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Between Two Worlds #1
An Unexpected Match (Between Two Worlds) by Gayle Roper
Rachel Beiler loves her job as the teacher in her Amish community. She’s obedient, humble, and compliant and tries to keep the ordnung to the best of her ability. But Rachel has a secret―something that could get her shunned if she’s found out. She loves knowledge and yearns for a college education. After serving a dozen years in the Army, Rob Lanier has returned from Afghanistan. But now that he’s home again, he’s constantly reminded of his family’s fall from grace. His father―once a highly respected and wealthy community leader―has disgraced the family, and Rob can’t find it in his heart to forgive him. When Rachel and Rob meet, sparks fly. But when a series of frightening events surrounding Rachel’s brother Johnny brings Rachel’s world crashing down around her, this unlikely match between an Amish teacher and an Englischer ex-soldier seems to be God’s perfect answer.
Paperback
First published September 1, 2014
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About the author
Gayle Roper
84 books90 followersGayle Roper rejoices every day that she gets to be a writer because she's in love with story. Even on the days that words rebel and have to be coerced onto the paper, there is nothing else she'd rather do. When readers like her work, it's like God says, "See? I knew what you were wired to do." When her books win awards like the Carol Award (Caught Redhanded) or the RITA Award (Autumn Dreams), the Holt Medallion (The Decision, Caught in a Bind, Autumn Dreams) or the Reviewer's Choice (The Decision), it's icing on the cake. And she gets to teach others how to write at conferences too. She spends a lot of time smiling. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Romance Writers of America and is the best-selling author of Hide & Seek and more than forty other books.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
October 7, 2018
Unexpected Consequences
All Rachel wanted was to learn and broaden her horizons. Intelligent, curious, yet committed to her Amish community and especially her family, she was torn between her need to learn and them. She needed to learn as much as she needed to breathe. Amish restrictions upon her chafe so she decides to secretly take a college course...with totally unexpected consequences when she meets Rob. Meanwhile her brother runs afoul of some nasty characters further complicating her life. Faced with challenges, Rachel must decide whether she will remain Amish or follow her heart.
This reviewer enjoyed An Unexpected Match and can recommend it as a good read. One caution, the Amish community of this book doesn't accurately reflect all Amish communities everywhere. In my area, they're so much more conservative and strict than those described in this story that much of what occurs in the book wouldn't occur around here. For example, dress code is stricter and where the members may work is also more restricted. Our Amish are very strict Old Order Amish.
All Rachel wanted was to learn and broaden her horizons. Intelligent, curious, yet committed to her Amish community and especially her family, she was torn between her need to learn and them. She needed to learn as much as she needed to breathe. Amish restrictions upon her chafe so she decides to secretly take a college course...with totally unexpected consequences when she meets Rob. Meanwhile her brother runs afoul of some nasty characters further complicating her life. Faced with challenges, Rachel must decide whether she will remain Amish or follow her heart.
This reviewer enjoyed An Unexpected Match and can recommend it as a good read. One caution, the Amish community of this book doesn't accurately reflect all Amish communities everywhere. In my area, they're so much more conservative and strict than those described in this story that much of what occurs in the book wouldn't occur around here. For example, dress code is stricter and where the members may work is also more restricted. Our Amish are very strict Old Order Amish.
November 18, 2023
A novel about a highly-intelligent recently widowed young Amish woman who has the means and desire to be college educated, but truly loves and doesn't want to hurt her family. Through a nearby English older befriended widow, she has an alibi to the outside world. Desiring to take a course, she dresses as an Englisher a couple of evenings per week while teaching in an Amish school by day. There, she meets both another girl and ex-soldier who both have difficult pasts and come to socialize after class. Attempting to harbor their secrets, they eventually open up and romantic interests follow with difficulty. In addition, Rachel's impetuous brother causes issues outside the community, borrowing money from rough sources, endangering everybody. Excellent character development with ongoing scenarios that maintain one's interests throughout.
January 23, 2025
I liked his book a lot more than expected!! I learned so much about Amish Culture and beliefs. It was a great Christian love story about following God’s plan and using God-given gifts for good in the world. Very inspiring!
January 11, 2018
Loved it !! my first book by Gayle Roper and it was a page turner .
January 30, 2019
One of those books you have to stay up until midnight to finish!
June 28, 2019
#Summer Romance Book BINGO 2019
A book with a purple cover
A book with a purple cover
January 3, 2024
I truly enjoy reading about the Amish
This book portrays the life of an Amish woman and her entry into the Englisch world - should she or would she make a choice. Very good.
This book portrays the life of an Amish woman and her entry into the Englisch world - should she or would she make a choice. Very good.
December 9, 2014
About the Book:
Rachel Beiler loves her job as the teacher in her Amish community. She's obedient, humble, and compliant and tries to keep the ordnung to the best of her ability. But Rachel has a secret--something that could get her shunned if she's found out. She loves knowledge and yearns for a college education.
After serving a dozen years in the Army, Rob Lanier has returned from Afghanistan. But now that he's home again, he's constantly reminded of his family's fall from grace. His father--once a highly respected and wealthy community leader--has disgraced the family, and Rob can't find it in his heart to forgive him.
When Rachel and Rob meet, sparks fly. But when a series of frightening events surrounding Rachel's brother Johnny brings Rachel's world crashing down around her, this unlikely match between an Amish teacher and an Englischer ex-soldier seems to be God's perfect answer.
About the Author:
Gayle Roper is the award-winning author of more than 40 books and has been a Christy finalist three times. Gayle enjoys speaking at women's events across the nation and loves sharing the powerful truths of Scripture with humor and practicality. She lives with her husband in southeastern Pennsylvania where she enjoys reading, gardening, and her family.
My Review:
The Amish have a certain way that they want things done. Rachel Beiler, was no different, she did all that was expected of her. She laid aside any plans she may have once had to focus on a husband and starting a family. Aaron comes along and the two of them start their beautiful life together and suddenly something tragically goes wrong and Aaron dies in an accident. This turn of events changes everything for Rachel.
Soon the idea of her going to college is a reality and Rachel gets exposed to life in the world that goes around her Amish community. As she attends school in secret she is able to befriend a few people at college and it seems this will ease her guilt some. But soon one of those friends turns out to be something more. Will Rachel allow herself to fall in love again?
Gayle Roper is an author that I just recently discovered. She is able to develop a good story and keep the reader engaged. With a strong plot line and a good cast of characters she pulled me in automatically. Soon you are so engaged to see how Rachel is going to handle things that you can't stop reading and the end draws near. I was really surprised by the ending, but happily surprised.
**Disclosure** This book was sent to me free of charge for my honest review from Harvest House.
Rachel Beiler loves her job as the teacher in her Amish community. She's obedient, humble, and compliant and tries to keep the ordnung to the best of her ability. But Rachel has a secret--something that could get her shunned if she's found out. She loves knowledge and yearns for a college education.
After serving a dozen years in the Army, Rob Lanier has returned from Afghanistan. But now that he's home again, he's constantly reminded of his family's fall from grace. His father--once a highly respected and wealthy community leader--has disgraced the family, and Rob can't find it in his heart to forgive him.
When Rachel and Rob meet, sparks fly. But when a series of frightening events surrounding Rachel's brother Johnny brings Rachel's world crashing down around her, this unlikely match between an Amish teacher and an Englischer ex-soldier seems to be God's perfect answer.
About the Author:
Gayle Roper is the award-winning author of more than 40 books and has been a Christy finalist three times. Gayle enjoys speaking at women's events across the nation and loves sharing the powerful truths of Scripture with humor and practicality. She lives with her husband in southeastern Pennsylvania where she enjoys reading, gardening, and her family.
My Review:
The Amish have a certain way that they want things done. Rachel Beiler, was no different, she did all that was expected of her. She laid aside any plans she may have once had to focus on a husband and starting a family. Aaron comes along and the two of them start their beautiful life together and suddenly something tragically goes wrong and Aaron dies in an accident. This turn of events changes everything for Rachel.
Soon the idea of her going to college is a reality and Rachel gets exposed to life in the world that goes around her Amish community. As she attends school in secret she is able to befriend a few people at college and it seems this will ease her guilt some. But soon one of those friends turns out to be something more. Will Rachel allow herself to fall in love again?
Gayle Roper is an author that I just recently discovered. She is able to develop a good story and keep the reader engaged. With a strong plot line and a good cast of characters she pulled me in automatically. Soon you are so engaged to see how Rachel is going to handle things that you can't stop reading and the end draws near. I was really surprised by the ending, but happily surprised.
**Disclosure** This book was sent to me free of charge for my honest review from Harvest House.
June 13, 2015
This is the riveting tale of a woman torn between two worlds as she attempts to follow God's path for her life. Pleasing both sides is impossible but I so wanted it to work out. Why couldn't she have it all? How could she possibly choose? And live with the ramifications of whatever choice she finally makes?
Rob's return home to the community he grew up in is a surprise even to him. As is his attempts to connect with his estranged father. Add in a dysfunctional mother and brother and his home life makes his years in service seem easy. And in the midst of this chaotic homecoming he meets the perfect woman of his dreams...only she isn't. Talk about an angst-riddled romance!
Wonderful secondary characters and a surprising action-filled plot-twist bring an extra depth to an already compelling story.
Rob's return home to the community he grew up in is a surprise even to him. As is his attempts to connect with his estranged father. Add in a dysfunctional mother and brother and his home life makes his years in service seem easy. And in the midst of this chaotic homecoming he meets the perfect woman of his dreams...only she isn't. Talk about an angst-riddled romance!
Wonderful secondary characters and a surprising action-filled plot-twist bring an extra depth to an already compelling story.
February 16, 2015
It took me a little bit to really get 'into' this book. Not that I wasn't liking it, but the beginning wasn't one of those 'grabs you and doesn't let go' starts. That said, I was intrigued by the characters enough to continue through. But, my goodness! Things really start moving along quickly once Johnny's side story enters the novel.
Without giving too much away, I'll simply say this: Rachel's dilemma was going to bring heartache to her and those she loved, no matter what choice she made. However, that heartache was also tempered with hope as she learned to understand and follow who God created her to be.
Without giving too much away, I'll simply say this: Rachel's dilemma was going to bring heartache to her and those she loved, no matter what choice she made. However, that heartache was also tempered with hope as she learned to understand and follow who God created her to be.
May 23, 2015
When did I become such a fan of Amish books?! I have no idea, but they sure are fun to read.
I was really enjoying this book, but then the relationship between Rachel and Rob happened way too fast, and it made me knock off a star. It was just so unbelievable, and it really took me out of the story.
Other than that, though, I enjoyed it.
I was really enjoying this book, but then the relationship between Rachel and Rob happened way too fast, and it made me knock off a star. It was just so unbelievable, and it really took me out of the story.
Other than that, though, I enjoyed it.
October 8, 2014
A truly delightful story by Gayle Roper. Rachel deals with going to college and the family eventually finding out. She meets Amy and Rob at college and falls for Rob. She must decide if she is willing to be shunned for love or not. In the meantime her brother is beaten up and she must try to keep his whereabouts hidden. When her life is threaten by the men who beat her brother up will she survive.
April 15, 2016
Amish widow, Rachel Beiler, is teacher by day and college student at night. Excited but nervous she meets two good friends on the very first day of class. She knows it is wrong but she so loves to learn. She loves her family deeply and hates that she is betraying them and her Amish beliefs. How long can she lead this double life before she ends up getting caught? A very good book in which I really enjoyed!
October 30, 2014
I enjoyed this book. The conflict between the Amish world and the outside world is always interesting. In this one the lady wants to go to college and become a professor, she is a young widow and tries for awhile to teach the Amish school and go to night school at college.
June 17, 2016
was one of the better Amish background stories I have read. really showed us normal English Americans what an Amish person goes through in the growing up process and when they are faced with outside world appeals like education and types of love.
February 3, 2017
An entertaining and quick read about the conflict that oftentimes comes with identity and love. Gives some insight to the Amish culture and values.
March 5, 2015
I so enjoyed this book. So much so that I lost sleep staying up to finish it. The series "Between Two Worlds" is so appropriate for this first book. I highly recommend.
December 7, 2014
What a wonderful story!! I loved it!! Can't wait for the next book in this series. I couldn't put it down until I finished it today.
December 19, 2014
I liked the story but not I have to wait for the next one...being a series!
February 23, 2016
Exceptionally good story. I could hardly put the book down.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews