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wisbeth's review against another edition
4.0
This is the second book in the Daughters Of Promise series. Carley Marek is a journalist who is having a hard time dealing with the loss of her mother after a tragic car accident in which Carley survives. She is struggling with her survival and the loss of her mother. She is forced to take a much needed vacation from work and ends up going to visit her Amish friend Lillian in Pennsylvania. While Carley is there, Lillian's stepson, David is discovered to need a kidney transplant. Dr. Noah, who first treats David is actually a shunned member of Lillian's new family. This brings many questions to Carly's mind about God's role in her life as well as the lives of others and forgiveness.
This series is very pleasant to read. I am enjoying meeting the various families and getting to know them. I like how Beth Wiseman gives us an honest look into the lives of the Amish. I could see and understand the story from both points of views, the Englishers and the Amish. This book leaves you with a feeling of hope at the end. As a bonus there are a few Amish recipes in the back of the book.
This series is very pleasant to read. I am enjoying meeting the various families and getting to know them. I like how Beth Wiseman gives us an honest look into the lives of the Amish. I could see and understand the story from both points of views, the Englishers and the Amish. This book leaves you with a feeling of hope at the end. As a bonus there are a few Amish recipes in the back of the book.
jazzyjan94's review against another edition
4.0
This review appears on my blog: https://confessionsofabookwormweb.wordpress.com/2019/09/06/book-review-plain-pursuit-daughters-of-the-promise-2-by-beth-wiseman/
Before I get started with my review, I would like to give a fair warning that there are going to be some spoilers to the first book in this series, Plain Perfect, in this review, so if you are planning on picking it up, I would recommend waiting to read this review until afterwards…unless you’re like me and don’t mind some spoilers.
Plain Pursuit is the second novel in the Daughters of the Promise series by Beth Wiseman, and while it is in some ways a sequel to Plain Perfect, it can also be read as a stand-alone since it follows a new main set of characters, while also revisiting the characters that were introduced in book one.
Readers are introduced to reporter Carley Marek, a friend of Lillian Miller (now Stoltzfus), who is still trying to piece back together her life after being in an accident six months previously that also killed her mother. After being forced by her boss to take a month-long vacation, she decides to go visit her good friend Lillian, who has joined the Old Order Amish church, gotten married and now has a family of her own. During her vacation, Carley hopes to not only be able to write an insightful piece about the Amish community, but she also hope to find the peace that Lillian now has. However, shortly into her stay, Lillian’s son, David falls gravely ill and when local doctor, simply known as Dr. Noah tries to intervene, Lillian’s husband refuses at first to let him do so because he has been shunned by the Amish community. When it becomes a matter of life or death, Dr. Noah decides to do whatever it takes to help save David’s life, while at the same time getting to know Carley along the way.
Plain Pursuit was a good companion to Plain Perfect, not only did we get to revisit Lillian and Samuel a year after their marriage, but we were introduced to some new characters that helped bring to light some new issues in the series. First, I liked how with Carley readers not only see the lasting affects of grief, and emotional recovery from something as traumatic as an accident, but we also see her struggle with faith in God, as well as trying to find peace. It was also to see how she struggles to come to terms with some of the things she experiences during her stay in the Amish community, especially the concept of shunning and how strictly that can be enforced in certain districts. It was interesting to see how her concept of mercy contrasted with that of the view of mercy that her Amish friends have, and even how some of them do struggle with having to shun their own family members. Then there was her relationship with Noah, it was interesting to see how he willingly pursued her, even knowing that there would be obstacles for them to see each other because of his being shunned, and the walls that Carley tries to put up to prevent him from getting close to her. It was also interesting seeing Noah grapple with returning to the area that her grew up in, but not being able to interact with his family because of his shunning, but also wanting to find some way to seek forgiveness for the ways in which he wronged them when he left the Amish church to become a doctor. I also enjoyed getting to see some of the story from both Lillian and Samuel’s perspectives as they come to terms with how gravely ill their son is, as well as individually with Lillian still having to wrestle with some of the ideology of her community, and Samuel as he has to relive some of the hurt that Noah caused to him personally, as well as deserting the church.
Overall, it was an interesting story, especially with some of the conflict that occurs between Carley and Noah, and Noah and his family and how it is eventually resolved. This is a good read for anyone that enjoys a light romance, as well as anything set in the Amish community. 4/5 Stars.
Before I get started with my review, I would like to give a fair warning that there are going to be some spoilers to the first book in this series, Plain Perfect, in this review, so if you are planning on picking it up, I would recommend waiting to read this review until afterwards…unless you’re like me and don’t mind some spoilers.
Plain Pursuit is the second novel in the Daughters of the Promise series by Beth Wiseman, and while it is in some ways a sequel to Plain Perfect, it can also be read as a stand-alone since it follows a new main set of characters, while also revisiting the characters that were introduced in book one.
Readers are introduced to reporter Carley Marek, a friend of Lillian Miller (now Stoltzfus), who is still trying to piece back together her life after being in an accident six months previously that also killed her mother. After being forced by her boss to take a month-long vacation, she decides to go visit her good friend Lillian, who has joined the Old Order Amish church, gotten married and now has a family of her own. During her vacation, Carley hopes to not only be able to write an insightful piece about the Amish community, but she also hope to find the peace that Lillian now has. However, shortly into her stay, Lillian’s son, David falls gravely ill and when local doctor, simply known as Dr. Noah tries to intervene, Lillian’s husband refuses at first to let him do so because he has been shunned by the Amish community. When it becomes a matter of life or death, Dr. Noah decides to do whatever it takes to help save David’s life, while at the same time getting to know Carley along the way.
Plain Pursuit was a good companion to Plain Perfect, not only did we get to revisit Lillian and Samuel a year after their marriage, but we were introduced to some new characters that helped bring to light some new issues in the series. First, I liked how with Carley readers not only see the lasting affects of grief, and emotional recovery from something as traumatic as an accident, but we also see her struggle with faith in God, as well as trying to find peace. It was also to see how she struggles to come to terms with some of the things she experiences during her stay in the Amish community, especially the concept of shunning and how strictly that can be enforced in certain districts. It was interesting to see how her concept of mercy contrasted with that of the view of mercy that her Amish friends have, and even how some of them do struggle with having to shun their own family members. Then there was her relationship with Noah, it was interesting to see how he willingly pursued her, even knowing that there would be obstacles for them to see each other because of his being shunned, and the walls that Carley tries to put up to prevent him from getting close to her. It was also interesting seeing Noah grapple with returning to the area that her grew up in, but not being able to interact with his family because of his shunning, but also wanting to find some way to seek forgiveness for the ways in which he wronged them when he left the Amish church to become a doctor. I also enjoyed getting to see some of the story from both Lillian and Samuel’s perspectives as they come to terms with how gravely ill their son is, as well as individually with Lillian still having to wrestle with some of the ideology of her community, and Samuel as he has to relive some of the hurt that Noah caused to him personally, as well as deserting the church.
Overall, it was an interesting story, especially with some of the conflict that occurs between Carley and Noah, and Noah and his family and how it is eventually resolved. This is a good read for anyone that enjoys a light romance, as well as anything set in the Amish community. 4/5 Stars.
reneesuz's review against another edition
4.0
I have to start by saying I just love Amish fiction; they are good wholesome stories that are just a delight to read - perfect when you just want to escape the troubles of life and our town has had a few too many of those in the last week.
Carley Marek has been told to take a month long vacation from work. It's not a choice; she can take the suggestion or be without work as a journalist. Carley decides to use the month to visit her friend Lillian who married into the Amish culture, community and lifestyle; while there she plans to write an article about the Amish.
As in most Amish fiction, there is a conflict between the Amish community and the outside world. In Plain Pursuit, it comes in the form of Lillian's brother-in-law that has been shunned by the community but now wants to be a part of his family's life even if just in a tangential manner. In addition, there are Carley's inner conflicts - dealing with the death of her mother, the loss of her fiance and other issues that you'll have to read to find out about. And not surprising, there is a love story - sweet, innocent and beautiful; the way love should be.
If you want a good love story, enjoy Amish fiction and want to escape from the realities of life - then Plain Pursuit is the book for you.
This book was provided to me by The BookSneeze Team in exchange for my honest opinion and review.
Carley Marek has been told to take a month long vacation from work. It's not a choice; she can take the suggestion or be without work as a journalist. Carley decides to use the month to visit her friend Lillian who married into the Amish culture, community and lifestyle; while there she plans to write an article about the Amish.
As in most Amish fiction, there is a conflict between the Amish community and the outside world. In Plain Pursuit, it comes in the form of Lillian's brother-in-law that has been shunned by the community but now wants to be a part of his family's life even if just in a tangential manner. In addition, there are Carley's inner conflicts - dealing with the death of her mother, the loss of her fiance and other issues that you'll have to read to find out about. And not surprising, there is a love story - sweet, innocent and beautiful; the way love should be.
If you want a good love story, enjoy Amish fiction and want to escape from the realities of life - then Plain Pursuit is the book for you.
This book was provided to me by The BookSneeze Team in exchange for my honest opinion and review.
westcoastchelle's review against another edition
4.0
It was really nice to read a romance novel where the driving conflict wasn't a series of massive miscommunications between the two main characters. Instead they wrestled with other issues. Refreshing!
It's become a pet peeve of mine when all the conflict to the story can be resolved simply by one honest conversation. That's not conflict, that's ANNOYING
It's become a pet peeve of mine when all the conflict to the story can be resolved simply by one honest conversation. That's not conflict, that's ANNOYING
sheilasamuelson's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Rating: 5 Stars!!
Review:
Thank you to my book club friend Amanda Herrera for sending me this book/series a year or so ago!! This was my first time reading it and i have to say i really enjoyed this one even tho the events that happened in it were very hard to read.
The Characters were so enjoyable and interesting to read about. Carley and Noah were my favorites. I loved how their pasts were described i think that's what shaped the story.
The Setting was beautifully described which made me feel like i was actually in Lancaster County PA and the surrounding towns especially when i visited those areas with my parents a few years ago while on vacation!!
Overall a Phenomenal Book 2 in this series!! Can't wait to read Book 3 soon and more by Beth in the future!!
Review:
Thank you to my book club friend Amanda Herrera for sending me this book/series a year or so ago!! This was my first time reading it and i have to say i really enjoyed this one even tho the events that happened in it were very hard to read.
The Characters were so enjoyable and interesting to read about. Carley and Noah were my favorites. I loved how their pasts were described i think that's what shaped the story.
The Setting was beautifully described which made me feel like i was actually in Lancaster County PA and the surrounding towns especially when i visited those areas with my parents a few years ago while on vacation!!
Overall a Phenomenal Book 2 in this series!! Can't wait to read Book 3 soon and more by Beth in the future!!
pixieauthoress's review against another edition
5.0
Beth Wiseman produces consistently good Amish romantic fiction. This is the second of her full-length novels that I've read, although I've also read a couple of her novellas, and I've yet to be disappointed. I felt that this one was a bit slow to start and I got irritated by how stubborn Samuel could be, particularly as I loved his character in the previous book and felt he'd kind of morphed into the generic Amish male stereotype. Samuel's mood eventually relaxed and the shunning disputes were somewhat alleviated throughout the book, which enabled me to enjoy this book a lot more. I actually got a bit teary-eyed in a few places (a bit embarrassing when you're having your morning cup of tea in the cafeteria at work!) and towards the end I was grinning ridiculously (while on the bus heading back from work, I tried not to make eye-contact with the woman next to me in case she thought I was raving mad). While I did have some reservations at first I ended up being really touched by this book. I particularly liked the fact that while this book features Amish characters and a romance, this isn't the typical "English woman meets Amish man and converts to marry him" plot. Carley and Noah were both Englishers who happened to have friends and relatives in the Amish community and therefore spent a lot of time with them. I also loved the introduction of Dana and Jenna to the story, and the chance to catch up with Lillian's family. I'll admit that I still feel that some issues weren't entirely covered up - why should Lillian always follow her husband's requests even if she doesn't feel comfortable with them or doesn't agree with his views? Is it okay to bend the rules and disobey the Bishop? What should you do when you believe the Christian thing to do isn't what the Bishop is ordering? - but I hope that maybe these are covered in more depth in later books. Another 9/10 from Beth Wiseman. I was planning to keep #3 in the series until later but I think I'll start it now as I'm on a definite Amish kick!
catrev's review against another edition
Plain Pursuit by Beth Wiseman is the second book in the Daughters of the Promise series, following Plain Perfect. Lillian, from the first book, has settled into the Amish life with new husband Samuel, stepson David, and daughter Anna. When herEnglischer friend Carley needs a place to stay for a few weeks and find some peace, Lillian invites her to stay with her family. Carley's working on an article for her newspaper about the Amish lifestyle, but she runs into some roadblocks after meeting Dr. Noah. Noah treats David after a strange fall that leads to a serious diagnosis for the boy, but because of Noah's history with the Plain People, he can't continue to treat David. Carley's investigative instincts tell her that there's a story here, but finding it may put her friendship with Lillian at risk.Wiseman presents a well-rounded view of the Amish people, focusing in this book on shunning or meiding which can be difficult for non-Amish to understand. Noah and Carley are both forced to consider how their actions impact those around them.Wiseman's series is a terrific entry in the growing Amish genre, and readers will appreciate the recipes she includes in the back of each book.
booksforchristiangirls's review against another edition
3.0
This is a mini ‘Books For Christian Girls’ review. It is not a full content review and will not receive one. These mini-reviews are years old and just for clarity on the rating the book received on Goodreads.
12/29/2013-
No comments.
Main Content-
*Minor cussing (heck).
*Carley says because of the car accident that killed her mother, she can't have biological kids; Touches, Embraces, & Noticing (barely-above-not-detailed); Love, falling in love, & the emotions.
12/29/2013-
No comments.
Main Content-
*Minor cussing (heck).
*Carley says because of the car accident that killed her mother, she can't have biological kids; Touches, Embraces, & Noticing (barely-above-not-detailed); Love, falling in love, & the emotions.
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