In this emotional Amish romance, a young couple will discover that healing from heartbreak takes two.Miriam Bowman was devastated when her fiance was killed in a logging incident. In the years since the tragedy, she finds it impossible to enter into a new relationship for fear of it coming to a disastrous end. So she works at her quilt shop in town and stays away from anything that would risk her … that would risk her heart. As least until David Miller comes back home to take a second chance at the Amish way of life.
David feels responsible for the logging incident that killed his friend and Miriam’s betrothed, and his life has been corrupted by guilt. That guilt only worsens when he and Miriam begin to spend time together after his return, and they begin to have feelings for each other. David might just be the man Miriam has been afraid of finding, one she could fall in love with. And Miriam is the only one who can truly forgive David for his perceived misdeeds. In order to risk their hearts and find the love they’ve been missing, David and Miriam will have to open them to each other.
more
Mending Hearts by Janice Kay Johnson is the 2nd A Tompkin’s Mill Novel. It can be read as a standalone for those who have not read Turning Home. I thought Mending Hearts was well-written with developed characters. I like that we get to catch up with the characters from Turning Home. David Miller and Miriam Bowman both feel guilt over the death of Levi. Both of them need to come to terms with Levi’s death plus forgive themselves. It is the only way they can move forward with their lives. We see Miriam and David struggle with the guilt and loss of faith. I like that we get to know Miriam and David as well as their families and community. I like how the people in the community help each other. If someone has a need, they are there to assist (whether they want it or not). I thought Mending Hearts was an emotional novel about love, forgiveness, family, faith, and second chances. I like the drama in the second half of the book. It added another level of depth to the story. We get to see Miriam and David struggling with their faith. They are both having difficulty turning their troubles over to God and relying on Him. I did find the pace of Mending Hearts to be a little slow at time plus there is repetition. I also thought the story was a little long. These small issues aside, I enjoyed Mending Hearts. I especially loved the puppies (they sounded adorable) and Copper, the horse David was training. Mending Hearts is a heartwarming Amish tale with buggy rides, barn raising, quality quilts, fixing fences, disquieting guilt, and a special someone.
After reading Turning Home, I was really excited that Miriam’s story would be next in Mending Hearts. Something in me connected with something in her while reading her brother’s story and, even though we have little in common, I somehow felt she was a kindred spirit nonetheless. (Side note: You don’t have to read Turning Home to enjoy Mending Hearts – it works fine as a standalone – but I think you’ll appreciate the characters & community more if you have.)
Both Miriam and David built walls around their hearts after Levi (Miriam’s boyfriend & David’s best friend/business partner) died. Guilt drove David away from their community after Levi’s tragic death, guilt over his feelings for Miriam – his best friend’s girl. Miriam had her own share of guilt and secret heartbreak, and she closed herself off from any other marriage prospects, resigned to be a spinster. But now David is back and living right next door … and, while she only had eyes for Levi back then, Miriam certainly notices David now! And I can’t say I blame her – he is quite swoony and seems to be a great kisser too!
I really liked David’s character – aside from the swoon factor & kissing skills, he is handsome and kind, loves his family, loves God, loves animals, owns up to his flaws & struggles, and is also not afraid to tease when it gets a smile from the woman he loves. Miriam herself has a big heart and a warm spirit. She often shows wisdom beyond her years, and she is just the kind of heroine you’d want to be friends with in real life. I also appreciated that Johnson skillfully creates interactions for David & Miriam that remind readers that, though they are initially united by tragedy and loss, they have much more than that in common.
Bottom Line: Mending Hearts by Janice Kay Johnson is the perfect follow-up to Turning Home, while also standing solidly on its own as a sweet romance and setting the stage for book three (Gideon’s story – YAY!). David & Miriam are delightful to watch fall in love, and I very much liked getting to spend time with them on the pages. I enjoy the community of Tompkins Mill – the Amish and the Englisch and the ones who straddle both worlds a bit – and I especially love how the theme of each book involves some form of returning home, to the community, to the faith, to something (or someone) you’ve been waiting for your whole life. This gives the already compelling characters even more depth & layers to be explored and keeps readers invested in the outcome. Highly recommended for fans of Laura V. Hilton, Cindy Woodsmall, Laura Bradford and Shelley Shepard Gray!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
This is a lovely, thoughtful story about two Amish young people who blame themselves for a tragedy that occurred six years earlier. In that logging accident, Miriam Bowman lost her fiancé, Levi, who was also David Miller’s best friend. Both handled their hurt in a different manner: Miriam closed her heart to love and marriage; David left the Amish community to attempt to escape his guilt about the accident and the pain he felt he caused his community. But when David returns to the Amish community at Tompkin’s Mill, both David and Miriam began to realize that they can have a bright future together, if they can find the courage and faith to claim it.
I thought this author did an excellent job in creating characters that were compelling and which quickly drew me into the book. I had empathy for both Miriam and Levi and I enjoyed reading their story. I missed reading the first book in this series. But after reading this one, I’m looking forward to reading that one and the other books that will be coming along in this series.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
This book was not for me. I felt for a good portion of the book the story dragged and I found it hard to get into the story over all. I will say just over half way through the author did throw a twist into the story but as quickly as is was there it was over with. I did not read any of the first story but I loved Julie and her brother oh my what sweet souls. I really also like Miriam what she faced in the story could have knocked any one to their knees but she just seemed so strong and stubborn nothing was going to knock her over. The story was a clean read and suitable for most. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
This is the second book in this series that I have read and enjoyed, there are some recurring characters, but this can be read alone.
We have a kind Amish man, David Miller, who is trying to work out of the guilt he feels after the death of his best friend and business partner. He even went so far as to leave his family and faith. Circumstances and the missing of his faith bring him back. Will he be accepted and forgiven?
We also meet Miriam Bowman, a young woman who wanted to marry Levi, David’s business partner, and is now David’s neighbor. Can she finally come to terms with Levi’s death, and most of all live her faith and give forgiveness.
I loved being with these kind people, they are there for each other, and take care of their widows, as we see, even if they don’t want help.
You find them always giving baskets of food, and their time to help one another. David is ready to help all those who need him, but can he help himself.
I was quickly absorbed in this story and community, and hope that we have more books coming!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Berkley, and was not required to give a positive review.