I’ve read several series by Samantha Price — all of her “Ettie Smith Amish Cozy Mystery” series to date, the “Amish Secret Widows’ Society”, the “Amish Foster Girls”, and the “Amish Love Blooms” series. The only one that I consistently rate high is the “Ettie Smith” series. Almost all of the ones I’ve read, I have read on Kindle Unlimited, including “Ettie Smith” and this series.
This one was really predictable. I realize that without exception, the love interests in every Amish romance I’ve ever read (by any author) of which there have been a lot, follow the formula of a) noticing one another, b) having some obstacle to overcome, and c) end up getting married. But from the moment that her uncle tried to set her up with Thomas, I knew that a) she’d run away, b) he’d have to make some changes, c) he would successfully change, and d) they’d end up getting married.
I was also a little bothered by her continuing to dress “English” after she succeeded in running away. I actually don’t think that a young Amish woman in her situation would have even dressed English in the first place. I’m not sure it made a lot of sense for her to choose to go to a city either. I would think she would just go to another Amish community —maybe in another state. I think it should have been made clear from the beginning that she was not baptized either —I do not recall that it was mentioned. That at least would have made it make slightly more sense that she could dress English and get away with it when people in her community saw her.
I felt like with this being a book about the Amish, that Emma should have been shown turning to God more often. I think there was one scene of her praying to God, but I don’t remember any other times. We are told she missed being part of the Amish community, but I didn’t feel that was adequately shown throughout the book.
Also, I thought there was a hint that we might find out why her grandmother was the way she was, but that was never explained. It seems like the grandmother was a very bitter person, and I felt some explanation should have been given, and that Emma should have better closure. Without it, whether happily married or not, she will likely always have some bitterness towards the memory of her grandmother, which also doesn’t sound very Amish.
I’ll continue to read the series, and hope for better in the ones to follow.