At age twenty, Jessica Bachman left her two beloved sisters and her Amish community after clashing with the new bishop about her role in the family and the future of their farm. She tried to convince Silas Kemp, who'd been courting her for two years, to join her, but when he said no, she fled anyway.

I really enjoyed this, clean Amish story, with romance, family intrigue and a lot of growing. I received this for free and I voluntarily chose to review this. I've given this a 5* rating. This story grabbed my attention from the first and swirled in tibits along the way to keep drawing attention back to underline certain things. And woven through this story, was another story about a long ago ancestor of this family and their family farm. There were a lot of pro's and con's of the Amish versus Englisher type of lifestyle. ( )

At age twenty, Jessica Bachman left her two beloved sisters and her Amish community after clashing with the new bishop about her role in the family and the future of their farm. She tried to convince Silas Kemp, who’d been courting her for two years, to join her, but when he said no, she fled anyway.

Three years later, she returns home for the first time since leaving Lancaster to attend her father’s funeral. Her arrival back revives all sorts of emotions–yearnings and sorrows alike. Jessica knows things will never return to how they were. But in seeing Silas again, she can’t help but wonder what might have been.

Struggling to decide where her next step should take her, she learns the story of a Revolutionary War-era ancestor that echoes her own choices. Will Jessica leave her family and community forever, or is there peace and healing and love yet to come?

MY THOUGHTS:

I received this book in exchange for my honest review.

The Protagonist, Jessica, reads like she’s far older than twenty. I love these historical fictions. This story takes you on a journey of self-discovery by using two stories about Amish women who face life altering choices and their inner struggles with self, religion, family expectations and unexpected love.

I love both female characters in this book. They are strong and honest and both adore their families in a way you don’t see anymore. I enjoyed seeing in to a way of living that I’m not accustomed to. We have Amish around here too and I’ve always been curious about their simplistic life choices.

The Amish in the book are situated in the States although they do discuss Canada and the colonies here. The era is during the civil wars. It was a great read! And if you enjoy such historical family fiction, then I highly recommend you pick up this book and give it a chance.

The plot is well paced, moving a bit slow at first, but you get a good feeling of the family dynamics, the author’s voice is smooth and transitions well from one setting to another, one perspective to another without jarring or jumping around. Tension is felt throughout the book building to a wonderful conclusion and resolution.

The setting is beautifully written to the point where you, as the reader, also get a sense of how astounding the landscape is and why the Protagonist just loves her home so much.

Overall, I’d say this book is a light, enjoyable read for those days when you don’t want too much complication to wrap your brain around. It’s a great read for those who love family stories, but also love historical fiction. ( )

In this book by Leslie Gould, Jessica Bachmann has already left the Amish community she grew up in. But she is called back by her youngest sister to attend her father's funeral. This is the most difficult thing she has ever done in her life because of the divisive family drama that pushed her out in the first place. She is subjected to shunning practices while at the same time she is trying to grieve over her father's passing. Then her brother Amos arrives. He had left the family more than a decade ago with similar conflicts in the family, especially with his twin, the brother now in charge of the family homestead.

Her aunt Suz helps Jessica cope while inviting her to the house she lives in. So during the days Jessica stays with her aunt while she tells her a story about one of her ancestors, a Ruby Bachmann who lived Plain during the days of the colonial period and the beginning of the American Revolution against Britain. There are parallels between the two women of this book. Both have tough choices to make that can change their lives drastically.

The historical fiction story about Ruby Bachmann is filled with suspense and tough choices. As Jessica was listening to her aunt telling this story, she wasn't quite sure what point her aunt was making. Not until the very last few pages of the book does Jessica realize what the message was. In the meantime, watching her former fiance court another woman was breaking her heart when it shouldn't have, and seeing her older brother plan things for her father's farm that could jeopardize the family legacy irreversibly worried her in spite of the fact that she no longer lives on the farm. What was her heart trying to tell her?

This is a fast-paced contemporary story about family conflicts, past hurts, reconciliation, and challenges that keeps our interest high. I loved this story. I loved the story within the story as well. Many of the characters go through a transition within their character. There are a lot of good dynamics moving throughout this book that takes awhile to process. There are even a few surprises toward the end of both stories. But all the conflict is well worth reading. I know this is one book I will enjoy reading several times.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers on behalf of the author. I was not required to write a review, positive or otherwise. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising." ( )

A Plain Leaving by Leslie Gould is the first book in The Sisters of Lancaster County series. Jessica Bachman is at work when she receives a call from her sister, Leisel that their father has passed away. Jessica left their Amish community three years prior and is shunned (she was baptized when she left). She returns for the funeral and receives a less than warm welcome from her relatives. Jessica is filled with mixed feelings upon her return. She misses her home and family, but she still remembers why she left. Silas Kemp (courted Jessica for two years) works on the farm and Jessica realizes that her feelings for him have not faded. At their father’s funeral, Arden (her older brother) has a heart attack. Jessica is the one person who can keep the farm running while he recovers (and he really does not want to ask for her help). While on the farm, Jessica spends time with her Aenti Suzanne who shares a special story with her about their ancestor, Ruby Bachman. When the time comes for Jessica to return to her home, will she want to leave or return to her roots?

A Plain Leaving was such a lovely story. I was drawn into the book from the very beginning. The characters are nicely developed. There are characters that readers will love and there are ones that you will love to hate (Arden, Marie, Bethel). In the face of such dislike, it can be hard to turn the other cheek. A Plain Leaving has a good pace, beautiful setting, and good writing. Leslie Gould managed to combine the two storylines (Jessica and Ruby’s) into one pleasing book. Some of the themes in A Plain Leaving are love, hope, forgiveness, foolishness, choices, history, trusting in God and having faith. I appreciated the growth of the characters in the story. I am rating A Plain Leaving 5 out of 5 stars (I loved it). I did not want A Plain Leaving to end. It is an inspiring story. I am eager to read the next book in The Sisters of Lancaster County series. ( )