A Home for His Amish Children: An Uplifting Inspirational Romance

Bluebird Hills #4

by Virginia Wise

The wife he didn’t expect

Could be exactly what he needs

With his house and business destroyed in a fire, widower Silas Hochstetler desperately needs somewhere for him and his children to live. Needing help to pay her mortgage—and secretly longing for a family of her own—spinster Mary King answers his ad for a wife. Navigating their new life together with the children isn’t as easy as they thought, though neither can ignore the spark between them. They might be strangers, but their marriage of convenience might just lead to something real…

From Love Inspired: Uplifting stories of faith, forgiveness and hope.

Genres: Romance, Amish

208 pages, Mass Market Paperback

Published January 21, 2025

About the author

Virginia Wise is a New York Times and Publishers Weekly bestselling author of inspirational romance. A romantic at heart, she loves a happily ever after. You might find her wandering Lancaster County's Amish country where she enjoys meeting new people who inspire her heartwarming stories. When she's not writing, Virginia enjoys painting, spending time with family and friends, and taking long walks in the woods. Visit her online at VirginiaWiseBooks.com.

Reviews

[Audrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

What's more opposite my taste than a Christian Amish Harlequin romance? Absolutely nothing!

BUT a dear friend of mine, who always recommends the best books, told me she wanted me to read it and I did. It was so sweet and well written! I know Amish books are a huge subgenre and I've never read one. Working at the library I like to dabble in everything so I know what's out there, so I'm happy I finally got to one. I get the cozy Amish atmosphere now!

[Christina · Rating 2 out of 5]

Repetitive and profoundly boring. Also, it feels like the author's impression of Amish people comes from...idk nowhere? It was especially eye-rolling to see them talk about kindness to animals, given the reality. I guess you're supposed to suspend disbelief but a LOT of the attitudes and takes in here from the members of the community were absolutely batshit.

[Karen Torrance · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed this book so much. Just proves how much our childhood affects our feelings and self worth.

[Dawn Livingston · Rating 5 out of 5]

This may be the best romance novel I've ever read based on the way I felt after finishing it. I felt happy, warmth/love, satisfaction, exhilarated.

The premise of the story is what of course got my attention as I think it is with most books, though some covers may draw a person in. From the first page the book had me. I kept reading and reading to find out what happens next, hoping for certain characters to get what they need emotionally. I rooted for all the characters throughout. I felt they were well done, not two dimensional. I swear I felt the love they had for each other, the desperate need they had to be loved, and some appreciated and trusted.

Get this book. Borrow it from the library or better yet buy it. If you read only romance novel in a year, make it this one.

I will be reading this one again, maybe in 6 months.

I'd been reading the grim, gritty, gruesome, brutal JD Robb cop mystery Kindred in Death. It was hard to put down but I had to go to work. When I got back and get settled I was intending to pick up where I left off but I was using an e-book and my phone battery was dead so I decided to read this book while I waited for the phone to charge. But I finished the book in one evening. It was that good.

Okay, now that I've hyped the book as much as I ever have hyped a book, you will probably read the book and think, "What's the big deal?" Maybe you won't even finish the book but... I have to believe you will at least like it if not love it as I do.

[Jo|Ruth Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this story! Virginia Wise has once again delivered an incredible marriage-of-convenience story that tugs at the heartstrings. Mary has spent her life seeking love and acceptance from her father and brother, only to be overlooked, teased, and taken for granted. Now, in a marriage of convenience, she finds herself trying to "win over" her new husband. But no matter how much she does for him, he remains distant, insisting that he wants only an arrangement—not a real marriage. Though he tells her she’s enough as she is, he also declares that love is impossible between them, leaving Mary torn between hope and heartbreak.

Silas, on the other hand, is determined to keep his heart closed. Burned by a past love who left him, his children, and their faith, he refuses to risk falling in love again. But as he spends more time with Mary, he can’t help but feel drawn to her, even as he battles his fears. Can Silas let go of the past and embrace the possibility of love again? And can Mary finally find the acceptance and love she’s always longed for?

This beautifully written story is filled with emotional depth, personal growth, and a heartfelt journey toward healing and love. I couldn’t put it down!

I received a complimentary copy of this book, and this review reflects my sincere and honest opinion.

[JudyAnnLovesBooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am always interested in how an author will develop a storyline that involves a difficult trope. Arranged marriages have always been a hit or miss for me because they tend to lack believability. In A HOME FOR HIS AMISH CHILDREN, Virginia Wise has crafted a love story that was both touching and believable in unexpected ways. Silas, a single father, finds himself in dire straits when he loses everything in a fire. He needs to rebuild and decides to seek out a woman who could make use of a helping hand and that would be willing to help him with his children. An odd arrangement for sure but one that makes sense. Mary is of an age, where marriage no longer seems possible. She has a home, albeit an empty one, and needs to find some sort of purpose to keep her going. Two very different people, looking to fill the empty pieces of their lives. On paper, the arrangement seems viable but when feelings and emotions enter the equation everything changes. And what an incredible change it is. Watching Mary, Silas and his two children navigate the waters of this unconventional arrangement and turn it into a loving family, made this the beautiful and uplifting story that it is. I am pleased to have read it and look forward to more by this author. I am giving A HOME FOR HIS AMISH CHILDREN the judy.ann.loves.books stamp of approval, TBR & Enjoy!

[Dali Castillo]

Deeply Touching Story

Mary has spent her life trying to be good enough, so much so that she doesn't know any other way. However, when she and Silas marry, she has to dig deep to rise above what she's always felt. A for Silas, he's always found himself lacking and blames himself for the past. Their past experiences and feelings about themselves are about to get put to the test as they maneuver their marriage relationship and their newfound family.

Everything about how this all happens is deeply touching, as is their story of forgiveness, overcoming, faith, grace, and love, which is truly beautiful and inspiring.

Book Quote:
"But with Gott's help, you find a new path, through the pain." ... "The best thing you can do is live your best life from now on. Make the most of what God has given you. Take His redemption. Don't waste it."

[Marilyn Rushing · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another hard to put down book. If you love Amish Fiction you will need to get this book by Virginia Wise. This story covers Second chances, love and forgiveness of one’s selves.

Silas Hochstedler, a widower with two children has lost his home and his business that was destroyed by a fire. He places an ad in their Amish newspaper The Budget looking for a wife and mother for his children.
Mary King, at thirty four years old has just about accepted her fate of never having a family of her own. But her life is fixing to change when she answers Silas’s ad looking for a wife. She wanted love but Silas wants a business arrangement only.
After getting married will Mary earn his love or will Silas open his heart to love?

[Sue Kemper Yoder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book By Virginia. Such a heartwarming story about a Widower with has 2 children who lost everything in a fire. They moved to a new Church district for him to marry a woman in name only. She had a rough life not being treated very well by her father and brother. She never thought she was good enough for anyone. This story is how they learn from each other and fall in love.

[Evelyn Foreman · Rating 5 out of 5]

One word comes to mind after reading this book…..Grace. Painful pasts, so much heartache, overwhelming fear, yet Gott’s grace flowed in each situation, leading, guiding, protecting, bringing healing and hope. The author so vividly described each raw emotion, emitting reality to a story of fiction, I actually felt as if I was a character in the narrative. So well done!

[Ellie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars! I really enjoyed this book! It started with Mary as a spinster and the book worked through her story as she replied to a newspaper ad for a wife. The story also had a storyline about Silas and his teenaged daughter that he was trying to protect. The two storylines were wonderfully intertwined which made for a really good read. If you like Amish fiction, I highly recommend this book.

[Mrs. Brent · Rating 5 out of 5]

I reviewed an ARC of this book. I loved the storyline and could not put it down. As in life, the words spoken to others may not always be heard in the same meaning they were spoken. Virginia Wise wrote a beautiful story of a family learning to communicate.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Very good read , a learning of trust for each other the family and how someone says things to you hurt deeper than we realize . A very good story loved it couldn't put it down ,glad it had a happy ending .

[Camille Parry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn’t put this book down. It was very engaging.

[Vicky Sluiter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this marriage of convenience. Interesting twist that a newspaper ad brought them together.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

very good book very good series

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a sweet read. Sometimes I need something simple to cleanse my brain and this was it.

[DianeLikesToRead · Rating 5 out of 5]

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
There are some books which just by looking at their cover and premise, you are able to predict that it's going to be a good read. This is one such book! “A Home for his Amish Children” is Virginia Wise’s latest novel.
Silas puts an ad for a wife and Mary, who is considered an old spinster, answers the ad. Silas and his two young children move in with her. Silas figured this would be a good business arraignment but Mary is hoping for the family she never thought she would have. Can two strangers make a go of this relationship?
I love how Silas AND Mary both grew personally and together. Mousy Mary wasn’t so mousey by the end of the book. If you like sweet romances filled with faith and hope, this book is for you! Many thanks to the author for a complimentary copy of the book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own. #AHomeForHisAmishChildren #VirginiaWise #NetGalley #AmishBooks #BookLove #Bookstagram #NewBook #ILoveBooks

[Doris Lankford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Instead of a story about a mail order bride this was about a mail order groom. The circumstances were not ideal for Silas and his children but Mary opened her home to them. Over time Silas and Mary grew to care for each other and eventually to love each other. They were able to make a family out of an unusual situation. I loved the book. I was given a copy of the book for review. This is my honest opinion.

[Carla Bruns · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mary King only ever wanted one thing – a family. The one boyfriend she thought would make that come true, left her for another Amish maidel. And that was years ago. Taking matters into her own hands, Mary answers an ad for a wife in the Amish newspaper. Silas Hochstetter, a widower, who lost his home and his livelihood shows up at Mary’s door needing to make a new start. In tow, he has his teenage daughter, Becky, and his nine-year-old son, Ethan. Silas feels like he has the answers to what he needs. One thing he doesn’t need is love. Unfortunately for him, Mary does.

I was hooked the moment I opened the book. Here we have this timid woman, Mousy Mary as her mean brother calls her, waiting for a man she has never met before to become her husband. How bold! Silas is sweet and strong and tries so hard to guard his heart. He wants to make this more of a business arrangement with Mary but she's not the kind you ignore. It was heartwarming to see Mary blossom throughout the book and become her own. With the help of her friends and Sila’s quiet comforting ways, she becomes the person she was always meant to be. And it’s not timid at all, as her step-daughter finds out. When Mary starts standing up to Becky, you can see the change in both characters from that point on.

Wise always writes wonderful books and this one does not disappoint. I adore the way this was written. It’s the right mix of Amish, romance, and real-life rolled up into one. Anyone who delights in Amish romance will want to read this.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book that I received from the author. This has no bearing on my rating. All opinions are my own.