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The Charmed Amish Life #3
A Sister's Wish
New York Times Bestselling Author In Shelley Shepard Gray’s third book in her Charmed Amish Life series, a respectable young woman finds herself falling for an Amish man from the wrong side of the tracks. Amelia Kinsinger is the perfect Amish woman—at least according to her neighbors. And while Amelia takes pride in her role as homemaker, she’s also harboring a secret: She’s been in love with bad boy Simon Hochstetler for as long as she can remember. Too bad he’s about as far from “perfect” as an Amish man could get… but that’s exactly why she’s so drawn to him.
Life hasn’t been kind to Simon. He ran away from an abusive home at fifteen and things went downhill from there. Eventually, Simon landed in prison. But the experience changed him. Now back in Charm as a grown man, he’s determined to make a new life for himself and not think too much about his wild past…unless it pertains to Amelia.
He’s loved Amelia for years. To him, she represents everything good and kind in the world. When he realizes that she returns his affections, he starts calling on her in secret, even though her older brother Lukas—who just happens to be Simon’s best friend—has made it perfectly clear that Amelia deserves better. Simon disagrees and believes he’s the only one who can truly make her happy.
But when Amelia gets hurt, it sets off a chain of events that forces them to consider their future together—and face their past mistakes. There’s a chance for love… but only if Simon dares to trust Amelia with the secrets of his past.
Life hasn’t been kind to Simon. He ran away from an abusive home at fifteen and things went downhill from there. Eventually, Simon landed in prison. But the experience changed him. Now back in Charm as a grown man, he’s determined to make a new life for himself and not think too much about his wild past…unless it pertains to Amelia.
He’s loved Amelia for years. To him, she represents everything good and kind in the world. When he realizes that she returns his affections, he starts calling on her in secret, even though her older brother Lukas—who just happens to be Simon’s best friend—has made it perfectly clear that Amelia deserves better. Simon disagrees and believes he’s the only one who can truly make her happy.
But when Amelia gets hurt, it sets off a chain of events that forces them to consider their future together—and face their past mistakes. There’s a chance for love… but only if Simon dares to trust Amelia with the secrets of his past.
272 pages, Paperback
First published September 27, 2016
112 people are currently reading
944 people want to read
About the author
Shelley Shepard Gray
126 books2,314 followersLibrarian Note: AKA Shelley Gray (Western Romance).
Shelley Shepard Gray has published over seventy novels. She currently writes Amish romances for Harper Collins, Kensington, and Simon & Schuster and contemporary women’s fiction for Blackstone Publishing.
Her novels have been Holt Medallion winners and Inspirational Readers Choice and Carol finalists. Shelley’s novels have appeared on both the New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists.
Her novels have been highlighted in the Philadelphia Enquirer, Washington Post, Time Magazine, and USA Today. She has also been interviewed on NPR as well as numerous regional radio stations.
Before writing romances, Shelley lived in Texas and Colorado, where she taught school and earned both her bachelor’s degree in English literature and elementary education and later obtained her master’s degree in educational administration. She currently lives in Colorado Springs and writes full time. Shelley is married, the mother of two young adults, and always has a dachshund by her side. She is an active member of her church, on Facebook and on Twitter. She also has a website, www.shelleyshepardgray.com.
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Shelley Shepard Gray has published over seventy novels. She currently writes Amish romances for Harper Collins, Kensington, and Simon & Schuster and contemporary women’s fiction for Blackstone Publishing.
Her novels have been Holt Medallion winners and Inspirational Readers Choice and Carol finalists. Shelley’s novels have appeared on both the New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists.
Her novels have been highlighted in the Philadelphia Enquirer, Washington Post, Time Magazine, and USA Today. She has also been interviewed on NPR as well as numerous regional radio stations.
Before writing romances, Shelley lived in Texas and Colorado, where she taught school and earned both her bachelor’s degree in English literature and elementary education and later obtained her master’s degree in educational administration. She currently lives in Colorado Springs and writes full time. Shelley is married, the mother of two young adults, and always has a dachshund by her side. She is an active member of her church, on Facebook and on Twitter. She also has a website, www.shelleyshepardgray.com.
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September 28, 2016
Happy Release Day! Full review now posted...
Life stops when you stop dreaming. Hope ends when you stop believing. Love ends when you stop caring. Friendship ends when you stop sharing. —AMISH PROVERB
Oh, I didn't want this to end! A Sister’s Wish is a beautiful, poignant story about forgiveness, both given and received. It’s about never giving up on those you love, and cherishing the time you have with them.
Blurb…
With her Charmed Amish Life series, Shelley Shepard Gray gives us moving stories about people of faith searching for happiness and love with others who share that faith. I’ll mention this again – while this is a contemporary Christian romance, it has a bit of a historical feel thanks to the simple life these amazing people are living.
The bottom line - this series is absolutely wonderful and perfect for Christians and anyone else looking for a feel good romance without explicit sex or the kind of drama inherent in the secular world. I hope we'll get to spend more time in Charm, Ohio because there are many there whose stories need to be told.
An ARC was provided by Avon Inspire, an imprint of Avon Books. In appreciation I’m giving them an honest review.
Life stops when you stop dreaming. Hope ends when you stop believing. Love ends when you stop caring. Friendship ends when you stop sharing. —AMISH PROVERB
Oh, I didn't want this to end! A Sister’s Wish is a beautiful, poignant story about forgiveness, both given and received. It’s about never giving up on those you love, and cherishing the time you have with them.
Blurb…
Amelia Kinsinger is the perfect Amish woman—at least according to her neighbors. And while Amelia takes pride in her role as homemaker, she’s also harboring a secret: She’s been in love with bad boy Simon Hochstetler for as long as she can remember. Too bad he’s about as far from “perfect” as an Amish man could get… but that’s exactly why she’s so drawn to him.From the start I was pulled in, cheering for Amy and Simon to find their way to each other, even though it wasn’t going to be an easy journey. Any Christian knows that it’s not for us to decide who is worthy of forgiveness, so I was appalled at Lukas and Rebecca’s interference and heartbroken by their judgment of Simon. To be honest, I shed a few tears reading about Simon's past and how that past is affecting his and Amelia's future because of ‘well meaning’ Christians. But they held fast to their love, listening to their hearts and making their happily ever after a well deserved thing of beauty!
Life hasn’t been kind to Simon. He ran away from an abusive home at fifteen and things went downhill from there. Eventually, Simon landed in prison. But the experience changed him. Now back in Charm as a grown man, he’s determined to make a new life for himself and not think too much about his wild past…unless it pertains to Amelia.
He’s loved Amelia for years. To him, she represents everything good and kind in the world. When he realizes that she returns his affections, he starts calling on her in secret, even though her older brother Lukas—who just happens to be Simon’s best friend—has made it perfectly clear that Amelia deserves better. Simon disagrees and believes he’s the only one who can truly make her happy.
But when Amelia gets hurt, it sets off a chain of events that forces them to consider their future together—and face their past mistakes. There’s a chance for love… but only if Simon dares to trust Amelia with the secrets of his past.
With her Charmed Amish Life series, Shelley Shepard Gray gives us moving stories about people of faith searching for happiness and love with others who share that faith. I’ll mention this again – while this is a contemporary Christian romance, it has a bit of a historical feel thanks to the simple life these amazing people are living.
The bottom line - this series is absolutely wonderful and perfect for Christians and anyone else looking for a feel good romance without explicit sex or the kind of drama inherent in the secular world. I hope we'll get to spend more time in Charm, Ohio because there are many there whose stories need to be told.
An ARC was provided by Avon Inspire, an imprint of Avon Books. In appreciation I’m giving them an honest review.
June 11, 2017
This was a good story about love, forgiveness, and second chances. Although it is set in the Amish world, the underlying story is one that could happen in any walk of life. I felt so bad for Simon at times, allowing others to let him believe he was not worthy enough to court Amelia. I'm glad he was finally able to stand up to the naysayers and reach for his own happiness.
The cover art perfectly fits both characters.
4 stars
The cover art perfectly fits both characters.
4 stars
October 4, 2016
Sweet read! :) This is the one I was waiting for in this series! I enjoyed the other sibling's tales, but I was rooting for Simon and Amelia since's Rebekah's story. Shelley starts this one with a bang! And throws us right into the action and drama! I LOVE IT! I also loved that we learn more about Simon's past and the new characters it leads to! :) This is a story of healing and rising above one's past. I really love all of the animals that are mixed in with these great characters. And the last scene of this book is one of my favorites of the whole series! This is a great fall read leading up to Thanksgiving! :)
Songs: "Worth It" by Francesca Battistelli, "Dear Younger Me" by MercyMe, "If We're Honest" by Francesca Battistelli, and "Mended" by Matthew West
Songs etc. May be changed and/or added in the future. ~ASC
Jeremiah 29:11
~ASC
*I requested and received this book as a member of Litfuse for the purpose of reviewing it. This in no way affected my opinion and the above are my true thoughts and feelings about A Sister's Wish. ~ASC
Songs: "Worth It" by Francesca Battistelli, "Dear Younger Me" by MercyMe, "If We're Honest" by Francesca Battistelli, and "Mended" by Matthew West
Songs etc. May be changed and/or added in the future. ~ASC
Jeremiah 29:11
~ASC
*I requested and received this book as a member of Litfuse for the purpose of reviewing it. This in no way affected my opinion and the above are my true thoughts and feelings about A Sister's Wish. ~ASC
October 10, 2016
I have been waiting for Amelia and Simon’s story, and A Sister’s Wish does not disappoint! In fact, it’s richer and more profound than I ever imagined it would be.
Amelia is sweet and helpful and loyal and… feistier than I gave her credit for being. Although, considering she has a pet goat that tends to cause problems, I probably should have suspected as much. Simon is not the typical Amish hero… and I LOVE IT! I love him. And Amelia. And Simon and Amelia together. And more than once in A Sister’s Wish I wanted to purse whomp some sense into her siblings.
The Charmed Life series looks at how different people deal with grief and personal pain. Simon’s response was to run away from his pain and run to things that would never satisfy. He’s paid the price for his mistakes but he still bears the marks of his past in more ways than one. Amelia is his best friend’s little sister, the daughter of the man who helped him restore his faith and his dignity, and the one girl he’s always wanted. Yet, he starts to believe that she’ll be tainted by his past and that’s when things start to fall apart for the two of them (hence the previously threatened purse whomping of the previously mentioned siblings). Their tentative journey back to a lasting relationship is sweet and tender and full of grace. One scene in particular had me in tears AND fanning and grinning – all at the same time.
And in the meantime – while they’re working out their issues – some other young men come to call on Amelia. Enter the delightful humor that I always find in Shelley Gray’s books! “I think it’s a bit early to discuss herding goats together, don’t you?” Hahaha! Trust me, that scene is hilarious. You’ll love it! The epilogue is another grin-inducing favorite!
Bottom Line: Shelley Shepard Gray always writes with such charm (the pun works) and grace and heart, and A Sister’s Wish is yet another example. The characters feel like dear friends before you’ve ventured very far at all into the story, and the message of not being defined by the mistakes in your past is authentic and touching. Amelia and Simon’s romance is deliciously swoonworthy and sweet, and I’m very much looking forward to the next installment in this series.
(I received a complimentary copy of this book.)
See my full review at Reading Is My SuperPower
Amelia is sweet and helpful and loyal and… feistier than I gave her credit for being. Although, considering she has a pet goat that tends to cause problems, I probably should have suspected as much. Simon is not the typical Amish hero… and I LOVE IT! I love him. And Amelia. And Simon and Amelia together. And more than once in A Sister’s Wish I wanted to purse whomp some sense into her siblings.
The Charmed Life series looks at how different people deal with grief and personal pain. Simon’s response was to run away from his pain and run to things that would never satisfy. He’s paid the price for his mistakes but he still bears the marks of his past in more ways than one. Amelia is his best friend’s little sister, the daughter of the man who helped him restore his faith and his dignity, and the one girl he’s always wanted. Yet, he starts to believe that she’ll be tainted by his past and that’s when things start to fall apart for the two of them (hence the previously threatened purse whomping of the previously mentioned siblings). Their tentative journey back to a lasting relationship is sweet and tender and full of grace. One scene in particular had me in tears AND fanning and grinning – all at the same time.
And in the meantime – while they’re working out their issues – some other young men come to call on Amelia. Enter the delightful humor that I always find in Shelley Gray’s books! “I think it’s a bit early to discuss herding goats together, don’t you?” Hahaha! Trust me, that scene is hilarious. You’ll love it! The epilogue is another grin-inducing favorite!
Bottom Line: Shelley Shepard Gray always writes with such charm (the pun works) and grace and heart, and A Sister’s Wish is yet another example. The characters feel like dear friends before you’ve ventured very far at all into the story, and the message of not being defined by the mistakes in your past is authentic and touching. Amelia and Simon’s romance is deliciously swoonworthy and sweet, and I’m very much looking forward to the next installment in this series.
(I received a complimentary copy of this book.)
See my full review at Reading Is My SuperPower
September 22, 2016
I have a soft spot in my heart for Amish stories. I just love to read them. I have been lucky to not find a book I did not like yet. Although, I am not familiar with this series. A Sister's Wish is the third book in this series. However, it can be read as a stand alone novel. After finishing this book, I want to go back and read the prior two novels as well as the upcoming Christmas book.
Everything about Amelia and Simon was great. They made such a good couple. I really enjoyed the fact that all Simon cared about was caring for Amelia over his own well-being. He was so gentle and kind with her. Yet, at the same time he let Amelia have a voice and make her own decisions. Amelia has such a warm heart. She loved and cared for Simon despite his flaws. She saw and understood that Simon's past did not define him as the man he was today.
Everything about Amelia and Simon was great. They made such a good couple. I really enjoyed the fact that all Simon cared about was caring for Amelia over his own well-being. He was so gentle and kind with her. Yet, at the same time he let Amelia have a voice and make her own decisions. Amelia has such a warm heart. She loved and cared for Simon despite his flaws. She saw and understood that Simon's past did not define him as the man he was today.
October 9, 2017
Paperback - 5 Stars!
Audiobook - 5 Stars
I love this series. As much as I enjoyed the first book, this third addition is truly special. Forgiveness, acceptance and reconciliation are major themes running throughout the story line. Although the romance isn't necessarily secondary, family plays an important and pivotal role in a number of ways - namely, biological family, family dysfunction, and adopted family. How they all intersect is the meat of the story and foundation for all of the characters. And trust me, there are some meaty parts to this story, but told in Shelley Gray's gentle narrative. I enjoyed it so much that I was disappointed when it ended. Fortunately, there is one more book in this series to delay the end of Charm.
Audiobook - 5 Stars
I love this series. As much as I enjoyed the first book, this third addition is truly special. Forgiveness, acceptance and reconciliation are major themes running throughout the story line. Although the romance isn't necessarily secondary, family plays an important and pivotal role in a number of ways - namely, biological family, family dysfunction, and adopted family. How they all intersect is the meat of the story and foundation for all of the characters. And trust me, there are some meaty parts to this story, but told in Shelley Gray's gentle narrative. I enjoyed it so much that I was disappointed when it ended. Fortunately, there is one more book in this series to delay the end of Charm.
September 29, 2016
We are back in Charm Ohio and with the Kinsinger family, and this time the book focus is on Amelia, the younger sister in this family. We are also going to focus on Simon, and badly bruised and hurt young man who because of the family he was born to, has been around the block a few time and even served time in prison.
Simon has received forgiveness from his church for his sins, and has turned his life around, he does have nightmares from his past and others who offer forgiveness, haven’t let it go from their hearts. As in real life forgiveness is one of the hardest and a basis for our Christian faith, and yet so many struggle with it.
Simon has cared for Amelia since she was just a little girl, but is he worthy of her, after her family throws his past in his face, can he ever get his pride back?
I loved how strong a young woman Amelia is, and she sure has a lot of spunk, and adores her family, but she puts them in their place.
A wonderful Amish read, that will linger, and quickly become a page-turner.
I received this book through the Publisher Avon Inspired, and was not required to give a positive review
Simon has received forgiveness from his church for his sins, and has turned his life around, he does have nightmares from his past and others who offer forgiveness, haven’t let it go from their hearts. As in real life forgiveness is one of the hardest and a basis for our Christian faith, and yet so many struggle with it.
Simon has cared for Amelia since she was just a little girl, but is he worthy of her, after her family throws his past in his face, can he ever get his pride back?
I loved how strong a young woman Amelia is, and she sure has a lot of spunk, and adores her family, but she puts them in their place.
A wonderful Amish read, that will linger, and quickly become a page-turner.
I received this book through the Publisher Avon Inspired, and was not required to give a positive review
January 14, 2019
For the most part the story itself was fine. Simon has been in love with Amelia for as long as he could remember. However her siblings are hesitant to accept him as a potential suitor. He had a wild past which included time spent in prison. Amelia has always loved him too and is annoyed at her siblings interference. Simon also has to deal with an abusive childhood and reuniting with his own siblings.
I enjoyed the aspect of family relationships but the Amish setting felt fake. It lacked authenticity. Either they were from a fairly modern and non-traditional group or the author didn't know what she was writing about. It made me frustrated and wished she had come up with different setting. There was a lot of reference to happening in the previous books which I haven't read but I doubt if this book rates high enough for me to read it's prequels.
I enjoyed the aspect of family relationships but the Amish setting felt fake. It lacked authenticity. Either they were from a fairly modern and non-traditional group or the author didn't know what she was writing about. It made me frustrated and wished she had come up with different setting. There was a lot of reference to happening in the previous books which I haven't read but I doubt if this book rates high enough for me to read it's prequels.
October 9, 2016
This series just keeps getting better and better! I just love being kept on the edge of my seat waiting to see what would happen next!
God really is an awesome God! He has the power to change us if we want to be changed. Simon is living proof of that!
Judge not lest ye be judged. Lukas was definitely guilty of that one! He shows us that we are definitely human at times!
I really don't want this series to end!
This book is set apart because it has one of my favorite stories; The Prodigal Son..
I love how God times things just right
Shelly has written another wonderful story.
Maybe when the time is right for me; I will find my real family.
God really is an awesome God! He has the power to change us if we want to be changed. Simon is living proof of that!
Judge not lest ye be judged. Lukas was definitely guilty of that one! He shows us that we are definitely human at times!
I really don't want this series to end!
This book is set apart because it has one of my favorite stories; The Prodigal Son..
I love how God times things just right
Shelly has written another wonderful story.
Maybe when the time is right for me; I will find my real family.
August 9, 2016
I thought this book was beautifully written and beautifully done. I liked the idea of an Amish man coming back to his community with tattoos and how that might effect them.
I feel like the idea of Christians turning a blind eye to people in pain because they don't want to "butt in" is an all too familiar occurrence now a days. I liked that an author confronted that.
My only complaint was that I thought it ended very abruptly. There was not enough closure for me.
Thank you to the publisher and Edelweiss for an e-ARC for a honest review.
I feel like the idea of Christians turning a blind eye to people in pain because they don't want to "butt in" is an all too familiar occurrence now a days. I liked that an author confronted that.
My only complaint was that I thought it ended very abruptly. There was not enough closure for me.
Thank you to the publisher and Edelweiss for an e-ARC for a honest review.
September 27, 2016
Looking at the reviews for the other two books in this series, everyone thinks this author is amazingly talented. I only have this book to go by but I've got to say I wholeheartedly agree!
A Sister's Wish is just packed with emotions of all sorts. There is a sweetness for how much Simon cares for Amelia and how much she believes in him. The heartbreak when it looks like they can't be together and the pain when he finds out what his friend thinks of him. And the tentative hope when things start looking up for Simon, both romantically and with his estranged family & friends.
He's had such a horrible time of it, but he's a strong, good man and he's working to turn that around. Unfortunately little communities have big memories, so it isn't always that easy. It hurts so to see him have to deal with small minds, but there's more to his story than just his love for Amelia. Just when things look bleak for him, fate hands him a chance encounter with the sister he hasn't seen in years and the opportunity to try to forge a new relationship together. It's a lot of ups and downs as he deals with the disappointment from his friend's judgement and the pain of giving up his pursuit of Amelia, but if he can figure out who to make everything work it will definitely be worth it in the end. He just has to trust in himself. And let Amelia in so she can love & support him the way he needs.
I love Amelia. She might have let herself give a lot of herself to her family, but she's got a lot of spirit and when she gets herself worked up she's amazing. She's got spunk and she turns that on her siblings & Simon when they need it :) While a lot of the story focuses on Simon and him coming to terms with his past, there's a good bit about Amelia figuring out that it is time for her to start living her life on her terms.
While there is a little bit mentioned about how everyone knew about the abuse Simon and his siblings experienced but no action was taken, I kinda wish that more had been said about it. There is some set up for the next book(s) so I'm hoping that this will be addressed at a future point. And for that to be my only complaint, I think that's pretty darn impressive!
Shelley Shepard Gray delivers an emotion-packed story, at times both heartwarming and heartbreaking. There's a lot going on here, but she handles it with amazing skill and style, leaving readers with a lot to think about.
(This is part of a series but can definitely stand on its own.)
A Sister's Wish is just packed with emotions of all sorts. There is a sweetness for how much Simon cares for Amelia and how much she believes in him. The heartbreak when it looks like they can't be together and the pain when he finds out what his friend thinks of him. And the tentative hope when things start looking up for Simon, both romantically and with his estranged family & friends.
He's had such a horrible time of it, but he's a strong, good man and he's working to turn that around. Unfortunately little communities have big memories, so it isn't always that easy. It hurts so to see him have to deal with small minds, but there's more to his story than just his love for Amelia. Just when things look bleak for him, fate hands him a chance encounter with the sister he hasn't seen in years and the opportunity to try to forge a new relationship together. It's a lot of ups and downs as he deals with the disappointment from his friend's judgement and the pain of giving up his pursuit of Amelia, but if he can figure out who to make everything work it will definitely be worth it in the end. He just has to trust in himself. And let Amelia in so she can love & support him the way he needs.
I love Amelia. She might have let herself give a lot of herself to her family, but she's got a lot of spirit and when she gets herself worked up she's amazing. She's got spunk and she turns that on her siblings & Simon when they need it :) While a lot of the story focuses on Simon and him coming to terms with his past, there's a good bit about Amelia figuring out that it is time for her to start living her life on her terms.
While there is a little bit mentioned about how everyone knew about the abuse Simon and his siblings experienced but no action was taken, I kinda wish that more had been said about it. There is some set up for the next book(s) so I'm hoping that this will be addressed at a future point. And for that to be my only complaint, I think that's pretty darn impressive!
Shelley Shepard Gray delivers an emotion-packed story, at times both heartwarming and heartbreaking. There's a lot going on here, but she handles it with amazing skill and style, leaving readers with a lot to think about.
(This is part of a series but can definitely stand on its own.)
October 4, 2016
A Story of Redemption and Forgiveness
The third book in The Charmed Amish Life Series, A Sister's Wish, takes us once again to Charm, Ohio, and the Kinsinger family. This story focuses on Amelia, the youngest Kinsinger sibling.
For years, since she was a child, Amelia has had a strong affection for Simon Hochstetter. Simon was several years older than her and her brother's best friend, but that didn't matter, Amelia still had a crush on him. Little did she know that Simon shared that same affection for her, but had such a troubled life, that when he became old enough he left his home and Amish community just like his brother and sister had done to find a safe place for himself. Amelia thought she would never see him again, and then one day he returned to Charm and joined their church and Amish community again. He however came back with the same baggage he left with and much more. He still cared for Amelia and began seeing her secretly behind her family's back, because he and Amelia both knew her family would not approve even though they were friends with him.
Then one day an accident happened to Amelia that began to change the course of Simon and Amelia's relationship. Simon felt so unworthy to have Amelia, and Amelia' s family felt the same. They loved him as a friend, but couldn't get past his awful past to see the person that he had become and could be for their sister. Not only was Simon living with poor decisions he had made in his past, he was also dealing with hurts and emotional wounds that cut far deeper than any wound his father had ever inflicted on him.
Then one day, things began to change for him, but first he had to forgive himself. And make peace with the hurt and anger that had kept him bound for years. As that happened, many wonderful things began to happen to help begin the heLing process in his life.
Can Amelia and her family see passed Simon's past in order for them to find true hPpiness and to shared this love they have had for each other for so long?
This story of hope, healing, redemption and forgiveness is one you won't want to put down. I found myself caught up in the lives of these characters rejoicing in their good times, laughing at the suitors that come trying to court Amelia, and reminded that while none of us are perfect, God can take our imperfections and horrible past and turn us into something great.
The third book in The Charmed Amish Life Series, A Sister's Wish, takes us once again to Charm, Ohio, and the Kinsinger family. This story focuses on Amelia, the youngest Kinsinger sibling.
For years, since she was a child, Amelia has had a strong affection for Simon Hochstetter. Simon was several years older than her and her brother's best friend, but that didn't matter, Amelia still had a crush on him. Little did she know that Simon shared that same affection for her, but had such a troubled life, that when he became old enough he left his home and Amish community just like his brother and sister had done to find a safe place for himself. Amelia thought she would never see him again, and then one day he returned to Charm and joined their church and Amish community again. He however came back with the same baggage he left with and much more. He still cared for Amelia and began seeing her secretly behind her family's back, because he and Amelia both knew her family would not approve even though they were friends with him.
Then one day an accident happened to Amelia that began to change the course of Simon and Amelia's relationship. Simon felt so unworthy to have Amelia, and Amelia' s family felt the same. They loved him as a friend, but couldn't get past his awful past to see the person that he had become and could be for their sister. Not only was Simon living with poor decisions he had made in his past, he was also dealing with hurts and emotional wounds that cut far deeper than any wound his father had ever inflicted on him.
Then one day, things began to change for him, but first he had to forgive himself. And make peace with the hurt and anger that had kept him bound for years. As that happened, many wonderful things began to happen to help begin the heLing process in his life.
Can Amelia and her family see passed Simon's past in order for them to find true hPpiness and to shared this love they have had for each other for so long?
This story of hope, healing, redemption and forgiveness is one you won't want to put down. I found myself caught up in the lives of these characters rejoicing in their good times, laughing at the suitors that come trying to court Amelia, and reminded that while none of us are perfect, God can take our imperfections and horrible past and turn us into something great.
October 27, 2016
I have enjoyed each book in The Charmed Amish Life series, however, A Sister’s Wish was definitely my favorite! I enjoyed coming back to this community and this family. Characters from previous books are involved in each of these stores. I do believe a reader could pick up any book and follow along just fine even if an earlier book had not been read, but the reader will get the full picture of this family by moving through all four books. A Sister’s Wish is book three.
What I absolutely loved about this book was getting to know more about Simon. What an extremely interesting character! Wow! This guy was from a horrible background and the feelings he carried with him and the bad decisions he made, at times, made it hard for him to step away from the guilt of that past. But what heart he had! And he sure did turn his life around. He was definitely my favorite character from this entire series. And, oh my goodness, the scenes between Lukas and Simon, as they dealt with Simon’s past made my heart hurt for Simon. Such great emotion!
I also really liked Amelia and seeing her flourish in this book. She had serious decisions to make and really came into her own through all that happened in this story. I loved this book from start to finish!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
You can read this review on my blog and enter to win a book pack (through 11/4/16):
https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.c...
What I absolutely loved about this book was getting to know more about Simon. What an extremely interesting character! Wow! This guy was from a horrible background and the feelings he carried with him and the bad decisions he made, at times, made it hard for him to step away from the guilt of that past. But what heart he had! And he sure did turn his life around. He was definitely my favorite character from this entire series. And, oh my goodness, the scenes between Lukas and Simon, as they dealt with Simon’s past made my heart hurt for Simon. Such great emotion!
I also really liked Amelia and seeing her flourish in this book. She had serious decisions to make and really came into her own through all that happened in this story. I loved this book from start to finish!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
You can read this review on my blog and enter to win a book pack (through 11/4/16):
https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.c...
November 3, 2016
Reviewed at The Power of Words: http://bit.ly/2ej73Po
I don’t know how she does it, but Shelley Shepard Gray has a way with creating characters who are realistically human, appealing, and feel like people you would meet in your own town. The whole Charmed Amish Life series has done just that with the Kinsinger family, with each book building upon the previous one. And I’ve loved how the extended family appears throughout, letting us experience their growth and happiness.
In this series, we see how one family handles loss and grief from the accidental death of their father. A Sister’s Wish features Simon, who will go down as one of my very favorite leading men – tender, caring, compassionate. Simon is such a reflection of the human condition – scarred from his past, guilt ridden from bad decisions and sinful actions – yet redeemed and restored in Christ. The meek and mild Amelia, who had taken on the role of housekeeper so her other siblings could work at Kinsinger Lumber, shows a surprisingly strong and feisty nature that I loved.
I loved everything about A Sister’s Wish, from the sweet chemistry between Simon and Amelia, to how his past affected present relationships. This is a story of family, friendships, and love. Highly recommended to all who enjoy Amish fiction.
I was provided a free copy of this book through Litfuse Publicity. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
I don’t know how she does it, but Shelley Shepard Gray has a way with creating characters who are realistically human, appealing, and feel like people you would meet in your own town. The whole Charmed Amish Life series has done just that with the Kinsinger family, with each book building upon the previous one. And I’ve loved how the extended family appears throughout, letting us experience their growth and happiness.
In this series, we see how one family handles loss and grief from the accidental death of their father. A Sister’s Wish features Simon, who will go down as one of my very favorite leading men – tender, caring, compassionate. Simon is such a reflection of the human condition – scarred from his past, guilt ridden from bad decisions and sinful actions – yet redeemed and restored in Christ. The meek and mild Amelia, who had taken on the role of housekeeper so her other siblings could work at Kinsinger Lumber, shows a surprisingly strong and feisty nature that I loved.
I loved everything about A Sister’s Wish, from the sweet chemistry between Simon and Amelia, to how his past affected present relationships. This is a story of family, friendships, and love. Highly recommended to all who enjoy Amish fiction.
I was provided a free copy of this book through Litfuse Publicity. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
September 9, 2016
A Sister’s Wish ( The Charmed Amish Life - #3 )
By: Shelley Shepard Gray
A Sister’s Wish is the third book in The Charmed Amish Life series. I have really loved this series. Gray has penned a really good page turner. I could not read fast enough to see what was going to happen next ,and it kept me reading way in the night . The author drew me in right at the start and did not let go till the end and then I wanted more. There was times I felt tears in my eyes and a few times I laughed. This is Amelia and Simon’s heartwarming story. Amelia is a very sweet girl and everyone loves her, but no ones wants her hurt. She has loved Simon ever since she can remember. Simon had an abusive home life and at fifteen he leaves home and goes into the big world. Does a lot of worldly things and gets with the wrong crowd and goes to prison. Does Prison change him? He returns back to Charm to his home town to start over. God forgives him , but some people can’t forget the things he did in his past. He feels like he is still not good enough for Amelia. How does Amelia and her family feel about Simon? Will there ever be a way for Simon and Amelia? All Amelia wants is Simon. Will she want him if she knows about his past?
I was given a copy of this book by the author and Endless by Harper Collins for my honest review.
By: Shelley Shepard Gray
A Sister’s Wish is the third book in The Charmed Amish Life series. I have really loved this series. Gray has penned a really good page turner. I could not read fast enough to see what was going to happen next ,and it kept me reading way in the night . The author drew me in right at the start and did not let go till the end and then I wanted more. There was times I felt tears in my eyes and a few times I laughed. This is Amelia and Simon’s heartwarming story. Amelia is a very sweet girl and everyone loves her, but no ones wants her hurt. She has loved Simon ever since she can remember. Simon had an abusive home life and at fifteen he leaves home and goes into the big world. Does a lot of worldly things and gets with the wrong crowd and goes to prison. Does Prison change him? He returns back to Charm to his home town to start over. God forgives him , but some people can’t forget the things he did in his past. He feels like he is still not good enough for Amelia. How does Amelia and her family feel about Simon? Will there ever be a way for Simon and Amelia? All Amelia wants is Simon. Will she want him if she knows about his past?
I was given a copy of this book by the author and Endless by Harper Collins for my honest review.
February 4, 2017
Rating 4.5
I thoroughly enjoyed this clean romance set in Pennsylvania Dutch Amish country. I enjoyed the characters, especially Simon. His is a story of redemption through faith. I could feel his raw emotion over his troubled years of drugs, alcohol and using the pain from inking his skin to disguise his internal anguish. I rarely read this sub-genre, but this is an excellent example of this romance genre. I highly recommend this moving story. Happy reading!
I thoroughly enjoyed this clean romance set in Pennsylvania Dutch Amish country. I enjoyed the characters, especially Simon. His is a story of redemption through faith. I could feel his raw emotion over his troubled years of drugs, alcohol and using the pain from inking his skin to disguise his internal anguish. I rarely read this sub-genre, but this is an excellent example of this romance genre. I highly recommend this moving story. Happy reading!
October 5, 2016
What a lovely way to start the day. This is a beautiful story of family making mistakes, enduring hardships, learning from them and growing stronger together. I will be sharing this with my granddaughters.
I can't wait for the next one.
I can't wait for the next one.
September 30, 2016
I have loved this series and this one has been my favorite so far. Can't to read the fourth one.
October 4, 2016
A story that takes you to another side of the Amish. I won it in a contest and it was a good read. I look forward to reading more in the series.
February 4, 2017
This didn't seem very Amish to me.
September 22, 2019
While experiencing the English world is an accepted part of Amish life for young people in rumspringa, for many years Simon took it to the next level. Running away from abusive parents when he was 15, he got involved with a bad crowd, and ended up in prison for stealing. After his jail sentence, he returned to his Amish faith, confessed, and joined the church. But even though he was forgiven, Lucas, his best friend, did not think him suitable for Amelia, Lucas’s sister. This story focuses on forgiveness and redemption, on losing sight of what is important and then finding it again, of judging others and trying to control what people do, and finally, of just trusting that God is the one in control. The author does a very fine job of showing discourse in these flawed characters and the reasons behind their problematic lives, and then resolving their difficulties. Most certainly, this is an interesting and well written tale.
May 16, 2019
I love the Charmed Amish series but this one just dragged, thing that shouldn't have mattered were blown way out of per-potion. this was just to much snipping and snapping at each other in this book, I mean i still enjoyed it but mostly because it goes with the series as a stand alone book i might have given it a lower rating.
October 10, 2016
Shelley Shepard Gray takes us for a third visit to Charm, Ohio, in A Sister's Wish. Once again, she has provided a delightful story filled with "charming" characters.
The Kinsinger family have been in the forefront in this Charmed Amish Life series, and they are characters so well portrayed that you care for them as close friends. Amelia's story is not all pleasant and easy; she has faced some struggles while attempting to take care of her family and putting many of her own desires away. Simon has a past with lots of baggage, some of which he still carries around. Shelley presents their story beautifully as one of forgiveness, reconciliation and dealing with the hard stuff of life.
Fans of great Amish fiction should enjoy A Sister's Wish, as well as the first two books in the series. Thanks to Shelley and her publisher for providing a copy of this book. I was delighted to write an honest review.
The Kinsinger family have been in the forefront in this Charmed Amish Life series, and they are characters so well portrayed that you care for them as close friends. Amelia's story is not all pleasant and easy; she has faced some struggles while attempting to take care of her family and putting many of her own desires away. Simon has a past with lots of baggage, some of which he still carries around. Shelley presents their story beautifully as one of forgiveness, reconciliation and dealing with the hard stuff of life.
Fans of great Amish fiction should enjoy A Sister's Wish, as well as the first two books in the series. Thanks to Shelley and her publisher for providing a copy of this book. I was delighted to write an honest review.
October 5, 2016
It is always a pleasure whenever a long-overdue visit with family and friends happens and it suddenly feels as if no time has passed since your last visit. This is just the case whenever you immerse yourself into the lives of the residents of Charm, Ohio, a small mix of Amish and English alike through Shelley Shepard Gray's eyes and imagination. In the third book of this series, The Charmed Amish Life, A Sister's Wish combines the coming of age story between Amelia Kinsinger and Simon Hochstetler. They have always shared more than a passing feeling between them that began as children, when Amelia had the uncanny ability to see more to Simon than anyone else.
Being a child in an abusive home, Simon watched as both his older brother and sister both left home for something more than being on the receiving end of their parents anger. Even in Amish communities, abuse happens and sometimes nothing is done because no one wants to get involved. So it came as no surprise after the final beating that Simon had enough and followed in his siblings footsteps and left Charm. Only unlike his siblings, Simon came back and repented of his worldly ways with used violence as an outlet to enable him to make money at fighting. But he is done with all of that lifestyle and now only wants to do whatever he can to make Amelia his wife and begin a family with her.
However Amelia feels about Simon, her older siblings believe it's in her best interest to find a more suitable husband in someone else. They will do whatever they have to, to ensure that Simon moves on and leaves Amelia for someone more suited to her innocent way of life. She doesn't need Simon's blackened past to rear its ugly head in their family. Amelia has had enough and at 22, now feels the need to stand up to her well-meaning family and put her own happiness first, instead of running the family household. But when an accident leaves her in need of someone to care for her, who will step up and take the responsibility.
I received A Sister's Wish by Shelley Shepard Gray compliments of Avon Inspired Publishers and Litfuse Publicity. I absolutely love the intimacy that comes from the characters that Shelley introduces us to in her series and soon you find yourself feeling a part of the novel and their family. I think we have all had a well-meaning family member tell us what they feel is best for us in our own lives and Lukas fills that role for this novel. He has the best intentions but fails to realize that he hasn't considered Amelia's feelings in the process of his decisions. I love how Simon is willing to do whatever Amelia asks despite how much pain it causes him to tell her about his sorted and painful past in order to establish a solid foundation to build their relationship on. Readers will get a sneak peek at the final book in the series, An Amish Family Christmas coming in October of 2016. For me, this one rates a 4.5 out of 5 stars in this reviewer's opinion.
Being a child in an abusive home, Simon watched as both his older brother and sister both left home for something more than being on the receiving end of their parents anger. Even in Amish communities, abuse happens and sometimes nothing is done because no one wants to get involved. So it came as no surprise after the final beating that Simon had enough and followed in his siblings footsteps and left Charm. Only unlike his siblings, Simon came back and repented of his worldly ways with used violence as an outlet to enable him to make money at fighting. But he is done with all of that lifestyle and now only wants to do whatever he can to make Amelia his wife and begin a family with her.
However Amelia feels about Simon, her older siblings believe it's in her best interest to find a more suitable husband in someone else. They will do whatever they have to, to ensure that Simon moves on and leaves Amelia for someone more suited to her innocent way of life. She doesn't need Simon's blackened past to rear its ugly head in their family. Amelia has had enough and at 22, now feels the need to stand up to her well-meaning family and put her own happiness first, instead of running the family household. But when an accident leaves her in need of someone to care for her, who will step up and take the responsibility.
I received A Sister's Wish by Shelley Shepard Gray compliments of Avon Inspired Publishers and Litfuse Publicity. I absolutely love the intimacy that comes from the characters that Shelley introduces us to in her series and soon you find yourself feeling a part of the novel and their family. I think we have all had a well-meaning family member tell us what they feel is best for us in our own lives and Lukas fills that role for this novel. He has the best intentions but fails to realize that he hasn't considered Amelia's feelings in the process of his decisions. I love how Simon is willing to do whatever Amelia asks despite how much pain it causes him to tell her about his sorted and painful past in order to establish a solid foundation to build their relationship on. Readers will get a sneak peek at the final book in the series, An Amish Family Christmas coming in October of 2016. For me, this one rates a 4.5 out of 5 stars in this reviewer's opinion.
August 20, 2025
August 19, 2025
I finally found this book so that I can continue the series. I didn't like the previous two books and you can tell by my rating that I didn't like this one very much, either.
My main gripes
The narrative states numerous times that Simon and Lukas are "best friends," yet they act nothing like it. The two men barely spend any time together other than when they're disagreeing. They have no inside jokes, no shared memories that are shown to us, no time when one is in trouble and needs to go to the other for help and support. This isn't just breaking the "show don't tell" rule. It's dragging it outside by the hair, running it over with a car a dozen times, and tossing it into the bottom of the lake. It is telling me one thing while actively showing me something completely different. Lukas treats Simon like garbage because Lukas doesn't want Simon to taint Lukas's sister Amelia with his bad past, even though Simon has been baptized into the church and forgiven for his sins. (Not only has he been forgiven, but he actively repented his sins. He put in the work to show that he deserves the forgiveness.) There were multiple times throughout the book where I wanted to put Lukas's head in the ground, and for the life of me I couldn't figure out why Simon still gave him the time of day, never mind consider the man his "best friend."
Tess's conversation with Bishop Atle was utterly insane...
ARE YOU SERIOUS?! This bishop, a man of Christ, didn't ONCE try to talk to the abusive parents? He didn't ask the kids how they were feeling or if they needed a safe place to go? Simon, a man who went to prison for drugs, street fights, and carjacking, showed more compassion to a complete stranger who had been beaten—meanwhile, Bishop Atle sat on his high horse and didn't lift a finger to help abused kids in his own district. (Yes, I am aware that he was a preacher back then, not a bishop. But that still doesn't change anything.) Not only that, but he doesn't even apologize for standing by and doing nothing. Absolutely nobody should still be living in this Amish district under this bishop.
Other things
This book has "as you know" writing GALORE. It's actually infuriating how many times a character says, "You know that..." Sometimes even in the same conversation!
I've never heard of "recalcitrant" (having an uncooperative attitude toward authority or discipline) before, so that was a new word added to my vocabulary, I suppose.
When Amelia was in the hospital, Rebecca and Darla had the TV on and were talking about birthstone jewelry. It just struck me as very, very odd because talking about jewelry and birthstones didn't seem very like the Amish.
Tess is described as inserting directions into the GPS icon on her phone. You don't put directions into the icon; you put them into the app. This is basic stuff here.
Why would Tess say that she wants things to go back to "how they used to be" if she and her siblings didn't stick together and were being abused? In what world does that sentence in that context make any sense whatsoever?
When Jeremy, the third Hochstetler sibling, shows up out of the blue at the Kinsinger lumber mill, he and Tess and Simon head off for a reunion... that we readers aren't shown. We don't get to hear any of his story, what happened to him after he ran away, how he ended up turning his life around. That didn't make sense to me.
Who in the world has ever described herself as "deliciously tired"??
I finally found this book so that I can continue the series. I didn't like the previous two books and you can tell by my rating that I didn't like this one very much, either.
My main gripes
The narrative states numerous times that Simon and Lukas are "best friends," yet they act nothing like it. The two men barely spend any time together other than when they're disagreeing. They have no inside jokes, no shared memories that are shown to us, no time when one is in trouble and needs to go to the other for help and support. This isn't just breaking the "show don't tell" rule. It's dragging it outside by the hair, running it over with a car a dozen times, and tossing it into the bottom of the lake. It is telling me one thing while actively showing me something completely different. Lukas treats Simon like garbage because Lukas doesn't want Simon to taint Lukas's sister Amelia with his bad past, even though Simon has been baptized into the church and forgiven for his sins. (Not only has he been forgiven, but he actively repented his sins. He put in the work to show that he deserves the forgiveness.) There were multiple times throughout the book where I wanted to put Lukas's head in the ground, and for the life of me I couldn't figure out why Simon still gave him the time of day, never mind consider the man his "best friend."
Tired of going round and round, Simon got to the heart of the matter. “You know that I would never hurt her. You know my intentions are honorable. Honestly, Lukas, what is the problem?”I wanted to throw Lukas off a cliff in this scene. How can he say such horrible things to his alleged best friend? If Simon doesn't want to talk about his painful experiences, then that's his right, and Lukas should leave it be. His brother Levi is also extremely aggravating. Come to think of it, the entire Kinsinger family is annoying. I strongly dislike each and every one of them.
“The problem is that Amelia doesn’t know everything about you. She doesn’t know what you did.”
Unease made his teeth clench. “What I did?”
“During your rumspringa, Simon.” Lukas closed his eyes, then pulled off his hat, slapped it on the picnic table, and ran a hand through his hair. “You’re my best friend. I know you’re a good man. One of the best.”
Simon shifted uneasily. “But?”
“But you are not the right person for my sweet and innocent sister.”
“I was baptized. I joined the church. Everything that you’re referring to is behind me now. You know that.”
“How can it ever be? You have marks to prove what you did. Those can never be erased.”
“Those marks are tattoos, Lukas. Simple tattoos. Not marks of the devil.”
“She will be shocked when she sees them.”
“I think Amelia will be surprised, not shocked. And even if she is, she’ll get used to them.”
Lukas slapped his hat back on his head. “We both know I’m not talking just about a couple of tattoos.” He stared at him meaningfully.
Which, of course, drove Simon crazy. “Why don’t you just say it?” he taunted.
“You got those tattoos in prison. In prison, Simon.”
Even after all this time, the reminder hurt as badly as his father’s cane used to. “Not all of them. Only the first.”
Lukas ground his teeth. “Are you truly going to brush off your time in prison, too?”
Tess's conversation with Bishop Atle was utterly insane...
“I can visit with his parents.” He shrugged. “I have friends in the English community. I could ask a pastor to pay him a call.”This is how the bishop justifies doing absolutely nothing to prevent child abuse in his district: "We knew what was going on, but no one wanted to interfere. Things were different then."
“Like people visited with me and my parents?” Though she heard the tension and strain—and yes, hurt—in her voice, she continued. “Why did no one ever do anything to help us? Jeremy, Simon, and I were always hungry and bruised. We went to school that way.” Remembering how ashamed she’d felt, she blurted, “We even went to church that way.”
Bishop Atle looked back down at his clasped hands. “No one wanted to interfere.”
“Even after Jeremy left? Even after I left? You had to have known there was a reason for us leaving.”
He nodded slowly. “We knew. But times were different then.”
“Not that different. Jeremy and I left and Simon had to bear the brunt of it all.” Though it was her fault he’d been alone, she couldn’t help but stare at the bishop. “Why didn’t anyone reach out to Simon?”
“You know it weren’t that easy.” [This "it weren't" is lifted straight from the text. Grammar is hard, but it isn't THAT hard!]
“Why not? Was it really because people respected my parents or treasured our rules and traditions more than the well-being of three children?” She lowered her voice, letting the bitterness shine through. “Or was it easier to pretend it wasn’t happening?”
“I canna answer that.”
ARE YOU SERIOUS?! This bishop, a man of Christ, didn't ONCE try to talk to the abusive parents? He didn't ask the kids how they were feeling or if they needed a safe place to go? Simon, a man who went to prison for drugs, street fights, and carjacking, showed more compassion to a complete stranger who had been beaten—meanwhile, Bishop Atle sat on his high horse and didn't lift a finger to help abused kids in his own district. (Yes, I am aware that he was a preacher back then, not a bishop. But that still doesn't change anything.) Not only that, but he doesn't even apologize for standing by and doing nothing. Absolutely nobody should still be living in this Amish district under this bishop.
Other things
This book has "as you know" writing GALORE. It's actually infuriating how many times a character says, "You know that..." Sometimes even in the same conversation!
I've never heard of "recalcitrant" (having an uncooperative attitude toward authority or discipline) before, so that was a new word added to my vocabulary, I suppose.
When Amelia was in the hospital, Rebecca and Darla had the TV on and were talking about birthstone jewelry. It just struck me as very, very odd because talking about jewelry and birthstones didn't seem very like the Amish.
Tess is described as inserting directions into the GPS icon on her phone. You don't put directions into the icon; you put them into the app. This is basic stuff here.
Why would Tess say that she wants things to go back to "how they used to be" if she and her siblings didn't stick together and were being abused? In what world does that sentence in that context make any sense whatsoever?
When Jeremy, the third Hochstetler sibling, shows up out of the blue at the Kinsinger lumber mill, he and Tess and Simon head off for a reunion... that we readers aren't shown. We don't get to hear any of his story, what happened to him after he ran away, how he ended up turning his life around. That didn't make sense to me.
Who in the world has ever described herself as "deliciously tired"??
October 5, 2016
A Sister’s Wish is the third installment in the Charmed Amish Life series by Shelley Shepard Gray. This is the story of the youngest Kinsinger sibling, Amelia, and the longtime friend of Lucas, Simon Hochstetler.
Amelia has been taking care of the home while her siblings work. Two of them have married, and Levi, their other brother, has moved away for a time after the death of their father. Amelia’s siblings are having a hard time seeing their little sister as an adult, and she feels somewhat stifled by them. She’s also secretly in love with Simon, and has been for years.
Simon isn’t your typical Amishman. In fact, he’s very far from it, and he harbors secrets of his own. After leaving his abusive home at age fifteen, his life spiraled out of control and he found himself in prison. He has repented and is working for Lucas, even though Lucas would be furious if he knew that Simon had feelings for his baby sister. It seems that his past will continue to haunt him.
Once Amelia and Simon realize that they have feelings for each other and start seeing each other in secret, it’s only a matter of time until their secrets start to come out. An injury brings things into the open, and Amelia’s siblings believe that they know what is best for her…and it’s not Simon. Simon begins to think that he is unworthy of Amelia’s love as well. Can Simon put his past behind him? Will Amelia’s siblings cease their hovering? Would they ever be able to fully love each other, or would they have to go their separate ways?
I completely enjoyed this story. The message of redemption—that you don’t have to be chained by your past mistakes—is such a good reminder. For those that have made mistakes, we can have forgiveness and be restored. For those that are restored, we should not judge others by their pasts. Once again, the characters are so believable, I almost feel as if I know them. I would recommend this book to anyone who needs a story of hope.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Amelia has been taking care of the home while her siblings work. Two of them have married, and Levi, their other brother, has moved away for a time after the death of their father. Amelia’s siblings are having a hard time seeing their little sister as an adult, and she feels somewhat stifled by them. She’s also secretly in love with Simon, and has been for years.
Simon isn’t your typical Amishman. In fact, he’s very far from it, and he harbors secrets of his own. After leaving his abusive home at age fifteen, his life spiraled out of control and he found himself in prison. He has repented and is working for Lucas, even though Lucas would be furious if he knew that Simon had feelings for his baby sister. It seems that his past will continue to haunt him.
Once Amelia and Simon realize that they have feelings for each other and start seeing each other in secret, it’s only a matter of time until their secrets start to come out. An injury brings things into the open, and Amelia’s siblings believe that they know what is best for her…and it’s not Simon. Simon begins to think that he is unworthy of Amelia’s love as well. Can Simon put his past behind him? Will Amelia’s siblings cease their hovering? Would they ever be able to fully love each other, or would they have to go their separate ways?
I completely enjoyed this story. The message of redemption—that you don’t have to be chained by your past mistakes—is such a good reminder. For those that have made mistakes, we can have forgiveness and be restored. For those that are restored, we should not judge others by their pasts. Once again, the characters are so believable, I almost feel as if I know them. I would recommend this book to anyone who needs a story of hope.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
October 24, 2016
This is the story I've been waiting for since reading A Daughter's Dream...and by the way, I love how Shelley Shepard Gray's books come out so close together - a four book series is published within a year. While each book in the Charmed Amish Life series can be read as a standalone, characters and setting carry on through each story. So to get the full background of characters and families it's best to read the books in order.
Anyway -- the author really tickled my fancy with Amelia and Simon in the previous book. Great set up for A Sister's Wish. I gobbled it up the minute it shot through my mail slot. And it was just as good as I anticipated.
Amelia, and all her siblings, are dealing with the fairly recent death of their father...and each of them handles their grief in a different way. As the youngest, Amelia has to endure the well intentioned smothering of her older siblings. Not fun -- especially when their concern over a potential love interest turns to interference. She has known Simon all her life and has secretly loved him for almost as long.
There's something about a besotted and oh-so-tender hero with a troubled past. Insert contented sigh here. Simon's life went off course for a number of years but he's back, living among the Amish, proving himself indispensable at the Kinsinger Lumber Company. Amelia's older brother counts Simon as a best friend -- but not good enough to be suitor material for his baby sister. A twisty/turny tale ensues where Gray explores the true meaning of forgiveness. It packs an emotional punch that left me breathless.
My thanks to Litfuse Publicity Group and Avon Inspire for providing me with a copy of this book.
Anyway -- the author really tickled my fancy with Amelia and Simon in the previous book. Great set up for A Sister's Wish. I gobbled it up the minute it shot through my mail slot. And it was just as good as I anticipated.
Amelia, and all her siblings, are dealing with the fairly recent death of their father...and each of them handles their grief in a different way. As the youngest, Amelia has to endure the well intentioned smothering of her older siblings. Not fun -- especially when their concern over a potential love interest turns to interference. She has known Simon all her life and has secretly loved him for almost as long.
There's something about a besotted and oh-so-tender hero with a troubled past. Insert contented sigh here. Simon's life went off course for a number of years but he's back, living among the Amish, proving himself indispensable at the Kinsinger Lumber Company. Amelia's older brother counts Simon as a best friend -- but not good enough to be suitor material for his baby sister. A twisty/turny tale ensues where Gray explores the true meaning of forgiveness. It packs an emotional punch that left me breathless.
My thanks to Litfuse Publicity Group and Avon Inspire for providing me with a copy of this book.
September 9, 2016
The third book in The Charmed Amish Life series is primarily about the youngest Kinsinger daughter, Amelia, and Simon Hochstetler. She has had eyes only for him since she was but a young girl and he was a teenager. Unlike Amelia who was reared in a loving home, Simon grew up in a home where he and his older siblings were regularly subjected to physical abuse, so much so that they each ran away from home when they reached the age of fifteen. He was the last to leave but realized after getting in trouble and spending time in prison that he belonged back in his Amish community. Although much is said about the simple life of the Amish, nothing was simple for Simon upon his return. The story reminded me of many churches where people confess their sins and accept Christ as Savior and Lord and He accepts them, but the church people still hold their past against them and won’t leave it alone. Amelia’s brother and sister loved Simon but were not willing to accept that he was the right man for their sister because of his past. They thought he was not good enough for Amelia. Oh, what messes are created when we try to interfere in the life of someone else “for their own good”. I enjoyed the many honest conversations throughout the book as the various characters came to grips with things in the past that could not be changed and found new ways of seeing others. I feel we can all learn lessons from this story of love and reconciliation. I recommend it. I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest review.
October 5, 2016
The third installment of Gray’s Charmed Life series has released, and it’s another hard-hitting page-turner! I love the opposite characters of Amelia and Simon. Amelia is trusting and innocent; Simon is jaded and loving, and somehow the two of them are perfect for each other.
I loved Simon’s story. The crux of his relationship with Amelia is his wild past – is it really in the past, or is it still relevant to Simon today? Should it be allowed to affect his relationship with Amelia? How much of one’s past should one share with a potential suitor? These issues are relevant to many people, not just Amish or those in Simon’s situation, and Amelia’s take on it was refreshing.
Many Amish stories are happy, romantic stories, where the biggest problems involve money or whether or not to stay within the faith community. Gray’s Charmed Life series is quite different, though: it’s much deeper and quite edgy. While I’m sorry that even fictional characters have the abusive background that Simon did, the questions it raises about how we of faith treat those in such situations are important. So, too, are those about how we interact with people who have rough histories.
These questions are important, and that’s why Gray’s books are so fantastic. Not only is the story compelling and the characters friendly, but the book inspires quiet introspection that will evolve into personal growth.
Keep writing, Mrs. Gray.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I loved Simon’s story. The crux of his relationship with Amelia is his wild past – is it really in the past, or is it still relevant to Simon today? Should it be allowed to affect his relationship with Amelia? How much of one’s past should one share with a potential suitor? These issues are relevant to many people, not just Amish or those in Simon’s situation, and Amelia’s take on it was refreshing.
Many Amish stories are happy, romantic stories, where the biggest problems involve money or whether or not to stay within the faith community. Gray’s Charmed Life series is quite different, though: it’s much deeper and quite edgy. While I’m sorry that even fictional characters have the abusive background that Simon did, the questions it raises about how we of faith treat those in such situations are important. So, too, are those about how we interact with people who have rough histories.
These questions are important, and that’s why Gray’s books are so fantastic. Not only is the story compelling and the characters friendly, but the book inspires quiet introspection that will evolve into personal growth.
Keep writing, Mrs. Gray.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
October 30, 2016
A Sister's Wish is the fresh, uncomplicated romance that I needed this weekend! While Shelley Shepard Grey's Amish romances tend to be hit or miss for me, The Charmed Amish Life series has been pretty darn good!
Continuing the Kinsinger family saga, this time with the youngest sister, Amelia and her former childhood crush, Simon Hochstetler, A Sister's Wish is a straight-up, short and sweet love story. It reminds me a little of my very favorite story from Shelley, Autumn's Promise, in which a forbidden love beats the odds. While there are no Englischers in this book, Simon is as close to being a man of the world as it gets for a member of the Amish community. He has a checkered past that he believes Amelia and her family will not be able to overlook. What hooked me on this story was that Amelia never wavered in her adoration of Simon, from a nine-year-old girl crushing on the neighbor boy to Amelia as an adult realizing that love is worth the wait. Is there really a better romance than one that has stood the test of time? I think not.
I can't say enough about the sweetness of this book. That said, it wasn't overdone. Sometimes stories can be so saccharin, my teeth start to hurt. A Sister's Wish is a great book to spend the Saturday with!
*I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.*
Continuing the Kinsinger family saga, this time with the youngest sister, Amelia and her former childhood crush, Simon Hochstetler, A Sister's Wish is a straight-up, short and sweet love story. It reminds me a little of my very favorite story from Shelley, Autumn's Promise, in which a forbidden love beats the odds. While there are no Englischers in this book, Simon is as close to being a man of the world as it gets for a member of the Amish community. He has a checkered past that he believes Amelia and her family will not be able to overlook. What hooked me on this story was that Amelia never wavered in her adoration of Simon, from a nine-year-old girl crushing on the neighbor boy to Amelia as an adult realizing that love is worth the wait. Is there really a better romance than one that has stood the test of time? I think not.
I can't say enough about the sweetness of this book. That said, it wasn't overdone. Sometimes stories can be so saccharin, my teeth start to hurt. A Sister's Wish is a great book to spend the Saturday with!
*I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.*
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