Kristina A. reviewed on 12/30/2022 + 1528 more book reviews

Happily Ever Amish by Shelley Shepard Gray is the beginning of The Amish of Apple Creek series. It is a sweet story. I enjoyed getting to know Addie Byler and Daniel Miller. Addie has never felt like she fit into the community of Apple Creek. Her mother left her with her grandparents when she was four years old. Addie is now nineteen and takes care of her grandmother. She has a donkey that is a therapy animal (it is a real thing). People find her odd because she talks to her donkey, but they are unaware that Snickers is a smart and intuitive donkey. Daniel takes notice of Addie at a couple's engagement party. He did not like the comments his friends were making. He decided to send her a note signed âsecret admirer.â Daniel wanted to boost Addie's confidence. They correspond for a few weeks until Daniel accidentally drops one of Addie's envelopes in front of her. The secret is out, and Daniel needs to show Addie that he was sincere. I like Shelley Shepard Gray's writing style. It is friendly and draws the reader into the story. I thought the characters were realistic and relatable. I can relate to Addie's feelings of being different and not fitting in. We get to watch Daniel and Addie learn more about themselves. This enabled to figure out what they wanted. I found Addie's grandmother to be a spunky woman who was well-respected in the community. I like that the author featured the lost art of letter writing. It does not have the instant gratification of texts. Letters, though, can provide a way for people to express their feelings and for people to get to know one another. Happily Ever Amish had moments that made me smile and others that make you sad. I was rooting for Daniel and Addie. Addie's story is one that will resonate with many people. I am looking forward to reading Once Upon a Buggy next spring. Happily Ever Amish is a tender tale with a good-natured grandmother, clandestine letters, cruel rumors, a prolix preacher, a darling donkey, and an exposed secret.

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