The Beginning

by Beverly Lewis

Susie Mast's Old Order life in Lancaster County's Hickory Hollow has been shaped by events beyond her control, with the tragic deaths of her Dat and close-in-age brother casting a particularly long shadow. Now twenty-two, Susie remains unmarried despite her longtime affection for friend Obie Yoder. Believing Obie might never show romantic interest in her, Susie accepts Del Petersheim's invitations--it is only after Obie leaves to take an apprenticeship that Susie realizes her mistake.

Unfortunately, Susie's cares are soon multiplied due to her mother's worsening health and her younger sister's desire for answers about her adoption. Once again, Susie faces the possibility of loss. Will family secrets and missed opportunities dim Susie's hopes for the future? Or is what seems like the end only the beginning?

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

336 pages, Paperback

Published September 7, 2021

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Beverly Lewis, raised in Pennsylvania Amish country and both a schoolteacher and an accomplished musician, has been an award-winning author for over a dozen years. Her acclaimed novel, The Preacher's Daughter, was a 2006 Quill Book Award finalist in the romance category. Her books have appeared on numerous bestseller lists, including USA Today and The New York Times. She and her husband, David, live in Colorado."

Reviews

[Laurie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was not one of my favorite books by Beverly Lewis. The story was very slow but then the ending was rushed. I wonder if there will be a sequel to this book.

[Andrea Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was exactly what I needed. It was so beautiful and charming, a truly delightful coming-of-age tale. It held grief and hope and a friends-first romance, which was so refreshing and well written. I liked the search for the truth of one’s past as well as the search for peace. It even had some heartbreaking plot twists that engaged my emotions perfectly.

Content: teen smoking mentioned, drunk driver

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always enjoy time 'spent' in Hickory Hollow . . . especially when the Wise Woman, Ella Mae Zook is on hand to dispense peppermint tea and offer kindly advice.
I really enjoyed that we had 2 'heroines' to get to know in this story. Being an older sister m'self, I think I identified with Susie more than with Britta, though I did understand her viewpoint as well. I loved the way the twists and turns happened throughout the approximately 2 3/4 years covered in this book, but was getting a wee bit concerned when nothing seemed to be close to being resolved and there were only 2-3 chapters left in the book.
I needn't have worried. Beverly Lewis always manages to tell the story that needs telling, all while reminding us that not only does God love us, His plans for us are always better than we can even hope to dream.

[Lori · Rating 1 out of 5]

I just couldn't get into this book - very very slow reading. Read 3 chapters hoping for a bit of plot development but ended up putting it aside. Don't think I would read anything else by this author

[Tammy Chandler · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book about the Mast family - particularly Susie and Britta and just walking through the days in their Amish life.

In our own lives we have our ups and downs - and often wonder if other families experience anything like we are. In this story we see that people from all walks of life experience happiness and heartbreak just like we do - but with the Lord by our side we can do all things! He gives us strength!

The story is slow moving - but I enjoyed getting to know the characters by being with them day after day. I would recommend this to anyone who is interested in spending some time in the Amish life. 💕

[Jolan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Beginning by Beverly Lewis is a heartwarming story about Susie Mast and her adopted sister Britta. Both have trials in their life that they need to contend with. Their mother’s poor health leaves them to deal with the family farm and shop since she has moved to stay with their older brother in Missouri. Susies’s best friend, Obie Yoder, has moved away leaving her to feel like she will be a maedel now, while Britta yearns to learn more about her biological mother. This 5-star story is another exemplary work of this author and I highly recommend it.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Susie has been friends with Obie for years and thinks he will ask to court her but he tells her he is moving away. Susie is also worried about her mother’s bad health and her adopted sister’s searching for information on her birth mother. Susie’s brother had been killed while they were walking when she was 8 and he was 9 and she has felt the quilt ever since.

[Leah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lancaster County, PA
March 11-January 1 (Over 2 years)

This is set in the fictional town of Hickory Hollow. The author has quite a few books set here, but I have only read a few of them. There is a bit of romance, but it is way in the background, except for the beginning and the ending of the story. The story is really about family--birth and adoptive. This is told by two sisters. One of whom is adopted. Both are feeling lost and are struggling to find themselves. I liked the ending of the romance, but the rest of the ending wasn't what I hoped it would be.

[Connie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5. I love Beverly Lewis’s books. Although they are a bit syrupy and quite predictable, I marvel at the simplicity of the Amish lifestyle. I know that these are just stories, but they are heartening. I would recommend these books to anyone who enjoys the genre.

[Gaby Brucker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I want to read a Beverly Lewis book every Christmas. Just made me happy to read such a sweet book about one of my favorite parts of the country right now! ❤️❤️

[Dawn Wagner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven’t read a Beverly Lewis book in a while, so when I saw this one on hoopla, I decided to give it a listen. It was cute and had a couple surprises I wasn’t expecting. Not my favorite of hers but still good.

[June Jacobs · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful, moving story by one of my favorite Amish fiction storytellers.

I borrowed a copy of this book from the local public library.

This book is completely clean in language and content. :0}

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[WafflingCozmonaught · Rating 2 out of 5]

Have you ever heard of the Amish romance genre? Because I sure as hell hadn’t before I worked at a library. They fly off the shelves so fast, you wouldn’t believe. Hot stuff without the hotness. As the label might suggest, books under this label have an old-fashioned view of relationships. Imagine the complete opposite of Fifty Shades.

Beverly Lewis’s The Beginning primarily follows one 22 year-old Susie Mast as she pines after her childhood friend, Odie Yoder. Susie lives in the Old Order Amish settlement of Hickory Hollow with her sickly mother and younger, adopted sister. Furthermore, she is haunted by the deaths of her brother and father, which occurred a little more than a decade ago as of the book’s opening.

Now, that seems like a decent enough setup, doesn’t it? Especially when you look at the potential conflicts from a traditionalist Amish lens: Susie’s mother is skeptical of modern medical treatments for her chronic illness, Susie’s sister feels like an outsider because she wasn’t born into an Amish family, and there’s a mysterious bouquet that keeps turning up on the anniversary of her brother’s death.

But, holy balls, is this book slow.

It's nonstop, angsty filler.

I'm going to garden while angsting. I'm going to clean while angsting. I'm going to bake while angsting.

Why won’t he ask me out? Why doesn’t he see me as more than a friend? Why won’t he buy my god forsaken peanut butter??

It's just too much.

It began to make me angry, quite honestly. Here's a thought, Susie: take some goddamn responsibility and ask him out yourself. Maybe that makes me a dirty blasphemer, I don’t know. Rather than doing the obvious, Susie tortures the reader with dozens of scenes in which she, more or less, laments, "I just don't know what to do!"

Yes you do, you filthy liar!

And thus we, as the reader, are strung along, anxiously awaiting any crumbs of plot that may emerge amongst the mass of useless filler. It's like playing “I spy” in a horse-drawn carriage as undigested turds burrow out of the driving animal's buttcrack.

It's made all the more incredible given the fact that the reader barely sees the main couple interact. Oh, how the supporting cast constantly fawns over the possibility of Odie and Susie’s close friendship blossoming into something more! Sure would’ve been nice if the reader got to see some of that chemistry.

All—literally all (there’s only like 5)—of their interactions are tense and awkward. The reader is, I guess, supposed to just sit there and believe that a guy and girl that can barely say a single complete sentence to each other have some long, emotional childhood history.

I know that Beverly Lewis is one of the more prolific Amish fiction authors and has a whole universe going on with shared characters in Hickory Hollow; it’s possible that the first 90% of this novel’s romance is within the pages of her other works. But, if that is the case, then this novel shouldn’t be marketed as “standalone.”

Hell, I would say that even labeling this as a “romance” is reaching. Why? Well in addition to the zero chemistry, the main love interest literally up and leaves the town halfway into the story and doesn’t magically reappear until the last few pages. And even then it’s only to spring a marriage proposal on Susie.

“Wanna go out?”

“Okay.”

“What about marriage instead?”

“Let’s not be hasty.”

/ Epilogue: 1 week later /

“Wanna get married now?”

“OMG, YES!”

^ That is not an exaggeration; that is the literal, actual ending to this book. The Amish of Hickory Hollow do things different; what can I say?

The character growth in this book feels very uneven. Our protagonist, Susie, is angsty the entire time: no change there. Susie’s mother changes somewhat, but it is done entirely off-screen when the author demotes her to the supporting cast. Susie’s sister goes through a large change, but—as is the Beverly Lewis way—the reader never experiences the event she cites as prompting her change. It just comes across as carelessness given that the book has a plethora of tedious 500 word mini-scenes where a character does nothing other than monologue their thoughts to the reader, failing to advance the plot in any meaningful way. It’s rather ironic too, because despite the title of the novel, the reader never sees the beginning of any of the major plot points.

One of the subplots tries hard to carry this novel to the finish line. But by the time the book rounds the last corner, both its ankles are broken, and it has to resort to belly flopping down the final straightaway like a rabid seal, all the while adamantly refusing treatment from the on-site medics because of deeply held religious beliefs.

[Rachael · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet story about a young girl adopted by her Amish family who hopes to find out more about her blood relatives. The sister who dotes on her, and her struggles as she wonders if God has anyone for her to share her future.

It took a bit for me to get into the story…and I’d have liked more to the conclusion. I did find it neat that my daughter, who is adopted, got me this book for Christmas. I treasure the story for that alone.

[Victoria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a favorite... storyline overall was a little boring and perhaps because I favor romance novels I did not care for this one. There was very little love story involved. Also, story peaked literally in the last chapter (44!)... too much fluff in this one in my opinion.

[Lily · Rating 2 out of 5]

A simplistic tale written in a simplistic manner, this book was a little unsatisfying. The author kind of strung us along with the main character Susie not able to open up about her true feelings. This caused her best friend/possible beau to take off for a new life. Her feelings about her brother's sudden death as a child (which she witnessed) were also kept under wraps, so that wasn't addressed openly, either.
The story is about an Amish family, their friends, and their family. A 10 day old baby was fostered by Susie's mother after Susie's father died. The baby was later adopted. This girl Britta is also involved in the plot of this book. She later wants to find her birth mother--an Englisher.
As with many books, this one quickly bring resolutions which I thought should have taken more time to play out.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

While the adage suggests that art imitates life, Beverly Lewis' books provide lessons to live our lives. Grappling with decisions, her charismatic characteristics put love and God ahead of their own needs and when facing difficulties, bond together instead of drifting apart.

At my own crossroads, 'The Beginning' was brought into my life while I'm writing my next chapter. It's been a rocky few months but after reading the novel, I'm feeling better about the road ahead.

Susie and Britta are grappling with how to move forward, they put their trust in God and each other. Beverly Lewis pens novels that shine a light on the Amish community and its respect for faith and family. Readers well versed in the author's past novels will find themselves reacquainted with Ella Mae and the Wise Woman's wisdom. While reading, a quote stood out to me and I highlighted the text to circle back afterwards to reflect on its teachings:

“Each of us bumps into piled-up hay bales now an’ then, so we hafta go back a different way, and then we find yet another barricade, and on an’ on.” She paused, her pale blue eyes ever so solemn. “But our heavenly Father looks on us with arms outstretched. He sees our struggles as we try ’n’ move through the seemingly endless web of stops and starts to the glorious end. From the beginning to the end, His view is clear. And from His high vantage point, He alone knows how to get through. But He’s also patient, so He waits for us to ask directions.” (The Beginning)

During difficult times, don't be afraid to ask for help. Shouldering the daily burden pulls us away from others instead of connecting with them. While we may feel ashamed of our 'failures' or life's disappointments, our friends and family are there to call upon for a cup of tea.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful trip through Amish country

A young widow whose 7 year old son was run over by a hit and run driver adopts a newborn. Her daughter takes to the baby the first time she sees her. But, as with most adoptees, curiosity about her origins starts to loom ever larger in Britta's mind.
Obie and Susie, Britta's older sister, have been friends since childhood. Susie's in love, but it seems like Obie sees her only as a sister.
Their mother, always having fought asthma and allergies, is worsening every year. After a rpugh year, she improves enough to take a van to visit her son in Missouri. While there, she ends up in the hospital with pneumonia. Her allergies aren't as bad afterwards as she has finally learned that non herbal medicarions can have a place in the treatment of her conditions.
Obie moves 100 miles away to apprentice as a blacksmith, and starts dating. Susie quits writingnso as not to interfere with this new relationship.
Allen, their brother, is faced with more medical exoenses caring for their mother and his daughter, who has the same issues as her grandma. He needs to rent out the house the girls live in.
How will all these trials end up working for anyone's good? Read and see how God solves the issues in every facet as the girls and their families and friends pray and trust

[Shelly Itkin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Susie Mast's life has not been an easy one. She lost her father and her brother who was close in age in a terrible accident. She is now twenty-two years old and between taking care of her mother, who is not well, and her adopted sister Britta her days are pretty full.
She had been friends with Obie Yoder since they were younger and she was hoping he would want to court her.
Obie is offered a chance to learn a trade from his Uncle and that will mean leaving Hickory Hollow. He seems to enjoy his life in Sugar Valley.
Britta her adopted sister is very curious to know more about her parents and wants answers but Susie does not know much.
With her mama now living with her brother and his family in Missouri, things are becoming difficult as Britta and Susie have to carry the burden of taking care of the house and working in the store to earn money to help support themselves.
When a change of events takes place where Britta and Susie might be forced to leave the only home they knew suddenly Obie arrives back home.
This story was extremely slow and hard to get into although the end was very enjoyable I just think it could of been written in half the amount of pages.

[Edward Arrington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beverly Lewis does it again with her latest book. The Amish of Hickory Hollow have been some of my favorite characters of hers. I particularly enjoy the way so many of the folks in Hickory Hollow seek out the counsel of the Wise Woman, Ella Mae Zook, who has been an integral part of many of Lewis’s stories. As a supporting character, Ella Mae adds so much depth to the truths shared. Susie is a devoted daughter who seeks to make life easier for her sickly, widowed mother. Her adopted sister, Britta, is quite interesting as she seems to be less inclined to jump the fence than many of the Amish-born young people. However, when she discovers her heritage, she experiences a time of questioning. Possibly the most important lesson in this story is that of forgiveness, an act that is very important to the Amish. The message comes through over and over. If you struggle to forgive others, you need to read this book.

[Chanover55 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mixed feelings about this book

Susie, her widowed mother and adopted sister, Britta, all live in the town if Hickory Hollow. Mom is not well so Susie & Brutes puck up most of the load for running the household and their mother's business. Shake has moved Oboe for a long time but when he leaves to apprentice as a farrier with his Uncle, Susie feels her chance at love as passed. When things come out about Britta's adoption and their mother goes to visit her eldest son in Missouri and stays for her heath, things really change for the sisters. I won't give away part of the story but I really grew to hate the brother for his treatment of his sisters with no thought about their feelings and their mother seeming to go along with his decision. Even the ending did not redeem the brother for me. Maybe a but slow in spots but I really like Beverly Lewis: she did give us a villain in this one.

[Mackenzie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I kept reading this book, hoping it would get interesting, but it never did! Overall, I found certain characters and moments to be interesting, but as a whole, it was hard to be invested; although I did finish the book, so I guess I didn't hate the book. I really wanted Susie and Obie to get together from the start, so it was hard to read about their really drawn-out courtship/friendship. Britta's adoption issues bugged me that everyone in her family and a close family friend kept her in the dark about the details concerning how she became a member of the Mast Family; it wasn't until something semi-urgent happened that information came to light. Even after the information was finally spoken, it wasn't something that really needed to be hidden and wasn't that surprising.

Sorry for the bad review, Lewis, but this book was not for me.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the story overall, but the Susie and Obie relationship arc just felt off. It left me feeling a little disappointed with Obie for waiting so many years to admit to his feelings for Susie. At the beginning of the story, Susie is turning 22, in a culture that allows courting to begin at 16, it seems odd that Obie had been waiting even that long to state his intentions. Then the book itself covers a several year time span where it is rumored that Obie is near to being otherwise engaged only to have him come back to Susie at the end and ask to court her. So that part of the story didn't add up to me. The story arc with Britta and her biological mother turned out about how I would've expected.

[Kendra · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was kind of strange, although the main character was followed throughout the book I really felt like this book was about her sister's story, this book takes place over several years and then in its conclusion the ending is some what unrealistic. I would have liked to see this 'story' be broken in to two books, one dealing with the main characters issues and taking time to bring it to a more realistic conclusion and then another book about her sister's issues. It just felt jumpy and I didn't enjoy reading this book as much as I usually like to read a Beverly Lewis novel. I will keep reading this author, it wasn't a bad book it just wasn't amazing like I am used to, I just wanted to finish it and move on to my next read.

[Dave Carrig · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read all of her books and this one is hands down my favorite - and that is saying a lot - because Beverly Lewis is may favorite living author and I have yet to read a book by her I did not like. This one hits close to home because some of the things that the main characters have to deal with I am dealing with in my own life currently and I suppose because I could so easily relate to them (Susie in particular) might be why this is my favorite. At the end of the day God is sovereign in the midst of all trial and hardship. We just have to keep trusting in Him. That's what this book is all about - that's what this book has reminded me to do. Well done, Mrs. Lewis!

[Laurel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read a lot of books by Beverly Lewis, and I have to say that this is one of my favorites, if not my all time favorite! Despite Susie Mast's longtime friendship with Obie Yoder, she's 22 and still single. Taking care of her ailing mother and sharing chores with her younger sister while also doing beautiful cross-stitch family trees to order and keeping their mom's little shop stocked and running leaves little time for leisure activities. Change is in the air when Obie leaves to learn a new trade under his uncle's tutelege, and their mother goes to visit her son and his family in another state. Will Obie and Susie ever realize that they're meant for each other?

[Mayda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Susie had the weight of the world on her young shoulders. Concern about her mam’s worsening health as well as earning enough money to pay for food keeps her hopping. She still misses her dat and her brother Eli, but at least she has her adopted younger sister Britta to help share the load. She has also leaned on her longtime friend Obie, but his departure to become an apprentice to his uncle is eminent. Britta is longing to find out more about her birth mother, but people who know are reluctant to say much. It’s quite an interesting story, with characters to match, and written by a masterful Amish storyteller. There are some surprises at the end which hopefully will lead to a sequel.

[Debbie Hoffman · Rating 5 out of 5]

As with every book that Beverly Lewis has written, it quickly draws you into the lives of the characters. The wise woman, Ella Mae Zook, makes appearances to offer her words of wisdom and just lend a sympathetic listening ear to the women of Hickory Hollow. The two main characters Susie Mast and Obie Yoder are best friends with romantic feelings for each other, but afraid to express their feelings for fear of ruining their friendship. Escape to Hickory Hollow to spend time with Susie, Obie and their families. You won’t be disappointed. I hope that there will be a sequel.

[Fran Gerardi · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a young adult book about the Amish way of life. It outlines the daily chores, the family and above all their dedication to God and a very simple way of life. This book would be good for any young adult who is curious about the Amish way of life and it has a plot where an adopted sister is curious about her birth mother and a love situation which helps explain the courting tradition among the Amish.

The book was over 300 pages and I don't know if many young adults would want to put that much time into this simplistic book.

[Jo M. Knight · Rating 4 out of 5]

THE BEGINNING

A little disappointed because the book wasn’t a joyful book to read. It moved along rather quickly, and I like that in a book, but I never sensed joy in the characters until the very end. Life IS hard, but with God in our lives, there is happiness and joy too. I guess I just saw the moment in the book. Because that is all they seemed to dwell on, the how it is now. Really made me think and appreciate my life past, present, and future. And I am 60. Find joy, for God is pure, joy, peace, and LOVE. BE HAPPY! J :-}