Susan F. (scoutmomskf) -
Good book. Though it is the second in the series, it can be read as a stand-alone. I have not read the first book, but the references to it were well done, and I did not feel lost. I was immediately drawn into the story and quickly became interested in the characters' lives.
After the events in the first book, Charlotte returned home to Texas, but her life is still in turmoil. A breakup with her boyfriend leaves her feeling adrift, and financial difficulties compound the problem. She needs time to get her head and heart back in order and decides to return to Lancaster County and the friends she made there. But when one of her Amish friends shows up in Texas, Charlotte does her best to help him before leaving, even though it leaves her in an awkward position. When she makes it back to Paradise, she is amazed at the warm welcome she received after the deceptions she carried out before. Now she is determined to make amends and in doing so finds herself drawn into the unexpected drama.
Jacob, who showed up in Texas, feels trapped by the restrictions of his Amish life. He longs to experience the wider world and left family and fiancée without a word. I liked how Charlotte helped him, but also tried to make him see the perils of the Englischer world. Meanwhile, things are going on back in Pennsylvania that could have a profound effect on his plans for the future. His fiancée, Annie, has a secret that could see her shunned if Jacob doesn't return soon. Charlotte soon finds herself playing go-between among the various factions. She is helped in her efforts by Annie's brother, Daniel.
Daniel is wary about trusting Charlotte after the way she deceived everyone during her previous stay in Paradise. It doesn't take too long for him to see that she has changed. As they spend time together trying to help Jacob and Annie, they develop a strong friendship. I liked how Daniel began to understand the demons that drove Charlotte to her previous actions and supports her in the changes she attempts to make in her life. That friendship deepens into something more, though both try to resist it. Charlotte is not Amish, and Daniel is.
When someone from Charlotte's past shows up in Paradise, the faith that she gained from her time, there plays a big part in the way she faces it. I loved her strength, her determination, and her newfound ability to forgive. She also gets an unexpected show of support from one of the people she had wronged before. It was an emotional and heartwarming scene.
There is a lot going on in this book. Forgiveness, redemption, secrets, love, and fear all have their moments. I liked seeing the growth that Charlotte experienced and how she took control of her life. I liked how Daniel learned to look past the surface of Charlotte's deception to the vulnerable woman behind it. Annie and Jacob are young and have the insecurities and youthful mistakes common to that age, with the added complications of their Amish world. By the end, I felt that Annie had matured, while Jacob had not. Both Annie and Charlotte have understandable misgivings about Jacob's actions and what they will mean to him.
After the events in the first book, Charlotte returned home to Texas, but her life is still in turmoil. A breakup with her boyfriend leaves her feeling adrift, and financial difficulties compound the problem. She needs time to get her head and heart back in order and decides to return to Lancaster County and the friends she made there. But when one of her Amish friends shows up in Texas, Charlotte does her best to help him before leaving, even though it leaves her in an awkward position. When she makes it back to Paradise, she is amazed at the warm welcome she received after the deceptions she carried out before. Now she is determined to make amends and in doing so finds herself drawn into the unexpected drama.
Jacob, who showed up in Texas, feels trapped by the restrictions of his Amish life. He longs to experience the wider world and left family and fiancée without a word. I liked how Charlotte helped him, but also tried to make him see the perils of the Englischer world. Meanwhile, things are going on back in Pennsylvania that could have a profound effect on his plans for the future. His fiancée, Annie, has a secret that could see her shunned if Jacob doesn't return soon. Charlotte soon finds herself playing go-between among the various factions. She is helped in her efforts by Annie's brother, Daniel.
Daniel is wary about trusting Charlotte after the way she deceived everyone during her previous stay in Paradise. It doesn't take too long for him to see that she has changed. As they spend time together trying to help Jacob and Annie, they develop a strong friendship. I liked how Daniel began to understand the demons that drove Charlotte to her previous actions and supports her in the changes she attempts to make in her life. That friendship deepens into something more, though both try to resist it. Charlotte is not Amish, and Daniel is.
When someone from Charlotte's past shows up in Paradise, the faith that she gained from her time, there plays a big part in the way she faces it. I loved her strength, her determination, and her newfound ability to forgive. She also gets an unexpected show of support from one of the people she had wronged before. It was an emotional and heartwarming scene.
There is a lot going on in this book. Forgiveness, redemption, secrets, love, and fear all have their moments. I liked seeing the growth that Charlotte experienced and how she took control of her life. I liked how Daniel learned to look past the surface of Charlotte's deception to the vulnerable woman behind it. Annie and Jacob are young and have the insecurities and youthful mistakes common to that age, with the added complications of their Amish world. By the end, I felt that Annie had matured, while Jacob had not. Both Annie and Charlotte have understandable misgivings about Jacob's actions and what they will mean to him.
Love Bears All Things by Beth Wiseman is An Amish Secrets Novel. Charlotte Dolinsky is having a hard time since her boyfriend, Ryan broke up with her. Charlotte has let her business suffer and now she is in dire financial straits. She is about to be evicted from her apartment due to lack of payment. Charlotte has trust issues, and she thought Ryan was cheating on her. She started checking his phone and Ryan caught her which led to their break up. After seeing Ryan in a restaurant with another woman (the one Ryan stated he was not cheating on Charlotte with), Charlotte decides it is time for a change. Charlotte was happiest when she was with in Paradise, Pennsylvania with the King family. Charlotte owns a home there thanks to her brother (who committed suicide). Charlotte decides to return to Paradise, sell the home (because of the bad memories), and the money will allow her to start over. Charlotte will stay with the King family. Then Charlotte receives a call from Hannah King stating that Jacob has run away. He was engaged to marry Annie (he is only 17), but the world is calling to him (he has always wanted for further his education). Jacob ends up in Houston at Charlotte's apartment. Charlotte lets him stay, but he has to leave at the end of the month. She tries to convince him to return home, but does not have any luck. Charlotte leaves Jacob in Houston as she heads for Paradise. Things are not rosy in Paradise for Annie Byler. Annie discovers she is pregnant with Jacob's child. If Jacob does not come home and marry her, Annie will be shunned (harsh). Annie's father is less than pleased. His reaction sends Annie running to Aunt Faye (who is a little batty). Daniel, Annie's brother, needs Charlotte's help with Annie. Daniel and Charlotte slowly get to know each other and a friendship develops between them (they know it cannot be more than friendship). Life is never dull in Paradise. To see what happens with Charlotte, Annie, Jacob, and Daniel read Love Bears All Things.
Love Bears All Things is the second book in the series and you really do need to read Her Brother's Keeper in order to understand all the dynamics. The first book sets the stage for Love Bears All Things. The novel is well-written and engaging. I like the messages in the book. I did find a few things were repeated in the novel (mostly in the beginning regarding Ryan). Love Bears All Things is a complex novel that shows the Amish are not immune to troubles. They face the same issues as Englischers. We get to see Charlotte work to get over trust issues, resentment, dealing with her brother's death, etc. All the characters are very realistic and relatable. I give Love Bears All Things 4 out of 5 stars. It is a heartwarming story. I look forward to reading the next book in An Amish Secrets Novel series.
Love Bears All Things is the second book in the series and you really do need to read Her Brother's Keeper in order to understand all the dynamics. The first book sets the stage for Love Bears All Things. The novel is well-written and engaging. I like the messages in the book. I did find a few things were repeated in the novel (mostly in the beginning regarding Ryan). Love Bears All Things is a complex novel that shows the Amish are not immune to troubles. They face the same issues as Englischers. We get to see Charlotte work to get over trust issues, resentment, dealing with her brother's death, etc. All the characters are very realistic and relatable. I give Love Bears All Things 4 out of 5 stars. It is a heartwarming story. I look forward to reading the next book in An Amish Secrets Novel series.
