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Book Review of Anything But Plain

Anything But Plain
flwergirl avatar reviewed on + 92 more book reviews


Welcome back to Stoney Ridge and all of its colorful characters! This delightful story is full of insight into family relationships, friendship, and faith, with subtle humor. It was fun to see mentions of returning characters, but easy to read as a stand alone.

Lydie is a wonderfully unique character, bursting with energy, creativity, and a concern for others. I just wanted to hug her, cheer her on, and reaffirm what people finally realized, that she was special and loved just as she was, something many need to hear. The hurtfulness of gossip, comparison, and deceptions makes her story especially heart tugging, as she struggles with trying to fit in and please others.
The author does a great job of showing other points of view, i.e. Lydie's father, David, and her friend Nathan. Research into Attention Deficit Disorder was clearly evident and naturally woven into the story. The organic gardening topic is quite relevant to today and made an interesting point of contention between the siblings. I liked all of the Amish sayings with gardening that held extra meaning, like "walking the beans".

A charming story that kept me reading quickly to the end. Highly recommend! 5 stars!

(An ebook was provided by the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.)