Love Bears All Things

Amish Secrets #2

by Beth Wiseman

Could God be o­ffering Charlotte a second chance at true love? Charlo­tte Dolinsky needs time to recover after breaking up with her boyfriend, Ryan. But when a surprise visitor shows up on her doorstep in Texas, she’s forced to put aside her own worries to help her Amish friends in Lancaster County. Soon she is entangled in a web of deception—and this time, she isn’t the only one keeping secrets. Daniel Byler struggles each day in his Amish community to heal from his fiancée’s betrayal. When he discovers that a member of his family is in danger of being shunned, his pain turns to fear. His only way to help is by partnering with Charlo­tte, a woman he barely knows who has already deceived them all before. Charlo­tte begins building a friendship with Daniel that she’ll need to lean on when more surprises surface from her past and she once again finds herself torn between two worlds. Will Charlotte’s friends in the Amish community be able to show her the power of redemption and lead her home? And can she help young Jacob realize that God offers second chances at happiness when she isn’t even sure herself?

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

336 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2016

About the author

"I wish I had the time to review books and chat with you here, but my writing deadlines just don't allow it. Please like my Fans of Beth Wiseman Page on Facebook where I try to post any news and interact with readers."
Beth is the best-selling and award winning author of the Daughters of the Promise series - Plain Perfect, Plain Pursuit, Plain Promise, Plain Paradise, and Plain Proposal. She is contracted with HarperCollins Christian Publishing. Her other series--the Land of Canaan Novels--begins with Seek Me With All Your Heart, then The Wonder of Your Love and now, His Love Endures Forever. Seek Me With All Your Heart is the first Amish fiction book selected as a Women of Faith novel in 2011. Beth has also written three contemporary Christian fiction novels, Need You Now published in 2012 and The House That Love Built in 2013. In The Promise, (2014) Beth jumps way outside the box. This story takes readers far away from Amish Country and small Texas towns to a dangerous place on the other side of the world. Inspired by a true story, Beth believes this is the book she’s been working toward for a long time. 2015 brings Beth back to the Pennsylvania Amish with her new series, Amish Secrets. She is currently working on book #2 following much success with book #1, Her Brother's Keeper.

You can also follow Beth on Twitter: @BethWiseman

Reviews

[Jerry (Rebel With a Massive Media Library) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Continuing where the first book left off, this second volume features another excellent story with triumph over dire circumstances. This is a bit different from the usual for Amish fiction, but still rather enjoyable.

[Diamond Jones-Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book so much, I think I enjoyed it more than book #1 Her Brother's Keeper. This book picks up a few Months after the first one ended. Things in Charlotte's life have taken a dramatic change and she decides to move back to Lancaster County. So much has happened in her Lancaster friend's lives.

In book one Hannah was my favorite over Charlotte and the book focused on her also. Charlotte really started growing on me in this book. Her growth and maturity really showed in all of the decisions she made.

Right from the beginning Beth Wiseman will have you hooked on this book with Charlotte's heart broke, Jacob's rash decision and two females supposedly pregnant and one household.

I enjoyed the growing friendship between Charlotte and Daniel and I hope book #3 will shade more light on what happens and if they will become more than friend in the future. I'm also looking forward to learning more about Annie after Jacob's decision left her broken.

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so impressed by this book! It is book two in the Amish Secrets series. I did read book one, Her Brother’s Keeper, and for some reason, book one did not resonate well with me. It was an interesting story but I just didn’t connect with the characters. Well, that was definitely not the situation with this novel! Not only was the story one that just pulled me into it immediately, I found myself extremely invested in these characters and wondering how everything was going to work out.

As in some other books by Beth Wiseman, in Love Bears All Things there are both Amish and Englisch characters who must find their balance and discover where their place is in this world. I really loved the interactions of many of these characters, especially Charlotte and Daniel. Amos Troyer was another intriguing person in the book, as well.

There was a bit of a mystery that wound itself through the book as well, and when that mystery was revealed, it really surprised me, but made sense. Jacob and Annie’s story is also a major thread in this book. It will be interesting to see what happens in future stories with these two characters. I enjoyed 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 at:
https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.c...

[Rachael · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not an Amish fiction fan. I've read Beverly Lewis and Wanda Brunstetter. However, I haven't read an Amish book in a very long time. They just got to be too predictable and so much repetition in plot.

This book, however, was a bit different. The backstory of Charlotte hits home as I know many children who came from those types of situations. It's heartbreaking and far too common. This book was well written for an amish read. I'd give it 3.5 if I could.

If you are a fan of Amish fiction you will really enjoy this read. If not, like me, you might find yourself really connecting with a character or two in this story.

I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

[ANNETTE · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book with interesting characters. I liked Charlotte and her tenderness towards her friends and family. Charlotte was slowing learning to trust God .
Ms.Wiseman knows how to tug at the heart strings.

[Heidi Robbins (Heidi Reads...) · Rating 5 out of 5]

The saga continues as Charlotte returns to the Amish community in Lancaster county and has a second chance with her surrogate family to learn from them, continue to search for healing from her past, and provide support for the Kings as they face new struggles. This second book has more romance than the first book, and I like seeing the progression of Charlotte and Daniel's relationship from acquaintances to friends to more. They find that they can open up to each other in ways that they don't with anyone else, and as they work through the trials with each of their families, turn to each other for support and caring. We see some of the story from Annie's perspective, Daniel's sister and Jacob's fiancé, and also meet their Aunt Faye who is quite a character. More secrets from Charlotte's past come to light and her new faith provides the strength she needs to meet the demands of the obstacles she faces. This book can be read on its own but I recommend reading the series in order for the best experience.

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good

[Jody Walsh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading about the Amish of Lancaster County, PA. It was interesting to realize they too struggle with technology. They need cell phones to connect with their English customers but then it is so easy to begin to use them for personal calls. This book deals with suicide, betrayal, and loss. It doesn't end with everything working out perfectly but throughout you see God at work and it ends with the characters all experiencing forgiveness and peace.

[Cathy Cermele · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a truly wonderful book. Strong character development and an emotional storyline kept me reading the entire day! I had been eagerly anticipating this book. I really liked the first one in the series, but I absolutely loved this one.
Charlotte is going through some pretty difficult times with both matters of the heart and financial problems.
Meanwhile, her friends in Paradise, Pennsylvania are going through some trying times of their own. It was only natural for Charlotte to return to Paradise, as she had her deceased brothers home to sell and knew that she could be of some help to those that had shown kindness to her. In her heart she wanted to make amends to them for her deceit and the pain it had caused.
Some in the community have ambivalent feelings as she discovers when she moves back there. Charlotte seeks forgiveness and acceptance for her past mistakes. The friendship between her and Daniel was unexpected and progressed at a great pace.
I was moved to tears throughout which showed me once again that Beth Wiseman writes from the heart.
I highly recommend this book to readers of both Amish and Christian fiction.
I received a copy of Love Bears All Things from the publisher for an honest opinion which I've given

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

"It scares me that something I don't even remember has this kind of effect on me. "

A reoccurring vision of an Amish woman and a little girl has confounded Charlotte Dolinsky, her emotions already tilted after the terrible break-up with her boyfriend Ryan, and the tragic suicide of her brother Ethan. Even more bizarre is the fact that the woman, according to her recollection, resembles Charlotte's derelict mother whom she has not seen in years.

Suffering from betrayal and near bankruptcy, Charlotte makes the bold decision to leave Houston, Texas and move to Lancaster County, Pennsylvania where her brother had lived and worked among the Amish people, owning a home that he left to her upon his death. In a cruel twist of fate, an Amish friend's brother arrives on her doorstep in Texas, convinced that he wants to escape his tight community in order to see the world, leaving a grieving fiance behind. Charlotte remains uncertain about how her presence in Pennsylvania will be viewed, since the last time that she visited, she deceived everyone into thinking that she was someone whom she was not. Too many secrets, two completely different worlds, so many life lessons to learn.

This quietly told story has many unanticipated scene changes, but in the end, Charlotte mercifully learns that true love "bears all things".

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. The opinions stated are entirely my own.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beth Wiseman has helped open my eyes to a new-to-me genre. I’ve read a little Amish fiction before, and liked it, but I loved “Love Bears All Things” and will be pursuing Amish fiction in the future.

Charlotte Dolinsky and boyfriend Ryan have broken up, and Charlotte is at a place in life where many difficult and important decisions must be made. While Charlotte is trying to piece her new life together, Amish friend Jacob shows up at her door in Texas. It becomes clear to Charlotte that she needs to return to Pennsylvania to help her Amish friends.

Upon arriving in Pennsylvania, Charlotte finds unexpected drama with Jacob, Annie, Daniel, and several other family members and friends. Daniel’s sister, Annie, is in danger of being shunned, and he reluctantly needs Charlotte’s help to sort things out.

Charlotte finds friendship and family among the Amish, and wonders if this is the answer she has been searching for.

I loved everything about this book – the pace, the story lines, and the characters. I was sad to see the book end, because I wanted more!

Many thanks to Thomas Nelson for the complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked it just as much as I liked the first book. Hopefully I have figured out how to review books again on goodreads. I hope so, anyway. How amazing when people seem to have no direction and like their lives are falling apart, and then they realized that God was leading and directing them all along! Praise God!

[Rebecca Redman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Better than I expected. One unresolved issue

[Just Commonly · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Why is it that I keep trying to live a good life, and God keeps challenging me at every turn?" (20)

Love Bears All Things is not the first book I've read by Beth Wiseman, but it is the first full novel. Since Under the Harvest Moon, a novella part of An Amish Harvest novella collection, I was looking forward to the author's full novels. Love Bears All Things was the next release I was able to read. There is a certain sophistication in the author's address to the themes of moving beyond one's past. I personally find Charlotte's struggles to come to self-redemption very well written. As life takes hold, and you're trying to live the life you've proclaimed to God, it's hard to forget the past mistakes you've made. Not only forget, but to forgive, at least forgive yourself, despite knowing God's redemption encompasses the forgiveness of others. The realistic style of writing a romance that makes sense and not at all idealistic gives Daniel and Charlotte's journey together a settling feeling.

Annie's and Jacob's story line was more perplexed than what the surface of it seems to be. Jacob's restlessness can be related to many teens who wants to experience the world. His story will be one I look forward to with a conclusion, that at this point comes away with question marks in my head.

Love Bears All Things is a beautiful story of forgiveness, but also one that's about dreams, past and present, as well as the changes in one's dream for the future. This is the second book of the series, though you can read it as a standalone, but I think reading the first one, Her Brother's Keeper before this one will make sense more. In all, I highly recommend Beth Wiseman's books, which includes those I haven't read yet, but will surely add to my to read list.


This review first appeared on Just Commonly blog.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the author/publisher. I was not required to write a positive review, and have not been compensated for this. This is my honest opinion.

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Bears All Things is book number two in the Amish Secrets series by Beth Wiseman.  I don't often read an Amish book with such heavy hitting themes. Beth Wiseman is one of the best at addressing real-life issues such as suicide, celebrititieschild abuse, drug abuse and mental illness. And she manages to do so while keeping it appropriate for the genre.

Not only did this book resonate with me for it's real-life feel. I can also say that it isn't often that a book makes me imagine the character quite as vividly as I envision Charlotte. Truth be told, I have an image of her in my head as looking like Amy Duggar King.  As I celebrities and haven't had cable in quite a few years, it just isn't often that I can associate a character with a face. Not that this is important to the review in any profound way other than that I could imagine Charlotte as a living, breathing person.

I loved everything about this book. It moves along at a steady pace. In fact, I couldn't put this book down and had to read it start to finish. It kept my interest from the very start.

I look forward to reading the rest of this series. Although, I'm so attached to the characters that I cannot imagine saying goodbye to them so soon.

This is one of my favorite Amish series so far. Which is saying something because I've read a lot of the genre!This review was originally posted on A Simply Enchanted Life

[Karla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beth Wiseman has done her magic once again in this new book in the Amish genre!! This is the second in a new series entitled "Amish Secrets". "Her Brother's Keeper" won me over, but I must say that I think this second book is even better!! This author has created a tale that grabs the reader's attention from the first page, immersing you in the plot taking place in an Amish community but differing from the norm in Amish fiction. Very complex issues are addressed in a sensitive, meaningful fashion. We rarely see how the Amish address drug addiction, depression and dealing with life changing abusive childhoods. Beth takes us to another level with her book. The Amish have the same problems as the Englischers!!

The characters are so realistically and well described that I easily identified with them. Charlotte, the main character, faces so many challenges , but manages to go from a broken individual to one that uses faith to overcome. Only God can deal with deep seated issues. The problem is that so many don't want to accept God's plan in their lives.


The plot moved quickly with unexpected twists and turns arising in ways that have you on the edge of your seat. You just don't know what will happen next. The world passed me by as I became part of this emotional, life changing story.

This is a five star book!! Now, I can hardly wait for the next in this series!! Write quickly, Beth!!

This book was received as a gift. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Pam Burke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beth Wiseman's Love Bears All Things is a great continuation to her Amish Secrets series. The story could be read as a stand-alone, but it will definitely be better enjoyed after reading Her Brother's Keeper.

Charlotte is an Englisher who has previously connected (in the first book of the series) with the Amish world through deception. After the truth was revealed and amends made, she came through with friends as close as family. When Charlotte's life in Texas appears to be falling apart, she finds herself going back to Lancaster County for a fresh start.

This story is much more complex than some Amish fiction. There is the matter of the Englisher finding her place in the Amish world, while at the same time a young Amish man is trying to find his place in the English world. There are mental health and substance abuse issues, unexpected pregnancies, and difficult relationship questions. All of the story lines make for a very engaging read, without the easy cookie-cutter solutions.

Fans of good Amish fiction should enjoy Love Bears All Things. And the story leaves enough unanswered questions to create a high level of anticipation for the next installment in the series.

Thanks to BookLook Bloggers for providing a copy of this book. I was happy to share my personal thoughts in this review.

[Maureen Timerman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again we are back with Charlotte, and yes now everyone knows who she is, in Lancaster Amish Country. Ryan, the man who helped bring her back to faith, has now betrayed her and she is desperately trying to move on with her life.
She is back staying with the King family, and her little dog is going to make you smile, they are grateful for all that she did for Leah and really welcome her into their home, but she has also helped Jacob, the smart seventeen year old, engaged to Annie, but now wanting to experience the English world.
The story is jammed packed, and there is a forbidden but budding romance in store for Charlotte, but can anything come from it? There are also some big bombshells dropped near the end, and now I’m so looking forward to the next book, I need to know the answers. Once this cover is opened, you are gone!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Thomas Nelson, and was not required to give a positive review.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book reminded me of the many times I have driven through the pensylvania countryside and have seen the amish buggys riding on the roads and their ever faithful horses making sure those buggys go . This book has some very spirit filled and complex charecters indeed . God is trying to show charlotte a path that will lead her in the right direction . Maybe that is what is wrong with most people in this book that they are afraid to let God lead them . But dear sweet Hannah seems to bring Charlotte back to her amish side . Poor Jacob ends up on Charlottes front porch after leaving his family . I don't want to give away most of the book so I do believe I will leave it there . I found this book to be a 4 stars out of 5 . After you read the book you might see why I gave it 4 out of 5 . I want to say thank you to booklooks .com for sending me this book in exchange for my honest review .

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Bears All Things is a great Amish story. Highly recommended.
5 stars.

[Debi Stout · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beth Wiseman's book, Love Bears All Things by is the second book in the Amish Secrets series, I read the first book titled Her Brother’s Keeper and would recommend reading it first for the full background story. This is not the usual Amish Book, but one where Beth Wiseman takes us into the Amish families to show us they face the same issues as "Englischers".

This story opens with Charlotte Dolinsky living in Houston, Texas and going through some pretty rough times. Her boyfriend Ryan has recently broke up with her. She has financial problems and has been evicted from her apartment. If only she knew a way to get her life together. Jacob, who is 17 years old and running away from his Amish home comes to visit Charlotte without letting her know. He cannot stay long as she must out by the end of the month. She convinces Jacob to call home to let his family know where he is and allows him to stay for the remaining two weeks.

Charlotte had made a friend with Jacob’s sister Hannah when she was living in Lancaster before and promised her to do whatever she could to get Jacob to return home. Jacob also left his sweetheart Annie Byler without telling her he was leaving or why. They were to be married in the fall. Would Jacob return? Would they marry? Annie has a secret that only her older brother Daniel knows that would make Jacob return home, but Annie does not want Daniel to tell him.

Jacob refused to return home when Charlotte decides it’s time to leave Houston, Texas and return to Paradise, Pennsylvania where she owns a home which belonged to her brother Ethan (who committed suicide) to make a fresh start. Charlotte will stay with her friend Hannah King the family she betrayed, but is welcome to stay until finding a job and getting settled.

Annie Byler’s brother Daniel struggles to heal from his fiancée”s betrayal when he learns that his sister Annie has done something that she will be shunned by the Amish community. Daniel needs Charlotte’s help with Annie. Daniel and Charlotte develop a friendship even though he knew Charlotte had deceived them all before. Does the Englisher Charlotte find her place in the Amish world? Will Jacob find his way in the English world or return home to Annie and his family? Will Charlotte be able to forgive someone from her past?

This complex novel touches on topics such as unplanned pregnancy, drug abuse, and mental health issues, this story has lots of twist and turns and is about slowing down, redemption, healing, receiving forgiveness and most of all finding new love. The first book in this series was good, but this one is the best!! And I wanted more!!!

Beth Wiseman leaves us with some big things happening near the end and now I’m looking forward to the third book to find the answers. This is an excellent book. That comes highly recommended by ME!!

I received a paperback copy of this book without cost from the publisher through The Fiction Guild, a Thomas Nelson/Zondervan Elite Reader book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book. Though it is the second in the series, it can be read as a stand-alone. I have not read the first book, but the references to it were well done, and I did not feel lost. I was immediately drawn into the story and quickly became interested in the characters' lives.

After the events in the first book, Charlotte returned home to Texas, but her life is still in turmoil. A breakup with her boyfriend leaves her feeling adrift, and financial difficulties compound the problem. She needs time to get her head and heart back in order and decides to return to Lancaster County and the friends she made there. But when one of her Amish friends shows up in Texas, Charlotte does her best to help him before leaving, even though it leaves her in an awkward position. When she makes it back to Paradise, she is amazed at the warm welcome she received after the deceptions she carried out before. Now she is determined to make amends and in doing so finds herself drawn into the unexpected drama.

Jacob, who showed up in Texas, feels trapped by the restrictions of his Amish life. He longs to experience the wider world and left family and fiancée without a word. I liked how Charlotte helped him, but also tried to make him see the perils of the Englischer world. Meanwhile, things are going on back in Pennsylvania that could have a profound effect on his plans for the future. His fiancée, Annie, has a secret that could see her shunned if Jacob doesn't return soon. Charlotte soon finds herself playing go-between among the various factions. She is helped in her efforts by Annie's brother, Daniel.

Daniel is wary about trusting Charlotte after the way she deceived everyone during her previous stay in Paradise. It doesn't take too long for him to see that she has changed. As they spend time together trying to help Jacob and Annie, they develop a strong friendship. I liked how Daniel began to understand the demons that drove Charlotte to her previous actions and supports her in the changes she attempts to make in her life. That friendship deepens into something more, though both try to resist it. Charlotte is not Amish, and Daniel is.

When someone from Charlotte's past shows up in Paradise, the faith that she gained from her time, there plays a big part in the way she faces it. I loved her strength, her determination, and her newfound ability to forgive. She also gets an unexpected show of support from one of the people she had wronged before. It was an emotional and heartwarming scene.

There is a lot going on in this book. Forgiveness, redemption, secrets, love, and fear all have their moments. I liked seeing the growth that Charlotte experienced and how she took control of her life. I liked how Daniel learned to look past the surface of Charlotte's deception to the vulnerable woman behind it. Annie and Jacob are young and have the insecurities and youthful mistakes common to that age, with the added complications of their Amish world. By the end, I felt that Annie had matured, while Jacob had not. Both Annie and Charlotte have understandable misgivings about Jacob's actions and what they will mean to him.

[Jessica Baker (A Baker's Perspective) · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are certain authors that I get so excited to hear they have another book out. Beth Wiseman is definitely one of those authors. Her Amish boos have been such a joy to read over the years! When I got Love Bears All Things I couldn't wait to get through my current to read list so I could pick this one and begin. I had very high expectations for this book after reading and loving Her Brother's Keeper and Beth did not disappoint!

I was so happy to be back in Lancaster with the Kings, Bylers and Charlotte. As soon as Charlotte mentioned moving to Lancaster, the amish hopeful in my was already planning her amish conversion! (By the way I'm not saying she converts, and I'm not saying she doesn't, you'll have to read to find out!). Her growth throughout this book really touched my heart. She came up against some pretty difficult obstacles and I love how Beth wrote her reactions. They were real, maybe not always right, but the way I feel a person could have truly reacted in that situation. That is part of the reason I like reading Beth's book - they are realistic to me.

I must admit I did not like Jacob. At all. Or his storyline. And don't take that the wrong way - it was not because of Beth's writing ability, it was just simply how this character handled himself. He was so undecisive and it was extremely annoying. But I think like I mentioned before, his character was written in a realistic way. Many of us struggle with going back and forth in our decisions, and many young people just do not know what they want. I think it's great to have a character you do not like in a book. It brings another layer to the storyline and gives you a reason to keep reading. It also shows the author is well rounded in their writing ability, and not just writing about happy people all the time.

I cannot wait to see what comes next for these characters. If you have no read Her Brother's Keeper, I highly recommend you read it first. That way you'll know everyone's backstory. Otherwise, there may be a few confusing parts here. I received a complimentary copy of this story from the publisher. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.

[Faith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Caroline has been evicted from her apartment in the city, and her boyfriend Ryan has left her for another woman. So she decides to return to Lancaster County, to stay with Hannah's family, and try to sell her late brother's home.
But before she leaves, Jacob shows up on her doorstep, wanting to see and experience more than the Amish life that he has lived for 17 years.

When Caroline returns she uncovers more secrets about her brother, as she tries to help Jacob's family come to terms with his dreams She befriends Daniel Byler, and his sister, Annie, who loves Jacob.

More secrets are brought to light as Caroline looks for answers to her brother's suicide.

The second book in a series, this book isn't hard to pick up on, yet I would still recommend reading this book along with the first one so as to understand the dynamics and what is going on better. I didn't read the first book, so I had some catching up to do and somethings to figure out.

I really liked Caroline, and I feel that she has grown a lot over the course of her journey, I liked her willingness to help others, and her big heart. Caroline has a secret in her past, and she cares very much for her adopted Amish family, and does her best to be honest with them and to help them out.

I really liked Daniel and his fierce protectiveness of his sister, and how willing he was to help others. He is honorable, and he doesn't let differences deter him from doing what is right.

Overall, a wonderful book of family, friendship, and forgiveness, as well as faith. Caroline has grown over the course of this series, and it has been good to see her get her life in order, and find peace. I can't wait to read the next book in the series!


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and testimonials in Advertising."

[Tori · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love Bears All Things is the second book in what I believe is a trilogy, with the third book coming out in the fall of this year. (September, 2017) I had not read the first book previously, so there were some parts of the story that I wish I had more knowledge of, but you can still follow along without feeling like you missed too much from the first book. I will warn you though, this installment of the trilogy left me hanging, and I can’t stand it when that happens! (Especially when you have to wait such a long time for the next book!)

Yes, some parts of the story had a resolution, but unfortunately, there were a couple of new storylines that were just getting started, so it was really a disappointing ending for me. If it were a stand-alone book with all the bits tied up in a nice little bow, my rating would have been higher.

With all of that being said, Beth Wiseman is a good writer and she explored subjects that you don’t see in a lot of Amish fiction, so it felt more realistic to me. The Amish have struggles, just as we do, and it isn’t always simply about Rumschpringe. They face many of the same issues that we do, so it was refreshing to see some of these topics being touched upon in Amish fiction. Overall, I enjoyed the book.

In my humble opinion, I would suggest reading the books in order and making sure that you have all three before you get started so that you aren’t left on a cliffhanger. :)

[Patty · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Love Bears All Things, Charlotte is back in Lancaster, this time trying her best not to deceive people. In the first book, Charlotte's whole life was a lie while staying there. Her reputation still proceeds her and Daniel Byler is having trouble trusting Charlotte even though he needs her help. Also in the story, Jacob King has left the Amish and his girlfriend Annie in pursuit of greener pastures.

Englisher Charlotte has returned to the Amish so to speak and Amish Jacob is living like he's English. That is only the beginning of the many plot twists that make this hard to put down. What a great message of forgiveness in this book. It also shows the importance of seeing and allowing God's direction in every step of one's life. Love Bears All Things deals with hard issues that are not always expected in an Amish Romance. I recommend reading this well-written story of redemption. I was provided a complimentary review copy of this book. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love Bears All, the second book in the Amish Secrets series, takes place a few months after Her Brothers Keeper. Here we find Charlotte in Texas dealing with a breakup and going to therapy. But when an unexpected visitor shows up at her door, she heads back to Lancaster County to help here Amish friends.

My favorite character in this book was Daniel Byler. He ends up being a great friend to Charlotte and I’m definitely interested in seeing where their relationship goes in the last book. My least favorite character though is definitely Edna Glick. After reading this book I have a theory on here character but won’t say anything thin els as I don’t want to spoil anything. This book was well written, well paced, and held my interest the entire time. If you enjoyed the first book in the Amish Secrets series by Beth Wiseman then you really need to read this one to continue on with the story. In all I definitely recommend this book and the first book in the series. It would make for a great summer read.

[Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amish books are some of my favorite to read. I just love them! I love the simplicity of their lives, their devotion. Anyway, this is a good book by Beth Wiseman. It stood alone, even as a book in a series. I enjoyed getting to know the people, and it was a beautiful story of forgiveness and finding one's identity and family. Charlotte moves to her late brother's home in the amish community, and as she is trying to figure out what to do, she stays with an amish family who quickly grows to be her family. It's also the story of Jacob and Annie, a young couple dealing with youthful mistakes and a longing to experience what is outside the amish community. It's an emotional story, with an underlying theme of forgiveness, which is a strong foundation of faith. I highly recommend this book. I love Beth Wiseman's writing. Thanks to the publisher and Goodreads for providing the copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Sharon · Rating 2 out of 5]

Charlotte Dolinsky is not Amish. Although she helped out an Amish woman when the Amish woman was faced with chemo, Charlotte lied to the group and misled them at every turn. Jacob runs away from his Amish home in Lancaster, Pennsylvania and heads to Texas to stay with Charlotte while he sorts himself out. What he does not know is that Charlotte is heading back to Lancaster, where she owns a house. Jacob returns with her, but as it turns out, he does not stay for long. Lies and deceptions abound, cell phones are everywhere and heartbreaks are plentiful. Amos just happens to have an old truck in the barn out back - and a fully charged new battery to go into said truck, all to help Charlotte get around the community.

Jacob's story is left hanging, so I assume there will be a sequel to deal with his story.

I received a copy of this from Thomas Nelson/The Fiction Guild, in exchange for a review.

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've read Amish books before but I think they were all by Linda Castillo and dealt with some type of mystery/murder and only touched on the Amish traditions. This was my first Beth Wiseman book and it dealt a lot with the Amish traditions. It was very interesting to read about them. It also dealt with a lot about religion, a little too much for me.

The story also dealt with a young boy who trying to decide if he wanted to stay Amish or leave for the "English country". There was a lot about that. And there was a lot about romance. No sex scenes for those who are interested.

The book was entertaining and informative and kept me interested. However, it would not be a genre that I would request.

Thanks to Thomas Zondervan for sending me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.