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Amish Daughters #1
Jacob's Daughter
Twenty-eight-year-old Lizzie Barlow is running from her past and present mistakes. Not knowing which direction to go, she finds herself hiding out in the same Amish community in which she grew up. With her ten-year-old daughter Abby, in tow, she fears her secrets will catch up to her.
When Abby discovers her real father may be living just down the road from where they are staying, she sets off on an adventure to meet him. What she doesn't know are the many secrets that her mother never shared with her--the same secrets that will turn her life upside down.
Jacob Yoder is an Amish widower, trying to raise his ten-year-old son, when his past shows up on his doorstep unexpectedly, threatening to change his life forever.
Will life ever be the same for Lizzie and Jacob again? Or will their mistakes change everything?
When Abby discovers her real father may be living just down the road from where they are staying, she sets off on an adventure to meet him. What she doesn't know are the many secrets that her mother never shared with her--the same secrets that will turn her life upside down.
Jacob Yoder is an Amish widower, trying to raise his ten-year-old son, when his past shows up on his doorstep unexpectedly, threatening to change his life forever.
Will life ever be the same for Lizzie and Jacob again? Or will their mistakes change everything?
139 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 12, 2011
244 people are currently reading
953 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 119 reviews
January 7, 2022
Starts with an interesting storyline that devolves into a narrow focus romance. The first half of the book shows Lizzie and her daughter Abby arriving in Lizzie's childhood Amish hometown and their adjustment to the Amish lifestyle. After their lives intertwine with Jacob's, the book gradually turns into an outright romance, with the final chapters heavily concerned with Lizzie and Jacob's physical relationship.
I liked Lizzie's return to her Amish roots and the situation that caused her to do so was a novel one for an Amish story. It's a well-written story but the speed and smoothness of Abby and Lizzie's adaption to their new life is implausible, particularly so for the daughter, whose life and style of living has turned completely upside down. I also didn't find it believable that steady and sedate Jacob has no doubts about moving forward, no questions about how living amongst the English for 11 years might not be so easy to turn your back on. This is an optimistic read; any and all potential conflicts are resolved with no drama and a wonderful happy ending for all involved.
Despite the exaggerated feel-good tone, I found the story to be a pleasant read until those final chapters. The author tried to temper the physical lust with the reawakening of long-held buried feelings, but the short time frame, Amish setting, and probable expectations of readers of this genre don't lend themselves to the inclusion of much in the way of bedroom scenes. The writing is extremely modest compared to other romance novels, but I still didn't find the ending of this narrative sequence to be believable, natural, and satisfactory for a book in this genre and with this setting.
This would make a fine Amish romance with better development of characters and plot, and a romance that strengthens quietly and steadily over time. It's a light and easy read, but not as gratifying as one might hope.
I liked Lizzie's return to her Amish roots and the situation that caused her to do so was a novel one for an Amish story. It's a well-written story but the speed and smoothness of Abby and Lizzie's adaption to their new life is implausible, particularly so for the daughter, whose life and style of living has turned completely upside down. I also didn't find it believable that steady and sedate Jacob has no doubts about moving forward, no questions about how living amongst the English for 11 years might not be so easy to turn your back on. This is an optimistic read; any and all potential conflicts are resolved with no drama and a wonderful happy ending for all involved.
Despite the exaggerated feel-good tone, I found the story to be a pleasant read until those final chapters. The author tried to temper the physical lust with the reawakening of long-held buried feelings, but the short time frame, Amish setting, and probable expectations of readers of this genre don't lend themselves to the inclusion of much in the way of bedroom scenes. The writing is extremely modest compared to other romance novels, but I still didn't find the ending of this narrative sequence to be believable, natural, and satisfactory for a book in this genre and with this setting.
This would make a fine Amish romance with better development of characters and plot, and a romance that strengthens quietly and steadily over time. It's a light and easy read, but not as gratifying as one might hope.
June 17, 2014
These characters are so one-dimensional that this almost reads like a poorly done attempt at convincing Amish teens that the Amish life is wonderful, while English life is full of rape and drugs.
There's a "plot" about Lizzie's older brother that just gets dropped, never to be brought up again. (Why did he lie to both Lizzie and Jacob to keep them apart?) Lizzie's 10 year old, Abby, says things like "I thought I would miss my cell phone and television, but having a family is so much better!" No 10 year old in the history of ever has said that. Does Jacob stop shaving eventually? What's with not one but TWO deaths in childbirth/pregnancy? Not to mention how fertile the Amish appear to be, what with all of the getting pregnant on the very first try.
I'm all for fun, quick reads, but not at the expense of basic character development.
There's a "plot" about Lizzie's older brother that just gets dropped, never to be brought up again. (Why did he lie to both Lizzie and Jacob to keep them apart?) Lizzie's 10 year old, Abby, says things like "I thought I would miss my cell phone and television, but having a family is so much better!" No 10 year old in the history of ever has said that. Does Jacob stop shaving eventually? What's with not one but TWO deaths in childbirth/pregnancy? Not to mention how fertile the Amish appear to be, what with all of the getting pregnant on the very first try.
I'm all for fun, quick reads, but not at the expense of basic character development.
July 17, 2013
This book was a disappointment. It appears to be self-published or she had a horrible editor. The Amish traditions of baptism and marriage did not ring true to me. The story seemed very rushed with not a great deal of character or plot development. This was more like a short story or novella than a novel. I do not believe I will read more of this author, unless someone tells me the quality of writing improved significantly.
November 25, 2015
I think this could have been a good book. Just moved to fast. Married? If it was longer could have played out the story better. I did finish it so that says something. If absolutely horrible would have stopped reading and moved to something else.
May 30, 2012
A fast easy read but it had no depth. The characters were all kind of lame and there was never any sort of climax in the plot.
November 21, 2013
The character and plot development in this book was not good, but the story was interesting. I wasn't impressed.
June 21, 2014
Wonderful love story.
This is such a nice love story. I couldn't stop reading it. Wish there were more stories like this to read.
This is such a nice love story. I couldn't stop reading it. Wish there were more stories like this to read.
July 22, 2014
I've recently began reading Amish novels and find I love them. This storyline is a good one and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.
December 17, 2015
From the Cover
Twenty-eight-year-old Lizzie Barlow is running from her past and present mistakes. Not knowing which direction to go, she finds herself hiding out in the same Amish community in which she grew up. With her ten-year-old daughter Abby, in tow, she fears her secrets will catch up to her.
When Abby discovers her real father may be living just down the road from where they are staying, she sets off on an adventure to meet him. What she doesn't know are the many secrets that her mother never shared with her--the same secrets that will turn her life upside down.
Jacob Yoder is an Amish widower, trying to raise his ten-year-old son, when his past shows up on his doorstep unexpectedly, threatening to change his life forever.
Will life ever be the same for Lizzie and Jacob again? Or will their mistakes change everything?
My Review
I really enjoyed this book. I love Amish stories but I haven't seen many where a person has left and come back. Lizzie was a character with a lot of depth and it was interesting to see her develop throughout the story. I loved how the author wove Abby into the story and how she adjusted to "Amish life" after being born and brought up in the English world. The story has some twists but overall is heartwarming and lovely.
From a Christian Perspective
I love Amish stories because of the faith that is exemplified throughout the stories. This one was no exception. Even in the midst of some pretty stressful situations, Jacob and Lizzie demonstrated faith. Facing the challenges, some brought on by themselves, in the end they trusted God to guide them. Always a good thing!
Love and Blessings!
Margaret
Twenty-eight-year-old Lizzie Barlow is running from her past and present mistakes. Not knowing which direction to go, she finds herself hiding out in the same Amish community in which she grew up. With her ten-year-old daughter Abby, in tow, she fears her secrets will catch up to her.
When Abby discovers her real father may be living just down the road from where they are staying, she sets off on an adventure to meet him. What she doesn't know are the many secrets that her mother never shared with her--the same secrets that will turn her life upside down.
Jacob Yoder is an Amish widower, trying to raise his ten-year-old son, when his past shows up on his doorstep unexpectedly, threatening to change his life forever.
Will life ever be the same for Lizzie and Jacob again? Or will their mistakes change everything?
My Review
I really enjoyed this book. I love Amish stories but I haven't seen many where a person has left and come back. Lizzie was a character with a lot of depth and it was interesting to see her develop throughout the story. I loved how the author wove Abby into the story and how she adjusted to "Amish life" after being born and brought up in the English world. The story has some twists but overall is heartwarming and lovely.
From a Christian Perspective
I love Amish stories because of the faith that is exemplified throughout the stories. This one was no exception. Even in the midst of some pretty stressful situations, Jacob and Lizzie demonstrated faith. Facing the challenges, some brought on by themselves, in the end they trusted God to guide them. Always a good thing!
Love and Blessings!
Margaret
March 14, 2012
28 year old Lizzie Barlow is running from her past and present mistakes. Not knowing where to turn, she returns to the Amish community she grew up in but left when she was 17, with her 10 year old daughter Abby in tow.
When Abby discovers that her real father may be living just up the road, she sets off to meet him. She is unaware of the many secrets her mother shared with her, secrets that may soon turn all their world upside down.
Jacob Yoder is an Amish widower, trying to raise his 10 year old son, when his past shows up on his doorstep and threatens to change his life for forever.
This was a quick read and a sweet story, but but not much plot or substance to it. The author never really explains why Lizzie left home in the first place. This could have have been a great book if the plot and characters had been fleshed out a little more.
When Abby discovers that her real father may be living just up the road, she sets off to meet him. She is unaware of the many secrets her mother shared with her, secrets that may soon turn all their world upside down.
Jacob Yoder is an Amish widower, trying to raise his 10 year old son, when his past shows up on his doorstep and threatens to change his life for forever.
This was a quick read and a sweet story, but but not much plot or substance to it. The author never really explains why Lizzie left home in the first place. This could have have been a great book if the plot and characters had been fleshed out a little more.
September 11, 2012
I liked this ...I found it too short, but should not complain as the cost was great value!!!
There was no tension as both the main protagonists were given a POV and often they mirrored... oh what larks!!! However I got over this as I liked them!!
I found this like others in the genre to be a taster for the "family group" which will develop in a rich tapestry in the whole body of work... a good start point but I suspect I will enjoy others more now the groundwork has been laid.
There was no tension as both the main protagonists were given a POV and often they mirrored... oh what larks!!! However I got over this as I liked them!!
I found this like others in the genre to be a taster for the "family group" which will develop in a rich tapestry in the whole body of work... a good start point but I suspect I will enjoy others more now the groundwork has been laid.
January 10, 2013
Happily Ever After
Jacobs Daughter is a sweet, Walt Disney like, fairly tale where everyone is good and kind and the princess lives happily ever after.
While this type of sugary sweet fantasy is not usually what I go for, this is well written and is a pleasant change of pace.
If you are looking for Christian romance, this one is probably one of the better ones.
Jacobs Daughter is a sweet, Walt Disney like, fairly tale where everyone is good and kind and the princess lives happily ever after.
While this type of sugary sweet fantasy is not usually what I go for, this is well written and is a pleasant change of pace.
If you are looking for Christian romance, this one is probably one of the better ones.
September 3, 2014
I really enjoyed this story but it is WAY to short to be called a book! Lizzie returns home to her Amish beginnings with her young daughter after her drug dealing gambler of a boyfriend is killed in a car accident. There she is faced by her family and the widowed love of her life that she left 10 years ago and just like that everyone lives happily ever after!!!
June 12, 2016
Lizzie and Jacob's story is amazing. When Lizzie left her family and Jacob, she never thought she would have to return home again. When Lizzie and Abby return their whole lives change. You will feel God working throughout this whole book. I had the honor to review this wonderful book for the author. You won't be able to stop reading this book.
August 5, 2016
I really liked this book and the way she conquered her struggles and went forward after the hurts she experienced recently and she had courage to go forth and face her fears and make a life for her and her daughter. She had a love that never quit and was able to recover that. It was a heartwarming story.
January 27, 2017
It was a good book beautifully written and drew me in i couldn't put it down until i had to. I don't typically read books about the Amish lifestyle simply because i feel like they wont be intriguing or they wont be romantic enough but i really loved this book i wish the author kept up with writing about this family but life will go on.
September 19, 2017
Wonderful easy read
Wonderful easy read. Sometimes it's nice to have rules and order--especially in the times we live in but without free agency you miss possible growth.
Wonderful easy read and a good escape from the times we live in. But without the freedom to chose, how can you grow? 4 stars because I wanted the book longer!
Wonderful easy read. Sometimes it's nice to have rules and order--especially in the times we live in but without free agency you miss possible growth.
Wonderful easy read and a good escape from the times we live in. But without the freedom to chose, how can you grow? 4 stars because I wanted the book longer!
May 13, 2012
This was an awesome book. A wonderful change from my normal reading genre's. I'd recommend it for any age group. A nice and clean, wholesome entertaining story. I look forward to reading the rest of this series.
August 24, 2012
This is the first book I have read by Samantha Bayrr and I really enjoyed it. It was
a quick, easy, heart warming read. I loved the plot and it kept me wanting to
read. I just started the second book in this series and am anxious to read the
whole series.
a quick, easy, heart warming read. I loved the plot and it kept me wanting to
read. I just started the second book in this series and am anxious to read the
whole series.
October 14, 2015
Good Book
This was a very pleasant book to read. Although I have no Amish heritage I truly enjoy these books that have no lusty longing for the opposite sex, yet has an interesting wholesome story.
This was a very pleasant book to read. Although I have no Amish heritage I truly enjoy these books that have no lusty longing for the opposite sex, yet has an interesting wholesome story.
February 14, 2012
Sweet, honest love story. Reminds one of calmer, simpler times.
March 5, 2012
Quick, easy read. Found myself wishing it was a longer book.
August 6, 2012
I like reading about the Amish people and their way of life. This was an easy read.
August 25, 2012
Simple and sweet. A very easy read!
September 23, 2012
I don't know what it is about these Amish books that intrigue me...
October 18, 2012
Quite an insight about the Amish community. I found it quite engaging but too short. Really interesting story and one could relate with it in some ways.
Read
October 22, 2012Light reading
January 19, 2013
A sweet story. An easy, but enjoyable read.
January 26, 2013
This was a novella. Short, sweet and a fair story line.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 119 reviews