Susan F. (scoutmomskf) - , reviewed on 6/11/2021 + 2548 more book reviews

Good book. Grace is the daughter of an Amish man and woman who were not married. Her mother left the community without telling anyone she was pregnant. Grace's early life was difficult; then, she landed in foster care when her mother died. Grace later learned her father's identity, and when her life imploded decided to seek him out and become part of the Amish community. Dismayed to discover that her father is dead, Grace is grateful when his family accepts her and her son.

I ached for Grace when she arrived at the Yoder home. She is down to her last few dollars and has no idea what she'll do if they reject her. Her relief is evident when Hannah, her father's widow, accepts her without question, though some of the family is wary. Grace carries a lot of guilt for things in her past and believes the only path to God's forgiveness is to leave the world behind and become Amish. She fixates on this plan despite Hannah and the local bishop telling her that doing so is unlikely. Grace's struggles with the strictures of Amish life are present throughout the book.

Grace wants to earn her keep and contribute to the household, so she accepts a job working for John, a family friend, and Mennonite veterinarian. John is immediately drawn to Grace and quickly pictures her as a vital part of his life. Though Grace is equally interested in him, she fights her feelings because he isn't Amish. There were plenty of sweet scenes of John and Grace together as he tries to show her that they belong together. I frequently wanted to shake Grace and tell her to open her eyes to the good man that was right in front of her. I loved the family intervention and its effect on Grace. The epilogue was terrific.

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