Welcome to charming Honey Brook, Pennsylvania, where bestselling author Ophelia London will bring you on a moving and unforgettable journey through faith, forgiveness, and ultimately love. Everything changed for Esther Miller with the death of her beloved fiancé, Jacob. Even years later, she still struggles with her faith and purpose in the small, tight-knit Amish village of Honey … Honey Brook–especially now that her younger sister is getting married. All she wants is to trust in the Lord to help her find peace…but peace is the last thing she gets when Lucas, Jacob’s wayward older brother, returns to town.
Lucas Brenneman has been harboring a secret for years–the real reason he never returned from Rumspringa and the truth behind his brother Jacob’s death. Honey Brook still calls to him, but he knows his occupation as a physician’s assistant must take precedence. With sweet and beautiful Esther he finds a comfort he’s never known, and he feels like anything is possible…even forgiveness. But she was Jacob’s bride-to-be first. And if she knew the truth, would she ever truly open her heart to him?
Each book in the Honey Brook series is STANDALONE:
* Never an Amish Bride
* The Amish Cowboy’s Homecoming
more
Honey Brook, Pennsylvania is the setting for this new series. Book 1 features Esther Miller who considers herself on old-maid because she’s still single at 24. Her fiancé Jacob had died several years earlier and she just wasn’t ready to start courting again. She has a growing business of making scented soaps in her home and selling them through an Amish retail store. Lucas comes to town as a PA. He is Jacob’s brother but left the Amish years before. The Amish tradition still calls to him and he still lives a very simple life despite his car and electronics. When he meets Esther, he become very interested in her but he is hiding a secret about Jacob’s death and he doesn’t know if she or their church will forgive him. I enjoyed reading this book and I really like Esther and Lucas — they were both strong in their religious views but both showed confusion on how to properly live their lives. I thought that Esther was a very strong woman – she followed the Amish ways but was still very interested in having her own business. Is it possible for two flawed people to be happy with each other and follow the Amish ways?
Never an Amish Bride by Ophelia London is the first novel in the Honey Brook series. Honey Brook, Pennsylvania is a cozy town in Lancaster County. Gossip spreads quickly in this small Amish town. Esther Miller was to marry Jacob Brenneman two years ago, but he died a few weeks before their wedding day. After Jacob passed, no one would talk about him or how he died. Esther is struggling right now especially with her faith. Esther’s younger sister, Sarah is getting wed in November and she has roped Esther into planning the event as well as sewing the wedding dress. It is the last thing that Esther wishes to do. Lucas Brenneman left town when he was sixteen on a mission and he returned six months ago. He wonders about his family and if he has made the right choices. I thought Never an Amish Bride was well-written with developed main characters. The characters are realistic with their struggles involving family, faith, and tragedy. The romance is sweet and progresses at a gentle pace. I enjoyed the way they could talk to each other and their playful banter. There is humor in the story and light moments that I enjoyed. I love the three kids (baby pygmy goats) that were dressed in various costumes. I could just imagine them in Christmas sweaters. I loved the Anne of Green Gables references where Esther likens Lucas to Gilbert Blythe. Esther made some wonderful soap. I would not mind her clove soap myself. I like how the soap played into Esther and Lucas’ romance. I thought the author should have included a recipe at the end (or tips for making soap). Never an Amish Bride is a delightful Amish story and I wish that we did not have to wait for spring for The Amish Cowboy’s Homecoming. I appreciated the epilogue at the end. Never an Amish Bride is a charming Amish tale with soap bar battles, a wayward wagon, plush pygmy goats, wedding woes, soaring scents, a dress dilemma.
Never an Amish Bride is a captivating love story written by Ophelia London. Never having read anything by this author before, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect but I enjoy reading the Amish genre and this one did not disappoint. The characters were realistic and relatable. Esther, struggles with her faith since her former fiancé died and wonders if being a wife and mother is ever going to be in God’s plan for her life. Luke, a physician’s assistant, has returned to the town he left as an Amish teen, and he knows he’s not willing to completely change his new lifestyle, not even for a girl! I really liked Esther’s Mamm, it just seemed like she knew what was happening in Esther’s heart and was rooting for her, perhaps even prompting and helping things along. The plot moves along quickly and the author knows how to keep the tension high. I kept trying to figure out how in the world Esther and Luke would ever make things work out. She’s Amish. He’s not. And the two do not mix. Would she change? Would he? Or would they just give up and go separate ways. This may have been my first book by Ophelia London but it won’t be my last. Readers who enjoy Amish fiction will not want to miss this enjoyable romance.
I received a complimentary copy of this book via JustRead Publicity Tours. A favorable review was not required, and opinions are my own.
WOW! A beautiful story of family, forgiveness and a second chance of love. Ester Miller is coping with the death of her fiancé and struggling with her faith as the younger sister is getting married.
Lucas who left to become a physician assistant has decided to return is also struggling with his faith. As Ester tries to gather information about Jacob, Lucas is keeping his distance from her. How can she move on from what can never be, memories of her late fiancé?
Trust in the Lord and His plans and see how He works. Loved the message that the author wrote.
I received a copy of the book from Just Reads Tour in exchange for an honest opinion. All opinions are my own.
First in the Honey Brook series, Never an Amish Bride, is written by Orphelia London, a newcomer to the Amish genre, is a delightful visit to Honey Brook Pennsylvania, near the well known Lancaster Pennsylvania.
It is Gott’s will, if Esther Miller hears that one more time she’s going to lose it. After the death of her fiancé, Jacob Brenneman, just a few short weeks of their wedding, Esther struggles with grief, even after the 7 years he’s been gone. With no one to talk with, it almost becomes more than she can bear; especially with her purple wedding dress still hanging in her closet.
Lucas Brenneman left Honey Brook more than a decade ago during his rumspringa and simply didn’t return, until recently. Working as a physician assistant in a local medical office, Lucas has not seen any of the local Amish in the office, or nor have they sought him out. He wrote letters to his mother the whole time he was away, and even sent her a letter when he arrived in Honey Brook.
Unable to hold her questions any longer, Esther bursts into the medical office one afternoon after spying Lucas through the window. She doesn’t understand why Jacob died, especially after spending a year with his brother; it just seems so strange to her. Rather set aback by Esther’s sudden appearance and the rapid fire of questions, a stunned Lucas withholds the information Esther so earnestly seeks; he made a promise to his brother that he would never tell anyone, but especially Esther.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and Just Read Tours via NetGalley, and am not required to write a positive review review. All thoughts and opinions therein are solely my own, and freely shared.
Esther Miller loved her fiance but he died. He had changed after he visited his brother and she doesn’t know why but he seemed to get super strict with their religion and rules. Now she’s trying to figure out where she fits in. She’s not a youngie anymore but she’s not a widow really either. And she has to help her sisters as they get married and move out.
Life gets increasingly difficult when she runs into her fiance’s brother who has moved back to the area. He’s a PA and now practising at the clinic in town. Can she keep her distance? She’s hostile at first wondering why he’s here and what happened when her fiance visited him? Can they find healing together?
I loved this book. It read fast and though there was no huge suspense it was a still a good slow romance novel with some fighting and making up. This is definitely a good book that I highly recommend. It looks like it might be the start of a new series as well so that will be great! I hope you get a chance to read this book.
If you like Amish fiction at all this is the book for you. The author makes her characters come to life and you feel for and with them. Esther works through anger, rejection, love, fear and so much more in this book.
I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from JustRead Publicity Tours. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.
This is the first book that I have read by this author, and I am so happy that I got a chance to read it. This is the first book in the Honey Brook Series. Honey Brook, PA is a quaint Amish Town. In this book we meet Esther Miller. She lost her fiance, Jacob, 2 years ago when he died suddenly. She has been wrestling with it since it happened. She buries herself in making her homemade soaps that she sells in her cousin’s store.
One day, while in town, she visits the clinic where Jacob’s brother is a Physician’s Assistant. She is hoping to get closure for Jacob’s death, and not just the answer she keeps getting. “Gott’s will” is what everyone has been telling Esther. She boldly asks for answers. What she does not count on, is how Lucas makes her feel.
Lucas left home during his Rumschpringe. He desired to further his education. He becomes a Physician’s Assistant and returns to Honey Brook. He lives on the outskirts of town and tries to fly under the radar to not make it known he is back in town.
One of the overall theme of the book is forgiveness. A theme that is important for us to remember. Especially since God has forgiven us. Both Lucas and Esther need to obtain and offer forgiveness to many in this story. Will they be able to heal? Can a relationship between an Amish Woman and an “outsider” happen?
This book captured my attention with the first few pages. I savored every moment that I reading this book. This book has well written characters, an interesting storyline, and will leave you wanting to visit Honey Brook itself. I love the characters, the town, the setting, everything about this book. I look forward to book #2.
I received a copy of this book through the Author and Just Read Tours. All thoughts are my own.
This was such a sweet story of love and forgiveness! Esther who lost her fiance was having a hard time letting go of her anger and the conflict of that in her relationship with God, get she kept asking God for help. Who knew it would come from a source very unexpected.
Lucas, the brother of her fiance’s too was fighting his own battle of fear of not being accepted by his family after being gone for a time. Not realizing the reason was not what he had thought, he found himself too questioning why.
Together, he and Esther, bonding and learning to trust one another, opened a while new world for them both!
I would definitely recommend this book!
Ever heard the saying once you read one you have read them all? Well, that is what my husband told me when he saw that I was reading an Amish book. He said, “How many differences can you see in the Amish, isn’t the point that the Amish are plain, as in nothing ever happens with them?”. I dropped my book and told him that most are unique and bring different perspectives! Case in point, Never an Amish Bride by Ophelia London.
This book is the first in a series and I loved the introduction to all the characters. I do share some of my husband’s fear that I will get tired of Amish fiction (as so many stories seem to be the same storyline). This one though is different and intriguing, it breaks the mold. I loved Ophelia London’ s character variations, their emotions were realistic and not overdramatized, and the conflicts were believable. Both Lucas and Esther were engaging characters that I loved reading about. Ophelia London engaged my emotions in this book and appealed to my heart.
The main themes of this book are Faith, Trust, and Forgiveness. Ophelia London did a great job of showing those themes through the eyes of her characters. I particularly liked how Lucas handled the trials he went through; I wish I could handle situations as well as him.
I give this book 4 out of 5 stars for the creative characters, the interesting storyline, and for making me look forward to the next book in the series.
*I volunteered to read this book in return for my honest feedback. The thoughts and opinions expressed within are my own.
This story was oh so good!! Lucas and Esther captured my heart right from the beginning and the more I learned as the story progressed, the more I cared about what happened to them.
These two had amazing chemistry between them, even at the very beginning, as they began to get reacquainted as friends. But there were so many things that seemed to stand between them, beginning with the fact that Lucas was no longer part of the Amish community of Honey Brook. The author did a great job of bringing everything together and offered a nice faith journey for the two main characters, as well.
I loved the way this story progressed and feel happy to have found a new author and a new series, as well.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Love loved this book!
Cool characters and an awesome plot! I also loved the theme of love, acceptance and forgiveness.
I’m giving this book 5 stars because I’ve had such an enjoyable read out of this.
It made for a peaceful evening when everyone else was asleep. I got to visit my Amish world once again.
In my opinion, this story is also about hope. No matter what a person has done or what has happened to them.
Lucas and Esther are perfect examples. Each is trying to get through life the best way they know how. Grief has no time limit that’s for sure! I still miss my mom!
And you know, secrets do have a way of coming out in the end sometimes depending on how it’s received it may give that person some peace after it’s out.
Might I say this cover is gorgeous! Makes you wonder what Esther is thinking about doesn’t it? You’ll just have to read this book to find out.
I highly recommend this beautiful story! And I will be watching for more stories by the author in the future!
My thanks to Netgalley for a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own. I was NOT required to write a positive review.
This story was cute and does get to the heart of the matter for sure. I deals with loss and finding yourself. With both Lucas and Esther each dealing with where they belong. I did find Esther a little whinny and I felt like Lucas had a big heart and he seemed to really want what was best for his people. I did feel like in some parts the book dragged a little. I did enjoy that the author kept the book a good clean read and is suitable for all. I enjoyed both Esther and Lucas Mom’s they truly just shined in this book. If you are looking for a clean read with some fun characters check this book out. I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley. I was under no obligation to post a review and have given my honest opinion
This is a heart-touching story about Esther Miller, a young Amish woman who is eagerly preparing for her wedding. Her life takes a tragic turn when her beloved Jacob passes away suddenly and leaves Esther deeply mourning his loss and the life they could have had together. Her faith in God and His goodness is shaken to its core, and she struggles silently with all her unanswered questions. Jacob’s older brother, Lucas, left his Amish home when he was sixteen. His return to Honey Brook shows that Lucas is struggling with questions of his own. As the two renew their friendship, they discover that God is faithful to give them the answers they are seeking, if they will only turn to Him.
I loved the characters of Esther and Jacob. Both are good people who work to serve and help others. It was easy for me to cheer Esther on to finding her faith again, and to dream a new dream of a future filled with hope and love. There’s some good lessons for all of us in this story about trusting God with our future and depending on Him during the difficult times in our lives.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
Never an Amish Bride by Ophelia London is an Amish book that explores various topics woven with human reality despite it being fictional.
I am so happy whenever I pick up a Christian Fiction Amish Book. I get ready for an adventure within the pages.
The book cover is so beautiful and the title will make you curious.
Themes of family,community support, sumptuous meals, forgiveness and many more were navigated in this book.
I like Esther Miller and Lucas Brenneman. I was always watching out for their scenes while reading the book.
I love the conversation between Esther and her mamm. Her mother said and I quote “All things are to be done for the praise of Gott. Everything in life is to worship Him”. I love a healthy mother to daughter relationship and Esther and her mother had it.
The Amish community here are quite religious, I must say. Humility is emphasized greatly.
I admire the fact that the Amish brides in this story sew their own wedding dresses by themselves. That’s something I never thought I could do by myself on my own without modern gadgets despite not being an Amish woman.
There are lessons to glean from this story. I enjoyed this book while eating toasted bread on a warm day. The food mentioned in the book made me grab my toaster and made some toasts and a homemade juice and I imagined I was living in an Amish community.
Esther is a good soap maker. I admire the names of the fragrances she used in making her soap. I appreciate her industrious spirit.
Lucas and Esther both have stories you may need to discover in this book.
I laughed at Esther and Lucas love for little goats (kids).
This is a good Christian fiction book with themes pointing to God.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
This book felt so real, whether Amish or Englisch, could be any family. I even had a teacher who never married, she had lost her fiancée, so very sad.
The author gives us a young man who is a Physician’s Assistant, and has a lot of compassion for his fellow man, and we see him going the extra mile. Now he is working in a town he left ten years ago, and struggling to reunite and forgive his family.
Esther and Lucas seem so perfect for each other, but there is a big obstacle between them, she is baptized in her faith, and although he is not shunned, he is an outcast, or so he thinks.
Follow these two hurting individuals as they try and fight their attraction, and many hurdles that are placed in their way.
I also thank the author for the Epilogue, I love looking into the future!
I received this book through Net Galley and Entangled Publishing, and was not required to give a positive review.
Never an Amish Bride by Ophelia London.
Description…….
Welcome to charming Honey Brook, Pennsylvania, where bestselling author Ophelia London will bring you on a moving and unforgettable journey through faith, forgiveness, and ultimately love.
Everything changed for Esther Miller with the death of her beloved fiancé, Jacob. Even years later, she still struggles with her faith and purpose in the small, tight-knit Amish village of Honey Brook, especially now that her younger sister is getting married. All she wants is to trust in the Lord to help her find peace…but peace is the last thing she gets when Lucas, Jacob’s wayward older brother, returns to town.
Lucas Brenneman has been harboring a secret for years, the real reason he never returned from Rumspringa and the truth behind his brother Jacob’s death. Honey Brook still calls to him, but he knows his occupation as a physician’s assistant must take precedence. With sweet and beautiful Esther he finds a comfort he’s never known, and he feels like anything is possible…even forgiveness. But she was Jacob’s bride-to-be first. And if she knew the truth, would she ever truly open her heart to him?
My Review……
I must admit I don’t usually read books on religion, they either tend to bog the book down on religion, or try and cram their beliefs down your throat!
With this book I didn’t get that, what I got was a lovely story about two people who should have been together from the start, reconnecting and finding one another again.
Esther was two weeks away from being a bride….. That was two years ago, she didn’t marry the man she was betrothed to, he died. Not being able to move forward, Esther mourns for her dead fiancé, watching her siblings and friends marry. Will she forever remain a single woman?
Lucas left his old life behind him, moved on and became a doctor’s assistant. His love for his brother made him the man he is today, the frustration and anger towards his community and father was put across well. I got the impression he wasn’t happy with his way of life, and when he lost both Esther and his brother, it gave him the strength to go.
When they accidentally meet up, panic and confusion is uppermost in Esther’s mind. What is Lucas doing back here? Why now? Confused Esther goes back home to think about Lucas.
Lucas has always loved Esther, he knows she’s the only woman for him. But getting her to see him proves difficult, and then there is his family and council to face. Does he really want to come back to this place? And will Esther and his family listen and forgive him for turning his back and walking away?
I liked this book. We had Esther and Lucas finding their way back to each other. Misinformation and fear kept these two apart for too long. It was nice that Lucas found his family again, forgiveness on both sides was needed, as was the long talk they had before Lucas came home.
If a slow burn romance is your thing, then this one is for you.