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Her Scandalous Amish Secret: An Uplifting Inspirational Romance

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She's made mistakes.

Now she's back to fix them.

After a life-changing event, Lydia Troyer returns to her Amish community to repair her damaged reputation. But the baby she brings with her raises more questions than she can answer. Proving she's changed while keeping her secret becomes even harder when she finds carpenter Jonah Lapp working on her family home. Jonah is the only man she's ever loved, but winning back his trust will be hardest of all…

224 pages, Mass Market Paperback

Published December 26, 2023

1 person is currently reading
37 people want to read

About the author

Jocelyn McClay

35 books126 followers
New York Times and Publisher's Weekly bestselling author Jocelyn McClay grew up on an Iowa farm, ultimately pursuing a degree in agriculture. She met her husband while weightlifting in a small town - he 'spotted her'. After thirty years in business management, they moved to an acreage in southeastern Missouri to be closer to family when their oldest of three daughters made them grandparents. When not writing, she keeps busy grandparenting, hiking, biking gardening, quilting, knitting and substitute teaching.

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5 stars
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20 (30%)
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7 (10%)
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
Profile Image for Brittany .
2,886 reviews208 followers
January 4, 2024
Her Scandalous Amish Secret is a novel that can stand on its own or be enjoyed as part of the wonderful Miller’s Creek series. The author took a character who was quite unlikable in earlier books and made me not only care about what happened to her, but made me want everything to work out for her. I learned exactly how much Lydia had endured growing up as the daughter of a truly horrible woman. It helped to explain many of her actions from the past. Her upbringing really messed her up.

I loved the tension between Lydia and Jonah. Lydia loved Jonah but feared that she would end up being just like her mother, so she broke his heart a year ago and left. Jonah doesn’t want to be drawn to Lydia, but he just can’t help himself. It was very clear that these two belonged together as the story progressed and I appreciated the huge change and true remorse that Lydia showed in her life. This author does such a great job of pulling me into the characters that she writes and making me feel everything they are feeling. It’s one of the reasons that Miller’s Creek is one of my favorite book series.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

You can read this review on my blog:
https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.c...
1,628 reviews28 followers
January 24, 2024
Her Scandalous Amish Secret by Jocelyn McClay
An Uplifting Inspirational
She’s made mistakes.
Now she’s back to fix them.
After a life-changing event, Lydia Troyer returns to her Amish community to repair her damaged reputation. But the baby she brings with her raises more questions than she can answer. Proving she’s changed while keeping her secret becomes even harder when she finds carpenter Jonah Lapp working on her family home. Jonah is the only man she’s ever loved, but winning back his trust will be hardest of all…
This is Lydia Troyer, cousin’s boy Caleb and Jonah Lapp's story.
Lydia Troyer straightened her shoulders as she felt the stares drilling through the pleats of her prayer kapp. She wasn’t surprised. She deserved them. Still, it took considerable effort to swallow past the lump lodged in her throat, the one that’d been growing since last night when the bus had dropped her at the hamburger joint that served as the stop for Miller’s Creek. Carefully lowering herself onto one of the hard backless benches that lined the central room of the house where this week’s church was held, she took her seat amongst the other unmarried women of the community.
She was back. Jonah Lapp’s heart was pounding. His fingers clutched so tightly on his thighs, the weave of his pants’ fabric was probably imprinted on their tips.
Of all the women in the district, of all those in the surrounding area, why was she the one to tempt him so? He knew better. Still, he couldn’t pull his gaze away.
He studied her with hooded eyes. Her face was thinner. Jonah lowered his brow. She was thinner. Was she ill? Frowning at the twist in his stomach at the possibility, he glanced down to jerk at a thread in the seam of his pants.
What was wrong with him? He had more sense than this. He should’ve forgotten her by now. She’d left.
I recommend this book.
If you like Amish books you will love this book.
Her Scandalous Amish Secret by Jocelyn McClay is a wonderful well written 5 star book.
I am looking forward to reading more books by Jocelyn McClay.
142 reviews7 followers
November 23, 2023
We all have things in our pasts we wish we had done differently. This book is about one Amish woman's journey to facing her past and trying to prove she has changed her ways. Regret, repentance, forgiveness, and redemption through faith are key topics on this story. I felt empathy and compassion for the characters since everyone makes mistakes or poor decisions in their lives and may need to ask for or give forgiveness.

I found this book to be inspiring as it reminded me of what God can do through us when we allow Him to have control even though we may have failed Him in the past. I definitely recommend this book for an inspirational read. I received an advance copy to read. All opinions expressed are my own.
Profile Image for Dali Castillo.
674 reviews18 followers
March 28, 2024
New Beginnings

New beginnings are often a good thing, but they aren't always easy to achieve. Such is the case for Lydia Troyer. Lydia is trying to start over, but sadly, she established a reputation in the past that made her a not-so-nice person. Thus, while she is sincere in her attempt at a new beginning, some still remember her past, and the group of some includes Jonah Lapp. 

While Lydia works at starting over, Jonah works at trying to sort things out from their past and their present. Rehashing old hurts and making new discoveries come to the surface as Lydia and Jonah spend more time together. The result is a story of love, redemption, faith, forgiveness, second chances, and new beginnings. When you combine them, the end result is a lovely story that will touch your heart.
Profile Image for Marcie Robinson.
357 reviews5 followers
November 12, 2023
“Her Scandalous Amish Secret” by Jocelyn McClay is one of those books that has characters with such depth that one moment you are irritated at one or the other and the next you’ll shed a tear for them.

Lydia Troyer is back home in Miller’s Creek with a baby and a secret.
Jonah Lapp is working on the Troyer home and telling himself to stay away from Lydia.
Past hurts have a way of casting shadows on the heart, yet love has a way of breaking through and shining brightly.

Ms. McClay has outdone herself with this book. A redemption story of overcoming regrets and past mistakes and filled with sweet, tender moments, “Her Scandalous Amish Secret” is one you need to read.
23 reviews
December 17, 2023
Lydia Troyer appeared in an earlier episode as a very unkind, self-centered character. Not liked at all by many people! In this latest story Lydia has returned to Miller’s Creek after a yearlong absence. She will make an attempt to redeem herself and her former relationships.
Lydia seems to have changed for the better, but will she find real friendships and true love? Or will Lydia once again leave Miller’s Creek heartbroken and bitter?
Once again Jocelyn McClay has written a heartwarming and wonderful story. I am always looking forward to her next book in the inspiring Miller’s Creek series.
Profile Image for Joan Arning.
1,776 reviews28 followers
December 16, 2023
Jocelyn McClay does not write your usual Amish books! I felt sorry for Lydia Troyer because she was afraid she would turn out like her unkind mother and sister. It was obvious that the young child she brings home with her after an extended stay with a cousin was her child and not a relative's. I admired Lydia for wanting to make amends for the the way she had treated people when she was younger. Jonah Lapp was an excellent male protagonist even though he is afraid to trust Lydia. You won't want to miss Her Scandalous Amish Secret even if you don't usually read Amish books. I received a complimentary advance copy of the book. This is my honest opinion.
Profile Image for Vicky Sluiter.
Author 1 book88 followers
December 27, 2023
Goodness, this book. Author Jocelyn McClay kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time. For me, that is not typical when I’m reading one of her books. It was so intriguing with so many unexpected twists!

Lydia and Jonah are great characters who need to learn about forgiveness and second chances. We all make mistakes and when repentance is real we deserve the opportunity to start over. But will that be allowed? Love often wins out but I sure didn’t know if it would this time. Read Her Scandalous Amish Secret to find out what happens.

I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a review.
Profile Image for Rebecca.
178 reviews12 followers
May 1, 2024
Lydia Troyer has made mistakes in the past that she’s not proud of. She runs away to avoid the humiliation from her Amish community. She doesn’t plan on coming back but she returns with a baby. Will they accept her back despite the secrets that she’s kept?
She wants to right her wrongs from the past.

Jonah Lapp is the only boy that she’s ever loved and she discovers that her father has hired him to be the carpenter to work on their family home. Lydia and Jonah begin to spend time together. Will they end up together in the end?

This is the first book that I’ve read by this author. I really enjoyed how the author showed how God will always be their to forgive us even when we feel like we don’t deserve to be forgiven. God will always give us a clean slate because he loves us that much.
Profile Image for Jennifer McClurkan.
476 reviews48 followers
January 17, 2024
I really enjoyed Lydias story. She returned home after a life-changing event event and a damaged reputation with a baby. Proving she's changed while keeping her secret is harder when she finds that Jonah the only man she's ever loved is building her father's daadi house. Can she win back his trust?
Profile Image for Jan.
751 reviews23 followers
December 10, 2023
I loved the characters and the plot.
51 reviews
January 31, 2024
I enjoyed this book. While reading my thoughts wandered to. What would I do in this situation?
A great read.
589 reviews2 followers
June 11, 2024

Enjoyed this story. The main character was very had to like. Very sad story of abusive home life but a good story of redemption and change.
Profile Image for Eliana .
2,998 reviews24 followers
August 4, 2024
This book messed with my emotions and spoke to me. The side story of Clara and her crush and ending broke my heart and i think i won't recover from this part.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Marilyn.
1,270 reviews
December 24, 2023
A tremendous story of overcoming the past and finding happiness. Lydia return to Miller’s Creek was more than she expected but she wanted former acquaintances to see she had changed. I admire the depth McClay penned her characters with. Lydia and Jonah’s story. This is a touching tale that readers will recognize that everyone has events in their lives that is not pleasant. But with God nothing is impossible as McClay gently wove the theme of forgiveness, redemption, finding new peace and happiness. I’m glad Lydia had her own story to show she could change and become a new person with God’s love and faithfulness.

I received an early copy of this book without any obligation to write a positive review. I have expressed my own thoughts.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews

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