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Home to Hickory Hollow #2
The Bridesmaid
The Latest in Chart-Topping Amish Fiction from Beverly Lewis
Twenty-five-year-old Joanna Kurtz has made several trips to the altar, but never as a bride. The single young Amish woman is a closet writer with a longing to be published something practically unheard of in her Lancaster County community. Yet Joanna's stories aren't her only secret. She also has a beau who is courting her from afar, unbeknownst even to her sister, Cora, who, though younger, seems to have suitors to spare.
Eben Troyer is a responsible young Amish man who hopes to make Joanna Kurtz his bride--if he can ever leave his parents' farm in Shipshewana, Indiana. Yet with his only brother off in the English world, intent on a military career, Eben's hopes for building a life with his dear Joanna are dimming, and patience is wearing thin. Will Joanna ever be more than a bridesmaid?
Twenty-five-year-old Joanna Kurtz has made several trips to the altar, but never as a bride. The single young Amish woman is a closet writer with a longing to be published something practically unheard of in her Lancaster County community. Yet Joanna's stories aren't her only secret. She also has a beau who is courting her from afar, unbeknownst even to her sister, Cora, who, though younger, seems to have suitors to spare.
Eben Troyer is a responsible young Amish man who hopes to make Joanna Kurtz his bride--if he can ever leave his parents' farm in Shipshewana, Indiana. Yet with his only brother off in the English world, intent on a military career, Eben's hopes for building a life with his dear Joanna are dimming, and patience is wearing thin. Will Joanna ever be more than a bridesmaid?
8 pages, Audio CD
First published January 1, 2012
520 people are currently reading
2055 people want to read
About the author
Beverly Lewis
259 books3,014 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Beverly Lewis, raised in Pennsylvania Amish country and both a schoolteacher and an accomplished musician, has been an award-winning author for over a dozen years. Her acclaimed novel, The Preacher's Daughter, was a 2006 Quill Book Award finalist in the romance category. Her books have appeared on numerous bestseller lists, including USA Today and The New York Times. She and her husband, David, live in Colorado."
Beverly Lewis, raised in Pennsylvania Amish country and both a schoolteacher and an accomplished musician, has been an award-winning author for over a dozen years. Her acclaimed novel, The Preacher's Daughter, was a 2006 Quill Book Award finalist in the romance category. Her books have appeared on numerous bestseller lists, including USA Today and The New York Times. She and her husband, David, live in Colorado."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 310 reviews
November 14, 2017
Okay, here's how it happened:
1) One of the Pop Sugar reading challenge categories is "A book from a genre/subgenre you've never heard of" and I thought I was going to have to dig deep because I know my books and I've taken reader's advisory and it was going to be hard to find an obscure enough subgenre to meet this requirement.
2) I became a librarian in my rural home county, where the single most popular genre circulating within my library is Mennonite romances. Guys. I'm not kidding.
3) It became necessary to understand my community demographic and also check off another reading challenge box. So I tried to find the most typical of all Mennonite fiction and went with Beverly Lewis because apparently she is the one who really brought it into the lamplight.
This was one of the most boring books I've read. I had this vague hope that maybe the repression of desire would make things more steamy and intense. I was hoping for Saint Augustine style guilt and self-reflection. I thought that at least there could be some safe yet sublime meditations on nature, on religion, on living slightly out of time. Perhaps some sort of philosophical or sociological musings about what it's like consciously stepping away from the fast-pace and different priorities of the Englisher world.
No such luck. Instead it's exactly as boring, or more, as you probably guessed from the picture of the demure pretty woman in a bonnet that graces the front cover. Some highlights of the story were when she brought a casserole to her grandmother or when she went to the quilting bee and nothing happened. The real tension started to rise when she found the very tame letters from her great aunt in her grandmother's house but didn't open them out of good conscience and instead just asked her grandmother about them a little later.
These books go like hotcakes in my library. I can't keep them on the shelf. They're the most battered books in the collection. However, I have to keep in mind that what makes a good book for me is a sprawling 850-page doorstop set in mid-1800s New Zealand during the gold rush with a mathematical chapter structure and period-accurate illustrations of constellations. So to each their own.
1) One of the Pop Sugar reading challenge categories is "A book from a genre/subgenre you've never heard of" and I thought I was going to have to dig deep because I know my books and I've taken reader's advisory and it was going to be hard to find an obscure enough subgenre to meet this requirement.
2) I became a librarian in my rural home county, where the single most popular genre circulating within my library is Mennonite romances. Guys. I'm not kidding.
3) It became necessary to understand my community demographic and also check off another reading challenge box. So I tried to find the most typical of all Mennonite fiction and went with Beverly Lewis because apparently she is the one who really brought it into the lamplight.
This was one of the most boring books I've read. I had this vague hope that maybe the repression of desire would make things more steamy and intense. I was hoping for Saint Augustine style guilt and self-reflection. I thought that at least there could be some safe yet sublime meditations on nature, on religion, on living slightly out of time. Perhaps some sort of philosophical or sociological musings about what it's like consciously stepping away from the fast-pace and different priorities of the Englisher world.
No such luck. Instead it's exactly as boring, or more, as you probably guessed from the picture of the demure pretty woman in a bonnet that graces the front cover. Some highlights of the story were when she brought a casserole to her grandmother or when she went to the quilting bee and nothing happened. The real tension started to rise when she found the very tame letters from her great aunt in her grandmother's house but didn't open them out of good conscience and instead just asked her grandmother about them a little later.
These books go like hotcakes in my library. I can't keep them on the shelf. They're the most battered books in the collection. However, I have to keep in mind that what makes a good book for me is a sprawling 850-page doorstop set in mid-1800s New Zealand during the gold rush with a mathematical chapter structure and period-accurate illustrations of constellations. So to each their own.
February 6, 2013
You really can't go wrong with Beverly Lewis. Will they be studying her in high school across the nation in 100 years? Probably not. But if you want to read a book that will make you happy and entertained, Beverly is your gal. "The Bridesmaid" is the latest novel in the Home to Hickory Hollow series. She will be releasing a new one next month. Bridesmaid is about Joanna, a wanna-be writer who is a serial bridesmaid and has no luck making it to the alter herself as a bride. Until Eben comes along, that is. Eben is from a different state, but they both are visiting Virginia at the same time. It is love at first sight. The problem is Joanna's bratty sister tells the bishop that Joanna has been writing fiction, which is apparently a no-no and gets her "grounded". Joanna cannot leave the district to marry Eben. Eben must come here. Eben can't leave his district because his brother won't join the Amish church and therefore take over the family dairy farm. Will they or won't they? As usual, I like Lewis' story and will be reading the next in the series. I am not a big fan of Amish Fiction, but I am of Beverly Lewis. I received this book for free from Bethany House Publishing.
September 27, 2024
Deel 2
September 19, 2012
I know I have mentioned this before, but I am a fan of Amish fiction now- I think it is pure fascination of how an entire community lives near me, and yet I have no idea how they live and get by on a daily basis.
The first book in this series was The Fiddler, and I reviewed it here on the blog a few months ago- Beverly Lewis seems to an expert at cranking books out very quickly- she has a large fan base that buys all of her books, so I suppose that is a good reason to keep putting out many books a year.
I did love the first book in this series, but I struggled a bit with this one. I loved Joanna's character in the Fiddler- and her character didn't change, but I wasn't a fan of Eben. For as much as Joanna and Eben talked on the phone and in letters- they didn't seem to actually communicate with each other. I felt that Eben was lacking a bit in the story hero that I enjoy. This was a very short book compared to Lewis' other novels, and it felt a bit like a novella.
There was an entire second storyline of Joanna and her sister and Joanna's writing- I felt like this was never "tied up" at the end of the book. I have no idea what happened- was she still allowed to write? Did she and her sister get along better? All in all this was an enjoyable read, but this is not a Lewis book that I will revisit.
July 11, 2017
Hickory Hollow, Pennsylvania
Joanna Kurtz enjoys time together with Eben Troyer. Yet, they live far apart.
Reading this story reminded me of all the phone calls and letters I wrote to my (now) wife (then) girlfriend. Those Saturdays were precious. I'd get a roll of quarters and head to the YMCA. For an hour we talked.
Then the letters. I looked forward to each one.
Long-distant relationships are tough, as with Joanna and Eben. Their pain leaps off the page. Add that to Joannas sister's legalistic attitude. It makes for difficulty.
A simple story, with a simple plot. Yet, the characters are deep and complex. I'm drawn back to these Amish stories for the simplicity and purity.
Joanna Kurtz enjoys time together with Eben Troyer. Yet, they live far apart.
Reading this story reminded me of all the phone calls and letters I wrote to my (now) wife (then) girlfriend. Those Saturdays were precious. I'd get a roll of quarters and head to the YMCA. For an hour we talked.
Then the letters. I looked forward to each one.
Long-distant relationships are tough, as with Joanna and Eben. Their pain leaps off the page. Add that to Joannas sister's legalistic attitude. It makes for difficulty.
A simple story, with a simple plot. Yet, the characters are deep and complex. I'm drawn back to these Amish stories for the simplicity and purity.
January 14, 2022
I really did enjoy this book!
First off, this didn't feel like a traditional novel by Beverly Lewis. Most of her books the romance is the subplot but in this book it is the main plot. So, it did feel slightly different.
Secondly, Beverly Lewis normally has third POVS in her books this only had two. Joanna's and Eben's POV. So, I did find myself enjoying it more because there wasn't an extra POV to keep up with.
At first, I wasn't enjoying as much because of the main plot was romance. When I got about 3/4 of the way into it, I really got into it. There is a subplot about a mystery quilt so that definitely caught my curiosity. I truly love the story behind the quilt.
There was several quotes that popped out to me but I didn't write all of them down.
Here is one though: "But forgiveness was a way of life, the very core of their beliefs" (299). Love this quote because forgiveness should be away of all of our lives no matter what denomination we are apart of.
The number one lesson this book taught me was if God wants a man and woman to marry He will pave the way for it to happen. We don't have to try to make it happen because He already knows who we will marry and when. The definitely brings me comfort.
As always, I love the faith-content in this book. It truly is refreshing every time.
The romance was very light which I truly appreciate by Beverly Lewis.
If you are into Amish Fiction, I highly recommend this book.
First off, this didn't feel like a traditional novel by Beverly Lewis. Most of her books the romance is the subplot but in this book it is the main plot. So, it did feel slightly different.
Secondly, Beverly Lewis normally has third POVS in her books this only had two. Joanna's and Eben's POV. So, I did find myself enjoying it more because there wasn't an extra POV to keep up with.
At first, I wasn't enjoying as much because of the main plot was romance. When I got about 3/4 of the way into it, I really got into it. There is a subplot about a mystery quilt so that definitely caught my curiosity. I truly love the story behind the quilt.
There was several quotes that popped out to me but I didn't write all of them down.
Here is one though: "But forgiveness was a way of life, the very core of their beliefs" (299). Love this quote because forgiveness should be away of all of our lives no matter what denomination we are apart of.
The number one lesson this book taught me was if God wants a man and woman to marry He will pave the way for it to happen. We don't have to try to make it happen because He already knows who we will marry and when. The definitely brings me comfort.
As always, I love the faith-content in this book. It truly is refreshing every time.
The romance was very light which I truly appreciate by Beverly Lewis.
If you are into Amish Fiction, I highly recommend this book.
December 1, 2017
I loved this book. It really grabbed me from the preface and held my interest to the very end. I gained a respect for the reverance of the Amish woman. It made me look at my own life and how often I am talking to God and praising him. It helped me with my prayer life. The story was great with a few twists in it. This is how Amazon describes the book:
Twenty-seven-year-old Joanna Kurtz has made several trips to the altar, but never as a bride. The single young Amishwoman is a closet writer with a longing to be published something practically unheard of in her Lancaster County community. Yet Joanna's stories aren't her only secret. She also has a beau who is courting her from afar, unbeknownst even to her sister, Cora, who, though younger, seems to have suitors to spare.
Eben Troyer is a responsible young Amishman who hopes to make Joanna Kurtz his bride--if he can ever leave his parents' farm in Shipshewana, Indiana. Yet with his only brother off in the English world, intent on a military career, Eben's hopes for building a life with his dear Joanna are dimming, and patience is wearing thin. Will Joanna ever be more than a bridesmaid?
Twenty-seven-year-old Joanna Kurtz has made several trips to the altar, but never as a bride. The single young Amishwoman is a closet writer with a longing to be published something practically unheard of in her Lancaster County community. Yet Joanna's stories aren't her only secret. She also has a beau who is courting her from afar, unbeknownst even to her sister, Cora, who, though younger, seems to have suitors to spare.
Eben Troyer is a responsible young Amishman who hopes to make Joanna Kurtz his bride--if he can ever leave his parents' farm in Shipshewana, Indiana. Yet with his only brother off in the English world, intent on a military career, Eben's hopes for building a life with his dear Joanna are dimming, and patience is wearing thin. Will Joanna ever be more than a bridesmaid?
August 3, 2025
Joanna’s bishop just makes me mad. It’s no harm writing stories or telling stories . Really glad l am not Amish lol but at least she gets to be eventually with Eben once she decides how much she truly misses him and loves him.
January 29, 2025
Hallmark style storytelling meets Amish romance. Beverly Lewis has her formula down for writing this genre
January 29, 2018
Good book!!!!!
March 14, 2017
Sadly, the Joanna Kurtz of this book does not seem to have the same personality that I liked so much in the first book in this series. I found most of this book incredibly tedious. The reader must wait for three-forths of the book before something interesting happens. This is only my third Amish themed book, and it will be my last. A friend of mine explained that there is something comforting about the predictability of an Amish romance. I guess that they just aren't my cup of "meadow tea," and I'll move on.
May 30, 2025
In this story, Joanna Kurtz is considered too old to still be single, at the ripe old age of 24. A younger cousin that's to be married has asked Joanna to once again to be a bridesmaid. It’s a classic case of “three times a bridesmaid, never a bride," at least that seems to be true in the mind of her younger sister, Cora Jane. Although she is worried that she may not take a trip down the aisle as a bride, Joanna refuses to believe those “old wives tales.”
They travel to Virginia Beach where Joanna, from Hickory Hollow, PA meets Eben Troyer from Shipshewana, Indiana and thereby starts the fated long distance relationship which is hard enough for the Englishers to have but these two are Amish.
Through the obligatory misunderstandings and strong love the story progresses beautifully to the expected end
They travel to Virginia Beach where Joanna, from Hickory Hollow, PA meets Eben Troyer from Shipshewana, Indiana and thereby starts the fated long distance relationship which is hard enough for the Englishers to have but these two are Amish.
Through the obligatory misunderstandings and strong love the story progresses beautifully to the expected end
October 1, 2012
Good book. Joanna has just about given up on ever getting married. While in Virginia at a family funeral she meets Eben, a young Amish man from Indiana. They hit it off right away and start writing letters to each other. He makes a short trip to Pennsylvania to see her and express his interest in courting her. There is a problem in that he is currently stuck in Indiana helping his father while waiting to see if his younger brother will give up the English world and come home. They continue their letters and phone calls until Eben finds out his brother has no intention of returning, at which point Eben reluctantly breaks things off with Joanna. Neither one is able to forget the other, though each attempts to move on with their lives. I liked both Joanna and Eben. Eben is caught between a rock and a hard place. He loves Joanna and wants to marry her. His greatest wish is to move to Pennsylvania to be with her, but he can't abandon his father. I felt really bad for him, though I think he would have done better to sit his father down and explain his wishes to him. Perhaps the resolution would have happened quicker that way. I found it odd that with all the letter writing they did, they apparently never compared their lives. I did find Eben to be a very sweet guy who really did love Joanna. I also liked the way he supported her writing. I liked Joanna also. She knew the saying about being a bridesmaid but never a bride and didn't let it stop her from celebrating with her friends. I loved the way she liked to write and the way her abilities added to the letters she wrote to Eben. She too was a good person, always helping others. She kept her writing secret, knowing that it was frowned on but feeling that it wasn't hurting anyone. She seemed to lack the confidence that the relationship between her and Eben would work out, and seemed to give up rather easily. I did like the way that the story of her great aunt's quilt finally gave her the courage to go after what she wanted. I liked most of the secondary characters except for Joanna's sister Cora. I thought she was an immature brat who was jealous of Joanna's good fortune. When she stole Joanna's notebook and gave it to the preacher I was furious with her. I couldn't believe she would be that nasty to her own sister. She seemed to grow up a little by the end of the book, but it would be a long time before I would ever trust her again. In the first book, Ella Mae the wise woman, was great. I didn't like her as well in this book, since she seemed to be telling Joanna that her relationship with Eben would not work. Overall, I did like the book and I look forward to the next one.
September 3, 2012
“The Bridesmaid” is more than just a story about a young woman who can’t find love in her future, it’s a story of trust and faith that God’s best is more wonderful than anything we can orchestrate in our own control.
I will have to admit here at the start of my review, that I’ve been a bit disappointed with the last couple books I’ve read by this author. I’m afraid this title failed to sweep me into the Amish world as previous titles have. While a love story is always timeless, I think the plot moved too slowly to truly capture me…and I confess to skimming.
I’ve loved many of the Amish books in the past, several series fill my keeper shelves, but this title and the one preceding it haven’t entertained me as I expected them too.
I can say I thought the uniqueness of Joanna and Eben’s interests made them “different” in the genre of Amish fiction and how they overcame their struggles to triumphs was fulfilling.
I am truly sorry to say this book disappointed me. It’s with no malice, only grievance that I say as much and I hope…I know there will be other readers more taken than me.
This review is my honest opinion. Thanks to the publishers through CFBA for an ARC to review.
I will have to admit here at the start of my review, that I’ve been a bit disappointed with the last couple books I’ve read by this author. I’m afraid this title failed to sweep me into the Amish world as previous titles have. While a love story is always timeless, I think the plot moved too slowly to truly capture me…and I confess to skimming.
I’ve loved many of the Amish books in the past, several series fill my keeper shelves, but this title and the one preceding it haven’t entertained me as I expected them too.
I can say I thought the uniqueness of Joanna and Eben’s interests made them “different” in the genre of Amish fiction and how they overcame their struggles to triumphs was fulfilling.
I am truly sorry to say this book disappointed me. It’s with no malice, only grievance that I say as much and I hope…I know there will be other readers more taken than me.
This review is my honest opinion. Thanks to the publishers through CFBA for an ARC to review.
December 13, 2012
The Bridesmaid is a great work of fiction! Beverly Lewis is a magnificent writer and I absolutely love Hickory Hollow. I felt truly close to Joanna in her times of mourning, happiness, betrayal, and forgiveness, and I am so happy that it was her character Beverly broadened. This is a wonderful book that will take you on a fun journey hop scotching from the beach, to the hollow, to Indiana, and back again! This is the second time I have had a "mind vacation" (if you will) in Hickory Hollow, and I can't wait to return in The Guardian! Thank you Beverly for allowing God to lead you and for glorifying Him with the gifts He has blessed you with. Through you He has touched me deeply with this story, from forgiving those that hurt us greatly, to keeping faith and being patient while waiting for God's time and guidance in the decisions we are faced with.
My songs for this book are: "Someday Soon" by Francesca Battistelli ("Someday Soon" doesn't fit perfectly mind you because this is an Amish romance and cars are mentioned so keep that in mind) and the second is "How Great Is The Love" by Meredith Andrews
Exodus 14:14
~ASC
My songs for this book are: "Someday Soon" by Francesca Battistelli ("Someday Soon" doesn't fit perfectly mind you because this is an Amish romance and cars are mentioned so keep that in mind) and the second is "How Great Is The Love" by Meredith Andrews
Exodus 14:14
~ASC
August 21, 2012
I've read most of Lewis's novels, and this one is about like the others. It's fairly predictable - within the first few pages, I knew what the ending would most likely be. Still, I enjoyed the journey to get there. The characters are likable, and I found myself caring about what happened to them. (Except for one. One of the main characters was someone I never did develop a liking for, and I think the author means us to.) There is some insight into the Amish culture, but no more than I picked up from her other books. In this novel, Joanna has a sister that keeps reminding her "three times a bridesmaid, never a bride." On a trip to Virginia, she meets and falls in love with a young Amish man from Indiana, a long way from her home in Pennsylvania. This is Christian fiction, and the message is there, but you aren't beat over the head with it.
October 17, 2012
I'm not sure what it is lately about some of my previous favorite Christian/Inspirational fiction authors, but they're not working for me at the moment! I find the characters flat and not dimensional, and the plot lines way more contrived and not really very well put forth, described, or resolved in realistic ways. I know that a decent amount of Christian fiction has always been this way...but Karen Kingsbury and Beverly Lewis are among two authors I have enjoyed for 10+ years since high school. Either their lengthy publishing runs mean they're getting pushed to do more low-quality work that's more quickly publishable, or my own tastes have changed and I expect more. I still read new books by these authors, but I don't find myself able to disappear into devouring them as enthusiastically as I used to.
October 22, 2012
There are a few Amish fiction stories that I've really enjoyed. For some reason this one was dull and not very engaging, in my opinion. I read the first half and then skipped to the last two chapters and finished it off - just to enjoy the predictable ending. I understood everything I had missed within just a couple of paragraphs and I saved myself pages and pages of the same old thing. There really was not much going on and there was so little character development that I didn't fully understand or feel a connection to any of the characters.
I was eager to move on to more time-worthy books which is another reason I skipped to the end, and I don't feel at all cheated out of the story.
It's unfortunate that this book was so lacking. I hope Beverly Lewis' other books have more meat in them.
I was eager to move on to more time-worthy books which is another reason I skipped to the end, and I don't feel at all cheated out of the story.
It's unfortunate that this book was so lacking. I hope Beverly Lewis' other books have more meat in them.
August 19, 2012
I truly enjoyed this book! As always, Lewis provides a light pleasant read. This is the #2 book in the Hickory Hollow Series, and I have to say I think I enjoyed this book better than the first. And I liked the first! The story kept me engaged. I read it in two days. Lewis fans will not be disappointed. Highly recommended.
July 13, 2019
I did like this one more so than the first book. Maybe the sister made it more interesting:-)
THIS SUMMARY/REVIEW WAS COPIED FROM OTHER SOURCES AND IS USED ONLY AS A REMINDER OF WHAT THE BOOK WAS ABOUT FOR MY PERSONAL INTEREST. ANY PERSONAL NOTATIONS ARE FOR MY RECOLLECTION ONLY
**
Good book. Joanna has just about given up on ever getting married. While in Virginia at a family funeral she meets Eben, a young Amish man from Indiana. They hit it off right away and start writing letters to each other.
He makes a short trip to Pennsylvania to see her and express his interest in courting her. There is a problem in that he is currently stuck in Indiana helping his father while waiting to see if his younger brother will give up the English world and come home.
They continue their letters and phone calls until Eben finds out his brother has no intention of returning, at which point Eben reluctantly breaks things off with Joanna.
Neither one is able to forget the other, though each attempts to move on with their lives. (jake is a very interesting charcter) I liked both Joanna and Eben. Eben is caught between a rock and a hard place. He loves Joanna and wants to marry her.
His greatest wish is to move to Pennsylvania to be with her, but he can't abandon his father. I felt really bad for him, though I think he would have done better to sit his father down and explain his wishes to him. Perhaps the resolution would have happened quicker that way.
I did find Eben to be a very sweet guy who really did love Joanna. I also liked the way he supported her writing. I liked Joanna also. She knew the saying about being a bridesmaid but never a bride and didn't let it stop her from celebrating with her friends. I loved the way she liked to write and the way her abilities added to the letters she wrote to Eben. She too was a good person, always helping others. She kept her writing secret, knowing that it was frowned on but feeling that it wasn't hurting anyone.
She seemed to lack the confidence that the relationship between her and Eben would work out, and seemed to give up rather easily. I did like the way that the story of her great aunt's quilt finally gave her the courage to go after what she wanted.
Even though Cora was a brat (Joanna's sister), however, she made life interesting I thought she was an immature brat who was jealous of Joanna's good fortune.
When she stole Joanna's notebook and gave it to the preacher I was furious with her. I couldn't believe she would be that nasty to her own sister. She seemed to grow up a little by the end of the book, but it would be a long time before I would ever trust her again. In the first book, Ella Mae the wise woman, was great. I didn't like her as well in this book, since she seemed to be telling Joanna that her relationship with Eben would not work.
**
Twenty-seven-year-old Joanna Kurtz has made several trips to the altar, but never as a bride. The single young Amishwoman is a closet writer with a longing to be published something practically unheard of in her Lancaster County community. Yet Joanna's stories aren't her only secret. She also has a beau who is courting her from afar, unbeknownst even to her sister, Cora, who, though younger, seems to have suitors to spare.
Eben Troyer is a responsible young Amishman who hopes to make Joanna Kurtz his bride--if he can ever leave his parents' farm in Shipshewana, Indiana. Yet with his only brother off in the English world, intent on a military career, Eben's hopes for building a life with his dear Joanna are dimming, and patience is wearing thin. Will Joanna ever be more than a bridesmaid?
**
Bridesmaid is about Joanna, a wanna-be writer who is a serial bridesmaid and has no luck making it to the alter herself as a bride. Until Eben comes along, that is. Eben is from a different state, but they both are visiting Virginia at the same time. It is love at first sight. The problem is Joanna's bratty sister tells the bishop that Joanna has been writing fiction, which is apparently a no-no and gets her "grounded". Joanna cannot leave the district to marry Eben. Eben must come here. Eben can't leave his district because his brother won't join the Amish church and therefore take over the family dairy farm. Will they or won't they?
**
THIS SUMMARY/REVIEW WAS COPIED FROM OTHER SOURCES AND IS USED ONLY AS A REMINDER OF WHAT THE BOOK WAS ABOUT FOR MY PERSONAL INTEREST. ANY PERSONAL NOTATIONS ARE FOR MY RECOLLECTION ONLY
**
Good book. Joanna has just about given up on ever getting married. While in Virginia at a family funeral she meets Eben, a young Amish man from Indiana. They hit it off right away and start writing letters to each other.
He makes a short trip to Pennsylvania to see her and express his interest in courting her. There is a problem in that he is currently stuck in Indiana helping his father while waiting to see if his younger brother will give up the English world and come home.
They continue their letters and phone calls until Eben finds out his brother has no intention of returning, at which point Eben reluctantly breaks things off with Joanna.
Neither one is able to forget the other, though each attempts to move on with their lives. (jake is a very interesting charcter) I liked both Joanna and Eben. Eben is caught between a rock and a hard place. He loves Joanna and wants to marry her.
His greatest wish is to move to Pennsylvania to be with her, but he can't abandon his father. I felt really bad for him, though I think he would have done better to sit his father down and explain his wishes to him. Perhaps the resolution would have happened quicker that way.
I did find Eben to be a very sweet guy who really did love Joanna. I also liked the way he supported her writing. I liked Joanna also. She knew the saying about being a bridesmaid but never a bride and didn't let it stop her from celebrating with her friends. I loved the way she liked to write and the way her abilities added to the letters she wrote to Eben. She too was a good person, always helping others. She kept her writing secret, knowing that it was frowned on but feeling that it wasn't hurting anyone.
She seemed to lack the confidence that the relationship between her and Eben would work out, and seemed to give up rather easily. I did like the way that the story of her great aunt's quilt finally gave her the courage to go after what she wanted.
Even though Cora was a brat (Joanna's sister), however, she made life interesting I thought she was an immature brat who was jealous of Joanna's good fortune.
When she stole Joanna's notebook and gave it to the preacher I was furious with her. I couldn't believe she would be that nasty to her own sister. She seemed to grow up a little by the end of the book, but it would be a long time before I would ever trust her again. In the first book, Ella Mae the wise woman, was great. I didn't like her as well in this book, since she seemed to be telling Joanna that her relationship with Eben would not work.
**
Twenty-seven-year-old Joanna Kurtz has made several trips to the altar, but never as a bride. The single young Amishwoman is a closet writer with a longing to be published something practically unheard of in her Lancaster County community. Yet Joanna's stories aren't her only secret. She also has a beau who is courting her from afar, unbeknownst even to her sister, Cora, who, though younger, seems to have suitors to spare.
Eben Troyer is a responsible young Amishman who hopes to make Joanna Kurtz his bride--if he can ever leave his parents' farm in Shipshewana, Indiana. Yet with his only brother off in the English world, intent on a military career, Eben's hopes for building a life with his dear Joanna are dimming, and patience is wearing thin. Will Joanna ever be more than a bridesmaid?
**
Bridesmaid is about Joanna, a wanna-be writer who is a serial bridesmaid and has no luck making it to the alter herself as a bride. Until Eben comes along, that is. Eben is from a different state, but they both are visiting Virginia at the same time. It is love at first sight. The problem is Joanna's bratty sister tells the bishop that Joanna has been writing fiction, which is apparently a no-no and gets her "grounded". Joanna cannot leave the district to marry Eben. Eben must come here. Eben can't leave his district because his brother won't join the Amish church and therefore take over the family dairy farm. Will they or won't they?
**
August 30, 2012
GENRE: AMISH ROMANCE
PUBLISHER: BETHANY HOUSE
PUBLICATION DATE: SEPTEMBER 11, 2012
RATING: 3 OUT OF 5 – ABOVE AVERAGE
PROS: More compelling than the first book in the series; not a conventional romance; sub-plot about the quilt was pretty interesting
CONS: Cora-Jane lack of motivation made her seem two-dimensional, unsympathetic and malicious; plot could have been resolved a lot sooner if the hero and heroine actually communicated; treatment of Joanna’s writing is inconsistent
Joanna Kurtz is twenty-four and still unmarried, although many of her Amish school friends have long since started families of her own. But unlike her younger sister, Cora-Jane, she isn’t superstitious about standing up as a bridesmaid at yet another friend’s wedding. Unbeknownst to her family and friends, she’s been communicating with a young man from an Amish community in Shipshewana, Indiana, and secretly hopes that someday soon they will be able to marry. But when Eben Troyer finally visits Hickory Hollow to meet Joanna’s family, it’s revealed that Eben is unable to leave his father’s farm until his brother returns from his adventures in the English world. Joanna starts to consider moving to Indiana to be with Eben, but her plans are complicated when news of her secret fiction-writing reaches the Bishop and damages her standing in the community. Only the gift of an heirloom quilt that once belonged to the woman she was named after is able to help Joanna remain hopeful and strong in this difficult time. Is Joanna fated to be a spinster forever, or will God provide a way for Joanna and Eben to be together, despite the odds?
Like many fans of Amish fiction, I was introduced to this genre with the works of Beverly Lewis. I’ve long been a fan of the engaging and complex novels that Beverly consistently produces. I’m not sure whether my reading tastes have changed over the years I’ve been reading Amish fiction, or if Beverly’s standards are slipping, but either way, I’m just not enjoying the Home to Hickory Hollow series as much as I expected. While I liked The Bridesmaid slightly more than its precursor, The Fiddler, it just wasn’t as compelling or complex as Beverly’s earlier novels. I didn’t have to force myself to finish this book, but it never gripped me such that I found it difficult to put down, unlike many of Beverly’s earlier works. I was also a little disappointed by how flat and two-dimensional some of the secondary characters seemed, particularly Cora-Jane, who played a major role in some of the plot points in The Bridesmaid. Far from reminding me of any of Beverly’s previous books, The Bridesmaid actually made me think of some of Wanda E. Brunstetter’s novels. This might not bother some readers, but since I’m not a big fan of Wanda’s style of writing, this was a major turn off for me.
But before I discuss my qualms with this novel in further detail, I must touch on the positive aspects of The Bridesmaid. As I mentioned earlier, The Bridesmaid was definitely an improvement on the first novel in the Home to Hickory Hollow series. This was the first time that I’d read about a romance conducted by letters, at least in the context of the Amish, and I enjoyed the unconventionality of the romance between Joanna and Eben. The fact that Eben’s future was dictated by his absent brother’s actions also added an interesting aspect to the novel, and it was intriguing to witness Joanna and Eben’s indecision over whether they should attempt to take their future into their own hands or wait to see how matters panned out in case it wasn’t God’s will for them to be together. Their romance was very drawn out, and although I found it frustrating at times and wished that the couple had just sat down and talked out all of their issues, I appreciated that it gave both Joanna and Eben time to grow and mature. I particularly liked the element that the quilt added to the story, and the hope and strength that Joanna was able to gain from its legacy. I honestly think this was the most interesting part of The Bridesmaid, and wished that the quilt had played a larger part in the novel.
Unfortunately, the negative aspects of the writing often overshadowed those parts of the plot of The Bridesmaid that I genuinely enjoyed. My biggest issue probably has to be with the character of Cora-Jane, Joanna’s younger sister. Cora-Jane was overly negative towards Joanna’s singledom, and the possibility that she was “jinxing” her chances at marriage by acting as a bridesmaid at several weddings. Yet when Joanna revealed that she had a beau in Indiana that she’d been writing to, Cora-Jane was incredibly disparaging of their relationship. I never quite understood her reaction. In part, it seemed that Cora-Jane was worried about Joanna leaving Hickory Hollow to be with her beau, but on the other hand, it may be that Cora-Jane was jealous as she knew her own relationship wasn’t as positive as she let on. I could sort of understand Cora-Jane’s motivations for her bitterness regarding Joanna’s beau when she reveals her own relationship troubles towards the end of the novel, but her decision to reveal Joanna’s novel-writing to the Bishop seemed purely malicious due to the lack of reasonable motivation.
I was a little disappointed with the way that Joanna’s writing was treated, both by the fictional Amish community and as a topic in the novel. As an aspiring writer myself, the idea of an Amish woman secretly writing stories in her spare time intrigued me, and was ultimately the reason why I wanted to read The Bridesmaid despite my disappointment with the first Home to Hickory Hollow novel. I enjoyed reading about Joanna’s thought-processes and secret novel-writing habits, and understood her hurt when her writing was revealed to the community and she was forced to abandon her natural-given talents because of the Elders’ disapproval. Although I was glad that she was able to find a way to explore her creativity through encouraging poetry, I couldn’t help but wonder how someone with such natural talent for fiction writing could give up her God-given talents and agree to live in a community that disapproves of something that comes so naturally to her. There was no scriptural basis for the community’s disapproval of fiction writing (or reading), so the outcome of the situation didn’t sit well with me. I still feel unresolved about my opinion on this aspect of The Bridesmaid, even weeks after I finished the novel. It almost seems ironic that the author wants readers to enjoy reading a romance novel about an Amish woman who is discouraged by her community from writing romance novels. It feels kind of wrong to enjoy reading such a book when I know that it would be forbidden in certain Amish communities.
My biggest issue with Joanna’s writing is how violently her community reacts to it, particularly her deacon, only to have him to turn around and retract his opinion at a vital part of the plot. By the close of the story, I honestly felt that the deacon’s decision was just a plot device to keep Joanna and Eben apart in order for them to grow and mature before they made their decision to marry. While I appreciated the growth they both went through during their time apart, I wish something more physical had been keeping them apart. All it took for Joanna to travel to Indiana to tell Eben how she felt was the deacon retracting his opinion of Joanna and her writing. Sadly, the deacon’s behaviour also revealed how much power the Elders in the Amish church have and how they can often make decisions that don’t reflect God’s will or the community’s true opinion. In other novels, I wouldn’t have minded such a presentation of the Amish community, but in a series which is meant to be highlighting how wonderful it is to live in Hickory Hollow, this section of the book didn’t sit well with me.
Although I have a lot of complaints about this book, The Bridesmaid was an improvement on The Fiddler, and I’m tempted to read the final book in the Home to Hickory Hollow series to see if Beverly will eventually return to her usual high standard of writing. I enjoyed the unconventional romantic plot and the details about Joanna’s quilt, but the characterisation and plot progression of this novel were fairly poor, compared to other books in the genre, and in Beverly’s repertoire. While I’m sure that some Amish fans will enjoy The Bridesmaid, I don’t think I’m the only reader who will wonder why The Bridesmaid lacks many of the qualities that Beverly Lewis is known and loved for.
Review title provided by Bethany House.
PUBLISHER: BETHANY HOUSE
PUBLICATION DATE: SEPTEMBER 11, 2012
RATING: 3 OUT OF 5 – ABOVE AVERAGE
PROS: More compelling than the first book in the series; not a conventional romance; sub-plot about the quilt was pretty interesting
CONS: Cora-Jane lack of motivation made her seem two-dimensional, unsympathetic and malicious; plot could have been resolved a lot sooner if the hero and heroine actually communicated; treatment of Joanna’s writing is inconsistent
Joanna Kurtz is twenty-four and still unmarried, although many of her Amish school friends have long since started families of her own. But unlike her younger sister, Cora-Jane, she isn’t superstitious about standing up as a bridesmaid at yet another friend’s wedding. Unbeknownst to her family and friends, she’s been communicating with a young man from an Amish community in Shipshewana, Indiana, and secretly hopes that someday soon they will be able to marry. But when Eben Troyer finally visits Hickory Hollow to meet Joanna’s family, it’s revealed that Eben is unable to leave his father’s farm until his brother returns from his adventures in the English world. Joanna starts to consider moving to Indiana to be with Eben, but her plans are complicated when news of her secret fiction-writing reaches the Bishop and damages her standing in the community. Only the gift of an heirloom quilt that once belonged to the woman she was named after is able to help Joanna remain hopeful and strong in this difficult time. Is Joanna fated to be a spinster forever, or will God provide a way for Joanna and Eben to be together, despite the odds?
Like many fans of Amish fiction, I was introduced to this genre with the works of Beverly Lewis. I’ve long been a fan of the engaging and complex novels that Beverly consistently produces. I’m not sure whether my reading tastes have changed over the years I’ve been reading Amish fiction, or if Beverly’s standards are slipping, but either way, I’m just not enjoying the Home to Hickory Hollow series as much as I expected. While I liked The Bridesmaid slightly more than its precursor, The Fiddler, it just wasn’t as compelling or complex as Beverly’s earlier novels. I didn’t have to force myself to finish this book, but it never gripped me such that I found it difficult to put down, unlike many of Beverly’s earlier works. I was also a little disappointed by how flat and two-dimensional some of the secondary characters seemed, particularly Cora-Jane, who played a major role in some of the plot points in The Bridesmaid. Far from reminding me of any of Beverly’s previous books, The Bridesmaid actually made me think of some of Wanda E. Brunstetter’s novels. This might not bother some readers, but since I’m not a big fan of Wanda’s style of writing, this was a major turn off for me.
But before I discuss my qualms with this novel in further detail, I must touch on the positive aspects of The Bridesmaid. As I mentioned earlier, The Bridesmaid was definitely an improvement on the first novel in the Home to Hickory Hollow series. This was the first time that I’d read about a romance conducted by letters, at least in the context of the Amish, and I enjoyed the unconventionality of the romance between Joanna and Eben. The fact that Eben’s future was dictated by his absent brother’s actions also added an interesting aspect to the novel, and it was intriguing to witness Joanna and Eben’s indecision over whether they should attempt to take their future into their own hands or wait to see how matters panned out in case it wasn’t God’s will for them to be together. Their romance was very drawn out, and although I found it frustrating at times and wished that the couple had just sat down and talked out all of their issues, I appreciated that it gave both Joanna and Eben time to grow and mature. I particularly liked the element that the quilt added to the story, and the hope and strength that Joanna was able to gain from its legacy. I honestly think this was the most interesting part of The Bridesmaid, and wished that the quilt had played a larger part in the novel.
Unfortunately, the negative aspects of the writing often overshadowed those parts of the plot of The Bridesmaid that I genuinely enjoyed. My biggest issue probably has to be with the character of Cora-Jane, Joanna’s younger sister. Cora-Jane was overly negative towards Joanna’s singledom, and the possibility that she was “jinxing” her chances at marriage by acting as a bridesmaid at several weddings. Yet when Joanna revealed that she had a beau in Indiana that she’d been writing to, Cora-Jane was incredibly disparaging of their relationship. I never quite understood her reaction. In part, it seemed that Cora-Jane was worried about Joanna leaving Hickory Hollow to be with her beau, but on the other hand, it may be that Cora-Jane was jealous as she knew her own relationship wasn’t as positive as she let on. I could sort of understand Cora-Jane’s motivations for her bitterness regarding Joanna’s beau when she reveals her own relationship troubles towards the end of the novel, but her decision to reveal Joanna’s novel-writing to the Bishop seemed purely malicious due to the lack of reasonable motivation.
I was a little disappointed with the way that Joanna’s writing was treated, both by the fictional Amish community and as a topic in the novel. As an aspiring writer myself, the idea of an Amish woman secretly writing stories in her spare time intrigued me, and was ultimately the reason why I wanted to read The Bridesmaid despite my disappointment with the first Home to Hickory Hollow novel. I enjoyed reading about Joanna’s thought-processes and secret novel-writing habits, and understood her hurt when her writing was revealed to the community and she was forced to abandon her natural-given talents because of the Elders’ disapproval. Although I was glad that she was able to find a way to explore her creativity through encouraging poetry, I couldn’t help but wonder how someone with such natural talent for fiction writing could give up her God-given talents and agree to live in a community that disapproves of something that comes so naturally to her. There was no scriptural basis for the community’s disapproval of fiction writing (or reading), so the outcome of the situation didn’t sit well with me. I still feel unresolved about my opinion on this aspect of The Bridesmaid, even weeks after I finished the novel. It almost seems ironic that the author wants readers to enjoy reading a romance novel about an Amish woman who is discouraged by her community from writing romance novels. It feels kind of wrong to enjoy reading such a book when I know that it would be forbidden in certain Amish communities.
My biggest issue with Joanna’s writing is how violently her community reacts to it, particularly her deacon, only to have him to turn around and retract his opinion at a vital part of the plot. By the close of the story, I honestly felt that the deacon’s decision was just a plot device to keep Joanna and Eben apart in order for them to grow and mature before they made their decision to marry. While I appreciated the growth they both went through during their time apart, I wish something more physical had been keeping them apart. All it took for Joanna to travel to Indiana to tell Eben how she felt was the deacon retracting his opinion of Joanna and her writing. Sadly, the deacon’s behaviour also revealed how much power the Elders in the Amish church have and how they can often make decisions that don’t reflect God’s will or the community’s true opinion. In other novels, I wouldn’t have minded such a presentation of the Amish community, but in a series which is meant to be highlighting how wonderful it is to live in Hickory Hollow, this section of the book didn’t sit well with me.
Although I have a lot of complaints about this book, The Bridesmaid was an improvement on The Fiddler, and I’m tempted to read the final book in the Home to Hickory Hollow series to see if Beverly will eventually return to her usual high standard of writing. I enjoyed the unconventional romantic plot and the details about Joanna’s quilt, but the characterisation and plot progression of this novel were fairly poor, compared to other books in the genre, and in Beverly’s repertoire. While I’m sure that some Amish fans will enjoy The Bridesmaid, I don’t think I’m the only reader who will wonder why The Bridesmaid lacks many of the qualities that Beverly Lewis is known and loved for.
Review title provided by Bethany House.
January 10, 2019
Title: The Bridesmaid
Author: Beverly Lewis
Series: Home to Hickory Hollow, #2
Format: paperback, large print
Length: 407 pages
Synopsis: Twenty-five-year-old Joanna Kurtz has made several trips to the altar, but never as a bride. The single young Amish woman is a closet writer with a longing to be published something practically unheard of in her Lancaster County community. Yet Joanna's stories aren't her only secret. She also has a beau who is courting her from afar, unbeknownst even to her sister, Cora, who, though younger, seems to have suitors to spare.
Eben Troyer is a responsible young Amish man who hopes to make Joanna Kurtz his bride--if he can ever leave his parents' farm in Shipshewana, Indiana. Yet with his only brother off in the English world, intent on a military career, Eben's hopes for building a life with his dear Joanna are dimming, and patience is wearing thin. Will Joanna ever be more than a bridesmaid?
Favourite character: Joanna
Least favourite character: Cora Jane
Favourite line: No one’s stuck anywhere unless they choose to be. The Lord God guides those who are moving forward.
Mini-review: This was so good. I’m such a sucker for Amish Fiction. Although some of the things bothered me like the fact that she had to hide her writing, then gave in and stopped writing fiction and continued to live like that until I’m sure the end of the book. As a fellow writer I feel like life without fiction would almost not be worth living. But maybe that’s just me.
Fan-cast:
Joanna - Eleanor Tomlinson
Eben - Jack Quaid
Author: Beverly Lewis
Series: Home to Hickory Hollow, #2
Format: paperback, large print
Length: 407 pages
Synopsis: Twenty-five-year-old Joanna Kurtz has made several trips to the altar, but never as a bride. The single young Amish woman is a closet writer with a longing to be published something practically unheard of in her Lancaster County community. Yet Joanna's stories aren't her only secret. She also has a beau who is courting her from afar, unbeknownst even to her sister, Cora, who, though younger, seems to have suitors to spare.
Eben Troyer is a responsible young Amish man who hopes to make Joanna Kurtz his bride--if he can ever leave his parents' farm in Shipshewana, Indiana. Yet with his only brother off in the English world, intent on a military career, Eben's hopes for building a life with his dear Joanna are dimming, and patience is wearing thin. Will Joanna ever be more than a bridesmaid?
Favourite character: Joanna
Least favourite character: Cora Jane
Favourite line: No one’s stuck anywhere unless they choose to be. The Lord God guides those who are moving forward.
Mini-review: This was so good. I’m such a sucker for Amish Fiction. Although some of the things bothered me like the fact that she had to hide her writing, then gave in and stopped writing fiction and continued to live like that until I’m sure the end of the book. As a fellow writer I feel like life without fiction would almost not be worth living. But maybe that’s just me.
Fan-cast:
Joanna - Eleanor Tomlinson
Eben - Jack Quaid
May 22, 2019
I liked the main character, Joanna Kurtz, age 24, several times a bridesmaid but getting to the age in her Amish community where she might be called an old maid or Maidel. Her younger sister. Cora Jane was trouble. Joanna could not trust her. Cora Jane was sneaky and wanted to get Joanna trouble. I wondered about this and was disappointed that Beverly Lewis did not go more in deep with that character.
Joanna met a responsible and caring man, Fben Troyer and they immediately liked each other. They were at a funeral at Virginia Beach. Unfortunately, Joanna lived in Hickory Hollow and he in Indiana so it had to be a long distance courtship. Eben also had trouble with his sibling. His younger brother had become enchanted with airplanes and wanted to fly like a bird. This background helped a lot in understanding why his brother left the Amish community to live on the outside He had no grudge against Eben, he just to be a pilot. Eben father is insistent that Eben's brother come back and and care for the family farm before Eben can leave to marry Joanna.
This seems like an impossible situation. I enjoyed most of the book but was troubled by why Cora Jane was wanting to get Joanna in trouble. I wanted more depth. I still recommend this book to fans of Beverly Lewis.
Joanna met a responsible and caring man, Fben Troyer and they immediately liked each other. They were at a funeral at Virginia Beach. Unfortunately, Joanna lived in Hickory Hollow and he in Indiana so it had to be a long distance courtship. Eben also had trouble with his sibling. His younger brother had become enchanted with airplanes and wanted to fly like a bird. This background helped a lot in understanding why his brother left the Amish community to live on the outside He had no grudge against Eben, he just to be a pilot. Eben father is insistent that Eben's brother come back and and care for the family farm before Eben can leave to marry Joanna.
This seems like an impossible situation. I enjoyed most of the book but was troubled by why Cora Jane was wanting to get Joanna in trouble. I wanted more depth. I still recommend this book to fans of Beverly Lewis.
October 26, 2017
Joanna has been a bridesmaid many times, but at the age of 25, she yet to become a bride. She is heavily engaged with her family, secretly writes stories and stores them in her hope chest, and has a far-off friend that she is hoping will become something more.
Even wants to move to Hickory Hollow and marry Joanna. However, he has obligations to his parents' farm and worries that he'll never be able to get free enough of those obligations to be with Joanna.
Will they be together? Will they break apart? Will Joanna's writing ever amount to anything other than a secret vice?
These questions and many more are answered throughout this book. I will admit that this is my first foray into reading Amish fiction. The storyline is a really small and peaceful one and it took a little bit to draw me in, but soon I was hooked and wanting to find out how the story ended. It was a pleasurable journey, and I am sure that I will eventually read more of Lewis's books. Because this was such a tame and gentle book, I feel that it would also be appropriate for my fifth grader to read. In fact, I think she might love it very much.
Even wants to move to Hickory Hollow and marry Joanna. However, he has obligations to his parents' farm and worries that he'll never be able to get free enough of those obligations to be with Joanna.
Will they be together? Will they break apart? Will Joanna's writing ever amount to anything other than a secret vice?
These questions and many more are answered throughout this book. I will admit that this is my first foray into reading Amish fiction. The storyline is a really small and peaceful one and it took a little bit to draw me in, but soon I was hooked and wanting to find out how the story ended. It was a pleasurable journey, and I am sure that I will eventually read more of Lewis's books. Because this was such a tame and gentle book, I feel that it would also be appropriate for my fifth grader to read. In fact, I think she might love it very much.
January 28, 2020
I was so glad to get to read Joanna's story. She has such a sweet and gentle heart that it was a joy to read about her. I did feel like the romance in the beginning was a little quick. I wish she would have taken more time to ease into that part instead of establishing their relationship so quickly then having all of the drama center around their time apart and her family relationships. Their romance was established so fast that you knew things weren't going to easily work out. I still don't entirely understand Cora Jean, why she did what she did, her attitude problem, and how or why she turned around toward the end. It seems like she should have gotten into more trouble for what she did, but I also understand Joanna being the upstanding one and treating her how she should be treated despite her cruelty. The ending was humorous and sweet. I liked how doors were opened on both ends and their patience really paid off. The story of the quilt was a fun element. The aspects of learning from the past were greatly enjoyable. Overall, I enjoyed reading Joanna's story, but wished we could have spent more time in the happy times instead of the struggles.
March 17, 2025
I love all things Beverly Lewis, she writes the best Amish stories; this is book two in The Hickory Hollow Series. Joanna is always a bridesmaid and never a bride. Her friends remind her often, since she is twenty five. Joanna lives in Lancaster County Pennsylvania. Joanna meets Eben Troyer an Amish man, who lives in Shipshewana Indiana. They are both on a holiday, and it's love at first sight. After spending days together, they must each go home; but will write to each other and an occasional phone call. Eben would move to Hickory Hollow, but his older brother won't join the church and be Amish. That leaves Eben to help his father on the farm. Joanna loves to write, but this is frowned upon in the church. Joanna's younger sister Cora Jane, shows the Bishop some of Joanna's stories; and he "grounds" her. This means that Joanna cannot leave the district to marry Eben in Indiana. Will their relationship survive? Love the plot, great setting, and strong intense interesting characters. I look forward to reading more from Ms. Beverly Lewis!!!
June 25, 2018
The Bridesmaid is book #2 in the Hickory Hollow series by Beverly Lewis. This is a book about characters in the Amish community of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. This is a sweet and inspirational story of young love about Joanna Kurtz, 24 years old and almost a spinster and Eben Troyer from Shipshewana, Indiana. another Amish community. They have so much in common yet live worlds apart in communities each has been connected with for life. Joanna was a bridesmaid several times but has never been a bride. Eben pins his hopes of a marriage on his brother Leroy coming home to help his father run the farm. Leroy has left the Plain life to become a pilot and married an English wife so his hopes have been dashed. This book is about love, commitment, duty, and responsibility. I enjoyed the romance, learning more about the Amish culture, and the sub-plots about the wedding quilt and Joanna's relationship with her plucky sister Cora Jane.
September 23, 2019
Just as good as the first book in this series. Beverly Lewis does it again. She takes you into the Amish community as you read about the struggles, temptations and test of their commitments.
In the first book, we meet an Englisher violinist/fiddler who wanders into the Amish community and uses this opportunity to escape her responsibilities, realign her priorities and finding out what she wants versus where her parents and agent expect of her. Well, that was that book.
In this book we follow the dreams of her Amish friend who is always a bridesmaid never a bride and doesn't her sister reminder her every chance she gets. She falls in love with a young Amish man who she meets on a trip. The problem is he lives the next state over and neither family is crazy about this romance. Escape from your life to this life for as long as you can. I assure you will feel like you are there.
In the first book, we meet an Englisher violinist/fiddler who wanders into the Amish community and uses this opportunity to escape her responsibilities, realign her priorities and finding out what she wants versus where her parents and agent expect of her. Well, that was that book.
In this book we follow the dreams of her Amish friend who is always a bridesmaid never a bride and doesn't her sister reminder her every chance she gets. She falls in love with a young Amish man who she meets on a trip. The problem is he lives the next state over and neither family is crazy about this romance. Escape from your life to this life for as long as you can. I assure you will feel like you are there.
August 20, 2017
I can't be a fair judge as this is so far out of my delight zone. Read it for a readers advisory "stretch," and it did that. I had to force myself past the second chapter, by which time I knew of course how it was going to end. I know romance is supposed to be all about the journey, and didn't like the characters enough to travel with them. What a horrible constricted life these women lead, so much guilt and shaming. I wanted to cry (and not in a good way) when the poor woman "catches" her guy.
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