Patricia Johns’ sensitive storytelling brings depth and heart to this tender story of second chances, as an Amish woman embarks on marriage with the gruff farmer next door . . . Once, Leah Riehl prayed for a husband. The man she loved chose another, wanting the children that Leah can’t provide. But she’s found a measure of peace, keeping house for her brother, Simon, and teaching in a nearby … town. Now though, Simon’s debts to an Englisher gambling ring have left Leah with a desperate dilemma—and a surprising offer from her scarred, reclusive neighbor. Jebadiah King needs to marry in order to claim his family farm. A union, for appearances only, will help them both. Jeb knows his scars make him a less than ideal husband, but he can be a useful one. It’s the least that Leah deserves. But despite the promises he made to himself, Jeb can’t help longing for his lovely, warmhearted new wife. His first marriage brought heartbreak, but Leah’s gentle smiles spark hope again. Are they willing to take the leap that love requires—and open themselves to all the challenges and joy a true marriage could bring?
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Just loved this book. Patricia Johns does an excellent job telling a story. She does it so well, you do not want to put it down.
Leah and Jeb enter into a business deal. They will marry in order to give Leah a wife’s standing in the community, and payment for her brother’s gambling debt. In return, Jeb will inherit a farm and someone to care for his home. A good bargain for both of them.
Jeb has physical and emotional scars from his first marriage, but as time goes on, Leah softens his heart.
Can they both learn to love again? The problem is that both find it hard to put away the past in order to enjoy the life they have.
I highly recommend this book and anything Patricia writes. 5-star all the way.
I absolutely loved this book. I love reading Amish fiction and Patricia Johns does a fantastic job of it! These characters are so well written that you feel that you actually know them and they could be your neighbors.
This is a true beauty and the beast story. I really didn’t want the book to end!
I was asked by NetGalley to review this book and here are my thoughts. How many of us have deep deep hurts that we refuse to share with anyone and it makes us bitter. Then how many of us also just look at the outer covering of someone and decide what that person is like on appearances only. Patricia Johns has done a wonderful job of having us look within ourselves while dealing with Jeb’s problems as he deals with his new wife Leah and still has all the old memories of his late wife.
Everyone thought his late wife was so wonderful but she was not at all. Jeb though never let anyone else know taking on all the responsibility himself. Because of that he pulls away from the Amish Community as they in a way shun him.
Leah lives in the rented house next door with her brother Simon and is only there during the summer when she has time off from being a school teacher in another community. Her brother Simon has been raised by Leah since her parents died and he has a problem that she just doesn’t know how to deal with. Jeb offers a solution but Leah is not sure she can fulfill her promises and worried about her brother.
She finally agrees and they work together to make a life they both would like but with all the hurts, lies and memories is this marriage doomed from the start and what about the farm, because they helped Simon they may loose that. Will they be able to come to terms with their past and move on into the future they both dream of. Such a great book and a total recommend to read it.
Jeb’s Wife by Patricia Johns is a sweet Amish romance novel. I thought Jeb’s Wife was well-written with developed characters and steady pacing. I liked that Rosmanda and Levi from Thursday’s Bride are included in this story, so we get to catch up with them. Jeb’s Wife can be read as a standalone. Leah Riehl is trying to recover from the loss of Matthew. She loved him and he broke her heart. She cannot believe how quickly Matthew moved on and that he picked an eighteen-year-old as his bride. Leah raised her younger brother, Simon after their parents died when she was sixteen. She feels responsible for his behavior that has caused concern in their community. Leah is shocked when she discovers that Simon has been playing cards and owes an exorbitant amount of money. Jebadiah King is a widower who had a less than ideal first marriage. Jeb lost his wife in a barn fire and became badly scarred while trying to save her. He has become reclusive with only his uncle, Peter for company. Peter has died and put an unexpected clause in his will. A marriage of convenience would solve Leah, Simon, and Jeb’s problems. We soon see that a marriage of convenience is easier said than done. Jeb’s Wife is an emotional story. It touches on some unique situations for an Amish novel which I liked. There are some issues that the feminist in me rebelled at. That a woman’s worth is measured by whether or not she has a husband and children is one of them. I liked Jeb with his no-nonsense outlook and introverted ways (being an introvert myself, I could relate). Leah was the perfect counterpart for Jeb. We see that being part of a community as well as a family can have its ups and downs. We see that whether you are Amish or English, you have the same types of problems. Jeb’s Wife is a special story that I enjoyed reading. I am looking forward to Patricia Johns next Amish novel. Jeb’s Wife is a poignant tale that will linger with you long after you finish the last page.
Leah Riehl’s engagement ended when she told her fiancé she was unable to have children. To escape her heartbreak, she took an out-of-town teaching position. Now she’s back for the summer and is horrified to learn that her younger brother Simon has been gambling and owes a lot of money to some dangerous Englishers.
Jebadiah King has kept to himself since a barn fire that killed his wife and left him badly scarred. He wants nothing to do with the community that has never supported him and is content to spend the rest of his life alone. However, his uncle left an unexpected clause in his will – Jeb needs to marry again if he wants to get his inheritance. A marriage of convenience will solve both his and Leah’s problems. Except their straightforward arrangement turns out to be much more complicated than they imagined.
A sweet and touching Amish love story with two tropes that I enjoy very much: marriage of convenience and beauty and the beast inspired. Leah and Jeb were lovable and realistic characters, and I was rooting for them. I enjoyed seeing their romance develop. You know that they’ll eventually fall in love but the when kept me on the edge of my seat. Props to the author, she did a phenomenal job of creating romantic tension between them. Loved the emphasis on what it means to be in a happy marriage and the ups and downs of being a part of a tightly knitted community. These two topics really resonated with me.
Overall, this is one of the best Amish romances I think I’ve ever read. I love this author’s writing style and storylines. I look forward to reading more books by her. Highly recommend this story of love, forgiveness, second chances, and finding your place in a community.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I just loved this book, I find with Patricia Johns books you feel like your sinking into the book and will not come out for a little while even after you finish it!
Jeb’s Wife by Patricia Johns
Patricia Johns’ sensitive storytelling brings depth and heart to this tender story of second chances, as an Amish woman embarks on marriage with the gruff farmer next door . . .
Once, Leah Riehl prayed for a husband. The man she loved chose another, wanting the children that Leah can’t provide. But she’s found a measure of peace, keeping house for her brother, Simon, and teaching in a nearby town. Now though, Simon’s debts to an Englisher gambling ring have left Leah with a desperate dilemma—and a surprising offer from her scarred, reclusive neighbor. Jebadiah King needs to marry in order to claim his family farm. A union, for appearances only, will help them both.
Jeb knows his scars make him a less than ideal husband, but he can be a useful one. It’s the least that Leah deserves. But despite the promises he made to himself, Jeb can’t help longing for his lovely, warmhearted new wife. His first marriage brought heartbreak, but Leah’s gentle smiles spark hope again. Are they willing to take the leap that love requires—and open themselves to all the challenges and joy a true marriage could bring?
This is Leah Riehl and Jeb King’s story.
“I should get back home,” Leah said, standing, too. “Thank you for the chat.”
Rosmanda grabbed a cloth from the sink and shot Leah an apologetic smile. “So soon? You’ve hardly eaten a thing.”
Leah didn’t have much appetite anyway.
Jeb kept to himself but there were rumors enough that passed through the community in waves every time they were reminded of his existence.
He was tall, muscular, and badly scarred from a barn fire.Jeb was about forty, and he stood head and shoulders taller than Simon.
Jeb adjusted his grip on Simon’s shoulder. “I found him like this, walking by the side of the road on my way home from town,” Jeb replied, but when he looked down at Simon, his gaze lacked proper sympathy.
I highly recommend reading.
Jeb’s Wife by Patricia Johns is a wonderful well written 5 star book.
I am looking forward to reading more books by Patricia Johns.
My heart broke for Leah. We became kin in heart and struggles. Her pains jumped of the pages of the book.
Jeb’s sorrows were very touching and sometimes during the book I felt like I could actually touch them.
The both of them had gone through too much pain and loss and even though the circumstances which they met was not conventional, I loved that they found each other. They both knew what it means to be unloved and rejected so they were the best people to love each other well and right.
This story tugged at all my heart strings. It captivated me with its beautiful message of love, redemption and second chance.
It was unlike any Amish book I have read.
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and this is my honest opinion.
l liked this story and found it to be one of the better Amish stories. I think it’s because of the good main characters and the emotional depth of the story. Both of them are people of honor and integrity trying to help each other.
Jeb is such an incredibly misunderstood man on so many different levels and not just about his scars. He is a private man but his community has also failed him in so many ways too. That was so well written that you could almost feel the hurt. He was also a man who wanted to be loved and valued. But after being rejected time and again, he pretty much gave up.
Leah has so many good qualities and one of those is her deep love for her brother Simon. She raised him when she was a teenager and he has a lot of charisma. Unfortunately he has used his charm in unhealthy ways. At least one point I kept thinking some tough love was needed and he needed to grow up. You’ll have to read the book to find out if that ever happens.
The story has our couple facing several challenges, and judgemental people. It does come to a good conclusion with some good people in the community repenting and stepping up, bringing more hope for a better future for everyone.
“I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”
Loved this story. It was a great story about 2 people who come together to help eachother out and try to turn it into something real. I loved the characters and just how well the author put the story together. A sweet clean read!
I received an ARC from Netgalley but this review is my own opinion.
Jeb’s Wife
Patricia Johns
https://www.facebook.com/PatriciaJohnsAuthor/
Release date 08/25/2020
Publisher Kensington Zebra
Blurb :
Patricia Johns’ sensitive storytelling brings depth and heart to this tender story of second chances, as an Amish woman embarks on marriage with the gruff farmer next door . . .
Once, Leah Riehl prayed for a husband. The man she loved chose another, wanting the children that Leah can’t provide. But she’s found a measure of peace, keeping house for her brother, Simon, and teaching in a nearby town. Now though, Simon’s debts to an Englisher gambling ring have left Leah with a desperate dilemma—and a surprising offer from her scarred, reclusive neighbor. Jebadiah King needs to marry in order to claim his family farm. A union, for appearances only, will help them both.
Jeb knows his scars make him a less than ideal husband, but he can be a useful one. It’s the least that Leah deserves. But despite the promises he made to himself, Jeb can’t help longing for his lovely, warmhearted new wife. His first marriage brought heartbreak, but Leah’s gentle smiles spark hope again. Are they willing to take the leap that love requires—and open themselves to all the challenges and joy a true marriage could bring?
My review :
Will she see in time the treasure she had all along…
This is my first foray in the Amish community world, my only knowledge comes from the movie Witness and a book read some decades ago about a woman estranged or banned from her community.
As a non American person I guess they are a curiosity but I hope I would not act like the Englishers in the book, watching them as some zoo’s pets.
As a historical romance reader, I felt like I was still in the XIXth century, a strange feeling as other clues demonstrated it was no historically set story.
I am a bit sad for Leah as she feels like her life has less meaning if she is not someone’s wife and brings no children. Yet she was raised this way as it is the ultimate goal and as time has passed by, she senses she is left out.
I was raised to be myself, the better side of me I could be, and what ever the result, the others’ view of me was never influenced by my marital status or lack of it.
When Leah still feels the need to demonstrate she is like any other woman, to show her ability to keep a house well run but not who she really is, alas not so far from a regency woman displaying her skills at pianoforte, needlework and watercolors to be singled out.
In her very need to be accepted, I had the feeling she had a very truncated view of the place she would gain among her people by being married. So much that she in my point of view quite bullies Jeb to be someone else because it is what she wants and longs for when she is the one to put many conditions to their marriage of convenience.
Jeb has his faults but after being burned not only physically but also emotionally then shunned for all the wrong reasons, I do feel for him and understand why he is wary of his kin.
He is a wise man, he knows he is no charming self, and asks very few things. Just a bit of warm to keep his soul all cosy instead of his usual loneliness.
Why I much sided for him when I felt like Leah’s expectations were rather selfish and more about how she would be seen by outsider’s eyes than about making her marriage work.
A long self-reflective narrative as both main characters must introspect what they expect from their marriage but also what they really hope for which can be very different.
4 stars
I was granted an advance copy by the publisher Kensington, here is my true and unbiased opinion.
https://www.facebook.com/429830134272830/posts/680851925837315/?d=n
I have read and enjoyed other books by this author and this book is no exception. The plot is awesome, love how this story unfolds, and it was so real.
Loving and being rejected by someone you love, a catalyst between these two, Leah and Jeb. Then there is Simon, I wanted to shake him, but he does have an addiction, and it may seem simple to me to stay away, for him it wasn’t.
An odd marriage, yes, but can these to forge a loving relationship, two broken souls, that have somehow found each other.
When the final pages were turned, I wanted more, I wanted to stay with these two, and I can picture and see what could happen, but you need to turn the covers of this book yourself. Enjoy!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Zebra and was not required to give a positive review.
Jeb’s Wife is an outstanding book written by Patricia John’s. This book is very well written, the characters are very well described and likeable, and the storyline moves at a great pace keeping the readers interest. This story is unique in so many aspects. I thoroughly enjoyed this story. There are so many emotions displayed throughout this story and the author does an excellent job making the reader feel them.
Leah is a young Amish woman who was thrown over by her fiance because of her inability to have children. She has accepted she will probably never marry. When she returns home for the summer a severe situation is presented and the only way out means a marriage of convenience. Jeb is a widower who has become a hermit in his community. Because of his history with his late wife and his severe scarring to his body, most everyone has written him off. When Jeb offers marriage it is the solution to both Leah and Jeb’s difficulties. They agree to certain terms to their marriage and that’s where everything changes. The secrets that come to light could be this couples downfall and their emotions are at stake. How the community handles this situation is unbelievable.
I was offered a complimentary ebook copy of this book thru Netgalley and the author. I was requested to post an honest review. I have rated this story with five stars for meeting my expectations of a wonderful story that I can highly recommend to others. All opinions are strictly my own.
Congratulations to Patricia Johns on writing such an emotional story filled with love, forgiveness, faith, trust, and of course secrets. I didn’t want this story to end.
This is the first book I have read of Patrica John’s and it was great. What a great story of faith, goodness, love for others and then to find true love. It was well written and I would love to tead another of her books. I was goven an ARC copy for an honest review.
Jeb’s Wife by Patricia Johns is a beautiful book that deserves a 5 star rating by me.
First of all, I love the book cover. I used the woman on the cover to imagine along with the author. I love reading Amish books. It is a new and interesting genre to me.
Themes of love,support,family,good food that makes me hungry are well navigated here.
Goodness gracious!,you need to meet a character called Jeb. I could empathise and sympathise with him at the same time.
My heart went out to Leah who has to deal with her gambling addict of a brother. I wanted to yell at Simon to quit gambling and be useful.
This book raised lots of emotions in me. I am glad I could connect to the book in a realistic human level.
I love the happy ending. There is beauty in ashes I must say!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Kensington Books through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.