitious town of Joyful River featuring the Amish of Lancaster County. Essie Lapp, Miriam and Alvin Lapp’s daughter, is celebrating her eighteenth birthday. Miriam is secretly looking forward to wedding plans for Essie and Harlan Yoder, although nothing has been officially announced. Things soon take a major turn when the Lapp family’s English relatives come for an extended stay. Is it possible for two completely different cultures to overcome their differences? I found it inspiring and heartwarming to see how the characters’ faith in God develops when things do not go the way they expected. I look forward to Book Two in this series for an update on the families.
I was given a copy of this book by the author. The opinions are my own.
When you read the description of this book, you see that Miriam is being asked to have her deceased sister’s daughters. Their father is a policeman, and with his wife gone the girls have been going a bit wild. Now, Miriam and her family are Amish, can you imagine the changes in store for these girls?
I loved the title of this read, it resonates in so many of the lives here, of course, I think of the cousins, their mom was Amish, but it also makes me think of Harlan’s mom and her thoughts to move to Ohio.
We are given Essie Lapp’s story, she has been keeping company with Harlan, and is hoping for a fall wedding. There is also a sweet romance with one of the cousins and the milk truck driver, and this leads to a blossoming of a new career.
This is a warm hearted read, not without its problems, but we see people living their faith, although some could use a refresher course.
I’m so glad this is the beginning of a new series, and I am looking forward to a return visit to Joyful River!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Keningston, and was not required to give a positive review.