For Amish widower Phillip Baker, providing for his family in the wake of his wife's death means back-breaking work and renewed dedication to his faith. Still, his strength can’t help him relate to his little son’s struggles. It seems a godsend when new doctor Emily White is able to treat Gabe’s shyness and fear even as she helps heal him. But no matter how strongly Phillip is drawn to the caring Englisher from the city, their differences may be too great to overcome . . .
Reeling from her own tragic loss, Emily keeps loneliness at bay through her clinic work. Somehow, though, Gabe and his gentle, sad-eyed father are making her want to risk opening her heart again. But can she find acceptance in their Plain world—and a way to turn their separate lives into a family forever? . . . AMAZON 4 STARS
I took a chance on this book. Why you might ask? Because I could probably count on one hand the books I liked that had a Amish background to it. I didn't want to be disappointed again. I think that I can safely say that I wasn't disappointed.
The main characters were really good. It wasn't hard to like Emily and Phillip. Both individually and as two people who were interacting together. The attraction developed very quickly but they were also in some pretty serious situations with his son Gabe too. Now, Gabe there was another really good main character as well. He was sweet, smart and also incredibly ill.
I liked that Emily had a heart as big as all outdoors and continually showed it. She has a loving family and she is especially close to Pete, Pete is one interesting guy who is fun, charming and skilled at his job. He is also Emily's best friend. Emily was so tender and professional with Gabe and she was also being drawn towards Phillip more and more. She sure wasn't sure how that could ever work out if it ended up going anywhere at all.
Gabe was such a hardworking, honest man with a huge struggle with his faith in God and the rules that his community were always trying to put on him. They didn't fit and I have to say that even though they were the New Order of their faith, the Bishop sure tried to force people into his image and his way of doing things. The thing is that Phillip had some legitimate questions that continually got pushed aside. Even his mother was constantly harping on him to do things HER way. . He was practically working himself almost to death and he was so unappreciated! I have to say that I really dislike bullies and that's what the Bishop and Sarah his mother came across as. She was so negative at first that it made ME want to scream. But hold on, she does have redeeming qualities, so not all is lost.
Hannah who is his sister is more in Phillip's corner than I expected. I guess I figured she would follow the party line really close. But we get to see there are some things that they agree on and the love for each other shines through.
There is a totally unexpected twist towards the end that really is a tearjerker. But there is also a good H.E.A. for Emily, Phillip and Gabe. It made for a good ending.
“I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”
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