This book continues the story of Promise Lodge, and while it can be enjoyed as a stand-alone, if you haven’t read the beginning books in the series, you will miss a lot character development and backstory. Frances suffers a fall just as she begins a new chapter in her life. This drastically affects her budding relationship with Marlin. Her daughter Gloria also undergoes a surprising change, and new characters are introduced. The series is a well written one, and the characters seem lifelike, dealing with all life has to offer, both good and bad. ( )

“New Beginnings at Promise Lodge” continues the story of a progressive Amish community in Missouri. The new beginnings mentioned in the title includes several couples who have new babies, as well as several couples who encounter some setbacks as they seek to begin new marriages.

This is the first I have read in the series, but not the last. I especially liked the idea of blending Old Order Amish with Mennonites, and the emphasis on women running their own businesses successfully. The plot moves along quickly and draws the reader along. The problems addressed were realistic. The novel ends with a lead in to the next one in the series, and includes an excerpt.

I also liked the characters, and could relate to their struggles, particularly the widow/widower romance. The characters showed humor and spirit in their interactions. This book could benefit from a character listing at the beginning, as I was very confused initially as to who the characters were and how they related to one another. Readers who enjoy Amish novels with a twist will appreciate this novel.

I received this book from the publisher and from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own. ( )

New Beginnings at Promise Lodge by Charlotte Hubbard is the fourth story in the Promise Lodge series. I recommend reading this series in order so you will not be overwhelmed by the characters and their various stories. New Beginnings at Promise Lodge picks up where Weddings at Promise Lodge ended. Truman and Rosetta are getting married which is a union between an Amish and a Mennonite. I just love the ladies of Promise Lodge. They are a lively and caring bunch. The women support each other. While the book focuses on Frances, we also catch up with the other characters. Frances is grieving the loss of her husband, but she is also looking forward to the freedoms offered by their new community. But then her brother-in-law, Lester Lehman begins insisting they marry which is the last thing Frances wants to happen. Her daughter, Gloria is upset at the loss of her father and she is still chasing after Allen Troyer who is not interested in Gloria. Allen has told Gloria how he feels, but she is rather persistent (let’s face it, she is a pest). Preacher Marlin Kurtz, who has been a widower for three years, intervenes when Lester begins making inappropriate assertions. Marlin is interested in Frances and is totally unprepared for the reaction from one of his grown children. I thought New Beginnings at Promise Lodge was well-written with appealing characters. The setting is beautifully described, and the story has a good flow. I like how Charlotte Hubbard has given us this unique Amish community with a variety of characters. I thought the situations realistic and I enjoyed the humor sprinkled throughout this emotional tale. There is a particularly sad section that had me fetching a tissue. New Beginnings at Promise Lodge gives us joy, family, heartache, friendship, love, faith, grief, and confusion. We get to meet Annabelle Beachy at the end who will feature in Light Shines on Promise Lodge. My favorite saying from the book is “Happiness doesn’t just happen—it’s a conscious choice we make dozens a times each day.” New Beginnings at Promise Lodge is a heartwarming story with a wonderful wedding, a bothersome brother-in-law, twin expectations, a plethora of pies, diminutive dwellings, and a terrible tumble. ( )

Oh, how I loved being back at Promise Lodge, would love to live here and be a part of their community.
We pick up where we left off in the last book [and I see there is another to follow this one, and I’m not patiently waiting], and Frances is now trying to move on after the loss of her husband. Our Grace is still fumbling, and I keep hoping there will be someone for her, but keep reading, there may be light at the end of the tunnel.
A book full of emotions, lots of love, smiles, tears and some heart ache, and a read I could not put down until the end, and then I wanted more.
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Kensington, and was not required to give a positive review. ( )