He’s back in town… But will she let him back into her heart?
Family secrets forced Samuel Schlabach to leave town—and Becca Keim, the woman he loved. Now the paramedic is back in Blossom Grove, Ohio, to heal and make amends. Becca is the sole guardian of her orphaned nieces, but caring for two young girls and her sister’s run-down property is too much to handle alone. So when Samuel offers his help, she can’t refuse him. But after years away, Samuel seems more Englisch than Amish. And Becca is fully committed to the Ordnung. Can she trust that Samuel will stay and give their love another chance?
From Love Uplifting stories of faith, forgiveness and hope.
Cathy Liggett is a New York Times bestselling author and an ACFW Carol award winner. She is also an Ohio girl who never dreamed her writing journey would take her across the world and to Amish country, too. But she's learned God's plans for our lives are often more creative than the ones we imagine for ourselves. That includes re-meeting her husband at a high school reunion and marrying three months later--over forty years ago. She enjoys visiting kids and grandkids, spoiling the family pup, and knitting too (if the pattern isn't too tough!). Please visit her website at www.cathyliggett.com or on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/cathyligg/
Samuel Schlabach deeply hurt his former Amish girlfriend when he left the church years ago without even saying goodbye. Now he’s back and seems determined to help Becca Keim fix up her property after the death of her sister and brother in law. Becca now is a guardian for her two nieces, Kayla and Lily. She desperately needs the help but even so she is not willing to hire her former boyfriend. What will it take for Samuel to convince Becca that she needs his help? I alway love any novel by Cathy Liggett. The two main characters Samuel and Becca made this story seem real. I also enjoyed Mary Louise and her ability to matchmake. Sweet Clover won my heart and was a special part of the book. It was an easy read and a page tuner, romantic and inspirational. I enjoyed reading Their Forbidden Amish Reunion. I highly recommend this book to readers of Amish Fiction and Amish Romance. If you have read Secrets of Her Amish Heart you won’t want to miss reading this book. It’s scheduled for release on 8/24/26. I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are solely my own. #TheirForbiddenAmishReunion #CathyLiggett
What a great story about Samuel and Becca. Their past, present and life tragedy. Can they learn to trust each other and God. Hope you enjoy as much as I did.
Backstory: I decided to pick this book up in Detroit because a close friend of mine told me how people would read Amish romances at the conservative Christian university he went too. I was so curious what that even meant or entailed and considering I was on a trip to America, I decided to satisfy my curiosity.
Overall, I would describe this book as a Hallmark movie distilled into written form with a religious twist. I now completely understand the appeal of these types of books. They are comforting, sweet, and invoke “feel good” emotions. Yet, as a written work it lacks much. Although, I will say, I’m not even a hundred percent sure if I can judge it along the same standards as regular novels. I will simply say it achieves the purpose it was written for.
Their Amish Forbidden Reunion Becca and Samuel cared for each other until his family secrets forced him to leave the community without telling Becca why and she is devastated. Becca has become the guardian of her two nieces when her sister and husband were tragically killed in an accident and is learning how to tend and comfort them while her own heart heals from the loss. When Samuel decides to return to the community, he sees Becca struggling with her 2 nieces and the poor condition of her sisters home. Samuel steps in to help and Becca has to work on guarding her heart while remembering Samuel has been in the English world and is probably not the same person he was before he left. Such a heart touching book as the characters learn to depend on each other and trusting God to heal them. Will Samuel’s family secret be revealed and will Becca be able to forgive him? Will Samuel be able to leave the English world behind so they can rekindle their relationship or will Becca choose not to pursue that forbidden path? I enjoyed this storyline from the first page to last and I highly recommend this book. Cathy Liggett is a talented writer and I enjoyed reading about the characters learning skills on beekeeping and I always look forward to her book releases. This book is from the Harlequin Love Inspired series and is scheduled to be released August 25, 2026.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book from the author. All words are my own.
Their Forbidden Amish Reunion by Cathy Liggett allows us to return to Blossom Grove for Becca and Samuel’s story.
Samuel had left his home Amish community years before and has become an English paramedic, he left behind the love of his life, Becca, without revealing why he had to leave.
Because of the death of her sister Becca has become the guardian of her two nieces, Kayla and Lily. They are living in her sisters home and it is in need of repair. Samuel returns just in time to help. Becca realizes his time to return to the English world will come so she tries very hard not to get too attached.
As always, Ms. Liggett brings these characters to life with genuine believability. I really like the innkeeper, Mary Louise, and even the unpredictable horse, Clover.
We are taught dependence upon God, trusting, and forgiveness work together for good.
You will enjoy this story from beginning until end. It’s a hard one to put down. I highly recommend it.
Thank you, Cathy Liggett for allowed me to be part of your launch team. I was given an ARC for review, but was not expected to give a positive review. All opinions or my own. Release day will be August 25, 2026.
Their Forbidden Amish Reunion by Cathy Liggett He’s back in town… But will she let him back into her heart?
Family secrets forced Samuel Schlabach to leave town—and Becca Keim, the woman he loved. Now the paramedic is back in Blossom Grove, Ohio, to heal and make amends. Becca is the sole guardian of her orphaned nieces, but caring for two young girls and her sister’s run-down property is too much to handle alone. So when Samuel offers his help, she can’t refuse him. But after years away, Samuel seems more Englisch than Amish. And Becca is fully committed to the Ordnung. Can she trust that Samuel will stay and give their love another chance? My favorite quote is
“Look, Becca, I was going to say that I know you are your nieces’ guardian now. I know you’ve inherited this…this place.” He gave a brief glance at the grounds, the house, the section of random beehives, all of which needed tending. And that was putting it mildly. “Mary Louise sent me to help, and I’m happy to. But it’s up to you. I’m going to be in town for the next six weeks or so. You need help, and I need to work. To keep busy while I’m here.”
I recommend this book.
Their Forbidden Amish Reunion by Cathy Liggett
is a 5-star book.
I am looking forward to reading more books by
Cathy Liggett
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.
THEIR FORBIDDEN AMISH REUNION by Cathy Liggett was such a touching, heartwarming read.
Sweet little Kayla and Lilly absolutely stole my heart and made this story extra special. I'm a total sucker for adorable children in my romances, especially when the MMC is so naturally good with them and Samuel definitely delivered on that front.
This second chance love story had all the faith and hope I look for in an Amish romance. Watching Samuel return to Blossom Grove to make amends after family secrets forced him away and seeing Becca navigate her grief and new role as guardian for her orphaned nieces, added an emotional depth to the story that was touching to say the least. The question of whether Samuel, who lives and works in the Englisch world, will stay and give their love another chance, kept me invested from start to finish.
THEIR FORBIDDEN AMISH REUNION was a heartfelt, hope filled read that hit all the right notes. I’m giving it the judy.ann.loves.books stamp of approval, TBR and Enjoy!
Cathy Liggett pens an amazing story of second chances, family, God's everlasting love and the healing. You can't go wrong with an Amish story from this author. She brings characters and plots together "bee" utifully.
Samuel and Becca. A childhood friendship that grew but pain pushed Samuel away with no goodbyes. Becca now being the only caregiver for her nieces after their parents die. Becca finds herself raising two little girls and bringing to life her sister's dream of bee keeping.
When Samuel comes back. He comes to heal. And heal he does. With the love of two little girls and a childhood friend that hears him opening up to a painful past. He finds and understands that God has always been there too.
With ups and downs. Becca brings here sister's dream alive together with her nieces but in a different way. Samuel finds his healing in many ways.
Find out by enjoying reading this story that will have you "Bee" thankful that God is just a prayer away.
Received a ARC from the author. All stated here are my own. I was not required a positive comment.
This is such a sweet story. Becca and Samuel were good friends in the past then suddenly Samuel left the Amish with no goodbyes said. Becca is raising her sister's daughters after her sister and brother-in-law are killed in an accident. Samuel comes back to town to help Becca learn about the bees her sister was raising and do some repairs around the farm. Becca wonders if she can trust him again. Her nieces fall in love with Samuel and Becca tries not to again. Samuel has things in his past that he has never told anyone and his relationship with God has suffered. He wonders if he can revive his relationship with God and Becca again. He learns to trust Becca again and share his past. With sharing that God answers prayers he didn't even know he had. Can Samuel finally return to the Amish and capture Becca's heart again? I was given an ARC copy of this book by the author.
You will not want to miss this story of Samuel , Becca and her two orphaned nieces. Samuel left the Amish community, leaving his sweetheart Becca without telling her he was leaving. He had secrets he just could not share with Becca. Becca is heartbroken but goes on with life. When her sister and brother-in-law are in an accident, their two girls are left to Becca. Becca tries to carry on with her sister’s dream of raising bees but soon realizes she is not capable of doing this alone. Samuel shows up at the worse moment of Becca’s being attacked by the bees. He offers to learn and help teach Becca about the bees. She only agrees with putting stipulations on his help. Becca is not sure she can forgive Samuel, always expecting him to leave again without saying goodbye. Can Becca forgive Samuel? Will Samuel leave again taking her heart with him?
This is a very sweet story with wonderful characters. Becca and Samuel have been friends since childhood. Samuel left the community and his Amish faith years ago with secrets that Becca knew nothing about. When Becca's sister and brother-in-law pass away suddenly, Becca takes her two young nieces in to care for them. Samuel returns to the community and Becca hires him as a handyman around the farm. Will they be able to repair their fractured relationship? Will Samuel tell Becca the real reason he left the community? Will Samuel find his way back to God, his faith and community? This is a good read. I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed are my own
I really enjoyed this second chance love story by Cathy Liggett. Meeting Samuel and Becca and watching them find each other again was truly inspirational. Becca was raising her two nieces, Kayla and Lily, after her sister and brother-in-law passed away. Samuel returned to Ohio after an incident made him question his decision to become English. Samuel was helping Becca around her house and helping her learn about bee keeping. Samuel still cared for Becca and she for him but she was afraid he would leave again. They eventually realized their feelings were mutual. Samuel decided to get baptized into the Amish faith and they married and had their happily ever after.
🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝 If it’s written by Cathy Liggett, I’m reading it!! Becca is busy raising her nieces after their parents passed away. Samuel returns to Blossom Grove after leaving because of family secrets. He starts helping Becca around the house and starts to bond with Becca and her nieces. But now Samuel is an Englischer! Can two people who are living vastly different lives find common ground? If you like sweet stories, this one’s for you! This book is filled with two adorable girls, a meddling inn keeper and a bunch of bees. Loved it! #CathyLiggett #TheirForbiddenAmishReunion #AmishFiction #LoveInspired
Their forbidden Amish Reunion is a must read. An unknown secret causes Samuel to leave his Amish life and his love Rebecca only to return years later when he is volunteered by a friend to help Rebecca on her farm. Rebecca's love for Samuel and her still unhealed heart is unsure of this arrangement but decides to give it a chance. Will Samuel tell Rebecca his secret as to why he had to leave the community and her and will God restore his faith and lead him back to his community and to Rebecca for good?
In Their Forbidden Amish Reunion, we meet Samuel, who returns to town after being forced away, and Becca, guardian of her oh-so-sweet orphaned nieces. It's a second chance romance that highlights faith, forgiveness, and love. Plus it has my favorite, an epilogue! There are a few authors whose writing truly stirs my heart, and author Cathy Liggett is one of them. It's heartfelt, earnest, and full of hope. Highly recommend this story (and every other one by her!).
Becca Keim and Samuel Schlabach share a past that was shattered by secrets and assumptions. While Samuel tries to make amends, Becca keeps shutting him down. The tables turn when Becca finds herself needing Samuel's help. Their relationship goes through many ups and downs as they spend more time together. Adding to that are two sweet little girls and a matchmaking friend who help turn Becca and Samuel's story into a sweet, touching read.
Their Forbidden Amish Reunion by Cathy Liggett is a sweet heartwarming, second chance romance. Another great inspirational Christian romance by Liggett. Samuel coming home helps him find his way back to God with forgiveness, friends and his only love Becca. Both have had so much tragedy in their lives but with God’s love and the help of Kayla & Lilly, can they find their way back to each other? I received an advanced copy of this book and this is my honest review.
A story about Samuel and Becca, can their past heal enough to find a life together. Especially when Samuel is no longer Amish. A good story set back into Blossom Grove.