Rating: ★★★★★
Synopsis: A Wedding for Julia, the third book in a romantic series from popular author Vannetta Chapman, takes a last look at the Amish community of Pebble Creek and the kind, caring people there. As they face challenges from the English world, they come together to reach out to their non-Amish neighbors while still preserving their cherished Plain ways.
Julia Beechy is so stunned, she can hardly breathe. Her mother's announcement that she must either marry or move from the family home upon her mother's imminent death catches Julia by surprise. How can she leave the only home she has ever known? What about her dream of opening her own Plain caf
When Caleb Zook offers support, comfort, and a solution, Julia is afraid to accept it. Can she marry someone she barely knows? Is it the right thing to do? Is this God's plan for her future?
Caleb thought his time for marrying was long past, but he feels a stirring in his heart he cannot shake for this beautiful, forlorn woman. Amid the circumstances of this life-altering decision, the people of Pebble Creek weather the worst storm to hit Wisconsin in the last hundred years. Where will Julia and Caleb be on the other side of it? (Goodreads)
Year Published: July 1, 2013
My review:
Note: I read this book through Netgalley for the purpose of review.
I really enjoy reading Amish fiction. It's literally my go-to these days for my evening reads. This one, I honestly couldn't put down. The thing I found so refreshing about this one, is that while it followed the arranged marriage (between the two of them) recipe, it did not throw in all of the old, tired ingredients. I liked that Caleb and Julia got married and instead of allowing the total newness to create a valley of awkwardness between them where they would not allow themselves to feel something because they perceived the other didn't feel something (Classic arranged marriage/marriage of convenience conflict point) these two allowed their love to blossom and flourish - and even when they had hit a rough patch, they weren't so frustrating you wanted to throw the book.
I just liked everyone in this story. The characters were so enjoyable and fleshed out that I genuinely felt myself caring for them and rooting for them all to do what they needed to be happy. Ada has me giving my book of Psalms a reread! When Sharon's story began in the midst of this, I didn't really see how she was going to fit in - of course, she eventually becomes a huge part of this story and I liked how the author incorporated her story and the heavier topics of her post-trauma coping mechanisms into the main plot. It gave an added dimension to the novel that you don't often see in light reads. Yet, she did so in such a way that it didn't bog down the story. It just simply added to my care and affection for each character.
I think Chapman is a talented writer and this is the second book I've read from her that I really enjoyed. I'm definitely going to have to make a point to pull more stories from her in the future as it is really pleasant to climb into the world she creates in her novels.
I really enjoy reading Amish fiction. It's literally my go-to these days for my evening reads. This one, I honestly couldn't put down. The thing I found so refreshing about this one, is that while it followed the arranged marriage (between the two of them) recipe, it did not throw in all of the old, tired ingredients. I liked that Caleb and Julia got married and instead of allowing the total newness to create a valley of awkwardness between them where they would not allow themselves to feel something because they perceived the other didn't feel something (Classic arranged marriage/marriage of convenience conflict point) these two allowed their love to blossom and flourish - and even when they had hit a rough patch, they weren't so frustrating you wanted to throw the book.
I just liked everyone in this story. The characters were so enjoyable and fleshed out that I genuinely felt myself caring for them and rooting for them all to do what they needed to be happy. Ada has me giving my book of Psalms a reread! When Sharon's story began in the midst of this, I didn't really see how she was going to fit in - of course, she eventually becomes a huge part of this story and I liked how the author incorporated her story and the heavier topics of her post-trauma coping mechanisms into the main plot. It gave an added dimension to the novel that you don't often see in light reads. Yet, she did so in such a way that it didn't bog down the story. It just simply added to my care and affection for each character.
I think Chapman is a talented writer and this is the second book I've read from her that I really enjoyed. I'm definitely going to have to make a point to pull more stories from her in the future as it is really pleasant to climb into the world she creates in her novels.
Thank you so much for the review, Casey. This is the first review I've seen of A Wedding for Julia. :) Blessings,
ReplyDeleteOh hi! What an honor! Thanks for stopping by and thank you for a great read! :)
DeleteI love Christian Fiction and I especially enjoy ones from different eras (Jane Austen fan here). I tend to avoid Amish fiction. I struggle with this though. I know I would enjoy the stories and spiritual lessons. My problem is that I have lived among the Amish and I have trouble separating fiction and non-fiction. Like in every society, there are good and bad and we all are not perfect. I suppose I have been exposed to the "bad side" of the Amish and it is hard to shake. I know fiction tends to romanticize things and it is a great escape. I am sure there are Amish communities that just want to live the simple life and spiritually support one another. I have not found that in my experience. I do not judge, but something I would need to work through. If I ever met Amish like the ones in the books, I would be elated and it would give me hope. But I have not experienced this.
ReplyDeleteI think what I like most about reading Amish fiction is like what you said, the fantasy portion. I really like the simple, humble, and Christ-like way that they are depicted in fiction. I know it's probably not true to life, but I don't enjoy it because I want to be Amish, but because there are aspects in the ideology that we can take and use for ourselves. Just like I enjoy the simpler time of Jane Austen's Regency culture, I think the idea that there are people that choose to live simply in our modern world both intriguing and charming. There's a quote on my about me page that sums it up best as it essentially says, if there is something you admire about us, take from it and implement it in your own life. That's what I like to do with Amish fiction, is just take a bit of their simplicity and charm and use it in my life. I'm sorry that you've had a poor experience with the Amish. I have never been there more than just passing through, but I've always wondered if I visited if it would enhance or spoil the charm. Thanks for your perspective, it is definitely thought provoking!
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