Impossible Love

Zane and Lila grew up together, and have loved each other since childhood.  As neighbors, they spent their lives close in both distance, and in their hearts.  Even though they have shared their deepest thoughts and interests, they have also shared the knowledge that a relationship with each other would never work.  Lila is Amish, and Zane is not.  He is an Englischer, as her community calls non-Amish people, an outsider.  A bit like Romeo and Juliet, they have a forbidden love.

When Lila was seventeen, Zane declared his love to her, and tried to get her to leave with him.  She refused, and told Zane to go far away.  Stunned by her rejection, and not thinking clearly, he does the one thing he swore he never would, he joined the Army.

Now, a few years later, Zane is going to be sent to Afghanistan, with the very real possibility he might lose his life.  He is also leaving with a heavy heart knowing he has never gotten over his love for Lila.  Sadly, too, he thinks Lila has moved on.  In the years since Zane left, Lila has been courting Reuben.  In reality, she doesn’t love him.   However, Lila knows marrying Reuben will please her strict father, plus she hopes that eventually, she will love him.

This is an amazing story that takes you from the peaceful Amish countryside, to the war-torn areas of Afghanistan.  When reading it, you will feel like you are there, too.  Amish ways, life-style and responsibilities are clearly portrayed through Lila’s eyes.  The author’s words paint a very vivid picture of life for the soldiers, along with the civilians, in war-torn Afghanistan.  It is not hard to imagine how difficult it is for both sides to trust each other, and how one wrong decision can cost the loss of lives.

It is also easy to understand the frustration Zane and Lila feel when it comes to making plans for their future, a life that doesn’t include each other.  It doesn’t seem possible that the two of them will ever be able to find true happiness with, or without each other. With Zane in the Army, marriage to him would require Lila to leave the Amish community and church–and she refuses to do that.  Amazingly with a surprising twist in the story, there is a happy ending.  I must give you fair warning though, once you pick up this book, you will have a hard time putting it down.  I highly recommend this 5-star book to anyone who enjoys well-written fiction.

The publisher has provided bookreadingtic with a complimentary copy of Amish Sweethearts through Bethany House Publishing for the purpose of review.   I have not been compensated in any other manner.  All opinions expressed are my own, and I was not required, or influenced, to give anything but an honest appraisal.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

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