A Reluctant Bride

You would not believe the trouble I had posting this review on Kobo.  I checked all their guidelines three times and could not find out why they would not post it.  I ended up posting a two line review. I had an easier time posting a review on a paranormal book with witches, magic, vampires, etc.  Did everyone have a great weekend?  It was very rainy here, but we are seeing some sunshine right now.  I hope it dries up our yard quickly (the dogs paws get so dirty when the yard is wet and muddy).

A Reluctant Bride by Kathleen Fuller is her latest Amish romance book.  Sadie Schrock is sixteen years old (in the very beginning) living in Birch Creek.  It was her turn to go get ice for their family store.  On her way home she encounters Sol Troyer.  He is always pushing himself at Sadie and she keeps rebuffing him.  Sol drags Sadie into the cornfield and insists upon a kiss (and then he will let her go).  Aden, Sol’s brother, tries to intercede, but he is unsuccessful (and then he leaves Sadie).  Sol gets very fresh so Sadie knees him where he is most vulnerable.  Sadie runs home (and tells no one).

Six years later Sadie is devoted to working in her parent’s store, Schrock Grocery and Tools.  Her mother keeps trying to get her to find a man and get married.  Her two sisters, Abigail and Joanna want to go to the singing that evening, but their mother will not let them go unless Sadie goes with them.  Sadie eventually agrees to go and then wishes she had not when she finds out it is being held at Bishop Troyer’s (Sol and Aden’s father).  Sadie cannot stand being there for very long especially when Sol shows up.  Soon, though, the unthinkable happens.  Sadie’s parents and Joanna are in a buggy accident (a car hit them).  Her parents are both gone and Joanna is severely hurt.  Joanna will need weeks of rehabilitation (Abigail will stay with a relative near the rehab center to help Joanna).  When Sadie goes over the finances for the store, she finds out that they do not have much money.  She will need help from the community fund to pay the hospital bills (which is what it is for).  When Sadie goes to ask Bishop Troyer, the bishop refuses to give her the money (sounds suspicious).  Bishop Troyer sees this as a golden opportunity (he is up to something).  He tells Sadie that she has to marry his son, Sol.  Thankfully, Aden intervenes (you will have to read the book to find out how).  They are married within days.

Aden and Sadie are going to have to find a way to live together.  Sadie will have to forgive Aden for what happened six years previously.  Can these two find a way to overcome the past and move forward to their future?  Then they find out why the bishop wanted them to marry (I do not want to spoil it for you).  Then there is the issue of Sol.  Why does Sol drink?  There is a lot going on in A Reluctant Bride, but it all ties together.  I give A Reluctant Bride 4 out of 5 stars.  For me this was a hard book to read because of the bullying (brought up bad memories).  It is a nicely written book and I like the ending.  One thing I am noticing lately in many Christian and Amish fiction books is the problem of lack of communication.  People keep storming off or stewing about an issue instead of talking about it (or praying about it). A Reluctant Bride came out today!

I received a complimentary copy of A Reluctant Bride from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  The review and opinions expressed are my own.

Thank you for reading my latest review.  I am currently reading The Girl in the Maze by R.K. Jackson.  Have a lovely afternoon and Happy Reading!

Kris
The Avid Reader