🏝️💗🚲 “Her Heart’s Desire” (Season in Pinecraft #1) (2023) 🚲💗🏝️ – Book Review
MY REVIEW
Publisher: Bethany House (January 17, 2023)
Language: English
ISBN: 0800741684
ISBN-13: 978-0800741684
⬅️ Click Photo for Purchase Information
“Mary Margaret Miller needs an escape from her small Amish community. She boards a bus, all alone, for a vacation in Pinecraft, Florida. Meeting Betsy and Lilly on the way, she's amazed to find two kindred spirits. They become fast friends and determine to have the best two weeks of their lives. For Mary, it starts when she meets Jayson Raber.
Jayson is taken by Mary from the get-go, but he has responsibilities back home in Kentucky--including a girl he's supposed to marry. And when someone from Mary's past shows up in Pinecraft, it seems like her perfect vacation is ruined. But that's nothing compared to what's coming when she realizes what Jayson has been hiding.”
Thank you in advance to the publisher, Revell (a division of Baker Books), for providing an advanced review copy through Library Thing. A positive review was not required nor requested, and all words are my own.
This is the first book I’ve read of the author’s and was shocked to know there is an Amish community in Florida. And, as it turns out for those interested – there is going to be (or already is) a Love Inspired (Harlequin Books) book that is set in Pinecraft (there may be even more).
That said …
As someone who enjoys Amish fiction along with other genres – this looked to be an interesting read, and I wasn’t disappointed at all. The story is told from FOUR (4) POVs:
👒 Mary (visiting from Ohio)
🔨 Jayson (works in construction)
👒 Esther (Mary’s nemesis from Ohio)
🍽️Michael (works as a waiter)
Gray introduces three of the characters to each other and the reader at the same time during the first few pages. They were all likeable and relatable right off.
Mary, Betsy, and Lilly are from different plain communities traveling to Pinecraft, Florida when an ice storm lands them in Georgia. They end up sharing a 2-bed hotel room, though I loved the sweetness of the driver who bought them pizza.
The three strike up a friendship due to being wallflowers in their respective communities. Each is looking for “themselves” in Florida.
When they arrive at the inn, Mary meets Jayson who is from Kentucky (not the same area that Betsy is from).
Jayson is there to have one last vacation with his friend Danny before getting married – not something he wants to do, but feels he has to due to his younger sister’s health needs, as well as keeping his employment.
Of course, he isn’t married … yet. Danny tells him to have a good time before he returns home and to reconsider what he’s giving up.
Mary’s vacation is ALMOST ruined when her childhood nemesis, Esther, shows up. It’s pretty clear though, Esther is there to make amends because of her own incident with the girls she used to be friends with. But, it’ll take time for Mary to accept it.
At first Mary thinks Esther is trying to ruin her vacation, but soon learns that part of their faith is forgiveness. [As of note, I was waiting for Esther to disappoint me – she didn’t].
Esther finds her own romance, or rather Michael finds her. Despite her being five (5) years older than him, Michael has his own challenges to face, and definitely takes to Esther.
Jayson gets a life changing offer – he can stay in Florida and make more money, or return to Kentucky. The only problem – his sister. Though, Jayson takes the job in Florida. He wants to move his sister there, but is worried about how his father will take it.
Eventually, the truth about his situation comes to light, and breaks Mary’s heart. Yet, even Jayson’s sister steers him straight – eventually.
Gray gives us a few romances, laughs, in this emotional and touching story that shows how far we can get on faith, and that forgiveness can open new doors. I truly enjoyed Esther seeing and recognizing her role in Mary’s feelings as well as how Mary viewed herself.
Also, I liked how Mary expressed concerns that Esther would change when they got home [she didn’t].
But, I like how Esther also took responsibility for herself, eventually – in a subtle way – confronting those around her about her life and path.
I was also shocked the author showed bullying existing in the Amish community. One wouldn’t think it possible given their lifestyle, but it definitely is interesting to read. Truthfully, it happens any and everywhere.
As this was Revell’s Beyond the Book January read, one question addressed the bullying and forgiveness. That’s a difficult one to address and I think the author took it on a realistic path for Mary. How does one simply get over an incident that shaped their life and standing in the community?
The author never goes into detail with Mary only “skirting” the surface of the incident to her friends.
I honestly had to love Michael especially at the age he was – 19. He knew what he wanted and it was so sad to see his aunt and uncle taking advantage of him. I also hope we learn a bit more about his parents’ “finances” in subsequent books.
This was nearly impossible to put down. The short chapters and story-pacing kept my attention from beginning to end. I was a smidge disappointed with Michaels’s storyline as it seemed a bit rushed. I am hoping the second book can explore more of that angle as well.
As it is an Amish story, there will be some elements of the Christian faith, but isn’t preachy or proselytizing in tone.
As this is the first book, and a potential romance open – I am eager to read subsequent books in the series.
According to Amazon, the second book will be released in June – that is Betsy’s story.
RATING:
4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ /5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Goodreads
4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ /5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Bookbub
4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ /5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Personal Rating (see rating explanation in this blog: https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2020/01/rating-system-2020-changes.html;update https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2022/07/what-goes-into-my-reviews-2022-edition.html)
NEXT BOOK IN THE SERIES:
Series: Season in Pinecraft (Book #2)
Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Revell (June 6, 2023)
Language: English
ISBN: 0800741684
ISBN-13: 978-0800741686
Click Photo for Purchase Information ⬆️
“Return to Pinecraft, Florida, for a Sweet Amish Romance
Sheltered yet adventurous, Betsy Detweiler is on a mission to get out of Kentucky and experience new things in life. She's got a list--a life list. What better place to start than with her friends in beautiful Pinecraft, Florida?
From the moment Betsy walks into the Snow Bird Golf Course to sign up for lessons, August Troyer is mesmerized. Betsy is a mass of contradictions--beautiful yet awkward, outgoing yet unsure, joyful yet hesitant. She's like no one he's ever met before, and as the only child of missionary parents, he's met a lot of people.
As Betsy and August embark on a month of enjoying life to the fullest, they'll encounter several reasons to back off and play it safe. But playing it safe has its own consequences. This tender romance reminds us that life--and love--requires a fair amount of risk.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Shelley Shepard Gray is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than 100 books, including Her Heart's Desire and Her Only Wish. Two-time winner of the HOLT Medallion and a Carol Award finalist, Gray lives in Ohio, where she writes full-time, bakes too much, and can often be found walking her dachshunds on her town's bike trail. Learn more at www.shelleyshepardgray.com.
She can also be found on the following social media sites:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShelleyShepardGray
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shelley.s.gray
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ShelleySGray
**This review contains Amazon affiliate links.
Comments
Post a Comment