Patricia Davids

This had a well-constructed plot, engaging the reader from the get-go with the tough spot Katie’s in, basically alone in the world with a newborn, little experience with the outside world and her Amish community not entirely open to her return. There’s solid conflict for Katie over whether to come back to Amish life or not, and the father of her baby being an outsider adds another layer of interest.

I thought the romance was a well done example of how you can have a chaste scenario and show more still convey chemistry. I also appreciated that Elam waits for Katie to make up her own mind on her own terms, he’s not pressuring her back into their religion, he gives her the space to make her own decision.

I also liked that Elam and his mother step in to help Katie even though walking away from Amish life and having a baby out of wedlock do not align with their faith.

I realize it’s an aspect of their faith, still I did struggle with Elam, Katie, and others for how okay they are with shunning people for differing beliefs, shunning a woman for wanting more than an eighth grade education, etc., (this mentions a family that stays in touch with those who left the faith, for the most part though, shunning is the way here). I also didn’t love the notion in the title and in the story that Katie needs redemption when to me, her brother and her ex-boyfriend were far more in need of self-improvement for how they mistreated her.

Since I’m not a religious person, I go into novels like this aware that some content may not mesh well with my sensibilities, my issues with this novel were mostly just a me thing, I’m never going to be on board with icing someone out of your life because they dared to march to their own drum, fortunately though that was just a small part of this story and not the whole thing. show less

Good combination of a second chance romance with an enemies-to-lovers story. Gemma and Jesse have an awkward history. Eighteen months earlier Gemma had made a pest of herself, flirting with Jesse and following him everywhere. Envious of her married friends, she chose Jesse as the most likely candidate for her husband. Jesse wasn't interested. Eight years older than Gemma, with a difficult past, Jesse saw her as spoiled. When Gemma took the untraditional route of suggesting marriage to him, show more Jesse's response wasn't kind, and Gemma retaliated with harsh words of her own. She then left for Florida, looking for something different than her life in Maine. Now Gemma has returned to Maine with her tail between her legs. The man she thought she loved deserted her when he found out she was pregnant. She heads for home, hoping for understanding and acceptance from her parents, but fearing the worst.

I liked both Jesse and Gemma. Jesse hasn't had an easy life and has a chip on his shoulder because of it. Son of a single mother and a big man, he was bullied through most of his childhood. He tends to be something of a recluse, doesn't talk much, and is insecure about his intelligence. Jesse is also a good man with a kind heart. When he encounters Gemma, stranded and broke, he gets her a motel room and offers her a ride home. He hasn't forgotten the things she said, but he has other things on his mind - namely an auction for some land he wants. Gemma is a changed woman. The spoiled girl who left for Florida has been replaced by one who has learned some hard lessons. Jesse's help makes her remember how horrible she was to him and adds to the stress she feels. Her mind is consumed by thoughts of the future and decisions she has to make.

The trip home doesn't go as expected. A blizzard and a wrecked truck strand them in an isolated area as their driver goes for help. Things are awkward at first as the mistakes of the past come between them. I liked that Gemma made the first overtures by apologizing, though Jesse was a little slow to believe. As the danger of their situation increased, I loved how Jesse stayed cool and calm, eventually taking action to keep them safe. I liked how the forced togetherness gave them the opportunity to clear the air and begin to really get to know each other. I loved how Jesse appreciated Gemma's outspokenness and she his somewhat dry sense of humor. Their teasing was fun to see, especially the parts about tree bark and cattails. Rescue, when it came, brought surprise revelations and changes.

I ached for Gemma and her fears for her future. Her arrival home was painful as she confessed what had happened. Reactions were mixed and left her wondering about the right thing to do. Jesse had decisions to make, as well. He was surprised by his continuing concern for Gemma and confused about what to do. He surprised me with his reaction to her father's offer, and then his offer to Gemma. Both of them struggled with their feelings and their reluctance to tell the other about them. A medical emergency forced them each to face those feelings. Jesse melted my heart with his actions and his overwhelming feelings of love and protectiveness. Gemma's strength and determination were fantastic. I loved seeing how Hope brought them together and ached at how their insecurities preyed on their fears. It took the advice from good friends to help them past those final obstacles. I loved Jesse's big moment at the end. I would have liked an epilogue, but hopefully, they will make appearances in later books. show less

This was a sweet romance with a touch of suspense for added excitement. Lillian is the teacher for forty young scholars in their Amish community. It isn't just her calling, it is the closest she'll ever get to having children of her own, and the reason she will never marry. She accepts that it means occasional loneliness, though that loneliness is often alleviated by her best friend, Timothy. Besides being her friend, Timothy is also a volunteer firefighter for their community. When a fire show more threatens the school, Timothy is among those that come to the rescue.

I loved both Lillian and Timothy. Both are good people who live up to their faith and the traditions of their people. I liked seeing their interactions with both Amish and Englischers. Timothy is an especially friendly and cheerful young man, which occasionally gets him in hot water with the powers-that-be, who wish that he would be a little more standoffish with outsiders. I loved seeing Lillian with her scholars and how important they were to her. There was a fun twist to her teaching when she finally got a second teacher to help her out.

I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Lillian and Timothy. Their friendship has always been a strong one and very close. I loved their ability to tease each other, and also how much they had in common. I especially liked that they shared a love of reading. They have always looked at each other as friends, until the day of the fire. The danger that they experienced made each of them realize that there was more than friendship between them, but both tried to deny their feelings. Timothy was afraid that giving voice to his feelings would ruin their friendship. Lillian was harboring a secret that made her feel that marriage was not an option for her. I ached for them both as their feelings continued to grow and their fears right along with them. I liked how Timothy tried to find a workaround for what he thought was the problem and cried for him when she told him the truth. I felt that both had realistic reactions, which made them even more emotionally charged. I loved the ending as both of them realized that they belonged together and that as long as they had each other, their lives would be blessed.

As a complication to their growing relationship, their community is dealing with an arsonist. The torching of property owned by both Englisch and Amish families puts a strain on the relationships between the two groups. Each side believes that the attacks come from the other group, and suspicion runs rampant. It is especially disheartening for the Amish when it begins to look like the arsonist may be someone in their own community, and the fires continue to escalate. I ached for the community as the frequent fires brought devastating losses. I had a suspicion of who it was and was happy to see that I was right, even though there were doubts about another character.

I liked the various secondary characters. The nurse, Debra, was my favorite. I loved how easily she and Lillian became friends. She has as big a heart as Lillian does, and I enjoyed seeing her come to know and love the Amish people. She was terrific during the fire that threatened the school, and I liked how she stayed close afterward. Her appreciation of the Amish and how they look out for each other ran deep, and I loved how she found a way to help them all at the end. I also liked the insights into Amish culture, from their relationships with the outside world to the way they supported each other in times of trouble. There was a neat twist to that support at the end, and the surprise that was in store for one of those affected by the fires. I was impressed by the view of special needs children as being a gift rather than a curse, and the focus in this book on people with dwarfism. This was my first book by Patricia Davids, but it won't be my last. I definitely want to go back and read the other books in this series. show less

The Hope by Patricia Davids is the second novel in The Amish of Cedar Grove series. The Hope is a sweet story about second chances, hope, love and unexpected surprises. I thought The Hope was well-written and it moved along at a nice steady pace. There was a good flow between Owen and Ruth’s sections. I like that we get to see the situation from a woman and a man’s point-of-view. Ruth Mast is a strong woman who is a widow with two children. Her eldest, Ella has been married two months show more and is departing on her wedding trip. The couple will then move to Jamesport, Missouri. That leaves Ruth’s seventeen year old son, Faron at home who has wanderlust in his eyes. Owen’s stories about traveling around the country have inspired Faron to make a trip of his own, but he has yet to tell Ruth. Owen Mast became an orphan from a buggy accident as a child. Only himself and his three year old sister, Rebecca survived the accident. They were sent to live with two different relatives. Owen promised Rebecca they would get back together and he has been trying to find her since he became an adult. The Hope is a multifaceted novel. Owen finds little Grace and she clings to him. The child gives odd answers and has evidently had a rough life though it is obvious she had a loving mother. Owen and Ruth take care of Grace while the search for the child’s mother as well as answers. Grace is an endearing little girl who stole the show. I especially loved the scene with Grace and Polkadot, the sheep. It was interesting to learn about Icelandic sheep which Ruth raised on her farm (I am now going to seek out some of their wool). I was surprised that the sheep were not washed prior to shearing them. The story has romance and mystery mixed in with mending broken fences. There are wonderful messages in The Hope. The Hope can be read as a standalone if you have not had the time to read The Wish. I started The Hope and kept reading until I finished it. The ending was just delightful. My favorite line from the story is “…home is where your heart is happy.” The Hope is a captivating story that will tug at your heart. show less