Amish Promises

Amish Promises by Leslie Gould is a lovely Amish fiction book.  It is the first book in The Neighbors of Lancaster County series.  Amish Promises is set in 2004.  Eve Lehman (she is considered an old Maidel) is living with her brother, Tim, who is a widower.  She is helping take care of his five children.  Eve promises Tim’s wife and her best friend, Abra that she would take care of the children.  Eve made a promise to herself that she would never marry an Amish man (she grew up with a harsh father and her brother is very similar).  The farmhouse next door has been empty since Old Mr. William’s passed away.  Eve received a call the current owner’s daughter and son-in-law would be moving in and asked her to tidy the place up.  Eve cleaned up the house and left a special quilt for its new residents.

Shani and Joel Beck along with their son, Zane (he’s twelve) are moving into the farmhouse.  Shani is a pediatric nurse and currently pregnant with their second child.  Joel was injured in Iraq and is having a difficult time.  Shani is hoping the quiet of the country and living in the farmhouse will be helpful and healing for her husband.  Zane is excited that there are children next door.  What they do not know is that Tim Lehman does not like his family to mix with Englischers (he has good reasons).

The day they move in Zane disappears.  Joel, who keeps refusing help, falls down the front steps breaking his leg.  Their landline has yet to be installed and, of course, cell phone reception is nonexistent.  Shani rushes next door to the Lehman’s to use their phone.  Shani finds another emergency in progress.  Zane had gone into the barn, scared a horse, which kicked Simon (one of Tim’s sons).  Simon is unconscious and has a broken jaw.  Two ambulances have to be called.  Tim insists that Zane do Simon’s chores until he is well again (they run a dairy farm). 

Charlie McCall, Joel’s army buddy and family friend, comes down on weekends to help out the family.  He helps them unpack, chop firewood, and plays ball with Zane.  Joel, unfortunately, instead of thankful for the help, sees how useless he is and falls into a worse depression.  Zane, though, takes to the Lehman children right away and they are fast friends.  But you know there is going to be trouble because of Tim.  Shani is struggling to take care of the home, Zane, and Joel.  Joel sits in front of the television all day and he is constantly worrying about everything (the pregnancy, money, and safety). 

Eve loves having Shani nearby and they get to know each other.  The children are soon going in and out of the Beck’s home after school.  Eve also gets to know Charlie (you can see where this is going to go).  Eve is also being courted by the Bishop, Gideon.  Eve, though, does not care for the Bishop and tries to avoid him.  Both families have their troubles and it is going to take something big to bring them together.

I give Amish Promises 5 out of 5 stars.  I really enjoyed reading this book and did not want it to end.  I have tried to summarize the book, but it is difficult.  There is a lot of action in the book (and I did not want to give away any spoilers).  It is a story of two families who seem very different, but they really have a lot in common.  They find a way to work together and respect each others beliefs.  I loved the book’s ending.  If you like Amish fiction, you will enjoy Amish Promises. 

I received a complimentary copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you for visiting!  I am currently reading Until the Harvest by Sarah Loudin Thomas.  Have a restful evening and Happy Reading!

Kris