Friday 24 April 2020

The Englisch Daughter - Cindy and Erin Woodsmall

Things are different within the marriage and Jemima Graber can't fully understand what has gone wrong. Devoted mother and wife, her life for the last ten years belonged to her family.

When an accident causes her husband and daughter to be injured, the distance starts. It was a time to be thankful as they survived yet Roy isolates himself from them, their family. When did things get so bad? Jemima hardly sees him and her desire to own a food truck, sanctioned by the Bishop, is fast becoming a pipe dream.

Roy loves his family, the horse farm he owns is successful. But, that one night with an old friend has caused so much internal turmoil. He doesn't know how to face Jemima, the love of his life. Would she understand the relationship he has with Tiffany, an Englisch woman he met before joining the Old Order faith? Not only does Roy have to find the courage to speak to his wife, he also needs to explain why she won't be able to purchase the food truck. When did things go so wrong?

Abigail loves her independence, helping out at Endless Grace (a group helping men in recovery and at risk teens), working on the horse farm. She knows something isn't right between her brother and sister-in-law but, whatever it is, she's on Jemima's side. Her opinion of men is a touch jaded. And, then she meets Chris, the newly employed farmhand.

Chris Fisher is in between the Order. He's taken on boxing, frowned upon in the Amish community, but he has to compete in one more fight. It may be his downfall, but it will help his brother. When he meets Abigail, he's not inclined to tell her the whole truth. But, if he wants to have a relationship with her he'll have to come clean - will she still accept him?

When the situation with Tiffany comes to head all four have to work together to save a life - but will it save Roy and Jemima's relationship?

Together, the lives of  Jemima, Roy, Abigail and Chris converge to create both a heartwarming and heart wrenching story. Erin and Cindy Woodsmall's story is thoughtful, sincere and scattered with touches of humor. Love and strength of family is the main theme with heavy doses of being truthful and facing the consequences of ones' actions.

Being told from a different perspective, the story shines a new light on how an Amish family deals with trouble within a marriage. It's a story that you hope turns out well if only for the sake of Jemima. The Woodsmall's have created such a strong kind and compassionate protagonist that the reader can  only wish the best for her.

Another well written and thought out novel. The authors have managed to create a story filled with so much emotion and believable characters. Capturing the nuances of children, a strained relationship, a burgeoning one as well as unconditional love and deep faith, The Englisch Daughter will be a book that can't be put down once started. A highly recommended read.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House to review. The opinions expressed are my own and I am not required to give a positive critique.

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