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elizabethbyleryounts's review
5.0
Leslie Gould doesn't disappoint with this first book in the Neighbors of Lancaster County. For readers who enjoy Amish fiction and perhaps also families who are touched by military life will enjoy this book. A plot where both the Amish way of life and the military lifestyle are handled with care and honestly.
If there are 2 groups of people who take promises very seriously it is the Amish and the military...but they come from such different worlds! Gould wove these two worlds and lifestyles in a seamless way. I would highly recommend this book to Amish fiction and contemporary romance readers!
If there are 2 groups of people who take promises very seriously it is the Amish and the military...but they come from such different worlds! Gould wove these two worlds and lifestyles in a seamless way. I would highly recommend this book to Amish fiction and contemporary romance readers!
lehanna24's review
4.0
This was my first Amish book in a long while and it was nice to dive back into that world and having the mix of English and Amish as neighbors made it a lot more interesting it was slow at points but the ending was worth it
theavidreaderandbibliophile's review
5.0
Amish Promises by Leslie Gould is a lovely Amish fiction book. It is the first book in The Neighbors of Lancaster County series. Amish Promises is set in 2004. Eve Lehman (she is considered an old Maidel) is living with her brother, Tim, who is a widower. She is helping take care of his five children. Eve promises Tim’s wife and her best friend, Abra that she would take care of the children. Eve made a promise to herself that she would never marry an Amish man (she grew up with a harsh father and her brother is very similar). The farmhouse next door has been empty since Old Mr. William’s passed away. Eve received a call the current owner’s daughter and son-in-law would be moving in and asked her to tidy the place up. Eve cleaned up the house and left a special quilt for its new residents.
Shani and Joel Beck along with their son, Zane (he’s twelve) are moving into the farmhouse. Shani is a pediatric nurse and currently pregnant with their second child. Joel was injured in Iraq and is having a difficult time. Shani is hoping the quiet of the country and living in the farmhouse will be helpful and healing for her husband. Zane is excited that there are children next door. What they do not know is that Tim Lehman does not like his family to mix with Englischers (he has good reasons).
The day they move in Zane disappears. Joel, who keeps refusing help, falls down the front steps breaking his leg. Their landline has yet to be installed and, of course, cell phone reception is nonexistent. Shani rushes next door to the Lehman’s to use their phone. Shani finds another emergency in progress. Zane had gone into the barn, scared a horse, which kicked Simon (one of Tim’s sons). Simon is unconscious and has a broken jaw. Two ambulances have to be called. Tim insists that Zane do Simon’s chores until he is well again (they run a dairy farm).
Charlie McCall, Joel’s army buddy and family friend, comes down on weekends to help out the family. He helps them unpack, chop firewood, and plays ball with Zane. Joel, unfortunately, instead of thankful for the help, sees how useless he is and falls into a worse depression. Zane, though, takes to the Lehman children right away and they are fast friends. But you know there is going to be trouble because of Tim. Shani is struggling to take care of the home, Zane, and Joel. Joel sits in front of the television all day and he is constantly worrying about everything (the pregnancy, money, and safety).
Eve loves having Shani nearby and they get to know each other. The children are soon going in and out of the Beck’s home after school. Eve also gets to know Charlie (you can see where this is going to go). Eve is also being courted by the Bishop, Gideon. Eve, though, does not care for the Bishop and tries to avoid him. Both families have their troubles and it is going to take something big to bring them together.
I give Amish Promises 5 out of 5 stars. I really enjoyed reading this book and did not want it to end. I have tried to summarize the book, but it is difficult. There is a lot of action in the book (and I did not want to give away any spoilers). I loved the book’s ending. If you like Amish fiction, you will enjoy Amish Promises.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Shani and Joel Beck along with their son, Zane (he’s twelve) are moving into the farmhouse. Shani is a pediatric nurse and currently pregnant with their second child. Joel was injured in Iraq and is having a difficult time. Shani is hoping the quiet of the country and living in the farmhouse will be helpful and healing for her husband. Zane is excited that there are children next door. What they do not know is that Tim Lehman does not like his family to mix with Englischers (he has good reasons).
The day they move in Zane disappears. Joel, who keeps refusing help, falls down the front steps breaking his leg. Their landline has yet to be installed and, of course, cell phone reception is nonexistent. Shani rushes next door to the Lehman’s to use their phone. Shani finds another emergency in progress. Zane had gone into the barn, scared a horse, which kicked Simon (one of Tim’s sons). Simon is unconscious and has a broken jaw. Two ambulances have to be called. Tim insists that Zane do Simon’s chores until he is well again (they run a dairy farm).
Charlie McCall, Joel’s army buddy and family friend, comes down on weekends to help out the family. He helps them unpack, chop firewood, and plays ball with Zane. Joel, unfortunately, instead of thankful for the help, sees how useless he is and falls into a worse depression. Zane, though, takes to the Lehman children right away and they are fast friends. But you know there is going to be trouble because of Tim. Shani is struggling to take care of the home, Zane, and Joel. Joel sits in front of the television all day and he is constantly worrying about everything (the pregnancy, money, and safety).
Eve loves having Shani nearby and they get to know each other. The children are soon going in and out of the Beck’s home after school. Eve also gets to know Charlie (you can see where this is going to go). Eve is also being courted by the Bishop, Gideon. Eve, though, does not care for the Bishop and tries to avoid him. Both families have their troubles and it is going to take something big to bring them together.
I give Amish Promises 5 out of 5 stars. I really enjoyed reading this book and did not want it to end. I have tried to summarize the book, but it is difficult. There is a lot of action in the book (and I did not want to give away any spoilers). I loved the book’s ending. If you like Amish fiction, you will enjoy Amish Promises.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
caslater83's review
4.0
I've read Leslie Gould's work before so I knew she would do well. "Amish Promises" is an interesting book as the story revolves around two neighboring families: a military English family and one Amish family. It doesn't sound like the most promising relationship, but Eve and Shani hit it off so well. Joel and Tim are not the most agreeable of characters. Tim is a widower who shows favoritism among his children. I don't sense any positive traits about him except for the fact that he seems to be a decent provider for the family. Joel is a former soldier recovering from his physical wounds. Joel also struggles with guilt and a lot of PTSD.
Simon, Zane, and the rest of the children are all wonderful. They do enhance the story and add a sense of realism.
I hope to continue the series through the interlibrary loan program.
Simon, Zane, and the rest of the children are all wonderful. They do enhance the story and add a sense of realism.
I hope to continue the series through the interlibrary loan program.
arjayebrewerforestfern's review
4.0
This was such a great heartwarming story of both the English and Amish coming together to help and support each other. It’s the first Leslie Gould book I’ve read and I can’t wait to read more of her books along with the rest of this series!!!
livthebooknerd's review
5.0
SEE FULL REVIEW HERE [http://livthebooknerd.blogspot.com/2015/05/amish-promises-by-leslie-gould.html]
Hey guys!
This was sent to me by Bethany House Publishing House! Now, this is an adult Christian romance novel, and I absolutely loved it! The synopsis above pretty much sums it up! The Becks move to Lancaster County after Joel Beck came home from Iraq to recuperate from a terrifying attack. His wife, Shani, and his son, Zane, are just happy to have the family back together. But after an accident with their neighbors the Lehmans, Zane is asked to help with the chores around the Lehman's farm. The families are really different, the Lehmans are Amish and the Becks are "Englisch", but sooner rather than later, the families become friends. But Joel's single friend, Charlie, starts to befriend Eve Lehman. Suddenly, the lives of the families starts to become even more complicated. This story is about healing and forgiveness and God's love and neighborliness.
This story was unlike any other Amish Christian romance book......
Hey guys!
This was sent to me by Bethany House Publishing House! Now, this is an adult Christian romance novel, and I absolutely loved it! The synopsis above pretty much sums it up! The Becks move to Lancaster County after Joel Beck came home from Iraq to recuperate from a terrifying attack. His wife, Shani, and his son, Zane, are just happy to have the family back together. But after an accident with their neighbors the Lehmans, Zane is asked to help with the chores around the Lehman's farm. The families are really different, the Lehmans are Amish and the Becks are "Englisch", but sooner rather than later, the families become friends. But Joel's single friend, Charlie, starts to befriend Eve Lehman. Suddenly, the lives of the families starts to become even more complicated. This story is about healing and forgiveness and God's love and neighborliness.
This story was unlike any other Amish Christian romance book......
kristi518's review
5.0
Leslie Gould introduces us to two very different families in the first book of her new series. One family is Amish and living under the strict rules of the father, Tim. The other, an "Englisch" military family, is trying to return to normal life while Joel, the husband, recovers from injuries sustained while in Iraq. The two families live on adjoining farms and try to live peacefully side by side. As life happens to the two families the question becomes Can they?
I liked the storyline of this book. It is completely believable and not the run of the mill storyline often found in Amish fiction. I found myself wondering how it would be to live next door to an Amish family and how the interactions through everyday life would be handled. The interactions between these two families seemed completely authentic.
The adult characters in the book are all complex and have very real issues. There were times I wanted to shake the two main male characters. They were at times stubborn at best. I found it easy to relate to both of the female main characters. Their friendship is conveyed in a very genuine way. I also liked how the author included how the issues of the adults affected the kids. I think this added to the authenticity of the story.
Although this book deals with some serious issues it is not heavy or depressing. It is, in fact, quite easy to read. It has a good flow and pace to it that keeps the reader's attention.
I would definitely recommend this book and can't wait to read the second book in the series. ( I would like to read more about Monika and Gideon.)
I received a free copy of this book from the author and publisher in exchange for my honest opinion.
I liked the storyline of this book. It is completely believable and not the run of the mill storyline often found in Amish fiction. I found myself wondering how it would be to live next door to an Amish family and how the interactions through everyday life would be handled. The interactions between these two families seemed completely authentic.
The adult characters in the book are all complex and have very real issues. There were times I wanted to shake the two main male characters. They were at times stubborn at best. I found it easy to relate to both of the female main characters. Their friendship is conveyed in a very genuine way. I also liked how the author included how the issues of the adults affected the kids. I think this added to the authenticity of the story.
Although this book deals with some serious issues it is not heavy or depressing. It is, in fact, quite easy to read. It has a good flow and pace to it that keeps the reader's attention.
I would definitely recommend this book and can't wait to read the second book in the series. ( I would like to read more about Monika and Gideon.)
I received a free copy of this book from the author and publisher in exchange for my honest opinion.