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The Courtship of Nellie Fisher #2
The Forbidden
Caleb's father has forbidden his son to court Nellie, but his words can't stop Caleb's devotion. Yet he risks losing everything he stands to inherit.
Nellie, too, is torn. She longs to marry Caleb, her Old Order beau, yet can't ignore her New Order family. While struggling to come to terms with her grief over the death of her beloved sister, Nellie visits the Mennonite friends who were with Suzy on that fateful day when she drowned.
Will Nellie discover the missing pieces of her sister's life--and her own future? And can she and Caleb satisfy the expectations of their people while remaining true to their hearts?
Nellie, too, is torn. She longs to marry Caleb, her Old Order beau, yet can't ignore her New Order family. While struggling to come to terms with her grief over the death of her beloved sister, Nellie visits the Mennonite friends who were with Suzy on that fateful day when she drowned.
Will Nellie discover the missing pieces of her sister's life--and her own future? And can she and Caleb satisfy the expectations of their people while remaining true to their hearts?
352 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2008
135 people are currently reading
1715 people want to read
About the author
Beverly Lewis
258 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 220 reviews
August 11, 2018
An enjoyable Amish novel.
September 30, 2022
So, I read part of this on ebook and listened to the rest on audiobook.
Oh, I loved this story. So, many deep spiritual thoughts, and life lessons involved. If I wrote all of my thoughts, it would be a very long review. So, I think I'm going to keep this short instead. But I just enjoyed Mrs. Lewis beautiful writing style and how she weaves together heartfelt stories that truly touch the soul. Something I long to do as a writer myself one day.
A couple of questions I have with going into book three. Will Nellie Mae and Caleb get together? Will Roxanna have a sweet baby that she longs for? Will Rhoda come back to the Plain life?
I'm looking for to reading book three because I'm very curious how this series will end.
Oh, I loved this story. So, many deep spiritual thoughts, and life lessons involved. If I wrote all of my thoughts, it would be a very long review. So, I think I'm going to keep this short instead. But I just enjoyed Mrs. Lewis beautiful writing style and how she weaves together heartfelt stories that truly touch the soul. Something I long to do as a writer myself one day.
A couple of questions I have with going into book three. Will Nellie Mae and Caleb get together? Will Roxanna have a sweet baby that she longs for? Will Rhoda come back to the Plain life?
I'm looking for to reading book three because I'm very curious how this series will end.
January 25, 2013
Nellie Mae Fisher has the expectations of the People riding on her shoulders. Too much is at stake to falter with her choice. She wants to be with her New Order family, but will she be able to split her allegiance between them and her Old Order beau?
Caleb Yoder is torn between his love for Nellie Mae, and the promise his father made to him if he stays away from her. The conflict between what he knows is right and what he is starting to feel in his heart are two completely different things. He will loose everything if he disobeys his father, but he will loose Nellie if he doesn't make a decision soon. Will they be too late to satisfy their heart's desire? Or will forbidden fruit be sweeter than the consequences?
This second installment in The Courtship of Nellie Fisher is as good as the first. I couldn't put the book down for wanting to know what would happen to the community, Caleb, and Nellie. There comes a point when reading becomes an addiction, and if this book doesn't cause that to happen to you, then give up reading and go watch a movie.
Even though there are multiple plot lines going on at once (which we've come to expect from Lewis) I never once felt overwhelmed with everyone's story. It always lead to the bigger picture of what was going on, and the depth of character development made me feel that even Caleb's father was paid attention to and not just inserted as the bad guy. A recommended read for young people and adults alike.
Caleb Yoder is torn between his love for Nellie Mae, and the promise his father made to him if he stays away from her. The conflict between what he knows is right and what he is starting to feel in his heart are two completely different things. He will loose everything if he disobeys his father, but he will loose Nellie if he doesn't make a decision soon. Will they be too late to satisfy their heart's desire? Or will forbidden fruit be sweeter than the consequences?
This second installment in The Courtship of Nellie Fisher is as good as the first. I couldn't put the book down for wanting to know what would happen to the community, Caleb, and Nellie. There comes a point when reading becomes an addiction, and if this book doesn't cause that to happen to you, then give up reading and go watch a movie.
Even though there are multiple plot lines going on at once (which we've come to expect from Lewis) I never once felt overwhelmed with everyone's story. It always lead to the bigger picture of what was going on, and the depth of character development made me feel that even Caleb's father was paid attention to and not just inserted as the bad guy. A recommended read for young people and adults alike.
July 20, 2018
I really enjoyed this second book of this series. I feel for Rosanna and Elias; their story reminds me of the bible story of King Solomon and the two women claiming the same baby. I am very curious to see what happens in book three.
This is a typical Beverly Lewis Amish fiction. It is deeply engrossing with relatable and flawed characters. Multiple storylines going at one time which Lewis handles like a master.
Highly recommend.
This is a typical Beverly Lewis Amish fiction. It is deeply engrossing with relatable and flawed characters. Multiple storylines going at one time which Lewis handles like a master.
Highly recommend.
June 12, 2024
A quick read .
A beautiful story about forgiveness and second chances. I love anything Lewis writes they seem to pull me in along with a heart warming spiritual story.
A beautiful story about forgiveness and second chances. I love anything Lewis writes they seem to pull me in along with a heart warming spiritual story.
April 30, 2024
There is a split in the Amish community. Many people are leaving the Old Order and joining the New Order, which has also caused a separation between family members. Caleb's father has told him that if he marries Nellie, he will lose his right to the farm. Is Caleb ready to give up the farm in order to marry his love? What happens to that relationship if Nellie joins the New Order Amish
November 23, 2018
I loved this book!! Great story!! Love this author's books!! Can't wait to read the next book in the series!!
July 26, 2024
The next book in this trilogy. Deeper issues as the characters struggle to decide if they should stay with the old order church or switch to a more progressive one. A great read.
December 27, 2024
Unfortunately, I spoiled myself for this one by accidentally downloading the third audiobook by mistake and listening to the prologue before I realized I mixed them up.
The biggest thing that threw me off beginning this book is that it ignores the ending of book 1 where Nellie 'discovers' Suzie's secret about joining an evangelical church and is converted into their message herself by attending a sermon -- and we know that she's changed some of her beliefs to match the new church because if not, then why does the book end with her weeping with joy that Suzie was 'saved' before she died? The Old Order Amish believe that if you die before being baptized, your soul doesn't go to heaven, so for Suzie to be 'saved', it means that Nellie has embraced her sister's newfound evangelical beliefs, i.e., she has converted. But in THIS book? Nellie is still mentally in the old church, I guess because Beverly wanted to drag Nellie's conversion out and milk it for all it's worth.
The main conflicts in this book are the tension between Caleb and Nellie as a couple and Caleb's disapproving father, David Yoder -- and the sideplot of Rosanna, who has adopted Kate's twin babies, but Kate is thinking of taking them back, and eventually does steal the baby boy. There's also another sideplot about Rhoda wanting to break Amish and buy a car, learning to drive, and eventually leaving the family and the Amish church.
Caleb's dad is a huge jerk; despite 'Uncle Bishop's' orders not to shun over the church schism, Caleb's dad has pridefully decided that he will not allow his son to marry Nellie, because Nellie's parents have joined the New Order church, and is shunning the New Order congregants anyways. He threatens to disinherit Caleb if he keeps seeing Nellie, he confronts Nellie in person and tells her to 'stay away from Caleb', the type of irrational patriarchal abuse that narcissistic parents perpetrate against their adult children when those children don't behave the way they want. He threatens and abuses his kids to maintain control and authority over them. He also abuses his adult daughter when she decides to attend the New Order church. They're both christians, they're both protestants, they're both anabaptists, they're both Amish, but because his daughter is attending an almost identical amish church that has minor doctrinal differences, he throws her out in a snowstorm and tells her to get the hell out, even though she did this during her 'rummspringer.' Even Caleb thinks to himself, 'What a dictatorial freak. Is this how you show your daughter the light of christ? With punishments and abuse?' And this is the guy he's sucking up and groveling to because he doesn't want to lose his inheritance. He ends up catering to his abusive dad and talking to Suzanna, a 'good' girl who his dad would prefer he court instead of Nellie -- there's a little bit of drama about someone taking out a newspaper ad for Nellie's baker shop, and it turns out it was Suzanna in her attempt to steal Caleb from Nellie by making Nellie look 'worldly'. She was a fucking weirdo for that.
Anyway, really terrible stuff. David Yoder is an abusive POS who is incapable of loving his kids, fuck him, I'm glad he gets kicked in the head by an ass in the third book!
The Rosanna plot made me so angry. An adoption is not a baby-sitting gig that you can recant when you want to take the kids back. It is not temporary. When you adopt out your kids, you lose all parental rights and authority over how those children are brought up. However, since there was no official adoption, Kate and her husband are still the legal parents of the twins, so there is no legal crime when Kate takes the kids back, but there is a moral one in my opinion. And remember, Kate claims that god is the one who told her to give her babies to her childless friend, Rosanna. So, when Kate starts having second thoughts and tries to assert her authority as 'mother' of these twins, what does that mean? Was it not really god who told you to give up the babies after all? Or are you defying god's wishes by taking the babies back? Which is it? She's upset that Rosanna and Elias have joined the new church, and doesn't want 'her' babies raised outside of her own beliefs; her behavior is incredibly inappropriate and intrusive. When you adopt your kids out, you are no longer the mother, and you have no say in parenting decisions. This was not a babysitting arrangement. Adopting out a baby is final. You don't get to recant because you don't like that the parents converted to a new religion. I hate Kate so much.
She decides to take the kids back, but only the boy. They only care about 'saving the soul' of the son. They don't give a shit about the daughter, because girls don't matter in their belief system, not really. Women are domestic servants and nothing more. What a disgusting society. Rosanna is pained to see the girl baby constantly crying, because separating twins is a bad thing to do, so she ends up giving the girl baby back as well. Fuck Kate and her wiggly chapped lip fucking husband.
You know what else is a side-plot? The guy who dated Suzie, and his brother Chris. They're apparently cousins of Caleb, and Zack is going through a lot of pain because Suzie fucking drowned and they were literally responsible for her death-- but his big brother Chris keeps telling him that 'Suzie is more alive than we are!' .... How convenient for you, when she's literally dead, and you're literally not, to say that she's more alive than you are because she drowned and went to heaven. With that line of thinking, you'd almost think they did her a FAVOR by getting her drowned! Chris is sleeping like a baby at night, not guilty whatsoever for getting this girl killed, because he apparently did her a favor by killing her by sending her to heaven faster. What a pig.
This comes up multiple times. Zack is still sad that Suzie drowned, and Chris keeps coming at him like, "Do you really believe the 'good news'? Because if you do, then you should be GLAD Suzie is dead! She's in heaven!" and Zack is like.... "Dude.... We killed her. That's bad you psycho."
At the end of the book, Nellie converts to the New Order Church after her parents spend the entire book pressuring her and behaving inappropriately. It is incredibly inappropriate and a violation of boundaries to constantly push religion on an adult child who has repeatedly stated they're not interested. It would be inappropriate to do this to a coworker, and it is inappropriate with your adult child as well. Her parents start praying out loud at dinner in order to emotionally manipulate their kids when they do something they don't like, in a clear show of why the Amish previously stated they think praying out loud is presumptuous and prideful: "God, please help my daughter do what I want her to do, show her the correct way to believe, etc", is not a prayer. If it were, you'd keep that in the privacy of your mind. You're saying it out loud so that she can hear it and feel guilty.
Anyway, Nellie caves and converts, and then promptly breaks up with Caleb when he refuses to convert, and I don't understand why their relationship ends, exactly. 'Come to my church and accept that your soul is saved!'... Like... isn't his soul saved regardless of whether or not he personally believes that? If the prerequisite for being saved is believing in Jesus, then in your belief system, he's met that requirement. Whether or not HE PERSONALLY ACKNOWLEDGES THAT doesn't affect whether he's 'saved' or not, right? So why does he have to join your church exactly? It was fucking weird. Nellie was the one who initiated the breakup because she wouldn't back down from her new religion's doctrine. (Also, I don't appreciate Caleb in the same break that he says he loves Nellie for knowing her own mind and being smart and thoughtful, then saying 'she's brain-washed.' Do you think she knows her own mind, or not. Incredibly insulting to call someone brain-washed, by the way. You're basically accusing them of being mentally feeble. )
Anyway, fucking weird ending where evangelical born-again readers can feel persecuted because it's sooo hard that Nellie's new faith is being rejected and she has to sacrifice her boyfriend to 'stand by her principles' that she just discovered two minutes ago!
The biggest thing that threw me off beginning this book is that it ignores the ending of book 1 where Nellie 'discovers' Suzie's secret about joining an evangelical church and is converted into their message herself by attending a sermon -- and we know that she's changed some of her beliefs to match the new church because if not, then why does the book end with her weeping with joy that Suzie was 'saved' before she died? The Old Order Amish believe that if you die before being baptized, your soul doesn't go to heaven, so for Suzie to be 'saved', it means that Nellie has embraced her sister's newfound evangelical beliefs, i.e., she has converted. But in THIS book? Nellie is still mentally in the old church, I guess because Beverly wanted to drag Nellie's conversion out and milk it for all it's worth.
The main conflicts in this book are the tension between Caleb and Nellie as a couple and Caleb's disapproving father, David Yoder -- and the sideplot of Rosanna, who has adopted Kate's twin babies, but Kate is thinking of taking them back, and eventually does steal the baby boy. There's also another sideplot about Rhoda wanting to break Amish and buy a car, learning to drive, and eventually leaving the family and the Amish church.
Caleb's dad is a huge jerk; despite 'Uncle Bishop's' orders not to shun over the church schism, Caleb's dad has pridefully decided that he will not allow his son to marry Nellie, because Nellie's parents have joined the New Order church, and is shunning the New Order congregants anyways. He threatens to disinherit Caleb if he keeps seeing Nellie, he confronts Nellie in person and tells her to 'stay away from Caleb', the type of irrational patriarchal abuse that narcissistic parents perpetrate against their adult children when those children don't behave the way they want. He threatens and abuses his kids to maintain control and authority over them. He also abuses his adult daughter when she decides to attend the New Order church. They're both christians, they're both protestants, they're both anabaptists, they're both Amish, but because his daughter is attending an almost identical amish church that has minor doctrinal differences, he throws her out in a snowstorm and tells her to get the hell out, even though she did this during her 'rummspringer.' Even Caleb thinks to himself, 'What a dictatorial freak. Is this how you show your daughter the light of christ? With punishments and abuse?' And this is the guy he's sucking up and groveling to because he doesn't want to lose his inheritance. He ends up catering to his abusive dad and talking to Suzanna, a 'good' girl who his dad would prefer he court instead of Nellie -- there's a little bit of drama about someone taking out a newspaper ad for Nellie's baker shop, and it turns out it was Suzanna in her attempt to steal Caleb from Nellie by making Nellie look 'worldly'. She was a fucking weirdo for that.
Anyway, really terrible stuff. David Yoder is an abusive POS who is incapable of loving his kids, fuck him, I'm glad he gets kicked in the head by an ass in the third book!
The Rosanna plot made me so angry. An adoption is not a baby-sitting gig that you can recant when you want to take the kids back. It is not temporary. When you adopt out your kids, you lose all parental rights and authority over how those children are brought up. However, since there was no official adoption, Kate and her husband are still the legal parents of the twins, so there is no legal crime when Kate takes the kids back, but there is a moral one in my opinion. And remember, Kate claims that god is the one who told her to give her babies to her childless friend, Rosanna. So, when Kate starts having second thoughts and tries to assert her authority as 'mother' of these twins, what does that mean? Was it not really god who told you to give up the babies after all? Or are you defying god's wishes by taking the babies back? Which is it? She's upset that Rosanna and Elias have joined the new church, and doesn't want 'her' babies raised outside of her own beliefs; her behavior is incredibly inappropriate and intrusive. When you adopt your kids out, you are no longer the mother, and you have no say in parenting decisions. This was not a babysitting arrangement. Adopting out a baby is final. You don't get to recant because you don't like that the parents converted to a new religion. I hate Kate so much.
She decides to take the kids back, but only the boy. They only care about 'saving the soul' of the son. They don't give a shit about the daughter, because girls don't matter in their belief system, not really. Women are domestic servants and nothing more. What a disgusting society. Rosanna is pained to see the girl baby constantly crying, because separating twins is a bad thing to do, so she ends up giving the girl baby back as well. Fuck Kate and her wiggly chapped lip fucking husband.
You know what else is a side-plot? The guy who dated Suzie, and his brother Chris. They're apparently cousins of Caleb, and Zack is going through a lot of pain because Suzie fucking drowned and they were literally responsible for her death-- but his big brother Chris keeps telling him that 'Suzie is more alive than we are!' .... How convenient for you, when she's literally dead, and you're literally not, to say that she's more alive than you are because she drowned and went to heaven. With that line of thinking, you'd almost think they did her a FAVOR by getting her drowned! Chris is sleeping like a baby at night, not guilty whatsoever for getting this girl killed, because he apparently did her a favor by killing her by sending her to heaven faster. What a pig.
This comes up multiple times. Zack is still sad that Suzie drowned, and Chris keeps coming at him like, "Do you really believe the 'good news'? Because if you do, then you should be GLAD Suzie is dead! She's in heaven!" and Zack is like.... "Dude.... We killed her. That's bad you psycho."
At the end of the book, Nellie converts to the New Order Church after her parents spend the entire book pressuring her and behaving inappropriately. It is incredibly inappropriate and a violation of boundaries to constantly push religion on an adult child who has repeatedly stated they're not interested. It would be inappropriate to do this to a coworker, and it is inappropriate with your adult child as well. Her parents start praying out loud at dinner in order to emotionally manipulate their kids when they do something they don't like, in a clear show of why the Amish previously stated they think praying out loud is presumptuous and prideful: "God, please help my daughter do what I want her to do, show her the correct way to believe, etc", is not a prayer. If it were, you'd keep that in the privacy of your mind. You're saying it out loud so that she can hear it and feel guilty.
Anyway, Nellie caves and converts, and then promptly breaks up with Caleb when he refuses to convert, and I don't understand why their relationship ends, exactly. 'Come to my church and accept that your soul is saved!'... Like... isn't his soul saved regardless of whether or not he personally believes that? If the prerequisite for being saved is believing in Jesus, then in your belief system, he's met that requirement. Whether or not HE PERSONALLY ACKNOWLEDGES THAT doesn't affect whether he's 'saved' or not, right? So why does he have to join your church exactly? It was fucking weird. Nellie was the one who initiated the breakup because she wouldn't back down from her new religion's doctrine. (Also, I don't appreciate Caleb in the same break that he says he loves Nellie for knowing her own mind and being smart and thoughtful, then saying 'she's brain-washed.' Do you think she knows her own mind, or not. Incredibly insulting to call someone brain-washed, by the way. You're basically accusing them of being mentally feeble. )
Anyway, fucking weird ending where evangelical born-again readers can feel persecuted because it's sooo hard that Nellie's new faith is being rejected and she has to sacrifice her boyfriend to 'stand by her principles' that she just discovered two minutes ago!
September 24, 2016
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
different plots in the same chapter can make this confusing at first.
**********
Throughout this book you will want to cheer on Nellie and strangle Caleb. He takes too long on deciding what is more important to him, Nellie or his land he stands to inherit. In the end of this book, that is what breaks them up, his indecision and her wanting him to come to the new church and the new faith.
Also, Kate does the very thing us readers always feared she would and Rosanna makes a heart-breaking decision, one that will stun you and leave you wanting the very best for her and her husband Elias. To me, I almost wanted to know more about Rosanna and Elias, then I did Nellie and Caleb, Lewis really made a mistake having side characters that's story was more heart-rending then the two stars. I actually wanted a separate story to come after this one, just Rosanna though and of course Elias. In addition, we learn more about Suzy's friends from the day she died, as Christian and Zack Yoder begin showing up.
Rhoda crosses over to her fancy desires and we all end up watching her make a huge mistake, one she barely survives and she still is so stubborn you want to smack her, no lie.
**********
Nellie Mae Fisher has the expectations of the People riding on her shoulders. Too much is at stake to falter with her choice. She wants to be with her New Order family, but will she be able to split her allegiance between them and her Old Order beau?
Caleb Yoder is torn between his love for Nellie Mae, and the promise his father made to him if he stays away from her. The conflict between what he knows is right and what he is starting to feel in his heart are two completely different things. He will loose everything if he disobeys his father, but he will loose Nellie if he doesn't make a decision soon. Will they be too late to satisfy their heart's desire? Or will forbidden fruit be sweeter than the consequences?
Even though there are multiple plot lines going on at once (which we've come to expect from Lewis) I never once felt overwhelmed with everyone's story. It always lead to the bigger picture of what was going on, and the depth of character development made me feel that even Caleb's father was paid attention to and not just inserted as the bad guy
**********
*Mild spoiler alert!*
I loved this one even more than the first! It broke my heart at some parts, and made me very happy at others. I got very upset with Kate and John, how could they change their minds about the babies now?! It was their decision to give them to Rosanna and Elias and I don't think it was fair of them to take them back.
Rhoda made some bad decisions as well. She's becoming an Englisher more and more everyday.
Nellie and Caleb made some bad decisions too. There was a lot of romance between them, and it made me a little uncomfortable. They should have stayed together alone all night.
I also loved hearing about Christian and Zach Yoder. It was neat to get their side of Suzy's death! Also, is it weird that I think Nellie and Chris would make a cute couple?
***********
different plots in the same chapter can make this confusing at first.
**********
Throughout this book you will want to cheer on Nellie and strangle Caleb. He takes too long on deciding what is more important to him, Nellie or his land he stands to inherit. In the end of this book, that is what breaks them up, his indecision and her wanting him to come to the new church and the new faith.
Also, Kate does the very thing us readers always feared she would and Rosanna makes a heart-breaking decision, one that will stun you and leave you wanting the very best for her and her husband Elias. To me, I almost wanted to know more about Rosanna and Elias, then I did Nellie and Caleb, Lewis really made a mistake having side characters that's story was more heart-rending then the two stars. I actually wanted a separate story to come after this one, just Rosanna though and of course Elias. In addition, we learn more about Suzy's friends from the day she died, as Christian and Zack Yoder begin showing up.
Rhoda crosses over to her fancy desires and we all end up watching her make a huge mistake, one she barely survives and she still is so stubborn you want to smack her, no lie.
**********
Nellie Mae Fisher has the expectations of the People riding on her shoulders. Too much is at stake to falter with her choice. She wants to be with her New Order family, but will she be able to split her allegiance between them and her Old Order beau?
Caleb Yoder is torn between his love for Nellie Mae, and the promise his father made to him if he stays away from her. The conflict between what he knows is right and what he is starting to feel in his heart are two completely different things. He will loose everything if he disobeys his father, but he will loose Nellie if he doesn't make a decision soon. Will they be too late to satisfy their heart's desire? Or will forbidden fruit be sweeter than the consequences?
Even though there are multiple plot lines going on at once (which we've come to expect from Lewis) I never once felt overwhelmed with everyone's story. It always lead to the bigger picture of what was going on, and the depth of character development made me feel that even Caleb's father was paid attention to and not just inserted as the bad guy
**********
*Mild spoiler alert!*
I loved this one even more than the first! It broke my heart at some parts, and made me very happy at others. I got very upset with Kate and John, how could they change their minds about the babies now?! It was their decision to give them to Rosanna and Elias and I don't think it was fair of them to take them back.
Rhoda made some bad decisions as well. She's becoming an Englisher more and more everyday.
Nellie and Caleb made some bad decisions too. There was a lot of romance between them, and it made me a little uncomfortable. They should have stayed together alone all night.
I also loved hearing about Christian and Zach Yoder. It was neat to get their side of Suzy's death! Also, is it weird that I think Nellie and Chris would make a cute couple?
***********
August 14, 2022
#2 in the Courtship of Nellie Fisher Amish romance series
This book was surprisingly good and kept my interest throughout. It's a fascinating world, caught between the old and the new, really, with all of the politics of current day. At this time, in the 1960's, is when the Amish community was beginning to splinter, with many people wanting to stick to the old ways, and many believing in Jesus Christ and his New Testament teachings. Still others want to leave the old church plus add modern conveniences like cars and telephones. It's pretty much like a civil war, with families divided and couples separated. We have watched Nellie and her beau Caleb as they struggle through first love and courtship. Because her family is moving away from the old ways, Caleb's father is angry and threatens to withhold Caleb's inheritance if he continues his courtship of Nellie Mae, even though she is resisting her family's gentle pull and she's trying to continue with the old church. At the same time, older sister Rhoda is jumping into the new ways, wanting a car and all the other pretty things she's been denied all her life. There's a lot of pushing and pulling, quite a bit more than in a contemporary romance, as both Nellie and Caleb struggle with their feelings, with their families, and with trying to conform with the Amish traditions. It's exhausting to be a part of this world, especially during this upheaval. A secondary story follows cousin Rosanna and her husband Elias as they accept into their family the baby twins offered by her cousin Kate. As you might expect, there are some difficulties there as both families become more attached to the babies. Plenty of action to keep the story moving forward quickly. I look forward to reading the last book in the series sooner rather than later as there are a couple of story lines that still need to be resolved.
This book was surprisingly good and kept my interest throughout. It's a fascinating world, caught between the old and the new, really, with all of the politics of current day. At this time, in the 1960's, is when the Amish community was beginning to splinter, with many people wanting to stick to the old ways, and many believing in Jesus Christ and his New Testament teachings. Still others want to leave the old church plus add modern conveniences like cars and telephones. It's pretty much like a civil war, with families divided and couples separated. We have watched Nellie and her beau Caleb as they struggle through first love and courtship. Because her family is moving away from the old ways, Caleb's father is angry and threatens to withhold Caleb's inheritance if he continues his courtship of Nellie Mae, even though she is resisting her family's gentle pull and she's trying to continue with the old church. At the same time, older sister Rhoda is jumping into the new ways, wanting a car and all the other pretty things she's been denied all her life. There's a lot of pushing and pulling, quite a bit more than in a contemporary romance, as both Nellie and Caleb struggle with their feelings, with their families, and with trying to conform with the Amish traditions. It's exhausting to be a part of this world, especially during this upheaval. A secondary story follows cousin Rosanna and her husband Elias as they accept into their family the baby twins offered by her cousin Kate. As you might expect, there are some difficulties there as both families become more attached to the babies. Plenty of action to keep the story moving forward quickly. I look forward to reading the last book in the series sooner rather than later as there are a couple of story lines that still need to be resolved.
March 4, 2015
I didn't realize this was part of a continuing series otherwise I would've started with the first book. However, I didn't like this book that much. There were too many storylines, too many people to keep straight and too much preaching. I pretty much skimmed through the whole book. This book had a sister that drowned in a river. I think this is the 3rd or 4th book I have read by this author where that happened. Does no one else die accidentally than by drowning in Amish country?
The only 2 storylines that interested me were Rosanna and Elias. I didn't realize until halfway through the book that the twins were not theirs. Perhaps I missed that at the beginning of the book.
It was an emotionally charged storyline and that is the only reason I read the whole book. That should have been a whole book itself. I was also interested in Rhoda's storyline. Did she completely turn "fancy?" Did she ever end up dating or marrying Mrs. Kraybill's nephew? Did she ever learn to drive the car she bought? I guess I would have to read the next book in the series but I'm not that interested. I could care less about Nellie & Caleb as well as Nellie's 500 sisters and other relatives I couldn't keep straight. I thought the storyline about Zach and Christian was unnecessary and did not add to the story in any way.
I understand that the Amish are a Godly people and live their lives according to the Bible but this is the second book by the author that came off too preachy for me. I know what Jesus did and what he can do but I don't necessarily want to read that in a fiction book. If you are a die-hard Beverly Lewis fan then you will enjoy this book. If you like Amish fiction, then pass this one up. There are better ones out there.
The only 2 storylines that interested me were Rosanna and Elias. I didn't realize until halfway through the book that the twins were not theirs. Perhaps I missed that at the beginning of the book.
It was an emotionally charged storyline and that is the only reason I read the whole book. That should have been a whole book itself. I was also interested in Rhoda's storyline. Did she completely turn "fancy?" Did she ever end up dating or marrying Mrs. Kraybill's nephew? Did she ever learn to drive the car she bought? I guess I would have to read the next book in the series but I'm not that interested. I could care less about Nellie & Caleb as well as Nellie's 500 sisters and other relatives I couldn't keep straight. I thought the storyline about Zach and Christian was unnecessary and did not add to the story in any way.
I understand that the Amish are a Godly people and live their lives according to the Bible but this is the second book by the author that came off too preachy for me. I know what Jesus did and what he can do but I don't necessarily want to read that in a fiction book. If you are a die-hard Beverly Lewis fan then you will enjoy this book. If you like Amish fiction, then pass this one up. There are better ones out there.
February 4, 2012
"The Forbidden" is the second book in The Courtship of Nellie Fisher
series and I'm quickly becoming a Beverly Lewis fan. As you know, if
you're read my review of "The Parting", this is my first series that I have read by Lewis and it has been a joy.
"The Forbidden" continues to explore the romance between
Nellie and her beau, Caleb. His father has completely forbidden any
contact with the Fisher family due to their recent turn from the Old
Order Church and embracing salvation. Nellie is torn between her
family, her heart and the love of her life. I won't say which she
chooses, as to not ruin the story for those that haven't yet read it,
but I was happy with her decision.
I have to say, I simply couldn't put this book down. Not for the
main character, but for her friend Roseanna's character. Rosanna
feels like a real person and my heart broke for her and her husband at
the trials that they are facing. I absolutely can't wait to pick up
book three to find out how their story ends.
If you're looking for a more realistic view of the Amish views and
their faith then I strongly suggest this book series. Though it is set
in the 1960s it does give a really good look at what they believe as
well as their lifestyle.
A fantastic read. I look forward to the next installment!
series and I'm quickly becoming a Beverly Lewis fan. As you know, if
you're read my review of "The Parting", this is my first series that I have read by Lewis and it has been a joy.
"The Forbidden" continues to explore the romance between
Nellie and her beau, Caleb. His father has completely forbidden any
contact with the Fisher family due to their recent turn from the Old
Order Church and embracing salvation. Nellie is torn between her
family, her heart and the love of her life. I won't say which she
chooses, as to not ruin the story for those that haven't yet read it,
but I was happy with her decision.
I have to say, I simply couldn't put this book down. Not for the
main character, but for her friend Roseanna's character. Rosanna
feels like a real person and my heart broke for her and her husband at
the trials that they are facing. I absolutely can't wait to pick up
book three to find out how their story ends.
If you're looking for a more realistic view of the Amish views and
their faith then I strongly suggest this book series. Though it is set
in the 1960s it does give a really good look at what they believe as
well as their lifestyle.
A fantastic read. I look forward to the next installment!
January 29, 2013
Throughout this book you will want to cheer on Nellie and strangle Caleb. He takes too long on deciding what is more important to him, Nellie or his land he stands to inherit. In the end of this book, that is what breaks them up, his indecision and her wanting him to come to the new church and the new faith.
Also, Kate does the very thing us readers always feared she would and Rosanna makes a heart-breaking decision, one that will stun you and leave you wanting the very best for her and her husband Elias. To me, I almost wanted to know more about Rosanna and Elias, then I did Nellie and Caleb, Lewis really made a mistake having side characters that's story was more heart-rending then the two stars. I actually wanted a separate story to come after this one, just Rosanna though and of course Elias. It's this side story that kept it from being a 5 star rating, in my mind.
In addition, we learn more about Suzy's friends from the day she died, as Christian and Zack Yoder begin showing up.
Rhoda crosses over to her fancy desires and we all end up watching her make a huge mistake, one she barely survives and she still is so stubborn you want to smack her, no lie.
Also, Kate does the very thing us readers always feared she would and Rosanna makes a heart-breaking decision, one that will stun you and leave you wanting the very best for her and her husband Elias. To me, I almost wanted to know more about Rosanna and Elias, then I did Nellie and Caleb, Lewis really made a mistake having side characters that's story was more heart-rending then the two stars. I actually wanted a separate story to come after this one, just Rosanna though and of course Elias. It's this side story that kept it from being a 5 star rating, in my mind.
In addition, we learn more about Suzy's friends from the day she died, as Christian and Zack Yoder begin showing up.
Rhoda crosses over to her fancy desires and we all end up watching her make a huge mistake, one she barely survives and she still is so stubborn you want to smack her, no lie.
November 25, 2014
*Mild spoiler alert!*
I loved this one even more than the first! It broke my heart at some parts, and made me very happy at others. I got very upset with Kate and John, how could they change their minds about the babies now?! It was their decision to give them to Rosanna and Elias and I don't think it was fair of them to take them back.
Rhoda made some bad decisions as well. She's becoming an Englisher more and more everyday.
Nellie and Caleb made some bad decisions too. There was a lot of romance between them, and it made me a little uncomfortable. They should have stayed together alone all night.
I also loved hearing about Christian and Zach Yoder. It was neat to get their side of Suzy's death! Also, is it weird that I think Nellie and Chris would make a cute couple?
So, I REALLY loved this book, and I HIGHLY recommend it! :)
I loved this one even more than the first! It broke my heart at some parts, and made me very happy at others. I got very upset with Kate and John, how could they change their minds about the babies now?! It was their decision to give them to Rosanna and Elias and I don't think it was fair of them to take them back.
Rhoda made some bad decisions as well. She's becoming an Englisher more and more everyday.
Nellie and Caleb made some bad decisions too. There was a lot of romance between them, and it made me a little uncomfortable. They should have stayed together alone all night.
I also loved hearing about Christian and Zach Yoder. It was neat to get their side of Suzy's death! Also, is it weird that I think Nellie and Chris would make a cute couple?
So, I REALLY loved this book, and I HIGHLY recommend it! :)
June 12, 2010
Never in my life would I have thought I would read a book like this, and I was wise to abstain for so long. After reading a few semi-good Beverly Lewis books, I decided to branch out and read more of her writing. I was sorely disappointed with this series.
This was the margarine between two slices of Wonder bread. Basically nothing happened in this book that made any major impact on the other two.
Caleb and Nellie Mae see each other a few times and I don't even remember what else happened. It was flat and uninformative.
This was the margarine between two slices of Wonder bread. Basically nothing happened in this book that made any major impact on the other two.
Caleb and Nellie Mae see each other a few times and I don't even remember what else happened. It was flat and uninformative.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 19, 2010
I think I enjoyed this one a little more than the first (at least in the beginning). The ending of this book stunk big time, but I hope that all gets resolved by the third one! I just wanted to strangle some of people who were so set in their own blind ways they would stoop so low to willingly and maliciously hurt people they love. Most of it was very touching and it even moved me to try and have a more personal relationship with God. I love that she puts so many varied characters and situations in her stories. Can't wait to finish this out!
December 3, 2009
I enjoyed this book, but I thought it was a little slow. Despite the slowness of the book, I couldn't put it down. I was so anxious to find out was going to happen between Nellie and Caleb. I was also very intrigued by Rosannas' and Elias' story. I lkie how she jumps around from story to story. Although one storyline I didn't much care for, was Rhoda's. I didn't care for her much as a character, she annoyed me and just rubbed me the wrong way, I guess.
May 14, 2014
Jumps around just a bit too much. At times I struggled to remember who was who as things jumped from one paragraph to the next.
March 22, 2022
This book suffers from second book syndrome. There’s not enough of a plot to make an interesting read.
March 19, 2009
THis book made me wonder what I would do if someone in my family changed to a different religion.
February 2, 2019
This book continuous with the splitting up of the churches. There’s the Old Order, sticking to the old ways. Then the New Order, reading more scripture and learning more about Jesus. Then the Beachy who believe in the New Order but want to buy modern conveniences like tractors and cars. These divisions rattle relationships (especially Caleb and Nellie’s.)
Rhoda Fisher has been moving toward the fancy ways for a while. She works for an English family. They help her look for a car to buy and even introduce her to their nephew, Ken. Rhoda has a scary encounter with an English man but she escapes from him in his car. She decides to move out of her parents’ home and move in with her brother James and his family who belong to the Beachy church.
Chris Yoder is worried about his brother, Zach. He is still getting over the death of Suzy Fisher, his girlfriend. The brothers even go back to the lake where Suzy drowned, now all ice. Zach miraculously finds the gold bracelet he had given Suzy on that fateful day. Eventually, Chris finds Nellie, explains who he is, and gives her a picture of Suzy and the bracelet. Zach writes Reuben a letter of apology and forgiveness.
Caleb Yoder is having difficulty with his father, David. David will not tolerate Caleb seeing Nellie, whose family is going to the New Order Church. David will not give Caleb his land inheritance if he continues to see Nellie and tells Caleb to go talk with Susannah, the deacon’s daughter. David thinks they’re a better match. Caleb reluctantly goes to a singing to talk with Susannah just to let his father know he did, but he truly loves Nellie. But as he’s talking to Susannah, Nellie comes in and sees them. Caleb doesn’t even like Susannah, especially since she told him she was the one who put ads in the paper for Nellie’s Sweet Shop. She did this to make Nellie look bad and worldly to David Yoder.
Kate is still nursing baby Eli for Rosanna but not baby Rosie. Rosanna is ready for the daily visits to stop. When Rosanna finally gets the nerve up to tell Kate what’s on her mind, Kate tells her she’s unhappy that Rosanna and Elias have been going to the New Order Church when Kate and her family want to remain at the old order. When Rosanna goes down the basement to wash clothes, she finds Kate and Eli missing when she comes upstairs. The bishop is asked by Reuben to make a decision on what’s best for the families. Rosanna makes the right choice by giving back Rosie to John and Kate since it’s not good to split up the twins.
Rebekah Yoder, against her family’s wishes, will join the New Order. She was thrown out of her house, stayed with the Fisher’s for a while, then with the Amish family she works for.
Caleb and Nellie meet and Caleb explains about why he was talking to Susannah. Since it’s cold out, Caleb brings Nellie to his grandparents’ dawdi house where they are alone. They spend some intimate but not over the boundaries time together. Unfortunately, they both fall asleep and are woken up by Caleb’s grandfather. They both are strictly spoken to. Caleb’s grandfather tells Caleb’s father what occurred, and Caleb is asked to leave his parents’ house. When Caleb speaks to Nellie, telling her he wants to marry her no matter what, Nellie surprises him by telling she wants to join the New Order Church. Nellie loves Caleb, but she doesn’t want to live with her being the reason he doesn’t get his inheritance. So she breaks up with him.
Rhoda Fisher has been moving toward the fancy ways for a while. She works for an English family. They help her look for a car to buy and even introduce her to their nephew, Ken. Rhoda has a scary encounter with an English man but she escapes from him in his car. She decides to move out of her parents’ home and move in with her brother James and his family who belong to the Beachy church.
Chris Yoder is worried about his brother, Zach. He is still getting over the death of Suzy Fisher, his girlfriend. The brothers even go back to the lake where Suzy drowned, now all ice. Zach miraculously finds the gold bracelet he had given Suzy on that fateful day. Eventually, Chris finds Nellie, explains who he is, and gives her a picture of Suzy and the bracelet. Zach writes Reuben a letter of apology and forgiveness.
Caleb Yoder is having difficulty with his father, David. David will not tolerate Caleb seeing Nellie, whose family is going to the New Order Church. David will not give Caleb his land inheritance if he continues to see Nellie and tells Caleb to go talk with Susannah, the deacon’s daughter. David thinks they’re a better match. Caleb reluctantly goes to a singing to talk with Susannah just to let his father know he did, but he truly loves Nellie. But as he’s talking to Susannah, Nellie comes in and sees them. Caleb doesn’t even like Susannah, especially since she told him she was the one who put ads in the paper for Nellie’s Sweet Shop. She did this to make Nellie look bad and worldly to David Yoder.
Kate is still nursing baby Eli for Rosanna but not baby Rosie. Rosanna is ready for the daily visits to stop. When Rosanna finally gets the nerve up to tell Kate what’s on her mind, Kate tells her she’s unhappy that Rosanna and Elias have been going to the New Order Church when Kate and her family want to remain at the old order. When Rosanna goes down the basement to wash clothes, she finds Kate and Eli missing when she comes upstairs. The bishop is asked by Reuben to make a decision on what’s best for the families. Rosanna makes the right choice by giving back Rosie to John and Kate since it’s not good to split up the twins.
Rebekah Yoder, against her family’s wishes, will join the New Order. She was thrown out of her house, stayed with the Fisher’s for a while, then with the Amish family she works for.
Caleb and Nellie meet and Caleb explains about why he was talking to Susannah. Since it’s cold out, Caleb brings Nellie to his grandparents’ dawdi house where they are alone. They spend some intimate but not over the boundaries time together. Unfortunately, they both fall asleep and are woken up by Caleb’s grandfather. They both are strictly spoken to. Caleb’s grandfather tells Caleb’s father what occurred, and Caleb is asked to leave his parents’ house. When Caleb speaks to Nellie, telling her he wants to marry her no matter what, Nellie surprises him by telling she wants to join the New Order Church. Nellie loves Caleb, but she doesn’t want to live with her being the reason he doesn’t get his inheritance. So she breaks up with him.
November 8, 2020
If I had to sum up this book in one word, it would probably be stubborn.
David Yoder (Caleb's father) is stubborn in his beliefs that the Old Ways are the best ways, despite the Bishop's waiving of shunning (temporarily) for those who choose to belong to one of the other churches. His stubbornness loses him his two children who still live with him.
Caleb is stubbornly clinging to wanting his father's land and wanting Nellie as his wife. Does he not consider that there are other ways to provide for a wife? He could apprentice himself into a trade or, apparently, work for another family member (as happens at the end of the book). It also seems he could have approached Nellie's father about helping out there or perhaps even dividing up the farm between Benjamin (whom I don't remember at all) and himself as Nellie's husband. Caleb makes bad choices throughout the novel.
Nellie is convinced that Caleb is her only chance for happiness. She allows him to virtually ignore her just so he can please his father. I appreciate that Caleb is stuck between honoring his father and his love for Nellie but . . . that's not the way to treat a woman you love.
The part of the story about the twins reminds me a bit of the story where a ruler had to decide which of two women was a baby's mother (long before the days of DNA testing). His solution was to cut the baby in half and give half to each woman. There's a bit of a twist on that in this novel as one of the women gives up her claim to the twins to allow them to be raised together. I have to say though that I was disappointed that one of the characters reneged on her promise.
David Yoder (Caleb's father) is stubborn in his beliefs that the Old Ways are the best ways, despite the Bishop's waiving of shunning (temporarily) for those who choose to belong to one of the other churches. His stubbornness loses him his two children who still live with him.
Caleb is stubbornly clinging to wanting his father's land and wanting Nellie as his wife. Does he not consider that there are other ways to provide for a wife? He could apprentice himself into a trade or, apparently, work for another family member (as happens at the end of the book). It also seems he could have approached Nellie's father about helping out there or perhaps even dividing up the farm between Benjamin (whom I don't remember at all) and himself as Nellie's husband. Caleb makes bad choices throughout the novel.
Nellie is convinced that Caleb is her only chance for happiness. She allows him to virtually ignore her just so he can please his father. I appreciate that Caleb is stuck between honoring his father and his love for Nellie but . . . that's not the way to treat a woman you love.
The part of the story about the twins reminds me a bit of the story where a ruler had to decide which of two women was a baby's mother (long before the days of DNA testing). His solution was to cut the baby in half and give half to each woman. There's a bit of a twist on that in this novel as one of the women gives up her claim to the twins to allow them to be raised together. I have to say though that I was disappointed that one of the characters reneged on her promise.
July 30, 2020
I am enjoying The Courtship of Nellie Fisher series very much. The Forbidden, book #2, picks up shortly after The Parting concludes. This books moves a little slower than the previous one and there aren't really any new developments - with the exception of Roseanna's situation with Kate's twins. We also see more of Christian and Zach, Christian friends of Nellie's sister who drowned. Caleb and Nellie do some foolish things in this story and I'm not crazy about the way Caleb treats her. It will definitely be interesting to see how their story concludes.
I love the complexity of these characters and the faith issues they struggle with. As much as I enjoy Amish fiction, I don't think I fully realized that they believe in salvation by works rather than grace, and never know the joy of a personal relationship with Jesus. This series beautifully pictures the contrast between legalism and grace, law (Ordnung) vs. personal salvation. These thoughts of Nellie say it all ... "Such a splintering of families and relationships. It's hard to understand how the grace of God can both mend hearts and break them. Belonging to Jesus is often a thorny road."
I am eager to see how all these storylines wrap up in the next book, The Longing.
I love the complexity of these characters and the faith issues they struggle with. As much as I enjoy Amish fiction, I don't think I fully realized that they believe in salvation by works rather than grace, and never know the joy of a personal relationship with Jesus. This series beautifully pictures the contrast between legalism and grace, law (Ordnung) vs. personal salvation. These thoughts of Nellie say it all ... "Such a splintering of families and relationships. It's hard to understand how the grace of God can both mend hearts and break them. Belonging to Jesus is often a thorny road."
I am eager to see how all these storylines wrap up in the next book, The Longing.
March 16, 2022
A fast read. Not great American literature, but these Amish romances sweep me up into innocent drama and give my personal reading a needed boost. A wonderful and easy escape into a different world.
I fell in love with the three sisters and connected with their coming-of-age stories. But I also continued to be annoyed with the obvious narrative of "saving" people from their Amish life. I was also confused to realize that the protestant wanna-be-minister and "Englisher" hero was a Mennonite himself. Some of the confusion was caused by characters called anyone more liberal than them an "Englisher", even if they were arguable Amish/Mennonite.
It was hard to see the whole Amish community get torn apart, especially over something as meaningless (to me) as going from one protestant group to another. (In this case there were three different forms of Amish life with different degrees of conservatism as well as Mennonite life and just rebellious non-participation.) Going from one group to another was sometimes treated as no longer having any valid beliefs.
I liked Caleb more as this book progressed, but then disliked him again at the end. I can't say I was really rooting for Nellie to marry him.
Oh, the drama!
I fell in love with the three sisters and connected with their coming-of-age stories. But I also continued to be annoyed with the obvious narrative of "saving" people from their Amish life. I was also confused to realize that the protestant wanna-be-minister and "Englisher" hero was a Mennonite himself. Some of the confusion was caused by characters called anyone more liberal than them an "Englisher", even if they were arguable Amish/Mennonite.
It was hard to see the whole Amish community get torn apart, especially over something as meaningless (to me) as going from one protestant group to another. (In this case there were three different forms of Amish life with different degrees of conservatism as well as Mennonite life and just rebellious non-participation.) Going from one group to another was sometimes treated as no longer having any valid beliefs.
I liked Caleb more as this book progressed, but then disliked him again at the end. I can't say I was really rooting for Nellie to marry him.
Oh, the drama!
May 29, 2021
Part 2 of a triology. The book could be read as a stand alone, but it makes a lot more sense reading it as part of the series. This continues the story of Nellie Mae and Caleb, the Romeo and Juliet of the Amish world. Author Beverly Lewis has set this book in the 1960s, where a schism appeared in the Amish community. Some in the community wanted to stay "Plain" but wanted to adopt a more evangelical, Born again faith, while others found that concept prideful, and un-Amish. Nellie Mae's family have chosen to attend the New Order, while Caleb's family is firmly Old Order. Caleb's father is opposed to Caleb courting Nellie Mae, and makes it clear that Caleb will not inherit the farm if he has an unsuitable wife.
The story also focuses on other characters - Nellie's sister Rhoda, who wants to drive a car and live a non-Amish life; Nellie's friend Rosanna, who cannot carry a child to term; and Christian Yoder, a Mennonite cousin of Caleb. The story is well written; I was not sure of how some of the plot would develop, and while I do feel like I am sometimes reading an evangelical tract, the storyline carries me along. Looking forward to the conclusion of the story.
The story also focuses on other characters - Nellie's sister Rhoda, who wants to drive a car and live a non-Amish life; Nellie's friend Rosanna, who cannot carry a child to term; and Christian Yoder, a Mennonite cousin of Caleb. The story is well written; I was not sure of how some of the plot would develop, and while I do feel like I am sometimes reading an evangelical tract, the storyline carries me along. Looking forward to the conclusion of the story.
February 5, 2025
This is the second volume in the Courtship of Nellie Fisher series. Nellie runs an Amish bakery to help the family and is being courted by Caleb Yoder. The Old Order community now has a New Order church, to which many of the members are going, scandalizing the Old Order members. There is such a difference that Bishop Joseph, Nellie’s uncle, has declared a three-month moratorium on shunning, until each family decided which church to attend, but the differences are tearing families apart. Nellie’s own family is attending the New Order church, while she and her beau’s family are Old Order. Her deceased sister Suzy had also been attending the New Order church, and her cousin Kate might take back the twin babies she and her husband gave to childless couple Rosanna and Elias because they are attending the New Order church. In the middle of this, Nellie’s sister Rhoda leaves home, leaning toward the English way. How can a choice of church affect every member of the community so, and can Nellie stay in the Old Order church, hoping to wed Caleb in spite of his father’s objections, based solely on her family’s choice of the New Order?
January 13, 2018
Book two in this series. Families torn apart as one order of Amish people divide into the new and old order. The romance of Nellie and Caleb has been forbidden by Calebs father who informed his son that he would disown him and cut him out of his inheritance if he continued to see Nellie. Caleb is forced to move to his grandparents home. Nellie still has hopes they can be together and she works hard in her little bakery. Nellie's sister Rhoda wants to see life outside of the Amish community and enjoy the modern world like dressy clothing and cars etc. One of the girls in the family Suzy has already died in a boating accident with "english" friends and now the family is worried Rhoda will end up the same way.
March 22, 2018
Book 2 of the Courtship of Nellie Fisher.
Caleb's father gave him an ultimatum: if he keeps seeing Nellie, he will not
inherit his father' farm. Without the farm, Caleb would have no way to support
a wife and family. So they meet without his father's knowledge.
One night they were discovered by Caleb's grandfather who told Caleb's father.
Caleb was kicked out of the house.
In the meantime Nellie has gone to the New Order church with her family and
was won over to their faith. Caleb is astonished. They break up.
Kate has taken the twin baby boy back, saying they didn't want him raised outside
of the Old Order church. She let the twin baby girl stay with Rebakkah.
The book ends with Caleb's father in the hospital with a head injury;
Caleb's father gave him an ultimatum: if he keeps seeing Nellie, he will not
inherit his father' farm. Without the farm, Caleb would have no way to support
a wife and family. So they meet without his father's knowledge.
One night they were discovered by Caleb's grandfather who told Caleb's father.
Caleb was kicked out of the house.
In the meantime Nellie has gone to the New Order church with her family and
was won over to their faith. Caleb is astonished. They break up.
Kate has taken the twin baby boy back, saying they didn't want him raised outside
of the Old Order church. She let the twin baby girl stay with Rebakkah.
The book ends with Caleb's father in the hospital with a head injury;
October 2, 2023
This was so good! This is the second book in the Nellie Fisher trilogy.
In this book, the Amish church is split up into 2 churches, the New Order and the Old Order. They Fisher family is divided at the start, until Nelllie Mar decided to break up with her beau, Caleb Yoder.
I have to say that I didn't like Caleb's father at all. I wish he would've been a little more open to seeing that Nellie Mar wasn't leaning towards the new church. Even though she did choose to follow her family in the end.
I think that it was really brave of Roseanna to give her cousin Kate both babies.
I can't wait to see how itall ends in the final book!!
In this book, the Amish church is split up into 2 churches, the New Order and the Old Order. They Fisher family is divided at the start, until Nelllie Mar decided to break up with her beau, Caleb Yoder.
I have to say that I didn't like Caleb's father at all. I wish he would've been a little more open to seeing that Nellie Mar wasn't leaning towards the new church. Even though she did choose to follow her family in the end.
I think that it was really brave of Roseanna to give her cousin Kate both babies.
I can't wait to see how itall ends in the final book!!
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