Molly Zook is a young Amish lady living in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Recently, Molly’s father died leaving her mother, Anna, her sister, Beatrice, and Molly very much adrift. Molly had always been a take-charge person, and since her father’s death, that is exactly what she has been doing.
Their father had started a green house and flower business on their farm. Unfortunately, none of the family knew what bad financial shape the business was in until after the father’s death.
Anna demands that Molly marry their neighbor, Mervin, to save the farm. She believes they could combine their two farms, and be back in the black again financially. Her mom insists that lots of people don’t marry for love, but over time, love will grow. Molly is repulsed by this idea. She has turned down other men, because none of them were “the one.” The last thing she wants to do is marry someone she has no romantic feelings for. In addition, until recently, Mervin has been courting Molly’s best friend, Hannah.
In the midst of this situation, a stranger, Leon, an Amish man from Montana shows up in the community. Molly is immediately smitten. Then seemingly out of the blue, Anna develops serious health issues.
So proceeds a story of Anna attempting to force Molly and Mervin together, Hannah’s endeavors to make Mervin jealous, Molly’s ventures to get Mervin to love Hannah again, while at the same time, Molly is seeking ways to spend time with Leon. Misinterpretation of actions, hurt feelings and twists and turns are added to the story as well. Who will end up with whom? What will become of the family farm? And will Anna survive her health crisis?
This story is loosely based on Shakespeare’s play, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” And in this the story, the words of the old Bard, “the course of true love never did run smooth” definitely apply.
To be honest, the last couple of Amish fiction works I read were so disappointing that I almost turned away from this genre. However, this was a different author than those works, and this tale captured my interest from the first page, and kept my attention until the end. Despite not reading all the books in this series, I did not have trouble keeping up with the story. This tale can stand on its own. This is fiction written from a Christian perspective, with well-developed characters and is enjoyable to read. I give this book five stars.
The publisher has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book through Bethany House Publishing for the purpose of review. All opinions expressed are my own, and I have not been compensated in any other manner. Despite my receiving the book free, it has not influenced my judgment, and I have given an honest opinion.
Author’s Website: http://www.lesliegould.com/
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