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Plains City Bridesmaids #2
Something New
Return to Plain City, Ohio, where lifelong goals open paths to something new. Lil Landis aspires to become a head chef…a far cry from her Conservative Mennonite upbringing. But as she chases after her dream, problems seem to hinder her every move—from her mother’s depression to her family’s failing farm. Veterinary student Fletch Stauffer comes to the Landis farm with some goals of his own. But as Fletch is drawn deeper into deceptive ambitions, he finds himself falling for spunky Lil and at odds with his dream. Will determination cloud their thoughts until their goals—and love—disappear?
318 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2012
50 people are currently reading
766 people want to read
About the author
Dianne Christner
23 books94 followersDianne Christner - Christian Fiction Author - writes Christian romance novels. She writes both Historicals and Amish Fiction. Raised in the Mennonite church, she brings authenticity to "The Plain City Bridesmaids" series.
She keeps a lighthearted reality blog called plaingirl romanticizing.
Her passion is reading and connecting with other readers and writers.
She keeps a lighthearted reality blog called plaingirl romanticizing.
Her passion is reading and connecting with other readers and writers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
August 24, 2012
In book one of the Plain City Bridesmaids we met Katy, Megan and Lil. Promised to be best friends always. In Something Old we read how Katy's life unfolded and God's plan for her. In Something New we follow Lil, the spunky one of the three.
Lil has always been one to press the boundaries of her conservative Mennonite faith. Removing her head covering, wearing shorts, and longing for a career as a head chef. The girls in book one share the Doddy house and enjoy the time with each other. Once Katy marries, her and Jake move in there as Lil is needed at home.
Back home on the pig farm, not where Lil wants to be! She must stay though to help with her depressed Mom. The farm is failing, her mom's depression is getting worse, and Lil is about to lose her job.
On her way to work at a restaurant Lil literally bumps into Fletch, actually Fletch's boss's car!. There were sparks of interest on both of their parts. They exchange insurance info, and phone numbers, yet Lil never hears again from Fletch until he shows up at the family farm as the vet's intern. Lil likes Fletch but he attends a more contemporary Mennonite church. Her Dad insists she date a conservative.
The story line moves along at a great pace, never dull or forced. If flows naturally as we see Lil and Fletch's relationship grow and change. Their relationship is not without conflict as Fletch tries to please his mentor, who is paying for Vet school. Pleasing him in a secret way that inflicts harm on the family farm.
Can they look to God for their dreams and desires rather than their own or the family's ideas?
I love Lil's spunky nature, and her dedication to family. Despite having to be back on the farm, she invests in her mother battle the depression.
Lil has always been one to press the boundaries of her conservative Mennonite faith. Removing her head covering, wearing shorts, and longing for a career as a head chef. The girls in book one share the Doddy house and enjoy the time with each other. Once Katy marries, her and Jake move in there as Lil is needed at home.
Back home on the pig farm, not where Lil wants to be! She must stay though to help with her depressed Mom. The farm is failing, her mom's depression is getting worse, and Lil is about to lose her job.
On her way to work at a restaurant Lil literally bumps into Fletch, actually Fletch's boss's car!. There were sparks of interest on both of their parts. They exchange insurance info, and phone numbers, yet Lil never hears again from Fletch until he shows up at the family farm as the vet's intern. Lil likes Fletch but he attends a more contemporary Mennonite church. Her Dad insists she date a conservative.
The story line moves along at a great pace, never dull or forced. If flows naturally as we see Lil and Fletch's relationship grow and change. Their relationship is not without conflict as Fletch tries to please his mentor, who is paying for Vet school. Pleasing him in a secret way that inflicts harm on the family farm.
Can they look to God for their dreams and desires rather than their own or the family's ideas?
I love Lil's spunky nature, and her dedication to family. Despite having to be back on the farm, she invests in her mother battle the depression.
June 24, 2014
Loved Dianne Christner's first book...'Something Old'.......and I look forward to reading her new book....'Something New' that comes out soon...can't hardly wait....a very awesome writer....a very devoted fan of Dianne Christner's too
July 7, 2022
This nook #2.
Lil, Megan and Katy are childhood friends.
Katy married Jake in the first book.
This book is about Lil, her dreams, issues with her family and the man
she met when she backed her car into his boss' wife' car. (Fletcher)
Fletcher is in Plain City to work for a veterinarian to finish his schooling.
Lil and Fletch meet again when Fletch goes with Vic to the Landis farm to check on
the hogs they are raising.
With so many issues that crop up, will they remain friends or more.
Lil, Megan and Katy are childhood friends.
Katy married Jake in the first book.
This book is about Lil, her dreams, issues with her family and the man
she met when she backed her car into his boss' wife' car. (Fletcher)
Fletcher is in Plain City to work for a veterinarian to finish his schooling.
Lil and Fletch meet again when Fletch goes with Vic to the Landis farm to check on
the hogs they are raising.
With so many issues that crop up, will they remain friends or more.
January 25, 2018
I really enjoy Amish novels. It's about how we can live with out prejudice and how we can be!ieve that God still hears and answers prayers when we sincerely pray and then keep our eyes and ears open to Him.
I will share this book with family and friends.
My daughter I know can relate with some of the characters
I will share this book with family and friends.
My daughter I know can relate with some of the characters
February 9, 2018
This was the first book I've read by this author. It is actually #2 in the series, but is definitely ok to read as a stand alone. I enjoy stories of conservatism such as Amish and Mennonite. The story is a good example of deciding whether we are following God's leadership for our lives or simply man's leadership.
December 30, 2022
Absolutely incredible! Sorrow, joy, love, forgiveness! This book has a wonderful ability to give the reader every sense of emotion the characters are experiencing. It is as if I know Plain City, Ohio. I feel I've been there and have made lifelong friendships with these amazing people. I can hardly wait to start the third book in this series.
June 11, 2023
A great read.. sometimes what you wish for, you get but then realize that is not what you really want. Lil wants to be a chief so bad and Flech wants to get out of veterinary school and go far away from some of the memories he has from being raised by his parents whom are missionaries. Lil and Fletch meet and boy what a up and down time they have. They finally figure out what is most important.
July 8, 2023
This book had several interesting parts to.Lil's mother has been depressed and unable to do anything while Lil is very concerned about her mother she also dreams of being a chef and hopes not to be stuck on their hog farm. Her father is in danger of losing their farm and home. Lil has a job cooking and wants to move to head chef. She also is trying to decide if she and a Vet will get together.
January 14, 2018
Something New (The Plain City Brides Book 2)
Interesting from start to finish. Could not put it down. Trusting God is not easy if you are so cought up in your circumstances as Lily and her family were.
This I have learned for myself, on the path God has me on.
Interesting from start to finish. Could not put it down. Trusting God is not easy if you are so cought up in your circumstances as Lily and her family were.
This I have learned for myself, on the path God has me on.
March 1, 2018
Loved it.
A good story of love, family, struggles and forgiveness.
The two main characters were well thought out and showed how important it is to know yourself and follow God's plan for your life.
A good story of love, family, struggles and forgiveness.
The two main characters were well thought out and showed how important it is to know yourself and follow God's plan for your life.
June 8, 2018
Excellent story that proves love and hard work do make the world go round.
I love the characters and what they represented. The joy that comes when we look to a higher power. The garbanzo dance is something we all could use more of.
I love the characters and what they represented. The joy that comes when we look to a higher power. The garbanzo dance is something we all could use more of.
July 17, 2018
New turned old then back to new
Sometimes our OLD life is not so bad but we do not realize that until NEW things happen to remind us that the OLD is not so bad and the two can work together
Now for book three. Megan and "Something Blue"
Sometimes our OLD life is not so bad but we do not realize that until NEW things happen to remind us that the OLD is not so bad and the two can work together
Now for book three. Megan and "Something Blue"
June 6, 2019
I'm really only continuing to read this series because I'm a sucker for location fiction (ie, books set in places other than London/NYC/Chicago), and I can literally see the OSU Vet school outside my office window. Also -- it is SO RARE to have a male vet med student.
January 16, 2018
a great escape
This was agreat escape on a snowy day! I loved the story line, I became immersed in the characters lives, living vicariously through them. Can't wait to read more!
This was agreat escape on a snowy day! I loved the story line, I became immersed in the characters lives, living vicariously through them. Can't wait to read more!
February 3, 2018
Great book
Enjoyed reading this book. Romantic but not overly so. Can relate to the struggles of the characters. A nice book.
Enjoyed reading this book. Romantic but not overly so. Can relate to the struggles of the characters. A nice book.
February 6, 2012
Lillian Mae Landis considers herself a plain woman in every aspect – birth, upbringing, church, clothes and looks. She has always dreamed of being something more, specifically, being head chef at a restaurant, despite the teaching of her Conservative Mennonite church that married women don’t work outside the home, and that such ambitions are prideful and therefore sinful. There are also problems at home – the family farm is almost bankrupt, her brother has left their Conservative church, and her mother is experiencing depression, which has (in their Conservative circles) a stigma of personal and spiritual failure.
Fletch Stauffer is also a Mennonite, but from a more progressive sect. He is a missionary kid, now training to be a vet at the advice of Marshall, a long-term financial contributor to his parents’ mission. His dream is to be ordinary, because living in Africa as a child meant he’d always been different from everyone else. Lily and Fletch meet after she backs into his car in the parking lot of the restaurant where she works. They are quickly attracted to each other, and get the opportunity to spend time together when Fletch’s vet internship brings him to the Landis pig farm.
Conflict arrives when Fletch is asked to undertake some voluntary work at an animal shelter, then makes an error of judgement that loses him the trust of the Landis family, including Lily. He then has to work through what he should have done, and make amends. Meanwhile, Lily is facing her own challenges, including what to do if her relationship with Fletch progresses, as she can’t imagine him joining her church, yet she knows it would hurt her family if she were to leave.
The story was initially confusing, as it started with three ten-year-old Mennonite girls at summer camp, then skipped forward several years without making clear exactly how old the friends now were. My initial reaction was that I’d accidentally stumbled on a Young Adult novel, which was not what I was expecting (while I have no objection to reading YA, I like to know in advance). While it soon became apparent that the three friends are now adults (as one had just married), parts of the novel still had a rather YA feel to them. I’m not sure if that was because of the young age and level of maturity of the protagonists (early 20’s, I think), because of a lack of worldliness in the Conservative Mennonite Church, or because of my personal views on the scriptural basis for some of the church rules, but it did mean that it took me a while to get into it. I also found the ending a bit abrupt, almost as though the last chapter was deleted to make room for the epilogue.
Something New follows on from Something Old (the story of Kate and Jake), so I’m guessing the next in the series will be Something Borrowed (the story of Mercy, the last of the three friends), possibly followed by Something Blue? They don’t have to be read in order, although many people do prefer to read in order to avoid spoilers. However, it’s a romance, which, by definition has to have a ‘happy ever after’. How much more of a spoiler could there be? I did enjoy Something New, but it was not, for me, a great novel. I would read more novels by Dianne Christner, but she won’t be one of those authors I read or buy automatically.
Thanks to Barbour Publishing and NetGalley for providing a free ebook to review. This review also appears on my blog, www.christianreads.blogspot.com.
Fletch Stauffer is also a Mennonite, but from a more progressive sect. He is a missionary kid, now training to be a vet at the advice of Marshall, a long-term financial contributor to his parents’ mission. His dream is to be ordinary, because living in Africa as a child meant he’d always been different from everyone else. Lily and Fletch meet after she backs into his car in the parking lot of the restaurant where she works. They are quickly attracted to each other, and get the opportunity to spend time together when Fletch’s vet internship brings him to the Landis pig farm.
Conflict arrives when Fletch is asked to undertake some voluntary work at an animal shelter, then makes an error of judgement that loses him the trust of the Landis family, including Lily. He then has to work through what he should have done, and make amends. Meanwhile, Lily is facing her own challenges, including what to do if her relationship with Fletch progresses, as she can’t imagine him joining her church, yet she knows it would hurt her family if she were to leave.
The story was initially confusing, as it started with three ten-year-old Mennonite girls at summer camp, then skipped forward several years without making clear exactly how old the friends now were. My initial reaction was that I’d accidentally stumbled on a Young Adult novel, which was not what I was expecting (while I have no objection to reading YA, I like to know in advance). While it soon became apparent that the three friends are now adults (as one had just married), parts of the novel still had a rather YA feel to them. I’m not sure if that was because of the young age and level of maturity of the protagonists (early 20’s, I think), because of a lack of worldliness in the Conservative Mennonite Church, or because of my personal views on the scriptural basis for some of the church rules, but it did mean that it took me a while to get into it. I also found the ending a bit abrupt, almost as though the last chapter was deleted to make room for the epilogue.
Something New follows on from Something Old (the story of Kate and Jake), so I’m guessing the next in the series will be Something Borrowed (the story of Mercy, the last of the three friends), possibly followed by Something Blue? They don’t have to be read in order, although many people do prefer to read in order to avoid spoilers. However, it’s a romance, which, by definition has to have a ‘happy ever after’. How much more of a spoiler could there be? I did enjoy Something New, but it was not, for me, a great novel. I would read more novels by Dianne Christner, but she won’t be one of those authors I read or buy automatically.
Thanks to Barbour Publishing and NetGalley for providing a free ebook to review. This review also appears on my blog, www.christianreads.blogspot.com.
January 17, 2012
Lil Landis had dreams. She wanted to live in the doddy house with her best friend and be the Head Chef of a restaurant. Both were things that weren't common for a Conservative Mennonite. Young Women stayed home with their parents until they were married and they also didn't hold jobs outside the home. Lil was getting closer to living out her dreams when her mother became depressed. Lil was working at a restaurant as a cook. She was also living with her friend, Megan Weaver, when she was asked to go home to help with her mother. To make matters worse, her father confided in her that they may lose their farm.
One day, Lil accidentally backed into the car Fletch Staufffer was driving. Fletch was going to school to be a Veterinarian. He also was Mennonite, but went to a more liberal church. They both felt an instant attraction to one another. One day Fletch showed up with Lil's brother, Matt, for a family get together. They began to date, against her father's wishes. The biggest obstacle in their relationship was the difference in their beliefs
Fletch was the child of missionaries. His father had always seemed too busy to have a father-son relationship with him. A contributor to the missions, Marshall Lewis, stepped in as a father figure to Fletch. Marshall asked Fletch to do something that was unethical. Fletch could jeopardize his veterinary career if he chose to please Marshall. With Marshall paying for his schooling he felt pressure to do it. Fletch would have to let down either Marshall or Lil and her family with his actions.
Somebody was let down by Fletch's choice, besides Fletch himself. Who does Fletch hurt with his decision? Does Lil ever fully achieve her dreams? Do Lil and Fletch work out their differences? Read Something New to find out.
This is a clean, inspirational book so I was a little surprised that there were things such as, how Fletch seemed obsessed with Lil's waist and referring to Lil, "She smiled seductively" in it. I also wasn't sure of the ages of Lil and her friends. Lil seemed a little immature, she was always calling her cousin "Chump." I thought the ending was a little abrupt, there needed to be something more between the last two chapters. All that aside, I enjoyed the book. I found myself pulling for Fletch. Like most people in a questionable situation, he didn't realize he had choices. Lil seemed to be a little spoiled. She didn't like wearing Plain clothes, she couldn't stand living on a farm. By the end of the book Lil realized that she wasn't trusting God with her life and His plans for her. The main theme of this book is forgiveness. Each character needed forgiveness or to offer forgiveness in one form or another. It reminds us that we all need to have forgiveness in our own lives. I look forward to reading the other books in this series.
Plain City Bridesmaids Series
Something Old #1
Something New #2
Something Borrowed #3 (out 8/12)
I received a free copy of this e-book from NetGalley for my honest review.
One day, Lil accidentally backed into the car Fletch Staufffer was driving. Fletch was going to school to be a Veterinarian. He also was Mennonite, but went to a more liberal church. They both felt an instant attraction to one another. One day Fletch showed up with Lil's brother, Matt, for a family get together. They began to date, against her father's wishes. The biggest obstacle in their relationship was the difference in their beliefs
Fletch was the child of missionaries. His father had always seemed too busy to have a father-son relationship with him. A contributor to the missions, Marshall Lewis, stepped in as a father figure to Fletch. Marshall asked Fletch to do something that was unethical. Fletch could jeopardize his veterinary career if he chose to please Marshall. With Marshall paying for his schooling he felt pressure to do it. Fletch would have to let down either Marshall or Lil and her family with his actions.
Somebody was let down by Fletch's choice, besides Fletch himself. Who does Fletch hurt with his decision? Does Lil ever fully achieve her dreams? Do Lil and Fletch work out their differences? Read Something New to find out.
This is a clean, inspirational book so I was a little surprised that there were things such as, how Fletch seemed obsessed with Lil's waist and referring to Lil, "She smiled seductively" in it. I also wasn't sure of the ages of Lil and her friends. Lil seemed a little immature, she was always calling her cousin "Chump." I thought the ending was a little abrupt, there needed to be something more between the last two chapters. All that aside, I enjoyed the book. I found myself pulling for Fletch. Like most people in a questionable situation, he didn't realize he had choices. Lil seemed to be a little spoiled. She didn't like wearing Plain clothes, she couldn't stand living on a farm. By the end of the book Lil realized that she wasn't trusting God with her life and His plans for her. The main theme of this book is forgiveness. Each character needed forgiveness or to offer forgiveness in one form or another. It reminds us that we all need to have forgiveness in our own lives. I look forward to reading the other books in this series.
Plain City Bridesmaids Series
Something Old #1
Something New #2
Something Borrowed #3 (out 8/12)
I received a free copy of this e-book from NetGalley for my honest review.
February 22, 2012
In Book One of Plain City Bridesmaids we fall in love with Katy and Jake in Something Old. In Book Two, Something New, Katy and Jake are on their honeymoon while Lillian has moved back home to the farm.
Lillian hates farm life. If all works well, Katy and Jake will move out of the Doddy House and Lillian and Meg will move in like they have talked about since they were all children, but things have become more difficult for Lillian. Her mother has fallen into a deep depression, and her father and brothers have antiquated ideas about a woman's place. As the stress builds in the Landis household, Lillian meets Fletch.
Fletch is a new veternarian with a soft nature. His parents are brilliant missionaries and Fletch has hardly seen them these last few years. Fletch encounters trouble of a different sort in Plain City. One of his parent's most loyal donors helped Fletch get an intern position with a good friend. The loyal donor, Marshall pressures Fletch to take videos of sick animals on the Amish farms in order to get footage to help bring revenue to the struggling, rescue animal shelter.
Fletch doesn't want to hurt the trust a veternarian works hard to hold onto, but he feels pressured because Marshall has donated so much money towards his parent's missionary efforts. So what if he did take some videos of some sick pigs? The farm wasn't going to be named in the video, but it so happened that the farm in question belonged to the Landis family.
Dianne Christner takes Amish fiction to a new level by introducing more complex layers to a typical Amish romance. In the first novel, Something Old, Christner explores a very judgemental Katy. In Something New, there's a lot of gray and Fletch is easily pursuaded to bend his ethics a little in order to not offend anyone. Lillian has dreams, but in a place where men make the decisions and women get married and have children, she fights family tradition in order to be with the man she loves and hold on to the dream of being a chef.
Something New is another wonderful work of fiction that explores everyday struggles in a strict society without the naive innocence so common in Amish romance.
*book was given by publisher to review.
Lillian hates farm life. If all works well, Katy and Jake will move out of the Doddy House and Lillian and Meg will move in like they have talked about since they were all children, but things have become more difficult for Lillian. Her mother has fallen into a deep depression, and her father and brothers have antiquated ideas about a woman's place. As the stress builds in the Landis household, Lillian meets Fletch.
Fletch is a new veternarian with a soft nature. His parents are brilliant missionaries and Fletch has hardly seen them these last few years. Fletch encounters trouble of a different sort in Plain City. One of his parent's most loyal donors helped Fletch get an intern position with a good friend. The loyal donor, Marshall pressures Fletch to take videos of sick animals on the Amish farms in order to get footage to help bring revenue to the struggling, rescue animal shelter.
Fletch doesn't want to hurt the trust a veternarian works hard to hold onto, but he feels pressured because Marshall has donated so much money towards his parent's missionary efforts. So what if he did take some videos of some sick pigs? The farm wasn't going to be named in the video, but it so happened that the farm in question belonged to the Landis family.
Dianne Christner takes Amish fiction to a new level by introducing more complex layers to a typical Amish romance. In the first novel, Something Old, Christner explores a very judgemental Katy. In Something New, there's a lot of gray and Fletch is easily pursuaded to bend his ethics a little in order to not offend anyone. Lillian has dreams, but in a place where men make the decisions and women get married and have children, she fights family tradition in order to be with the man she loves and hold on to the dream of being a chef.
Something New is another wonderful work of fiction that explores everyday struggles in a strict society without the naive innocence so common in Amish romance.
*book was given by publisher to review.
June 3, 2012
I was introduced to Dianne Christner’s when I read her first book in this series, “Something Old,” and I knew then I had found a new author to follow. I was anxiously awaiting for “Something New” to be released so I could read and review it as well. And I wasn’t disappointed.
This book is the story of Lil Landis. She is not happy with her life during this time because she had to move back to the farm to take care of her mother who was dealing with depression. Lil would much rather be rooming with her friend. However, her dad is happy with this arrangement because he hopes Lil will do what is expected of her, to settle down and get married. But that is just not what Lil has in mind.
And then there was Fletch. Helping a local veterinarian, Fletch spent a lot of time on the Landis farm, and around the spunky Lil Landis. So much time that they started falling for each other. That is until Lil found out that Fletch had been deceiving she and her family trying to help out a friend. This deception didn’t go over too well with Lil nor her dad and brothers, thus driving this story into a lot of twists and turns that will keep you reading until the very last page.
In this book we were reacquainted with characters from “Something Old’ as well as meeting new faces. Set in a Mennonite community in Ohio, the author pens another story that will warm your heart, but yet have you involved in the difficulties the characters face. I really felt bad for Fletch, but then this is what happens when we make the wrong choices. And to find out if Lil and Fletch will patch things up between them, you will need to grab a copy of this book and read it. If you like a nice, clean, refreshing, light read, you will love this book. It read is definitely worth your time.
I appreciate Barbour Publishing for providing a copy of this book for me to read and review. I was not expected or required to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.
This book is the story of Lil Landis. She is not happy with her life during this time because she had to move back to the farm to take care of her mother who was dealing with depression. Lil would much rather be rooming with her friend. However, her dad is happy with this arrangement because he hopes Lil will do what is expected of her, to settle down and get married. But that is just not what Lil has in mind.
And then there was Fletch. Helping a local veterinarian, Fletch spent a lot of time on the Landis farm, and around the spunky Lil Landis. So much time that they started falling for each other. That is until Lil found out that Fletch had been deceiving she and her family trying to help out a friend. This deception didn’t go over too well with Lil nor her dad and brothers, thus driving this story into a lot of twists and turns that will keep you reading until the very last page.
In this book we were reacquainted with characters from “Something Old’ as well as meeting new faces. Set in a Mennonite community in Ohio, the author pens another story that will warm your heart, but yet have you involved in the difficulties the characters face. I really felt bad for Fletch, but then this is what happens when we make the wrong choices. And to find out if Lil and Fletch will patch things up between them, you will need to grab a copy of this book and read it. If you like a nice, clean, refreshing, light read, you will love this book. It read is definitely worth your time.
I appreciate Barbour Publishing for providing a copy of this book for me to read and review. I was not expected or required to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.
May 3, 2012
4.5 Stars
Lil had to move back home after living on her own for a while to help take care of her mom who is struggling with depression. Lil really wants to be a head chief some day but feels torn between her family and her dream. Meeting Fletch only adds to her confusion.
Fletch is in Plain City to work for a vet so he can graduate. He meets Lil by chance and soon finds himself falling for her but he makes a choice that could end any chance between them. Will these two over come their differences to be together?
This is the 2nd book in the series and I really enjoyed it.
What I liked: This book was much more balanced in its story telling then the first book. I liked how we got to know both Lil and Fletch family’s and the author also laid the ground work for the third book as well. This book dealt with depression and handled it very well. This book also deals with the struggle between the more conservative Mennonite church and the more liberal. I was happy with the outcome of the story and how it worked to explain that its about the relationship with Christ yet the author did not undermine the beliefs of the more conservative church well done.
What I did not like: There was not much to not like about this book. Maybe how the situation with Lil’s mom ended up(don’t want to give anything away) was a little fairy tailish(every one ends up happy). Thought it was written very well so this is minor to me.
When it comes to series the 2nd book is not always one I really like because it’s the middle book, either you wish for more from the first or are already looking forward to the third. This book though was a solid middle series book. I really enjoyed it and loved the characters. Really looking forward to the 3rd book due out later this year!
http://abbiesreadingcorner.com/2012/0...
Lil had to move back home after living on her own for a while to help take care of her mom who is struggling with depression. Lil really wants to be a head chief some day but feels torn between her family and her dream. Meeting Fletch only adds to her confusion.
Fletch is in Plain City to work for a vet so he can graduate. He meets Lil by chance and soon finds himself falling for her but he makes a choice that could end any chance between them. Will these two over come their differences to be together?
This is the 2nd book in the series and I really enjoyed it.
What I liked: This book was much more balanced in its story telling then the first book. I liked how we got to know both Lil and Fletch family’s and the author also laid the ground work for the third book as well. This book dealt with depression and handled it very well. This book also deals with the struggle between the more conservative Mennonite church and the more liberal. I was happy with the outcome of the story and how it worked to explain that its about the relationship with Christ yet the author did not undermine the beliefs of the more conservative church well done.
What I did not like: There was not much to not like about this book. Maybe how the situation with Lil’s mom ended up(don’t want to give anything away) was a little fairy tailish(every one ends up happy). Thought it was written very well so this is minor to me.
When it comes to series the 2nd book is not always one I really like because it’s the middle book, either you wish for more from the first or are already looking forward to the third. This book though was a solid middle series book. I really enjoyed it and loved the characters. Really looking forward to the 3rd book due out later this year!
http://abbiesreadingcorner.com/2012/0...
October 16, 2012
We once again return to Plain City, the “doddy” house and best friends Katy, Lil and Meghan. Now that Katy and Jake are married, they have are living in the “doddy” house that originally she and Lil were living in; Lil’s moved home to help her family and lend a hand while her mother is ill.
Working, helping at home and keeping the peace is taking it’s toll on Lil. She desperately wants to become a head chef and live her own life, but things don’t seem to be going in her favor. As her mother’s depression deepens, she has to take on more responsibility and soon loses the job she loved. On top of that, there are financial issues, sick animals and a very stressed out family.
To make matters work, Lil backs into a VERY expensive car - driven by vet assistant Fletcher. I love the saying – things always happen for a reason. And this couldn’t be more true for this story. Fletcher takes on a huge role in this story, although he’s not one of my favourite characters.. he does redeem himself and is forgiven.
Fletcher is indebted to the man who paid his way through school, and helped his family, who are missionaries. When Marshall asks him to do something that threatens his own ethics and could potentially harm a great deal of people, he has to decide which is more important – Marshall or everyone else. I felt for Fletcher, he had some tough choices, and had to do a lot of grovelling and prove his worth for forgiveness..
Will I recommend this book? If you love inspirational romances, and the works of Dianne – you will definitely enjoy this story. It’s sweet, engaging and tugs are your heart strings. I hoped that Fletcher would see the light and that Lil and him would work things out. Will I read more by this author? Yes! I have Something Blue (the third book in the Plains City series) waiting on my TBR pile!
Working, helping at home and keeping the peace is taking it’s toll on Lil. She desperately wants to become a head chef and live her own life, but things don’t seem to be going in her favor. As her mother’s depression deepens, she has to take on more responsibility and soon loses the job she loved. On top of that, there are financial issues, sick animals and a very stressed out family.
To make matters work, Lil backs into a VERY expensive car - driven by vet assistant Fletcher. I love the saying – things always happen for a reason. And this couldn’t be more true for this story. Fletcher takes on a huge role in this story, although he’s not one of my favourite characters.. he does redeem himself and is forgiven.
Fletcher is indebted to the man who paid his way through school, and helped his family, who are missionaries. When Marshall asks him to do something that threatens his own ethics and could potentially harm a great deal of people, he has to decide which is more important – Marshall or everyone else. I felt for Fletcher, he had some tough choices, and had to do a lot of grovelling and prove his worth for forgiveness..
Will I recommend this book? If you love inspirational romances, and the works of Dianne – you will definitely enjoy this story. It’s sweet, engaging and tugs are your heart strings. I hoped that Fletcher would see the light and that Lil and him would work things out. Will I read more by this author? Yes! I have Something Blue (the third book in the Plains City series) waiting on my TBR pile!
March 1, 2012
Something New by Dianne Christner
4 STARS
Something New is a Christian fiction novel about a Mennonites family. I was caught up into the book till 2:00 AM. Their is no sex scenes and show people trying to be better.
Lil is a conservative Mennonites as is her whole family except Matt. She has moved back home, to take care of her mom who is in a bad depression and stays in bed. Lil is working in a restraunt and one day she wants to be a chef.
One day late for work she backed up her car into a lot fancier car.
Fletch drove his boss's car to go pick up lunch when he was hit by Lil backing up.
The next time they meet is at her family's farm where he was invited to dinner. Fletch was helping her family with discount vetinary work. Since the Hog farm was in trouble.
Fletch talked her into a date, which her family did not approve of.
Fletch's old friend who is helping to support his family's missionary work and helping him to pay for collage asks him to film sick animals for a documentary to help his animal rescue farm. When Lil catches him at it. Everything falls apart and lil breaks off from him. Her family kicks him off the farm and tells him to never come back.
This story touches a lot of issues like: Suciede,depression, missionary work, forgiveness, obidence to family, differences in churches, working through problems and service,ect.
I did enjoy the story and hope to read many more books like this one. I was given this ebook to read in exchange of honest review from Netgalley.
02/01/2012 PUB Barbour Publishing, Inc.
4 STARS
Something New is a Christian fiction novel about a Mennonites family. I was caught up into the book till 2:00 AM. Their is no sex scenes and show people trying to be better.
Lil is a conservative Mennonites as is her whole family except Matt. She has moved back home, to take care of her mom who is in a bad depression and stays in bed. Lil is working in a restraunt and one day she wants to be a chef.
One day late for work she backed up her car into a lot fancier car.
Fletch drove his boss's car to go pick up lunch when he was hit by Lil backing up.
The next time they meet is at her family's farm where he was invited to dinner. Fletch was helping her family with discount vetinary work. Since the Hog farm was in trouble.
Fletch talked her into a date, which her family did not approve of.
Fletch's old friend who is helping to support his family's missionary work and helping him to pay for collage asks him to film sick animals for a documentary to help his animal rescue farm. When Lil catches him at it. Everything falls apart and lil breaks off from him. Her family kicks him off the farm and tells him to never come back.
This story touches a lot of issues like: Suciede,depression, missionary work, forgiveness, obidence to family, differences in churches, working through problems and service,ect.
I did enjoy the story and hope to read many more books like this one. I was given this ebook to read in exchange of honest review from Netgalley.
02/01/2012 PUB Barbour Publishing, Inc.
July 22, 2016
Received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
I had to do my “Garbanzo” dance now that I finished. Bwah. Boring, boring, boring. I did not like this book at all and while there is nothing I could really bash it about, I was just bored. I was reading Catch 22 and was not enjoying it, so started this instead and was so uninterested, that Catch-22 became enjoyable. The whole Plain City, and I’m just a Plain girl, was true to heart. Everyone was so plain and bland I couldn’t care for them. The only interesting person was the depressed mother who sometimes was sassy, yet still very weak. What stopped me from giving this one star was the fact that I got something out of this book. I have no previous knowledge of Mennonite or Amish culture, so it was very enlightening and at the same time off putting. Lil was so down on herself, but had her cooking dreams and somehow this handsome fellow Fletch fell for her after she crash into him. According to her she is plain and she didn’t sell herself short to the reader cause that was all I could think. Not coming from a conservative view point on anything I just couldn’t stomach the weak women bending to a male’s whim. Every time the mother sassed her husband she was quick to apologize, even when she was right. Mind I tried not to bias and just look at it as this is part of their culture. Reading this from an entertaining point of view, no it was not a good read for me. From an educational standpoint I am a bit more familiar with the culture, but it is not good source material for Mennonite enlightenment.
I had to do my “Garbanzo” dance now that I finished. Bwah. Boring, boring, boring. I did not like this book at all and while there is nothing I could really bash it about, I was just bored. I was reading Catch 22 and was not enjoying it, so started this instead and was so uninterested, that Catch-22 became enjoyable. The whole Plain City, and I’m just a Plain girl, was true to heart. Everyone was so plain and bland I couldn’t care for them. The only interesting person was the depressed mother who sometimes was sassy, yet still very weak. What stopped me from giving this one star was the fact that I got something out of this book. I have no previous knowledge of Mennonite or Amish culture, so it was very enlightening and at the same time off putting. Lil was so down on herself, but had her cooking dreams and somehow this handsome fellow Fletch fell for her after she crash into him. According to her she is plain and she didn’t sell herself short to the reader cause that was all I could think. Not coming from a conservative view point on anything I just couldn’t stomach the weak women bending to a male’s whim. Every time the mother sassed her husband she was quick to apologize, even when she was right. Mind I tried not to bias and just look at it as this is part of their culture. Reading this from an entertaining point of view, no it was not a good read for me. From an educational standpoint I am a bit more familiar with the culture, but it is not good source material for Mennonite enlightenment.
February 28, 2012
Something New, written by Dianne Christner, is book two in The Plain City Bridesmaids series. You do not have to read the others in the series to enjoy this book.
Lil Landis does not like living on the family farm. She would rather be a successful head chef. Her family needs her help as they go through some difficult times but helping them is hindering her ability to follow her dream.
When Lil literally runs into Fletch Stauffer she does not realize how much that encounter will change her life. Fletch is not happy with his current job and has dreams of his own. Will they fall in love and follow their dreams or take different paths that will tear them apart?
The story is set in a Mennonite community in the state of Ohio. The setting plays an important part in the story and the story itself would not have worked unless set there. You can’t really call this a romance or an adventure story. It is really just a story of two young people and how their lives change after meeting. The romance between them is there but is not the predominate story line. Overall this is a good book but not one I would read again.
I would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for the copy of this book I enjoyed reading. I gave an honest review based solely on my opinion of what I read.
Lil Landis does not like living on the family farm. She would rather be a successful head chef. Her family needs her help as they go through some difficult times but helping them is hindering her ability to follow her dream.
When Lil literally runs into Fletch Stauffer she does not realize how much that encounter will change her life. Fletch is not happy with his current job and has dreams of his own. Will they fall in love and follow their dreams or take different paths that will tear them apart?
The story is set in a Mennonite community in the state of Ohio. The setting plays an important part in the story and the story itself would not have worked unless set there. You can’t really call this a romance or an adventure story. It is really just a story of two young people and how their lives change after meeting. The romance between them is there but is not the predominate story line. Overall this is a good book but not one I would read again.
I would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for the copy of this book I enjoyed reading. I gave an honest review based solely on my opinion of what I read.
January 20, 2012
i did like this book not as good as book one. It is about a girl name Lillian she wants to be a chef in a fancy restauant she meets a guy name Fletch he is going to vet school and is working for a vet in plain city. it was kinna fun how they met Lillian was late for work and she was pulling out of the parking spot and hit Fletch's car but the car was really his bosses she gave him her insurance card that had her number on it if they would need it. then he lost her number and could not get a hold of her. then one night his good friend invited him to his house and eat he did not know that the house was Lillian parents and she would be there.
You never know what you really want until you listen what god is really trying to tell you. Lillian all her life she wanted to be a chef well she got her chance and she hated it. And Fletch all he wanted to be was a vet, but God was telling him to go on a missanary trip to help the animals but his parents were missanaries and he hated that because he was always alone.
It was a good book. not sure if there will be a book three.
You never know what you really want until you listen what god is really trying to tell you. Lillian all her life she wanted to be a chef well she got her chance and she hated it. And Fletch all he wanted to be was a vet, but God was telling him to go on a missanary trip to help the animals but his parents were missanaries and he hated that because he was always alone.
It was a good book. not sure if there will be a book three.
October 24, 2011
I loved that this book started with a backstory on the three characters that I grew to enjoy in Book 1. It was pretty cool to see where Lil's obsession with becoming a chef came from and seeing her journey of faith unfold right in front of us. It was a fantastic journey and soul searching type of book.
That said, the romance was pretty predictable, but had some unexpected twists and turns. Fletch was a pretty dynamic character who struggled with finding who he wanted to be and honestly, I wasn't expecting what he turned out to be.
I was pretty put off by the end of the book though. It was kinda like there were a few chapters missing. Without giving too much away it's like "oh I think I know what I want" then immediately following a "this is what we always wanted" type of ending. It just felt like there was a lot of their journey out of the book.
Aside from the random ending, I really enjoyed the book and cannot wait for the next one!
July 25, 2017
This is a beautiful,sweet love story of a girl that belong to the Darby Conservative Mennonite church, and a young man who is Mennonite,but not conservative.I loved Fletcher's character-intelligent,considerate of others,goal-minded,but sensitive to others in his life,his great sense of humor,and his beautiful love and respect for Lil' and for all the animals he took care of as a vet.They both searched to find, and discovered what was really important in their relationship.
I also enjoy the other characters in the story and reading about their different situations in life, and how they found out that their lack of faith in God was missing.
I also found it interesting about the methods of farming,and I admired the vets' and Lil's family's respect toward their farm animals. I highly recommend this book!
I also enjoy the other characters in the story and reading about their different situations in life, and how they found out that their lack of faith in God was missing.
I also found it interesting about the methods of farming,and I admired the vets' and Lil's family's respect toward their farm animals. I highly recommend this book!
August 1, 2013
Great read. This is the second book of a trilogy, each one featuring one of three close friends. This volume delineates the story of Lil, who thinks she is too plain and has no boyfriends, and has great ambitions to be a head chef in a fine restaurant. Her Mennonite upbringing becomes a problem for her at times when she is working "in the world". When she meets Fletch both of them are instantly attracted to each other. Fortunately he is also Mennonite, though of a more liberal order than Liz's.The rest of the book is a skillful weaving of the threads of a plot with many twists and turns. But all is well in the end and I like that. 5 stars!
May 8, 2013
It is Lil's turn. Jake and Katy are married and now living in the three girls' cottage the three friends grew up wanting to live together. Lil is back home helping with her family since her mother is having a tough time with depression. She is working hard at restaurant with dreams of being head chef. Fletch is finishing vet school and is sure he doesn't want to be a missionary like his parents. God may just have different plans for both.
This book was better than the first one in this series.
318 pages
This book was better than the first one in this series.
318 pages
August 21, 2012
Something New book 2 in Plain City Bridemaids by Dianne Christner and it can be read as a stand alone.
EXCELLENT book. Main characters are tested about trust, faith, hardship, trials, and goals throughout the book, but can LOVE survive? Can LOVE conquer all?
EXCELLENT book. Main characters are tested about trust, faith, hardship, trials, and goals throughout the book, but can LOVE survive? Can LOVE conquer all?
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