Hope Deferred

The Chronicles of St. Mary's #2

by Linda Byler

Will Daniel and Anna be able to reconcile their faith struggles and their love for each other? Beloved Amish novelist Linda Byler once again writes a compelling and surprising love story, showing that even the Plain People struggle with complex feelings, questions, and relationships.

David Stolzfus and Anna Fisher have been best friends as long as they can remember. Sure, it was a bit unusual in the Amish community for a boy and a girl to be so close, but nobody questions it with David and Anna—it has just always been that way. They live on neighboring farms in Lancaster County, they walk to school together (with all their siblings) every day, and when David learns to drive a pony, Anna is the first one to ride with him. Their lives are intertwined, the way the borders of their properties are joined by the Pequea Creek.

As they approach their teen years, David and Anna's friendship turns quickly to deep love and attraction. But David is headstrong and full of an insatiable hunger for knowledge and new experiences. When Anna's conservative parents require that he join the church before the two can begin dating, he rebels, eventually taking off to Australia for the adventure of a lifetime, leaving Anna to sort through her feelings alone.

When Anna receives a letter from Leon Beiler, a young man she can't deny she has feelings for, everything changes again. How can she reconcile a lifetime of love for David with this new potential romance? And what will happen when David returns home?

Genres: Amish, Amish Fiction

336 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 17, 2020

About the author

Linda Byler grew up Amish and is an active member of the Amish church today. Growing up, Linda Byler loved to read and write. In fact, she still does. She is well known within the Amish community as a columnist for a weekly Amish newspaper. Linda and her husband, their children and grandchildren live in central Pennsylvania.

Reviews

[Toni · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very complex book. First of all, there are no good or bad characters in it, and everybody develops in their way by making difficult decisions and questioning their rightness. Secondly, the time flow was very unusual. It is a real saga that spans several decades, although the time flow is very uneven with some events described in a lot of detail and others given a cummulative summary. And thirdly, the reader is free to draw their own conclusions, based on their own convictions and life experience.

David Stolzfus is the youngest child of a numerous family. His parents are considered quite liberal in their community, perhaps more liberal than their neighbours, Fishers, woud like them to be. David has a quick temper which isn't checked by his tired mother and his father who believes in letting children learn things by making their own mistakes. David falls in love with sweet Anna Fisher and even begins dating her. Unfortunately for him, Anna's parents disapprove of him and his family and do not believe he'd make a suitable life partner for their daughter. Anna is caught between David's unhappiness and refusal to join the church just to placate Anna's overbearing family, her own strong feelings for David, and her need and desire to be obedient to her parents. But do the parents always know the best, even if they mean to guide their child towards the best life choices?

I don't want to give away the story. The ending might surprise some readers, but I believe it shows the characters' deep acceptance of God's will in their life, and the strength of their faith. When I read in the afterword that Linda Byler is Amish herself, and is an active member of the church, I was not surprised.
There was just one thing that puzzled me and this was the way the author drew attention towards David's mother's weight issues. As the book progressed, her character became more complex, but at the beginning Rachel's lack of energy and bigger size seemed to be a device to render her inability to set firmer boundaries with her children and provide more spiritual guidance for them.

Thank you to Edelweiss and the publisher (GoodBooks) for the ARC provided in exchange for an honest opinion.

[Kristina Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hope Deferred by Linda Byler is a story about two people who love each other but they have conflicting views. Anna Fisher and David Stolzfus could not be more different in temperament. Anna was raised to be kind, caring, and obedient Christian woman. She is thoughtful and cautious. David grew up in a lax household. He loves to read and is quick to complete his studies. David is stubborn, impulsive and has a quick temper. When David enters rumspringa, he is quick to purchase a cell phone where he discovers the delights of the internet. He also obtains a fast car and wears Englisch clothing. The one thing the pair have in common is their love for each other. We watch them go through their upbringing and young adult years with David chafing at the rules. I thought Hope Deferred is a unique Amish novel with good writing. David’s journeys were interesting because be has not traveled before and everything is new to him. He had only seen pictures of Australia in a book. Plus, David had never been on a plane. It was a different look at the world. There is a repetition of certain details that I wish had been eliminated plus there are many little details that were unnecessary (would have made a novel that had more ease to it). I appreciated that Hope Deferred did not have an expected ending. Amish teens today must make the same choices as those of our characters. They must decide whether to become baptized in the Amish faith or find where they belong in the Englisch world. It cannot be easy for them with only an eighth-grade education. Hope Deferred is unique Amish novel with Christian canons, mutual magnetism, a speedy sports car, a thrilled traveler and unexpected outcomes.

[Angela (Kentuckybooklover) Brocato-Skaggs · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was on the fence whether I liked this book or not but after I finished and thought about it I found I really liked it. I was quite impressed with the subtle way the message was given.

Hope Deferred is different than most Amish romances in that you get the feel of for true Amish life and I credit that to the novel being written by an author who was raised Amish and still practices her Amish faith. She shows us the difficulties young Amish have when it is time to decide to stay with the faith or become English. I'll admit I did not like Dave's character at all as I thought he was selfish and mean to just about everyone around him. When I think back on his character though he was so conflicted and really had no one to talk with for true guidance. Anna loved Dave but her faith was strong and that carried her throughout the novel. Never once did her faith sway.

The repetition of details is my biggest complaint in that I felt it drug the novel down in several places. That is purely a personal observation.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher, Skyhorse Publishing (Good Books), through NetGalley. Any and all opinions expressed in the above review are entirely my own.

[Cindy Batdorf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hope Deferred by Linda Byler
Lancaster Co. Pa

Anna Fisher and David Stoltzfus were friends all the way through the eighth grade. Both were Amish but raised differently just as many families are. David thought he was always right and knew much because he read many books. He liked to try the limits of everyone and everything. Anna was brought up to mind her parents and the Ordnung.

Follow Anna and Dave as they grow into adulthood. Will they find forever love?

I liked this book. There are many emotions hidden within the pages of this Amish fiction. How do we handle our emotions? Would we follow down the same path as Anna and Dave? Did you listen to your parent's wishes for your life? How did that turn out for you?

I was awarded this book from NetGalley and the publisher.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This author’s writing style is unusual at first but I really enjoyed it because this is not your average Amish story. David has a thirst for knowledge that is ravenous and the more he reads about the world the more he fights joining the Amish church. Unfortunately, his love for Anna is severely tested by her parents religious beliefs and he rebels against everything they stand for by running to the modern world. Anna struggles to understand Dave’s changing ways but obeying her Amish faith and pleasing her parents is the only life she knows. Anna’s pain and Dave’s moral confusion broke my heart as these childhood friends are pulled farther and farther away from each other by Anna’s parents and Dave’s depression and his resentment of God’s word. Linda Byler’s storyline challenges the reader’s religious beliefs through all of the characters in her story and she gave me a lot to think about as I examined my own beliefs and the role God plays in my life. This book is heartwarming, heartbreaking and mesmerizing; I didn’t want it to end. I read a complimentary copy of this book and all opinions expressed in my voluntary review are completely my own.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hope Deferred is an Amish romance novella by author Linda Byler.

David Stoltzfus was an avid reader, far beyond his age. He wasn’t a Christian and was raised to seek his own way. Anna Fisher was smart and a Christian. Her parents had high standards. David and Anna were friends from a very young age.

Hope Deferred is not the usual Amish novella I have read. I couldn’t make up my mind how much I did, or did not, like Hope Deferred. Beginning thinking I would give it a high score, I found myself thinking through much of the book that it only deserved 3*. I actually ended the novella thinking it deserved 4*.

I appreciate there is a glossary in the novella, but would prefer it at the beginning instead of the end.

Hope Deferred reminded me of a modern-day Prodigal son story.

Disclaimer: I receive complimentary books from various sources, including, publishers, publicists, authors, and/or NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review and have not received any compensation. The opinions shared here are my own entirely. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

[Amber McMillion · Rating 4 out of 5]

Linda Byler is my favorite Amish author. Having been born and lived in Lancaster County my whole life, her books are the most accurate depiction of the Amish. However there are also many styles of Amish. For instance, Southern Lancaster County is known to have some of the strictest, most old fashioned Amish

This was a good read. Funny, sad at times, a nailbiter, exciting. Not sure I liked how it ended, but still really enjoyed it. I did get a little tired of how Dave and Anna couldn't seem to get over each other even after she was married. Maybe because I'm married to the only man I ever dated or loved.

[Lydia Ring · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book really drew me in, and I really liked how it made me think about intentions of parents, different styles of parenting, and the rebellion in children. I was frustrated that things worked out the way they did - I felt as if Anna's life was not fulfilled by the end and David's personality didn't end up matching the way he lived. But overall, this made me think more deeply about many things concerning faith and the Amish community as well as about relationships between parents and children (although the situations in the book would often aggravate me!)

[Laurel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is Linda Byler's latest book, a stand-alone. I've read other books of Byler's and have enjoyed them. And I did somewhat enjoy this book, but I'd have to say that it was so-so. There seemed to be a lot of wishy-washiness among the main characters w/ a lot of strife throughout the story. Also, there were a couple of instances where things seemed to happen w/ out any warning, like Anna's mom suddenly delivering a baby girl w/out the reader even knowing that she was pregnant. I would not recommend you putting this book on the top of your TBR pile!

[Debora Adams · Rating 2 out of 5]

The first half of this book was tolerable, but after that, it became difficult to read. The plot, such as it was, disintegrated completely after that. There were many holes and unfinished sections by the conclusion. Having read many Amish novels by a variety of authors versed in the subject, I was very disappointed in this novel.

[Lewis Romesburg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I loved the detail Linda used in this story. I only have one wish..... I am wishing for a 2nd book to follow this one. I can visualize several different storylines this 2nd book could take. Please consider this, Linda.

[Ophelia Sellers · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hope Deferred

I expect a nice Amish romance from Linda Byler. This book goes much deeper than romance. I can’t quite decide if I like this story or not because it is so unexpected. I’m afraid that I am one of those readers who like happily ever after endings.

[Patti · Rating 3 out of 5]

-different kind of Amish love story-had quite a lot of background info.
I got upset with most of the characters at one time or another. It did not end the way I would have expected it to.- not particularly satisfying to me.

[Erik · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was a great read and I enjoyed how Lynda explored the turmoil of finding oneself in their faith with Jesus. I like the character development and how we can hold on to so much shame and guilt and regret that it causes one to drift only to have the love of Jesus bring you back.

[Barbara · Rating 2 out of 5]

Long

If you are looking for a happy ending for Anna you're not going to truly get it. And if you are looking for a happy ending for Dave, you're going to wait and wait and wait until we've all suffered.

[Angelika S]

Was a little disappointed at the end because I was hoping Anna and Dave would come together since she and her husband went "English" meaning they could have divorced and she could have gone back Amish for her David.

[melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always love her books.
I was really looking forward to reading this one and was not disappointed.
I loved the character's and cover and the title.

[Jean Martello · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story. Well written. Would recommend.

[Jackie Parrott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love found again.

This was a different kind of Amish book than I've read before. It was mostly about Dave finding himself and where he be!onged.

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hope deferred

Good read. Kept me in suspense. Linda Byler is a great author! Great ending as well! Nothing like your first love.

[Kay · Rating 1 out of 5]

There was not one likable character in this book. Found it very difficult to get through.

[Eva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hope Deferred was not what I expected from it´s cover - in a good way. It is more than a regular Amish romance - the author isn´t afraid to let her characters grow, sometimes grow apart, spread their wings, make huge mistakes and deal with the consequences. There aren not good guys and bad guys in this book. The characters are complex, painted in all shades of gray just as real people are, and their story feels very realistic. It is certainly a book I would return to.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book, author doesn't always gives us the ending we want.