Winter in Southern Maryland’s Amish country brings brisk winds, crisp snow, and evenings spent nestled by a warm fireside. For one prodigal daughter, it may also bring a new beginning . . . On her baptismal day, Rebecca Zook ran from the church, leaving her stunned Amish community behind. She only wanted to see something of Gott’s vast world, but city life didn’t turn out as planned. Tricked … life didn’t turn out as planned. Tricked into a sham marriage, Becky has come home humbled, wiser . . . and pregnant. Her mamm and daed are welcoming, and helping an overburdened young widow gives Becky a new sense of purpose. But after creating such scandal, Becky feels unworthy of a loving husband—let alone a wunderbaar man like Atlee Stauffer.
Atlee knows Becky’s situation—and understands why his mother advises him to be careful. Still, this once flighty, flirty girl has become a thoughtful, kind young woman. He’s drawn to Becky like a magnet to a nail. One day, he hopes to build a family with her. But first, he must convince her wary, troubled heart to accept forgiveness and love . . .
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I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
Ms. Simpson has written a charming book about the gentle Amish people. The characters are well-developed and engaging.
Rebecca Zook is a young Amish girl who ran away from her home in Maryland to experience life in New York City. She is naive enough to believe that everyone is as good as the people in her Amish community. Things don’t go well for Rebecca. Rebecca returns to her home pregnant and feeling unworthy to be loved. Her family and friends forgive her for her recklessness, but she can’t forgive herself.
I enjoyed reading The Reconciliation and look forward to reading more from this author.
Becky’s poor choices in life separate her from the safety of her Amish Community. Now, humiliated, she returns in repentance, desirous to make amends and resume her life. But can she forgive herself? And open her heart to the one who loves her, stains and all?
This is a sweet story of community, sincerity, friendship and of course, reconciliation. I felt totally immersed in the Amish community and culture as we follow Becky’s story. And the Pennsylvania Dutch expressions sprinkled here and there added to the charm of this novel — a gentle romance!
The Reconciliation is the third book in a series set in Southern Maryland by Susan Lantz Simpson (The Promise and The Mending). Becky Yoder was about to be baptized when she bolted and disappeared to New York City. Becky used to a flirtatious and fun young woman. Her experiences in the big city have changed her and she comes home a different woman. Becky feels she is unworthy of happiness and a good man after the trouble she caused her family. Atlee notices the change in Becky along with how she spends her time alone. He befriends her to help her and finds himself falling in love. Atlee needs to work past Becky’s defenses to show her that she merits grace and being loved. The Reconciliation is a sweet, heartwarming Amish romance. It shows people that we can be forgiven for our mistakes. We need to learn from our missteps and move forward. While The Reconciliation can be read as a standalone, I found it helpful to have read the other books in this series. I enjoyed the casual writing style which made The Reconciliation easy to read. There is kissing and hugging only in the story which makes it a nice, clean romance. The Reconciliation is a heartfelt Amish love story with good Christian morals and valuable life lessons.
This is the second book in this series, and yes, they can be read alone, there are some recurring characters here, and you will be quickly drawn into the story.
When Becky Zook ran out and away from her baptism it was because of the “grass is always greener” and sadly such a lesson for her. We get to be with her as she returns to her community, and wonder as she does if she can go home again.
This is a story of leaving childhood behind and embracing adulthood, and we see transformations in the for of love fellow man.
Surprises happen here, and there are some sad happenings, along with welcoming new little ones into the fold.
A don’t miss life lesson read.
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Zebra, and was not required to give a positive review.
What a enjoyable Amish book about forgiveness.. Rebecca Zook ran out of the church the day of her baptism. She left the Amish and ran to New York. There she met Vinny who conned her into a marriage that she believed was true. When she became pregnant he told her to get rid of the baby. She ran out of there apartment with a broken heart. When she returned she found her husband dead of a overdose of drugs. Frightened and confused she boarded a bus back home. She did not know if her family would except her back. This is a beautiful written story of a young Amish girl who made a mistake and had to forgive herself before she could reach out to others for Love.