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Pleasant Valley #1
Leah's Choice
The first of three Amish-set novels in which a woman?s faith must guide her through challenging times.
All of Pleasant Valley seems to think the newcomer from Lancaster County is the perfect match for Teacher Leah. After all, so few new families come to their separate Amish community, and fewer still unmarried men. Daniel Glick is a widower with three young children to look after?Clearly he's in need of a wife.
Daniel's past haunts him. Though he cannot miss the beauty in Leah's bright eyes and patient ways, he also sees a reminder of his pain-filled marriage. Leah, too, has a burden to bear. Years ago, she was engaged to Johnny Kile, and she was heartbroken when he decided to leave the Amish community. Since then she has immersed herself in teaching, forgetting any hopes of having her own family. When Johnny returns, seeking reconciliation, Leah must decide between two pathways, either of which will completely change her life.
All of Pleasant Valley seems to think the newcomer from Lancaster County is the perfect match for Teacher Leah. After all, so few new families come to their separate Amish community, and fewer still unmarried men. Daniel Glick is a widower with three young children to look after?Clearly he's in need of a wife.
Daniel's past haunts him. Though he cannot miss the beauty in Leah's bright eyes and patient ways, he also sees a reminder of his pain-filled marriage. Leah, too, has a burden to bear. Years ago, she was engaged to Johnny Kile, and she was heartbroken when he decided to leave the Amish community. Since then she has immersed herself in teaching, forgetting any hopes of having her own family. When Johnny returns, seeking reconciliation, Leah must decide between two pathways, either of which will completely change her life.
320 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2009
63 people are currently reading
1983 people want to read
About the author
Marta Perry
201 books768 followersMarta Perry is a Pennsylvania-based author of over 35 novels, many of them inspirational romances. She uses her rural Pennsylvania life and her Pennsylvania Dutch heritage in writing her books, especially in her Pleasant Valley Amish series for Berkley Books and her new Amish-set suspense series for HQN Books.
Marta and her husband live in a centuries-old farmhouse in a quiet central Pennsylvania valley. They have three grown children and six beautiful grandchildren, and when she's not busy writing her next book, she's usually trying to keep up with her gardening, baking for church events, or visiting those beautiful grandkids.
Marta and her husband live in a centuries-old farmhouse in a quiet central Pennsylvania valley. They have three grown children and six beautiful grandchildren, and when she's not busy writing her next book, she's usually trying to keep up with her gardening, baking for church events, or visiting those beautiful grandkids.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 105 reviews
July 5, 2018
I'm not going to do the regular type of review for Leah's Choice like I usually do for most of the books I've read. This book was written in 2009 and I'm sure that a lot of you will have already read it and indeed the entire series. But what I would like to say is that from the start I was totally drawn into this story. I was very moved by this book.
Leah' s Choice is Marta Perry at her best. I have read a lot of her books and this one is my favorite. A writer recently pointed out in a review she did on a book that she had read, that to give a five star for a book meant that she was completely drawn into the story. A five star book had the ability to make her forget about time because she was so into the story it was like she was there with the characters. That's what this book did for me and it deserves my five Stars. I will be reading the other books in this series for sure and for certain !
Awesome book Marta Perry.
Leah' s Choice is Marta Perry at her best. I have read a lot of her books and this one is my favorite. A writer recently pointed out in a review she did on a book that she had read, that to give a five star for a book meant that she was completely drawn into the story. A five star book had the ability to make her forget about time because she was so into the story it was like she was there with the characters. That's what this book did for me and it deserves my five Stars. I will be reading the other books in this series for sure and for certain !
Awesome book Marta Perry.
January 27, 2019
This is the first “inspiration romance” I’ve ever read, and only because it was chosen for a bookclub I’m in. This will be my last. Emphatically.
Daniel is judgmental and prideful all the way until his quick flip at the end. We got into Leah’s head to the point that you understand her choices, but I still just couldn’t quite connect with her.
It may be unfair to judge this based on my aesthetics because it was fine for what it was, but I just did not like it. At all. I’m not Amish, but I tried to understand and I like the “Englisher” I am, I just didn’t. Nor did I care, really. I had to slog through this book. Maybe if I liked inspiration romance, but I really, really didn’t.
Daniel is judgmental and prideful all the way until his quick flip at the end. We got into Leah’s head to the point that you understand her choices, but I still just couldn’t quite connect with her.
It may be unfair to judge this based on my aesthetics because it was fine for what it was, but I just did not like it. At all. I’m not Amish, but I tried to understand and I like the “Englisher” I am, I just didn’t. Nor did I care, really. I had to slog through this book. Maybe if I liked inspiration romance, but I really, really didn’t.
April 21, 2018
I've read a couple of books in the Pleasant Valley series and am happily backtracking to catch up on the ones I've missed. Leah's Choice is the first book in the series and Marta Perry has created such an enthralling Amish community! I love the way she includes so many fascinating details about the culture and the people, including Pennsylvania Dutch words and phrases. It's easy to grasp their meaning in context, but a glossary is included at the end of the book as well.
Leah has found her calling in the schoolroom. She is steadfast in her faith and her future until she's unexpectedly challenged by two very different men. Widower Daniel has moved into the community to give his traumatized children a fresh start but he has mixed feelings when Teacher Leah shows a special interest in Matthew, Elizabeth and Jonah. She sees needs in his kinner that he doesn't want to acknowledge. Lots of emotional undercurrents bring an edge to their developing romance as Daniel harbors secrets under the false assumption that he can handle it all. If that isn't enough angst, Leah is confronted with the return of her first love, Johnny Kile (who I wanted to purse whomp on more than one occasion!)
A powerful story that explores the deeply rooted need to belong -- a theme that plays out in various ways in the lives of different characters. The kind of story that captivates a reader right to the soul stirring end.
Leah has found her calling in the schoolroom. She is steadfast in her faith and her future until she's unexpectedly challenged by two very different men. Widower Daniel has moved into the community to give his traumatized children a fresh start but he has mixed feelings when Teacher Leah shows a special interest in Matthew, Elizabeth and Jonah. She sees needs in his kinner that he doesn't want to acknowledge. Lots of emotional undercurrents bring an edge to their developing romance as Daniel harbors secrets under the false assumption that he can handle it all. If that isn't enough angst, Leah is confronted with the return of her first love, Johnny Kile (who I wanted to purse whomp on more than one occasion!)
A powerful story that explores the deeply rooted need to belong -- a theme that plays out in various ways in the lives of different characters. The kind of story that captivates a reader right to the soul stirring end.
November 25, 2017
This is an interesting look at Amish life through the eyes of a teacher who lost her fiancee to the English way of life. Many choices face Leah, and she is very confused for quite a while. She seems to feel responsible for the welfare and choices of her entire family. When she is faced with a romantic choice, will she make the right decision? I enjoyed this book and intend to read more of this series.
February 1, 2019
I’m not sure how I felt about this book at all.
May 3, 2010
When Leah’s first love left their Amish community for the English world, she thought she would never love again. Now, Johnny is back – researching genetic disease among the Amish – and he needs her help. Leah, now a teacher, is torn between her former feelings for Johnny, and her new feelings for Daniel, who is new to their community and comes with a lot of baggage (3 children from a former marriage, and little tolerance for the English way of life and Amish people who have contact with the outside world). Slowly, Leah’s ways begin to win Daniel over. Simultaneously, Leah realizes that her place is with her people (the Amish community), and with Daniel.
This inspirational romance falls a little flat. While the whole community tries to play matchmaker to bring Leah and Daniel together, neither of them wants anything to do with the other. Daniel thinks Leah may be too worldly (her connections with the English and her former fiancé make him wary), and Leah thinks she’s supposed to be an old maid. Leah, sensibly, realizes that Daniel’s opinions about the English will make any relationship between them very difficult (maybe even impossible). Yet, suddenly they’re overcome with feelings for one another? Although each is passionate in their own way, their attraction to one another is not particularly well-developed (I sure didn’t feel it). I just didn’t care much about their relationship.
What was really interesting were the details Marta Perry included about Amish life and beliefs, and the genetic diseases that affect the small Amish communities. I’d have loved to know more about those. For instance, the Amish tradition of rumspringa is pretty interesting - where parents allow their teenage/young adult children to take the time they need in order to decide whether they want to become full members of the church and the Amish community. A few years ago I ran across a documentary which made it out to be Amish teens gone wild – experimenting with all the things that have been forbidden to them. Leah’s rumspringa was not at all like that, mostly because she’s already in love with someone in the Amish community (who later leaves her and the Amish ways behind), but her sister Anna makes a lot of mistakes and decides to leave and see something of the world. This desire to know more and be more is in Leah, too, but it only receives a brief mention. Exploring that conflict might make her a more complicated/realistic character.
This was an ok read, but wasn’t engaging enough to make me want to seek out the rest of the series.
This inspirational romance falls a little flat. While the whole community tries to play matchmaker to bring Leah and Daniel together, neither of them wants anything to do with the other. Daniel thinks Leah may be too worldly (her connections with the English and her former fiancé make him wary), and Leah thinks she’s supposed to be an old maid. Leah, sensibly, realizes that Daniel’s opinions about the English will make any relationship between them very difficult (maybe even impossible). Yet, suddenly they’re overcome with feelings for one another? Although each is passionate in their own way, their attraction to one another is not particularly well-developed (I sure didn’t feel it). I just didn’t care much about their relationship.
What was really interesting were the details Marta Perry included about Amish life and beliefs, and the genetic diseases that affect the small Amish communities. I’d have loved to know more about those. For instance, the Amish tradition of rumspringa is pretty interesting - where parents allow their teenage/young adult children to take the time they need in order to decide whether they want to become full members of the church and the Amish community. A few years ago I ran across a documentary which made it out to be Amish teens gone wild – experimenting with all the things that have been forbidden to them. Leah’s rumspringa was not at all like that, mostly because she’s already in love with someone in the Amish community (who later leaves her and the Amish ways behind), but her sister Anna makes a lot of mistakes and decides to leave and see something of the world. This desire to know more and be more is in Leah, too, but it only receives a brief mention. Exploring that conflict might make her a more complicated/realistic character.
This was an ok read, but wasn’t engaging enough to make me want to seek out the rest of the series.
July 29, 2013
After Johnny Kile broke both their engagement and her heart, Amish school teacher Leah Beiler decided she'll never get married and has dedicated her life to her work and the children she teaches. Her close-knit Amish community, however, isn't convinced that Leah is meant to remain single and when widower Daniel Glick, who has three young children, moves to town, the entire community tries to play matchmaker. Leah is not sure of her feelings for Daniel, feelings which are further complicated when Johnny reappears in her life. Daniel has his own issues - he is tormented by events from his past that he is afraid will haunt him for the rest of his life. Leah has a choice to make - what will it be?
While I found it a bit slow at the beginning, by the end I had a hard time putting down "Leah's Choice" because I wanted to find out what was going to happen to Leah and Daniel and Johnny. Author Marta Perry has created some very believable characters and situations. While the Amish setting means the romance is "sweet" Perry never sugarcoats Amish life and the struggles the Amish go through. Leah often questions her faith having lost Johnny to the English life during his Rumspringa and fears she may also lose her younger sister to the English life - fears she tries to keep from her mother who is recovering from cancer. Leah is also concerned with the health issues of the Amish children brought on by years of Amish marrying into the same families, especially so since her brother is marrying into a family affected by those health problems. Daniel is an equally complicated person - his story has a heartbreaking twist that makes him an even deeper character, if a bit stern and rigid at times. The romance portions are nice done, although there's little doubt about who Leah will end up with. I suspect (hope) that Johnny will develop more as a character as the series goes along. While Leah's story is wrapped up by the end of this book, this is the first book in a new series so some plot lines are left open - one in particular will keep me buying future books so I can find out what ultimately happens to one of the characters.
"Leah's Choice" is a nicely done romance set in the Amish community and fans of Amish romances and sweet romances will enjoy it.
While I found it a bit slow at the beginning, by the end I had a hard time putting down "Leah's Choice" because I wanted to find out what was going to happen to Leah and Daniel and Johnny. Author Marta Perry has created some very believable characters and situations. While the Amish setting means the romance is "sweet" Perry never sugarcoats Amish life and the struggles the Amish go through. Leah often questions her faith having lost Johnny to the English life during his Rumspringa and fears she may also lose her younger sister to the English life - fears she tries to keep from her mother who is recovering from cancer. Leah is also concerned with the health issues of the Amish children brought on by years of Amish marrying into the same families, especially so since her brother is marrying into a family affected by those health problems. Daniel is an equally complicated person - his story has a heartbreaking twist that makes him an even deeper character, if a bit stern and rigid at times. The romance portions are nice done, although there's little doubt about who Leah will end up with. I suspect (hope) that Johnny will develop more as a character as the series goes along. While Leah's story is wrapped up by the end of this book, this is the first book in a new series so some plot lines are left open - one in particular will keep me buying future books so I can find out what ultimately happens to one of the characters.
"Leah's Choice" is a nicely done romance set in the Amish community and fans of Amish romances and sweet romances will enjoy it.
December 1, 2018
In one sense, every Amish person makes a choice to stay within the Amish community by joining the church and agreeing to be subject to the Ordnung. From what I understand, leaving before joining the church has less ramifications than leaving after agreeing to join (as far as interactions with family members and others in the Amish community). Leah has already joined the Amish church--what seems to tempt her most is the learning opportunities that could be hers if she left. Leah's sister, Anna, does not appear to have joined the Amish church yet (based on the fact that she indicates she's in rumshpringa--the running around time for Amish teens.
Leah's other choice is in the romance area. When younger, Leah had an agreement to marry John Kile--until he left the Amish behind (after joining the church, apparently, since he appears to be under some of the shunning rules). Now, there is a new widower in Pleasant Valley--a man with 3 children, all of whom are in Leah's classroom. For reasons I don't fully understand, Leah chose not to get involved with anyone else after John left and figures she'll live out her life serving as the school teacher. She's miffed that so many people want to pair her up with the widower.
John returns to the area as a member of a team researching the genetics of the Amish. (Because of their history, there are many genetic diseases and because the Amish tend to keep genealogical records, there might be a way to track down information about the genetic diseases in DNA etc.) John recruits Leah to help with information gathering since he feels the Amish community would give her more information than they would anyone on the team.
For his part, the widower, Daniel, prefers little contact with the non-Amish world since his first wife left the Amish community and took their kids with her for 2 years. He's trying to return his kids to what he feels is the more stable Amish lifestyle.
Leah's role as the children's teacher has her getting more involved with Daniel's family than she might otherwise. In fact, Leah only agrees to help the genetic team because it might benefit children in the community sometime down the road.
So Leah's second choice comes between rekindling her childhood love for John or accepting the love of Daniel and his family and remaining Amish.
Many life choices are explored in other characters as well. How one person's choice can affect others who love them (John's parent and twin sister as well as Leah were all affected by his choice to leave the community, Anna's employer and her family as well as the Esch family were affected by her choices, Anna and Leah were both affected by their parents's decision to move to the daadi haus since they'd now be living in a house run by their sister-in-law.) How squashing interests in children can be a bad thing (Matthew's love of mechanics worries his father and drives a wedge between them). How keeping things to yourself can sometimes be bad (Elizabeth's perfectionism and worry about causing her mother's death, Leah trying to take on mothering Anna).
All-in-all a good book and a bit different than the typical romance.
Leah's other choice is in the romance area. When younger, Leah had an agreement to marry John Kile--until he left the Amish behind (after joining the church, apparently, since he appears to be under some of the shunning rules). Now, there is a new widower in Pleasant Valley--a man with 3 children, all of whom are in Leah's classroom. For reasons I don't fully understand, Leah chose not to get involved with anyone else after John left and figures she'll live out her life serving as the school teacher. She's miffed that so many people want to pair her up with the widower.
John returns to the area as a member of a team researching the genetics of the Amish. (Because of their history, there are many genetic diseases and because the Amish tend to keep genealogical records, there might be a way to track down information about the genetic diseases in DNA etc.) John recruits Leah to help with information gathering since he feels the Amish community would give her more information than they would anyone on the team.
For his part, the widower, Daniel, prefers little contact with the non-Amish world since his first wife left the Amish community and took their kids with her for 2 years. He's trying to return his kids to what he feels is the more stable Amish lifestyle.
Leah's role as the children's teacher has her getting more involved with Daniel's family than she might otherwise. In fact, Leah only agrees to help the genetic team because it might benefit children in the community sometime down the road.
So Leah's second choice comes between rekindling her childhood love for John or accepting the love of Daniel and his family and remaining Amish.
Many life choices are explored in other characters as well. How one person's choice can affect others who love them (John's parent and twin sister as well as Leah were all affected by his choice to leave the community, Anna's employer and her family as well as the Esch family were affected by her choices, Anna and Leah were both affected by their parents's decision to move to the daadi haus since they'd now be living in a house run by their sister-in-law.) How squashing interests in children can be a bad thing (Matthew's love of mechanics worries his father and drives a wedge between them). How keeping things to yourself can sometimes be bad (Elizabeth's perfectionism and worry about causing her mother's death, Leah trying to take on mothering Anna).
All-in-all a good book and a bit different than the typical romance.
May 25, 2018
This was a quick story for me. I grew up in Central PA around Lancaster so I know some about Amish life since I lived near them. But if you don’t know their culture or heritage I can see some people not liking these stories.
It is not a passionate love story, it’s very culture driven. And very slow in expressing feelings but that is the way. However, it was written well and it moved along quite nicely. So I did appreciate that. You basically get to know the community of Pleasant Valley. Leah is a schoolteacher and basically an old maid, at 28.. shock, so when newcomer Daniel Glick comes to town as a widower everyone wants Leah to marry him. So it’s basically a story of them falling in love and really understanding marriage for themselves. And the book does talk a lot about the time when 18yr olds go out into the ‘English’ world before they choose to be fully Amish or not. So it is paving the way for the trilogy.
If you want to know more about this culture, there are other great stories as well but this series does it well. Quick and easy read.
It is not a passionate love story, it’s very culture driven. And very slow in expressing feelings but that is the way. However, it was written well and it moved along quite nicely. So I did appreciate that. You basically get to know the community of Pleasant Valley. Leah is a schoolteacher and basically an old maid, at 28.. shock, so when newcomer Daniel Glick comes to town as a widower everyone wants Leah to marry him. So it’s basically a story of them falling in love and really understanding marriage for themselves. And the book does talk a lot about the time when 18yr olds go out into the ‘English’ world before they choose to be fully Amish or not. So it is paving the way for the trilogy.
If you want to know more about this culture, there are other great stories as well but this series does it well. Quick and easy read.
February 8, 2022
Leah’s Choice by Marta Perry is Book 1 in the Pleasant Valley Series
Living between two worlds is a difficult place to be but in this storyline you will see that for two families it is darn right heartbreaking. Daniel Glick can only hope that within time his children can adjust and once again be happy after their move. And can his past be settled and his children realize his love never faltered.
Leah Beiler loves her job as the schoolteacher, however has she settled her past? Also can she help herself as she helps others with their problems, it’s so easy to see others needs and help fix them but what about what she need?
In this captivating storyline Marta Perry will show you that walking the path between two worlds is not as easy as you may think and ones decision can and will have a ripple effect on many. I have just started this series and look forward to reading each book. The next book is Rachel’ Garden
Living between two worlds is a difficult place to be but in this storyline you will see that for two families it is darn right heartbreaking. Daniel Glick can only hope that within time his children can adjust and once again be happy after their move. And can his past be settled and his children realize his love never faltered.
Leah Beiler loves her job as the schoolteacher, however has she settled her past? Also can she help herself as she helps others with their problems, it’s so easy to see others needs and help fix them but what about what she need?
In this captivating storyline Marta Perry will show you that walking the path between two worlds is not as easy as you may think and ones decision can and will have a ripple effect on many. I have just started this series and look forward to reading each book. The next book is Rachel’ Garden
January 28, 2020
This is my first Amish romance. I went in expecting the character to ignore the outside world but I liked that they didn't, they live along side it don't pretend it doesn't exist or bring value to them in some ways. The book drags, then at the end like 4 things happen in one chapter. Whew that sister needs to get PUNISHED to the fullest extent of the law, I don't mind she wants to leave, but being reckless, not telling your parents yourself, running away, grow up you little jerk. Leah was nice and consistent and conflicted. Daniel, dealing with a lot but they grew together through problems and that was a nice change.
June 26, 2020
Leah’s Choice
Leah Beiler, a maidal who was a school teacher, in the one room Amish school in Pleasant Valley, PA loved her work with all her scholars. She had accepted her lot in life until Daniel Glick, a widower with three children, moved into her church district and all the community plus her family started trying to match make the pair. Then John Kile, her former fiancée and a fence-jumper, returned to the nearby Clinic to do genetic research on the Amish children with genetic deficits, and asked Leah to do volunteer work for the facility on her summer break. Read this page turning book to see what choice Leah makes to find happiness in her life.
Leah Beiler, a maidal who was a school teacher, in the one room Amish school in Pleasant Valley, PA loved her work with all her scholars. She had accepted her lot in life until Daniel Glick, a widower with three children, moved into her church district and all the community plus her family started trying to match make the pair. Then John Kile, her former fiancée and a fence-jumper, returned to the nearby Clinic to do genetic research on the Amish children with genetic deficits, and asked Leah to do volunteer work for the facility on her summer break. Read this page turning book to see what choice Leah makes to find happiness in her life.
July 19, 2025
Beautiful story!
When decisions have to be made that affect your life and your family, it doesn’t matter if you are Amish or English. Knowing Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior and striving for His will in my life, has guided me through difficult times. Anna is young and foolish and selfish. And Leah is struggling to find herself. The decisions that both of them have to make affect so many other people in their lives.
I enjoyed Leah’s journey and look forward to reading the other books in the series.
When decisions have to be made that affect your life and your family, it doesn’t matter if you are Amish or English. Knowing Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior and striving for His will in my life, has guided me through difficult times. Anna is young and foolish and selfish. And Leah is struggling to find herself. The decisions that both of them have to make affect so many other people in their lives.
I enjoyed Leah’s journey and look forward to reading the other books in the series.
October 8, 2023
I hate Johnny, like leave Leah alone and fuck her sister Anna too, what the hell is her problem with her sister!? Every word that comes out of her shitty mouth is designed to hit Leah right where it hurts the most. She doesn’t have any compassion at all and only thinks of herself. Overall I enjoyed the story and loved the slow burn love between Leah and Daniel. It was also very interesting to learn a bit about Amish culture and the wall between the English and Amish
February 26, 2019
Sweet story about following God's plan and keeping faith. So many things happen in this story, but basically Leah is faced with many choices. She is the schoolteacher who is happy in her life, no plans to marry after her boyfriend left the faith. She of course finds love. There is a ton more to this story. Very well written.
April 9, 2018
So far I'm happy that I picked this series up. Book one in this series was just lovely. The main character had a lot on her plate and she had to figure out life around it. Each chapter left you wanting more and the ending was perfect.
November 14, 2025
Marta Perry is always a good read. I’ve been reading her books for many many years. Had never gotten around to reading this one, unless I read it so long ago that I forgot the story. I read it for a book club, and really enjoyed it.
February 4, 2018
probably the best amish book ive ever read. i actually really enjoyed it.
April 1, 2018
It was a very special book, read the series and enjoyed it very much.
April 23, 2018
I was pleasantly surprised by this book and author. Will definitely read the rest of the Pleasant Valley series.
October 18, 2018
My first jump into the Amish Inspirational world.
So incredibly worth it and I'm sorry I waited!
So incredibly worth it and I'm sorry I waited!
January 21, 2019
I had low expectations when I started this book, but I really enjoyed it.
March 9, 2019
First book I've read by this author and love it. Will be reading more from her.
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November 11, 2019I actually listened to this book on Audio disks. I was a very good read. I enjoyed the whole story.
September 1, 2020
The story was predictable but i guess I should've expected that. A friend gave me this and said she enjoyed it so I read and it was uplifting in times as we are in.
October 16, 2021
Pretty good story line. This author captures the true Amish lifestyles.
March 5, 2023
A nice combination of romance and family drama.
June 2, 2023
Good wholesome book
Displaying 1 - 30 of 105 reviews