Review: An Amish Reunion

 

 

 

Synopsis:

From bestselling authors in the Amish genre come four stories about reuniting with those you love.

Their True Home by Amy Clipston

When Marlene Bawell moved from Bird-in-Hand ten years ago, she was in the deepest of mourning for her mother. Now her family has moved back so her father can seek employment after being laid off. To help save money, Marlene works at the hardware store owned by Rudy Swarey’s father. She knew Rudy growing up and had a secret crush on him, though he never seemed to notice her. But just as a friendship between them begins to blossom, her life is once again turned upside down. Will Marlene ever have a chance to find her own true home?

A Reunion of Hearts by Beth Wiseman

Ruth and Gideon Beiler experienced one of life’s most tragic events. Unable to get past their grief, the couple abandoned their Amish faith and went in different directions, though neither could bear to formally dissolve the marriage. When their loved ones reach out to them to come home for a family reunion, Ruth has reason to believe that Gideon won’t be there. Gideon also thinks that Ruth has declined the invitation. Family and friends are rooting for them to reunite, but will it all be enough for Ruth and Gideon to get past their grief and recapture a time when they were in love and had a bright future ahead of them?

A Chance to Remember by Kathleen Fuller

Cevilla Schlabach, Birch Creek’s resident octogenarian matchmaker, is surprised when Richard, a man from her Englisch past, arrives in Birch Creek for a visit. While he and Cevilla take several walks down memory lane, they wonder what the future holds for them at this stage of life—friendship, or the possibility of something else?

Mended Hearts by Kelly Irvin

At eighteen Hannah Kauffman made a terrible mistake. Her parents and members of her Jamesport Amish community say they’ve forgiven her. But she feels their eyes following her everywhere she goes with eighteen-month-old Evie. Thaddeus, Evie’s father, escaped this fate by running away from Jamesport. Now that Thaddeus is gone, Hannah’s old friend Phillip is stepping up to be by her side. He has waited patiently for Hannah to realize just how much he cares for her. But when Thaddeus returns after two years, Hannah can’t deny the love she feels for him. Does the fact that Phillip has waited patiently for her all this time mean that she owes him something? Can she trust either one of them? Can she trust herself? She has repented and been forgiven by the One who is most important—her heavenly Father. But is she willing to risk making more mistakes by opening herself up to love?

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

I absolutely loved this anthology of Amish fiction stories. Each one was done by a favorite Amish writer of mine. Gobbling up these stories is easy. The writers made each tale come to life. The characters stole my heart with every page.

Amy Clipston’s story of Their True Home was heartfelt. A young woman who lost her mom and then is taken from the place she called home. Her father is struggling with being a single parent. He feels angry that his daughter feels the need to work in order to help the family. He wants to head back to Indiana and instead of staying with his family. He too, once called Bird-In-Hand home. But memories of his wife make it difficult for him.

Beth Wiseman’s story, A Reunion of Hearts, was just as emotional. A young Amish couple once deeply in love have been separated by their grief. They allowed their loss to tear them apart. Now, family and friends are working to bring them together. Only each spouse thinks the other won’t come. But both do…and their love is renewed. However, only time will tell if they will heal and forgive each other. I found this story inspiring and unique. Amish can’t marry and then break away. They have to work at their marriage for bad or good, sickness or health, and for rich or poor. Yet these two let the weight of sadness overcome they love they have. Grief is a lot easier to bear when shared. This couple grieved and bore the pain separately. It caused a drift but with some faith and family help, nothing is impossible.

Kathleen Fuller’s story, A Chance to Remember, was a tale of unexpected love and friendships. Isn’t there a saying that says, friendship is the building chip to a deeper relationship? Both Cevilla the matchmaker and her Englisher friend,  Richard, may just find their path to happiness. This was a sweet story featuring an older couple. Not many stories feature grandparents but this one did. It solely focused on a couple in their later years. I enjoyed the shyness from Richard and the determined Cevilla.

Kelly Irvin’s Mended Hearts is one of the best stories to end this anthology. It contains a tale about a younger Amish woman who fell to modern ways of living. She made a mistake and seeks forgiveness. Yet she still feels the eyes of everyone watching her like a hawk. Just waiting for Hannah to break away again. But not everyone is waiting for her to make mistakes. A young Amish fellow has been kindly waiting for the right moment to love Hannah the way she deserves to be loved. It both broke and mended my heart reading this story. Heartfelt, deep, and engaging I could not stop reading it.

Overall, I recommend this Amish collection of stories to all readers. From young to old, these stories have captured my heart and soul. They felt so real. I cried, laughed, and rooted all the way to the end. An Amish Reunion is a must read.