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This is probably between 3.5 stars and 4 stars for me. Since it's closer to a 4 than to a 3, on sites that only have full star ratings, it will show as a 4.

The book covers quite a bit of area: why is music outside of a proscribed area prohibited by the Ordnung?; helping those in need; family (both biological and created); unplanned pregnancy; Amish life vs. English life (life outside the Amish community); romance--just to name a few.

Yes, there is romance (between Levi and Mary) but it isn't the main focus of the book. I think the main focus of the book is how Adeline brings everyone together and how their lives change because of it.

I think Mary and Levi both went into it without wanting much in return. Natalie--I don't think she personally wanted anything from Adeline but her mother was hoping to get something.

Both Levi and Mary haven't joined church yet. Levi feels a pull toward the piano, but instruments of any kind are prohibited in his district. Mary has a personal radio that she uses to listen to inspirational songs--not totally prohibited for non-church members in her district. Both question why their Ordnungs only allow certain songs (and no instruments). Personally, I don't think either one gets a very good answer--though Levi's bishop does try. Eventually, they both decide to give up their respective music.

I liked the family atmosphere that developed between the 4. I also liked that the families donate items that Adeline needs.

I suspected that Adeline was going to change her will before it was revealed. I didn't guess correctly how she changed it though--and I didn't guess what Mary and Levi planned to do for Natalie.

I do wonder what will happen between Levi's brother Lucas (Amish) and Natalie (not Amish). I know some Amish districts do allow higher education if it will benefit the whole community (Veterinarians, Doctors, Nurses, etc.) so it is possible that Natalie would be allowed to continue with her vet studies even if she became Amish or that she could become Amish after schooling and still be allowed to practice her career. It's also possible that Lucas could leave his stricter district for one more permissive or leave the Amish community altogether.

I'm also not sure I approve of how Lydia's and Samuel's unplanned pregnancy was handled. I do hope that they figure out a way to love each other and that Lydia doesn't hold a grudge against him for being "forced" to marry him by her family. I do think that it is important to have people recognize the consequences for their actions, but I do wonder if it might have been better to have the two counseled a bit before the marriage took place or at least have a married woman/mother talk to Lydia (I'd say her own mother but given the tension, perhaps she wouldn't have listened to her own mother.) ( )

Beth Wiseman has long been one of my favorite Amish fiction authors, and after reading the first book in the Amish Journeys series, I know that I have discovered a wonderful collection of new-to-me stories. Hearts in Harmony was an endearing novel about caring for others, even if they’re outside our normal circle.

There were multiple characters in this first story which is standard fare with large Amish families. While not explained in too many details, there is a noticeable difference between Mary and Levi’s districts which affects how their families live and work. I felt bad for both of them when they didn’t want the other person to meet their families. Levi is ashamed of how primitive his family lives, while Mary is embarrassed about a situation that involves her sister.

In spite of their differences, they (along with another character named Natalie) are able to come together to care for an aging English woman, Adeline. I loved this part of the story so much because too often, the elderly don’t get as much of our time and attention as they should until it’s too late. We often take them for granted. In the case of Adeline’s character, she begins to have obvious issues with her speech, memory, and general health. It takes all three of them to make sure she gets the care she needs.

This tenderhearted story has the happy and the sad in equal measures, and I won’t lie by saying you might shed a tear or two before it’s all said and done. I love that there is some exploration into music and what is/isn’t acceptable in the Amish culture, but that isn’t the primary focus of the book. Amish fiction can easily become a stale backdrop for any story, but this author consistently writes fresh and unique stories for her readers. I’m excited to read the next book in the series to see what unfolds for Natalie.

Originally reviewed at blissbooksandjewels.com ( )

This was such a refreshing book to read! I enjoyed it from beginning to end. I did not want to put it down! I loved all of the characters. Beth Wiseman did such a wonderful job portraying the characters that I felt as if they were part of my family. I would love to have been a part of the friendship between Levi, Mary, Natalie, and Adeline. She put a lot of research into the Amish communities and how they differ from district to district and how they differ from the English. I love how she uses Amish words throughout the book and she also gives us a translation guide in the beginning of the book. This story shows how God orders our steps and He has a plan for all of us. This book made me smile, but it also made me shed a tear at the end.
It was so nice to read a beautiful story with a great ending.
I highly recommend this book to those who want an uplifting story.
I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for this opportunity. ( )

Title: Hearts in Harmony (An Amish Journey #1)
Author: Beth Wiseman
Pages: 320
Year: 2019
Publisher: Zondervan
My rating: 5 out of 5 stars.
The novel brings to the forefront how God can use even the worst moments of our lives to provide rays of hope, faith and love. Within the page’s, readers will discover how one older woman’s journey in her twilight years brings together three unlikely people. Together these young people discover a life well lived and loved, as well as how God may be bringing them the greatest of gifts.
The ending was somewhat hard to read having lost a loved one to cancer, so in that respect I didn’t enjoy it. It makes me wonder why other diagnoses aren’t used when desired in a story in climatic moments. This is not the first book I have read where this same disease is used to remove a character or brings climax to a plot.
Other than that, the story is a quick and enjoyable read. The tale ends with hope and new beginnings, plus the cover of the second book in the series was shown and is titled Listening to Love. I think readers will want to read the first book in order to really appreciate what is about to happen in the second installment. I love how the author showed God’s faithfulness and eventually filling up the holes broken dreams can leave behind.
The book will also be a good way to have people remember to love on the previous generation whether related by blood or not. This was the first full length novel of Beth Wiseman’s that I have read and plan on reading her future ones that have such faith filled themes.
Note: The opinions shared in this review are solely my responsibility. ( )