Kbook Reviews

This is the 5th book in the  Home to Hickory Hollow  series by Beverly Lewis but  can be read as a standalone . The review of the first book,  The Fiddler,  can be found  here . Recommended Age:  15+ 336 pages Description :  Of her Old Order parents' five daughters, Tessie Miller is the last to marry. She has her heart set on Amishman Marcus King, but Tessie's father opposes the match. Impetuously, Tessie and Marcus elope to the English world, then return to Hickory Hollow to live as singles, trusting they'll convince the Millers to give their love a chance over time. But when the unthinkable happens, Tessie faces the almost-certain censure of the People. Will she find a reason for hope in spite of her desperate plight? My Rating: 4/5 I enjoyed this book and I think Lewis did an excellent job of creating characters who readers just fall in love with! Even if you start out unsure, you will, by the end, be enamored by their development!! While the s...

This is the 4th book in the  Home to Hickory Hollow  series by Beverly Lewis but  can be read as a standalone . The review of the first book,  The Fiddler,  can be found  here . Recommended Age:  14+ 348 pages Description :  Jennifer Burns shocks her family and friends when she bids farewell to her modern life in favor of the Old Order Amish world, settling in with Samuel and Rebecca Lapp. The people of Hickory Hollow are curious about the beautiful young seeker among them--one handsome Amishman in particular--and Jenny faces many challenges in the Proving time the brethren set for her...challenges of the heart, as well as the spirit. My Rating: 3/5 I read a lot of Beverly Lewis books, but this one was not my favorite. I honestly felt like this book just kept dragging on. The storyline felt so slow-moving, but then other times jumped months at a time unnecessarily (in my opinion). I also did not love the relationship dynamic between characters. Ev...

This is the 3rd book in the  Home to Hickory Hollow  series by Beverly Lewis but  can be read as a standalone . The review of the first book,  The Fiddler,  can be found  here . Recommended Age : 13+ 348 pages Description :  When Jodi Winfield comes to Lancaster to house-sit, the last thing she expects to find is a disheveled little girl alone on the side of the road. The young teacher is mystified when she learns there have been no reports of a missing child, and the girl herself is no help, since she can't speak English. It's as if the child appeared out of nowhere. Then Jodi turns her attention to Hickory Hollow--and the cloistered world of the Old Order Amish--in search of answers. My Rating: 4/5 Overall, this was a sweet book! I liked the storyline, but I did feel like it was being dragged on for too long. Due to that, it became a bit monotonous and fairly predictable. ( -1 star )   Notable Quote:    "He who looks up to God cannot l...

This is the 1st book in the Heritage of Lancaster County series by: Beverly Lewis. Recommended Age:  14+ 282 pages Description :  When Katie Lapp, an Amish woman from Hickory Hollow, Pennsylvania, stumbles across a satin infant gown in her parents' attic, it leads to a devastating confession from her parents that completely changes her life. My Rating: 4/5 Oh my word! What a great book! I saw the movie first which ignited my desire to read the book (but also spoiled some things). I am amazed at how closely related the book and movie were (not exact, of course) but still - a rarity. The entire book was so good! I was entertained the ENTIRE time. I also feel very knowledgeable now in the ways of the Amish community. I was wanting more of Katie and Daniel Fisher's interactions from the past. Although she refers to Daniel and their time spent together often, and some is mentioned, it was so good I wanted more! SPOILER!  The ending was so unexpected! I knew what was going to h...

This is the 2nd book in the  Home to Hickory Hollow  series by Beverly Lewis but can be read as a standalone . The review of the first book,  The Fiddler,  can be found  here . Recommended Age:  13-14+ 318 pages Description :  Joanna Kurtz has made several trips to the altar, but never as a bride. The young Amishwoman is a closet writer whose stories aren't her only secret.  Eben Troyer hopes to make Joanna his bride--if he can ever leave his parents' farm in Shipshewana, Indiana. Yet Eben's hopes to build a life with Joanna hinge on his brother's return from the English world . . . My Rating: 5/5 This book is absolutely adorable! I flew through it, having been captivated by the compelling storyline and creative characters. I love that it is a continuation of Hickory Hollow (the set of the first book, the Fiddler, and  The Heritage of Lancaster County  series). Beverly Lewis most assuredly has a gift! Things to be aware of in “The Brides...

This is the first book in the  Home to Hickory Hollow  series by: Beverly Lewis.   Recommended Age:  14+ (solely or attention span) 328 pages Description :  A wrong turn in a rainstorm leads Englisher Amelia Devries to Michael Hostetler--and the young Amishman's charming Old Order community of Hickory Hollow. Despite their very different backgrounds, Amelia and Michael both feel hemmed in by the expectations of others and struggle with how to find room for their own hopes.  What first seems to be a chance encounter might just change their lives forever . . . My Rating: 4/5 This really was such a sweet book! I love the familiar characters from The Shunning   while still making it its own story entirely. The spiritual elements are strong and very much appreciated! The gospel is clear and transformative! Praise God! SPOILER!   The only thing I did NOT like that feelings begin to grow despite one member being in a relationship. That is quite simply no...