Who Is Mary?: An Amish Romance

Stepping Stones #1

by Linda Byler

The first book in a new Amish romance series by beloved novelist Linda Byler, an active member of the Amish church. With her flaming red hair and inquisitive personality, Mary is a bit of an anomaly in her Amish community in western New York. She tries to join in the fun with the other youth as they gather for hymn singings and games, but she finds it all rather dull. None of the young men are interested in her and she's even less interested in them. With each passing year, she feels more and more out of place and stifled by life as a misfit in a rural Amish community.  When her aunt comes for a visit and suggests she return to Lancaster with her to help manage her bakery, Mary sees her opportunity for the change she's desperately craving. But her parents forbid her to go, her father convinced that leaving the family for the busy life of Lancaster will lead her down a path of destruction. Mary is deeply distressed, wanting to honor her parents' wishes and also knowing she can't stay trapped in their isolated community forever. At twenty-one, she's old enough to decide for herself, and yet it's painful to be at odds with her father. Will she go, despite her father's dire warnings? If she stays, will she just continue to disappoint her parents, asking too many questions and never finding a man to marry? One thing is sure. Before she can even think about dating, she needs to figure out who she is and where she belongs. And that might require a boldness she didn't know she possessed. Author Linda Byler is an active member of the Amish church and writes all her novels by hand with a pen and notebook. She offers a unique and fascinating look into Amish history and culture.  

Genres: Amish

304 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 6, 2024

About the author

Linda Byler grew up Amish and is an active member of the Amish church today. Growing up, Linda Byler loved to read and write. In fact, she still does. She is well known within the Amish community as a columnist for a weekly Amish newspaper. Linda and her husband, their children and grandchildren live in central Pennsylvania.

Reviews

[Christy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Who is Mary is filled with discontentment, self pity and rebellion in thinking everyone is wrong but her. Pages of Mary’s judgmental and depressing outlook just sorely wore me down.

[Gail · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this was one of the saddest romance books I’ve ever read. I know the Amish faith does not believe in eternal salvation or any kind of salvation through Grace alone without works, but what this poor young woman went through because of her father‘s controlling nature and her own guilt is just so sad and twisted. Sadly, this can be realistic in life. But usually there are other believers to encourage someone in their faith and to trust Christ through our hardships. Mary is such a brilliant and ambitious young woman. I just felt so sorry for her. There is true joy in serving and knowing Jesus, not constant fear and confusion and regret. I am hoping there is a sequel to it so that it all makes sense. The ending left the reader totally up in the air. So I’m guessing that is because they want to set you up for the next book.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was interesting to me, because I've not read an Amish story such as this. Don't get me wrong, it's not bad. The story shows 'sternness' of a father, towards his daughter.
You hear stories about these type of situations, but reading an author's work about such, intrigues a person.
Linda Byler touched on many subjects that go on in today's world, whether Amish or English! Sadly, I do think in this story, a father such as Mary's, would be a very hard & difficult life.
I, myself, don't believe what Mary's father was saying, doing, or acting like, would be considered Godly, but instead more narcissistic! Extremes were taken with him, and yet he wondered why Mary was the way she was. Could you blame her?
Mary's more than old enough to decide her fate and life. But, can she do it without fear? This is one of those books where I had to step away from at times.Great read though!

[Jennie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was very disappointed in this book. It started off in a good way, but the first thing I disliked about the book it was when Mary decided to go and live with her aunt Lizzie. She would stay there for a while then she’d go back home. It seemed like every time she went back home, she would be starting over. Her father and mother are both horrible to her, even though They were upholding the Amish faith in the way they saw it should be held. I really liked Mary’s aunt Lizzie, and I liked all the guys that she was interested in. It was heartbreaking that she was so confused that she would just let them go. I did not like the ending of the book, but is another review stated it was probably Left this way so you would want to read the second book in the series. Not so sure I want to read the second book in the series, but we will see.

[Linda · Rating 2 out of 5]

First time I had read this author, didn’t know what to expect. This book was depressing, though it may have been reality. I would not have labeled it as an Amish Romance. I could understand some of the main character’s issues relating to her father, but she disappointed me, too. I wonder why this author chose to write this particular book. I will continue with this series, though. I have also ordered more books by this same author. Maybe I just picked the wrong one to start with. I have several Amish friends myself, though I am not Amish. Once I read the various Amish authors, I pass it on to that family.

[Jeanette Durkin · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. I've never read a book like this. It was depressing with moments of happiness. In my humble opinion, it wasn't really a romance either. Mary did date a few people, but nothing ever came of it.

Mary, my heart cried for her. Her life seems to be one bitter disappointment after another. Her father is a narcissist. He picks on her mercilessly with few compliments. His voice is always in Mary's mind, judging her.

The ending did provide some hope. It is a cliffhanger. I'll read it because my interest is piqued!

[Shelley Brian · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not a romance

I have read many books by Linda Byler and enjoyed each one of them. Sadly this book was not like any of her others. It was a slog to read and ended abruptly with no resolution of any sort. The main character has the worst luck in the entire world. If it can happen to her it does. I wouldn't suggest it to anyone who likes Linda Byler's stories. I was truly unhappy when I got to the end of the book!

[Janet B · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have read Miss Byler books before, and enjoyed them. But this one was just barely....ok. The plotline was interesting, but the actual writing style was odd, to say the least. I would easily assume that Miss Byler used a ghostwriter on this book. It was sooooo stilted, and seemed like something written by a teen who hates writing. I'll stick to her older books.

[Betsy Menard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unsatisfying Story

“Who is Mary” was written well, but it
was frustrating for me to read. Mary
constantly tittered between trying to be satisfied with the Amish lifestyle or separating herself from her Amish family and their lifestyle. In the end, she was still unsettled and confused. I found the story frustrating.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was ready for a gentle Amish read when I picked this up but this is not an Amish romance, despite the subtitle. Instead this book is about a young woman torn between her need to be whom God meant her to be and the hateful judgements of an ultra conservative Old Amish father.

[Kathleen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Skip it. Cop out ending!

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh my goodness. I hope that Mary’s life improves in the next book of this series.

[Linda Kaufman · Rating 1 out of 5]

not one of my favorite Amish books

[Tracie Leach · Rating 1 out of 5]

Honestly don't recommend so many story lines and ending was very disappointing.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing