🏡💕 “Finding Her Amish Home” (Humble Blessings #1) (2022) 💕🏡 – Book Review
MY REVIEW
Publisher: Love Inspired (June 28, 2022)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1335585079
ISBN-13: 978-1335585073
⬅️ Click Photo for Purchase Information
“What she wants more than anything
Could also be the most dangerous…
After her twin sister’s death, Maddie Baum flees to Wisconsin Amish country with her nephew in tow in the hopes of protecting him from his criminal father. Befriending Amish shopkeeper Abram Mueller gives her a glimpse of the happiness she’s been yearning for all along. Can she find a fresh start with Abram—or will old sins tear them apart?”
Thank you in advance to the author, Pamela Desmond Wright, for providing a complimentary review copy through her launch team. A positive review was not required nor requested, and all words are my own.
This is still a fairly new Love Inspired author, and I hope to see more of her work, especially after reading this book.
Don’t get me wrong, the first book – The Cowboy’s Amish Haven – was a solid debut. This book – this was definitely a fantastic sophomore follow-up.
As of note, her first book is the first in the Texas Amish Brides series, and this is book #1 of Humble Blessings. The reason? Timing. This was the first book the author wrote, but had to put it aside due to editing issues. The first book sold, then this one did … and, I’m VERY grateful it did. While this is the first book, it can act as a standalone – though I am hoping it doesn’t.
The cover is pretty interesting and does make the book a VERY interesting read. Interesting in a good way. More on that though …
Let’s just say, the back cover grabbed me and I definitely HAD to read it:
🪦 Murdered sister (twin one at that)
🚓 Criminal brother-in-law
🏠 Hiding Out
While that could be a suspense novel, this one isn’t. It has some element to keep it interesting, but the soul of the book are the characters who are richly diverse:
💕 Maddie – a single Englisch mother
👦🏻 Josh – Maddie’s “son” (really nephew)
👒 Mrs. Graff – Amish lady running the boarding house where Maddie and Josh are staying
💕 Abram – One of the single guys, owner of the market, sweet on Maddie and even hires her
🧰 Elam – Abram’s bother. Living as Englisch and car mechanic (I really liked this idea and hope the author keeps it going forward)
👨🏻🌾 Amos – Abram’s grandfather, mistrustful of Maddie
And, there are other members of the Amish community as well.
While a Love Inspired story; there might be some concerning or triggering content that is part of the characters’ background: domestic violence, murder of a spouse, non-custodial child kidnapping. The murder and DV take place prior to the start of the story though.
Obviously, when Maggie arrives in Humble, she has some secrets. But, she’s hoping to keep herself and Josh safe. His dad is set to be released from prison. And, given what happened with her sister – Maddie isn’t going to take any chances with the little boy. Josh has a hard time adjusting – tantrums are a common occurrence – some end up on the destructive side. Josh seems unwilling to accept being in Humble, that is until the boy has a run-in with Amos Mueller and his grandson Abram.
Abram instantly takes an interest in Maddie and her son. Amos is standoffish. He doesn’t trust Maddie. He has a feeling about her – she’s hiding something. She is, but it isn’t what Amos thinks.
Abram suggests bringing Josh to one of their events. Despite Josh’s tantrum and not enjoying the idea right off, he ends up going and having a good time leading to more “Amish” interactions. This is no ordinary community though. They have their Ordnung, but they are relaxed, thus immediately making Maddie feel at home. Even Josh begins to perk up. I loved how both the Amish and Englisch interacted together for “social functions”. Josh starts speaking of an interest in being Amish as well.
After an incident with Mrs. Graff, Abram comes up with a suitable alternative to childcare for Josh. Unlike most kids, Josh relishes the “work” Abram gives him. Maddie is trying to find her faith, but feels she can’t because of the lies.
Abram enjoys spending time with both Maddie and Josh – the only two who seem to look past his scars. Scars he’s carried from being a rebellious youngie himself.
But, his grandfather worries about him being led astray. While Abram does spend time with Maddie and Josh – it is, considered in their community, a bit scandalous.
Abram nor Maddie intend to fall for each other – yet, what would a romance be without some, well … romance?
There are some problems – Abram won’t leave (and has no desire to), and Maddie isn’t sure she can go back to the Amish faith, but doesn’t rule it out though.
Then … there is Josh’s father in a story arc that was dynamic and edgy.
Yet, the author wrapped up the story before the end of the book in a way that wasn’t forced or rushed. It definitely had a sweet ending as well as an inspirational message.
Wright packed in a lot of interesting drama, but kept it light in the telling of it. There were some humorous moments as well. If I weren’t in the middle of packing, I likely could’ve read this straight through with only a few stops. I definitely struggled to put it down. The chapters are shorter than the usual Love Inspired book.
The story really moved along without rushing. It was a faster pace one, or so it seemed due to how far I’d read in each sitting.
I had to laugh at a few moments in the book – Elam when assessing Maddie’s poor Chevy. My mom and I had a Toyota Corolla-Tercel in about the same condition back some 21+ years ago.
Then, there was Rolf who told Abram “a wife isn’t going to drop from the sky”. I think I laughed way too hard at that.
Overall, despite all the characters, I had to pick Abram as the hero of the story – especially with Josh. The kid’s tantrums had me seething. But, Abram’s solutions were definitely unique and I hadn’t expected the turnaround in Josh’s behavior.
I think it is safe to surmise that I thoroughly enjoyed this.
There are going to be references to God (Gott), religious observances, church attendance, as well as the Amish Ordnung. The uniqueness definitely raises it up as a must-read.
I sincerely want to see more stories from Wright, particularly in Humble. I’d like Texas as well.
Those who enjoy Amish fiction won’t be disappointed.
RATING:
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ /5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Goodreads
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ /5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Bookbub
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ /5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Personal Rating (see rating explanation in this blog: https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2020/01/rating-system-2020-changes.html)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Like the Amish, Pamela Desmond Wright is a fan of the simple life. Her childhood includes memories of olden days: old-fashioned oil lamps, cooking over an authentic wood-burning stove and making popcorn over a fire at her grandparents’ cabin. The authentic log cabin Pamela grew up playing in can be viewed at the Muleshoe Heritage Center in Muleshoe, Texas, which was donated to the city after the death of her grandparents.
You can also find her on the following social media accounts:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PamDWrites
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pamdwrites/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PamDWrites
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