The Photograph

by Beverly Lewis

Eva Esch and her sisters are in a predicament. With the passing of their widowed mother, Eva's older brother Menno plans to move his growing family into the Eden Valley farmhouse where they all grew up, leaving little room for his three single sisters. Surely, Menno reasons, at least one of them will marry this coming wedding season. Eva does hope to marry, but she isn't sure she wants to give up her sweet shop for the life of a farmer's wife, and she has no other prospects.

When younger sister, Lily, disappears in the night, leaving only a brief note, Eva fears she has been wooed away from the People by an outsider. And when Jed Stutzman, a young Amish buggy maker from Ohio, shows up in Lancaster with a photo of a Plain young woman, Eva's world begins to tilt. She feels powerfully drawn to the quietly charming stranger--but the woman in the forbidden photograph is no stranger at all. . . .

Genres: Amish, Christian Fiction, Fiction, Christian, Amish Fiction, Romance, Historical Fiction

320 pages, Hardcover

Published September 8, 2015

About the author

Librarian 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."

Reviews

[Lindsey (Books for Christian Girls) · Rating 4 out of 5]

About this book:

“Eva Esch and her sisters are in a predicament. With the passing of their widowed mother, Eva's older brother Menno plans to move his growing family into the Eden Valley farmhouse where they all grew up, leaving little room for his three single sisters. Surely, Menno reasons, at least one of them will marry this coming wedding season. Eva does hope to marry, but she isn't sure she wants to give up her sweet shop for the life of a farmer's wife, and she has no other prospects.
When younger sister, Lily, disappears in the night, leaving only a brief note, Eva fears she has been wooed away from the People by an outsider. And when Jed Stutzman, a young Amish buggy maker from Ohio, shows up in Lancaster with a photo of a Plain young woman, Eva's world begins to tilt. She feels powerfully drawn to the quietly charming stranger--but the woman in the forbidden photograph is no stranger at all. . . .”


Series: Connected to & set after “The River” by this author. Characters are mentioned and visited.


Spiritual Content- Scriptures are mentioned, quoted, read, & talked about; Bible reading; Prayers; Church going; Talks about God, trust Him, & praying; ‘H’s are capital when referring to God; Mentions of God, His will, & trusting Him; Mentions of talks about God; Mentions of Bible reading, family devotions, & worship time; Mentions of prayers, praying, & blessings over food; Mentions of fasting & praying; Mentions of churches, church going, services, sermons, baptisms, bishops/ministers/deacons, youth groups, & singings; Mentions of faiths; Mentions of Heaven; Mentions of the Amish, Mennonites, their beliefs, & shunnings; A few mentions of a miracle; A few mentions of a Christian bookstore & books; A few mentions of sins; A couple mentions of those in the Bible; A couple mentions of hymns; A couple mentions of blessings; A mention of Providence; A mention of a Bible study group; A mention of a Christian school;
*Note: A mention of worldly music being of the devil.


Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘dumb’; A bit of eye rolling & sarcasm; Mentions of a buggy accident & deaths (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of a farming accident & death; Mentions of wars, fighting, protests, & deaths; Mentions of a teenaged girl who ran away; Mentions of smoking & pipes; Mentions of gossip; A few mentions of a child who drowned; A couple mentions of jealousy; A couple mentions of a roadkill; A mention of lying.


Sexual Content- a hand kiss, a chin kiss, and four (married couple) not-detailed kisses; Touches (barely-above-not-detailed); Noticing & Smelling; Blushes; Mentions of girlfriends, boyfriends, & dating/courting; Mentions of flirting & touches (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of a teenaged girl who ran away to be with a beau; A couple mentions of winks; Love, falling in love, & the emotions;
*Note: A few mentions of a girl wearing short skirts, shorts, & a sleeveless top.

-Eva Esch, age 20
-Jed Stutzman
P.O.V. switches between them & Naomi {Prologue & Epilogue is in Eva’s 1st person}
Set in 1980
314 pages

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Pre Teens- Two Stars
New Teens- Three Stars
Early High School Teens- Four Stars
Older High School Teens- Four Stars
My personal Rating- Three Stars (and a half)
I feel like I haven’t read a Beverly Lewis book in forever!
This one was a bit different from most Amish books I’ve read since it was set in the 1980s. Being Amish (no technology), it didn’t feel like it, so I did keep forgetting that it was set nearly forty years ago! Felt dragged out at some points, and I would have liked the ending to be a bit longer (or more towards the end of the middle section of this book), but it was a nice, laid-back read. Lots of faith content and very clean, just what I expect from this author. :)


Link to review:
https://booksforchristiangirls.blogsp...


*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.

[Andrea Guy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am a huge fan of Amish fiction. Beverly Lewis is one of the greats in this genre. I've always found her books to be like soap operas, especially when she wrote her sagas, that were usually 3 books.

Recently she's been writing stand alone novels and for the most part they have been fabulous, but for some reason The Photograph feels like she's phoned this one in. My high school creative writing teacher would call this one a pot boiler.

There was the usual drama going on, with Lily running off and the sister's brother wanting to take over the family farm, forcing the sisters to possibly find a new place to live as well as Eva losing out on the candy shop her father had built for her.

The trouble with this book was how flat the characters felt to me and I wished the story could have focused on Lily and her reasons for leaving. You get all the information on her at the end, but it just didn't feel fulfilling.

Menno was the story's villain, but even that didn't feel right to me. I mean, how could he not care for his three sisters, especially as they were all unmarried, and they all had recently lost their mother.

I did like Jed and Eva. Their romance, though to be perfectly honest, there wasn't much of one in the story was sweet. I liked that he came to really know her through the writings on her copy of "Little Women." The main conflict involves the photo that he finds in the book on the train to Lancaster. He mistakenly thinks the photo is of Eva.

Most books by Beverly Lewis are quick reads for me, but this one took me quite a while to finish because the story just didn't seem to go anywhere. It was like spinning wheels. It was a good enough book, but not one of Lewis' best.

[Deanne Patterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another fine example of why I love, Beverly Lewis's Amish books. I've been a fan of her books since her very first book. I am glad I finally got a chance to read The Photograph. I have been waiting months to read this. The Esch sisters are going through heartache when their parents pass away. The farm has been left to their youngest brother, Menno who farms there but doesn't live there. He plans to move his family there saying there won't be enough room for all the sisters.He expects them to marry and move out and start their own families. Heartache is apparent in the family and community when one of the younger sisters,Lily runs away during the night. She has left a note but hasn't revealed when she has gone. A romance starts between Eva and an Amish buggy maker from Ohio. When he is ready to leave to go back to Ohio as he is saying goodbye a photograph falls from his wallet.Turns out he had found the photograph on a train and he thinks it's Eva. A very well put together story. I look forward to reading her next book coming out in March 2016 called The Atonement.

[Kristi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally! Finally a Beverly Lewis book I could sink my reading teeth into and stay interested in from beginning to end. The Photograph reminded me why I loved reading books by Beverly Lewis.

The book centers on the disappearance of Lily Esch. After the death of her parents it seems Lily has lost her way and then she runs away from home without any clues as to where she might have gone. Her disappearance weighs heavily on Eva, the sister who was the closest to her. While the family tries to find Lily and keep her reputation intact, Eva struggles with why she left. For not only did she lose her sister, but she lost her best friend. Eva meets Jed Stutzman, who is visiting from Ohio, at an auction and the two become friendly with each other until Eva sees the photograph that Jed has. The photograph that changes everything....

This is by far the best Beverly Lewis book I have read in years. I was interested in the book from the title, cover, and description. I was not disappointed as this book quickly drew me in and kept me interested from beginning to end.

There are a lot of characters in the book and it was a bit hard for me to keep some of the secondary characters straight in my mind. My favorite characters were Eva and Jed. They were easy to like and relate to and I wanted both to discover happiness after the sadness they had endured. I also liked Naomi and her husband, Abner. I feel like they, along with their son, have a story to be told that could possibly be the next Beverly Lewis book we see.

Even though there are characters from The River, a previous Beverly Lewis book, The Photograph is a standalone book that Amish fiction fans will enjoy. If you like Amish fiction with a bit of suspense then this is the book for you!

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review which I have given.

[Andrea Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wrapped in family and emotion, this story easily snagged my heart from the beginning. The narrators, Christina Moore and Stina Nielsen, did a wonderful job, and I enjoyed reading along in my paperback copy.

The complex plot and family drama appealed to me. It wasn’t the exaggerated melodrama type but rather the sweet sort among siblings, romances, and the community.

The theme of choosing between right and wrong was beautifully written. Those choices aren’t always as black-and-white or easy as they seem, and Mrs. Lewis exhibited that well, along with how our choices help build our legacies that might help guide others who come in the next generation.

The cover is quietly stunning, and I’m happy the story beneath it stood up to that first impression. There were some charming plot twists and surprises along the way. I really cherished this heartwarming novel.

[Debi Stout · Rating 5 out of 5]

This report on The Photograph by Beverly Lewis falls under this category: mom read the book, then sent me an email about it, which I've then tweaked" a bit:

I have always loved Beverly Lewis’ books - the slow pace of the Amish lifestyle just draws me in. This book was wonderfully interesting from beginning to end. Once I started the book, I could not put it down until I finished the entire book.

The Photography's story is woven around 3 sisters, Frona, Eva and Lily, and their married brothers whose parents have recently passed away. Their youngest married brother, Menno, and his family may want to take over the family homestead and there is not enough room for all. One of the sisters may stay as long as she helps with his children. After learning this, the youngest sister, Lily, unexpectedly runs away leaving a note, having chosen to leave the Amish to go off with her boyfriend. Not only is Eva dealing with the loss of her sister and parents, but now she's faced with the problem of finding a place to live.

Jed Stutzman is trying to move on after he lost his fiancé is traveling to Eden Valley from Ohio to learn how to make the Pennsylvania style buggy. On this trip Jed comes across a book that holds a photograph of a beautiful young Amish girl. Jed is puzzled by the boldness of the woman in the photograph, since Amish people are not allowed to get their picture taken. He's sure he knows who is in the photograph, but appearances can be deceiving. The book has personal notes written in the margins Eva is drawn to this handsome, caring stranger who has come to her community the young woman in the picture he has is certainly NO stranger to her.

The love story between Jed and Eva is sweet, but they share sorrows. As a couple are they really suited for each other? The romance does not play the biggest role, but Lewis does a great job at weaving Eva and Jed's story together. The mystery of the photograph and the connection between individuals and three different locations with the theme of family, community, and most importantly, the bonding of siblings are all the threads that pull this story all together. Family devotion and the tight knit world of the Amish is once again the key to making this a story that you will want to keep reading to the end.

[Christian Fiction Addiction · Rating 3 out of 5]

With an intriguing premise and utterly likeable characters, "The Photograph" is sure to please readers who have enjoyed Lewis' prior offerings. The description of this novel definitely hooked me, as I found myself wondering what would cause an Amish girl to forsake her community's teaching about photographs being forbidden, and choose to get her picture taken? As I read through this story, I couldn't help but appreciate the intricate knowledge the author appears to have about the Amish and their way of life, including those things that tie the Amish communities together and those things that set each district apart. Such attention to detail lends a wonderful air of authenticity to "The Photograph". And Eva Esch is truly a loveable character, one who has dealt with such deep heartache in her young life, yet remains true to her faith and to her connection to her family and Amish community. Lewis does a great job at weaving Eva and Jed's story together and theirs is definitely a sweet love story to behold.

However, I just didn't find that this story held me in its grip as some of Lewis' other novels have done. Although there were definitely some page-turning parts, about a third of the way into the story I just found that little seemed to progress in the plot and I was contemplating whether to finish it. I am glad I did, for the last couple of chapters tie up the story nicely and overall the book does provide a pleasant read.

I award "The Photograph" a mild recommendation and a rating of 3 out of 5 stars. Those readers who typically love Beverly Lewis novels will surely love connecting with these characters and immersing themselves in the Amish lifestyle.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Buddy Read with Carolyn and Tracy
recommended to: everyone who like Amish fiction
Wow! This is the best Beverly Lewis book I've read in a while. I love the plot. I felt that the dialogue between the characters was so authentic, which is what you'd expect from someone who has Amish heritage. Although this is meant as a stand-alone, I wouls recommend starting with The River, since it references a few of the main characters in that book. I am looking forward to reading The Atonement soon.

[MAP · Rating 2 out of 5]

The past year and a half have been hell, to the point that I’ve stopped reading almost completely. I certainly didn’t feel up to my usual fare of slightly macabre biographies. I remembered Beverly Lewis and wondered why I didn’t lean more on her quaint little Amish books when everything else feels too intense.

Oh. Right. Because they’re not good.

This book sees Eva’s sister Lily disappear into the “English” world, and a young Amish man from Ohio comes to visit Lancaster County and falls in love with Eva.

That’s it. That’s the plot. It took 392 pages. Yaaaaaaaaaaaawn.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Did I enjoy reading Beverly Lewis' The Photograph? I think my favorite part was the fact that it was a stand-alone novel, that it actually had an ending and resolution to it. I have found Lewis to be a frustrating author in the past because she can take up to three books to resolve a story, a romance--which is two books too long, in my opinion! So one of the first things I did before reading it was to check and see if this one would have an ending! Some people might call that cheating, I don't. Not really. Better to know at the start if a book is going to have a non-ending.

So the heroine of The Photograph is Eva Esch. One of her sister runs away from home early in the novel. She's very worried about her, about what will happen to her in the outside world, about the trouble she may find herself in since she's so innocent and trusting. But that isn't her only concern. Other family troubles are going on as well. One of her brothers will be kicking all the unmarried sisters--including Eva--out of the family home. They will either have to all find husbands during this courting season, or, be split apart and go to various relations or friends of relations. That might be upsetting and stressful under normal circumstances, but, her sister's disappearance puts it in perspective to a certain degree.

Someone does start pursuing a courtship with Eva. And he's a stranger from out of town. His name is Jed. And he makes buggies. Can she take a break from worrying long enough to find out if this is true love? Will Jed help her find her sister even though there are so few clues available?

As I said, I liked this one. It is probably one of the best I've read by Beverly Lewis. I really, really liked that both Eva and Jed like to read.

The Photograph isn't contemporary Amish fiction or historical Amish fiction, it is that fuzzy in-between of the 1980s.

[Shari Larsen · Rating 3 out of 5]

When her sister Lily disappears from their Amish community only a few months after their mother's passing, Eva Esch fears she has been wooed away from the People. Unfortunately, Lily's disappearance isn't the only concern for Eva and their older sister Frona. She and her sisters must relocate when their brother and his family take over the family farmhouse; where will they go? And will her only choice be to be marry, even though she is not ready?


Soon after Lily's disappearance, Jed Stutzmen, an Amish buggy maker from Ohio, shows up in Eden Valley with a picture of a Plain young woman, wearing Amish clothing, yet staring boldly at the camera. Eva feels drawn to the charming stranger, but the woman in the forbidden photograph turns out to be no stranger after all.


While this was an enjoyable story to read, I feel like I've read this same plot and storyline before. A lot of "bonnet books" (Amish fiction) are like that, especially if you've read as many of them as I have, but coming from the "Queen of Amish Fiction", I expected more from this author. I felt like this book was written just to "churn out another story" for the publishing company.


I won a free advance reader copy of this book from Library Thing. This book will be released for sale on September 8, 2015.

[Sara Dahaabović · Rating 4 out of 5]

when I picked a novel about three Amish sisters written by an "actual Amish author" I was hoping to get the chance to see the Amish life from a woman's prescriptive, which I did :) hence the 4 stars
I only hoped the author alternated the chapters between Eva and Lily instead of with Jed, it would've been really interesting to see what challenges Lily gone throw when she ran away.

some of my favorite quotations:
"Take some books and read; that's an immense help, and books are always good company if you have the right sort."-Little Women

"I'm learning a lot about faith through grieving-trusting that our Lord knows what is best for each of us...about everything."Eva whispered, blinking away tears."

"Books can't be the ONLY way to experience the rest of the world," her sister had said. "As much as I love to read, I don't want to just imagine what's out there"

"This means believing the Lord will stand strong when you cannot... that He will hold you up"

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wonderfully written book by Beverly Lewis. When a picture is found on a train inside of a book of Little Women with written words on the outside margins, things change for Jed. The writing in the book makes Jed fall in love with the writer even though he doesn't know who it is. A chance meeting at an auction Jed meets Eva and can't help but wonder about the resemblance of the Eva and the picture. Learning that Eva's sister Lily has left the Amish without a word to anyone. Jed tracks down Lily and brings her back home and soon realizes that the person he fell in love with in the book writings was not Lily but Eva. A great story of finding love where only misery had dwelt and sweets too.

[Britney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was delighted by this engaging story and its endearing characters! The Photograph is another example of Beverly Lewis’s wonderful storytelling ability.

When their brother announces his plans to take over the family farmhouse, Eva Esch and her sisters face an uncertain future. The family endures further crisis when sister Lily runs away, seeking a life outside the Plain community. As these dramatic events unfold, they bring intrigue and emotion into the story, which I really enjoyed.

If you’re looking for an Amish tale with a fresh story line and a subtle romance, The Photograph is the perfect choice!

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. All thoughts expressed are my own.

[Leanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

My fave Beverly Lewis book yet... such a sweet story:)

[book_livre~shū-libro · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m new to Amish fiction. This is my second book. I loved it. Amish romance is so much better than other romance.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Photograph
Beverly Lewis

Book Summary: Eva Esch and her sisters are in a predicament. With the passing of their widowed mother, Eva's older brother Menno plans to move his growing family into the Eden Valley farmhouse where they all grew up, leaving little room for his three single sisters. Surely, Menno reasons, at least one of them will marry this coming wedding season. Eva does hope to marry, but she isn't sure she wants to give up her sweet shop for the life of a farmer's wife, and she has no other prospects. When younger sister, Lily, disappears in the night, leaving only a brief note, Eva fears she has been wooed away from the People by an outsider. And when Jed Stutzman, a young Amish buggy maker from Ohio, shows up in Lancaster with a photo of a Plain young woman, Eva's world begins to tilt. She feels powerfully drawn to the quietly charming stranger--but the woman in the forbidden photograph is no stranger at all. . . .

Review: I read Ms. Lewis’ newsletter where she made some comment about this was one of her personal favorites. I can honestly say that there is good reason for that. This story was riveting and I read it in one extended period of time. I found the characters to be so real I almost would expect to meet the if I were to go to the Lancaster area today. The time period was the 80’s and yet it could be today. I loved the main characters Eva and Jed while almost too perfect they were believable and lovable. The story was so seamlessly woven that I found I almost had to read it in a day to do the story justice. There was no long extended period of time occurring and things came together so effortlessly that I would have thought Ms. Lewis wrote it quickly, although from her newsletter it would seem the story was a long time coming. I am so glad that she was willing to share this story. It truly was ordinary and special all in one. The theme simple and magical. There is real tragedy all around both main characters and they do not down play the healing process, yet despite the tragedy this is not a story about weeping. There are many elements to the plot (loss of life, a wayward sister, uncertainty, and misunderstanding) and through it all I wanted the story to never end. I could go on and on but the best advice is dive in and see for yourself.

I would like to thank Net Galley and Bethany House Publishing for allowing me to read and review this book in return for a free copy and I was never asked to write a favorable review by anyone.

[Karla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eva Esch fears the worse when her sister Lily disappears only a few months after the death of their mother. Deep down, Eva worries that her younger sibling has been wooed away from their Amish community by an Englischer. Yet, that alone isn't the only problem she has! She and her sisters much relocate unexpectedly, due to their older brother's wish to take over the family farmhouse. Not only is Eva dealing with the loss of her sister, but now must solve the problem of finding a place to live.
Meanwhile, Jed Stutzman, an Amish buggy maker from Ohio, shows up in her community with a photo of a young Plain woman. Who is this girl who would dare to challenge the Amish belief that photos are NOT to be taken?? Eva is drawn to this handsome, charming stranger who has come to live in her area. The young woman in the picture is certainly NO stranger to Eva!!

My Opinions: When a book by Beverly Lewis appears in my mailbox, I automatically assume that it will be a great read and this one was no exception.

I was caught up immediately in the life of Eva Esch, a single. young Amish woman, living with her two sisters. She has certainly had her share of heartaches, losing both of her parents at an early age and now trying to keep the farm expenses paid, along with her two sisters. Money is a problem when there is no man to help. Is marriage an option?? Eva is not sure.

The characters are realistic and well developed. I was immediately drawn into Eva's life , easily identifying with her worries, fears and challenges . At times, I just wished that I could give her a big hug and reassure her that all would work out if only she would follow God's plan in her life. Beverly has the talent to endear her characters to you from the first page. They are Plain People attempting to live a simple life while dealing with the tragedies that life just naturally sends our way.

The plot moves smoothly and quickly. There are just enough twists and turns to keep the reader interested. This book is a quick easy read, but very enjoyable.

The setting was one that was easy to picture and it became my home for a brief time. A wonderful peaceful Amish farming community where the families are close and striving to survive in the midst of trials and normal family upsets.

Fans of Beverly Lewis will love this book written in a style that is her's alone.

This book was supplied by Bethany House in exchange for a fair and honest review.

[Shalini Ayre · Rating 3 out of 5]

Months after the loss of their Mother, Eva Esch's sister Lily, disappears. She fears that she may have been charmed away from the People.

With their father having also died, Eva and older sister Frona find that their elder brother Menno may want to take over the family farmhouse a lot sooner than they thought. He's probably expecting one to marry soon enough.

Fraught with worry, Eva prays for guidance and to see a light at the end of a dark tunnel.

Jed Stutzman is slowly coming to terms with the loss of his fiancé, just over a year ago. Will he ever meet someone who was as in-tune with him as Lydiann? His uncle encourages him to travel to Eden Valley (from Ohio) to learn more about the buggy making business - and perhaps meet someone new? On the train down he comes across a well-read copy of Little Women. From it falls a photo of a beautiful Amish woman.

Forbidden to take such a thing, the cryptic - "the best and worst day of my life" written on the back - echoes in his mind as well as the notes that the owner of the copy made. Thoughtful, thought provoking comments; comments that make the young man become enamored.

When Jed and Eva bump into each other, the attraction is immediate; yet he wonders what made Eva take the photograph. Does he say something? And if he does, how does he say it?

Lewis' novel about family and faith is endearing. Her characters are solid, lightly complex and appealing. Whilst fairly slow moving, the growing affection between Jed and Eva is sweet. The author has created a Plain world which shows the deep family and friend loyalty as well as frictions that can occur when someone sees the 'outside world' as exciting and different.

Whilst I enjoyed the story, I found Lewis' writing style a little stilted and disjointed. Because of this I couldn't get into the story immediately as I felt I was being swapped from who was telling the story a little too frequently. But once I got used to the style, I thoroughly enjoyed it. It's an utterly romantic tale told in a subtle way. Overall, it's a good story and worth reading.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House as part of their blogger program. The opinions expressed are my own and I am not required to give a positive critique.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

About this time last year, I reviewed the Beverly Lewis novel, The River, and found it enjoyable since we had recently passed through Amish country. Beverly Lewis's newest Amish novel, The Photograph, included several of the same characters and set in the same Lancaster County town as The River, though it takes place a few years later, so I was excited to read it.

Eva, Frona, and Lily Esch are Amish sisters who live together in their childhood home. Both of their parents have recently passed away, and their older brother is looking for a way to make them move out so he can move in there with his family. Still grieving their parents and finding out that they must find a new home, tragedy strikes again for the Esch family when youngest sister Lily runs away, leaving the Amish community for an unknown English beau outside of Pennsylvania. Eva and Frona are fraught with worry for their sister, wondering if they will ever see her again.

(which is not allowed in Amish culture), that we eventually find out is Lily. He mistakenly thinks that the photo is of Eva and he feels a connection to her when they meet at a community event.

Eva is attracted to Jed, but can she allow herself to fall for someone when she should be spending her time and energy focusing on bringing Lily home? Can Jed move past his loss and open himself up to love again?

Like the rest of the Beverly Lewis novels I've read, I enjoyed The Photograph. It combines Amish culture with romance, and I always learn something new about Amish culture and traditions. On a silly note, I have to admit that I had a soft spot in my heart for Jed, since it reminds me of my late beloved shih-tsu also named Jed. I really came to like Eva; I wanted to be friends with her. I only wish the novel had spent more time talking about the book that Jed found on the train, since that played a large part in the ending. Overall, though, it was a good read and I can't wait for the next Beverly Lewis novel to come out.

I received a free copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own and have not been influenced in any way.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a wonderful story of a three young Amish women whose parents have died and they were keeping the home although it has been passed down to the youngest brother who now have decided to move with his family into this house. The downside is there is not enough room for the three sisters to remain in the home. They don't have a lot of options if they don't marry someone who will provide a home for them although one has been promised that she (don't know which one yet) could stay and become a mother's helper for his children. The other two if they were not married within the year would be relocated to another state to live with other relatives.

The middle daughter Eva has been making a contribution to the family by making sweets for the neighborhood and was doing a great business although this was considered nothing by her brother. The oldest sister was not one who welcomed change. into this their youngest sister after the meeting left home and no one knew where she was only she had left a note for her middle sister. This vanishing brought heartache to the sisters especially Eva. The brother agreed to look for her after the Bishop suggested he be found.

into this bag of worms came a young Amish buggy maker from Ohio, Jed was coming to learn additional things about buggy making from one of his relatives. While on the train his found a book and it had a picture of a young Amish woman and the book had several writing that spoke to the heart of the writer. While there he went to an auction and one of the little Amish boys was lost and he was walking around with him when who should into his view but Eva who he though was the person in the picture. The clicked and as he was leaving to return home an incident happened which changed the direction of their relationship. Would his attempt to find the missing sister help with getting back together with Eva and if so would she forgive his image of her. Well it will consider reading this story, and perhaps like myself just couldn't put it down.

I have enjoyed reading Beverly Lewis' books but this one was great.

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beverly Lewis was the first "Amish" author that I read years ago. It is because of her that books about the Amish "plain" way of life have become my go to "comfort reads" when life gets crazy and busy and stressful. I love how Ms. Lewis can weave an interesting story that includes the authenticity of Amish life and teaches an important moral lesson while never sounding "preachy." The Photograph, one of Ms. Lewis' more recent books, is an example of this style that keeps readers coming back to her books again and again.

The Photograph is the story of three "plain" sisters - Frona, Eva and Lily - orphans in wake of the untimely deaths of both parents. Now, their older brother plans to move the sisters out of the family home and move his family in. While this is going on, youngest sister, Lily, undergoes a trial of her faith and decides to leave her family and Amish ways to pursue the ways of the modern world and an "Englisher" boyfriend.

As the story progresses and Frona and Eva patiently wait and pray for divine intervention to help them find Lily, a young man from another Amish community finds a picture of a striking young Amish girl in a book left behind on a train. The author takes what some might consider a coincidence and shows that to the praying believer of God's grace, there are no coincidences.

As a reader, I enjoyed the pacing of this book. I have read Amish books by less skillful authors that became a chore to read as the story drug along in the middle of the book. This book was interesting and highly readable from beginning to end. I looked forward to taking time to read it each day. The characters were likable, and although they seemed imperfect and human, I felt like many of their actions were worthy of emulation. Also, as is always the case with Beverly Lewis books, there were no "objectionable surprises" in this book. It was a good, uplifting book with a plot and characters based on Christian values.

I give this book four stars out of five. ****

[Noreen Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book by Beverly Lewis has just come out and let me tell you it was the best of her recent stories. I have always loved her writing, but in recent years felt that the story lines were very similar; however, this story was new and refreshing.

The story takes place in Lancaster County and is woven around three sisters and their family. The girls parents have recently passed away, leaving them on their own. Frona, the oldest is serious and prickly while Eva is a constant source of joy and Lily the youngest seems lost without her mom. Lily falls for an outsider and decides to leave her home, family, community to follow the Englisher to Ohio. The girls and their married brothers all search for Lily, without any luck. On the side, Eva continues to operate her candy shop, The Sweet Tooth, that is an addition to the family home. While going to a farmer's market, she meets a young man from Ohio named Jed. There is an instant connection because Jed found a book and photograph of Lily while on the train to Lancaster. When he meets Eva, he mistakes her for the gal in the photograph. They grow close, but when Eva sees the photo and realizes that Jed befriended her due to that photo, they part ways awkwardly. Will Lily be found? Will Jed and Eva mend their friendship and have a future together?

I loved this story and because I have been around some ex-Amish, I know how alluring the world can be to those who live the simple life.

Ms. Lewis has written another incredible story; I hope that she will carry this family story further as I'd love to know what happens to Frona and Lily in the future.

I would like to thank Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing for giving me this book, free of charge, in return for my honest review.

If you like Amish fiction and Beverly Lewis, you'll definitely want to add this book to your library.

[Brandi (Rambles of a SAHM) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beverly Lewis does it again! Just when you think that she has surely run out of original storylines, out pops another one. This book revolves around a mystery that slowly unravels revealing a piece of the puzzle at a time.

This time the story centers around a photograph of an Amish woman mysteriously tucked between the pages of a book and inadvertently left on the seat of a train. Jed Stutzman, an Amish man, stumbles upon the photo while he is on the train going to Eden Valley on a business trip.

The Amish don't take photos and the woman in this particular picture is obviously posing for the camera. That leaves Jed mighty perplexed. Who is she and why would she go against their beliefs to so brazenly allow the photo to be taken?

Imagine Jed's surprise when he unexpectedly runs into the woman in the photo in Eden Valley. Instead of answers to his questions, more questions develop.

Even after all of these years I am continually drawn to the writings of Beverly Lewis. Her characters may be from the Amish faith but their situations and hopes and desires are similar to those that we non Amish experience as well. This particular novel reaches deep into our longings and explores what it means to give up what seems to be a better life for the one that God intends.

If you enjoy a story about people who struggle to do what is right amid pressure to do what the flesh desires then I think that you are going to enjoy this book. There is a reason that Beverly Lewis consistently tops the charts and The Photograph is another shining example of that talent.

I received a copy of this book to facilitate my review.

[Beckie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beverly Lewis' new novel "The Photograph" is a stand alone novel, but ties in to several of her other novels with characters and location. Frona, Eva, and Lily are three orphaned sisters of young adult age. They are single and Amish. The combination of these four characteristics puts them in a rather tight spot. Their brother has inherited the house they are currently living in and that means they need to go. However, they cannot just move out and get jobs. So they are on the look out to marry fast or in Lily's case, a desperate measure of leaving the People. Lily strikes out on her own and leaves the other sisters searching for her. Jeb is an Ohioan carriage maker that finds the Little Women book that Lily has left on the train. Following the clues, he begins to search for her as well. However, things get tangled up when he mistakes Eva for Lily.

Beverly Lewis is by far the best Amish writer and can generally do no wrong when it comes to writing. In this novel, I kept rooting for Lily to make her getaway since I felt she really had no other choice. She was being tossed out on her ear and leaving the People seemed like a good way to make a life. But when Lewis brings the characters full circle and shares the difficulties of leaving the Plain life, the reader starts to see a whole new side of things. How do you live when you are trying to be something you are not? Good book. 4 stars. I received this book in exchange for an honest review from Bethany House Publishers.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Photograph is a sweet coming-of-age story. I loved the way that Eva tried to stay positive when her life seemed to be sliding out of control. Being kicked out of your home by your brother would be difficult for anyone, but on top of losing your parents and your sister, it must have felt as if the world was ending. Eva tried to trust God for the best and continued to live faithfully. Her sweet personality and good intentions make her a loveable character.

Eva's siblings, however - not so much. Some of them seemed very selfish, and while this was necessary for moving the plot along, it was frustrating to watch them bother her so much. One of them had a big change of heart, and that made a big difference in the way that I viewed that character.

Lewis also threw a few twists into the story that I didn't see coming. Perhaps I should've, but I couldn't put the book down long enough to think about what was coming next. I read it in a single sitting.

Like in Lewis' other books, the sense of community is strong. I enjoyed reading about this group of Amish people who pull together to help each other when they're in trouble. Eva was supported both through her candy store (which was a fun angle for an Amish story) and through the prayers, meals, and moral support given freely by her neighbors. Isn't that the kind of community you'd want to live in?

I received a free copy of The Photograph in exchange for an honest review.

[Kati · Rating 4 out of 5]

***I received a free copy of this book by Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my honest review.

I enjoy reading books by Beverly Lewis. They are always easy to read and I fly through them. She is a good storyteller. Whenever I see a Beverly Lewis book available for review through the Bethany House blogger review program, I get excited!

This book was about Eva Esch, a young woman whose parents have died. She and her sisters are living in their parents' house until their brother and his family are ready to move in. When one of her sisters runs away to the English world, Eva and her other sister try to keep things going at home while they search for her. Meanwhile, an Amish man from Ohio, Jed, comes to the area to learn buggy making techniques and the two are immediately attracted to one another. But when Eva discovers a photograph of her runaway sister in Jed's wallet, things change between the two of them.

While I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it wasn't my favorite. The story was good. She always makes her books interesting by adding little bits of excitement in the plot. I appreciate that Beverly Lewis has a lot of knowledge about the Amish that comes through in her books. It was neat to get a look at two different Amish districts and how each district varies slightly.

If you haven't read anything by Beverly Lewis, I would definitely recommend reading one of her books. If you have, what was your favorite?

[Jessica Talstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story is about three Amish sisters, Eva, Frona, and Lily. Their brother Menno has decided to move into the family farmhouse with his wife after the death of their widowed mother. Unfortunately this means he is forcing his unmarried sisters to move out.

The youngest sister, Lily, disappears in the middle of the night leaving a note that she does not want to be found, she has decided to go "fancy" and leave her Amish life for the English life. Will they be able to find her and convince her to come home?

Jeb travels to Lancaster County from Ohio as a buggy shop apprentice. On the train he finds the book "Little Women" with lots of notes in the margins that Jeb finds intriguing. Inside the book is a photograph of an Amish girl! On the same day, he meets Eva at a gathering and thinks it is her in the photo, and her notes in the book that he feels a connection to. But is it really Eva he is feeling connected too?

I really enjoyed this book. It was a fast read for me because I didn't want to put it down, the story flowed well and I love when a book does that. I liked all of the characters, except for Menno! I did not like Menno's character at all, he is so arrogant and holding no compassion it seems.

I hope we will see the other two sisters stories evolve in the next books!

I was given a free copy of this book from Bethany House for my honest opinion.

[Just Commonly · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's been awhile since I read one of Beverly Lewis' novels, and with her latest novel, "The Photograph", I'm glad I'm able to get back into it. Reading "The Photograph" reminds me the very reasons I find Beverly Lewis to be a wonderful author. Her narration allows readers to grasp the very thoughts of her characters, from Jed's loss of his fiancee to Eva's personal thoughts of her family and friends. The plot flows as we interlace the Esch's family and their community. It's not adventurous, but its subtle way of drawing you into the characters' lives says a lot about Ms. Lewis' talent as a writer. The romance doesn't play a big role in comparison to the theme of family, community and most importantly the bond of siblings, but the romance and how God finds the most unexpected ways to bring about love engrossed me. "The Photograph" stoke my curiosity at first, stirred my heart for the tragedy all around, but it completely captured my heart by the end. This is one book, like its cover, boldly looks into you, and before you know it, expects you to look back. You will.

For the full review, go to http://justcommonly.blogspot.com/2015...

NOTE: I received a complimentary copy from Bethany House Publishers and Net Galley for an honest review.

[Maureen Timerman · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Jeb Stutzman begins his journey from Holmes County, Ohio to Eden Valley, Pennsylvania, his life is about to change again. He is still reeling from the sudden death of his beloved fiancé a year ago, and having trouble recovering and moving on with his life. He works for his Uncle learning and possibly taking over his buggy building business.
While on the bus he finds a copy of Little Women wedged between the seat, and in it a picture of a beautiful Amish woman, a graven image, how could she be Amish and taking picture? This simple photo is about to change his life when he meets, or thinks he does, the girl in the photo.
Eva and her sister Frona are barely hanging on after their younger sister Lily left to go English, their brother Menno has also dropped a bomb that he wants to take his birthright and live in the family home. Someone is going to have to leave and Eva will have to close her candy store, Menno and his family need the room.
What is about to happen makes this book a page turner, and a delightful read, come along and experience the trial and tribulations of wanting to move on with their lives and feeling the loss of their beloved sister.
I received this book through Bethany House Publishers Blogger Program, and was not required to give a positive review.