About the book
Eighteen-year-old Lindsay Bedford is struggling to figure out where she belongs. In the Amish community of Bird-in-Hand? Or in the English world like her older sister? Returning for an extended visit to her hometown in Virginia, Lindsay must reconnect with old friends, face family pressures, and take some surprising turns before she can truly find her way home.
My Review
Before I started reading Amish fiction I always thought the Amish automatically joined the church and became members without any deliberation at all. Obviously, that is not the case. An Englisher joining the church must have an even harder time trying to make such a momentous decision. A Life of Joy brought me right into the decision making process!
In this 4th installment of the Kauffman Amish Bakery Series, we see 18 year old Lindsay Bedford on the threshold of adulthood. Does she join the church through baptism and continue her life in the Amish community? Should she go to college and resume life in the English world like her sister Jessica?
When I first finished the book I thought it was a good book for teen girls because most of the story revolves around an 18 year old, but as I chewed on the story and thought more about it, I realized that it’s a good book for adults too. Lindsay is encouraged by her elders to pray, asking God to lead her to make the right decisions for her life. They aren’t trying to force her one way or the other. They truly want her to have joy in life.
There are tidbits happening in the lives of several characters from the other books but not so much that this one couldn’t be read as a stand-alone novel. The author has a lovely way of weaving the lives of these characters together. The most enjoyable part of the book for me was watching Rebecca and Daniel. They have an endearing relationship and this book finds them expecting more than they expected.
Zondervan provided a galley through Netgalley for review purposes. No compensation was received. I was not required to write a positive review, only my opinion of the book, which I have done.
A Life of Joy is available for purchase in audio, Ebook and softcover!
Get your copy today @ Zondervan.
Read an excerpt here.
Author Bio
This book sounds interesting to me because I've often wondered how it's like for an Englischer to join the Amish community. It's an intriguing topic for me. I think it's good the way the elders in the novel don't force her to make a decision to join the community. Too often, I read Amish novels where the elders are portrayed as sticklers for the law with a dislike for those who left the community for awhile.
ReplyDeleteNot too many Amish novels deal with someone coming in from the outside. Like you said, they usually deal with someone leaving which made this one particularly interesting.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the wonderful review!
ReplyDeleteHey Amy! You are most welcome :) I always enjoy your books. You have such a fresh voice. Thank you for stopping by and commenting!
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