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theavidreaderandbibliophile's review against another edition
5.0
Abiding Mercy by Ruth Reid is An Amish Mercies Novel. Fifteen years prior in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, Roslyn Colepepper is loading groceries into her car. She is attacked and her car is stolen with her eighteen-month-old daughter, Adrianna inside. The FBI are immediately called in. They soon find the abductors car and watch as it goes over a bridge and into the river. They do not find any survivors. Fast forward fifteen years to Posen, Michigan. Faith Pinkham is sixteen years old and works at her families’ restaurant, The Amish Table with her sister, mother and cousin. Olivia, Faith’s sister, seems to resent Faith and treats her terribly. One day they receive a call that their parents, Mordecai and Irma, were in an accident. It will take them weeks to recover. In the meantime, they must ensure that the farm chores are done and the restaurant continues to earn money. Olivia prefers to spend her time with her Englischer friends, and Faith is afraid that Olivia will soon jump the fence. Luckily, Faith has the help of Gideon Fohrer. As they spend time together, they grow closer. On the fifteenth anniversary of Adrianna’s kidnapping, The Detroit News runs an article with a picture of what Adrianna would look like now. Faith’s parents return home and life is getting back on track. Then one day Faith’s life changes irrevocably. Faith now questions who she is and where she belongs. What does the future hold for her? Faith is embarking on a journey. To see what happens to Faith, you will need to read Abiding Mercy.
Abiding Mercy is a well-crafted story. The book has well-developed characters in an engaging story. I was drawn into the story and read late into the night. We get to see both sides of the situation in Abiding Mercy as the novel tells us Faith’s story and the Colepepper’s (mostly Roslyn). Ms. Reid did a superb job at weaving the past and present together into one appealing story. My rating for Abiding Mercy is 4.25 out of 5 stars. I did, though, find it a wee bit predictable. Partway into the book, I knew how the story would play out. That did not stop me, though, from devouring the book. There are a couple of unexpected twists. I appreciated that the romantic element was light. I liked the message that God is always with us. He is there to help and guide us (if we want His help). I did feel that the ending was a little rushed. At the end of the book, I am left wondering about the red-haired man. He is a present in different forms throughout the whole book. Who is he? I will be curious to see if he is present in the other books in the series. I would like to know more about Olivia (she needs a book of her own). Abiding Mercy is not your traditional (expected) Amish novel (which I welcomed). I will be eagerly anticipating the next edition in An Amish Mercies series.
Abiding Mercy is a well-crafted story. The book has well-developed characters in an engaging story. I was drawn into the story and read late into the night. We get to see both sides of the situation in Abiding Mercy as the novel tells us Faith’s story and the Colepepper’s (mostly Roslyn). Ms. Reid did a superb job at weaving the past and present together into one appealing story. My rating for Abiding Mercy is 4.25 out of 5 stars. I did, though, find it a wee bit predictable. Partway into the book, I knew how the story would play out. That did not stop me, though, from devouring the book. There are a couple of unexpected twists. I appreciated that the romantic element was light. I liked the message that God is always with us. He is there to help and guide us (if we want His help). I did feel that the ending was a little rushed. At the end of the book, I am left wondering about the red-haired man. He is a present in different forms throughout the whole book. Who is he? I will be curious to see if he is present in the other books in the series. I would like to know more about Olivia (she needs a book of her own). Abiding Mercy is not your traditional (expected) Amish novel (which I welcomed). I will be eagerly anticipating the next edition in An Amish Mercies series.
kbranfield's review
4.0
In Abiding Mercy, Ruth Reid combines elements of mystery, faith, romance and the tiniest hint of the supernatural into an engrossing novel. This first installment in the Amish Mercies series will leave readers eagerly awaiting future installments.
Unlike other Amish teenagers her age, Faith Pinkham has no interest in Rumspringa and she is already taking classes to prepare for her upcoming baptism. She enjoys working in her family's restaurant but her already busy life becomes quite hectic due to her sister Olivia's frequent absences and their parents recent buggy accident. Her good friend Gideon Rohrer quickly steps in to lend a hand both in the restaurant and on their farm. Faith's feelings for Gideon run deeper than friendship but their relationship is complicated by his history with Olivia. With Olivia's involvement the Englisch world deepening, dare Faith hope for a future with Gideon?
Faith is wonderful, giving person who is confident of her place in the world. Despite her frustrations with Olivia's behavior, she never loses her temper or lashes out at her. She instead prays for her sister while at the same time remaining hopeful they will repair their strained relationship. Faith is also quite conflicted by her growing closeness to Gideon due to her loyalty to Olivia. But is Faith's devotion to her sister misplaced?
Unbeknownst to Faith, her world is about to collide with someone from the Englisch world as the fifteen year anniversary of a kidnapped toddler draws near. Roslyn Colepepper has never given up hoping her daughter Adriana will be found and she convinces authorities to re-examine the unsolved case. Will an age enhanced picture and extensive media coverage aid Roslyn in her search for her missing daughter? And what, if any, connection is there between Faith, Roslyn and a mysterious red-haired stranger?
With a gentle undercurrent of faith, Abiding Mercyis a heartwarming story that fans of Amish fiction are sure to love. Ruth Reid deftly weaves the various story arcs into an emotionally compelling novel that is impossible to put down. The Amish Mercies series is off to a wonderful beginning with this utterly captivating first installment.
Unlike other Amish teenagers her age, Faith Pinkham has no interest in Rumspringa and she is already taking classes to prepare for her upcoming baptism. She enjoys working in her family's restaurant but her already busy life becomes quite hectic due to her sister Olivia's frequent absences and their parents recent buggy accident. Her good friend Gideon Rohrer quickly steps in to lend a hand both in the restaurant and on their farm. Faith's feelings for Gideon run deeper than friendship but their relationship is complicated by his history with Olivia. With Olivia's involvement the Englisch world deepening, dare Faith hope for a future with Gideon?
Faith is wonderful, giving person who is confident of her place in the world. Despite her frustrations with Olivia's behavior, she never loses her temper or lashes out at her. She instead prays for her sister while at the same time remaining hopeful they will repair their strained relationship. Faith is also quite conflicted by her growing closeness to Gideon due to her loyalty to Olivia. But is Faith's devotion to her sister misplaced?
Unbeknownst to Faith, her world is about to collide with someone from the Englisch world as the fifteen year anniversary of a kidnapped toddler draws near. Roslyn Colepepper has never given up hoping her daughter Adriana will be found and she convinces authorities to re-examine the unsolved case. Will an age enhanced picture and extensive media coverage aid Roslyn in her search for her missing daughter? And what, if any, connection is there between Faith, Roslyn and a mysterious red-haired stranger?
With a gentle undercurrent of faith, Abiding Mercyis a heartwarming story that fans of Amish fiction are sure to love. Ruth Reid deftly weaves the various story arcs into an emotionally compelling novel that is impossible to put down. The Amish Mercies series is off to a wonderful beginning with this utterly captivating first installment.
amandainpa's review
3.0
Review on my blog: https://amandainpa.wordpress.com/2017/08/28/abiding-mercy-by-ruth-reid-review/
wanna_read's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
amandainpa's review against another edition
3.0
Review on my blog: https://amandainpa.wordpress.com/2017/08/28/abiding-mercy-by-ruth-reid-review/
kristi518's review against another edition
5.0
In my best talk show persona voice... YOU should read this book! THEY should read this book! EVERYBODY should read this booooook!!!! Ok, now that I have that out of my system I have to say that everyone really should read this book. Why? Because. It. Is. SENSATIONAL!!!!!
From the opening scene of this book I was riveted to the story. I felt like I was right there with Roslyn pushing that cart with the messed up wheel and rushing around the grocery store. I have to be honest and say I didn't care for Roslyn as she was a bit on the uppity side but Ruth Reid created a character that, even though I didn't like, I could sympathize with as events unfolded. The tension and the uncertainty felt real.
Faith Pinkham is leading a pretty normal Amish life. She helps her parents out at home and also works in the family restaurant. Faith is very responsible for someone who is sixteen yet she has a fun side that we see when she is spending time with her friend, Gideon. I loved the chemistry between these two. There is some tension between them as Gideon was Faith's sister Olivia's boyfriend but things have changed and it's easy to see that Faith and Gideon have an attraction to each other that is innocent, sweet, and awkward at times. These two are impossible not to fall in love with. Ruth Reid is a master at teasing the reader with the possibility that these two are going to kiss and it doesn't happen. But when it finally does....oh how I had butterflies in my stomach! It was the perfect scene for these two and thank you to Ruth for writing it like she did.
The story itself was wonderful and the pace of the book was just right. Going back and forth between the Colepepper's searching for their daughter and Faith dealing with her parents being in an accident and Olivia not helping out kept the story moving and there was never a dull moment. Even though it may be a bit predictable as to the outcome of the story there are plot twists and turns along the way and isn't that what life is? Full of twists and turns to keep things interesting and never boring? I loved all of the descriptions that Ruth put in the story because they made me feel as if I was part of the story and not just reading it. Ruth Reid's writing is absolutely amazing!
I rated this book as a 5-star read because that's as many stars as I could give it. So since I can't give it more than 5 stars I will give it 6 hearts because that's how much I loved this story! I can easily see myself reading this book again and again just so I can spend more time with these characters I have come to know and love. I'm curious as to what story is waiting to be told in the next story of the series and can't wait to read it.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher and was not obligated to write a review. All opinions are mine.
From the opening scene of this book I was riveted to the story. I felt like I was right there with Roslyn pushing that cart with the messed up wheel and rushing around the grocery store. I have to be honest and say I didn't care for Roslyn as she was a bit on the uppity side but Ruth Reid created a character that, even though I didn't like, I could sympathize with as events unfolded. The tension and the uncertainty felt real.
Faith Pinkham is leading a pretty normal Amish life. She helps her parents out at home and also works in the family restaurant. Faith is very responsible for someone who is sixteen yet she has a fun side that we see when she is spending time with her friend, Gideon. I loved the chemistry between these two. There is some tension between them as Gideon was Faith's sister Olivia's boyfriend but things have changed and it's easy to see that Faith and Gideon have an attraction to each other that is innocent, sweet, and awkward at times. These two are impossible not to fall in love with. Ruth Reid is a master at teasing the reader with the possibility that these two are going to kiss and it doesn't happen. But when it finally does....oh how I had butterflies in my stomach! It was the perfect scene for these two and thank you to Ruth for writing it like she did.
The story itself was wonderful and the pace of the book was just right. Going back and forth between the Colepepper's searching for their daughter and Faith dealing with her parents being in an accident and Olivia not helping out kept the story moving and there was never a dull moment. Even though it may be a bit predictable as to the outcome of the story there are plot twists and turns along the way and isn't that what life is? Full of twists and turns to keep things interesting and never boring? I loved all of the descriptions that Ruth put in the story because they made me feel as if I was part of the story and not just reading it. Ruth Reid's writing is absolutely amazing!
I rated this book as a 5-star read because that's as many stars as I could give it. So since I can't give it more than 5 stars I will give it 6 hearts because that's how much I loved this story! I can easily see myself reading this book again and again just so I can spend more time with these characters I have come to know and love. I'm curious as to what story is waiting to be told in the next story of the series and can't wait to read it.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher and was not obligated to write a review. All opinions are mine.
thefictionkitten's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book!
I knew the twist early on but it didn’t stop me from enjoying the book. It was well written and I understood it with some knowledge of the Amish.
I knew the twist early on but it didn’t stop me from enjoying the book. It was well written and I understood it with some knowledge of the Amish.
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