Where I got this book:
Through Netgalley - Harvest House Publishers
Rating: ★★★★★
Synopsis: Readers of
Kelly Irvin’s Bliss Creek Amish novels will be overjoyed to discover her new
series for lovers of Amish fiction: The New Hope Amish. In the first
installment, Love Still Stands, a group of dedicated families leaves Bliss
Creek to establish a new community in Missouri. Among them is Bethel Graber, a
beautiful young woman with a passion for teaching. But after being disabled in
a terrible accident, overseeing a classroom is out of the question…and romance
seems a long-lost dream.
Bethel begins physical
therapy, determined to make a fresh start. But that won’t be easy in the town
of New Hope, where the locals seem anything but eager to welcome their new
Amish neighbors. Amid growing intimidation from the community, Bethel must find
the strength to face her many challenges and the faith to believe that God
still has a plan—and a love—for her life.
(Netgalley)
Year Published:
September 1, 2013
My review:
This is one of the most
enjoyable Amish fictions I've read in a while. Irvin has really done a good job
here with bringing these characters to life! The challenges and arguments that
they had left me feeling frustrated, angry, excited, and happy right along with
them. There are so many elements and struggles going on with this book that I
really appreciated. It's nice to have a story rich with storylines.
I had my fingers
crossed, unlike Luke's wife, that he would please please please become the
bishop because I have never read a story where a main character was the head of
the community. I've also never read a story where the Amish characters weren't
so welcome where they had settled. I liked that as a subject matter because, as
Christians, we're often told that we are going to have to expect to be treated
and misunderstood like our Christ. Because we often read about well-established
communities, or friendly neighbors, we don't often see the other side of that
for the Amish in fiction. I found the stand off with the teenagers and Luke in
the barn to be so inspirational. Instead of threatening and violence, Luke
talks them down with kindness and even welcomes them to come inside his house.
Of course they refuse, but I really got a lot from that - so often we're told
to emulate Jesus and to remain in peace even when others have threatened or
wronged you, but sometimes it's difficult to imagine exactly what that would be
like.
I'll preface talking
about Bethel by mentioning how much I like the name Bethel. This character is
certainly flawed, but she comes with her own set of integrity and ability to
withstand adversity. When her sister is downright unkind to her, Bethel does
not lash out at her. She stands firm in her beliefs even when tempted with the
friendship and understanding an outsider who so happens to also be attracted to
her. She wavers and she makes mistakes because she is a flawed and relatable
character, but what is so inspirational about her is how she picks up right
where she left off and continues working to follow her Christian principles.
I got frustrated with
her more than once as she struggled to overcome and heal herself. I didn't
agree with her entirely in many ways and sometimes wished she had a more gentle
and appreciative approach. I was really glad when she got her happily ever
after and that things were righted with Luke and her sister too in the end.
This is a great read
that I would recommend to any Amish fiction lover as both a fresh perspective
and a rich storyline.
Happy Reading!
Casey
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