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Pleasant Valley #2
Rachel's Garden
An Amish widow must rely on her faith and the kindness of her close-knit community as she mends her broken heart in this compelling novel in the Pleasant Valley series.
It has been almost a year since the Amish community of Pleasant Valley lost Ezra Brand to a tragic accident. Since then, his wife Rachel has struggled to raise their three children and run their dairy farm...
Rachel's friends and family have come forward to help. But all of their constant advice, however well intentioned, puts undue pressure on Rachel. And when Ezra's best friend, Gideon Zook, asks her permission to build the greenhouse that Ezra had always promised her, she finds his presence too painful a reminder of the past.
As spring turns to summer, and Rachel puts her heart into growing the plants that have always brought her joy, can she discover the courage to embrace new beginnings?
It has been almost a year since the Amish community of Pleasant Valley lost Ezra Brand to a tragic accident. Since then, his wife Rachel has struggled to raise their three children and run their dairy farm...
Rachel's friends and family have come forward to help. But all of their constant advice, however well intentioned, puts undue pressure on Rachel. And when Ezra's best friend, Gideon Zook, asks her permission to build the greenhouse that Ezra had always promised her, she finds his presence too painful a reminder of the past.
As spring turns to summer, and Rachel puts her heart into growing the plants that have always brought her joy, can she discover the courage to embrace new beginnings?
320 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published March 1, 2010
70 people are currently reading
716 people want to read
About the author
Marta Perry
201 books769 followersMarta Perry is a Pennsylvania-based author of over 35 novels, many of them inspirational romances. She uses her rural Pennsylvania life and her Pennsylvania Dutch heritage in writing her books, especially in her Pleasant Valley Amish series for Berkley Books and her new Amish-set suspense series for HQN Books.
Marta and her husband live in a centuries-old farmhouse in a quiet central Pennsylvania valley. They have three grown children and six beautiful grandchildren, and when she's not busy writing her next book, she's usually trying to keep up with her gardening, baking for church events, or visiting those beautiful grandkids.
Marta and her husband live in a centuries-old farmhouse in a quiet central Pennsylvania valley. They have three grown children and six beautiful grandchildren, and when she's not busy writing her next book, she's usually trying to keep up with her gardening, baking for church events, or visiting those beautiful grandkids.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
July 21, 2018
So far this series has touched my heart. In book two of the Pleasant Valley series Rachel , who has recently became a widow is struggling to keep her dairy farm and support her three young children. She's so deep in her grief that she can't open her heart to the possibility of going on with her life without Ezra.
Gideon Zook is still in grief over the loss of his late wife and unborn child. He carries a lot of quilt and blames himself for her death. He refuses to forgive himself and won't open his heart to the possibility of a new love in his life. To make matters worse he was Ezra's best friend and was with him when he died. Gideon also blames himself for Ezra's death and wonders why he was spared when his best friend died.
Can these two hurting people ever let their hearts heal and move on with their lives? Can Gideon forgive himself and find happiness in his life again? If you like Amish Fiction or Christian Fiction you will enjoy the Pleasant Valley series by Marta Perry. This series so far has had the ability to completely draw me into the story. I highly recommend it if you haven't read it already.
Gideon Zook is still in grief over the loss of his late wife and unborn child. He carries a lot of quilt and blames himself for her death. He refuses to forgive himself and won't open his heart to the possibility of a new love in his life. To make matters worse he was Ezra's best friend and was with him when he died. Gideon also blames himself for Ezra's death and wonders why he was spared when his best friend died.
Can these two hurting people ever let their hearts heal and move on with their lives? Can Gideon forgive himself and find happiness in his life again? If you like Amish Fiction or Christian Fiction you will enjoy the Pleasant Valley series by Marta Perry. This series so far has had the ability to completely draw me into the story. I highly recommend it if you haven't read it already.
March 20, 2014
This is the 2nd "series" of Amish books I've read (the other being Beth Wiseman's Daughters of the Promise) and I find them very refreshing and heartwarming. Sure they are predictable, you know the main characters will finally admit their love for each other and live happily ever after, but how they get there is what makes the stories so heartwarming. In this story, Rachel's husband died in a horrible accident which his best friend survived. Rachel is determined to save the family farm for her children although she is pressured to sell it and move in with her parents. Both Rachel and her husband's former best friend both have grief to overcome but find they have far more in common than just their grief.
December 17, 2013
I love reading books about the Amish. Don't know how true to life they are but if it's somewhat close I'm happy. Second book in the series of six.
April 20, 2010
Title: RACHEL’S GARDEN
Author: Marta Perry
Publisher: Berkley Books
April 2010
ISBN: 978-0-425-23236-1
Genre: Inspirational/Amish romance
Rachel Brand is struggling to survive after the tragic death of her husband, Ezra. Now, Rachel and her three children are forced to make decisions they don’t want to make. Should they sell Ezra’s farm and move home with Rachel’s parents? Or should she try to keep Ezra’s dreams alive?
Rachel’s friends and family come forward to help. Ezra’s brothers are maintaining his milk cow herd, and Ezra’s best friend, Gideon Zook asks Rachel’s permission to build the greenhouse that Ezra promised Rachel. But Gideon was involved in the same accident that claimed Ezra’s life, and his presence is a reminder of all Rachel has lost.
But without the income from the plants Rachel sells to the community, she may be forced to sell the farm and have no means of supporting her family. Or, would it be wiser to take her greenhouse and let Ezra’s brother buy the farm? Can Rachel find the courage to make her own choices?
RACHEL’S GARDEN is the second book in Ms. Perry’s Pleasant Valley series, but it easily stands alone. Readers might find it helpful though to understand a bit about Rachel’s brother, Johnny, and her friend, Leah, both of whom are in the first book.
I enjoyed getting to know a bit more about the characters featured in the first book, Leah’s Choice, and especially getting to know Rachel, Gideon, and Ezra’s sweetheart younger brother, William. I hope that sometime in the future, Ms. Perry will have William as a hero in a book.
A glossary of Amish terms, a preview of Ms. Perry’s third book in the series Anna’s Return, coming in June 2010 are included at the end of the book. Don’t miss RACHEL’S GARDEN if you are looking for a good Amish book to read. $14.00. 329 pages.
Author: Marta Perry
Publisher: Berkley Books
April 2010
ISBN: 978-0-425-23236-1
Genre: Inspirational/Amish romance
Rachel Brand is struggling to survive after the tragic death of her husband, Ezra. Now, Rachel and her three children are forced to make decisions they don’t want to make. Should they sell Ezra’s farm and move home with Rachel’s parents? Or should she try to keep Ezra’s dreams alive?
Rachel’s friends and family come forward to help. Ezra’s brothers are maintaining his milk cow herd, and Ezra’s best friend, Gideon Zook asks Rachel’s permission to build the greenhouse that Ezra promised Rachel. But Gideon was involved in the same accident that claimed Ezra’s life, and his presence is a reminder of all Rachel has lost.
But without the income from the plants Rachel sells to the community, she may be forced to sell the farm and have no means of supporting her family. Or, would it be wiser to take her greenhouse and let Ezra’s brother buy the farm? Can Rachel find the courage to make her own choices?
RACHEL’S GARDEN is the second book in Ms. Perry’s Pleasant Valley series, but it easily stands alone. Readers might find it helpful though to understand a bit about Rachel’s brother, Johnny, and her friend, Leah, both of whom are in the first book.
I enjoyed getting to know a bit more about the characters featured in the first book, Leah’s Choice, and especially getting to know Rachel, Gideon, and Ezra’s sweetheart younger brother, William. I hope that sometime in the future, Ms. Perry will have William as a hero in a book.
A glossary of Amish terms, a preview of Ms. Perry’s third book in the series Anna’s Return, coming in June 2010 are included at the end of the book. Don’t miss RACHEL’S GARDEN if you are looking for a good Amish book to read. $14.00. 329 pages.
May 28, 2018
This was a wholesome read. It is continuing on the story with Rachel. Her husband dies and she being a widow in the Amish community, is subjected to her brother in law’s care. Her husband’s friend, Gideon, helps her build a greenhouse her late husbands birthday present for her. However, he ends up taking care of her and making improvements to her farm that her brother in law wants to buy. She is being pulled into what decision would be best for her and her family concerning the farm. She doesn’t want to sell it cause it’s her husband’s legacy for her children. Along the way Gideon and Rachel spend time together and realize what they are to each other and realize they mean more than thought possible.
It’s a slow virtuous love story but that is Amish life. They value those requirements of courting. So don’t expect a passionate embrace. Their relationship is a simmer.
It’s a slow virtuous love story but that is Amish life. They value those requirements of courting. So don’t expect a passionate embrace. Their relationship is a simmer.
June 29, 2020
Rachel’s Garden
The second book in the Pleasant Valley Series continues with Rachel Brand, a recent widow since the accidental death of her husband Ezra, focusing on her struggles to keep the family farm and move forward in her life. Will she be able to keep the dairy farm or will she need to sell it? Her brother-in-law wants her to sell to him so he can give to his eldest son. The Englischer wants her to sell the herd of cows to him and rent the pastures for their use. Rachel wants to keep the farm and start her own business to support her children. Gideon, her husband’s best friend, feels guilt for his death and wants to help Rachel. Their relationship stirs a myriad of emotions for both. Read this touching book to follow the saga of Pleasant Valley and it’s Amish community.
The second book in the Pleasant Valley Series continues with Rachel Brand, a recent widow since the accidental death of her husband Ezra, focusing on her struggles to keep the family farm and move forward in her life. Will she be able to keep the dairy farm or will she need to sell it? Her brother-in-law wants her to sell to him so he can give to his eldest son. The Englischer wants her to sell the herd of cows to him and rent the pastures for their use. Rachel wants to keep the farm and start her own business to support her children. Gideon, her husband’s best friend, feels guilt for his death and wants to help Rachel. Their relationship stirs a myriad of emotions for both. Read this touching book to follow the saga of Pleasant Valley and it’s Amish community.
June 13, 2014
This is the second book in Marta Perry's Pleasant Valley series about Rachel, a widow. She struggles to keep her farm and build her garden and its related business. Who is trying to sabotage her efforts? Good mystery to this book and a good story as well. Although this is part of the Pleasant Valley series, you can read one without reading the others. It was great to see Leah from the previous book in this as well and to see what has happened in her life since her book. To understand all of the characters better, you should read the other books. I like how Marta Perry introduces the next book's character in the previous book.
January 12, 2024
Rachel has one desire, to remain on the land that her husband wanted to farm. So much has changed since his accident. Now it seems her family and the Amish community support her moving back home with her parents. But, is that really the best for her and their children? What about the dreams Ezra and her had shared? Why couldn't she remain on the farm and sell her beautiful plants at the market? Are there other possibilities that would keep her on their farm?
Gideon had been Ezra's childhood friend. Gideon had been the one who was with Ezra when the fatal accident occurred. Even though he was the carpenter who built their windmill, why would he want to be the one to build the present Ezra had planned for her? Would Rachel even let him be on Ezra's farm after what he wasn't able to stop? What isn't boding well... is the persistent pressure Isaac was putting on Rachel to sell the farm to him. Even if Isaac is her brother-in-law, what could Ezra do?
When an Amish novel finds its way into your home... the beautifully inspiring "wholeness" of family life, community, and hope becomes an inspiration that lifts the darkness of your own troubles while it promises moments of comforting page-turning...
MrsK https://mrskbookstogo.blogspot.com/
Gideon had been Ezra's childhood friend. Gideon had been the one who was with Ezra when the fatal accident occurred. Even though he was the carpenter who built their windmill, why would he want to be the one to build the present Ezra had planned for her? Would Rachel even let him be on Ezra's farm after what he wasn't able to stop? What isn't boding well... is the persistent pressure Isaac was putting on Rachel to sell the farm to him. Even if Isaac is her brother-in-law, what could Ezra do?
When an Amish novel finds its way into your home... the beautifully inspiring "wholeness" of family life, community, and hope becomes an inspiration that lifts the darkness of your own troubles while it promises moments of comforting page-turning...
MrsK https://mrskbookstogo.blogspot.com/
February 15, 2022
Rachel’s Garden by Marta Perry is Book 2 in A Pleasant Valley Series
Wow is all I can say about this series so far, Rachael Brand is finding it hard to move forward after the death of her husband Ezra, yes Forgiveness is a cornerstone of her faith but at the same time it doesn’t make it easy and even worse when you need to or think you need to forgive someone who was your late husbands best friend.
Gideon Zook needs to make right on a promise to his best friend that he made before his friend passed, problem is how can he move forward when he can’t settle his own past and won’t ever be able to. This is a wonderful book and a look at how through faith you can truly move forward and be happy again. I am really enjoying this series. The next book is Anna’s Return
Wow is all I can say about this series so far, Rachael Brand is finding it hard to move forward after the death of her husband Ezra, yes Forgiveness is a cornerstone of her faith but at the same time it doesn’t make it easy and even worse when you need to or think you need to forgive someone who was your late husbands best friend.
Gideon Zook needs to make right on a promise to his best friend that he made before his friend passed, problem is how can he move forward when he can’t settle his own past and won’t ever be able to. This is a wonderful book and a look at how through faith you can truly move forward and be happy again. I am really enjoying this series. The next book is Anna’s Return
November 30, 2017
A lovely story about friendship, family responsibility, a sense of community, romance, and overcoming guilt with forgiveness. This is the second book in the series, but can also be read alone, although it is nice to have all of the background. Some of the family conflicts were different than those normally found in Amish novels.
April 30, 2018
I really loved this book and I hated to put it down to read another book for someone, but when I picked it back up I was back in love again. This book touched my heart so much - the story between Rachel and Gideon was so lovely and I could not get enough of it. Envious of their story I was, am.
June 9, 2018
A wonderful story about friendship and how love forms in so many ways.
I enjoyed getting to know a bit more about the characters featured in the first book, Leah's Choice, and especially getting to know Rachel, Gideon, and Ezra's sweetheart younger brother, William.
August 29, 2022
This lovely book gave me a lot to think about: forgiveness, romance, kindness, responsibility, family, friendship, and so much more! I didn't read book 1 but I didn't need to. This is a perfect stand-alone story that I could not put down. I can't wait to read the other books in the series.
August 3, 2025
Beautiful story. Love, forgiveness, restoration in relationships. Rachel had a dream. Many supported her but there were those who tried to shut her down and bully her. In the end, Faith, hope and love win. This is a fabulous series.
August 9, 2025
I loved the story but I found the ending quite abrupt (as with the last book). But I guess when the end is a marriage proposal there’s not much lead up.
Very emotional at times with the theme of forgiveness of self and others.
Very emotional at times with the theme of forgiveness of self and others.
July 15, 2018
I loved this book!! great story!! 1st time reading this author!! will read more of her books!!
February 3, 2019
Always love the story and the culture.
June 5, 2022
Reasons that fall with Gods love.
Life isn't easy, but with Gods love and guidance and a healthy dose of forgiveness, it can be rich and rewarding.
Life isn't easy, but with Gods love and guidance and a healthy dose of forgiveness, it can be rich and rewarding.
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April 8, 2010I loved this book and it came at a time I needed some encouragement and uplifting. This family sure had it's share of troubles. Rachel was dealing with loss of her husband, in-laws butting into her life and telling her what was best for her, parents trying to get her to move back home with kids, and much more. I have dealt to with all those problems except losing my husband and my kids are grown.
But boy could I relate to having in-laws try to rule my life while married.
Also Gideon, who was best friend of Ezra - Rachel's husband, did his best to fulfill his promise to Ezra to build a greenhouse for Ezra. He didn't count on falling in love with Rachel. He also was dealing with loss of his wife and a baby. I know all about grieving for 2 years over the loss of a baby and medical problems.
I loved the scriptures and struggles because at times I have questioned God and wondered about his plan too.
Amish are real people with real problems just like everyone else just because they have their own idea of how to live. Even though their community is strong on faith, they still struggle through their beliefs just like us.
But boy could I relate to having in-laws try to rule my life while married.
Also Gideon, who was best friend of Ezra - Rachel's husband, did his best to fulfill his promise to Ezra to build a greenhouse for Ezra. He didn't count on falling in love with Rachel. He also was dealing with loss of his wife and a baby. I know all about grieving for 2 years over the loss of a baby and medical problems.
I loved the scriptures and struggles because at times I have questioned God and wondered about his plan too.
Amish are real people with real problems just like everyone else just because they have their own idea of how to live. Even though their community is strong on faith, they still struggle through their beliefs just like us.
April 27, 2016
I would give this book a 3.5. Rachel's Garden is another Amish story, the second in a three book series about the people who live and interact in the village of Pleasant Valley. I had read the first and third books in the series so I was already acquainted with most of the characters and was happy to visit with them again. All of Marta Perry's characters are well drawn and most are sympathetic. The plots of her books tend to be very similar. I knew how the book was going to end by the time I got to the third or fourth chapter. If you want to read it to learn about Amish life or to meet wonderful characters, the lack of plot shouldn't be a drawback, however.
January 29, 2015
I enjoyed the second book in this series as much as the first one. Lots of Amish detail, good characters, fun dialog in the dialect of the Amish of PA. (I assume - I don't really know first hand but I think the author did her research). Rather predictable romance development but I like that. If I am reading a romance novel I want the romance to flower despite the obstacles. I feel cheated when the author goes for the 'realistic' ending like the "Mr. Darcy Broke My Heart" "Jane Austen Ruined My Life" books. I'm shallow that way.
February 22, 2011
I'm almost a little embarrassed to say that I read this. I'm not (ever) a romance reader, but this is the second year I've helped judge the local Romance Writers' Guild contest and this is one of the books. Although I knew what was going to happen right from the beginning, the story was good, the dialogue believable and the portrayal of the Amish people was flattering. I'm actually tempted to go back and read the first book from the series...but don't tell, okay?
November 2, 2011
As always, Rachel's Garden is a great story. This is book 2 in Marta Perry's Pleasant Valley series.
May 30, 2014
# 2 in the pleasant Valley Series. Rachel is a widow with 3 young children and a farm to run. Strange things are happening, is someone trying to get her to sell the farm. She would prefer to spend time in the garden. Her husband left her a gift..........the materials for a greenhouse that he and his friend had planned to build for her.
June 12, 2011
Marta perry has outdone herself again on this lovely series. I am hooked from page one on this series. Rachel has lost the one true love of her life and how Marta writes about her finding love again from the most unexpected person she thought is truly magnificent. I recommend this series.
December 8, 2011
This book was almost exactly like the first. It had the same love story struggle with the same predictable ending. Rachel was not as strong of a character as Leah and I felt the first half of the book was repetitive.
August 20, 2012
This is the second in a series by Marta Perry. It is about an Amish widow who loves to grow things. Her husband died working with his best friend Gideon. Gideon offers to build the greenhouse her husband had promised to build. Will Rachel be able to accept his help?
An interesting Amish story.
An interesting Amish story.
November 15, 2013
I love to read Marta Perry's Amish novels. I didn't read Book One, so I wasn't sure if I would understand the characters in Book Two. Marta reintroduces you to the characters & history from the first book which makes it easy to follow.
March 29, 2010
This is a totally heartwarming, delightful book. Check out my review at ReaderToReader.com
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews