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Amish Hearts #1
Amish Homecoming
The Prodigal Daughter Returns
Ten years ago, Amish quiltmaker Leah Beiler and her twin brother left their community and family without a word. Now she’s finally come home—with her orphaned young niece. Leah has much to explain to so many, including Ezra Stoltzfus. Before she left, she dreamed of marrying the handsome dairy farmer. But now that she’s lived among the English and is raising a child who knows nothing of Amish ways, Ezra worries she’ll leave again. Leah will have to prove to Ezra that her future is in Paradise Springs—and with him—forever.
Ten years ago, Amish quiltmaker Leah Beiler and her twin brother left their community and family without a word. Now she’s finally come home—with her orphaned young niece. Leah has much to explain to so many, including Ezra Stoltzfus. Before she left, she dreamed of marrying the handsome dairy farmer. But now that she’s lived among the English and is raising a child who knows nothing of Amish ways, Ezra worries she’ll leave again. Leah will have to prove to Ezra that her future is in Paradise Springs—and with him—forever.
288 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published December 15, 2015
61 people are currently reading
221 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 25 reviews
August 18, 2024
This is an Amish Fiction, and this is the first book in the Amish Hearts series. This book was a quick read. I have to say I did not feel as much for the characters of this book as I have with some other Amish Fiction books. I feel this book was just ok, but I have to say I really hated the ending. I felt the ending could have been so much better.
January 7, 2016
I did not want AMISH HOMECOMING to end until I knew that Leah was going to be okay. The conversations between Ezra and Leah were so heart breaking at times. This story is filled with humor, lost love, forgiveness, and second chances. Jo Ann Brown is going to pull you right in from the very beginning and have you emotionally invested in Ezra and Leah and all they are going through. I had a hard time putting this book down because I had to know what was going to happen. AMISH HOMECOMING is a fantastic start to a promising series.
ARC received from Netgalley for an honest review.
ARC received from Netgalley for an honest review.
April 11, 2019
Amish Homecoming was an emotional and quick read with Leah returning to her Amish community after ten years, along with her twin brother’s daughter Mandy that she is the guardian of. There are moments of laughter and tears. Will Leah and Ezra be able to redeem their friendship prior to her leaving?
I purchased this book at a used store, thus no review was required. I have expressed my own opinion.
I purchased this book at a used store, thus no review was required. I have expressed my own opinion.
August 14, 2021
Such a wonderful read!
March 15, 2024
It was annoying and stunted the flow of reading when every german word was italicized.
December 13, 2015
In Amish Homecoming you will find yourself quickly absorbed into the Amish culture, and wanting to stay.
Leah left when her brother Johnny had a fight with her Dad, and she worried about her twin, and in the end is away for ten years. A lot happened during that time and now Leah is the guardian of her niece Mandy, and her brother is gone.
Can you imagine a young English girl of ten thrown into the Amish life, meeting relatives she never knew, and then attending Amish services, three hours long?
What a different story here, and we will root for Leah to resume her relationship with her neighbor Ezra, but ten years is a long time, and hearts change, is there a chance they can be together.
Can Leah, a woman who is always the first to aid those in distress and wears her heart on her sleeve, regain her father’s love? Such hurt and a long time apart, will she be able to step back into this community and be accepted.
A recommended sweet read with a different twist. Enjoy!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Love Inspired, and was not required to give a positive review.
Leah left when her brother Johnny had a fight with her Dad, and she worried about her twin, and in the end is away for ten years. A lot happened during that time and now Leah is the guardian of her niece Mandy, and her brother is gone.
Can you imagine a young English girl of ten thrown into the Amish life, meeting relatives she never knew, and then attending Amish services, three hours long?
What a different story here, and we will root for Leah to resume her relationship with her neighbor Ezra, but ten years is a long time, and hearts change, is there a chance they can be together.
Can Leah, a woman who is always the first to aid those in distress and wears her heart on her sleeve, regain her father’s love? Such hurt and a long time apart, will she be able to step back into this community and be accepted.
A recommended sweet read with a different twist. Enjoy!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Love Inspired, and was not required to give a positive review.
April 13, 2016
There were parts where I cried and where I tried to tell the characters what to do and what not to do. Fantastic book. Recommend it to all who have suffered and moved away from family. They can return home.
December 6, 2015
I really enjoyed this title, I liked how the author, bought an english child into the amish way with her never iiving "plain". I would hignly encourage you to read this book
August 31, 2018
Amish Homecoming is the first book in the Amish Hearts series written by Jo Ann Brown, and while I have read and loved books by Jo Ann Brown before, I will be completely honest and say I struggled with Amish Homecoming, as the storyline didn’t seem to in with the Amish faith or lifestyle at all!
The characters seemed to be moody and more teenagers than grown adults with responsibilities. It honestly just screams high school drama and as someone who lives surrounded by one of the biggest settlements of Amish people, it doesn’t mesh with the people I know, and it just left me with a book I was disappointed in.
I give Amish Homecoming 2 stars
The characters seemed to be moody and more teenagers than grown adults with responsibilities. It honestly just screams high school drama and as someone who lives surrounded by one of the biggest settlements of Amish people, it doesn’t mesh with the people I know, and it just left me with a book I was disappointed in.
I give Amish Homecoming 2 stars
July 31, 2018
Amish Homecoming by Jo Ann Brown. Amish Hearts series. Ten years ago Amish Leah Beiler and her twin brother left their community without a word. Her brother died while away and has a daughter who's mother left and didn't want the child. Leah and her niece are back in Leah's community. Where she left behind Ezra Stolzfus, who still cares for her. Ezra works on his parents farm. Ezra still loves Leah but he isn't sure she is staying in the community. A very good read.
January 6, 2021
Good Amish book with a different spin than most. In this book an Amish girl who had "jumped the fence" 10 years earlier returns to her family. There are many hurts to be healed in her, the community, her family and her old friends.
A great book about reconciliation. This book is not only entertaining reading, it is also a story that reminds the reader of past hurts they need to reconcile. It is a book of hope
A great book about reconciliation. This book is not only entertaining reading, it is also a story that reminds the reader of past hurts they need to reconcile. It is a book of hope
December 15, 2021
2.5/5
As usual, this being a Harlequin paperback, there were repeated errors that should have been caught & corrected by an editor.
But this one also suffered from being too small of a romance story, why else would so much near the end of the story be about Leah’s father & his health problems? It really diminished the story line of a restored romance after a 10 year separation. The author has hopefully improved her writing since this book.
As usual, this being a Harlequin paperback, there were repeated errors that should have been caught & corrected by an editor.
But this one also suffered from being too small of a romance story, why else would so much near the end of the story be about Leah’s father & his health problems? It really diminished the story line of a restored romance after a 10 year separation. The author has hopefully improved her writing since this book.
October 5, 2017
It was a good, quick read and I did find myself surprised by some parts. I kept expecting that the little girl's mum was going to come back and try to claim her, but the BIG DRAMA of the book ended up being the ususal "Someone gets super sick and rushed to the hospital".
The dog was adorable though.
The dog was adorable though.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 28, 2017
Fantastic Amish love story.
December 31, 2018
Fun, quick read with no swearing or bad things. Yet kept my interest all the way through! I will definitely read more from this author!
September 23, 2023
Decent sweet romance set in an Amish community.
May 12, 2025
Sweet light hearted romance
April 29, 2016
What would you do if you where placed in the same situation as Leah was placed in. Her twin brother decides to leave the Amish Faith and Leah goes with him to try and persuade him to come back and stay. With the strife being caused between father and son Leah stays away for 10 years. During this time she takes care of her brother he was seriously injured in a work accident and his daughter whose mother left because she couldn't handle the pressure of caring for a child or Leah's brother. When her brother dies Leah comes home and finds that things are strained with everyone. One good thing is that Leah's father meets his granddaughter and her dog who was trained to tell when seizures are about to happen. When the dog starts barking letting the family know something is about to happen but Leah's father refuses to say something may be wrong. Meanwhile Leah and Ezra are trying to get past her leaving and neither one will admit that they are still in love with each other.
A story of forgiveness and the love of family and friends.
A story of forgiveness and the love of family and friends.
August 20, 2016
This was a very fast read and not one that I would hold dear to my heart.
The characters are a tad annoying and overly angst-y. There are several story-lines going on and, in my opinion, not enough time given to anyone of them.
I realize that not all Amish books will portray the Amish the same, and in real life the Amish come from different sects that have different standards, but there were several things about this particular books portrayal of the Amish that rubbed me the wrong way. Or perhaps I am tired of even the Amish romances that treat lust this way.
The characters are a tad annoying and overly angst-y. There are several story-lines going on and, in my opinion, not enough time given to anyone of them.
I realize that not all Amish books will portray the Amish the same, and in real life the Amish come from different sects that have different standards, but there were several things about this particular books portrayal of the Amish that rubbed me the wrong way. Or perhaps I am tired of even the Amish romances that treat lust this way.
Read
January 12, 2016"The story is rich with relatable struggles and characters. It is easy for the reader to empathize with the difficult situation Leah is facing" (RT Book Reviews, 4 stars).
Miniseries: Amish Hearts
Miniseries: Amish Hearts
Read
January 2, 2016received 4 stars @ RT Book Reviews
Miniseries: Amish Hearts
Miniseries: Amish Hearts
October 1, 2019
Read this on the kindle
This was a good read this shows that some Amish leave for other reasons than just wanting to go in to world
This was a good read this shows that some Amish leave for other reasons than just wanting to go in to world
February 6, 2018
Amish Homecoming is the first book writte by JoAnn Brown in her Amish Hearts series. This is such a heartwarming story of love, loss, and second chances. The characters are very likeable and realistic and i enjoyed watching them evolve throughout the story. My favorite characters were Leah and Ezra because of their strong bond to family and faith.
The storyline makes for a real anazing story of two lifelong friends who have endured a 10 year seperation thru no fault of their own. Their strong friendship developes into much more but not without alot of misunderstandings and pride. As youtravel with them on their kourney back to each other you will be happy, sad, frustrated, and thankful. This is an amazing story of having family and faith to endure life's hardest challenges.
I was not given a complimentary copy of this amazing book to read and review I was not approached to post a favorable review at anytime. I have rated this book with five stars for meeting my expectations of a wonderful story that i can highly recommend to all those who love the Amish genre. All opinions and statements are strictly my own based on the amazing story that deals with love and the Amish.
Congratulations to JoAnn Brown on writing a story that her readers can enjoy and also an amazing start to her series. I look forward to reading more amazing books by this author.
The storyline makes for a real anazing story of two lifelong friends who have endured a 10 year seperation thru no fault of their own. Their strong friendship developes into much more but not without alot of misunderstandings and pride. As youtravel with them on their kourney back to each other you will be happy, sad, frustrated, and thankful. This is an amazing story of having family and faith to endure life's hardest challenges.
I was not given a complimentary copy of this amazing book to read and review I was not approached to post a favorable review at anytime. I have rated this book with five stars for meeting my expectations of a wonderful story that i can highly recommend to all those who love the Amish genre. All opinions and statements are strictly my own based on the amazing story that deals with love and the Amish.
Congratulations to JoAnn Brown on writing a story that her readers can enjoy and also an amazing start to her series. I look forward to reading more amazing books by this author.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 25 reviews