What do you think?
Rate this book
New Hope Amish #3
A Plain Love Song
All Adah Knepp has ever wanted to do is sing and play guitar, but pursuing her dreams means turning her back on her Amish family and community—and saying goodbye to Matthew, the gentle Amish farmer she can't get out of her mind. (romance)
653 pages, Hardcover
First published July 1, 2014
54 people are currently reading
572 people want to read
About the author
Kelly Irvin
74 books830 followersBest-selling author Kelly Irvin splits her writing time between Amish romances and romantic suspense. Her latest release is Trust Me (2/8/22), a romantic suspense novel set in San Antonio's historic art district. It explores broken trust and whether trust can ever be restored. Publishers Weekly called it a "whirlwind romantic thriller" and "an emotional rollercoaster."
Her latest Amish romance is Love's Dwelling, the first book in the Amish Blessings series, which released in July 2021. The series takes place in Yoder and Haven, Kansas, and looks at adoption among the Amish. The series follows her Amish romance series, Amish of Sky Country includes Mountains of Grace, followed by The Long Bridge Home, and Peace in the Valley. The series explores Amish communities in northwest Montana and how they are impacted by wildfires.
Other romantic suspense novels include Her Every Move, which Publishers Weekly called gripping suspense and said, "loving descriptions of San Antonio’s attractions enhance the well-paced plot."
The publication called Closer Than She Knows a "brisk, smoothly written, thriller."
Kelly's Every Amish Season series includes Upon A Spring Breeze, Beneath the Summer Sun, Through the Autumn Air, and With Winter's First Frost from Zondervan/HarperCollins Christian Publishing. This follows the Amish of Bee County series, The Saddle Maker's Son, released in June 2016. It is an ECPA bestseller. It follows The Bishop's Son, and the critically acclaimed bestseller, The Beekeeper's Son, which earned a starred review from Publishers Weekly. The reviewer called it "a beautifully woven masterpiece." The Beekeeper's Son was a finalist in the romance category of the 2016 ACFW Carol Awards Contest.
Kelly is also the author of the Bliss Creek Amish series and the New Amish Amish series. The first series includes To Love and To Cherish, A Heart Made New, and Love’s Journey Home, published by Harvest House. The New Hope Amish series includes Love Still Stands, followed by Love Redeemed, which was an ACFW Carol Award finalist, and A Plain Love Song.
Kelly has also penned two other romantic suspense novels, A Deadly Wilderness and No Child of Mine..
The Kansas native is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and ACFW's San Antonio local chapter Alamo City Christian Fiction Writers.
A graduate of the University of Kansas William Allen White School of Journalism, Kelly has been writing nonfiction professionally for thirty years. She studied for three semesters at the University of Costa Rica, learning the Spanish language. As a journalist, she worked six years in the border towns of Laredo and El Paso.
She worked in public relations for the San Antonio Parks and Recreation Department for 22 years before retiring earlier this year. Kelly has been married to photographer Tim Irvin for twenty-eight years. They have two young adult children and have three grandchildren. In her spare time, she likes to write short stories, read books by her favorite authors, and looks forward to visits with her grandchildren.
Her latest Amish romance is Love's Dwelling, the first book in the Amish Blessings series, which released in July 2021. The series takes place in Yoder and Haven, Kansas, and looks at adoption among the Amish. The series follows her Amish romance series, Amish of Sky Country includes Mountains of Grace, followed by The Long Bridge Home, and Peace in the Valley. The series explores Amish communities in northwest Montana and how they are impacted by wildfires.
Other romantic suspense novels include Her Every Move, which Publishers Weekly called gripping suspense and said, "loving descriptions of San Antonio’s attractions enhance the well-paced plot."
The publication called Closer Than She Knows a "brisk, smoothly written, thriller."
Kelly's Every Amish Season series includes Upon A Spring Breeze, Beneath the Summer Sun, Through the Autumn Air, and With Winter's First Frost from Zondervan/HarperCollins Christian Publishing. This follows the Amish of Bee County series, The Saddle Maker's Son, released in June 2016. It is an ECPA bestseller. It follows The Bishop's Son, and the critically acclaimed bestseller, The Beekeeper's Son, which earned a starred review from Publishers Weekly. The reviewer called it "a beautifully woven masterpiece." The Beekeeper's Son was a finalist in the romance category of the 2016 ACFW Carol Awards Contest.
Kelly is also the author of the Bliss Creek Amish series and the New Amish Amish series. The first series includes To Love and To Cherish, A Heart Made New, and Love’s Journey Home, published by Harvest House. The New Hope Amish series includes Love Still Stands, followed by Love Redeemed, which was an ACFW Carol Award finalist, and A Plain Love Song.
Kelly has also penned two other romantic suspense novels, A Deadly Wilderness and No Child of Mine..
The Kansas native is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and ACFW's San Antonio local chapter Alamo City Christian Fiction Writers.
A graduate of the University of Kansas William Allen White School of Journalism, Kelly has been writing nonfiction professionally for thirty years. She studied for three semesters at the University of Costa Rica, learning the Spanish language. As a journalist, she worked six years in the border towns of Laredo and El Paso.
She worked in public relations for the San Antonio Parks and Recreation Department for 22 years before retiring earlier this year. Kelly has been married to photographer Tim Irvin for twenty-eight years. They have two young adult children and have three grandchildren. In her spare time, she likes to write short stories, read books by her favorite authors, and looks forward to visits with her grandchildren.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
July 13, 2014
I really enjoyed reading Kelly Irvin's book, A Plain Love Song. It was an storyline that grabbed my attention right away, especially given the emphasis on music since my niece, Katie G, is a singer/songwriter. Several times in the book, the main character, Adah, questions her actions to God, even pleading with Him for help, that she is lost. Haven't we all been there at one point in time? Anyway, I thought the character development of the main characters was so well done that they almost came to life for me. I'll be interviewing her on my blog in the upcoming weeks (www.sarahpriceauthor.com) or follow me on Twitter @SarahPriceAmish.
March 27, 2014
Adah has a song in her heart and she longs to write songs, but the Amish do not allow musical instruments or secular music. What will she do? Will she give up everything and everyone she loves to run off with Jackson, an Englisher, and follow her heart? Or will she stay with the Amish and marry dear sweet dependable Matthew?
I love music personally and singing is very dear to my heart. It is a way for me to praise God and to honor Him with my talents, given by Him, so it would be very difficult for me to participate in a church that does not allow this free expression. Do you think you would be able to give up freedom of musical expression? Kelly Irvin explores these issues and more in A Plain Love Song. 4 Stars ****
I received a free kindle version of this book from netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
I love music personally and singing is very dear to my heart. It is a way for me to praise God and to honor Him with my talents, given by Him, so it would be very difficult for me to participate in a church that does not allow this free expression. Do you think you would be able to give up freedom of musical expression? Kelly Irvin explores these issues and more in A Plain Love Song. 4 Stars ****
I received a free kindle version of this book from netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
August 11, 2016
Talk about a tug of war! Poor Adah can't make up her mind. Does she want to do what's right or does she want to follow her heart? She has always had a talent for writing songs and when the opportunity comes to explore where that talent might take her will she leave everything and everyone in her quiet Amish community behind to make that a reality? Or will she just stay home and do what she knows she should do and wonder what could have been. Such a tough decision.
How all of this plays out is a wonderful book and Ms. Irvin does a great job of making the reader understand what Adah is sacrificing if she pursues her music. Can you go home again? Well, I guess that depends on if you leave home in the first place.
I highly recommend this book. I was given a review copy by netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
How all of this plays out is a wonderful book and Ms. Irvin does a great job of making the reader understand what Adah is sacrificing if she pursues her music. Can you go home again? Well, I guess that depends on if you leave home in the first place.
I highly recommend this book. I was given a review copy by netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
January 24, 2024
I love reading Amish stories - there ways are so simple and not of the normal world. My heart went out to Adah. I wondered how I would feel if songs just came natural to me and words that I would want to sing when doing my every day chores. What a struggle she had to pick from. The Amish do not think that singing honors God, except for their hymns they sing when they gather together for worship service. Once Adah goes with Jackson, it opened my eyes to see just how worldly the music industry is. All the clothes they wear and make-up to look good in front of the camera was definitely something I would not want to get involved with. People ogling you why you performed. Lots of pressure. Amish are good examples of people giving forgiveness. No one turned their back on Adah for the choice she made when she returned home. Even Matthew forgave Adah because he loved her and wanted to hear her voice for the rest of his life. So she sings songs of praises to herself and will sing to her children. In the end, that was the best choice Adah could have made.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 1, 2016
An interesting story above Adah's love for music which isn't approved of in her Amish community.
She leaves home with a young "Englisch" man and heads for a country music community. Mixing with people "of the world" proves to be too much to handle and although she's very talented, she's unable to perform her music due to severe stage fright.
She leaves home with a young "Englisch" man and heads for a country music community. Mixing with people "of the world" proves to be too much to handle and although she's very talented, she's unable to perform her music due to severe stage fright.
September 17, 2017
Wonderful!
Another fantastic book by Kelly Irvin. Well written and filled with deep emotion. I couldn't put this book down because I couldn't wait to see what happened to sweet Adah.
Another fantastic book by Kelly Irvin. Well written and filled with deep emotion. I couldn't put this book down because I couldn't wait to see what happened to sweet Adah.
September 25, 2017
Excellent novel!
This was well written by the author. It takes you in adventure of choices and consequences. Between two worlds, it kept you wondering which she would choose
This was well written by the author. It takes you in adventure of choices and consequences. Between two worlds, it kept you wondering which she would choose
April 17, 2023
I was intrigued by Adah and Jackson’s friendship, their love of music and the crisis of faith that ensues when the Englischer encourages Adah to question the teachings of the Ordnung to follow her dreams. As a Plain woman Adah is admonished to not be unequally yoked but her thirst for musical knowledge and her friendship with Jackson blinds her to the error of her ways. My heart hurt for Adah and her special friend Matthew as she tries to live in both worlds and fails miserably. Meanwhile Matthew watches helplessly as his dreams slip away and he questions his faith and Gott’s plan his future. A compelling conundrum, sympathetic characters and the love of family all clash for a thought provoking read.
July 24, 2014
I just finished reading A Plain Love Song by Kelly Irvin. I was super excited to get to read this book as it is the third in The New Hope series and lets me continue on in my relationship with this tight community and group of “friends,” even though I have to continually remind myself they aren’t real people.
In this book, I was introduced to Adah Kepp as well as Matthew and Molly Troyer. While my desires tend to be the exact opposite of Adah, I still found myself relating to her almost from the beginning. I think her struggle is somewhat universal - torn between her love of a career/passion and the love of her family and faith. I think there is a little bit of Adah in all of us. God made us all to be people of passion. His desire is that we take that passion and give it all to Him first, then allow Him to show us where He wants our passionate pursuits to be used best by Him, in ways that complement our unique talents and interests. However, I think I can say that most of us have, at one point in our lives, taken our passions and run ahead of God, not waiting for His timing, His plan. That I can definitely relate to!
One of the wonderful things I love about Ms. Irvin’s writing is how she writes men of character. While never perfect, she shows that real men respect and love their wives and children, are involved in family life, and work hard to provide for their families. While showing how seriously men take their role, she also interweaves a softer side, sometimes that only the wife is privileged to experience. That reminds me of the blessing we women are given when we are entrusted with our husband’s hearts - a gift I never want to take for granted. Ms. Irvin has a gift of even painting a realistic portrait of the less than stellar characters in her books. She shows how they may be flawed, quite seriously in some ways, but always redeemable. Just like God looks at us. We have areas of our lives that need to be overhauled, but God always sees us as who we can be, not necessarily who we might represent right now.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and this series. I would highly recommend if you love book series to pick up The Bliss Creek series first and read those three books, then begin reading The New Hope series. You will have six chances to immerse yourself in a great community, meet friends that will stick with you long after the pages are done turning, and gain insight or just reminders of how much our God truly loves His children. I truly think you will be glad you did.
Thank you, Ms. Irvin. I can’t wait to read what you are writing next. Your books are inspiring, encouraging, challenging, and all around great entertainment with a Godly message interwoven throughout. I really do wish these were real people I could meet someday…
In this book, I was introduced to Adah Kepp as well as Matthew and Molly Troyer. While my desires tend to be the exact opposite of Adah, I still found myself relating to her almost from the beginning. I think her struggle is somewhat universal - torn between her love of a career/passion and the love of her family and faith. I think there is a little bit of Adah in all of us. God made us all to be people of passion. His desire is that we take that passion and give it all to Him first, then allow Him to show us where He wants our passionate pursuits to be used best by Him, in ways that complement our unique talents and interests. However, I think I can say that most of us have, at one point in our lives, taken our passions and run ahead of God, not waiting for His timing, His plan. That I can definitely relate to!
One of the wonderful things I love about Ms. Irvin’s writing is how she writes men of character. While never perfect, she shows that real men respect and love their wives and children, are involved in family life, and work hard to provide for their families. While showing how seriously men take their role, she also interweaves a softer side, sometimes that only the wife is privileged to experience. That reminds me of the blessing we women are given when we are entrusted with our husband’s hearts - a gift I never want to take for granted. Ms. Irvin has a gift of even painting a realistic portrait of the less than stellar characters in her books. She shows how they may be flawed, quite seriously in some ways, but always redeemable. Just like God looks at us. We have areas of our lives that need to be overhauled, but God always sees us as who we can be, not necessarily who we might represent right now.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and this series. I would highly recommend if you love book series to pick up The Bliss Creek series first and read those three books, then begin reading The New Hope series. You will have six chances to immerse yourself in a great community, meet friends that will stick with you long after the pages are done turning, and gain insight or just reminders of how much our God truly loves His children. I truly think you will be glad you did.
Thank you, Ms. Irvin. I can’t wait to read what you are writing next. Your books are inspiring, encouraging, challenging, and all around great entertainment with a Godly message interwoven throughout. I really do wish these were real people I could meet someday…
August 29, 2014
About the Book:
Adah Knepp wants nothing more than to make music. It's all she's ever desired--to sing and play the guitar and write her own songs. That's a dream that will never come true in the confines of her strict Amish community. But then she meets Jackson Hart, and all of a sudden she finds the chance for a different kind of life. A real stage, a real guitar, and a real opportunity to sing her songs to a real audience!
But pursuing her dreams means turning her back on her family and community--and saying goodbye to Matthew, the gentle Amish farmer she can't get out of her mind. Is it worth giving up the only home she's ever known to pursue her dreams?
About the Author:
Kelly Irvin is a Kansas native and has been writing professionally for 30 years. She and her husband, Tim, make their home in Texas. They have two children, three cats, and a tankful of fish. A public relations professional, Kelly is also the author of two romantic suspense novels and writes short stories in her spare time. To learn more about her work, visit www.kellyirvin.com.
My Review:
Growing up and moving on from your childhood home is full of fear yet gratifying all at the same time. In A Plain Love Song, we are met with Adah Knepp and her ultimate dream of making music. But in her Amish community, she will have to leave her family and everything she has loved---just to do this one thing. Adah is then introduced to a man, Jackson, that can change all of this for her. She will be able to finally achieve her dream but it will definitely cost her. Her faith is something she was raised to be grounded in until death, but this man she has just met will change the course of her life in so many ways.
Matthew will be something else she will forfeit, is doing what you always wanted to do worth giving up all you have ever known? We are all faced at some point in our lives, of the what if factor. What if I would of done this instead of getting married, then what would of become of me? And the main character of this book is faced with just that. Whether you agree with the Amish way of life or not, this is a great read--one of gigantic proportions that will change the way you look at Adah from all viewpoints!
If you will like to learn more about this book, please visit this link.
**Disclosure** This book was sent to me free of charge for my honest review from Harvest House.
Adah Knepp wants nothing more than to make music. It's all she's ever desired--to sing and play the guitar and write her own songs. That's a dream that will never come true in the confines of her strict Amish community. But then she meets Jackson Hart, and all of a sudden she finds the chance for a different kind of life. A real stage, a real guitar, and a real opportunity to sing her songs to a real audience!
But pursuing her dreams means turning her back on her family and community--and saying goodbye to Matthew, the gentle Amish farmer she can't get out of her mind. Is it worth giving up the only home she's ever known to pursue her dreams?
About the Author:
Kelly Irvin is a Kansas native and has been writing professionally for 30 years. She and her husband, Tim, make their home in Texas. They have two children, three cats, and a tankful of fish. A public relations professional, Kelly is also the author of two romantic suspense novels and writes short stories in her spare time. To learn more about her work, visit www.kellyirvin.com.
My Review:
Growing up and moving on from your childhood home is full of fear yet gratifying all at the same time. In A Plain Love Song, we are met with Adah Knepp and her ultimate dream of making music. But in her Amish community, she will have to leave her family and everything she has loved---just to do this one thing. Adah is then introduced to a man, Jackson, that can change all of this for her. She will be able to finally achieve her dream but it will definitely cost her. Her faith is something she was raised to be grounded in until death, but this man she has just met will change the course of her life in so many ways.
Matthew will be something else she will forfeit, is doing what you always wanted to do worth giving up all you have ever known? We are all faced at some point in our lives, of the what if factor. What if I would of done this instead of getting married, then what would of become of me? And the main character of this book is faced with just that. Whether you agree with the Amish way of life or not, this is a great read--one of gigantic proportions that will change the way you look at Adah from all viewpoints!
If you will like to learn more about this book, please visit this link.
**Disclosure** This book was sent to me free of charge for my honest review from Harvest House.
July 13, 2014
Have you ever had to follow the rules, but you have a passion to do something that the rules say you can't do? Well, that is what Adah Knepp is facing in her Amish community. She is in love with music; she loves to sing and write her own songs, but her community and ordnung forbid her to do anything with music that is not from the Ausbund.
Adah's intended Matthew Troyer is trying to be patient with her. What is she to do when she feels God is calling her to follow His gift to her, music? Is she to take her rumspringa further into the English world? Or commit to her community with regret and trying for the rest of her life to calm her desire to sing?
While cleaning at one of her three English houses, Adah meets Jackson Hart, who just returned home from college on college summer break. Jackson wants to fall his dream of being a singer song writer encouraged by his grandfather, who gave Jackson his first guitar.
What happens next? Well, you will have to read the book and find out. Let me tell you this much, you will be on the edge of your seat wanting to know what happens next and want to read what Adah decides to do.
Yes, I read this book out of order, but I felt compelled to read it for the author since I won the book off of Goodreads and it is Kelly's recent release. I just loved Kelly Irvin's version of Amish girl chasing after her love for music.
Kelly Irvin has written an alternate ending to A Plain Love Song, here is the link to read it:
http://kellyirvin.com/PDF/PlainLoveSo...
Adah's intended Matthew Troyer is trying to be patient with her. What is she to do when she feels God is calling her to follow His gift to her, music? Is she to take her rumspringa further into the English world? Or commit to her community with regret and trying for the rest of her life to calm her desire to sing?
While cleaning at one of her three English houses, Adah meets Jackson Hart, who just returned home from college on college summer break. Jackson wants to fall his dream of being a singer song writer encouraged by his grandfather, who gave Jackson his first guitar.
What happens next? Well, you will have to read the book and find out. Let me tell you this much, you will be on the edge of your seat wanting to know what happens next and want to read what Adah decides to do.
Yes, I read this book out of order, but I felt compelled to read it for the author since I won the book off of Goodreads and it is Kelly's recent release. I just loved Kelly Irvin's version of Amish girl chasing after her love for music.
Kelly Irvin has written an alternate ending to A Plain Love Song, here is the link to read it:
http://kellyirvin.com/PDF/PlainLoveSo...
April 14, 2014
A Plain Love Song by Kelly Irvin is a tender story of love, hope and forgiveness.
Adah is a young Amish girl who has the gift of song writing and singing and continues to struggles to do what is right by her faith, family, and community. Her heart is at odds with all of those around her, calling her to live out a passion in a world of different promise.
How difficult it is to be drawn to a life outside of those we love and those whose collective pressure rejects. At times in life, many of us experience similar struggles as Adah does, at times wondering why God put the yearning in us if it is only to be denied. Are these tests of faith? Does God use us as examples of strength for His work?
Like Adah, in one form or another, all of us are dealt this dilemma. In the end, we must choose and accept the consequences of that lonely road, either to satisfy our own desires or those of others. The writer does a wonderful job of bringing us to this crossroads and gives us glimpses that God's desires are always at play.
A Plain Love Song shows us the lessons from such decisions and the blessings of love that help us find our true course.
I very much enjoyed this story, and enjoyed Adah find her clear path that God had for her. Ms. Irvin did an admirable job of bringing the characters alive. A warm story to be read by all.
I received a free copy of this book through NetGalley for my honest review.
Adah is a young Amish girl who has the gift of song writing and singing and continues to struggles to do what is right by her faith, family, and community. Her heart is at odds with all of those around her, calling her to live out a passion in a world of different promise.
How difficult it is to be drawn to a life outside of those we love and those whose collective pressure rejects. At times in life, many of us experience similar struggles as Adah does, at times wondering why God put the yearning in us if it is only to be denied. Are these tests of faith? Does God use us as examples of strength for His work?
Like Adah, in one form or another, all of us are dealt this dilemma. In the end, we must choose and accept the consequences of that lonely road, either to satisfy our own desires or those of others. The writer does a wonderful job of bringing us to this crossroads and gives us glimpses that God's desires are always at play.
A Plain Love Song shows us the lessons from such decisions and the blessings of love that help us find our true course.
I very much enjoyed this story, and enjoyed Adah find her clear path that God had for her. Ms. Irvin did an admirable job of bringing the characters alive. A warm story to be read by all.
I received a free copy of this book through NetGalley for my honest review.
September 23, 2014
This is the third book in the New Hope Amish series. I did read the first one and this third book can be read as a stand alone. Kelly Irvin does a wonderful job in puling the reader in with wonderful characters and following the dilemma of young Adah Knepp who appears to be taking more than the standard rumspringa time to find herself and decide between the gift of music and song which God has given to her and her commitment to her faith.
Adah feels torn between wanting to discover and use the gift of singing and writing music that God has given her. She finds a friend in Jackson Hart. He convinces her to come to Branson, Missouri to live out her dream. He believes they would make the perfect singing and song writing duo. She leaves behind Matthew Troyer, the young man she had been courting with.
Torn between pleasing others and pleasing God and being content in her faith, Adah learns she cant perform on stage due to stage fright. She tries to please Jackson and live up to his expectations of her and also being his friend. Jackson wants to be more than friends but Adah soon sees that faith is more important than following your dreams.
This story has a great ending. Adah sees that she can sing to God and He has given Matthew and her a song for their hearts and their lives.
Adah feels torn between wanting to discover and use the gift of singing and writing music that God has given her. She finds a friend in Jackson Hart. He convinces her to come to Branson, Missouri to live out her dream. He believes they would make the perfect singing and song writing duo. She leaves behind Matthew Troyer, the young man she had been courting with.
Torn between pleasing others and pleasing God and being content in her faith, Adah learns she cant perform on stage due to stage fright. She tries to please Jackson and live up to his expectations of her and also being his friend. Jackson wants to be more than friends but Adah soon sees that faith is more important than following your dreams.
This story has a great ending. Adah sees that she can sing to God and He has given Matthew and her a song for their hearts and their lives.
December 10, 2014
Series The New Hope Amish, book- A Plain Love Song by Kelly Irvin
I always like to read stories about amish folks but this one is little different in that Adah Knepp has all her life heard words and set them to paper without anyone knowing, after all she is a Plain woman and they must not have music in their lives. When she goes to clean in the Hunt home and meets Jackson who too loves music, trouble brews as she falls further and further into listening to him and away from the closest friend she has had in her amish community,Matthew.
Everyone has always assumed the two would marry -raise children and live in the community with the rest of their family and friends.
Adah is torn, the more she wants to do the right thing it seems, unexpectedly she is drawn away.
It is Adah's running around time before becoming member with the amish and settling down, she feels she can do some of the things she has but seems to always feel so guilty. She wants the music and Matthew too, how can this be?
Kelly writes a wonderful story that tells of the indecision that goes on in a young amish girl's life, will she be able to find the right path...back to Matthew and her life as an amish frau? come read about Faith-family and forgiveness.
I always like to read stories about amish folks but this one is little different in that Adah Knepp has all her life heard words and set them to paper without anyone knowing, after all she is a Plain woman and they must not have music in their lives. When she goes to clean in the Hunt home and meets Jackson who too loves music, trouble brews as she falls further and further into listening to him and away from the closest friend she has had in her amish community,Matthew.
Everyone has always assumed the two would marry -raise children and live in the community with the rest of their family and friends.
Adah is torn, the more she wants to do the right thing it seems, unexpectedly she is drawn away.
It is Adah's running around time before becoming member with the amish and settling down, she feels she can do some of the things she has but seems to always feel so guilty. She wants the music and Matthew too, how can this be?
Kelly writes a wonderful story that tells of the indecision that goes on in a young amish girl's life, will she be able to find the right path...back to Matthew and her life as an amish frau? come read about Faith-family and forgiveness.
August 7, 2014
Adah feels the most like her true self when she's writing songs. Small problem, she's taking classes to join her Amish faith. And they don't believe in writing and singing secular music. She doesn't feel comfortable in her own skin. She soon makes choices that may take her away from everything she's ever known. Does she have the courage to seek her own way, whatever that may be?
The story started out a bit slow for me. I was frustrated with Adah and the restrictions that seemed to be placed on her with her religion. It felt so legalistic. The battle between good and evil is prominently displayed throughout the story. It showed the conflict that we have as humans have with temptations. About 2/3 of the way through, the story picked up and the reasoning for things was explained much better. The author has a nice writing style and I wouldn't mind reading another book by her again. But I think I'll steal clear of the Amish fiction.
I received this book free of charge from Goodreads in exchange for my honest review.
The story started out a bit slow for me. I was frustrated with Adah and the restrictions that seemed to be placed on her with her religion. It felt so legalistic. The battle between good and evil is prominently displayed throughout the story. It showed the conflict that we have as humans have with temptations. About 2/3 of the way through, the story picked up and the reasoning for things was explained much better. The author has a nice writing style and I wouldn't mind reading another book by her again. But I think I'll steal clear of the Amish fiction.
I received this book free of charge from Goodreads in exchange for my honest review.
September 26, 2015
After truly enjoying the first two novels in the New Hope Amish trilogy, I had reasonably high expectations for this concluding novel of the trilogy, but it was honestly my least favorite of the trilogy. Even though I still found Irvin's writing style to be well done even with country song lyrics interrupting the flow of the story on a consistent basis, I was disappointed by how flat the story line felt in comparison to the previous two novels in the trilogy. In addition, I just had a harder time connecting to Adah and Matthew as characters. I found Matthew to be a much flatter male character than the love match to the protagonist should be. Adah, while a well-rounded protagonist, just irritated me by how impulsive and flighty she was; however, I did sympathize with her inner connection to music--even though I hate country music--and how that caused her to give into several temptations than she would have otherwise. Anyhow, it just didn't win a place on my favorites' list although it's a fairly decent Amish romance.
August 20, 2014
**A free copy was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review**
I love reading novels about the Amish and this one did not disappoint. They live by a strict set of values and rules which limit their interaction with the "English" as we are often referred to, but it is to protect their lives and their beliefs.
Adah is torn between what she knows is right and what her heart desires. She is being pulled in two directions and living a lie at home hiding her desire from her family and Matthew who is courting her. This is a wonderful story about a young girl fighting to do what is right for her and yet not disappoint her family at the same time. She struggles to do what is right and what will make her happy at the same time. It is well written and the language includes some of the Amish words that to me add to the charm of such stories.
I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading others by Kelly Irwin.
I love reading novels about the Amish and this one did not disappoint. They live by a strict set of values and rules which limit their interaction with the "English" as we are often referred to, but it is to protect their lives and their beliefs.
Adah is torn between what she knows is right and what her heart desires. She is being pulled in two directions and living a lie at home hiding her desire from her family and Matthew who is courting her. This is a wonderful story about a young girl fighting to do what is right for her and yet not disappoint her family at the same time. She struggles to do what is right and what will make her happy at the same time. It is well written and the language includes some of the Amish words that to me add to the charm of such stories.
I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading others by Kelly Irwin.
July 17, 2014
This is the fourth book I have read by Kelly Irvin, and this is one of her best among many good ones. She really kept me guessing with the outcome and the interplay between heroine Adah and her two beaus stayed quite realistic, IMO. (Will leave you in suspense about what each man is like.)
The plot elements of song-writing, music, performance anxiety, and Adah's struggle to decide whether to make the leap into fully joining the Amish society as a full-fledged member are fascinating to read and enjoyable.
The information about the Amish people's aversion to musical instruments was fascinating and something I didn't know. I like reading about their rumspringa, too, and much detail about that emerged through Irvin's fine story-telling.
I must say that I am not normally a fan of, or a reader of "Amish fiction", but Kelly Irvin's stories are an exception. Extremely well-written and she doesn't glorify their life-style, but keeps it real, warts and all.
The plot elements of song-writing, music, performance anxiety, and Adah's struggle to decide whether to make the leap into fully joining the Amish society as a full-fledged member are fascinating to read and enjoyable.
The information about the Amish people's aversion to musical instruments was fascinating and something I didn't know. I like reading about their rumspringa, too, and much detail about that emerged through Irvin's fine story-telling.
I must say that I am not normally a fan of, or a reader of "Amish fiction", but Kelly Irvin's stories are an exception. Extremely well-written and she doesn't glorify their life-style, but keeps it real, warts and all.
July 17, 2014
Once in a while you come across a story that sneaks up on you and grabs you by the heart. "A Plain Love Song" was one of those for me. Kelly Irvin has written a compelling story of a young Amish woman who has tarried in her season of indecision for a little too long for her family's liking. Her friend would like to be her beau. Adah would like that too, if it were not for the music that winds through her mind and in her dreams. Then she meets someone who may be able to give a voice to her dreams. How much does she want this?
"A Plain Love Song" is as lovely as it is heartbreaking. I lived every single moment with Adah. Irvin has made this story so real, and has captured what I can only imagine is the real pain felt by many young people as they try to find their way in life. The Amish face this task with the additional burden of possibly giving up their whole llives as they have ever known it. Their choice depends on how strong their dreams are.
"A Plain Love Song" is as lovely as it is heartbreaking. I lived every single moment with Adah. Irvin has made this story so real, and has captured what I can only imagine is the real pain felt by many young people as they try to find their way in life. The Amish face this task with the additional burden of possibly giving up their whole llives as they have ever known it. Their choice depends on how strong their dreams are.
September 19, 2016
This is such a wonderful story!
When Adah Knepp clean houses, she sings . . . sometimes along with the radio, and sometimes she sings the songs she writes — songs that glorify God. She has a voice like an angel, but she knows this is something she can’t share with anyone, especially those in her community.
When Jackson Hart persuades Adah to let him teach her to play the guitar, he realizes that she’s a natural — and he pushes and pushes until he convinces her to go with him to Branson to write music.
Although Adah loves singing, she isn’t at all prepared for what happens next! And I don’t want to share too much, so I’m going to suggest you read this book if you want to discover what happens to Adah and Jackson.
I’ll share this much with you… I LOVED the ending!!!
So go pick up a copy — or the whole series — and spend this weekend reading about the New Hope Amish community…
Happy Reading!
September 1, 2014
A Plain Love Song is a marvelous book to read. A young Amish woman torn between two worlds and this plot did not disappoint me especially with the twists and turns. The storyline is enthralling and kept me turning pages until I was so absorbed in the book, it felt real for me. The book is well-written and the author is fantastic in details, descriptions, and all the characters. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this novel and highly recommend it. I loved reading A Plain Love Song and I'm excited to see the next book from Author Kelly Irvin.
I received a complimentary copy from the author and publisher in exchange for my honest review. This review is one hundred percent my opinion.
I received a complimentary copy from the author and publisher in exchange for my honest review. This review is one hundred percent my opinion.
March 14, 2016
I absolutely loved this book from page one right up to the end. It was beautifully written. Frankly I am quite sad I finished it. I really liked the characters and I loved how the author developed each of them. I understood what drew Adah to Jackson. I was sad about some of the choices Adah made and even sadder when she faced the consequences of those choices. The ending was beautifully written, without spoiling the ending, I just loved it. The song was so beautiful. I loved the relationship between Adah and Matthew, how they seemed to complete each other. To sum it up, it was a hard to put down book and I will patiently wait the release of book 4 in complete agony!
September 16, 2014
This book started out like so many other Amish stories I've read. Amish girl gets sidetracked from her faith by an English boy while she's on her rumspringa. However, Ms. Irvin twisted it just a bit and gave Adah an even harder choice, at least in my opinion. She had to choose between her love of music and her family, friends, and her beau. I don't like spoilers, so I won't tell you what happens, but the end of the story fulfilled my expectations of a happily-ever-after.
I received the above from the author/publisher for the purpose of review. I've given you my honest opinion.
I received the above from the author/publisher for the purpose of review. I've given you my honest opinion.
September 13, 2014
Adah Knepp has a dream to sing and play the guitar. She writes her song lyrics without music. Until she meets Jackson Hart. He introduces Adah to the guitar and teaches her how to play it. She sees the possibility to reach her dream with Jackson. But she can’t keep one foot in her Amish community and be with Matthew, her Amish suitor, and also keep the other foot in her dream world. She must choose and that choice will keep you reading until the end of the book. Excellent characterization for the hero and heroine as well as secondary characters. Kelly Irvin writes superb Amish stories.
September 29, 2014
Loved this book! Now I need to read 1 and 2 in the series!! This is about a girl who is struggling between following her dreams and keeping her faith and family. She is passionate about music which is frowned upon in the Amish Community. She faces many struggles to persue her true passion. I don't want to spoil anything so I'm just going to say READ THIS BOOK, you won't be disappointed! Hope you enjoy it as much as I have!!
October 25, 2016
Songs Of The Heart
A truly enjoyable read. Adah has a song in her head all the time. Matthew is a plain man who has loved her for a long time. In walks englisher Jackson and their world's all come apart. Start this book and you won't want to put it down.
A truly enjoyable read. Adah has a song in her head all the time. Matthew is a plain man who has loved her for a long time. In walks englisher Jackson and their world's all come apart. Start this book and you won't want to put it down.
October 2, 2019
Love the fact that amish and english are blended into this story. Which takes you on a quest of the love of writing music. Love the story line.
May 4, 2015
I enjoyed this book. I don't think I've read the rest of the series so I'm going to read those soon.
January 23, 2016
I didn't enjoy this final book as much as the first 2 in the series. Not sure why, maybe because the main character displayed such non Amish tendencies.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews