Helpful Score: 5
The cover of this book is very misleading. When you look at it, you think bodice ripper. That is so not the case. Thee I Love IS a romance, but set in the Amish society.
Jakob was banished years ago from his Amish community, but is now back because he has a set of twins that he wants to raise Amish. When he left, the woman that he loved was about to marry his brother Simon.
He and his children are welcomed back into the community, and before long, Jakob and Rachel are trying very hard to stay one away from one another. Jakob soon sees what has been happening to Rachel since he left. His brother Simon has abused her mentally and physically and it breaks his heart and angers him. He interferes, and Simon spirals onto a path of destruction.
Jakob and Rachel renew their love and know afterward that God will punish them for their sin. Simon seems to be changing back into the wonderful man he used to be, so Rachel must try to be a good wife to him. Jakob knows this is the way, so he begins looking for a wife to help him to raise his children.
Events spiral out of control into a shocking conclusion. Annette Blair does a wonderful job building her characters into people with real emotions and problems. She builds the Amish world so wonderful, you know she has done her homework. The plot is solid and kept me turning the pages quickly to see how it developed into something wonderful. High stars for this "bodice ripper" of a romance.
Jakob was banished years ago from his Amish community, but is now back because he has a set of twins that he wants to raise Amish. When he left, the woman that he loved was about to marry his brother Simon.
He and his children are welcomed back into the community, and before long, Jakob and Rachel are trying very hard to stay one away from one another. Jakob soon sees what has been happening to Rachel since he left. His brother Simon has abused her mentally and physically and it breaks his heart and angers him. He interferes, and Simon spirals onto a path of destruction.
Jakob and Rachel renew their love and know afterward that God will punish them for their sin. Simon seems to be changing back into the wonderful man he used to be, so Rachel must try to be a good wife to him. Jakob knows this is the way, so he begins looking for a wife to help him to raise his children.
Events spiral out of control into a shocking conclusion. Annette Blair does a wonderful job building her characters into people with real emotions and problems. She builds the Amish world so wonderful, you know she has done her homework. The plot is solid and kept me turning the pages quickly to see how it developed into something wonderful. High stars for this "bodice ripper" of a romance.
Helpful Score: 4
A woman's silence in the face of anger and rejection in an abusive marriage in a religious order that does not recognize divorce - a story of lost love and at the same time new hope and joy. This is a book that will make you weep and at the same time it makes you want to cheer for Rachel and Jacob. I keep hoping that situations could be changed so that they could be together.
I stayed up late reading and then woke early each day to continue reading. Truly a book I did not want to put down. I LOVED this book.
I stayed up late reading and then woke early each day to continue reading. Truly a book I did not want to put down. I LOVED this book.
Helpful Score: 3
Four years after leaving the Amish community to become English, Jacob Saunder has brought his two motherless children home to be raised in the strict but loving community. Upon his return, Jacob learns that his seemingly pious brother Simon has been abusing his wife Rachel. He steps in and dares to shake up the tight-knit religious community.
When Jacob sees Rachel again, he knows that their love has not diminished. Childless, Rachel treats his children as her own, while silently braving the abuse of a husband who blames her for being barren. Jacob, with his knowledge of the outside world, has no tolerance for what the community thinks is not his business.
When he learns that Rachel was coerced into believing Jacob did not love her, he confronts his brother. Although the devious Simon seems to have begun to mend his ways, accidents keep occurring. And when Rachel begins to gain strength from Jacobs support, the danger grows closer.
When Jacob sees Rachel again, he knows that their love has not diminished. Childless, Rachel treats his children as her own, while silently braving the abuse of a husband who blames her for being barren. Jacob, with his knowledge of the outside world, has no tolerance for what the community thinks is not his business.
When he learns that Rachel was coerced into believing Jacob did not love her, he confronts his brother. Although the devious Simon seems to have begun to mend his ways, accidents keep occurring. And when Rachel begins to gain strength from Jacobs support, the danger grows closer.
Helpful Score: 3
A world-class novel hidden in a badly-chosen cover. This is a story that raises the bar on romance, transcends the genre, takes us to an amazing new world and doesn't let us go until we're emotionally exhausted, satisfied, amazed, and sated. Simply, unbelievably, wonderful. Kudos Ms. Blair. Thee, I Love would make top-notch movie.
