The Amish Rancher's Return: An Uplifting Inspirational Romance

by Amy Lillard

His homecoming could change everything
For a widow and two little girls…

Called back home to Millers Creek after years away, Isaiah Peight needs to help care for his ill father, sell his parents’ store—and avoid Priscilla Raber. Five years ago, he and Priscilla were betrothed, but she broke his heart and married someone else while he went on rumspringa. Now widowed, she works at Creekside Sundries to support her toddler twins. And she’s not happy about the sale. Seeing Isaiah again stirs up lots of memories, especially when he bonds with her precious girls. Can they ever leave the past behind and forge a new future together?

From Love  Uplifting stories of faith, forgiveness and hope.

Genres: Romance

272 pages, Mass Market Paperback

Published June 30, 2026

About the author

I'm a wife, mother, and bona fide Southern belle. Published author, expert corn bread maker, and Squirrel Princess.

I live in Tulsa, though I was born in Mississippi. I moved to the Sooner State when I was seventeen and met my soul mate and best friend not long after. I've retained a little of my Mississippi accent though most people think I'm from Texas. (?) Rob and I have been married for over twenty years and have a son--a mom proclaimed prodigy, of course!

I love homemade tacos, nail polish, and romance novels--not necessarily in that order. I'm a big fan of country music, a staunch proponent of saving the Oxford comma, and I'm shamefully obsessed with all things Harry Potter.

I believe that God is love. I guess that's why I adore romances.

I have always been intrigued with the Amish culture, their gentle ways and slower-paced lifestyle. (And I love, love, love the fact that they stay married for their lifetime.) But until recently I never thought to blend this interest with my penchant for romance. Okay, okay, I'm a bit old-fashioned and even enjoy the gender roles that are present in this culture. I love to cook and take care of my family. Yes, that's me June Cleaver with a laptop.

I dislike people trying to convince me to read the Twlight series (I'll get to it or I won't, either way I'm good with it), gratuitous violence, and strawberry ice cream. (I know I'm alone on this last one, and again, I'm good with it.)

Favorite movies--(besides HP) French Kiss, Maid of Honor, A Lot Like Love, Just Married, and Sweet Home Alabama. Oh, and Miss Congeniality, Sabrina (both versions) and a 1940's movie called Dear Ruth. If you haven't seen it, you should! A-dorable. Anything with Doris Day and most all of Marilyn's and Audrey's.

Reviews

[DianeLikesToRead]

Jumping back into the Ebersol family is like cuddling up with a warm blanket.
Priscilla Raber is NOT happy that her first love, Isaiah Peight, came back home to Millers Creek. Five years ago he left for Montana to never come back. Priscilla married, had twin girls and became a widow. Now she works at Isaiah’s family’s store to support herself. When they decide to sell the Sundries, Priscilla is in a bit of a pickle.
There are a lot of “what ifs” and “could have beens” in the sweet story. I was totally rooting for them the entire time.
I hope Amy Lillard continues to write about this family and Millers Creek. I definitely need an update on Amos and there are some more Peight sisters that we need to know about!
#AmyLillard #TheAmishRanchersReturn #AmishFiction #LoveInspired

[Linda]

Author Amy Lillard writes heartwarming Amish stories peppered with forgiveness, faith, and definitely a dash of sweet romance. Isaiah Peight is called back to Millers Creek to care for his ailing father and tend to other family matters. He wants to avoid Priscilla Raber as they were betrothed five years prior and she broke his heart and married another. Now Priscilla is widowed with two little girls and seeing Isaiah stirs up memories. Can forgiveness repair their differences and guide their future? I love Author Amy Lillard’s writing style and the depth of her characters.
I received a complimentary copy from the author. All opinions are my own.

[Emma]

The Amish Rancher’s Return by Amy Lillard

His homecoming could change everything
For a widow and two little girls…

Called back home to Millers Creek after years away, Isaiah Peight needs to help care for his ill father, sell his parents’ store—and avoid Priscilla Raber. Five years ago, he and Priscilla were betrothed, but she broke his heart and married someone else while he went on rumspringa. Now widowed, she works at Creekside Sundries to support her toddler twins. And she’s not happy about the sale. Seeing Isaiah again stirs up lots of memories, especially when he bonds with her precious girls. Can they ever leave the past behind and forge a new future together?
My favorite quote is
Isaiah had known she would be there.

Just as he had known that she would have her little girls with her. There wasn’t much that happened in her life that he didn’t know. Every time he received a letter from his sister, Tessie, it was filled with news of Priscilla and what was happening in her life.

Not only was he forced to face her at church today, he was certain he would see her again in the upcoming week. Millers Creek was too small to allow him to avoid her entirely. He wasn’t sure his heart could take it, but what choice did he have? His plan had been simple—come home for a quick visit with his family, especially his father, eat his mamm’s cooking, and avoid Priscilla like the plague. But then Amos up and left. Isaiah was the only one who could take his place as manager of Creekside Sundries.

And now Isaiah was stuck helping until a solution could be found. Which meant avoiding Priscilla would be next to impossible. He could still eat his mamm’s cooking and visit with his father.

Well, he supposed, two out of three wasn’t bad.
I recommend this book.
The Amish Rancher’s Return by Amy Lillard
is a 5-star book.
I am looking forward to reading more books by Amy Lillard.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions shared here in this review are my own.
From Love Inspired: Uplifting stories of faith, forgiveness and hope.

[Jo|Ruth Reads]

I absolutely loved this! Such a sweet story with these two. This definitely was a second chance romance with a bit of forced proximity to keep things interesting!

Isaiah is back in town to help with his family’s store, but what he isn’t expecting is to find that Priscilla works there. He and she have history. Years ago they were going to marry right before he left for Montana, but when he returned, she had moved on and married someone else. Now widowed, she’s back in his life with her two sweet girls, but she is anything but receptive to letting him back in.

Both feel they were wronged by the other. He feels she replaced him and moved on. She feels he left her and wasn’t coming back. Now he’s back, but only temporarily, with talks of selling the store she works for. As sparks fly and they butt heads, neither can ignore the feelings they still have. But having hurt each other in the past, it’s risky to put themselves out there once again.

I loved this. I could totally understand how both could be so wary of letting the other in, given what transpired in the past. But that didn’t change me rooting for them. I cannot wait for Helen’s HEA in the next book... it’s been a long time coming!

I gave this a 4.5, rounded to a 5 star read!

I received a complimentary copy. This review reflects my honest opinion.

[Lori Parrish]

I savored this book as much as I could. I love this authors stories. They make my heart warm and full.
Silly Priscilla. She's so full of herself and stubborn too. She doesn't want to listen either.
Isaiah. Hmmmm..he's a decent fella. I grew to like him at lot. He does what he says he's gonna do. I admired that about him.
God's plan for us is in action from day one when we're born. We just have to figure out what that is. I loved these two. I found myself grinning at them from time to time. These two really made my day.
Their journey of life is learning lessons along the way as the Lord has intended. Things have a working out or do they?
At times I wanted to reach through the pages and give each a hard shake to see what's right in front of them. Others I found myself rooting for them. Two against the world lol.
I enjoyed reading this book and lot. I loved Priscillas sisters too especially Emma. She has a big heart and still wants her independence. She's my favorite sibling.
5 stars for a job well done.
Thanks for the opportunity to read and review. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine.

[JoAnne]

It was wonderful to be back in Millers Creek in THE AMISH RANCHER’S RETURN by Amy Lillard. This is Priscilla and Isaiah’s story and it is a coming home, second chance romance. Misunderstandings five years before led them to take different paths. He traveled to Montana and worked on a ranch. She married someone else from their community, had twin girls and became a widow.

Their paths cross when he comes home but they don’t communicate well and he plans to return to Montana, or does he? There are multiple stories being told and a few twists and turns. This Love Inspired Inspirational Romance has prayers, kindnesses, hard work, families, laughter, tears, truths, life experiences, life changing moments, wisdom, illness and forgiveness. The story moves at a good pace and has a nice flow. There is closure and a happily ever after and I look forward to meeting up with everyone in future books.

I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.

[Brittany]

In this second chance romance, both Priscilla and Isaiah fought the attraction they still felt for each other because they both felt as if the other had wronged them. I appreciated that they behaved like adults and eventually sat down together and discussed what had happened.

It was sweet to see that even though Isaiah was hurt that Priscilla had moved on and married her late husband, he recognized that Priscilla’s sweet twin daughters would not have been born if things had not progressed the way they did. I felt for Priscilla, as she struggled with examining her heart and confirming that she had never loved anyone else the way she loved Isaiah.

This was a sweet and uplifting story.

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

You can read this review on my blog:
https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.c...

[Connie Saunders]

Five years of misunderstandings, miscommunication, and hurt plague the unexpected reunion of Priscilla Raber and Isaiah Peight, as author Amy Lillard poignantly relates their struggle to remain indifferent to each other. Old feelings resurface, along with Isaiah's conflicted emotions about Priscilla's daughters. These adorable twin girls could have been his!

I loved the romance, the return to Miller's Creek, and the strong faith message woven into Lillard's compelling plot. Lillard's tagline is 'Sweet as apple pie', and I've been told that a truly sweet apple pie is a balance of tart fruit and warm spices. Well, this certainly describes this realistic book! The Amish Rancher's Return is an engaging tale of hope, forgiveness, and second chances. I recommend it to all who enjoy Amish Christian fiction.

I accepted a complimentary digital ARC from the author. There was no obligation for a positive review.

[Melissa]

Isaiah Peight wanted to stretch his wings for just a few months before he was to come home and marry his life sweeetheart Priscilla Ebersol. However through missed communications and lost trust, he never returned until now. Five years later, Priscilla is a widow with twin toddlers. A second chance romance story, The Amish Rancher's Return, shows just how important communication is to any relationship. Now Isaiah is facing not only his father's decline due to dementia but the responsibility of selling the family store. Priscilla is fighting to regain her independence as a widow who relies on the store for her livelihood. Will they be able to find common ground and clear the air that is so think between them? Will Isaiah return to Montana or does the strands of home and familiarity call? Second chance love and forgiveness is the main theme while touching on the reality of dementia and all of the uncertain future paths. I received an advanced copy. A review was not required.

[Diane]

I absolutely loved this book! It was a quick read for me because it was hard to put down. It continues the story of the Ebersol sisters, this time with Priscilla. Her first love, Isaiah, left her five years ago to ranch in Montana. Due to miscommunication and hurt feelings, Priscilla ended up marrying another man and having twin girls. After a tragic loss, Priscilla is widowed. Isaiah comes home from Montana to help run the family store, since his father is suffering from dementia. I loved the second chance story, and I felt like both characters were very likeable. Sometimes I wanted to knock their heads together. It was obvious they still had feelings for each other, and both of their sisters tried hard to play matchmakers. Spoiler alert: It was a happily every after! This is definitely a must-read; although most of Amy Lillard’s novels are.

[Gail Hollingsworth]

This heartwarming story grabbed me from the very start. Isaiah and Pricilla had a long history, but a complicated one. He left for Montana with a plan to return in two months but his letter to Pricilla was unknown to her. The hurt she experienced turned into marrying another man, having twin girls and then becoming a widow shortly thereafter. Isaiah and Pricilla’s love for each other had never died but so much hurt kept them stubborn to the point of keeping their feelings inside.
I enjoyed the progression of this story and the deviousness of their siblings trying to get them back together. But in Pricilla’s mind, Isaiah was headed back to Montana where he had been for the previous five years.
This was an enjoyable read and a tissue soaked one for me.
I received an ebook copy of this novel from the author but was not required to write a review.

[Maureen Timerman]

I really enjoyed this read, deep held love, but also hurts unresolved.
A story of loss and return, and moving on. This is a story of a young Amish man pushing his boundaries, sounded fun to me to move to Montana and become an Amish Cowboy!
So while Isaiah is finding himself, Priscilla moves on, and the result are darling twin girls!
Life changes now throws them in the same place at the same time! Can these two rekindle the bond they had for the past couple of decades?
This is a reminiscent look a Amish life, and it revolves around the local store, like getting that suprise bag out of the barrel. A sweet story to get lost in!
I received this book through the author, and was not required to give a positive review!

[Sunnie]

I love a good second chance story. It was a sweet story of Isaiah who was in love with Priscilla and suddenly decides to go to Montana to ranch. Priscilla is devastated by this and takes matters into her own hands and moves on with her life. Life continues and he return's. Is it too late to make amends?
It is a good read and I really enjoyed the storyline and also the secondary story line of the store being put up for sale where Priscilla has her Amish things to sell. I think that Amish book readers will really enjoy this book. I highly recommend it!

I received an ARC from the author. All thoughts and opinions were my own.

[JudyAnnLovesBooks]

I really enjoyed this one. Second chance romances are my thing and throw in a single mom? Even better. Plus, it was nice to be back in Miller's Creek again.

Isaiah and Priscilla have a lot of history, the kind that is messy and painful, but watching them figure things out was really satisfying. Isaiah's connection with Priscilla's twin girls added such a sweet layer to the story.

THE AMISH RANCHER’S RETURN is a solid, heartwarming read. If you're in the mood for a gentle romance with second chances and cute toddlers, this one is for you. I’m giving it the judy.ann.loves.books stamp of approval, TBR and Enjoy!

[Linda]

Author Amy Lillard writes heartwarming Amish stories peppered with forgiveness, faith, and definitely a dash of sweet romance. Isaiah Peight is called back to Millers Creek to care for his ailing father and tend to other family matters. He wants to avoid Priscilla Raber as they were betrothed five years prior and she broke his heart and married another. Now Priscilla is widowed with two little girls and seeing Isaiah stirs up memories. Can forgiveness repair their differences and guide their future? I love Author Amy Lillard’s writing style and the depth of her characters.
I received a complimentary copy from the author. All opinions are my own.

[Lorraine]

He never said goodbye. That’s what Priscilla focused on about Isaiah’s leaving. They were supposed to marry. Isaiah left Millers Creek for Montana with the intention of only being gone a few months. That was five years ago.

Isaiah was back in Millers Creek now because his father was ill and he needed to take care of the family store, Creekside Sundries. His intention was to sell the store and buy land in Montana.
We all know the best of intentions can go awry. Lillard has given us a well-written story of miscommunication, heartbreak, forgiveness and second chances. She also adds comical interfering of Isaiah and Priscillas sisters.

[Dali Castillo]

Heartfelt Story

No goodbyes. Things left unsaid. Assumptions. None of those are good, yet they are part of Priscilla's and Isaiah's story. They've added much heartbreak, sadness, and regret to each of them, making healing a difficult process. However, things begin to shift as Priscilla and Isaiah unexpectedly find themselves in each other's company on many occasions, whether through their own doing or through the help of others, causing some things to change. This results in a beautiful, heartfelt story of healing, love, and second chances.

I received an advanced copy of this book. All comments and opinions are entirely my own and voluntary.

[Michelle Rhoden]

If you enjoy second chance romance and Amish fiction, this book is for you. Amy Lillard draws you in from the beginning with her well written storyline that introduces you to Isaiah and Priscilla’s past and present relationship and makes you wonder if there will be a future for them? Throw in two precious children and you will find it hard to put the book down. I always look forward to Amy’s books because I know she writes clean, heartwarming books for any age to enjoy. If you haven’t ever read stories by this author, this one will be a great one to start with.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book by the author. All words are my own.

[Debbie]

"The Amish Rancher's Return"by Amy Lillard was a fun and fast read! If you like Amish romances and a second chance at love stories, then look no farther and get a copy of this book! Both the main characters feel like they were wronged by each other, but where they are just lots of mistaken thoughts and ideals from both of them. This book touches a little on Alzheimer. I really like that the families play at matchmaking in this novel and I love that the store stays Amish. Hope that last comment isn't a spoiled alert but I also hope it makes you want to read the book and really know what I am talking about!
I received a complimentary copy from the author and these opinions are my own.

[Janice Sisemore]

The Amish Ranchers return

A great story. I loved the young twins, the animals and of course all the characters. Isaiah and Priscilla were involved several years ago. He left town and came back several years later to help his family. He is trying to sell the family store but Priscilla doesn’t want him to. Their sisters are playing matchmakers to get them back together. Will they get back together? A very interesting story.

I received an advanced copy of the book from the author. This book review is my own opinion.

[Ashley]

Priscilla Raber is a widow and she has twin girls. Once she finds out that Isaiah Peight is back home she's not very happy about it. Isiah has come back home to help in his family's store. Which just happens to be where Priscilla works.

Isiah was Priscilla's first love then he decided to up and leave and go to Montana. That is why Priscilla isn't very happy to see him. The communication between the two isn't very good. As time goes on and some effort maybe it will get better. I loved reading this and couldn't put it down. It was such a page turner.

[Julie Brown]

This book was absolutely beautiful. It's a lovely romance to see Isaiah and Priscilla to act so grown up and do the best thing for her children and not themselves.
So many times I thought I knew what was going to happen and I was shocked to see it turn out differently.
I'm hoping Amy Lillard continues to write about Miller's Creek. They all feel like an old neighbor or family friend.
I received a complimentary copy of this book and all opinions are my own.
#AmyLillard #TheAmishRanchersReturn #AmishFiction #LoveInspired

[Deanne Patterson]

A beautiful and heartwarming story of faith, love, hope, redemption, forgiveness and second chances.
Returning after an absence causes hurt feelings to resurface. There was a misunderstanding between them, but they realize they still have strong feels for each other.
Decisions must be made and God will guide their minds and thoughts. A second chance romance that had me cheering for our main characters and I just loved the banter between them.
The story had a strong plot and was so enjoyable.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

[Virginia Winfield]

I absolutely loved this fantastic romantic Amish tale. I could not put this book down. I loved Isaiah and Priscilla and how they try to avoid each other, but really want to find the love they once shared. I enjoyed seeing that there really are Amish cowboys. I loved that Priscilla and her sisters want to try to be independent. I loved how Isaiah learns to appreciate family once again. I received a copy of the book and gave an honest opinion.

[Marilyn]

This second chance romance found Isaiah returning from Montana to help care for his father and deciding what to do with the family store. Priscilla felt like he had wronged her when he left without letting know years before. Their connection was still there, but both thought the other was in the wrong. A nice easy read about forgiveness, new beginnings, faith and letting go of the past to make a brighter future right in Millers Creek just might become reality for Isaiah.

[Lisa Taylor]

The Amish Rancher's Return by Amy Lillard was such an amazingly sweet story filled with past hurts, misunderstandings and possible second chances. 

I loved the two main characters Priscilla and Isaiah and how they interacted together and sometimes got in their own way. 

I loved reading this story and was unable to put it down. 

[Cassandra Dehaven]

Priscilla loved Isiah when they were young but he left her behind for an adventure in Montana. Isiah always planned on coming home but Priscilla broke his heart when she moved on. Now one letter a misunderstanding a marriage 2 kids and a death later they have a second chance and love. Can these 2 make sparks fly or does heartbreak last a lifetime?

[Melissa Henderson]

A heartwarming story of forgiveness, love, faith, family and hope. This one tugged at my heart. The characters have struggles and decisions to make. Trusting in God and in each other can bring the possiblity of a bright future. I received a complimentary copy of the book. No review was required.

[Cathy]

This book takes us back to Miller's Creek with Priscilla and Isaiah's story. You'll love this 2nd chance coming home Amish romance. This book has a few twists but is a great Love Inspired book. Everyone will love the Happy Ever After.

[Janet Nush]

I just finished reading "The Amish Rancher's Return" by Amy Lillard. This book is definitely a page turner and you will love reading Isaiah and Priscilla's story. If you enjoy reading Amish fiction, you will definitely love reading this book!