The First Love

One of the reasons I selected this book is because it addressed some topics that I have not seen in Amish romances or stories. These topics include the remarriage of a parent who is widowed, and how the children react to this new family. Another topic was dealing with a disability. I thought the plot bogged down at times and I wished it would move forward, as it seemed a bit tedious. However, it is worth a read.

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

Packed full of emotion and Biblical truth, this latest novel by Beverly Lewis explores young Maggie’s struggle with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis as she comes of age. The First Love also reveals Maggie’s family’s struggle to accept their father’s new wife, less than a year after their beloved Mamm dies.
The reason I enjoyed the book was that it helped me see life from the perspective of people who have had a very different experience than myself.
Lewis carefully brings out the details of a disease like Maggie’s. Life is never predictable, health-wise, from day-to-day. Others may or may not understand the inability of one with RA to do tasks one day that they could do the day before. Bad health can make a romantic future show more uncertain. I learned to love Maggie and was especially glad when she takes a risk that changes her life.
I also really enjoyed the wisdom of Aunt Nellie. I am fortunate to have a godly person in my life with that kind of wisdom.
The camp meetings are an integral part of the narrative, yet I was torn, wondering if there was a way to get this most important message across without being preachy. It felt like the book was only a vehicle for the message at that point.
On to more positive. Having survived my own kids’ teenage years, I can identify just a pinch with Rachel who feels she is desperately trying to find her place in her stepchildren's lives, let alone hearts. What a tough journey she undertakes, so courageously!
Quotables I loved:
Aunt Nellie’s goal: ”Her goal is to make one person smile every single day. "Definitely one of my goals.
"God won’t guide his footsteps unless he’s willin’ to move his feet.” God works best in those willing to obey.
And lastly, a prayer for my adult children: "I pray you never disdain prayer. It’s the simplest way you can serve our Lord, and suffering won’t hold you from it...”
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley. All opinions are my own and no review was required. show less

It's a little different than the typical Amish fiction. The main character, Maggie Esh, suffers from juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. I know there have been some studies done on hereditary diseases within the Amish community, but I don't know if this is one of them that is common.

Because the pain of her illness restricts her and because she feels most Amish men want robust wives who can care for a house and family, Maggie usually doesn't go to many events. She also can't help around the house as much as her stepmother, Rachel, would like. There are times Maggie would just like to be a normal teen-almost-adult.

Maggie is invited to a tent revival by her Mennonite cousins. The revival ignites a passion for God's word in Maggie and brings show more forth ideas she's not noticed before.

This leads into the title where our "first love" should be our love for God. There's also the fact that Maggie's first love is Jimmy Bieler, who is also featured in this novel.

Lewis does a good job of weaving the Amish vernacular into her novel. It's not intrusive (as it has been with some other authors of Amish fiction that I've read). I guess I've read enough Amish fiction that I know what most of the terms mean when I see them, but most seem self explanatory to me. show less

Maggie’s approaching milestone birthday sends her reminiscing about her past. Nearly all of this book is a flashback. The reader meets Maggie as an older teenager, hampered by juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. The oldest of several children, their widowed Dat remarries, causing some hard feelings in the family, especially with one of his sons. Author Beverly Lewis deals with some weighty subjects: death, remarriage, chronic illness, lack of faith, finding faith, coming-of-age, and relationships, both familial and romantic. The characters show growth and development as the story unwinds. I liked the framing of the story, in which the prologue hints of the unknown ending, but where the bulk of the story takes place in chronological order. show more This well-written novel will appeal to readers who enjoy Amish fiction and books with strong Christian values. show less

The First Love by Beverly Lewis takes us to Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. It is the summer of 1998 when Maggie’s reminiscing takes her back in time to June of 1951. Maggie misses her mother every day and it is hard to see her father move on so quickly. Joseph, Maggie’s father, married Rachel just seven months after his wife’s death. Maggie has suffered from juvenile rheumatoid arthritis since she was eleven and the debilitating pain keeps her confined to bed many days. Maggie longs to be like the other women in her community, but she does not believe any man would want to be burdened by her. Maggie could talk to her mother about her concerns and she misses her warm, understanding presence. A tent revival meeting is coming to the show more area for six weeks and Maggie asks permission to attend. The minister’s messages are meaningful and have Maggie thinking about God and his saving grace. The future is filled with possibilities and hope. Join Maggie on her journey in The First Love.

I have read all of Beverly Lewis’s books and was looking forward to reading The First Love. I found The First Love to a slow paced story, though, it does pick up slightly in the second half. There are numerous characters in The First Love and it is hard to keep them all straight. Maggie comes from a large family with aunts, cousins, siblings plus there are her friends, the tent revival preacher, and so many more. There are two intertwining storylines in the book. At times, though, the book was disjointed (lacked a good flow). There is Maggie’s storyline plus her family adjusting to a new stepmother. I could understand what Maggie was going through with her painful disease. The pain gets to a person and affects their mood as well as outlook on life. It can be difficult to get up and do things during the day. I thought the author dealt with the topic respectfully and realistically. The ending wrapped up too quickly and felt unrealistic. It seemed the author had reached her word limit and quickly wrapped up Maggie’s story. The Christian elements are predominant. Relevant scripture verses are sprinkled throughout the story that help Maggie on her faith journey. We are also reminded the importance of prayer (anywhere and anytime), God’s grace, leaving our worries with God, reading the Bible, and having faith. I liked to see Maggie grow in her faith and become closer to God. I am giving The First Love 3 out of 5 stars. While this is not my favorite book by Beverly Lewis, I am still a fan of her work who looks forward to her next story. show less

What a story the author has given us, one that affects many people, not always with the same illness, but we can put faces on this Amish family.
A young woman about to join her church and a longing for a family of her own, but with her limitations and days of non-movement, she is sure she will never wed and have her own family.
We also meet another woman who has given her heart to a man who is a widower and has a ready-made family, but she seems to put her wishes and desires aside to make his family happy.
I loved that we get to experience revival meetings, and our Amish girl is so in love with the Lord, and you want to be with her, but will her family and church allow her going to these meetings? Will she want to go out into the English show more world because of this?
This is a sweet read, and so many characters are brought to the fore front, and we get to meet and be with each of them and enjoy the time spent.
You will find this one a compelling page turner, and you won’t regret spending time here!

I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Bethany House and was not required to give a positive review. show less

After reading two great Lewis novels before this one, I was bummed but not super surprised to be "not a fan". I just haven't really enjoyed most of her things lately. This one was extremely slow-moving and very disjointed and clunky. It seemed strange to me that the traveling evangelists weren't a part of the entire story...and I just feel like that whole idea could have been so much better. I just don't think she really made it a part of the whole story. Disappointing...it could have been so much better.