Her Secret Hope by Shelley Shepard Gray

Her Secret Hope

Book Summary

Almost two years after Lilly Kurtz first traveled to Pinecraft, Florida, with friends, she's decided to make a fresh start there. She's ready to be new-and-improved Lilly, a Lilly without a past, a Lilly with no secrets. At first, everything goes well. She gets a job, her coworkers feel like family, and she enjoys reconnecting with her friends. But it turns out the past is reluctant to be left behind.

When Lilly meets hardworking farmer Eddie Byler, she can't get him off of her mind. But then she discovers that Eddie actually lives just a few miles from her hometown in Ohio. Lilly knows that he's not going to like it when he finds out what secrets she's been running from. And she knows she could never follow the man she's falling in love with back to a place where she's never felt accepted.

Will Lilly have to give up on love in order to find peace? Or could it be that love is actually the solution to all of her problems?

Siesta Key is a beach that Lilly visits (it is my favorite beach)

My Thoughts

Her Secret Hope by Shelley Shepard Gray has Lilly Kurtz returning to Pinecraft for a fresh start. It has been two years since her first visit to the unique Amish and Mennonite town.  Lilly was adopted as a baby and her family never kept it a secret.  Actually, it seems one of the first things Mrs. Kurtz’s tells people (heavens knows why).  Lilly also did not feel accepted by the children at school.  Mary Margaret, Betsy, and Esther are the first true friends Lilly had had in her life.  I know what it is like to feel that you do not fit in and to have people judge you.  Lilly may be in a new city, but she has still has to learn to let people get to know her.  It seems that Lilly keeps a protective a shield around her.  The characters are realistic and developed.  I like that we get to catch up with Mary Margaret, Betsy, Esther, and their husbands.  

Lilly gets a job at bed and breakfast that is run by Nancy (the place the young women stayed on their first visit to Pinecraft).  I like that we get to catch up with Nancy and her friendly chef.  Lilly may believe that she is destined to remain single, but it seems God has other plans for her.  Of course, Lilly needs to be willing to let down her barriers and be happy with who she is.  I just love November Byler.  She is a spirited character.  I hope I am as lively and quick witted at that age.  I did feel that the story moved a little slow in places and there was a repetition of details.  The author captured Pinecraft and Siesta Key.  I understood why Lilly liked going to Siesta Key beach, it is a beautiful beach (it is my favorite beach).  Her Secret Hope is the third and final book in A Season in Pinecraft series.  It can be read as a standalone, but I recommend reading the series in order.  It will allow you to get to know the characters and their stories.  There are good life lessons in Her Secret Hope including that God is in control.  Her Secret Hope is a touching tale with a returning friend, a spirited grandmother, a bored farmer, a flirtatious chef, an alarming allegation, and a gracious God.

Her Secret Hope can be ordered through Amazon*.  The first two books in A Season in Pinecraft series are Her Heart's Desire and Her Only Wish.  Shelley Shepard Gray will have A is for Amish out on May 21, 2024.  It is the debut of the Amish ABCs series.  You can follow Shelley Shepard Gray on Amazon and they will send you an email when she has  new book release.  I appreciate you joining me today.  Due to health issues, I am taking some time off.  I will return on November 30 as a stop on the Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours for Christmas in the Crosshairs by Deena Alexander.  I am taking a little extra time off for health reasons.  I hope that you have a relaxing weekend.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

*This post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Her Only Wish by Shelley Shepard Gray

 Her Only Wish

Book Summary

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.

My Thoughts

Her Only Wish by Shelley Shepard Gray takes us back to Pinecraft, Florida.  Betsy Detweiler is returning with a list that she wishes to complete during her monthlong visit.  She calls it a life list.  Health issues as a child have prevented Betsy from doing normal child and teen activities.   Asthma does prevent you from doing normal physical activities, especially if you live in colder climates (I know from experience).  I thought Betsy was brave to try new activities.  It is not something that comes easy to people who are shy or who have been ill.  I enjoyed getting to know Betsy.  She meets some good people who help her complete her list.  Betsy encounters August Troyer at the Snow Bird Golf Course which is an Amish owned golf course.  August is smitten with Betsy from the very beginning.  August is lucky to have such a loving and caring aunt and uncle.  August’s parents are dedicated to their mission work but for the wrong reasons.  They acted like children at times instead of adults.  Betsy makes a difference in the lives of those she meets.  An example is Annie and Danielle who help Betsy learn to swim.  It gets you to think about your own life list.  

We also get to see that while you may want to learn an activity, you may not be good at that activity.  It is amazing to see what determination and hard work can do.  I enjoyed the beautiful descriptions of Pinecraft and nearby beaches (Siesta Key is my favorite beach).   I am looking forward to reading Lilly Kurtz’s story in Her Secret Hope.  Her Only Wish is the second book in A Season in Pinecraft series.  While Her Only Wish can be read as a standalone, I recommend reading Her Heart’s Desire.   I like that we get to catch up with Mary Margaret and Jayson from Her Heart's Desire.   Her Only Wish is an uplifting Amish tale with a thoughtful friend, golf lessons, beautiful beaches, protective parents, swimming sisters, and a life list.

Her Only Wish is available from Amazon*.  The first book in A Season in Pinecraft series is Her Heart's Desire.  Her Secret Hope will be out November 7.  It is the third book in A Season in Pinecraft series.  Shelley Shepard Gray has Amish Fugitive coming out July 25.  It is a Love Inspired Cold Case.  On September 26, An Amish Cinderella releases.  It is the third book in The Amish of Apple Creek.  You can find Shelley Shepard Gray's other book here.  Thank you for stopping by today.  Tomorrow I will be sharing my thoughts on Death Knells and Wedding Bells by Eva Gates.  It is the tenth A Lighthouse Library Mystery.  I hope that you have a fulfilling day.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

*This post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Her Heart's Desire by Shelley Shepard Gray

 Her Heart's Desire

Book Summary

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. The handsome and charming carpenter is taken by Mary from the get-go, but he has responsibilities back home in Kentucky--including a girl he's supposed to marry.

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.

Take a vacation with New York Times bestselling author Shelley Shepard Gray as she explores what happens when we allow our pasts to define our futures in this story of friendship, romance, and new beginnings.

My Thoughts

Her Heart’s Desire by Shelley Shepard Gray is the debut of A Season in Pinecraft series.  I love that the author set this book in Pinecraft, Florida.  I enjoyed reading Her Heart’s Desire.  I like the author’s friendly writing style.  I was quickly drawn into story.  I enjoyed meeting Mary, Lilly, Betsy, and Edith. We also get to know Jayson and Michael.  Mary, Lilly, Edith, Betsy, and Jayson traveled from their respective hometowns to Pinecraft.  They each needed a break from their lives.  Jayson has an important decision to make.  This is his last chance at freedom before going down a path that will allow him to fulfill his familial duty, but it will not bring him joy.  Mary has been unhappy for some time.  The vacation is her opportunity to get away from the people who have taunted her and made her life miserable.  A storm in Georgia forces the bus to stop at a motel for the night.  Betsy, Mary, and Lilly share a room.  They discover that they are the wallflowers in their communities.  The three ladies quickly become friends and look forward to enjoying their vacation together.  Mary enjoys her first day in Pinecraft and then she receives a phone call that changes everything.  Mary learns that Edith is coming to Pinecraft and will be staying at the same inn.  Edith is one of the people Mary wished to get away from.  It seems that God has a different plan for Mary’s vacation. 

The characters are realistic and relatable thanks to their flaws.  I could relate to Mary and how she felt.  It is terrible to be picked on and bullied.  Each of the characters need to go on a journey of self-reflection.  They need to examine their past and decide what type of future they desire.  I can tell that the author visited Pinecraft and Siesta Key Beach from her descriptions.  Her word imagery took me back to this beautiful beach.  Her Heart’s Desire is about forgiveness, friendship, family, romance, and faith.  The characters need to be open to God’s plan for their lives.  They need to listen to His guiding voice.  Her Heart’s Desire is a touching story.  There are good life lessons in this book.  I am looking to the next A Season in Pinecraft novel.  Her Heart's Desire is a moving story with a sudden storm, fast friends, a tricycle trip, a discouraging call, a smiling innkeeper, and finding forgiveness.  

Her Heart's Desire is available from Amazon*.  The second novel in A Season in Pinecraft series is Her Only Wish which will be out on June 6, 2023 (It is Betsy's story).  You can find Shelley Shepard Gray's other novels here.  Thank you for joining me today.  Tomorrow I am featuring Fatal Fascinator by Jenn McKinlay.  It is the seventh A Hat Shop Mystery.   I hope that you have a pleasant day.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

*This post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.