I don't think I've read this author before, though I have read other Amish fiction. I did learn a few things--I knew there were different rules in different places, but I didn't realize how much they differed from place to place or among the sects of the Amish. I also didn't realize that there wasn't a standardized Deutsch (which was revealed when the game of Scrabble came up and they decided to play in English). I didn't find the authors "dictionary" that explained what certain words meant until about halfway through the book (I'd looked, but missed seeing it.) Usually, I either recognize a word because it's been used in other books or by the context in which it is used, but there were a few words in this story that I struggled with figuring out their meaning.

I do think any age could read this book though younger readers not much interested in romance might not be as keen to read it. Some of the words might be difficult for younger readers.

Likes:
That Caroline finds a welcoming place.

That Trey is willing to step aside to allow a relationship that has a real chance of surviving to fluorish. I admire Trey for wanting to do the "right" thing and marry Caroline and have a relationship with his/their daughter, but at the same time, marrying Trey created its own problems for Caroline and her family. And I'm not sure that Trey really loves Caroline or if he was just proposing because of Emma.

I was surprised that Caroline's parents decided to move to Wells Landing.

Dislikes:
Andrew and Caroline don't know each other that long before they end up getting married. Andrew's come to Wells Landing after the girl he thought he'd marry dies--he is grieving. All of a sudden, Caroline makes him forget that grief. Well, I guess you could argue that Andrew loved Beth in a different way--perhaps not a true, forever kind of love since they knew she was sick and they might only have a limited time together. And yes, you might argue that Amish ways are different than non-Amish ways--but still, they appear to have known each other less than a year total.

Questions:
Do the Amish really not know that there's such a thing as abortion? Or is it just the slang "take care of it" that confuses Caroline?

Is a lie of omission considered serious? Wells Landings folks assume Caroline is a widow. She never corrects them. I can understand her reasoning behind not telling, but it's still a question for me.

Did Trey and Caroline have a real love? It makes me wonder what would have happened if she had been able to tell him when she went looking for him after learning she was pregnant. Would he have responded the same way then that he did when she located him again? ( )

I stumbled upon Amy Lillard‘s work entirely by accident and it was equally coincidental that I ended up on her street team!

Which is how I got an early look at her new book: “Caroline’s Secret”


And let me tell you, this book is just as fantastic a read as her Clover Ridge series!

If she writes mainstream fiction anywhere near as well as she does Amish fiction… it’s a wonder she hasn’t sold a million copies.

The characters will immediately engage you, pulling you right into their world – and that is not always an easy thing to do.


Now granted I read an uncorrected proof because it was an early sneak peek (I LOVE being on the street team!!!) but the finished story is sure to be just as amazing once it’s all finished and fixed.

And isn’t it interesting – I think I found less mistakes in the “uncorrected proof” than I have in a lot of regular published books.

Amy Lillard has a particular talent for pulling you into her characters’ skin. It’s wonderful! You feel what the characters feels and it really makes the book REAL for you! Or it does for me… at any rate. And her skill does not end with the characters. She always writes a stellar story and she paints a beautiful picture for us too. There’s no feeling that you’re just following someone around a blank town. We see the area around our characters and that also helps make the story REAL!

Now… I get to be on pins and needles until the next book in this series is ready for us to check out. Write faster Amy. LOL!

DO NOT MISS THIS ONE! If you have not pre-ordered, go do it now! “Caroline’s Secret” releases officially on August 5th!

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

A Real Page Turner! Don’t Miss This One!

I have read all of Amy Lillard’s Amish fiction books. I have sincerely loved them all. BUT, I will say that Caroline’s Secret is my favorite so far. Right from the beginning this book holds your interest. I have a confession to make. I wanted to read the last page in this book in the worst way. I needed to know a few things, hoping they would turn out the way I wanted them to. I will admit that I DID NOT read the last page. I made myself wait until I got there.

I quickly fell in love with the characters in this book. Caroline is someone I’d truly want as a friend. Emma is an adorable toddler that will capture your heart. I could easily claim her as my granddaughter! Andrew is someone you will instantly like. I can’t forget to mention Esther and Abe, they will hold a special place in your heart too.

This is a story of love, romance, and forgiveness. You will smile, laugh, shake your head, you might even say, really?!, and it will bring you to tears. You will find hidden secrets and moments of, how could he do that!! You will pick up this book every chance you get and if you are lucky you might be able to read it all the way through in one day if you don’t have any interruptions and a household to take care of.

Amy, you have done it again! I can not wait until book two, Courting Emily, is released in January 2015.

I highly recommend this book. It is a 5 star book many times over! ( )