This is not an easy book to read. But then, none of Kelly Irvin’s books are easy to read.

The way she writes about the Amish shows a deeper understanding of life and Plain living that you don’t see in every Amish fiction novel.

She does not present a happy little fairy tale with tiny problems and silly obstacles. She shows us serious problems and tremendous obstacles – in other words, real problems and obstacles.

There is no easy path for her characters. It is a rocky and slippery slope they walk and the way through is not always clear – even to the reader.


The books AND the stories are definitely NOT predictable!

They are real stories about real people and, as difficult as it is to read – and please understand that when I say that, I mean that it’s a difficult experience, not that it’s difficult to get into or understand. Reading Kelly Irvin’s books are an incredibly emotional and wearisome experience - is incredibly rewarding and uplifting.

Even though her message is presented through great difficulty and tragedy, it is always a lesson we need! Everyone needs to learn the lessons she presents and going about it this way is much better that experiencing the tragedy for yourself.


Although, you kind of feel like you do experience it. Her writing is THAT good!

Have a box of tissues handy and make sure you don’t have anything pressing to do for a while but READ IT! It’s TOO good to miss!

Disclaimer: I received this book free in exchange for an honest review. ( )

Kelly Irvin has written a compelling page-turner. It is so about forgiveness of one another, and oneself. How could a really happy family, go from one extreme to another in almost a fraction of a second?
When tragedy hits a family, it can pull everyone together, or yank them forever apart. This what happens to the Christner family, and with their Amish background you hope that they will be able to heal. This tragedy though, touches other lives, and throughout the story, one point keeps rearing it head, forgive yourself. That seems to be the hardest of all, yes you can put the blame on someone else, and they all did, beside themselves. Also you see where it is hard not to hold a grudge against someone.
What I found was that living your faith in God, really means exactly that. Not just a pick and choose, but all of It.! You are going to wonder if there will ever be peace in this family, or community again. If they are all going to be able to live there faith?
Come and spend some quality time with the Amish of New Hope.

I received this book through First Wild Card Book Tours, and was not required to give a positive review ( )