What do you think?
Rate this book
Love in Andauk #1
Everything Old
Welcome to Andauk. A church in this small Ohio town has been trying to establish a young adult ministry for many years. Finally, one woman thinks she has the perfect idea and the perfect pair of young adults to lead it, Ruth Ziebert and Gabriel Chadwick.
Ruth is pretty sure this team is not a good idea. It isn’t Gabriel’s fascination with antiques and antiquated tech that bothers her. What bothers her is the fact that they share a very awkward history.
Gabriel wants to work with Ruth whether it’s a bad idea or not. He’s ready to embrace the past and get their old relationship moving in a new direction.
Ruth is pretty sure this team is not a good idea. It isn’t Gabriel’s fascination with antiques and antiquated tech that bothers her. What bothers her is the fact that they share a very awkward history.
Gabriel wants to work with Ruth whether it’s a bad idea or not. He’s ready to embrace the past and get their old relationship moving in a new direction.
195 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2019
39 people are currently reading
329 people want to read
About the author
Amanda Hamm
42 books99 followersMost of Amanda's books are love stories featuring Christian characters, which sounds way less preachy than Christian love stories. Two books have received the CWG Seal of Approval: Andrew's Key (2014) and The Art of Introductions(2021). Three books have earned Catholic Media Association Book Awards: They See a Family (2019), What Goes Around (2021) and The Art of Introductions (2022).
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
April 16, 2019
I received this book for free in a Goodreads giveaway. The following is my own truthful (as always) review.
4.5 stars, rounded up to 5. Though it sounded cute and interesting from the description, I enjoyed this book far more as than I anticipated. The characters were a nice blend of quirky and normal and I could easily relate to the main character.
Some of the other reviews point out the theological differences between the characters in this book, who are tasked with teaching a class about saints, and Protestantism. Saints and the theological views of the characters are NOT the main points of the story. It's simply a sweet tale about friendship, misunderstandings, forgiveness, and love.
The book contains an excerpt from the second book in the series, which I plan to read as well.
4.5 stars, rounded up to 5. Though it sounded cute and interesting from the description, I enjoyed this book far more as than I anticipated. The characters were a nice blend of quirky and normal and I could easily relate to the main character.
Some of the other reviews point out the theological differences between the characters in this book, who are tasked with teaching a class about saints, and Protestantism. Saints and the theological views of the characters are NOT the main points of the story. It's simply a sweet tale about friendship, misunderstandings, forgiveness, and love.
The book contains an excerpt from the second book in the series, which I plan to read as well.
Read
August 15, 2022I've been working on this book for quite some time. I wrote about it in June, August and October. Then I added a post about the cover. I'm looking forward to seeing what other people have to say about it.
This one has notes on excerpts, too. Read one about the cookie press or choosing a Saint to discuss.
This one has notes on excerpts, too. Read one about the cookie press or choosing a Saint to discuss.
April 14, 2019
I'm having a hard time deciding how to rate this. There were some things I really loved about this story! And then there were some that I really did not.
Because this story focused on young people growing up in the Catholic denomination, I found it interesting but also unsettling. As a Protestant, I don't believe that the saints were any special human beings or many of the “miracles” that were supposed to have happened, especially with relics. These ideas were just accepted as normal, even to the point of young adults trying to figure out what meaning they could have in our present-day lives.
Ruth is a nice girl with ulterior motives. The only reason she agrees to help lead the young adult ministry was that she was railroaded into it by the bossy Mrs. Donnelly. When Gabriel finds out Ruth is his co-leader, he jumps at the chance. They had grown up together, and everyone expected they would eventually get married, even Gabriel and Ruth. But a misunderstanding four years ago has left them almost strangers.
I liked that both Gabe and Ruth were relatable, likable but with faults. I'm glad Gabe was a good guy and not the normal “bad boy” hunk you see in young adult/new adult books like this.
In fact, I think the author did a great job with almost all the characters. The only ones I got confused about were all the brothers. Unfortunately, there were a few things thrown in that weren't resolved—or even mentioned again—in this book, so I'm assuming they will come up again later in the series. If not, I would be disappointed if Ella doesn't find a guy, just as I would be disappointed not to find out who Jojo is, why the McGradys were even mentioned, or why Sebastian and Luke hate each other.
My main beef with the book was the quality. While the bones of the book were great—wonderful characters, detailed setting, and an interesting plot—there was a lot of telling and summary. I felt it could have been so much better if it had been tightened up by a developmental editor.
I would recommend this book for those who enjoy sweet romances, especially those who enjoy a new adult feel, young twenty-something characters who live at home.
Because this story focused on young people growing up in the Catholic denomination, I found it interesting but also unsettling. As a Protestant, I don't believe that the saints were any special human beings or many of the “miracles” that were supposed to have happened, especially with relics. These ideas were just accepted as normal, even to the point of young adults trying to figure out what meaning they could have in our present-day lives.
Ruth is a nice girl with ulterior motives. The only reason she agrees to help lead the young adult ministry was that she was railroaded into it by the bossy Mrs. Donnelly. When Gabriel finds out Ruth is his co-leader, he jumps at the chance. They had grown up together, and everyone expected they would eventually get married, even Gabriel and Ruth. But a misunderstanding four years ago has left them almost strangers.
I liked that both Gabe and Ruth were relatable, likable but with faults. I'm glad Gabe was a good guy and not the normal “bad boy” hunk you see in young adult/new adult books like this.
In fact, I think the author did a great job with almost all the characters. The only ones I got confused about were all the brothers. Unfortunately, there were a few things thrown in that weren't resolved—or even mentioned again—in this book, so I'm assuming they will come up again later in the series. If not, I would be disappointed if Ella doesn't find a guy, just as I would be disappointed not to find out who Jojo is, why the McGradys were even mentioned, or why Sebastian and Luke hate each other.
My main beef with the book was the quality. While the bones of the book were great—wonderful characters, detailed setting, and an interesting plot—there was a lot of telling and summary. I felt it could have been so much better if it had been tightened up by a developmental editor.
I would recommend this book for those who enjoy sweet romances, especially those who enjoy a new adult feel, young twenty-something characters who live at home.
April 30, 2019
Sweet Christian romance
I received a free copy of this book through Goodreads in exchange for my unbiased opinion.
Ruth Ziebert and Gabriel Chadwick were best friends growing up, and everyone assumed it would eventually lead to them getting married. However, when they were in college, a misunderstanding led them to stop speaking. Now, both are back in Andauk after graduating. A woman at their church has decided Ruth and Gabriel are the perfect people to lead a new young adults small group and won't take no for an answer. Ruth is dreading having to work with Gabe after things ended so awkwardly between them, but Gabriel is looking forward to a second chance at friendship - or hopefully more - with Ruth.
This book is the first in a series set in the small town of Andauk, Ohio, and I could see seeds planted for the next couple of books. It definitely got me excited to continue reading the series as new books come out. The characters in this book were well-rounded, and the story was sweet.
I received a free copy of this book through Goodreads in exchange for my unbiased opinion.
Ruth Ziebert and Gabriel Chadwick were best friends growing up, and everyone assumed it would eventually lead to them getting married. However, when they were in college, a misunderstanding led them to stop speaking. Now, both are back in Andauk after graduating. A woman at their church has decided Ruth and Gabriel are the perfect people to lead a new young adults small group and won't take no for an answer. Ruth is dreading having to work with Gabe after things ended so awkwardly between them, but Gabriel is looking forward to a second chance at friendship - or hopefully more - with Ruth.
This book is the first in a series set in the small town of Andauk, Ohio, and I could see seeds planted for the next couple of books. It definitely got me excited to continue reading the series as new books come out. The characters in this book were well-rounded, and the story was sweet.
May 22, 2019
I received this book as part of a Goodreads Giveaway in exchange for my honest review.
Everything old by Amanda Hamm was my first step into Christian Romance. It was a very sweet story, not a nail biter as to be expected from the genre but a simple and easily relatable story, that is charming and fresh. Ruth Ziebert is cohersed into leading a young adult church group discussing the various saints in history. To make matters complicated, she is paired with her estranged high school best friend Gabriel Chadwick, to co-lead the group. As family friends they cross paths quite frequently as they simultaneously try to ignore each other. Slowly walls come down and the two start to rebuild a relationship abruptly lost.
A large portion of the book seems to be spent in the young adult group, and if you are not familiar with saints in the Catholic church, you will have a good base after this book. It is not a sexually chared romance, which adds to it's appeal. It is a quick read that will leave your heart warm. Happy reading!
Everything old by Amanda Hamm was my first step into Christian Romance. It was a very sweet story, not a nail biter as to be expected from the genre but a simple and easily relatable story, that is charming and fresh. Ruth Ziebert is cohersed into leading a young adult church group discussing the various saints in history. To make matters complicated, she is paired with her estranged high school best friend Gabriel Chadwick, to co-lead the group. As family friends they cross paths quite frequently as they simultaneously try to ignore each other. Slowly walls come down and the two start to rebuild a relationship abruptly lost.
A large portion of the book seems to be spent in the young adult group, and if you are not familiar with saints in the Catholic church, you will have a good base after this book. It is not a sexually chared romance, which adds to it's appeal. It is a quick read that will leave your heart warm. Happy reading!
April 8, 2019
Quick and easy read.
I liked the thoughts behind the saint stories, how the values can apply to our life in old stories, but I felt like half the book like a theology lesson. I’m not catholic, and I don’t believe in saints, I handle them as exceptional individuals at legends. I felt it was too much highlight on them.
The main characters did not really develop, they were emotionally shy, not to talk through in their otherwise good relationship years ago and very slowly during the story. I liked the description of old kitchen tools, I grown up using those every day.
I got the book from a Goodreads giveaway, thank you.
I liked the thoughts behind the saint stories, how the values can apply to our life in old stories, but I felt like half the book like a theology lesson. I’m not catholic, and I don’t believe in saints, I handle them as exceptional individuals at legends. I felt it was too much highlight on them.
The main characters did not really develop, they were emotionally shy, not to talk through in their otherwise good relationship years ago and very slowly during the story. I liked the description of old kitchen tools, I grown up using those every day.
I got the book from a Goodreads giveaway, thank you.
November 14, 2024
Don't like how it ended,was cut off,too much talk about Ruth deciding about should she say something to Gabe,and Gabe worried about same ...if the characters would actually act real instead of worrying about how to come across it would have been pleasing,but when they figured it out that was ending,you have to get second book...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 30, 2019
I won this Kindle edition book in a GoodReads
Giveaway. Thank you to everyone involved.
Good book with great characters.
Giveaway. Thank you to everyone involved.
Good book with great characters.
June 2, 2019
second chance book
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews