Autumn's Promise

It's time to return one more time to the folks at Sugarcreek and this time the main focus of the story is on Lily Allen. She was the pregnant teenager who had minor plot lines in previous books and now the attention is focused on her. Lily has always been one of my favorite characters throughout the series because she is outspoken and very independent. That is one of the reasons why Robert falls for her. Their relationship was very interesting to read. It wasn't like any other Amish/English relationship in other books. They had a LOT of chemistry together. My favorite scene happened when Lily is taking Robert's order at the restaurant and asks him what he wants and all he says is "You." *Swoon!* And that is coming from a normally show more reserved Amish guy!

There's sort of a Romeo/Juliet scenario that happens with how both families don't want to encourage the relationship. Robert's side condemns Lily for having been pregnant and the fact that she would never fit in the Amish where Lily's family is worried that she will never be able to fit in. However the pair ignore the naysayers and continue their relationship even though they know that sooner or later, they will have to face reality and make a decision.

The story also deals with Caleb, an Amish teenager who is struggling with what he wants to do in life. He doesn't know whether he wants to stay Amish or join the outside world. Unfortunately for him, at first all his experiences with the English world are not so good, as the teens he hang around with drink and smoke among other bad habits. He's also afraid of telling his parents his feelings because he's worried at how they would react to the confusion he's facing. While probably not intended at all, this is the probably the closest scenario I can see to how a LGBT teenager in the Amish world would feel.

*SPOILER*

I was SO happy with the ending of the book. Seriously, if you have ever read any of my other reviews on Amish fiction, you know that one of my biggest complaints is how someone from the outside world will join the Amish to be with the person they love. And I hate that because it RARELY ever happens in real life. That is why I loved the ending of this book because it didn't happen!

And this is why Shelley Shepard Gray is my favorite Amish author. I love her books because they are realistic, non preachy, and she allows the characters to act as they are without forcing them to change their personalities. The Amish are allowed simply to be Amish and those from the outside are allowed to stay as they are. The two sides mix together because they are neighbors but there is never any pressure to give up who you really are unless you truly want to. Even then, it's ok to backtrack on your decision.

If you don't read Amish fiction, you probably won't understand my happiness over the ending of this book. However, if you do read Amish fiction and share my feelings, I think you will understand. I love Gray's books and I will continue to read more of hers because I love her style of writing. Even though the subject matter is one I have issues with, she handles them in a way that makes me enjoy reading her books and always wanting more. show less

This is the third book in the Seasons of Sugarcreek series. It continues the story of Lillie-the Englischer, and Robert-the Amish widower. The book is well written and held my interest to the end. I could hardly wait to see what happened between Lilie and Robert. The end was quite a shock, not what I expected at all! I can't wait for the final book of this series to be published.

This will probably be the most difficult book of this series for me to review. In fact, I’m not even certain that I can do it without giving too much away (I detest spoilers) but I’m going to give it my best shot.

“Autumn’s Promise” is the third book in Shelley Shepard Gray’s Seasons of Sugarcreek series and it is most definitely my least favorite ending so far.

However, I give Shelley full marks for her hard work. I am not certain that it was possible to write an ending to such a difficult situation that would have made everyone who read it happy.

Just using the back cover blurb (which doesn’t really give anything away in my opinion) let me give you a couple of hints about my irritation…

First, in my opinion, giving up show more technology and a car are not at all the same as giving up your independence or who you are as a person. However, I can assure you that at least 70% of the other women who read this book will not agree with me. My opinions on this subject are drawn from my own desire to be a Proverbs 31 woman.

In fact, my beliefs are most likely much closer to the Amish community than at least 90% of the other women who will or have read this book series. My own beliefs and feelings may even be more fervent than a lot of Mennonite women who have grown up straddling two worlds.

Second, no matter what anyone thinks, it is not just as easy for Robert Miller to give up his own ways and change for Lilly. Being Amish is not just a denominational difference. They look at marriage and faith in such different ways than we do and to them a vow to the church is just as much a lifelong commitment as marriage is.

And that truly is the way it is to them. A vow is not something that is meant to be broken – EVER. They do not take a vow lightly and they can not simply walk away from their church. Even the few Amish who leave before being baptized lose much of what makes the Amish community so different from the “Englisch” one.

OK. I’ll get off my soapbox now.

Truly I did enjoy the book. I just wish the ending had been a bit different. However, I will not allow my disappointment to lessen my love of Shelley’s books and I fully intend to finish the series, and the series after, and then go back and read her other series as well.

Shelley is a wonderful writer and she handled the ending extremely well, even if I didn’t care for it – it was beautifully written.

And since I imagine almost everyone would enjoy the ending more than I did, I fully recommend this book to everyone! show less

I absolutely love Shelley's work! She is a wonderfully seasoned Amish author. When she writes a series, the first installment is a wonderful one but each installment after is better than the one before. Each one also picks up right where the one before left off, bringing with it all the amazing characters from the past with it. FABULOUS!

Autumn's Promise is beautifully done. We saw a lot of Lilly in Winter's Awakening and Spring's Renewal, and alot of Robert in Spring's Renewal, as secondary characters, but this novel is created around their story. Lilly and Robert are from two VERY different worlds, one English and one Amish, but there's sparks flying and one thing that they both share and what bonds them beyond a simple friendship: show more heartache. Both Lilly and Robert have been through the deepest, sorrowful heartache one could bear, and they can't seem to let go of the past, nor can they deny the attraction they feel, despite the gossip spreading through Sugarcreek. Mixed with their heartache, the strength of family, trust and faith and a feeling of love is woven through out. These tender characters become your family, capture your heart completely and share their life's lessons with the reader.

As you read Autumn's Promise, you realize that this a bittersweet novel...you're saying goodbye to fabulous friends and a feeling of peace and belonging. It's a 5 star book that is full of lessons and is an outstanding conclusion to an incredibly penned Amish series. I highly recommend this to all Amish lovers and to those who've never read one, please start with Shelley's amazing novels! show less

In this final novel in the trilogy, author Shelly Shepard Gray illustrates the turmoil that occurs when the communities of the Amish and English mix. Whether it involves friendships or something deeper, it is hard for the two factions to really understand each other. Should an Englisher help a young Amish boy to leave home or encourage him to stay with his family? Can an English woman give up her lifestyle to embrace the Amish religion? If she can’t, can the Amish man who loves her give up his family and faith and be shunned by the Amish community? These are just some of the issues that are explored in this novel. With a well thought out plot and endearing characters, this tale is sure to capture your interest. You will want to read show more the first to books in the series before concluding with this one. show less

I enjoyed this book and the teaser for the beginning of her next series. I wasn't sure if I should read this not reading the first two, but it was okay. Her writing and characters are very good. I expected it mostly to be about LIlly and Robert, but the parts about Caleb fit in near the end.

Whenever I read one book of a series, I usually succumb to reading the remaining books of the series. This is labeled the Seasons of Sugarcreek, stories set in Ohio about an Amish community and the interaction with the English or non-Amish people. The story is written simply, but with wonderful friendship, understanding, and love. In this story, a sixteen-year-old Amish boy must decide his future. Will Caleb remain an Amish farmer or venture into the English world? This story also centers on the budding friendship between Robert, a 24-year-old Amish widower, and Lilly, a 19-year-old non-Amish girl. Yes, even Amish children have trouble with their parents and run amok at times. The central theme is that God watches and gives each person show more choices show less