Yvonne G. (yrgniew) -
Helpful Score: 2
My first Brunstetter book - but certainly not my last.
I have read other Amish fiction books by other authors set in this same area. Brunstetter does the best job of using actual locations/shops/restaurants in her writing, a fact I appreciated having visited the area several times. It made it more authentic for me.
I have read other Amish fiction books by other authors set in this same area. Brunstetter does the best job of using actual locations/shops/restaurants in her writing, a fact I appreciated having visited the area several times. It made it more authentic for me.
Wendy H. (donkeycheese) -
Lydia King is a recent widow and is about flat broke. She doesn't know what else to do but to move to Charm, Ohio to live with her mom and grandfather. Her mom lives with him because he is very ill, and Lydia hopes that with the move closer to her family, she can re-build her and her young son Josh's life.
But when she arrives, her mom, glad to see her kin, is harsh with Josh and demanding of Lydia. Also, there isn't much money to take care of the bills and everyday needs. Lydia applies for a job as a waitress in a local restaurant and that helps.
There are several eligible men in town but Lydia doesn't know if she will ever re-marry. But she takes a shine to the Stutzman family right away. Levi isn't handicapped by dwarfism like the rest of his family, and thinks it is is duty to take care of them. Although his family wants to him to start a family and make a life of his own, he is afraid to. But he finds Lydia very captivating.
Menno is a recent widower with four young and rowdy boys. He needs a mother for his boys desperately and thinks Lydia would make a fine wife and mother, so he sets to courting her, much to Levi's dismay. But when tragedy strikes not once, but twice close together, Lydia sinks down into a well of depression. Thankfully, Reuben is around to help out now and again. He has taken a shine to Lydia's mom, but she won't have none of it.
The community tries to take care of one another, so firewood and baskets of food seem to make their way to Lydia's doorstep. She doesn't know who, but is blessed. But her feelings for Levi deepen and her mother has a fit. She feels Menno would make a much better husband and when questioned on it, her hypocrisy comes shining through. Will Lydia find the right man to restart her life? Can she move past all of the tragedy to find love again?
Lydia's Charm is a quick look into the Amish way of life. Their devout beliefs, their way of living day to day, and the trials and tribulations that they go through. Splashes of romance, hearty recipes, heart-wrenching decisions, compelling and realistic characters, Lydia's Charm will capture your heart. Ms. Brunstetter is a superb storyteller.
But when she arrives, her mom, glad to see her kin, is harsh with Josh and demanding of Lydia. Also, there isn't much money to take care of the bills and everyday needs. Lydia applies for a job as a waitress in a local restaurant and that helps.
There are several eligible men in town but Lydia doesn't know if she will ever re-marry. But she takes a shine to the Stutzman family right away. Levi isn't handicapped by dwarfism like the rest of his family, and thinks it is is duty to take care of them. Although his family wants to him to start a family and make a life of his own, he is afraid to. But he finds Lydia very captivating.
Menno is a recent widower with four young and rowdy boys. He needs a mother for his boys desperately and thinks Lydia would make a fine wife and mother, so he sets to courting her, much to Levi's dismay. But when tragedy strikes not once, but twice close together, Lydia sinks down into a well of depression. Thankfully, Reuben is around to help out now and again. He has taken a shine to Lydia's mom, but she won't have none of it.
The community tries to take care of one another, so firewood and baskets of food seem to make their way to Lydia's doorstep. She doesn't know who, but is blessed. But her feelings for Levi deepen and her mother has a fit. She feels Menno would make a much better husband and when questioned on it, her hypocrisy comes shining through. Will Lydia find the right man to restart her life? Can she move past all of the tragedy to find love again?
Lydia's Charm is a quick look into the Amish way of life. Their devout beliefs, their way of living day to day, and the trials and tribulations that they go through. Splashes of romance, hearty recipes, heart-wrenching decisions, compelling and realistic characters, Lydia's Charm will capture your heart. Ms. Brunstetter is a superb storyteller.
Lyne B. (behappy0201) reviewed Lydia's Charm: An Amish Widow Starts Over in Charm, Ohio on + 5 more book reviews
Contains Spoilers:
I have read several of Ms. Brunstetter's books and at this point I believe I am done.
I think my first problem is that any book that has the death of a child needs some kind of warning. If I had any clue I wouldn't have even started the book.
My other biggest problem is how wordly her Amsih are always portrayed. We live not far from an Amish community and visited often when I was young. I have never seen Amish eat out as much as the ones in her books do. In fact in all my years I've only ever seen one Amish family in a local restaurant.
The change in the characters are also unbelievable. Don't get my wrong - people can chane, but I don't think it can happen in one conversation. A change of heart yes and a trying to make different choices, but after one conversation this writter often has a character never have to face their problems again...unrealistic.
I have read several of Ms. Brunstetter's books and at this point I believe I am done.
I think my first problem is that any book that has the death of a child needs some kind of warning. If I had any clue I wouldn't have even started the book.
My other biggest problem is how wordly her Amsih are always portrayed. We live not far from an Amish community and visited often when I was young. I have never seen Amish eat out as much as the ones in her books do. In fact in all my years I've only ever seen one Amish family in a local restaurant.
The change in the characters are also unbelievable. Don't get my wrong - people can chane, but I don't think it can happen in one conversation. A change of heart yes and a trying to make different choices, but after one conversation this writter often has a character never have to face their problems again...unrealistic.
Leola C. (swamponkeymom) reviewed Lydia's Charm: An Amish Widow Starts Over in Charm, Ohio on + 353 more book reviews
I liked this book, but one tragedy I could have done without. I think it would still have been good story. A young women overcomes tragedy through reading her Bible and trusting God.
Kay R. (Frenchielover) reviewed Lydia's Charm: An Amish Widow Starts Over in Charm, Ohio on + 22 more book reviews
Wanda Brunstetter has written another good book detaling the life of the Amish life. THe storyline keeps you interested from page 1 to the end. If you like her books, this one is for you.
Molly (Buuklvr81) -
I've been a fan of Brunstetter for some time now, and this is a reread for me. Lydia's Charm has been on my shelf for sometime and I loved going back and seeing the characters. The pages turned quickly for me, as I was engrossed in this beautiful story. Before I knew it, I was at the end, and wanting more.
I loved Lydia's character, along with her sweet son. They were beautifully chiseled by the talented hands of Wanda Brunstetter and really came to life with this story. As Lydia and her son moved back to be with her mom, I traveled right along with her. When she was set up by her mom to gain a new father figure for her boy, I felt her emotions like they were my own. I turned each page of Lydia's story with wonder and anticipation. I love when a book can fully envelope me like that and make me a true part of the characters lives!
This book is tender and emotional, and full of God's grace and mercy. I loved watching Lydia fall in love, I loved watching her mend her relationships with her family, and most of all, I loved how Wanda Brunstetter, once again, had me falling in love all over again with another one of her books. This author is one of my go to authors, buying her books without knowing what they are about, and I'm so glad I revisited this 5 star book! I highly recommend it!
*I purchased this book for my collection. All opinions, negative or positive, are my own.*
I loved Lydia's character, along with her sweet son. They were beautifully chiseled by the talented hands of Wanda Brunstetter and really came to life with this story. As Lydia and her son moved back to be with her mom, I traveled right along with her. When she was set up by her mom to gain a new father figure for her boy, I felt her emotions like they were my own. I turned each page of Lydia's story with wonder and anticipation. I love when a book can fully envelope me like that and make me a true part of the characters lives!
This book is tender and emotional, and full of God's grace and mercy. I loved watching Lydia fall in love, I loved watching her mend her relationships with her family, and most of all, I loved how Wanda Brunstetter, once again, had me falling in love all over again with another one of her books. This author is one of my go to authors, buying her books without knowing what they are about, and I'm so glad I revisited this 5 star book! I highly recommend it!
*I purchased this book for my collection. All opinions, negative or positive, are my own.*
Alice B. reviewed Lydia's Charm: An Amish Widow Starts Over in Charm, Ohio on + 3559 more book reviews
Lydia KIng is a widow with a 4 year old son to provide for. She loses her job and she owns nothing so she moves to Charm, Ohio with her mom and terminally ill grandfather. She finds a job in a charm restaurant and notices two men are pursuing her. Menno Troyer a recent widower with 4 energetic young sons is one.The second is Levi Stutzman, the only tall person in a family of dwarfs..Menno proposes out of desperation for a mother for his 4 sons but he and lydia do not love one another.They decide not to get married. Lydia has some very tragic events happen to her within a short time. She considers marrying Levi but her mother is against it because their children may be dwarfs< what's a girl to do? Read the book and find out.
Alvina S. (grandmabutch) reviewed Lydia's Charm: An Amish Widow Starts Over in Charm, Ohio on + 53 more book reviews
Lydia moves back home with her 4 yr old son after her husband dies and she is with out an income to support her family. She knows it will be hard to do since her mother and she never were compatible.A good story develops and romance springs.
