Kristina A. reviewed His Unexpected Amish Twins (Unexpected Amish Blessings, Bk 1) on + 1528 more book reviews
His Unexpected Amish Twins by Rachel J. Good has Holly Graber starting a horse therapy business in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. She is on her way home when she encounters an accident between a buggy and a car. Hope rushes to offer aid to the little girl thrown from the buggy. She ends up staying by Chloe and her twin brother's side until a relative arrives. Micah Miller hurries from New York to Lancaster to be with his brother's children. Unfortunately, Micah's brother, Ben and his wife did not survive the accident. Micah finds himself overwhelmed and is grateful when Hope offers assistance with the twins. Micah is unsure how to handle the children's grief. Hope suggests they try hippotherapy which terrifies Micah. He was kicked by a horse as a child which has caused Micah to be dread being around a horse (which is difficult when your Amish). Horse therapy may be just what Micah and his new charges need plus it allows Micah and Hope to spend time together. His Unexpected Amish Twins is a poignant Amish story. I thought it was well-written with developed characters. The story deals with grief, fear, pride, forgiveness, healing and love. Micah has felt he was always in competition with his brother and he felt that he never did as well. Plus, Micah has a fear of horses. Hope has been responsible for her family's financial matters since she turned eighteen. Her father, Isaac has a gambling problem which Hope has done her best to keep from others. To help provide them with an income and use the horses they own, Hope has been training in hippotherapy. Hope is a kind, compassionate woman. I liked learning about hippotherapy and its benefits. Hope is naïve, though, because she does not understand her father's addiction to gambling (the lengths one will go to get the money they need). I did feel that the father needed additional counseling from a minister or church elder. The description of a grieving family was realistic. I could relate to their overwhelming loss. I felt bad for the children who lost both their parents. Micah was trying to do what is best for the kids, but as expected, he makes a few missteps along the way. It can be difficult to raise one child much less two who are as different as the twins. Chloe is energetic, outgoing while her brother is quiet and reserved. I was rooting for Micah to overcome his fear of horses as Hope worked with him. The romance progressed at just the right pace for this story. Isaac, Hope's father, struggle was evident along with his feelings of regret. I appreciated the epilogue which provided a sweet ending to the book. His Unexpected Amish Twins is an emotional story that will tug on your heartstrings. I look forward to reading the next book in the Unexpected Amish Blessings series.