It’s 1971, and Betsie Troyer’s peaceful and predictable life is about to become anything but.
When their parents flee the Amish, nineteen-year-old Betsie and her seventeen-year-old sister Sadie are distraught. Under the dubious guidance of a doting aunt, the girls struggle to keep the secret, praying their parents will return before anyone learns the truth—a truth that may end all hopes of Betsie’s marriage to Charley Yoder.
Learn more at Stephanie’s website.
Stephanie Reed lives on the outskirts of Plain City, Ohio, site of a once-thriving Amish community. She gleans ideas for her novels from signs glimpsed along the byways of Ohio, as she did for her previous books, “Across the Wide River” and “The Light Across the River.”
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I am an incredible fan of Amish fiction, but I do hold it to a somewhat high standard. While I may jump at the chance to review an Amish fiction book, I do expect the story to be well-written, and the Christian message needs to be clear. I do not intend to read the same story over and over again. I am somewhat reticent when reading an author is new to me in the genre, and sometimes I am disappointed.
Not so with Stephanie Reed! I have never read a historical Amish fiction book, but I think that is the best way to describe this. I was even more pleased to read that the author had loosely based this story on a real life person. There is nothing better than that! The story was well-written, and she always kept the reader guessing as to what the next step in the story might be. She even left the story somewhat open-ended at the conclusion which leaves the option of a sequel (I hope so!). I have never read a story of someone leaving the Amish, and I was amazed to read about some of the more disconcerting beliefs associated with this faith.
The Christian message is strong in this novel. I have never seen potential fallacies of Amish belief stated so clearly in a book, and it truly made me realize that although I could never be Amish because of lifestyle, I don’t think I could ever espouse their belief system. I also realize and accept the fact that it does depend on the Amish community as to what exactly is believed. Regardless, the Amish people tend to be way too legalistic for me, and that was true back in the 1970’s, too.
I recommend this very different kind of Amish book to my readers. It is an easy read, and I believe it will make you consider your own faith, belief system, and what is truly important in this world.
I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I was not financially compensated, and all opinions are 100 percent mine.
