I’ve wanted to read some of Beverly Lewis’ books on the Amish for some time now. I picked up this one at random from the local library. I’ve been up to Amish country in Pennsylvania and thought it beautiful. I’ve heard about their simplistic lifestyle and mostly how they live with many things most of us take for granted, such as microwaves and cell phones.

What stood out to me in this book was how much we have in common with the Amish. Dreams, joys, needs, family dynamics—the good and bad. Lewis does a good job of putting her reader in the story with its rural setting, describing family dynamics and relationships with others in the community and the church. I plan to read more of her work.

The mistakes of the past haunt Lucy Flaud, who years ago stopped attending the activities for courting-age young people in her hometown of Bird-in-Hand. Now twenty-five and solidly past the age of Amish courtship, Lucy has given up any hope of marriage, instead focusing her efforts on volunteering in both the Plain and fancy communities of Lancaster County. Yet no matter how hard Lucy strives, she feels uncertain that she’ll ever find redemption.

Dale Wyeth has a deep mistrust of modern-day “advances” and the dependency they create. The young Englisher’s interest in living off the grid is fueled further when he meets Christian Flaud, Lucy’s father. Dale appreciates the self-sufficient ways of the Old Order Amish, and Christian invites him to learn more about them by staying at the family farm.

As Christian and Dale grow closer, developing a father-son rapport, Lucy begins to question what Dale’s being there might mean for her. Could God be testing her? Or is it possible that even the most unworthy heart–and two people from very different walks of life–can somehow find a new beginning?