When Susannah Peachy returns to her grandfather’s potato farm to help out after her grandmother’s injured, she’s not ready to face her ex-beau. But with Peter Lambright pitching in to harvest her grandfather’s crop, she can’t avoid him. For his family’s sake, Peter can’t tell Susannah why he had to leave her. But sharing his secret could make all the difference for their future…
From Love Uplifting stories of faith, forgiveness and hope.
The Amish of New Hope
Book 1: Hiding Her Amish Secret Book 2: An Unexpected Amish Harvest
I didn't like this book and I adore Amish books. If I heard one more time about the female character losing weight I'd die. Big deal and she would fight her step grandmother every way with what she cooked. Just because your a health nut doesn't mean everyone else has too.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Thanks to Harlequin Love Inspired and NetGalley, too, For my copy of this book, here’s my honest review:
This is the second in the New Hope set But works as a standalone if you haven’t read the first yet. It shares a lovely story of family, forgiveness and romance Where friends and others are given a second chance.
Susannah Peachy is returning to look after her Gran But reconnecting with Peter Lambright isn’t in her plan. Last summer they were courting, then suddenly he said They were over, their romance was over, dead.
Susannah was heartbroken and didn’t understand why And Peter never really explained - he didn’t want to lie. They both still love each other but now must be apart But no one thought to tell their heart.
Last year Peter made a secret pact In exchange for funds that he desperately lacked. Worried about his Mum’s health and his siblings, too He was unsure about just what he should do.
Susannah’s grandparents want to protect her and care But making wrong assumptions about things they’re unaware. It is a heartwarming story, filled with faith, love and hope About forgiveness, caring and helping others cope.
An Unexpected Amish Harvest by Carrie Lighte is the 2nd book in The Amish of New Hope series. It can be read as a standalone if you have not indulged in Hiding Her Amish Secret. I thought An Unexpected Amish Harvest was well-written with realistic characters. Susannah Peachy and Peter Lambright began courting the previous year, but then Peter broke off their courtship without providing a reason. She wishes to avoid Peter, but it looks like it is not meant to be. Susannah has loving grandparents who wish to protect her and ensure that she has a safe future. That future may not be what Susannah has envisioned. There are a couple of secondary storylines in this tale. Miscommunication and misunderstandings abound. There were some good life lessons in this story. People should not be judged based on their outward appearance and things are not always the way they appear. We need to remember that there are two sides to every story. Forgiveness is one of the central themes. Forgiving someone does more for the person giving it than for the person receiving it. I like how it all came together into one heartwarming Amish tale. I appreciated the epilogue that nicely wrapped up the story. I am eager to read Caring for Her Amish Family. An Unexpected Amish Harvest is a sweet story about forgiveness, family, misapprehensions, friends, misperceptions, and love.
A quick read with charming characters and a unique plot. Carrie Lighte brought the story to life with ups and downs for the characters, along with plenty of action and a path of discovery the truth about situations. A family trauma that caused hurts but with God nothing is impossible for healing and new beginnings.
This is a short book that is a quick and lovely read. Set in the Amish world of a potato farm in Maine, it brought back memories of my own time of living in Maine and how focused everyone was when it was potato harvest time. Susanna Peachy goes to live with her grandfather and his wife because her step-grandmother has a broken wrist and needs help during this busy time. Unknown to her before her arrival, her grandfather has hired her former suitor, Peter Lambright, to help with the harvest. That means Susanna will see him daily as one of her duties is to make and serve lunch to the workers. I enjoyed the sweetness of the story and the realistic details about the characters and the setting. Susanna was self-conscious about her appearance and has made big changes by changing her dietary habits. That fact attracts attention from other possible suitors and also makes her wonder if people can be so shallow as to only like others who look good physically. The story had a lesson to teach and a love story to tell, with some obstacles in the way of the would-be couple. Fans of light romance will enjoy reading the story and learn about how hard potato harvesting can be. Disclaimer Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Harlequin via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”
I have reviewed this title for New York Journal of Books where it will be posted on their site the evening prior to the release date.
"An Unexpected Amish Harvest" by Carrie Lighte Love Inspired August 31, 2021 10-1335409432 Contemporary Christian Romance
Twenty-three-year-old Susannah Peachy believes her life is wonderful. Visiting her grandfather Marshall Sommer and step-grandmother Lydia in New Hope, Maine, at Christmastime, she falls in love with Peter Lambright, who asks to be her suitor.
Soon afterward, she returns home to Dover, Delaware, and she and Peter correspond frequently and talk on Sundays at their phone shanties. She trusts she and Peter have a future together, so she is shocked when he calls stating he doesn't think they would be a good match. Depressed and incredulous at his decision, Susannah goes about her life tending to her father, brother, and his family. She repeatedly plays what could have changed Peter's mind in her head, and she considers he is ashamed of her weight. Why didn't he show any displeasure of this while they were together?
With her father hospitalized with complications from diabetes and obesity, Susannah decides to cook more healthfully. Her mother, who never took care of her health, passed away four years earlier, making Susannah determined not to lose her father, too. She learns about eating right and is pleased when everyone loses weight and feels more energized. It is not the Amish way to be vain about one's body, so she confirms she is doing this for health reasons. It doesn't help she is heartbroken over losing Peter and having no desire to eat, she uses the excuse of cooking healthful foods to make her family healthy.
Nine months pass, and Susannah, having lost considerable weight, receives a call saying Lydia has fallen and broken her wrist and needs her assistance in Maine. Afraid of seeing Peter again, Susannah cannot turn down her grandparent's request, for she loves them and wants to help in any way she can.
Susannah arrives, astounding Lydia by her slimness. Lydia makes many comments embarrassing Susannah by her attention. She explains her father's current health and how everyone is now healthier by changing their eating habits. Susannah takes on Lydia's chores, planning to cook more nutritious meals for her grandparents, too.
Now at harvest time, Marshall hires extra help on his potato farm. Lydia's fourteen-year-old twin great-nephews, Conrad and Jacob, are coming from Ohio, and Marshal employs two others—a bachelor from nearby . . . none other than Peter!
Susannah is shocked to see Peter, and the pain of his abandonment hits her with a vengeance. Though Peter owns a business making patio furniture, she cannot understand why he would work the farm instead. She trusts she will not see him often, but when Lydia invites all the men to join the family for lunch, Susannah realizes there's no way to avoid him.
Peter is startled upon seeing Susannah, and he doesn't blame her for acting aloof. After all, he hurt her badly. However, Peter had a purpose for breaking things off, and he cannot and will not disclose why. Because she is so thin, he considers she may be sick:
"Up until this afternoon, Peter had entertained the possibility that she's been ill; maybe that was why she'd lost weight. But seeing her bolting toward him faster than lighting a few minutes ago had eliminated that question from his mind. There was clearly nothing wrong with her health.
"Is it that she's spoiled? Or . . . lazy?
"Although pride was considered one of the worst—if not the worst—character traits an Amish person could have, laziness was a close second. Peter felt judgmental for even contemplating whether Susannah lacked a strong work ethic."
Time passes, and Susannah decides to clear the air with Peter. She wants to know the reason for being rejected, and she is unhappy with the coolness between them, especially seeing they eat lunch together every day. Though Peter regains the loving feelings he once held toward Susannah, he is close-mouthed. He has many secrets he must retain not only from Susannah but from others too, though regarding Susannah, his vow of confidentiality is with Marshall:
"On Monday morning, Peter traveled toward the farm feeling thoroughly energized. He'd spent the better part of the Sabbath either napping or praying for wisdom about his dilemma concerning the promise he'd made to Marshall. The more time Peter spent with Susannah, the more intense his desire to court her became. And he was confident that she would accept him as her suitor again if he asked. Yet, he couldn't court her without breaking his word to Marshall, which was unacceptable to Peter. So, his thoughts had kept circling around and around and ending up back at the same dead end."
This God-fearing and upstanding populace proves how they honor their elders, their promises, and their confidences. Hard-working and dependable, they will stop at nothing to protect their loved ones and remain true to their faith. Many Amish terms are included adding to the authenticity of the heritage and tips on how to cook healthfully. "An Unexpected Amish Harvest" is book Number Two in The Amish of New Hope series, and though it stands nicely alone, the charm of this tale will prompt others to read the first novel," Hiding Her Amish Secret."
Forgiveness is the central theme for An Unexpected Amish Harvest. It's also a story of learning that things aren't always how they seem. I'm fairly new to Amish romances, having only started reading them within the last year, and I've found that I enjoy them even more than I'd expected. This one has such a great theme, and the characters are easy to like and root for. The romance is full of miscommunication, so trust is another lesson for these characters. The story is a quick read, easily read in an afternoon, and I completely enjoyed this couple's journey. It is the second book in The Amish of New Hope series, but speaking as someone who hasn't read the first in the series, I'd say it can easily be read as a standalone. That said, I intend to check out that first book while I'm waiting for whatever's next from Carrie Lighte.
An easy fast read about Susannah Peachy who returns to her grandfathers home to care for her grandmother who broke her wrist. Here she helps with Meals for the workers on the potato farm. Peter her ex beau works for her Grandfather and she cannot figure out why he wants nothing to do with her. This is a tale of love, forgiveness, and second chances. There are twists , but All rights itself for a satisfying conclusion..
Amish folk don't show pride and they take up for one another and so when his younger brother gets in trouble, Peter depleats the savings of their business and has to borrow. His borrowing brings him down quite a few pegs and he does meet the requirements to repay the loan, but there's more at stake than money.
Interesting how this young lady was so involved with her ways of cooking and preparing foods to keep her body size reduced. I believe this is the first time I have read a story with such a theme. I was also surprised about the Amish living in the state of Maine.
An Unexpected Amish Harvest by Carrie Lighte is another great story in her series. I love getting to know the characters and seeing how God works in their lives.
After having reviewed Her Amish Suitor's Secret (Amish of Serenity Ridge #3), I was looking forward to another book by Carrie Lighte. Although the book is part of a series, (it is the second book in the Amish of New Hope series) it makes a great standlone.
Susannah Peachy`s Gran needs care and she doesn't hesitate to go where she's needed. Peter Lambright used to be part of her life. What will happen when they see each other again? Will old feelings be forgotten or is what they feel for each other too strong to ignore?
Carrie Lighte's writing is heartfelt, gripping and perfectly depicts Amish life. I felt as if I were there with the characters. The book is a quick read/listen but is a very interesting story.
I was wondering what would be in store for Susannah and Peter and wanted to know what happened to them. I was pleased for Susannah's Gran that Susannah was able to help her.
The novel encompasses the ups and downs of Amish life. There's love, loss fighting for what and who you want and never giving up. The attention to detail is excellent and the book is engrossing and absorbing.
Thanks to Carrie Lighte and Harlequin Love Inspired for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
5 stars.
I am looking forward to many more books by Carrie Lighte.
I *DESPISE* Amish books. I don't even know how this got in my stack when I was shopping. I was avoiding the Amish ones like the plague. I moved to Amish country when I married, and the Amish were never anything but snide and hurtful to we Englisch, not to mention absolute liars and hypocrites (they ran electricity under the ground to hide that they had it).
So when I found this in the huge pile of books I'd gotten on a 25¢ sale, I figured it had to be Ha'Shem who put it in there. I'm doing a HUGE 'Love Inspired' thing. And I would've tossed it, but... *BOOKS*. So I decided to pull it out, read it, and get it over with. Because *AMISH*. My cousin married a Mennonite girl, and lived Plain for ten years. He also hates the Amish. And his wife shrugged and said, "We don't even know what we believe, we just like looking different than everyone else." !!!!!!
I wish there were a button on this book like what they have on movies to change from English to Spanish subtitles. Because if I could change these people from Amish to 1930s Americana? This would be FIVE STARS. The story and the characters were *amazing*. I loved the book... but I cannot get past the fact that they're such horrible people, as a group.
They can run generators (built with electricity) and diesel refrigerators (you do realize diesel is refined with electricity), and ride in cars, shop in stores with electric lights... use a telephone - heck, Peter has a CELLPHONE for his business! How in hades is he charging that thing?! Don't tell me - propane, right? But they "eschew technology"... NOT. Liars and hypocrites.
The other major problem that I had is that they call Sunday 'Sabbath'. Sunday is NOT Sabbath - it's completely unBiblical. Even christchuns (of which I am NOT) don't profane the Sabbath by moving it from Saturday to Sunday. They just keep the 'Lord's Day' instead and drop that particular commandment. Better to be even a chrischun than an Amish person, in that case. It's one thing to ignore the commandments of Elohim, it's a WHOLE 'nother one to profane by changing them!
I liked the story. I'm likely even going to keep the book. But I wish the fake German words weren't spattered around the pages, and I spent the ENTIRE thing pretending they were 1930s average Americans, instead of Amish. Because it's just wrong on every single level. When you go to a yard sale and they herd their toddlers away from mine because my child is Englisch and a lesser human than theirs are? That's WRONG. So much for 'be ye kind, one to another'.
I don’t usually pick up Amish romances, but the cover on this one caught my eye. It’s been on my TBR for a bit now. Second chance at love is one of my favorite tropes to read – I love how the characters have to fight how much they know and love about the other person while they are still struggling to get past whatever broke them up to start with. This one did not disappoint.
One of the central themes in this one is forgiveness. No just between the main characters, but with the friends and family in each of their lives as well. Miscommunication and the way it can impact trust (and ultimately forgiveness when that trust seems broken) also played a large role in this book. It also highlights how being honest and transparent with the people in your life can change everything.
But if Peter had been 100% honest and transparent with both Susannah and her grandfather, then there wouldn’t be a need for a second chance at love… I thought the characters both showed realistically hurt feelings and caution as they tiptoed around one another when they were thrown together unexpectedly and unavoidably. I enjoyed watching them navigate the obstacles keeping them apart, and the epilogue really did tie things up perfectly.
Side note: I had no idea that this was part of a series until after the fact. It can completely stand alone, so don’t feel you need book 1 to read this one.
Susannah Peachy has a good heart, but she still struggles. Having had struggled with weight her whole life, she has now lost the weight and her self-esteem has grown. However, with Peter Lambright breaking their courtship, Susannah was sure it had to do with her weight. When she goes to help her grandparents after her grandmother suffered a broken bone, Susannah is forced to see Peter again. Peter is working for her grandfather on his potato farm.
Susannah has trouble being around Peter. Yes, she has slimmed down and has adjusted her menus to include healthier options, and she walks as much as possible to stay in shape, but her heart has been damaged and she does not have the ability to forgive, although her faith is strong.
Peter has his reasons for breaking the courtship, and he is honoring a promise to not tell Susannah why he did. However, he still cares for her and she for him. But, she is determined to keep her distance.
In this sweet story, we see how weight can affect one's self-esteem. Also, forgiveness lines the pages of this story. Lastly, honoring a promise can break one's heart. What a lovely story that brings it all together to find a way to love. The heart shines through it all.
Many thanks to Harlequin Love Inspired and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
An Unexpected Amish Harvest is an amazing story written by Carrie Lighte. This story is filled with love of family and how that can get in the way of what is really the best for people. The characters are truly likeable with maybe the exception of one young Amish man who really thinks he is a charmer. Weight loss plays a big role with a few throughout this story which plays with a few characters views of themselves. Susannah Peachy believes Peter Lambright broke off their relationship because of her weight issue. Now back facing Peter everyday while working on her grandfather's farm Susannah tries her best to avoid him. Peter wants so badly to reveal the real reason he broke off their relationship but he is bound by an agreement with Susannah's grandfather to keep it a secret. The author has written another great story for her readers enjoyment.
I was not given a complimentary copy of this book to read and review. I was not approached to post a favorable response and all opinions are my own. I have rated this story with five stars for meeting my expectations of a wonderful story that I can highly recommend to others.
AUTHOR Lighte, Carrie TITLE An Unexpected Amish Harvest DATE READ 09/17/21 RATING 4/B FIRST SENTENCE “You’re so thin!” Susannah Peachy’s stepgrandmother, Lydia, exclaimed as they embraced each other. GENRE/PUB DATE/FORMAT/LENGTH Amish Romance/2021/pb/217 pgs SERIES/STAND ALONE #2 Amish Harvest CHALLENGE Good Reads 2021 Reading Goal 82/120 GROUP READ TIME/PLACE Present/ME CHARACTERS Susannah Peachy her grandparents Marshall and Peachy; Peter Lambright neighbor COMMENTS This reads fine as a stand-alone. I will most likely read the 1st one since I did enjoy this 2nd entry. Susannah comes up to Delaware to help out at her grandparents since her stepgrandmothe has broken her wrist. Last summer when she visited her grandparents she was courting with Peter Lambright and he abruptly – over the phone – told her that could not court anymore. She is hoping since she will be so busy she can avoid him …
I thoroughly enjoyed this one. The harvest wasn't potatoes, which, considering the cover and title would have been "expected". I wasn't ready for a mystery component to an Amish romance novel! I'm kidding. The unexpected harvest was love, baby! I don't know about the rest of this book's readers, but I did kind of expect love in my Amish love book. Either way, good read!
I loved this book! I thought the reason Susannah and Peter couldn't be together made for a good story and I enjoyed watching them develop (or rediscover) feelings for each other. I enjoyed the side story of Peter's mother and how that resolved. The story moved quickly and I enjoyed every minute of it!
I enjoyed this book as I do all the Amish books I read. I love the stories of the families, the good clean fun and laughter the families share. The descriptions of the lives they lead, and their full love and trust in God, as they go about their everyday lives.